Fertility in seasonal-calving pasture-based lactating dairy cows following timed artificial insemination or timed embryo transfer with fresh or frozen in vitro-produced embryos

The objective was to compare pregnancy per service event (P/S) in lactating dairy cows following timed artificial insemination (AI) or timed embryo transfer (ET) using either fresh or frozen in vitro-produced embryos. Oocytes were collected once per week for up to 9 wk using transvaginal ovum pick-up from elite dairy donors (ET-DAIRY; n = 40; Holstein-Friesian and Jersey) and elite beef donors (ET-ELITE-BEEF; n = 21; Angus). Both ET-DAIRY and ET-ELITE-BEEF donors consisted of heifers and cows. In addition, oocytes were collected from the ovaries of beef heifers of known pedigree following slaughter at a commercial abattoir (ET-COMM-BEEF; n = 119). Following in vitro maturation and fertilization, presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Grade 1 blastocysts were either transferred fresh or frozen for on-farm thawing and direct transfer. A total of 1,106 recipient cows (all lactating, predominantly Holstein-Friesian) located on 16 herdlets were blocked based on parity, calving date, and Economic Breeding Index, and randomly assigned to receive AI (n = 243) or ET (n = 863) after estrous synchronization with a 10-d Progesterone-synch protocol. Cows assigned to ET were further randomized to receive fresh (n = 187) or frozen (n = 178) ET-ELITE-BEEF embryos, fresh (n = 169) or frozen (n = 162) ET-DAIRY embryos, or fresh (n = 80) or frozen (n = 87) ET-COMM-BEEF embryos. Pregnancy was diagnosed using transrectal ultrasound on d 32 to 35 after synchronized ovulation and confirmed on d 62 to 65, at which time fetal sex was determined. Pregnancy per service event at d 32 was not different between AI (48.8%) and ET (48.9%) and did not differ between dairy and beef embryos (50.3% vs. 48.1%, respectively). However, P/S was less on d 32 following transfer of frozen embryos (41.6%) compared with fresh embryos (56.1%). Pregnancy loss between d 32 and 62 was greater for ET (15.1%) compared with AI (4.7%), with greater losses observed for frozen beef (18.5%), fresh beef (17.3%), and frozen dairy (19.2%) compared with fresh dairy (6.0%) embryos. Serum progesterone (P4) concentration on d 7 was associated with P/S at d 32 and 62. Cows in the quartile with the least serum P4 concentrations (quartile 1) had less probability of being pregnant on d 32 (33.4%) compared with cows in the 3 upper quartiles for serum P4 (45.7%, 55.6%, and 61.2% for quartile 2, quartile 3, and quartile 4, respectively). Sex ratio (male:female) at d 62 was skewed toward more male fetuses following ET (61.1:38.9) compared with AI (43.2:56.8) and was consistent with the sex ratio among in vitro blastocysts (61.2:38.8). In conclusion, P/S was similar for AI and ET, although pregnancy loss between d 32 and 62 was greater for ET than for AI.

Approach-avoidance biases to self-harm cues in young people with self-harm

BACKGROUND

The urge to self-harm can be likened to craving in addictive behaviours. However, it remains unclear whether cognitive mechanisms involved in craving, such as attentional biases to cues, also underpin the urge to self-harm.

METHODS

A Dot Probe Task was used to investigate attentional biases to self-harm cues in young people aged 16-25 with self-harm. Cues were shown for either 0.2 s or 2 s. Dot Probe Task performance in the Self-harm group (N = 50) was compared with age-matched Healthy Controls (N = 50) and age- and negative-affect (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21) matched controls with no self-harm (N = 50).

RESULTS

The Self-harm group showed significantly greater avoidance of self-harm cues than Healthy Controls at 2 s. The Negative Affect group showed significantly less difficulty disengaging from self-harm cues than the Self-harm group and Healthy Controls at 2 s. There were no between-group differences in attentional bias at 0.2 s.

LIMITATIONS

Study limitations that may affect attentional biases in the Self-harm group include not measuring indicators of recovery and recruiting only from the community potentially missing more severe self-harm presentations in clinical settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Avoidance of self-harm cues in young people with self-harm may reflect conflict around self-harm behaviour, consistent with ambivalence models of craving. An ability to disengage from self-harm cues may be a protective factor in young people with higher levels of negative affect who do not self-harm. Whether these attentional biases represent a quantifiable marker of treatment response or susceptibility to relapse in individuals with self-harm remains an area for future investigation.

O-260 Improved implantation and pregnancy rates in frozen-thawed embryo transfer using a modified-natural ovulatory regimen

Study question

Are the outcomes of pregnancy significant different between modified-natural (mN) cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and hormone terapy (HT) cycle FET?

Summary answer

Implantation and pregnancy rates are significantly higher in mN cycle FET as compared to HT cycle FET.

What is known already

The use of FET has dramatically increased the cumulative pregnancy rate and reduced the cost and time to pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Three different regimens can be used to perform FET, the spontaneous ovulatory (natural) cycle; the one in which the endometrium is artificially prepared with HT; and cycles in which ovulation is induced. In our center, for the past three years, we have performed HT cycle FET as well as a modified-natural regimen, which includes the administration of 250 µg recombinant hCG (r-hCG) upon the visualization of one follicle measuring ≥ 18 mm in diameter.

Study design, size, duration

Women undergoing FET post intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), between Jan/2019 and August/2021 in a private university-affiliated IVF center were included (mN cycle FET group, n = 142 and HT cycle FET group, n = 1180). Generalized linear models adjusted for potential confounders, followed by Bonferroni post hoc were used to compare clinical outcomes between groups.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In mN cycle FET group, after menses, the endometrial development was monitored, and patients received 250µg r-hCG upon the visualization of one follicle ≥ 18mm in diameter, and 600mg daily of micronized progesterone for five days, until embryo transfer. In HT cycle FET group, after menses the patients received 200µg of transdermal 17 β-estradiol every three days. When endometrium showed proliferative morphology and thickness of at least 7.5mm, 600mg of progesterone was daily administered.

Main results and the role of chance

Mean female age was similar between the groups (36.0 years ± 0.5 for mN cycle FET and 35.6 years ± 0.2 for HT cycle FET groups, respectively). The implantation rate was significantly higher in mN cycle FET group compared to HT cycle FET group (45.3% ± 0.76 vs. 38.6% ± 0.22, p < 0.001, respectively). The pregnancy rate was also significantly higher in mN cycle FET group compared to HT cycle FET group (66.0% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.017, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the groups in miscarriage rate (10.7% for mN cycle FET and 15.7% for HT cycle FET groups, respectively, p = 0.279).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Retrospective nature of this study and the small sample size may be a reason for caution.

Wider implications of the findings

Our study suggests use of an hCG trigger may improve outcomes in natural cycle FET. In patients undergoing FET, triggering ovulation can significantly reduce the number of visits necessary for scheduling embryo transfer without an adverse effect on outcomes. Ovulation triggering can increase both patient convenience and cycle cost effectiveness.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Emotional Dysregulation and Altered Reward Processing in Self-Harm

Introduction

Self-Harm (SH) is any act of self-injury carried out by somebody irrespective of motivation. SH most commonly functions to relieve negative affect (NA). Tentative evidence suggests reward processing is altered in SH. NA may trigger reward hypersensitivity and therefore SH. Whether NA influences reward processing in SH remains unclear.

Objectives

To investigate whether self-harmers differ in motivation to obtain SH stimuli than healthy controls (HCs) following NA induction.

Hypothesis

After NA induction, SH participants will have a significantly shorter reaction latency (RL) and greater reaction accuracy (RA) than HCs in the SH condition of the Incentive Delay (ID) task.

Methods

16-25-year-old SH (n=35) and HC (n=20) participants were recruited online and underwent the Trier Social Stress Test, to induce NA, followed by the ID task, where participants were cued to respond to a target as quickly as possible. On responding, an image of either a SH act (SH Condition), people socializing (Social Condition) or money (Monetary Condition) appeared. Each condition included control trials showing a neutral image. RA was the percentage of trials responded to within the target’s presentation time. RL was the time (seconds) between target appearance and participants’ response.

Results

There was no significant main effect of group, condition or group x condition interaction for RL. There was a significant main effect of condition (p < 0.05) but not of group nor a group x condition interaction for RA.

Conclusions

Reward processing did not differ in the SH group compared to HCs post-NA induction. Future studies could investigate reward processing in longitudinal and larger SH samples.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Does coronary calcium score add value to European SCORE in an asymptomatic population?

Background

Despite being a controversial subject, multiple guidelines mention the use of Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) scoring in the cardiovascular risk prediction in the asymptomatic population. Adding CAC score to European SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) may improve the prediction of MACE (Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events), providing better cardiovascular risk stratification.

Purpose

Our study aims to evaluate the impact of CAC severity in MACE prediction compared with SCORE and estimate the additional value of CAC score in cardiovascular risk stratification in a low- risk region and asymptomatic population.

Methods and results

The study consisted of a prospective registry of 1110 asymptomatic individuals free of known coronary heart disease, enrolled from the GENEMACOR study and referred for computed tomography for the CAC scoring assessment. The mean age was 51.6±8.2 years, and 74.1% were male. This population was followed for a mean of 5.2±3.3 years for the primary endpoint of all-cause of cardiovascular events. The extent of CAC differs significantly between men and women in the same age group. Therefore, the distribution of CAC score by age and gender was done using Hoff's nomogram (a). According to this nomogram, 3 categories were created: low CAC (0≤CAC&lt;100 and P&lt;50); moderate CAC (100≤CAC&lt;400 or P50–75) and high CAC (CAC≥400 or P&gt;75). Through a Cox regression for MACE occurrence, SCORE does not remain in the equation, and the higher severity level of CAC presented a significant risk of MACE occurrence with an HR of 7.943 (95% CI 2.948 – 21.401; p&lt;0.0001). Using the C-index, CAC was superior to SCORE (0.729 vs 0.615; p&lt;0.0001). Adding CAC score to SCORE increased MACE prediction compared to SCORE alone (AUC 0.77 vs 0.615; p=0.003).

Conclusion

Our results point to the importance of the CAC score inclusion in primary prevention to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. CAC score in clinical practice could have a prognostic impact on MACE prediction. Larger prospective multicenter cohorts with longer follow-up should reproduce and validate these findings.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1

Perfluoro effect on the electronic excited states of para-benzoquinone revealed by experiment and theory

We report a comprehensive study on the electronic excited states of tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone, through high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory calculations performed within the nuclear ensemble approach. Absolute cross section values were experimentally determined in the 3.8-10.8 eV energy range. The present experimental results represent the highest resolution data yet reported for this molecule and reveal previously unresolved spectral structures. The interpretation of the results was made in close comparison with the available data for para-benzoquinone [Jones et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2017, 146, 184303]. While the dominant absorption features for both molecules arise from analogous π* ← π transitions, some remarkable differences have been identified. The perfluoro effect manifests in different ways: shifts in band positions and cross sections, appearance of features associated with excitations to σCF* orbitals, and spectrum broadening by quenching of either vibrational or Rydberg progressions. The level of agreement between experiment and theory is very satisfactory, yet that required the inclusion of nuclear quantum effects in the calculations. We have also discussed the role of temperature on the absorption spectrum, as well as the involvement of core-excited resonances in promoting dissociative electron attachment reactions in the 3-5 eV range.

Untreated sewage contamination of beach sand from a leaking underground sewage system

Thirty people (mostly children) experienced an episode of skin rash days after a sand sifting beach operation at Porto Pim Beach in Faial, Azores during June 2019. An environmental and epidemiologic investigation was conducted to identify the cause of the outbreak of skin rash. The epidemiologic investigation found that some of the patients experiencing symptoms had never entered the beach water. During the pollution period and throughout the epidemiologic investigation, faecal indicator bacteria levels (94 CFU/100 ml for intestinal enterococci and 61 CFU/100 ml for Escherichia coli) in water remained under the limits used for the ninety-five percentile calculation of an Excellent coastal and transitional bathing water defined in the Portuguese Legislation (100 CFU/100 ml for intestinal enterococci and 250 CFU/100 ml for Escherichia coli). Thus sand contact was considered as a likely primary exposure route. Sand microbiological analysis for faecal indicator organisms and electron microscopy strongly suggested faecal contamination. Chemical analysis of the sand also revealed a concomitant substance compatible with sodium-hypochlorite as analysed using gas chromatography and subsequently confirmed by free chlorine analysis. Inspection of the toilet facilities and sewage disposal system revealed a leaking sewage distribution box. Collectively, results suggest that the cause of the outbreak was the leaking underground sewage distribution box that serviced the beach toilet facilities (40 m from beach), where sodium-hypochlorite was used for cleaning and disinfection. This sewage then contaminated the surficial sands to which beach goers were exposed. Chlorine being an irritant substance, was believed to have been the cause of the symptoms given the sudden presentation and dissipation of skin rashes. No gastro-intestinal illness was reported during this episode and during the following 30 days. Like water, beach sand should also be monitored for safety, especially for areas serviced by aged infrastructure.

Sustainable plant polyesters as substrates for optical gas sensors

The fast and non-invasive detection of odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by gas sensors and electronic noses is a growing field of interest, mostly due to a large scope of potential applications. Additional drivers for the expansion of the field include the development of alternative and sustainable sensing materials. The discovery that isolated cross-linked polymeric structures of suberin spontaneously self-assemble as a film inspired us to develop new sensing composite materials consisting of suberin and a liquid crystal (LC). Due to their stimuli-responsive and optically active nature, liquid crystals are interesting probes in gas sensing. Herein, we report the isolation and the chemical characterization of two suberin types (from cork and from potato peels) resorting to analyses of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The collected data highlighted their compositional and structural differences. Cork suberin showed a higher proportion of longer aliphatic constituents and is more esterified than potato suberin. Accordingly, when casted it formed films with larger surface irregularities and a higher C/O ratio. When either type of suberin was combined with the liquid crystal 5CB, the ensuing hybrid materials showed distinctive morphological and sensing properties towards a set of 12 VOCs (comprising heptane, hexane, chloroform, toluene, dichlormethane, diethylether, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and acetic acid). The optical responses generated by the materials are reversible and reproducible, showing stability for 3 weeks. The individual VOC-sensing responses of the two hybrid materials are discussed taking as basis the chemistry of each suberin type. A support vector machines (SVM) algorithm based on the features of the optical responses was implemented to assess the VOC identification ability of the materials, revealing that the two distinct suberin-based sensors complement each other, since they selectively identify distinct VOCs or VOC groups. It is expected that such new environmentally-friendly gas sensing materials derived from natural diversity can be combined in arrays to enlarge selectivity and sensing capacity.

Analysis of the freezing point of milk by precision method and by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy

ABSTRACT A total of 480 milk samples were analyzed in four repetitions with four preservative treatments (no preservative, Bronopol, Bronolat and Brononata), three storage times at temperatures up to 4 °C (24, 48 and 72hours after reception), five different water additions (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%) and two analytical instruments (electronic cryoscope and FTIR). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of these parameters in the determination of the freezing point by the reference method and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thus determining the best analytical conditions and establishing a mathematical equation for electronic determination by FTIR spectroscopy. Bronolat was the best preservative and Brononata was the worst and is not recommended to analyze freezing point by FTIR. The storage time of the samples did not interfere in the analytical determinations by the precision method and by FTIR.

AB0561 AUTOMATIC QUANTIFICATION OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE FROM CHEST COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN SYSTEMIC SCLERODERMA

Background:

Scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is often observed in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) and its diagnosis contributes to early treatment decisions1,2.

Objectives:

The present study aims to automatically quantify SSc-ILD from high-resolution chest-computed tomography (HRCT) and to evaluate the association between interstitial lung disease (ILD) extension and lung function impairment.

Methods:

Ninety-four patients with SSc and 27 lung-healthy subjects matched for gender, weight, height, and age underwent HRCT, spirometry and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO). SSc-ILD was determined as the tissue mass present between -500 and +100 Hounsfield Units normalized by the total lung tissue mass (TLM). Cut off was the highest value obtained in the control group (25% of TLM). All data are presented as mean and standard deviations (Table I). An ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni post-hoc correction was used for comparisons among groups.

Results:

From 94 patients with SSc, 64 were classified as having pulmonary involvement (SSc-ILD) and 30 as not having pulmonary involvement (SSc No-ILD). In SSc-ILD subjects, there was a significant reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC), carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity normalized by alveolar ventilation (DLCO/A) when compared with SSc No-ILD and control group.

Conclusion:

The proposed method allows the automatic quantification of SSc-ILD from HRCT and ILD extent is associated with pulmonary function impairment.

References:

[1]Doyle TJ, Dellaripa PF. Lung Manifestations in the Rheumatic Diseases. CHEST. 2017 Dec;152(6):1283–95.

[2]Saketkoo LA, Magnus JH, Doyle MK. The primary care physician in the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis: the cornerstone of recognition and hope. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2014 Jan;347(1):54–63.

Table 1.

Demographic variables, pulmonary function tests and densitovolumetry considering scleroderma patients with less or greater pulmonary involvement.

Control GroupN = 27SSc No-ILDN = 30SSc-ILDN = 64p-valueDemographic DataFemales16 (59.2)28 (93.3)58 (90.1)-Age (years)37.9 ± 14.851.2 ± 12.256 ± 14<0.011a,bBMI (kg/m2)26.7 ± 5.124.1 ± 5.025.9 ± 5.7-Lung Function FVC (% predicted)100.2 ± 9.299.9 ± 19.869.8 ± 16.7<0.001b,c DLco (% predicted)103 ± 13.383.8 ± 14.263.4 ± 20.3<0.002a,b,cDLco/A (% predicted)112.7 ± 17.485.7 ± 12.979.2 ± 20.6<0.001a,bDensitovolumetryTLV mL4675 ± 9864471 ± 9163492 ± 1120<0.001b,cLung Tissue Mass (g)793 ± 125756 ± 159731 ± 155- ILD Extent (% LTM)17 ± 222.9 ± 1.232.6 ± 8<0.003a,b,c

a: Statistically significant difference between No-ILD SSc and control group; b and c: Statistically significant difference between SSc-ILD vs control group and SSc No-ILD, respectively.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

P1756 Predictors of outcome in mitral valve repair surgery

Background

Surgical mitral valve repair currently remains a good option in both organic or functional mitral valve regurgitation (MVR). However, a significant number of patients (P) have comorbidities that can contribute to adverse outcomes.

Objective

To determine clinical and echocardiographic predictors of adverse outcomes in P submitted to MV repair surgery in our center, notably MVR recurrence and new MV replacement surgery or all-cause mortality.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 262 P who underwent MV repair surgery between 2008 and 2017, with a mean follow-up of 30 months. P were included with both organic or functional MV regurgitation. P who underwent simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), atrial fibrillation (AF) surgery and tricuspid valve repair were also included. However, P with simultaneous surgical aortic valve replacement or previous endocarditis were excluded and the remaining 204 P were analysed.

We evaluated whether MVR etiology, simultaneous surgery (tricuspid valve repair, AF or CABG), body mass index (BMI), gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction (measured by serum creatinine levels), baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVED) were predictors of a composite endpoint (follow-up MV replacement surgery or all-cause mortality) and secondary endpoints: MV replacement surgery and all-cause mortality.

Results

204 P who underwent MV repair surgery, 67.2% male, mean age of 62 ± 14 years. 80.4% had organic MVR and 19.6% functional MVR (mostly ischemic – 72.4%). 7P (3.4%) had rheumatic MVR. 16.8% underwent simultaneous CABG, 12.3% tricuspid valve repair and 7.8% AF ablation. 30-day mortality was 0%.

The composite endpoint occurred in 40P (20%) and there was MVR recurrence with follow-up MV replacement surgery in 15P (7.5%) and all-cause mortality in 28P (13.7%).

The authors found that elevated serum creatinine levels (OR 4.66; p = 0.003), COPD (OR 3.00; p = 0.035) and functional etiology (OR 2.22; p = 0.049) were predictors of the composite endpoint.

Both COPD (OR 2.823; p = 0.024) and renal dysfunction (OR 6.901; p = 0.001) were also found to be independent predictors of all-cause mortality.

Simultaneous CABG was a predictor of all-cause mortality (OR 2.82; p = 0.024).

Female gender was a predictor of future MV replacement surgery (13.4% vs 4.7%, p = 0.023).

However, echocardiographic variables (baseline LVEF and LVED) were not found to be significant predictors of adverse outcomes in MV repair surgery. Likewise, simultaneous AF or tricuspid valve surgery, rheumatic/ischemic etiology, high BMI or diabetes were not associated with poorer prognosis.

Conclusion

In P undergoing MV repair surgery, renal dysfunction and COPD were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Functional etiology and simultaneous CABG surgery were also predictors of adverse outcomes.

Baseline LVEF and LVED were not correlated with prognosis.

P1755 Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of mitral valve repair surgery

Background

Mitral valve regurgitation (MVR) represents the second most frequent valvular heart disease. MV surgical repair is often the preferred treatment when MV anatomy is suitable.

Purpose

To characterize the population who underwent MV repair surgery and evaluate the outcomes of residual MVR, allcause mortality and functional classification.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 262 patients (P) admitted between 2008 and 2017 for MV repair surgery. P who undergone simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, atrial fibrillation (AF) surgery and tricuspid valve repair were also included. P with endocarditis, P who underwent simultaneous aortic valve replacement and P with rheumatic predominant MV stenosis were excluded, the remaining 204 P were analysed. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were evaluated in a mean follow-up of 30 months.

Results

204 P, 67.2% male, mean age 62 + 14 years. The most frequent etiology was organic (80.4%), mostly of degenerative cause. Functional etiology was present in 19.6%, mostly ischemic (72.4%). 16.8% underwent simultaneous CABG, 12.3% tricuspid valve repair and 7.8% AF ablation.

Hypertension was significantly associated with functional etiology (90% vs 72.8%, p = 0.022), as well as hypercholesterolemia (80% vs 48.2%, p &lt; 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (32.5% vs 10.4%, p &lt; 0.001). Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was &gt;50% in 78.4%, reduced (30-50%) 18.1% and poor (&lt;30%) in 3.4%.

Functional etiology was significantly associated with LVEF &lt;50% (70% vs 9.1%, p &lt; 0.001).

161P (78.9%) had MV prolapse: 120P (74.5%) posterior, 29P (18%) anterior and 7.4% (12P) of both leaflets. P2 was the most frequently involved scallop, in 92P (57.1%), followed by P3, in 41P (25.4%). There was MV chordae rupture in 94P (58.3%).

Post-surgery echocardiography revealed that 93.8% had mild or no residual MVR.

30-day mortality rate was 0%.

There was MVR recurrence with MV replacement surgery in 15P (7.5%), mean time 37.1 months. All-cause mortality was registered in 28P (13.7%), with a mean time of 43.7 months after MV surgery.

Of the P without MVR recurrence or mortality, 111P (70%) were in NYHA class I, 41P (26%) in NYHA class II and 6P (4%) in NYHA class III. 6P were lost to follow-up. Upon echocardiographic revaluation there was no residual MVR in 53P (39%), mild MVR in 67P (49%) and moderate MVR in 16P (11.8%).

Conclusion

In P who underwent MV repair surgery, there was 7.5% recurrence rate with follow-up MV replacement surgery and an all-cause mortality of 13.7%. In a mean follow-up of 30 months, 70% of P were in NYHA I class and there was none or mild residual MVR in 88% of P.

The molecular structure and multifunctionality of the cryptic plant polymer suberin

Suberin, a plant polyester, consists of polyfunctional long-chain fatty acids and glycerol and is an intriguing candidate as a novel antimicrobial material. We purified suberin from cork using ionic-liquid catalysis during which the glycerol bonds that ensure the polymeric nature of suberin remained intact or were only partially cleaved—yielding the closest to a native configuration reported to date.

The chemistry of suberin, both in situ (in cryogenically ground cork) and ex situ (ionic-liquid extracted), was elucidated using high-resolution one- and two-dimensional solution-state NMR analyses. Centrifugation was used to isolate suberin particles of distinct densities and their monomeric composition, assembly, and bactericidal effect, inter alia, were assessed.

Analysis of the molecular structure of suberin revealed the relative abundance of linear aliphatic vs. acylglycerol esters, comprising all acylglycerol configurations and the amounts of total carbonyls (C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]>O), free acid end groups (COOH), OH aliphatics, and OH aromatics. Suberin centrifuged fractions revealed generic physiochemical properties and monomeric composition ​and self-assemble into polygonal structures that display distinct degrees of compactness when lyophilized. Suberin particles—suberinsomes—display bactericidal activity against major human pathogenic bacteria.

Fingerprinting the multifunctionality of complex (plant) polyesters such as suberin allows for the identification of novel polymer assemblies with significant value-added properties.

Relationship between sleep patterns and multimorbidity in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Background

Sleep difficulties are an unmet public health problem, affecting large segments of the population around the world. Poor sleep quality and reduced sleep duration impact over half of older adults and are associated with adverse health outcomes like multiple chronic diseases (multimorbidity) and reduced longevity.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a national health survey of community-dwelling adults and older adults. A total of 30,011 participants had physiological and psychosocial data collected at baseline. Sleep measures included self-reported sleep duration (short: &lt;6 hours, normal: 6-8 hours, long: &gt;8 hours) and sleep quality (dissatisfied/very dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied/very satisfied). To capture multimorbidity, a primary definition was operationalized with 17 chronic conditions, whereas a secondary definition was operationalized with 9 chronic conditions to capture both the primary care and public health perspective.

Results

In our sample, 50.9% were female (average age: 62.7 years) and 49.1% were male (average age: 63.2 years). The majority reported a normal sleep duration and approximately half reported being either satisfied or very satisfied with sleep quality. About 70% were living with multimorbidity using the primary care definition (females: 71.7%; males 64.3%), while about 30% were living with multimorbidity using the public health definition (females: 34.8%; males: 28.9%). The adjusted analyses indicated the odds of multimorbidity increased for those who reported short or long sleep duration, as well as dissatisfaction with sleep quality, across age groups and both females and males.

Conclusions

Disrupted sleep may be an additional behavioural risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, in the context of aging populations. It is necessary to understand the potential impact of sleep on the risk of multimorbidity, and this research will build knowledge in this important area.

Key messages

This research will utilize a national health survey to examine and report the characteristics of sleep quality and sleep duration among approximately 30,000 community-dwelling adults in Canada. This research will explore relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality and multimorbidity (controlling for confounding factors) among community-dwelling adults in Canada.

Sleep and Mental Health Among Older Adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Background

Global studies have demonstrated consistent associations between sleep problems and mental health and well-being in older adults, however Canadian data are lacking. We investigated associations between sleep quantity and quality with both mental illness symptoms and well-being among older adults in Canada.

Methods

We used cross-sectional baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national survey of 30,097 community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older. Self-reported sleep measures included average past-week sleep duration (short [&lt;6h], normal [6-8h], long [&gt;8h]), and sleep quality (satisfied or dissatisfied vs neutral). Mental illness outcomes included depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Mental well-being outcomes included self-rated mental health and satisfaction with life. We used modified Poisson regression models with adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors, and stratification by sex and age to explore effect modification.

Results

In the unadjusted analysis, short and long sleep duration and sleep dissatisfaction were associated with higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being across all outcomes. Sleep satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of mental illness symptoms and better well-being. Short sleep duration was associated with the largest effects on mental health outcomes. Self-rated mental health and depressive symptoms had the largest associations with sleep measures. Effects were larger in males and the 45 to 54 year age group.

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence suggests sleep duration and quality are associated with symptoms of depression, psychological distress, and poor mental well-being among older adults. We are unable to determine whether sleep problems are a cause or consequence of poor mental health. Nonetheless, sleep may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults.

Key messages

Our findings contribute further evidence that sleep difficulties are associated with adverse health outcomes including higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being among older adults. Sleep disturbances are an unmet public health problem, and may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults.