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Background: Occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs can lead to significant health problems. This study was designed to evaluate the risk of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) contamination for nurses when disconnecting the infusion line of an elastomeric pump from a non-coring needle, by comparing three configurations: the first one using standard Male and Female Luer lock (Group 1), the second one using a needle-free connector (NFC) and a Male Luer lock (Group 2) and the third one using a closed-system transfer device (CSTD), Qimono® (Group 3). Methods: In this in vitro study, 10 elastomeric pumps for each of the three groups were filled with 5-FU and a tissue mimicking the patient’s arm was placed below the connection between the infusion line and the tubing of non-coring needle. After 48 h of infusion, disconnection was performed by a nurse with a wipe soaked in a mix of chlorhexidine and isopropyl alcohol in order to mimic care practices. For each pump, the tissue, the pair of gloves and the wipes used during the disconnection were collected for analysis. Results: Median level of overall 5-FU contamination (gloves + wipes + tissues) in group 3 was significantly lower than in group 1 ( p = 0.018) and group 2 ( p = 0.036). There was no difference between groups 1 and 2. Results per sample type showed no difference in contamination between the three configurations for the gloves as well as for the tissues. Concerning the wipes, the lowest contamination was observed in group 3, representing a mean reduction of 61% compared to group 1 and a mean reduction of 43% compared to group 2. Conclusion: The use of Qimono® appears to significantly reduce 5-FU contamination when disconnecting infusion lines of an elastomeric pump unlike NFC and standard Luer lock.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has one of the fastest increases in incidence of any cancer, along with poor five-year survival rates. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the main risk factor for EAC; however, the mechanisms driving EAC development remain poorly understood. Here, transcriptomic profiling was performed using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) on premalignant and malignant Barrett's tissues to better understand this disease. Machine-learning and network analysis methods were applied to discover novel driver genes for EAC development. Identified gene expression signatures for the distinction of EAC from BE were validated in separate datasets. An extensive analysis of the noncoding RNA (ncRNA) landscape was performed to determine the involvement of novel transcriptomic elements in Barrett's disease and EAC. Finally, transcriptomic mutational investigation of genes that are recurrently mutated in EAC was performed. Through these approaches, novel driver genes were discovered for EAC, which involved key cell cycle and DNA repair genes, such as BRCA1 and PRKDC. A novel 4-gene signature (CTSL, COL17A1, KLF4, and E2F3) was identified, externally validated, and shown to provide excellent distinction of EAC from BE. Furthermore, expression changes were observed in 685 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) and a systematic dysregulation of repeat elements across different stages of Barrett's disease, with wide-ranging downregulation of Alu elements in EAC. Mutational investigation revealed distinct pathways activated between EAC tissues with or without TP53 mutations compared with Barrett's disease. In summary, transcriptome sequencing revealed altered expression of numerous novel elements, processes, and networks in EAC and premalignant BE. Implications: This study identified opportunities to improve early detection and treatment of patients with BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Res; 15(11); 1558–69. ©2017 AACR.

Aim To examine whether age contributes to functional recovery and resilience after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Background The ability to recover may change across the lifespan, but the influence of age on brain injury outcome is understudied. Design Mixed methods study. Methods All adults of working-age (18-64 years), discharged from a Level I trauma center between 2010-2013 after sustaining a moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury were considered. Functional recovery was assessed during a telephone interview with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended 12-36 months post-injury. A subgroup completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and a face-to-face interview about resilience. Results Ninety-seven young (mean age: 27 years; 75% male) and 47 middle-aged brain trauma survivors (mean age: 53 years; 75% male) completed the telephone interview. Eight young and five middle-aged adults were also assessed for resilience. Overall, young participants experienced more severe head injuries. Yet, they achieved slightly higher levels of functional recovery compared with middle-aged ones as per the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. Controlling for CT scan findings and post-traumatic amnesia duration, age was not found to be associated to functional recovery in adults of working age. Although both groups showed similar levels of resilience, young participants discussed the challenges related to “having more time on their hands” and “being a changed person”, two elements perceived positively by middle-aged ones. Conclusion While age does not appear to interfere with functional recovery in adults of working-age, younger brain trauma survivors could benefit from nursing interventions to strengthen their resilience process related to re-employment orientation and identity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: The multiple sequelae caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can considerably reduce the ability of seniors to resume their activities of daily living and their leisure activities, and to return to meaningful relationships so they can participate in the life of their community.

Background The multicenter randomized controlled COBALT trial demonstrated that ultrasound-guided breast-conserving surgery (USS) results in a significant reduction of margin involvement (3.1% vs. 13%) and excision volumes compared to palpation-guided surgery (PGS). The aim of the present study was to determine long term oncological and patient-reported outcomes including quality of life (QoL), together with their progress over time. Methods 134 patients with T1–T2 breast cancer were randomized to USS (N = 65) or PGS (N = 69). Cosmetic outcomes were assessed with the Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment cosmetic results (BCCT.core) software, panel-evaluation and patient self-evaluation on a 4-point Likert-scale. QoL was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30/-BR23 questionnaire. Results No locoregional recurrences were reported after mean follow-up of 41 months. Seven patients (5%) developed distant metastatic disease (USS 6.3%, PGS 4.4%, p = 0.466), of whom six died of disease (95.5% overall survival). USS achieved better cosmetic outcomes compared to PGS, with poor outcomes of 11% and 21% respectively, a result mainly attributable to mastectomies due to involved margins following PGS. There was no difference after 1 and 3 years in cosmetic outcome. Dissatisfied patients included those with larger excision volumes, additional local therapies and worse QoL. Patients with poor/fair cosmetic outcomes scored significantly lower on aspects of QoL, including breast-symptoms, body image and sexual enjoyment. Conclusion By significantly reducing positive margin status and lowering resection volumes, USS improves the rate of good cosmetic outcomes and increases patient-satisfaction. Considering the large impact of cosmetic outcome on QoL, USS has great potential to improve QoL following breast-conserving therapy.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial needs of both parents of children with CHD (aged 0–18 years) and patients themselves (aged 8–18 years) in the week before cardiac surgery or a catheter intervention.PatientsEligible participants included all consecutive patients (0–18 years) scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery or a catheter intervention in our hospital between March, 2012 and July, 2013. Psychosocial needs were assessed using a disease-specific questionnaire designed for this study, consisting of a 83-item parent version and a 59-item child version (for children ⩾8 years), each covering five domains: physical/medical, emotional, social, educational/occupational, and health behaviour; two items assessed fromwhomand in whatformatpsychosocial care was preferred. Quality of life was also assessed.InterventionsIf parents/patients reported a need for psychosocial care, referral to adequate mental health-care professionals was arranged.ResultsMore than 40% of participatingparentsand >50% of participatingchildrenreported a need for psychosocial care on each of the five domains. Needs for psychosocial care forparents themselveswere highest for those with children aged 0–12 years. Parents and patients report clear preferences when asked fromwhomand in whatformatthey would like to receive psychosocial care. Quality of life was relatively high for both parents and patients. Psychosocial care interventions in our hospital increased significantly after the implementation of this study.ConclusionsResults show that psychosocial care is rated as (very) important by both parents and children during an extremely stressful period of their life.

We report a bonding free fabrication process suitable for flexible substrate based graphene field effect transistors (GFETs). Transistors with different gate length (100 nm, 200 nm and 300 nm) and different channel width $(12 \mu \mathrm{m}, 24 \mu \mathrm{m}$ and $50 \mu \mathrm{m})$ are successfully fabricated on Kapton substrate. The transistor yield is more than 80%. Our GFETs exhibit good stability with 0.5% strain applied. Our finding ensures for next application of RF circuit based on graphene transistor.

Laboratory spectral measurements were conducted to evaluate the potential of hyperspectral technologies, both reflective and emissive, to detect Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) in contaminated soils. Soil sample standards of silt, clay, sand, and mixed textures were contaminated with Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) oil with concentrations varying between 0% and 10% (100 000 ppm) of PCB. An ASD (0.35 to 2.5 microns) and a FSR (1.6 to 12 microns) spectrometers were used to measure the reflectance of pure and contaminated soil. Two spectral regions, one in the SWIR and one in the MWIR were significantly correlated to the soil PCB concentrations. It was shown that 5W30 engine oil and PCB absorb similarly in the two spectral regions. Sand and clay soils did not respond the same way as the other soil type. The MWIR CH absorption band between 3330 and 3630 was found the most promising to detect PCB contaminated soils using hyperspectral remote sensing

A research project brought together patient partners, nurse leaders from six clinical settings in Quebec and researchers to develop and test a web technology, the Forum for Knowledge Exchange (FKE), in order to improve discharge planning practices and oncological care transitions. The project led to the creation of a FKE accessible to the oncology sector of the Francophonie. It revealed an innovative strategy of knowledge transfer (KT) based on the FKE and was fed by collaborative work among partners, where the patient partners played a vital role. The results highlighted the importance, for health research, of giving a voice to patient partners in close collaboration with clinicians and researchers so that clinical practices are better adapted to the actual needs of patients and of their relatives.

Today's patients wish to establish a dialogue with the health professional and aspire to become partners in their care. A dedicated tool can help patients with cancer create such a partnership. Cooperative research to improve transitions in cancer care focused on this question.

Les patients souhaitent aujourd’hui s’investir dans un dialogue avec le professionnel de santé, et aspirent à devenir des acteurs de leurs soins. Un accompagnement partenarial des patients atteints de cancer peut prendre appui sur un outil dédié pour les aider en ce sens. Une recherche coopérative pour améliorer les transitions de soins oncologiques s’est intéressée à cette question., SCOPUS: sh.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published