Whole blood transcriptional responses of very preterm infants during late-onset sepsis

BACKGROUND

Host immune responses during late-onset sepsis (LOS) in very preterm infants are poorly characterised due to a complex and dynamic pathophysiology and challenges in working with small available blood volumes. We present here an unbiased transcriptomic analysis of whole peripheral blood from very preterm infants at the time of LOS.

METHODS

RNA-Seq was performed on peripheral blood samples (6-29 days postnatal age) taken at the time of suspected LOS from very preterm infants <30 weeks gestational age. Infants were classified based on blood culture positivity and elevated C-reactive protein concentrations as having confirmed LOS (n = 5), possible LOS (n = 4) or no LOS (n = 9). Bioinformatics and statistical analyses performed included pathway over-representation and protein-protein interaction network analyses. Plasma cytokine immunoassays were performed to validate differentially expressed cytokine pathways.

RESULTS

The blood leukocyte transcriptional responses of infants with confirmed LOS differed significantly from infants without LOS (1,317 differentially expressed genes). However, infants with possible LOS could not be distinguished from infants with no LOS or confirmed LOS. Transcriptional alterations associated with LOS included genes involved in pathogen recognition (mainly TLR pathways), cytokine signalling (both pro-inflammatory and inhibitory responses), immune and haematological regulation (including cell death pathways), and metabolism (altered cholesterol biosynthesis). At the transcriptional-level cytokine responses during LOS were characterised by over-representation of IFN-α/β, IFN-γ, IL-1 and IL-6 signalling pathways and up-regulation of genes for inflammatory responses. Infants with confirmed LOS had significantly higher levels of IL-1α and IL-6 in their plasma.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood responses in very preterm infants with LOS are characterised by altered host immune responses that appear to reflect unbalanced immuno-metabolic homeostasis.

Plasma cytokine profiles in very preterm infants with late-onset sepsis

INTRODUCTION

Deficiencies in innate immune responses may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection in preterm infants. In vivo cytokine profiles in response to sepsis in very preterm infants are not fully understood.

AIMS

To characterise plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations and pre-defined ratios in very preterm infants with late-onset sepsis (LOS).

METHODS

In this observational study, peripheral blood samples were collected at the time of evaluation for suspected LOS from 31 preterm infants (<30 weeks gestational age). Plasma cytokine concentrations were determined by 12-plex immunoassay.

RESULTS

IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IP-10, IL-6 and CCL2 were elevated in the majority infants with LOS (n = 12) compared to those without LOS (n = 19). There was no difference in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17AF, IL-8 and IL-15 concentrations between groups. IL-10/TNF-α ratios were increased, while CCL2/IL-10 and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratios were decreased in infants with LOS compared to those without.

CONCLUSION

Very preterm infants have a marked innate inflammatory response at the time of LOS. The increase in IL-10/TNF-α ratio may indicate early immune hypo-responsiveness. Longitudinal studies with a larger number of participants are required to understand immune responses and clinical outcomes following LOS in preterm infants.

Vancomycin Is Protective in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Staphylococcus epidermidis-Potentiated Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Infection is correlated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental sequelae in preterm infants. In modeling neonatal brain injury, Toll-like receptor agonists have often been used to mimic infections and induce inflammation. Using the most common cause of bacteremia in preterm infants, Staphylococcus epidermidis, we present a more clinically relevant neonatal mouse model that addresses the combined effects of bacterial infection together with subsequent hypoxic-ischemic brain insult. Currently, there is no neuroprotective treatment for the preterm population. Hence, we tested the neuroprotective effects of vancomycin with and without adjunct therapy using the anti-inflammatory agent pentoxifylline. We characterized the effects of S. epidermidis infection on the inflammatory response in the periphery and the brain, as well as the physiological changes in the central nervous system that might affect neurodevelopmental outcomes. Intraperitoneal injection of postnatal day 4 mice with a live clinical isolate of S. epidermidis led to bacteremia and induction of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood, as well as transient elevations of neutrophil and monocyte chemotactic cytokines and caspase 3 activity in the brain. When hypoxia-ischemia was induced postinfection, more severe brain damage was observed in infected animals than in saline-injected controls. This infection-induced inflammation and potentiated brain injury was inoculum dose dependent and was alleviated by the antibiotic vancomycin. Pentoxifylline did not provide any additional neuroprotective effect. Thus, we show for the first time that live S. epidermidis potentiates hypoxic-ischemic preterm brain injury and that peripheral inhibition of inflammation with antibiotics, such as vancomycin, reduces the extent of brain injury.

Lactoferrin Expression Is Not Associated with Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Preterm infants are at a high risk of developing late-onset sepsis (LOS). Lactoferrin is one of the most abundant endogenous antimicrobial proteins expressed in breast milk, stools, and blood, and a candidate for preventive intervention. Large clinical trials have recently investigated whether enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin reduces LOS.

AIM

To characterize lactoferrin levels in preterm infants with and without LOS during the first month of life.

METHODS

Very preterm and term infants were recruited and serial biosamples collected during the first month of life. Lactoferrin levels were determined by immunoassay in cord blood and peripheral blood on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28; in the stools on days 1 and 28; and in the mother's breast milk on days 7 and 21. Furthermore, we assessed the capacity of the peripheral blood to release lactoferrin in response to an in vitro challenge with live Staphylococcus epidermidis, lipopolysaccharide, and fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide 1.

RESULTS

Plasma lactoferrin levels were higher in cord blood and day 1 peripheral blood and declined during the first month of life. Plasma lactoferrin levels were similar in term infants and in preterm infants with (n = 32) and without LOS (n = 53). S. epidermidis-induced lactoferrin levels were lower following the sepsis episode.

CONCLUSIONS

Endogenous lactoferrin expression in preterm infants does not appear to affect their risk of developing LOS. These findings are in line with the lack of benefit recently observed in large trials of enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin to prevent LOS.

Erratum to: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Interactive Audit System: 10 Years' Experience with an International Web-Based Clinical and Research Perioperative Care Database

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1673357.].

Prolene hernia system versus Lichtenstein repair for inguinal hernia: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Lichtenstein repair is standard practice for inguinal herniorrhaphy, but there is increasing public concern in the use of mesh and postoperative chronic pain. New mesh technology, such as the prolene hernia system, has a preperitoneal component to reinforce the myopectineal orifice aim to reduce the risk of recurrence and chronic pain. This meta-analysis compares outcomes using prolene hernia system versus lichenstein repair for inguinal hernias.

METHODS

Randomized-controlled trials comparing prolene hernia system and Lichtenstein repair were identified using Embase, Medline, and published conference abstracts. Primary outcomes were recurrence and chronic pain. Secondary outcomes were mean operating time, composite complications, surgical reintervention, and time to normal activities. Odds ration and standardized mean differences were calculated.

RESULTS

1377 hernia repairs were identified from a total of 7 trials. Mean follow-up was 12-91 months. There was no difference between the techniques for recurrence [pooled analysis odds ratio: 0.86 (95% CI 0.32-2.28); p = 0.76] and chronic pain [pooled analysis odds ratio: 1.00 (95% CIs 0.65-1.55); p = 1]. Prolene hernia system demonstrated a shorter time to return to normal activities [pooled weighted mean difference - 0.54 (95% CI - 1.07 to - 0.01); p = 0.04]. Other outcomes were similar in mean operating time, composite complications, and surgical reintervention.

CONCLUSION

Both prolene hernia system and Lichenstein repair appear comparable acceptable techniques for inguinal herniorrhaphy. Further longer-term studies of new mesh technologies will improve information available to surgeons and their patients.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Interactive Audit System: 10 Years' Experience with an International Web-Based Clinical and Research Perioperative Care Database

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a managed care program that has shown the ability to reduce complications following elective colorectal surgery. In 2006, the ERAS ^® Society developed the ERAS ^® Interactive Audit System (EIAS), which has allowed centers in over 20 countries to enter perioperative patient data to benchmark against international practice within the audit system and act as a stimulus for quality improvement. The de-identified patient data are coded in SQL (a relational database), stored on secure servers, and data governance aspects have been secured in all involved countries. A collaborative approach is undertaken within involved units toward research questions with published cohort data from the audit system having demonstrated the importance of overall compliance on improving patient outcomes and less cost of care. The EIAS has shown that collaborative clinical effort can drive quality improvement in a short time frame in an international context.

Precision Medicine for Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality especially in the preterm infant population. The ability to promptly and accurately diagnose neonatal sepsis based on clinical evaluation and laboratory blood tests remains challenging. Advances in high-throughput molecular technologies have increased investigations into the utility of transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches as diagnostic tools for neonatal sepsis. A systems-level understanding of neonatal sepsis, obtained by using omics-based technologies (at the transcriptome, proteome or metabolome level), may lead to new diagnostic tools for neonatal sepsis. In particular, recent omic-based studies have identified distinct transcriptional signatures and metabolic or proteomic biomarkers associated with sepsis. Despite the emerging need for a systems biology approach, future studies have to address the challenges of integrating multi-omic data with laboratory and clinical meta-data in order to translate outcomes into precision medicine for neonatal sepsis. Omics-based analytical approaches may advance diagnostic tools for neonatal sepsis. More research is needed to validate the recent systems biology findings in order to integrate multi-dimensional data (clinical, laboratory and multi-omic) for future translation into precision medicine for neonatal sepsis. This review will discuss the possible applications of omics-based analyses for identification of new biomarkers and diagnostic signatures for neonatal sepsis, focusing on the immune-compromised preterm infant and considerations for clinical translation.

Multiple-therapy-resistant major depressive disorder: a clinically important concept

Many novel therapeutic options for depression exist that are either not mentioned in clinical guidelines or recommended only for use in highly specialist services. The challenge faced by clinicians is when it might be appropriate to consider such 'non-standard' interventions. This analysis proposes a framework to aid this decision.Declaration of interestIn the past 3 years R.H.M.W. has received support for research, expenses to attend conferences and fees for lecturing and consultancy work (including attending advisory boards) from various pharmaceutical companies including Astra Zeneca, Cyberonics, Eli Lilly, Janssen, LivaNova, Lundbeck, MyTomorrows, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Servier, SPIMACO and Sunovion. D.M.B.C. has received fees from LivaNova for attending an advisory board. In the past 3 years A.J.C. has received fees for lecturing from Astra Zeneca and Lundbeck; fees for consulting from LivaNova, Janssen and Allergan; and research grant support from Lundbeck.In the past 3 years A.C. has received fees for lecturing from pharmaceutical companies namely Lundbeck and Sunovion. In the past 3 years A.L.M. has received support for attending seminars and fees for consultancy work (including advisory board) from Medtronic Inc and LivaNova. R.M. holds joint research grants with a number of digital companies that investigate devices for depression including Alpha-stim, Big White Wall, P1vital, Intel, Johnson and Johnson and Lundbeck through his mindTech and CLAHRC EM roles. M.S. is an associate at Blueriver Consulting providing intelligence to NHS organisations, pharmaceutical and devices companies. He has received honoraria for presentations and advisory boards with Lundbeck, Eli Lilly, URGO, AstraZeneca, Phillips and Sanofi and holds shares in Johnson and Johnson. In the past 3 years P.R.A.S. has received support for research, expenses to attend conferences and fees for lecturing and consultancy work (including attending an advisory board) from life sciences companies including Corcept Therapeutics, Indivior and LivaNova. In the past 3 years P.S.T. has received consultancy fees as an advisory board member from the following companies: Galen Limited, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd, myTomorrows and LivaNova. A.H.Y. has undertaken paid lectures and advisory boards for all major pharmaceutical companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders and LivaNova. He has received funding for investigator initiated studies from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck and Wyeth.

Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression in Neonates

Neonates, especially those born preterm, are at increased risk of sepsis and adverse long-term effects associated with infection-related inflammation. Distinct neonatal immune responses and dysregulated inflammation are central to this unique susceptibility. The traditional separation of sepsis into an initial hyper-inflammatory response followed by hypo-inflammation is continually under review with new developments in this area of research. There is evidence to support the association of mortality in the early acute phase of sepsis with an overwhelming hyper-inflammatory immune response. Emerging evidence from adults suggests that hypo- and hyper-inflammation can occur during any phase of sepsis and that sepsis-immunosuppression is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and risk to subsequent infection. In adults, sepsis-induced immunosuppression (SII) is characterised by alterations of innate and adaptive immune responses, including, but not limited to, a prominent bias toward anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion, diminished antigen presentation to T cells, and reduced activation and proliferation of T cells. It is unclear if sepsis-immunosuppression also plays a role in the adverse outcomes associated with neonatal sepsis. This review will focus on exploring if key characteristics associated with SII in adults are observed in neonates with sepsis.

Accelerating the carbon cycle: the ethics of enhanced weathering

Enhanced weathering, in comparison to other geoengineering measures, creates the possibility of a reduced cost, reduced impact way of decreasing atmospheric carbon, with positive knock-on effects such as decreased oceanic acidity. We argue that ethical concerns have a place alongside empirical, political and social factors as we consider how to best respond to the critical challenge that anthropogenic climate change poses. We review these concerns, considering the ethical issues that arise (or would arise) in the large-scale deployment of enhanced weathering. We discuss post-implementation scenarios, failures of collective action, the distribution of risk and externalities and redress for damage. We also discuss issues surrounding 'dirty hands' (taking conventionally immoral action to avoid having to take action that is even worse), whether enhanced weathering research might present a moral hazard, the importance of international governance and the notion that the implementation of large-scale enhanced weathering would reveal problematic hubris. Ethics and scientific research interrelate in complex ways: some ethical considerations caution against research and implementation, while others encourage them. Indeed, the ethical perspective encourages us to think more carefully about how, and what types of, geoengineering should be researched and implemented.

Probiotics and antimicrobial protein and peptide levels in preterm infants

AIM

To characterise the secreted and inducible antimicrobial protein and peptide (APP) levels in a prospective cohort of preterm infants (<30 weeks gestational age) with or without Bifidobacterium breve M16V supplementation during the first month of life.

METHODS

We analysed serial biosamples of infants who did (n = 13) or did not receive (n = 62) B. breve (3 × 10⁹ cfu/day). Peripheral blood was obtained on days 1, 14 and 28, and infant stool prior to commencement of probiotic supplementation and on day 21. Levels of APP (bactericidal/permeability inducing protein (BPI), beta defensins 1 and 2, lactoferrin, human cathelicidin, secretory phospholipase A2) in plasma and stool were determined. Further, we characterised induced APP levels in whole blood cultured with live S. epidermidis or with agonists of Toll-like receptors 2/6 and 4.

RESULTS

Stool, plasma and stimulated blood APP levels changed significantly during the first month of life. Supplementation with B. breve did not affect basal or stimulated APP levels except for a transient increase in inducible BPI.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with B. breve does not appear to act via modulation of systemic or enteric APP expression in preterm infants although small effects cannot be excluded. Further work with other probiotic preparations is warranted.

First Searches for Axions and Axionlike Particles with the LUX Experiment

The first searches for axions and axionlike particles with the Large Underground Xenon experiment are presented. Under the assumption of an axioelectric interaction in xenon, the coupling constant between axions and electrons g_{Ae} is tested using data collected in 2013 with an exposure totaling 95 live days ×118  kg. A double-sided, profile likelihood ratio statistic test excludes g_{Ae} larger than 3.5×10^{-12} (90% C.L.) for solar axions. Assuming the Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky theoretical description, the upper limit in coupling corresponds to an upper limit on axion mass of 0.12  eV/c^{2}, while for the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zhakharov description masses above 36.6  eV/c^{2} are excluded. For galactic axionlike particles, values of g_{Ae} larger than 4.2×10^{-13} are excluded for particle masses in the range 1-16  keV/c^{2}. These are the most stringent constraints to date for these interactions.

Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure

We present experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections from the total 129.5  kg yr exposure acquired by the Large Underground Xenon experiment (LUX), operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota (USA). A profile likelihood ratio analysis allows 90% C.L. upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of σ_{n}=1.6×10^{-41}  cm^{2} (σ_{p}=5×10^{-40}  cm^{2}) at 35  GeV c^{-2}, almost a sixfold improvement over the previous LUX spin-dependent results. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.

Maternal Chorioamnionitis and Postneonatal Respiratory Tract Infection in Ex-Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether exposure to histologically confirmed chorioamnionitis (ie, histologic chorioamnionitis [HCA]) is associated with altered risk of infection-related hospitalization (IRH) during the first 24 months of life in very preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed data on 1218 infants born at <30 weeks gestational age (GA). Semiquantitative placental histology, obstetric, and neonatal data were extracted from hospital databases and linked with discharge diagnoses on rehospitalization until age 24 months from statewide statutory data. The associations between HCA and overall and clinical categories of IRH were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression with left-truncated failure times.

RESULTS

Mean GA was 27 weeks, and HCA was present in 577 placentas (47.4%). Among the 1088 infants surviving until the birth-related discharge, 684 (62.9%) of had at least 1 IRH by age 24 months, of whom 287 included a diagnosis of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI). Following adjustment for sex, birth weight z-score, GA, early-onset sepsis, late-onset sepsis, previous antibiotic use, age at birth-related discharge, and chronic lung disease, HCA was associated with a 32% increased risk of hospitalization with ALRTI (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.70; P = .033). There was no association with infection overall or with other infection categories.

CONCLUSIONS

HCA is associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization with ALRTI that is independent of known risk factors, including chronic lung disease.

Who requires emergency surgery for colorectal cancer and can national screening programmes reduce this need?

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing emergency colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery are at higher risk of poor outcome than those managed electively. The aim of this national study is to identify groups at high risk of undergoing unplanned CRC surgery and assess short and long-term outcome in this cohort subsequent morbidity and mortality as well as quantify their long-term survival. The aim of this national study is to identify groups at high risk of undergoing unplanned CRC surgery and assess short and long-term outcome, subsequent morbidity and mortality as well as quantify their long-term survival.

METHODS

The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database between the years of 1997-2012 was used to identify all patients that had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and cox regression analyses were undertaken to identify patient factors predictive of undergoing emergency and quantify their long-term survival.

RESULTS

A total of 286,591 patients underwent resection for CRC between April 1997 and April 2012, of which 24.3% (69,718 patients) were admitted as emergencies and underwent emergency surgery. Independent predictors of undergoing emergency surgery were female gender (OR 1.23, CI: 1.21-1.25, p < 0.001), older age (>79 years old OR 1.55, CI: 1.50-1.60, p < 0.001), social deprivation (most deprived quintile, OR 1.64, CI: 1.50-1.80, p < 0.001) and Black African/Caribbean ethnicity (OR 1.36, CI: 1.21-1.66, p < 0.001). All cause 30- and 90-day mortality within the emergency group was significantly higher than that for the electively managed patients group (13.3% versus compared with 3.4% at 30-days) as was 90-day (20.0% versus compared with 5.8% at 90-days). Amongst patients eligible for bowel screening there was an approximate 40% significant reduction in the proportion of patients requiring emergency surgery before and after its introduction in 2006 (23.4%-14.9%, p < 0.001). This reduction in emergency surgery included both proximal and distal cancer resections.

CONCLUSION

Older, socially deprived and ethnic minority patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to present as emergencies requiring CRC surgery. Public health initiatives, such as bowel cancer screening, appear to have concomitantly reduced emergency and increased elective surgical rates within the eligible cohort. This is likely to have a beneficial impact on population survival. Strategies aimed at preventing emergency presentation by identifying patients at specific risk could improve survival outcome for colorectal cancer surgery in England.

Human alkaline phosphatase dephosphorylates microbial products and is elevated in preterm neonates with a history of late-onset sepsis

BACKGROUND

A host defense function for Alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) is suggested by the contribution of intestinal ALP to detoxifying bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) in animal models in vivo and the elevation of ALP activity following treatment of human cells with inflammatory stimuli in vitro. However the activity of ALP in human plasma (primarily tissue-nonspecific ALP; TNAP) on lipopolysaccharide and other microbial products has not been assessed, nor has its expression been studied in preterm newborns, a vulnerable population at high risk of sepsis. In this context, the aim of our study was to characterize the activity of TNAP on Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and assess the concentrations of plasma ALP during late-onset sepsis in preterm newborns.

METHODS

Recombinant human TNAP was incubated with microbial products and phosphate release was measured by malachite green assay. Plasma ALP activity was measured serially in a cohort of preterm (N = 129) infants at high risk of late-onset sepsis (LOS).

RESULTS

TNAP dephosphorylates poly-inosine:cytosine (Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 agonist) and LPS from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella minnesota (TLR4 agonists). Plasma ALP significantly increased postnatally over the first 4 weeks of life in preterm and term newborns. Bacteremic LOS in preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 30 weeks) was associated with significantly elevated plasma ALP at 4 weeks postnatal age.

CONCLUSIONS

TNAP, the main circulating isozyme of ALP, de-phosphorylates TLR agonists, demonstrates a post-natal age dependent increase in preterm and term plasma across the first 4 weeks of life, and is elevated in association with preterm LOS.

The relationship between ethnicity, social deprivation and late presentation of colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Tumour staging at time of presentation is an important factor in determining survival in colorectal cancer. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and deprivation in late (Stage IV) presentation of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Data from the Thames Cancer Registry comprising 77,057 colorectal cancer patients between the years 2000 and 2012 were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 17,348 patients were identified with complete data, of which 53.9% were male. Patients from a Black Afro/Caribbean background were diagnosed with CRC at a much younger age than the White British group (median age 67 compared with 72, p<0.001). In multiple regression, ethnicity, deprivation and age were positive predictors of presenting with advanced tumour stage at time of diagnosis. Black patients were more likely to present with Stage IV tumours than white patients (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.18-1.59, p<0.001). Social deprivation was also a predictor of Stage IV cancer presentation, with the most deprived group (Quintile 5) 1.26 times more likely to be diagnosed with Stage IV cancer compared with the most affluent group (CI 1.13-1.40, p<0.001). Sub-group analyses demonstrated that Black & Affluent patients were still at greater risk of Stage IV CRC than their White & Affluent counterparts (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.45, p=0.023). Patients with rectal cancer were less likely to present with Stage IV CRC (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.61-0.71, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Racial and age related disparities exist in tumour presentation in the United Kingdom. Patients from black and socially deprived backgrounds as well as the elderly are more likely to present with advanced tumours at time of diagnosis.

Results from a Search for Dark Matter in the Complete LUX Exposure

We report constraints on spin-independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon scattering using a 3.35×10^{4}  kg day exposure of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment. A dual-phase xenon time projection chamber with 250 kg of active mass is operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility under Lead, South Dakota (USA). With roughly fourfold improvement in sensitivity for high WIMP masses relative to our previous results, this search yields no evidence of WIMP nuclear recoils. At a WIMP mass of 50  GeV c^{-2}, WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross sections above 2.2×10^{-46}  cm^{2} are excluded at the 90% confidence level. When combined with the previously reported LUX exposure, this exclusion strengthens to 1.1×10^{-46}  cm^{2} at 50  GeV c^{-2}.

Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy within 8 weeks of elective colorectal resection improves overall survival regardless of reoperation

AIM

Reoperation after elective colorectal resection may delay the start of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). The study investigated the dual impact of a reoperation and AC delay on overall survival (OS).

METHOD

The Hospital Episode Statistics database was analysed between 1997 and 2012. Patients were divided into colon and rectal cancer cohorts and data were analysed based on whether there was delay in receiving AC beyond 8 weeks and whether a patient suffered reoperation within 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis was undertaken to investigate the relationship between delay in giving AC and reoperation and their combined effect on OS.

RESULTS

Logistic regression showed reoperation, amongst other things, to be an independent predictor of AC delay, in both colon and rectal cancer (colon, odds ratio 2.31, P < 0.001; rectal, odds ratio 2.19, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in OS between patients who had no AC delay but suffered a reoperation and patients who had no AC delay and no reoperation. Patients who had AC delay but no reoperation, however, had significantly worse OS compared to those who had no AC delay and no reoperation [colon, hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, P < 0.001; rectal, HR 1.17, P < 0.001]. Individuals who had both AC delay and a reoperation also had worse OS compared with patients who had neither (colon, HR 1.33, P = 0.037; rectal, HR 1.38, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Delayed receipt of AC beyond 8 weeks after surgery is associated with significantly reduced OS regardless of reoperation status in both colon and rectal cancer patients.