Developing a Novel Web-Based Self-Management Support Intervention for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Mixed Methods Study With Patients and Health Care Professionals

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a significant global health burden requiring urgent attention. This common chronic endocrine and cardiometabolic condition affects around 1 in 10 women and individuals assigned female at birth, with significant adverse effects on well-being, quality of life, and mental health, as well as serious and complex long-term health consequences. International guidelines for best health care practice recommend the provision of comprehensive cognitive behavioral interventions to support self-management and improve health outcomes for those living with PCOS. Web-based health interventions have the potential to meet this need in an accessible and scalable way.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to identify barriers to self-management and psychological well-being in women with PCOS and adapt a web-based self-management program to provide a prototype digital support intervention for them.

METHODS

We adapted an existing support program (HOPE) for PCOS using the antecedent target measure approach. We conducted qualitative interviews with 13 adult women living with PCOS, 3 trustees of a patients with PCOS advocacy charity, and 4 endocrinologists to identify "antecedents" (barriers) to self-management and psychological well-being. Framework analysis was used to identify potentially modifiable antecedents to be targeted by the novel intervention. At a national conference, 58 key stakeholders (patients and health professionals) voted for the antecedents they felt were most important to address. We used research evidence and relevant theory to design a prototype for the PCOS intervention.

RESULTS

Voting identified 32 potentially modifiable antecedents, relating to knowledge, understanding, emotions, motivation, and behaviors, as priorities to be targeted in the new intervention. A modular, web-based prototype HOPE PCOS intervention was developed to address these, covering six broad topic areas (instilling HOPE for PCOS; managing the stress of PCOS; feeding your mind and body well; body image, intimacy, and close relationships; staying healthy with PCOS; and keeping PCOS in its place).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified barriers to self-management and psychological well-being in women with PCOS and used these to adapt a web-based self-management program, tailoring it for PCOS, which is a comprehensive group intervention combining education, empowerment, lifestyle management, peer support with cognitive behavioral tools, and goal-setting (to be delivered by peers or codelivered with health care professionals). The modular structure offers flexibility to adapt the program further as new clinical recommendations emerge. The intervention has the potential to be delivered, evaluated for feasibility, and, if effective, integrated into health care services. Self-management interventions are not designed to replace clinical care; rather, they serve as an additional source of support. The HOPE PCOS program conveys this message in its content and activities. Future research should evaluate the prototype intervention using primary outcomes such as measures of psychological well-being, self-management self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, and PCOS-related quality of life. They should also assess the intervention's acceptability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

The ABCD stop signal data: Response to Bissett et al

This paper responds to a recent critique by Bissett et al. of the fMRI Stop task used in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study (ABCD Study®). The critique focuses primarily on a task design feature related to race model assumptions (i.e., that the Go and Stop processes are fully independent). In response, we note that the race model is quite robust against violations of its assumptions. Most importantly, while Bissett raises conceptual concerns with the task we focus here on analyzes of the task data and conclude that the concerns appear to have minimal impact on the neuroimaging data (the validity of which do not rely on race model assumptions) and have far less of an impact on the performance data than the critique suggests. We note that Bissett did not apply any performance-based exclusions to the data they analyzed, a number of the trial coding errors they flagged were already identified and corrected in ABCD annual data releases, a number of their secondary concerns reflect sensible design decisions and, indeed, their own computational modeling of the ABCD Stop task suggests the problems they identify have just a modest impact on the rank ordering of individual differences in subject performance.

AB0965 Serial serology testing in patients with psoriatic arthritis- Should it be done?

Background

The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is largely based on clinical phenotype due to the heterogeneity of the presenting features, which can include synovio-entheseal disease, dactylitis, skin and nail disease, uveitis and axial involvement. (1)

In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), PsA is a seronegative inflammatory arthropathy. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and Anti-CCP antibodies are usually absent in PsA, and if patients do have positive serological findings for RF or CCP, the titres tend to be low. (2)

Seronegativity for RF has a significantly high discriminant value in the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR), such that a negative RF forms one of the five possible criteria; thus serological testing is often done once at the initial diagnostic appointment. (3)

A previous study in the context of RA has shown that there is a tendency for repeated serological testing with as much as 70% of patients having RF tested more than once.(4) Repeated testing amounts to additional expense and is rarely needed in PsA.

The literature on the frequency of repeated serology testing in PsA patients is absent.

Objectives

To determine how often was serology for RF and anti-CCP antibodies repeated in a PsA cohort.

Methods

A cohort of consecutive patients attending the rheumatology clinic at our centre with a diagnosis of PsA were included.

We reviewed the laboratory results of individual patients to determine how many times each patient had been tested for RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Results

118 patients with a diagnosis of PsA were included. 117 patients had RF antibody testing at least once and all 118 patients had a minimum of one anti-CCP antibody test.

59/117 (50.4%) patients had RF checked more than once and 28/117 (23.9%) had testing at least 3 times. 3 patients had an initial positive RF which was negative on subsequent testing.

Anti-CCP antibody was checked on all 118 patients. 41/118 (34.7%) patients had anti-CCP checked more than once and 13/118 (11.0%) patients had testing at least 2 times. One patient had an initial equivocal anti-CCP antibody titre which was subsequently negative on repeat testing.

Conclusion

As opposed to RA, PsA has not been associated with the presence of circulating antibodies. The presence or absence of RF in PsA patients has for long been a subject of debate. (3)

In cases of peripheral polyarticular PsA, which may be difficult to distinguish from RA, serological testing can be useful to identify RA. However, studies have found that RF can be present in 5-13% of PsA patients. (5)

In the context of RA, serological conversion from negative to positive is infrequent and repeat testing is not recommended. (6)

Over half of the patients in our PsA cohort had repeated RF testing. Certainly this is unlikely to be helpful or cost effective and serial serology measurements in PsA patients should be avoided.

References

[1]Veale DJ, Fearon U. The pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. The Lancet. 2018;391(10136):2273-84.

[2]Merola JF, Espinoza LR, Fleischmann R. Distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis. RMD Open. 2018;4(2):e000656.

[3]Veale DJ, Fearon U. What makes psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis so different? RMD Open. 2015;1(1):e000025-e.

[4]Orr C, Young F, Veale DJ. AB0243 How Often Are Serology Tests Repeated in RA Patients, and What Are the Merits? Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2015;74(Suppl 2):972.

[5]Punzi L, Podswiadek M, Oliviero F, Lonigro A, Modesti V, Ramonda R, et al. Laboratory findings in psoriatic arthritis. Reumatismo. 2007;59 Suppl 1:52-5.

[6]Reid AB, Wiese M, McWilliams L, Metcalf R, Hall C, Lee A, et al. Repeat serological testing for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody after commencement of therapy is not helpful in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Internal Medicine Journal. 2020;50(7):818-22.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0903 Dual Immunomodulatory Therapies in Psoriatic Disease

Background

Since the advent of numerous biologic therapies and small molecular drugs targeting specific cytokines and signalling pathways; the management of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has significantly improved. However, at least 40% of PsA patients exhibit an incomplete or failure to respond to these treatments.

While the outcomes of patients with psoriasis (Pso) has dramatically improved with monoclonal antibody therapies targeting IL-23 and IL-17A; achieving a measurable low disease activity state such as minimal disease activity (MDA) for musculoskeletal manifestations of psoriatic disease is infrequent. Given the complex and heterogeneity of signalling pathways, cytokines and cell types resulting in synovio-entheseal disease in PsA; new treatment strategies must be evaluated to induce deep and sustainable clinical responses in all the phenotypic domains of psoriatic disease (cutaneous, synovium, entheseal and axial). (1)

In patients who do not achieve remission in all clinical domains on a biologic monotherapy or combination of a biologic therapy with an oral synthetic agent; dual targeted anti-cytokines strategies or combined biologic with a targeted oral small molecule are a possible treatment option.

Objectives

To describe a series of four patients with recalcitrant psoriatic disease and failure to respond to previous treatment regimens who were successfully treated with dual immunomodulatory therapies.

Methods

Patients on dual immunomodulatory therapies attending our department were prospectively followed and clinical response monitored.

Results:

Table 1.Age/genderDiagnosisprior therapiescombination therapydoseadverse eventsCase 149/ MalePsA + PsOMethotrexate, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, ixekizumabBaracitinib + infliximab4mg OD + 5mg/kg Q8WNoneCase 251/ MalePsA + PsOMethotrexate, etanercept, adalimumab, ustekinumab, infliximab, secukinumab, apremilast, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumabAdalimumab + guselkumab40mg QoW +100mg Q8WNoneCase 351/ FemalePsA + PsOMethotrexate, sulphasalazine, etarnercept, certolizumab, leflunomide, infliximab, adalimumab, secukinumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, abatacept, baracitinibAdalimumab + tofacinitib40mg QoW + 5mg BDNoneCase 439/ MalePsA +PsOMethotrexate, etanercept, ustekinumab, adalimumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab, sulphasalazineIxekizumab + baracitinib80mg Q4W+ 4mg ODNoneFigure 1.

Mini-Arthroscopy of left knee for Case 3 prior to starting dual immunomodulator therapy.

(A) Macroscopic aspects of synovitis (B) Synovium vascularization

Conclusion

Multiple pathways and mediators are responsible for the initiation of and sustained joint inflammation and damage seen in PsA. A phase II trial of ABT-122, a biologic engineered to target both TNF and IL-17A showed statistically significant superior efficacy outcomes at multiple time points based on ACR50, ACR70 and psoriasis outcome measures (PASI75/PASI90) when compared to adalimumab, with similar safety profile.(2)

Safety concerns such as infectious risks are important considerations with such strategies; however, the targeted second-generation anti-cytokine biologics and targeted JAK-I have exhibited improved safety profiles.(3) In our small case series, patients have not, to date, experienced adverse events of combination therapy.

References

[1]Haberman RH, Castillo R, Scher JU. Induction of remission in biologic-naive, severe psoriasis and PsA with dual anti-cytokine combination. Rheumatology. 2021;60(7):e225-e6.

[2]Mease PJ, Genovese MC, Weinblatt ME, Peloso PM, Chen K, Othman AA, et al. Phase II Study of ABT-122, a Tumor Necrosis Factor– and Interleukin-17A–Targeted Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin, in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis With an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2018;70(11):1778-89.

[3]Scher JU, Ogdie A, Merola JF, Ritchlin C. Moving the Goalpost Toward Remission: The Case for Combination Immunomodulatory Therapies in Psoriatic Arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2021;73(9):1574-8.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

A retrospective analysis of the role of proton pump inhibitors in colorectal cancer disease survival

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (ppis) are a commonly used medication. A limited number of studies have identified a weak-to-moderate association between ppi use and colorectal cancer (crc) risk, but none to date have identified an effect of ppi use on crc survival. We therefore postulated that an association between ppi use and crc survival might potentially exist.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of 1304 crc patients diagnosed from January 2005 to December 2011 and treated at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate overall survival (os).

RESULTS

We identified 117 patients (9.0%) who were taking ppis at the time of oncology consult. Those taking a ppi were also more often taking asa or statins (or both) and had a statistically significantly increased rate of cardiac disease. No identifiable difference in tumour characteristics was evident in the two groups, including tumour location, differentiation, lymph node status, and stage. Univariate analysis identified a statistically nonsignificant difference in survival, with those taking a ppi experiencing lesser 1-year (82.1% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.161), 2-year (70.1% vs. 76.8%, p = 0.111), and 5-year os (55.2% vs. 62.9%, p = 0.165). When controlling for patient demographics and tumour characteristics, multivariate Cox regression analysis identified a statistically significant effect of ppi in our patient population (hazard ratio: 1.343; 95% confidence interval: 1.011 to 1.785; p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a potential adverse effect of ppi use on os in crc patients. These results need further evaluation in prospective analyses.

Two Canine Papillomaviruses Associated With Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Two Related Basenji Dogs

Papillomaviruses (PV) are associated with benign mucosal and cutaneous epithelial proliferations. In dogs, PV-associated pigmented plaques and papillomas can undergo malignant transformation, but this is rare, and most cases of canine squamous cell carcinoma do not arise from PV-induced precursor lesions. We describe herein the progression of pigmented plaques to invasive and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma associated with 2 canine papillomaviruses (CPV) in 2 related Basenji dogs. Immunohistochemistry for PV antigen revealed strong nuclear immunoreactivity within keratinocytes from pigmented plaques from both dogs, consistent with a productive viral infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers for the L1 gene revealed PV DNA sequences from 2 different CPVs. In situ hybridization for CPV revealed strong hybridization signals within the pigmented plaques and neoplastic squamous epithelial cells from both dogs. We report here progression of PV-associated pigmented plaques to metastatic squamous cell carcinoma within 2 Basenji dogs associated with 2 different CPVs.

A retrospective study on the role of diabetes and metformin in colorectal cancer disease survival

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested an effect of metformin on mortality for patients with both diabetes and colorectal cancer (crc). However, the literature is contradictory, with both positive and negative effects being identified. We set out to determine the effect of metformin with respect to prognosis in crc patients.

METHODS

After a retrospective chart review of crc patients treated at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare overall survival (os) in patients with and without diabetes.

RESULTS

We identified 1304 crc patients treated at the centre. No significant differences between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups were observed with respect to tumour pathology, extent of metastatic disease, time or toxicity of chemotherapy, and the os rate (1-year os: 85.6% vs. 86.4%, p = 0.695; 2-year os: 73.6% vs. 77.0%, p = 0.265). In subgroup analysis, diabetic patients taking metformin survived significantly longer than their counterparts taking other diabetes treatments (os for the metformin group: 91% at 1 year; 80.5% at 2 years; os for the group taking other treatments, including diet control: 80.6% at 1 year, 67.4% at 2 years). Multivariate analysis suggests that patients with diabetes taking treatments other than metformin experience worse survival (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that crc patients with diabetes, excluding those taking metformin, might have a worse crc prognosis. Taking metformin appears to have a positive association with prognosis. The protective nature of metformin needs further evaluation in prospective analyses.

Tofacitinib regulates synovial inflammation in psoriatic arthritis, inhibiting STAT activation and induction of negative feedback inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterised by synovitis and destruction of articular cartilage/bone. Janus-kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signalling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of PsA.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of tofacitinib (JAK inhibitor) on proinflammatory mechanisms in PsA.

METHODS

Primary PsA synovial fibroblasts (PsAFLS) and ex vivo PsA synovial explants were cultured with tofacitinib (1 µM). PhosphoSTAT3 (pSTAT3), phosphoSTAT1 (pSTAT1), suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3), protein inhibitor of activated Stat3 (PIAS3) and nuclear factor kappa B cells (NFκBp65) were quantified by western blot. The effect of tofacitinib on PsAFLS migration, invasion, Matrigel network formation and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)2/9 was quantified by invasion/migration assays and zymography. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, IL-17, IL-10, MMP3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3) were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Tofacitinib significantly decreased pSTAT3, pSTAT1, NFκBp65 and induced SOCS3 and PIAS3 expression in PsAFLS and synovial explant cultures (p<0.05). Functionally, PsAFLS invasion, network formation and migration were inhibited by tofacitinib (all p<0.05). In PsA explant, tofacitinib significantly decreased spontaneous secretion of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MMP9/MMP2, MMP3 (all p<0.05) and decreased the MMP3/TIMP3 ratio (p<0.05), with no effect observed for IP-10 or IL-10.

CONCLUSIONS

This study further supports JAK-STAT inhibition as a therapeutic target for the treatment of PsA.

Abnormal plasma sodium concentrations in patients treated with desmopressin for cranial diabetes insipidus: results of a long-term retrospective study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Patients with cranial diabetes insipidus (CDI) are at risk of developing both hypernatraemia and hyponatraemia, due to the condition itself or secondary to treatment with vasopressin-analogues or during administration of i.v. fluids. We aimed to assess the frequency and impact of dysnatraemias in the inpatient (INPT) and outpatient (OPT) setting in desmopressin-treated CDI, comparing those with normal thirst with those with abnormal thirst.

DESIGN

The study included 192 patients with cranial diabetes, who were identified from the Beaumont Pituitary Database, a tertiary referral centre. Retrospective case note audit was performed and the clinical and biochemical information of 147 patients with CDI were available for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 4142 plasma sodium measurements for 137 patients with normal thirst, and 385 plasma sodium measurements for ten patients with abnormal thirst were analysed. In those with normal thirst, the most common OPT abnormality was mild hyponatraemia (pNa(+) 131-134  mmol/l) in 27%, while 14.6% had more significant hyponatraemia (pNa(+) ≤130  mmol/l). Of those patients with normal thirst, 5.8% were admitted due to complications directly related to hyponatraemia. Compared with patients with normal thirst, those with abnormal thirst were more likely to develop significant OPT hypernatraemia (20% vs 1.4%, P=0.02) and significant INPT hyponatraemia (50% vs 11.1%, P 0.02).

CONCLUSION

OPT management of CDI is complicated by a significant incidence of hyponatraemia. In contrast, OPT hypernatraemia is almost exclusively a complication seen in adipsic CDI, who also had more frequent INPT hyponatraemia. CDI associated with thirst disorder requires increased physician attention and patient awareness of potential complications.

Life threatening sepsis while on high dose steroids requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation

We present a case of life-threatening streptococcal sepsis in a young man with a history of Behçet's disease within two weeks of commencing high dose corticosteroid therapy for an exacerbation of Behçet's disease.

Anterior hypopituitarism is rare and autoimmune disease is common in adults with idiopathic central diabetes insipidus

OBJECTIVE

Central diabetes insipidus is a rare clinical condition with a heterogenous aetiology. Up to 40% of cases are classified as idiopathic, although many of these are thought to have an autoimmune basis. Published data have suggested that anterior hypopituitarism is common in childhood-onset idiopathic diabetes insipidus. We aimed to assess the incidence of anterior hypopituitarism in a cohort of adult patients with idiopathic diabetes insipidus.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

We performed a retrospective review of the databases of two pituitary investigation units. This identified 39 patients with idiopathic diabetes insipidus. All had undergone magnetic resonance imaging scanning and dynamic pituitary testing (either insulin tolerance testing or GHRH/arginine and short synacthen testing) to assess anterior pituitary function.

RESULTS

One patient had partial growth hormone deficiency; no other anterior pituitary hormonal deficits were found. Thirty-three percent had at least one autoimmune disease in addition to central diabetes insipidus.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that anterior hypopituitarism is rare in adult idiopathic diabetes insipidus. Routine screening of these patients for anterior hypopituitarism may not, therefore, be indicated. The significant prevalence of autoimmune disease in this cohort supports the hypothesis that idiopathic diabetes insipidus may have an autoimmune aetiology.

Robotically-assisted laparoscopic radical parametrectomy and radical vaginectomy

BACKGROUND

Radical parametrectomy is a technically challenging operation used for women found to have occult cervix cancer after a hysterectomy for benign reasons. A similar operation, radical vaginectomy, is rarely performed because of the its technical difficulty in getting adequate margins without an attached uterus.

CASE REPORTS

A 41-year-old woman was found to have a presumed surgical Stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix at time of surgery for uterine prolapse. The patient was offered multiple options of surgery and chemoradiation. A second case, a 55-year-old woman, was found to have 1 cm vaginal cancer nine years after a total vaginal hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ of the cervix. She was also offered chemoradiation versus surgery. For the robotically-assisted laparoscopic radical parametrectomy operating time was 186 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 250 ml. For the robotically-assisted laparoscopic radical vaginectomy operating time was 154 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 150 ml. Neither patient had a hospitalization over 24 hours. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotically-assisted laparoscopic radical paremetrectomy and vaginectomy are both technically feasible procedures.

Improvement of human islet cryopreservation by a p38 MAPK inhibitor

The activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been shown to cause ischemia/reperfusion injury of several organs used for transplantation and also to play a significant role in primary islet graft nonfunction. Activation of p38 MAPK may also occur during islet cryopreservation and thawing. In this study, a p38 MAPK inhibitor (p38IH) was applied to human islet cryopreservation to improve islet yield and quality after thawing. Under serum-free conditions, human islets were cryopreserved, thawed and cultured using our standard procedures. Three types of solutions were tested: conventional RPMI1640 medium (RPMI), a newly developed islet cryopreservation solution (ICS), and ICS supplemented with a p38IH, SD-282 (ICS-p38IH). Activation or inhibition of p38 MAPK was demonstrated by the diminished phosphorylation of HSP27 substrate. Islet recovery on day 2 after thawing was highest with ICS-p38IH and islet viability was not significantly different in the three groups. beta Cell numbers and function were the highest in islets cryopreserved with ICS-p38IH. Glucose-stimulated human C-peptide levels were 86% of that of the nonfrozen islets when measured 4 weeks after transplantation into NODscid mice. This improvement may provide an opportunity to establish islet banks and allow the use of cryopreserved islets for clinical transplantation.

Multipotent progenitor cells isolated from adult human pancreatic tissue

The supply of islet cells is a limiting factor for the widespread application of islet transplantation of type-1 diabetes. Islets constitute 1% to 2% of pancreatic tissue, leaving approximately 98% as discard after islet isolation and purification. In this report we present our data on the isolation of multipotent progenitor cells from discarded adult human pancreatic tissue. The collected cells from discarded nonislet fractions, after enzymatic digestion and gradient purification of islets, were dissociated for suspension culture in a serum-free medium. The cell clusters grown to a size of 100 to 150 mum contained cells staining for stage-specific embryonic antigens, but not insulin or C-peptide. To direct cell differentiation toward islets, clusters were recultured in a pancreatic differentiation medium. Insulin and C-peptide-positive cells by immunocytochemistry appeared within a week, reaching over 10% of the cell population. Glucagon and somatostatin-positive cells were also detected. The cell clusters were found to secrete insulin in response to glucose stimulation. Cells from the same clusters also had the capacity for differentiation into neural cells, as documented by staining for neural and glial cell markers when cultured as monolayers in media containing neurotrophic factors. These data suggest that multipotent pancreatic progenitor cells exist within the human pancreatic tissue that is typically discarded during islet isolation procedures. These adult progenitor cells can be successfully differentiated into insulin-producing cells, and thus they have the potential for treatment of type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Inhibition of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Protects Human Islets From Cryoinjury and Improves the Yield, Viability, and Quality of Frozen-Thawed Islets

The development of an optimal islet cryopreservation method will permit transplantation of islets from multiple donors in a single procedure and contribute to alleviation of the islet shortage. In this study, we have improved human islet cryopreservation methods under serum-free conditions using an intracellular-based islet cryopreservation solution (ICS), especially supplemented with a p38 pathway inhibitor (p38IH) to suppress p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Three different solutions were compared for freezing and thawing of human islets (1) conventional RPMI1640 medium, (2) ICS, and (3) ICS supplemented with a p38IH, SD-282 (ICS-p38IH). Islet cryopreservation with ICS-p38IH significantly improved islet recovery, viability, and quality after thawing of cryopreserved islets. This improvement may allow the use of cryopreserved islets in clinical islet transplantation.

The impact of the classroom environment on defining function in school-based practice

OBJECTIVE

Whether the environment is stressed in function-dysfunction decisions appears to depend on where in the hierarchy of components of complex tasks and of role skills the evaluating therapist is focused. This study examined the intervention planning decisions of occupational therapists who used the Model of Student Role Adaptation, which emphasizes the complex tasks involved in the student role. The purpose of the study was to determine whether these therapists were responding to environmental demands in planning their interventions.

METHOD

Special education teachers selected tasks that they believed were the most essential for student functioning within their classroom environments. These selections were compared with the goals and objectives developed by occupational therapists who serve children in these settings.

RESULTS

Chi square analysis indicated a significant relationship between tasks designated by the teacher participants as environmental demands and those included in occupational therapy intervention planning.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the occupational therapist participants were responding to the environmental demands of the classroom when constructing their intervention plans.