Recommendations for Method Development and Validation of qPCR and dPCR Assays in Support of Cell and Gene Therapy Drug Development

The emerging use of qPCR and dPCR in regulated bioanalysis and absence of regulatory guidance on assay validations for these platforms has resulted in discussions on lack of harmonization on assay design and appropriate acceptance criteria for these assays. Both qPCR and dPCR are extensively used to answer bioanalytical questions for novel modalities such as cell and gene therapies. Following cross-industry conversations on the lack of information and guidelines for these assays, an American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists working group was formed to address these gaps by bringing together 37 industry experts from 24 organizations to discuss best practices to gain a better understanding in the industry and facilitate filings to health authorities. Herein, this team provides considerations on assay design, development, and validation testing for PCR assays that are used in cell and gene therapies including (1) biodistribution; (2) transgene expression; (3) viral shedding; (4) and persistence or cellular kinetics of cell therapies.

Vulnerable newborn types: analysis of subnational, population-based birth cohorts for 541 285 live births in 23 countries, 2000-2021

OBJECTIVE

To examine prevalence of novel newborn types among 541 285 live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021.

DESIGN

Descriptive multi-country secondary data analysis.

SETTING

Subnational, population-based birth cohort studies (n = 45) in 23 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) spanning 2000-2021.

POPULATION

Liveborn infants.

METHODS

Subnational, population-based studies with high-quality birth outcome data from LMICs were invited to join the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We defined distinct newborn types using gestational age (preterm [PT], term [T]), birthweight for gestational age using INTERGROWTH-21st standards (small for gestational age [SGA], appropriate for gestational age [AGA] or large for gestational age [LGA]), and birthweight (low birthweight, LBW [<2500 g], nonLBW) as ten types (using all three outcomes), six types (by excluding the birthweight categorisation), and four types (by collapsing the AGA and LGA categories). We defined small types as those with at least one classification of LBW, PT or SGA. We presented study characteristics, participant characteristics, data missingness, and prevalence of newborn types by region and study.

RESULTS

Among 541 285 live births, 476 939 (88.1%) had non-missing and plausible values for gestational age, birthweight and sex required to construct the newborn types. The median prevalences of ten types across studies were T+AGA+nonLBW (58.0%), T+LGA+nonLBW (3.3%), T+AGA+LBW (0.5%), T+SGA+nonLBW (14.2%), T+SGA+LBW (7.1%), PT+LGA+nonLBW (1.6%), PT+LGA+LBW (0.2%), PT+AGA+nonLBW (3.7%), PT+AGA+LBW (3.6%) and PT+SGA+LBW (1.0%). The median prevalence of small types (six types, 37.6%) varied across studies and within regions and was higher in Southern Asia (52.4%) than in Sub-Saharan Africa (34.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Further investigation is needed to describe the mortality risks associated with newborn types and understand the implications of this framework for local targeting of interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in LMICs.

OP0168 DEVELOPMENT OF AN ULTRASOUND SCORING SYSTEM FOR CPPD EXTENT: RESULTS FROM A DELPHI PROCESS AND WEB-RELIABILITY EXERCISE BY THE OMERACT US WORKING GROUP

Background

Ultrasound (US) has proven to be an excellent imaging technique for detecting calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) deposition disease (CPPD); it is also widely available and inexpensive and can be performed during the clinic visit making it the preferred imaging modality for many rheumatologists. However, no validated grading systems have yet been developed allowing for a quantification of the extent of crystal deposition in CPPD.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a scoring system for the quantification of CPP deposition at a patient level according to the OMERACT framework.

Methods

As part of the OMERACT methodology, we performed a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of CPP deposition in peripheral joints by imaging, in order to identify relevant joints for CPPD monitoring. A preliminary survey was also circulated among the members of the OMERACT US – CPPD working group to collect their own suggestions according to their personal experience. Subsequently, a Delphi survey was prepared and circulated between members of the group, including statements that reflected both the results of the SLR and of the preliminary survey. In total, 32 statements were generated regarding the type of scoring for single structures, the sites to be included, the final scoring at patient level, and the scanning technique. Participants were asked to reply on a 5-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree) and agreement was achieved when 4 and 5 grades reached 75% or more of concordance. In case of disagreement, new statements were proposed according to the members’ suggestions and circulated for voting in a subsequent round. After agreement of a scoring system, the validation process began. Two rounds of a web-based exercise on static images were conducted on 120 images representing equally all sites under investigation and all degrees of crystal deposition, to assess the intra- and inter-reader reliability of the new scoring system. Representative images of the scoring system were visible throughout the entire exercise in order to facilitate the scoring of the lesions.

Results

Three Delphi rounds were needed to reach agreement on all items. 32/41 members of the OMERACT US-CPPD working group replied in the first round, 26/32 in the second, and 25/26 in the third round. Twenty statements were approved in the first round, 3 in the second, and 3 in the third round. Only the knees (menisci and hyaline cartilage) and the triangular fibrocartilage of the wrist were included in the final score, using a four-grade system (0-3). It was decided that each anatomical structure should be scored separately and then also summed in order to define the joint score. The sum of the assessed joints was the total score at patient level. The final scoring system with the definitions and the relative technical notes is represented in Figure 1. 33/41 members participated to the reliability exercise. The inter-reader reliability of the scoring was substantial (kappa of 0.72), and the intra-reader reliability was almost perfect (kappa of 0.82).

Conclusion

This is the first study for developing a scoring system for the extent of CPP crystal deposition in patients with CPPD. The scoring system demonstrated to be reliable in static images. The next step of the validation process is to assess the reliability of the scoring system in a patient-based exercise. This study represents a fundamental step in the OMERACT process of validating US as an outcome measure instrument, and above proposed scoring system will hopefully provide a useful tool for clinical practice and research.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Characterization of the vaginal and endometrial microbiome in patients with chronic endometritis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the endometrial and vaginal microbiome of women with and without chronic endometritis.

STUDY DESIGN

A cohort study with 60 patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment with their own or donated gametes was undertaken. Vaginal and endometrial samples were taken in the cycle prior to embryo transfer. The endometrial and vaginal microbiome was analysed by mass sequencing of the V3V4 region of 16S rRNA gene. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using QIIME2 and MicrobiomeAnalyst packages. Alpha diversity, beta diversity and taxonomic characterization were compared between samples that tested positive and negative for chronic endometritis on CD138 immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Different bacterial communities were detected when vaginal and endometrial samples were analysed in patients with and without endometritis diagnosed using CD138 immunohistochemistry. In patients with endometritis, a higher alpha-diversity index was found in vaginal samples (p = 0.15 for the Shannon index) and significant differences were found in endometrial samples (p = 0.01 for the Shannon index). In the beta-diversity analysis, no significant differences were observed between the groups with and without endometritis. Vaginal and endometrial samples from women with endometritis showed a microbiome pattern that was not dominated by Lactobacillus spp. Relative abundance analysis identified Ralstonia and Gardnerella spp. in endometrial samples, and Streptoccoccus and Ureaplasma spp. in vaginal samples of patients diagnosed with chronic endometritis on CD138 immunohistochemistry. When comparing endometrial and vaginal samples diagnosed with endometritis on CD138 immunohistochemistry, both alpha diversity (p = 0.06 for the Shannon index and p = 0.08 for the Simpson index) and beta diversity (p < 0.001) showed significant differences. Lactobacillus spp. (p = 3.76E-4), Ralstonia spp. (p = 8.19E-4), Delftia spp. (p = 0.004) and Anaerobacillus spp. (p = 0.004) were identified in these sample groups.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate the existence of a characteristic vaginal and endometrial microbiota in patients with chronic endometritis. Different genera and species were identified in patients with and without chronic endometritis depending on whether the sample was endometrial or vaginal. There is a clear relationship between changes in the vaginal microbiome and chronic endometritis. The microbiota is a continuum throughout the female reproductive tract, so study of the vaginal microbiota could be useful for the diagnosis of diseases of the upper reproductive tract, such as chronic endometritis.

[Genitourinary menopause syndrome. Postmenopausal women management: CNGOF and GEMVi clinical practice guidelines]

INTRODUCTION

Genitourinary menopause syndrome (SGUM) is defined as a set of symptoms associated with a decrease of estrogen and other sexual steroids during menopause. The main symptoms are vulvovaginal (dryness, burning, itching), sexual (dyspareunia), and urinary (urinary infections, pollakiuria, nycturia, pain, urinary incontinence by urgenturia). SGUM leads to an alteration of the quality of life, and affects especially women's sexuality.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to elaborate guidelines for clinical practice regarding the management of SGUM in postmenopausal women, and in particular, in women with a history of breast cancer, treated or not with hormone therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on SGUM management was conducted on Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane Library. Recommendations from international scholarly societies were also taken into account: International Menopause Society (IMS) https://www.imsociety.org, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) https://www.menopause.org, Canadian Menopause Society https://www.sigmamenopause.com, European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) https://www.emas-online.org, International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) https://www.isswsh.org.

RESULTS

Vaginal use of lubricants, moisturizers and hyaluronic acid improves the symptoms of SGUM and may be offered to all patients. For postmenopausal women, local estrogen will be preferred to the oral route because of their safety and efficacy on all symptoms of SGUM during low-dose use. Prasterone is a local treatment that can be proposed as an effective alternative for the management of dyspareunia and sexual function disorder. Current data on oral testosterone, tibolone, oral or transdermal DHEA and herbal medicine are currently limited. Ospemifène, which has shown a significant improvement in sexual symptoms, is not currently marketed in France. In the particular case of women with a history of breast cancer, non-hormonal regimens are a first-line therapy. Current data on the risk of breast cancer recurrence when administering low-dose local estrogen are reassuring but do not support a conclusion that this treatment is safe.

CONCLUSION

SGUM is a common symptom that can affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. A treatment should be systematically proposed. Local non-hormonal treatment may be offered in all women. Local low-dose estrogen therapy and Prasterone has shown an interest in the management of symptoms. In women before a history of breast cancer, local non-hormonal treatment should be offered first-line. The safety of low-dose local estrogen therapy and Prasterone cannot be established at this time. Other alternatives exist but are not currently recommended in France due to lack of data.

Optimal antiplatelet therapy in out-hospital cardiac arrest with mild therapeutic hypothermia

Background

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) has been linked to an increased risk of Stent Thrombosis (ST) in comatose survivors who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is no formal recommendation about which antiplatelet regimen should be used in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) after OHCA

Methods

Prospective, single center study.

We compared antiplatelet efficacy of clopidogrel and ticagrelor at different time points after primary PCI in OHCA patients underwent MTH with 2 systems (VerifyNow®) and light transmission aggregometry.

With the system (VerifyNow®) the results were expressed in P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) in response to ADP-prostaglandin E1.

With the aggregometry in vitro platelet aggregation was measured in response to ADP (20 lmol/L at 37 C). The main result was the percentage of maximal platelet aggregation

Results

24 consecutive OHCA patients were included in our hospital.

We confirmed that residual platelet activity was higher with clopidogrel than with ticagrelor, expressed by PRU, 2 h after loading dose (229±56 vs. 180±30, p&lt;0.014), 6h after loading dose during MTH (203±45 vs. 135±51, p&lt;0.004), 24h after loading dose during MTH (188±52 vs. 58±64, p&lt;0.0001), after warming (200±55 vs. 27±24, p&lt;0.0001) and 24 h after warming (201±57 vs. 31±24, p&lt;0.0001).

With the aggregometry we observed higher percentajes of maximal platelet aggregation in response to ADP with clopidogrel than ticagrelor since 6 hs after loading dose. 2 h after loading dose (44±17 vs. 36±23, p: 0.439), 6h after loading dose during MTH (42±13 vs. 24±20, p&lt;0.02), 24h after loading dose during MTH (26±20 vs. 9.5±6.5, p&lt;0.005), after warming (26±16 vs. 12±8, p&lt;0.02)..

Conclusion

In this study, we observed a lower antiplatelet efficacy of clopidogrel compared with ticagrelor in patients with OHCA after PCI with MHT. This decrease in antiplatelet efficacy persists after the warming. Similarly to other settings, ticagrelor might be a valid alternative to clopidogrel in those patients

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Instituto Carlos III, Fondo Investigaciόn Sanitaria. Spain

AB0895 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BONE MINERAL DENSITY, INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY AND AUTOIMMUNITY IN A COHORT OF EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

The etiology of bone loss in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is multifactorial and systemic inflammation plays a relevant role. Recently, a relationship between autoimmunity and bone mineral density (BMD) has been described in patients with RA.

Objectives:

To study BMD and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and assess the relationship between them and autoimmunity and other markers of inflammation.

Methods:

A prospective longitudinal study was performed. 128 patients from an early Rheumatoid Arthritis Unit (ERAU) were included. All of them fullfilled ACR 2010 classification criteria for RA. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, immunological, radiological and densitometric data, and also inflammatory activity index DAS 28, HAQ functional index, were collected. Any value >20 IU/mL for RF and >30 IU/mL for ACPA was defined as positive.

Results:

Between January 2009 and June 2017, 801 patients were evaluated in our ERAU. After two years of follow-up, the most frequent definitive diagnoses were: Early RA 221 (27.6%), Undifferentiated Arthritis 97 (12.1%), Psoriatic Arthritis 62 (7.7%), Spondyloarthritis 54 (6.7%) and autoimmune Diseases 28 (3.4%).

From the 128 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis evaluated, 104 (81.9%) were ACPA positive and 98 (77.2%) FR positive. The mean BMD in the total column was 0.96 ±0.14 g/cm2 and in the femoral neck was 0.76 ±0.12 g/cm2. No correlation of BMD with autoimmunity markers was found in either of the two locations studied, while a negative relationship between BMD and the PCR inflammation marker (BMD femoral neck: rho-0.203, p = 0.027 and BMD lumbar spine rho =-0.27, p 0.003) was found. The BMD did not correlate with DAS28 nor the HAQ index.

The mean baseline serum calcidiol value was 20.7±8 ng/ml, and a negative correlation of basal serum calcidiol with the functional HAQ index was observed (rho=-0.23, p= 0.008). No correlation between other autoimmunity (FR and ACPA) and inflammation (VSG, PCR and DAS 28) markers and vitamin D was found.

Conclusion:

The BMD in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis of our cohort correlates with the PCR inflammation marker. Unlike other studies shows, in our cohort, serological autoimmunity factors do not have shown to have an independent effect on BMD.

References:

[1]Llorente I, Merino M, Ortiz AM, et al. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies are associated with decreased bone mineral density: baseline data from a register of early arthritis patients. Rheumatol Int (2017) 37:799–806

Disclosure of Interests:

Sara Garcia Carazo: None declared, Diana Peiteado: None declared, Alejandro Villalva: None declared, Laura Nuño: None declared, Mariana Diaz: None declared, Alejandro Balsa Grant/research support from: BMS, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Gilead, Lilly, Pfizer, UCB, Sanofi, Sandoz, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Lilly, Sanofi, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Roche, Nordic, Sandoz, Pilar Aguado: None declared

0634 Volume-Assured Pressure Support is Effective Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Who Failed CPAP Titration

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease, often treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In many cases, patients fail an attended CPAP titration study, often due to inadequate control of AHI, and treatment-emergent central apneas as CPAP is increased. Here, we report our experience using volume-assured pressure support (VAPS) for these patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records of 45 adults who had OSA diagnosed on polysomnography (PSG) in whom CPAP titration had failed. In these patients, VAPS-AE (adjustable expiratory pressure) titrations were performed. Patients with central sleep apnea on baseline PSG were excluded.

Results

Reasons for CPAP titration failure included: treatment emergent central apneas (25), failure of maximum CPAP pressure to treat OSA (18), and persistent hypoxia (2). Average age was 57.9±13.1, BMI was 40.2±8.7, 26 males, Epworth sleepiness score was 10.7±7.9. The following significant changes from baseline PSG to VAPS titration were observed: AHI: 65.3±29.3 to 22.3 ±16.1 (p&lt;.001) events/hour. Time &lt; 88% saturation: 63.7 (median) to 6.9 (median) min (p&lt;.001). The number of patients with AHI&lt;15 was 0 on PSG and 16 (36%) on VAPS-AE, while the number of patients with AHI&lt;30 was 7 (16%) on PSG and 32 (71%) on VAPS-AE. Improvement in AHI was not related to gender, age, or narcotic use, but was correlated with BMI: ΔAHI = 12.2 - (1.4 * BMI); p=.05. VAPS resulted in improved sleep architecture: slow wave sleep increased (medians: 1.4% to 19.6% total sleep time (TST)) (p&lt;.001), REM sleep increased (medians 6.4% to 13.6% TST) (p&lt;.01).

Conclusion

For OSA patients for whom CPAP titration failed, titration with VAPS-AE was an effective treatment for many patients.

Support

N/A

0633 Volume Assured Pressure Support is an Effective Treatment in Patients with Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Introduction

Central sleep apnea syndrome (CSA) is commonly found in patients with congestive heart failure, brainstem disorders, and narcotic use. Various treatment modalities have been used with varied effectiveness in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and improving ventilation in patients with CSA. This study assessed whether Volume Assured Pressure Support (VAPS), a BiLevel mode of ventilation, is effective in treating CSA.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of polysomnography (PSG) and VAPS titration studies on 11 patients at our institution: 7 patients had CSA with Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, 2 patients had CSA attributed to narcotic use, and 2 patients had primary CSA. CSA was diagnosed if more than 50% of the disordered breathing events were central. Five patients had failed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) titration and then proceeded to VAPS while in 6 patients, VAPS was the initial treatment modality tried. We examined the effectiveness of VAPS in reducing AHI, improving oxygenation, and improving sleep architecture.

Results

Among the 11 patients, age was 63.0±12.1 yo, BMI was 33.7 ±4.5, 7 were males, Epworth sleepiness score was 9.3±4.9. The following significant changes from baseline PSG to VAPS titration were observed: AHI: 59.1± 8.0 to 27.2 ± 9.9 (p&lt;.01); Time ≤ 88% O2 saturation (min): 48.1±14.5 to 15.4±6.1 (p&lt;.05). Improvement in AHI was not related to gender, body mass index, narcotic use, or age. No significant changes in sleep architecture between the two studies were found. Ten (91%) patients had AHI &gt; 30 on initial PSG. In 6 (55%) patients AHI was reduced to &lt;15 with VAPS use. An additional patient had AHI reduced to 22.2, while 4 (36%) patients did not achieve an AHI &lt; 30 with VAPS.

Conclusion

VAPS is an effective mode of treating CSA in the majority of patients.

Support

NA

Mutational status of PIK3ca oncogene in oral cancer-In the new age of PI3K inhibitors

In the new age of PI3K inhibitors, the mutational status of PI3Kca oncogene in the Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OC-SCC) needs further analysis. It is the sixth most common cancer in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate PI3Kca oncogene mutations and to correlate them with the clinical-histological characteristics of individuals presenting these tumors. We recruited 74 individuals with OC-SCC diagnosis (period 2000-2014). Histological sections were used. DNA was purified; PIK3ca gene exons 9 and 20 were amplified and sequenced. In 49/74 cases (66 %), the complete sequence of both codons was analyzed by Sanger method. We found that 7/49 (14 %) individuals mutated. In exon 9 we found 1/49 (2 %), and in exon 20 M1043I 8/49 (16 %). We have found the coexistence of more than one mutation in a same individual (E542 K and M1043I). A positive association was observed between the mutational status of the codon 9 (E542 K) and the tongue location. In conclusion, the frequency of PI3Kca gene mutation in OC-SCC was 16 %, which is similar to that reported for other populations. We found a mutation not previously described (M1043I) in this pathology. Should its biological effect be confirmed, it must be added to the list of PIK3ca mutations. Total mutations in the PIK3ca were 32 %, with tongue being the site at the greatest risk (E542K-E545K-M1043I). These findings would facilitate the identification of patients with therapeutic targets in the near future.

648. Baloxavir Resistance: qPCR Detection of Antiviral Resistance Markers in Influenza A Virus

Background

Influenza (flu) infections affect a large subset of the population every year and have significant impacts on the health of patients, especially those with weak or compromised immune systems such as the elderly, children, cancer patients, and transplant recipients. Baloxavir marboxil was approved in October 2018 as a novel antiviral therapeutic for treating flu. During clinical trials, mutations were identified at the I28 codon of the polymerase acidic (PA) protein that greatly increased the resistance of a flu strain to this novel drug. In this study, a qPCR was developed and validated to identify these resistance mutations, allowing for guided therapy based on the resistance profile of the strain.

Methods

Flu A sequences (6,175) of the PA gene from the NCBI Influenza Virus Database collected over the last 5 years were compiled and aligned. Primers and probes were designed to target the I38 codon of the PA gene, and specific probes for each codon yielding a resistant amino acid mutation (I38T, -M, and -F) were designed. Locked nucleic acid (LNA) bases were used to increase the specificity of the probes. A combination of clinical flu specimens, laboratory strains, and synthetic constructs of each potential resistance mutation were used to validate the precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of the assay in nasopharyngeal swabs.

Results

Precision of the cycle threshold (Ct) values for each detector was determined to have a standard deviation of less than 3 for inter-assay and less than 2 for intra-assay replicates. Sensitivity was determined to be 800 copies/mL in nasopharyngeal swabs. Accuracy was found to be 92.3%. A single laboratory strain from the H1N1 2009 epidemic showed cross-reactivity with both wild-type and resistant probes, but no circulating clinical H1N1 samples tested showed this response.

Conclusion

The precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of a qPCR for resistance mutations to baloxavir marboxil support this assay’s utility as an aid in the treatment of flu in at-risk patient groups. This assay allows for rapid detection (<24 hours) of resistance markers to aid clinicians in improving flu case outcomes.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

Acute resveratrol supplementation in coronary artery disease: towards patient stratification

Objective: Resveratrol (RV) is a polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties. Our objective was to investigate whether acute supplementation with high doses of RV would improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and oxygen consumption (VO₂) kinetics in older coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Design: We employed a placebo-controlled, single-blind, crossover design in which ten participants (aged 66.6 ± 7.8 years) received either RV or placebo (330 mg, 3× day^-1) during three consecutive days plus additional 330 mg in the morning of the fourth day with a seven-day wash-out period in-between. On the fourth day, FMD of the brachial artery and VO₂ on-kinetics were determined. Results: RV improved FMD in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; -1.4 vs. 5.0%; p = .004), but not in those who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 4.2 vs. -0.2%; NS). Conclusion: Acute high dose supplementation with RV improved FMD in patients after CABG surgery but impaired FMD in patients who underwent PCI. The revascularization method-related differential effects of RV may be due to its direct effects on endothelial-dependent dilator responses. Our findings have important implications for personalized treatment and stratification of older CAD patients.

Chemical analysis on laser processed Ultrahydrophobic Ti-6Al-4V surface by high vacuum Process

A technique has been developed for fabrication of ultrahydrophobic Ti-6Al-4V surface by vacuum process. This report has the data related to the article “Hybrid laser and vacuum process for rapid ultrahydrophobic Ti-6Al-4 V surface formation” on the fabrication of ultrahydrophobic Ti-6Al-4V by Vacuum process (Jagdheesh et al., 2019). The present data consist of X-ray photo electron spectroscopy spectrums recorded for the laser patterned ultrahydrophobic samples, droplet image and surface chemical composition of laser patterned Ti-6Al-4V samples before vacuum process(b. v. p.) and after vacuum process (a. v. p.) for 120 min. The presented data give a clear idea about the chemical modification evolved during the vacuum process.

Resting-state thalamic dysconnectivity in schizophrenia and relationships with symptoms

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder associated with disrupted connectivity within the thalamic-cortico-cerebellar network. Resting-state functional connectivity studies have reported thalamic hypoconnectivity with the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex as well as thalamic hyperconnectivity with sensory cortical regions in SZ patients compared with healthy comparison participants (HCs). However, fundamental questions remain regarding the clinical significance of these connectivity abnormalities.

METHOD

Resting state seed-based functional connectivity was used to investigate thalamus to whole brain connectivity using multi-site data including 183 SZ patients and 178 matched HCs. Statistical significance was based on a voxel-level FWE-corrected height threshold of p < 0.001. The relationships between positive and negative symptoms of SZ and regions of the brain demonstrating group differences in thalamic connectivity were examined.

RESULTS

HC and SZ participants both demonstrated widespread positive connectivity between the thalamus and cortical regions. Compared with HCs, SZ patients had reduced thalamic connectivity with bilateral cerebellum and anterior cingulate cortex. In contrast, SZ patients had greater thalamic connectivity with multiple sensory-motor regions, including bilateral pre- and post-central gyrus, middle/inferior occipital gyrus, and middle/superior temporal gyrus. Thalamus to middle temporal gyrus connectivity was positively correlated with hallucinations and delusions, while thalamus to cerebellar connectivity was negatively correlated with delusions and bizarre behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Thalamic hyperconnectivity with sensory regions and hypoconnectivity with cerebellar regions in combination with their relationship to clinical features of SZ suggest that thalamic dysconnectivity may be a core neurobiological feature of SZ that underpins positive symptoms.

Changes in coexpression of pericytes and endogenous cardiac progenitor cells from heart development to disease state

Introduction

Focussing on the potential role of cardiovascular cell therapy, we investigated the spatial relationship between pericytes (cells with cardiac repair capabilities that ensheath blood vessels) and endogenous cardiac progenitors within stem cells' niches. We explored possible changes in their co-localisation in developing human hearts from foetal to adult stage and following ischaemia.

Methods

Foetal and adult human heart specimens, obtained under ethical consent (University of Edinburgh ethics committee), were used for immunohistochemistry, cell isolation, culture and differentiation. Multi-lineage differentiation in culture, by single and double staining was completed for CD 146+ foetal pericytes and c-kit+ cells. Endothelial markers (CD31) gene expression was quantified by qPCR.

Results

c-kit+ cells frequency and coexpression with pericytes decrease with heart development, already evident by gestation week 19th. Pericytes and c-kit+ cells express the early cardiac transcription factors Nkx2.5 and Islet 1. Only c-kit+ cells express the stemness marker SSEA3 (24%), known to progressively decrease with cell differentiation. Endothelial differentiation assessment shows that cardiac pericytes and c-kit+ cells do not form CD31+ networks. This finding correlates with absence of staining for CD31 marker in both cultured cells' types. The cardiac marker α-actin was present in both cell populations. In healthy adult heart, pericyte markers CD146 localise within the vasculature. Following ischaemia this pericyte marker becomes also evident outside the vasculature.In healthy adult atrium, c-kit expression is low and coexpression with other markers inconspicuous. Ischaemia leads to increased c-kit expression, particularly in blood vessels <50um diameter. Furthermore, following ischaemia c-kit, endothelium and pericyte markers co-localise within the same atrial cells. Blood vessels >50μm diameter showed mostly only staining for endothelial (vWF) and pericyte (CD146) markers, with no co-expression of c-kit marker identified. Staining patterns within the ischaemic regions of the right and left atrial appendages revealed low levels of colocalisation between vWF and CD146. Acute ischaemia of the left ventricle affected the detection of cardiac stem cells markers in the area of injury, due to myocardium disruption.

Conclusion

Foetal heart pericytes and c-kit+ cells express early cardiac transcription factors and show trans-differentiation potential, which decreases in healthy adult hearts. The preservation and activity of cardiac stem cells niches within the atrium vasculature appears re-activated in post-ischaemic hearts. Better understanding of cardiac c-kit+ and pericyte cells during-human embryonic development and during ischaemia may identify alternative novel therapeutic strategy against coronary artery disease.

3D image-based morphometric analysis of the scapular neck length in subjects undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty

Scapular notching after RSA may, in part, be related to a patient's scapular morphology. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel 3 D measurement technique to describe infraglenoid tubercle morphometry. We hypothesize that the parameters describing infraglenoid tubercle would be normally distributed and would correlate with individual's demographics and glenoid morphometry. A group of 110 subjects treated with RSA were evaluated. Scapular geometry was obtained from pre-operative CT scans. The scapular neck length was defined in anterior and posterior view as the orthogonal distance between the glenoid surface and (a) the point of most significant change of curvature on lateral pillar; (b) the most lateral portion of the infraglenoid tubercle. Scapular neck angle, maximum anatomical adduction angle, glenoid width, height and version were also measured. Scapular neck length measured in the anterior and posterior view were normally distributed with mean values of 17.6 ± 2.8 mm and 7.9 ± 2.5 mm, respectively. Scapular neck angle was on average 112.4 ± 10.6° and maximal adduction angle was 17.6 ± 2.8°. No significant associations between infraglenoid tubercle morphometric parameters, demographic, glenoid size or version were identified. Improved understanding of the patient-specific risk factors for scapular notching will help surgeons with pre-surgical planning and implant selection. Parametrization of the infraglenoid tubercle presented in this study showed normal distribution in the population unrelated to gender, side or demographics. The size of the infraglenoid tubercle is a unique trait, pre-operative evaluation of the scapular neck should be always warranted to decrease the incidence of post-operative notching. Clin. Anat. 31:43-55, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Management of permanent teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices according to the stage of root development

Background

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Bio inspired self-cleaning ultrahydrophobic aluminium surface by laser processing

Ultrahydrophobic self cleaning surface is fabricated with nanosecond laser source on aluminium foil.

The Recipients' Parity Does Not Influence Their Reproductive Performance Following Non-Surgical Deep Uterine Porcine Embryo Transfer

With the development of the non-surgical deep uterine (NsDU) embryo transfer (ET) technology, the commercial applicability of ET in pigs is now possible. There are, nevertheless, many factors that influence NsDU-ET effectiveness that need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the weaned recipients' parity on fertility and prolificacy following NsDU-ET. The recipients (n = 120) were selected based on their reproductive history and body condition and grouped into three categories according to their parity: primiparous sows, sows of parity 2 and sows of parities from 3 to 5. Thirty fresh embryos (morulae and unhatched blastocysts) were non-surgically transferred into one uterine horn of each recipient. It was possible to insert the NsDU-ET catheter through the cervix along a uterine horn in 98.3% of the recipients. The parity had no influence on the difficulty grade of the insertions or on the percentage of correct insertions. The cervix and uterine wall were not perforated during the insertions, and vaginal discharge was not observed after transfer in any of the recipients. There were no differences in the pregnancy rates (74.8%), farrowing rates (71.2%) or litter sizes (9.6 ± 3.3) between groups. Also, there were no differences between groups regarding to the piglets' birthweights or piglet production efficiency. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that weaned sows from parity 1 to 5 are appropriate to be used as recipients in NsDU-ET programs, which increase the possibilities for the utilization of ET in the recipient farms.

Using trait-based approaches to study phytoplankton seasonal succession in a subtropical reservoir in arid central western Argentina

The application of trait-based approaches has become a widely applied tool to analyse community assembly processes and dynamics in phytoplankton communities. Its advantages include summarizing information of many species without losing essentials of the main driving processes. Here, we used trait-based approaches to study phytoplankton temporal succession in a subtropical reservoir. We applied a combined approach including morphological traits (i.e. volume, surface) and functional clustering of species (morphology-based functional groups (MBFG) and Reynolds' groups) and related the clustering of species with the environment. We found that this reservoir is characterized by a low richness and a bimodal distribution of phytoplankton biomass. Taxonomic and functional classifications were coincident, and the dominant species and groups biomasses were explained by the same group of variables. For instance, group X₂, MBFG V and Carteria sp. biomasses were explained by: pH, Secchi disk depth, N-NH₄; while group B, MBFG VI and Cyclotella ocellata biomasses were explained by stability of the water column, incident solar radiation, Secchi disk depth and N-NH4. From our results, we state that functional and taxonomic classifications are complementary rather than opposed approaches, and their specific uses depend exclusively on the aim of the study and the characteristics of the environment under evaluation. Our work is the first description of phytoplankton dynamics in a reservoir in the arid central western Argentina (Cuyo region).

Newborns with lower levels of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abdominally more adipose

BACKGROUND

Maternal nutrition is the main source of Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) for the fetus. PUFA may influence the accumulation of fat in early life.

OBJECTIVES & METHODS

In 33 breastfed infants born appropriate-for-gestational-age, we studied whether body composition (judged by absorptiometry at 2 wk and 4 mo) relates to PUFA levels (assessed by gas chromatography) in the maternal or fetal circulation at birth.

RESULTS

Abdominal fat at 2 wk associated negatively to umbilical-cord levels of separate PUFA (linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid; all P between 0.001 and 0.015). Collectively, the assessed n-6 PUFA on one hand and the n-3 PUFA on the other hand associated negatively to the absolute amount of abdominal fat (in grams; P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and to the relative amount of abdominal fat (fraction of total fat; P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). No other significant associations were observed.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, newborns with lower levels of circulating PUFA were found to be abdominally more adipose. The mechanisms underpinning these associations remain to be determined.