Secondary solution for breast reconstruction following total DIEP flap loss: A single-center experience after 3270 DIEP flaps

BACKGROUND

Total deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap failure is a significant concern in autologous breast reconstruction. Literature on secondary reconstruction options following total flap failure is limited. This study outlines the outcomes of patients who underwent reconstruction post-DIEP flap failure at our institution.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients receiving autologous breast reconstruction between 2004 and 2021. We aimed to identify causes of total DIEP flap failure, outcomes of revision surgery, and outcomes of secondary breast reconstruction procedures.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2021, 3456 free flaps for breast reconstruction were performed, with 3270 being DIEP flaps for 2756 patients. DIEP flap failure was observed in 40 cases (1.22%). Bilateral reconstructions had a higher failure rate (2.31%) than unilateral (0.72%). The primary cause was intraoperative complications during flap harvest (18 cases), followed by insufficient arterial perfusion (seven cases). Other causes included postoperative hematoma (seven cases), venous congestion (six cases), and late-onset fat necrosis (two cases). Post-failure, five patients received a second free flap with three cases of repeated flap failure. Twenty patients received implant-based reconstruction with two cases of reconstruction failure, while seven patients received a pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) flap reconstructions with no cases of reconstruction failure. Eight patients declined further reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

A second free flap post-DIEP failure was associated with a high risk of reconstruction failure, suggesting the need for careful patient selection. Implant-based and pedicled LD flap seem to be reliable secondary reconstruction options.

The BUrn Mortality Prediction (BUMP) Score - An improved mortality prediction score based on data of the German burn registry

BACKGROUND

Burn injuries constitute the fourth most common injuries globally. Patient outcomes must be currently assessed to provide appropriate patient care with high quality standards. However, existing mortality prediction scoring methods have been shown to lack accuracy in current burn patient populations. Therefore, this study aimed to validate existing scores using current patient data and assess whether new prediction parameters can provide better accuracy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the patient data from the German Burn Registry between 2016 and 2019 was performed to evaluate all Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) score parameters. All patients over 16 years of age who received intensive care were included. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to identify novel prediction parameters based on the parameters documented at admission and establish a new prediction score, the BUrn Mortality Prediction (BUMP) score. The quality of the new score was subsequently compared to that of the original ABSI, modified ABSI, Galeiras, Revised Baux score and TIMM. The new prediction score was then validated using patient data collected in the German Burn Registry in 2020.

RESULTS

In total, 7276 patients were included. Age; the presence of at least two comorbidities; burn injuries caused by work-related accidents, traffic accidents and suicide attempts; total burn surface area; inhalation trauma and full-thickness burns were identified as independent significant predictors of mortality (p < 0.001). Additionally, we evaluated new age groups to improve prediction accuracy. The number of comorbidities (p < 0.001) and the aetiology (burns occurring at work [p = 0.028], burns caused by traffic accidents [p < 0.001] or burns due to attempted suicide [p < 0.001]) had a significant influence on mortality. The BUMP score, which was developed based on these parameters, showed the best fitness and showed more accurate mortality prediction than all the above-mentioned scores (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.947 [0.939-0.954] compared to 0.926 [0.915-0.936], 0.928 [0.918-0.939], 0.937 [0.928-0.947], 0.939 [0.930-0.948], 0.940 [0.932-0.949] respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A novel score (BUMP score) was developed for the purpose of external quality assessment of burn centres participating in the German burn registry, where observed and expected outcomes are compared on a hospital level, and for scientifically applications. The clinical impact of this score and its generalisability to other patient populations needs to be evaluated.

The Manchester experience – a novel technique for supra-annular placement of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra TVH prosthesis in severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis

Background

Bicuspid AV disease has been excluded from the seminal trials evaluating transcatheter heart valve (THV) placement in severe aortic stenosis. Although registry data has shown good results overall, case selection likely involves more challenging anatomical subsets being treated either surgically or medically in this very heterogenous condition. Conventional annular placement, as well as high annular placement in tapered anatomies remain the commonest deployment techniques. We reasoned that marked supra-annular placement with the mid-portion of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3U) valve sealing skirt placed at the narrowest opening point at commissural level could be an alternative strategy allowing treatment of additional patient groups. This proposed technique takes advantage of elliptical expansion at commissural level with more circular expansion above and below this point to prevent embolisation, as well as sealing skirt positioning at the narrowest opening point to prevent paravalvular leak.

Aims

We examined the feasibility of marked supra-annular placement of the balloon-expandable S3U prosthesis with the mid-point of the sealing skirt placed at commissural level in patients with severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis and relative contra-indications to annular placement.

Methods

We assessed patients with severe bicuspid aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI at our centre over a 9-month period and identified those with relative contra-indications to conventional annular placement. These included: (i) excessive annular size (ii) severe leaflet and raphe calcification with risk of rupture into the right ventricle (iii) excessive leaflet length with potential leaflet overhang. CT imaging was used to define the narrowest opening location at commissural level, typically 10–15mm supra-annular. The diameter at this level was used to select THV size. Calculations were made to approximate the mid skirt level to this supra-annular position. In most cases this involved supra-annular positioning with the lower THV border 5–8mm supra-annular. This was achieved in most cases by aligning the unexpanded border with the annulus.

Results

Out of 9 patients with biscupid AV, 4 had relative contra-indications for annular placement. In all 4 cases, excellent valvular expansion with only minimal paravaulvar leak was achieved with placement of the S3U prosthesis at 5–7mm above the annulus and with supra-annular sealing at commissural level. Annular dimensions of 35.5mm and 31.5mm were successfully treated with 29mm and 26mm valves due to significant tapering at commissural level in 2 patients. There were no procedural complications, incidences of AV blocks or valve embolisation.

Conclusion

As a proof of concept, we have demonstrated excellent outcomes with marked supra-annular TAVI placement in patients with severe bicuspid AV stenosis and anatomy unfavourable for conventional annular placement. This is the first description of this completely novel deployment technique.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Manchester Royal Infirmary

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.

POS0183 THE EFFECT OF BELIMUMAB ON SRI-4 RESPONSE IN MULTIPLE SUBGROUPS OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: RESULTS OF A LARGE INTEGRATED ANALYSIS

Background

Belimumab (BEL) is approved for the treatment of active autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).1 Four Phase 3 studies have consistently demonstrated greater SLE Responder Index (SRI) response rates with BEL vs placebo (PBO).2-5 This robust dataset allows for additional exploration of the onset of efficacy of BEL and response rates by patient (pt) characteristics.

Objectives

To perform a post hoc analysis evaluating the effect of BEL on SRI-4 response across a large, pooled population and pt subgroups.

Methods

The Belimumab Summary of Lupus Efficacy (Be-SLE) integrated analysis evaluated data from adults with SLE from 5 double-blind, PBO-controlled BEL trials: BLISS-76, BLISS-52, BLISS-NEA, BLISS-SC, and EMBRACE.2-6 Pts were randomised to BEL (monthly intravenous 10 mg/kg or weekly subcutaneous 200 mg) or PBO, plus standard therapy. Data were collected every 4 weeks (wks) from baseline (BL) to Wk 52. The SRI-4 response rate (a composite measure that includes ≥4-point reduction in Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment - SLE Disease Activity Index [SELENA-SLEDAI] score, stable Physician Global Assessment [PGA] increase of <0.3, and no new British Isles Lupus Assessment Group [BILAG] 1A/2B organ domain scores) by visit and time to first SRI-4 response maintained through Wk 52 were determined for both treatment groups. SRI-4 response rates at Wk 52 were evaluated by BL characteristic subgroups: SELENA-SLEDAI score; SLE International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score; disease duration; biomarker levels (anti-dsDNA, complement [C]3/C4); glucocorticoid (GC), immunosuppressant (IS), and antimalarial (AM) use.

Results

Overall, 3086 pts were included (BEL, n=1869; PBO, n=1217). Most were female (94.4%); mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 37.0 (11.6) years. Mean (SD) SLE duration was 6.4 (6.4) years.

At Wk 52, in the overall population, significantly more BEL vs PBO pts were SRI-4 responders (Figure 1). A significantly greater proportion of SRI-4 responders was observed with BEL vs PBO as early as Wk 8 (38.4% vs 33.3%; odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval, CI] 1.25 [1.07, 1.46]; p=0.0060), which continued to increase to Wk 52 (54.8% vs 41.6%; OR [95% CI] 1.70 [1.46, 1.98]; p<0.0001). At Wk 52, more BEL vs PBO pts had a 4-point reduction in SELENA-SLEDAI (56.3% vs 43.1%; OR [95% CI] 1.71 [1.47, 2.00]; p<0.0001), no worsening in PGA (76.6% vs 67.9%; OR [95% CI] 1.52 [1.28, 1.79]; p<0.0001), and no new BILAG 1A/2B organ domain scores (77.1% vs 69.4%; OR [95% CI] 1.47 [1.25, 1.74]; p<0.0001). Pts on BEL were 52% more likely to experience an SRI-4 response that was maintained through Wk 52 (hazard ratio, HR [95% CI] 1.52 [1.36, 1.69]; p<0.0001).

Figure 1.

SRI-4 response at Wk 52 in the overall population and by BL characteristic subgroups.

*OR (95% CI) and p-value are from a logistic regression model for BEL vs PBO comparison with covariates of treatment group, study and BL SELENA-SLEDAI score (≤9 vs ≥10)

SRI-4 response rates were significantly higher with BEL vs PBO in most subgroups, with the highest response rates observed in pts with SELENA-SLEDAI score of ≥10, low C3 and/or C4 + anti-dsDNA ≥30 IU/ml, and low C3 and/or C4 at BL (Figure 1).

Conclusion

Significantly more pts receiving BEL had SRI-4 response rates that occurred from Wk 8 and were maintained through Wk 52 compared with pts receiving PBO. The efficacy of BEL was consistent across multiple pt subgroups, with higher response rates in pts with SELENA-SLEDAI scores of ≥10, low C3 and/or C4 + anti-dsDNA ≥30 IU/ml and low C3 and/or C4 at BL. These results further substantiate the benefits of BEL in the treatment of adults with SLE.

References

[1]GlaxoSmithKline. Benlysta US prescribing information. 2021

[2]Furie R, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2011;63(12):3918–30

[3]Navarra SV, et al. Lancet 2011;377(9767):721–31

[4]Stohl W, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2017;69(5):1016–27

[5]Zhang F, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77(3):355–63

[6] Ginzler E, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2021; doi: 10.1002/art.41900

Acknowledgements

This analysis was funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Medical writing support was provided by Lulu Hill, MPharmacol, Fishawack Indicia Ltd. UK, part of Fishawack Health, and was funded by GSK.

Disclosure of Interests

Michelle A Petri Consultant of: GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK, George Bertsias Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Aenorasis, UCB, Novartis, Lilly, SOBI, Consultant of: Novartis, GSK, AstraZeneca, Grant/research support from: GSK, Pfizer, Mark Daniels Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Norma Lynn Fox Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Bevra H. Hahn Consultant of: UCB, GSK, Anne Hammer Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Julia Harris Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Holly Quasny Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Chiara Tani Speakers bureau: GSK, AstraZeneca, Anca Askanase Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amgen, AbbVie Inc., BMS, GSK, Grant/research support from: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, GSK, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer

POS0697 SAFETY OF BELIMUMAB IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A LARGE INTEGRATED SAFETY ANALYSIS OF CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL DATA

Background:

Belimumab (BEL), a monoclonal antibody that antagonizes B-lymphocyte stimulator, was first approved in 2011 for active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). BEL has been studied for over 10 years; and while safety data from individual trials have been informative, a large integrated safety analysis has not yet been conducted.

Objectives:

Perform pooled analyses to evaluate the safety of BEL in adult patients with SLE.

Methods:

Aggregate analyses were performed using safety data for patients ≥18 years of age pooled from six randomised, placebo (PBO)-controlled BEL clinical trials (GSK studies: LBSL02, 110752, 110751, 112341, 113750, and 115471). Patients from GSK studies LBSL02, 110752, and 110751 received intravenous (IV) BEL 1, 4 (LBSL02 only), or 10 mg/kg, or PBO on Days 1, 14, 28, and every 28 days thereafter. Patients from GSK studies 113750 and 115471 received IV BEL 10 mg/kg or PBO on Days 1, 14, 28, and every 28 days thereafter. Patients from GSK study 112341 received subcutaneous (SC) BEL 200 mg, or PBO weekly. Safety analyses included the incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), severe AEs, AEs of special interest (AESI), and mortality of BEL (all doses and formulations combined) vs PBO at Week 52.

Results:

The pooled analysis included 4170 patients. Overall, 81.0% (n=2280/2815) of patients receiving BEL and 76.6% (n=1038/1355) of patients receiving PBO completed their respectively enrolled study; the most common reason for withdrawal was occurrence of an AE in both groups. The majority of patients were female (BEL: 94.5%; PBO: 93.6%), the mean age in both groups was 38 years, and baseline characteristics (race, SLE duration, disease activity, SLE damage, complement levels, anti-dsDNA binding, SLE medication usage) were similar between treatments.

The incidence of patients experiencing ≥1 AE, ≥1 SAE, and mortality was similar across treatments (Table 1); the most commonly reported SAEs in both groups were infections and infestations (BEL: 5.4% [n=151/2815]; PBO: 5.9% [n=80/1355]). The mean duration of treatment exposure was similar between groups (BEL: 334.1 days; PBO: 325.3 days).

A greater proportion of patients experienced AESI with BEL vs PBO for post-infusion/injection systemic reactions (from IV or SC administration) and depression/suicide/self-injury (Table 1). The proportion of patients experiencing an AESI of infections and malignancies was similar between groups.

Conclusion:

Consistent with individual studies, BEL demonstrated a similar safety profile to PBO in this large integrated safety analysis of six trials. These results support a positive benefit–risk profile of BEL in the treatment of adult SLE.

Funding:

GSK

Table 1.

Pooled AE data

N (%)PBO (IV + SC)N=1355BEL (IV + SC)N=2815AE1184 (87.4)2440 (86.7)SAE230 (17.0)421 (15.0)Severe AE (severe or life threatening)209 (15.4)377 (13.4)AE resulting in study drug discontinuation109 (8.0)184 (6.5)Death6 (0.4)16 (0.6)AESIPost-infusion/injection systemic reactions*110 (8.1)286 (10.2)Serious2 (0.1)13 (0.5)All infections of special interest (OIs, HZ, TB, sepsis)97 (7.2)173 (6.1)Serious17 (1.3)40 (1.4)All OIs92 (6.8)157 (5.6)Active TB5 (0.4)4 (0.1)All HZ59 (4.4)106 (3.8)All sepsis10 (0.7)20 (0.7)Malignancies excluding NMSC2 (0.1)8 (0.3)Including NMSC3 (0.2)12 (0.4)Depression (inc. mood disorders and anxiety)/suicide/self-injury92 (6.8)210 (7.5)Serious5 (0.4)9 (0.3)

*Occurring on or within 3 days of infusion/injection date.

HZ, herpes zoster; NMSC, non-melanoma skin cancer; OIs, opportunistic infections; TB, tuberculosis

Acknowledgements:

Medical writing assistance was provided by Helen Taylor, Fishawack Indicia Ltd., UK, part of Fishawack Health, and was funded by GSK.

Disclosure of Interests:

Daniel J. Wallace Speakers bureau: GSK, Consultant of: GSK, Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: GSK, Consultant of: GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK, Mark Daniels Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Anne Hammer Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Paige Meizlik Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Holly Quasny Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Andreas Schwarting Speakers bureau: Novartis, Roche, GSK, Pfizer, Amgen, Consultant of: GSK, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, GSK, Actelion, Fengchun Zhang: None declared, David Roth Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK

Influence Of Pre-Existing Neurological Illnesses On The Outcome Of Severe Burn Injuries

It is known that patients suffering from neurological illnesses have an increased risk of burn injuries. These burns are often very severe and lead to poor outcomes. To date, only a few studies have evaluated the impact of pre-existing neurological illnesses on the outcome of burn injuries. None of them performed a regression analysis regarding specific influence on mortality. Between 1996 and 2016, 1475 patients were admitted to the BICU of a specialized German burn center: 26 had less than 1% TBSA burned and were excluded; 177 had pre-existing neurological disorders (group N). 87 patients with psychological disorders were excluded. 1185 patients without neurological or psychological disorders formed the control group. Length of hospital stay, TBSA and number of operations were analyzed using the chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Additionally, mortality was evaluated using the logistic regression analysis adjusted for known outcome predictors. Mean age of the patients in the control group was 41.53 years with a BICU stay of 18 days, TBSA of 18.25% and mortality rate of 12.4%; 23.7% had inhalation injuries. Patients in group N had a mean age of 54.63 years, a BICU stay of 27 days, mean TBSA of 20.97%; 31.1% had inhalation injuries and mortality was 20.3%. Patients with neurological disorders were older and showed higher affected TBSA, higher rates of inhalation injury, mortality and affected TBSA, and a longer stay in the BICU compared to the control group. Nevertheless, pre-existing neurological disorders alone had no significant influence on mortality.

A Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Score Predicts Progression of Islet Autoimmunity and Development of Type 1 Diabetes in Individuals at Risk

OBJECTIVE

We tested the ability of a type 1 diabetes (T1D) genetic risk score (GRS) to predict progression of islet autoimmunity and T1D in at-risk individuals.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied the 1,244 TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study participants (T1D patients' relatives without diabetes and with one or more positive autoantibodies) who were genotyped with Illumina ImmunoChip (median [range] age at initial autoantibody determination 11.1 years [1.2-51.8], 48% male, 80.5% non-Hispanic white, median follow-up 5.4 years). Of 291 participants with a single positive autoantibody at screening, 157 converted to multiple autoantibody positivity and 55 developed diabetes. Of 953 participants with multiple positive autoantibodies at screening, 419 developed diabetes. We calculated the T1D GRS from 30 T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. We used multivariable Cox regression models, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and area under the curve (AUC) measures to evaluate prognostic utility of T1D GRS, age, sex, Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 (DPT-1) Risk Score, positive autoantibody number or type, HLA DR3/DR4-DQ8 status, and race/ethnicity. We used recursive partitioning analyses to identify cut points in continuous variables.

RESULTS

Higher T1D GRS significantly increased the rate of progression to T1D adjusting for DPT-1 Risk Score, age, number of positive autoantibodies, sex, and ethnicity (hazard ratio [HR] 1.29 for a 0.05 increase, 95% CI 1.06-1.6; P = 0.011). Progression to T1D was best predicted by a combined model with GRS, number of positive autoantibodies, DPT-1 Risk Score, and age (7-year time-integrated AUC = 0.79, 5-year AUC = 0.73). Higher GRS was significantly associated with increased progression rate from single to multiple positive autoantibodies after adjusting for age, autoantibody type, ethnicity, and sex (HR 2.27 for GRS >0.295, 95% CI 1.47-3.51; P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The T1D GRS independently predicts progression to T1D and improves prediction along T1D stages in autoantibody-positive relatives.

MCA in Patients with Breast Cancer: Correlation with CEA and CA15-3

MCA serum levels were determined in 27 healthy subjects, 136 with benign pathology (42 breast) and in 289 patients with cancer (247 active). The last group includes 223 patients with breast cancer (96 without metastases, 89 with metastases and 38 no-evidence of disease). CEA and CA15-3 serum levels were determined in all the patients with breast diseases.

The mean levels of MCA were 4.7 + 2.4 U/ml in the control group, considering less than 11 U/ml as normal. MCA values were abnormal in 15.4 % of patients with benign pathology, mainly in those with liver cirrhosis (8/20) and lung diseases (4/20). In the majority of these cases, the rise was only moderate, lower than 15 U/ml in 97.5% of patients. In malignant diseases, important increments were found in breast cancer (19.8% Mo, 77.5% M1) and ovarian cancer stages III–IV (44.4%). When we compared MCA serum levels with CA15-3 and CEA in breast pathology, a similar specificity was observed: 92.3%, 92.3% and 100% in cases with benign pathology and 92.1%, 94.7%, and 97.4% in NED patients, respectively. MCA and CA15-3 sensitivity was similar in breast cancer without metastases (19.8%) and lower for CEA (16.7%). In patients with breast cancer without metastases, we found a relation between positivity of these tumor markers and prognostic factors (tumor size, nodal involvement). The disease free interval in patients with locoregional breast cancer was shorter in cases with abnormal presurgical levels of some of the tumor markers, but only the difference from MCA was significant (p < 0.02). Inpatients with metastases the sensitivity was about 77.5%, 70% and 65.1% respectively for MCA, CA15-3 and CEA. Sensitivity using the three tumor markers was not significantly better than with only two of them

The views of patients with brain cancer about palliative care: a qualitative study

Background

Palliative care, a specialty aimed at providing optimal care to patients with life-limiting and chronic conditions, has several benefits. Although palliative care is appropriate for neurosurgical conditions, including brain cancer, few studies have examined the views of brain cancer patients about palliative care. We aimed to explore the thoughts of brain cancer patients about palliative care, their opinions about early palliative care, and their preferred care setting.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and the qualitative research methodologies of grounded theory were used to explore perceptions of palliative care on the part of 39 brain cancer outpatients.

Results

Seven overarching actions emerged: ■Patients would prefer to receive palliative care in the home.■Increased time with caregivers and family are the main appeals of home care.■Patients express dissatisfaction with brief and superficial interactions with health care providers.■Patients believe that palliative care can contribute to their emotional well-being.■Patients are open to palliative care if they believe that it will not diminish optimism.■There is a preconceived idea that palliative care is directly linked to active dying, and that supposed link generates fear in some patients.■Patients prefer to be educated about palliative care as an option early in their illness, even if they are fearful of it.

Conclusions

Overall, when educated about the true meaning of palliative care, most patients express interest in accessing palliative care services. Although the level of fear concerning palliative care varies in patients, most recognize the associated benefits.

Incidental germline variants in 1000 advanced cancers on a prospective somatic genomic profiling protocol

BACKGROUND

Next-generation sequencing in cancer research may reveal germline variants of clinical significance. We report patient preferences for return of results and the prevalence of incidental pathogenic germline variants (PGVs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Targeted exome sequencing of 202 genes was carried out in 1000 advanced cancers using tumor and normal DNA in a research laboratory. Pathogenic variants in 18 genes, recommended for return by The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, as well as PALB2, were considered actionable. Patient preferences of return of incidental germline results were collected. Return of results was initiated with genetic counseling and repeat CLIA testing.

RESULTS

Of the 1000 patients who underwent sequencing, 43 had likely PGVs: APC (1), BRCA1 (11), BRCA2 (10), TP53 (10), MSH2 (1), MSH6 (4), PALB2 (2), PTEN (2), TSC2 (1), and RB1 (1). Twenty (47%) of 43 variants were previously known based on clinical genetic testing. Of the 1167 patients who consented for a germline testing protocol, 1157 (99%) desired to be informed of incidental results. Twenty-three previously unrecognized mutations identified in the research environment were confirmed with an orthogonal CLIA platform. All patients approached decided to proceed with formal genetic counseling; in all cases where formal genetic testing was carried out, the germline variant of concern validated with clinical genetic testing.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, 2.3% patients had previously unrecognized pathogenic germline mutations in 19 cancer-related genes. Thus, genomic sequencing must be accompanied by a plan for return of germline results, in partnership with genetic counseling.

Treatment of perforated colon carcinomas-outcomes of radical surgery

PURPOSE

When patients present with a perforation of a colon cancer (CC), this situation increases the challenge to treat them properly. The question arises how to deal with these patients adequately, more restrictively or the same way as with elective cases.

METHODS

Between January 1995 and December 2009, 52 patients with perforated CC and 1206 nonperforated CC were documented in the Erlangen Registry of Colorectal Carcinomas (ERCRC). All these patients underwent radical resection of the primary including systematic lymph node dissection with CME. The median follow-up period was 68 months.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients in the perforated CC group was significantly higher than in the nonperforated CC group (p = 0.010). Significantly, more patients with perforated CC were classified in ASA categories 3 and 4 (p = 0.014). Hartmann procedures were performed significantly more frequently with perforation than with the nonperforated ones (p < 0.001). If an anastomosis was performed, the leakage rate of primary anastomoses did not differ (p = 1.0). Cancer-related survival was significantly lower with perforated cancer (difference 12.8 percentage points) and by 9.6 percentage points for observed survival, if postoperative mortality was excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Perforated CC patients should be treated basically following the same oncologic demands, which are CME for colonic cancer including multivisceral resections, if needed. This strategy can only be performed if high-quality surgery is available, permanently.

Audiovisual distraction reduces pain perception during aural microsuction

Introduction

Aural microsuction is a common ear, nose and throat procedure used in the outpatient setting. Some patients, however, find it difficult to tolerate owing to discomfort, pain or noise. This study evaluated the effect of audiovisual distraction on patients’ pain perception and overall satisfaction.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted for patients attending our aural care clinic requiring aural toileting of bilateral mastoid cavities over a three-month period. All microsuction was performed by a single clinical nurse specialist. Any patients with active infection were excluded. For each patient, during microsuction of one ear, they watched the procedure on a television screen while for the other ear they did not view the procedure. All patients received the same real time explanations during microsuction of both ears. After the procedure, each patient completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate the pain they experienced for each ear, with and without access to the television screen. They also documented their preference and reasons why.

Results

A total of 37 patients were included in the study. The mean pain score for patients viewing the procedure was 2.43 compared with a mean of 3.48 for patients with no television view. This difference in patients’ pain perception was statistically lower in the group who observed the procedure on the television (p=0.003), consistent with the majority of patients reporting a preference to viewing their procedure (65%).

Conclusions

Audiovisual distraction significantly lowered patients’ VAS pain scores during aural microsuction. This simple intervention can therefore reduce patients’ perceived pain and help improve acceptance of this procedure.

Bcnu plus teniposide (vm26) as a 1st line chemotherapy for brain metastases regardless of the origin

Twenty-nine patients with brain metastases regardless of the origin were treated with the combination of 1-3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), 120 mg/m2 i.v. every six weeks, and teniposide (VM26), 100 mg/m2 i.v. on the days 1 and 2 of every three-week period. Five objective responses were obtained (17%), four of them being partial and one complete. The latter was observed in a patient suffering from breast cancer, and still remains free of the disease after three years follow-up. The median survival time for the whole group is 14.6 weeks. Twelve more patients (41%) had symptomatic improvement related to chemotherapy. The treatment was well tolerated and only mild and reversible toxicity was observed. A global 58% (17% plus 41%) symptomatic improvement was observed.

Pearson syndrome: unique endocrine manifestations including neonatal diabetes and adrenal insufficiency

PURPOSE

Pearson syndrome is a very rare metabolic disorder that is usually present in infancy with transfusion dependent macrocytic anemia and multiorgan involvement including exocrine pancreas, liver and renal tubular defects. The disease is secondary to a mitochondrial DNA deletion that is variable in size and location. Endocrine abnormalities can develop, but are usually not part of the initial presentation. We report two patients who presented with unusual endocrine manifestations, neonatal diabetes and adrenal insufficiency, who were both later diagnosed with Pearson syndrome.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed. Confirmatory testing included: mitochondrial DNA deletion testing and sequencing of the breakpoints, muscle biopsy, and bone marrow studies.

RESULTS

Case 1 presented with hyperglycemia requiring insulin at birth. She had several episodes of ketoacidosis triggered by stress and labile blood glucose control. Workup for genetic causes of neonatal diabetes was negative. She had transfusion dependent anemia and died at 24 months due to multisystem organ failure. Case 2 presented with adrenal insufficiency and anemia during inturcurrent illness, requiring steroid replacement since 37 months of age. He is currently 4 years old and has mild anemia. Mitochondrial DNA studies confirmed a 4.9 kb deletion in patient 1 and a 5.1 kb deletion in patient 2.

CONCLUSION

The patients reported highlight the importance of considering mitochondrial DNA disorders in patients with early onset endocrine dysfunction, and expand the knowledge about this rare mitochondrial disease.

Gas Stream Analysis and PFC Recovery in A Semiconductor Process

The performance of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology was assessed for recovering PFCs from the exhaust of a semiconductor plasma process. Several PSA process conditions were run to determine an optimized system. Under well defined conditions, the PSA technique was found to be effective at separating C2F6 from nitrogen, although the balance between recovery and product purity was evident. The exhaust of a plasma chamber was analysed by mass spectrometers and plasma etching conditions were varied to determine the effects on the PSA performance. A gas reactor column (GRC) was tested as pre‐treatment of the capturing system

Child abuse and neglect by parents with disabilities: A tale of two families

Two families, in which the children had been placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect by parents who had disabilities, were studied. In the first case, the mother was instructed in skills that our assessment suggested were important for her child's survival. The mother readily acquired and applied these skills, a fact reflected both in changes in her behavior and in changes in the child's well-being. In the second case, the parent's incremental resumption of child custody was made contingent upon completion of relevant parenting tasks. Initially, improvements in the completion of such tasks were evident, but over time and with the onset of militating factors, no further progress was made and all parental rights were terminated. The implications of these cases for behavior analysis and the effort to reunite and preserve families are discussed.

Methods of time sampling: A reappraisal of momentary time sampling and partial interval recording

We compared the accuracy of momentary time sampling (MTS) and partial interval recording (PIR) in estimating both absolute behavioral levels and relative change. A computer randomly generated runs of pseudobehavior varying in duration and rate and simulated MTS and PIR of each run. Results indicated that when estimating absolute behavioral levels, duration rather than rate should be used as the dependent measure, and MTS is more accurate than PIR. In contrast, PIR is the more sensitive method for detecting relative changes in behavioral levels, although, at high rates, PIR tends to underestimate the degree of change.

The decline of tuberculosis in Yemen: evaluation based on two nationwide tuberculin surveys

SETTING

Yemen.

OBJECTIVE

To review the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) in Yemen by conducting a tuberculin survey and by comparing the results obtained with those of a previous tuberculin survey from 1991.

DESIGN

A nationwide tuberculin survey enrolling 31,276 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 12 years.

RESULTS

Skin indurations were recorded for 28,499 schoolchildren, of whom 16,927 (59.4%) had no bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scar. Analysis of the distribution of indurations was difficult as it did not show any bimodal pattern. Prevalence of infection and annual risk of tuberculosis infection (ARTI) were thus estimated using the mirror image and mixture methods, and not the cut-off point method. The two methods indicated similar results: respectively 0.45% and 0.51% for prevalence of infection, and 0.05% and 0.05% for ARTI. In comparison with the 1991 tuberculin survey, the average annual decline of ARTI was 9.0% by the mirror method and 5.5% by the mixture method.

CONCLUSION

Yemen seems to have a low ARTI (0.05%), and TB infection seems to be declining considerably. Analysis of the survey results highlighted the limitations of tuberculin surveys in countries with comparable epidemiological situations.

A sublethal dose of thiamethoxam causes a reduction in xylem feeding by the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), which is associated with dehydration and reduced performance

The active ingestion of xylem sap by aphids is hypothesised to be an important mechanism for rehydration. When starved bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) were allowed to feed on wheat (Triticum aestivum) treated with a sublethal dose of the xylem-mobile neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, analysis of feeding behaviours using the electrical penetration graph revealed a reduction in xylem feeding that was reversed on removal of the toxin. To test the importance of xylem-feeding behaviour as a rehydration mechanism, the effects of the sublethal dose of thiamethoxam on aphid water content, honeydew excretion, growth and fecundity were investigated. Body water contents of starved R. padi feeding on wheat treated with thiamethoxam were significantly reduced compared to aphids feeding on wheat treated with distilled water (74.5+/-0.23 and 75.6+/-0.18%, respectively). In addition, the sublethal dose of thiamethoxam had detrimental effects on aphid performance. At reproductive maturity, aphids that had been born on wheat treated with thiamethoxam were significantly smaller (as measured by body plan area; 1.07+/-0.03mm(2)), lighter (0.31+/-0.04mg) and less fecund (2.85+/-0.36nymphs/day) than aphids born on wheat treated with distilled water (1.87+/-0.02mm(2), 0.72+/-0.03mg, 11.28+/-0.58nymphs/day, respectively). Regardless of whether the observed impairment of xylem feeding is due to a neurotoxic or an antifeedant effect, these results have important implications for commercial crop protection as the behaviour-modifying effects of the sublethal dose of thiamethoxam may change the efficacy of this pesticide throughout the growing season.

Long-term follow-up of patients immunized with AN1792: reduced functional decline in antibody responders

BACKGROUND

Immunization of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) with synthetic amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta(42)) (AN1792) was previously studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a clinical trial, Study AN1792(QS-21)-201. Treatment was discontinued following reports of encephalitis. One year follow-up revealed that AN1792 antibody responders showed improvements in cognitive measures as assessed by the neuropsychological test battery (NTB) and a decrease in brain volume compared with placebo.

METHODS

A follow-up study, Study AN1792(QS-21)-251, was conducted to assess the long-term functional, psychometric, neuroimaging, and safety outcomes of patients from the phase 2a study 4.6 years after immunization with AN1792. The results were analyzed by comparing patients originally identified as antibody responders in the AN1792 phase 2a study with placebo-treated patients.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-nine patients/caregivers (30 placebo; 129 AN1792) participated in this follow-up study. Of the 129 AN1792-treated patients, 25 were classified in the phase 2a study as antibody responders (anti-AN1792 titers > or = 1:2,200 at any time after the first injection). Low but detectable, sustained anti-AN1792 titers were found in 17 of 19 samples obtained from patients classified as antibody responders in the phase 2a study. No detectable anti-AN1792 antibodies were found in patients not classified as antibody responders in the phase 2a study. Significantly less decline was observed on the Disability Assessment for Dementia scale among antibody responders than placebo-treated patients (p=0.015) after 4.6 years. Significant differences in favor of responders were also observed on the Dependence Scale (p=0.033). Of the small number of patients who underwent a follow-up MRI, antibody responders showed similar brain volume loss during the follow-up period subsequent to the AN1792 phase 2a study compared with placebo-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 4.6 years after immunization with AN1792, patients defined as responders in the phase 2a study maintained low but detectable, sustained anti-AN1792 antibody titers and demonstrated significantly reduced functional decline compared with placebo-treated patients. Brain volume loss in antibody responders was not significantly different from placebo-treated patients approximately 3.6 years from the end of the original study. No further cases of encephalitis were noted. These data support the hypothesis that Abeta immunotherapy may have long-term functional benefits.

Optimum physical-chemical pre-treatment of copper damascene wastewater

Chemical and mechanical polishing (CMP) of copper damascene circuits will typically produce copper levels in excess of regulatory limits in wastewater with a unique process chemistry, including high solids. Physical-chemical methods were investigated to determine the optimum treatment depending upon pre-treatment and/or water reuse requirements. Jar test studies revealed that an alum dose of 150-200 mg/L together with anionic polymer aid provided a good removal of turbidity. If the treatment objective is simply solids and copper reduction for discharge to a sewer system, then solids removal can combined with precipitation of copper hydroxide for relatively inexpensive pre-treatment. The presence of peroxide from the process solution, however, may make it difficult to achieve copper values below 5 mg/L, depending on the associated process conditions. If the objective is to remove solids and recover copper, which may also allow recovery of water for reuse, then solids removal by alum and polymer can be followed by ion exchange by a strong acid cation resin. As with precipitation, however, effective copper removal by ion exchange requires pre-treatment of peroxide by chemical reduction. The exchange of dissolved aluminum also reduces the capacity of the resin for copper.

Toxicity of novel C-terminal prion protein fragments and peptides harbouring disease-related C-terminal mutations

Mice expressing a C-terminal fragment of the prion protein instead of wild-type prion protein die from massive neuronal degeneration within weeks of birth. The C-terminal region of PrPc (PrP121-231) expressed in these mice has an intrinsic neurotoxicity to cultured neurones. Unlike PrPSc, which is not neurotoxic to neurones lacking PrPc expression, PrP121-231 was more neurotoxic to PrPc-deficient cells. Human mutations E200K and F198S were found to enhance toxicity of PrP121-231 to PrP-knockout neurones and E200K enhanced toxicity to wild-type neurones. The normal metabolic cleavage point of PrPc is approximately amino-acid residue 113. A fragment of PrPc corresponding to the whole C-terminus of PrPc (PrP113-231), which is eight amino acids longer than PrP121-231, lacked any toxicity. This suggests the first eight amino residues of PrP113-121 suppress toxicity of the toxic domain in PrP121-231. Addition to cultures of a peptide (PrP112-125) corresponding to this region, in parallel with PrP121-231, suppressed the toxicity of PrP121-231. These results suggest that the prion protein contains two domains that are toxic on their own but which neutralize each other's toxicity in the intact protein. Point mutations in the inherited forms of disease might have their effects by diminishing this inhibition.