Prognostic value of visual IMPeTUs criteria and metabolic tumor burden at baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography combined with low-dose computed tomography (PET/CT) can be used at diagnosis to identify myeloma-defining events and also provides prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT visual IMPeTUs (Italian myeloma criteria for PET Use)-based parameters and/or total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) in a single-center population of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) eligible for transplantation. METHODS: Patients with MM who underwent a baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT were retrospectively selected from a large internal database of the University Hospital of Liege (Liege, Belgium). Initially, all PET/CT images were visually analyzed using IMPeTUs criteria, followed by delineation of TMTV using a semi-automatic lesion delineation workflow, including [18F]FDG-positive MM focal lesions (FL) with an absolute SUV threshold set at 4.0. In a first step, to ensure PET/CT scans accurate reporting, the agreement between two nuclear medicine physicians with distinct experience was assessed. In the second step, univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine the prognostic significance of [18F]FDG PET/CT parameters on progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with NDMM were included in the study. The observers agreement in the analysis [18F]FDG PET/CT images was substantial for the presence of spine FL, extra spine FL, at least one fracture and paramedullary disease (Cohen's kappa 0.79, 0.87, 0.75 and 0.64, respectively). For the presence of skull FL and extramedullary disease the agreement was moderate (Cohen's kappa 0.56 and 0.53, respectively). Among [18F]FDG PET/CT parameters, a high number of delineated volumes of interest (VOI) using the SUV4.0 threshold was the only independent prognostic factor associated with PFS [HR (95% CI): 1.03 (1.004-1.05), P = 0.019] while a high number of FL (n > 10; F group 4) was the only independent prognostic factor associated with OS [HR (95% CI): 19.10 (1.90-191.95), P = 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Our work confirms the reproducibility IMPeTUs criteria. Furthermore, it demonstrates that a high number of FL (n > 10; IMPeTUs F group 4), reflecting a high [18F]FDG-avid tumor burden, is an independent prognostic factor for OS. The prognostic value of the TMTV delineated using a SUV4.0 threshold was not significant. Nevertheless, the count of delineated [18F]FDG-avid lesions VOI using a SUV4.0 threshold was an independent prognostic factor for PFS.

Evidence for 2 clusters among patients with noneosinophilic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although asthma is often seen as an eosinophilic disease associated with atopy, patients with noneosinophilic asthma represent a substantial part of the population with asthma. OBJECTIVE: To apply an unsupervised clustering method in a cohort of 588 patients with noneosinophilic asthma (sputum eosinophils < 3%) recruited from an asthma clinic of a secondary care center. METHODS: Our cluster analysis of the whole cohort identified 2 subgroups as cluster 1 (n = 417) and cluster 2 (n = 171). RESULTS: Cluster 1 comprised a predominantly female group with late disease onset, a low proportion of atopy (24%), and a substantial smoking history (53%). In this cluster, treatment burden was low (<50% of inhaled corticosteroid users); asthma control and quality of life were poor, with median Asthma Control Test, Asthma Control Questionnaire, and Asthma Quality of Life scores of 16, 1.7, and 4.5, respectively, whereas lung function was preserved with a median postbronchodilation forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 93% predicted. Cluster 2 was a predominantly male group, almost exclusively comprising patients with atopy (99%) with early disease onset and a moderate treatment burden (median inhaled corticosteroids dose 800 µg/d equivalent beclomethasone). In cluster 2, asthma was partially controlled, with median Asthma Control Test and Asthma Control Questionnaire scores reaching 18 and 1.3, respectively, and lung function well preserved with a median postbronchodilation of 95% predicted. Although systemic and airway neutrophilic inflammation was the dominant pattern in cluster 1, cluster 2 essentially comprised paucigranulocytic asthma with moderately elevated fraction exhaled nitric oxide. CONCLUSION: Noneosinophilic asthma splits into 2 clusters distinguishing by disease onset, atopic status, smoking history, systemic and airway inflammation, and disease control and quality of life.

On-table Extubation After Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of "on-table" extubation after minimally-invasive heart valve surgery. DESIGN: A single-center retrospective observational study. SETTING: At a tertiary referral academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent nonemergent isolated heart valve surgery through a minithoracotomy approach between January 2016 and August 2021. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated by 1 of the 6 cardiac anesthesiologists of the hospital. Only some of them practiced "on-table" extubation, and the outcome of patients extubated "on-table" was compared to those extubated in the intensive care unit (ICU). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the occurrence of any postoperative respiratory complication during the entire hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included the use of inotropes and vasopressors, de novo atrial fibrillation, and lengths of stay in the ICU and the hospital. A total of 294 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 186 (63%) were extubated "on-table." Cardiopulmonary bypass duration was significantly longer, and moderate intraoperative hypothermia was significantly more frequent in patients extubated in the ICU. After adjustment for these confounders and for the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II using a multivariate logistic model, no association was found between the extubation strategy and postoperative pulmonary complications (adjusted odds ratio = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.40-1.77; p = 0.64). "On-table" extubation was associated with a lower risk of postoperative pneumonia and fewer vasopressors requirements. CONCLUSION: "On-table" extubation was not associated with an increased incidence of respiratory complications. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm these results and determine whether "on-table" extubation offers additional benefits.

Development and Validation of a Prediction Score for Low-Cardiac-Output Syndrome After Adult Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to develop a simple prediction score to help identify patients at high risk of low-cardiac-output syndrome after adult cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective, observational study. SETTING: At a tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery between April 2016 and March 2021. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 2,806 patients retained for final analyses, 355 (12.7%) developed low-cardiac-output syndrome. Using a stepwise backward variable selection procedure applied to a multivariate logistic regression, a prediction model, including 8 risk factors, could be identified-preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min according to the Cockcroft formula or preoperative dialysis, combined surgery, nonelective surgery, mitral valve surgery for mitral valve regurgitation, history of extracardiac arteriopathy, preoperative hemoglobin <13 g/dL, and New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. A clinical prediction score was derived from the regression coefficients. The model had a good discriminative ability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.8 (95% CI: 077-0.84). Using a threshold value of 5, the score had a 68% sensitivity, 79% specificity, a positive-predictive value of 33%, and a negative-predictive value of 94%. These results were validated on a validation sample using the bootstrap resampling technique. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a clinical score to facilitate the prediction of low- cardiac-output syndrome after adult cardiac surgery. This could help tailor patient management by contributing to the early identification of those at high risk of postoperative low cardiac output.

Comparison between the WHO-CFICPS and the PRISMA classification of safety-related events in a radiation oncology department.

INTRODUCTION: Describing Safety-Related Events (SREs) in a radiotherapy (RT) department and comparing WHO-CFICPS (World Health Organization's Conceptual Framework For The International Classification For Patient Safety) and PRISMA (Prevention and Recovery Information System for Monitoring and Analysis) methods for classifying SREs. METHODS: From February 2017 to October 2020, two Quality Managers (QMs) randomly classified 1173 SREs using 13 incident types of WHO-CFICPS. The same two QMs, reclassified the same SREs according to 20 PRISMA incident codes. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between the 13 incident types of WHO-CFICPS and the 20 PRISMA codes. The chi-squared and post-hoc tests using adjusted standardized residuals were applied to detect the association between the two systems. RESULTS: There was a significant association between WHO-CFICPS incident types and PRISMA codes (P < 0.001). Ninety-two percent of all SREs were categorized using 4 of 13 WHO-CFICPS incident types including Clinical Process/Procedure (n = 448, 38.2%), Clinical Administration (n = 248, 21.1%), Documentation (n = 226, 19.2%) and Resources/Organizational Management (n = 15,613.3%). According to PRISMA classification, 14 of the 20 codes were used to describe the same SREs. PRISMA captured 41 Humans Skill Slips from 226 not better defined WHO-CFICPS Documentation Incidents, 38 Human Rule-based behaviour Qualification from not better defined 447 Clinical Process/Procedure and 40 Organization Management priority events from 156 not better defined WHO-CFICPS Resources/Organizational Management events (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although there was a significant association between WHO-CFICPS and PRISMA, The PRISMA method provides a more detailed insight into SREs compared to WHO-CFICPS in a RT department.

Health Literacy and Its Associations with Understanding and Perception of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels among Higher Education Students.

(1) Background: Nutrition labels on the front of food packages have increasingly become the focus of research. However, too few studies have placed special emphasis on nutritionally at-risk subpopulations, such as young adults or those with low literacy/numeracy skills. The present study aimed to assess both the perception and objective understanding of three front-of-package labeling (FOPL) formats currently in use on the Belgian market, i.e., the Nutri-Score, Reference Intakes, and Multiple Traffic Lights, among students of varying health literacy (HL) levels. (2) Methods: A web-based survey was carried out among 2295 students of tertiary education in the province of Liège, Belgium. The questionnaire included questions related to general characteristics, objective understanding, and perception in response to the assigned FOPL format and level of HL. (3) Results: With respect to objective understanding, the Nutri-Score outperformed all other labels across all HL levels, and it was similarly understood in students of varying HL levels. Several students' characteristics appeared to be associated with each cluster of perception, with the Nutri-Score cluster having the highest percentages of disadvantaged students, i.e., those with inadequate HL, from non-university institutions, with low self-estimated nutrition knowledge, and with low self-estimated diet quality. (4) Conclusion: Overall, the findings supported the Nutri-Score as particularly effective in guiding students in their food choices. Of particular importance is the fact that the summarized and graded color-coded nutritional label would be a useful strategy for those disadvantaged by limited HL.

Training of radiotherapy professionals: status, content, satisfaction and improvement suggestions in the Greater Region.

BACKGROUND: The initial training of Radiation Oncology professionals can vary widely across Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the status and content of the initial training programs currently implemented in the Greater Region: Lorraine (Nancy, France), Saarland (Homburg, Germany), Luxembourg, and Liège (Wallonia, Belgium). METHODS: A survey was developed to investigate (1) the overall satisfaction, learning objectives, and teaching methods used during initial training programs and (2) the perceptions of the importance of key professional competencies as described by the CanMEDS (a framework that identifies and describes the abilities physicians require to effectively meet the health care needs of the people they serve). In addition, open-ended questions were used to elicit opinions on room for improvement. Participants (N = 38) were physicians (radiation oncologists (RO) seniors and residents) and radiation therapists (RTTs). RESULTS: Only 21.1% of the respondents declared having acquired all the competencies required for their professional practice during their initial training. Heterogeneity in teaching methods was noted within professional programs but there is no difference between those from RO and RTT in the teaching of technical and relational skills. Relational skills were not addressed in a range of 39.5-57.9% of respondent's curricula. More practical lessons were deemed necessary to improve radiotherapy (RT) training programs. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation oncology professionals expressed the need for more practical teaching, especially in the training of non-technical skills. Regarding the perceived importance of professional aptitudes, radiation oncology professionals highlighted medical and relational skills as the most important competencies.

Distinction of Lymphoma from Sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT: Evaluation of Radiomics-Feature-Guided Machine Learning Versus Human Reader Performance.

Sarcoidosis and lymphoma often share common features on 18F-FDG PET/CT, such as intense hypermetabolic lesions in lymph nodes and multiple organs. We aimed at developing and validating radiomics signatures to differentiate sarcoidosis from Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: We retrospectively collected 420 patients (169 sarcoidosis, 140 HL, and 111 DLBCL) who underwent pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT at the University Hospital of Liege. The studies were randomly distributed to 4 physicians, who gave their diagnostic suggestion among the 3 diseases. The individual and pooled performance of the physicians was then calculated. Interobserver variability was evaluated using a sample of 34 studies interpreted by all physicians. Volumes of interest were delineated over the lesions and the liver using MIM software, and 215 radiomics features were extracted using the RadiomiX Toolbox. Models were developed combining clinical data (age, sex, and weight) and radiomics (original and tumor-to-liver TLR radiomics), with 7 different feature selection approaches and 4 different machine-learning (ML) classifiers, to differentiate sarcoidosis and lymphomas on both lesion-based and patient-based approaches. Results: For identifying lymphoma versus sarcoidosis, physicians' pooled sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC), and accuracy were 0.99 (95% CI, 0.97-1.00), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68-0.81), 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.90), and 89.3%, respectively, whereas for identifying HL in the tumor population, it was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.49-0.66), 0.82 (95% CI, 0.74-0.89), 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.75) and 68.5%, respectively. Moderate agreement was found among observers for the diagnosis of lymphoma versus sarcoidosis and HL versus DLBCL, with Fleiss κ-values of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.45-0.87) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.45-0.93), respectively. The best ML models for identifying lymphoma versus sarcoidosis showed an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.93-0.95) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.82-0.88) in lesion- and patient-based approaches, respectively, using TLR radiomics (plus age for the second). To differentiate HL from DLBCL, we obtained an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93-0.96) in the lesion-based approach using TLR radiomics and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.91) in the patient-based approach using original radiomics and age. Conclusion: Characterization of sarcoidosis and lymphoma lesions is feasible using ML and radiomics, with very good to excellent performance, equivalent to or better than that of physicians, who showed significant interobserver variability in their assessment.

Cardiac Biomarkers and Prediction of Early Outcome After Heart Valve Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Circulating cardiac biomarkers may improve the prediction of long-term outcomes after cardiac surgery. The authors sought to assess if cardiac biomarkers also help better predict short-term morbidity. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Single academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 250 patients undergoing aortic or mitral valve surgery with or without associated coronary artery bypass grafts. INTERVENTION: None MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Relationships between preoperative plasma concentrations of four cardiac biomarkers (sST2, Galectin-3, GDF-15, and NT-proBNP) and postoperative outcome were assessed using logistic regressions and Cox proportional hazards models. The primary outcome was a composite of 30-day mortality, an inotropic support longer than 48 hours and an initial length of stay in the intensive care >five days. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative acute kidney injury, inotropic support duration, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays, and 30-day and one-year mortality. No association was observed between any of the four cardiac biomarkers and the primary outcome. The preoperative levels of Galectin-3 (hazard ratio = 1.2; p < 0.001) and sST2 (hazard ratio = 1.01, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with one-year survival, and their addition to the EuroSCORE II significantly improved the prediction of one-year mortality (p < 0.001). Similarly, Galectin-3 was associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (odds ratio = 1.15, p = 0.001) and improved the prediction of this complication when added to the EuroSCORE II (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the ability of cardiac biomarkers to predict short-term outcome after cardiac surgery, though of interest, appears limited. Conversely, cardiac biomarkers may have the potential to refine the prediction of long-term outcome. Admittedly, all positive results were obtained on secondary outcomes and must be regarded with caution.

Use of Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test to Predict Practical Performance of Sinus Endoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test (MRT) on performance of novice medical students for manipulation of a nasal endoscope on a cadaveric model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We randomly selected 39 medical students who had never handled a nasal endoscope and subjected them to the MRT. General information including experience in manual, technical, or surgical activities and testing of anatomical knowledge were collected to exclude possible confounding factors. They were then asked to perform series of cadaveric model exercises using a nasal endoscope. Their cadaver performance was evaluated by 2 blinded observers, using a standardized scale. RESULTS: We found that medical students with higher mental rotation skills had significantly increased endoscopic sinus performance (P = .0002 using multivariate regression adjusted for specialty choice, previous surgical exposure, and anatomy knowledge). Higher anatomy knowledge was also associated with better endoscopic sinus performance (P = .0141). Other parameters had no impact on endoscopic sinus performance measured by the endoscopic scale (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The score obtained on the MRT was correlated with the practical performance of manipulating the nasal endoscope in cadaver. It could therefore be a useful spatial ability tool for directing targeted training in rhinology.

Repetitive saliva-based mass screening as a tool for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission in nursing homes.

Nursing home (NH) residents and staff have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the use of weekly saliva RT-qPCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection among NH workers as a strategy to control disease transmission within NHs in Belgium. From 16 November to 27 December 2020, a voluntary and anonymous weekly screening was implemented in a cohort of 50,000 workers across 572 NHs in the Walloon region of Belgium to detect asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 via saliva RT-qPCR testing and using the Diagenode saliva sample collection device. Positive workers were isolated to avoid subsequent infections in residents and other staff. RT-qPCR testing was based on pooled saliva sampling techniques from three workers, followed by individual testing of each positive or inconclusive pool. The majority of NHs (85%) and 55% of their workers participated. Pooling did not affect sensitivity as it only induced a very decrease in sensitivity estimated as 0.33%. Significant decreases in the prevalence (34.4-13.4%) and incidence of NHs with either single (13.8-2%) or multiple positive workers (3.7-0%) were observed over time. In addition, deaths among NH residents and NH worker absences decreased significantly over time. Weekly saliva RT-qPCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated large-scale feasibility and efficacy in disrupting the chain of transmission. Implementation of this testing strategy in NHs could also be extended to other settings with the aim to control viral transmission for maintaining essential activities.

Virtual reality and hypnosis for anxiety and pain management in intensive care units: A prospective randomised trial among cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality and hypnosis are little studied in complex contexts, such as intensive care, where patients need significant physical and psychological assistance. OBJECTIVES: To compare and combine hypnosis and virtual reality benefits on anxiety and pain on patients before and after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled clinical trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in the University Hospital of Liege (Belgium) from October 2018 to January 2020. PATIENTS: One hundred patients (66 ±â€Š11.5 years; 24 women, 76 men) were included. Participants were adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Exclusion criteria: psychiatric diseases, claustrophobia, acrophobia, hearing loss, visual impairment, extreme fatigue, confusion surgery cancelled. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to four arms (control; hypnosis; virtual reality; virtual reality hypnosis) and had 20 min of one of the techniques the day before and the day after surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Anxiety, pain, fatigue, relaxation, physiological parameters, and opioid use were evaluated before and after each session. RESULTS: The main results did not show any significant differences between the groups. In all groups, anxiety decreased and pain increased from baseline to the postoperative day. Relaxation increased in all groups in the pre-operative (P < 0.0001) and postoperative period (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences for fatigue, physiological measures, or opioid use. CONCLUSION: As there were no significant differences between groups for the measured variables, we cannot affirm that one technique is better than another. Additional studies are required to compare and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these techniques for critical care patients and caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03820700. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03820700. Retrospectively registered on 29 January 2019.

Impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the efficiency of enhanced recovery programmes after colorectal surgery: a retrospective study of the GRACE database.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal analgesia is considered a key element of enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) after colorectal surgery. We investigated the effects of NSAIDs, a major component of multimodal analgesia on adherence to ERP, incidence of postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the GRACE database that included 8611 patients scheduled for colorectal surgery with an ERP between February 2016 and November 2019. Primary endpoints were adherence to the postoperative protocol, the rate and type of postoperative complications, and LOS. Data are median [IQR] and number (per cent). Multivariate models were used to assess the effects of NSAIDs on these variables taking into account potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Data from 8258 patients were analysed and classified into four groups according to whether NSAIDs had been given intra- and/or postoperatively or not at all; 4578 patients were given NSAIDs intra- and/or postoperatively and 3680 patients received no NSAIDs. Use of NSAIDs was significantly (P<0.001) associated with improved adherence to the postoperative protocol (4.0 [3.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [2.0-4.0] items), a reduced incidence of complications (21.1% vs. 29.2%), and a shortened LOS (5.0 [3.0-7.0] vs. 6.0 [4.0-9.0] days) compared to the no-NSAIDs group. Multivariate analyses adjusted for the confounding factors confirmed a significant (P<0.001) beneficial impact of NSAIDs on these three primary endpoints. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that perioperative NSAID use results in better adherence to the postoperative protocol, fewer postoperative in-hospital complications, and shorter LOS after colorectal surgery.

Dietary Macronutrient Composition in Relation to Circulating HDL and Non-HDL Cholesterol: A Federated Individual-Level Analysis of Cross-Sectional Data from Adolescents and Adults in 8 European Studies.

BACKGROUND: Associations between increased dietary fat and decreased carbohydrate intake with circulating HDL and non-HDL cholesterol have not been conclusively determined. OBJECTIVE: We assessed these relations in 8 European observational human studies participating in the European Nutritional Phenotype Assessment and Data Sharing Initiative (ENPADASI) using harmonized data. METHODS: Dietary macronutrient intake was recorded using study-specific dietary assessment tools. Main outcome measures were lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations: HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) and non-HDL cholesterol (mg/dL). A cross-sectional analysis on 5919 participants (54% female) aged 13-80 y was undertaken using the statistical platform DataSHIELD that allows remote/federated nondisclosive analysis of individual-level data. Generalized linear models (GLM) were fitted to assess associations between replacing 5% of energy from carbohydrates with equivalent energy from total fats, SFAs, MUFAs, or PUFAs with circulating HDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. GLM were adjusted for study source, age, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake and BMI. RESULTS: The replacement of 5% of energy from carbohydrates with total fats or MUFAs was statistically significantly associated with 0.67 mg/dL (95% CI: 0.40, 0.94) or 0.99 mg/dL (95% CI: 0.37, 1.60) higher HDL cholesterol, respectively, but not with non-HDL cholesterol concentrations. The replacement of 5% of energy from carbohydrates with SFAs or PUFAs was not associated with HDL cholesterol, but SFAs were statistically significantly associated with 1.94 mg/dL (95% CI: 0.08, 3.79) higher non-HDL cholesterol, and PUFAs with -3.91 mg/dL (95% CI: -6.98, -0.84) lower non-HDL cholesterol concentrations. A statistically significant interaction by sex for the association of replacing carbohydrates with MUFAs and non-HDL cholesterol was observed, showing a statistically significant inverse association in males and no statistically significant association in females. We observed no statistically significant interaction by age. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of dietary carbohydrates with fats had favorable effects on lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in European adolescents and adults when fats were consumed as MUFAs or PUFAs but not as SFAs.

Comprehensive Cluster Analysis for COPD Including Systemic and Airway Inflammatory Markers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex, multidimensional and heterogeneous disease. The main purpose of the present study was to identify clinical phenotypes through cluster analysis in adults suffering from COPD. A retrospective study was conducted on 178 COPD patients in stable state recruited from ambulatory care at University hospital of Liege. All patients were above 40 years, had a smoking history of more than 20 pack years, post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <70% and denied any history of asthma before 40 years. In this study, the patients were described by a total of 84 mixed sets of variables with some missing values. Hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) was applied on multiple imputation. In the final step, patients were classified into homogeneous distinct groups by consensus clustering. Three different clusters, which shared similar smoking history were found. Cluster 1 included men with moderate airway obstruction (n = 67) while cluster 2 comprised men who were exacerbation-prone, with severe airflow limitation and intense granulocytic airway and neutrophilic systemic inflammation (n = 56). Cluster 3 essentially included women with moderate airway obstruction (n = 55). All clusters had a low rate of bacterial colonization (5%), a low median FeNO value (<20 ppb) and a very low sensitization rate toward common aeroallergens (0-5%). CAT score did not differ between clusters. Including markers of systemic airway inflammation and atopy and applying a comprehensive cluster analysis we provide here evidence for 3 clusters markedly shaped by sex, airway obstruction and neutrophilic inflammation but not by symptoms and T2 biomarkers.

Prospective Association Among Diabetes Diagnosis, HbA1c, Glycemia, and Frailty Trajectories in an Elderly Population.

OBJECTIVE: Frailty is a dynamic state of vulnerability in the elderly. We examined whether individuals with overt diabetes or higher levels of HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose (FG) experience different frailty trajectories with aging. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Diabetes, HbA1c, and FG were assessed at baseline, and frailty status was evaluated with a 36-item frailty index every 2 years during a 10-year follow-up among participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Mixed-effects models with age as time scale were used to assess whether age trajectories of frailty differed as a function of diabetes, HbA1c, and FG. RESULTS: Among 5,377 participants (median age [interquartile range] 70 [65, 77] years, 45% men), 35% were frail at baseline. In a model adjusted for sex, participants with baseline diabetes had an increased frailty index over aging compared with those without diabetes. Similar findings were observed with higher levels of HbA1c, while FG was not associated with frailty. In a model additionally adjusted for income, social class, smoking, alcohol, and hemoglobin, only diabetes was associated with an increased frailty index. Among nonfrail participants at baseline, both diabetes and HbA1c level were associated with a higher increased frailty index over time. CONCLUSIONS: People with diabetes or higher HbA1c levels at baseline had a higher frailty level throughout later life. Nonfrail participants with diabetes or higher HbA1c also experienced more rapid deterioration of frailty level with aging. This observation could reflect a role of diabetes complications in frailty trajectories or earlier shared determinants that contribute to diabetes and frailty risk in later life.

Influence of Sternotomy on Delta Pulse Pressure and Delta Down During Open Chest Cardiac Surgery: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: Delta pulse pressure and delta down are used as dynamic preload indicators of fluid responsiveness during closed chest surgery. There are few data regarding their accuracy in open chest surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of sternotomy on the accuracy of both delta pulse pressure and delta down. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Single institution, nonacademic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 127 adult patients scheduled for elective open chest cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Delta pulse pressure and delta down were calculated for all patients before and 10 minutes after sternotomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Statistical analyses were performed to assess the influence of sternotomy on the accuracy of delta down and delta pulse pressure. Mann-Whitney and Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated a significant influence of sternotomy on delta pulse pressure values but not on delta down values. Among patients who had a positive delta down and/or delta pulse pressure before sternotomy, sternotomy significantly modified the delta pulse pressure value (p = 0.02), but not the delta down value (p = 0.22). The kappa coefficient indicated a very good agreement between delta down before and after sternotomy (0.83) and a fair agreement between delta pulse pressure before and after sternotomy (0.4). The difference between kappa coefficients was highly significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Within the study population, sternotomy significantly influenced delta pulse pressure but not delta down. In this preliminary study, delta down appeared to be more accurate to evaluate fluid responsiveness during open chest surgery than did delta pulse pressure. Before promoting delta down in current practice, confirmation is needed on a larger scale.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire assessing dietary polyphenol exposure using the method of triads.

When conducting research on polyphenols and their effects on health, it is of primary importance to use standardised and validated dietary assessment tools. This paper aims at assessing the validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for quantifying dietary polyphenol exposure among healthy adults using the method of triads. Fifty-three healthy adults, aged 20-60, were included in the study. Total dietary polyphenol intake (TDP) estimated by the FFQ was compared with TDP measured by a 3-day food record (FR) and with urinary excretion levels of total polyphenols (TUP). Pearson correlations were calculated between methods. Validity coefficients (VC) were estimated between the three measurements and the 'unknown' true intake. There was a strong correlation between both dietary methods (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001). A moderate but significant association was observed between FFQ-derived TDP and TUP (r = 0.32, p = 0.020). The method of triads yielded a VC for the FFQ of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.41-0.84), indicating a strong relationship between FFQ-derived TDP and the true polyphenol intake. This study shows that the FFQ is an adequate tool not only for measuring dietary polyphenol exposure in nutrition epidemiological studies but also for guiding clinicians in dietary advice and counselling.

Impact of a prehospital discrimination between trauma patients with or without early acute coagulopathy of trauma and the need for damage control resuscitation: rationale and design of a multicenter randomized phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The evidence of the Trauma Induced Coagulopathy Clinical Score (TICCS) accuracy has been evaluated in several studies but the potential effect of its use on patient outcomes needs to be evaluated. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact on mortality of a prehospital discrimination between trauma patients with or without a potential need for damage control resuscitation. METHODS: The trial will be designed as randomized phase II clinical trial with comparison of the experimental protocol against the standard of care. The TICCS will be calculated on the site of injury for the patients of the intervention group and treatment will be guided by the TICCS value. Seven days mortality, 30 days mortality, global use of blood products and global hospital length-of-stay will be compared. DISCUSSION: Many data suggest that a very early flagging of trauma patients in need for DCR would be beneficial but this need to be proved. Do we improve our quality of care by an earlier diagnosis? Does a prehospital discrimination between trauma patients with or without a potential need for DCR has a positive impact?

The Edmonton Frail Scale Improves the Prediction of 30-Day Mortality in Elderly Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), a multidimensional frailty assessment tool, improves the prediction of 30-day or in-hospital mortality over the use of the European System for Cardiac Outcome Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II alone. DESIGN: Single-center prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 75 years or older undergoing cardiac surgery between February 2014 and May 2017. INTERVENTION: No intervention was performed. The EFS was administered the day before surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint was 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were times to discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and from the hospital, discharge to a health care facility, and ability to return home by postoperative day 30. The EFS had a good discriminative ability for 30-day mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.82). Adding frailty, defined by an EFS ≥8, to the EuroSCORE II significantly improved the prediction of 30-day (p = 0.04) mortality. The integrated discrimination index was 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.06, p = 0.01), meaning that the difference in predicted risk between patients who died and those who survived increased by 3% due to the addition of frailty determined by the EFS to the EuroSCORE II. Frailty also was associated significantly with a decreased cumulative probability of discharge from the ICU (p = 0.02) and an increased incidence of discharge to a health care facility (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The EFS has a good predictive ability for 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery in elderly patients and improves the prediction of 30-day mortality over the use of the EuroSCORE II.