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The prevalence of malnutrition is high in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. The use of oral nutrition supplementation (ONS) as part of patients' nutritional therapy seems to be effective in the improvement of nutritional status. Nevertheless, oncology patients, experience several symptoms that negatively affect their compliance with ONS products. Τhe aim of this systematic review is to examine the factors affecting compliance with ONS in patients who underwent GI cancer surgery and/or adjuvant treatments. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published until June 2023 that assessed compliance to ONS in GI cancer patients. Eleven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Postoperative compliance with ONS among GI cancer surgery patients ranged between 26.2% and 71.1%, whereas in GI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy the average reported rate was 90.2%. The main reasons for noncompliance were the presence of GI symptoms, such as early satiety, bloating, and diarrhea after ONS consumption, as well as taste alterations that result in aversion to the provided ONS. Frequent monitoring of these patients is crucial in order to record adverse effects, identify patients that are in need of personalized guidance at an early stage and motivate them to follow their ONS plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal surgery has traditionally been associated with high morbidity rates. Despite the recent advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery and the introduction of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, post-esophagectomy morbidity, especially that attributed to the respiratory system, remains a concern. In that respect, preoperative intensification of oral care or introduction of structured oral/dental hygiene regimens may lead to tangible postoperative benefits associated with reduced morbidity (respiratory or otherwise) and length of hospital stay. A systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase, Web of Knowledge and clinicaltrials.gov databases was undertaken for studies reporting use of preoperative oral/dental hygiene improvement regimens in patients scheduled to undergo esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. After screening 796 unique studies, seven were deemed eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Pooled results indicated equivalent postoperative pneumonia rates in the oral pretreatment group and control groups (8.7 vs. 8.5%, respectively); however, the odds for developing pneumonia were reduced by 50% in the pretreatment group (odds ratio 0.5, 95% C.I. 0.37 to 0.69, P  < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was detected in the anastomotic leak (odds ratio 0.93, 95% C.I. 0.38 to 2.24, P  = 0.87) and length of stay outcomes (mean difference 0.63, 95% C.I. −3.22 to 4.47, P  = 0.75). Oral/dental pretreatment reduces the odds for developing post-esophagectomy pneumonia. This finding should be cautiously interpreted given the significant limitations inherent in this meta-analysis. Further investigation via well-designed clinical trials is thus warranted before implementation in routine practice can be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncologic patients often suffer from malnutrition, which might negatively affect treatment outcomes. Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM)-based malnutrition is associated with short- and long-term outcomes in cancer patients. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to determine the impact of GLIM-defined malnutrition on postoperative complications and survival in esophageal and gastric cancer patients. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published until February 2022 that assessed the association between GLIM criteria and short- and long-term outcomes in esophageal and gastric cancer patients. We included seven observational studies reporting on a total of 3662 patients with esophageal and gastric cancer. GLIM-defined malnutrition was associated with increased overall complications (pooled HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.45–4.59, p = 0.001). Malnutrition was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (pooled HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18–1.84, p = 0.003) as well as with decreased disease-free survival (pooled HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36–2.33, p < 0.0001). GLIM-based malnutrition was associated with an increased risk for developing postoperative complications and impaired survival of esophageal and gastric cancer patients. Our findings support the use of GLIM criteria in clinical practice as a relatively simple and reliable tool for assessing the nutritional status of oncologic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the well-established, traditional structure of medical education. Τhe new limitations of physical presence have accelerated the development of an online learning environment, comprising both of asynchronous and synchronous distance education, and the introduction of novel ways of student assessment. At the same time, this prolonged crisis had serious implications on the lives of medical students including their psychological well-being and the impact on their academic trajectories. The new reality has, on many occasions, triggered the 'acting up' of medical students as frontline healthcare staff, which has been perceived by many of them as a positive learning and contributing experience, and has led to a variety of responses from the educational institutions. All things considered, the urgency for rapid and novel adaptations to the new circumstances has functioned as a springboard for remarkable innovations in medical education,including the promotion of a more "evidence-based" approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pyometra (P) leads to sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogens which can cause P. The aim of this study was to investigate TLR-7 and -9 via the MYD88 pathway and the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) response in the uterus of a P mouse model before and after ovariohysterectomy (RP) as well as potential lung injury. Materials and Methods: 200 female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into groups (N = 10/subgroup; sham 1, 2, 3, 7; P1, 2, 3, 7; 1RP1, 2, 3, 7; 2RP1, 2, 3, 7; 3RP1, 2, 3, 7) according to the day of euthanasia. Pathogens were administrated in the groups P and RP in order to induce P. Results: Alterations in blood chemistry, histopathology, and RT-qPCT analysis before (P) and after RP were observed. Significant correlations were also found between MYD88, NFκB, and TLR9 in P and RP groups in the lungs and in RP groups in the uterus, suggesting that the immune system responded via the TLR9-MYD88 pathway. Conclusions: This is the first report of immunohistochemical TLR-7 and -9 localization and of TLR-7, -9, MYD88, and NFκB mRNA expression in the uterus causing lung injury in a P mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Disease-related malnutrition is a debilitating condition frequently observed in patients with cancer. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine postoperative changes in nutritional and functional status of patients undergoing surgery for gastric, esophageal, and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited from September 2015 to September 2019. The assessment of malnutrition was based on the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment tool. The functional assessment included the evaluation of muscle strength and physical performance, while muscle mass assessment was based on Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) derived from the analysis of computed tomography scans. The follow up of patients was scheduled at six months postoperatively. Results: A total of 98 patients were analyzed. Mean patient age was 60.79 ± 10.19 years and 80.6% were males. The mean unintentional weight loss at 6months was 11.7 ± 8.0%. Patients who underwent McKeown esophagectomy reported the greatest weight loss postoperatively (16.2 ± 9.6%), whereas the lowest rate of weight loss was observed in patients who underwent partial gastrectomy (5.6 ± 6.7%). The rate of severe malnutrition declined at six months postoperatively (39.7% vs 27%). Muscle strength and physical performance were significantly deteriorated at 6months postoperatively, except for the group of partial gastrectomy, while SMI significantly decreased in all groups of patients except for McKewon esophagectomy group. Finally, the prevalence of low muscle mass increased significantly from 43.5% in the preoperative period to 66.7% at the follow-up. Conclusions: Our study revealed a significant deterioration in gastroesophageal cancer patient nutritional and functional status at six months postoperatively. The high prevalence of malnutrition and low muscle mass requires systematic follow-up and multidirectional monitoring in order to ensure the successful rehabilitation of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting almost one-third of the general population and 75% of obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this article is to review the current evidence concerning the role of quercetin, a natural compound and flavonoid, and its possible therapeutic effects on this modern-day disease. Despite the fact that the exact pathophysiological mechanisms through which quercetin has a hepatoprotective effect on NAFLD are still not fully elucidated, this review clearly demonstrates that this flavonoid has potent antioxidative stress action and inhibitory effects on hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammation, and generation of reactive oxygen species, factors which are linked to the development of the disease. NAFLD is closely associated with increased dietary fat consumption, especially in Western countries. The hepatoprotective effect of quercetin against NAFLD merits serious consideration and further validation by future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncologic patients often suffer from malnutrition which in turn, might have negative impact on treatment outcomes. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), as an index of impaired nutritional status, has emerged as a significant prognostic factor for short-and long-term outcomes in cancer patients. The aim of the current systematic review is to determine whether the GNRI is an independent prognostic factor of postoperative complications and survival in cancer patients. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies, published from 2005 to 2019, which assessed associations between GNRI and short- and long-term outcomes in cancer patients. Eighteen studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Low scores of GNRI were associated with increased risk for developing postoperative complications and impaired survival of cancer patients in most studies. Our findings support the use of the GNRI in the clinical practice, since it is a simple and reliable tool for assessing nutritional status in oncologic patients. More prospective, multi-centered studies are warranted to confirm the current results, as well as the role of nutritional support in improving the prognosis of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]