Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), also known as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome, is a new dangerous childhood disease that is temporally associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to describe the typical presentation and outcomes of children diagnosed with this hyperinflammatory condition.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review to communicate the clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging results, and outcomes of individuals with MIS-C. We searched four medical databases to encompass studies characterizing MIS-C from January 1st, 2020 to July 25th, 2020. Two independent authors screened articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. This review was registered with PROSPERO CRD42020191515.

FINDINGS

Our search yielded 39 observational studies (n = 662 patients). While 71·0% of children (n = 470) were admitted to the intensive care unit, only 11 deaths (1·7%) were reported. Average length of hospital stay was 7·9 ± 0·6 days. Fever (100%, n = 662), abdominal pain or diarrhea (73·7%, n = 488), and vomiting (68·3%, n = 452) were the most common clinical presentation. Serum inflammatory, coagulative, and cardiac markers were considerably abnormal. Mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were necessary in 22·2% (n = 147) and 4·4% (n = 29) of patients, respectively. An abnormal echocardiograph was observed in 314 of 581 individuals (54·0%) with depressed ejection fraction (45·1%, n = 262 of 581) comprising the most common aberrancy.

INTERPRETATION

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is a new pediatric disease associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is dangerous and potentially lethal. With prompt recognition and medical attention, most children will survive but the long-term outcomes from this condition are presently unknown.

FUNDING

Parker B. Francis and pilot grant from 2R25-HL126140. Funding agencies had no involvement in the study.

COVID-19 in 7780 pediatric patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Studies summarizing the clinical picture of COVID-19 in children are lacking. This review characterizes clinical symptoms, laboratory, and imaging findings, as well as therapies provided to confirmed pediatric cases of COVID-19.

METHODS

Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched four medical databases (PubMed, LitCovid, Scopus, WHO COVID-19 database) between December 1, 2019 to May 14, 2020 using the keywords "novel coronavirus", "COVID-19" or "SARS-CoV-2". We included published or in press peer-reviewed cross-sectional, case series, and case reports providing clinical signs, imaging findings, and/or laboratory results of pediatric patients who were positive for COVID-19. Risk of bias was appraised through the quality assessment tool published by the National Institutes of Health. PROSPERO registration # CRD42020182261.

FINDINGS

We identified 131 studies across 26 countries comprising 7780 pediatric patients. Although fever (59·1%) and cough (55·9%) were the most frequent symptoms 19·3% of children were asymptomatic. Patchy lesions (21·0%) and ground-glass opacities (32·9%) depicted lung radiograph and computed tomography findings, respectively. Immunocompromised children or those with respiratory/cardiac disease comprised the largest subset of COVID-19 children with underlying medical conditions (152 of 233 individuals). Coinfections were observed in 5.6% of children and abnormal laboratory markers included serum D-dimer, procalcitonin, creatine kinase, and interleukin-6. Seven deaths were reported (0·09%) and 11 children (0·14%) met inclusion for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

INTERPRETATION

This review provides evidence that children diagnosed with COVID-19 have an overall excellent prognosis. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and better understand which patients are at increased risk for developing severe inflammation and multiorgan failure.

FUNDING

Parker B. Francis and pilot grant from 2R25-HL126140. Funding agencies had no involvement in the study.

Frequency-Dependent Squeezing for Advanced LIGO

The first detection of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015 launched the era of gravitational-wave astronomy. The quest for gravitational-wave signals from objects that are fainter or farther away impels technological advances to realize ever more sensitive detectors. Since 2019, one advanced technique, the injection of squeezed states of light, is being used to improve the shot-noise limit to the sensitivity of the Advanced LIGO detectors, at frequencies above ∼50  Hz. Below this frequency, quantum backaction, in the form of radiation pressure induced motion of the mirrors, degrades the sensitivity. To simultaneously reduce shot noise at high frequencies and quantum radiation pressure noise at low frequencies requires a quantum noise filter cavity with low optical losses to rotate the squeezed quadrature as a function of frequency. We report on the observation of frequency-dependent squeezed quadrature rotation with rotation frequency of 30 Hz, using a 16-m-long filter cavity. A novel control scheme is developed for this frequency-dependent squeezed vacuum source, and the results presented here demonstrate that a low-loss filter cavity can achieve the squeezed quadrature rotation necessary for the next planned upgrade to Advanced LIGO, known as "A+."

Weight Change 2 Years After Termination of the Intensive Lifestyle Intervention in the Look AHEAD Study

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated weight changes after cessation of the 10-year intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study. It was hypothesized that ILI participants would be more likely to gain weight during the 2-year observational period following termination of weight-loss-maintenance counseling than would participants in the diabetes support and education (DSE) control group.

METHODS

Look AHEAD was a randomized controlled trial that compared the effects of ILI and DSE on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in participants with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes. Look AHEAD was converted to an observational study in September 2012.

RESULTS

Two years after the end of the intervention (EOI), ILI and DSE participants lost a mean  (SE) of 1.2  (0.2) kg and 1.8  (0.2) kg, respectively (P = 0.003). In addition, 31% of ILI and 23.9% of DSE participants gained ≥ 2% (P < 0.001) of EOI weight, whereas 36.3% and 45.9% of the respective groups lost ≥ 2% of EOI weight (P = 0.001). Two years after the EOI, ILI participants reported greater use of weight-control behaviors than DSE participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Both groups lost weight during the 2-year follow-up period, but more ILI than DSE participants gained ≥ 2% of EOI weight. Further understanding is needed of factors that affected long-term weight change in both groups.

Faire face au traumatisme du patient, quel impact pour les médecins ?

L’exercice de la médecine est un compromis permanent entre la vie et la mort, entre puissance médicale et risque d’échec. Un exercice d’autant plus complexe qu’il est soumis aux contraintes d’une organisation institutionnelle mouvante et d’une charge de travail croissante. Par essence, les psychiatres sont exposés à une charge émotionnelle intense dans leurs échanges avec des patients souffrants et traumatisés, d’autant qu’il leur est recommandé de faire preuve d’empathie. Ainsi les médecins présentent un risque important de burn out, avec 49 % d’épuisement émotionnel chez des psychiatres italiens par exemple. Les comorbidités du burn out restent la dépression, le suicide, les addictions. Le risque suicidaire est plus élevé chez les médecins (les hommes médecins sont 1,4 fois plus à risque de commettre un suicide que les hommes non-médecins) et seulement 1/5 déclarent qu’ils iraient chercher de l’aide s’ils souffraient d’une maladie mentale. Etre thérapeute auprès de victimes de traumatismes peut entraîner une souffrance psychologique cumulée se manifestant sous forme de certains symptômes post-traumatiques révélant un traumatisme vicariant ou secondaire. L’usure de compassion, terme parfois utilisé comme synonyme, est pourtant quant à elle conceptualisée comme la somme de deux entités : le trauma vicariant et le burn out. La vulnérabilité à ces modifications cognitives est d’autant plus grande chez les soignants qu’ils présentent une exposition personnelle à des évènements traumatisants importante. L’élaboration d’échelles d’évaluation validées permet de mener des études sur ces différentes dimensions (« usure de compassion », traumatisme vicariant, burn out,…) parfois comprises comme conséquences néfastes de stratégies de coping dépassées. En France, le développement de la prise en soin des victimes de psychotraumatisme, doit conduire à étudier l’impact de celui-ci sur les personnels soignants.

History of Cardiovascular Disease, Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Look AHEAD Trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on cardiovascular disease (CVD), the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) trial randomized 5,145 participants with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity to a ILI or diabetes support and education. Although the primary outcome did not differ between the groups, there was suggestive evidence of heterogeneity for prespecified baseline CVD history subgroups (interaction P = 0.063). Event rates were higher in the ILI group among those with a CVD history (hazard ratio 1.13 [95% CI: 0.90-1.41]) and lower among those without CVD (hazard ratio 0.86 [95% CI: 0.72-1.02]).

METHODS

This study conducted post hoc analyses of the rates of the primary composite outcome and components, adjudicated cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and hospitalization for angina, as well as three secondary composite cardiovascular outcomes.

RESULTS

Interaction P values for the primary and two secondary composites were similar (0.060-0.064). Of components, the interaction was significant for nonfatal MI (P = 0.035). This interaction was not due to confounding by baseline variables, different intervention responses for weight loss and physical fitness, or hypoglycemic events. In those with a CVD history, statin use was high and similar by group. In those without a CVD history, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher (P = 0.003) and statin use was lower (P ≤ 0.001) in the ILI group.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention response heterogeneity was significant for nonfatal MI. Response heterogeneity may need consideration in a CVD-outcome trial design.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems. The ability to localize the sources is given as a sky-area probability, luminosity distance, and comoving volume. The median sky localization area (90% credible region) is expected to be a few hundreds of square degrees for all types of binary systems during O3 with the Advanced LIGO and Virgo (HLV) network. The median sky localization area will improve to a few tens of square degrees during O4 with the Advanced LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (HLVK) network. During O3, the median localization volume (90% credible region) is expected to be on the order of 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 Mpc 3 for binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems, respectively. The localization volume in O4 is expected to be about a factor two smaller than in O3. We predict a detection count of 1 - 1 + 12 ( 10 - 10 + 52 ) for binary neutron star mergers, of 0 - 0 + 19 ( 1 - 1 + 91 ) for neutron star-black hole mergers, and 17 - 11 + 22 ( 79 - 44 + 89 ) for binary black hole mergers in a one-calendar-year observing run of the HLV network during O3 (HLVK network during O4). We evaluate sensitivity and localization expectations for unmodeled signal searches, including the search for intermediate mass black hole binary mergers.

Quantum-Enhanced Advanced LIGO Detectors in the Era of Gravitational-Wave Astronomy

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) has been directly detecting gravitational waves from compact binary mergers since 2015. We report on the first use of squeezed vacuum states in the direct measurement of gravitational waves with the Advanced LIGO H1 and L1 detectors. This achievement is the culmination of decades of research to implement squeezed states in gravitational-wave detectors. During the ongoing O3 observation run, squeezed states are improving the sensitivity of the LIGO interferometers to signals above 50 Hz by up to 3 dB, thereby increasing the expected detection rate by 40% (H1) and 50% (L1).

Closed-loop insulin delivery in end-of-life care: a case report

BACKGROUND

Glucose management for people with diabetes approaching the end of life can be very challenging. The aim is to balance a minimally invasive approach with avoidance of symptomatic hypo- and hyperglycaemia.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of a hospitalized individual whose glucose was managed with closed-loop insulin delivery within a randomized controlled trial setting during a period of terminal illness. During the time in which closed-loop insulin delivery was used, glucose control was safe, with no glucose-related harm. The mean ± sd sensor glucose for this individual was 11.3 ± 4.3 mmol/l, percentage of time spent in target glucose range between 6 and 15 mmol/l was 70.5%, time spent in hypoglycaemia was 2.0% and time spent in significant hyperglycaemia >20 mmol/l was 2.6%.

CONCLUSION

Closed-loop systems can accommodate personalized glucose targets and highly variable insulin requirements. Factory-calibrated continuous glucose sensors and insulin pump therapy are less intrusive than finger-stick glucose measurements and insulin injections, respectively. Closed-loop systems may provide a safer and less burdensome approach to glucose management towards the end of life.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term risk of maternal renal disease: a systematic review

Background

Little is known about the long-term risk of renal disease following adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes (GDM) or preterm delivery. We aimed to investigate associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), by synthesising results of relevant studies.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science was done up to July 2018. Case-control and cohort studies were eligible for inclusion if they provided original effect estimates for associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes (HDP, GDM, preterm) and maternal renal disease (primary outcomes: CKD, ESKD; secondary outcomes: renal hospitalisation, renal mortality). Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to determine pooled adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for each association.

Results

Of 5,120 studies retrieved, 21 studies met inclusion criteria (4,483,847 participants). HDP was associated with increased odds of ESKD (AOR 6.58, 95%CI 4.06-10.65), CKD (AOR 2.08, 95%CI 1.06-4.10), renal hospitalisation (AOR 2.29, 95%CI 1.42-3.71). The magnitude of association was dependent on HDP subtype: AOR for preeclampsia and ESKD was 4.87 (95%CI 3.01-7.87); gestational hypertension and ESKD was 3.65 (95%CI 2.34-5.67); other HDP (including chronic hypertension) and ESKD was 14.67 (95%CI 3.21-66.97). Preterm delivery was associated with increased odds of ESKD (AOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.64-2.85). GDM was associated with increased odds of CKD among black women (AOR 1.78, 95%CI 1.18-2.70), but not Caucasian women (AOR 0.81, 95%CI 0.58-1.13)

Conclusions

Women who experience adverse pregnancy outcomes have increased odds of renal disease, especially after HDP. Risk stratification and preventive interventions may be needed to reduce the risk of clinically significant renal disease in mothers.

Key messages

This is the first study to summarise the long-term risk of renal disease among women who experience a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women who experience hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, preterm delivery, or gestational diabetes are at increased odds of renal disease.

Preterm delivery is associated with long-term risk of maternal renal disease

Background

Preterm delivery is an independent risk factor for maternal cardiovascular disease. Little is known about the association between preterm delivery and maternal renal function, and whether any association is independent of preeclampsia or intra-uterine growth restriction. This study aimed to examine the association between gestational age and long-term maternal chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

Methods

Using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, singleton live births from 1973-2012 were identified and linked to data from the Swedish Renal Register and National Patient Register (up to 2013). Women with pre-pregnancy CKD/ESKD, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, systemic lupus erythematosus were excluded. Gestational age at delivery was the main exposure, treated as a time-dependent variable. Primary outcomes were maternal CKD or ESKD. Cox regression was used, adjusting for maternal age, year of delivery, country of origin, education, parity, interpregnancy interval, smoking, BMI, gestational diabetes. Models were stratified by exposure to preeclampsia or small for gestational age (SGA).

Results

There were 3,847,694 pregnancies among 1,990,273 unique women. Nine percent of women (n = 172,915) had at least one preterm delivery (&lt;37 weeks). Exposure to preterm delivery was associated with higher risk of CKD (aHR 1.48, 95%CI 1.41-1.54) and ESKD (aHR 2.52, 95%CI 2.17-2.92). Earlier gestational age at delivery was associated with increasing risk of CKD and ESKD. Women with spontaneous preterm delivery were at higher risk of CKD (vs. normal term, aHR 1.33, 95% CI 1.26-1.40) and ESKD (aHR 2.02, 95%CI 1.69-2.40) independently of preeclampsia/SGA. Associations persisted after excluding women who developed postpartum cardiovascular disease, hypertension or diabetes.

Conclusions

Women who gave birth at earlier gestation were at higher risk of later CKD and ESKD. This association persisted independently of preeclampsia and SGA.

Key messages

Preterm delivery is an independent predictor of long-term maternal renal disease. Obstetric history should be considered as part of overall risk stratification for chronic kidney disease in women.

Search for Subsolar Mass Ultracompact Binaries in Advanced LIGO's Second Observing Run

We present a search for subsolar mass ultracompact objects in data obtained during Advanced LIGO's second observing run. In contrast to a previous search of Advanced LIGO data from the first observing run, this search includes the effects of component spin on the gravitational waveform. We identify no viable gravitational-wave candidates consistent with subsolar mass ultracompact binaries with at least one component between 0.2  M_{⊙}-1.0  M_{⊙}. We use the null result to constrain the binary merger rate of (0.2  M_{⊙}, 0.2  M_{⊙}) binaries to be less than 3.7×10^{5}  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1} and the binary merger rate of (1.0  M_{⊙}, 1.0  M_{⊙}) binaries to be less than 5.2×10^{3}  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1}. Subsolar mass ultracompact objects are not expected to form via known stellar evolution channels, though it has been suggested that primordial density fluctuations or particle dark matter with cooling mechanisms and/or nuclear interactions could form black holes with subsolar masses. Assuming a particular primordial black hole (PBH) formation model, we constrain a population of merging 0.2  M_{⊙} black holes to account for less than 16% of the dark matter density and a population of merging 1.0  M_{⊙} black holes to account for less than 2% of the dark matter density. We discuss how constraints on the merger rate and dark matter fraction may be extended to arbitrary black hole population models that predict subsolar mass binaries.

Pharmacological treatment for Type 2 diabetes integrating findings from cardiovascular outcome trials: an expert consensus in the UK

In people with Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Thus, as well as controlling glucose, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events is a key goal. The results of cardiovascular outcome trials have led to updates for many national and international guidelines. England, Wales and Northern Ireland remain exceptions, with the most recent update to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines published in 2015. We reviewed current national and international guidelines and recommendations on the management of people with Type 2 diabetes. This article shares our consensus on clinical recommendations for the use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in people with Type 2 diabetes and established or at very high risk of cardiovascular disease in the UK. We also consider cost-effectiveness for these therapies. We recommend considering each person's cardiovascular risk and using diabetes therapies with proven cardiovascular benefits when appropriate to improve long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

The recent discovery by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo of a gravitational wave signal from a binary neutron star inspiral has enabled tests of general relativity (GR) with this new type of source. This source, for the first time, permits tests of strong-field dynamics of compact binaries in the presence of matter. In this Letter, we place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime. Bounds on modified dispersion of gravitational waves are obtained; in combination with information from the observed electromagnetic counterpart we can also constrain effects due to large extra dimensions. Finally, the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal is studied. The results of all tests performed here show good agreement with GR.

Mortality for emergency laparotomy is not affected by the weekend effect: a multicentre study

INTRODUCTION

The 'weekend effect' describes variation in outcomes of patients treated over the weekend compared with those treated during weekdays. This study examines whether a weekend effect exists for patients who undergo emergency laparotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data entered into the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit between 2014 and 2017 at four NHS trusts in England and Wales were analysed. Patients were grouped into those admitted on weekdays and those on weekends (Friday 5pm to Monday 8am). Patient factors, markers of quality of care and patient outcomes were compared. Secondary analysis was performed according to the day of surgery.

RESULTS

After exclusion of patients who underwent laparotomy more than one week after admission to hospital, a total of 1717 patients (1138 patients admitted on weekdays and 579 admitted on weekends) were analysed. Age, preoperative lactate and P-POSSUM scores were not significantly different between the two groups. Time from admission to consultant review, decision to operate, commencement of antibiotics and theatre were not significantly different. Grades of operating surgeon were also similar in both groups. Inpatient 60-day mortality was 12.5% on weekdays and 12.8% on weekends (P = 0.878). Median length of postoperative stay was 12 days in both groups. When analysed according to day of surgery, only number of hours from admission to antibiotics (12.8 weekday vs 9.4 weekend, P = 0.046) and number of hours to theatre (26.5 weekday vs 24.1 hours weekend, P = 0.020) were significantly different.

DISCUSSION

Quality of care and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy during the weekend are not significantly different to those carried out during weekdays.

Dietary protein affects both the dose and pattern of insulin delivery required to achieve postprandial euglycaemia in Type 1 diabetes: a randomized trial

AIM

To quantify the insulin requirement for a high-protein meal compared with a low-protein meal, controlling for carbohydrate and fat content.

METHODS

In this crossover study, young people with Type 1 diabetes were randomized to consume a high- (60 g) or low-protein meal (5 g), each containing 30 g carbohydrate and 8 g fat. A variation of the insulin clamp technique was used to determine the insulin requirements to maintain euglycaemia for the following 5 h.

RESULTS

A total of 11 participants (mean ± sd age 16.5 ± 2.7 years, HbA_1c 52 ± 8.7 mmol/mol [6.9 ± 0.8%], diabetes duration 6.9±5.1 years) completed the study. The mean insulin requirements for the high-protein meal were higher than for the low-protein meal [10.3 (CI 8.2, 12.57) vs 6.7 units (CI 4.7, 8.8); P=0.001], with inter-individual requirements ranging from 0.9 to six times the low-protein meal requirement. Approximately half the additional insulin [1.1 units/h (CI 0.5, 1.8; P=0.001)] was given in the first 2 h, compared with an additional 0.5 units/h (CI -0.2, 1.2; P=0.148) in the second 2 h and 0.1 units (CI -0.6, 0.8; P=0.769) in the final hour.

CONCLUSIONS

A high-protein meal requires ~50% more insulin to maintain euglycaemia than a low-protein meal that contains the same quantity of carbohydrate. The majority is required within the first 2 h. Inter-individual differences exist in insulin requirements for dietary protein.

Constraining the p-Mode-g-Mode Tidal Instability with GW170817

We analyze the impact of a proposed tidal instability coupling p modes and g modes within neutron stars on GW170817. This nonresonant instability transfers energy from the orbit of the binary to internal modes of the stars, accelerating the gravitational-wave driven inspiral. We model the impact of this instability on the phasing of the gravitational wave signal using three parameters per star: an overall amplitude, a saturation frequency, and a spectral index. Incorporating these additional parameters, we compute the Bayes factor (lnB_{!pg}^{pg}) comparing our p-g model to a standard one. We find that the observed signal is consistent with waveform models that neglect p-g effects, with lnB_{!pg}^{pg}=0.03_{-0.58}^{+0.70} (maximum a posteriori and 90% credible region). By injecting simulated signals that do not include p-g effects and recovering them with the p-g model, we show that there is a ≃50% probability of obtaining similar lnB_{!pg}^{pg} even when p-g effects are absent. We find that the p-g amplitude for 1.4  M_{⊙} neutron stars is constrained to less than a few tenths of the theoretical maximum, with maxima a posteriori near one-tenth this maximum and p-g saturation frequency ∼70  Hz. This suggests that there are less than a few hundred excited modes, assuming they all saturate by wave breaking. For comparison, theoretical upper bounds suggest ≲10^{3} modes saturate by wave breaking. Thus, the measured constraints only rule out extreme values of the p-g parameters. They also imply that the instability dissipates ≲10^{51}  erg over the entire inspiral, i.e., less than a few percent of the energy radiated as gravitational waves.

Chemotherapeutic Response and Survival for Patients With an Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Low Hemoglobin Levels

Purpose

Anemia is associated with poor treatment results for a variety of cancers. The effect of low hemoglobin levels on long-term outcomes after the treatment of patients with an anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains unclear. For that reason, this study aimed to investigate the effect of anemia on treatment outcomes following chemoradiation for an anal SCC.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all patients who underwent curative treatment for an anal SCC between 2009 and 2015 at 2 trusts in the United Kingdom. Data were collated from prospectively collected cancer databases and were cross-checked with operating-room records and records in the hospitals’ patient management systems.

Results

We identified 103 patients with a median age of 63 years (range, 36–84 years). The median overall survival was 39 months (range, 9–90 months), and the disease-free survival was 36 months (range, 2–90 months). During the follow-up period, 16.5% patients died and 13.6% patients developed recurrence. Twenty-two people were anemic prior to treatment, with a female preponderance (20 of 22). No differences in disease-free survival (P = 0.74) and overall survival (P = 0.12) were noted between patients with anemia and those with normal hemoglobin levels. On regression the analysis, the combination of anemia, the presence of a defunctioning colostomy, lymph-node involvement and higher tumor stage correlated with poor overall survival.

Conclusion

In this study, anemia did not influence disease-free survival or overall survival. We suggest that the interaction between anemia and survival is more complex than previously demonstrated and potentially reliant on other coexisting factors.

Search for Subsolar-Mass Ultracompact Binaries in Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

We present the first Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo search for ultracompact binary systems with component masses between 0.2  M_{⊙}-1.0  M_{⊙} using data taken between September 12, 2015 and January 19, 2016. We find no viable gravitational wave candidates. Our null result constrains the coalescence rate of monochromatic (delta function) distributions of nonspinning (0.2  M_{⊙}, 0.2  M_{⊙}) ultracompact binaries to be less than 1.0×10^{6}  Gpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} and the coalescence rate of a similar distribution of (1.0  M_{⊙}, 1.0  M_{⊙}) ultracompact binaries to be less than 1.9×10^{4}  Gpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} (at 90% confidence). Neither black holes nor neutron stars are expected to form below ∼1  M_{⊙} through conventional stellar evolution, though it has been proposed that similarly low mass black holes could be formed primordially through density fluctuations in the early Universe and contribute to the dark matter density. The interpretation of our constraints in the primordial black hole dark matter paradigm is highly model dependent; however, under a particular primordial black hole binary formation scenario we constrain monochromatic primordial black hole populations of 0.2  M_{⊙} to be less than 33% of the total dark matter density and monochromatic populations of 1.0  M_{⊙} to be less than 5% of the dark matter density. The latter strengthens the presently placed bounds from microlensing surveys of massive compact halo objects (MACHOs) provided by the MACHO and EROS Collaborations.

GW170817: Measurements of Neutron Star Radii and Equation of State

On 17 August 2017, the LIGO and Virgo observatories made the first direct detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of a neutron star binary system. The detection of this gravitational-wave signal, GW170817, offers a novel opportunity to directly probe the properties of matter at the extreme conditions found in the interior of these stars. The initial, minimal-assumption analysis of the LIGO and Virgo data placed constraints on the tidal effects of the coalescing bodies, which were then translated to constraints on neutron star radii. Here, we expand upon previous analyses by working under the hypothesis that both bodies were neutron stars that are described by the same equation of state and have spins within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Our analysis employs two methods: the use of equation-of-state-insensitive relations between various macroscopic properties of the neutron stars and the use of an efficient parametrization of the defining function p(ρ) of the equation of state itself. From the LIGO and Virgo data alone and the first method, we measure the two neutron star radii as R_{1}=10.8_{-1.7}^{+2.0}  km for the heavier star and R_{2}=10.7_{-1.5}^{+2.1}  km for the lighter star at the 90% credible level. If we additionally require that the equation of state supports neutron stars with masses larger than 1.97  M_{⊙} as required from electromagnetic observations and employ the equation-of-state parametrization, we further constrain R_{1}=11.9_{-1.4}^{+1.4}  km and R_{2}=11.9_{-1.4}^{+1.4}  km at the 90% credible level. Finally, we obtain constraints on p(ρ) at supranuclear densities, with pressure at twice nuclear saturation density measured at 3.5_{-1.7}^{+2.7}×10^{34}  dyn cm^{-2} at the 90% level.

A randomized comparison of three prandial insulin dosing algorithms for children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes

AIM

To compare systematically the impact of two novel insulin-dosing algorithms (the Pankowska Equation and the Food Insulin Index) with carbohydrate counting on postprandial glucose excursions following a high fat and a high protein meal.

METHODS

A randomized, crossover trial at two Paediatric Diabetes centres was conducted. On each day, participants consumed a high protein or high fat meal with similar carbohydrate amounts. Insulin was delivered according to carbohydrate counting, the Pankowska Equation or the Food Insulin Index. Subjects fasted for 5 h following the test meal and physical activity was standardized. Postprandial glycaemia was measured for 300 min using continuous glucose monitoring.

RESULTS

33 children participated in the study. When compared to carbohydrate counting, the Pankowska Equation resulted in lower glycaemic excursion for 90-240 min after the high protein meal (p < 0.05) and lower peak glycaemic excursion (p < 0.05). The risk of hypoglycaemia was significantly lower for carbohydrate counting and the Food Insulin Index compared to the Pankowska Equation (OR 0.76 carbohydrate counting vs. the Pankowska Equation and 0.81 the Food Insulin Index vs. the Pankowska Equation). There was no significant difference in glycaemic excursions when carbohydrate counting was compared to the Food Insulin Index.

CONCLUSION

The Pankowska Equation resulted in reduced postprandial hyperglycaemia at the expense of an increase in hypoglycaemia. There were no significant differences when carbohydrate counting was compared to the Food Insulin Index. Further research is required to optimize prandial insulin dosing.

Lifestyle Interventions Limit Gestational Weight Gain in Women with Overweight or Obesity: LIFE-Moms Prospective Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varied lifestyle intervention programs designed to ameliorate excess gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnant women with overweight or obesity compared with standard care, including effects on pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

Seven clinical centers conducted separate randomized clinical trials to test different lifestyle intervention strategies to modify GWG in diverse populations. Eligibility criteria, specific outcome measures, and assessment procedures were standardized across trials. The results of the separate trials were combined using an individual-participant data meta-analysis.

RESULTS

For the 1,150 women randomized, the percent with excess GWG per week was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the standard care group (61.8% vs. 75.0%; odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.52 [0.40 to 0.67]). Total GWG from enrollment to 36 weeks' gestation was also lower in the intervention group (8.1 ± 5.2 vs. 9.7 ± 5.4 kg; mean difference: -1.59 kg [95% CI:-2.18 to -0.99 kg]). The results from the individual trials were similar. The intervention and standard care groups did not differ in preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, or birth weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioral lifestyle interventions focusing primarily on diet and physical activity among women with overweight and obesity resulted in a significantly lower proportion of women with excess GWG. This modest beneficial effect was consistent across diverse intervention modalities in a large, racially and socioeconomically diverse US population of pregnant women.

Thrombocytosis as a Marker for Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Blood platelet measurement is a widely available and inexpensive test that is performed routinely. Platelets are thought to act by inducing inflammation and play a role in clotting and antimicrobial defence. A postoperative rise in the platelet count (thrombocytosis) is often dismissed as an incidental finding, but there is growing evidence to suggest that it may act as an indicator to underlying pathology. It correlates with significant pyogenic infections as well as multiple malignancies. In addition to this, recent research indicates that thrombocytosis may be a useful prognostic indicator for postoperative outcomes in patients with malignancies. In patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer, a combination of platelet count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio collected preoperatively was shown to correlate with postoperative survival.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether there is a positive correlation between pre- and postoperative thrombocytosis and the risk of complications following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study based in Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery for an 18-month period between 2014 and 2016 were included. Data on patient demographics, pre- and postoperative platelet count, the first date at which the highest platelet count was recorded, length of stay, type of operation, and postoperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification was obtained from the theatre booking software (TOMS) and Welsh Clinical Portal. Pearson's chi-square test was used for the analysis of the categorical variables.

RESULTS

Of the 201 patients studied, 75 (37%) had postoperative thrombocytosis (platelets ≥ 500 × 109/L, range 501-1136), 120 (59%) had postoperative normocytosis (platelets < 500 × 109/L, range 107-499), and 6 (2.9%) patients were excluded due to insufficient data. Peak platelet level was seen at a median of 8 days postoperatively but ranged from days 1 to 49. In patients with thrombocytosis, the mean time to peak platelet count was 9.5 days and ranged 1 to 49 days. 101/195 (52%) patients had a Clavien-Dindo III/V postoperative complication: 63% patients with postoperative normocytosis and 24% with postoperative thrombocytosis. In the thrombocytosis group, 16/75 (21%) were found to have postoperative pelvic collections compared to 1/120 (0.8%) of the normocytic patients. The total percentage of medical complications (44% versus 20%, p = 0.006) and surgical complications (64% versus 15.8%, p = 0.0001) was higher in the thrombocytosis group compared to the normocytosis group.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study, thrombocytosis was shown to have a positive correlation with postoperative medical and surgical complications. An elevated platelet count in the postoperative period should alert the clinician to a developing complication. We recommend that further studies with a larger sample size would test the specific associations with individual complications.

Search for Tensor, Vector, and Scalar Polarizations in the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background

The detection of gravitational waves with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo has enabled novel tests of general relativity, including direct study of the polarization of gravitational waves. While general relativity allows for only two tensor gravitational-wave polarizations, general metric theories can additionally predict two vector and two scalar polarizations. The polarization of gravitational waves is encoded in the spectral shape of the stochastic gravitational-wave background, formed by the superposition of cosmological and individually unresolved astrophysical sources. Using data recorded by Advanced LIGO during its first observing run, we search for a stochastic background of generically polarized gravitational waves. We find no evidence for a background of any polarization, and place the first direct bounds on the contributions of vector and scalar polarizations to the stochastic background. Under log-uniform priors for the energy in each polarization, we limit the energy densities of tensor, vector, and scalar modes at 95% credibility to Ω_{0}^{T}<5.58×10^{-8}, Ω_{0}^{V}<6.35×10^{-8}, and Ω_{0}^{S}<1.08×10^{-7} at a reference frequency f_{0}=25  Hz.

Assessing the economic value of maintained improvements in Type 1 diabetes management, in terms of HbA1c , weight and hypoglycaemic event incidence

AIMS

Insulin therapy is indicated for people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus; however, treatment-related weight gain and hypoglycaemia represent barriers to optimal glycaemic management. This study assessed the health economic value of maintained reductions in HbA_1c , BMI and hypoglycaemia incidence among the UK Type 1 diabetes population.

METHODS

The Cardiff Type 1 Diabetes Model was used to estimate lifetime costs, life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for individuals with Type 1 diabetes at different baseline HbA_1c , BMI and hypoglycaemic event rates. Results were discounted at 3.5%, and the net monetary benefit associated with improving Type 1 diabetes management was derived at £20 000/QALY gained. Per-person outputs were inflated to national levels using UK Type 1 diabetes prevalence estimates.

RESULTS

Modelled subjects with an HbA_1c of 86 mmol/mol (10.0%) were associated with discounted lifetime per-person costs of £23 795; £12 649 of which may be avoided by maintaining an HbA_1c of 42 mmol/mol (6.0%). Combined with estimated QALY gains of 2.80, an HbA_1c of 42 mmol/mol (6.0%) vs. 86 mmol/mol (10.0%) was associated with a £68 621 per-person net monetary benefit. Over 1 year, unit reductions in BMI produced £120 per-person net monetary benefit, and up to £197 for the avoidance of one non-severe hypoglyceamic event.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintained reductions in HbA_1c significantly alleviate the burden associated with Type 1 diabetes in the UK. Given the influence of weight and hypoglycaemia on health economic outcomes, they must also be key considerations when assessing the value of Type 1 diabetes technologies in clinical practice.

Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict Obesity Treatment (ADOPT) Core Measures: Behavioral Domain

BACKGROUND

The ability to identify and measure behaviors that are related to weight loss and the prevention of weight regain is crucial to understanding the variability in response to obesity treatment and the development of tailored treatments.

OBJECTIVES

The overarching goal of the Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict obesity Treatment (ADOPT) Core Measures Project is to provide obesity researchers with guidance on a set of constructs and measures that are related to weight control and that span and integrate obesity-related behavioral, biological, environmental, and psychosocial domains. This article describes how the behavioral domain subgroup identified the initial list of high-priority constructs and measures to be included, and it describes practical considerations for assessing the following four behavioral areas: eating, activity, sleep, and self-monitoring of weight. Challenges and considerations for advancing the science related to weight loss and maintenance behaviors are also discussed.

SIGNIFICANCE

Assessing a set of core behavioral measures in combination with those from other ADOPT domains is critical to improve our understanding of individual variability in response to adult obesity treatment. The selection of behavioral measures is based on the current science, although there continues to be much work needed in this field.

Can a Lecture Influence Attitudes to Suicide Prevention?

Attitudes held by various groups of healthcare professionals with regard to suicide prevention were assessed using an attitude inventory before and after they attended a formal lecture. The lecture presented basic facts and statistics, discussed clinical techniques and challenged negative attitudes. Evidence is presented to suggest that a reduction in the proportion of expressed attitudes which were equivocal or negative towards the feasibility of suicide prevention in clinical practice, can be achieved by a lecture of this kind.

Educating Psychiatric Patients about their Treatment: Do Fact Sheets Work?

Psychiatric patients are sometimes given fact sheets about their treatment but the benefits of these are uncertain. We tested three strategies in three cohorts of psychiatric inpatients—fact sheets alone, fact sheets and subsequent discussion, and control. Knowledge of medication was assessed by questionnaire.

For various reasons, only 33 of the 77 patients were included in the study or analysis. Of the patients who had been given fact sheets, 87% independently read them and reported finding them helpful whilst all asked for more information. Receiving a fact sheet alone had no significant effect, whereas having discussed it with a health care professional was associated with a significant increase in knowledge about medication. Patients receiving fact sheets selectively learned more about side-effects than about drug action or precautions.

This strategy for patient education could be used by ward nurses and deserves further evaluation.

GW170817: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Compact Binary Coalescences

The LIGO Scientific and Virgo Collaborations have announced the event GW170817, the first detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of two neutron stars. The merger rate of binary neutron stars estimated from this event suggests that distant, unresolvable binary neutron stars create a significant astrophysical stochastic gravitational-wave background. The binary neutron star component will add to the contribution from binary black holes, increasing the amplitude of the total astrophysical background relative to previous expectations. In the Advanced LIGO-Virgo frequency band most sensitive to stochastic backgrounds (near 25 Hz), we predict a total astrophysical background with amplitude Ω_{GW}(f=25  Hz)=1.8_{-1.3}^{+2.7}×10^{-9} with 90% confidence, compared with Ω_{GW}(f=25  Hz)=1.1_{-0.7}^{+1.2}×10^{-9} from binary black holes alone. Assuming the most probable rate for compact binary mergers, we find that the total background may be detectable with a signal-to-noise-ratio of 3 after 40 months of total observation time, based on the expected timeline for Advanced LIGO and Virgo to reach their design sensitivity.