Sex disparities in vitamin D status and the impact on systemic inflammation and survival in rectal cancer.

Background: We reported previously that rectal cancer patients given curative-intent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for non-metastatic disease had enhanced risk of metastatic progression and death if circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] were low. Here we investigated whether the association between the vitamin D status and prognosis pertains to the general, unselected population of rectal cancer patients.

Methods: Serum 25(OH) D at the time of diagnosis was assessed in 129 patients, enrolled 2013-2017 and representing the entire range of rectal cancer stages, and analyzed with respect to season, sex, systemic inflammation, and survival.

The circulating soluble form of the CD40 costimulatory immune checkpoint receptor and liver metastasis risk in rectal cancer.

Background: In colorectal cancer, the inflamed tumour microenvironment with its angiogenic activities is immune- tolerant and incites progression to liver metastasis. We hypothesised that angiogenic and inflammatory factors in serum samples from patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer could inform on liver metastasis risk.

Methods: We measured 84 angiogenic and inflammatory markers in serum sampled at the time of diagnosis within the population-based cohort of 122 stage I-III patients.

Immunogenic cell death by neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and radiation protects against metastatic failure in high-risk rectal cancer.

Objective: High rates of systemic failure in locally advanced rectal cancer call for a rational use of conventional therapies to foster tumor-defeating immunity.

Methods: We analyzed the high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, a measure of immunogenic cell death (ICD), in plasma sampled from 50 patients at the time of diagnosis and following 4 weeks of induction chemotherapy and 5 weeks of sequential chemoradiotherapy, both neoadjuvant modalities containing oxaliplatin. The patients had the residual tumor resected and were followed for long-term outcome.

Antitumour immunity invoked by hepatic arterial infusion of first-line oxaliplatin predicts durable colorectal cancer control after liver metastasis ablation: 8-12 years of follow-up.

In colorectal cancer (CRC), hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy may convert primarily unresectable CRC liver metastases (CLM) into resectability, although the risk of metastatic recurrence remains high after CLM ablation. We investigated the role of antitumour immunity invoked by first-line oxaliplatin-HAI for long-term CLM outcome. In a prospective study cohort of primarily unresectable CLM, we assessed patients' fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3LG) in serum, reflecting opportune intratumoural immune activity, at baseline and following 1-3 sequences of oxaliplatin-HAI.

Sex-related differences in primary metastatic site in rectal cancer; associated with hemodynamic factors?

Background And Purpose: We investigated how features relating to pelvic cavity anatomy and tumor hemodynamic factors may influence systemic failure in rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Rectal cancer patients (207 women, 343 men), who had been prospectively enrolled onto six cohorts and given curative-intent therapy, were analyzed for the first metastatic event. In one of the cohorts, the diameter of the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) was assessed on diagnostic abdominal computed tomography images (n = 113).

High level of circulating vitamin D during neoadjuvant therapy may lower risk of metastatic progression in high-risk rectal cancer.

Background: Following curative-intent neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer, metastatic progression is still dominant. We investigated if patients' circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were associated with outcome.

Methods: Serum 25(OH)D concentration was assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in samples collected from 84 patients at baseline, completion of the neoadjuvant therapy, and treatment evaluation before surgery, and analyzed with respect to season, disease presentation, and treatment effects.

Women's use of nipple shields-Their influence on breastfeeding duration after a process-oriented education for health professionals.

Aim: This study investigated if a process-oriented training for health professionals will influence women's use and reasons for using a nipple shield, the baby's weight, and the duration of breastfeeding.

Materials And Methods: An intervention was performed for health professionals that included a process-oriented training program on breastfeeding support. Primiparas living in either the intervention municipality or in a control municipality were asked to participate in a longitudinal study to evaluate the care given.

The association of self-reported employee physical activity with metabolic syndrome, health care costs, absenteeism, and presenteeism.

Objective: To examine employees' self-reported physical activity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risks and their association with health-related workplace outcomes.

Methods: Employees participated in a health risk appraisal in 2010. Generalized Linear Modeling was used to test the association between MetS risk factors, physical activity, and the outcome measures while controlling for confounders.