Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity

During 25 surveys of global Phytophthora diversity, conducted between 1998 and 2020, 43 new species were detected in natural ecosystems and, occasionally, in nurseries and outplantings in Europe, Southeast and East Asia and the Americas. Based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and four mitochondrial gene regions they were assigned to five of the six known subclades, 2a-c, e and f, of Phytophthora major Clade 2 and the new subclade 2g. The evolutionary history of the Clade appears to have involved the pre-Gondwanan divergence of three extant subclades, 2c, 2e and 2f, all having disjunct natural distributions on separate continents and comprising species with a soilborne and aquatic lifestyle and, in addition, a few partially aerial species in Clade 2c; and the post-Gondwanan evolution of subclades 2a and 2g in Southeast/East Asia and 2b in South America, respectively, from their common ancestor. Species in Clade 2g are soilborne whereas Clade 2b comprises both soil-inhabiting and aerial species. Clade 2a has evolved further towards an aerial lifestyle comprising only species which are predominantly or partially airborne. Based on high nuclear heterozygosity levels ca. 38 % of the taxa in Clades 2a and 2b could be some form of hybrid, and the hybridity may be favoured by an A1/A2 breeding system and an aerial life style. Circumstantial evidence suggests the now 93 described species and informally designated taxa in Clade 2 result from both allopatric non-adaptive and sympatric adaptive radiations. They represent most morphological and physiological characters, breeding systems, lifestyles and forms of host specialism found across the Phytophthora clades as a whole, demonstrating the strong biological cohesiveness of the genus. The finding of 43 previously unknown species from a single Phytophthora clade highlight a critical lack of information on the scale of the unknown pathogen threats to forests and natural ecosystems, underlining the risk of basing plant biosecurity protocols mainly on lists of named organisms. More surveys in natural ecosystems of yet unsurveyed regions in Africa, Asia, Central and South America are needed to unveil the full diversity of the clade and the factors driving diversity, speciation and adaptation in Phytophthora. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Phytophthora amamensis T. Jung, K. Kageyama, H. Masuya & S. Uematsu, Phytophthora angustata T. Jung, L. Garcia, B. Mendieta-Araica, & Y. Balci, Phytophthora balkanensis I. Milenković, Ž. Tomić, T. Jung & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora borneensis T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora calidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora catenulata T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, N.M. Chi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora celeris T. Jung, L. Oliveira, M. Tarigan & I. Milenković, Phytophthora curvata T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora distorta T. Jung, A. Durán, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora excentrica T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora falcata T. Jung, K. Kageyama, S. Uematsu & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora fansipanensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, T. Corcobado & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora frigidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenković, Phytophthora furcata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora inclinata N.M. Chi, T. Jung, M. Horta Jung & I. Milenković, Phytophthora indonesiensis T. Jung, M. Tarigan, L. Oliveira & I. Milenković, Phytophthora japonensis T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora limosa T. Corcobado, T. Majek, M. Ferreira & T. Jung, Phytophthora macroglobulosa H.-C. Zeng, H.-H. Ho, F.-C. Zheng & T. Jung, Phytophthora montana T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multipapillata T. Jung, M. Tarigan, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multiplex T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora nimia T. Jung, H. Masuya, A. Hieno & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora oblonga T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora obovoidea T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora obturata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora penetrans T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenković, Phytophthora platani T. Jung, A. Pérez-Sierra, S.O. Cacciola & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora proliferata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocapensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocitrophthora T. Jung, S.O. Cacciola, J. Bakonyi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudofrigida T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudoccultans T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pyriformis T. Jung, Y. Balci, K.D. Boders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora sumatera T. Jung, M. Tarigan, M. Junaid & A. Durán, Phytophthora transposita T. Jung, K. Kageyama, C.M. Brasier & H. Masuya, Phytophthora vacuola T. Jung, H. Masuya, K. Kageyama & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora valdiviana T. Jung, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser, A. Durán & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora variepedicellata T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenković, Phytophthora vietnamensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenković & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×australasiatica T. Jung, N.M. Chi, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×lusitanica T. Jung, M. Horta Jung, C. Maia & I. Milenković, Phytophthora ×taiwanensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, H.-S. Fu & M. Horta Jung. Citation: Jung T, Milenković I, Balci Y, Janoušek J, Kudláček T, Nagy ZÁ, Baharuddin B, Bakonyi J, Broders KD, Cacciola SO, Chang T-T, Chi NM, Corcobado T, Cravador A, Đorđević B, Durán A, Ferreira M, Fu C-H, Garcia L, Hieno A, Ho H-H, Hong C, Junaid M, Kageyama K, Kuswinanti T, Maia C, Májek T, Masuya H, Magnano di San Lio G, Mendieta-Araica B, Nasri N, Oliveira LSS, Pane A, Pérez-Sierra A, Rosmana A, Sanfuentes von Stowasser E, Scanu B, Singh R, Stanivuković Z, Tarigan M, Thu PQ, Tomić Z, Tomšovský M, Uematsu S, Webber JF, Zeng H-C, Zheng F-C, Brasier CM, Horta Jung M (2024). Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity. Studies in Mycology 107: 251-388. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.04.

Validating the NIH LDL-C equation for provincial implementation in Alberta

BACKGROUND

LDL-C, a cardiovascular disease risk assessment biomarker, is commonly calculated using the Friedewald equation. The NIH equation overcomes several limitations of the Friedewald equation. Consistent with the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) lipid reporting recommendations, we assessed the NIH LDL-C equation in Alberta prior to its provincial implementation.

METHODS

1-year (01/01/2021-12/31/2021) of lipid results (n = 1,486,584 after data cleaning) were obtained from five analytical instrument groups used across Alberta. Analyses were performed on all data and after separating by age, analytical instrument group, and fasting status. The correlation between Friedewald- and NIH-calculated LDL-C and between Friedewald- and NIH-calculated LDL-C difference and each lipid parameter, was determined. The frequency of unreportable/inaccurate LDL-C results was compared between the two equations. The concordance between the two equations and with non-HDL-C was determined at LDL-C thresholds. Lastly, LDL-C calculated by Friedewald, NIH, and Martin-Hopkins equations was compared to density-gradient ultracentrifugation.

RESULTS

Friedewald- and NIH-calculated LDL-C exhibit the strongest correlation when triglycerides ≤ 4.52 mmol/L. The difference between Friedewald- and NIH-calculated LDL-C increases with decreasing LDL-C concentration. The NIH equation yields fewer inaccurate results (0.35 % vs. 22.0 %). The percent agreement between equations was > 96 % at all LDL-C thresholds, suggesting most patients will not require treatment changes. NIH-calculated LDL-C exhibited better agreement with non-HDL-C when triglycerides ≤ 9.04 mmol/L and better correlated with LDL-C measured by ultracentrifugation (r2 = 0.926 vs. 0.775 (Friedewald) and 0.863 (Martin-Hopkins)). Results were consistent across age, analytical instrument group, and fasting status.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the benefits of implementing the NIH equation across Alberta.

Seroepidemiology of the Seasonal Human Coronaviruses NL63, 229E, OC43 and HKU1 in France

Background

The seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoV) NL63, 229E, OC43, and HKU1 are globally endemic, yet the majority of HCoV infections remain undiagnosed.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 2389 serum samples were collected from children and adults in France in 2020. In a longitudinal cohort study, 2520 samples were collected from 898 French individuals followed up between 2020 and 2021. Antibodies to HCoVs were measured using a bead-based multiplex assay.

Results

The rate of waning of anti-HCoV spike immunoglobulin G antibodies was estimated as 0.22-0.47 year^-1 for children, and 0.13-0.27 year^-1 for adults. Seroreversion was estimated as 0.31-1.37 year^-1 in children and 0.19-0.72 year^-1 in adults. The estimated seroconversion rate in children was consistent with 20%-39% of children being infected every year with each HCoV.

Conclusions

The high force of infection in children indicates that HCoVs may be responsible for a substantial proportion of fever episodes experienced by children.

Estimated protection against COVID-19 based on predicted neutralisation titres from multiple antibody measurements in a longitudinal cohort, France, April 2020 to November 2021

BackgroundThe risk of SARS-CoV-2 (re-)infection remains present given waning of vaccine-induced and infection-acquired immunity, and ongoing circulation of new variants.AimTo develop a method that predicts virus neutralisation and disease protection based on variant-specific antibody measurements to SARS-CoV-2 antigens.MethodsTo correlate antibody and neutralisation titres, we collected 304 serum samples from individuals with either vaccine-induced or infection-acquired SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Using the association between antibody and neutralisation titres, we developed a prediction model for SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralisation titres. From predicted neutralising titres, we inferred protection estimates to symptomatic and severe COVID-19 using previously described relationships between neutralisation titres and protection estimates. We estimated population immunity in a French longitudinal cohort of 905 individuals followed from April 2020 to November 2021.ResultsWe demonstrated a strong correlation between anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies measured using a low cost high-throughput assay and antibody response capacity to neutralise live virus. Participants with a single vaccination or immunity caused by infection were especially vulnerable to symptomatic or severe COVID-19. While the median reduced risk of COVID-19 from Delta variant infection in participants with three vaccinations was 96% (IQR: 94-98), median reduced risk among participants with infection-acquired immunity was only 42% (IQR: 22-66).ConclusionOur results are consistent with data from vaccine effectiveness studies, indicating the robustness of our approach. Our multiplex serological assay can be readily adapted to study new variants and provides a framework for development of an assay that would include protection estimates.

Cortical connectomic mediations on gamma band synchronization in schizophrenia

Aberrant gamma frequency neural oscillations in schizophrenia have been well demonstrated using auditory steady-state responses (ASSR). However, the neural circuits underlying 40 Hz ASSR deficits in schizophrenia remain poorly understood. Sixty-six patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 85 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed one electroencephalography session measuring 40 Hz ASSR and one imaging session for resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) assessments. The associations between the normalized power of 40 Hz ASSR and rsFC were assessed via linear regression and mediation models. We found that rsFC among auditory, precentral, postcentral, and prefrontal cortices were positively associated with 40 Hz ASSR in patients and controls separately and in the combined sample. The mediation analysis further confirmed that the deficit of gamma band ASSR in schizophrenia was nearly fully mediated by three of the rsFC circuits between right superior temporal gyrus-left medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), left MPFC-left postcentral gyrus (PoG), and left precentral gyrus-right PoG. Gamma-band ASSR deficits in schizophrenia may be associated with deficient circuitry level connectivity to support gamma frequency synchronization. Correcting gamma band deficits in schizophrenia may require corrective interventions to normalize these aberrant networks.

16 SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND VACCINATION PATTERNS DETERMINE LONG-TERM ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN NURSING HOME RESIDENTS: DATA FROM NH-COVAIR

Background

Older Nursing Home Residents (NHRs) are at greatest risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2, particularly in the context of both waning vaccine efficacy and the emergence of Variants-of-Concern (VOCs). However, the determinants of long-term vaccine-induced protective antibody responses are yet to be determined in this group.

Methods

NH-COVAIR recruited older NHRs for comprehensive clinical and frailty (NH-FRAIL) assessment. Blood samples were obtained pre-vaccination, at 6-weeks and 6-months following primary vaccination and 6-months following booster vaccination. Antibody titres were measured using both an electrochemiluminescence assay and a custom bead-based array (Luminex™) to measure antibody titre and avidity for Wuhan strain/major VOC antigens. Stepwise adjusted linear regression (log-transformed) assessed longitudinal determinants of vaccine-induced antibody responses.

Results

Of 86 participants (81.1 ± 10.8 years; 65% female), just under half (45.4%) had evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. All NHRs mounted a significant antibody-response to vaccination at 5 weeks followed by a significant decrease in antibody titre by 6 months. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was the strongest predictor of antibody waning at all timepoints (β: 3.59; 2.89, 4.28; P < 0.001 for 6-months). Independent of infection history, both age (β: –0.05; –0.08, –0.02; p<0.001) and frailty (β: –0.22; –0.33, –0.11; p<0.001) were associated with faster antibody waning at 6-months. Cross-reactivity and avidity were significantly lower for Beta (B.1.351) and Gamma (P.1) VOC strains (all p<0.001). Additionally, there was faster antibody waning and significantly reduced antibody avidity to Beta and Gamma VOCs in SARS-CoV-2 naïve NHRs.

Conclusion

Older NHRs are capable of mounting protective antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Responses were more durable, with a greater cross-reactivity to and avidity for VOCs in those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increasing age and greater frailty in NHRs was associated with faster antibody waning. Our findings support ongoing serological surveillance and use of additional vaccine doses in older NHRs, particularly in those without previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Avidity Response Following Infection and Vaccination

Serological assays capable of measuring antibody responses induced by previous infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been critical tools in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we use bead-based multiplex assays to measure IgG and IgA antibodies and IgG avidity to five SARS-CoV-2 antigens (Spike (S), receptor-binding domain (RBD), Nucleocapsid (N), S subunit 2, and Membrane-Envelope fusion (ME)). These assays were performed in several cohorts of healthcare workers and nursing home residents, who were followed for up to eleven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection or up to six months after vaccination. Our results show distinct kinetic patterns of antibody quantity (IgG and IgA) and avidity. While IgG and IgA antibody levels waned over time, with IgA antibody levels waning more rapidly, avidity increased with time after infection or vaccination. These contrasting kinetic patterns allow for the estimation of time since previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Including avidity measurements in addition to antibody levels in a classification algorithm for estimating time since infection led to a substantial improvement in accuracy, from 62% to 78%. The inclusion of antibody avidity in panels of serological assays can yield valuable information for improving serosurveillance during SARS-CoV-2 epidemics.

Correction: Durability of the Treatment Effects of an 8-Week Self-administered Home-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: 6-Month Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/37480.].

AB1094 SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VACCINES FOR SARS-CoV-2 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC AND IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES: DATA FROM THE ARGENTINEAN REGISTRY SAR-CoVAC

Background

Currently there is little information on the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated diseases and/or under immunosuppressive treatment in our country, where different types of vaccines and mix regimens are used. For this reason, the Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR) with the Argentine Society of Psoriasis (SOARPSO) set out to develop a national register of patients with rheumatic and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) who have received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in order to assess their efficacy and safety in this population.

Objectives

To assess SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatic and IMIDs.

Methods

SAR-CoVAC is a national, multicenter and observational registry. Adult patients with a diagnosis of rheumatic or IMIDs who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1st and September 17th, 2021. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, underlying rheumatic or IMIDs, treatments received and their modification prior to vaccination and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded. In addition, the date and place of vaccination, type of vaccine applied, scheme and indication will be registered. Finally, adverse events (AE), as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection after the application of the vaccine were documented

Results

A total of 1234 patients were included, 79% were female, with a mean age of 57.8 (SD 14.1) years. The most frequent diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (41.2%), osteoarthritis (14.5%), psoriasis (12.7%) and spondyloarthritis (12.3%). Most of them were in remission (28.5%) and low disease activity (41.4%). At the time of vaccination, 21% were receiving glucocorticoid treatment, 35.7% methotrexate, 29.7% biological (b) Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and 5.4% JAK inhibitors. Before vaccine application 16.9% had had a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Regarding the first dose of the vaccine, the most of the patients (51.1%) received Gam-COVID-Vac, followed by ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (32.8%) and BBIBP-CorV (14.5%). In a lesser proportion, BNT162b2 (0.6%), Ad26.COV2.S (0.2%) and CoronaVac (0.2%) vaccines were used. Almost half of them (48.8%) completed the scheme, 12.5% were mix regimenes, the most frequent being Gam-COVID-Vac / mRNA-1273. The median time between doses was 51days (IQR 53).

More than a quarter (25.9%) of the patients reported at least one AE after the first dose and 15.9% after the second. The flu-like syndrome and local hypersensitivity were the most frequent manifestations. There was one case of mild anaphylaxis. No patient was hospitalized. Altogether, the incidence of AE was 246.5 events/1000 doses. BBIBP-CorV presented significantly lower incidence of AE in comparison with the other types of vaccines. (118.5 events/1000 doses, p<0.002 in all cases)

Regarding efficacy, 63 events of SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported after vaccination, 19% occurred before 14 days post-vaccination, 57.1% after the first dose (>14 days) and 23.8% after the second. In most cases (85.9%) the infection was asymptomatic or had an outpatient course and 2 died due to COVID-19.

Conclusion

In this national cohort of patients with rheumatic and IMIDs vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the most widely used vaccines were Gam-COVID-Vac and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, approximately half completed the schedule and in most cases homologously. A quarter of the patients presented some AE, while 5.1% presented SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination, in most cases mild.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0707 POTENTIAL USE OF BELIMUMAB IN LUPUS PATIENTS FROM ARGENTINE COHORT ACCORDING DISEASE ACTIVITY STATE

Background

The goal of targeted treatment in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is to achieve clinical remission or low disease activity, with the best quality of life, low damage rates and better survival 1-4. RELESSAR is a multicenter, cross-sectional study registry of ≥18 years SLE (ACR 97) patients 5.

Objectives

To describe demographic, clinical characteristics and treatments in SLE patients according to disease activity state. To evaluate the proportion of SLE and refractory SLE patients that are potentially candidates for Belimumab treatment (Active SLE despite standard treatment including increased acDNA autoantibodies and low complement).

Methods

We evaluated demographic and clinical data, treatments, score of damage (SLICC), activity (SLEDAI) and comorbidity (Charlson), hospital admissions and severe infections. The patients were compared according to disease activity: remission (SLEDAI = 0 and without corticosteroids), low disease activity (LDA, SLEDAI> 0 and ≤4 and without corticosteroids) and non-optimal control (SLEDAI> 4 and any dose of corticosteroids). Refractory SLE was defined according to Rituximab (RTX) use, non-response to cyclophosphamide or two or more immunosuppressant or splenectomized patients. Potential use of Belimumab according approved prescription in Argentina was analyzed.

Results

Overall, 1277 patients were analyzed: 299 (23.4%) were in remission, 162 (12.7%) in LDA and 816 (63.9%) with non-optimal control of the disease.

Patients in non-optimal control group were younger, less frequently female and they showed less time of disease and lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). They were also more prevalent mestizos (p= 0.004), had higher SLEDAI and SLICC indexes (p <0.001) and higher use of immunosuppressant therapy (p <0.001). There was no difference regarding biologic treatment (RTX p= 0.547 and Belimumab p= 0.08). This group had higher proportion of hospital admissions and severe infections (p<0.001, respectively).

Two hundred and one SLE patients fulfilled the use of Belimumab prescription criteria but only 45/201 patients (22,3%) received it in the last visit. Malar rash was the only clinical variable associated with the use of Belimumab (72.7% vs 29.8% p= 0.005).

Seventy-six patients classified as refractory SLE (15.7%) and 56/76 (75.7%) never received Belimumab. Patients on Belimumab therapy were associated to treatment with lower doses of corticoids (p= 0.018) and lower rate of hospital admission caused by SLE flare (p= 0.027).

Conclusion

A high percentage of patients had uncontrolled disease upon entry into the registry and were potential candidates for treatment with Belimumab. The patients who received biologic treatment showed the benefit of requiring fewer doses of corticosteroids and having a lower rate of hospitalizations.

References

[1]Mok CC. Treat-to-target in systemic lupus erythematosus: Are we there yet? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2016;9(5).

[2]Morand EF, Mosca M. Treat to target, remission and low disease activity in SLE. Vol. 31, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology. 2017.

[3]Golder V, Tsang-A-Sjoe MWP. Treatment targets in SLE: Remission and low disease activity state. Rheumatol (United Kingdom). 2020;59.

[4]Ruiz-Irastorza G, Bertsias G. Treating systemic lupus erythematosus in the 21st century: new drugs and new perspectives on old drugs. Vol. 59, Rheumatology (United Kingdom). 2021.

[5]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum [Internet]. 1997;40(9):1725. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9324032

Disclosure of Interests

Rosana Quintana: None declared, Lucila Garcia: None declared, Paula Alba: None declared, Susana Roverano: None declared, Analia Alvarez: None declared, Cesar Graf: None declared, Cecilia Pisoni: None declared, Alberto Spindler: None declared, Catalina Gomez: None declared, Heber Matias Figueredo: None declared, Silvia Papasidero: None declared, Raul Horacio Paniego: None declared, Maria DeLaVega: None declared, Emma Estela Civit De Garignani: None declared, Luciana Gonzalez Lucero: None declared, Victoria Martire: None declared, Rodrigo Águila Maldonado: None declared, Sergio Gordon: None declared, Carla Gobbi: None declared, Romina Nieto: None declared, Gretel Rausch: None declared, Vanina Góngora: None declared, Maria Agustina D´Amico: None declared, Diana Dubinsky: None declared, Alberto Omar Orden: None declared, Johana Zacariaz: None declared, Julia Romero: None declared, Mariana Alejandra Pera: None declared, Oscar Rillo: None declared, Roberto Baez: None declared, Valeria Arturi: None declared, Andrea Gonzalez: None declared, Florencia Vivero: None declared, Marcela Schmid: None declared, Victor Caputo: None declared, Maria Silvia Larroude: None declared, Graciela Gomez: None declared, Graciela Rodriguez: None declared, Josefina Marin: None declared, Maria Victoria Collado: None declared, Marisa Jorfen: None declared, Zaida Bedran: None declared, Judith Sarano: None declared, David Zelaya: None declared, MONICA SACNUN: None declared, Pablo Finucci: None declared, Romina Rojas Tessel: None declared, Maria Emilia Sattler: None declared, MAXIMILIANO MACHADO ESCOBAR: None declared, Pablo Astesana: None declared, Ursula Vanesa Paris: None declared, Alberto Allievi: None declared, Juan Manuel Vandale: None declared, Bernardo Pons-Estel: None declared, Guillermo Pons-Estel: None declared, Mercedes García Grant/research support from: GSK grant

POS1201 SAFETY OF SARS-COV-2 VACCINES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES: DATA FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTRY SAR-CoVAC FROM ARGENTINA

Background

Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials, though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. In our country, adenovirus-vector, inactivated and heterologous scheme vaccines are frequently used.

Objectives

To describe the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with RD from the national registry SAR-CoVAC and to assess sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to AE and disease flares after vaccination.

Methods

Adult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 from de Argentine Society of Rheumatology Vaccine Registry (SAR-CoVAC) were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021, This is a national multicentric observational registry that includes patients that have received at least one dose of any SARS-CoV-2 available vaccines in Argentina. Data is voluntarily collected by the treating physician. Naranjo scale was use to assess the association between the AE and vaccination.

Homologous and heterologous schedules were defined according to whether both vaccines received were the same or different, respectively. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test, ANOVA and multivariate regression logistic model were used.

Results

A total of 1679 patients, with 2795 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses were included. Vaccines more frequently used were: Gam-COVID-Vac (1227 doses, 44%), ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (872 doses, 31%), BBIBP-CorV (482 doses, 17%) and mRAN-1273 (172 doses, 6%). Altogether, 510 EA were experienced by 449 (27%) patients. Pseudo-flu syndrome was the most frequent (11%), followed by injection site reaction (7%). They were significantly more frequent after the first dose in comparison to the second one (13% vs 7% and 9% vs 5%, respectively, p<0.001 in both cases). All were mild or moderate and no patient was hospitalized due to an AE. One case of moderate anaphylaxis was reported by a patient who received Gam-COVID-Vac. No cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia were observed. There were 25 disease flares reported, 17 (68%) cases of arthritis. Among patients with two doses, those with heterologous schedule presented AE more frequent after the second dose (39% vs 17%).

Total incidence of EA was 182.5 events/10 00 doses, it was significantly lower for BBIBP-CorV (105.9 events/1000 dosis, p<0.002 for all cases). The higher incidence of AE was observed for mRAN-1273 (261.6 events/1000 doses) and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (232.8 events/1000 doses).

Patients with AE were younger [mean 55 years (SD 14) vs 59 years (SD 14), p <0.010], not Caucasian ethnicity [48% vs 35%, p<0.001], had higher education level [mean 13.8 years (SD 4) vs 11.9 years (SD 5), p<0.001], were more frequently employed [54% vs 44%, p<0.001], lived mostly in urban area [99% vs 95% p <0.001, had more frequently dyslipidemia [38% vs 28% p 0.012], and less frequently arterial hypertension [49% vs 65%, p<0.001]. Systemic lupus erythematosus [11% vs 7%, p=0.039] and Sjögren syndrome [6% vs 1.8%, p<0.001] were more frequent among them, while non inflammatory diseases were less prevalent [19% vs 31%, p<0.001]. They were taking steroids [24 vs 18%, p=0.007], antimalarials [17% vs 10%, p<0.001] and methotrexate [41% vs 31%, p <0.001] more frequently.

In the multivariable analysis, mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 were associated with AE, while BBIBP-CorV with lower probability of having one. (Figure 1)

Figure 1.

Variables associated with the development of AE. Multivariate logistic regression model

Conclusion

The incidence of AE was 1825 events/1000 doses, were significantly higher for mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and lower for BBIBP-CorV. Most common AE was pseudo-flu syndrome. Female sex, being younger, higher education level, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and mRAN-1273 vaccines, the use of methotrexate and antimalarials were related of EA in patients with RD.

References

[1]Sattui SE et al. Early experience of COVID-19 vaccination in adults with systemic rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey. RMD Open 2021;7.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0511 SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS DISEASE ACTIVITY SCORE (SLE- DAS) VALIDATION IN ARGENTINIAN PATIENTS

Background

Many activity indices have been developed for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. However, they present important limitations due to the multi-organ compromise.

The SLEDAI score and its different versions are widely used in daily practice and in clinical research.

Diogo Jesus et al (2018) developed the SLE-DAS (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Score), that include 17 items, 4 of them continuous. SLE-DAS assesses disease activity in the 28 previous days using an online calculator, with clinical characteristics non-evaluated by SLEDAI. It showed greater precision to measure disease activity, greater sensitivity to detect clinically significant changes and better performance to predict accumulated damage than SLEDAI. It has not yet been validated in Argentina.

Objectives

To determine the validity of the SLE-DAS score in a population of patients with SLE from Argentina.

Methods

A multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.

To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.

Results

A multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.

To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.

Conclusion

In this population of lupus patients from Argentina, the SLE-DAS allowed to discriminate between remission and disease activity, being a useful and practical tool.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Durability of the Treatment Effects of an 8-Week Self-administered Home-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

We previously reported the efficacy of an 8-week home-based therapeutic immersive virtual reality (VR) program in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Community-based adults with self-reported chronic low back pain were randomized 1:1 to receive either (1) a 56-day immersive therapeutic pain relief skills VR program (EaseVRx) or (2) a 56-day sham VR program. Immediate posttreatment results revealed the superiority of therapeutic VR over sham VR for reducing pain intensity; pain-related interference with activity, mood, and stress (but not sleep); physical function; and sleep disturbance. At 3 months posttreatment, therapeutic VR maintained superiority for reducing pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, and sleep (new finding).

Objective

This study assessed between-group and within-group treatment effects 6 months posttreatment to determine the extended efficacy, magnitude of efficacy, and clinical importance of home-based therapeutic VR.

Methods

E-surveys were deployed at pretreatment, end-of-treatment, and posttreatment months 1, 2, 3, and 6. Self-reported data for 188 participants were analyzed in a mixed-model framework using a marginal model to allow for correlated responses across the repeated measures. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, mood, stress, and sleep at 6 months posttreatment. Secondary outcomes were Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep disturbance and physical function.

Results

Therapeutic VR maintained significant and clinically meaningful effects 6 months posttreatment and remained superior to sham VR for reducing pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, and sleep (d_s=0.44-0.54; P<.003). Between-group comparisons for physical function and sleep disturbance showed superiority of EaseVRx over sham VR (d_s=0.34; P=.02 and d_s=0.46; P<.001, respectively). Participants were encouraged to contact study staff with any problems experienced during treatment; however, no participants contacted study staff to report adverse events of any type, including nausea and motion sickness.

Conclusions

Our 8-week home-based VR pain management program caused important reductions in pain intensity and interference up to 6 months after treatment. Additional studies are needed in diverse samples.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04415177; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04415177

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/25291

Electrocardiography: an usefull tool for prediction of the diagnosis and severity of pulmonary embolism

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with morbidity and mortality. Immediate recognition of this condition is critical to commencement of early and appropriate therapy which could be lifesaving. Particularly in patients with suspected PE in which computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is not promptly available or is contra-indicated, an electrocardiographic (ECG) score could serve as a ubiquitously available test to raise suspicion of PE. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of an ECG score for PE diagnosis.

Methods

Retrospective study of consecutive patients who performed CTPA in Emergency Department due to PE suspicion. All ECG were scored according to the previous published Daniel’s ECG score, by an investigator blinded for the CTPA result.

Results

The most common ECG findings in patients with PE were incomplete right-brand bock (48%), T wave inversion in DIII (48%), sinus tachycardia (41%) and Q wave in DII (31%). The S1Q3T3 sign was documented in 20% of patients.

The ECG score was significantly higher in patients with PE compared to those without PE (5.06 vs 3.70, p=0.005). ECG score showed moderate accuracy to detect PE (AUC: 0.60; 95%CI: 0.53-0.67; p=0.004), but it is of a particular value because of very high specificity: an ECG score &gt; 12 identified PE with a specificity of 96% (95% CI 91.93 – 98.38).

The ECG score significantly increased the diagnostic accuracy of the diagnostic algorithm based on pretest clinical probability evaluated by Wells score combined with D-Dimer measurement (Wells & DD). In comparison to patients in which clinical pretest probability combined with D-dimer measurement considers PE excluded (Wells & ECG -), PE was 6.3 times more frequent in patients with Wells & DD +/ECG- (95% 2.7- 14.5) and 14.6 times more prevalent in the ones with Wells & DD +/ECG+ (95%CI: 4.1-51.3; p&lt;0.001) – Figure 1.

Conclusion

In patients with clininal suspition of PE, na ECG score (Daniel’s score) &gt;12 predicts PE with 96% specificity and could be used to increase the suspicion and define therapeutic strategy in patients in whom CTPA could not be immediately performed or is contra-indicated.

Kinetics of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Response and Serological Estimation of Time Since Infection

BACKGROUND

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a complex antibody response that varies by orders of magnitude between individuals and over time.

METHODS

We developed a multiplex serological test for measuring antibodies to 5 SARS-CoV-2 antigens and the spike proteins of seasonal coronaviruses. We measured antibody responses in cohorts of hospitalized patients and healthcare workers followed for up to 11 months after symptoms. A mathematical model of antibody kinetics was used to quantify the duration of antibody responses. Antibody response data were used to train algorithms for estimating time since infection.

RESULTS

One year after symptoms, we estimate that 36% (95% range, 11%-94%) of anti-Spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) remains, 31% (95% range, 9%-89%) anti-RBD IgG remains, and 7% (1%-31%) of anti-nucleocapsid IgG remains. The multiplex assay classified previous infections into time intervals of 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months. This method was validated using data from a seroprevalence survey in France, demonstrating that historical SARS-CoV-2 transmission can be reconstructed using samples from a single survey.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to diagnosing previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, multiplex serological assays can estimate the time since infection, which can be used to reconstruct past epidemics.

A Wireless Sensor Network Deployment for Soil Moisture Monitoring in Precision Agriculture

The use of precision agriculture is becoming more and more necessary to provide food for the world’s growing population, as well as to reduce environmental impact and enhance the usage of limited natural resources. One of the main drawbacks that hinder the use of precision agriculture is the cost of technological immersion in the sector. For farmers, it is necessary to provide low-cost and robust systems as well as reliability. Toward this end, this paper presents a wireless sensor network of low-cost sensor nodes for soil moisture that can help farmers optimize the irrigation processes in precision agriculture. Each wireless node is composed of four soil moisture sensors that are able to measure the moisture at different depths. Each sensor is composed of two coils wound onto a plastic pipe. The sensor operation is based on mutual induction between coils that allow monitoring the percentage of water content in the soil. Several prototypes with different features have been tested. The prototype that has offered better results has a winding ratio of 1:2 with 15 and 30 spires working at 93 kHz. We also have developed a specific communication protocol to improve the performance of the whole system. Finally, the wireless network was tested, in a real, cultivated plot of citrus trees, in terms of coverage and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to check losses due to vegetation.

Neurogenic Stunned Myocardium Following an Attempt to Pass a Drug Test

Ingestion of a large volume of free water or other hypotonic solution can cause acute hyponatremia, leading to multiorgan dysfunction. Individuals may attempt to generate a false-negative urine drug screen through increased free water consumption leading to acute hyponatremia requiring emergency medical care. We present the case of a 19-year-old male who presented to a community emergency department for altered mental status after an attempt to generate a false-negative urine drug screen. He ingested a large volume of free water and multiple detoxification solutions, causing acute hyponatremia with resultant cerebral edema and neurogenic stunned myocardium. He required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy with complete recovery of neurologic and cardiac function. Acute hyponatremia from excess free water consumption is a well-documented phenomenon that all emergency providers should be aware of. Prompt identification and management of acute hyponatremia are essential to prevent potentially severe, devastating sequelae, including cerebral edema and cardiopulmonary failure.In addition, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be considered in patients with cardiopulmonary failure in the setting of reversible cardiomyopathy, as evidenced in our case.

POS0763 PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW ACR/EULAR 2019 CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) IN A COHORT OF ARGENTINIAN PATIENTS

Background:

In 2019 ACR and EULAR published in joint collaboration the new classification criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Compared to the previous ones, these criteria have shown higher sensitivity and specificity in multiple cohorts. To our knowledge, its performance has not been evaluated in a cohort of patients with rheumatological diseases living in Argentina.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ACR/ EULAR 2019 criteria in a cohort of patients with connective tissue diseases residing in Argentina. Secondary objectives were to determine the Likelihood Ratio (LR) of these criteria and the correlation of their global score with activity and damage indexes of the disease.

Methods:

Multicentre, retrospective and analytical study. Patients ≥ 18 years old with diagnosis of SLE (ACR 1997/SLICC 2012) without other associated collagen diseases (case group), and patients with other non-SLE connective tissue diseases (control group) were included. Those with active infectious disease, oncohematological disease, drug-induced lupus and overlap syndrome were excluded. Sociodemographic data, characteristics of the disease and treatment were recorded. In addition, activity and damage indexes were recorded in the group with SLE.

Three SLE experts, blinded to the diagnosis determined, for every individual if the patient had SLE or another rheumatological disease. An interrater agreement of 100% (including the 3 evaluators) was considered “defined SLE” and used as gold standard. In all cases, ACR 1997/SLICC 2012/ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria were applied and compared with the gold standard. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics was estimated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative LR of the criteria were determined. The association between the final score of the ACR-EULAR 2019 criteria and the disease activity and damage indexes were estimated with Spearman correlation test. STATA 15.0 was used for data analysis.

Results:

A total of 365 patients from 7 centres in Argentina were included. A One hundred and eighty-three belonged to the SLE group: 92.3% women, mean age 39 years (SD 13.3), median disease duration 92 months (IQR 37-150). The most frequent manifestations of the disease were mucocutaneous (94%), musculoskeletal (82.5%) and haematological (69%). All patients presented ANA +, 88% hypocomplementemia, 69.4% Anti-DNA and 19.5% antiphospholipid antibodies. Median SLEDAI and SLICC were 2 (IQR 0-6) and 0 (IQR 0-1), respectively.

In the control group, 182 patients were recruited: 84% women, mean age 53.6 years (SD 14.2) and median disease duration 82.5 months (IQR 38-151). The most frequent diseases were Rheumatoid Arthritis (46.1%), Scleroderma (18.1%) and Sjögren’s Syndrome (16.5%) and most common manifestations were musculoskeletal (81.9%), immunological (73.6%) and constitutional (25.3%). A total of 62.6% of patients presented ANA+, 8.6% hypocomplementemia, and 1.3% Antiphospholipid antibodies.

Ninety-one percent of patients in the case group were classified as defined SLE and 3.8% in the control group.

The ACR / EULAR 2019 Criteria showed a 99.4% sensitivity and an 89.1% specificity, with a LR+ of 9.1 and a LR- of 0.007. The sensitivity and specificity of SLICC 2012 criteria were 98.3% and 88%, respectively with a LR+ of 8.2 and a LR- of 0.02; and the ACR 1997 criteria showed a 93.96% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity, with LR + of 8.21 and LR - of 0.07.

The correlations between the ACR/EULAR 2019 Criteria global score, and activity and damage indexes were 0.19 and -0.006, respectively.

Conclusion:

The new ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria have shown high sensitivity, a specificity comparable to its predecessors, and a higher ability to distinguish SLE from other diseases and to exclude it in non-SLE patients. No correlation was observed between the criteria scores and activity and damage indexes.

References:

[1]Aringer M, Costenbader K, Daikh D, et al 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE. Ann Rheum 2019; 78: 1151-1159.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Mapping local and long-distance resting connectivity markers of TMS-related inhibition reduction in schizophrenia

Short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) is a biomarker for altered motor inhibition in schizophrenia, but the manner in which distant sites influence the inhibitory cortical-effector response remains elusive. Our study investigated local and long-distance resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) markers of SICI in a sample of N = 23 patients with schizophrenia and N = 29 controls. Local functional connectivity was quantified using regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis and long-range connectivity was estimated using seed-based rsFC analysis. Direct and indirect effects of connectivity measures on SICI were modeled using mediation analysis. Higher SICI ratios (indicating reduced inhibition) in patients were associated with lower ReHo in the right insula. Follow-up rsFC analyses showed that higher SICI scores (indicating reduced inhibition) were associated with reduced connectivity between right insula and hubs of the corticospinal pathway: sensorimotor cortex and basal ganglia. Mediation analysis supported a model in which the direct effect of local insular connectivity strength on SICI is mediated by the interhemispheric connectivity between insula and left sensorimotor cortex. The broader clinical implications of these findings are discussed with emphasis on how these preliminary findings might inform novel interventions designed to restore or improve SICI in schizophrenia and deepen our understanding of motor inhibitory control and impact of abnormal signaling in motor-inhibitory pathways in schizophrenia.

Galactorrhea as a side effect of antidepressant drugs. A case report

Introduction

Galactorrhea wiht antidepressants SSRIs or SNRI is a rarely adverse effect. Some authors believe that the risk of galactorrhea in women who use SSRIs is 8 times higher than in patients treated with other types of drugs. Serotonin is believed to be a potent physiological stimulator of prolactin release.Prolactin stimulates the growth of the mammary glands and the galactorrhea. The SSRIs would activate the serotonergic pathways, these in turn would stimulate the release of prolactin directly in the pituitary and in the hypothalamus, inhibiting the release of dopamine and increasing the release of stimulating factors. The main inhibitor of prolactin secretion is dopamine.

Objectives

The objective is to reveal this rare complication through the report of a clinical case

Methods

A 45-year-old woman with a diagnosis of mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. Treatment with 20 mg of escitalopram was started, with a good therapeutic response, but with breast pain and swelling. She was switched to duloxetine 60 mg, with a good response and adequate tolerance. At 6 months of treatment, she begins to present breast pain and yellow-green breast discharge, with elevated prolactin levels and normal cranial MRI.

Results

She was diagnosed with functional hyperprolactinemia, and treatment with vortioxetine was started. Finally, the Prolactin levels normalize.

Conclusions

Galactorrhea is a very rare and annoying side effect that can lead to discontinuation of treatment and requires a change in the therapeutic strategy.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Description of the consumption of toxics in patients with assertive community treatment and prolonged release treatment

Introduction

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) was developed by Leonard Stein and Mary Ann. The objective is the treatment of serious Mental Disorders in an integral way and in the community.

Objectives

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) was developed by Leonard Stein and Mary Ann. The objective is the treatment of serious Mental Disorders in an integral way and in the community.

Methods

This is a retrospective study with a total of 69 patients whose main diagnosis is Schizophrenia undergoing CT follow-up in 2018-2019. The data obtained have been analyzed by the SPSS statistical program.

Results

Our sample is mainly composed of men (60.9%) with an average age of 48 years (+ - 11.56). The main diagnosis is schizophrenia (62.3%) and the most commonly used long-term injectable treatment is paliperidone palmitate with a dose range of 150mg. Of the total number of patients, 29% of the cases did not maintain active use of any toxic, and the most commonly used toxic is tobacco (49.3% of cases).

Conclusions

The inclusion of patients in a ACT program requires a diagnosis of severe Mental Disorder and poor therapeutic adherence. After analyzing our data, we observed that most of them also have active toxic consumption and high doses of psychotropic drugs.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Local versus long-range connectivity patterns of auditory disturbance in schizophrenia

Auditory hallucinations are a debilitating symptom of schizophrenia. Effective treatment is limited because the underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. Our study investigates how local and long-range functional connectivity is associated with auditory perceptual disturbances (APD) in schizophrenia. APD was assessed using the Auditory Perceptual Trait and State Scale. Resting state fMRI data were collected for N=99 patients with schizophrenia. Local functional connectivity was estimated using regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis; long-range connectivity was estimated using resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis. Mediation analyses tested whether local (ReHo) connectivity significantly mediated associations between long-distance rsFC and APD. Severity of APD was significantly associated with reduced ReHo in left and right putamen, left temporoparietal junction (TPJ), and right hippocampus-pallidum. Higher APD was also associated with reduced rsFC between the right putamen and the contralateral putamen and auditory cortex. Local and long-distance connectivity measures together explained 40.3% of variance in APD (P < 0.001), with the strongest predictor being the left TPJ ReHo (P < 0.001). Additionally, TPJ ReHo significantly mediated the relationship between right putamen - left putamen rsFC and APD (Sobel test, P = 0.001). Our findings suggest that both local and long-range functional connectivity deficits contribute to APD, emphasizing the role of striatum and auditory cortex. Considering the translational impact of these circuit-based findings within the context of prior clinical trials to treat auditory hallucinations, we propose a model in which correction of both local and long-distance functional connectivity deficits may be necessary to treat auditory hallucinations.

AB0519 PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN ANCA ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS (AAV) ACCORDING TO ANTIGENIC SPECIFICITY: A RETROSPECTIVE ARGENTINE COHORT

Background:

The lung in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) is one of the most frequently compromised organs (20-80%). The clinical features of pulmonary involvement vary according to the type of vasculitis and some studies have shown its association with the ANCa subtype or antigenic specifity (MPO-ANCA), (PR3-ANCA).

Objectives:

A-Describe the clinical features and tomographic findings of pulmonary involvement in vasculitis associated with ANCA and its association according to the ANCA subtypes.

B-Evaluate outcome, relapses and associated mortality.

Methods:

Observational, analytical, retrospective study. Data was collected from the medical records and tomographic image files of patient evaluated in rheumatology department in a tertiary level hospital (2007-2019).

Patients diagnosed with AAV, who met criteria for ACR 1990 classification or according to nomenclature of Chapel Hill 2012, with thoracic CT performed and dosage PR3 an MPO antibodies by ELISA technique by a pulmonologist and radiologist.

Demographic data, subtype of vasculitis, concomitant organic involvement, disease activity evaluated by Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score v 3 (BVAS v3), time of evolution of pulmonary involvement, ERS – PCR, serum creatinine, ANCA determined by ELISA were collected. The following findings in parenchyma were evaluated by thorax CT: Consolidation, Ground glass opacities, Reticulation, Honeycomb, cavitated or not nodules, Central airway compromise (thickening or stenosis), Bronchiectasis,Peribronchial thickening, Pleural effusion and the following patterns of disease:NIU (Usual Interstitial Pneumonia), NINE (Unspecified Interstitial Pneumonia),HAD (Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage)

Results:

66/87 patients were included, 59% female, with a mean age of 51 (14 SD) years. GPA 46.9%, MPA 39.4%, EGPA13.6%, median follow-up time of 36 months (RIC 12-77).

According to antigenic specificity: 40.9% PR3 positive, 47.6% MPO positive and ANCA negative 11.5%. 74% of the GPA were positive for PR3, and 58% PAM at MPO.

BVAS basal: 17.8 + 7.5 DS.

Frequency of organic involvement: 81.8% pulmonar, 77% systemic, 57.6% renal, 43% ENT.

54% of patients with pulmonary involvement was present at the onset of their disease.

Table 1.

shows the main findings in lung parenchyma.

Parenchymal Findings%Consolidations37Ground glass opacities72Reticulation15Honeycomb9No cavitated nodules41Cavitated nodules20.7Central airways comp (stenosis)9.4Peribronchial thickening11.3Bronchiectasis9.4Pleural effusion7.7

According to the pattern of tomographic condition: 36.5 HAD %, 9.6% NIU, 7.8% NINE and, 1.5% Bronchiolitis obliterans.

The presence of positive MPO was significantly associated with the presence of honeycomb (p 0.017) and NIU (p 0.018).

There were no significant associations with the presence of PR3.

Mortality was 17%.

No association was found in relation to mortality or relapse frequency among PR3 or MPO positive patients.

Conclusion:

The frequency of pulmonary involvement in this cohort of patients was 82%, similar to that reported in the literature and was presented at the beginning of the disease in half of the cases. The presence of positive MPO was associated with a higher frequency of usual interstitial pneumonia.

References:

[1]Sophia Lionaki. Classification of ANCA vasculitides: The role of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody specificity for MPO or PR3 in disease recognition and prognosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 October; 64(10): 3452–3462. doi:10.1002/art.34562.

[2]Kouichi Hirayama. Pulmonary involvements of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated renal vasculitis in Japan Nephrol Dial Transplant (2015) 0: 1–11 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfu385 .3-Beatrice Feragalli.The Lung in Systemic Vasculitis: Radiological Patterns and Differential Diagnosis. British Institute of Radiology

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0653-HPR AN OLEUROPEIN-BASED DIETARY SUPPLEMENT IMPROVES JOINT FUNCTIONALITY IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH HIGH KNEE JOINT PAIN

Background:

OLE provides oleuropein the most prevalent phenolic component in olive leaves and has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects potentially interesting for joint health (1).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6-month intervention with an Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) standardized for oleuropein content on knee functionality and biomarkers of bone/cartilage metabolism and inflammation.

Methods:

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centric trial of 124 subjects with mild knee pain or mobility issues. Subjects were randomized equally to receive twice a day one capsule of either maltodextrin (control treatment, CT) or 125-mg OLE (BonoliveTM, an Olive Leaf Extract containing 50 mg of Oleuropein) for 6 months. The co-primary endpoints were Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) using a self-administered questionnaire and serum Coll2-1NO2 specific biomarker of cartilage degradation. The secondary endpoints were each of the five sub-scales of the KOOS questionnaire, Knee pain VAS score at rest and at walking, OARSI core set of performance-based tests and serum biomarkers (Coll2-1, MPO, CTX1, osteocalcin, PGE2 and Vplex cytokines assay in serum) and concentration of Oleuropein’s metabolites in urine.

Results:

Primary (global KOOS score, biomarker Coll2-1 NO2) and secondary endpoints (the five subscales of the KOOS score) improved time dependently in both groups. OLE treatment showed significantly elevated urinary oleuropein metabolites (oleuropein aglycone, hydroxytyrosol, homovanillyl alcohol and isomer of homovanillyl alcohol), and was well tolerated without significant differences in number of subjects with adverse events. At 6 months, OLE group showed a higher global KOOS score compared to placebo (treatment difference = 3.73; 95% CI = [-4.08;11.54]; p = 0.34), without significant changes of inflammatory and cartilage remodeling biomarkers. Subgroup analyses demonstrated a large and significant treatment effect of OLE in subjects with high walking pain at baseline (14.4; 95% CI = [1.19;27.63], p=0.03). This was observed at 6 months for the global KOOS score and each different subscale and for pain at walking (-23.07;95% CI = [-41.8;-4.2];p=0.02). These treatment effects at 6 months were significant for KOOS score as well as for the subscales Pain and QoL and the pain at walking.

Conclusion:

OLE was not effective on joint discomfort in people with low to moderate pain at baseline but significantly benefited subjects with high pain at treatment initiation. As oleuropein is well-tolerated, OLE can be used to relieve knee joint pain and enhance mobility in subjects with articular pain the most painful subjects.

References:

[1] Horcajada MN, Sanchez C, Membrez Scalfo F, Drion P, Comblain F, Taralla S, Donneau AF, Offord EA, Henrotin Y. Oleuropein or rutin consumption decreases the spontaneous development of osteoarthritis in the Hartley guinea pig. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015 Jan;23(1):94-102

Disclosure of Interests:

Marie-Noelle Horcajada Employee of: nestlé, Maurice Beaumont Employee of: nestle, Nicolas Sauvageot Employee of: Nestlé, Laure Poquet Employee of: Nestlé, Madleen Saboudjian Employee of: Nestlé, Anne-Christine Hick Employee of: Artialis SA, Berenice Costes Employee of: Artialis SA, Laetitia Garcia Employee of: Artialis, Yves Henrotin Grant/research support from: HEEL, TILMAN

FRI0405 CARTILAGE BIOMARKERS S-COLL2-1 AND S-COLL2-1NO2 ARE HELPFUL IN IDENTIFYING KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS AT RISK OF DISEASE WORSENING

Background:

Coll2-1 is a peptide of 9 amino acid located in the triple helix of type II collagen molecule reflecting cartilage degradation (1). Coll2-1NO2 is the nitrated form of Coll2-1 and considered as a biomarker of the inflammatory-related cartilage degradation (2). This peptide is involved in osteoarthritis physiopathology since it was demonstrated that Coll2-1 induced synovitis in rat.

Objectives:

To identify if biochemical markers s-Coll2-1 and s-Coll2-1NO2 are associated to knee osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on pain, function as well as structural features assessed by MRI in various knee compartments and to assess their ability at predicting knee OA worsening.

Methods:

116 subjects with knee OA were followed during one year with pain, function and MRI evaluation (PRODIGE study,NCT02070224). Type II collagen-specific biomarker Coll2-1 and its nitrated form Coll2-1NO2 were directly measured in serum using immunoassays at baseline and after three, six and twelve months follow-up.

Results:

sColl2-1 and sColl2-1NO2 were associated to several baseline knee features quantified with Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS). S-Coll2-1 was significantly correlated with bursitis (r=0.29, P<0.01), bone attrition (r=0.25, P=0.01), cysts (r=0.24, P=0.02) and cartilage (r=0.23, P=0.03) WORMS sub-scores for the whole joint as well as with the medial femorotibial joint sum score (r=0.26, P=0.01) and medial femorotibial joint cartilage (r=0.23, P=0.02). s-Coll2-1NO2 was correlated with WORMS total score (r=0.23, P=0.02), WORMS scores in the patellofemoral (r=0.23, P=0.02) and medial femorotibial compartments (r=0.21, P=0.03) and with osteophytes scores (r=0.27, P<0.01). Baseline s-Coll2-1NO2 was higher in subjects with a pain worsening (426.4 pg/mL [278.04-566.95]) as compared to non-progressors (306.84 [200.37-427.84]) over one year (AUC=0.655, P=0.015).

Conclusion:

Cartilage biomarkers s-Coll2-1 and s-Coll2-1NO2 are associated to several knee OA features quantified with WORMS scoring system on MRI. Serum values of Coll2-1NO2 are also associated to a worsening of target knee pain over one year. Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO2, in association with other structural features, pain and function, could help at identifying OA phenotypes and patients at risk of OA worsening.

References:

[1]Mobasheri A, Lambert C, Henrotin Y. Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO2 as exemplars of collagen extracellular matrix turnover - biomarkers to facilitate the treatment of osteoarthritis? Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2019 Sep;19(9):803-812. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1646641. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

[2]Lambert C, Borderie D, Dubuc JE, Rannou F, Henrotin Y. Type II collagen peptide Coll2-1 is an actor of synovitis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019 Nov;27(11):1680-1691. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.07.009. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Acknowledgments:

PRODIGE study (NCT02070224) was performed in the framework of a convention between the Walloon region and ARTIALIS SA. (convention n°6905).

Disclosure of Interests:

Yves Henrotin Grant/research support from: HEEL, TILMAN, Berenice Costes Employee of: Artialis SA, Michel Malaise: None declared, Damien Loeuille: None declared, Thierry Conrozier Consultant of: LABRHA, SANOFI, MEDAC, Yves Maugars: None declared, Franz Pelousse Shareholder of: Sodiray, Jean-Marc Lemaire Shareholder of: Sodiray, Thibault Helleputte Shareholder of: DNAlytics, Cedric Tits Employee of: DNAlytics, Elisabeth Cobraiville Employee of: Artialis SA, Sebastien Pirson Employee of: Artialis, Laetitia Garcia Employee of: Artialis, Alain Labasse Employee of: Artialis SA, Anne-Christine Hick Employee of: Artialis SA

FRI0318 REAL-LIFE EVALUATION OF HEALTH STATUS USING ASAS HEALTH INDEX ON PATIENTS WITH AXIAL AND PERIPHERAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN ARGENTINA

Background:

The questionnaire “Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society Health Index” (ASAS HI) was developed to measure functionality and health status in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA)1.

Objectives:

To describe the state of health measured by ASAS HI in Argentinian patients with SpA and to evaluate factors associated with poor health.

Methods:

Analytical, cross sectional, multicenter study. Patients with SpA according to ASAS criteria were consecutively included from 15 Argentinian centers. Statistical analysis: frequencies and percentages (%), mean and standard deviation (SD) or median and interquartile range (IQR). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the factors associated with poor health status (ASAS HI > or equal to 12). Correlation with other parameters was evaluated by Spearman correlation.

Results:

We included 274 patients with a mean age 49 (SD 14) years, median disease duration 60 month (IQR 24-135), 155 (56.6%) of patients are male, 47% (n:129) axial SpA and 52.9 (n:145) peripheral SpA. One hundred and nine patients (43.4%) presented good health status, 117 (42.7%) had moderate state of health and 38 (13.9%) had poor health. In the bivariate analyses patients with ASAS health index greater than or equal to 12 (poor status), were older [54 (11) vs 48 (14), p: 0.01], had higher disease duration [11(IQR 57-192) vs 60 (IQR 24-120), p: 0.02], more hypertension [20 (52.6%) vs 67 (28.4%), p:0.004], more diabetes mellitus [10 (26.3%) vs 22(9.3%), p: 0.006], depression [6 (15.8%) vs 10 (4.2%), p:0.013], anxiety [8 (21%) vs (22 (9.3%),p:0.046], less years of education [9.8 (SD 3.5) vs 13 (SD 10), p:0.001], higher ASQol [12.6 (SD 4.6) vs 5.7 (SD4), p < 0.001], BASFI [7(SD2) vs 4(SD6), p: 0.001], DAS28 [4.71 (SD3.2) vs 2.8 (SD1),p: <0.001]. In the multivariate analyses the following variables were independently associated with poor health status: duration of disease, ASQol and DAS28. ASAS HI showed positive correlation with the following parameters: BASDAI (r:0.67, p< 0.001), HAQ (r:0.54, p< 0.001), ASDAS (r:0.67, p< 0.001), ASQol (r:0.80, p< 0.001), BASFI (r:0.72, p< 0.001) and DAS28 (0.56, p< 0.001).

Conclusion:

Poor health status is associated with disease activity, poor quality of life and functional activity. ASAS HI has a good correlation with other parameters to evaluate SpA, reinforcing the construct validity of this new tool.

References:

[1]Kiltz U,et al.Ann Rheum Dis2018;0:1–7.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Health resource utilization of labor induction versus expectant management

BACKGROUND

Although induction of labor of low-risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks reduces the risk of cesarean delivery compared with expectant management, concern regarding more frequent use of labor induction remains, given that this intervention historically has been thought to incur greater resource utilization.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine whether planned elective labor induction at 39 weeks among low-risk nulliparous women, compared with expectant management, was associated with differences in health care resource utilization from the time of randomization through 8 weeks postpartum.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a planned secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial in which low-risk nulliparous women were assigned to induction of labor at 39 weeks or expectant management. We assessed resource utilization after randomization in 3 time periods: antepartum, delivery admission, and discharge through 8 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS

Of 6096 women with data available, those in the induction of labor group (n = 3059) were significantly less likely in the antepartum period after randomization to have at least 1 ambulatory visit for routine prenatal care (32.4% vs 68.4%), unanticipated care (0.5% vs 2.6%), or urgent care (16.2% vs 44.3%), or at least 1 antepartum hospitalization (0.8% vs 2.2%, P < .001 for all). They also had fewer tests (eg, sonograms, blood tests) and treatments (eg, antibiotics, intravenous hydration) prior to delivery. During the delivery admission, women in the induction of labor group spent a longer time in labor and delivery (median, 0.83 vs 0.57 days), but both women (P = .002) and their neonates (P < .001) had shorter postpartum stays. Women and neonates in both groups had similar frequencies of postpartum urgent care and hospital readmissions (P > .05 for all).

CONCLUSION

Women randomized to induction of labor had longer durations in labor and delivery but significantly fewer antepartum visits, tests, and treatments and shorter maternal and neonatal hospital durations after delivery. These results demonstrate that the health outcome advantages associated with induction of labor are gained without incurring uniformly greater health care resource use.

Complete Cognitive Recovery and Survival From Massive Pulmonary Embolism During General Anesthesia after Administration of Alteplase: A Case Report

Presented herein is the case of a 37-year-old male who was scheduled for an anterior decompressive laminectomy after suffering trauma to the cervical area (C6-C7). An intraoperative acute pulmonary embolism (APE) was suspected after persistent hypoxemia and a decreased end-tidal CO2 that was refractory to proper management. After 6 intraoperative episodes of cardiac arrest that followed, intravenous alteplase (thrombolytic therapy) was administered, and the patient was stabilized without major complications. Eventually, APE was successfully diagnosed and treated. The experience served as reference for the diagnosis and management of APE under general anesthesia.

P4421Increased circulating levels of VCAM-1 correlate with left atrial remodeling in highly trained athletes

Introduction

Reports have shown increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in athletes. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) is associated with new onset AF in general population. VCAM1 and its relation with left atrial (LA) remodeling have not been investigated in athletes.

Purpose

To study VCAM1 and LA remodeling in marathon runners.

Methods

Study of 36 male marathon runners in the training period previous to race (42 km) and 18 sedentary controls with no risk factors. Athletes were divided in two groups according to highest training intensity reached (group 1, >100 km/week; group 2, 50–100 km/week). Previous to race in all subjects, VCAM1 serum levels were measured by ELISA and an echocardiogram was performed. In athletes, VCAM1 was measured immediately post-race. Wilcoxon and Spearman were used.

Results

See table. Group 1 showed a significant increment in VCAM1 post-race (651±350 to 905±373 ng/mL; p=0.002) as compared to group 2 with no increment (533±133 to 651±138 ng/mL; p=0.117). In athletes, a moderate correlation between LA volume and VCAM1 was found (rho: 0.483; p=0.007).

Baseline characteristics Group 1 (n=18) Group 2 (n=18) Controls (n=18) p value Age (years) 37±6 38±5 36±4 0.373 Heart rate (bpm) 53±8 57±7 69±6 * 0.001 Body surface area (m2) 1.8±0.1 1.8±0.1 1.9±0.1 0.075 LV diastolic diameter (mm) 49±5 48±5 46±4 0.404 LV systolic diameter (mm) 29±5 30±5 30±4 0.879 Septal wall (mm) 9.1±1.2† 8.2±1.1 8.1±0.8 0.005 Posterior wall (mm) 9.3±2.1† 8.5±1.2 7.6±0.8 0.001 Ejection fraction (%) 55±3 55±6 57±4 0.110 LV mass index (g/m2) 106±27† 78±18 58±11 0.001 LA volume (mL/m2) 42±8† 30±11 25±9 0.001 E wave (cm/sec) 78±13 84±12 77±15 0.217 A wave (cm/sec) 50±12 53±10 48±16 0.438 DT (msec) 233±65 229±65 221±66 0.184 VCAM1 (ng/mL) 651±350† 533±133 440±98 0.022 Mean ± SD. *p<0.05 vs group 1 and 2 post Kruskall-Wallis; †p<0.05 vs other groups post Kruskall-Wallis. LV, left ventricle; LA, left atrium; DT, deceleration time.

Conclusions

Most trained athletes had increased levels of VCAM1 as compared to controls and less trained athletes. They also showed an increment post-effort. VCAM1 is related to LA remodeling in athletes. VCAM1 could be a potential biomarker of AF in athletes which should be confirmed.

Acknowledgement/Funding

FONDECYT 1170963 (LG); FONDAP 15130011 (LG,SL)

The wake project: Improving safe sleep practices in a neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Every year, about 50 babies in New York City die from a sleep-related injury. The Bronx County ranked second highest rate of sleep-related infant deaths (SRID) at 0.5 per 1000 among the other boroughs. The highest rate was among blacks and the rate of SRID cases were highest in our population at 0.97 (zip code 10466) among all other Bronx neighborhoods which comprises 77% of non-Hispanic black population. Further, Bronx has the highest preterm birth rate at 9.5%. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to develop and implement an educational initiative on infant safe sleep (SS) to improve "Safe Sleep Practices (SSP) in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for one of the highest risk populations in the country.

METHODS

Baseline data was collected prior to initiating the QI project. Multiple plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles were completed over a 12 month period. Run charts were utilized to identify improvement and guide interventions. These interventions included education for nurses, crib cards, posters, feedback forms, grand rounds and small group discussions.

RESULTS

Approximately 600 crib checks (CC) were performed over the duration of this project. At baseline, 7% of infants were placed in a SS position in the NICU. Following the QI project, SS position increased to 96% of infants.

CONCLUSION

Multifactorial interventions significantly improved SS compliance among NICU nurses. Cultivating personal motivation among nurses, consistent empowerment and dedication to culture change by the entire team was crucial for the sustainability of the project.

Variability in sleep disturbance, physical activity and quality of life by level of depressive symptoms in women with Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To examine (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms in women with Type 2 diabetes, (2) the associations between depressive symptoms and the following dependent variables: sleep disturbance; physical activity; physical health-related; and global quality of life, and (3) the potential moderating effects of antidepressants and optimism on the relationship between depressive symptoms and dependent variables.

METHODS

Participants in the Women's Health Initiative who had Type 2 diabetes and data on depressive symptoms (N=8895) were included in the analyses. In multivariable linear regression models controlling for sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial covariates, we examined the main effect of depressive symptoms, as well as the interactions between depressive symptoms and antidepressant use, and between depressive symptoms and optimism, on sleep disturbance, physical activity, physical health-related quality of life; and global quality of life.

RESULTS

In all, 16% of women with Type 2 diabetes reported elevated depressive symptoms. In multivariable analyses, women with depressive symptoms had greater sleep disturbance (P<0.0001) and lower global quality of life (P<.0001). We found evidence of significant statistical interaction in the models for quality-of-life outcomes: the increased risk of poor physical health-related quality of life associated with antidepressant use was stronger in women without vs with depressive symptoms, and the association between greater optimism and higher global quality of life was stronger in women with vs without depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve health behaviours and quality of life in women with Type 2 diabetes, sociodemographic and medical characteristics may identify at-risk populations, while psychosocial factors including depression and optimism may be important targets for non-pharmacological intervention.

Facilitating Positive Psychosocial Outcomes in Craniofacial Team Care: Strategies for Medical Providers

Objective:

Psychosocial issues associated with craniofacial diagnoses and the ongoing burden of care can impact the quality of life of patients and families, as well as treatment adherence and outcomes. Utilizing available literature and clinical expertise across 6 centers, the present article summarizes key psychosocial issues for the benefit of nonmental health medical providers and offers suggestions as to how all members of craniofacial teams can promote positive psychosocial outcomes.

Results:

Family adjustment across developmental phases is outlined, with strategies to support adaptive parental coping. Teasing is a common concern in craniofacial populations and medical providers can promote coping and social skills, as well as link families to mental health services when needed. Academic issues are described, alongside suggestions for medical providers to assist families with school advocacy and ensure access to appropriate services within the school setting. Medical providers are key in preparing patients and families for surgery, including consideration of medical, social, and logistical supports and barriers. As craniofacial care spans infancy to adulthood, medical providers are instrumental in assisting patients and families to navigate treatment transition periods. In addition to ongoing clinical team assessments, medical providers may utilize screening measures to identify and track patient and family adjustment in multiple areas of team care.

Conclusions:

Multidisciplinary providers play an important role in supporting positive adjustment in patients affected by craniofacial conditions and their families.

Impact of Speller Size on a Visual P300 Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) System under Two Conditions of Constraint for Eye Movement

The vast majority of P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are based on the well-known P300 speller presented by Farwell and Donchin for communication purposes and an alternative to people with neuromuscular disabilities, such as impaired eye movement. The purpose of the present work is to study the effect of speller size on P300-based BCI usability, measured in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction under overt and covert attention conditions. To this end, twelve participants used three speller sizes under both attentional conditions to spell 12 symbols. The results indicated that the speller size had, in both attentional conditions, a significant influence on performance. In both conditions (covert and overt), the best performances were obtained with the small and medium speller sizes, both being the most effective. The speller size did not significantly affect workload on the three speller sizes. In contrast, covert attention condition produced very high workload due to the increased resources expended to complete the task. Regarding users' preferences, significant differences were obtained between speller sizes. The small speller size was considered as the most complex, the most stressful, the less comfortable, and the most tiring. The medium speller size was always considered in the medium rank, which is the speller size that was evaluated less frequently and, for each dimension, the worst one. In this sense, the medium and the large speller sizes were considered as the most satisfactory. Finally, the medium speller size was the one to which the three standard dimensions were collected: high effectiveness, high efficiency, and high satisfaction. This work demonstrates that the speller size is an important parameter to consider in improving the usability of P300 BCI for communication purposes. The obtained results showed that using the proposed medium speller size, performance and satisfaction could be improved.

Abstract P1-08-33: Molecular breast cancer subtypes in a Guatemalan population. Classification according to immunohistochemical markers: Clinicopathologic feature and survival analysis

Introduction: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy and it's possible to identify by simple techniques, such as inmmunohistochemistry, four subtypes with different clinical and biological behavior. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of these subtypes on the local and distant recurrences rates.

Method: data of 954 unilateral breast cancer patients primarily treated with radical or conservative surgery from 2008 to 2014 were obtained from medical records. Breast cancer subtypes were categorized in Luminal A (RE+ and/or RP+, HER2-), Luminal B (RE+ and/or RP+, HER2+ o Ki-67&gt; 14%); HER2 (RE-, RP-, HER2+) and triple negative tumors (TNT) (RE-, RP-, HER2-). Patterns of recurrence for each subtype and clinicopathological variables and the influence of each variable on the overall survival (OS) by the Kaplan-Meier method. In all cases, we determined histological type, grade nuclear (low, intermediate vrs high), tumor size, lymph node involvement

Results: Median age at diagnosis was 52 years (range, 23-95). Of these patients 55% were premenopausal. We found that 522 (56%) of the cases were luminal A breast cancer, 190 (20%) of the cases were triple negative tumors (TNT), luminal B were 73 (8%) and it was HER2-positive in 152 (20%) of cases. Nine patients (3%) had other breast cancer contralateral. In 70% of all the cases were found in locally advanced stages (IIB – IIIC). In 438 (70%) of all the cases were found in locally advanced stages (IIB – IIIC), 773 (81%) patients underwent radical mastectomy and 181 (19%) undergoing conservative surgery. We performed univariate analysis to evaluate recurrence-related factors. Variables included in the analysis clinical stage (I – IIa vs IIb – IIIC; 88% vs 70%; p = 0.001, ), nuclear grade (grade 1, 2 vs 3; 83% vs 62%; p = 0.01) and pathologic response (total vs parcial, stable disease; 76% vs 54%; p = 0.01), and status Her-2 subtype so borderline (positive vs negative; p= 0.079). A univariate survival analysis stratification according to clinicapathologic characteristics. Clinical stage, histologic grade, response to neoadjuvant and tumor size were identified as significant factors of prognosis for the OS. (p=0.5) and histological subtypes Luminal A (94%), Luminal B (75%), HER2 (79%) and TNT (68%), p= 0.001.

Conclusion: this study demonstrates that treatment efficacy is similar to that reported in the literature and emphasizes the need for establishing the molecular breast cancer subtypes and efforts should be made to reduce the high frequency of advanced-stage diagnoses.

Citation Format: Castro H, Garcia L, Jimenez F, Ramos P, Castro N. Molecular breast cancer subtypes in a Guatemalan population. Classification according to immunohistochemical markers: Clinicopathologic feature and survival analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-33.

Mifepristone mediates anti-proliferative effect on ovarian mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from female BRCA1-/2- carriers

INTRODUCTION

Women with hereditary mutation in breast cancer-associated genes (BRCA^1-/2- ) have a higher lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of mifepristone, a selective progesterone receptor modulator of ovarian mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) from BRCA^1-/2- carriers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ovarian BRCA^1-/2- MSC were positively selected using the markers CD90, CD73 and CD105 from nine healthy women. The effect of dose response and combination treatment with mifepristone and analogs of progesterone- or glucocorticoid-receptors were investigated on BRCA^1-/2- MSC in vitro using a panel of markers for proliferation (ki67, BrdU, CDK2, p21^CIP ), apoptosis (BAX, BCL2, CASPASE3), tumor suppression (TP53, PTEN) and cell survival (PI3KCA, MAPK3, mTOR).

RESULTS

The dose response with mifepristone treatment suggested an optimal effect with 10 μm mifepristone, exhibiting >90% viability and significantly reducing growth signaling markers (TP53 and MAPK3). Furthermore, combined treatment with progesterone plus mifepristone (PG+MIFE) gave an enhanced anti-proliferative effect in comparison with hydrocortisone plus mifepristone (HC+MIFE) by significantly reducing markers of proliferation (BrdU⁺ and Ki67 expression) and tumor suppressors (PTEN, TP53), and increasing the percentage of pro-apoptotic cells. Consequently, accumulation of p21^CIP together with reduced levels of CDK2 confirms growth inhibition by reversibly arresting cell-cycle progression at the G1-S phase, not by inducing apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed an anti-proliferative effect on ovarian BRCA^1-/2- MSC on in vitro combined treatment with mifepristone and progesterone. These findings suggest that mifepristone or other selective progesterone receptor modulators could be developed as a preventive treatment and postpone early use of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy as well as reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Transport of nano-objects in narrow channels: influence of Brownian diffusion, confinement and particle nature

This paper presents experimental results about transport of dilute suspensions of nano-objects in silicon-glass micrometric and sub-micrometric channels. Two kinds of objects are used: solid, rigid latex beads and spherical capsule-shaped, soft polymersomes. They are tracked using fluorescence microscopy. Three aspects are studied: confinement (ratio between particle diameter and channel depth), Brownian diffusion and particle nature. The aim of this work is to understand how these different aspects affect the transport of suspensions in narrow channels and to understand the different mechanisms at play. Concerning the solid beads we observe the appearance of two regimes, one where the experimental mean velocity is close to the expected one and another where this velocity is lower. This is directly related to a competition between confinement, Brownian diffusion and advection. These two regimes are shown to be linked to the inhomogeneity of particles distribution in the channel depth, which we experimentally deduce from velocity distributions. This inhomogeneity appears during the entrance process into the sub-micrometric channels, as for hydrodynamic separation or deterministic lateral displacement. Concerning the nature of the particles we observed a shift of transition towards the second regime likely due to the relationships between shear stress and polymersomes mechanical properties which could reduce the inhomogeneity imposed by the geometry of our device.