A comparison of methods used in the UK and Ireland for the extraction and detection of semen on swabs and cloth samples

The recent formation of a United Kingdom and Irish working group, the Body Fluids Forum (BFF), highlighted the need to investigate different working practices prior to any inter-laboratory comparison work and identification of best practice. Various dilutions of semen were seeded onto swabs and cloth samples for each BFF member laboratory to test using their standard techniques. The results showed that the detection of acid phosphatase on swabs is best achieved using direct testing rather than on an extract from the swab. Extraction methods for spermatozoa require a balance to be achieved between using a sufficient volume of water to ensure optimal release and minimal volume to ensure a concentrated extract. PSA tests were investigated and found to be more sensitive than Choline. DNA profiles were obtained from samples in which no spermatozoa had been detected during microscopic examination.

Multivariate analysis based risk grouping of ewing tumours (ET) with extra-pulmonary metastatic disease (EPMD): Final results from the Euro Ewing 99 study

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Background: To identify an effective treatment for patients with EPMD. Methods: 192 patients (pts) were registered. Median age is 15.8 years (yrs) (0.4–49.29). Primary site was extremity in 57 pts and axial/other in 135 pts (40.6% in the pelvis). Tumour volume was ≥ 200 ml in 114pts. Metastatic spread was bone marrow (BM) only in 19 pts, bone only in 93 pts and bone and BM in 79 pts. Six VIDE induction cycles were completed by 168 pts (85%). Local treatment included surgery when possible and/or radiotherapy (Rx) as indicated. Recommended HDT was busulphan (BU) 600 mg/m2 and melphalan (MEL) 140 mg/m2 with PSCR. Median follow up is 4.2 years (range: 1.9–6.6). Results: Partial remission or better was achieved after cycle 6 in 75/116 pts subjected to HDT/SCR (65%). The overall survival at 3 years for all 192 pts is 29% (95% CI=0.04). Significantly favourable univariate factors in the unselected cohort at diagnosis (Dx) were age < 14 yrs (event free survival at 3 yrs (EFS) 37%, p=0.006), BM involvement only (EFS 47%, p=0.024), single bone lesions only (EFS 35%, p=0.009), extremities (EFS 34%, p=0.007) and tumour volume of <200 ml (EFS 47%, p<0.001). For pts receiving BuMel it is noteworthy that 37 pts of <14a and EPMD achieved an EFS of 47% in comparison to older counterparts >14a (EFS 22% (p=0.026). Multivariate analysis identified two major risk factors at Dx: primary tumour volume >200 ml p<0.001 (RR 2.25) and > 5 bone metastases p=0.064 (RR 2.11). In these risk groups the 3 yr EFS was 56% for 35 pts with <200 ml and <5 bone lesions, for 17pts with <200 ml > 5 bone lesions 29%, for 67 pts >200 ml or < 5 bone lesions 19% and extremely dismal for 47 pts with >200 ml and > 5 bone lesions with 7% (p<0.001). Conclusions: Groups with differing prognoses from EPMD have been identified from this prospectively followed cohort. Aggressive treatment with HDT appears effective only for sub groups of patients with EPMD and ET.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Early impact of insulin treatment on mortality for hyperglycaemic patients without known diabetes who present with an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of insulin for the management of hyperglycaemia in non-diabetic patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS

An observational study from the MINAP (National Audit of Myocardial Infarction Project) database during 2003-5 in 201 hospitals in England and Wales. Patients were those with a final diagnosis of troponin-positive acute coronary syndrome who were not previously known to have diabetes mellitus and whose blood glucose on admission was > or = 11 mmol/l. The main outcome measure was death at 7 and 30 days.

RESULTS

Of 38,864 patients who were not previously known to be diabetic, 3835 (9.9%) had an admission glucose > or = 11 mmol/l. Of patients having a clear treatment strategy, 36% received diabetic treatment (31% with insulin). Mortality at 7 and 30 days was 11.6% and 15.8%, respectively, for those receiving insulin, and 16.5% and 22.1%, respectively, for those who did not. Compared with those who received insulin, after adjustment for age, gender, co-morbidities and admission blood glucose concentration, patients who were not treated with insulin had a relative increased risk of death of 56% at 7 days and 51% at 30 days (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.0, p<0.001 at 7 days; HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.86, p<0.001 at 30 days).

CONCLUSION

In non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome and hyperglycaemia, treatment with insulin was associated with a reduction in the relative risk of death, evident within 7 days of admission, which persists at 30 days.

A phase I study of intravenous liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in paediatric patients with relapsed or resistant solid tumours

Anthracyclines are widely used in paediatric oncology, but their use is limited by the risk of cumulative cardiac toxicity. Encapsulating anthracyclines in liposomes may reduce cardiac toxicity and possibly increase drug availability to tumours. A phase I study in paediatric patients was designed to establish the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) after a single course of liposomal daunorubicin, ‘DaunoXome’, as a 1 h infusion on day 1 of a 21 day cycle. Patients were stratified into two groups according to prior treatment: Group A (conventional) and group B (heavily pretreated patients). Dose limiting toxicity was expected to be haematological, and a two-step escalation was planned, with and without G-CSF support. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in parallel. In all, 48 patients aged from 1 to 18 years were treated. Dose limiting toxicity was neutropenia for both groups. Maximum tolerated dose was defined as 155 mg m⁻² for Group A and 100 mg m⁻² for Group B. The second phase with G-CSF was interrupted because of evidence of cumulative cardiac toxicity. Cardiac toxicity was reported in a total of 15 patients in this study. DaunoXome shares the early cardiotoxicity of conventional anthracyclines in paediatric oncology. This study has successfully defined a haematological MTD for DaunoXome, but the significance of this is limited given the concerns of delayed cardiac toxicity. The importance of longer-term follow-up in patients enrolled into phase I studies has been underestimated previously, and may lead to an under-recognition of important adverse events.

Consequences of different approaches to local treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma within an international randomised controlled trial: Analysis of EICESS-92

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Background: Two national clinical trial groups (NCTG 1 and 2) together undertook a randomised trial (EICESS-92) which addressed chemotherapy treatment options for Ewing’s sarcoma (ES). No significant differences were found in analysis of the randomised trial questions. A significantly greater use of surgery, with or without radiotherapy, to achieve local tumour control was noted in NCTG 1. The influence on overall outcome was investigated. Methods: Univariate and multivariate analysis of the trial data set was undertaken. Patient characteristics, recognised prognostic factors for ES and treatment factors were all examined. Results: In total, 647 patients (pts) were randomised (NCTG 1: 437 pts; NCTG 2: 210 pts). There were no differences between groups in patient characteristics, disease factors or in chemotherapy received. Surgery of the primary tumour (74.6% v 51%) and pre-operative radiotherapy (44.6% v 2.9%) were more commonly used by NCTG1. Radiotherapy alone was more commonly used by NCTG 2 (39% v 19.5%). Five year overall survival (OS) for the whole cohort was 62.1% (95%CI: 58.3 to 66.0). Five year OS was 66.5% (95% CI 62.0–71.1) for NCTG 1 and 54.3% (95% CI 47.3–61.4) for NCTG 2 (p=0.009). OS was best for those selected for surgery alone and worst for those treated with radiotherapy alone (p <0.001). OS was equivalent between groups for each modality of local treatment. Local recurrence rates for NCTG1 were 7.1% vs. 21.4% for NCGT2. Conclusions: Unexpected differences in OS can occur between patient cohorts recruited by study groups co-operating in international randomised trials. Higher rates of local recurrence and poorer survival were seen in NCTG 2. Failure to select or deliver appropriate local treatment modalities for ES may compromise chances of cure.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The heart and the oesophagus: intimate relations

The close anatomical relations of the heart and oesophagus, and the similarity of symptoms attributable to disorders of either organ, often lead to diagnostic difficulty in patients with chest pain. A definitive diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain attributable to oesophageal reflux or spasm is hampered, both by the need for prolonged ambulatory monitoring of pH, manometry, and endoscopy, and by the common occurrence of asymptomatic reflux and spasm, and the corresponding difficulty in linking an episode of reflux or spasm with an episode of pain. Moreover, some patients with non-cardiac chest pain and normal tests of oesophageal structure and function have centrally mediated hypersensitivity, both within and without the oesophagus. Rather than proceed with investigations, in the absence of symptoms to suggest structural disease of the oesophagus, it would be reasonable to attempt symptomatic treatment with a proton pump inhibitor or an antidepressant.

Redefining the coronary care unit: an observational study of patients admitted to hospital in England and Wales in 2003

BACKGROUND

Coronary care units were developed in the 1960s as specially equipped and staffed areas where patients with acute myocardial infarction could be monitored and offered rapid resuscitation from life-threatening arrhythmias. Awareness of the morbidity and mortality of the wider spectrum of acute coronary ischaemia was unrecognized at that time.

AIM

To examine the relative frequencies with which thrombolytic treatment and resuscitation from cardiac arrest are provided for patients with myocardial infarction in cardiac care units (CCUs), emergency departments (EDs) and other medical wards.

DESIGN

Observational study.

METHODS

We analysed records from the National Audit of Myocardial Infarction Project (MINAP) for 61 688 patients admitted to 230 acute hospitals in England and Wales during 2003, and who received a final diagnosis of myocardial infarction, for locations of initiation of thrombolytic therapy and of first cardiac arrest within hospital.

RESULTS

Overall, 84% of 27 881 patients with ST-segment-elevation infarction, but only 42% of 30 382 patients with non-ST-elevation infarction, were admitted to a CCU. Of those receiving thrombolytic treatment for ST-elevation infarction, 68.3% of 21 595 did so in the ED. Within the first 4 h after arrival, the majority of episodes of cardiac arrest occurred in the ED: 709 (57%) vs. 488 (39%) in CCU, and 49 (4%) in medical wards.

DISCUSSION

The traditional role of the CCU in providing early resuscitation and thrombolytic treatment for patients with ST elevation infarction has largely been devolved to the ED. The role of the CCU should be re-evaluated, and the service re-designed to provide specialist care for all presentations of acute coronary syndrome.

Improving care for patients with acute coronary syndromes: initial results from the National Audit of Myocardial Infarction Project (MINAP)

OBJECTIVE

To describe the improvements in care that have followed the introduction of an electronic data entry and analysis system providing contemporary feedback on the management of acute coronary syndromes in 230 hospitals in England and Wales.

DESIGN

Observational study

METHODS

A secure electronic system was used to transfer encrypted data on patients with acute coronary syndromes from collaborating hospitals to central servers for analysis. Immediate online data entry to the central servers by hospitals allowed contemporary analyses of performance and immediate comparison with the national aggregate performance.

RESULTS

The records of 156 902 patients receiving a final diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome during three years between October 2000 and September 2003 were analysed. Of 69 113 patients with ST segment elevation infarction, 75.4% received thrombolytic treatment. Between the first and last years of the study the median interval from hospital arrival to treatment fell for eligible patients from 38 (interquartile range 22-58) to 20 (interquartile range 14-28) minutes. By mid 2003 77.6% were receiving thrombolytic treatment within 30 minutes of arrival. The proportion treated within two hours of onset of symptoms increased from 32.5% to 40.3% (a difference of 7.8 percentage points, p < 0.0001). The use of secondary prevention medication for acute coronary syndromes increased over this period: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, 62.4% to 72.4%; beta blockers, 76.3% to 82.6%; statins, 69.6% to 83.8%; and aspirin, 89.3% to 90.2%.

CONCLUSION

The provision of contemporary online performance analyses has underpinned substantial improvement in the care of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Antiplatelet agents in atherothrombotic diseases

Atherothrombotic disease places a huge financial and social burden on the nation, and antiplatelet therapy is important in preventing this. Aspirin is most widely used but newer compounds are valuable, especially on top of standard therapy in patients with unstable angina or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. This article reviews the changing use of antiplatelets.

Antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular diseases

Platelets play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic conditions, e.g. acute coronary syndromes, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular events. Antiplatelet agents interfere with platelet activation and aggregation and, as such, would be expected to modify the natural history of cardiovascular disease. In this review we explore the evidence to support the use of such drugs, singly or in combination, in a variety of situations characterised by thrombosis and summarise some of the concerns inherent in their use.

Cooperative regulation by Rac and Rho of agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in muscle cells

A key aspect of neuromuscular synapse formation is the clustering of muscle acetylcholine receptors (AChR) at synaptic sites in response to neurally secreted agrin. Agrin-induced AChR clustering in cultured myotubes proceeds via the initial formation of small microclusters, which then aggregate to form AChR clusters. Here we show that the coupling of agrin signaling to AChR clustering is dependent on the coordinated activities of Rac and Rho GTPases. The addition of agrin induces the sequential activation of Rac and Rho in C2 muscle cells. The activation of Rac is rapid and transient and constitutes a prerequisite for the subsequent activation of Rho. This temporal pattern of agrin-induced Rac and Rho activation reflects their respective roles in AChR cluster formation. Whereas agrin-induced activation of Rac is necessary for the initial phase of AChR cluster formation, which involves the aggregation of diffuse AChR into microclusters, Rho activation is crucial for the subsequent condensation of these microclusters into full-size AChR clusters. Co-expression of constitutively active forms of Rac and Rho is sufficient to induce the formation of mature AChR clusters in the absence of agrin. These results establish that Rac and Rho play distinct but complementary roles in the mechanism of agrin-induced AChR clustering.

Limited effect of recombinant porcine interleukin-12 on porcine lymphocytes due to a low level of IL-12 beta2 receptor

The cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key molecule in the regulation of CD4 + T cell development and specifically potentiates T helper 1 responses in mouse and man. However, biological effects mediated by IL-12 have not been well defined in pigs. Herein, recombinant porcine IL-12 (rPoIL-12) was expressed in a swine poxvirus system as a biologically active heterodimer and used to stimulate bovine or swine lymphoblast cells. After 3 days of incubation, only bovine blasts were responsive to the rPoIL-12 treatment as monitored by cell proliferation in several independent trials. Similarly, i.m. administration of rPoIL-12 in the hind leg of 3-week-old pigs indicated a reduction in the number of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) producing lymphocytes isolated from inguinal lymph nodes. The porcine IL-12R beta2 (IL-12Rbeta2) sequence was cloned and results generated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that the expression of IL-12R on porcine blasts as measured by the relative levels of IL-12Rbeta2 mRNA was less than that in bovine blasts and are in agreement with the reduced proliferation response of swine blast cells to rPoIL-12 treatment. Real time PCR analysis demonstrated that after PBMC stimulation, bovine blasts had an 11-fold increase in IL-12Rbeta2 mRNA levels while porcine blasts had almost no change. These data support a mechanism for IL-12 stimulation in swine inconsistent with that observed in conventional models.

Changing the diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction in patients with a suspected heart attack affects the measurement of 30 day mortality but not long term survival

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effects of alternative methods of defining myocardial infarction on the numbers and survival patterns of patients identified as having sustained a confirmed myocardial infarct.

DESIGN

An inclusive historical cohort of patients admitted with a suspected heart attack. Patients were recoded from raw clinical data (collected at the index admission) to the epidemiological definitions of myocardial infarction used by the Nottingham heart attack register (NHAR), the World Health Organization (MONICA), and the UK heart attack study.

SETTING

Single health district.

PATIENTS

The NHAR identified all patients admitted in 1992 with suspected myocardial infarction.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Survival at 30 days and four year postdischarge.

RESULTS

2739 patients were identified, of whom 90% survived to discharge. Recoding increased the numbers of patients defined as having confirmed myocardial infarction from 26% under the original NHAR classification to 69%, depending on the classification system used. In confirmed myocardial infarction, subsequent 30 day survival from admission varied from 77-86% depending on the classification system; four year survival after discharge was not affected. The distribution of important prognostic variables differed significantly between groups of patients with confirmed myocardial infarction defined by different systems. Patients with suspected but unconfirmed myocardial infarction under all classification systems had a worse postdischarge mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The classification system used had a substantial effect on the numbers of patients identified as having had a myocardial infarct, and on the 30 day survival. There were significant numbers of patients with more atypical presentations, not labelled as myocardial infarction, who did badly following discharge. More research is needed on these patients.

Agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering is mediated by the small guanosine triphosphatases Rac and Cdc42

During neuromuscular junction formation, agrin secreted from motor neurons causes muscle cell surface acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to cluster at synaptic sites by mechanisms that are insufficiently understood. The Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), including Rac and Cdc42, can mediate focal reorganization of the cell periphery in response to extracellular signals. Here, we investigated the role of Rac and Cdc42 in coupling agrin signaling to AChR clustering. We found that agrin causes marked muscle-specific activation of Rac and Cdc42 in differentiated myotubes, as detected by biochemical measurements. Moreover, this activation is crucial for AChR clustering, since the expression of dominant interfering mutants of either Rac or Cdc42 in myotubes blocks agrin-induced AChR clustering. In contrast, constitutively active Rac and Cdc42 mutants cause AChR to aggregate in the absence of agrin. By indicating that agrin-dependent activation of Rac and Cdc42 constitutes a critical step in the signaling pathway leading to AChR clustering, these findings suggest a novel role for these Rho-GTPases: the coupling of neuronal signaling to a key step in neuromuscular synaptogenesis.

Sexual practices of older adults in a high HIV prevalence environment

Based on recent epidemiologic evidence, AIDS in older persons (ages 55-79) in Maryland appears to be increasingly contracted heterosexually, particularly in women. Little is known about sexual practices or beliefs about HIV in older persons living in high HIV prevalence urban populations. The purpose of this study was to assess sexual practices, particularly high risk behavior, modifications of behavior including condom use, and perceptions of risk. A behavioral survey, containing 41 potential responses, was developed through modification of The National AIDS Behavioral Survey, focusing on heterosexual activity. The survey was administered to a convenience sample of 55 to 79 year olds attending the Union Memorial Hospital medical clinic. Sexual activity is common within the older population, especially among men. Multiple partners is not unusual in older men. Condoms are commonly used. Older individuals typically are aware of HIV heterosexual transmission risk and a proportion have modified sexual behavior because of perceived risks.

Cardiac rehabilitation: socially deprived patients are less likely to attend but patients ineligible for thrombolysis are less likely to be invited

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation following acute myocardial infarction.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis using multivariate logistic regression modelling.

SETTING

Two large teaching hospitals in Nottingham.

PATIENTS

Cohorts of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction in 1992 and 1996.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Factors in multivariate analysis found to be associated with attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. Use of secondary prevention in those who were and were not invited and those who did and did not attend cardiac rehabilitation.

RESULTS

58% of all patients were offered cardiac rehabilitation. Attendance rates were 60% in 1992 and 74% in 1996. Invitations were more likely to be offered to younger patients, those who had received thrombolysis, and to patients admitted to one of the two Nottingham hospitals. Use of secondary prevention was only 48% in 1992 but this increased to 80% in 1996. Patients not receiving secondary prevention were less likely to be invited to cardiac rehabilitation. Social deprivation was the only factor significantly associated with poor uptake of cardiac rehabilitation in both years. There was no difference in the use of secondary prevention between those who did and did not attend cardiac rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Those invited to attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme are likely to be in a good prognosis group, comprising those who are young and have received thrombolysis. Those at greatest risk, particularly patients from socially deprived areas, seem to be missing out on the potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation. High risk patients should be specifically targeted to ensure that they are invited to, and encouraged to, attend a programme of cardiac rehabilitation.

Immunological response in the primate oviduct to a defined recombinant sperm immunogen

Assessment of immune responses in the oviduct is of importance in understanding reproductive tract responses to infections, vaccination against reproductive tract pathogens, or contraceptive immunogens. This review discusses a technique that permits repeated sampling of oviductal fluid from the same monkey at intervals spanning up to several years, and the analysis of antigen-specific immunoglobulins in the fluid. This technique is important to immunocontraceptive development because previous studies in primates have lacked information on oviductal immune responses and contraceptive efficacy may not correlate well with serum antibody titers. Thus, a reliable method of sampling oviductal fluid before and after immunization with a defined antigen is required to determine the quantity and type of local immune responses necessary to achieve contraceptive effects. Implantation of access ports proved useful for repeatedly aspirating oviductal fluid in vivo from cynomolgus monkeys that was free from artifactual contaminants and with no observable changes in the behavior or health of the animals. Subsequent assays of relative and absolute concentrations of antibodies in oviductal fluid and serum demonstrated the presence of IgA and IgG specific for the recombinant sperm immunogen SP-10 in fluid collected from the periovulatory oviduct of primates after intramuscular inoculations. The antibodies evoked by the recombinant sperm vaccinogen recognized the endogenous antigen target on both human and macaque sperm, lending support for the possibility of developing a contraceptive immunogen that prevents fertilization.