Impact of previous cardiac conditions in prognosis and clinical management of patient with COVID-19 infection

Background

Recent studies suggest a higher mortality rate because of COVID-19 in patients with previous cardiac conditions compared to those without. Given the limited resources of intensive care units (ICU) during the pandemic outbreak, this fact has important implications.

Purpose

The main purpose of this study was to compare the 30-day mortality of the COVID-19 infection in patients with and without previous cardiac conditions. The secondary end point was to assess the differences in clinical severity of the infection (as development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome – ARDS) and ICU admission amongst these patients.

Methods

A total of 1708 consecutive patients were prospectively included. The inclusion criteria were: a confirmed positive diagnosis of COVID-19 infection by PCR and being admitted to our centre between 18th and 23rd March 2020 and 22nd August and 9th January 2021. Patients were classified in two groups according to the presence of previous cardiac conditions (defined as previous history of myocardial infarction, heart failure and atrial fibrillation). Other comorbidities were extensively explored and Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated. A propensity-score matching was performed and 145 patients with previous cardiac conditions were matched with 145 patients without.

Results

The group of patients with a previous cardiac condition included 421 patients (24.6%). The crude analysis showed a higher 30-day mortality rate among patients with previous cardiac affections (35.6% vs. 14.6%, p<0.001). They were also less likely to be admitted to the ICU (9.8% vs. 6.2%, p=0.022) and had a higher prevalence ARDS (48.9% vs. 33.9%, p<0.001). In the matched cohort, there were no significant differences between both groups regarding mortality (24.8% in the group of patients with previous cardiac conditions vs. 31.0%, p=0.272) nor ARDS prevalence (50.3% vs. 53.1%, p=0.655). There was a trend toward patients with previous cardiac conditions to be less likely to be admitted to the ICU (4.8% vs. 9.7%, p=0.090).

Conclusions

Patients with a personal history of previous cardiac conditions were less likely to be admitted to the ICU. However, our results show that when comparing cohorts with similar comorbidity burden, a previous cardiopathy “per se” does not significantly increase the risk of death in patients with a concomitant COVID infection.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Mortality unmatched vs matched cohort

Endotrophin is significantly associated with disease severity and increased risk of adverse outcome in HFpEF but not in HFrEF patients

Introduction

The global burden of heart failure (HF), with either reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction, has increased dramatically over the past years, and HFpEF is projected to become the dominant type of HF. Fibrogenesis, promoted by fibroblast activity, plays an important role in the pathology of HF regardless of subtype, causing impaired cardiac function. Endotrophin is a bioactive molecule released from collagen type VI during its maturation, and it is a marker of fibroblast activity. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to confirm the previously observed prognostic potential of endotrophin (measured by PRO-C6) for adverse outcome in HFpEF and to test its prognostic abilities in HFrEF.

Methods

234 patients with hypertension and either HFrEF (30.3%) or HFpEF (69.7%) were included for analysis. 43.2% were NYHA Class II, 52.5% NYHA Class III and 2.5% NYHA Class IV. 53.4% of patients had a previous history of atrial fibrillation. The cohort did not include diabetic patients. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and standard clinical measures, including left ventricle ejection fraction (EF), blood pressure (BP) and measurement of N-terminal natriuretic brain-peptide (NT-proBNP). Circulating endotrophin was quantified at baseline in serum by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, PRO-C6.

Results

PRO-C6 levels increased significantly with disease severity in HFpEF patients (NYHA Class III vs II, p=0.0003), but not in HFrEF patients (NYHA Class III vs II, p=0.33). In HFpEF patients, PRO-C6 was able to discriminate between patients that were hospitalized for HF (AUC=0.69, p<0.001), died from cardiovascular (CV) causes (AUC=0.74, p<0.001), or by any other cause (AUC=0.73, p<0.001). PRO-C6 was not associated with none of these outcomes in HFrEF patients (AUC=0.56, p=0.42; AUC=0.53, p=0.73; AUC=0.56, p=0.53, respectively). Adding PRO-C6 to a risk prediction model containing age, sex, body mass index and systolic BP significantly increased the discriminatory power of the model for mortality (deltaAUC=0.037, p=0.04). When looking at patients stratified in PRO-C6 tertiles, patients in the upper tertile had a significantly higher risk of mortality (p<0.0001, hazard ratios 3 vs 1=4.1, 3 vs 2=3.5, respectively) and HF hospitalization (p<0.0001, hazard ratio 3 vs 1=4.4, 3 vs 2=1.6, respectively) compared to tertiles 1 and 2.

Conclusion

In this population of hypertensive HF patients, circulating endotrophin, measured by PRO-C6, was increased with increasing disease severity, and associated with a higher risk of adverse outcome in HFpEF, but not in HFrEF patients. The data presented here suggest a potential role of endotrophin in HFpEF pathophysiology and further underline the differences between HFpEF and HFrEF. These data confirm previous observations, and strengthen the usefulness of endotrophin, measured by the PRO-C6 biomarker, as a prognostic tool aiding in assessment of HFpEF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data

Background

Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis.

Methods

We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19).

Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19).

Results

5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65–82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women.

The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%).

In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85–6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47–3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94–11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34–4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60–21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16–2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26–0.78), SatO2 < 92% (4.58, 2.97–7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51–4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81–7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered.

Conclusion

In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

Consistent evidence of indirect effects of impulsive delay discounting and negative urgency between childhood adversity and adult substance use in two samples

RATIONALE

Exposure to adverse life experiences (ACEs) is robustly associated with problematic alcohol and other drug use. In addition, both ACEs and substance use have been independently associated with impulsivity.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether impulsivity is implicated in the link between ACE and adult substance use in two samples.

METHODS

The primary sample was a cohort of community adults (N = 1431) who completed a one-time in-person assessment. A second sample was crowdsourced using Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 3021). All participants were assessed for ACEs using the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire and for current alcohol and other drug use. Given its multidimensional nature, impulsivity was assessed using the UPPS-P measure of impulsive personality traits, Go/NoGo (GNG) task (in-person community adult sample only), and delay discounting (Monetary Choice Questionnaire [MCQ] in the community adults and Effective Delay-50 [ED₅₀] in the crowdsourced sample. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized indirect effects for the measures of impulsivity between ACEs and substance use.

RESULTS

In the community adults, significant indirect effects were observed from ACEs to substance use via UPPS-Negative Urgency (β = 0.07, SE = 0.02, 95% CI [0.04, 0.10]), and the MCQ (β = 0.02 SE = .01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]). In the crowdsourced sample, significant indirect effects were observed from ACEs to substance use via UPPS-Negative Urgency (β = 0.05, SE = .01, 95% CI [0.04, 0.07]), UPPS-Premeditation (β = 0.04, SE = .01, 95% CI [0.02, 0.05), and the ED₅₀ (β = 0.02, SE = .01; 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]).

CONCLUSION

These findings provide consistent evidence that decrements in regulation of negative emotions and overvaluation of immediate rewards indirectly link ACE and substance use. These robust cross-sectional findings support the need for elucidating the underlying neural substrates implicated and for longitudinal evaluations.

POS0185 IDENTIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF TWO NOVEL SERUM BIOMARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEROLOGICAL STATUS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

Despite the diagnostic value of Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA), more serological markers are needed in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment response of the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. Increased knowledge about how these two major autoreactivities arise is crucial for understanding how RA develops and what mechanisms drive pathogenesis.

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate, using a proteomic strategy, novel protein biomarkers associated with RF and/or ACPA that might be useful to stratify seropositive and seronegative RA patients.

Methods:

A shotgun proteomic analysis was performed on 80 sera from the RA cohort of the Rheumatology Unit of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS). Sera were classified as seropositive or seronegative according to their RF and ACPA values, and were then analyzed employing the iTRAQ labelling technique (Sciex) followed by LC-MALDI-MS/MS analysis (MALDI-TOF). A Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) method was subsequently developed using the Skyline Software for the simultaneous quantification of 26 peptides belonging to ten putative protein biomarkers. The quantitative targeted analysis was performed using peptides with isotope labelled amino acids as internal standards. Serum levels of orosomucoid 1 (ORM1) and haptoglobin (HPT) were measured using commercially available ELISA Kits in the whole RA cohort (n=260) from the Rheumatology Unit of the University Hospital of A Coruña (HUAC).

Results:

For the initial screening, eighty sera were grouped according to the ACPA/RF status in 4 pools (20 patients/pool). Using an iTRAQ technology-based quantitative proteomic approach, the abundance of eleven proteins was altered in the sera from ACPApos/RFpos, 13 proteins in ACPAneg/RFpos and 12 proteins in ACPApos/RFneg, compared to ACPAneg/RFneg. Vitamin D binding protein (VTDB) was the unique protein that resulted increased in all the comparisons. For the biomarker verification phase, all the samples from the CHUS cohort were analyzed individually (n=80). Using the MRM technology, 26 peptides belonging to ten putative protein biomarkers associated with double positivity were simultaneously quantified. The statistical analysis showed a significant modulation of 9 peptides (belonging to 4 different proteins) in ACPApos/RFpos, 7 peptides (5 proteins) in ACPAneg/RFpos, and 9 peptides (6 proteins) in ACPApos/RFneg compared to ACPAneg/RFneg (p<0.05). Two acute phase reactants (ORM1 and HPT) displayed the same modulation in both screening and verification phases, thus confirming their association with the double positivity. Finally, in the biomarker validation phase, a total of 260 patients from CHUAC were included (Table 1). RA patients were classified as follows: (1) 112 patients (43.1%) were ACPApos/RFpos; (2) 73 patients (28.1%) were ACPAneg/RFneg; (3) 51 patients (19.6%) were ACPAneg/RFpos; and (4) 24 patients (9.2%) were ACPApos/RFneg. Serum levels of ORM1 and HPT (Figure 1), measured by commercial immunoassays, confirmed their increased values in double seropositive patients (p=0,0053 ORM1; p=0,0026 HPT). Finally, the increased level of ORM1 resulted associated with RF rather than ACPA status (p=0,0008 ACPAneg/RFpos); whereas HPT was associated with ACPA rather than RF status (p=0,0112 ACPApos/RFneg).

Table 1.

The different phases of RA biomarker development followed in this study.

DISCOVERYPHASEVERIFICATIONPHASEVALIDATIONPHASESource centerCHUSCHUSCHUACN° ofsamplesn= 4n= 80n= 260ACPA+RF+Pool 1ACPA+RF+20ACPA+RF+112ACPA-RF-Pool 2ACPA-RF-20ACPA-RF-73ACPA-RF+Pool 3ACPA-RF+20ACPA-RF+51ACPA+RF-Pool 4ACPA+RF-20ACPA+RF-24N° ofbiomarkersORM1, ORM2, HPT, A2GL, AACT, RBP4, PLMN, IC1, VDBP, APOBORM1, HPT, A2GL, AACTORM1, HPTFigure 1.

Conclusion:

The determination of ORM1 and HPT in sera provides novel information useful for patient stratification, which might improve diagnostic and prognostic approaches and facilitate the development of personalized medicine strategies in RA.

Acknowledgements:

This work is supported by grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (RD16/0012/0002, PT17/0019/0014) integrated in the National Plan for Scientific Program, Development and Technological Innovation 2013–2016 and funded by the ISCIII-General Subdirection of Assessment and Promotion of Research-European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) “A way of making Europe”.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open incisional hernia repair: early outcomes from the Prospective Hernia Study

PURPOSE

To provide a comparative analysis of short-term outcomes after open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted (RAS) ventral incisional hernia (VIH) repairs that include subject-reported pain medication usage and hernia-related quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

Subjects were ≥ 18 years old and underwent elective open, laparoscopic or RAS VIH repair without myofascial release. Perioperative clinical outcomes through 30 days were analyzed as were prescription pain medication use and subject-reported responses to the HerQLes Abdominal QOL questionnaire. Observed differences in baseline characteristics were controlled using a weighted propensity score analysis to obviate potential selection bias (inverse probability of treatment weighting, IPTW). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy-one subjects (RAS, n = 159; open, n = 130; laparoscopic, n = 82) were enrolled in the study across 17 medical institutions within the United States. Operative times were significantly different between the RAS and laparoscopic groups (126.2 vs 57.2, respectively; p < 0.001). Mean length of stay was comparable for RAS vs laparoscopic (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 1.4 ± 1.1, respectively; p = 0.623) and differed for the RAS vs open groups (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.0 ± 1.9, respectively; p < 0.001). Conversion rates differed between RAS and laparoscopic groups (0.6% vs 4.9%; p = 0.004). The number of subjects reporting the need to take prescription pain medication through the 2-4 weeks visit differed between RAS vs open (65.2% vs 79.8%; p < 0.001) and RAS vs laparoscopic (65.2% vs 78.75%; p < 0.001). For those taking prescription pain medication, the mean number of pills taken was comparable for RAS vs open (23.3 vs 20.4; p = 0.079) and RAS vs laparoscopic (23.3 vs 23.3; p = 0.786). Times to return to normal activities and to work, complication rates and HerQLes QOL scores were comparable for the RAS vs open and RAS vs laparoscopic groups. The reoperation rate within 30 days post-procedure was comparable for RAS vs laparoscopic (0.6% vs 0%; p = 0.296) and differed for RAS vs open (0.6% vs 3.1%; p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term outcomes indicate that open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted approaches are effective surgical approaches to VIH repair; however, each repair technique may demonstrate advantages in terms of clinical outcomes. Observed differences in the RAS vs laparoscopic comparison are longer operative time and lower conversion rate in the RAS group. Observed differences in the RAS vs open comparison are shorter LOS and lower reoperation rate through 30 days in the RAS group. The operative time in the RAS vs open comparison is similar. The number of subjects requiring the use of prescription pain medication favored the RAS group in both comparisons; however, among subjects reporting a need for pain medication, there was no difference in the number of prescription pain medication pills taken. While the study adds to the body of evidence evaluating the open, laparoscopic, and RAS approaches, future controlled studies are needed to better understand pain and QOL outcomes related to incisional hernia repair.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02715622.

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer COVID-19: Analysis of hope registry data

Background

Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis.

Methods

We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19).

Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19).

Results

5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65–82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women.

The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%).

In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85–6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47–3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94–11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34–4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60–21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16–2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26–0.78), SatO2 < 92% (4.58, 2.97–7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51–4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81–7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered.

Conclusion

In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

38 Developmental competence of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes collected from cows fed rumen-protected methionine and lysine

Supplementation of rumen-protected amino acids (RPAA) has proven to be an effective tool to supply limiting AA in dairy diets. Methionine and lysine are the two most limiting AA for lactating dairy cows. Recently, it has been shown that methionine supplementation seems to affect pre-implantation embryos collected from superovulated cows enhancing their developmental competence because there is strong evidence that endogenous lipid reserves serve as an energy substrate (Acosta et al. 2016 Theriogenology 85, 1669–1679). Moreover, higher concentrations of methionine were determined in the follicular fluid of the first dominant follicle postpartum in cows supplemented with rumen-protected methionine and rumen-protected choline from 21 days before calving to 30 days postpartum and it was assumed that higher methionine concentrations in the follicular fluid could affect oocyte quality (Acosta et al. 2017 Theriogenology 96, 1–9). There is no information available so far regarding the effect of a combined methionine and lysine supplementation (each rumen-protected) on oocyte quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined methionine and lysine supplementation during early to mid-lactation on the developmental competence of oocytes collected from lactating dairy cows (days 0 to 100 p.p.). Thirty pregnant multiparous German Holstein dairy cows were grouped 3 weeks before their expected calving date, receiving identical diets. After calving, they were randomly allocated to 2 groups fed a total mixed ration supplemented with (N=14 cows; RPAA) or without (N=16 cows; CON) LysiGEMTM (encapsulated lysine; Kemin Industries) and Metasmart DryTM (isopropyl ester of the hydroxylated analogue of methionine adsorbed onto a silicon dioxide carrier; Adisseo). Starting from 45 days p.p., animals from both groups were submitted to an ovum pickup (OPU) session once a week for at least 8 weeks. Collected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were subjected to a standard invitro production (IVP) protocol (Stinshoff et al. 2014 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 26, 502–10) including IVM, IVF, and invitro culture (IVC). Cleavage and developmental rates up to the morula/blastocyst stage were recorded on Days 3, 7, and 8. In total, 1211 follicles have been aspirated from RPAA animals compared with 1413 from CON animals, from which 742 and 885 COC were collected, respectively. The calculated recovery rate based on the number of aspirated follicles and collected COC was similar for both groups (61.3±29.4% vs. 62.6±33.5%). Cleavage and developmental rates based on 240 (RPAA group) and 299 (CON group) COC also showed similar results [RPAA: 84.1±5.9% (202/240), 18.3±4.4% (44/240), 18.8±4.7% (45/240); CON: 81.9±8.6% (245/299), 15.4±8.9% (46/299), 16.7±8.4% (50/299)]. In conclusion, supplementation of RPAA (methionine and lysine) had no beneficial effect on the developmental competence of COC obtained from these animals compared with those collected from cows fed the diet without RPAA supplementation.

Ten-year experience of protocol-based management of small-for-gestational-age fetuses: perinatal outcome in late-pregnancy cases diagnosed after 32 weeks

OBJECTIVE

To report our 10-year experience of protocol-based management of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, based on standardized clinical and Doppler criteria, in late-pregnancy cases.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort was constructed of consecutive singleton pregnancies referred for late-onset (> 32 weeks) SGA (defined as estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10^th centile) that were classified as fetal growth restriction (FGR) or low-risk SGA, based on the severity of smallness (EFW < 3^rd centile) and the presence of Doppler abnormalities (uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) ≥ 95^th centile or cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) < 5^th centile). Low-risk SGA pregnancies were followed at 2-week intervals and delivered electively at 40 weeks. FGR pregnancies were followed at 1-week intervals, or more frequently if there were signs of fetal deterioration, and were delivered electively after 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. The occurrence of stillbirth and composite adverse outcome (CAO; defined as neonatal death, metabolic acidosis, need for endotracheal intubation or need for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit) was analyzed in low-risk SGA and FGR pregnancies.

RESULTS

A total of 1197 pregnancies with EFW < 10^th centile were identified and classified at diagnosis as low-risk SGA (n = 619; 51.7%) or FGR (n = 578; 48.3%). Of these, 160 were delivered before 37 weeks' gestation; for obstetric reasons in 93 (58.1%) cases, severe pre-eclampsia in 33 (20.6%), FGR with severe hypoxia in 47 (29.4%) and stillbirth in four (2.5%) (indications are non-exclusive). During follow-up, 52/574 (9.1%) low-risk SGA pregnancies were reclassified as FGR, whereas 22/463 (4.8%) FGR pregnancies were reclassified as low-risk SGA. Overall, there were no stillbirths in the low-risk SGA group and four in the FGR group, all of which occurred before 37 weeks. There were no instances of neonatal death in pregnancies delivered ≥ 37 weeks. The risk of CAO was higher in those meeting antenatal criteria for FGR at 37 weeks than in those classified as low-risk SGA (32/493 (6.5%) vs 15/544 (2.8%); odds ratio, 2.5 (95% CI, 1.3-4.6)). In FGR pregnancies, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for CAO was 6.3 (1.8-21.1) in those with EFW < 3^rd centile, while it was 3.2 (1.5-6.8) and 4.2 (1.9-8.9) in those with UtA-PI ≥ 95^th centile and CPR < 5^th centile, respectively, as compared to FGR pregnancies without each of these criteria.

CONCLUSION

Protocol-based risk stratification with different management and monitoring schemes for late pregnancy with a suspected SGA baby, based on clinical and Doppler criteria, enables identification and tailored assessment of high-risk FGR, while allowing expectant management with safe perinatal outcome for low-risk SGA fetuses. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clinical features and outcomes of adult patients with single ventricle physiology not undergoing Fontan repair

Background

Adult patients with single ventricle (SV) physiology who had not undergone Fontan palliation are uncommon. Little is known about their clinical features and outcomes.

Objective

This study aims to describe the clinical features, cardiovascular outcomes and long-term survival of patients with SV physiology without Fontan palliation.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from SV physiology patients followed in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) units of five tertiary referral centers. None of them had Fontan palliation. Baseline data were recorded on the first visit at ACHD unit. Death was considered as main endpoint. Other outcomes such as atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, endocarditis, ICD or pacemaker implantation, admission for heart failure and heart transplant were also collected and analyzed. Association between clinical/analytical baseline variables and death was also evaluated by univariate Cox regression.

Results

128 patients were included. On the first visit, mean age was 32.3±10.9 years, being the most common defect double inlet left ventricle (63p, 49.2%). The single ventricle had left morphology in 106 cases (82.8%). At baseline mean heaemglobin was 19.1±2.8 g/dl, mean O2 Sat 83±6.9% and 46 patients (36%) had a NYHA status III or IV. 4 different groups were found: a) Unrestricted pulmonary flow with Eisenmenger physiology (24p, 18.8%); b) Restricted forward pulmonary flow with or without pulmonary banding (46p, 35.9%); c) Aortopulmonary shunts as a source of pulmonary flow (20p, 15.5%) and d) cavopulmonary shunt (Glenn) as a definitive palliation (38p, 29.7%). After 7.3±4.1 years follow-up, mortality was 22.7% (29 patients), being sudden death (9p, 7%) the most frequent cause. Survival rate at 5 and 10 years of follow-up were 85% and 76% respectively (Figure 1). About of the rest of the outcomes, highlighting a high rate of atrial tachycardia (38.3%), admission for heart failure (23.4%), stroke (17.2%), endocarditis (9.4%), pacemaker/ICD implantation (11.8%). Baseline variables associated with higher mortality were: older age (HR=1.1 [1.004–1–087]); NYHA III or IV (HR=5.5 [2.4–12.4]); thrombocytopenia (HR=1.01 [1.001–1.003]); anticoagulant treatment (HR=2.6 [1.7–3.9]); glomerular filtration rate below 60 ml/min (HR=3.77 [1.5–9.6]); QRS width (HR=1.03 [1.01–1.05]); atrial arrhythmias (HR=3.1 [1.5–6.5]); moderate or severe AV valve regurgitation (HR=1.5 [1.15–1.97]) and ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.94 [0.91-0.97]).

Conclusions

Adults survivors with SV physiology without Fontan palliation have a high mortality and frequently suffer from serious cardiovascular events. Several clinical (NYHA status, previous atrial arrhythmias, anticoagulant treatment), analytical (renal function, thrombocytopenia), ECG (QRS width) and echocardiography (AV valve regurgitation and EF) factors can identify patients at higher risk of death.

Figure 1. Survival curve

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Asymptomatic aortic regurgitation: diastolic function and type-B natriuretic peptide as prognostic factors

Introduction

The indication of valve replacement surgery in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) is mainly based on the presence of symptoms or dilatation/dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV). However, diastolic function and natriuretic peptides have not been related to adverse outcomes in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis impact of different diastolic function parameters as well as type-B natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Methods

Patients with moderate to severe or severe AR evaluated in the Heart Valve Clinic between 2013–2019 were evaluated. Those patients with classical indications for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) at the moment of inclusion were excluded, as well as those patients with atrial fibrillation. Echocardiographic and analytical data were obtained from the medical history. End-point included cardiovascular mortality, SAVR and heart failure.

Results

A total of 126 patients were included. Median age was 65.0±17.7 years. Among them, 75 (59.5%) were men, 78 (62.4%) hypertensive, 44 (35.3%) suffered from dyslipidemia and 11 (9,6%) had ischaemic cardiomyopathy. During a median follow up of 31±17 months, 24.6% of the patients reached the combined end-point (n=5 developed heart failure, n=28 underwent SAVR, and n=4 died).

Among the diastolic parameters [E wave, A wave, E/A, E/e', left atrial volume and diameter, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) degree and pulmonary systolic pressure (PSP)], only TR degree and PSP were associated with a higher incidence of the combined endpoint: TR degree HR=2,08, p=0,039 and PSP HR= 1,1, p=0,007. BNP also showed prognostic impact for the combined endpoint (HR= 1,002, p=0,011).

Conclusions

In patients with asymptomatic significant AR, severity of TR, PSP and BNP levels are associated with worst prognosis. However, classical echocardiographic diastolic parameters do not show prognosis impact, probably due to the limitations of such parameters to identify diastolic dysfunction and high filling pressures in this population. Our findings support the use of PSP and TR over diastolic function parameters to better stratify left valvular patient risk in clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

MRI detected extaprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer: Do all T3a patients have the same outcomes?

MRI-detected T3a prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease. This post-hoc analysis of a prospective trial found that patients with T3a disease presenting obliteration of the recto-prostatic angle, contact-asymmetry of neuro-vascular bundle and periprostatic fat invasion, may be at higher risk of biochemical failure and metastases.

Fluorescein angiographic features post-intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity: can they support rescue laser photocoagulation to the avascular retina

OBJECTIVE

To study the fluorescein angiography (FA) features post-intravitreal bevacizumab (post-IVB) monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that may pose risk for late sight-threatening ROP and support rescue laser to the avascular retina.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 26 infants (47 eyes) with type 1 ROP treated with IVB monotherapy.

RESULTS

All infants had RetCam and FA performed at an average of 68 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), 19 at an average 98 weeks PMA, and 10 at an average of 120 weeks PMA. Average gestational age at birth and birth weight were 24.8 weeks (standard deviation [SD] 1.91 weeks) and 683 g (SD 158.85 g), respectively. Average PMA at first IVB was 37 weeks. Eight eyes of 6 infants received repeat IVB for recurrent stage 3 at an average of 46.6 weeks PMA. All infants had inhibited retinal vasculature in zone 2, and 25 of 26 had conventional FA features, which included peripheral leakage, shunts, abnormal branching, and tangles with no late reactivation of ROP until age 3 years. Only 1 infant showed diffuse hyperfluorescence along the regressed proliferation site with a late proliferation necessitating laser to preserve vision.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional FA features seen in 98% post-IVB monotherapy showed no late complications without rescue laser photocoagulation to the avascular retina.

The ELFIN Mission

The Electron Loss and Fields Investigation with a Spatio-Temporal Ambiguity-Resolving option (ELFIN-STAR, or heretoforth simply: ELFIN) mission comprises two identical 3-Unit (3U) CubeSats on a polar (∼93^∘ inclination), nearly circular, low-Earth (∼450 km altitude) orbit. Launched on September 15, 2018, ELFIN is expected to have a >2.5 year lifetime. Its primary science objective is to resolve the mechanism of storm-time relativistic electron precipitation, for which electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a prime candidate. From its ionospheric vantage point, ELFIN uses its unique pitch-angle-resolving capability to determine whether measured relativistic electron pitch-angle and energy spectra within the loss cone bear the characteristic signatures of scattering by EMIC waves or whether such scattering may be due to other processes. Pairing identical ELFIN satellites with slowly-variable along-track separation allows disambiguation of spatial and temporal evolution of the precipitation over minutes-to-tens-of-minutes timescales, faster than the orbit period of a single low-altitude satellite (T_orbit ∼ 90 min). Each satellite carries an energetic particle detector for electrons (EPDE) that measures 50 keV to 5 MeV electrons with Δ E/E < 40% and a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) on a ∼72 cm boom that measures magnetic field waves (e.g., EMIC waves) in the range from DC to 5 Hz Nyquist (nominally) with <0.3 nT/sqrt(Hz) noise at 1 Hz. The spinning satellites (T_spin ∼ 3 s) are equipped with magnetorquers (air coils) that permit spin-up or -down and reorientation maneuvers. Using those, the spin axis is placed normal to the orbit plane (nominally), allowing full pitch-angle resolution twice per spin. An energetic particle detector for ions (EPDI) measures 250 keV - 5 MeV ions, addressing secondary science. Funded initially by CalSpace and the University Nanosat Program, ELFIN was selected for flight with joint support from NSF and NASA between 2014 and 2018 and launched by the ELaNa XVIII program on a Delta II rocket (with IceSatII as the primary). Mission operations are currently funded by NASA. Working under experienced UCLA mentors, with advice from The Aerospace Corporation and NASA personnel, more than 250 undergraduates have matured the ELFIN implementation strategy; developed the instruments, satellite, and ground systems and operate the two satellites. ELFIN's already high potential for cutting-edge science return is compounded by concurrent equatorial Heliophysics missions (THEMIS, Arase, Van Allen Probes, MMS) and ground stations. ELFIN's integrated data analysis approach, rapid dissemination strategies via the SPace Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), and data coordination with the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO) optimize science yield, enabling the widest community benefits. Several storm-time events have already been captured and are presented herein to demonstrate ELFIN's data analysis methods and potential. These form the basis of on-going studies to resolve the primary mission science objective. Broad energy precipitation events, precipitation bands, and microbursts, clearly seen both at dawn and dusk, extend from tens of keV to >1 MeV. This broad energy range of precipitation indicates that multiple waves are providing scattering concurrently. Many observed events show significant backscattered fluxes, which in the past were hard to resolve by equatorial spacecraft or non-pitch-angle-resolving ionospheric missions. These observations suggest that the ionosphere plays a significant role in modifying magnetospheric electron fluxes and wave-particle interactions. Routine data captures starting in February 2020 and lasting for at least another year, approximately the remainder of the mission lifetime, are expected to provide a very rich dataset to address questions even beyond the primary mission science objective.

Added prognostic value of longitudinal changes of angiogenic factors in early-onset severe pre-eclampsia: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess in women with early-onset severe pre-eclampsia whether longitudinal changes in angiogenic factors improve the prediction of adverse outcome.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Maternity units in two Spanish hospitals.

POPULATION

Women with diagnosis of early-onset severe pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

Levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-) and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were measured at admission and before delivery, and average daily change calculated. The association of longitudinal changes of angiogenic factors with the time interval to delivery and with complications was evaluated by logistic and Cox regression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Interval to delivery and composite of adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 63 women, of which 26 (41.3%) had a complication. Longitudinal changes of sFlt-1 were more pronounced in complicated pregnancies (median: 1047 versus 342 pg/ml/day; P = 0.04). On the multivariate analysis, the clinical risk score and sFlt-1 at admission explained 6.2% of the uncertainty for complication; the addition of sFlt-1 longitudinal changes improved this to 25.3% (P = 0.002). The median time from admission to delivery was 4 days (95% CI 1.6-6.04) in those in the highest quartile of sFlt-1 longitudinal changes versus 16 days (95% CI 12.4-19.6) in the remaining women (Log-rank test P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal changes in sFlt-1 maternal levels from admission for confirmed early-onset severe pre-eclampsia add to baseline characteristics in the prediction of adverse outcome and interval to delivery.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

In early-onset severe pre-eclampsia, longitudinal changes in sFlt-1 levels improve the prediction of complications and interval to delivery.

Efficacy of Aflibercept Treatment and Its Effect on the Retinal Perfusion in the Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity

INTRODUCTION

Bevacizumab and ranibizumab, which are anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications, are used frequently in the treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants. Aflibercept, or VEGF Trap, has been used anecdotally, but translation and clinical studies are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the efficacy of aflibercept at reducing areas of non-perfused retina and studies its effect on normal angiogenesis in the oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse model of ROP.

METHODS

C57BL/6 J mice were assigned to room air control (n = 21 eyes) or hyperoxia with 75% oxygen (n = 84 eyes). The hyperoxic mice were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 0 ng (n = 14 eyes), 100 ng (n = 35 eyes), or 1,000 ng (n = 35 eyes) of intravitreal aflibercept administered on postnatal day 14. Eyes were enucleated at PN17 and PN25 postinjection. Retinas were stained with anti-collagen IV antibody and photographed with microscopy. Areas of perfused and non-perfused retina were quantified using ImageJ software. Statistical comparisons were made using ANOVA with Tukey post hoc comparisons.

RESULTS

At PN17, there was no significant difference in the area of non-perfused retina between the hyperoxic control and the 100 and 1,000 ng aflibercept groups. At PN25, the 100 ng (p < 0.05) and 1,000 ng (p = 0.008) treatment groups displayed less non-perfusion compared to hyperoxic controls. At the 1,000 ng dose, there was increased non-perfusion compared to the 100 ng dose (p = 0.02). There was reduced non-perfusion by PN25 compared to PN17 for the 100 ng group (p < 0.05), with no difference in the 1,000 ng group.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that the area of non-perfused retina decreases effectively with aflibercept at PN25 with 100 ng dosage. With the 1,000 ng dosage, there is an inhibition of the physiologic angiogenesis with a higher area of non-perfused retina.

Explore, edit and leverage genomic annotations using Python GTF toolkit

MOTIVATION

While Python has become very popular in bioinformatics, a limited number of libraries exist for fast manipulation of gene coordinates in Ensembl GTF format.

RESULTS

We have developed the GTF toolkit Python package (pygtftk), which aims at providing easy and powerful manipulation of gene coordinates in GTF format. For optimal performances, the core engine of pygtftk is a C dynamic library (libgtftk) while the Python API provides usability and readability for developing scripts. Based on this Python package, we have developed the gtftk command line interface that contains 57 sub-commands (v0.9.10) to ease handling of GTF files. These commands may be used to (i) perform basic tasks (e.g. selections, insertions, updates or deletions of features/keys), (ii) select genes/transcripts based on various criteria (e.g. size, exon number, transcription start site location, intron length, GO terms) or (iii) carry out more advanced operations such as coverage analyses of genomic features using bigWig files to create faceted read-coverage diagrams. In conclusion, the pygtftk package greatly simplifies the annotation of GTF files with external information while providing advance tools to perform gene analyses.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

pygtftk and gtftk have been tested on Linux and MacOSX and are available from https://github.com/dputhier/pygtftk under the MIT license. The libgtftk dynamic library written in C is available from https://github.com/dputhier/libgtftk.

AB0206 CIRCULATING CENTROMERE PROTEIN F AUTOANTIBODIES FOR PREDICTING CLINICAL RESPONSE TO INFLIXIMAB IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

One third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) respond poorly to TNF inhibitors and related studies are inconsistent in predictive biomarkers. The identification of biomarkers that predict the treatment response prior to drug exposure is a current priority on the RA field. ACPA and RF are ubiquitously tested in RA patients, but other autoantibodies exist and may provide additional information on RA treatment response.

Objectives:

This study aimed to identify circulating autoantibodies for predicting response to infliximab (IFX) in RA.

Methods:

We profiled the autoantibody repertoire of baseline sera from 155 biologic naïve RA patients treated with IFX. The sera were provided by three independent clinical sources and distributed in one exploratory cohort (N=20) collected from Hospital Clínico Universitario of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), one replication cohort (N=61) collected from Hospital Universitario de A Coruña (Spain) and samples from the Swedish Farmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial (Sweden) (N=74) for clinical validation. The presence of autoantibodies and their levels in serum were analysed in association with EULAR clinical response at 6 months follow-up: good response (GR, N=56), moderate (MR, N=55) and non-response (NR, N=44). A suspension bead array platform built on protein fragments within Human Protein Atlas and selected from an initial untargeted screening using an array containing 42000 antigens was employed to identify the IgG and IgA autoantibodies on the exploratory cohort. A replication and validation phases were carried out on the other two serum sample cohorts. Meta-analysis and Receiver Operating Curves were performed in order to assess the clinical relevance of the findings observed.

Results:

Meta-analysis revealed that the levels in serum of IgG autoantibodies against Centromere protein F (CENPF) are significantly increased in responders (good responders and moderate responders; N=111) to IFX compared to non-responders (N=44) (P=0.018). CENP-F is a proliferation-associated and cell cycle-dependent centromere autoantigen that might be involved in the increased or abnormal cell proliferation that occurs during RA process. The combination of the anti-CENPF antibodies with clinical variables (age, sex, DAS28-ESR) resulted in the best model to discriminate the patients that will respond to IFX, showing an AUC of 0.756 (95% CI [0.639-0.874], P=0.001).

Conclusion:

High serum levels of IgG anti-CENPF antibodies might be potentially useful to identify RA patients more likely to benefit from IFX

Disclosure of Interests:

Lucía Lourido: None declared, Cristina Ruiz-Romero: None declared, flor picchi: None declared, Naomi Diz-Rosales: None declared, Sergio Vilaboa-Galán: None declared, Carlos Fernández-López: None declared, Jose Antonio Pinto Tasende: None declared, Eva Perez-Pampin: None declared, Cristina Regueiro Expósito: None declared, ANTONIO MERA VARELA: None declared, Antonio Gonzalez: None declared, Karen Hambardzumyan: None declared, Saedis Saevarsdottir Employee of: Part-time at deCODE Genetics/Amgen Inc, working on genetic research unrelated to this project, Peter Nilsson: None declared, Francisco J. Blanco Grant/research support from: Sanofi-Aventis, Lilly, Bristol MS, Amgen, Pfizer, Abbvie, TRB Chemedica International, Glaxo SmithKline, Archigen Biotech Limited, Novartis, Nichi-iko pharmaceutical Co, Genentech, Jannsen Research & Development, UCB Biopharma, Centrexion Theurapeutics, Celgene, Roche, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Biohope, Corbus Pharmaceutical, Tedec Meiji Pharma, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd, Gilead Sciences Inc, Consultant of: Lilly, Bristol MS, Pfizer

THU0001 GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION STUDY ON JOINT EROSIONS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SUPPORTS DIFFERENTIAL PATHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS ACCORDING TO ANTI-CCP STATUS

Background:

Joint damage is the pathological hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To identify the genetic variation associated with a higher level of erosions has proven elusive.

Objectives:

The objective of the present study was to perform a genome-wide association study on joint damage in a cohort of RA patients of the Spanish population. Our aims were to provide independent validation of previously reported variants and to identify new candidate risk loci. A stratified analysis was performed based on positivity to ACPA status.

Methods:

A total of 1,135 patients diagnosed with RA using the ACR-EULAR criteria recruited by the IMID Consortium were genotyped using a 550,000 single-nucleotide polymorphism array. Additional SNPs were imputed using the 1KG genome data. Joint damage was performed using the S-score, a simplified radiographic erosion score that has a high correlation with the Sharp-van der Hejde score (1). Association testing of SNPs with joint damage was performed via linear regression with the addition of the years of evolution as covariate. The two main components of genetic variation were also added to adjust for potential population stratification. A total of 50 SNPs representing previously reported loci associated with joint damage were selected. Genetic association was also performed at the pathway level using Pascal.

Results:

45 out of 50 SNPs representing 31 previously reported loci for joint damage could be satisfactorily imputed. Association testing of the whole patient cohort replicated the association withIL2RAandTRAF1. Of relevance, after stratifying for anti-CCP five new loci were replicated:KIF5AandSOSTin ACPA-positive RA andCD40, DKK1andTNFin ACPA-negative RA.IL2RAwas only significant in the ACPA-positive group andTRAF1was not significant in either strata. GWAS on the ACPA-positive cohort and on the ACPA-negative group identified n=7 and n=18 loci with P-values < 1x10-5, respectively. From these, however, only 1 SNP showed nominal significant association in the other patient group. Based on this evidence, we performed a pathway-based analysis to understand the biological mechanisms underlying this difference. Pathway analysis showed 52 biological processes associated with joint damage in ACPA-negative RA and 32 pathways in the ACPA-positive group, with only two shared biological processes between the two groups. Fc Gamma receptor mediated phagocytosis was the topmost biological process associated with erosions specifically in ACPA-negative RA and Signalling by Fibroblast Growth Factor mutants was the top process specific for ACPA-positive patients.

Conclusion:

The results from our study provide suggestive evidence that the genetic basis for joint damage is different according to the presence of ACPA. Replication of the new candidate loci in an independent patient cohort is underway.

References:

[1]Lopez-Lasanta, M., Julià, A., Maymó, J., Fernández-Gutierrez, B., Ureña-Garnica, I., Blanco, F. J., ... & Tornero, J. (2015). Variation at interleukin-6 receptor gene is associated to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis research & therapy,17(1), 242.

Disclosure of Interests:

Antonio Julià: None declared, Francisco Blanco: None declared, Benjamin Fernandez: None declared, Antonio Gonzalez: None declared, Juan D: None declared, Joan Maymó: None declared, Mercedes Alperi-López: None declared, Alejandro Olive: None declared, Héctor Corominas Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Victor Martinez Taboada: None declared, Isidoro González-Álvaro Grant/research support from: Roche Laboratories, Consultant of: Lilly, Sanofi, Paid instructor for: Lilly, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, MSD, Roche, Lilly, Antonio Fernandez-Nebro: None declared, Alba Erra: None declared, Simon Sánchez Fernandez: None declared, Núria Palau: None declared, Maria Lopez Lasanta: None declared, Adrià Aterido: None declared, Jesús Tornero: None declared, Sara Marsal: None declared

THU0098 ANTIBODIES AGAINST THREE POST-TRANSLATIONAL PROTEIN MODIFICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Autoantibodies to some post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins have a relevant role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Antibodies to other PMTs such as carbonylation (aCarbo) [1], nitration (aNitra) [2] and homocysteinylation (aHCis) [3] have also been described but they have been scarcely studied.

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the presence of antibodies against three poorly studied PTMs in patients with RA and explore their value as biomarkers.

Methods:

Serum samples from 196 healthy controls and RA patients meeting the 1987 ACR classification criteria that had either early RA (< 2 years from symptom onset) (n=182) or established RA (n=143) were analyzed. The antibodies were evaluated by indirect ELISA following the described protocols [1-3]. They include as antigens: HOCl- or ribose- carbonylated bovine type II collagen (HOCl-CII and GLI-CII, respectively) for aCarbo antibodies; homocysteinylated human serum albumin (Hcy-HSA) for aHCis antibodies; andin vitronitrated synovial proteins and synthetic nitrated peptides (3-NT-PS and 3-NT-pep, respectively) for aNitra antibodies. The efficiency of the reactions to produce these PTMs was verified. The study was approved by the CEIC of Galicia. The results were analyzed as differences between the optical densities (OD) obtained without correction, or the specific OD after subtracting reactivity to the native protein.

Results:

The aCarbo antibodies were studied in patients with early RA, as reported [1]. Despite this, uncorrected ODs against the two carbonylated forms of CII were not greater in the patients than in the controls (Table 1). Consequently, the corrected reactivity to GLI-CII that was significantly higher in patients than controls did not reflect aCarbo antibodies but differences in reactivity to native bovine CII.

The other antibodies were analyzed in patients with established RA as previously done [2,3]. However, none of them showed specific reactivity (Table 1). In effect, although an excess of uncorrected reactivity to 3-NT-pep was observed in the patients with RA, it disappeared when corrected (Table 1). Also, the vast majority of patients and controls showed no reactivity to 3-NT-SP (not shown). In turn, the aHCis antibodies were significantly elevated in patients, but only in the uncorrected analysis because the difference disappeared when corrected for reactivity against native HSA (Table 1).

Table 1.

Antibodies against three post-translational protein modifications in RA patients and controls

RAControlsAntigenCorrectionMedian DOIQRMedian DOIQRPHOCl-CIIno0.1410.127/0.1730.1600.141/0.1880.0001HOCl-CIIyes-0.003-0.011/0.008-0.004-0.020/0.0050.02GLI-CIIno0.2340.171/0.2850.2220.163/0.3050.5GLI-CIIyes0.0720.016/0.1150.028-0.010/0.1000.00053-NT-pepno0.2500.201/0.3290.2090.190/0.2300.023-NT-pepyes0.1370.097/0.1850.1130.100/0.1330.1Hcy-HSAno0.1600.145/0.1780.1450.130/0.1550.00011Hcy-HSAyes-0.041-0.074/-0.015-0.038-0.069/-0.200.5

Conclusion:

The presence in RA patients of specific antibodies against the three PTMs has not been replicated. None of the observed reactivities were attributable to the PTMs. If confirmed, these results would indicate that only particular PTMs are relevant for RA and that carbonylation, nitration or homocysteinylation are not among them.

References:

[1]Strollo R, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2013; 65:1702

[2]Khan F, et al. Clin Chim Acta. 2006; 370:100

[3]Nowakowska-Plaza A, et al. Scand J Rheumatol. 2014; 43:17

Acknowledgments:

Funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III projects PI17/01606 and RD16/0012/0014, which are partially co-funded by FEDER

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

PARE0009 COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD INPUT CAN MAKE LAY SUMMARIES OF CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS MORE UNDERSTANDABLE

Background:

Under European Union (EU) Clinical Trial regulations,1clinical research sponsors (CRSs) must ensure all studies performed in the EU are accompanied by a trial summary for laypersons, published within 1 year of study completion. These lay summaries should disseminate clinical trial results in an easy-to-understand way for trial participants, patient and caregiver communities, and the general public. The European Patients Forum (EPF)2and European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI)3encourage CRSs to engage with patient organisations (POs) in the development of lay summaries. This recognises the patients’ contribution to clinical research and supports the development of patient-focused material.

Objectives:

We share learnings from a collaboration between scleroderma POs and a CRS to create the SENSCIS® trial (NCT02597933) written and video lay summaries.

Methods:

A community advisory board (CAB), comprising representatives from 11 scleroderma POs covering a range of countries/regions, was formed based on the EURORDIS charter for collaboration in clinical research.4Through three structured meetings, over a seven-month period, the CAB provided advice on lay summary materials (written and video) drafted by the CRS’ Lay Summary Group (Fig. 1). At each review cycle, the CAB advice was addressed to make content more understandable and more relevant for patients and the general public.

Results:

The CAB advised that the existence of lay summaries is not well known in the patient community and also recommended the development of trial-specific lay summary videos to further improve understandability of the clinical trial results for the general public. Videos are a key channel of communication, enabling access to information for people with specific health needs and lower literacy levels. Following CAB advice, the CRS developed a stand-alone video entitled“What are lay summaries?”and a trial-specific lay summary video. Revisions to lay summary content (written and video) included colour schemes, iconography and language changes to make content more understandable. For videos, adjustments to animation speed, script and voiceover were implemented to improve clarity and flow of information (Fig. 2). Approved final versions of lay summary materials are publicly available on the CRS website. Translation into languages representing trial-site countries is in progress to widen access to non-English speakers and, where possible, local versions are being reviewed by the patient community.

Conclusion:

Structured collection and implementation of CAB advice can make lay summary materials more understandable for the patient community and wider general public.

References:

[1]EU. Summaries of clinical trial results for laypersons. 2018

[2]EPF. EPF position: clinical trial results – communication of the lay summary. 2015

[3]EUPATI. Guidance for patient involvement in ethical review of clinical trials. 2018

[4]EURORDIS. Charter for Collaboration in Clinical Research in Rare Diseases. 2009

Disclosure of Interests:

Joep Welling Speakers bureau: Four times as a patient advocate for employees of BII and BI MIDI with a fixed amount of € 150,00 per occasion., Annelise Roennow: None declared, Maureen Sauvé Grant/research support from: Educational grants from Boehringer Ingelheim and Janssen., EDITH BROWN: None declared, Ilaria Galetti: None declared, Alex Gonzalez Consultant of: Payment made to the patient organisation (Scleroderma Research Foundation) for participation in advisory boards, Alexandra Paula Portales Guiraud: None declared, Ann Kennedy Grant/research support from: AS FESCA aisbl, Catarina Leite: None declared, Robert J. Riggs: None declared, Alison Zheng Grant/research support from: We get grants from Lorem Vascular; BI China,; Jianke Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Kangjing Biological Co., Ltd.; COFCO Coca-Cola to organize national scleroderma meetings, offer patients service, holding academic meetings and other public activities, there is also a small part of the grants used to pay the workers in our organization., Consultant of: I worked as a paid consultant for BI. Pay-per-job., Speakers bureau: I was invited once to be a speaker at BI China’s internal meeting and they paid me., Matea Perkovic Popovic: None declared, Annie Gilbert Consultant of: I have worked as a paid consultant with BI International for over 3 years, since Sept 2016., Lizette Moros Employee of: Lizette Moros is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Kamila Sroka-Saidi Employee of: Paid employee of Boehringer Ingelheim., Thomas Schindler Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, Henrik Finnern Employee of: Paid employee of Boehringer Ingelheim.

SAT0015 ROCK INHIBITION REDUCES THE SEVERITY OF K/BXN SERUM-TRANSFER INDUCED ARTHRITIS

Background:

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are pivotal in inflammation and joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These cells acquire an aggressive and invasive phenotype and secrete inflammatory mediators, metalloproteases and cathepsins that perpetuate inflammation and lead to cartilage and bone damage. We have previously shown that non-canonical Wnt5a pathway is involved in the aggressive phenotype of FLS by increasing their migration and invasion ability, and by stimulating the inflammatory response. The non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway included the planar cell polarity (PCP), with the activation of Rho and Rac GTPases, and the Wnt/Ca2+ pathways. We have also shown that Wnt5a contributes to the aggressive phenotype of RA FLS by binding to RYK receptor, through Rho-ROCK pathway and the activation of MAPKs, ERK and P38, as well as the activation of AKT and GSK3β.

Objectives:

To elucidate the therapeutic potential of the ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632) in the K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model.

Methods:

Two groups of C57BL/6J mice were used, in the control group, mice were treated with physiological serum and in the experimental group with a ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632). Arthritis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100 µl of K/BxN serum on days 0 and 2. In the experimental group, mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg from day 0 until sacrifice, on day 10. Control mice were treated with the same volume of physiological serum. Arthritis was assessed by two observers using a semiquantitative clinical score. For histological analysis, it was decided to obtain the right ankle joints and foot. Joints were fixed in formalin for 6h and were decalcified and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine. Finally, total RNA was obtained from wrist and ankle joints of mice and the expression of inflammatory mediators and metalloproteases was analyzed by real-time PCR.

Results:

Arthritis was induced in C57BL/6J mice, which were treated with Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor) or with physiological serum. The incidence of arthritis was 100% in both groups of mice and there were no differences in the course of the disease. Clinical score was significantly lower in the Y-27632-treated mice, all along the follow-up, compared with controls. Similar results were observed in the histological analysis. We also analyzed the effect of ROCK inhibitor on the inflammatory response of K/BxN serum-transfer induced arthritis. This analysis revealed that expression of IL6, IL1β, CXCL1, MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 were significantly decreased in Y-27632-treated mice compared with control mice. In addition, TNF and NOS2 expression was reduced in Y-27632-treated mice to reach the same levels that observed in C57BL/6J mice without arthritis.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK pathway decreases the severity of arthritis in the K/BxN serum transfer model, and point to ROCK as potential therapeutic target for RA. Supported: ISCIII / PI17 / 01660 / RETICS Program, RD16 / 0012/0014 / Cofinanced FEDER.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared