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Background Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a costly technology used widely to provide nutrition to patients who have an inaccessible or non-functioning intestine. Two all-in-one systems currently being used are customised formulations, prepared by hospital pharmacies, and three-compartment bags. Purpose To provide a systematic cost comparison of the two all-inone PN systems: individualised (made from nutrient solutions) versus manufactured (made from three-compartment bag), both prepared in hospital pharmacies. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a prospective study to analyse the total cost of PN bags, accounting for all of the processes involved in preparing and delivering them (the cost of manpower, nutrition solutions, medical supplies and quality controls) in three different healthcare settings. To compare therapeutic alternatives of equivalent nutritional value, the study was performed for the most frequently-employed formulation, which was similar to commercial preparations. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of different rates of use of three-compartment PN bags. Results 157 routine acts of PN bag preparation (65 hospital compounded and 92 three-compartment) were observed and timed over 9 days. Total costs of the 157 PN bags were included in the study. Mean costs of hospital-compounded bags were higher than threecompartment bags, 51.16 ± 5.63€ versus 39.69 ± 3.00€ respectively (p < 0.01). Manpower costs were responsible for the majority of the differences found (70%). In scenarios using a three-compartment system for 30%, 70% and 90% of PN provision, a cost savings of 4.3%, 10.1% and 12.9% respectively could be achieved. Greatest rates of changing from hospital compounded bags (70% and 90%), in a hospital with 1,800 PN bags/year, might reduce the annual budget by 9306€ and 11,964.8€, respectively. Meanwhile, in a large facility the savings for 8,000 TPN days would be 64,248€ and 82,605€, respectively. Conclusions Since we need to reduce the costs of effective treatments, three-compartment bags could be used for standard adult PN to save money.

Summary Although specific microRNA (miRNA) signatures in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) have been proposed, their relationship with clinical outcome remains unclear. Despite treatment advances, a substantial subset of patients with advanced cHL are refractory to standard therapies based on adriamycin and its variants. Global miRNA expression data of 29 advanced cHL patients and five cHL-derived cell lines were used to identify profiles from Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and their non-tumoural microenvironment. A cHL-miRNA signature was identified with 234 miRNAs differentially expressed. A subset of these miRNAs was associated with outcome and selected for study in an independent set of 168 cHL samples using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Multivariate Cox regression analyses including cross-validation with failure-free survival (FFS) as clinical endpoint revealed a miRNA signature with MIR21, MIR30E, MIR30D and MIR92B* that identified two risk-groups with significant differences in 5-year FFS (81% vs. 35% 7%; P < 0·001). Additionally, functional silencing of MIR21 and MIR30D in L428 cells showed increased sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, pointing towards abnormalities of mitochondrial intrinsic and TP53-CDKN1A pathways as related to miRNA deregulation in cHL. These results suggest that clinical outcome in cHL is associated with a specific miRNA signature. Moreover, functional analyses suggest a role for MIR21 and MIR30D in cHL pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance.

BackgroundThe use of lipid emulsions has been associated with changes in lung function and gas exchange which may be mediated by biologically active metabolites derived from arachidonic acid. The type and quantity of the lipid emulsions used could modulate this response, which is mediated by the eicosanoids. This study investigates the use of omega-3 fatty acid-enriched lipid emulsions in ARDS patients and their effects on eicosanoid values.MethodsProspective, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study carried out at the Intensive Medicine Department of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona-Spain). We studied 16 consecutive patients with ARDS and intolerance to enteral nutrition (14 men; age: 58 ± 13 years; APACHE II score 17.8 ± 2.3; Lung Injury Score: 3.1 ± 0.5; baseline PaO2/FiO2 ratio: 149 ± 40). Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 8) received the study emulsion Lipoplus® 20%, B. Braun Medical (50% MCT, 40% LCT, 10% fish oil (FO)); Group B (n = 8) received the control emulsion Intralipid® Fresenius Kabi (100% LCT). Lipid emulsions were administered for 12 h at a dose of 0.12 g/kg/h. We measured LTB4, TXB2, and 6-keto prostaglandin F1α values at baseline [immediately before the administration of the lipid emulsions (T-0)], at the end of the administration (T-12) and 24 hours after the beginning of the infusion (T 24) in arterial and mixed venous blood samples.ResultsIn group A (FO) LTB4, TXB2, 6-keto prostaglandin F1α levels fell during omega-3 administration (T12). After discontinuation (T24), levels of inflammatory markers (both systemic and pulmonary) behaved erratically. In group B (LCT) all systemic and pulmonary mediators increased during lipid administration and returned to baseline levels after discontinuation, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. There was a clear interaction between the treatment in group A (fish oil) and changes in LTB4 over time.ConclusionsInfusion of lipids enriched with omega-3 fatty acids produces significant short- term changes in eicosanoid values, which may be accompanied by an immunomodulatory effect.Trial registrationISRCTN63673813.

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