Phase II trial of domatinostat (4SC-202) in combination with avelumab in patients with previously treated advanced mismatch repair proficient oesophagogastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma: EMERGE

BACKGROUND

Most oesophagogastric adenocarcinomas (OGAs) and colorectal cancers (CRCs) are mismatch repair proficient (MMRp), responding poorly to immune checkpoint inhibition. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of domatinostat (histone deacetylase inhibitor) plus avelumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody) in patients with previously treated inoperable, advanced/metastatic MMRp OGA and CRC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients were evaluated in a multicentre, open-label dose escalation/dose expansion phase II trial. In the escalation phase, patients received escalating doses of domatinostat [100 mg once daily (OD), 200 mg OD, 200 mg twice daily (BD)] orally for 14 days followed by continuous dosing plus avelumab 10 mg/kg administered intravenously 2-weekly (2qw) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The trial expansion phase evaluated the best objective response rate (ORR) during 6 months by RECIST version 1.1 using a Simon two-stage optimal design with 2/9 and 1/10 responses required to proceed to stage 2 in the OGA and CRC cohorts, respectively.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 40) were registered between February 2019 and October 2021. Patients in the dose escalation phase (n = 12) were evaluated to confirm the RP2D of domatinostat 200 mg BD plus avelumab 10 mg/kg. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Twenty-one patients were treated at the RP2D, 19 (9 OGA and 10 CRC) were assessable for the best ORR; 2 patients with CRC did not receive combination treatment and were not assessable for the primary endpoint analysis. Six patients were evaluated in the dose escalation and expansion phases. In the OGA cohort, the best ORR was 22.2% (95% one-sided confidence interval lower bound 4.1) and the median duration of disease control was 11.3 months (range 9.9-12.7 months). No responses were observed in the CRC cohort. No treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events were reported at the RP2D.

CONCLUSIONS

Responses in the OGA cohort met the criteria to expand to stage 2 of recruitment with an acceptable safety profile. There was insufficient signal in the CRC cohort to progress to stage 2.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03812796 (registered 23rd January 2019).

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with gastric cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with gastric cancer (GC), published in late 2022 and the updated ESMO Gastric Cancer Living Guideline published in July 2023, were adapted in August 2023, according to previously established standard methodology, to produce the Pan-Asian adapted (PAGA) ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with GC. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with GC representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), Indonesia (ISHMO), India (ISMPO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO), coordinated by ESMO and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO). The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different Asian regions represented by the 10 oncological societies. The latter are discussed separately in the manuscript. The aim is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with GC across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by both Western and Asian trials, whilst respecting the differences in screening practices, molecular profiling and age and stage at presentation. Attention is drawn to the disparity in the drug approvals and reimbursement strategies, between the different regions of Asia.

The prevalence of non-affective psychosis in refugee populations: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

As we face the largest refugee crisis since World War Two, research is increasingly examining the impact of forced displacement. The risk of non-affective psychosis in refugees is evidenced to be significantly greater than non-refugees, and the role of pre-, peri- and post-migratory trauma and dissociation is increasingly implicated.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of non-affective psychosis in refugee populations.

METHOD

PRISMA guidelines were followed. Three key databases (PubMed, PsychINFO and Web of Science), Google scholar and study references were searched. The full-text of 62 studies were screened and 23 studies were eligible for inclusion. A narrative synthesis was undertaken and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to assess methodological quality. (PROSPERO registration CRD42019152170).

RESULTS

The results were widely heterogeneous. The combined weighted average prevalence of non-affective psychosis in refugee populations was 0.9 %. Psychosis prevalence for individual psychotic symptoms was 28.4 %; 0.5 % for schizophrenia; 1.0 % for psychosis; 0.6 % for mixed psychotic disorders and 2.9 % for psychotic episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in examined populations, diagnostic and prevalence classifications, and study designs and methodologies likely contributed to heterogeneity across the data. The findings highlight a greater need to provide more specialist mental health services and trauma-focused interventions, as well as transculturally sensitive assessment and treatment to address refugee vulnerability to psychosis. Future research should examine psychosis prevalence longitudinally and in refugees-only, address methodological bias and further examine the role of trauma and dissociation in refugee psychosis prevalence.

ESMO Congress 2021: highlights from the EORTC gastrointestinal tract cancer group's perspective

There has been no major change of practice in gastrointestinal oncology at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) symposium 2021, but confirmation that immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy has become standard of care in several indications. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Gastrointestinal Track Cancer Group has selected important phase II and III trials presented during the symposium across all gastrointestinal cancers as well as early reports on new drugs or new combinations that may change practice in the future.

Physical Therapists in Oncology Settings: Experiences in Delivering Cancer Rehabilitation Services, Barriers to Care, and Service Development Needs

OBJECTIVE

Physical therapist-delivered rehabilitation aims to manage the side effects of cancer and its treatments. Although access to cancer rehabilitation is not yet a standard of care in many countries, physical therapists practice in many types of cancer services with different cancer populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of physical therapists in cancer care practice with regard to their role, the factors influencing service delivery and development, and physical therapists' professional development needs.

METHODS

In this qualitative study with semistructured interviews, physical therapists in cancer care settings in the Republic of Ireland were interviewed via telephone. Participants (n = 17) represented a variety of clinical settings and roles. Two researchers performed thematic analysis of transcriptions using a semantic, inductive approach. Key themes and codes were identified and illustrative quotes were selected.

RESULTS

Six main themes were found: the need for more services, barriers to service development and delivery, a lack of awareness of the role of physical therapy, facilitators to service development, goals for the future of oncology physical therapy, and training needs of staff.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical therapists provide valuable interventions across the spectrum of cancer care but experience barriers to the delivery and development of services. Investment in oncology physical therapy and developing international standards of care will allow physical therapists to meet the rehabilitation needs of survivors of cancer.

IMPACT

As international guidelines increasingly recommend development of cancer rehabilitation programs, it is important to understand physical therapists' experiences of working in cancer care to assist in the development of effective oncology physical therapy services. This study demonstrates that physical therapist-led cancer rehabilitation services need investment and public promotion to enable the provision of optimal services to all patients with cancer and to meet standards of care.

Multidisciplinary neurosurgical rounds incorporating antimicrobial stewardship. Are they of benefit?

Background

In an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobials are essential to optimise patient outcomes. In 2017, antimicrobial use prevalence (AMU) on the two neurosurgical wards in our tertiary teaching hospital varied from 23% on ward A to 33% on ward B with 67% and 100% ‘appropriate’ prescriptions, respectively. In July 2018, a weekly antimicrobial stewardship multidisciplinary round led by a senior neurosurgery registrar commenced, attended by the antimicrobial stewardship team (AST).

Research question

This report evaluates whether a multi-disciplinary approach on neurosurgical prescribing was beneficial, specifically in reducing AMU.

Materials and methods

The following data was collected on AST rounds for 30 weeks in total from August 2018 to July 2019: number of patients on antimicrobials, appropriateness and stewardship actions. A questionnaire was distributed to neurosurgical doctors on two occasions to canvass opinions and attitudes on antimicrobial prescribing.

Results

1716 prescriptions were reviewed (mean 57.2 per week). Of these 321 (18.7%) included antimicrobial prescriptions; 200 on ward A (19.8%), and 121 on ward B (17%), representing a decrease in AMU from 2017. The majority of antimicrobial prescriptions, 271 (84.4%) were deemed appropriate. Stewardship actions were taken in 215 (67%) prescriptions.

Fifteen questionnaires were completed by neurosurgical doctors. The majority, 87%, stated the AST round was helpful overall. 93% indicated that informal training on the AST round was a source of education in antibiotic prescribing.

Discussion and conclusion

The weekly AST round provided a timely opportunity for multidisciplinary discussion, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship actions and opportunistic antimicrobial stewardship education.

-

Surgeons need to be directly involved in antimicrobial stewardship to optimise patient outcomes and reduce antimicrobial resistance.

-

A multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship (AST) ward round led by neurosurgery commenced in our hospital in 2018.

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Antimicrobial stewardship actions were taken in 67% of prescriptions, and antimicrobial use prevalence reduced in 2018 compared to 2017.

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A questionnaire distributed to neurosurgical doctors on the value of the AST round indicated that 87% of neurosurgical doctors found it helpful.

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We ​believe leadership and accountability were crucial to the success of the ward round, as neurosurgeons contributed directly to decision making.

1277 A Closed-Loop Audit of the use of qFIT in Symptomatic “Two Week Wait” referrals in Somerset Foundation Trust

Introduction

Quantitative faecal immunochemical test (qFIT) is recommended as the replacement test for faecal occult blood testing by NICE. We audited qFIT use in two week-wait (2WW) referrals in Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT) following its introduction in 2019.

Method

Following qFIT being made available to general practitioners, all 2WW referrals received before (July 2019) and after (December 2019) the introduction of the new 2WW referral form were reviewed. Electronic patient records were analysed to determine investigations performed and if a diagnosis of cancer was made.

Results

July 2019: 288 2WW referrals with 74 patients eligible for qFIT – only 7 of these underwent qFIT; total of 93 qFIT performed by GPs with 11 positive tests. December 2019: 222 2WW referrals with 18 patients eligible for qFIT – all of whom underwent qFIT; total of 155 qFIT performed by GPs with 18 positive (and 137 negative) tests. 1 patient with a positive qFIT was found to have colorectal malignancy (qFIT = 267 g/dL, investigation showed benign TVA). An increase in qFIT was observed over time, coinciding with a reduction in 2WW referrals, including reduction in patients who were qFIT eligible. The 2WW service identified 11 (3.8%) cases of colorectal cancer in July 2019 compared to 12 (5.4%) cases in December 2019, showing an increased pickup rate.

Conclusions

High proportions of 2WW referrals undergo investigation. The results of this audit highlight the utility of qFIT in screening 2WW referrals and reducing burden on the service, particularly where access to investigations is severely restricted due to coronavirus.

Advanced oesophago-gastric adenocarcinoma in older patients in the era of immunotherapy. A review of the literature

Gastric (G) and gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas are of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide and affect mainly patients over 70 years at diagnosis. Older age has been associated in gastric cancers with distal tumour location, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and microsatellite instability and is not identified itself as an independent prognostic factor. As immune checkpoint inhibitors recently changed the landmark of advanced G and GEJ adenocarcinomas treatment, we decided to perform a literature review to define the evidence-level of clinical data in older patients. This work underlined the lasting low -inclusion rate of older patients and -implementation rate of frailty screening tools in clinical trials in G/GEJ carcinomas. In the first-line metastatic setting, two prospective randomized phase III studies have specifically assessed the efficacy of chemotherapy in older patients with HER2-negative gastric cancers, demonstrating the feasibility of reduced dose oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen in this population. Only few data are available in HER2-positive tumors, or in the second-line setting. Furthermore, no specific trial with immune checkpoint inhibitors was performed in older frail patients whereas their benefit/adverse events ratio make them attractive candidates in this patient's population. We conclude that older fit patients can be treated in the same way as younger ones and included in clinical trials. Improving the outcome of older frail patients should be the oncology community next focus by implementing targeted interventions before initiating cancer therapy and designing specific clinical trials. Frailty screening tools and geriatric data collection have to be implemented in routine-practice and clinical trials.

Preoperative high intensity interval training for oncological resections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exercise prehabilitation prior to major surgery targets a reduction in postoperative complications through improved conditioning and respiratory function. However its effectiveness in cancer surgery is unclear. The objective of this review was to determine if preoperative high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves preoperative fitness in patients scheduled for oncologic resection, and whether postoperative complications are impacted. METHODS: CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and PubMed/MEDLINE were searched until April 2021 using predefined search strategy and accompanied by manual forward and backwards citation review. Screening of titles, abstracts, full-texts, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and methodologic quality was performed independently by two reviewers. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was compared and heterogeneity assessed using Chi Squared Test and I² statistic. Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the systematic review. Interventions prescribed bouts of high-intensity exercise [80-115% peak work rate (WRp)] interspaced with low-intensity (rest-50% WRp) exercise. The meta-analysis included five RCTs reporting peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak). Preoperative HIIT did not result in significantly higher VO_2peak in comparison to usual care or moderate intensity exercise (MD 0.83, 95%CI-0.51-2.17) kg/ml/min, p = 0.12). Studies were insufficiently powered with respect to postoperative complications, but there is no evidence of significant impact. No adverse events occurred and high adherence rates were reported. Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate there is insufficient evidence to support HIIT as a method of improving preoperative fitness prior to oncologic resection. Further work is needed to determine if specific HIIT parameters can be adapted to improve efficacy over short time-frames.

Identifying outcomes reported in exercise interventions in oesophagogastric cancer survivors: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Research investigating exercise interventions in oesophagogastric cancer survivors is sparse, and the outcomes are varied. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the domains and outcomes reported in exercise interventions in oesophagogastric cancer survivors to be included in a Delphi study, with a view to informing the development of a core outcome set (COS).

METHODS

EMBASE, PubMed, CINHAL, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and PEDro were searched up to March 2020 using a predefined search strategy. The outcomes identified during data extraction were categorised using the core areas outlined in the OMERACT Filter 2.0.

RESULTS

Fourteen domains and 63 outcomes were identified. The most frequently reported outcomes were in the domains of quality of life using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the relevant disease-specific modules (100%), exercise capacity/fitness/physical function (100%), anthropometrics (83.33%), physical activity (66.67%), and biomarker analysis (50%).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review quantifies and describes the domains and outcomes examined in exercise interventions in oesophagogastric cancer survivors. Some inconsistency exists within the domains and outcomes used, and little attention was given to nutritional or economic endpoints. In order to develop a COS, a Delphi consensus process with key stakeholders is needed to identify the relevant domains and outcomes for inclusion.

ReStOre@Home: Feasibility study of a virtually delivered 12-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for survivors of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer - study protocol

Background: Exercise rehabilitation programmes, traditionally involving supervised exercise sessions, have had to rapidly adapt to virtual delivery in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to minimise patient contacts. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the pandemic is likely to persist in the medium term and during this time it is important that the feasibility and effectiveness of remote solutions is considered.  We have previously established the feasibility of the Rehabilitation Strategies following Oesophago-gastric Cancer (ReStOre) intervention - a face to face multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer survivors. This study will examine the feasibility of a virtually delivered 12-week multi-component ReStOre@Home programme. Methods: This single arm feasibility study will recruit 12 patients who have completed curative treatment for oesophago-gastric cancer. Participants will complete the 12-week ReStOre@Home programme consisting of exercise (aerobic and resistance training), 1:1 dietary counselling and group education sessions through virtual delivery. Underpinned by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework, feasibility will be determined by recruitment rates, adherence, retention, incidents, and acceptability. Acceptability will be assessed qualitatively through post-intervention interview and the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will be assessed pre and post-intervention and will include measures of physical performance (cardiopulmonary exercise test, short physical performance battery, hand grip strength, Godin Leisure Time Questionnaire, and body composition), health related quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and oesophago-gastric cancer specific subscale (EORTC-QLQ-OG25), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and venous blood samples will be collected for the UGI Cancer Survivorship Biobank. Discussion: The ReStOre@Home feasibility study will provide important data regarding the amenability of a multidisciplinary programme designed for UGI cancer survivors to virtual delivery. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04603339 (26/10/2020).

Longitudinal tracking of 97 esophageal adenocarcinomas using liquid biopsy sampling

BACKGROUND

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is rapidly rising and has a 5-year survival rate of <20%. Beyond TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) staging, no reliable risk stratification tools exist and no large-scale studies have profiled circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at relapse in EAC. Here we analyze the prognostic potential of ctDNA dynamics in EAC, taking into account clonal hematopoiesis with indeterminate potential (CHIP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 245 samples from 97 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery were identified from the prospective national UK Oesophageal Cancer Clinical and Molecular Stratification (OCCAMS) consortium data set. A pan-cancer ctDNA panel comprising 77 genes was used. Plasma and peripheral blood cell samples were sequenced to a mean depth of 7082× (range 2196-28 524) and ctDNA results correlated with survival.

RESULTS

Characteristics of the 97 patients identified were as follows: 83/97 (86%) male, median age 68 years (SD 9.5 years), 100% cT3/T4, 75% cN+. EAC-specific drivers had higher variant allele fractions than passenger mutations. Using stringent quality criteria 16/79 (20%) were ctDNA positive following resection; recurrence was observed in 12/16 (75%) of these. As much as 78/97 (80%) had CHIP analyses that enabled filtering for CHIP variants, which were found in 18/78 (23%) of cases. When CHIP was excluded, 10/63 (16%) patients were ctDNA positive and 9/10 of these (90%) recurred. With correction for CHIP, median cancer-specific survival for ctDNA-positive patients was 10.0 months versus 29.9 months for ctDNA-negative patients (hazard ratio 5.55, 95% confidence interval 2.42-12.71; P = 0.0003). Similar outcomes were observed for disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate in a large, national, prospectively collected data set that ctDNA in plasma following surgery for EAC is prognostic for relapse. Inclusion of peripheral blood cell samples can reduce or eliminate false positives from CHIP. In future, post-operative ctDNA could be used to risk stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups for intensification or de-escalation of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Prehabilitation during a pandemic: preoperative exercise to improve fitness in patients undergoing complex surgery for cancer of the lung or oesophagus, the PRE-HIIT trial: an updated study protocol

Background: Pre-operative fitness is an established predictor of postoperative outcome; accordingly, targeting pre-operative fitness through exercise prehabilitation has logical appeal. Exercise prehabilitation for patients with cancer of the lung or oesophagus is challenging to implement due to the short opportunity for intervention between diagnosis and surgery. In addition, there are now additional challenges to providing prehabilitation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to concerns about social distancing and minimising patient contact. The PRE-HIIT project will examine the influence of virtually delivered exercise prehabilitation on physiological outcomes and postoperative recovery. Methods: The PRE-HIIT randomised controlled trial (RCT) will compare a 2-week high intensity interval training programme to standard preoperative care in a cohort of patients with thoracic and oesophageal cancers. A protocol for this study has been published previously. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to the study assessment battery and the mode of intervention delivery have been made. The PRE-HIIT programme will now be a home-based intervention. Both the exercise intervention and standard care will be delivered via telehealth. The recruitment target for the study remains 78 participants. There is no change to the primary outcome of the study; cardiorespiratory fitness. Secondary outcomes include measures of pulmonary and physical function, quality of life and post-operative morbidity. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. The impact of PRE-HIIT on well-being will be examined qualitatively with interviews post-intervention (T1). This revised protocol will also explore participant’s satisfaction with delivery of prehabilitation via telehealth. The healthcare costs associated with the PRE-HITT programme will also be examined. Discussion: The overall aim of this RCT is to examine the effect of tailored, individually prescribed high intensity interval training on pre-operative fitness and postoperative recovery for patients undergoing complex surgical resections. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT03978325 07/06/2019

ReStOre@Home: Feasibility study of a virtually delivered 12-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for survivors of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer - study protocol

Background: Exercise rehabilitation programmes, traditionally involving supervised exercise sessions, have had to rapidly adapt to virtual delivery in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to minimise patient contacts. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the pandemic is likely to persist in the medium term and during this time it is important that the feasibility and effectiveness of remote solutions is considered.  We have previously established the feasibility of the Rehabilitation Strategies following Oesophago-gastric Cancer (ReStOre) intervention - a face to face multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer survivors. This study will examine the feasibility of a virtually delivered 12-week multi-component ReStOre@Home programme. Methods: This single arm feasibility study will recruit 12 patients who have completed curative treatment for oesophago-gastric cancer. Participants will complete the 12-week ReStOre@Home programme consisting of exercise (aerobic and resistance training), 1:1 dietary counselling and group education sessions through virtual delivery. Underpinned by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework, feasibility will be determined by recruitment rates, adherence, retention, incidents, and acceptability. Acceptability will be assessed qualitatively through post-intervention interview and the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will be assessed pre and post-intervention and will include measures of physical performance (cardiopulmonary exercise test, short physical performance battery, hand grip strength, Godin Leisure Time Questionnaire, and body composition), health related quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and oesophago-gastric cancer specific subscale (EORTC-QLQ-OG25), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and venous blood samples will be collected for the UGI Cancer Survivorship Biobank. Discussion: The ReStOre@Home feasibility study will provide important data regarding the amenability of a multidisciplinary programme designed for UGI cancer survivors to virtual delivery. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04603339 (26/10/2020).

A Dual-VENC Four-Dimensional Flow MRI Framework for Analysis of Subject-Specific Heterogeneous Nonlinear Vessel Deformation

Advancement of subject-specific in silico medicine requires new imaging protocols tailored to specific anatomical features, paired with new constitutive model development based on structure/function relationships. In this study, we develop a new dual-velocity encoding coefficient (VENC) 4D flow MRI protocol that provides unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution of in vivo aortic deformation. All previous dual-VENC 4D flow MRI studies in the literature focus on an isolated segment of the aorta, which fail to capture the full spectrum of aortic heterogeneity that exists along the vessel length. The imaging protocol developed provides high sensitivity to all blood flow velocities throughout the entire cardiac cycle, overcoming the challenge of accurately measuring the highly unsteady nonuniform flow field in the aorta. Cross-sectional area change, volumetric flow rate, and compliance are observed to decrease with distance from the heart, while pulse wave velocity (PWV) is observed to increase. A nonlinear aortic lumen pressure–area relationship is observed throughout the aorta such that a high vessel compliance occurs during diastole, and a low vessel compliance occurs during systole. This suggests that a single value of compliance may not accurately represent vessel behavior during a cardiac cycle in vivo. This high-resolution MRI data provide key information on the spatial variation in nonlinear aortic compliance, which can significantly advance the state-of-the-art of in-silico diagnostic techniques for the human aorta.

Radiolabelling and immunohistochemistry reveal platelet recruitment into lungs and platelet migration into airspaces following LPS inhalation in mice

INTRODUCTION

Platelets are under investigation for their role in host defence and inflammatory lung diseases and have been demonstrated to be recruited to the lung. However, the mechanisms and consequences of platelet recruitment into lungs are poorly understood. We have utilised a murine model to investigate the mechanisms of platelet involvement in lung inflammation induced by intranasal administration of LPS.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to characterise lung platelet recruitment following LPS inhalation in mice using immunohistochemistry, and non-invasive and invasive radiolabelled platelet tracking techniques.

RESULTS

Intranasal administration of LPS caused an increase in lung platelet staining in lung tissue and elicited the recruitment of radiolabelled platelets into the lung. Prior to these responses in the lung, we observed an earlier decrease in blood platelet counts, temporally associated with platelet recruitment to the liver and spleen. Non-invasive measurements of thoracic radioactivity reflected changes in blood counts rather than extravascular lung platelet recruitment. However, both in situ counting of radiolabelled platelets and immunostaining for platelet surface markers showed LPS-induced increases in extravascular platelets into lung airspaces suggesting that some of the platelets recruited to the lung enter air spaces.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal administration of LPS activates the innate immune response which includes a fall in peripheral blood platelet counts with subsequent platelet recruitment to the lung, spleen and liver, measured by immunohistochemistry and radiolabelling techniques.

Food for thought. Malnutrition risk associated with increased risk of healthcare-associated infection

BACKGROUND

Infection and malnutrition are interconnected. UK and Irish guidelines recommend the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) for nutritional risk screening. Patients with a MUST score of ≥2 are considered at high risk of malnutrition and referral for nutritional assessment is recommended.

AIM

To explore the association between healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and the MUST score categories of patients.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study in May 2017 on ten representative wards in our institution. Patient demographics, MUST score, presence of medical devices, HCAI and antimicrobial use were collected.

FINDINGS

Of 240 patients, the HCAI prevalence was 10.4% (N = 25) and 26% (N = 63) were at high risk of malnutrition (MUST score ≥2). Patients with HCAI were more likely to have had surgery (odds ratio (OR): 5.5; confidence interval (CI): 2.1-14.3; P < 0.001), a central vascular catheter (OR: 10.0; CI: 3.6-27.2; P < 0.001), or a urinary catheter in situ (OR: 7.5; CI: 2.8-20.0; P < 0.001), and to have a high risk of malnutrition (OR: 4.3; CI: 1.7-11.2; P < 0.001). A higher MUST score remained a significant predictor of a patient having HCAI on multivariate regression analysis (CI: 0.2-0.6; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients at risk of malnutrition when assessed with the MUST were more likely to have HCAI. However, prospective studies are required to investigate the temporal association between MUST and HCAI and which interventions best address malnutrition risk and HCAI reduction in different settings.

Lymph node regression and survival following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim was to define the pathological response in lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for oesophageal adenocarcinoma and to quantify any associated survival benefit.

METHODS

Lymph nodes retrieved at oesophagectomy were examined retrospectively by two pathologists for evidence of a response to chemotherapy. Patients were classified as lymph node-negative (either negative nodes with no evidence of previous tumour involvement or negative with evidence of complete regression) or positive (allocated a lymph node regression score based on the proportion of fibrosis to residual tumour). Lymph node responders (score 1, complete response; 2, less than 10 per cent remaining tumour; 3, 10-50 per cent remaining tumour) and non-responders (score 4, more than 50 per cent viable tumour; 5, no response) were compared in survival analyses using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 377 patients, 256 had neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Overall, 68 of 256 patients (26·6 per cent) had a lymph node response and 115 (44·9 per cent) did not. The remaining 73 patients (28·5 per cent) had negative lymph nodes with no evidence of regression. Some patients had a lymph node response in the absence of a response in the primary tumour (27 of 99, 27 per cent). Lymph node responders had a significant survival benefit (P < 0·001), even when stratified by patients with or without a response in the primary tumour. On multivariable analysis, lymph node responders had decreased overall (hazard ratio 0·53, 95 per cent c.i. 0·36 to 0·78) and disease-specific (HR 0·42, 0·27 to 0·66) mortality, and experienced reduced local and systemic recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node regression is a strong prognostic factor and may be more important than response in the primary tumour.

Sensory dominance and multisensory integration as screening tools in aging

Multisensory information typically confers neural and behavioural advantages over unisensory information. We used a simple audio-visual detection task to compare healthy young (HY), healthy older (HO) and mild-cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals. Neuropsychological tests assessed individuals' learning and memory impairments. First, we provide much-needed clarification regarding the presence of enhanced multisensory benefits in both healthily and abnormally aging individuals. The pattern of sensory dominance shifted with healthy and abnormal aging to favour a propensity of auditory-dominant behaviour (i.e., detecting sounds faster than flashes). Notably, multisensory benefits were larger only in healthy older than younger individuals who were also visually-dominant. Second, we demonstrate that the multisensory detection task offers benefits as a time- and resource-economic MCI screening tool. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that MCI diagnosis could be reliably achieved based on the combination of indices of multisensory integration together with indices of sensory dominance. Our findings showcase the importance of sensory profiles in determining multisensory benefits in healthy and abnormal aging. Crucially, our findings open an exciting possibility for multisensory detection tasks to be used as a cost-effective screening tool. These findings clarify relationships between multisensory and memory functions in aging, while offering new avenues for improved dementia diagnostics.

The potential contribution of 16S ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction to antimicrobial stewardship in culture-negative infection

Empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy frequently results in culture-negative specimens making rationalization of therapy difficult. We retrospectively reviewed 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results from 78 specimens in 60 patients. 16S rRNA was detected in 28 (47%) patients with de-escalation of therapy in five (21%). Microbial DNA was not detected in 32 (53%) patients with antimicrobials discontinued in two (8%). Neurosurgical patients had a higher proportion of positive results (53% vs 34%) and treatment rationalizations (17% vs 12%). In specific patient groups, 16s rRNA PCR is a useful antimicrobial stewardship tool for targeting antimicrobial therapy.

Influence of inflammation and nitric oxide upon platelet aggregation following deposition of diesel exhaust particles in the airways

Background and Purpose

Exposure to nanoparticulate pollution has been implicated in platelet‐driven thrombotic events such as myocardial infarction. Inflammation and impairment of NO bioavailability have been proposed as potential causative mechanisms. It is unclear, however, whether airways exposure to combustion‐derived nanoparticles such as diesel exhaust particles (DEP) or carbon black (CB) can augment platelet aggregation in vivo and the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. We aimed to investigate the effects of acute lung exposure to DEP and CB on platelet activation and the associated role of inflammation and endothelial‐derived NO.

Experimental Approach

DEP and CB were intratracheally instilled into wild‐type (WT) and eNOS^−/− mice and platelet aggregation was assessed in vivo using an established model of radio‐labelled platelet thromboembolism. The underlying mechanisms were investigated by measuring inflammatory markers, NO metabolites and light transmission aggregometry.

Key Results

Platelet aggregation in vivo was significantly enhanced in WT and eNOS^−/− mice following acute airways exposure to DEP but not CB. CB exposure, but not DEP, was associated with significant increases in pulmonary neutrophils and IL‐6 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma of WT mice. Neither DEP nor CB affected plasma nitrate/nitrite concentration and DEP‐induced human platelet aggregation was inhibited by an NO donor.

Conclusions and Implications

Pulmonary exposure to DEP and subsequent platelet activation may contribute to the reports of increased cardiovascular risk, associated with exposure to airborne pollution, independent of its effects on inflammation or NO bioavailability.

Persistent environmental reservoirs for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci requiring repeated decontamination to achieve eradication

V ancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are increasingly recognised nosocomial pathogens in clinical areas with high antibiotic usage. Patients with chronic renal failure, including those requiring haemodialysis, are at particular risk. Investigation and control of an outbreak of VRE in two renal wards, highlighting mattresses as reservoirs and environmental measures to control VRE are reported in this paper. Outbreak control measures included standard isolation in accordance with the Recommendations of the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). Patients were screened on admission and weekly using a rectal swab. The inanimate environment including mattresses was also screened. Enhanced environmental decontamination was performed on a daily basis.

The outbreak continued over a 20-week period with most cases occurring in the first 6 weeks. The results of screening indicated that 59 (13%) of 451 patients and 54 (8.3%) of 647 environmental samples were positive for VRE. VRE was isolated from 35 (8%) of 433 mattresses, 12 (8.1%) of 148 environmental ledges, 4 (8%) of 50 toilets, and 3 (18.8%) of 16 items of cleaning equipment. Molecular typing indicated that a predominant strain was also implicated in mattress contamination, thus highlighting a potential and important reservoir for transmission of VRE. Difficulty with eradication of VRE from the environment was encountered despite enhanced cleaning regimens and a doubling of use of disinfectant was necessary.

Restriction of antibiotics, hand hygiene, hygiene and education are the cornerstone of VRE prevention and control. Lessons from this outbreak highlight the role of the environment in VRE transmission and the need for attention to the environment, especially mattress decontamination.

A survey of 554 peripheral intravenous catheters: infection, duration of cannulation and documentation issues

The purpose of this survey was to improve nursing care of patients with peripheral intravenous catheters (PVCs), focusing on duration of cannulation. The survey was conducted in 20 general wards recording data on the duration of cannulation, site-infection, dating of PVC dressing and documentation in nursing notes. Nursing staff were interviewed on duration of the PVC and a documentation form was introduced during the survey.

A total of 554 PVCs in 397 patients were surveyed. Duration of cannulation ranged from one to ten days, with 402 (73%) of PVCs removed by day three. The site-infection rate was 28 (5%) with no cases of blood stream infection. Most site infection (20 of 28 (71%)) occurred within the first three days.

The duration of cannulation, from interview, was known by nurses in 416 (75%) of cases and documented in 208 (40%) of cases. Eighteen months after its introduction, the PVC documentation form was in use in 19 of 20 wards for 60 (76%) PVCs.

While the infection rate was low and nurses were generally aware of the duration of cannulation, inadequate documentation by nursing and medical staff was a cause for concern. Information on PVCs should be included in standard documentation on all wards and in relevant departments to assist nurses and others in the provision of quality care to patients.

Examination of commercially available copper oxide wire particles in combination with albendazole for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs

Control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remains a critical issue due to the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance. The objective of the experiment was to determine the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) from three commercial sources and a combination of COWP and albendazole to control GIN and/or Haemonchus contortus in lambs. Naturally infected Katahdin lambs in early June 2014 and 2015 were randomly assigned to receive no COWP (CON; n=9 and 12) or 2g COWP in a gel capsule as Copasure(®) (COP; n=4 and 17; Animax Ltd.), copper oxide-wire form (AUS; n=7 in 2014 only; Pharmplex), Ultracruz™ (ULT; n=8 and 15; Santa Cruz Animal Health™), no COWP and albendazole (CON+alb; n=10 in 2015 only; 15mg/kg BW; Valbazen(®); Zoetis Animal Health), or COWP+alb (n=7 and 11; in 2014, lambs were administered alb on day 3). Lambs grazed grass pastures as a group and were supplemented with 227g/lamb daily of a commercial grain mix (15% crude protein) and the same amount of alfalfa pellets. Feces were collected on days 0 (day of COWP treatment), 7, and 14 for determination of fecal egg counts (FEC). Pooled (2014) or pooled treatment group feces were cultured on days 0, 7, and 14 (2015 only) to determine GIN genera. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in a mixed model, and FEC were log transformed. The predominant GIN on day 0 was H. contortus (87%) in 2014, and there was a mixed population in 2015. The mean FEC was reduced by day 7 in AUS and ULT lambs (treatment×day, P=0.001), and all of the COWP products were similar. By day 14, the AUS FEC were lower than the CON and COP groups. When examining the combination of COWP and synthetic anthelmintic, the FEC of COWP+alb were reduced to nearly 0eggs/g (back-transformed) and lower than the other groups (treatment×day, P=0.001). The percentage of H. contortus in cultured feces was reduced to a greater extent in the COWP than CON or CON+alb groups of lambs. In a mixed GIN population, the COWP products appeared to be similar in efficacy and using a combination of COWP+alb increased the efficacy not only against H. contortus, but all GIN genera present, offering options in the face of resistance to benzimidazoles.