Objective Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows assessment of regional tissue oxygen delivery and extraction. There are doubts regarding reliability of gut NIRS measurements. This study assesses reliability of NIRS for monitoring gut oxygenation. Study design Splanchnic tissue haemoglobin index (sTHI), tissue oxygenation index (sTOI) and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (sFTOE) changes during blood transfusion were measured using NIRS and compared to stable control infants. Infants were grouped into 3 chronological age groups: 1–7, 8–28 and ≥29 days of life. Results sTHI, sTOI significantly increased, and sFTOE reduced following blood transfusion in all age group infants (n = 59), with no changes seen in control infants (n = 12). Baseline characteristics including gestational age and feed volumes did not differ between groups. Conclusion Gut perfusion measured by NIRS improved in infants who received blood transfusion, a change not seen in the control group, thus suggesting NIRS is a reliable method to measure splanchnic tissue oxygenation.

Aims This study characterises changes in body composition and physical performance during neoadjuvant therapy in the context of prehabilitation before oesophago-gastric resection. Background & Methods Neoadjuvant therapy has deleterious effects on functional capacity and may lead to a decline in physical fitness and skeletal muscle mass. This is a retrospective review of oesophago-gastric cancer patients undergoing prehabilitation. Assessment of body composition (skeletal muscle, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue) was performed from L3 axial CT images acquired at the time of diagnosis and after neoadjuvant therapy. Results 42 patients (33M, 65.7±11.1) met the inclusion criteria. Patients body weight (81.8±21.3 kg vs. 81.3±21 kg, p=0.668) and BMI (27.9±7.2 kg/m2 vs. 27.8±7.0 kg/m2, p=0.648) did not change significantly between the study time points. There was no significant difference between estimated lean body mass (39.2±13.2 vs. 38.3±10.1; 95%CI -2.5 to 4.3 p=0.592) and fat mass (30.6±15.4 vs. 28.6±14.0; 95%CI -1.7 to 5.7, p=0.284). Skeletal muscle index significantly decreased (46.5±9.9 to 43.1±9.8; 95%CI 2.1 to 4.6, p<0.001). Patients who were adherent to the prehabilitation programme had a significantly higher skeletal muscle index compared to noncompliant patients (47.4±10.4 vs. 40.2±8.9; 95%CI 1.5 to 13.5, p=0.016). Patients who achieved a higher MET-minutes were less likely to be sarcopenic (F(1,40 = 6.1, p = 0.018)).There was no decline in physical performance (Median IQR; VO2max ml kg−1min−1) during neoadjuvant therapy (17.5 [14-19.3] vs. 17.5 [13.3-19.3]; p=0.164). Conclusion this is the first study to report variations in parameters of body composition in patients undergoing a prehabilitation programme. Findings suggest that prehabilitation may be a useful adjunct in limiting the extent of sarcopenia and patient deconditioning during neoadjuvant therapy.

Background Neuroendocrine neoplasias (NENs) are a rare type of malignancy that arise from the cells of the neuroendocrine system. Most patients present with advanced, unresectable disease, typically with metastases to the liver. The presence of liver metastases dictates prognosis and there has been a number of studies investigating therapies that reduce the burden of liver disease. Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) allows the delivery of targeted high dose radiation directly to tumours, with relative sparing of the surrounding liver tissue. Here, we describe the design and rationale of ArtTisaN, a phase II study to assess efficacy and tolerability of SIRT using TheraSpheres for the management of liver metastases secondary to NENs. Methods Twenty-four eligible participants will be recruited to receive SIRT with TheraSpheres. The primary objective is to determine the objective response rate to treatment, defined as the rate of best overall response in the treated liver volume. In addition, total hepatic response and overall response will be assessed according to RECIST 1.1. The second co-primary objective is to determine the incidence of adverse and serious adverse device events. The secondary objectives are progression free survival, overall survival and quality of life. Additional exploratory objectives include investigation of circulating biomarkers of response and identification of a radiomic signature of response. Discussion This trial will provide prospective evidence on the efficacy of SIRT using TheraSpheres for the management of liver metastases. Trial registration NCT04362436.