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Obesity, whose prevalence is pandemic and continuing to increase, is a major preventable and modifiable risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as for cancer. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is a negative independent prognostic factor for several oncological outcomes, including overall and cancer-specific survival, for several site-specific cancers as well as for all cancers combined. Yet, a recently growing body of evidence suggests that sometimes overweight and obesity may associate with better outcomes, and that immunotherapy may show improved response among obese patients compared with patients with a normal weight. The so-called ‘obesity paradox’ has been reported in several advanced cancer as well as in other diseases, albeit the mechanisms behind this unexpected relationship are still not clear. Aim of this review is to explore the expected as well as the paradoxical relationship between obesity and cancer prognosis, with a particular emphasis on the effects of cancer therapies in obese people.

Background Locked titanium nails are considered the reference treatment for metastatic bone lesions of the humerus in patients with aggressive histotypes, high risk of fracture or when estimated survival is lower than 6 months.Nevertheless, they are responsible for CT and MRI artifacts which interfere with postoperative radiotherapy and follow-up.The IlluminOss® is an intramedullary stabilization system which is introduced inside the humeral canal in a deflated state, and is then distended with a monomer which hardens after exposure to blue light,stabilizing the segment; it does not cause artifacts, allowing easier and more effective radiotherapy and follow-up. The aim of this study is to report our experience, indications, possible advantages and limitations of this stabilization system at 24 months of minimum follow-up in a series of 12 patients affected by pathological fractures or impending fractures of the humerus. Methods This is a retrospective case-series that included all patients who underwent surgery with the IlluminOss® Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System for pathological osteolyses and fractures of the humerus. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were valued. Results 12 patients and 13 procedures were included in the study. All surgeries were performed without intraoperative complications. No early postoperative complications were noted. The wounds healed in all cases and stitches were removed at two weeks from surgery, so the patients were able to perform chemotherapy after three weeks. All patients except one had a painless active range of motion which reached 90°.The VAS score was 7 preoperatively and 2.6 at one month from surgery. Pain relief was also associated to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, two nail ruptures were reported at 4 and 12 months of follow-up. No artifacts were noted in the postoperative CT scans so the radiotherapy plans were easily performed without the need of dose compensation. Conclusions The IlluminOss® intramedullary stabilization system can provide primary stability in humeral fractures and impending fractures;the surgical technique is easy and minimally invasive.Moreover,it does not present artifacts at postoperative imaging,probably giving a better chance to perform prompt radiotherapy and chemotherapy.However, randomized clinical studies are necessary to verify its potential strength and if precocious adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy are associated to a reduction of the local progression rate.

Issue Title: ESICM LIVES 2015

Although nurses may have the necessary skills to plan care of clients in a variety of settings, experience and research demonstrate that nursing interventions with women victims of violence have been consistently inadequate. Of the 243 nursing students included in this study, 8% reported experiencing physical abuse, and 18.9% reported experiencing nonphysical abuse. Difficulties with depression for 26.1% of the students and some level of clinical stress were reported in over half of the group. Specific needs to combat violence and abuse against nurses and nursing students include providing better information on such behavior by incorporating family-violence education into nursing-school curricula, and using this proactively in confronting domestic violence in home and work settings.