Assessing the Current State of Cognitive Frailty: Measurement Properties

BACKGROUND

Currently, an estimated 25-30% of people ages 85 or older have dementia, with a projected 115 million people worldwide living with dementia by 2050. With this worldwide phenomenon fast approaching, early detection of at-risk older adults and development of interventions focused on preventing loss in quality of life are increasingly important. A new construct defined by the International Consensus Group (I.A.N.A/I.A.G.G) as «cognitive frailty» combines domains of physical frailty with cognitive impairment and provides a framework for research that may provide a means to identify individuals with cognitive impairment caused by nonneurodegenerative conditions. Using the integrative review method of Whittemore and Knafl., 2005 this study examines and appraises the optimal measures for detecting cognitive frailty in clinical populations of older adults.

METHODS

The integrative review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. From the total 185 articles retrieved, review of titles and key words were conducted. Following the initial review, 168 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria for association of frailty and cognition. Of the 18 fulltext articles reviewed, 11 articles met the inclusion criteria; these articles were reviewed in-depth to determine validity and reliability of the cognitive frailty measures.

RESULTS

Predictive validity was established by the studies reviewed in four main areas: frailty and type of dementia MCI (OR 7.4, 95% CI 4.2-13.2), vascular dementia (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.6-27.4) and Alzheimer's dementia (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7-6.2), frailty and vascular dementia (VaAD) is further supported by the rate of change in frailty x macroinfarcts (r = 0.032, p < 0.001); frailty and the individual domains of cognitive function established with the relationship of neurocognitive speed and change in cognition using regression coefficients; individual components of frailty and individual domains of cognitive function associations inculded slow gait and executive function (β -0.20, p < 0.008 ), attention (β -0.25 p < 0.008), processing speed (β -0.16, p < 0.008), word recall (β - 0.18, p = 0.02), and logical memory (β = 0.04, p =0.04). Weak grip was predictive for changes in executive function (β - 0.16, p =0.008). Physical activity was associated with changes in executive function (β = -0.18, p= 0.02) and word recall (β = 0.17, p= 0.02), individual components of frailty and global cognitive function were found in several studies which included grip strength (r = - 0.51, p < 0.001), gait speed (r = - 0.067, p < 0.001), and exhaustion (β - 0.18, p < 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

This paper presents the first-known review of the measurement properties for the cognitive frailty construct since the published results from the International Consensus Group (I.A.N.A/I.A.G.G). Evidence presented in this review continues to support the link between physical frailty and cognition with developing validity to support distinct relationships between components of physical frailty and cognitive decline. Results call attention to inconsistencies in reporting of reliability, validity, and heterogeneity in the measurements and operational definition for cognitive frailty. Further research is needed to establish an operational definition and develop psychometrically appropriate clinical measures to construct an understanding of the relationship between physical frailty and cognitive decline.

Carboplatin/taxane-induced gastrointestinal toxicity: a pharmacogenomics study on the SCOTROC1 trial

Carboplatin/taxane combination is first-line therapy for ovarian cancer. However, patients can encounter treatment delays, impaired quality of life, even death because of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. A candidate gene study was conducted to assess potential association of genetic variants with GI toxicity in 808 patients who received carboplatin/taxane in the Scottish Randomized Trial in Ovarian Cancer 1 (SCOTROC1). Patients were randomized into discovery and validation cohorts consisting of 404 patients each. Clinical covariates and genetic variants associated with grade III/IV GI toxicity in discovery cohort were evaluated in replication cohort. Chemotherapy-induced GI toxicity was significantly associated with seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ATP7B, GSR, VEGFA and SCN10A genes. Patients with risk genotypes were at 1.53 to 18.01 higher odds to develop carboplatin/taxane-induced GI toxicity (P<0.01). Variants in the VEGF gene were marginally associated with survival time. Our data provide potential targets for modulation/inhibition of GI toxicity in ovarian cancer patients.

A surprisingly poor correlation between in vitro and in vivo testing of biomaterials for bone regeneration: results of a multicentre analysis

New regenerative materials and approaches need to be assessed through reliable and comparable methods for rapid translation to the clinic. There is a considerable need for proven in vitro assays that are able to reduce the burden on animal testing, by allowing assessment of biomaterial utility predictive of the results currently obtained through in vivo studies. The purpose of this multicentre review was to investigate the correlation between existing in vitro results with in vivo outcomes observed for a range of biomaterials. Members from the European consortium BioDesign, comprising 8 universities in a European multicentre study, provided data from 36 in vivo studies and 47 in vitro assays testing 93 different biomaterials. The outcomes of the in vitro and in vivo experiments were scored according to commonly recognised measures of success relevant to each experiment. The correlation of in vitro with in vivo scores for each assay alone and in combination was assessed. A surprisingly poor correlation between in vitro and in vivo assessments of biomaterials was revealed indicating a clear need for further development of relevant in vitro assays. There was no significant overall correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcome. The mean in vitro scores revealed a trend of covariance to in vivo score with 58 %. The inadequacies of the current in vitro assessments highlighted here further stress the need for the development of novel approaches to in vitro biomaterial testing and validated pre-clinical pipelines.

A piecewise regression approach for determining biologically relevant hydraulic thresholds for the protection of fishes at river infrastructure

A piecewise regression approach was used to objectively quantify barotrauma injury thresholds in two physoclistous species, Murray cod Maccullochella peelii and silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus, following simulated infrastructure passage in a barometric chamber. The probability of injuries such as swimbladder rupture, exophthalmia and haemorrhage, and emphysema in various organs increased as the ratio between the lowest exposure pressure and the acclimation pressure (ratio of pressure change, R(NE:A) ) reduced. The relationship was typically non-linear and piecewise regression was able to quantify thresholds in R(NE:A) that once exceeded resulted in a substantial increase in barotrauma injury. Thresholds differed among injury types and between species but by applying a multispecies precautionary principle, the maintenance of exposure pressures at river infrastructure above 70% of acclimation pressure (R(NE:A) of 0·7) should protect downstream migrating juveniles of these two physoclistous species sufficiently. These findings have important implications for determining the risk posed by current infrastructures and informing the design and operation of new ones.

Multiple myeloma causes clonal T-cell immunosenescence: identification of potential novel targets for promoting tumour immunity and implications for checkpoint blockade

Tumour-induced dysfunction of cytotoxic T cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) may contribute to immune escape and be responsible for the lack of therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. We therefore investigated dysfunctional clonal T cells in MM and demonstrated immunosenescence but not exhaustion as a predominant feature. T-cell clones were detected in 75% of MM patients and their prognostic significance was revalidated in a new post-immunomodulatory drug cohort. The cells exhibited a senescent secretory effector phenotype: KLRG-1+/CD57+/CD160+/CD28-. Normal-for-age telomere lengths indicate that senescence is telomere independent and potentially reversible. p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, p16 and p21 signalling pathways known to induce senescence were not elevated. Telomerase activity was found to be elevated and this may explain how normal telomere lengths are maintained in senescent cells. T-cell receptor signalling checkpoints were normal but elevated SMAD levels associated with T-cell inactivation were detected and may provide a potential target for the reversal of clonal T-cell dysfunction in MM. Low programmed death 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 expression detected on T-cell clones infers that these cells are not exhausted but suggests that there would be a suboptimal response to immune checkpoint blockade in MM. Our data suggest that other immunostimulatory strategies are required in MM.

Management of systemic AL amyloidosis: recommendations of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia Medical and Scientific Advisory Group

Systemic AL amyloidosis is a plasma cell dyscrasia with a characteristic clinical phenotype caused by multi-organ deposition of an amyloidogenic monoclonal protein. This condition poses a unique management challenge due to the complexity of the clinical presentation and the narrow therapeutic window of available therapies. Improved appreciation of the need for risk stratification, standardised use of sensitive laboratory testing for monitoring disease response, vigilant supportive care and the availability of newer agents with more favourable toxicity profiles have contributed to the improvement in treatment-related mortality and overall survival seen over the past decade. Nonetheless, with respect to the optimal management approach, there is a paucity of high-level clinical evidence due to the rarity of the disease, and enrollment in clinical trials is still the preferred approach where available. This review will summarise the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Systemic Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis recently prepared by the Medical Scientific Advisory Group of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia. It is hoped that these guidelines will assist clinicians in better understanding and optimising the management of this difficult disease.

Rectus sheath catheters provide equivalent analgesia to epidurals following laparotomy for colorectal surgery

Introduction Rectus sheath catheters (RSCs) are increasingly being used to provide postoperative analgesia following laparotomy for colorectal surgery. Little is known about their efficacy in comparison with epidural infusion analgesia (EIA). They are potentially better as they avoid the recognised complications associated with EIA. This study compares these two methods of analgesia. Outcomes include average pain scores, time to mobilisation and length of stay. Methods This was a 33-month single centre observational study including all patients undergoing elective open or laparoscopic-converted-to-open colorectal resection for both benign and malignant disease. Patients received either EIA or RSCs. Data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. Results A total of 95 patients were identified. Indications for surgery, operation and complications were recorded. The mean time to mobilisation was significantly shorter in patients who had RSCs compared with EIA patients (2.4 vs 3.5 days, p<0.05). There was no difference in postoperative pain scores or length of stay. Conclusions RSCs provide equivalent analgesia to EIA and avoid the recognised potential complications of EIA. They are associated with a shorter time to mobilisation. Their use should be adopted more widely.

High rates of fatigue and sleep disturbances in dystonia

BACKGROUND

Nonmotor symptoms in dystonia are increasingly recognized to impair the quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of fatigue and sleep disturbances in dystonia and to ascertain their impact on quality of life using standardized questionnaires.

METHODS

Dystonia patients presenting to a Botulinum toxin clinic were prospectively administered Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) for assessment of fatigue and sleep disturbances. Health-related Quality of life (HRQOL) was determined using MOS SF-36 scale and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients with dystonia participated (66 women, 25 men, mean age 60 ± 17 years). Nine subjects had generalized dystonia, 18 segmental dystonia and 64 had focal dystonia. Moderate to severe fatigue was present in 43% of the cohort (FSS), excessive daytime somnolence in 27% (ESS) and other sleep disturbances in 26% (PDSS). FSS and MFI scores correlated significantly with HRQOL even when controlled for depression and sleep disturbances. Excessive daytime somnolence and nocturnal sleep disturbances correlated significantly with the HRQOL; however, these effects were not seen for daytime somnolence when controlled for depression. Psychometric testing found adequate reliabilities and convergent validities for both fatigue and sleep scales.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue and sleep disturbances revealed high prevalence rates in this large, first of its dystonia study. They negatively impacted the quality of life even when controlled for comorbid depression.

A three-dimensional model of primary bovine endometrium using an electrospun scaffold

Endometrial stromal and epithelial cell function is typically studied in vitro using standard two-dimensional monocultures, but these cultures fail to reflect the complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture of tissue. A 3D model of bovine endometrium that reflects the architectural arrangement of in vivo tissue would beneficially assist the study of tissue function. An electrospun polyglycolide (PGA) scaffold was selected to grow a 3D model of primary bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, that reflects the architecture of the endometrium for the study of pathophysiology. Electrospun scaffolds were seeded with stromal and epithelial cells, and growth was assessed using histological techniques. Prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α responsiveness of endometrial scaffold constructs was tested using oxytocin plus arachidonic acid (OT + AA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Stromal and epithelial cells growing on the electrospun scaffold had an architectural arrangement that mimicked whole tissue, deposited fibronectin, had appropriate expression of vimentin and cytokeratin and were responsive to OT + AA and LPS, as measured by prostaglandin accumulation. In conclusion, a functional 3D model of stromal and epithelial cells was developed using a PGA electrospun scaffold which may be used to study endometrial pathophysiology.

Placental pathology in asphyxiated newborns treated with therapeutic hypothermia

OBJECTIVE

To describe the placental findings in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia and to determine their association with the presence and severity of later brain injury.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of the placentas of asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia, in whom later brain injury was defined by brain imaging and/or autopsy results.

RESULTS

Of the 142 asphyxiated newborns meeting the criteria for hypothermia, 73% had placenta and brain MRI/autopsy available for analysis. Fifty-one percent of these newborns developed brain injury. Sixty-five percent had microscopic placental findings involving the fetal vascular supply, which were comparable in asphyxiated newborns developing or not developing brain injury. Among the asphyxiated newborns with normal placental growth, the placental microscopic findings tended to be more common in those developing brain injury compared to those who did not: chorionic plate meconium in 50% compared to 36%, chorioamnionitis in 75% compared to 44%, and villitis of unknown etiology in 67% compared to 33%, but this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Antenatal placental processes are common in term asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia. The placenta of each asphyxiated term newborn treated with hypothermia should be carefully examined to better understand its role in the progression from perinatal depression to brain injury.

Activity-dependent degeneration of axotomized neuromuscular synapses in Wld S mice

•

Use and disuse may influence synaptic maintenance but so far evidence for this has been indirect.

•

We tested whether stimulation or disuse of neuromuscular junctions in adult Wld^S mice altered vulnerability to axotomy.

•

Moderate activity optimized resistance to axotomy while disuse or stimulation increased the rate of synaptic degeneration.

Activity and disuse of synapses are thought to influence progression of several neurodegenerative diseases in which synaptic degeneration is an early sign. Here we tested whether stimulation or disuse renders neuromuscular synapses more or less vulnerable to degeneration, using axotomy as a robust trigger. We took advantage of the slow synaptic degeneration phenotype of axotomized neuromuscular junctions in flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and deep lumbrical (DL) muscles of Wallerian degeneration-Slow (Wld^S) mutant mice. First, we maintained ex vivo FDB and DL nerve-muscle explants at 32 °C for up to 48 h. About 90% of fibers from Wld^S mice remained innervated, compared with about 36% in wild-type muscles at the 24-h checkpoint. Periodic high-frequency nerve stimulation (100 Hz: 1 s/100 s) reduced synaptic protection in Wld^S preparations by about 50%. This effect was abolished in reduced Ca²⁺ solutions. Next, we assayed FDB and DL innervation after 7 days of complete tetrodotoxin (TTX)-block of sciatic nerve conduction in vivo, followed by tibial nerve axotomy. Five days later, only about 9% of motor endplates remained innervated in the paralyzed muscles, compared with about 50% in 5 day-axotomized muscles from saline-control-treated Wld^S mice with no conditioning nerve block. Finally, we gave mice access to running wheels for up to 4 weeks prior to axotomy. Surprisingly, exercising Wld^S mice ad libitum for 4 weeks increased about twofold the amount of subsequent axotomy-induced synaptic degeneration. Together, the data suggest that vulnerability of mature neuromuscular synapses to axotomy, a potent neurodegenerative trigger, may be enhanced bimodally, either by disuse or by hyperactivity.

Polarimetry diagnostic on OMEGA EP using a 10-ps, 263-nm probe beam

A polarimetry diagnostic was built and characterized for magnetic-field measurements in laser-plasma experiments on the OMEGA EP laser. This diagnostic was built into the existing 4ω (263-nm) probe system that employs a 10-ps laser pulse collected with an f/4 imaging system. The diagnostic measures the rotation of the probe beam's polarization. The polarimeter uses a Wollaston prism to split the probe beam into orthogonal polarization components. Spatially localized intensity variations between images indicate polarization rotation. Magnetic fields can be calculated by combining the polarimetry data with the measured plasma density profile obtained from angular filter refractometry.

Prostate cancer cell malignancy via modulation of HIF-1α pathway with isoflurane and propofol alone and in combination

Background:

Surgery is considered to be the first line treatment for solid tumours. Recently, retrospective studies reported that general anaesthesia was associated with worse long-term cancer-free survival when compared with regional anaesthesia. This has important clinical implications; however, the mechanisms underlying those observations remain unclear. We aim to investigate the effect of anaesthetics isoflurane and propofol on prostate cancer malignancy.

Methods:

Prostate cancer (PC3) cell line was exposed to commonly used anaesthetic isoflurane and propofol. Malignant potential was assessed through evaluation of expression level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and its downstream effectors, cell proliferation and migration as well as development of chemoresistance.

Results:

We demonstrated that isoflurane, at a clinically relevant concentration induced upregulation of HIF-1α and its downstream effectors in PC3 cell line. Consequently, cancer cell characteristics associated with malignancy were enhanced, with an increase of proliferation and migration, as well as development of chemoresistance. Inhibition of HIF-1α neosynthesis through upper pathway blocking by a PI-3K-Akt inhibitor or HIF-1α siRNA abolished isoflurane-induced effects. In contrast, the intravenous anaesthetic propofol inhibited HIF-1α activation induced by hypoxia or CoCl₂. Propofol also prevented isoflurane-induced HIF-1α activation, and partially reduced cancer cell malignant activities.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that modulation of HIF-1α activity by anaesthetics may affect cancer recurrence following surgery. If our data were to be extrapolated to the clinical setting, isoflurane but not propofol should be avoided for use in cancer surgery. Further work involving in vivo models and clinical trials is urgently needed to determine the optimal anaesthetic regimen for cancer patients.

Can consultation skills training change doctors' behaviour to increase involvement of patients in making decisions about standard treatment and clinical trials: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Informed consent is required for both standard cancer treatments and experimental cancer treatments in a clinical trial. Effective and sensitive physician-patient communication about informed consent is difficult to achieve. Our aim was to train doctors in clear, collaborative and ethical communication about informed consent and evaluate the impact of training on doctor behaviour, stress and satisfaction.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Participants were 21 oncologists from 10 Australian/New Zealand (ANZ) centres and 41 oncologists from 10 Swiss/German/Austrian (SGA) centres. Oncologists were randomized to participate in a 1-day workshop or not. Patients were recruited before and after the training. Doctors were asked to submit 1-2 audiotaped consultations before and after training. Doctors completed outcome measures before and after completing the post-training cohort recruitment.

RESULTS

Ninety-five consultation interactions were audiotaped. Doctors strongly endorsed the training. ANZ intervention doctors demonstrated a significant increase in collaborative communication (P = 0.03). There was no effect of training on other doctor behaviours. Trained doctors did not demonstrate reduced stress and burnout. Patient outcomes are presented elsewhere.

CONCLUSIONS

Training can improve some aspects of the process of obtaining informed consent. Methods to increase the impact of training are required and may include longer training and more intensive follow-up.

Is it helpful to give older people with cancer the same chance at rehabilitation as older general medical patients?

Although the complexity of age combined with a cancer diagnosis can result in unmet supportive care needs there are seldom resources to assess or address such needs for older people with cancer (OPWC). The purpose of this project was to trial a service to improve the care for OPWC through (1) an expanded supportive care screening process and (2) capacity building of subacute ambulatory care services (SACS) staff to increase referrals to community-based rehabilitation.

METHODS/DESIGN

Collaboration between allied health (AH) staff at an inner city general hospital with a large cancer service, a cancer specialist hospital, and a SACS service in Melbourne, Australia, developed an AH geriatric screening assessment (GSA) tool. Parallel to this process training was provided to SACS staff in relation to working with OPWC. Although close to one half (44%) of SACS staff who participated in this program (n = 22) had over 6 years' experience, 32% had not worked with OPWC. Prior to training, 81% did not feel confident in their knowledge about working with this cohort. After their training 72% were more confident about normal aging and implications for care of OPWC. Of the 491 patients screened, 80% were older than age 65, however, only 25 resided in the SACS catchment area. More than one third of these did not have clear rehabilitation needs, and the remainder were not referred due to ongoing medical issues. Less than one half of the patients in the catchment area were discussed in a Multi-disciplinary Meeting (MDM) but all were referred to allied health and assessed using the GSA. Although this project did not result in referrals of OPWC to SACS the training program for SACS staff was a success and allied health assessments were improved to include GSA factors. The complexity of care for OPWC was further highlighted through interviews with staff involved with the study.

A randomised, phase II trial of the DNA-hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) in combination with carboplatin vs carboplatin alone in patients with recurrent, partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Our previous laboratory and clinical data suggested that one mechanism underlying the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer is the acquisition of DNA methylation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the DNA hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytodine (decitabine) can reverse resistance to carboplatin in women with relapsed ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Patients progressing 6-12 months after previous platinum therapy were randomised to decitabine on day 1 and carboplatin (AUC 6) on day 8, every 28 days or carboplatin alone. The primary objective was response rate in patients with methylated hMLH1 tumour DNA in plasma.

RESULTS

After a pre-defined interim analysis, the study closed due to lack of efficacy and poor treatment deliverability in 15 patients treated with the combination. Responses by GCIG criteria were 9 out of 14 vs 3 out of 15 and by RECIST were 6 out of 13 vs 1 out of 12 for carboplatin and carboplatin/decitabine, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with the combination (60% vs 15.4%) as was G2/3 carboplatin hypersensitivity (47% vs 21%).

CONCLUSIONS

With this schedule, the addition of decitabine appears to reduce rather than increase the efficacy of carboplatin in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer and is difficult to deliver. Patient-selection strategies, different schedules and other demethylating agents should be considered in future combination studies.

The impact of age and chronic kidney disease on secondary prevention post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

Historical data suggest elderly patients and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receive suboptimal secondary prevention following myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated the impact of age and CKD on secondary prevention following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in a contemporary unselected cohort.

DESIGN

We studied 1169 consecutive patients from five UK centres receiving PPCI for ST elevation MI, with use of evidence-based secondary prevention at discharge assessed by age (<60, 60-75 and >75 years) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Follow-up prescribing practice was assessed in 567 patients.

RESULTS

One-fifth of patients receiving PPCI were >75 years. This group received fewer secondary prevention drugs at discharge compared to younger patients (P < 0.01 for β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and statins). By 6 weeks post-PPCI, there was a small drop-off in evidence-based therapy; β-blocker and statin use in those >75 years fell from 90% to 86% and 96% to 93%, respectively. CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) was seen in 17.6%. Declining renal function was associated with age, female sex and lower use of ACE inhibitor/ARB. At discharge 83.5% of patients with eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) were receiving ACE inhibitors/ARB, dropping to 77.5% at 6 weeks (compared with 95% and 92%, respectively, in patients with eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)).

CONCLUSION

The uptake of secondary prevention medication is high following PPCI in the UK, even in the elderly and in those with renal dysfunction. A focus on strategies to improve up-titration and continuation of drugs following discharge is required.

Climate Change and Nutrition: Creating a Climate for Nutrition Security

Background

Climate change further exacerbates the enormous existing burden of undernutrition. It affects food and nutrition security and undermines current efforts to reduce hunger and promote nutrition. Undernutrition in turn undermines climate resilience and the coping strategies of vulnerable populations.

Objectives

The objectives of this paper are to identify and undertake a cross-sectoral analysis of the impacts of climate change on nutrition security and the existing mechanisms, strategies, and policies to address them.

Methods

A cross-sectoral analysis of the impacts of climate change on nutrition security and the mechanisms and policies to address them was guided by an analytical framework focused on the three ‘underlying causes’ of undernutrition: 1) household food access, 2) maternal and child care and feeding practices, 3) environmental health and health access. The analytical framework includes the interactions of the three underlying causes of undernutrition with climate change, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation.

Results

Within broad efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation and climate-resilient development, a combination of nutrition-sensitive adaptation and mitigation measures, climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agricultural development, social protection, improved maternal and child care and health, nutrition-sensitive risk reduction and management, community development measures, nutrition-smart investments, increased policy coherence, and institutional and cross-sectoral collaboration are proposed as a means to address the impacts of climate change to food and nutrition security. This paper proposes policy directions to address nutrition in the climate change agenda and recommendations for consideration by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Conclusions

Nutrition and health stakeholders need to be engaged in key climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives, including science-based assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and policies and actions formulated by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Improved multi-sectoral coordination and political will is required to integrate nutrition-sensitive actions into climate-resilient sustainable development efforts in the UNFCCC work and in the post 2015 development agenda. Placing human rights at the center of strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and international solidarity is essential to advance sustainable development and to create a climate for nutrition security.

Evaluation of Erytra® fully automated analyser for Routine Use in Transfusion Laboratory

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate efficiency and performance of Erytra® analyser in comparison to the reference platform of the NBT immunohaematology laboratory (Bio-Rad ID-System).

BACKGROUND

Moving to automation or semi-automation is a major focus of transfusion centres. The Erytra® (Grifols) is a new fully automated walk-away analyser with high volume processing capacity for pre-transfusion testing, designed to be used with the unique 8-column DG Gel® cards.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 2201 immunohaematological tests (1041 ABO/D grouping, 1041 antibody screening, 51 antibody identification, 45 newborns (ABO/D and DAT) and 23 crossmatches were performed on 1160 donor/patient whole blood samples. Erytra®'s performance was assessed by means of a stress test replicating the routine work of a hospital laboratory.

RESULTS

Concordant results between the Erytra® and the reference method were obtained in 2195 (99·73 %) of the tests. There were only three discrepancies out of 6246 reactions (0·05%) in ABO/D grouping, all in the reverse group which did not mislead to group identification. Of the 1041 samples screened for antibody presence, Erytra® detected all the relevant antibodies [9 not detected weak prophylactic anti-D were determined to be clinically nonsignificant (<0·1 IU mL(-1) )] while Bio-Rad ID-System missed one anti-e and one anti-Jk(a) . Concordance for D grouping, crossmatching and newborns was 100%. Results of the simulated stress test exercise highlighted the capacity of Erytra® for absorbing into 4 h workloads equivalent to 24 h of routine.

CONCLUSIONS

Grifols' Erytra® analyser showed reliable high sensitivity, velocity and capacity to cope with high workload in the immunohaematology laboratory routine.