Differential effects of high dose omega-3 fatty acids on metabolism and inflammation in patients with obesity: eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation.

Background: Obesity is complicated by low-grade chronic inflammation characterised by increases in inflammatory proteins and cells in peripheral blood. It has been known that omega-3 fatty acids (FA) like eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) could modulate the inflammatory process and improve metabolic markers. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of high-dose omega-3 FA on metabolic and inflammatory markers among patients with obesity and healthy volunteers. Methods: This prospective study included 12 women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35.0 kg/m2) and 12 healthy women (BMI < 24.0 kg/m2) who were supplemented with a dose of 4.8 g/day (3.2 g EPA plus 1.6 g DHA) for 3 months followed by no treatment for 1 month. Plasma metabolic and inflammatory markers and levels of mRNA transcripts of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets were determined monthly. Results: None of the participants exhibited changes in weight or body composition after study completion. EPA and DHA supplementation improved metabolic (insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR], triglyceride [TG]/ high-density lipoprotein [HDL] ratio, TG, and arachidonic acid [AA]/EPA ratio) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, the levels of mRNA transcripts of T CD4+ lymphocyte subsets (TBX21, IFNG, GATA-3, interleukin [IL]-4, FOXP3, IL-10 IL-6, and TNF-α), were down-regulated during the intervention phase. After 1 month without supplementation, only insulin, HOMA-IR and the mRNA transcripts remained low, whereas all other markers returned to their levels before supplementation. Conclusion: Supplementation with high-dose omega-3 FAs could modulate metabolism and inflammation in patients with obesity without weight loss or changes in body composition. However, these modulatory effects were ephemeral and with clear differential effects: short-duration on metabolism and long-lasting on inflammation.

Dragon 1 Protocol Manuscript: Training, Accreditation, Implementation and Safety Evaluation of Portal and Hepatic Vein Embolization (PVE/HVE) to Accelerate Future Liver Remnant (FLR) Hypertrophy.

STUDY PURPOSE: The DRAGON 1 trial aims to assess training, implementation, safety and feasibility of combined portal- and hepatic-vein embolization (PVE/HVE) to accelerate future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy in patients with borderline resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases. METHODS: The DRAGON 1 trial is a worldwide multicenter prospective single arm trial. The primary endpoint is a composite of the safety of PVE/HVE, 90-day mortality, and one year accrual monitoring of each participating center. Secondary endpoints include: feasibility of resection, the used PVE and HVE techniques, FLR-hypertrophy, liver function (subset of centers), overall survival, and disease-free survival. All complications after the PVE/HVE procedure are documented. Liver volumes will be measured at week 1 and if applicable at week 3 and 6 after PVE/HVE and follow-up visits will be held at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the resection. RESULTS: Not applicable. CONCLUSION: DRAGON 1 is a prospective trial to assess the safety and feasibility of PVE/HVE. Participating study centers will be trained, and procedures standardized using Work Instructions (WI) to prepare for the DRAGON 2 randomized controlled trial. Outcomes should reveal the accrual potential of centers, safety profile of combined PVE/HVE and the effect of FLR-hypertrophy induction by PVE/HVE in patients with CRLM and a small FLR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04272931 (February 17, 2020). Toestingonline.nl: NL71535.068.19 (September 20, 2019).

Predictive Factors for Hypertrophy of the Future Liver Remnant After Portal Vein Embolization: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review was conducted to determine factors that are associated with the degree of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant following portal vein embolization. An extensive search on September 15, 2020, and subsequent literature screening resulted in the inclusion of forty-eight articles with 3368 patients in qualitative analysis, of which 18 studies were included in quantitative synthesis. Meta-analyses based on a limited number of studies showed an increase in hypertrophy response when additional embolization of segment 4 was performed (pooled difference of medians = - 3.47, 95% CI - 5.51 to - 1.43) and the use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate for portal vein embolization induced more hypertrophy than polyvinyl alcohol (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.60, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.91). There was no indication of a difference in degree of hypertrophy between patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not receive pre-procedural systemic therapy(pooled SMD = - 0.37, 95% CI - 1.35 to 0.61), or between male and female patients (pooled SMD = 0.19, 95% CI - 0.12 to 0.50).The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews on April 28, 2020 (CRD42020175708).

Predicting local tumour progression after ablation for colorectal liver metastases: CT-based radiomics of the ablation zone.

PURPOSE: To assess whether CT-based radiomics of the ablation zone (AZ) can predict local tumour progression (LTP) after thermal ablation for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients with 127 CRLM were included. Radiomics features (with different filters) were extracted from the AZ and a 10 mm periablational rim (PAR)on portal-venous-phase CT up to 8 weeks after ablation. Multivariable stepwise Cox regression analyses were used to predict LTP based on clinical and radiomics features. Performance (concordance [c]-statistics) of the different models was compared and performance in an 'independent' dataset was approximated with bootstrapped leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV). RESULTS: Thirty-three lesions (26 %) developed LTP. Median follow-up was 21 months (range 6-115). The combined model, a combination of clinical and radiomics features, included chemotherapy (HR 0.50, p = 0.024), cT-stage (HR 10.13, p = 0.016), lesion size (HR 1.11, p = <0.001), AZ_Skewness (HR 1.58, p = 0.016), AZ_Uniformity (HR 0.45, p = 0.002), PAR_Mean (HR 0.52, p = 0.008), PAR_Skewness (HR 1.67, p = 0.019) and PAR_Uniformity (HR 3.35, p < 0.001) as relevant predictors for LTP. The predictive performance of the combined model (after LOOCV) yielded a c-statistic of 0.78 (95 %CI 0.65-0.87), compared to the clinical or radiomics models only (c-statistic 0.74 (95 %CI 0.58-0.84) and 0.65 (95 %CI 0.52-0.83), respectively). CONCLUSION: Combining radiomics features with clinical features yielded a better performing prediction of LTP than radiomics only. CT-based radiomics of the AZ and PAR may have potential to aid in the prediction of LTP during follow-up in patients with CRLM.

Delayed care for patients with newly diagnosed cancer due to COVID-19 and estimated impact on cancer mortality in France.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave on cancer patient management was measured within the nationwide network of the Unicancer comprehensive cancer centers in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The number of patients diagnosed and treated within 17 of the 18 Unicancer centers was collected in 2020 and compared with that during the same periods between 2016 and 2019. Unicancer centers treat close to 20% of cancer patients in France yearly. The reduction in the number of patients attending the Unicancer centers was analyzed per regions and cancer types. The impact of delayed care on cancer-related deaths was calculated based on different hypotheses. RESULTS: A 6.8% decrease in patients managed within Unicancer in the first 7 months of 2020 versus 2019 was observed. This reduction reached 21% during April and May, and was not compensated in June and July, nor later until November 2020. This reduction was observed only for newly diagnosed patients, while the clinical activity for previously diagnosed patients increased by 4% similar to previous years. The reduction was more pronounced in women, in breast and prostate cancers, and for patients without metastasis. Using an estimated hazard ratio of 1.06 per month of delay in diagnosis and treatment of new patients, we calculated that the delays observed in the 5-month period from March to July 2020 may result in an excess mortality due to cancer of 1000-6000 patients in coming years. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the delays in cancer patient management were observed only for newly diagnosed patients, more frequently in women, for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and nonmetastatic cancers. These delays may result is an excess risk of cancer-related deaths in the coming years.

Microdosimetry in low energy proton beam at therapeutic-equivalent fluence rate with silicon 3D-cylindrical microdetectors.

In this work we show the first microdosimetry measurements on a low energy proton beam with therapeutic-equivalent fluence rates by using the second generation of 3D-cylindrical microdetectors. The sensors belong to an improved version of a novel silicon-based 3D-microdetector design with electrodes etched inside silicon, which were manufactured at the National Microelectronics Centre (IMB-CNM, CSIC) in Spain. A new microtechnology has been employed using quasi-toroid electrodes of 25µm diameter and a depth of 20µm within the silicon bulk, resulting in a well-defined cylindrical radiation sensitive volume. These detectors were tested at the 18 MeV proton beamline of the cyclotron at the National Accelerator Centre (CNA, Spain). They were assembled into an in-house low-noise readout electronics to assess their performance at a therapeutic-equivalent fluence rate. Microdosimetry spectra of lineal energy were recorded at several proton energies starting from 18 MeV by adding 50µm thick tungsten foils gradually at the exit-window of the cyclotron external beamline, which corresponds to different depths along the Bragg curve. The experimentalyF¯values in silicon cover from (5.7 ± 0.9) to (8.5 ± 0.4) keV µm-1in the entrance to (27.4 ± 2.3) keV µm-1in the distal edge. Pulse height energy spectra were crosschecked with Monte Carlo simulations and an excellent agreement was obtained. This work demonstrates the capability of the second generation 3D-microdetectors to assess accurate microdosimetric distributions at fluence rates as high as those used in clinical centers in proton therapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment of a first cancer is associated with a decreased incidence of second primary cancer.

BACKGROUND: Second primary cancers (SPCs) are diagnosed in over 5% of patients after a first primary cancer (FPC). We explore here the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) given for an FPC on the risk of SPC in different age groups, cancer types and treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of the 46 829 patients diagnosed with an FPC in the Centre Léon Bérard from 2013 to 2018 were analyzed. Structured data were extracted and electronic patient records were screened using a natural language processing tool, with validation using manual screening of 2818 files of patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the incidence of SPC according to patient characteristics and treatment were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 46 829 patients, 1830 (3.9%) had a diagnosis of SPC with a median interval of 11.1 months (range 0-78 months); 18 128 (38.7%) received cytotoxic chemotherapy (CC) and 1163 (2.5%) received ICIs for the treatment of the FPC in this period. SPCs were observed in 7/1163 (0.6%) patients who had received ICIs for their FPC versus 437/16 997 (2.6%) patients receiving CC and no ICIs for the FPC versus 1386/28 669 (4.8%) for patients receiving neither CC nor ICIs for the FPC. This reduction was observed at all ages and for all histotypes analyzed. Treatment with ICIs and/or CC for the FPC are associated with a reduced risk of SPC in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy with ICIs alone and in combination with CC was found to be associated with a reduced incidence of SPC for all ages and cancer types.

Development of a leakage monitoring system in isolated limb perfusion with portable gamma camera. / Desarrollo de un protocolo de monitorización de fuga en perfusión de miembro aislado con gammacámara portátil.

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a method for treating unresectable lesions of limbs in patients with melanoma or sarcoma by using high doses of tumor necrosis factor alpha and melphalan. These high doses can result in high systemic toxicity if there is a drug leak from the isolated circulation of the limb to the systemic. This makes it imperative to monitor the leakage rate (F[%]) during the infusion, currently performed with radiotracers. The objective of this work was to develop a leakage monitoring protocol as accurate as possible to ensure safe ILP. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We built a phantom with 3compartments (body, limb and precordial area) and a high sensitivity collimator fitted to a portable gammacamera. We simulate ILP with scheduled leaks every 10minutes from 1% to 9% (theorical F[%]). We mesured F(%) using 2equation: one is the proposed in the literature and another corrected by decay of the radioisotope. We test the optimal radiopharmaceutical doses to minimize the detector dead time error and compare F(%) mesured by both equations regarding the theoretical F(%). The leakage monitoring protocol was used in 17 ILP of 16 patients and an analysis of the recorded data was performed. RESULTS: We found significant differences between F(%) mesured using the first equation and theoretical F(%), obtaining results very adjusted to the theorical after applying the decay correction. CONCLUSIONS: The decay correction of the radioisotope is a simple manner to carry out the procedure more safely, reducing the error in the calculation of F(%).

Frecuencia de lumbalgia aguda y su tratamiento en la central de emergencias de un hospital privado / Acute lumbalgia frequency and treatment at a private hospital emergency plant

Resumen: Introducción: La lumbalgia aguda (LA) es un problema en diferentes ámbitos de atención. La Central de Emergencias de Adultos (CEA) intenta brindar atención inmediata, especializada y eficaz. Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia y describir el proceso de atención habitual. Material y métodos: Para la estimación de prevalencia, se incluyó una muestra aleatoria de 5,333 consultas admitidas en CEA de un solo hospital entre Enero y Diciembre de 2016. Se definió como numerador a los casos de LA según diagnóstico de triaje al ingreso. Una cohorte retrospectiva con todos los casos de LA se utilizó para describir estudios complementarios y conductas terapéuticas instaurados en CEA, con seguimiento ambulatorio posterior. Resultados: La lumbalgia aguda representó 4.37% (IC 95%: 3.83-4.95%) de las consultas. Se incluyeron 1,096 casos de LA: edad media de 53.26 ± 19.85 años, 55.93% (613) sexo femenino y escasas comorbilidades. La mediana de tiempo de atención fue de 3.28 horas y se internó 6.20%, 70% (778) recibió tratamiento en CEA, las vías de administración más utilizadas fueron: endovenosa (61.86%) e intramuscular (20.62%). Los analgésicos utilizados fueron: 55.38% corticoides, 55.02% AINE, 34.85% opiáceos. Los estudios complementarios solicitados en CEA o hasta los 30 días postegreso fueron: 52.19% laboratorio, 47.17% radiografía/s, 28.38% resonancia/s, 10.77% tomografía/s, 9.12% intervencionismo/s. Conclusiones: Este estudio aporta datos epidemiológicos sobre LA y evidencia la necesidad de fomentar el uso racional de los recursos.

Abstract: Introduction: Acute back pain (LA) is a considerable problem in any care setting. The Emergency Department (ED) intended to provide immediate, timely and effective care. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence and describe the usual care process. Material and methods: To estimate prevalence, a random sample was included of 5,333 consultations admitted in ED at hospital XX between January and December 2016. LA cases were defined according to the diagnosis at arrival. A retrospective cohort with all LA cases was used to describe complementary studies and therapeutic behaviors established in ED or within the subsequent 30 days outpatient follow-up. Results: LA represented 4.37% (95% CI: 3.83-4.95%) of consultations. A total of 1,096 cases of LA were included: mean age of 53.26 ± 19.85 years, 55.93% (613) female sex and few comorbidities. The median attention time was 3.28 hours and 6.20% was admitted. 70% (778) received treatment in CEA, being the most used administration routes: intravenous (61.86%), and intramuscular (20.62%). The analgesics used were: 55.38% corticosteroids, 55.02% NSAIDs, 34.85% opioids. The complementary studies requested during ED or until 30 days after discharge, were: 52.19% laboratory, 47.17% radiography, 28.38% RM, 10.77% tomography, 9.12% interventionism. Conclusions: This study provides epidemiological data of LA in Argentina and demonstrates the need to promote the rational use of resources.

Evaluación de algunos factores de riesgo para la presentación de síndrome de úlcera gástrica (SUGE) en el caballo criollo colombiano en el Valle de Aburrá, Antioquia (Colombia) / Evaluation of some risk factors for the presentation of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in colombian creole horse in Valle de Aburrá, Antioquia (Colombia)

RESUMEN Las úlceras gástricas se definen como la pérdida de continuidad de la mucosa gástrica. Se originan principalmente por desequilibrio entre factores injuriantes y de protección del estómago. Generalmente se manifiestan con signos como pérdida de peso, cólico, bruxismo e inapetencia, conllevando al bajo rendimiento del animal y pérdidas económicas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y factores de riesgo para la presentación de SUGE en CCC del Valle de Aburra. Se realizó gastroscopia a 100 animales de diferentes pesebreras, entre dos y 25 años de edad; cada estómago se caracterizó macro y microscópicamente. Las lesiones macroscópicas se valoraron de acuerdo con el grado de lesión según el Equine Gastric Ulcer Council, y la clasificación microscopica se basó en una adaptación hecha por patrones de descripción de lesiones más utilizados como: The sidney system y Equine gastritis grading system (EGGS). Para el análisis de los resultados, se tuvieron en cuenta variables como la intensidad del ejercicio, alojamiento, tipo y frecuencia de alimentación, transporte y frecuencia del mismo. El 65% de los equinos evaluados presentaron lesiones compatibles con SUGE. Macroscópicamente el grado 2 de severidad fue el más común (38%), con mayor presentación en la región aglandular. Microscópicamente el edema en la región fundica y pilórica fue la lesión más frecuente (35,2% y 30,7%, respectivamente). Los principales factores de riesgo asociados a la presentación de las lesiones fueron el transporte de los animales y la intensidad del ejercicio.

ABSTRACT Gastric ulcers are defined as the loss of continuity of the gastric mucosal. They are mainly caused by an imbalance between harmful and protective factors of the stomach. It generally manifests itself with signs such as weight loss, colic, bruxism and inappetence, which can lead to low performance and economic losses. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for the presentation of SUGE in CCC of the Valle del Aburra. Gastroscopy was made to 100 animals from different stables, between two and 25 years of age; each stomach characterized, macro and microscopically. Lesions are evaluate depending on the degree of injury to the "Equine Gastric Ulcer Council". Microscopic lesions classification was based on an adaptation by patterns most commonly used description of injuries such as: the Sidney System and the equine gastritis grading system (EGGS). For the analysis of the results, variables such as exercise intensity, accommodation, type and frequency of feeding, transportation and its frequency were taken into account. 65% of the equines evaluated presented SUGE-compatible lesions, of which the most common degree of severity macroscopically was grade 2 (38%), with grater presentation in the non-glandular region. Microscopically, edema in the fundic and pyloric region was the most frequent (35.2% and 30.7%, respectively). The main risk factors associated with the presentation of the lesions were the transport of the animals and the intensity of the exercise.

90Y-Radioembolization After Failed Portal Vein Embolization for Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Case Report.

The main limiting factor for liver resection is insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a standard of care treatment to induce FLR hypertrophy, but it is not always efficient. Radioembolization (RE) has a potential to induce liver hypertrophy for PVE-refractory patients. However, this was reported only for the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We described two cases of lobar RE after PVE failure for the patients with colorectal liver metastases. This enabled to reach sufficient FLR, provide good local disease control and bridge the patients to extended hepatectomy.

Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Histologically Proven T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of histologically proven T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: We analysed patients with a histologically proven RCC (≤ 7 cm) treated by MWA from April 2012-April 2018. Primary and secondary efficacy, local tumour recurrence (LTR), morbidity and mortality were reported. Efficacy was defined as no residual tumour enhancement on follow-up imaging 1 month after the first ablation (primary efficacy) and after re-ablation(s) for residual disease (secondary efficacy). Adverse events (AE) were registered by the Clavien-Dindo classification and the common terminology criteria for AE. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate a relation among pre-treatment factors incomplete ablation and complications. RESULTS: In 100 patients, a total of 108 RCCs (85 T1a and 23 T1b) were treated by MWA. Median size was 3.2 cm (IQR 2.4-4.0). Primary efficacy was 89% (95%CI 0.81-0.94) for T1a lesions and 52% (95%CI 0.31-0.73) for T1b lesions (p < 0.001). Fifteen lesions (7 T1a) were re-ablated for residual disease by MWA in one (n = 13) and two (n = 2, both T1b) sessions resulting in secondary efficacy rates of 99% (T1a) and 95% (T1b, p = 0.352). LTR occurred in four tumours (2 T1a, 2 T1b) after 10-60 months. Six (4%) AEs grade > 3-5 were observed (2 T1a, 4 T1b, p = 0.045). Multivariable analysis showed that mR.E.N.A.L. nephrometry was independently associated with incomplete ablation (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Microwave ablation is safe and effective for T1a and T1b RCC lesions with a significantly lower primary efficacy for T1b lesions.

Cryoablation and immunotherapy: an overview of evidence on its synergy.

Cancer cells can escape the immune system by different mechanisms. The evasion of cancer cells from immune surveillance is prevented by immune checkpoint inhibitors, allowing the patient's own immune system to attack their cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown improvement in overall survival for melanoma, lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma in clinical trials. Unfortunately, not all patients respond to this therapy.In cancer management, percutaneous ablation techniques are well established for both cure and local control of many tumour types. Cryoablation of the tumour tissue results in cell destruction by freezing. Contrary to heat-based ablative modalities, cryoablation induces tumour cell death by osmosis and necrosis. It is hypothesised that with necrosis, the intracellular contents of the cancer cells stay intact allowing the immune system to induce an immune-specific reaction. This immune-specific reaction can, in theory, also affect cancer cells outside the ablated tissue, known as the abscopal effect. Unfortunately, this effect is rarely observed, but when cryoablation is combined with immunotherapy, the effect of both therapies may be enhanced. Although several preclinical studies demonstrated a synergistic effect between cryoablation and immunotherapy, prospective clinical trials are needed to prove this clinical benefit for patients. In this review, we will outline the current evidence for the combination of cryoablation with immunotherapy to treat cancer.

Cholecalciferol supplementation increases FGF23 in peritoneal dialysis patients with hypovitaminosis D: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, so its supplementation has been advocated as potentially beneficial. METHODS: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Subjects on PD treated with high calcium peritoneal dialysate (Ca 3.5 mEq/l) and serum levels of 25-hydroxi vitamin D (25D) < 20 ng/ml were randomized to receive cholecalciferol (4800 IU/daily) or placebo for 16 weeks. The outcome measures were the effects on the osteogenic biomarkers osteoprotegerin (primary endpoint), intact fibroblast growth factor-23 (iFGF23), osteocalcin, osteopontin, iPTH, 1,25-dyhydroxivitamin D (1,25D), and interleukin-6. RESULTS: Fifty-eight subjects were randomly assigned. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Cholecalciferol supplemented subjects had a significant increase in serum 25D (from 11.4 ± 5.0 to 28.3 ± 10.3 ng/ml), 1,25D and iFGF23 compared with placebo group. iFGF23 levels increased an average of 10,875 pg/ml per month (95% CI 11,778-88,414) in the cholecalciferol group and was unchanged in the placebo group (2829 pg/ml, 95% CI - 2181 to 14,972). Extremely high iFGF23 levels (> 30,000 pg/ml) were observed in 74% of subjects receiving cholecalciferol although iFGF23 returned to baseline values after 32 weeks of withdrawal. The observed changes in iFGF23 correlated with 1,25D levels and were not modified by other variables. No difference was observed between groups in osteoprotegerin or other osteogenic biomarkers levels. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecalciferol supplementation increases serum 25D levels in subjects on PD exposed to high calcium dialysate, yet it induces an exponential increase of iFGF23 in most patients, which disappear after withdrawal of supplementation and may be a major concern for this maneuver.

Are High Rates of Deceased Donation Conditioning the Attitude Toward Liver Donation Among Medical Students?

The involvement of health professionals from their training period is important for the promotion of living liver donation. There are data that indicate that the awareness of living donation is lower in areas with high rates of deceased donation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitude toward living liver donation among Spanish medical students, according to donation rates of their regions. METHOD: Population under study: Medical students in Spanish universities. Database of the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. The completion was anonymous and self-administered. Groups under study: group 1 (n = 1136): students in universities of regions with >50 donors per million population (pmp); group 2 (n = 2018): students in region universities with <40 donors pmp. Assessment instrument: the attitude questionnaire for living liver donation Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante sobre Donación de Vivo Hepático-Ríos (PCID-DVH Ríos). RESULTS: The attitude toward related liver donation is more favorable among the students of regions with <40 donors pmp than among those of >50 donors pmp. Thus, in group 1, a total of 88% (n = 1002) of students are in favor compared with 91% (n = 1831) of group 2 (P=.02). The psychosocial profile of each study group about their attitude toward living related liver donation is analyzed. There is a similar profile between the 2 groups, although there are differences in some variables such as age, a belief that one might need a transplant, family discussion about donation and transplantation, discussion with friends about donation and transplantation, and knowing about a donor. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of living related donation among Spanish medical students is greater among the regions with lower organ donation rates.

Application of infrared thermography in diagnosing peripherally inserted central venous catheter infections in children with cancer.

APPROACH: Children affected by oncological diseases are often fitted with central venous catheters (CVCs). Catheter infection is a frequent complication, sometimes accompanied by thrombosis. A case/control-type pilot study of children with oncological diseases fitted with a CVC is here designed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this preliminary study is to use infrared thermography to discern whether there is an infection in patients with a CVC and, if so, to undertake a close follow-up of its evolution, after administering a therapy. Thermal asymmetry by mean and maximum temperatures (temperature affected ROI - temperature contralateral ROI) is measured. MAIN RESULTS: In all cases with catheter infection, thermal asymmetry values were higher than in controls without infection, allowing us to assess improvement after starting the treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: These preliminary results are satisfactory because they reflect the advantages of using infrared thermography on oncological child patients, as it is a harmless, non-contact, accessible and quick technique, allowing us to reduce the use of ionizing radiation and quantify the clinical signs of inflammation, which are otherwise only qualitatively detectable in clinical examination. By doing so, it may be possible to anticipate infection and provide early treatment, and, moreover, to observe whether there is any complication after starting a treatment. More studies need to be undertaken with an extensive paediatric population to establish reference values.

Effectiveness, safety and cost of abiraterone acetate in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a real-world data analysis.

PURPOSE: New therapies with diverse mechanisms of action are available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and cost of abiraterone acetate (AA) in patients with mCRPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study in which mCRPC patients who initiated AA between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017, were included. The patients were followed-up until death or March 31, 2018. Demographic, clinical and economic data were collected from the corporate electronic information systems. Survival distributions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 69 mCRPC patients were started on AA, of whom 18 (26.1%) received prior chemotherapy (post-CT) and 51 (73.9%) did not receive it (CT-naïve). A PSA decline of ≥ 50% was achieved in five (27.8%) post-CT and 32 (62.7%) CT-naïve patients (p = 0.011). Median time to PSA progression, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 4.4/7.9 months (p = 0.003), 5.1/7.5 months (p = 0.034) and 12.1/21.3 months (p = 0.119), respectively, for post-CT/CT-naïve patients. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 10 (55.6%) post-CT and 11 (21.6%) CT-naïve patients (p = 0.007). The most common AEs were hypokalaemia (11.6%), hypertension (8.7%) and fatigue (5.8%). The cost per median PFS month and per median OS month was €2818.4/€2784.3 and €1187.9/€980.4 for post-CT/CT-naïve patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CT-naïve patients treated with AA obtained a better clinical benefit in terms of effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness ratio than post-CT patients. The effectiveness outcomes were poorer than those reported previously in the clinical trial setting.