Youth and Parent Experiences in a Multidisciplinary Gender Clinic

Purpose: To assess youth and parent/caregiver satisfaction with care at a pediatric multidisciplinary gender clinic.

Methods: Transgender/gender nonconforming youth (n=33) and their parent/caregiver (n=29) completed self-report questionnaires and individual interviews (n=20) about experiences and satisfaction with care.

Results: Quantitatively, participants reported being extremely satisfied with care experiences (parents 97%; youth 94%). Qualitatively, main themes included (1) affirmation due to use of preferred name/pronouns, (2) access barriers due to scheduling and readiness assessments, and (3) positive interactions with Care Navigator.

Conclusion: Youth and parents/caregivers are highly satisfied with multidisciplinary, coordinated health care for transgender/gender nonconforming youth; however, some challenges remain.

miR-155 Aggravates Liver Ischemia/reperfusion Injury by Suppressing SOCS1 in Mice

Liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs during partial liver resection and liver transplantation. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is a key event triggered by a range of proinflammatory cytokines during liver I/R. Although it has been reported that miR-155 takes part in both innate and adaptive immune responses, the potential role of miR-155 in liver IRI remains unknown. In this study, we found that expression of miR-155 was upregulated during liver I/R by many inflammatory cytokines, and forced expression of miR-155 aggravated hepatocyte injury following liver I/R both in vivo and in vitro. Mice transfected with Ago-miR-155-a chemically modified miR-155-showed enhanced liver severity compared to those transfected with negative control miRNA by inhibiting the expression of SOCS1, the target of miR-155. Thus by the inhibition of SOCS1, the overexpression of miR-155 promoted activation of NF-κB, and elevating the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, miR-155 aggravates liver I/R injury in vivo and hepatocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by suppressing the expression of SOCS1.

How many cores are needed to detect clinically significant prostate cancer on targeted MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy?

134

Background: The optimal number of MRI-US fusion biopsy cores to adequately sample regions of interest (ROI) remains unknown. To better understand the optimal approach to lesion targeting, we aimed to examine the cancer detection rate based on sequential number of cores obtained. Methods: Of 744 patients undergoing MRI-US fusion biopsy between 2012 and 2016 at our institution, we identified 628 men with targets on multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) who underwent targeted and systematic fusion biopsy using the Artemis platform for clinical suspicion (n=465) or known history of PCa (n=163). mpMRI studies were reviewed by genitourinary radiologists using a 3-tiered Likert scale and PI-RADS classification schema. Biopsy was performed by two urologists performing a high volume of fusion biopsies (PS and RD). Cores were taken sequentially from each ROI with an even distribution. The primary outcome was the proportion of high-grade (Gleason ≥3+4) cancers missed on a 2-core lesion biopsy. Results: We biopsied 1,233 ROI with a median of 5 cores (IQR 3-5) from each ROI. A total of 581 ROI (47%) were positive for any Gleason grade PCa, in 380 (61%) patients. On a per-lesion basis, 84% of any Gleason score cancers were detected with a two-core biopsy and 77% of Gleason ≥3+4 tumors. Cancer detection rates improved with increasing number of cores (Table 1). For any Gleason grade PCa, additional cores beyond 5 cores had no significance. For G≥3+4 cancer, there was no significance with additional sampling from 3 to 4 cores, but improved detection from 3 to 5 cores (P<0.05). For PI-RADs 4 and 5 lesions, additional sampling up to 4 cores significantly improves G≥3+4 detection, while for PI-RADs 1-3 lesions sampling up to 2 cores improves detection. Conclusions: On a per-lesion basis, sampling two cores of mpMRI-evident lesions at the time of fusion biopsy misses nearly one-quarter of clinically significant PCa that would be detected on additional sampling. [Table: see text]

Role of core location in targeted MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy of prostate lesions

136

Background: Targeted mpMRI fusion biopsy has gained adoption with superior clinically significant cancer detection rates and accuracy over template biopsy. We sought to establish the role of biopsy location within a prostate lesion to detect clinically significant prostate cancer. Methods: From Nov 2016-Aug 2017, 110 patients with positive multiparametric-MRI (mpMRI) underwent targeted and systematic MRI-US fusion biopsy at our institution for clinical suspicion or known history of prostate cancer. Lesions were scored by Prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) classification schema by experienced genitourinary radiologists. Biopsy was performed by an oncology-trained urologist (PS) performing a high volume of fusion biopsies. 5 cores were taken from each lesion, each corresponding to a predetermined location (central, medial, lateral, apex, and base of the lesion). Cancer detection rates (CDR) were calculated on a per lesion basis from biopsy histology. Results: 154 prostate lesions were identified and biopsied with an average volume of 1.31 mL. Detection of clinically significant cancer (G>3+4) did not differ significantly among the 5 locations (Table 1). The central core detected slightly more G≥3+4 cancers than the apex core. No concordance of pathology grade was found between the central core and location of the peripheral core (medial, lateral, apex, or base). In 32% (50/154) of lesions, the peripheral cores had a higher Gleason score than the central core. Biopsy of only the central core missed 40% (21/52) of G≥3+4 cancers and 17% (4/24) of G>3+4 cancers. Lesions with higher PIRADs score were more likely to detect cancer in both the central and peripheral cores, but lesion volume was not a significant predictor. Conclusions: Location of biopsy cores within mpMRI-identified prostate lesions has little correlation with detection of clinically significant cancer. However, targeted biopsy of only the center of a lesion can miss 17% of Gleason >3+4 cancers. [Table: see text]

Heterogeneity in early oncologic outcomes among men with NCCN intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy

144

Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification scheme for prostate cancer (PCa) encompasses several definitions and has been shown to contain significant heterogeneity. Because patients possessing a single intermediate-risk (IR) feature may be regarded as ineligible for active surveillance (AS), we aimed to compare pathologic and early oncologic outcomes between those with low-risk (LR) and IR features based on the number of criteria met. Methods: We queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify men with NCCN LR (cT1-T2a, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] < 10 ng/mL, and Gleason score (GS)≤6) and IR PCa diagnosed from 2010-2014 who were treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients with IR PCa were stratified based on a single factor: clinical stage (cT2b-T2c), PSA (10-20 ng/mL), GS 3+4, or GS 4+3 alone. The pathologic outcomes including any Gleason upgrade, and adverse pathology (primary Gleason 4 or ≥pT3 at RP), and receipt of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) were compared between the LR and IR groups. Odds ratios for pathologic outcomes and receipt of adjuvant RT were computed using logistic regression analyses. Results: Of 181,847 men treated with RP, we identified 30.7% and 37.1% with LR and IR PCa, respectively. Of 67,623 with IR PCa, 4,075 (6%) were due to clinical stage alone, 5,004 (7.4%) by PSA, 43,409 (64.2%) by GS 3+4, and 15,135 (22.4%) by GS 4+3. Patients meeting IR by clinical stage alone had similar risks of adverse pathology as LR patients (OR 1.03, 95%CI 0.94-1.13, p = 0.49). In contrast, those meeting IR by PSA alone had higher risks of adverse pathology compared with LR individuals (OR 2.20, 95%CI 2.05-2.36, p < 0.001). Moreover, receipt of adjuvant RT was similar among LR and IR patients by clinical stage alone (p = 0.62), and higher among patients meeting IR by PSA alone (OR 2.99, 95% CI 2.43-3.69, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on national cancer registry data, early outcomes among men meeting the NCCN IR definition for PCa are heterogeneous. IR patients by clinical stage alone had similar rates of adverse pathology as did LR group. Broadened eligibility for AS should be considered to include those meeting favorable IR definitions.

National determinants of active surveillance among patients with clinical stage 1A kidney tumors

694

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has been increasingly recognized as a viable management strategy for patients with small renal masses (SRM). To better understand the contemporary management landscape of SRMs we examined practice patterns in a nationally representative cancer database. Methods: We identified patients with clinical T1a renal masses within the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2010 to 2014. Patients were classified according to initial management received including AS, surgery, ablation, or other treatment. We characterized time trends in the use of surveillance versus definitive therapy and examined clinical and socio-demographic determinants of AS among patients with small renal masses using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: We identified 59,189 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the total cohort, 1,733 (2.9%) individuals received initial management with AS, while 57,456 (97.1%) received definitive treatment. There was a slight increase in initial management with surveillance however rates remained less than 5% in all years. On multivariate analysis, patient age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.08-1.09), treatment at an academic center vs. community center (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.83-2.29), and African American vs. Caucasian race (OR: 1.56, 95% CI:1.35-1.80) were independently associated with use of active surveillance. Moreover, regional-level differences were observed with the highest utilization of AS in the West North Central census division. Conclusions: Based on cancer registry data, national utilization of AS for SRMs remains very low, and we observed clinical and facility-level differences. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the factors underlying management for patients with SRMs.

Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing: a Standardized Approach for Molecular Typing of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Mycoplasma gallisepticum is the most virulent and economically important Mycoplasma species for poultry worldwide. Currently, M. gallisepticum strain differentiation based on sequence analysis of 5 loci remains insufficient for accurate outbreak investigation. Recently, whole-genome sequences (WGS) of many human and animal pathogens have been successfully used for microbial outbreak investigations. However, the massive sequence data and the diverse properties of different genes within bacterial genomes results in a lack of standard reproducible methods for comparisons among M. gallisepticum whole genomes. Here, we proposed the development of a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme for M. gallisepticum strains and field isolates. For development of this scheme, a diverse collection of 37 M. gallisepticum genomes was used to identify cgMLST targets. A total of 425 M. gallisepticum conserved genes (49.85% of M. gallisepticum genome) were selected as core genome targets. A total of 81 M. gallisepticum genomes from 5 countries on 4 continents were typed using M. gallisepticum cgMLST. Analyses of phylogenetic trees generated by cgMLST displayed a high degree of agreement with geographical and temporal information. Moreover, the high discriminatory power of cgMLST allowed differentiation between M. gallisepticum strains of the same outbreak. M. gallisepticum cgMLST represents a standardized, accurate, highly discriminatory, and reproducible method for differentiation among M. gallisepticum isolates. cgMLST provides stable and expandable nomenclature, allowing for comparison and sharing of typing results among laboratories worldwide. cgMLST offers an opportunity to harness the tremendous power of next-generation sequencing technology in applied avian mycoplasma epidemiology at both local and global levels.

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection: interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial

AIM

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPR) is challenging 'conventional' abdominoperineal excision (APR), yet the safety and efficacy of ELAPR is still under debate. We therefore developed a laparoscopic APR with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection (LAPR-TILT) approach and compared the outcome with a conventional laparoscopic APR (CLAPR).

METHOD

All eligible patients were entered a single-centre randomized controlled trial to compare CLAPR and LAPR-TILT. We assessed the first 185 patients, including operative findings, complications, histopathology and urogenital function.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients in the CLAPR group and 92 patients in the APR-TILT group were included for analysis. The APR-TILT procedure took less time [137 (101-175) min vs 146 (102-187) min; P = 0.03], mainly owing to faster perineal dissection. APR-TILT resulted in a reduced rate of bowel perforation (1.1% vs 8.6%; P = 0.04), circumferential resection margin positivity (1.1% vs 10.8%; P = 0.01) and postoperative wound complications (5.4% vs 16.2%; P = 0.02) compared with the CLAPR procedure. At a median follow-up of 19 months after surgery, three patients (3.2%) in the CLAPR group had tumour recurrence while no tumour recurrence occurred in the LAPR-TILT group. Patients who underwent LAPR-TILT reported fewer urinary or sexual problems (LAPR-TILT vs CLAPR, 10.9% vs 24.7% and 17.4% vs 38.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared with CLAPR, LAPR-TILT achieved better pathological results for factors that are surrogate parameters for local recurrence. LAPR-TILT could also reduce the risk of urogenital dysfunction.

Characterization of an entomopathogenic fungi target integument protein, Bombyx mori single domain von Willebrand factor type C, in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The insect cuticle works as the first line of defence to protect insects from pathogenic infections and water evaporation. However, the old cuticle must be shed in order to enter the next developmental stage. During each ecdysis, moulting fluids are produced and secreted into the area among the old and new cuticles. In a previous study, the protein Bombyx mori single domain von Willebrand factor type C (BmSVWC; BGIBMGA011399) was identified in the moulting fluids of Bo. mori and demonstrated to regulate ecdysis. In this study we show that in Bo. mori larvae, BmSVWC primarily locates to the integument (epidermal cells and cuticle), wing discs and head. During the moulting stage, BmSVWC is released into the moulting fluids, and is then produced again by epidermal cells after ecdysis. Fungal infection was shown to decrease the amount of BmSVWC in the cuticle, which indicates that BmSVWC is a target protein of entomopathogenic fungi. Thus, BmSVWC is mainly involved in maintaining the integrity of the integument structure, which serves to protect insects from physical damage and pathogenic infection.

MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy results in patients with a history of a prior negative biopsy

90

Background: Patients with an elevated PSA but negative prostate biopsy present a diagnostic and management dilemma. We evaluated the capability of multi-parametric (MP) MRI and MRI-USG Fusion prostate biopsy to detect clinically significant (CS) prostate cancer in men who have had a prior negative 12-core standard biopsy. Methods: Between 12/2012 and 06/2015, 374 men with an indication for prostate biopsy underwent pre-biopsy mpMRI followed by 12-core standard trans-rectal mapping biopsy (Mbx) and MRI-Ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (Tbx) of lesions identified on mpMRI. The combination of Mbx and Tbx, when both occurred, constitutes a fusion biopsy (Fbx). Men who underwent both Mbx with or without Tbx using the Artemis/Pro-Fuse system with a previous biopsy but no diagnosis of prostate cancer were included. Patients without a lesion on MRI underwent Mbx only. Maximum Gleason scores (GS) was assigned on a per patient basis with Mbx GS available for all patients in the cohort and Tbx GS available only for patients with a lesion visible on MP-MRI. CS cancer was defined as GS ≥ 3+4. GS per patient was compared by chi-square and McNemar’s test. Results: 138 men (mean age = 64.0, mean psa = 11.6) met inclusion criteria. Fbx cancer detection rate in this population was 42%. 17 men (12%) were missed by Mbx but picked up on Tbx. Of these 17 men, 13 had Gleason ≥ 7.In comparison, 15 men were missed by Tbx, but only 2 were Gleason ≥ 7. Tbx had a higher rate of detection of CS cancer than Mbx, but this did not reach statistical significance (86% vs 68%, p = 0.09). MRI suspicion level correlated with the detection of CS cancer (p = 0.012). None of the 20 men with a negative MRI had GS ≥ 7 cancer detected on Mbx. The number of prior negative biopsies was not related to the likelihood of finding CS cancer on Fbx (p = 0.47). Conclusions: MRI suspicion score predicts detection of CS prostate cancer when paired with MRI-USG Fbx of the prostate, with a negative MRI correlating with no evidence of CS cancer on biopsy. MRI is a biomarker in this population that may, with more corroborative data, allow for men with a negative MRI to avoid repeat biopsies. [Table: see text]

MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy results in men with a history of prior cancer

88

Background: Appropriate risk stratification of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer is essential to identify men in whom it is safe to take this deferred treatment approach. This study evaluates upstaging rates using MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy in men who have had a prior positive standard 12-core biopsy. Methods: Between 12/2012 and 06/2015, 374 men with an indication for prostate biopsy underwent pre-biopsy mpMRI followed by 12-core standard trans-rectal mapping biopsy (Mbx) and MRI-Ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (Tbx) of lesions identified on mpMRI. The combination of Mbx and Tbx, when both occurred, constitutes a fusion biopsy (Fbx). Men who underwent both Mbx with or without Tbx using the Artemis/Pro-Fuse system with a previous non-MRI-guided biopsy and a diagnosis of prior Gleason 6 prostate cancer were included. Patients without a lesion on MRI underwent Mbx only. Maximum Gleason scores (GS) were assigned on a per patient basis with Mbx GS available for all patients in the cohort and Tbx GS available only for patients with a lesion visible on MP-MRI. Clinically significant (CS) cancer was defined as GS ≥ 3+4. GS per patient was compared by chi-square and McNemar’s test. Results: 118 patients met inclusion criteria (Mean PSA = 6.9, Mean age = 62.5). 40 patients (34%) were upstaged by Fbx to Gleason ≥ 7. Of those upstaged, 17 men (14%) would have been missed by Mbx alone, in comparison to 7 (6%) that were missed by Tbx alone. Total number of prior biopsies (p = 0.28) and number of years on Active Surveillance (p = 0.22) were not related to upgrade on Fbx. Older men (65.3 vs. 60.9, p = 0.033) and those with higher PSA (8.7 vs 5.8, p = 0.002) were more likely to be upgraded on Fbx. Tbx was more likely to identify CS cancer than Mbx (85% vs 56%; p < 0.012). Conclusions: MP-MRI Fusion biopsy more accurately stratifies men with a previous prostate biopsy than those receiving a template mapping 12-core biopsy alone. Tbx should be strongly considered before enrolling a patient in active surveillance since up 14% of clinically significant cancer would have been missed with a 12-core biopsy alone. [Table: see text]

MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy results in patients without history of prostate biopsy

150

Background: Results from 12-core template mapping biopsy (Mbx) and concurrent MRI-US fusion targeted biopsy (Tbx) were compared in 118 men without prior biopsy. Methods: Between 12/2012 and 06/2015, 374 men with an indication for prostate biopsy presented to our institution and underwent pre-biopsy mpMRI followed by 12-core standard trans-rectal mapping biopsy (Mbx) and MRI-Ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (Tbx) of lesions identified on mpMRI. The combination of Mbx and Tbx, when both occurred, constitutes a fusion biopsy (Fbx). Men who underwent both Mbx with or without Tbx using the Artemis/Pro-Fuse system with no previous biopsy were included. Patients without a lesion on MRI underwent Mbx only. Maximum Gleason scores (GS) was assigned on a per patient basis with Mbx GS available for all patients in the cohort and Tbx GS available only for patients with a lesion visible on MP-MRI. Clinically significant (CS) was defined as GS ≥3+4. GS per patient was compared by chi-square and McNemar’s test. Results: 118 men met inclusion criteria (mean age=64.9, mean PSA=11.5). Prostate cancer was detected in 64 (54%) Fbx cases. Cancer detection rates for Mbx and Tbx were 54% and 57%, respectively. In patients where Fbx identified CS cancer, Tbx was more likely to have identified the cancer than Mbx (96% vs 72%; p < 0.001). Fewer GS 6 cancers were detected by Tbx (n=7) than by Mbx (n=25), and Tbx alone would have prevented the detection of 21 (18%) cases of GS 6 disease. Conversely, more GS≥ 7 (50% of men) was detected on Tbx than on Mbx (33% of men). In total, there were 16 patients (13.5%) that were missed or understaged by Tbx, but only 4 of these patients (3%) were GS≥ 7. In contrast, there were 19 (16%) patients that were missed or understaged by Mbx, but 17 (14%) of these 19 patients harbored GS≥ 7 disease. Conclusions: In biopsy-naive men who are suspected to have prostate cancer, Tbx provides improved detection of CS prostate cancer compared with Mbx while decreasing the detection of low-grade disease. Tbx alone in biopsy-naive men should be considered if missing 3% of CS disease is acceptable. [Table: see text]

Prostate cancer detection rates of negative MP-MRIs

91

Background: Increased lesion suspicion score on MRI is known to be associated with increased grade of prostate cancer. However, the negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI is still being investigated. To determine the NPV of mpMRI, we evaluated the frequency of prostate cancer (CaP) detection by 12-core template mapping biopsy (Mbx) in men whose mpMRI showed no suspicious regions. Methods: 374 men undergoing MRI-US fusion biopsy from 12/2012 to 06/2015 were enrolled in an IRB-approved database and met inclusion criteria for this study. The mpMRI sequences T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast enhancement were used to identify and classify targets as low, medium, and high suspicion. Men with negative mpMRI received a template 12-core template mapping biopsy. Only patients with complete mpMRI sequences were included. Results: 53 men with a negative MRI were identified (mean age=63.5 years, PSA=7.53 ng/mL, mean prostate volume=67.2 mL). The NPV of negative MRI was 64.2% for any cancer and 96.2% for clinically significant cancer (Gleason≥7). Men on active surveillance had the highest CDR 56.3%, compared to 38.9% for biopsy-naive men, and 15.8% for men with prior negative biopsy (Figure 1). Clinically significant CaP was found in two patients: Gleason 4+3 in a patient on Active Surveillance, and 4+4 in a biopsy naïve patient. Conclusions: Negative MRI has a high NPV (96%) for clinically significant CaP found in 12-core template mapping biopsy. If we did not biopsy mpMRI negative men, we would have missed 16 patients with Gleason 6 and 2 patients with ≥ Gleason 7. Clinicians can use this information in patient counseling to discuss the likelihood of detecting significant cancer – though these findings should be reproduced widely before a negative MRI is used to recommend against biopsy. Sources of funding: NIH-National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Table: see text]