Surgical Prehabilitation in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers: Impact of Unimodal and Multimodal Programs on Postoperative Outcomes and Prospects for New Therapeutic Strategies-A Systematic Review.

The advantages of prehabilitation in surgical oncology are unclear. This systematic review aims to (1) evaluate the latest evidence of preoperative prehabilitation interventions on postoperative outcomes after gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery and (2) discuss new potential therapeutic targets as part of prehabilitation. Randomized controlled trials published between January 2017 and August 2022 were identified through Medline.

Clinical evaluation of the new indirect calorimeter in canopy and face mask mode for energy expenditure measurement in spontaneously breathing patients.

Background & Aims: The new indirect calorimeter developed in the framework of the ICALIC project was first evaluated in ventilation mode. This second phase aimed to compare its ease of use and precision with another commonly used device in spontaneously breathing adult patients using a canopy hood or a face mask.

Methods: The time required to measure resting energy expenditure (REE) with Q-NRG® in canopy and face mask mode was compared with Quark RMR® in canopy mode by sequential measurements in 45 and 40 spontaneously breathing adult patients, respectively.

Precision and accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis devices in supine versus standing position with or without retractable handle in Caucasian subjects.

Background & Aims: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) could be facilitated in subjects who are able to stand by using scales without (BIA) or with a retractable handle (BIA), provided that they are as precise as BIA devices commonly used in the supine position in the hospital setting (BIA). This observational prospective cross-sectional study aimed to compare the precision and accuracy of BIA, BIA and BIA in a Caucasian population.

Methods: Fat mass percentage (FM%) was measured in 160 healthy Caucasian subjects (80 men/80 women) aged 20-60 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥18.

Antitumor Effect of 5-Fluorouracil-Loaded Liposomes Containing n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Two Different Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

It has been shown that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) could act synergistically with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to kill cancer cells. To facilitate their simultaneous transport in the bloodstream, we synthesized, for the first time, liposomes (LIPUFU) containing 5-FU in the aqueous core and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at a ratio of 1:2 in the lipid bilayer. LIPUFU werestable with uniform size of 154 ± 4 nm, PDI of 0.

Evaluation of the accuracy and precision of a new generation indirect calorimeter in canopy dilution mode.

Background & Aims: Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the only way to measure in real time energy expenditure (EE) and to optimize nutrition support in acutely and chronically ill patients. Unfortunately, most of the commercially available indirect calorimeters are rather complex to use, expensive and poorly accurate and precise. Therefore, an innovative device (Q-NRG®, COSMED, Rome, Italy) that matches clinicians' needs has been developed as part of the multicenter ICALIC study supported by the two academic societies ESPEN and ESICM.

In vitro validation of indirect calorimetry device developed for the ICALIC project against mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Accurate evaluation of the energy needs is required to optimize nutrition support of critically ill patients. Recent evaluations of indirect calorimeters revealed significant differences among the devices available on the market. A new indirect calorimeter (Q-NRG, Cosmed, Roma, Italy) has been developed by a group of investigators supporting the international calorimetry study initiative (ICALIC) to achieve ultimate accuracy for measuring energy expenditure while being easy to use, and affordable.

[Fasting during health and diseases].

Fasting, intermittent or continuous, religious or therapeutic, is knowing a growing craze. Despite few randomized controlled studies, therapeutic fasting is prescribed in various chronic diseases, as diabetes, hypertension and also cancer. Fasting is applied to lose weight in overweight and obese patients.

Methods to validate the accuracy of an indirect calorimeter in the in-vitro setting.

Introduction: The international ICALIC initiative aims at developing a new indirect calorimeter according to the needs of the clinicians and researchers in the field of clinical nutrition and metabolism. The project initially focuses on validating the calorimeter for use in mechanically ventilated acutely ill adult patient. However, standard methods to validate the accuracy of calorimeters have not yet been established.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Interaction of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with radiation therapy in two different colorectal cancer cell lines.

Background & Aims: This study aims at evaluating if docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increases the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) on two human colorectal cancer cell lines with different radio-sensitivity.

Methods: LS174T and HT-29 cells were treated with 20 or 50 μmol/L EPA or DHA followed by single X-ray RT of 0, 2 or 4 Gy, to evaluate cell survival, apoptosis, peroxide and malondialdehyde productions. Inflammation- and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by Western Blot.

Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as adjuvant in cancer therapy.

Background & Aims: Green tea catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been associated with cancer prevention and treatment. This has resulted in an increased number of studies evaluating the effects derived from the use of this compound in combination with chemo/radiotherapy. This review aims at compiling latest literature on this subject.

Vitamin E content in fish oil emulsion does not prevent lipoperoxidative effects on human colorectal tumors.

Objective: The anticancer action exerted by polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation may not be reproduced by commercially available lipid emulsions rich in vitamin E. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of fish oil (FO) emulsion containing α-tocopherol 0.19 g/L on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and tumors.

Colon cancer cell chemosensitisation by fish oil emulsion involves apoptotic mitochondria pathway.

Adjuvant use of safe compounds with anti-tumour properties has been proposed to improve cancer chemotherapy outcome. We aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil emulsion (FOE) rich in n-3 PUFA with the standard chemotherapeutic agents 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin (OX) or irinotecan (IRI) on two human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells with different genetic backgrounds. The HT-29 (Bax+/+) and LS174T (Bax-/-) cells were co-treated for 24-72 h with 1 μm-5-FU, 1 μm-OX or 10 μm-IRI and/or FOE dilution corresponding to 24 μm-EPA and 20·5 μm-DHA.

18F-FLT and 125I-IdUrd uptake increase in human tumour cell lines induced by the thymidylate synthase inhibitor FdUrd.

Aim: 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) depletes the endogenous 5'-deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) pool. We hypothesized whether uptake of exogenous dThd analogues could be favoured through a feedback enhanced salvage pathway and studied the FdUrd effect on cellular uptake of 3'-deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) and 5-125I-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (125I-IdUrd) in different cancer cell lines in parallel.

Methods: Cell uptake of 18F-FLT and 125I-IdUrd was studied in 2 human breast, 2 colon cancer and 2 glioblastoma lines.

Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation on colorectal cancer risk and treatments.

Purpose Of Review: The review aims at elucidating the role of lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and treatment.

Recent Findings: CRC is one of the most overriding threats to public health. Despite a broad range of treatments, up to 50% of patients will inevitably develop incurable metastatic disease.

[Nutrition and physical activity: two targets for cancer prevention].

The links between nutrition and cancer onset are now well established by epidemiological studies. The scientific evidence is presented in a report of the World Cancer Research Foundation (WCRF). Protective factors towards overall cancer risk are fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.

Increase of [(18)F]FLT tumor uptake in vivo mediated by FdUrd: toward improving cell proliferation positron emission tomography.

Purpose: 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT), a cell proliferation positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, has been shown in numerous tumors to be more specific than 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) but less sensitive. We studied the capacity of a nontoxic concentration of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd), a thymidine synthesis inhibitor, to increase uptake of [(18)F]FLT in tumor xenografts.

Methods: The duration of the FdUrd effect in vivo on tumor cell cycling and thymidine analogue uptake was studied by varying FdUrd pretreatment timing and holding constant the timing of subsequent flow cytometry and 5-[(125)I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine biodistribution measurements.

Angiogenesis as a potential target of pharmaconutrients in cancer therapy.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to provide insight into tumor angiogenesis inhibition by pharmaconutrients through description of the most relevant and recent findings in cancer research.

Recent Findings: Cancer growth needs oxygen and nutrients supplied through blood vessels to the tumor site. New vessel formation named angiogenesis can be prevented to avoid cancer invasion.

Fluorodeoxyuridine mediated cell cycle synchronization in S-phase increases the Auger radiation cell killing with 125I-iododeoxyuridine.

Aim: 125I-iododeoxyuridine is a potential Auger radiation therapy agent. Its incorporation in DNA of proliferating cells is enhanced by fluorodeoxyuridine. Here, we evaluated therapeutic activities of 125I-iododeoxyuridine in an optimized fluorodeoxyuridine pre-treatment inducing S-phase synchronization.

Advancing from immunonutrition to a pharmaconutrition: a gigantic challenge.

Purpose Of Review: This review presents some difficulties encountered to develop and translate immunonutrition into clinical practice, and suggests moving forward to a pharmaconutrition approach.

Recent Findings: Immunonutrition suffers from inconclusive and contradictory data due to the design of many of experiments and clinical studies conducted so far. The concept of a single immunonutrient formula applicable to various types of patients has also contributed to leave the medical world in a state of uncertainty.

Clinical relevance of parenteral nutrition prescription and administration in 200 hospitalized patients: a quality control study.

Background & Aims: Optimal implementation of parenteral nutrition (PN) is required to promote clinical outcome and costs control. This prospective quality control study examined if PN prescription was justified and PN administration was adequate to cover the nutritional needs of patients hospitalized in the Geneva University Hospital.

Methods: Two-hundred consecutive patients receiving PN were included from Medicine, Intensive Care or Surgery Units.

Oral nutritional supplements and taste preferences: 545 days of clinical testing in malnourished in-patients.

Background & Aims: Acceptability and intake of oral nutritional supplements are often suboptimal, partly because patients dislike flavour, texture or smell. We assessed the taste preferences about milk-based and fruit-juice typed supplements in malnourished in-patients.

Methods: One hundred and nine in-patients requiring oral nutritional support were assigned to consume four given supplements on four consecutive days, to answer a questionnaire based on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) on acceptance/tolerance, and to choose their preferred product for the fifth day.