POS1401 ASSESSMENT OF INTERREADER RELIABILITY IN SCORING PATIENTS WITH HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BY FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING

Background:

Fluorescence Optical Imaging (FOI) utilises the fluorophore indocyanine green (ICG) to reflect enhanced microcirculation in hand and finger joints due to inflammation.

Objectives:

We wanted to assess the interreader reliability of FOI enhancement in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Furthermore, predefined typical morphologic patterns were included to determine the ability of FOI to discriminate between both diagnoses.

Methods:

An atlas with example images of grade 0-3 in different joint groups and typical morphologic patterns (‘streaky signals’[1], ‘green/blue nail sign’[2], ‘Werner sign’[3,4], and ‘Bishop’s crozier sign’) of PsA and hand OA was created. Two readers scored all joints in both hands (30 in total) of 20 cases with hand OA and PsA. The cases were randomly mixed and both readers were blinded to diagnosis. Each joint was rated on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 3 in five different images (PrimaVista Mode (PVM), phase 1, 2 (first and middle image), and 3) during the FOI sequence according to the scoring method FOIAS (fluorescence optical imaging activity score)[1,3]. Interreader reliability on scoring joint enhancement was calculated using linear weighted Cohen’s kappa (κ). Agreement on diagnosis (hand OA vs. PsA) and different morphologic patterns was assessed by calculating (regular) Cohen’s kappa.

Results:

Overall agreement on scoring joint enhancement (all phases) was substantial (κ = 0.75), with greatest consensus in phase 2 first (κ = 0.75) and lowest agreement in phase 1 (κ = 0.46). Reliability varied in different joint groups (wrist, MCP, (P)IP, DIP), with almost perfect overall agreement on PIP joint affection (κ = 0.81), substantial agreement on wrist (κ = 0.69) and DIP joint affection (κ = 0.63), and moderate agreement on MCP joint affection (κ = 0.49) across all phases. Consensus on morphologic patterns showed overall fair agreement (κ = 0.37) with a similar kappa value on the ability to discriminate between both diagnoses (κ = 0.3).

Conclusion:

Joint enhancement in FOI can be reliably assessed using a predefined scoring method. The ability of FOI to differentiate between hand OA and PsA seems to be limited. Clearer definition and more training might be needed to better agree on morphologic patterns in FOI.

References:

[1] Glimm AM, Werner SG, Burmester GR, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Mar;75(3):566-570

[2] Wiemann O, Werner SG, Langer HE, et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2019 Feb;17(2):138-148

[3] Werner SG, Langer HE, Ohrndorf S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Apr;71(4):504-510

[4] Zeidler H 2019. Fluoreszenzoptische Bildgebung. In: Zeidler H, Michel BA. Differenzialdiagnose rheumatischer Erkrankungen 5. Aufl. Springer, Heidelberg, S. 88-89

Disclosure of Interests:

Benedict Drude: None declared, Øystein Maugesten: None declared, Stephanie Gabriele Werner: None declared, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester: None declared, Jörn Berger Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Ida K. Haugen: None declared, Sarah Ohrndorf: None declared

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Three-dimensional microscale hanging drop arrays with geometric control for drug screening and live tissue imaging

Existing three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques are limited by trade-offs between throughput, capacity for high-resolution imaging in living state, and geometric control. Here, we introduce a modular microscale hanging drop culture where simple design elements allow high replicates for drug screening, direct on-chip real-time or high-resolution confocal microscopy, and geometric control in 3D. Thousands of spheroids can be formed on our microchip in a single step and without any selective pressure from specific matrices. Microchip cultures from human LN229 glioblastoma and patient-derived mouse xenograft cells retained genomic alterations of originating tumors based on mate pair sequencing. We measured response to drugs over time with real-time microscopy on-chip. Last, by engineering droplets to form predetermined geometric shapes, we were able to manipulate the geometry of cultured cell masses. These outcomes can enable broad applications in advancing personalized medicine for cancer and drug discovery, tissue engineering, and stem cell research.

AB0325 FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING (FOI) AIDS DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES AND INCREASES TREATMENT RESPONSE RATE IN RA THROUGH PATIENT STRATIFICATION

Background:

In recent years, indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced FOI has become clinically available as a novel tool for the early detection of rheumatic diseases, assessment of disease activity and monitoring of treatment response. The high sensitivity of this method allows visualization of slight changes in the microcirculation of the hands as a sign of inflammation. Different rheumatic diseases present characteristic signal enhancement patterns, which may facilitate differential diagnosis. Signal enhancement in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, for example, can frequently be seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives:

We analyzed data of a multicentric clinical study (OPERA, n = 3300) including patients with different rheumatic diseases. Patients were divided into groups using clinical parameters followed by FOI examination to test the hypothesis that this method can improve the diagnosis.

Methods:

The present study involved 200 patients with RA (n=200), divided into groups according to Steinbrocker’s (STBR) staging system, patients that had degenerative osteoarthritis (OA, n=100), and a control group without clinical symptoms (n=40). RA patients were examined before and during treatment with biologicals, glucocorticoids (GK), or DMARDs. Clinical and laboratory assessments were made by analyses of DAS28, patient questionnaires, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and x-rays. FOI signal intensity (SI) was defined by ratio of areas with SI in patients and controls. Image sequences were analyzed visually, and MCP joints were judged as positive if in the early phase of ICG inflow, a higher SI in any MCP region was found in comparison to the control group.

Results:

Initially, serum factors typical for RA patients were analyzed in the different groups. In 23 % of OA patients RF and/or ACPA were detected in the serum. Surprisingly, in the STBR I group, only 35 % of patients were tested as serum-positive for RF and/or ACPA. After FOI, the patients were subdivided into two groups with and without ICG enrichment in MCPs. In the MCP-positive group, the percentage of RF/ACPA-positive STBRI patients increased to 83%, with only 25 % seropositive patients in the MCP-negative group. In STBRII-IV cohorts, the proportion of RF/ACPA-positive patients was initially higher as in the STBRI group, but also increased after FOI analysis of MCP positivity. In the group treated with biologicals (STBRI-IV), responders were identified both by clinical parameters and FOI. After treatment, 42 % of all analyzed patients were found to respond to treatment. Compared to all patients, the MCP-positive group showed a significantly increased response rate at 71%, while all patients (100%) in the MCP-negative group were identified as non-responders (Figure 1).

Conclusion:

The study indicates that FOI is highly effective for the diagnosis of RA, selection of the appropriate therapy, and for the monitoring of therapeutic success. Treatment response rate can be increased (from 42% to 71%) through patient stratification in terms of ICG enrichment in MCP.

Figure.

Disclosure of Interests:

Mark Ferl: None declared, Sarah Ohrndorf: None declared, Jörn Berger Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Andreas Briel Shareholder of: Xiralite GmbH, Pia Welker Employee of: Xiralite GmbH

Rapid Isothermal Amplification and Portable Detection System for SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic provides an urgent example where a gap exists between availability of state-of-the-art diagnostics and current needs. As assay details and primer sequences become widely known, many laboratories could perform diagnostic tests using methods such as RT-PCR or isothermal RT-LAMP amplification. A key advantage of RT-LAMP based approaches compared to RT-PCR is that RT-LAMP is known to be robust in detecting targets from unprocessed samples. In addition, RT-LAMP assays are performed at a constant temperature enabling speed, simplicity, and point-of-use testing. Here, we provide the details of an RT-LAMP isothermal assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus with performance comparable to currently approved tests using RT-PCR. We characterize the assay by introducing swabs in virus spiked synthetic nasal fluids, moving the swab to viral transport medium (VTM), and using a volume of that VTM for performing the amplification without an RNA extraction kit. The assay has a Limit-of-Detection (LOD) of 50 RNA copies/μL in the VTM solution within 20 minutes, and LOD of 5000 RNA copies/μL in the nasal solution. Additionally, we show the utility of this assay for real-time point-of-use testing by demonstrating detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in less than 40 minutes using an additively manufactured cartridge and a smartphone-based reader. Finally, we explore the speed and cost advantages by comparing the required resources and workflows with RT-PCR. This work could accelerate the development and availability of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics by proving alternatives to conventional laboratory benchtop tests.

Development of the Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Prediction Model for Risk-Adjusting Mortality

OBJECTIVES

To develop a prognostic model for predicting mortality at time of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation for children which is important for determining center-specific risk-adjusted outcomes.

DESIGN

Multivariable logistic regression using a large national cohort of pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

SETTING

The ICUs of the eight tertiary care children's hospitals of the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network.

PATIENTS

Five-hundred fourteen children (< 19 yr old), enrolled with an initial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation run for any indication between January 2012 and September 2014.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 514 first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs were analyzed with an overall mortality of 45% (n = 232). Weighted logistic regression was used for model selection and internal validation was performed using cross validation. The variables included in the Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Prediction model were age (pre-term neonate, full-term neonate, infant, child, and adolescent), indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac, or respiratory), meconium aspiration, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, documented blood stream infection, arterial blood pH, partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio. The highest risk of mortality was associated with the presence of a documented blood stream infection (odds ratio, 5.26; CI, 1.90-14.57) followed by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (odds ratio, 4.36; CI, 2.23-8.51). The C-statistic was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.70-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Prediction model represents a model for predicting in-hospital mortality among children receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for any indication. Consequently, it holds promise as the first comprehensive pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation risk stratification model which is important for benchmarking extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes across many centers.

What Approaches are Most Effective at Addressing Micronutrient Deficiency in Children 0-5 Years? A Review of Systematic Reviews

Introduction Even though micronutrient deficiency is still a major public health problem, it is still unclear which interventions are most effective in improving micronutrient status. This review therefore aims to summarize the evidence published in systematic reviews on intervention strategies that aim at improving micronutrient status in children under the age of five. Methods We searched the literature and included systematic reviews that reported on micronutrient status as a primary outcome for children of 0-5 years old, had a focus on low or middle income countries. Subsequently, papers were reviewed and selected by two authors. Results We included 4235 reviews in this systematic review. We found that (single or multiple) micronutrient deficiencies in pre-school children improved after providing (single or multiple) micronutrients. However home fortification did not always lead to significant increase in serum vitamin A, serum ferritin, hemoglobin or zinc. Commercial fortification did improve iron status. Cord clamping reduced the risk of anemia in infants up to 6 months and, in helminth endemic areas, anthelminthic treatment increased serum ferritin levels, hemoglobin and improved height for age z-scores. Anti-malaria treatment improved ferritin levels. Discussion Based on our results the clearest recommendations are: delayed cord clamping is an effective intervention for reducing anemia in early life. In helminth endemic areas iron status can be improved by anthelminthic treatment. Anti-malaria treatment can improve ferritin. In deficient populations, single iron, vitamin A and multimicronutrient supplementation can improve iron, vitamin A and multimicronutrient status respectively. While the impact of home-fortification on multimicronutrient status remains questionable, commercial iron fortification may improve iron status.

Physicians’ conceptualization of “Closure” as A benefit of Physician-Parent Follow-Up Meetings after A Child's Death in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

We examined physicians’ conceptualization of closure as a benefit of follow-up meetings with bereaved parents. The frequency of use and the meaning of the word “closure” were analyzed in transcripts of interviews with 67 critical care physicians affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. In all, 38 physicians (57 percent) used the word “closure” at least once (median: 2; range: 1 to 7), for a total of 86 times. Physicians indicated that closure is a process or trajectory rather than an achievable goal. They also indicated that parents and physicians can move toward closure by gaining a better understanding of the causes and circumstances of the death and by reconnecting with, or resolving relationships between, parents and health professionals. Physicians suggested that a primary reason to conduct follow-up meetings is that such meetings offer parents and physicians an opportunity to move toward closure. Future research should attempt to determine whether follow-up meetings reduce the negative effects of bereavement for parents and physicians.