Using intervention mapping to develop an outpatient nursing nutritional intervention to improve nutritional status in undernourished patients planned for surgery.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition in surgical patients leads to a higher risk of postoperative complications like infections and delayed recovery of gastrointestinal functions, often resulting in a longer hospital stay and lower quality of life. Nurses at outpatient clinics can deliver nutritional care during outpatient preoperative evaluation of health status to ensure that patients are properly fed in preparation for hospital admission for surgery. However, nutritional nursing care was not determined in research yet. This paper describes the structural development of an Outpatient Nursing Nutritional Intervention (ONNI). METHODS: A project group followed the steps of the Intervention Mapping. The needs assessment included assessment of delivery of nutritional care and nutritional care needs at two anaesthesia outpatient clinics of an academic and a teaching hospital. Also, outpatient clinic nurses and patients at risk for undernutrition were interviewed. Determinants resulted from these methods were matched with theories on behaviour change and nutritional support. RESULTS: Both patients and nurses were unaware of the consequences of undernutrition, and nurses were also unaware of their roles with regard to nutritional support. The intervention goals were: 1) enabling surgical patients to improve or maintain their nutritional status before hospital admission for surgery, and 2) enabling nurses to deliver nutritional support. The ONNI was developed for outpatients at risk for or with undernutrition. A training was developed for nurses. The ONNI included the five following components: 1) identification of the causes of undernutrition; 2) provision of a nutritional care plan including general and individually tailored advice; 3) self-monitoring of nutrient intake; 4) counselling and encouragement; and 5) support during a telephone follow-up meeting. The intervention and training were tested. A multifaceted implementation strategy was used to deliver the intervention in daily practice. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the unique position of the nurses at outpatient clinics, nurses were unaware of their role with regard to nutritional care. The ONNI was developed and implemented along with a training program for nurses. The test confirmed that the training can improve nurses' knowledge, skills, and sense of responsibility for nutritional support. The intervention may empower patients to actively improve their nutritional status.

Novel BRCA1 and BRCA2 Tumor Test as Basis for Treatment Decisions and Referral for Genetic Counselling of Patients with Ovarian Carcinomas.

With the recent introduction of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, a promising novel therapy has become available for ovarian carcinoma (OC) patients with inactivating BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations in their tumor. To select patients who may benefit from these treatments, assessment of the mutation status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the tumor is required. For reliable evaluation of germline and somatic mutations in these genes in DNA derived from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, we have developed a single-molecule molecular inversion probe (smMIP)-based targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach. Our smMIP-based NGS approach provides analysis of both strands of the open reading frame of BRCA1 and BRCA2, enabling the discrimination between real variants and formalin-induced artefacts. The single molecule tag enables compilation of unique reads leading to a high analytical sensitivity and enabling assessment of the reliability of mutation-negative results. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) were used to detect exon deletions of BRCA1 and methylation of the BRCA1 promoter, respectively. Here, we show that this combined approach allows the rapid and reliable detection of both germline and somatic aberrations affecting BRCA1 and BRCA2 in DNA derived from FFPE OCs, enabling improved hereditary cancer risk assessment and clinical treatment of ovarian cancer patients.

Germline deletions in the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD are associated with polyposis and colorectal cancer development.

Heritable genetic variants can significantly affect the lifetime risk of developing cancer, including polyposis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Variants in genes currently known to be associated with a high risk for polyposis or CRC, however, explain only a limited number of hereditary cases. The identification of additional genetic causes is, therefore, crucial to improve CRC prevention, detection and treatment. We have performed genome-wide and targeted DNA copy number profiling and resequencing in early-onset and familial polyposis/CRC patients, and show that deletions affecting the open reading frame of the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD are recurrent and significantly enriched in CRC patients compared with unaffected controls. All patients carrying FOCAD deletions exhibited a personal or family history of polyposis. RNA in situ hybridization revealed FOCAD expression in epithelial cells in the colonic crypt, the site of tumour initiation, as well as in colonic tumours and organoids. Our data suggest that monoallelic germline deletions in the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD underlie moderate genetic predisposition to the development of polyposis and CRC.

Body composition of adults with chronic intestinal failure receiving home parenteral nutrition: A descriptive cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) refers to the long-lasting reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary to absorb macronutrients, water, and/or electrolytes. Patients with CIF likely develop various forms of malnutrition and dehydration, yet studies that focus primarily on body composition are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the body composition of adult patients with CIF. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive cohort study was performed at the Radboud University Medical Center, a tertiary referral center for CIF treatment in the form of home parenteral nutrition. We collected available bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data from routine care between 2019 and 2023. The primary outcome was body composition, which was evaluated by assessing body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and fat percentage (fat%). RESULTS: Overall, 147 adult patients with CIF were included with a median (interquartile range) age of 58 (25-68) years; 69% were female. The mean (SD) BMI was 22.1 (4.3) kg/m2, FFMI was 14.2 (1.9) kg/m2 in females and 17.0 (2.0) kg/m2 in males, and fat% was 33.7% (6.8%) in females and 24.6% (6.4%) in males. 63% had an FFMI below references, and 48% had a high fat%. CONCLUSION: This study found that most adult patients with CIF have an unfavorable body composition characterized by a high fat% and low FFMI despite having a normal mean BMI. These results highlight the necessity for in-depth nutrition assessment, including BIA measurement. Moreover, future studies should focus on exercise interventions to increase FFMI and improve body composition and function.

Multimodal prehabilitation (Fit4Surgery) in high-impact surgery to enhance surgical outcomes: Study protocol of F4S PREHAB, a single center stepped wedge trial.

BACKGROUND: High-impact surgery imposes a significant physiological and functional burden and is associated with substantial postoperative morbidity. Multimodal prehabilitation has demonstrated a reduction in postoperative complications and enhanced functional recovery, mainly in abdominal cancer surgery. Common preoperative risk factors shared among patients undergoing high-impact surgery, extending beyond abdominal cancer surgery procedures, suggest the relevance of multimodal prehabilitation to a broader patient population. This stepped wedge trial primarily aims to examine the hospital-wide effect of multimodal prehabilitation, compared to standard preoperative care, on the occurrence and severity of postoperative complications. Secondary and tertiary endpoints include length of hospital stay, physical fitness, nutritional status, mental health, intoxications, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. METHODS: The Fit4Surgery (F4S) PREHAB trial is a monocenter stepped wedge trial in an academic hospital. Adult patients, divided into 20 health clusters based on specific diagnoses, will be assessed for eligibility and receive usual preoperative care or multimodal prehabilitation. Patient enrollment commenced in March 2021 and continues up to and including April 2024. The intervention consists of a high-intensity exercise program, a nutritional intervention, psychological support, and smoking and alcohol cessation. The primary outcome will be measured by the Clavien-Dindo classification (grade II or higher) and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). DISCUSSION: Multimodal prehabilitation potentially reduces postoperative complications and enhances functional recovery. This is the first study to determine the hospital-wide effect and cost-effectiveness of multimodal prehabilitation in patients across various surgical specialties.

Adherence to and Efficacy of the Nutritional Intervention in Multimodal Prehabilitation in Colorectal and Esophageal Cancer Patients.

Multimodal prehabilitation programs to improve physical fitness before surgery often include nutritional interventions. This study evaluates the efficacy of and adherence to a nutritional intervention among colorectal and esophageal cancer patients undergoing the multimodal Fit4Surgery prehabilitation program. The intervention aims to achieve an intake of ≥1.5 g of protein/kg body weight (BW) per day through dietary advice and daily nutritional supplementation (30 g whey protein). This study shows 56.3% of patients met this goal after prehabilitation. Mean daily protein intake significantly increased from 1.20 ± 0.39 g/kg BW at baseline to 1.61 ± 0.41 g/kg BW after prehabilitation (p < 0.001), with the main increase during the evening snack. BW, BMI, 5-CST, and protein intake at baseline were associated with adherence to the nutritional intervention. These outcomes suggest that dietary counseling and protein supplementation can significantly improve protein intake in different patient groups undergoing a multimodal prehabilitation program.

Multimodal Prehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Complex Colorectal Surgery, Liver Resection, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): A Pilot Study on Feasibility and Potential Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for complex primary and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), such as liver resection and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), in academic settings has led to improved survival but is associated with complications up to 75%. Prehabilitation has been shown to prevent complications in non-academic hospitals. This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a multimodal prehabilitation program in patients undergoing surgery in an academic hospital for complex primary and metastatic CRC. METHODS: All patients awaiting complex colorectal surgery, liver resection, or HIPEC from July 2019 until January 2020 were considered potentially eligible. Feasibility was measured by accrual rate, completion rate, adherence to the program, satisfaction, and safety. To determine potential efficacy, postoperative outcomes were compared with a historical control group. RESULTS: Sixteen out of twenty-five eligible patients (64%) commenced prehabilitation, and fourteen patients fully completed the intervention (88%). The adherence rate was 69%, as 11 patients completed >80% of prescribed supervised trainings. No adverse events occurred, and all patients expressed satisfaction with the program. The complication rate was significantly lower in the prehabilitation group (37.5%) than the control group (70.2%, p = 0.020). There was no difference in the type of complications. CONCLUSION: This pilot study illustrates that multimodal prehabilitation is feasible in the majority of patients undergoing complex colorectal cancer, liver resection, and HIPEC in an academic setting.

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: clinicopathologic, immunhistochemical, and molecular genetic analysis of 39 cases.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a malignant, often indolent vascular tumor which occurs at various anatomic sites. Based on a reciprocal translocation t (1;3)(p36;q25), a consistent WWTR1-CAMTA1 fusion gene has been found. An alternate YAP1-TFE3 fusion has been detected in a small and distinct subset of cases. METHODS: Thirty-nine tumors, from 24 females and 15 males with an age range 9-85 years, were located in soft tissue (head and neck [8], trunk [5], upper extremities [3], lower extremities [2], mediastinal [1], and paratesticular [1]), lymph node (1), breast (1), skin (2), bone (6), lung (7), and liver (2). The cases were investigated using a panel of immunohistochemical markers. The aforementioned fusion-genes were examined using RT-PCR and/or FISH in order to validate their diagnostic value. RESULTS: Follow-up available for 17 patients ranged from 3 months to 7 years (median interval 1.5 years). Eleven patients were alive without disease, 2 patients were alive with disease after 1.5 and 2 years, respectively. Four patients died of disease after 4 months (n = 1), 5 months (n = 2), and 1.5 years (n = 1).The size, known for 30 lesions, was >3 cm in 9 of them. Histologically, all lesions had classical features, at least focally. Four tumors counted >3 mitoses/50 HPF. Immunohistochemically, all cases tested stained positive for ERG (21), FLI1 (5) and CD31 (39). CD34 and D2-40 positivity was seen in 81% and 71% of the examined cases, respectively. 11/35 cases expressed pan-keratin and 6/20 cases CK8.18. TFE3 showed a nuclear reaction in 21/24 cases, irrespective of TFE3 rearrangement.Molecular genetically, 35/35 cases revealed one of the fusion genes by FISH and/or RT-PCR with WWTR1-CAMTA1 in 33 cases and YAP1-TFE3 in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the high diagnostic value of FISH and RT-PCR in detecting the fusion genes of EHE. The immunohistochemical utility of TFE3 appears questionable in this study. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/4010279141259481.