PREVALENCE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN AN URBAN INDIAN COHORT USING DIABETES IN PREGNANCY STUDY GROUP IN INDIA (DIPSI) CRITERIA – VALIDATING ONE-STEP APPROACH

Background. India is the “World’s Diabetes capital”, with half the diabetic population being women. Early detection of glucose intolerance during pregnancy offers a timely opportunity for screening, management and prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and prevents fetal complications. Objective. The study assessed the prevalence of GDM in an Indian cohort using the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group of India (DIPSI) criteria. Methods. 200 pregnant women underwent two-phase testing with non-fasting 75-gram glucose challenge under Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group of India (DIPSI) criteria at <20 weeks and between 24-28 weeks period of gestation. A 3-hour 100-gm oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used for confirmation. Repeat testing was done for women negative during the first-phase. Results. Mean age was 24.26±3.75 years with 52.5% multigravidas. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 20.7±3.07 kg/m2. The prevalence of GDM in study cohort was found to be 15.5% using the DIPSI criteria while the prevalence of GDM after 100 g OGTT was 13.0%. GDM was mostly seen to occur in women of 26-30-year age group. Statistically significant associations for age and GDM, and BMI and GDM were evidenced. Conclusions. Maternal age of ≥25 years should be adopted as a risk factor for the development of GDM. The DIPSI criteria offer a cost-effective and an evidence-based protocol for a single-step definitive glucose test for both screening and diagnosis of pregnant patients belonging to any socio-economic strata; furthering its implementation for public health obstetrics.

Abstract P4-16-01: Evaluation of miracle mouthwash (MMW) plus hydrocortisone or prednisolone mouth rinses as prophylaxis for everolimus-associated stomatitis: Results of a randomized phase II study

Background: Oral stomatitis is a frequent adverse event (AE) associated with mTOR-inhibitor therapy, and can impact adherence. In BOLERO-2, patients (pts) with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with exemestane plus everolimus (EVE), the incidence of all-grade (G) stomatitis or related AEs was 67%, with 24%/8% of pts developing G2/G3 stomatitis or related AEs, respectively (Perez et al ASCO 2013 Abs 7029). In BOLERO-2, 24% of pts required EVE dose reduction for stomatitis (Rugo et al Ann Oncol 2014;25:808). This study evaluated 2 steroid-based mouth rinses for the prevention or amelioration of oral stomatitis in pts with MBC treated with EVE. Methods: This prospective randomized phase II study enrolled postmenopausal pts (planned accrual=100) with HR+ MBC within the US Oncology Network who were initiating therapy with an aromatase inhibitor plus EVE (10 mg/day)(AIE). Pts were randomized 1:1 to prophylactic therapy with 1 of 2 oral rinses (ARM 1: MMW 480 ml recipe: 320 mL oral Benadryl, 2 g Tetracycline, 80 mg Hydrocortisone, 40 mL Nystatin suspension, water; or ARM 2: Prednisolone (P) 15mg/5mL oral solution, 1.8% alcohol). Pts were instructed to swish/expectorate 10 ml of the assigned rinse 4x daily starting with D1 of EVE treatment, for a total of 12 wks. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of G≥2 stomatitis or related oral AEs during the first 12 wks of treatment. Based on a historical estimate that ≥37% of pts receiving AIE develop G≥2 stomatitis, 50 pts for each arm were required to detect a reduction of the incidence of G≥2 stomatitis from 37% to &lt;20%, with alpha = 0.05, 80% power, and a 1-sided test. Secondary objectives included assessment of AEs (all grades), determination of the percentage of pts requiring dose interruption/reduction of EVE or discontinuation of therapy due to toxicity, and evaluation of the impact of the oral rinses on the duration and severity of stomatitis. Results: As of 5/30/2016, a total of 104 pts have been randomized and 100 pts have received treatment (49 MMW; 51 P). Median age was 61 yrs (range 31-82 yrs). The incidence of stomatitis and related oral AEs (any grade) during the first 12 wks was 29% (n=14/49) and 27.5% (14/51) in the MMW and P arms respectively. The incidence of G2 oral AEs was 12% (6/49) and 8% (4/51) with MMW and P respectively. There was only 1 G3 oral AE (MMW arm), and no G4 events. There was 1 EVE dose reduction (MMW) and 4 EVE dose delays (3 MMW, 1 P) during the first 12 wks of treatment. No pts stopped the steroid mouth rinse therapy due to mouth rinse-related toxicity. Conclusion: These prospective data provide evidence of a reduced incidence of mTOR-associated oral AEs with prophylactic use of a steroid mouth rinse. The 29%/27.5% incidence of all-grade and 12%/8% incidence of G2 oral AEs, with only 1 G3 event, compare favorably with the 67% and 24%/8% incidence of all-grade and G2/3 stomatitis, respectively, in BOLERO-2. These data also show the safety and tolerability of these 2 steroid mouth rinses. Prophylactic use of steroid mouth rinses substantially decreases the incidence of G2/3 stomatitis and the need for EVE dose modifications.

Citation Format: Jones VE, McIntyre KJ, Paul D, Wilks ST, Ondreyco SM, Sedlacek SM, Melnyk Jr. AM, Oommen SP, Wang Y, O'Shaughnessy JA. Evaluation of miracle mouthwash (MMW) plus hydrocortisone or prednisolone mouth rinses as prophylaxis for everolimus-associated stomatitis: Results of a randomized phase II study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-16-01.

Metallization and APPJ treatment of bismaleimide

Bismaleimide (BMI) resins are a new breed of thermosetting resins used mainly for high-temperature applications and have major usage in aerospace. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies have shown signatures of imide, C–N–C stretching, maleimide, and N–H stretching. These BMI polymer coatings were deposited on aluminum (Al) and mild steel substrates by sprinkling powers followed by baking. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric studies showed the degradation temperature of these polymers around 370°C. Al coatings were deposited on BMI that is previously deposited on Al and mild steel to make a metal–BMI–metal trilayer. These trilayers can solve the problem charging of the aircraft bodies at high altitudes. Atomic force microscopy was done to determine the morphology of the surface. Roughness and thickness measurements of the BMI coatings were carried out by a surface profilometer. Vickers microhardness tests showed an increase in the hardness of the metal–BMI–metal trilayer. FTIR spectrum showed signatures of imides, C–N–C stretching, maleimide, and N–H stretching in BMI. Peak broadening indicates the release of the stress during thermal treatment of the coating. The coating is subject to variable Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet (APPJ) conditions, which improves the properties at high temperature. X-ray diffraction studies showed a hint of crystallinity on APPJ treatment.

Alanine Aminotransferase and Total Bilirubin Concentration in Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Eclampsia is an important cause of maternal mortality in developing countries. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Departments of Clinical Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), and Obstetrics and Gynecology, BSMMU, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from March 2012 to February 2013 and was designed to evaluate liver markers to predict preeclampsia. One hundred fifty (150) women with pregnancy of ≥28 weeks, 50 for each normal, preeclampsia and eclampsia group, were enrolled purposively. The protocol was approved by IRB of BSMMU. Consent was taken from each patient. Serum total Bilirubin and ALT were assessed. Data was collected in a questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS-16. Quantitative data were compared by ANOVA or 't' test and qualitative data by chi-square test. P value <0.05 was considered significant. The patients of all groups were similar in age and gravida. The mean±SD serum total bilirubin and ALT were significantly higher in preeclampsia and eclampsia groups than normal pregnancy. However they were similar in preeclampsia and eclampsia group.

Covariance-based analyses of biological pathways

The use of high-throughput data to study the changing behavior of biological pathways has focused mainly on examining the changes in the means of pathway genes. In this paper, we propose instead to test for changes in the co-regulated and unregulated variability of pathway genes. We assume that the eigenvalues of previously defined pathways capture biologically relevant quantities, and we develop a test for biologically meaningful changes in the eigenvalues between classes. This test reflects important and often ignored aspects of pathway behavior and provides a useful complement to traditional pathway analyses.

Correlation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) with Hepatic Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B

CTGF/CCN2 plays an important role in the formation and development of hepatic fibrosis. This study determined the correlation between serum CTGF/CCN2 and stages of hepatic fibrosis and explored the clinical value of serum CTGF/CCN2 in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. This cross sectional study was done in department of Clinical Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from March 2012 to February 2013. Serum CTGF was measured by using of a sandwich immunoassay technique. Forty (40) chronic hepatitis B patients were included in this study. The sensitivity of CTGF/CCN2 was 71.6%, specificity 67.5%. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.652 between serum CTGF/CCN2 and stages of hepatic fibrosis (p<0.001). The area under receiver-operating curve (ROC) was 0.750 for identification of hepatic fibrosis. This present data revealed that serum CTGF/CCN2 in chronic hepatitis B were strongly associated with stages of hepatic fibrosis. CTGF/CCN2 may useful diagnostic tool for assessing the hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.

[Patients' rights--doctors' duties]

On 26 February 2013 the new "Law on Patients' Rights" (hereinafter also the "Law") became effective. This Law strengthens patients' rights vis-à-vis the insurdnce company and also regulates patients' rights regarding their relation to the doctor. This has consequences for the laws on medical liability all doctors must consider. The doctor's performance is and remains a service and such service does not hold any guarantee of success. Nevertheless, this Law primarily reads as a "law on the duties of physicians". To duly take into account these duties and to avoid mistakes and misinterpretation of the Law, the Ethics Committee of the Consortium of Osteosynthesis Trauma Germany (AOTRAUMA-D) has drafted comments on the Law. Brief summaries of its effects are to be found at the end of the respective comment under the heading "Consequences for Practice". The text of the law was influenced particularly by case law, as continuously developed by the German Federal Court of Justice ("BGH"). The implementation of the Law on Patients' Rights was effected by the newly inserted sections 630a to 630h of the German Civil Code (the "BGB"), which are analysed below. The following comments are addressed to physicians only and do not deal with the specific requirements and particularities of the other medical professions such as physiotherapy, midwifery and others so on. Special attention should be paid to the comments on the newly inserted Duty to inform, which has to be fullfilled prior to any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure (sec. 630c para 2 sentence 1 BGB). Under certain conditions the doctor also has to inform the patient about the circumstances that lead to the presumed occurance of a therapeutic or diagnostic malpractice (sec. 630c para. 2 sentence 2 BGB), based on the manifestation of an undesired event or an undesired outcome. As before, the patient's valid consent to any procedure (sec. 630d BGB) is directly linked to the comprehensive and timely provision of information (sec. 630e BGB). Comprehensive documentation obligations regarding all procedures are stipulated in sec. 630f BGB. As before, the burden of proof still rests with the patient, unless a severe malpractice has been established (sec. 630h BGB). The definition of "severe malpractice" remains unchanged and is based on the case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). The patient's obligations to preserve his or her health and to actively support the process of recovery and securing a positive outcome of the treatment are not explicitly mentioned in the Law. Nevertheless, the patient and the physician need to work closely together to achieve a successful result of the treatment. In case the patient does not give his or her cooperation, the physician should consider terminating the treatment relationship.

An L1-norm phase constraint for half-Fourier compressed sensing in 3D MR imaging

OBJECTIVE

In most half-Fourier imaging methods, explicit phase replacement is used. In combination with parallel imaging, or compressed sensing, half-Fourier reconstruction is usually performed in a separate step. The purpose of this paper is to report that integration of half-Fourier reconstruction into iterative reconstruction minimizes reconstruction errors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The L1-norm phase constraint for half-Fourier imaging proposed in this work is compared with the L2-norm variant of the same algorithm, with several typical half-Fourier reconstruction methods. Half-Fourier imaging with the proposed phase constraint can be seamlessly combined with parallel imaging and compressed sensing to achieve high acceleration factors.

RESULTS

In simulations and in in-vivo experiments half-Fourier imaging with the proposed L1-norm phase constraint enables superior performance both reconstruction of image details and with regard to robustness against phase estimation errors.

CONCLUSION

The performance and feasibility of half-Fourier imaging with the proposed L1-norm phase constraint is reported. Its seamless combination with parallel imaging and compressed sensing enables use of greater acceleration in 3D MR imaging.

Anti–citrullinated protein antibody positivity correlates with cartilage damage and proteoglycan levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the hand joints

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with cartilage proteoglycan content in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Methods: 32 RA patients received high-field 3 Tesla Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) for determining cartilage proteoglycan content. Measurements were performed in three individual cartilage regions (medial, central, lateral) of the metacarpophalangeal joints 2 and 3. dGEMRIC values were then related to disease duration, disease activity, anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) status, rheumatoid factor status and C-reactive protein level. Results: dGEMRIC values were not significantly different between the MCP2 and MCP3 joint. Inter-class correlations were high (>0.92) for all three (medial, central and lateral) cartilage compartments. dGEMRIC values were significantly lower in RA patients with longer disease duration (≥3 years) and those with ACPA positivity than those with a short disease duration (<3 years)(p=0.034) or negative ACPA (p=0.0002), respectively. In contrast, no association between cartilage proteoglycan content and disease activity, C-reactive protein level and rheumatoid factor status was found. Conclusion: Decreased cartilage proteoglycan content in RA patients is associated with disease duration and ACPA positivity but not with the actual disease activity, CRP level or rheumatoid factor status. These data suggest that the cumulative burden of inflammation as well as ACPA are the determinants for cartilage damage in RA.

Dietary exposure to benzoates (E210-E213), parabens (E214-E219), nitrites (E249-E250), nitrates (E251-E252), BHA (E320), BHT (E321) and aspartame (E951) in children less than 3 years old in France

This study aimed to estimate the exposure to seven additives (benzoates, parabens, nitrites, nitrates, BHA, BHT and aspartame) in children aged less than 3 years old in France. A conservative approach, combining individual consumption data with maximum permitted levels, was carried out for all the additives. More refined estimates using occurrence data obtained from products' labels (collected by the French Observatory of Food Quality) were conducted for those additives that exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Information on additives' occurrence was obtained from the food labels. When the ADI was still exceeded, the exposure estimate was further refined using measured concentration data, if available. When using the maximum permitted level (MPL), the ADI was exceeded for benzoates (1.94 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)), nitrites (0.09 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)) and BHA (0.39 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)) in 25%, 54% and 20% of the entire study population respectively. The main food contributors identified with this approach were current foods as these additives are not authorised in specific infant food: vegetable soups and broths for both benzoates and BHA, delicatessen and meat for nitrites. The exposure estimate was significantly reduced when using occurrence data, but in the upper-bound scenario the ADI was still exceeded significantly by the age group 13-36 months for benzoates (2%) and BHA (1%), and by the age group 7-12 months (16%) and 13-36 months (58%) for nitrites. Measured concentration data were available exclusively for nitrites and the results obtained using these data showed that the nitrites' intake was below the ADI for all the population considered in this study. These results suggest that refinement of exposure, based on the assessment of food levels, is needed to estimate the exposure of children to BHA and benzoates for which the risk of exceeding the ADI cannot be excluded when using occurrence data.