Older People Who Are Frequent Users of Acute Care: A Symptom of Fragmented Care? A Case Series Report on Patients' Pathways of Care

Older frequent users of acute care can experience fragmented care. There is a need to understand the issues in a local context before attempting to address fragmented care. 0.5% (n=61) of the population in a defined local government area were identified as having ≥4 unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations/ admissions to an acute-care hospital over 13 months. A retrospective case-series study was conducted to examine detailed pathways of care for 17 patients within the identified population. The two dominant presentation reasons were clinical symptoms associated with a declining/significant loss of capacity in fundamental self-care activities and chronic cardiac/respiratory conditions. Of patients discharged home, 21% of discharge letters were delayed >7 days and only 19% received a written discharge plan. Half of community dwelling patients received home nursing and/or assistance. Frequent users of acute care can experience untimely hospital communication and may require more coordinated care provided in the community to assist self-care and manage chronic conditions.

Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale: psychometric validation and responder definition for assessing itch in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease characterized by intense, persistent and debilitating itch, resulting in sleep deprivation, signs of anxiety and depression, impaired quality of life and reduced productivity. The Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was developed and validated as a single-item, patient-reported outcome (PRO) of itch severity.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the content validity and psychometric assessment (test-retest reliability, construct validity, known-groups validity, sensitivity to change) of the Peak Pruritus NRS, and to derive empirically a responder definition to identify adults with a meaningful change in itch.

METHODS

Content validity was assessed through in-depth patient interviews. Psychometric assessments used data from phase IIb and phase III dupilumab clinical trials and included test-retest reliability, construct validity, known-groups validity and sensitivity to change in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

RESULTS

Interview participants indicated that the Peak Pruritus NRS was a relevant, clear and comprehensive assessment of itch severity. Peak Pruritus NRS scores showed large, positive correlations with existing PRO measures of itch, and weak or moderate correlations with clinician-reported measures assessing objective signs of AD. Peak Pruritus NRS score improvements were highly correlated with improvements in other itch PROs, and moderately correlated with improvements in clinician-reported measures assessing objective signs of AD. The most appropriate threshold for defining a clinically relevant, within-person response was ≥ 2-4-point change in the Peak Pruritus NRS.

CONCLUSIONS

The Peak Pruritus NRS is a well-defined, reliable, sensitive and valid scale for evaluating worst itch intensity in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Abstract P3-07-08: Multi-omic predictor of rapid and late relapse in primary triple negative breast cancer

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease. Clinically, we observe three distinct TNBC outcomes: 1) rapid relapse (rrTNBC) characterized by aggressive drug resistant disease; 2) late relapse (lrTNBC) characterized by indolent or treatment responsive disease; and 3) no relapse (NoRTNBC). We hypothesized that distinct clinical and genomic features of primary tumors define rapid versus late relapse in TNBC.

Approach: Using three publicly-available datasets (METABRIC, TCGA, and a prior gene expression meta-analysis), we identified 455 patients diagnosed with primary TNBC with adequate follow-up to be characterized as rrTNBC (relapse or death within 2 years of diagnosis), lrTNBC (relapse or death more than 2 years after diagnosis), or NoRTNBC (no relapse/death with at least 5 years follow-up). We compiled basic clinical (n=455 patients) and primary tumor multi-omic data, including whole transcriptome (n=455), whole genome copy number (n=317), and mutation data for 171 cancer-related genes (n=317). We evaluated intrinsic subtypes (PAM50, TNBCtype), 125 gene expression signatures, CIBERSORT immune subsets, copy number, and mutation frequency.

Results: We first evaluated patients with relapse (rrTNBC+lrTNBC) vs. NoRTNBC. There was no significant difference in age, grade, stage at diagnosis, or PAM50 or TNBC subtype proportion between relapse and NoRTNBC. Among 125 expression signatures, five immune signatures were significantly higher in NoRTNBCs (FDR p<0.05) suggesting increased immune activity in patients who do not relapse. Using CIBERSORT inferred immune subsets, anti-tumor CD8 T-cell, M1 macrophage, and gamma-delta T-cell subsets were all highly correlated to these immune signatures (all Pearson's r >= 0.3, all p<1.2e-8). Among genomic features, patients who relapsed were significantly more likely to harbor a mutation in PIK3CA (Fisher exact FDR p=0.02) but there was no significant difference in tumor mutation burden or percent genome altered (Student's t-test p=0.83 and p=0.99, respectively). We then evaluated primary TNBC genomic data in patients who ultimately developed rapid vs. late relapse. Patients with rrTNBC were more likely to be higher stage (p<0.0001) while lrTNBC were more likely to be non-basal PAM50 subtype (p=0.03). Among 11 significantly altered gene expression signatures (FDR p<0.05), 6 estrogen/luminal signatures were significantly higher in lrTNBC. Mutations in DNAH11 and PIK3CA were more common in lrTNBC (Fisher exact FDR p=0.04 and p=0.05, respectively) but there were no significant differences in tumor mutation burden or copy number burden (Student's t-test p=0.13 and p=0.45, respectively). Using 317 cases with full genomic data divided into training and validation datasets, we will report a comparison of machine learning models for predicting relapse versus no relapse and rapid versus late relapse.

Conclusions: Primary TNBC tumors destined for rapid, late, or no relapse reflect distinct genomic features. Anti-tumor immune signatures and subsets are enriched in patients who do not relapse yet no difference in mutational or copy number burden. Relative to rapid relapse TNBCs, late relapse TNBCs are enriched for non-basal tumors, estrogen/luminal expression signatures, and mutations in DNAH11 and PIK3CA.

Citation Format: Zhang Y, Nock W, Asad S, Adams E, Singh J, Damicis A, Lustberg MB, Noonan A, Reinbolt R, Sardesai S, VanDeusen J, Wesolowski R, Williams N, Ramaswamy B, Stover DG. Multi-omic predictor of rapid and late relapse in primary triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-08.

Abstract P1-09-01: CD8+ T-cell gene expression and signatures in breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue: Association with body mass index, alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis

Background: Our understanding of mediators of immune infiltration in breast cancer and normal breast tissue remains limited. We hypothesize that patient factors known to be associated with inflammation and immune subsets, including body mass index, alcohol intake, and age and diagnosis, may play an important role in the tumor-immune microenvironment. Analyses of immune gene expression and signatures facilitate interrogation of the immune microenvironment in large patient cohorts.

Methods: Participants from the Nurses' Health Study cohorts I and II diagnosed with invasive breast cancer were included. Total RNA extracted and microarray performed for 882 tumor and 695 tumor-adjacent samples, of which 623 tumors have matched tumor-adjacent data. CD8+ T-cell expression metrics were assessed: CD8A single gene expression (CD8Agene), a CD8 T-cell signature (CD8sig), and a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte signature derived from the GeparSixto clinical trial (GSAct). Standard clinicopathologic features were evaluated, as well as body mass index (BMI) one year prior to diagnosis, cumulative average alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis.

Results: Overall, tumor and adjacent normal tissue demonstrated positive correlation of CD8Agene, CD8sig, and GSAct (n=623 pairs, Pearson's r = 0.46, 0.36, 0.31, respectively; all p<0.001). Similar correlations were present in TCGA breast cancer, an independent cohort (n=112 pairs, Pearson's r = 0.34, 0.17, 0.45, respectively; all p<0.001). We evaluated paired tumor and adjacent normal samples within individual immunohistochemical (IHC) subtype or PAM50 subtype by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There was not a consistent trend for CD8Agene, CD8sig, nor GSAct to be greater in tumor or normal within subtypes. We then evaluated patient features/exposures and tumor immune expression metrics. For tumor-adjacent normal, there was no significant association of alcohol intake, BMI, or age at diagnosis with CD8 gene/expression metrics. For tumor tissue, a multivariate model demonstrated that BMI one year before diagnosis was significantly associated with CD8Agene expression. There was no significant association of alcohol intake or age at diagnosis with CD8 gene/expression metrics. We are currently evaluating the association of these CD8 T-cell gene expression signatures with CD8 T-cell immunohistochemistry in a subset of patients, which will be reported at the time of abstract presentation.

Conclusion: In this cohort of over 600 tumor:normal pairs and a separate validation cohort, multiple distinct CD8+ T-cell expression metrics are correlated between breast cancer and tumor-adjacent normal breast tissue. This suggests that the adjacent normal breast may reflect an altered immune microenvironment in the context of breast cancer. While age at diagnosis and alcohol intake are not significantly associated with tumor CD8 expression metrics, BMI was significantly associated with tumor CD8Agene expression in a multivariate model.

Citation Format: Damicis A, Heng YJ, Kensler K, Asad S, Adams E, Singh J, Zhang Y, Nock W, Wesolowski R, Williams N, Reinbolt R, Sardesai S, VanDeusen J, Noonan A, Lustberg MB, Ramaswamy B, Eliassen AH, Hankinson SE, Tamimi R, Stover DG. CD8+ T-cell gene expression and signatures in breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue: Association with body mass index, alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-01.

Abstract P4-16-03: Cardiovascular outcomes and long term survival with discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab

Background: Trastuzumab (T) induced cardiomyopathy remains a significant limitation to adjuvant HER2 directed therapy. Recent studies have aimed to reduce cardiotoxicity through combination with non-anthracycline (non-A) chemotherapy or shorter treatment duration. However there is limited data regarding cardiac outcomes and long-term survival with early discontinuation of adjuvant T.

Methods: An IRB-approved single-institution retrospective analysis was performed for 401 consecutive patients with non-metastatic HER2+ breast cancer treated at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2005-2015. Medical records were reviewed for clinicopathologic features, systemic treatment and survival information. Disease Free Survival (DFS) was defined as time from diagnosis to first recurrence (loco-regional or distant recurrence) including second primary breast cancer or death. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from diagnosis to death or last known follow up. OS and DFS estimates were generated using Kaplan Meier methods and compared using Log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate univariate and multivariate hazard ratios for OS and DFS.

Results: A total of 371/401 (92.5%) patients received adjuvant T (n= 401, mean age: 59.4 years; stage 1: 120, 30%; stage II: 194, 48%; stage III: 87, 22%; ER+: 235, 58%); among whom 106/371 (28.6%) patients held adjuvant T for any reason. Median duration of therapy in patients with any interruption with T was 11.3 (0.5-16.9) months and 23/371 (6.9%) received less than 6 months of adjuvant T. Cardiomyopathy (measured as LVEF decline on 2D echocardiogram or MUGA >= 15 points) was the most common reason for withholding T (66/106, 62.3%). The majority of these patients received a cardiology referral (77/ 106, 72.6%) with a 13 day mean time to evaluation in outpatient clinic. Patients receiving non-A chemotherapy and beta blockers or ACE inhibitors during treatment were significantly less likely to experience cardiomyopathy (A vs non-A: 49/190, 25.8% vs. 16/136, 11.8% p=0.002); (Med vs no Med: 7/148, 4.73% vs 59/184, 32.1%; p<0.001). Log-rank tests indicate a significant worsening in OS and DFS for patients who discontinued T (p=0.021, 0.001 respectively). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant worsening in DFS after adjusting for age, stage, ER , node status, and cardiomyopathy (Adjusted HR: 4.0[2.02 – 7.92], p< 0.001)

Table 1- Discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab Number of patients (%)Initial treatment371Completed therapy with no interruption265 (71.4)Interruption of therapy for minimum of 2 weeks64 (17.2)Permanently discontinued42 (11.3)

Conclusion: Discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab, most often from cardiomyopathy, is an independent prognostic marker for worse DFS in non-metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer. Non-anthracycline chemotherapy and use of cardio-protective medication is associated with significantly reduced incidence of cardiotoxicity in this population. Future prospective studies should consider optimizing cardiovascular function to avoid interruption in adjuvant HER 2 directed therapy.

Citation Format: Sardesai S, Liu J, Palettas M, Stephens J, Stover D, Williams N, Reinbolt R, VanDeusen J, Wesolowski R, Lustberg M, Ramaswamy B. Cardiovascular outcomes and long term survival with discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-16-03.

Abstract OT2-05-03: Does minocycline mitigate chemotherapy induced neuroinflammation? A phase II randomized placebo controlled study

Background: Many breast cancer (BC) patients, particularly those who receive chemotherapy (chemo), experience affective symptoms and cognitive changes that can negatively impact their quality of life. Causal links between inflammatory mediators and the development of depressive-like behavior and cognitive defects, have been established in mouse models, including studies by our group showing increased microglial activation following chemo (A.C DeVries et al). Microglia are resident immune cells of the brain, which release proinflammatory cytokines when activated. Doxorubicin (DOX) induces microglial activation in the brain. Minocycline, a second generation tetracycline, has been shown to suppress inflammation by inhibiting microglial activation in CNS disease models. We hypothesize that (1) chemo activates microglia in the brains of women being treated for BC, which can precipitate or exacerbate depression, anxiety and cognitive deficits and (2) Minocycline administration during neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemo will prevent chemo-induced microglial activation and will reduce affective and cognitive symptom burden. Trial Design: This is a single center, Phase II, double blinded randomized study of minocycline (100 mg twice a day) vs placebo twice a day in women with BC receiving DOX-based or other chemo for BC. Pts will be randomized to either oral minocycline or placebo for up to a 1 week loading period plus chemo treatment period and an optional subsequent 2 week period. Eligibility Criteria: Women diagnosed with BC stages I-III initiating first line adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemo. Aims: (1) to evaluate symptoms related to anxiety and depression and cognitive changes during and after chemo completion (2) to evaluate markers of neuro inflammation as assessed by blood based inflammatory cytokines and central markers of inflammation and microglia activation using 1 F-Fludeoxyglucose and 11C-PK11195 positron emission tomography. Primary endpoints are changes in Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) from baseline to end of study after minocycline vs placebo intervention. Secondary endpoints are changes in cognitive function during chemo using validated cognitive testing including N-Back Test, Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire Ability Scale (MMQ). Statistical Methods: Primary analysis for efficacy will be intention-to-treat. The main objective is to preliminarily evaluate the effect of minocycline on chemo-induced depressive symptoms in terms of changes in CES-D and STAI scores. Mixed models will be used to evaluate cognitive function changes. A sample size of 23 per group, will give 80% power to detect an effect size of 0.74 standard deviation (SD) difference between the 2 groups at significance level of 0.10 based on a 2 sided two-sample t-test. From our experience, attrition of less than 20% is expected for studies in this patient population in our center, and to account for this, we plan to recruit up to 60 patients. 16 of 46 evaluable pts have been accrued to date. Accrual started in January 2016. Funded by Pelotonia grant from The OSUCCC. Contact: Study PI: Maryam.lustberg@osumc.edu

Citation Format: Boutrid H, Reinbolt R, Knopp M, Williams N, VanDeusen J, Sardesai S, Noonan A, Flora L, Gleich E, Pan X, Berger M, Vargo C, Wesolowski R, Ramaswamy B, DeVries AC, Lustberg M. Does minocycline mitigate chemotherapy induced neuroinflammation? A phase II randomized placebo controlled study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-05-03.

Heat Conduction of Fixator Pins with Polymethylmethacrylate External Fixation

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of thermal conduction along the fixation pins associated with acrylic external fixators and to develop a means of minimizing the potential for thermal injury. The data suggest that the degree of temperature conducted with 1.9 cm diameter acrylic external fixators was of minimal clinical significance if maintained a distance of one centimeter from the patient’s tissues. Larger diameter columns increase the potential for injury, however, this can be minimized with the use of a constant saline drip at the pin-acrylic interface to facilitate heat loss.

This article describes the evaluation of thermal properties of polymethylmethacrylate external skeletal fixators. The data demonstrate heat conduction along the fixation pins. Thermal injury is theoretically minimized if columns are maintained a distance of at least one centimeter from the patient’s tissue.

Research supported in part by and presented for the University of Missouri Pi Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Zeta in coordination with SmithKline Beecham Animal Health, April 7, 1994

OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE FREQUENT USERS OF ACUTE CARE: A SYMPTOM OF FRAGMENTED CARE? A CASE SERIES REPORT ON PATIENTS’ PATHWAYS OF CARE

Older frequent users of acute care can experience fragmented care. There is a need to understand the issues in a local context before attempting to address fragmented care. 0.5% (n=61) of the population in a defined local government area were identified as having ≥4 unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations/admissions to an acute-care hospital over 13 months. A retrospective case-series study was conducted to examine detailed pathways of care for 17 patients within the identified population. The two dominant presentation reasons were clinical symptoms associated with a declining/significant loss of capacity in fundamental self-care activities and chronic cardiac/respiratory conditions. Of patients discharged home, 21% of discharge letters were delayed >7 days and only 19% received a written discharge plan. Half of community dwelling patients received home nursing and/or assistance. Frequent users of acute care can experience untimely hospital communication and may require more coordinated care provided in the community to assist self-care and manage chronic conditions.

Obstacles to reduction in infantile developmental dysplasia of the hip

PURPOSE

Identification of anatomical structures that block -reduction in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is -important for the management of this challenging condition. Obstacles to reduction seen on arthrogram are well-known. However, despite the increasing use of MRI in the assessment of adequacy of reduction in DDH, the interpretation of MRI patho-anatomy is ill-defined with a lack of relevant literature to guide clinicians.

METHOD

This is a retrospective analysis of the MRI of patients with DDH treated by closed reduction over a five-year period (between 2009 and 2014). Neuromuscular and genetic disorders were excluded. Each MRI was analysed by two orthopaedic surgeons and a paediatric musculoskeletal radiologist to identify the ligamentum teres, pulvinar, transverse acetabular ligament (TAL), capsule, labrum and acetabular roof cartilage hypertrophy. Inter- and intraobserver reliability was calculated. The minimum follow-up was 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients (38 hips) underwent closed reduction for treatment of DDH. Eight hips showed persistent subluxation on post-operative MRI. Only three of these eight hips showed an abnormality on arthrogram. The pulvinar was frequently interpreted as 'abnormal' on MRI. The main obstacles identified on MRI were the ligamentum teres (15.8%), labrum (13.1%) and acetabular roof cartilage hypertrophy (13.2%). The inter-rater reliability was good for TAL, capsule and pulvinar; moderate for ligamentum teres and labrum; and poor for hypertrophied cartilage.

CONCLUSION

The labrum, ligamentum teres and acetabular roof cartilage hypertrophy are the most important structures seen on MRI preventing complete reduction of DDH. Focused interpretation of these structures may assist in the management of DDH.

The mucopolysaccharidoses: advances in medical care lead to challenges in orthopaedic surgical care

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders with clinical manifestations relevant to the orthopaedic surgeon. Our aim was to review the recent advances in their management and the implications for surgical practice. The current literature about MPSs is summarised, emphasising orthopaedic complications and their management. Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of MPSs include the recognition of slowly progressive, late presenting subtypes, developments in life-prolonging systemic treatment and potentially new indications for surgical treatment. The outcomes of surgery in these patients are not yet validated and some procedures have a high rate of complications which differ from those in patients who do not have a MPS. The diagnosis of a MPS should be considered in adolescents or young adults with a previously unrecognised dysplasia of the hip. Surgeons treating patients with a MPS should report their experience and studies should include the assessment of function and quality of life to guide treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1132-9.

Secukinumab demonstrates greater sustained improvements in daily activities and personal relationships than ustekinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: 52-week results from the CLEAR study

Background

Psoriasis can greatly impact patients’ lives by influencing clothing worn as well as by impairing sexual functioning. Secukinumab, a human monoclonal antibody selectively neutralizing interleukin‐17A, has demonstrated good efficacy and safety in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with a rapid onset of action and sustained response.

Objective

This analysis using the CLEAR study, a phase 3b double‐blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of secukinumab vs. ustekinumab in adults with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis, evaluated the treatment effects on patient's daily activities and personal relationships.

Methods

Impact on daily activities (interference with home/shopping/garden, and influence on clothes worn) and impact on personal relationships (problems with partner/others, and sexual difficulties) as well as their corresponding subscales were selected from the Dermatology Life Quality Index scale and evaluated for patients treated with secukinumab vs. ustekinumab from the CLEAR study. Treatment differences in mean scores and proportions of responders (score = 0, indicating no impact) were evaluated through 52 weeks. Time to response was evaluated through Week 16.

Results

Significant differences between secukinumab and ustekinumab were observed for daily activities and personal relationships at Week 16 and sustained through Week 52 (Week 52 response rates for daily activities: 82.9% vs. 73.5%, including interference with home/shopping/garden: 88.5% vs. 78.2%, and influence on clothes worn: 85.6% vs. 74.4%; personal relationships: 86.1% vs. 73.7%, including problems with partner/others: 86.6% vs. 74.8%, and sexual difficulties: 88.5% vs. 74.3%; all P < 0.01). The median time to response was 4 weeks for secukinumab vs. 8 weeks for ustekinumab for daily activities and personal relationships (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Secukinumab treatment helps patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis have a more normal life faster when compared to ustekinumab, by providing greater and sustained improvement in clothing choice and sexual functioning.

Does orthopaedic surgery improve quality of life and function in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses?

PURPOSE

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of rare lysosomal storage disorders associated with involvement of multiple organs along with a generalised skeletal dysplasia. Both haematopoetic stem cell transplant and enzyme replacement therapy have improved the outlook for patients while surgery remains high-risk and there is little information on clinical or functional outcome to justify many of the surgical procedures performed. This paper aims to summarise the orthopaedic surgical procedures in MPS patients for which quality of life (QoL) and functional data are available and to describe additional QoL and functional measurement tools of relevance to the assessment of orthopaedic outcomes in MPS.

METHODS

We reviewed the available literature to look for reported outcomes of orthopaedic surgery to lower and upper limbs and the spine. In addition, we describe the general and MPS-specific health measures that might be of relevance to the orthopaedic surgeon.

RESULTS

There is some evidence in the literature that orthopaedic surgery may improve QoL and function in some specific aspects of the MPS condition (in relation to genu valgum, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger digits); however, the literature is sparse and consists of level 4/5 studies only. Further studies of these conditions should include QoL and functional assessment in order to confirm or refute these reports. In other areas (spine and hip), outcomes are judged largely on radiographic appearances with little clinical correlation and short follow-up; however, one long-term study of function following hip dysplasia surgery suggests poor outcomes. Anaesthetic morbidity/mortality is not insignificant in these complex patients with multi-organ involvement. Careful assessment is required, particularly when there is neurological involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthopaedic surgeons involved with MPS patients should be encouraged to use and report measures of QoL and function with respect to musculoskeletal manifestations and response to surgery, recognising that such assessments in these complex and challenging patients may require a multidisciplinary approach.

Age-related delay in visual and auditory evoked responses is mediated by white- and grey-matter differences

Slowing is a common feature of ageing, yet a direct relationship between neural slowing and brain atrophy is yet to be established in healthy humans. We combine magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measures of neural processing speed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of white and grey matter in a large population-derived cohort to investigate the relationship between age-related structural differences and visual evoked field (VEF) and auditory evoked field (AEF) delay across two different tasks. Here we use a novel technique to show that VEFs exhibit a constant delay, whereas AEFs exhibit delay that accumulates over time. White-matter (WM) microstructure in the optic radiation partially mediates visual delay, suggesting increased transmission time, whereas grey matter (GM) in auditory cortex partially mediates auditory delay, suggesting less efficient local processing. Our results demonstrate that age has dissociable effects on neural processing speed, and that these effects relate to different types of brain atrophy.

Climatic factors and prevalence of Campylobacter in commercial broiler flocks in Thailand

Campylobacter are bacteria associated with human foodborne disease worldwide. Poultry and poultry products are generally considered as a main source of these organisms. Compared to temperate zones, baseline information on Campylobacter in tropical regions is limited. Thus, the objectives of the present study were 1) to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in Thai broiler flocks and 2) to investigate the association between climatic factors (i.e., rainfall, ambient temperature, and relative humidity) and Campylobacter colonization status of broiler flocks in Thailand. A total of 442 commercial broiler flocks reared in the central and northeastern regions of Thailand during 2012 to 2014 were investigated. Campylobacter positive status was identified in 252 examined flocks (57.01%; 95% CI 52.39 to 61.63%). Prevalence of Campylobacter in the northeastern region (54.46%; 95% CI 44.76 to 63.83%) was slightly lower than that of the central region (57.77%; 95% CI 52.47 to 62.90%). More than 65% of Campylobacter positive flocks in the central and northeastern regions had within-flock prevalence higher than 75%. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) revealed that the increased rainfall and relative humidity were associated with the increase of Campylobacter colonization in broiler flocks (P ≤ 0.05), while no relationship between ambient temperature and Campylobacter colonization status was identified.