Predicting Catheter-Related Thrombosis in Colorectal Cancer Patients Using Clinical Features in 730 Patients.

The aim of this study was to develop a validated nomogram to predict the risk of postoperative complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by analyzing the factors that contribute to these complications. We retrospectively collected clinical information on patients who underwent CRC surgery at a single clinical center from January 2021 to December 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for postoperative complications and to develop a predictive model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to assess the predicted probability. Calibration curve was drawn to compare the predicted probability of the nomogram with the actual probability, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was employed to evaluate the clinical utility of the nomogram. A total of 190 CRC patients were included in this study. We retrospectively collected baseline information, clinical information, surgical information, and nutrition-related indicators for all patients. Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative albumin (p = 0.041, OR = 0.906, 95% CI = 0.824-0.996), surgical time (p = 0.009, OR = 1.006, 95% CI = 1.001-1.010), waistline (p = 0.049, OR = 1.011, 95% CI = 1.002-1.020) and phase angle (PA) (p = 0.022, OR = 0.615, 95% CI = 0.405-0.933) were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in CRC, and a nomogram prediction model was established using the above four variables. The AUC of 0.706 for the ROC plot and the high agreement between predicted and actual probabilities in the calibration curves suggested that the prediction model has good predictive power. The DCA also confirmed the good clinical performance of the nomogram. This study developed a nomogram to predict the risk of postoperative complications in CRC patients, providing surgeons with a reliable reference to personalized patient management in the perioperative period and preoperative nutritional interventions.

<h3>Background:</h3> We had previously observed that a large proportion of peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters placed in patients on a regular medical ward at our hospital were unnecessary. We conducted the current study to assess the effect of a quality improvement project led by medicine house staff on the prevalence of unnecessary peripheral IV catheters (those without any therapeutic use, referred to as idle). <h3>Methods:</h3> All patients on four regular-care medical wards of a large university-affiliated veterans hospital were included in the study. The proportion of IV catheter episodes in which catheters were idle 2 or more consecutive days (idle episodes) and the proportion of patients exposed to an idle catheter episode were determined by direct observation, chart review, and patient interview before and after a multidisciplinary quality improvement task force defined guidelines for appropriate IV catheter use and made recommendations for hospital policy changes related to IV catheter use. <h3>Results:</h3> The proportion of all IV catheter episodes that were idle catheter episodes decreased significantly after the intervention (42% before vs 29% after,<i>P</i>&lt;.01), as did the proportion of patients with an IV catheter who had at least one idle IV catheter eipsode (43% vs 27%,<i>P</i>&lt;.001). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> This quality improvement effort successfully reduced unnecessary IV catheter use. We suspect that house-staff involvement in the intervention was critical. We encourage other academic medical centers to involve house staff in quality improvement activities to improve patient care and to enhance the education of house staff regarding quality improvement processes. (Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1829-1832)

BackgroundUrinary and (peripheral and central) intravenous catheters are widely used in hospitalized patients. However, up to 56% of the catheters do not have an appropriate indication and some serious complications with the use of these catheters can occur. The main objective of our quality improvement project is to reduce the use of catheters without an appropriate indication by 25–50%, and to evaluate the affecting factors of our de-implementation strategy.MethodsIn a multicenter, prospective interrupted time series analysis, several interventions to avoid inappropriate use of catheters will be conducted in seven hospitals in the Netherlands. Firstly, we will define a list of appropriate indications for urinary and (peripheral and central) intravenous catheters, which will restrict the use of catheters and urge catheter removal when the indication is no longer appropriate. Secondly, after the baseline measurements, the intervention will take place, which consists of a kick-off meeting, including a competitive feedback report of the baseline measurements, and education of healthcare workers and patients. Additional strategies based on the baseline data and local conditions are optional. The primary endpoint is the percentage of catheters with an inappropriate indication on the day of data collection before and after the de-implementation strategy. Secondary endpoints are catheter-related infections or other complications, catheter re-insertion rate, length of hospital (and ICU) stay and mortality. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of the de-implementation strategy will be calculated.DiscussionThis study aims to reduce the use of urinary and intravenous catheters with an inappropriate indication, and as a result reduce the catheter-related complications. If (cost-) effective it provides a tool for a nationwide approach to reduce catheter-related infections and other complications.Trial registrationDutch trial registry: NTR6015. Registered 9 August 2016.

PurposeTo identify an optimal postoperative day 3 (POD3) C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-off for predicting major complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Secondary objectives included identifying patient and surgical factors associated with POD3 CRP levels and assessing the accuracy of the cut-off across subgroups.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 1536 CRC patients who underwent an oncological resection was conducted. The predictive accuracy of POD3 CRP for major complications was tested using Receiver Operating Characteristics curves. The CRP cut-off was tested across subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses was performed to evaluate the predictive value of the POD3 CRP cut-off, while also determining whether patient and surgical characteristics independently predicted major complications.ResultsAn optimal cut-off of 114 mg/L was identified, with a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.59 and an Area Under the Curve for POD3 CRP of 0.78. Sensitivity remained consistently high across all subgroups, whereas specificity exhibited variability, with a notable decrease observed in the subgroups; aged 66–69, obese, ASA III and open surgery. After adjusting for patient and surgery characteristics, a POD3 CRP level above 114 mg/L was associated with a significant 5.29-fold increase in the odds for developing major complications.ConclusionsA POD3 CRP cut-off of 114 mg/L is an effective predictor of major complications following CRC surgery, supporting safe early discharge. The cut-off remains a reliable predictor, even after adjusting for patient and surgery factors.

Background Phlebitis is a common complication in patients withperipheral intravenous catheters, in addition to extravasation andbacterial colonization. Phlebitis may increase morbidity and lengthof hospitalization. One factor contributing to the rate of phlebitis isthe duration of peripheral intravenous catheter use. Several adultstudies have shown that the risk of developing phlebitis increasedwhen the peripheral intravenous catheter was used for more than72 hours. However, in pediatric patients this risk has not beenconsistently observed. As such, there is no recommendation forroutine catheter removal every 72 hours in children.Objective To assess for a possible relationship between durationof peripheral intravenous catheter use and the development ofphlebitis.Methods This analytic observational study had a case controldesign. Subjects consisted of 73 case subjects and 73 controlsubjects. We collected subj ects' data through history-taking andclinical examinations. The duration of peripheral intravenouscatheter use was reported in hours.Results From October 2011 to February 2012, 146 children fromthe Department of Child Health at Dr. Cipto MangunkusumoHosp ital and Tangerang Hospital who used peripheral intravenouscatheters were enrolled in this study. There was no significantdifference between &lt;7 2-hour and 2: 72-hour duration ofperipheral catheter use (OR 1.31; 95%CI 0.687 to 2.526;P= 0.407) on the development of phlebitis.Conclusion We observe no relationship between duration ofperipheral intravenous catheter use and the development ofphlebitis in our subjects.

Previously, the RICAT (Reduction of Inappropriate use of intravenous and urinary CATheters) study had been conducted by ourselves to reduce inappropriate use of intravenous and urinary catheters in medical wards to prevent healthcare-associated infections. To compare surgical and medical wards, and to determine risk factors for inappropriate catheter use. A cross-sectional study was performed from October, 2017, to May, 2018, in surgical wards of two university hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients were prospectively observed every other week for seven months. Inappropriate use was compared with non-surgical wards in the RICAT study. In all, 409 surgical patients were included, and they were compared with 1781 medical patients. Inappropriate use occurred in 36 (8.5%) out of 425 peripheral intravenous catheters in 373 surgical patients, compared to 400 (22.9%) out of 1747 peripheral intravenous catheters in 1665 medical patients, a difference of 14.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.1-17.8; P < 0.001). Inappropriate use of urinary catheters occurred in 14 (10.4%) out of 134 surgical patients, compared to 105 (32.4%) out of 324 medical patients, a difference of 22.0% (95% CI: 14.7-29.2; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis in the two university hospitals confirmed these differences. The main risk factor for inappropriate use of peripheral intravenous catheters was admission in medical wards (odds ratio (OR): 3.50; 95% CI: 2.15-5.69), which was also one of the main risk factors for urinary catheters (OR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.36-5.55). Inappropriate use of catheters is more common in medical wards compared to surgical wards. Prevention strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections should primarily focus on sites with high prevalence of inappropriate use.

De-implementation strategy to reduce inappropriate use of intravenous and urinary catheters (RICAT): a multicentre, prospective, interrupted time-series and before and after study

Transforming use of two catheters: from accessory to hazard

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a primary cause of chronic back pain and disability, highlighting the need for precise detection and grading for effective treatment. This study focuses on developing and validating a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a You Only Look Once (YOLO) architecture model using the Pfirrmann grading system to classify and grade lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. We developed a deep learning model trained on a dataset of anonymized MRI studies of patients with symptomatic back pain. MRI images were segmented and annotated by radiologists according to the Pfirrmann grading for the datasets. The segmentation MRI-disc image dataset was prepared for three groups: a training set (1,000), a testing set (500), and an external validation set (500) to assess model generalizability without overlapping images. The model's performance was evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, prediction error, and ROC-AUC. The AI model showed high performance across all metrics. For Grade I IDD, the model achieved an accuracy of 97%, 95%, and 92% in the training, testing, and external validation sets, respectively. For Grade II, the sensitivity was 100% in both training and testing sets and 98% in the validation set. For Grade III, the specificity was 95.4% in the training set and 94% in both testing and validation sets. For Grade IV, the F1 score was 97.77% in the training set and 95% in both testing and validation sets. For Grade V, the prediction error was 2.3%, 2%, and 2.5% in the training, testing, and validation sets, respectively. The overall ROC-AUC was 97%, 92%, and 95% in the training, testing, and validation sets, respectively. The AI-based classification model exhibits high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting and grading lumbar IDD using the Pfirrmann grading. AI has significantly enhanced diagnostic precision and reliability, providing a powerful tool for clinicians in managing IDD. The potential impact is substantial, although further clinical validation is necessary before integrating this model into routine practice.

Objective To screen out the microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through data mining of miRNA transcriptome data of HCC downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, to establish a miRNA risk score model, and to investigate its value in predicting the prognosis of HCC. Methods The miRNA expression data and clinical data of HCC samples were downloaded from TCGA database and R language was used to screen out differentially expressed miRNAs between HCC tissue and adjacent tissue, which were randomly divided into training set and testing set after being integrated into clinical data. Univariate Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis were performed for the training set to screen out the miRNAs associated with the prognosis of HCC, and then a miRNA risk score model was established. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the robustness of the model and whether it could predict the prognosis of patients in the same clinical stage. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the predictive accuracy of the model versus TNM staging in the training set, the testing set, and the entire set. Results A total of 300 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened out and the LASSO Cox regression analysis revealed that hsa-miR-139-5p, hsa-miR-1180-3p, hsa-miR-1269b, hsa-miR-3680-3p, hsa-miR-509-3-5p, and hsa-miR-31-5p were associated with the prognosis of HCC. The risk score was calculated for each sample according to the established miRNA risk score model, and the samples were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group according to the median risk score. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that in both training and testing sets, the high-risk group had a significantly lower survival rate than the low-risk group (P Conclusion Hsa-miR-139-5p, hsa-miR-1180-3p, hsa-miR-1269b, hsa-miR-3680-3p, hsa-miR-509-3-5p, and hsa-miR-31-5p are associated with the prognosis of HCC, and the miRNA risk score model has a better prediction accuracy than TNM staging in the training set, the testing set, and the entire set. The stratified analysis also shows that the model can predict the prognosis of patients within the same TNM stage, and therefore, it has a certain reference value in clinical practice and can be used as an independent model for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether texture features derived from semiquantitative kinetic parameter maps based on breast dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) can determine human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status of patients with breast cancer.Materials and MethodsThis study included 102 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer, all of whom underwent preoperative breast DCE-MRI and were enrolled retrospectively. This cohort included 48 HER2-positive cases and 54 HER2-negative cases. Seven semiquantitative kinetic parameter maps were calculated on the lesion area. A total of 55 texture features were extracted from each kinetic parameter map. Patients were randomly divided into training (n = 72) and test (n = 30) sets. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to select features in the training set, and then, multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish the prediction models. The classification performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsAmong the seven prediction models, the model with features extracted from the early signal enhancement ratio (ESER) map yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.83 in the training set (sensitivity of 70.59%, specificity of 92.11%, and accuracy of 81.94%), and the highest AUC of 0.83 in the test set (sensitivity of 57.14%, specificity of 100.00%, and accuracy of 80.00%). The model with features extracted from the slope of signal intensity (SIslope) map yielded the highest AUC of 0.92 in the training set (sensitivity of 82.35%, specificity of 97.37%, and accuracy of 90.28%), and an AUC of 0.79 in the test set (sensitivity of 92.86%, specificity of 68.75%, and accuracy of 80.00%).ConclusionsTexture features derived from kinetic parameter maps, calculated based on breast DCE-MRI, have the potential to be used as imaging biomarkers to distinguish HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer.

Peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters are widely used in modern medical practice. However, mechanical or infectious complications often necessitate their removal and/or replacement. Heparin has been shown to be effective in prolonging the patency of peripheral arterial catheters and central venous catheters, but may result in life threatening complications, especially in preterm neonates. The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of heparin versus placebo or no treatment on duration of PIV catheter patency, defined as number of hours of catheter use. The secondary objectives were to assess the effects of heparin on catheter blockage, phlebitis or thrombophlebitis, catheter related sepsis, and complications including abnormality of coagulation profile, allergic reactions to heparin, heparin induced thrombocytopenia, intraventricular/intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. A literature search was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE (1966-December 2001), EMBASE (1980-December 2001), CINAHL (1982-December 2001), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2001), and abstracts from the annual meetings of the Society for Pediatric Research, American Pediatric Society and Pediatric Academic Societies published in Pediatric Research (1991-2001). No language restrictions were applied. Randomized or quasi-randomized trials of heparin administered as flush or infusion versus placebo or no treatment were included. Studies which included a neonatal population and reported on at least one of the outcomes were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using criteria for blinding of randomization, blinding of intervention, completeness of follow-up and blinding of outcome assessment. Data on relevant outcomes were extracted and the effect size was estimated by calculating WMD (weighted mean difference, 95%CI), RR (relative risk, 95% CI) and RD (risk difference, 95% CI). Eight eligible studies were identified. Heparin was administered either as a flush solution or as an additive to the total parenteral nutrition solution. Five studies reported data on the duration of use of the first catheter. Two of these studies found no statistically significant effect of heparin; two studies showed a statistically significant increase and one study showed a statistically significant decrease in the duration of PIV catheter use in the heparin group. The results were not combined for meta-analysis due to significant heterogeneity of the treatment effect (p<0.01). In addition, there were marked differences between the studies in terms of the methodological quality, the dose, the timing, the route of administration of heparin and the outcomes reported. From a limited number of studies, there were no significant differences between the heparin and the placebo/no treatment groups in the risks of infiltration, phlebitis and intracranial hemorrhage. The effect of heparin on the duration of peripheral intravenous catheter use varied across the studies. Because of clinical heterogeneity and heterogeneity in treatment effect, recommendations for heparin use in neonates with PIV catheters cannot be made. There are insufficient data concerning the effect of heparin for prolonging PIV catheter use in neonates. Further research on the effectiveness, the optimal dose, and the safety of heparin is required.

Peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters are widely used in modern medical practice. However, mechanical or infectious complications often necessitate their removal and/or replacement. Heparin has been shown to be effective in prolonging the patency of peripheral arterial catheters and central venous catheters, but may result in life threatening complications, especially in preterm neonates. The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of heparin versus placebo or no treatment on duration of PIV catheter patency, defined as number of hours of catheter use. The secondary objectives were to assess the effects of heparin on catheter blockage, phlebitis or thrombophlebitis, catheter related sepsis, and complications including abnormality of coagulation profile, allergic reactions to heparin, heparin induced thrombocytopenia, intraventricular/intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. A literature search was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE (1966-February 2005), EMBASE (1980-February 2005), CINAHL (1982-February 2005), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2005), and abstracts from the annual meetings of the Society for Pediatric Research, American Pediatric Society and Pediatric Academic Societies published in Pediatric Research (1991-2004). No language restrictions were applied. Randomized or quasi-randomized trials of heparin administered as flush or infusion versus placebo or no treatment were included. Studies which included a neonatal population and reported on at least one of the outcomes were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using criteria for blinding of randomization, blinding of intervention, completeness of follow-up and blinding of outcome assessment. Data on relevant outcomes were extracted and the effect size was estimated by calculating WMD (weighted mean difference, 95%CI), RR (relative risk, 95% CI) and RD (risk difference, 95% CI). Ten eligible studies were identified. Heparin was administered either as a flush solution, or as an additive to the total parenteral nutrition solution. Five studies reported data on the duration of use of the first catheter. Two of these studies found no statistically significant effect of heparin; two studies showed a statistically significant increase and one study showed a statistically significant decrease in the duration of PIV catheter use in the heparin group. The results were not combined for meta-analysis due to significant heterogeneity of the treatment effect (p < 0.01). In addition, there were marked differences between the studies in terms of the methodological quality, the dose, the timing, the route of administration of heparin and the outcomes reported. From a limited number of studies, there were no significant differences between the heparin and the placebo/no treatment groups in the risks of infiltration, phlebitis and intracranial hemorrhage. The effect of heparin on the duration of peripheral intravenous catheter use varied across the studies. Because of clinical heterogeneity and heterogeneity in treatment effect, recommendations for heparin use in neonates with PIV catheters cannot be made. There are insufficient data concerning the effect of heparin for prolonging PIV catheter use in neonates. Further research on the effectiveness, the optimal dose, and the safety of heparin is required.

Aim of the studyIn this pilot study lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels were assessed as a possible risk factor for development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and infectious and inflammatory complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after surgery.Material and methodsFor LBP determination venous blood was taken 1 hour before the surgery and 72 hours after it. All patients were stratified by the presence or absence of acute bowel obstruction (ABO), SIRS and complications.Results36 patients with CRC participated in the study. The LBP level before surgery was 879.8 ± 221.8 ng/ml (interquartile range (IQR) 749.3–1028.8); on the 3rd day it was 766.5 ± 159.4 ng/ml (IQR 669.5–847.6), which was a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.004). A decrease in LBP level by more than 280 ng/ml increases the probability of SIRS and complications in operated CRC patients (OR 6.6, 95% CI: 1.1–40.9 and OR 12.0, 95% CI: 1.8–80.4, respectively). In patients with ABO in the presence of SIRS, the LBP value decreased more than in those without SIRS (p = 0.046).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the LBP level in the operated CRC patients tends to decrease on the 3rd day after surgery. A bigger decrease in LBP level increases the probability of SIRS and postoperative infectious and inflammatory complications. Therefore, further studies with larger numbers of patients are required.

This study aims to construct and validate a machine learning model based on radiomics analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify high-risk subtypes of Parkinson’s disease(PD) patients who may progress to depression. The study utilized data from 272 PD patients in the PPMI database, among whom 81 developed depression during a five-year follow-up period. The cohort was randomly divided into a training set (n = 191) and a test set (n = 81). Radiomic features from white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid were extracted from structural MRI scans in the training set and subsequently reduced in dimensionality to create radiomics biomarker. Multiple logistic regression was employed to select predictors for Depression in Parkinson’s Disease (DPD) based on clinical characteristics, which were then combined with radiomics marker to develop an integrated model using the decision tree algorithm for predicting DPD patients. The performance of this model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with data from both the training and test sets; additionally, classification performance was visualized through a confusion matrix. The area under the curve (AUC) for the radiomics marker in both the training and test sets were 0.729 and 0.695, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that mild cognitive impairment (MCI), UPDRS I score, and radiomics marker are significant predictive factors for DPD patients. The integrated model constructed with radiomics marker achieved AUCs of 0.841 and 0.823 in the training and test sets, respectively, with sensitivities of 0.912 and 0.875, and specificities of 0.767 and 0.714, respectively. The confusion matrix revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the number of individuals experiencing actual depression progression between low-risk and high-risk groups classified by the model in both training and test groups. This study demonstrates that an integrated model utilizing radiomics combined with machine learning can serve as a valuable tool in clinical practice for predicting the onset of DPD among patients, potentially facilitating adaptive strategies for clinical management.