Implementation of a laser-neutron pump-probe capability for inelastic neutron scattering

Knowledge about nonequilibrium dynamics in spin systems is of great importance to both fundamental science and technological applications. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is an indispensable tool to study spin excitations in complex magnetic materials. However, conventional INS spectrometers currently only perform steady-state measurements and probe averaged properties over many collision events between spin excitations in thermodynamic equilibrium, while the exact picture of re-equilibration of these excitations remains unknown. In this paper, we report on the design and implementation of a time-resolved laser-neutron pump-probe capability at hybrid spectrometer (beamline 14-B) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This capability allows us to excite out-of-equilibrium magnons with a nanosecond pulsed laser source and probe the resulting dynamics using INS. Here, we discussed technical aspects to implement such a capability in a neutron beamline, including choices of suitable neutron instrumentation and material systems, laser excitation scheme, experimental configurations, and relevant firmware and software development to allow for time-synchronized pump-probe measurements. We demonstrated that the laser-induced nonequilibrium structure factor is able to be resolved by INS in a quantum magnet. The method developed in this work will provide SNS with advanced capabilities for performing out-of-equilibrium measurements, opening up an entirely new research direction to study out-of-equilibrium phenomena using neutrons.

Antimicrobial peptides as potential therapy for gastrointestinal cancers

Since conventional therapy faces limitations in the field of different cancers as well as gastrointestinal cancers, that decrease the survival rate of patients, there is an urgent need to find new effective therapeutic approaches without the adverse effects of the traditional agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) attract much attention and are well known for their role in innate immunity. These peptides, in addition to their antimicrobial activity, exhibit strong anticancer potential against various types of malignancy. AMPs specifically target tumor cells and have selective toxicity for these cells without affecting normal cells. Here we aim to comprehensively overview the current knowledge in the field of using AMPs as novel therapeutic agents for gastrointestinal cancer.

[Analysis of dyslipidemia management status in atrial fibrillation patients with very high and high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease]

Objective: To analyze the status of statins use and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and very high/high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) from Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR). Methods: A total of 9 119 patients with AF were recruited in CAFR between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, patients at very high and high risk of ASCVD were included in this study. Demographics, medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, and laboratory test results were collected. In patients with very high-risk, a threshold of 1.8 mmol/L was used as LDL-C management target and in patients with high risk, a threshold of 2.6 mmol/L was used as LDL-C management target. Statins use and LDL-C compliance rate were analyzed, multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the influencing factors of statins use. Results: 3 833 patients were selected (1 912 (21.0%) in very high risk of ASCVD group and 1 921 (21.1%) in high risk of ASCVD group). The proportion of patients with very high and high risk of ASCVD taking statins was 60.2% (1 151/1 912) and 38.6% (741/1 921), respectively. Attainment rate of LDL-C management target in patients with very high and high risk were 26.7% (511/1 912) and 36.4% (700/1 921), respectively. Conclusion: The proportion of statins use and attainment rate of LDL-C management target are low in AF patients with very high and high risk of ASCVD in this cohort. The comprehensive management in AF patients should be further strengthened, especially the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in AF patients with very high and high risk of ASCVD.

Adaptive Proton Therapy for Pediatric Parameningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma: On-Treatment Anatomic Changes and Timing to Replanning

PURPOSE

To characterize on-treatment changes in GTV morphology in children with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma receiving upfront proton therapy with concurrent chemotherapy and thereby provide guidance on the timing of on-treatment imaging and adaptive replanning.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

GTV was delineated on 86 simulation and weekly MR images of 15 prospectively enrolled patients (aged 1-21 years). Temporal changes from baseline in volume and surface (95% Hausdorff distance) were analyzed in relation to the need for plan verification and the resultant doses with hypothetical no treatment adaptation.

RESULTS

The median time was 6 days from the initiation of chemotherapy to CT+MR simulation and 15 days from the simulation to the start of radiotherapy. All but 1 patient showed a continuous decrease in GTV (0.16-1.52%/day) after simulation. At 3 weeks from simulation, 10 of 15 patients exhibited a significant reduction in volume (median, 20%; range, 6-29%). Without replanning, these changes could lead to a reduction in CTV V95 by 7-14% (n = 2) and/or an increase in D0.01 cc/Dmean of adjacent organs at risk by 6-21% of the prescribed target dose (n = 7). Significant dosimetric consequences occurred in cases with (1) a considerable weight gain, (2) shrinkage of the skin surface, or (3) tumor regression in the oral or nasal cavity and sinus that altered air-tissue components in the beam path. The subsequent GTV and dosimetry after 3 weeks from simulation (4 weeks from chemotherapy initiation) demonstrated a relatively stable trend.

CONCLUSIONS

On-treatment imaging at 3 weeks after simulation is recommended, if the simulation is performed at 1 week after the initiation of chemotherapy, to detect significant anatomic changes that could result in >5% deviation from planned target coverage and/or organ doses in pediatric patients with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma receiving early proton therapy.

[Comparison of the application methods and effects of skin flaps in the repair of defects in different parts of the nose according to the concept of aesthetic nosesubunits]

Objective: To analyze the difference of application methods and effects of local flap in small and medium-sized defects of different aesthetic subunits of nose, in order to provide reference for clinical work. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on 59 patients with external nasal masses and scars who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July 1, 2021 to January 30, 2022, including 27 females and 32 males, aged 15 to 69 years. Using Likert scale, the repair methods and effects of local flap for nasal soft tissue defects were evaluated and summarized from three aspects of texture, flatness and scar concealment. GraphPad Prism 5.0 software was used for data statistics and analysis. Results: The use of skin flaps to repair small and medium-sized areas of the nose could achieve satisfactory results. For patients with different subunits, in terms of skin flatness and scar concealment degree in the operation area, patients' satisfaction with the dorsal and lateral nasal areas was higher than that of the alar and tip areas, respectively (F=6.40, P=0.001; F=10.57, P<0.001). For patients with different skin flap repair methods, the satisfaction of patients with Z-plasty and Dufourmentel skin flap was higher than that of other skin flap repair methods (F=4.38, P=0.002), and the satisfaction of patients with Dufourmentel skin flap was the highest in the degree of scar concealment (F=2.57, P=0.038). Conclusions: In the small and medium-sized defects of the nose, the use of multiple local flaps can achieve good cosmetic effects and functional recovery. The operator should select the appropriate flap repair method according to the characteristics of different aesthetic subunits of the nose.

Responses of infective juveniles of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) and the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita) to amino acids

Plant-parasitic nematode infective juveniles (J2) use phytochemical signals released into the rhizosphere to locate host roots. Amino acids are the second most abundant metabolites of root exudates, but it is unknown if they are associated with J2 chemotaxis. In this study, J2 chemotaxis and mortality of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. hapla) were examined in response to 15 amino acids and the corresponding pH values for tested amino acid solutions were measured. Responses varied by amino acid and among the species. Significant attraction, determined by J2 count within amino acid solution dispensers after 24 h exposure, occurred with 19 out of 45 J2-amino acid combinations. Heterodera glycines, M. hapla and M. incognita were attracted to nine, three and seven amino acids, respectively. Strongest attractions were to acidic polar amino acids aspartate and glutamate (H. glycines, M. hapla) and basic polar arginine (M. hapla), as previously reported, acid and basic pH attracting nematodes, thereby indicating that pH might be one of the attraction factors for these amino acids. All three nematodes exhibited clustering behaviours, such as halo or balling formations, just outside amino acid solution dispensers, with H. glycines, M. hapla and M. incognita responding to four, 12 and two amino acids, respectively. Six of 15 amino acid solutions, representing a range of pH values, caused increased mortality. Certain aspartate and glutamate affected both H. glycines and M. hapla; arginine, aspartate, cysteine, lysine, methionine affected M. incognita; and cysteine caused complete mortality in M. hapla. All the results suggest that amino acids affect nematode attraction and mortality.

Immunohistochemical diagnosis of onychomycosis by monoclonal antibodies detection of dermatophyte T. rubrum

Introduction/Objective

Onychomycosis is one of the most common nail infection disorders, caused predominantly by T. rubrum. Currently, PAS stain is the gold standard for histological onychomycosis detection. However, it does not differentiate between the types of fungi. In addition, PAS stains will only provide a positive or negative result. This leaves physicians to prescribe medications that may be ineffective in treating the root cause of the infection. By discerning the causative specie, physicians can provide a more targeted and effective anti-fungal therapy. A novel monoclonal antibody can be utilized to improve histological findings of T. rubrum. Our study takes a step forward to bring the monoclonal antibody into histological application. We have developed a new monoclonal antibody stain which binds to T. rubrum in vitro. For our project, we will perform in vivo staining on clinical nail samples using the novel monoclonal antibody. Developing a new applicable technique will benefit patients with onychomycosis as well as promote research in targeted identification of other infectious pathologies.

Methods/Case Report

Data from Bach Dx’s collaboration demonstrate isolation and validation of mice monoclonal antibody candidates for T. rubrum. Isotype IgG1/kappa 17B6 had the highest binding pair signal to the analyte. Direct ELISA of 17B6.1E3 shows immunoreactivity to T. rubrum. HRP and AP conjugates to 17B6 mice monoclonal antibody are produced (Rockland Immunochemicals Inc. Gilbertsville, PA). Histology slides analyzed for routine onychomycosis analysis at Bach Diagnostics are subject to secondary analysis. 220 retrospective, unstained nail slides from 55 patients will be stained using the 17B6 stains. 40 patients were known to have tested for onychomycosis caused by T. rubrum, 5 by Candida albicans, 5 by T. interdigitale, and 5 tested negative. All samples were confirmed by histology and molecular tests. H&E, PAS, and naked antibody stains will serve as controls. HRP and AP conjugated 17B6 monoclonal antibody stains will be optimized to Quantum Hdx (StatLab Lodi, CA) on July 12th, 2021 when the stains are scheduled to arrive. Images will be captured by light microscopy, and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

We hope to show preferential staining of antibody stains to positive T. rubrum cases by end of July 2021.

Conclusion

Conclusion pending based on results.

POS1082 CATASTROPHIZING IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:

Catastrophizing is a negative cognitivo-affective response to an anxiety-provoking stimulus, especially anticipated or actual pain. It can be quickly assessed using a validated questionnaire: the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)1. Catastrophizing plays a role in maintaining chronic pain and is associated with several pain-related outcomes in osteoarthritis and low back pain. To our knowledge, there are no data on catastrophizing in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of catastrophizing and associated factors in PsA.

Methods:

We performed a bi-centric observational, prospective study. All patients aged 18 or over with PsA fulfilling the 2006 CASPAR criteria were consecutively included. Sociodemographic data, information on the disease and its treatments were collected as well as questionnaires for disease activity (BASDAI), function (HAQ, BASFI), quality of life (SF12, EQ5D), anxiety and depression (HADS, GAD7), fibromyalgia (FiRST), insomnia (ISI) and catastrophizing scores (PCS). Statistical analysis included samples T-test, one-way variance analysis, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Chi2 test, Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon test, multivariate linear regression (considering catastrophizing as a continuous variable) and multivariate logistics regression (considering catastrophizing as a categorical variable: PCS ≥ 20 = high level catastrophizing).

Results:

From September 2019 to March 2020, 85 PsA patients were included: 54.1% were women, the median age was 54.0 years and 33 patients (39.8%) were professionally active. The majority of patients (88.2%) had a disease lasting for more than 2 years. Axial involvement was found for 39 patients (45.9%), almost all patients (98.8%) had peripheral involvement, 32 patients (37.7%) had enthesitic involvement and 14 patients (16.7%) had erosions. Median DAS28 CRP was 3.12 [2.13-4.46] and the median BASDAI score was 5.50 [4.30-6.70]. The prevalence of a PCS score ≥20 was 45.9% [35.3;56.5]. The median PCS score was 16 [6-29]. In multivariate logistics regression, high-level catastrophizing was significantly associated with the HADS anxiety score (OR=1.35 [1.15-1.61]) and pain VAS (OR=1.04 [1.02-1.06]). In multivariate linear regression, catastrophizing was significantly associated with the HADS anxiety score (p= 0.004), pain VAS (p=0.001), HADS depression score (p=0.018) and insomnia score (p=0.034).

Conclusion:

Almost half the patients with PsA were high catastrophizers. Catastrophizing is related to anxiety, pain, depression and insomnia. It may be interesting to detect catastrophizing in order to improve the care of our patients.

References:

[1]Sullivan MJL. et al. Psychological Assessment. 1995;7(4):524–32

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

POS1239 POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE FIRST LOCKDOWN IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM

Background:

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a considerable amount of fear, worry and concern in the general population and among certain groups such as the elderly, healthcare providers and people with pre-existing conditions in particular. Our patients suffering from chronic inflammatory rheumatism (CIR), a group of autoimmune pathologies treated by immunosuppressant medication, are particularly concerned. Actions taken – particularly quarantine and its effects on the normal activities, habits or livelihoods of many people – also have a significant impact. There is little information on the impact of the lockdown in patients with CIR with data measured prospectively, in a standardized way, before and during the first lockdown period.

Objectives:

The objective of this ancillary study was to evaluate the psychological impact of the first lockdown period (anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, catastrophizing...) as well as the evolution of disease activity in patients suffering from CIR.

Methods:

At two French university hospitals, adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria, spondyloarthritis (SpA) fulfilling the ASAS 2009 criteria and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) according to the Caspar 2006 criteria were consecutively included in the Catastrophism in Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatism (CRIC) study from September 2019. Sociodemographic data, information on the disease and its treatments were collected as well as questionnaires on disease activity (DAS28, CDAI, BASDAI), function (HAQ), quality of life (SF12, EQ5D), anxiety and depression (HADS, GAD7), insomnia (ISI) and catastrophizing scores (PCS). These data were collected prospectively at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months.

In this ancillary study, data from patients with an assessment before and during lockdown were analyzed. Statistical analyses were descriptive with a paired Student’s T-test.

Results:

In all, 140 patients (49 RA, 69 SpA and 22 PsA) were evaluated before and during lockdown. The median age was 53.5 [44-63] years and 60.7% were women; 74 patients (53.2%) were professionally active and 102 (72.9%) were living as couples. The majority of patients (92.9 %) had a disease lasting more than 2 years. Concerning treatments, 63 (45%) were treated by bDMARD monotherapy, 40 (28.5%) by bDMARD+ csDMARD, 17 (12.1%) by csDMARD monotherapy and 2 patients by tsDMARD; 90.7% were not taking any corticosteroids and 8.6% were taking ≤5 mg/d; 30% were on NSAIDs.

When comparing before and during lockdown, pain, tender joint count, swollen joint count, disease activity (CDAI, BASDAI) and function (HAQ, SF12 physical component) were similar. However, there was a significant improvement in psychological status, anxiety (HADS, GAD7), the mental component of SF12, catastrophizing and overall quality of life (EQ5D) (see Table 1 below).

Conclusion:

There are very few prospective, standardized data on the impact of lockdown in patients with CIR with an assessment before and during the first lockdown period. In patients with CIR, the first lockdown period had no impact on the activity of the disease and was well experienced psychologically with less anxiety and an improvement in quality of life.

Table 1.Outcome (N)140 CIR: 49 RA, 69 SpA, 22 PsABefore lockdownMean (SD)During lockdownMean (SD)Mean change(SD)PPain VAS (138)39.4 (25.3)39.4 (25.0)-0.28 (27.1)NSTJC (57)4.0 (6.8)4.7 (4.4)0.7 (5.9)NSSJC (56)1.0 (2.6)1.6 (1.7)0.5 (2.4)NSCDAI (36)11.7 (1.4)12.3 (7.5)1.2 (8.7)NSBASDAI (84)4.7 (1.9)4.9 (2.0)0.14 (1.4)NSHAQ (135)0.72 (0.57)0.72 (0.53)0.03 (0.33)NSSF12 mental(136)32.7 (8.7)36.2 (8.4)3.46 (8.01)<0.0001GAD-7 (anxiety) (135)7.7 (5.5)5.0 (5.3)-1.73 (0.40)<0.0001HADS anxiety(137)8.5 (3.9)7.8 (3.9)-0.64 (2.91)0.0113EQ5D(139)0.55 (0.31)0.61 (0.29)0.06 (0.24)0.0078PCS (catastrophizing) (137)18.9 (13.3)15.9 (11.1)-3.10 (9.60)0.0003

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0306 IMPACT OF MULTIMORBIDITY ON DISEASE MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUG THERAPY IN EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: DATA FROM THE ESPOIR COHORT

Background:

Multimorbidity is frequent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could interfere with the therapeutic response.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate multimorbidity in the French cohort of early arthritis (ESPOIR cohort) and its possible impact on the therapeutic response.

Methods:

We included patients fulfilling 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA. An adapted MultiMorbidity Index (aMMI) was developed [1]. Each patient was assigned scores of binary aMMI (0= no comorbidity, 1= at least 1 comorbidity) and counted and weighted aMMI. The primary endpoint was achievement of Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) low disease activity after initiation of a first disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) according to the aMMI. Secondary endpoints were other disease activity scores and response criteria. We collected data from the visit preceding the first DMARD initiation (baseline visit) and the visit after at least 3 months of treatment (follow-up visit). The impact of aMMI on therapeutic maintenance at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was evaluated.

Results:

Analyses involved 472 patients: 302 (64%) had at least 1 comorbidity. Overall, 45.3% and 44.7% with binary aMMI= 0 or 1, respectively (p= 0.9), achieved CDAI low disease activity (Table 1). Similar results were found with counted and weighted aMMI. Use of other disease activity scores or response criteria did not show a significant impact of multimorbidity on the therapeutic response. Therapeutic maintenance was significantly better with binary aMMI = 1 than binary aMMI = 0. Increased counted aMMI was associated with increased probability of still being on the first initiated DMARD at each time point (Table 2).

Table 1.

Impact of aMMIs on CDAI, DAS28 and SDAI low disease activity (LDA) achievement at follow-up visit (univariate analyses)

LDA achievementCDAIpDAS28pSDAIpYesNoYesNoYesNoBinary aMMI, n (%)077 (45.3)93 (54.7)0.9*85 (50.0)85 (50.0)0.2*80 (47.1)90 (52.9)0.9*1135 (44.7)167 (55.3)131 (43.4)171 (56.6)141 (46.7)161 (53.3)Counted aMMI, mean (SD)1.0 (1.1)1.1 (1.1)0.71.0 (1.1)1.1 (1.1)0.21.1 (1.1)1.1 (1.1)1.0Weighted aMMI, mean (SD)4.1 (5.2)4.0 (4.7)0.94.0 (5.2)4.1 (4.7)0.34.0 (5.0)4.0 (4.9)1.0

aMMI= adapted MultiMorbidity Index; CDAI= Clinical Disease Activity Index; SDAI= Simplified Disease Activity Index

* Proportion of patients achieving LDA between patients with binary aMMI= 0 and binary aMMI= 1. Because of no statistically significant results, no multivariate analysis was performed.

Table 2.

Probability of first DMARD maintenance at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years (multivariate analysis)

Time pointFirst DMARD maintained or stoppedBinary aMMI#Counted aMMI§011 year(n= 530)Maintenance (n= 300)22981.71 (0.93)OR [95% CI]*> 999 [286.2->999]221.3 [84.0-583.0]Withdrawal (n= 230)205250.12 (0.37)3 years(n= 493)Maintenance (n= 285)102751.66 (0.94)OR [95% CI]*153.9 [73.0-324.5]26.1 [15.1-45.3]Withdrawal (n= 208)175330.22 (0.64)5 years(n= 459)Maintenance (n= 116)91071.72 (1.05)OR [95% CI]*10.9 [5.1-23.3]2.2 [1.8-2.7]Withdrawal (n= 343)1631800.82 (1.0)10 years(n= 415)Maintenance (n= 40)2381.58 (0.84)OR [95% CI]*14.0 [3.3-59.1]1.6 [1.2-2.0]Withdrawal (n= 375)1582170.99 (1.12)

#data are number of patients

§ data are mean (standard error)

* data are odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of still being on the first initiated DMARD at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years between patients with binary aMMI = 1 and binary aMMI = 0 and according to counted aMMI, per additional point.

Conclusion:

In the ESPOIR cohort, therapeutic response to a first DMARD was not affected by multimorbidity but therapeutic maintenance was better in multimorbid patients.

References:

[1]Radner H, Yoshida K, Mjaavatten MD, et al. Development of a multimorbidity index: Impact on quality of life using a rheumatoid arthritis cohort. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2015;45:167–73.

The variables included in multivariate analyses were sex, rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrunillated peptide antibody positivity, age, CDAI at baseline visit, number of treatments at baseline visit.

Acknowledgements:

We are grateful to Nathalie Rincheval (Montpellier) for expert monitoring and data management and all the investigators who recruited and followed the patients (F. Berenbaum, Paris-Saint Antoine; MC. Boissier, Paris-Bobigny; A. Cantagrel, Toulouse; B. Combe, Montpellier; M. Dougados, Paris-Cochin; P. Fardellone and P. Boumier, Amiens; B. Fautrel, Paris-La Pitié; RM. Flipo, Lille; Ph. Goupille, Tours; F. Liote, Paris- Lariboisière; O. Vittecoq, Rouen; X. Mariette, Paris-Bicêtre; P. Dieude, Paris Bichat; A. Saraux, Brest; T. Schaeverbeke, Bordeaux; and J. Sibilia, Strasbourg).

Disclosure of Interests:

Aurélie BELTAI: None declared, Bernard Combe Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gilead; Janssen; Lilly; Merck; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gilead; Janssen; Lilly; Merck; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche, Amandine Coffy: None declared, Cécile Gaujoux-Viala: None declared, Cédric Lukas Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai and UCB, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis and Roche-Chugai, Alain Saraux Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Lilly; Nordic; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Lilly; Nordic; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Lilly; Nordic; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi and UCB, Maxime Dougados Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Abbvie, Lilly, UCB, Merck, BMS, Roche, Biogen, Sanofi, Novartis, Sandoz, Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Lilly, UCB, Merck, BMS, Roche, Biogen, Sanofi, Novartis, Sandoz, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, Lilly, UCB, Merck, BMS, Roche, Biogen, Sanofi, Novartis, Sandoz, Jean-Pierre DAURES: None declared, Charlotte Hua: None declared

POS1003 CATASTROPHIZING IN PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Background:

Catastrophizing is a negative cognitivo-affective response to an anxiety-provoking stimulus, especially anticipated or actual pain. It can be assessed quickly using a validated questionnaire: the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)1. Catastrophizing plays a role in maintaining chronic pain and is associated with several pain-related outcomes in osteoarthritis and low back pain. There is a lack of knowledge about catastrophizing in axial spondyloarthritis (AS) with only one study2 so far.

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of catastrophizing and associated factors in spondyloarthritis.

Methods:

We performed an observational, prospective, bi-centric study. All patients aged 18 or over with AS fulfilling the 2009 Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria were consecutively included. Sociodemographic data, information on the disease and its treatments were collected as well as questionnaires regarding disease activity (BASDAI), function (HAQ, BASFI), quality of life (SF12, EQ5D), anxiety and depression (HADS, GAD7), fibromyalgia (FiRST), insomnia (ISI) and catastrophizing scores (PCS). Statistical analysis included a samples t-test, one-way variance analysis, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, the Chi2 test, Fisher’s exact test, the Wilcoxon test, multivariate linear regression (considering catastrophizing as a continuous variable) and multivariate logistics regression (considering catastrophizing as a categorical variable: PCS ≥ 20 = high level catastrophizing).

Results:

From September 2019 to March 2020, 168 AS patients were included: 48.5% were women, the median age was 48.5 years and 100 patients (60.2%) were professionally active. Almost all patients (95.8%) had a disease lasting for more than 2 years; 110 (72%) were HLA-B27+; 84 (50%) had MRI sacroiliitis and 62 (37.6%) radiographic sacroiliitis. In all, 166 (98.8%) had axial involvement, 99 (58.9%) had peripheral involvement and 44 (26.2%) had enthesitic involvement. The median BASDAI score was 6.30 [Q1-Q3 4.65-6.30].

The prevalence of a PCS score ≥20 was 45.5% [38.0;53.0]. The median PCS score was 18 [7-27]. In multivariate logistics regression, high-level catastrophizing was significantly associated with the HADS anxiety score (OR=1.54 [1.22-2.0]), HADS depression score (OR=1.25 [1.10-1.43]) and disease activity (BASDAI OR=1.14 [1.01-1.26]). In multivariate linear regression, catastrophizing was also significantly associated with anxiety (p<0.0001), depression (p<0.0001) and disease activity (p=0.0008).

Conclusion:

Almost half the patients with AS were high catastrophizers. Catastrophizing is linked to anxiety, depression, and disease activity. It may be interesting to detect catastrophizing in order to improve the management of our patients.

References:

[1]Sullivan MJL. et al. Psychological Assessment. 1995;7(4):524–32

[2]Penhoat M. et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2014;81(3):235–9

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

[Causes of death and influencing factors of atrial fibrillation patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy]

Objective: To investigate the causes of death and predictors in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Methods: Consecutive anticoagulated nonvalvular AF patients were recruited from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry (China-AF) Study from August 2011 to December 2018. After exclusion of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, or loss of follow-up within 1 year, 2 248 patients were included in this analysis. Enrolled patients were followed up were followed up for 3 and 6 months, and then every 6 months. The primary endpoint was death, including cardiovascular death, non-cardiovascular death and undetermined death. The patients were divided into survival group and death group according to the survival status after follow-up. Clinical information such as age and sex was collected. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify associated risk factors for all-cause mortality, and Fine-Gray competing risk model was used to identify associated risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Results: A total of 2 248 patients with atrial fibrillation receiving anticoagulant therapy died over a mean follow-up of (42±24) months, mean age was (67±10) years old and 41.1% (923/2 248) patients were female. The mortality rate was 2.8 deaths per 100 patient-years. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular deaths, accounted for 55.0% (120/218). Worsening heart failure was the most common cause of cardiovascular deaths (18.3% (40/218)), followed by bleeding events (12.9% (28/218)) and ischemic stroke (8.7% (19/218)). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.04-1.07, P<0.001), anemia (HR = 1.81, 95%CI 1.02-3.18, P = 0.041), heart failure (HR=2.40, 95%CI 1.75-3.30, P<0.001), ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)(HR = 1.59, 95%CI 1.21-2.13, P = 0.001) and myocardial infarction (HR = 2.93, 95%CI 1.79-4.81, P<0.001) were independently associated with all-cause death. Fine-Gray competing risk model showed that age (HR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, P<0.001), heart failure (HR=2.81, 95%CI 1.79-4.39, P<0.001), ischemic stroke/TIA (HR=1.50, 95%CI 1.02-2.22, P=0.041) and myocardial infarction (HR=3.31, 95%CI 1.72-6.37, P<0.001) were independently associated with cardiovascular death. Conclusions: In anticoagulated nonvalvular AF patients, ischemic stroke represents only a small subset of deaths, whereas worsening heart failure is the most common cause of cardiovascular deaths. Heart failure, ischemic stroke/TIA, and myocardial infarction are associated with increased mortality.

POS0566 CATASTROPHIZING IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Catastrophizing is conceptualized as a negative cognitive–affective response to an anxiety-provoking stimulus, especially anticipated or actual pain. Catastrophizing can be assessed quickly using a validated questionnaire: the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)1. Catastrophizing plays a role in maintaining chronic pain and is associated with several pain-related outcomes in osteoarthritis and low back pain.

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of catastrophizing and associated factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

We performed an observational, prospective, bi-centric study. All patients aged 18 or over with RA and fulfilling the ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria were consecutively included. Sociodemographic data, information on the disease and its treatments were collected as well as questionnaires for disease activity (DAS28), function (HAQ), quality of life (SF12, EQ5D), anxiety and depression (HADS, GAD7), fibromyalgia (FiRST), insomnia (ISI) and catastrophizing scores (PCS). Statistical analysis included the samples t-test, one-way variance analysis, the Spearman’s correlation test, the Chi2 test, Fisher’s exact test, the Wilcoxon test, multivariate linear regression (considering catastrophizing as a continuous variable) and multivariate logistics regression (considering catastrophizing as a categorical variable: PCS ≥ 20 = high level catastrophizing).

Results:

From September 2019 to March 2020, 201 patients with RA were included: 78.1% were women and the median age was 63.0 years. In all, 64.1% of patients were RF+, 65.7% ACPA+, and 46% had erosive disease. Median DAS28 CRP was 2.9 [2.1-4.0]. with 45% of patients in remission, 14.8% with low, 31.2% moderate and 9 % high activity. The majority of patients (92 %) had a disease lasting for more than 2 years.

The prevalence of a PCS score ≥20 was 48.0% [41.0;54.9]. The median PCS score was 18 [7-28]. In multivariate logistics regression, high-level catastrophizing was significantly associated with DAS28-CRP (OR= 1.61 [1.18-2.20]), HADS anxiety score (OR=1.25 [1.11-1.40]) and the HADS depression score (OR=1.19 [1.07-1.33]). In multivariate linear regression, catastrophizing was significantly associated with the HADS anxiety score (p< 0.0001), HADS depression score (p=0.0055), HAQ (p=0.0015) and the ISI insomnia score (p=0.005).

Conclusion:

Almost half the patients with RA were high catastrophizers. Catastrophizing is linked to anxiety, depression, disease activity, function impairment and insomnia. It may be interesting to detect catastrophizing in order to improve the management of our patients.

References:

[1]Sullivan MJL. et al. Psychological Assessment. 1995;7(4):524–32

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Impact of systemic to topical steroids switch on the outcome of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS): A monocenter retrospective study of 20 cases

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the treatment of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). At our center, systemic steroids (SS) are used for severe cases while topical steroids (TS) are used for mild and moderate forms.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the short-term outcome for patients with DRESS receiving SS as first-line therapy before being transferred to our department and then switched to TS after admission.

METHODS

A retrospective monocenter study in DRESS patients (RegiSCAR score≥4) transferred to our dermatology department from a different setting between 07/2012 and 06/2018 and who had received SS before being transferred. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected, as well as details of treatment modalities and outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included. On admission to our department, 4 were assessed as having severe DRESS and continued on SS, while 16 were assessed as mild/moderate DRESS and were switched to TS. Among these 16 patients, the outcome on TS was favorable for 12 and quickly unfavorable for 4, who had to be switched back to SS. Retrospective analysis of the initial data (before transfer) showed that these 4 patients had previously had a greater number of severity criteria than the other 12.

CONCLUSION

Caution is needed not only when deciding to initiate SS in DRESS but also on withdrawal of these drugs. Our series suggests that when SS are used as first-line therapy in DRESS patients with initial severity criteria, they should not be withdrawn quickly for a switch to TS, even where progression appears favorable, due to the risk of relapse.

Giant isotope effect on phonon dispersion and thermal conductivity in methylammonium lead iodide

Lead halide perovskites are strong candidates for high-performance low-cost photovoltaics, light emission, and detection applications. A hot-phonon bottleneck effect significantly extends the cooling time of hot charge carriers, which thermalize through carrier-optic phonon scattering, followed by optic phonon decay to acoustic phonons and finally thermal conduction. To understand these processes, we adjust the lattice dynamics independently of electronics by changing isotopes. We show that doubling the mass of hydrogen in methylammonium lead iodide by replacing protons with deuterons causes a large 20 to 50% softening of the longitudinal acoustic phonons near zone boundaries, reduces thermal conductivity by ~50%, and slows carrier relaxation kinetics. Phonon softening is attributed to anticrossing with the slowed libration modes of the deuterated molecules and the reduced thermal conductivity to lowered phonon velocities. Our results reveal how tuning the organic molecule dynamics enables control of phonons important to thermal conductivity and the hot-phonon bottleneck.

Childhood COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study

Objectives

To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of paediatric patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).

Methods

Paediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 15 and March 15, 2020, from seven hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China, were collected retrospectively and analysed.

Results

Thirty-two children with COVID-19, ranging in age from 3 months to 18 years, were enrolled. Family aggregation occurred in 87.5% of infant and preschool-aged children (7/8), and also school-aged children (14/16), but in only 12.5% (1/8) of adolescents (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Most of these patients had mild symptoms: mainly fever (20/32) followed by cough (10/32) and fatigue (4/32). The average durations of viral RNA in respiratory samples and gastrointestinal samples were 15.8 d and 28.9 d, respectively. Detox duration in faeces decreased with age: 39.8 d, 27.5 d and 20.4 d in infants and preschool children, school children, and adolescents respectively (p_{0–6, –18} <0.01, p_{0–6, –14} <0.05). Pneumonia was found in 14 children, but there was no statistical significance in the incidence of pneumonia between different age groups. Thirty patients were treated with antiviral drugs, and all patients were stable and gradually improved after admission.

Conclusions

Most children with COVID-19 had a mild process and a good prognosis. More attention should be paid to investigation of household contact history in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in young children. Viral RNA lasts longer in the gastrointestinal system than in the respiratory tract, especially in younger children.

FRI0101 EFFECTS OF IL6 INHIBITORS ON THE INCIDENCE OF MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META ANALYSIS

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a 2 fold increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVE) and mortality when compared to the general population. The systemic inflammation in RA seems to play a pivotal role by creating endothelial dysfunction and thus accelerating atherosclerosis. This long lasting inflammatory process potentiates the effects of additional classical cardiovascular risk factors. Since the 2000s, numerous therapeutic advances, in particular biologics, allow better control of this inflammation. Among these, IL6 inhibitors (IL6i) are known to provide rapid and sustained improvements in clinical, biological and radiographic outcomes. However, an increase in circulating lipid concentrations in patients treated with IL6i is usual. This raises the question of the risk -to -benefit ratio of IL6i.

Objectives:

The purpose of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of IL6i on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in RA patients in comparison with TNFalpha inhibitors (TNFi), non TNFi bDMARDs or csDMARDS.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases until February 2019 was performed. Included studies were observational studies or randomized controlled trials having reported relevant confirmed CVEs (death from CVE, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke) in patients with RA treated with IL6i, and a suitable control group. A meta-analysis of the relative risk for each CVE in RA patients treated with IL6i compared to patients in the control groups was performed. A random effect model was applied in case of substantial heterogeneity.

Results:

Of 6869 studies, 23 randomized controlled trials and 6 controlled cohorts could be included. IL6i were significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction in comparison with TNFi (OR, 0.73; 95% CI [0.56 to 0.96]). No other significant effects were observed with regard to the risks of stroke, heart failure (HF), and death from CVE in comparison with csDMARDs, TNFi, or non-TNFi bDMARDs (table 1).

Table 1.

Pooled relative risks of cardiovascular events in RA patients treated with IL-6 inhibitors and respective control groups

Cs DMARDSTNFiNon TNFi bDMARDSMyocardial infarction1.44 [0.50;4.17]0.73 [0.56; 0.96]0.81 [0.48; 1.36]Stroke1.08 [0.40; 2.91]1.20 [0.82; 1.77]0.73 [0.39; 1.37]Heart failure0.17 [0.01; 4.08]1.51 [0.61; 3.70]1.19 [0.71; 1.98]Cardiovascular death1.59 [0.62; 4.11]1.13 [0.72; 1.78]NA

Our findings of a potentially protective effect of IL6i use on the risk of MI are reassuring. Although several beneficial effects might be involved, like the effective control of systemic inflammation, the anti-arrhythmia effect or the improvement of endothelial and left ventricle dysfunction, a potential indication bias with a decreased likelihood to prescribe these drugs in patients with high cardiovascular risk cannot be excluded.

Conclusion:

This review of the literature with meta-analysis provides reassuring results about the association between use of IL6i and CVE in RA patients. Data from long-term observational studies is however needful to confirm and ascertain this result.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Pathogen identification by shotgun metagenomics of patients with necrotizing soft-tissue infections

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) are life threatening, requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics. Their aetiological diagnosis can be limited by poor performance of cultures and administration of antibiotics before surgery.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed (i) to compare 16S-targeted metagenomics (TM) and unbiased semiquantitative panmicroorganism DNA- and RNA-based shotgun metagenomics (SM) with cultures, (ii) to identify patients who would best benefit from metagenomics approaches and (iii) to detect the microbial pathogens in surrounding non-necrotic 'healthy' tissues by SM-based methods.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was performed to assess the analytical performance of standard cultures, TM and SM on tissues from 34 patients with NSTIs. Pathogen identification obtained with these three methods was compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-four necrotic and 10 healthy tissues were collected from 34 patients. The performance of TM was inferior to that of the other methods (P < 0·05), whereas SM performed better than standard culture, although the result was not statistically significant (P = 0·08). SM was significantly more sensitive than TM for the detection of all bacteria (P = 0·02) and more sensitive than standard culture for the detection of anaerobic bacteria (P < 0·01). There was a strong correlation (r = 0·71, Spearman correlation coefficient) between the semiquantitative abundance of bacteria in the culture and the bacteria-to-human sequence ratio in SM. Low amounts of bacterial DNA were found in healthy tissues, suggesting a bacterial continuum between macroscopically 'healthy' and necrotic tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

SM showed a significantly better ability to detect a broader range of pathogens than TM and identify strict anaerobes than standard culture. Patients with diabetes with NSTIs appeared to benefit most from SM. Finally, our results suggest a bacterial continuum between macroscopically 'healthy' non-necrotic areas and necrotic tissues. What's already known about this topic? Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) are characterized by rapidly progressive necrosis of subcutaneous tissues and high mortality, despite surgical debridement combined with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The spectrum of potentially involved pathogens is very large, and identification is often limited by the poor performance of standard cultures, which may be impaired by previous antibiotic intake. Metagenomics-based approaches show promise for better identification of the pathogens that cause these infections, but they have not been evaluated in this medical context. What does this study add? Shotgun metagenomics (SM) showed higher sensitivity than 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a better ability than culture to detect anaerobic bacteria. As a result, a significant proportion of infections with bacteria, such as Pasteurella multocida or Clostridium perfringens, were detected only by SM. SM bacterial quantification enabled better detection of low amounts of bacterial DNA from macroscopically 'healthy' tissue, suggesting a subclinical infectious extension. What is the translational message? The high analytical performance of SM shown in this study should allow its future implementation for the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, complementing or replacing routine methods. The large amount of data, including additional information on antimicrobial resistance, virulence profiles and metabolic adaptation of the pathogens, will improve microbiological documentation. Our results will improve our understanding of infectious pathophysiology in the future, leading to potentially better medical care.