Impact of a Personal Health Record Intervention Upon Surveillance Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: There are currently an estimated 1.5 million individuals living in the United States with colorectal cancer (CRC), and although the 5-year survival rate has increased, survivors are at risk for recurrence, particularly within the first 2-3 years after treatment. National guidelines recommend continued surveillance after resection to identify recurrence early on. Adherence among survivors ranges from 23% to 94%. Novel interventions are needed to increase CRC survivors' knowledge and confidence in managing their cancer and thus to increase adherence to follow-up surveillance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to develop and test the feasibility and efficacy of a stand-alone, web-based personal health record (PHR) to increase surveillance adherence among CRC survivors, with patient beliefs about surveillance as secondary outcomes. METHODS: A pre- and postintervention feasibility trial was conducted testing the efficacy of the colorectal cancer survivor (CRCS)-PHR, which had been previously developed using an iterative, user-centered design approach. RESULTS: The average age of the sample was 58 (SD 9.9) years, with 57% (16/28) male and the majority married (20/28, 71%) and employed full-time (15/28, 54%). We observed a significant increase in adherence to colonoscopy (before: 11/21, 52% vs after: 18/21, 86%; P=.005) and CEA (14/21, 67% vs 20/21, 95%; P=.01), as well as a slight increase in CT scans (14/21, 67% vs 18/21, 86%; P=.10). The only significant impact on secondary outcome (patient beliefs) was benefits of CEA test (P=.04), as most of the beliefs were high at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study lays the groundwork for continued development of the CRCS-PHR to increase CRC surveillance. Patient-centered technologies, such as the CRCS-PHR, represent an important potential approach to improving the receipt of guideline-concordant care and follow-up surveillance, and not just for CRC survivors. Researchers should continue to develop patient-centered health technologies with clinician implementation in mind to increase patient self-efficacy and surveillance adherence.

Usefulness and Usability of a Personal Health Record and Survivorship Care Plan for Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: As a result of improvements in cancer screening, treatment, and supportive care, nearly two-thirds of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) live for 5 years after diagnosis. An ever-increasing population of CRC survivors creates a need for effective survivorship care to help manage and mitigate the impact of CRC and its treatment. Personal health records (PHRs) and survivorship care plans provide a means of supporting the long-term care of cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to characterize the usefulness of a CRC PHR and survivorship care plan and to describe the usability of these technologies in a population of CRC survivors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess a PHR and survivorship care plan specifically targeting CRC survivors. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with CRC were recruited from surgery clinics of an academic medical center and Veterans Affairs hospital in Indianapolis and provided access to an online Colorectal Cancer Survivor's Personal Health Record (CRCS-PHR). Survey data were collected to characterize the usefulness of the CRCS-PHR and describe its usability in a population of CRC survivors. CRC survivors were surveyed 6 months after being provided online access. Means and proportions were used to describe the usefulness and ease of using the CRC website. Open-ended questions were qualitatively coded using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: CRC survivors perceived features related to their health care (ie, summary of cancer treatment history, follow-up care schedule, description of side effects, and list of community resources) to be more useful than communication features (ie, creating online relationships with family members or caregivers, communicating with doctor, and secure messages). CRC survivors typically described utilizing traditional channels (eg, via telephone or in person) to communicate with their health care provider. Participants had overall positive perceptions with respect to ease of use and overall satisfaction. Major challenges experienced by participants included barriers to system log-in, lack of computer literacy or experience, and difficulty entering their patient information. CONCLUSIONS: For CRC, survivors may find the greater value in a PHR's medical content than the communication functions, which they have available elsewhere. These findings regarding the usefulness and usability of a PHR for the management of CRC survivorship provide valuable insights into how best to tailor these technologies to patients' needs. These findings can inform future design and development of PHRs for purposes of both cancer and chronic disease management.

Perioperative Management of Patients with Colovesical Fistula.

BACKGROUND: Colovesical fistula (CVF) is an uncommon complication of diverticulitis. Substantial heterogeneity exists in the perioperative management of this condition. We seek to evaluate the role of bladder leak testing, closed suction drainage, prolonged bladder catheter usage, and routine postoperative cystogram in the management of CVF. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study from a single academic health center investigation patients undergoing operation for diverticular CVF from 2005 to 2015 (n = 89). RESULTS: Patients undergoing operative repair for diverticular CVF resection had a mortality of 4% and overall morbidity of 46%. Intraoperative bladder leak test was performed in 36 patients (40%) and demonstrated a leak in 4 patients (11%). No patients with a negative intraoperative bladder leak test developed a urinary leak. Overall, five (6%) patients developed postoperative bladder leak. Three were identified by elevated drain creatinine and two by cystogram. The diagnostic yield of routine cystogram was 3%. All bladder leaks were diagnosed between postoperative day 3 and 7. Of patients with a postoperative bladder leak, none required reoperation and all resolved within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant variability in the management of patients undergoing operation for CVF. Routine intraoperative bladder leak test should be performed. Cystogram may add cost and is low yield for routine evaluation for bladder leak after operation for CVF. Urinary catheter removal before postoperative day 7 should be considered.

Contemporary Management of Sigmoid Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid volvulus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction that is historically associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate contemporary management of sigmoid volvulus and the safety of primary anastomosis in patients with sigmoid volvulus. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project from 2012 to 2015 was queried for patients with colonic volvulus who underwent left-sided colonic resection. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare patients with sigmoid volvulus undergoing colectomy with primary anastomosis without proximal diversion to colectomy with end colostomy. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred thirty-eight patients with sigmoid volvulus were included for analysis. Patients had a median age of 68 years (interquartile range, 55-80) and 79% were fully independent preoperatively. Fifty-one percent of operations were performed emergently. One thousand eight hundred thirteen (71%) patients underwent colectomy with anastomosis, 240 (10%) colectomy with anastomosis and proximal diversion, and 485 (19%) colectomy with end colostomy. Overall, 30-day mortality and morbidity were 5 and 40%, respectively. After propensity score matching, mortality, overall morbidity, and serious morbidity were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sigmoid volvulus occurs in elderly and debilitated patients with significant morbidity, mortality, and lifestyle implications. In selected patients, anastomosis without proximal diversion in patients with sigmoid volvulus results in similar outcomes to colectomy with end colostomy.

Bowel Preparation Is Associated with Reduced Morbidity in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bowel preparation in elderly patients is associated with physiologic derangements that may result in postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of bowel preparation on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients. METHODS: Patients age 75 years and older who underwent elective colectomy were identified from the 2012-2014 American College of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP database). Patients were grouped into no bowel preparation, mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), oral antibiotic preparation (OABP), or combined MBP + OABP. Logistic regression modeling was conducted to calculate risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes. RESULTS: There were 4829 patients included in the analysis. Morbidity was 34.3% in no bowel prep, 32.4% in MBP, 24.8% in OABP, and 24.6% in MBP + OABP groups (p < 0.001). The MBP + OABP group compared with no bowel prep was associated with reduced rates of anastomotic leak, ileus, superficial surgical site infection (SSI), organ space SSI, respiratory compromise, and reduced length of stay. There was no difference in the rate of acute kidney injury between the groups. CONCLUSION: MBP + OABP was associated with reduced morbidity compared with no bowel preparation in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal resection. MBP alone was not associated with differences in outcomes compared with no bowel preparation. The use of MBP + OABP is safe and effective in elderly patients undergoing elective colectomy.

Prospective multicenter study of a synthetic bioabsorbable anal fistula plug to treat cryptoglandular transsphincteric anal fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Although interest in sphincter-sparing treatments for anal fistulas is increasing, few large prospective studies of these approaches have been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed outcomes after implantation of a synthetic bioabsorbable anal fistula plug. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter investigation was performed. SETTING: The study was conducted at 11 colon and rectal centers. PATIENTS: Ninety-three patients (71 men; mean age, 47 years) with complex cryptoglandular transsphincteric anal fistulas were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included Crohn's disease, an active infection, a multitract fistula, and an immunocompromised status. INTERVENTION: Draining setons were used at the surgeon's discretion. Patients had follow-up evaluations at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was healing of the fistula, defined as drainage cessation plus closure of the external opening, at 6 and 12 months. Secondary end points were fecal continence, duration of drainage from the fistula, pain, and adverse events during follow-up. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up and 21 were withdrawn, primarily to undergo an alternative treatment. The fistula healing rates at 6 and 12 months were 41% (95% CI, 30%-52%; total n = 74) and 49% (95% CI, 38%-61%; total n = 73). Half the patients in whom a previous treatment failed had healing. By 6 months, the mean Wexner score had improved significantly (p = 0.0003). By 12 months, 93% of patients had no or minimal pain. Adverse events included 11 infections/abscesses, 2 new fistulas, and 8 total and 5 partial plug extrusions. The fistula healed in 3 patients with a partial extrusion. LIMITATIONS: The study was nonrandomized and had relatively high rates of loss to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Implantation of a synthetic bioabsorbable fistula plug is a reasonably efficacious treatment for complex transsphincteric anal fistulas, especially given the simplicity and low morbidity of the procedure.

Elevated phospholipase A2 activities in plasma samples from multiple cancers.

Only in recent years have phospholipase A2 enzymes (PLA2s) emerged as cancer targets. In this work, we report the first detection of elevated PLA2 activities in plasma from patients with colorectal, lung, pancreatic, and bladder cancers as compared to healthy controls. Independent sets of clinical plasma samples were obtained from two different sites. The first set was from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC; n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 77). The second set was from patients with lung (n = 95), bladder (n = 31), or pancreatic cancers (n = 38), and healthy controls (n = 79). PLA2 activities were analyzed by a validated quantitative fluorescent assay method and subtype PLA2 activities were defined in the presence of selective inhibitors. The natural PLA2 activity, as well as each subtype of PLA2 activity was elevated in each cancer group as compared to healthy controls. PLA2 activities were increased in late stage vs. early stage cases in CRC. PLA2 activities were not influenced by sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, or body-mass index (BMI). Samples from the two independent sites confirmed the results. Plasma PLA2 activities had approximately 70% specificity and sensitivity to detect cancer. The marker and targeting values of PLA2 activity have been suggested.

The effects of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on lymph node sampling in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The current recommendation from the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the International Union Against Cancer is that 12 or more lymph nodes should be examined to appropriately stage rectal cancer. It is unclear if this metric is appropriate or achievable for patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the lymph node yield in patients with rectal cancer. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was made of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science for articles published through December 2011. STUDY SELECTION: The descriptors rectal neoplasms, lymph nodes, lymph node yield, radiotherapy, and neoadjuvant therapy were used to identify articles that reported the lymph node yield with and without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either chemoradiotherapy or no neoadjuvant treatment before undergoing total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included the mean lymph node yield both with and without neoadjuvant treatment, the percentage of patients that received an adequate lymph node dissection, and the number of lymph nodes found to be positive for metastatic disease. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies were included in this review. They demonstrated a decrease in lymph node yield in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, ranging from 7% to 53% based on the articles in this review. LIMITATIONS: A meta-analysis was not performed because of the limited complete data published on this subject. Consequently, there is heterogeneity in the studies that were selected for this review. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rectal cancer who receive preoperative chemoradiotherapy should be anticipated to have a lower lymph node yield than patients who receive surgery alone. This calls into question if the current guideline of 12 lymph nodes is relevant, in particular, for those patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy.

Single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: the first 100 resections.

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopy remains a novel technique in the field of colorectal surgery. Several small series have examined its safety for colon resection. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze our entire experience and short-term outcomes with single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy since its introduction at our institution. We assert that this approach is feasible and safe for the wide array of patients and indications encountered by a colorectal surgeon. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data for all patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with the use of standard laparoscopic instrumentation, for malignant or benign disease, between July 2009 and November 2010 in a high-volume, academic, colorectal surgery practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical, operative, and pathologic factors were reviewed and analyzed. All conversions to conventional laparoscopic or open operations were considered in this analysis. RESULTS: One hundred patients underwent single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy during the study period. Mean age was 63 years, and 61% of the patients were men. Forty-three percent had undergone previous abdominal surgery, and the median body mass index was 26 (range, 18-46). Median ASA classification was 3 (range, 1-4). Five percent of the operations were performed urgently, and 56% were performed for carcinoma, of which half were T3 or T4 tumor stage. Median operative duration was 105 (range, 64-270) minutes. Mean and median blood loss was 106 and 50 mL. Two percent required conversion to multiport laparoscopy, and 4% converted to the open approach. Median postoperative stay was 4 (range, 2-48) days. Median lymph node number was 18 (range, 11-42). There was one mortality in this series. Morbidity, including wound infection, was 13%. CONCLUSIONS: This represents the largest experience with single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy to date. This technique was used with acceptable morbidity and mortality and without compromise of conventional oncologic parameters by colorectal surgeons experienced in minimally invasive technique. These findings support the use of a single-port approach for patients requiring right hemicolectomy.

Functional imaging of the pelvic floor.

The clinical treatment of patients with anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction is often difficult. Dynamic cystocolpoproctography (DCP) has evolved from a method of evaluating the anorectum for functional disorders to its current status as a functional method of evaluating the global pelvic floor for defecatory disorders and pelvic organ prolapse. It has both high observer accuracy and a high yield of positive diagnoses. Clinicians find it a useful diagnostic tool that can alter management decisions from surgical to medical and vice versa in many cases. Functional radiography provides the maximum stress to the pelvic floor, resulting in levator ani relaxation accompanied by rectal emptying-which is needed to diagnose defecatory disorders. It also provides organ-specific quantificative information about female pelvic organ prolapse-information that usually can only be inferred by means of physical examination. The application of functional radiography to the assessment of defecatory disorders and pelvic organ prolapse has highlighted the limitations of physical examination. It has become clear that pelvic floor disorders rarely occur in isolation and that global pelvic floor assessment is necessary. Despite the advances in other imaging methods, DCP has remained a practical, cost-effective procedure for the evaluation of anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction. In this article, the authors describe the technique they use when performing DCP, define the radiographic criteria used for diagnosis, and discuss the limitations and clinical utility of DCP.

Single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a safe alternative to conventional laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: Single-port laparoscopic surgery has evolved from an effort to minimize tissue trauma, limit morbidity, and maximize cosmesis. Limited data exist comparing single-port with conventional laparoscopy for right colectomy. Our aim is to compare single-port with laparoscopic colectomy with regard to safety and feasibility. We assert that this approach can be adopted in a safe and efficacious manner while using standard laparoscopic instrumentation. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data regarding 16 single-port and 27 conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed by a single surgeon between January 2008 and February 2009. Demographics, operative outcomes, and morbidity were included and analyzed using either Student t test or Fisher exact probability test. RESULTS: Single-port and conventional laparoscopic groups were similar with regard to age, gender, body mass index, prior abdominal surgery, and co-morbidity. Seventy-five percent and 70% of the operations were performed for malignancy in the single-port and the conventional laparoscopy group, respectively (P = .69). Operative duration was 106 minutes in the single-port group vs 100 minutes in the conventional group (P = .64). Blood loss was 54 mL and 90 mL, respectively (P = .07). No conversions or additions of ports occurred. Hospital stay was 5.3 days in the single-port group vs 6 days in the conventional group (P = .53). Margins were negative in both groups. Mean lymph node number was 18 and 16 nodes (P = .92). There was one death in the conventional group (P = .44). Morbidity including wound infection was 18.8% and 14.9%, respectively (P = .73). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support single-port right colectomy as a safe and efficacious approach to right colon resections in patients eligible for laparoscopy with minimal additional equipment or learning curve for experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeons. The single port was undertaken without an increase in morbidity or mortality. There was no increase in operative time with use of the single-port approach. Finally, adequate lymph node harvest and margin clearance was maintained.

Laparoscopic colectomy: does the learning curve extend beyond colorectal surgery fellowship?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As minimally invasive colon and rectal resection has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade, the role that fellowship training plays has become an important question. This analysis examines the learning curve of one fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon in his first 100 cases. METHODS: This was a prospectively collected retrospective analysis of the first 100 laparoscopic colon and rectal resections performed between July 2007 and July 2008 by a colorectal (CRS) fellowship trained surgeon at a Veteran's Administration (VA) and county hospital. Included were all emergent and nonemergent laparoscopic cases. RESULTS: Mean age was 63(range, 36 to 91). The 100 resections included 42 right, 6 left, 32 sigmoid, 13 rectal, and 7 total abdominal colectomies. Indications were 55% cancer, 20% unresectable polyp, 18% diverticular, 4% inflammatory, and 3% other. Overall mortality was 3%. Overall morbidity including wound infection was 24%. Early and late groups were similar in age, ASA score, and indication. Conversion rate was 4%. No statistical difference was seen in mortality, morbidity, EBL, LOS, margin, lymph nodes, or conversions between the first and second 50 cases (P<0.05). Right and sigmoid colectomy operative time decreased by 40.0% and 19.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prior investigators have demonstrated a significant learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal surgery. In the first 100 cases, there is no difference in mortality or morbidity between early and late cases. Alternatively, operative times decreased with experience. Laparoscopic training during CRS fellowship surpasses the learning curve in regard to safety and outcome, whereas operative efficiency improves over the first year of practice.

Chemoprevention for colorectal neoplasia.

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized societies and leads to significant treatment costs. Currently there are screening programs with fecal occult blood testing, radiographic, and endoscopic evaluation. Despite this, mortality from colorectal cancer has not improved dramatically. As such, attention has turned to finding agents to prevent carcinogenesis. The emerging field known as chemoprevention studies agents that target multiple steps in the development of adenomas and their subsequent transformation to colorectal carcinoma. There are multiple case control, cohort, and randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of fiber, calcium, vitamin D, folate, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs as chemopreventive agents against colorectal cancer.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia presenting as splenic rupture in an adult.

We present the case of a 66-year-old man with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia and splenic rupture. The adult presentation of congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic (Bochdalek) hernia is rare. We describe the operative approach and provide a brief review of the literature.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in thin melanoma patients.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the incidence of positive sentinel lymph nodes in thin melanoma (or= III and thicker lesions (mean 0.77 mm vs. 0.47 mm), but were not different in regards to age, sex, or lesion location. Eight percent and 58% of sentinel nodes were positive by routine histology and RT-PCR, respectively. Among mapped patients, younger age was the only significant prognostic factor for node positivity. With a median follow-up of 18 months among all patients, one regional recurrence (at 2 years) has been identified. CONCLUSIONS: Given the low morbidity of sentinel lymph node biopsy, this procedure should be discussed with selected thin melanoma patients to detect microscopic disease, however PCR positivity by our methods is too commonly seen to be clinically significant in thin melanoma patients and requires additional study.

Epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal.

Anal cancers are rare tumors with only an expected 4000 new diagnoses in 2005. The majority of these are epidermoid or squamous cell cancers. Despite the rarity of this disease, great advances have been made in its understanding and treatment. The human papillomavirus (HPV), immunosuppression for solid organ transplantation, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and sexual practices are changing the demographics of the disease from elderly women to young men who have sex with men and young women infected with HPV and HIV. The treatment of these malignancies was radically changed with Dr. Nigro's description in 1974 of the use of a nonoperative treatment strategy. Today, radiochemotherapy represents first-line therapy and the role of surgery has been largely relegated to that of salvage therapy for treatment failures of nonoperative management.

Bile salt diarrhea.

Alterations in bile acid metabolism and in the enterohepatic circulation are often associated with chronic diarrhea and should be considered when more common causes of chronic diarrhea have been excluded. Bile acid diarrhea most often occurs in disease or resection of the terminal ileum, in which there is increased exposure of the colonic mucosa to bile salts with consequent activation of fluid and electrolyte secretion. Congenital or acquired defects in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids also may lead to diarrhea. Although multiple diagnostic tests may be considered to confirm abnormal fecal bile acid losses, the most critical elements of the clinical evaluation of suspected bile acid diarrhea are a careful history to exclude more common causes of chronic diarrhea and a diagnostic trial of bile acid-binding resins.

Superinduction of IL-6 by cycloheximide is associated with mRNA stabilization and sustained activation of p38 map kinase and NF-kappaB in cultured caco-2 cells.

Protein synthesis inhibitors paradoxically increase the expression of early-gene products, including various cytokines, through a process known as superinduction. Superinduction is cell-specific and the mechanisms involved are not fully understood but are usually attributed to decreased mRNA degradation. There is, however, increasing evidence that activation of signaling cascades and increased transcriptional activation may be involved as well. Recent studies suggest that IL-6 production in the intestinal mucosa is particularly important due to its anti-inflammatory and protective effects. The effect of protein synthesis inhibitors on IL-6 production in enterocytes, however, is unknown. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with cycloheximide (10 microg/ml) increased IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in IL-1beta-treated cells and this was associated with increased mRNA stabilization. In addition, cycloheximide suppressed IkappaBalpha resynthesis and prolonged p38MAP kinase activation and these changes were associated with sustained activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB activation, in turn, was prevented by the specific p38MAP kinase inhibitor SB208350. Our results suggest that superinduction of IL-6 by cycloheximide in enterocytes results from both increased mRNA stabilization and upregulated transcriptional activity mediated by prolonged activation of the p38 MAP kinase and NF-kappaB.

Home oxygen therapy: adjunct or risk factor?

The use of home oxygen therapy has become increasingly commonplace and is frequently prescribed by medical specialists. In this study, we have identified a generally unexpected risk of home oxygen therapy. We performed a retrospective review of 3673 consecutive patients treated at our adult burn center over a 10-year period from 1992 to 2001. We identified 27 patients with burns directly attributable to oxygen therapy and also noted an increased incidence of these injuries over the study period. The average age of the patients was 68.1 +/- 9.2 years (range, 40-82 years). Twenty-three were using oxygen at home, three in nursing homes, and one was an inpatient in an acute care facility. Twenty-five patients (93%) were receiving oxygen therapy for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Twenty-four patients (89%) were smoking while using oxygen, two were lighting pilot lights, and one was lighting his wife's cigarette. Four patients (15%) sustained burns greater than 10% TBSA. Seventeen patients (63%) had only partial thickness burns. Thirteen patients (48%) required admission for treatment of their burn injuries. The average length of stay for those admitted was 4.4 days. The average hospital charge for admitted patients was US dollars 8055. There were four deaths (15%), all of which were correlated only with the extent of injury. Although intuitively obvious to most health care professionals, not all patients understand that oxygen therapy and cigarettes or open flame can result in a significant injury. Although some practitioners have advocated not prescribing home oxygen for those who continue to smoke, an alternative means of reducing the incidence of this preventable complication appears warranted. Prevention efforts should focus on the counseling of patients and their caregivers as well as educating primary care physicians, nurses, and home health providers as to the dangers of oxygen use.

Sodium arsenite downregulates transcriptional activity of AP-1 and CRE binding proteins in IL-1beta-treated Caco-2 cells by increasing the expression of the transcriptional repressor CREMalpha.

In recent studies, sodium arsenite (SA) inhibited IL-6 production in cultured intestinal epithelial cells, at least in part by downregulating the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). The influence of SA on the activity of other transcription factors regulating the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene in enterocytes is not known. We tested the effect of SA on the activity of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), activating protein-1 (AP-1), and CRE binding proteins in IL-1beta-treated Caco-2 cells. DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and transcriptional activity by transfecting cells with luciferase reporter plasmids containing promoter constructs with binding sites for the individual transcription factors. DNA binding activity for all three transcription factors was increased after treatment with SA or IL-1beta. In contrast, SA inhibited transcriptional activity of AP-1 and CRE binding proteins but not C/EBP. Additional experiments provided evidence that the inhibition of AP-1 and CRE mediated transcriptional activity was associated with, and probably caused by, increased expression of the transcriptional repressor cyclic AMP response element modulator (CREM)alpha. The present results are consistent with the concept that SA inhibits IL-6 production in stimulated enterocytes by downregulating the transcriptional activity of several, but not all, IL-6-related transcription factors. Because of the multiple important biological functions of IL-6 in the enterocyte and gut mucosa, methods to regulate enterocyte IL-6 production have significant clinical implications.