Low-latency gravitational wave alert products and their performance at the time of the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run

Multimessenger searches for binary neutron star (BNS) and neutron star-black hole (NSBH) mergers are currently one of the most exciting areas of astronomy. The search for joint electromagnetic and neutrino counterparts to gravitational wave (GW)s has resumed with ALIGO's, AdVirgo's and KAGRA's fourth observing run (O4). To support this effort, public semiautomated data products are sent in near real-time and include localization and source properties to guide complementary observations. In preparation for O4, we have conducted a study using a simulated population of compact binaries and a mock data challenge (MDC) in the form of a real-time replay to optimize and profile the software infrastructure and scientific deliverables. End-toend performance was tested, including data ingestion, running online search pipelines, performing annotations, and issuing alerts to the astrophysics community. We present an overview of the low-latency infrastructure and the performance of the data products that are now being released during O4 based on the MDC. We report the expected median latency for the preliminary alert of full bandwidth searches (29.5 s) and show consistency and accuracy of released data products using the MDC. We report the expected median latency for triggers from early warning searches (-3.1 s), which are new in O4 and target neutron star mergers during inspiral phase. This paper provides a performance overview for LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) low-latency alert infrastructure and data products using theMDCand serves as a useful reference for the interpretation of O4 detections.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

A multiplexed, paired-pooled droplet digital PCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva

In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we developed a multiplexed, paired-pool droplet digital PCR (MP4) screening assay. Key features of our assay are the use of minimally processed saliva, 8-sample paired pools, and reverse-transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid gene. The limit of detection was determined to be 2 and 12 copies per µl for individual and pooled samples, respectively. Using the MP4 assay, we routinely processed over 1,000 samples a day with a 24-h turnaround time and over the course of 17 months, screened over 250,000 saliva samples. Modeling studies showed that the efficiency of 8-sample pools was reduced with increased viral prevalence and that this could be mitigated by using 4-sample pools. We also present a strategy for, and modeling data supporting, the creation of a third paired pool as an additional strategy to employ under high viral prevalence.

Hustle: Experiences of making work ‘work’ for non-standard and precariously employed workers in NYC

Background

Precarious and non-standard employment (NSE) has negative implications for workers’ health. As part of a six-country comparative mixed methods case study, this research explores US-based workers’ experiences in NSE and its influences on their health and well-being in a context of weak labor regulations and social welfare programs.

Methods

To understand US policy context, we analyzed country-level labor regulatory and social protection frameworks using 2019 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data. To understand workers’ experiences, we conducted in-depth interviews with NSE workers in various occupations in New York City (N = 40) between January and May 2021. We recruited and screened eligibility via Facebook advertisements and an online questionnaire, respectively. We used deductive and inductive thematic analysis for interview data.

Results

With heavy reliance on market competition in the US, minimal state regulation and flexible labor markets create less secure employment along with limited government-funded social supports. Workers’ experiences center on the Hustle, i.e., figuring out how to make NSE work for them and their families. They lack healthcare coverage and have low expectations of other supportive employment and social protections (e.g., paid leave). While NSE payoffs (e.g., perceived flexibility) were common for most, almost all experience NSE tradeoffs (e.g., job insecurity and instability) that create stress and overwork, negatively implicating overall health and well-being. These impacts differ by access to resources associated with social location (e.g., immigration status). COVID-19 exacerbated these experiences.

Discussion

Low expectations of supportive policies of US workers in NSE are linked to the individualized hustle, as they attempt to counter NSE tradeoffs often relying on family to fill those gaps. Over-reliance on privatization for social supports such as healthcare coverage can be detrimental to workers’ health.

Key messages

Effect of SLCO1B1 genotypes on statin intolerance and response to statins

Background

Statins are a cornerstone therapy for management of hypercholesterolaemia in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, however there is individual variation regarding efficacy of therapy and adverse side-effects experienced.

Purpose

Polymorphisms of the SLCO1B1 gene have shown correlation with the risk of statin side-effects and efficacy of treatment, however in real-world clinical practice, their utility remains to be established.

Methods

We carried out retrospective multiple linear regression analysis using robust standard errors of 129 individuals undergoing genetic testing for the SLCO1B1 polymorphisms rs4149056 and rs2306283 to investigate for an association to statin side effects and efficacy respectively. In addition, logistic regressions which account for the binary nature of the outcomes were performed. The rs4149056 gene has 3 outcomes: T/T (considered least associated with statin intolerance), C/C (considered most associated with statin intolerance) and T/C (considered intermediately associated with statin intolerance). The rs2306283 gene has 3 outcomes: A/A (considered least associated with statin response), G/G (considered most associated with statin response) and A/G (considered intermediately associated with statin response).

Results

According to multiple regression and logistic regression analyses SLCO1B1 rs4149056 genotypes (C/C and T/C relative to the base type T/T) do not predict the incidence of myalgia, myopathy, creatine kinase rise, liver function derangement or gastrointestinal side effects at 5% significance. SLCO1B1 rs2306283 (G/G and A/G relative to the base type A/A) do not predict LDL response to statins (p-values 0.33 and 0.52 respectively).

Conclusions

The presence of rs4149056 C/C and T/C genotypes was not associated with an increased risk of statin side-effects. Similarly rs2306283 genotypes did not correlate with the efficacy of statin treatment. These genotype predictors were primarily based on Simvastatin – an earlier generation statin, whereas the majority of the patients in this cohort were treated with more contemporary and widely used statins such as Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin. We therefore conclude that these genotypic markers may have limited application in modern day clinical practice and that substantial investment of limited resources towards them may not be justified.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Treatment outcomes of patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD) treated with dupilumab through the Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) in the UK

BACKGROUND

Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha that inhibits IL-4/IL-13 signalling is indicated in dermatology for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adult and adolescent patients 12 years and older and severe AD in children 6-11 years, who are candidates for systemic therapy. Dupilumab received Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) approval for adults in March 2017.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy outcomes of treatment with dupilumab in EAMS.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of adult patients enrolled in the dupilumab EAMS in the UK. Scores were assessed at baseline and follow up, including the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigator's Global Assessment Score (IGA) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

RESULTS

Data were available for 57 adult patients treated with dupilumab for at least 12 weeks; 73.6% of patients had received prior treatment with 3 or 4 immunosuppressants. Baseline scores for the EASI and DLQI were 27.93 (standard deviation, SD 13.09) and 18.26 (SD 6.18) respectively. AD severity scores showed statistically significant improvement at week 16±4 weeks (p <0.001 for all). The mean change in EASI was 14.13 points with 66.7% and 36.7% achieving a 50% (EASI-50) and 75% (EASI-75) improvement in EASI, respectively at 16^+/- 4 weeks. IGA scores improved by at least two categories for 75% patients. DLQI scores decreased by a mean of 9.0 points, with 80% patients demonstrating a MCID 4-point improvement. For 85% patients, clinicians rated the treatment response as being either 'better' (19%) or 'much better' (65%).

CONCLUSIONS

Dupilumab is associated with a significant and clinically relevant improvements in AD as measured by patient- and physician-reported outcome measures. Importantly, the clinical efficacy, despite the refractory disease of this EAMS cohort, is comparable to that previously reported in clinical trials.

Patient deprivation and perceived scan burden negatively impact the quality of whole-body MRI

AIM

To evaluate the association between the image quality of cancer staging whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and patient demographics, distress, and perceived scan burden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sample of patients recruited prospectively to multicentre trials comparing WB-MRI with standard scans for staging lung and colorectal cancer were invited to complete two questionnaires. The baseline questionnaire, administered at recruitment, collated data on demographics, distress and co-morbidity. The follow-up questionnaire, completed after staging investigations, measured perceived WB-MRI scan burden (scored 1 low to 7 high). WB-MRI anatomical coverage, and technical quality was graded by a radiographic technician and grading combined to categorise the scan as "optimal", "sub-optimal" or "degraded". A radiologist categorised 30 scans to test interobserver agreement. Data were analysed using the chi-square, Fisher's exact, t-tests, and multinomial regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study (53 lung, 61 colorectal; average age 65.3 years, SD=11.8; 66 men [57.9%]). Overall, 45.6% (n=52), scans were classified as "optimal" quality, 39.5% (n=45) "sub-optimal", and 14.9% (n=17) as "degraded". In adjusted analyses, greater deprivation level and higher patient-reported scan burden were both associated with a higher likelihood of having a sub-optimal versus an optimal scan (odds ratio [OR]: 4.465, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.454 to 13.709, p=0.009; OR: 1.987, CI: 1.153 to 3.425, p=0.013, respectively). None of the variables predicted the likelihood of having a degraded scan.

CONCLUSIONS

Deprivation and patients' perceived experience of the WB-MRI are related to image quality. Tailored protocols and individualised patient management before and during WB-MRI may improve image quality.

IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, prevents myocardial dysfunction in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease vasculitis and myocarditis

Kawasaki disease (KD) vasculitis is an acute febrile illness of childhood characterized by systemic vasculitis of unknown origin, and is the most common cause of acquired heart disease among children in the United States. While  histological evidence of myocarditis can be found in all patients with acute KD, only a minority of patients are clinically symptomatic and a subset demonstrate echocardiographic evidence of impaired myocardial function, as well as increased left ventricular mass, presumed to be due to myocardial edema and inflammation. Up to a third of KD patients fail to respond to first-line therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and the use of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra, anakinra) is currently being investigated as an alternative therapeutic approach to treat IVIG-resistant patients. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of IL-1Ra on myocardial dysfunction and its relation to myocarditis development during KD vasculitis. We used the Lactobacillus casei cell-wall extract (LCWE)-induced murine model of KD vasculitis and investigated the effect of IL-1Ra pretreatment on myocardial dysfunction during KD vasculitis by performing histological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiographic evaluations. IL-1Ra pretreatment significantly reduced KD-induced myocardial inflammation and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) release. Both MRI and echocardiographic studies on LCWE-injected KD mice demonstrated that IL-1Ra pretreatment results in an improved ejection fraction and a normalized left ventricular function. These findings further support the potential beneficial effects of IL-1Ra therapy in preventing the cardiovascular complications in acute KD patients, including the myocarditis and myocardial dysfunction associated with acute KD.

Population-based study of the impact of surgical and adjuvant therapy at the same or a different institution on survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background

Pancreatic cancer surgery is increasingly regionalized in high‐volume centres. Provision of adjuvant chemotherapy in the same institution can place a burden on patients, whereas receiving adjuvant chemotherapy at a different institution closer to home may create disparities in care. This study compared long‐term outcomes of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma receiving adjuvant chemotherapy at the institution where they had undergone surgery with outcomes for those receiving chemotherapy at a different institution.

Methods

This was a population‐based study of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma performed at ten designated hepatopancreatobiliary centres in Ontario, Canada, between 2004 and 2014. Patients were divided into those receiving chemotherapy at the same institution as surgery or a different institution from where surgery was performed. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Multivariable Cox regression assessed the association between OS and each chemotherapy group, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Of 589 patients, 374 (63·5 per cent) received adjuvant chemotherapy at the same institution as surgery. After adjusting for age, sex, co‐morbidity, socioeconomic status, rural living, tumour stage, margin positivity and year of surgery, the location of adjuvant chemotherapy was not independently associated with OS (hazard ratio 1·03, 95 per cent c.i. 0·85 to 1·24). For patients who underwent chemotherapy at a different institution, mean travel distance to receive chemotherapy was less (22·9 km) than that needed for surgery (106·7 km).

Conclusion

After pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at specialized hepatopancreatobiliary surgery centres, OS was not affected by the location of the centre delivering adjuvant chemotherapy. Receiving this treatment in a local centre reduced patients' travel burden.

Construct Validation of the Dietary Inflammatory Index among African Americans

OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation is linked to many chronic conditions. One of the strongest modulators of chronic inflammation is diet. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) measures dietary inflammatory potential and has been validated previously, but not among African Americans (AAs).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the Healthy Eating and Active Living in the Spirit (HEALS) intervention study.

SETTING

Baseline data collection occurred between 2009 and 2012 in or near Columbia, SC.

PARTICIPANTS

African-American churchgoers.

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline data collection included c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 from blood draws, anthropometric measures, and numerous questionnaires. The questionnaires included a food frequency questionnaire which was used for DII calculation. The main analyses were performed using quantile regression.

RESULTS

Subjects in the highest DII quartile (i.e., more pro-inflammatory) were younger, more likely to be married, and had less education and greater BMI. Individuals in DII quartile 4 had statistically significantly greater CRP at the 75th and 90th percentiles of CRP versus those in quartile 1 (i.e., more anti-inflammatory).

CONCLUSION

Construct validation provides support for using the DII in research among AA populations. Future research should explore avenues to promote more anti-inflammatory diets, with use of the DII, among AA populations to reduce risk of chronic disease.

Novel cell-based assay for detection of thyroid receptor beta-interacting environmental contaminants

Even though the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with thyroid hormone (TH)-like activities in the environment is a major health concern, the methods for their efficient detection and monitoring are still limited. Here we describe a novel cell assay, based on the translocation of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged chimeric molecule of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the thyroid receptor beta (TRβ) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the presence of TR ligands. Unlike the constitutively nuclear TRβ, this GFP-GR-TRβ chimera is cytoplasmic in the absence of hormone while translocating to the nucleus in a time- and concentration-dependent manner upon stimulation with triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid hormone analogue, TRIAC, while the reverse triiodothyronine (3,3',5'-triiodothyronine, or rT3) was inactive. Moreover, GFP-GR-TRβ chimera does not show any cross-reactivity with the GR-activating hormones, thus providing a clean system for the screening of TR beta-interacting EDCs. Using this assay, we demonstrated that Bisphenol A (BPA) and 3,3',5,5'-Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) induced GFP-GR-TRβ translocation at micro molar concentrations. We screened over 100 concentrated water samples from different geographic locations in the United States and detected a low, but reproducible contamination in 53% of the samples. This system provides a novel high-throughput approach for screening for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interacting with TR beta.

Implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF in Uganda: Missed Opportunities to Improve Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Background.  The effect of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) scale-up on patient outcomes in low-income settings with a high tuberculosis (TB) burden has not been established. We sought to characterize the effectiveness of Xpert as implemented across different levels of the healthcare system in Uganda. Methods.  We reviewed laboratory records from 2012 to 2014 at 18 health facilities throughout Uganda. In 8 facilities, Xpert had been implemented onsite since 2012, and in 10 sites Xpert was available as an offsite referral test from another facility. We describe Xpert testing volumes by facility, Xpert and smear microscopy results, and downtime due to malfunction and cartridge stockouts. We compare TB treatment initiation as well as time to treatment between facilities implementing Xpert and those that did not. Results.  The median number of Xpert assays run at implementing facilities was 25/month (interquartile range [IQR], 10-63), amounting to 8% of total capacity. Among 1251 assays run for a new TB diagnosis, 19% were positive. Among 1899 patients with smear-negative presumptive TB, the proportion starting TB treatment was similar between Xpert facilities (11%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9%-13%) and non-Xpert facilities (9%; 95% CI, 8%-11%; P = .325). In Xpert facilities, a positive Xpert preceded TB treatment initiation in only 12 of 70 (17%) smear-negative patients initiated on treatment. Conclusions.  Xpert was underutilized in Uganda and did not significantly increase the number of patients starting treatment for TB. Greater attention must be paid to appropriate implementation of novel diagnostic tests for TB if these new tools are to impact patient important outcomes.

The Reed-Stanton press rig for the generation of reproducible fingermarks: Towards a standardised methodology for fingermark research

In the search for better or new methods/techniques to visualise fingermarks or to analyse them exploiting their chemical content, fingermarks inter-variability may hinder the assessment of the method effectiveness. Variability is due to changes in the chemical composition of the fingermarks between different donors and within the same donor, as well as to differential contact time, pressure and angle. When validating a method or comparing it with existing ones, it is not always possible to account for this type of variability. One way to compensate for these issues is to employ, in the early stages of the method development, a device generating reproducible fingermarks. Here the authors present their take on such device, as well as quantitatively describing its performance and benefits against the manual production of marks. Finally a short application is illustrated for the use of this device, at the method developmental stages, in an emerging area of fingerprinting research concerning the retrieval of chemical intelligence from fingermarks.

Application and feasibility of systemic lupus erythematosus reproductive health care quality indicators at a public urban rheumatology clinic

OBJECTIVES

Quality indicators (QIs) are evidence-based processes of care designed to represent the current standard of care. Reproductive health QIs for the care of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have recently been developed, and examine areas such as pregnancy screening for autoantibodies, treatment of pregnancy-associated antiphospholipid syndrome, and contraceptive counseling. This study was designed to investigate our performance on these QIs and to explore potential gaps in care and demographic predictors of adherence to the QIs in a safety-net hospital.

METHODS

We performed a record review of patients with a diagnosis of SLE at Denver Health Medical Center (DH) through an electronic query of existing medical records and via chart review. Data were limited to female patients between the ages of 18 and 50 who were seen between July 2006 and August 2011.

RESULTS

A total of 137 female patients between the ages of 18 and 50 were identified by ICD-9 code and confirmed by chart review to have SLE. Of these, 122 patients met the updated 1997 American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria and had intact reproductive systems. Only 15 pregnancies were documented during this five-year period, and adherence to autoantibody screening was 100 percent. We did not have any patients who were pregnant and met criteria for pregnancy-associated antiphospholipid syndrome. Sixty-five patients (53%) received potentially teratogenic medications, and 30 (46%) had documented discussions about these medications' potential risk upon their initiation. Predictors of whether patients received appropriate counseling included younger age (OR 0.92, CI 0.87-0.98) and those who did not describe English as their primary language (OR 0.24, CI 0.07-0.87) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We were able to detect an important gap in care regarding teratogenic medication education to SLE patients of childbearing potential in our public health academic clinic, as only one in two eligible patients had documented appropriate counseling at the initiation of a teratogenic medication.

The Structure of Hydromagnetic Shock Waves

Es werden Wellen in einem quasi-neutralen Gas untersucht, das Ionen und Elektronen enthält und genügend kalt ist, so daß die thermischen Bewegungen vernachlässigt werden können. Außerdem werden Zusammenstöße zwischen den Teilchen vernachlässigt, jedoch nicht die Trägheitseffekte des elektrischen Stromes. Die nicht-linearen Gleichungen für unendlich ausgedehnte, ebene Kompressionswellen, die sich senkrecht zu einem homogenen Magnetfeld mit ungeänderter Form und Geschwindigkeit ausbreiten, werden auf eine einzige Diff.-Gl. 2. Ordnung für das Magnetfeld (oder für die Verschiebung der Teilchen senkrecht zur Ausbreitungsrichtung) zurückgeführt, vorausgesetzt, daß die Teilchenbahnen keine Schleifen bilden. Diese Diff.-Gl. wird exakt durch elliptische Funktionen gelöst. Verschiedene Kurven, die durch numerische Integration erhalten wurden, beschreiben die wesentlichen Eigenschaften der Lösungen. Außerdem werden Potenzreihen-Entwicklungen in der Amplitude α angegeben, wobei der Fehler in der Ordnung a4 ist. Die Lösungen sind entweder periodische Wellenzüge oder Einzelwellen. Alle Lösungen sind symmetrisch um die Maxima und Minima der magnetischen Feldstärke. Die Wellenlängen sind von der Größenordnung des Gyrationsradius. Die Geschwindigkeiten erstreckten sich vom Wert Null bis zum doppelten der Alfvén-Geschwindigkeit.

Es wird die Beziehung zwischen diesen Wellen und hydromagnetischen Stoßwellen im Plasma geringer, aber nicht verschwindender Häufigkeit gaskinetischer Stöße betrachtet und es wird der Schluß gezogen, daß die gesamte Stoßfront eine Dichte hat, die durch das Produkt aus der mittleren Zeit zwischen zwei gaskinetischen Stößen und der Gasgeschwindigkeit relativ zur Stoßfront bestimmt ist. Dieses Gebiet wird ausgefüllt durch Wellenzüge, deren Struktur von der Größenordnung des Gyrationsradius ist. Zwei Analoga zu den RANKINE-Hugeniot-Bedingungen werden angegeben: Eine, bei der auf beiden Seiten der Stoßfront ein Plasma der Temperatur Null mit verschiedenen Wellenzügen vorliegt; die anderen sind die üblichen magnetohydrodynamischen Stoßbedingungen, nur daß hier Bewegungen ausschließlich senkrecht zum Magnetfeld betrachtet werden. In beiden Fällen sind alle Erhaltungssätze durch die Stoßfront hindurch erfüllt, aber es scheint kein zufriedenstellender Mechanismus für die Prozesse innerhalb der Stoßfront zu existieren.

Influenza-associated bacterial pathogens in patients with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection: impact of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Queensland, Australia

BACKGROUND

Secondary bacterial pneumonia due to community onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a highly publicised cause of influenza-associated death. There is a risk that case reports of fatal outcomes with post-influenza MRSA pneumonia may unduly influence antibiotic prescribing.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the incidence of community-onset MRSA pneumonia in 2009 H1N1 influenza patients.

METHODS

The microbiology records of patients positive for influenza A (H1N1) in 2009 were reviewed for positive blood or respiratory tract cultures and urinary pneumococcal antigen results within a Queensland database. Patients with such positive results within 48 h of hospital admission and a positive H1N1 influenza result in the prior 6 weeks were included.

RESULTS

In 2009, 4491 laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infections were detected. Fifty patients (1.1% of the H1N1 cohort) who were hospitalised with H1N1 and who had a bacterial respiratory tract pathogen were identified. Streptococcus pneumoniae (16 patients; 32%), Staphylococcus aureus (13 patients; 26%) and Haemophilus influenzae (9 patients; 18%) were the most commonly cultured organisms. Of the cohort of 4491 patients, MRSA was detected in only two patients, both of whom were admitted to intensive care units and survived after prolonged admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenza-associated community-onset MRSA pneumonia was infrequently identified in the 2009 H1N1 season in Queensland, despite community-onset MRSA skin and soft tissue infections being very common. Although post-influenza MRSA pneumonia is of great concern, its influence on empiric-prescribing guidelines should take into account its incidence relative to other secondary bacterial pathogens.