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The present cross-sectional study aimed to compare the prevalence, the characteristics of post-dialysis fatigue and the length of recovery time after hemodialysis in prevalent end-stage renal disease patients (ESRD) receiving bicarbonate hemodialysis (HD) or hemodiafiltration (HDF).Patients were suffering from post-dialysis fatigue if they spontaneously offered this complaint when asked the open-ended question: "Do you feel fatigued after dialysis?". Moreover, each patient was invited to rate the intensity, duration, and frequency of post-dialysis fatigue from 1 to 5. In order to assess RECOVERY TIME AFTER DIALYSIS, patients were invited to answer to the following single open-ended question: "How long does it take you to recover from a dialysis session?"We included 335 patients: 252 received HD and 83 received HDF. Post-dialysis fatigue was present in 204 patients (60.9%). Prevalence of post-dialysis fatigue did not differ significantly between patients on HD (62.3%) and on HDF (56.6%; p = 0.430). Median recovery time after dialysis was 180 min [180-240] and did not differ significantly between the two subgroups (180 min [130-240] and 240 min [120-332] p = 0.671, respectively). Median post-dialysis fatigue intensity, duration, and frequency were 3 [1-5], 3 [1-5], and 4 [1-5] and did not differ significantly between patients on HD and on HDF. At the multivariate analysis, age, ADL and hemoglobin levels were the independent predictors of the HDF treatment.Prevalence and characteristics of post-dialysis fatigue do not differ significantly between patients receiving bicarbonate HD or HDF.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are frequently malnourished at the time of diagnosis and before beginning treatment. In addition, chemoradiotherapy causes or exacerbates symptoms such as alteration or loss of taste, mucositis, xerostomia, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, with consequent worsening of malnutrition. If obstructing cancer and/or mucositis interferes with swallowing, enteral nutrition should be delivered by a nasogastric tube (NGT) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). To review studies comparing NGT's and PEG's nutrition outcomes, survival, hospitalizations, radiotherapy interruptions, quality of life, and swallowing function. Two hundred fifty publications were identified via electronic databases. 26 manuscripts that met the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. We divided the analysis in two sections: (1) comparison of enteral nutrition through NGT or PEG and (2) comparison of reactive PEG (R-PEG) and prophylactic PEG (P-PEG). They have comparable nutrition outcomes, number of radiotherapy interruptions, survival, and quality of life, whereas swallow function seems better with NGT. PEG may be associated with major complications such as exit-site infection, malfunction, leakage, pain, pulmonary infection, and higher costs. Nevertheless, NGTs dislodged more often; patients find NGTs more inconvenient; NGTs may cause aspiration pneumonia; P-PEG and R-PEG have similar nutrition outcomes, number of radiotherapy interruptions, and survival. PEG does not have better nutrition, oncologic, and quality-of-life outcomes than NGT. Prophylactic feeding through NGT or PEG, compared with reactive feeding, does not offer significant advantages in nutrition outcomes, radiotherapy interruptions, and survival. However, the number of prospective randomized studies on this topic is limited; consequently, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Further adequate, prospective randomized studies are needed.

Whether hemodiafiltration (HDF) is better than conventional hemodialysis (HD) in improving left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as reduction of the left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and increasing the ejection fraction (EF), is unclear. A systematic literature search was performed. Primary outcome was the mean difference between pre- and post-procedural LVMi. Secondary outcome was the mean difference in EF. Seven studies with a total of 845 patients were included. The pooled mean difference between pre-and post-procedural LVMi was -8.0 g/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] -13.1, -2.8). On subgroup analysis, the mean differences between pre- and post-procedural LVMi for HD and HDF were -6.7 g/m2 (95% CI -14.5, 1.1) and -9.3 g/m2 (95% CI -16.3, -2.3), respectively (P for subgroups = .62). Pooled mean difference between pre- and post-procedural EF was 2.4% (95% CI -1.8, 6.5). On subgroup analysis, the mean differences between pre- and post-procedural EF for HD and HDF were 3.6% (95% CI -2.7, 9.8) and 2.0% (95% CI 2.9, 6.8), respectively (P for subgroups = .68). On meta-regression, age (Beta -0.35 ± 0.05, P

Background Although frequent and debilitating, little is known about the characteristics of post-dialysis fatigue (PDF). Objective To characterise the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF and the associated variables in patients on chronic haemodialyses. Design Prospective, observational and multicenter study. Patients We studied 271 patients. Measurements Patients were considered to be suffering from PDF if they spontaneously offered this complaint when asked the open-ended question: "Do you feel fatigued after dialysis? Then, each patient was invited to rate the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF from 1 to 5. Results One hundred sixty-four patients (60.5%) had PDF. The median [95% confidence interval (CI)] scores of PDF intensity, duration and frequency were 3 (3-4), 3 (3-4) and 4 (4-4), respectively. The median (95% CI) of the sum of the scores (Sum Score) of PDF intensity, duration and frequency was 11 (10-12). Seventy four patients had a Sum Score ≥ 12. Using multiple regression analysis, PDF intensity was associated with dialytic age and ultrafiltration rate (UFR), PDF duration with dialytic age, while PDF fatigue frequency was associated with height. The Sum Score was associated with dialytic age and recovery time and negatively associated with daily activity, height and UFR (ml/kg/h). Conclusion The intensity, duration and frequency of PDF are high in a large percentage of patients, suggesting that PDF is an intense event in terms of quantity and quality. Understanding the relationship between the variables associated with PDF and its intensity, duration and frequency may help better understand the underlying mechanisms of this burdensome condition.

The aim of the present study was to determine the intensity, duration, frequency and prevalence of postdialysis fatigue (PDF) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (PCD) with and without functional disability. Patients underwent assessment of functional ability by the Katz ADL (activity daily living) questionnaire and the Lawton and Brody scale for the instrumental activity daily living (IADL) fatigue using the SF-36 Vitality Subscale, comorbidity through the Charlson comorbidity score index (CDI), and time of recovery after hemodialysis (TIRD). We studied 271 PCD. ADL and IADL disabilities were present in 75 (27.6%) and 168 (62%) patients, respectively. Patients with ADL disability were significantly older and showed higher CDI scores, and lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V. Prevalence of PDF was significantly higher in patients with ADL disability as well as its severity, intensity, duration and frequency. Patients with IADL disability were significantly older, had a higher CCI score, had lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V, and had a higher severity, intensity, duration and frequency of PDF. At multivariate regression analysis, ADL disability was positively associated with age, prevalence and severity of PDF, and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. IADL disability was instead positively associated with age and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. In conclusion, prevalence and severity of PDF are significantly higher in PCD with ADL disability than in those without it. This knowledge may have important implications for the development of interventions to reduce PDF in PCD.

Aim The study aims to determine prevalence and severity of PDF and to define its associated variables. Methods In five haemodialysis units of northern-centre Italy, patients were regarded to suffer from PDF if they spontaneously offered this complaint when asked the open-ended question: Do you feel better or worse after dialysis? If worse, please specify in which way. A complaint of fatigue would be probed further with questions directed at its duration, frequency and intensity, allowing creation of a fatigue index of severity (one third of the sum of these three parameters, each rated from 1 to 5). Patients were stratified into three groups according the severity of PDF: 1) score = 0; 2) score = 1-3; 3) score > 3. Results We studied 271 patients: 164 had PDF and 107 did not. PDF patients had significantly longer time of recovery after dialysis (TIRD). TIRD was significantly associated with PDF duration, intensity, and frequency. Patients with PDF were older and had a lower ADL score. At multivariate analysis, PDF was significantly associated with TIRD. In a multivariate model that did not include TIRD, PDF was independently associated with age and ADL. Sixty patients had moderate PDF and 104 had severe PDF. In patients with severe PDF, age and dialytic age were higher, ADL and IADL scores were lower, TIRD was longer and the ultrafiltration rate was lower. At multivariate analysis, PDF severity was independently associated with TIRD. In the model without TIRD, PDF severity was associated with ADL only. Conclusion Post-dialysis fatigue is frequent and associated with age and ADL. Dialytic variables seem unrelated to PDF.

The goal of the pharmacological therapy in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is to reduce serum levels of parathyroid hormone and phosphorus, to correct those of calcium and vitamin D, to arrest or reverse the parathyroid hyperplasia. However, when nodular hyperplasia or an autonomous adenoma develops, surgery may be indicated. We reviewed the literature with the aim of defining if the echographic criteria predictive of unresponsiveness of SHPT to calcitriol therapy are valid also in the cinacalcet era and if drug therapy may reverse nodular hyperplasia of parathyroid gland (PTG). The responsiveness to therapy and regression of the nodular hyperplasia of PTG remains an open question in the calcimimetic era as well as the cutoff between medical and surgical therapy. Prospective studies are needed in order to clarify if an earlier use of cinacalcet in moderate SHPT might arrest the progression of parathyroid growth and stabilize SHPT.

Postdialysis fatigue (PDF) is a frequent and debilitating symptom of patients on chronic hemodialysis that affects their daily living and quality of life. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying this symptom and its severity. Only a few studies have investigated therapeutic interventions and with conflicting results. Given the major impact of PDF on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, a larger effort is warranted to better understand, prevent, and treat PDF.

Aim Data on the outcome of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who are hospitalized and start unplanned urgent haemodialysis (HD) are lacking. This prospective, longitudinal, observational study aimed to define the hospital mortality rate and associated factors in CKD patients who start unplanned urgent HD. Methods Between January 2003 and December 2009, all patients with CKD who were hospitalized, diagnosed with ESRD and started unplanned urgent haemodialysis at Haemodialysis Service of the Catholic University of Rome, Italy were recruited. Exclusion criteria were: acute renal failure, prior history of dialysis, multiple organ failure, coma, and dementia. Hospital mortality rate was the primary outcome. Results Three and hundred sixteen patients were studied: 99 died after 19.5 ± 27.3 days and 217 survived until discharge. Of these, 154 were prescribed chronic HD and 63 restored renal function. Patients who died were significantly older and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score. The mortality rates were 51.1% in patients with 81–90 years, 37.8% with 71–80 years, 34.1% with 61–70 years and 13.9% with age ≤60 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that age only was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality. Conclusions In CKD patients who need hospitalization and start unplanned urgent haemodialysis the mortality is very high and significantly related to age.

In secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), ultrasonography (US) can accurately define the size and structure of parathyroid glands as well as differentiate diffuse and nodular hyperplasia. US may be also useful to predict the response of SHPT to vitamin D analogs and cinacalcet and to assess for regression of parathyroid glands hyperplasia by measurement of parathyroid gland volume. There is increasing evidence that US can potentially identify patients who will benefit from prompt surgical intervention. Therefore, US should be part of the diagnostic armamentarium in the treatment of SHPT in the daily clinical practice.

We aimed to assess the relationship among fatigue qualities (FQ) and the association of FQ with various characteristics of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. In 68 HD patients, we assessed the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Geriatric Depression Scale score (GDS), the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and measured the laboratory parameters. In addition, patients answered to six questions about FQ (Tiredness: Do you feel tired much of the time? Emotional: Do you feel that life is empty? Cognitive: Do you have trouble concentrating? Sleepiness: Have you had difficulty sleeping in the past month? Weakness: Have you had muscle weakness in the past month? Lack of energy: Do you feel full of energy?). At least one FQ was reported by 62 patients. Muscle weakness (61.7%) was the most frequent and cognitive fatigue (22%) the least. Physical FQ were all more common than the mental ones. Correlation between the two mental FQ (emotional and cognitive) was 0.381 (p = 0.002). Six patients reported none of the FQ, 20 one FQ, 13 two FQ, and 29 three or more FQ. CCI and GDS were associated with all FQ and MMSE with all FQ but sleepiness. Patients reporting ≥3 FQ were older, had more comorbidities, more symptoms of depression, and a lower MMSE score. At multivariate linear regression analysis, the GDS was the only significant predictor of the number of FQ. HD patients report a variety of qualities of fatigue and the number of FQ is independently associated with symptoms of depression.

How to cite this article: Valentini V., Marazzi F., Bossola M., Micciche F., Nardone L., Balducci M., Dinapoli N., Bonomo P., Autorino R., Silipigni S., Giuliani F., Tamanti C., Mele M.C. & Martorana G.E. (2012) Nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 25, 201–208 Abstract Background: The role of nutritional counselling (NC) with or without oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) still remains to be clearly defined, particularly with regard to CRT-related toxicity. Methods: Patients undergoing CRT for HNC received NC by the dietitian within the first 4 days of radiotherapy and weekly for the course of radiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks). A weekly supply of oral nutrition supplements [1560 kJ (373 kcal) per 100 g] for up to 3 months was provided to all patients. Results: Twenty-one patients completed CRT. Mucositis G3 developed in seven (33.3%) patients, whereas mucositis G4 was absent. Dysphagia was present before the start of treatment in four patients. In the remaining 17 patients, dysphagia G3 developed during/at the end of treatment in five cases. The percentage of patients interrupting anti-neoplastic treatment for was 28% for ≥6 days, 28% for 3–5 days and 44% for 0–2 days. Mucositis G3 frequency was lower in patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI, kg m−2) ≥25 (two out of 12; 16.6%) than in patients with BMI 30 cm than in those with a mid arm circumference in the range 28.1–30 cm and

Fatigue is common in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and impacts on daily living, impairs significantly the quality of life, increases the risk of cardiovascular events and negatively influences survival. Although numerous social, demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables have been associated with fatigue, the causes of this symptom are often unclear. In the absence of an underlying, treatable disorder, the results of therapeutic intervention are typically frustrating. So far, none of the drugs tested can be recommended for preventing and treating fatigue in chronic HD patients. There is some evidence that exercise may significantly improve fatigue in dialysis patients; however, this requires confirmation through large, prospective, randomized studies.

Many studies have been conducted to ascertain if nutrition support (NS), either as parenteral nutrition (PN) or enteral nutrition (EN), stimulates tumor growth and causes cancer progression, but after almost 30 years, the question remains at least in part unresolved. In this study, previous studies were reviewed to evaluate the effect of NS on tumor growth, tumor proliferation, tumor apoptosis, and cancer-related survival in humans. MEDLINE and PubMed were searched using combinations of the following keywords: PN, EN, tumor growth, tumor proliferation, tumor apoptosis, arginine, ω-3 fatty acids, and glutamine. Unfortunately, the effect of nutrition support on tumor growth has been assessed only in terms of tumor proliferation, whereas the interferences on tumor apoptosis have never been determined. Overall, the results seem conflicting and inconclusive. Similarly, it remains unknown if PN or EN enriched with specific nutrients such as arginine, ω-3 fatty acids, and glutamine can affect tumor growth in humans. It is hoped that further studies will elucidate if NS with conventional or specific nutrients stimulates tumor proliferation, interferes with tumor apoptosis, and causes cancer progression.

The influence of cancer on skeletal muscle calpain expression and activity in humans is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that calpain activity is increased in skeletal muscle from gastric cancer patients with no or

Paricalcitol is more effective than calcitriol in hemodialysis patients (HD) with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), but it is not effective in some of them. We have investigated the relationship between paricalcitol responsiveness and parathyroid gland (PTG) size. Thirty HD with SHPT treated previously with calcitriol for at least 6 months were switched to paricalcitol (1:4 conversion ratio). Parathyroid gland number and size (maximum longitudinal diameter [MLD] of largest PTG) was measured by ultrasonography. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (MLD ≤9.0 mm [17 HD]); and group B (MLD >9.0 mm [13 HD]). They were defined responder if both the last 2 monthly determinations of inhibit parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were within the target (

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), present in 70-80% of patients at the start of dialysis, results from chronic high blood pressure, volume overload, or both, in association with a number of metabolic and neurohumoral alterations. LVH is associated with poor outcome and was considered irreversible until the end of the 20th century. Conversely, in recent years, numerous studies have been published demonstrating that LVH may regress through various therapeutic strategies such as prevention and control of anemia, control of volume load, use of antihypertensive drugs, use of daily or nocturnal hemodialysis (HD), prevention and treatment of hyperphosphatemia, administration of vitamin D or with multifactorial interventional approaches. However, it must be emphasized that most of these studies have included a small number of patients, that many are single-arm and that few are randomized and controlled. In general, it seem that further, adequate, randomized, controlled studies are warranted to better define the optimal therapeutic approach to treat LVH in end-stage renal disease patients receiving chronic HD.

Background The present study evaluated the effects of preoperative parenteral nutrition (PN) on tumor cell proliferation in malnourished gastric cancer patients. Methods Twenty malnourished patients affected by gastric cancer were randomized to receive the standard hospital oral diet (control group) or the standard hospital oral diet plus PN (PN group; 0.2 g/kg/d of nitrogen and 30 nonprotein kcal/kg/d). Samples of tumor tissue and surrounding health mucosa were taken by endoscopic biopsies and from the operative specimen, immediately after resection. Tissues were sent for histologic examination and prepared for flow cytometry and for the measurement of the uptake of bromodeoxyuridine (BduR) by cells after in vitro exposure to the agent. The BduR uptake is largely used to assess the proportion of cells actively synthesizing DNA and is one of the principle methods used to measure tumor proliferation. Results In the PN group, the mean percentage of tumor cells incorporating BduR was 2.51% +/- 1.7% in the endoscopic samples and 1.52% +/- 0.8% in the operative specimens (p = .2). In the normal mucosa, the mean percentage of cells incorporating BduR was 2.24% +/- 1.8% and 1.13% +/- 1.1%, respectively (p = .1). In the control group, the percentage of cells incorporating BduR in the normal mucosa was 1.26% +/- 1.1% at endoscopy and 0.41% +/- 0.3% at surgery (p = .2), whereas the percentage of cells incorporating BduR in the tumor tissue was 1.41% +/- 1.2% at endoscopy and 0.48% +/- 0.6% at surgery (p = .2). The percentage of S-phase cells documented by flow cytometry in the PN group was: in the tumor, 6.6% +/- 2.9% in the endoscopic samples and 5.7% +/- 2.5% in the operative specimens (p = .6); in the normal mucosa, 5.8% +/- 2.5% at endoscopy and 5.4% +/- 0.9% at surgery (p = .7). In the control group, the percentage of proliferating cells measured by flow cytometry was 4.9% +/- 3.2% in the normal mucosa taken by endoscopic biopsy and 5.3% +/- 1.4% in the normal mucosa taken from the operative specimens (p = .8), whereas it was 11.4% +/- 7.2% in the tumor taken with endoscopic biopsy and 9.7% +/- 4% in the tumor tissue taken from the surgical specimens (p = .7). Conclusions The present study suggests that PN does not stimulate tumor proliferation in malnourished patients affected by gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND Hemodiafiltration (HFR) with on-line regeneration of the ultrafiltrate, a technique of hemodiafiltration in which the ultrafiltrate passes through a cartridge containing uncoated charcoal, has been shown to be safe, simple, and well tolerated and has been claimed to improve nutritional status or to prevent its deterioration while decreasing the inflammatory response via a reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present prospective study was to ascertain whether HRF improves the nutritional status, reduces microinflammation, and decreases serum beta2-microglobulin levels in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS Eight patients, four males and four females, with a mean age of 49.4 +/- 16.8 years, stable on hemodialysis over a period of 8.7 +/- 6.1 years and on standard 4-4.5 h three-times-a-week bicarbonate hemodialysis, were switched to three-times-a-week, 4-h HFR. At baseline and every two months for 12 months at mid-week, serum levels of urea, creatinine, albumin, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, complement, ferritin, beta2-microglobulin, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), hemoglobin concentrations, and hematocrit and the EPO weekly dose were determined. At baseline and at the end of the study, the Malnutrition Inflammatory Score (MIS) was calculated. RESULTS Nutritional and inflammatory parameters remained constant during the 12-month period of the study. After 12 months of HFR, the MIS trended to be lower, but the difference was not statistically significant. Serum beta2-microglobulin and PTH levels remained constant during all time intervals. Neither hematocrit nor hemoglobin changed over the course of the study as well as the weekly EPO dose. CONCLUSION The change from bicarbonate hemodialysis to HFR was safe and well tolerated but was not associated with an improvement of nutritional and inflammatory parameters or a reduction of serum beta2-microglobulin levels.

BACKGROUND The objective of the current study was to evaluate the ability of serum thyroglobulin mRNA assay in detecting local and distant recurrences in patients who underwent surgery for thyroid carcinoma. METHODS Sixty-six consecutive patients were studied. One year after surgery, all patients underwent clinical examination and radioiodine scan, and a blood sample was taken for serum thyroglobulin (Tg) immunoassay and for Tg mRNA assay by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RNA was extracted from cells pellet and analyzed by RT-PCR using specific primers for Tg. RESULTS Thyroglobulin mRNA was detected in 14 (21.2%) patients. Seven of 16 patients with elevated serum thyroglobulin had detectable Tg mRNA. Six of 30 (20%) patients with absent or minimal thyroid bed radioiodine uptake and 7 of 36 (19.4%) patients with significant thyroid bed uptake had detectable Tg mRNA. Among 5 patients with metastases, only 1 (20%) showed circulating Tg mRNA. Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Tg mRNA assay in predicting the results of the 131I whole-body scans was 25%, 80%, 25%, respectively. Fourteen of 53 (26.4%) patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma had detectable thyroglobulin mRNA whereas none of the patients with other histologic types did. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Tg mRNA assay in predicting the results of the 131I whole-body scans in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma was 100%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. Of note, the percentage of cases with detectable Tg mRNA was similar among patients who did not receive postoperative 131I and those who had postoperative radioiodine treatment. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that the validity of the Tg mRNA assay varies according to the histologic type of thyroid carcinoma and that this assay may play a role in the identification of metastatic disease in the subgroup of patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma but does not appear to be sensitive or active enough to direct clinical management. Cancer 2001;92:2273–9. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) has been regarded as a potential mediator of cancer cachexia. Assessment of TNF circulating levels in cancer patients and their correlation with weight loss has led to controversial results. MATERIALS AND METHODS We measured TNF circulating levels in 28 patients with gastrointestinal cancer and 29 controls with benign gastrointestinal diseases at different times (08.00 h, 14.00 h, 20.00 h) before operation. RESULTS TNF activity was not detected in any of controls at any times. In cancer patients, TNF circulating levels were detectable in 18 cases (64.3%) and appeared to be discontinuous. TNF levels above the limit of detection were present in 15 patients (53.6%) at 08.00 h, in 14 (50%) at 014.00 h and in nine (32.1%) at 20.00 h. Mean TNF levels were 14.3 +/- 4 pg mL(-1) at 08.00 h, 16.7 +/- 4.6 pg mL(-1) at 14.00 h (P = 0.05) and 18.5 +/- 10.2 pg mL(-1) at 20.00 h (P < 0.05 vs. 08.00 h and 14.00 h). According to Spearman's analysis, the sum of TNF concentrations at the three times significantly correlated with the severity of weight loss (Spearman's correlation coefficient = - 0.420; P = 0.026). TNF concentrations were consistently and significantly higher in patients with severe weight loss than in those with moderate or light weight loss at 08.00 h (26.3 +/- 8.3, 8.9 +/- 4.2, 3.8 +/- 2.1, respectively; P = 0.04 at one-way ANOVA). TNF levels were higher in anorectic than in nonanorectic patients at any hour, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that TNF is intermittently or discontinuously detectable in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and that its levels correlate with the severity of weight loss.

Background and Objectives: The clinical characteristics and patient outcome of a group of patients treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were analyzed in order to assess the relative influence of different prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data about sex, age, size and histologic behavior of the tumor, extrathyroid extension of the tumor, lymph node status, distant metastasis at diagnosis, surgical procedures, and overall survival from 234 patients treated for DTC. Data were submitted to a statistical analysis. Results: Using a univariate analysis, we found that survival rates were significantly influenced by age (P = 0.0001), size (P = 0.018), extra-thyroidal extension (P = 0.000001), lymph node involvement (P = 0.03), and distant metastases (P = 0.049). Age and size were independent prognostic factors at multivariate analysis (t = 2.694 and t = 2.443, respectively). Conclusions: On the basis of our results and of a review of the literature, we conclude that total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice in DTC, except for small (

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was delivered to remnant rat liver after partial hepatectomy to determine the chronic effects of treatment on survival, blood chemistry, liver weight, and histology. Survival at one year was 100%. Remnant liver weight was markedly increased in all animals. Liver function appeared to be unaltered in all groups and at all observation times. Inflammatory cell infiltration occurred immediately after treatment in all animals, showing a slight progression until day 45; by day 180 the values had returned to baseline. Vascular changes were seen early in all groups, then progressively decreased; the vascular score was back to baseline at days 180 and 365. Nuclear alterations were observed in both irradiated and nonirradiated hepatic cells; in all cases these were limited to isolated or focal areas of hepatocytes. There was little fibrosis formation and by day 180 all scores were back to baseline. We conclude that the chronic effects of whole liver IORT after one-third hepatectomy are minimal in the rat and are similar to those observed after surgery alone.

The clinical, laboratory, and pathologic data of 361 patients who had curative resections for colorectal cancers were collected and analyzed in a multiple stepwise regression model. In univariate analysis, among clinical factors, bowel obstruction and emergency surgery showed the most significant prognostic value (P = 0.002, P = 0.004, respectively). Vegetating growth, Astler-Coller stage of tumor, intramural spread, lymph node involvement, and synchronous liver metastases resulted in the pathologic variable significantly affecting the prognosis (P = 0.006, P less than 0.001, P = 0.036, P less than 0.001, P less than 0.001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, stage was the predictive factor with the highest hazard ratio in conjunction with bowel obstruction (P less than 0.0001 in both cases). Processing data excluding stage ("multiparametric factor" itself), hepatic metastases, lymph node involvement, bowel obstruction, and intramural spread appeared as independent predictors of survival (P less than 0.0001, P less than 0.0001, P = 0.0004, P = 0.0316, respectively). Other variables, as biologic and molecular factors, should be more widely tested in order to assess their impact on prognosis.

Hypothesis: Immediate enteral feeding following major abdominal surgery reduces postoperative complications and mortality when compared with parenteral nutrition. Design: A prospective multicenter randomized trial. Setting: A university hospital department of digestive surgery. Patients and Interventions: Two hundred forty-one malnourished patients undergoing major elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive, after surgery, either enteral (enteral nutrition group: 119 patients) or parenteral nutrition (total parenteral nutrition group: 122 patients). The patients were monitored for postoperative complications and mortality. Results: The rate of major postoperative complications was similar in the enteral and parenteral groups (enteral nutrition group: 37.8%; total parenteral nutrition group: 39.3%; P was not significant), as were the overall postoperative mortality rates (5.9% and 2.5%, respectively; P was not significant). Conclusions: The present study failed to demonstrate that enteral...