"I wanted to do more of the homework!"-Feasibility and acceptability of blending app-based homework with group therapy for social cognition in psychosis

OBJECTIVES

Evidence suggests social-cognitive difficulties are linked to poor community functioning in people with psychosis, however, there is limited evidence that social-cognition interventions improve functioning. This may be due to poor generalization of therapy learning; digital technologies may be useful to support this. This study evaluates the feasibility of a brief, blended intervention (group therapy plus app) for individuals with psychosis.

METHODS

A total of 14 clients diagnosed with psychosis-spectrum difficulties participated. Feasibility was assessed by referral, adherence and completion rates, and acceptability via semi-structured interview (thematically analyzed).

RESULTS

The procedures were considered feasible and acceptable. The face-to-face component of the intervention was particularly valued, and participants reported benefits to their daily lives. The app was experienced as helpful, alongside some difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of blended interventions may prove an important avenue to maximize the adherence and reach of psychological interventions. The results of this study reinforce the need to maintain face-to-face components alongside digital.

Patients' Measurement Priorities for Remote Measurement Technologies to Aid Chronic Health Conditions: Qualitative Analysis

Background

Remote measurement technology (RMT), including the use of mobile phone apps and wearable devices, may provide the opportunity for real-world assessment and intervention that will streamline clinical input for years to come. In order to establish the benefits of this approach, we need to operationalize what is expected in terms of a successful measurement. We focused on three clinical long-term conditions where a novel case has been made for the benefits of RMT: major depressive disorder (MDD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and epilepsy.

Objective

The aim of this study was to conduct a consultation exercise on the clinical end point or outcome measurement priorities for RMT studies, drawing on the experiences of people with chronic health conditions.

Methods

A total of 24 participants (16/24 women, 67%), ranging from 28 to 65 years of age, with a diagnosis of one of three chronic health conditions―MDD, MS, or epilepsy―took part in six focus groups. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and subthemes of clinical end point or measurement priorities.

Results

The views of people with MDD, epilepsy, and MS differed. Each group highlighted unique measurements of importance, relevant to their specific needs. Although there was agreement that remote measurement could be useful for tracking symptoms of illness, some symptoms were specific to the individual groups. Measuring signs of wellness was discussed more by people with MDD than by people with MS and epilepsy. However, overlap did emerge when considering contextual factors, such as life events and availability of support (MDD and epilepsy) as well as ways of coping (epilepsy and MS).

Conclusions

This is a unique study that puts patients’ views at the forefront of the design of a clinical study employing novel digital resources. In all cases, measuring symptom severity is key; people want to know when their health is getting worse. Second, symptom severity needs to be placed into context. A holistic approach that, in some cases, considers signs of wellness as well as illness, should be the aim of studies employing RMT to understand the health of people with chronic conditions.

Predictors of response to augmentation treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Treatment-resistant depression is an important contributor to the global burden of depression. Antidepressant augmentation is a recommended treatment strategy for treatment-resistant patients, but outcomes remain poor. Identifying factors that are predictive of response to augmentation treatments may improve outcomes.

AIMS

This review aimed to synthesise the existing literature examining predictors of response to augmentation treatments in patients who had insufficiently responded to initial treatment.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted identifying 2241 unique manuscripts. 24 examining predictors of outcome to pharmacological or psychological augmentation treatment were included in this review.

RESULTS

Atypical antipsychotics were the most frequently assessed treatment class (nine studies), closely followed by mood stabilisers (eight studies). Only one eligible psychological augmentation study was identified. Early response to treatment (week 2) was the best-supported predictor of subsequent treatment outcome, reported by six studies. Many predictor variables were only assessed by one report and others such as pre-treatment severity yielded contradictory results, both within and across treatment classes.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the importance of early response as a predictor of pharmacological augmentation outcome, with implications for both the monitoring and treatment of resistant unipolar patients. Further replication is needed across specific interventions to fully assess the generalisability of this finding. However, the clear lack of consistent evidence for other predictive factors both within and across treatments, and the scarce examination of psychological augmentation, demonstrates the need for much more research of a high quality if response prediction is to improve outcomes for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Predicting Inpatient Aggression in Forensic Services Using Remote Monitoring Technology: Qualitative Study of Staff Perspectives

Background

Monitoring risk of imminent aggression in inpatient forensic mental health services could be supported by passive remote monitoring technology, but staff attitudes toward the relevance and likelihood of engagement with this technology are unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to explore staff views, specifically potential benefits and implementation barriers, on using this technology for monitoring risk of inpatient aggression.

Methods

We conducted semistructured focus groups with nurses in an inpatient forensic mental health service. We used thematic analysis with two independent raters to identify themes and subthemes related to staff attitudes toward passive remote monitoring. We subsequently checked with members to ensure the validity of the themes identified by the raters.

Results

From January to March 2019, a total of 25 nurses took part in five focus groups. We identified five main themes, one of which concerned the potential benefits that passive remote monitoring could provide for monitoring risk of aggression. Staff suggested it could provide an early warning of impending aggression and enable support to be provided earlier. The remaining themes concerned implementation barriers, including risks to the users’ physical and mental well-being; data security concerns and potential access by third parties; the negative impact of a constant stream of real-time data on staff workload; and design characteristics and user awareness of the benefits of passive remote monitoring.

Conclusions

Passive remote monitoring technology could support existing methods of monitoring inpatient aggression risk, but multiple barriers to implementation exist. Empirical research is required to investigate whether these potential benefits can be realized, and to identify ways of addressing these barriers to ensure acceptability and user engagement.

Attention Problems Predict Risk of Violence and Rehabilitative Engagement in Mentally Disordered Offenders

Mentally disordered offenders (MDOs) endorse difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Assessing these difficulties among MDOs may confer practical benefits for the management and provision of care for this population, by informing strategies to improve rehabilitative engagement and risk assessments for violence. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring these cognitive problems in MDOs in relation to outcome factors. Forty-eight MDOs from a high-security hospital completed the QbTest, which measures the domains of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Comprehensive file review of clinical and occupational/vocational rehabilitative engagement and Historical Clinical Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) were used as outcome measures of interest. Participants displayed greater cognitive deficits in attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity compared to the general population. The domain of inattention and omission errors was related to occupational/vocational therapy engagement as well as a higher risk of present and future violence as measured by the HCR-20. The findings suggest that QbTest is a helpful objective tool that could be incorporated into the assessment of MDOs. Specifically, inattention emerged as a strong predictor of patients' risk of violence as well as patient's vocational therapy engagement. Therefore, cognitive skills programs targeting attention problems should be introduced to improve outcomes for this population.

Engaging across dimensions of diversity: A cross-national perspective on mHealth tools for managing relapsing remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Smartphone apps and wearable devices could augment clinical practice by detecting changes in health status for multiple sclerosis (MS). This study sought to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for uptake and sustained use in (i) people with both relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS (PMS) and (ii) across different countries.

METHODS

Twenty four participants with MS took part in four focus groups held in three countries (2 in the UK, 1 in Spain, and 1 in Italy) to investigate potential barriers and facilitators for mHealth technology. A systematic thematic analysis was used to extract themes and sub-themes.

RESULTS

Facilitators and barriers were organised into functional technology-related factors and non-functional health-related and user-related factors. Twelve themes captured all requirements across the three countries for both RRMS and PMS. Key requirements included accommodation for varying physical abilities, providing information and memory aids. Potential negative effects on mood and providing choice and control as part of overcoming practical challenges were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

We took a cross-national perspective and found many similarities between three European countries across people with RRMS and PMS. Future provision should accommodate the key requirements identified to engage people with MS in scalable mHealth interventions.

Digital Exclusion Among Mental Health Service Users: Qualitative Investigation

Background

Access to internet-enabled technology and Web-based services has grown exponentially in recent decades. This growth potentially excludes some communities and individuals with mental health difficulties, who face a heightened risk of digital exclusion. However, it is unclear what factors may contribute to digital exclusion in this population.

Objective

To explore in detail the problems of digital exclusion in mental health service users and potential facilitators to overcome them.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with 20 mental health service users who were deemed digitally excluded. We recruited the participants from a large secondary mental health provider in South London, United Kingdom. We employed thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes relating to historical and extant reasons for digital exclusion and methods of overcoming it.

Results

There were three major themes that appeared to maintain digital exclusion: a perceived lack of knowledge, being unable to access the necessary technology and services owing to personal circumstances, and the barriers presented by mental health difficulties. Specific facilitators for overcoming digital exclusion included intrinsic motivation and a personalized learning format that reflects the individual’s unique needs and preferences.

Conclusions

Multiple factors contribute to digital exclusion among mental health service users, including material deprivation and mental health difficulties. This means that efforts to overcome digital exclusion must address the multiple deprivations individuals may face in the offline world in addition to their individual mental health needs. Additional facilitators include fostering an intrinsic motivation to overcome digital exclusion and providing a personalized learning format tailored to the individual’s knowledge gaps and preferred learning style.

Sensorimotor gating characteristics of violent men with comorbid psychosis and dissocial personality disorder: Relationship with antisocial traits and psychosocial deprivation

Evidence suggests violence amongst those with psychosis is not aetiologically homogeneous, and that a large proportion of those who engage in violent behaviour have a comorbid antisocial personality disorder. Initial investigations indicate that this subgroup has distinct historical and neuropsychological characteristics, which may indicate diverse treatment needs. This study investigated sensorimotor gating characteristics of violent men with diagnoses of both psychosis and dissocial personality disorder (DPD) (n=21) relative to violent men with psychosis alone (n=12), DPD alone (n=14) and healthy, non-violent male controls (n=27), using the prepulse inhibition (PPI) paradigm. The results indicated that, relative to the psychosis alone and healthy control groups, the comorbid group had lower PPI, especially at 60-ms prepulse-to-pulse interval. The DPD group took an intermediary position and did not differ from any group. Antisocial personality traits (factor two scores of the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised), and greater severity of childhood psychosocial deprivation (including physical and sexual abuse), were significantly correlated with poor PPI across the clinical sample. The findings suggest diverse sensorimotor gating profiles amongst subgroups of violent offenders, with comorbid psychosis and DPD showing most impairment. This is consistent with a 'double dose' of deficit explanation amongst those with both diagnoses, explained at least in part by presence of antisocial personality traits and childhood psychosocial deprivation.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Engagement With Remote Measurement Technology for Managing Health: Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Findings

BACKGROUND

Remote measurement technology refers to the use of mobile health technology to track and measure change in health status in real time as part of a person's everyday life. With accurate measurement, remote measurement technology offers the opportunity to augment health care by providing personalized, precise, and preemptive interventions that support insight into patterns of health-related behavior and self-management. However, for successful implementation, users need to be engaged in its use.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to systematically review the literature to update and extend the understanding of the key barriers to and facilitators of engagement with and use of remote measurement technology, to guide the development of future remote measurement technology resources.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines involving original studies dating back to the last systematic review published in 2014. We included studies if they met the following entry criteria: population (people using remote measurement technology approaches to aid management of health), intervention (remote measurement technology system), comparison group (no comparison group specified), outcomes (qualitative or quantitative evaluation of the barriers to and facilitators of engagement with this system), and study design (randomized controlled trials, feasibility studies, and observational studies). We searched 5 databases (MEDLINE, IEEE Xplore, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) for articles published from January 2014 to May 2017. Articles were independently screened by 2 researchers. We extracted study characteristics and conducted a content analysis to define emerging themes to synthesize findings. Formal quality assessments were performed to address risk of bias.

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies met inclusion criteria, employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods designs. Studies were conducted in 10 countries, included male and female participants, with ages ranging from 8 to 95 years, and included both active and passive remote monitoring systems for a diverse range of physical and mental health conditions. However, they were relatively short and had small sample sizes, and reporting of usage statistics was inconsistent. Acceptability of remote measurement technology according to the average percentage of time used (64%-86.5%) and dropout rates (0%-44%) was variable. The barriers and facilitators from the content analysis related to health status, perceived utility and value, motivation, convenience and accessibility, and usability.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this review highlight gaps in the design of studies trialing remote measurement technology, including the use of quantitative assessment of usage and acceptability. Several processes that could facilitate engagement with this technology have been identified and may drive the development of more person-focused remote measurement technology. However, these factors need further testing through carefully designed experimental studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42017060644; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=60644 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70K4mThTr).

Improving quality and safety in paediatric spinal surgery

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate improvements in the quality and safety of paediatric spinal surgery following the implementation of a specialist Paediatric Spinal Surgical Team (PSST) in the operating theatre.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective consecutive case study of paediatric spinal operations before (between January 2008 and December 2009), and after (between January 2012 and December 2013) the implementation of PSST, was performed. A comparative analysis of outcome variables including surgical site infection (SSI), operating time (ORT), blood loss (BL), length of stay (LOS), unplanned staged procedures (USP) and transfusion rates (allogenic and cell-saver) was performed between the two groups. The rate of complications during the first two postoperative years was also compared between the groups.

Results

There were 130 patients in the pre-PSST group and 277 in the post-PSST group. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), preoperative Cobb angle of the major curve and the number of levels involved were similar between the groups. There were statistically significant differences in SSI, ORT, LOS, allogenic blood transfusion volume (ABTV), and USPs between the groups. There was a 94% decrease in the rate of SSI's in the post-PSST group. Patients in the post-PSST group had a mean reduction in ORT of 53 minutes (sd 7.7) (p = 0.013), LOS by 5.4 days (sd 1.8) (p = 0.019), and ABTV by 226.3 ml (sd 28.4) (p < 0.001). There were significantly more USPs in the pre-PSST group (6.2%) compared with the post-PSST group (2.9%) (p = 0.001). Multivariate regression showed that the effect of PSST remained significant for ORT, LOS, BL, ABVT and cell-saver amount transfused (p = 0.0001). The odds of having a SSI were tenfold higher and the odds of receiving a blood transfusion were 2.4 times higher, respectively, in the pre-PSST group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.011). The rate of complications within the first two postoperative years was significantly higher in the pre-PSST group (13.1%) compared with the post-PSST group (4.3%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The implementation of a PSST in the operating theatre significantly improves the outcomes in paediatric spinal surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:493–8.

Neuropsychology and emotion processing in violent individuals with antisocial personality disorder or schizophrenia: The same or different? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether there are shared or divergent (a) cognitive and (b) emotion processing characteristics among violent individuals with antisocial personality disorder and/or schizophrenia, diagnoses which are commonly encountered at the interface of mental disorder and violence. Cognition and emotion processing are incorporated into models of violence, and thus an understanding of these characteristics within and between disorder groups may help inform future models and therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Relevant databases (OVID, Embase, PsycINFO) were searched to identify suitable literature. Meta-analyses comparing cognitive function in violent schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder to healthy controls were conducted. Neuropsychological studies not comparing these groups to healthy controls, and emotion processing studies, were evaluated qualitatively.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses indicated lower IQ, memory and executive function in both violent schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder groups compared to healthy controls. The degree of deficit was consistently larger in violent schizophrenia. Both antisocial personality disorder and violent schizophrenia groups had difficulties in aspects of facial affect recognition, although theory of mind results were less conclusive. Psychopathic traits related positively to experiential emotion deficits across the two disorders. Very few studies explored comorbid violent schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder despite this being common in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

There are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different, neuropsychological and emotion processing deficits in violent individuals with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder which could be developed into transdiagnostic treatment targets for violent behaviour. Future research should aim to characterise specific subgroups of violent offenders, including those with comorbid diagnoses.

Juvenile delinquency, welfare, justice and therapeutic interventions: a global perspective

This review considers juvenile delinquency and justice from an international perspective. Youth crime is a growing concern. Many young offenders are also victims with complex needs, leading to a public health approach that requires a balance of welfare and justice models. However, around the world there are variable and inadequate legal frameworks and a lack of a specialist workforce. The UK and other high-income countries worldwide have established forensic child and adolescent psychiatry, a multifaceted discipline incorporating legal, psychiatric and developmental fields. Its adoption of an evidence-based therapeutic intervention philosophy has been associated with greater reductions in recidivism compared with punitive approaches prevalent in some countries worldwide, and it is therefore a superior approach to dealing with the problem of juvenile delinquency.

Chronic treatment with a stable obestatin analog significantly alters plasma triglyceride levels but fails to influence food intake; fluid intake; body weight; or body composition in rats

Obestatin (OB(1-23) is a 23 amino acid peptide encoded on the preproghrelin gene, originally reported to have metabolic actions related to food intake, gastric emptying and body weight. The biological instability of OB(1-23) has recently been highlighted by studies demonstrating its rapid enzymatic cleavage in a number of biological matrices. We assessed the stability of both OB(1-23) and an N-terminally PEGylated analog (PEG-OB(1-23)) before conducting chronic in vivo studies. Peptides were incubated in rat liver homogenate and degradation monitored by LC-MS. PEG-OB(1-23) was approximately 3-times more stable than OB(1-23). Following a 14 day infusion of Sprague-Dawley rats with 50 nmol/kg/day of OB(1-23) or a N-terminally PEGylated analog (PEG-OB(1-23)), we found no changes in food/fluid intake, body weight and plasma glucose or cholesterol between groups. Furthermore, morphometric liver, muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT) weights and tissue triglyceride concentrations remained unaltered between groups. However, with stabilized PEG-OB(1-23) we observed a 40% reduction in plasma triglycerides. These findings indicate that PEG-OB(1-23) is an OB(1-23) analog with significantly enhanced stability and suggest that obestatin could play a role in modulating physiological lipid metabolism, although it does not appear to be involved in regulation of food/fluid intake, body weight or fat deposition.

A phase II evaluation of bevacizumab in the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Study

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Background: Bevacizumab (BV) is a recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor, has demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple tumor types. This is the first report of the activity of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer (EMC). Methods: Eligible patients had persistent or recurrent EMC after receiving 1–2 prior cytotoxic regimens, measurable disease, and GOG performance status < 2. Treatment consisted of BV 15 mg/kg IV q 3 weeks until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months, objective response rate, and toxicity by NCI CTCAE v3.0. The clinical trial was carried out in a flexible 2-stage group sequential design intended to detect either cytostatic or cytotoxic activity. Sample sizes were targeted to limit the probability of designating ineffective regimens as being active 10% with at least 90% statistical power. Clinically significant improvements were 20% increases in the proportion responding or surviving progression-free at 6 months over historical controls. Results: From March 2006 to January 2008, 56 patients were enrolled. Two were excluded due to a second primary and one due to inadequate pathology; thus, the sample included 53 patients. Median age was 62 (range 44–84) years, and prior treatment consisted of 1 or 2 regimens in 33 and 20 patients, respectively. Twenty-eight patients (52.8%) had prior radiation. Early results showed 8/53 (15.1%) response rate, with 1 complete response and 7 partial responses; and 19/53 (35.8%) of patients progression free at 6 months with 2 patients pending at the time of data analysis. Median PFS was 4.2 months. Median Overall survival (OS) was 10.5 months. The following grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed: anemia (1 grade 3), cardiovascular (4 grade 3), constitutional (2 grade 3), hemorrhage (1 grade 3), hepatic (1 grade 3), musculoskeletal (2 grade 3), metabolic (1 grade 3, 1 grade 4), neurologic (1 grade 3), pain (4 grade 3), and vascular (1 grade 3, 1 grade 4). Conclusions: BV appears to have single agent activity in women with recurrent or persistent EMC and warrants further investigation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effects of sub-chronic exposure to naturally occurring N-terminally truncated metabolites of glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), GIP(3-42) and GLP-1(9-36)amide, on insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in ob/ob mice

Glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are important enteroendocrine hormones that are rapidly degraded by an ubiquitous enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV to yield truncated metabolites GIP(3-42) and GLP-1(9-36)amide. In this study, we investigated the effects of sub-chronic exposure to these major circulating forms of GIP and GLP-1 on blood glucose control and endocrine pancreatic function in obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice. A once daily injection of either peptide for 14 days had no effect on body weight, food intake or pancreatic insulin content or islet morphology. GLP-1(9-36)amide also had no effect on plasma glucose homeostasis or insulin secretion. Mice receiving GIP(3-42) exhibited small but significant improvements in non-fasting plasma glucose, glucose tolerance and glycaemic response to feeding. Accordingly, plasma insulin responses were unchanged suggesting that the observed enhancement of insulin sensitivity was responsible for the improvement in glycaemic control. These data indicate that sub-chronic exposure to GIP and GLP-1 metabolites does not result in physiological impairment of insulin secretion or blood glucose control. GIP(3-42) might exert an overall beneficial effect by improving insulin sensitivity through extrapancreatic action.

The effect of age on clinical/pathologic features, surgical morbidity, and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of age on clinical/pathologic features, surgical morbidity, and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

All women with surgically treated endometrial cancer at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington between January 1990 and January 2000 were eligible; 396 patients underwent retrospective chart review. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. Median follow-up time was 33 months (range, 1 to 120 months).

RESULTS

Age was < 45 years in 15% of patients, between 46 and 64 years in 47% of patients, and > 65 years in 38% of patients. Younger patients were statistically more obese than older patients (Body Mass Index of 40.3 kg/m2 vs. 35.3 kg/m2 vs. 31.0 kg/m2, P < 0.001). Intraoperatively, there were no differences between the three groups in the percentage of patients with lymph node sampling, operative time, blood loss, or complications. Postoperatively, older patients had more wound infections (P = 0.002), more cardiac events (P = 0.001), and more episodes of ileus (P = 0.025). Evaluation of pathology revealed that patients < 45 years old were statistically more likely to have endometrioid histology, grade I tumors, and stage IA disease. Women over age 65 were significantly more likely to have papillary serous histology, grade 3 tumors, and stage IC as compared to the younger patients. A subset analysis of patients > 75 years of age showed an increase in the percentage of patients with papillary serous histology (22% vs. 3%, P = 0.055), grade 3 disease (42% vs. 16%, P < 0.001), and stage IC disease (21% vs. 3%, P = 0.001) when compared to patients < 45 years old. Evaluation of endometrioid tumors only revealed a similar pattern of deeper myometrial invasion and higher tumor grade as age increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger patients with endometrial cancer are generally more obese, with lower grade, lower stage disease, and with more favorable histologic cell types. Despite this, approximately a quarter have stage II-IV disease and 9% have positive lymph nodes. The older patients represent a dramatically different subset of patients. They are more likely to have aggressive papillary serous histology, higher grade tumors, and advanced stage disease. Age should be a consideration in appropriate referrals to gynecologic oncologists.

Comparative effects of GLP-1 and GIP on cAMP production, insulin secretion, and in vivo antidiabetic actions following substitution of Ala8/Ala2 with 2-aminobutyric acid

The two major incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are currently being considered as prospective drug candidates for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Interest in these gut hormones was initially spurred by their potent insulinotropic activities, but a number of other antihyperglycaemic actions are now established. One of the foremost barriers in progressing GLP-1 and GIP to the clinic concerns their rapid degradation and inactivation by the ubiquitous enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). Here, we compare the DPP IV resistance and biological properties of Abu8/Abu2 (2-aminobutyric acid) substituted analogues of GLP-1 and GIP engineered to impart DPP IV resistance. Whereas (Abu8)GLP-1 was completely stable to human plasma (half-life >12 h), GLP-1, GIP, and (Abu2)GIP were rapidly degraded (half-lives: 6.2, 6.0, and 7.1 h, respectively). Native GIP, GLP-1, and particularly (Abu8)GLP-1 elicited significant adenylate cyclase and insulinotropic activity, while (Abu2)GIP was less effective. Similarly, in obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice, GIP, GLP-1, and (Abu8)GLP-1 displayed substantial glucose-lowering and insulin-releasing activities, whereas (Abu2)GIP was only weakly active. These studies illustrate divergent effects of penultimate amino acid Ala8/Ala2 substitution with Abu on the biological properties of GLP-1 and GIP, suggesting that (Abu8)GLP-1 represents a potential candidate for future therapeutic development.

N-terminal His(7)-modification of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36) amide generates dipeptidyl peptidase IV-stable analogues with potent antihyperglycaemic activity

Glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) possesses several unique and beneficial effects for the potential treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, the rapid inactivation of GLP-1 by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) results in a short half-life in vivo (less than 2 min) hindering therapeutic development. In the present study, a novel His(7)-modified analogue of GLP-1, N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1, as well as N-acetyl-GLP-1 were synthesised and tested for DPP IV stability and biological activity. Incubation of GLP-1 with either DPP IV or human plasma resulted in rapid degradation of native GLP-1 to GLP-1(9-36)amide, while N-acetyl-GLP-1 and N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1 were completely resistant to degradation. N-acetyl-GLP-1 and N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1 bound to the GLP-1 receptor but had reduced affinities (IC(50) values 32.9 and 6.7 nM, respectively) compared with native GLP-1 (IC(50) 0.37 nM). Similarly, both analogues stimulated cAMP production with EC(50) values of 16.3 and 27 nM respectively compared with GLP-1 (EC(50) 4.7 nM). However, N-acetyl-GLP-1 and N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1 exhibited potent insulinotropic activity in vitro at 5.6 mM glucose (P<0.05 to P<0.001) similar to native GLP-1. Both analogues (25 nM/kg body weight) lowered plasma glucose and increased plasma insulin levels when administered in conjunction with glucose (18 nM/kg body weight) to adult obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice. N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1 was substantially better at lowering plasma glucose compared with the native peptide, while N-acetyl-GLP-1 was significantly more potent at stimulating insulin secretion. These studies indicate that N-terminal modification of GLP-1 results in DPP IV-resistant and biologically potent forms of GLP-1. The particularly powerful antihyperglycaemic action of N-pyroglutamyl-GLP-1 shows potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Lys9 for Glu9 substitution in glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide confers dipeptidylpeptidase IV resistance with cellular and metabolic actions similar to those of established antagonists glucagon-like peptide-1(9-36)amide and exendin (9-39)

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) has been deemed of considerable importance in the regulation of blood glucose. Its effects, mediated through the regulation of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, are glucose-dependent and contribute to the tight control of glucose levels. Much enthusiasm has been assigned to a possible role of GLP-1 in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLP-1's action unfortunately is limited through enzymatic inactivation caused by dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV). It is now well established that modifying GLP-1 at the N-terminal amino acids, His(7) and Ala(8), can greatly improve resistance to this enzyme. Little research has assessed what effect Glu(9)-substitution has on GLP-1 activity and its degradation by DPP IV. Here, we report that the replacement of Glu(9) of GLP-1 with Lys dramatically increased resistance to DPP IV. This analogue, (Lys(9))GLP-1, exhibited a preserved GLP-1 receptor affinity, but the usual stimulatory effects of GLP-1 were completely eliminated, a trait duplicated by the other established GLP-1-antagonists, exendin (9-39) and GLP-1(9-36)amide. We investigated the in vivo antagonistic actions of (Lys(9))GLP-1 in comparison with GLP-1(9-36)amide and exendin (9-39) and revealed that this novel analogue may serve as a functional antagonist of the GLP-1 receptor.

Novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV resistant analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide have preserved biological activities in vitro conferring improved glucose-lowering action in vivo

Although the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a potent stimulator of insulin release, its rapid degradation in vivo by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) greatly limits its potential for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here, we report two novel Ala(8)-substituted analogues of GLP-1, (Abu(8))GLP-1 and (Val(8))GLP-1 which were completely resistant to inactivation by DPP IV or human plasma. (Abu(8))GLP-1 and (Val(8))GLP-1 exhibited moderate affinities (IC(50): 4.76 and 81.1 nM, respectively) for the human GLP-1 receptor compared with native GLP-1 (IC(50): 0.37 nM). (Abu(8))GLP-1 and (Val(8))GLP-1 dose-dependently stimulated cAMP in insulin-secreting BRIN BD11 cells with reduced potency compared with native GLP-1 (1.5- and 3.5-fold, respectively). Consistent with other mechanisms of action, the analogues showed similar, or in the case of (Val(8))GLP-1 slightly impaired insulin releasing activity in BRIN BD11 cells. Using adult obese (ob/ob) mice, (Abu(8))GLP-1 had similar glucose-lowering potency to native GLP-1 whereas the action of (Val(8))GLP-1 was enhanced by 37%. The in vivo insulin-releasing activities were similar. These data indicate that substitution of Ala(8) in GLP-1 with Abu or Val confers resistance to DPP IV inactivation and that (Val(8))GLP-1 is a particularly potent N-terminally modified GLP-1 analogue of possible use in type 2 diabetes.

The effect of body mass index on clinical/pathologic features, surgical morbidity, and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on clinical/pathologic features, surgical morbidity, and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

All women with surgically treated endometrial cancer at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, between 1 January 1990 and 1 January 2000 were eligible; 439 patients were identified and 43 were excluded due to incomplete medical records; 396 patients underwent retrospective chart review. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. Median follow-up time was 27 months (range, 1 to 120 mo).

RESULTS

Mean BMI was 34 (range, 15 to 69). BMI was <30 in 40.7% of patients, 30 to 40 in 32.3%, and >40 in 27.0%. Clinically, patients with a BMI of >40 were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, and pulmonary disease. Those patients with a BMI of >40 had statistically longer operating times (209 vs. 159 min) and more blood loss (604 vs. 324 ml) than patients with a BMI of <30. However, there was no difference between the three groups in number of lymph nodes removed, units of blood transfused, length of hospital stay, number of intensive care unit (ICU) days, or intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, patients with a BMI of >40 were more likely to have a wound separation than thinner patients. Pathologically, patients with a BMI of >40 were more likely to have endometrioid histology, lower stage disease, and lower grade tumors than women with a BMI of <30. However, 11.3% of patients with lymph node sampling and a BMI of >40 had positive lymph nodes and 23% were stage II or higher. Forty-two patients (10.6%) recurred. There were no postoperative deaths, and there was no difference in survival between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a BMI of >40 frequently have favorable stage I endometrial cancers. However, approximately a quarter of these patients have evidence of cervical or extrauterine disease. This study confirms that surgical staging can be performed adequately and safely in morbidly obese patients with no difference in length of hospital stay, number of ICU days, intraoperative or postoperative complications.

Identification of the region of non-Abeta component (NAC) of Alzheimer's disease amyloid responsible for its aggregation and toxicity

The non-beta-amyloid (Abeta) component of Alzheimer's disease amyloid (NAC) and its precursor alpha-synuclein have been linked to amyloidogenesis in several neurodegenerative diseases. NAC and alpha-synuclein both form beta-sheet structures upon ageing, aggregate to form fibrils, and are neurotoxic. We recently established that a peptide comprising residues 3-18 of NAC retains these properties. To pinpoint the exact region responsible we have carried out assays of toxicity and physicochemical properties on smaller fragments of NAC. Toxicity was measured by the ability of fresh and aged peptides to inhibit the reduction of the redox dye 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) by rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and human neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y cells. On immediate dissolution, or after ageing, the fragments NAC(8-18) and NAC(8-16) are toxic, whereas NAC(12-18), NAC(9-16) and NAC(8-15) are not. Circular dichroism indicates that none of the peptides displays beta-sheet structure; rather all remain random coil throughout 24 h. However, in acetonitrile, an organic solvent known to induce beta sheet, fragments NAC(8-18) and NAC(8-16) both form beta-sheet structure. Only NAC(8-18) aggregates, as indicated by concentration of peptide remaining in solution after 3 days, and forms fibrils, as determined by electron microscopy. These findings indicate that residues 8-16 of NAC, equivalent to residues 68-76 in alpha-synuclein, comprise the region crucial for toxicity.

Regulation of adiposity by dietary calcium

Recent data from this laboratory demonstrate that increasing adipocyte intracellular Ca(2+) results in a coordinated stimulation of lipogenesis and inhibition of lipolysis. We have also noted that increasing dietary calcium of obese patients for 1 year resulted in a 4.9 kg loss of body fat (P<0.01). Accordingly, we tested the possibility that calcitrophic hormones may act on adipocytes to increase Ca(2+) and lipid metabolism by measuring the effects of 1, 25-(OH)(2)-D in primary cultures of human adipocytes, and found significant, sustained increases in intracellular Ca(2+) and a corresponding marked inhibition of lipolysis (EC(50) approximately 50 pM; P<0.001), suggesting that dietary calcium could reduce adipocyte mass by suppressing 1,25-(OH)(2)-D. To test this hypothesis, we placed transgenic mice expressing the agouti gene specifically in adipocytes on a low (0.4%) Ca/high fat/high sucrose diet either unsupplemented or with 25 or 50% of the protein replaced by non-fat dry milk or supplemented to 1.2% Ca with CaCO(3) for 6 wk. Weight gain and fat pad mass were reduced by 26-39% by the three high calcium diets (P<0.001). The high calcium diets exerted a corresponding 51% inhibition of adipocyte fatty acid synthase expression and activity (P<0.002) and stimulation of lipolysis by 3. 4- to 5.2-fold (P<0.015). This concept of calcium modulation of adiposity was further evaluated epidemiologically in the NHANES III data set. After controlling for energy intake, relative risk of being in the highest quartile of body fat was set to 1.00 for the lowest quartile of Ca intake and was reduced to 0.75, 0.40, and 0.16 for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, of calcium intake for women (n=380;P<0.0009); a similar inverse relationship was also noted in men (n=7114; P<0.0006). Thus, increasing dietary calcium suppresses adipocyte intracellular Ca(2+) and thereby modulates energy metabolism and attenuates obesity risk.

Occupational Exposure in Nuclear Medicine and PET

Purpose: With the increasing use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for scanning in oncology in our center, a radiation dose survey was performed to determine the impact on staff exposure. Conventional nuclear medicine procedures such as gallium scan, bone scans, and sestamibi cardiac scans are used for comparative purposes.Procedure: Patients were measured using a hand-held radiation monitor (Victoreen 450-P) at various distances and times that replicate typical patient contact scenarios in the Diagnostic Imaging Department.Results: We present our findings from the survey and the implications these have on staff radiation exposure. The data suggest that emerging oncologic techniques such as PET, high dose gallium-67, and high dose Tl-201 do not represent a significantly greater occupational radiation hazard than conventional nuclear medicine procedures.

Adjuvant therapy for high-risk, early stage cervical cancer

The identification of various pathologic risk factors after primary surgical management of early stage cervical cancer portends a higher rate of relapse and decreased survival. Historical attempts to improve outcome focused mainly on the use of adjuvant pelvic radiation, with limited success overall. Analysis of patterns of failure after radical hysterectomy led to better stratification of patients into risk groups and incorporated testing of systemic agents in those considered at high risk of distant failure. Two recently reported randomized, clinical trials have greatly advanced our understanding of the role of postoperative therapy in cervix cancer. In patients with positive nodes, the use of combined adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation significantly improves relapse-free survival and overall survival, compared with radiation alone. For node-negative patients with other primary tumor risk features, pelvic radiation significantly improves relapse-free survival, compared with no further therapy. An observed improvement in survival for irradiated patients awaits statistical confirmation after maturation of the data. Further improvements in adjuvant therapy for high risk, early stage cervical cancer will come from enhanced definition of prognostic variables, better patient selection, and refinements in both local and systemic therapies.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma: evaluation of long-term survival in surgically staged patients

OBJECTIVE

Earlier studies have demonstrated that the uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) variant of endometrial carcinoma has a high recurrence rate, even when disease is apparently confined to the uterus. The current study evaluated survival in patients with surgically staged UPSC.

METHODS

Patients with UPSC were identified from surgical pathology files and charts were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients who had undergone a TAH-BSO, lymph node dissection, and peritoneal cytology were included.

RESULTS

The FIGO stages of the 36 patients were 12 Stage I (4 IA, 4 IB, 4 IC), 2 Stage IIB, 13 Stage III (5 IIIA, 8 IIIC), and 9 Stage IV. Of the 14 Stage I/II patients, 6 did not receive adjuvant therapy, 5 received whole pelvic radiation (WPXRT), and 3 received whole abdominal radiation therapy (WART); after a median follow-up interval of 50 months only 2 (14%) of these Stage I/II patients have developed a recurrence. Both of the recurrences were in Stage IC patients who received radiation; 1 recurred in the radiation field. Of the 5 Stage IIIA patients, 3 patients declined therapy and 2 were treated with WART; 3 patients, including the 2 who received radiation therapy, are alive without disease. Of the 8 Stage IIIC patients, 2 declined postoperative therapy, 2 received WART, and 4 received WPXRT with an extended field to include paraaortic nodes. Four of the 6 Stage IIIC patients treated with curative intent are without evidence of disease and 1 died of unrelated causes after a median follow-up interval of 48 months. Both of the Stage IIIC patients who declined treatment recurred. Of the 9 patients with Stage IV disease, 8 have died of disease.

CONCLUSION

Women with UPSC have a good prognosis when surgical staging confirms that disease is confined to the uterus (Stage I/II). Surgical findings can also be used to tailor adjuvant radiation treatments. Further study is required to define the optimal treatment for women with metastatic UPSC.

A retrospective review of paclitaxel-associated gastrointestinal necrosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

Seven patients with gastrointestinal necrosis following paclitaxel chemotherapy are reported. Four of seven patients had platinum refractory disease, while 3/7 patients received primary paclitaxel therapy. Complications occurred 5 to 16 days following paclitaxel therapy. The most common clinical presentation was fever (7/7 patients), neutropenia (6/7 patients), and abdominal pain (6/7 patients). All seven patients developed gastrointestinal necrosis following the first cycle of paclitaxel chemotherapy. The exact mechanism by which this complication occurs is poorly understood. We postulate that gastrointestinal necrosis may be the result of a direct drug effect on the gastrointestinal epithelium and might involve a synergistic interaction between compromised bowel and paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest. We observe that the incidence of gastrointestinal necrosis in patients with platinum refractory disease is 4 of 108 patients (3.7%). The incidence of this complication in patients receiving primary paclitaxel at our institution is 3 of approximately 128 patients (2.3%). Eighteen cases to date have been identified in the literature. A high index of suspicion of this complication should be considered for patients presenting with neutropenic fever and abdominal pain following paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Telomerase activation in cervical cancer

It has been hypothesized that infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), in conjunction with other cellular events, plays a critical role in the development of cervical cancer. Activation of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme complex that synthesizes telomere repeats, has been associated with acquisition of the immortal phenotype in vitro and is commonly observed in human cancers. In this study, we have examined 10 high-grade cervical cancers for telomerase activity and for the presence of HPV. Telomerase activity was detected in all of the cancers but in none of the paired histopathologically normal uterine tissues or in normal cervical epithelium. Analysis of these same tissues for HPV nucleic acids by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers from the HPV L1 and E6 open reading frames demonstrated that 7 of 10 cancers were positive for HPV, 3 for HPV type 16 (HPV-16), and 4 for HPV-18. In one case, HPV-16 was detected in histopathologically normal uterine tissue, the same type as that detected in the cancer from the same patient. HPV DNA was not detected in 3 of 10 cancers. These results indicate that telomerase activation is common in high-grade cervical cancers and suggests that telomerase activity may be a useful diagnostic marker for the disease.

Papanicolaou smear screening interval and risk of cervical cancer

The efficacy of Papanicolaou smear screening intervals of longer than 1 year is uncertain. Ninety-two symptomatic cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed between 1978-1983 in western Washington were identified with a population-based tumor registry. Using a random-digit-dialing technique, 178 controls from the same geographic area were selected. A structured telephone interview was used to ascertain screening history and risk factors for cervical cancer. The mean interval between papanicolaou smears in the 10 years preceding diagnosis (cases) or the reference date (controls) was calculated. The risk of squamous cell cervical cancer was increased 3.9 times (95% confidence interval 1.2-12.3) for women with Papanicolaou smears at 3-year intervals compared with women with annual screening. For women who had not had a Papanicolaou smear in the preceding 10 years, this risk increased 12.3 times (95% confidence interval 2.5-60.6). For screening intervals of 2 years, the risk of cervical cancer (all cell types) was not increased (relative risk 1.01; 95% confidence interval 0.43-2.37). The presence of well-known risk factors for cervical cancer did not modify these results. These data suggest an increasing risk of cervical cancer if Papanicolaou smear screening intervals exceed 2 years.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the vulva

An unusual case of vulvar sarcoma, histologically identified as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, is presented together with a summary of current information regarding this lesion.

(15S)-15 methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha levels in amniotic fluid and blood in second trimester abortions

A single intra-amniotic injection of (15S)-15 methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha (THAM) was used to induce second trimester abortion in five patients. Serial levels of (15S)-15 methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha were subsequently measured in amniotic fluid and plasma by radioimmunoassay. The slow removal of this drug from the amniotic fluid was documented. Plasma levels of (15S)-15 methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha increased fourfold to sevenfold after clinical rupture of the membranes in three patients, supporting the fact that prostaglandins are well absorbed from the vagina. Because this analogue of prostaglandin can cause marked peripheral bronchoconstriction when administered systemically, it is best to avoid its use in patients with a history of asthma.

Team nursing coverage of prenatal-intrapartum patients at a university hospital. An innovation in obstetric nursing

A unique approach in utilization of nursing personnel was instituted at the University of Colorado Medical Center to alleviate the following patient care problems: 1) lack of continuity of care of obstetric patients, 2) inadequate prenatal instruction, and 3) the unpredictability of patient census in the labor and delivery area. Half the nurses from the labor and delivery area were organized into four teams of two nurses each who acquired a case load of patients for antepartum care. When a patient was admitted to the hostpial in labor, the nurse from her team who was on call came in and provided all nursing care during the intrapartum period. The problems and benefits of this new approach to nursing care are discussed.

The synergistic effect of calcium and prostaglandin F2alpha in second trimester abortion. A pilot study

A clinical use of the basic science phenomenon that prostaglandin is synergistic with calcium in increasing uterine contractility has been demonstrated. Twenty-five women had midtrimester abortions induced with intraamniotic calcium gluconate followed by prostaglandin F2alpha. All patients aborted within 21 hours with minimal toxicity. The mean injection-to-abortion interval was 13.5 hours in the group of women without a preinjection laminaria and 10.1 hours in patients when a laminaria was included in the protocol.

Gynecologic malignancies in immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients

Immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients have a 5 to 6% incidence of de novo malignancies at some time after transplantation. Gynecologic cancers were encountered in 21 of 224 patients (9%) with these tumors. The predominant lesion was carcinoma of the cervix (18 cases), of which 16 were intraepithelial and 2 were invasive. Gynecologic malignancies have also been encountered in non-transplant patients who were treated with immunosuppressive agents or cancer chemotherapy. All such individuals require gynecologic examination before commencement of treatment and at regular intervals thereafter so that malignancies may be diagnosed at an early stage and treated effectively. Most neoplasms respond well to conventional cancer therapy, but high-grade malignancies may necessitate reduction or cessation of immunosuppressive therapy as well.

Electron microscope study of the interaction of vaccinia virus with macrophages from immunized and nonimmunized rabbits

A study using the electron microscope was conducted with the objective of comparing the efficiency of phagocytosis and the subsequent fate of the vaccinia virus in immune and nonimmune rabbit macrophages. Although immune rabbit macrophages inhibited viral replication, they did not differ from permissive nonimmune rabbit macrophages in their ability to ingest the virus. In addition, the immune cells processed the vaccinia virus through the first stage of uncoating as evidenced by the observation of viral cores in the cell cytoplasm. These data support the thesis that the failure of vaccinia replication in immune macrophages is a function of intracellular mechanisms which operate at some point in the replicative sequence after the first stage of uncoating.