Islet Isolation Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation in the POST Consortium

BACKGROUND

In total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT), a greater number of islets transplanted produces more favorable outcomes. We aimed to determine predictors of islet isolation outcomes.

METHODS

We investigated factors associated with islet isolation outcomes expressed as islet number (IN), islet equivalents (IEQ; standardized to an islet with 150 μm diameter), IN/kg, or IEQ/kg using data from the multicenter Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT. Single-predictor linear regression was used to estimate the association of individual patient and disease characteristics with islet isolation outcomes, and augmented backward elimination was used to select variables to include in multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

In multivariable analyses, only elevated hemoglobin A1c was associated with worse outcomes for all measures (P < 0.001 for all). Total IEQ obtained for transplant was higher for participants with Hispanic ethnicity (P = 0.002) or overweight status pre-TPIAT (P < 0.001) and lower with non-White race (P = 0.03), genetic pancreatitis (P = 0.02), history of lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (P = 0.03), and presence of atrophy (P = 0.006) or ductal changes (P = 0.014) on imaging. IEQ/kg was higher in females (P = 0.01) and Hispanic participants (P = 0.046) and generally lower with older age (nonlinear association, P < 0.001) and pancreatic atrophy (P < 0.001) on imaging. Total IN and IN/kg showed trends similar, but not identical, to IEQ and IEQ/kg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient demographics and certain pancreatic disease features were associated with outcomes from islet isolation. Hemoglobin A1c before TPIAT was the metabolic testing measure most strongly associated with islet isolation results.

Parous women perform less moderate to vigorous physical activity than their nulliparous peers: a population-based study in Denmark

OBJECTIVES

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights parous women as a key population for monitoring trends of physical activity (PA). We aimed to estimate the proportion of Danish women non-adhering to WHO PA guidelines in parous women compared with nulliparous women and to describe leisure-time PA intensity in each of these groups.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This population-based study builds on a sample of 27,668 women aged 16-40 years from the Danish National Health Survey 2021. These data were linked with childbirth data from the Danish National Birth Registry. The primary outcome was self-reported weekly hours of moderate to vigorous leisure-time PA (MVPA) dichotomized into: (i) adhering to WHO guidelines for MVPA or (ii) not adhering to WHO guidelines for MVPA. Binomial regression analysis was used to calculate prevalence proportions (PP) and prevalence proportion ratios (PPR).

RESULTS

Of the 27,668 women, a total of 20,022 were included; 9338 (46.6%) parous women and 10,684 (53.4%) nulliparous women. The PP of women non-adhering to WHO PA guidelines was 63.8% (95% CI 62.9-64.8) for parous and 51.3% (95% CI 50.4-52.3) for nulliparous women, corresponding to a PPR of 1.24 (95% CI 1.21; 1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of parous women who did not adhere to WHO PA guidelines for MVPA was 24% higher than that of nulliparous women. This highlights parous women as a subgroup of the adult population at increased risk of non-adherence to WHO PA guidelines. These findings call for future research to inform new strategies aiming to promote PA in parous women.

Nutritional Risks in Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy Islet AutoTransplantation in the POST Consortium

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) can relieve pain for individuals with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. However, TPIAT may increase the risk of poor nutritional status with complete exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, partial duodenectomy, and intestinal reconstruction. Our study's objective was to evaluate nutritional status, anthropometrics, and vitamin levels before and after TPIAT.

METHODS

The multicenter Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT (POST) collects measures including vitamins A, D, and E levels, pancreatic enzyme dose, and multivitamin (MVI) administration before and 1-year after TPIAT. Using these data, we studied nutritional and vitamin status before and after TPIAT.

RESULTS

348 TPIAT recipients were included (68% adult, 37% male, 93% Caucasian). In paired analyses at 1-year follow-up, vitamin A was low in 23% (vs 9% pre-TPIAT, p < 0.001); vitamin E was low in 11% (vs 5% pre-TPIAT, p = 0.066), and 19% had vitamin D deficiency (vs 12% pre-TPIAT, p = 0.035). Taking a fat-soluble multivitamin (pancreatic MVI) was associated with lower risk for vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.002). Adults were less likely to be on a pancreatic MVI at follow-up (34% vs 66% respectively, p < 0.001). Enzyme dosing was adequate. More adults versus children were overweight or underweight pre- and post-TPIAT. Underweight status was associated with vitamin A (p = 0.014) and E (p = 0.02) deficiency at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies increased after TPIAT, especially if underweight. We strongly advocate that all TPIAT recipients have close post-operative nutritional monitoring, including vitamin levels. Pancreatic MVIs should be given to minimize risk of developing deficiencies.

Fiber-reinforced composite full-arch prosthetic reconstructions supported by three standard, short or extra-short implants: a two-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the survival of implants and prostheses, and marginal bone level of fiber-reinforced composite implant supported fixed complete prostheses supported by 3 implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with fiber-reinforced composite fixed prostheses supported by 3 standard-length, short or extra-short implants were included in this retrospective cohort study. Kaplan-Meier survival was computed for implants and prostheses. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions, clustered by patient, were used to analyze bone level differences as a function of different study covariates. Linear regressions were used to investigate the relationship between distal extension lengths and bone levels.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with 138 implants were followed for up to 10 years after prosthesis insertion (mean 52.8; SD 20.5 months). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed overall survival rates of 96.5% for implants and of 97.8% for prostheses. The 10-year success rate for prostheses was 90.8%. Extra-short implants survived at similar rates to short and standard implants. Marginal bone levels surrounding implants remained stable over time, even showing slight bone gain on average (mean + 0.1 mm/year; SD ± 0.5 mm/year) Acrylic denture teeth, overdentures on the opposing arch, and implant placement in the posterior maxilla were correlated with bone gain. Screw retention, opposed to telescopic retention, was correlated with bone loss. Longer distal extensions were correlated with bone gain on the implants closest to the distal extensions.

CONCLUSIONS

Fiber-reinforced composite fixed prostheses supported by only 3 implants, most of which were extra-short, presented high survival rates with stable bone levels.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

An encouraging prognosis can be expected for restoration of atrophic maxillary and mandibular arches, when restored with fixed fiber-reinforced composite frameworks with long distal extensions and supported on only 3 short implants.

How research into healthcare staff use and non-use of e-books led to planning a joint approach to e-book policy and practice across UK and Ireland healthcare libraries

The research goals were to obtain an understanding of who the users of e-books in the NHS are, what they are using e-books for, and when and how they use them. This article presents the methodology used and the findings from the research. It also explores the outputs and next steps from the research, both for the individual countries and collectively. The Five Nations group, (library leads in England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) commissioned research into healthcare staff use and non-use of e-books to understand the behaviours, needs and expectations of healthcare staff and to identify shared challenges around e-books to inform policy and practice.

Giant clams as open-source, scalable reef environmental biomonitors

Valvometry, the electronic measurement of bivalve shell opening and closing, has been demonstrated to be a valuable biomonitoring technique in previous ecological and environmental studies. Valvometric data has been shown to relate significantly to pollution, predation, animal stress and feeding activity. However, there is a need for valvometric techniques applicable to coral reef environments, which may provide critical insights into reef resilience to ocean warming and acidification. Giant clams are endemic to coral reefs and hold great promise as valvometric recorders of light availability, productivity and other environmental variables. Despite this promise, prior valvometric work on giant clams has been limited by specialized hardware less accessible to developing countries where many coral reefs are found. Here we report on an open-source approach that uses off-the-shelf components to monitor smooth giant clam (Tridacna derasa) valve opening behavior, and tests this approach in the simulated reef environment of the Biosphere 2 Ocean. Valvometric data corroborates the influence of light availability on diurnal behavior of giant clams. The clams basked during daylight hours to expose their photosymbionts to light, and adopted a partially-closed defensive posture at night. The animals showed variations in the frequency of complete closures, with most occurring during night-time hours when the animals prioritize filter-feeding activity, clapping their valves to expel pseudofeces from their gills. Closure frequency showed a significant relation to pH and a significant lagged relationship to chlorophyll-a productivity, which are both a function of algal productivity in the Biosphere 2 Ocean tank. These results suggest that the animals fed on phytoplankton following periodic bloom events in the Biosphere 2 Ocean during the experiment. We propose that giant clams exhibit behavioral plasticity between individuals and populations, and advocate for the more widespread use of valvometry to enable comparative studies of reef environment and animal health.

A randomized controlled trial of emotion regulation therapy for cancer caregivers: A mechanism-targeted approach to addressing caregiver distress

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of patients with cancer play a crucial role in the health of the person they care for, and in the healthcare system at large. Family caregivers receive minimal support, despite being at greater risk for anxiety and depression than patients themselves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an effective therapy for anxiety and depression, has shown mixed efficacy when delivered to cancer caregivers. Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT), a contemporary CBT, may uniquely target processes underlying distress associated with caregiving. Therefore, we adapted both CBT and ERT to target the needs of caregivers (i.e., CBT-C and ERT-C) and are conducting a multi-site randomized trial to examine the comparative efficacy of these interventions.

METHODS

Family cancer caregivers (n = 200) reporting distress related to caregiving are recruited from two academic cancer centers and randomly assigned to either ERT-C or CBT-C. Caregivers in both interventions engage in eight weekly one-hour sessions by videoconference with a trained interventionist. Caregiver participants complete study assessments at baseline, post-treatment, 3-and 6-months follow-up. Patients of each caregiver can also enroll in the study and complete assessments at baseline and 3-months follow-up. Outcome measures include psychosocial constructs such as anxiety, depression, quality of life, as well as proposed mechanistic constructs and salivary markers of stress and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will advance the science of caregiving interventions in cancer by addressing a critical gap in our ability to mitigate anxiety and depression in caregivers, as well as further our understanding of how these changes may influence patients' outcomes.

Antiresorptive therapy and dental implant survival: an up to 20-year retrospective cohort study in women

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of antiresorptive treatment on the survival of plateau-root form dental implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing antiresorptive therapy via oral or intravenous administration as well as patients not undergoing antiresorptive therapy and healthy control patients were included in this retrospective cohort study. In total, 1472 implants placed in 631 postmenopausal patients (M: 66.42 ± 9.10 years old), who were followed for a period of up to 20 years (8.78 ± 5.68 years). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression, clustered by each patient, was used to evaluate and study factors affecting the survival of their implants.

RESULTS

Implants placed in patients undergoing oral antiresorptive treatment presented significantly higher survival rates, than implants placed in the osteoporosis/osteopenia control cohort (p value < 0.001), and similar survival rates, when compared to healthy controls (p value = 0.03). Additionally, clustered univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed higher implant survival when oral antiresorptive drugs (p value = 0.01 and 0.007, respectively) were used, and lower implant survival in the presence of untreated osteoporosis/osteopenia (p value = 0.002 and 0.005, respectively). Overall, the 20-year implant survival in osteoporotic patients undergoing antiresorptive therapy was 94%. For the failed implants, newly replaced implants in patients under antiresorptive treatment presented a 10-year survival of 89%.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term plateau-root form implant survival in osteoporotic patients taking oral antiresorptives was similar to a healthy population and significantly higher than the untreated controls.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These results suggest that plateau-root form implants provide a robust solution for treating tooth loss in patients, who are undergoing antiresorptive therapy.

Validation of the virtual measurement of the Essential Frailty Toolset

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The Essential Frailty Toolset (EFT) is a valid measurement of frailty in people with heart valve disease. COVID-19 has prompted the transition to virtual health consultations and necessitates the validation of the virtual assessment of frailty.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study to compare the measurement of EFT in person and virtual format within a maximum 2-week window of repeated measurement. The weighted Kappa tests was used to measure the agreement of EFT scores between assessments; we explored the effect of the sequence of measurement using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic to test the general association between the timing of measurement and differences of EFT score.

Results

We recruited a sample of 49 patients, with a mean age of 81 ± 7 years, including 29 men (59.2%); the primary valvular heart diseases were aortic stenosis (n=40, 81.6%), mitral regurgitation (n=2, 4.1%) and tricuspid regurgitation (n=7, 14.3%). The virtual measurement of frailty was conducted using a standardised protocol. The platform for virtual connection selected by patients was FaceTime (n=20, 40.8%) and Zoom (n=29, 59.2%); the median (IQR) number of days between the in-person and the virtual assessment was 5 (3,10). The weighted Kappa estimate was 0.69 (95% CI 0.55, 0.82), illustrating a strong agreement between the separate scores obtained. The test for the general association was non-significant (p=0.82), indicating a lack of evidence for detecting an association between EFT scores and chronological order of assessment.

Conclusion

The EFT can be reliably measured virtual in older patients with valvular heart disease to inform clinical care.

Urolithiasis in pregnancy: Advances in imaging modalities and evaluation of current trends in endourological approaches

OBJECTIVE

Given the challenges involved in diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women with urolithiasis, we aim to review the imaging modalities and current endourological management of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a review of the available literature on urolithiasis in pregnancy. This included evaluation, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic options. The databases we searched from included Google Scholar and PubMed. A total of 346 abstracts were screened. After our inclusion/exclusion criteria were met, we were left with 42 sources: 18 retrospective studies, 10 reviews/meta-analyses, 8 sets of guidelines, 5 randomized control trials, and 1 prospective cohort.

RESULTS

We begin our review with the literature available on the safety and efficacy of imaging modalities in the surgical planning for urolithiasis in pregnant patients. This includes renal ultrasound, abdominal x-ray, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging. While computed tomography may result in an added radiation exposure, with possible safety concerns, magnetic resonance imaging seems to be safer, however a less sensitive test. We next describe safety, efficacy, and outcomes of various surgical interventions for urolithiasis in pregnant patients. This encompasses ureteral stenting, percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteroscopy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Ureteroscopy is a safer approach, but percutaneous nephrolithotomy offers higher stone-free rates. Using an evidence-based approach, we propose an algorithm for management of the pregnant women with renal colic.

CONCLUSION

Management of the pregnant women with suspected urolithiasis is a unique challenge for healthcare providers. A multi-disciplinary approach should be taken to optimize outcomes through an evidence-based approach.

Habralictus and Lasioglossum of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lesser Antilles (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Halictidae)

The new species and the first halictid bees documented from Saint Lucia Habralictusreinae, Lasioglossum (Dialictus) luciae, and L. (Habralictellus) delphiae are described. A fourth species, L. (D.) dominicense, is tentatively recorded from the island. The species are illustrated and compared to similar ones from the Lesser Antilles. Lasioglossum and Habralictus from neighbouring Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are reviewed and a key to Lasioglossum provided, including the description of another new species, L. (Dialictus) gemmeum. Trigonanigrocyanea Ashmead and Dufoureasubcyanea Ashmead are synonymised under Lasioglossumcyaneum (Ashmead). Notes on the obscure Lasioglossum (Dialictus) minutum (Fabricius) are provided. A new name, Lasioglossum (Homalictus) minuens, is provided for a secondary homonym Homalictusminutus Pauly. The potential for additional species richness in Saint Lucia and the Lesser Antilles is briefly discussed.

Surgical approach and short-term outcomes in adults and children undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation: A report from the Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT

BACKGROUND

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a viable option for treating debilitating recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in adults and children. No data is currently available regarding variation in approach to operation.

METHODS

We evaluated surgical techniques, islet isolation and infusion approaches, and outcomes and complications, comparing children (n = 84) with adults (n = 195) enrolled between January 2017 and April 2020 by 11 centers in the United States in the Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT (POST), which was launched in 2017 to collect standard history and outcomes data from patients undergoing TPIAT for RAP or CP.

RESULTS

Children more commonly underwent splenectomy (100% versus 91%, p = 0.002), pylorus preservation (93% versus 67%; p < 0.0001), Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy reconstruction (92% versus 35%; p < 0.0001), and enteral feeding tube placement (93% versus 63%; p < 0.0001). Median islet equivalents/kg transplanted was higher in children (4577; IQR 2816-6517) than adults (2909; IQR 1555-4479; p < 0.0001), with COBE purification less common in children (4% versus 15%; p = 0.0068). Median length of hospital stay was higher in children (15 days; IQR 14-22 versus 11 days; IQR 8-14; p < 0.0001), but 30-day readmissions were lower in children (13% versus 26%, p = 0.018). Rate of portal vein thrombosis was significantly lower in children than in adults (2% versus 10%, p = 0.028). There were no mortalities in the first 90 days post-TPIAT.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatectomy techniques differ between children and adults, with islet yields higher in children. The rates of portal vein thrombosis and early readmission are lower in children.

INNV-11. COMPLETE RESPONSE TO SELPERCATINIB IN A PATIENT WITH RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA AND RET AMPLIFICATION

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant central nervous system tumor that remains largely incurable. Limited treatment options currently exist after disease progression on the standard of care first-line therapy. However, repurposing the use of approved therapies in patients with potentially targetable genomic alterations continues to be an emerging area of interest. Here, we present the first reported case of a patient with isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type GBM with an underlying RET amplification who demonstrated a near-complete response (CR) while receiving therapy with the targeted RET inhibitor, selpercatinib.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented with sudden onset of dizziness and confusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed two rim enhancing lesions in the right parietal lobe and the patient underwent surgical resection with subsequent pathology revealing a GBM. Genomic analysis identified a RET amplification. After standard adjuvant therapy, the patient was treated with selpercatinib 160 mg twice daily as a continuous regimen with near CR on MRI after six weeks of treatment. The patient was continued on therapy for a total of eight months before having disease progression requiring discontinuation of selpercatinib and was then transitioned to the next line of therapy for disease stabilization. To better characterize the response, further whole-exome sequencing and analysis were performed on the original specimen.

CONCLUSION

Although selpercatinib is approved in RET-fusion positive lung and thyroid cancer, we present a remarkable case of a recurrent, RET-amplified GBM having a CR to selpercatinib. The case highlights the excellent blood-brain barrier penetration of selpercatinib, as well as its potential role in RET-amplified GBM. Larger biomarker-enriched studies are needed to confirm the results of this case report. However, given the rare incidence of RET alterations in GBM, findings from this report can help guide and support optimal treatment strategies for patients with RET-altered GBM.

Preoperative ERCP has no impact on islet yield following total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT): Results from the Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT (POST) cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Many patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT) for severe, refractory chronic pancreatitis or recurrent acute pancreatitis have a history of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Using data from the multicenter POST (Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT) cohort, we aimed to determine clinical characteristics associated with ERCP and the effect of ERCP on islet yield.

METHODS

Using data from 230 participants (11 centers), demographics, pancreatitis history, and imaging features were tested for association with ERCP procedures. Logistic and linear regression were used to assess association of islet yield measures with having any pre-operative ERCPs and with the number of ERCPs, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

175 (76%) underwent ERCPs [median number of ERCPs (IQR) 2 (1-4). ERCP was more common in those with obstructed pancreatic duct (p = 0.0009), pancreas divisum (p = 0.0009), prior pancreatic surgery (p = 0.005), and longer disease duration (p = 0.004). A greater number of ERCPs was associated with disease duration (p < 0.0001), obstructed pancreatic duct (p = 0.006), and prior pancreatic surgery (p = 0.006) and increased risk for positive islet culture (p < 0.0001). Mean total IEQ/kg with vs. without prior ERCP were 4145 (95% CI 3621-4669) vs. 3476 (95% CI 2521-4431) respectively (p = 0.23). Adjusting for confounders, islet yield was not significantly associated with prior ERCP, number of ERCPs, biliary or pancreatic sphincterotomy or stent placement.

CONCLUSIONS

ERCP did not appear to adversely impact islet yield. When indicated, ERCP need not be withheld to optimize islet yield but the risk-benefit ratio of ERCP should be considered given its potential harms, including risk for excessive delay in TPIAT.

Introduction to automatic forage stations and measurement of forage intake rate in an active open barn for horses

Interest in the use of open barns on Swedish horse farms is increasing as an alternative to keeping horses in box stalls and as a 2007 law requires phasing out of tie stalls. To provide adequate forage to satisfy welfare requirements for nutrition, gut health and behavioural needs, the use of automated feeding is also increasing. Studies on forage intake rate report wide variation but provide little information on how to introduce horses to an automatic forage station and on how forage intake rate varies in individual horses fed using an automatic forage station. This study documented the process of training 22 horses to use a transponder-controlled automatic forage feeding station and measured forage intake rates. Observations on the learning period of horses for transponder-controlled automatic forage stations showed that after 4 days, 48% of the horses had reached the goal of 90% intake. After 8 days, learning was completed in 71% of horses and at 16 days in 95% of horses. Measurements of forage intake rate revealed significant differences between individual horses. Overall mean intake rate ± SD, based on 314 observations, was 22.4 ± 6.7 min/kg forage DM. Evaluation of the number of intake measurements required to set a representative average ration in the automatic station for an individual horse showed that the variation levelled off at four samples. In conclusion, horses quickly learned how to use an automatic forage station, with two-thirds of horses achieving this within 7 days. To ensure the correct ration in a timed transponder-controlled automatic forage station, each horse's forage intake rate must be measured at least four times to obtain a representative average.

NCOG-76. BASELINE COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT IN GLIOMA PATIENTS WITH MGMT PROMOTOR METHYLATION AND/OR 1p19q CODELETION

INTRODUCTION

Methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status is associated with better overall survival while 1p19q co-deletion is associated with long-term survival. Cognitive dysfunction is a common complication of brain tumors and treatment; however, information regarding the relationship between MGMT status, 1p19q codeletion, and cognition is limited.

METHOD

Baseline neuropsychological testing was performed in patients with malignant glioma prior to radiation and/or chemotherapy administration. A retrospective data analysis was conducted. We calculated composite and subdomain scores for attention/executive functioning, memory, and language in patients with or without MGMT promotor methylation and/or 1p19q codeletion.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients (Age M = 48.73 ± 14.98; 50% female) diagnosed with glioma (29% grade II, 16% grade III, 21% grade IV; Karnofsky Performance Status score (KPS) M = 88.75 ± 14.24) were selected from a retrospective. Memory was marginally significant, such that methylated participants performed better on memory tasks than the unmethylated group (p = .053). Independent samples t-test revealed no significant differences between either marker across the overall cognitive composite (methylated M = 41.35; unmethylated: M = 39.91; p = .955; 1p19q co-deleted: M = 50.94; 1p19q intact: M = 43.66; p = .158) and subdomains attention/executive functioning (p = .585; p = .157) and language (p = .581; p = .765). Logistic regression showed MGMT does not predict cognitive status (p =.052) and there were not enough cases to complete the model with 1p19q.

CONCLUSION

MGMT status may be correlated with baseline cognitive status as MGMT methylated patients had better memory scores than their unmethylated counterparts. We did not find any significant association between the remaining cognitive domains and MGMT or 1p19q although sample size is a significant limitation. These results suggest further assessment of changes in cognition during treatment through serial neuropsychological testing of glioma populations with defined marker status is warranted.

0539 Are Short Sleepers Uncoupled Sleepers?

Introduction

While short sleep durations (&lt;7h/night) are associated with increased diabetes risk, there is limited evidence that increasing the habitual sleep duration of short sleepers is either feasible, or will reliably improve metabolic health outcomes. Furthermore, in the absence of insomnia disorder, it remains unclear whether habitual short sleep mainly reflects a genetic predisposition or a lifestyle choice. In a randomized controlled study we delivered a sleep extension protocol based on CBTi principles to overweight ‘short sleepers’ at increased risk of Type II diabetes.

Methods

18 male short sleepers (Mage=41.4; MBMI=29.57; baseline mean TST=5.8 h/ night) with no complaints of insomnia were randomized to the sleep extension intervention or control condition (printed sleep hygiene advice). The 6-week intervention commenced with personalized sleep re-scheduling negotiated in a 60-minute 1-to-1 session, and supported by elements of sleep hygiene, stimulus control, relaxation and cognitive strategies. Outcomes included sleep duration (actigraphy), fasting insulin, Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions (MAGE) from continuous glucose monitoring, and blood pressure. Data were analyzed in linear fixed effects models including time, group and baselines values.

Results

Adherence to the 6-week protocol was high. Relative to controls (n=8), intervention participants (n = 10) showed a significant increase in TST (95%CI 46.91min, 101.64min, p&lt;0.001; MDiff = 79.4min, p&lt;0.001) and significant reductions in fasting insulin (95%CI -32.08 pmol/L, -.97.0 pmol/L; p=0.04; MDiff = -10.2 pmol/L, p=0.06); MAGE (95%CI -0.77, -0.08, p=0.02; MDiff -0.35, p=0.05) and diastolic (95%CI -22, -5, p=0.004; MDiff=-12, p=0.004); and systolic blood pressure (95%CI -20, -2, p=0.03; MDiff=-10, p=0.006).

Conclusion

CBTi-based sleep extension protocols offer feasible and effective lifestyle interventions in the management of metabolic health in overweight short sleepers who fit published categorization of non-complaining poor sleepers with an undeveloped insomnia identity whose subjective sleep experience and objective sleep characteristics are ‘uncoupled’.

Support

School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

The effect on consent rates for deceased organ donation in Wales after the introduction of an opt-out system

Organ transplantation saves and transforms lives. Failure to secure consent for organ retrieval is widely regarded as the single most important obstacle to transplantation. A soft opt‐out system of consent for deceased organ donation was introduced into Wales in December 2015, whilst England maintained the existing opt‐in system. Cumulative data on consent rates in Wales were compared with those in England, using a two‐sided sequential procedure that was powered to detect an absolute difference in consent rates between England and Wales of 10%. Supplementary risk‐adjusted logistic regression analysis examined whether any difference in consent rates between the two nations could be attributed to variations in factors known to influence UK consent rates. Between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018, 8192 families of eligible donors in England and 474 in Wales were approached regarding organ donation, with overall consent rates of 65% and 68%, respectively. There was a steady upward trend in the proportion of families consenting to donation after brain death in Wales as compared with England and after 33 months, this reached statistical significance. No evidence of any change in the donation after circulatory death consent rate was observed. Risk‐adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that by the end of the study period the probability of consent to organ donation in Wales was higher than in England (OR [95%CI] 2.1 [1.26–3.41]). The introduction of a soft opt‐out system of consent in Wales significantly increased organ donation consent though the impact was not immediate.

Sensitized brain response to acute pain in patients using prescription opiates for chronic pain: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Chronic opiate use leads to a sensitized behavioral response to acute pain, which in turn, leads to escalating doses of opiates. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that chronic opiate usage is also associated with a sensitized neurobiological response to acute pain in individuals that have used prescription opiates for 6 or more months.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis that have been taking prescription opiates for 6 or more months and 14 gender matched, non-opiate using controls were enrolled. Functional neuroimaging data was acquired while participants received blocks of thermal stimulation to their wrist (individually-tailored to their pain threshold).

RESULTS

Self-reported pain was significantly greater in opiate using patients (3.4 ± 3.4) than controls (0.2 ± 0.8: Brief Pain Inventory p < 0.005), however no significant difference between groups was observed in the individually-tailored pain thresholds. Opiate using patients evidenced a significantly greater response to pain than controls in two established nodes of the "Pain Matrix": somatosensory cortex (p_FWE≤0.001) and anterior cingulate cortex (p ≤ 0.01). This response was positively correlated with prescribed morphine equivalent dosages (average: 133.5 ± 94.8 mg/day).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that in chronic pancreatitis patients, a dose of opiates that normalizes their behavioral response to acute pain is associated with an amplified neural response to acute pain. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine if this neural sensitization hastens a behavioral tolerance to opiates or the development of an opioid use disorder.

CLOSING THE LEAK: KEEPING LATE-DECIDING STUDENTS IN THE PIPELINE TO BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CAREERS

With the increased competitiveness of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, the continuously accelerating rate of technological innovation and development of new global means of communication, and the evolving face of the local, national, and global job markets, choosing a long-term career has become a challenge for many. More and more students opt to take a gap period in their education, pre- or post-college, for soul searching to determine their future path or for improving their skills and competitiveness for successfully applying to academic institutions. Even though such gap years can lead to more mature and determined students, they often derail the educational path of the individual by leading to loss of interest or to new commitments which hinder going back to school. Engaging students in academic and skills training programs that keep them within the academic environment and provide them with exposure to the benefits of higher education has been shown to increase their persistence, leading to an increased rate of attaining higher-level degrees. A number of United States (US) federal funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have programs such as the Bridges to Baccalaureate Program (support for easing a student's transition from a 2-year junior or community college to a 4-year baccalaureate-granting institution) and Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP, support for recent college graduates from underrepresented groups or disadvantaged backgrounds to strengthen their research skills and academic competitiveness for pursuing a doctorate degree in the Biomedical Sciences). At Xavier University of Louisiana (Xavier), we have developed a post-baccalaureate technician program under Project Pathways (the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD)-funded Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Program), that provides research experience and training in soft skills to recent Xavier graduates to increase their preparation and competitiveness for graduate programs. The BUILD Technicians also receive both mentee and mentor training and serve as near-peer mentors to undergraduate students in their labs, increasing their scientific identity and preparing them for their future role as graduate teaching assistants. Here, we report the lessons learned from this program and how its differences from other post-baccalaureate programs, including those under the NIH PREP umbrella, have led to improved outcomes for Xavier graduates gaining admission to graduate programs in the Biomedical Sciences.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Chronic Pancreatitis Patients Show Comparable Potency Compared to Cells from Healthy Donors

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are proven to be beneficial in islet transplantation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of them in total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. We investigated whether MSCs derived from CP patients are suitable for use in autologous cell therapy. MSCs from healthy donors (H-MSCs) and CP patients (CP-MSCs) were studied for phenotype, colony formation potential, multilineage differentiation ability, proliferation, senescence, secretory characters, and immunosuppressive functions. The potential protective effect of CP-MSCs was evaluated on hypoxia-induced islet cell death. Cell surface markers were similar between H-MSCs and CP-MSCs, as well as the ability of colony formation, multilineage differentiation, secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor (TGF-β), senescence, and inhibition of T cells proliferation in vitro. We found that growth differentiation factor 6 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were significantly downregulated, whereas TGFβ and matrix metalloproteinase-2 were significantly upregulated in CP-MSCs compared with H-MSCs, among 84 MSC-related genes investigated in this study. MSCs from CP patients secreted less HGF, compared with the H-MSCs. A higher interferon-γ-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression was observed in CP-MSCs compared to H-MSCs. Moreover, CP-MSCs prevented hypoxia-induced β cell deaths to a similar extent as H-MSCs. Regardless of moderate difference in gene expression, CP-MSCs possess similar immunomodulatory and prosurvival functions to H-MSCs, and may be suitable for autologous cell therapy in CP patients undergoing TP-IAT. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:418-429.

Venous thromboembolism in IBD: Increased risk for women in CD?

Although coagulation disturbances have been described in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it remains unclear how common venous thromboembolism (VTE) is in IBD, and what factors influence VTE frequency. We evaluated VTE in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at LSUHSC-S, a southern US medical center with an approximately equal White: African-American (AA) (1.12:1) patient base. This retrospective study evaluated VTE as a co-morbidity in IBD as a function of age, gender and race based on ICD-10 coding (2011-2015.) Results. Of 276 IBD diagnostic records, 213 were for CD (77.17%) and 63 for UC (22.8%). 52% of the CD patients were white, 42% were AA, and 6% were other. 42% of CD patients were male, with 58% were female. 6.1% (13 patients) of the 213 CD patients had a VTE. Of these 13 CD patients, 9 had active disease and 4 were in remission. 9 of 13 were female and 4 were male, with 5 white patients and 4 A A patients. 63 patients were diagnosed with UC, 3.38-fold fewer cases than CD. 25 UC patients were white, 25 were AA and 13 were in other ethnic groups. Of 63 UC cases, 2 UC patients had a VTE, both with active disease. At our institution, VTE appears to be 3x more frequently associated with CD than UC and was more common in white female patients. The recognition of VTE risk in CD, particularly in women, may be an important observation which may guide therapy and limit potentially life-threatening consequences.