OP0170 PHASE 2A, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A TRANSDERMAL ALKALINIZING AND PAIN-RELIEVING TREATMENT FOR REDUCING PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH AN ACUTE GOUT FLARE

Background

Monosodium urate (MSU) deposition is pathognomonic for gouty arthropathy. MSU crystal formation and dissolution is affected by pH and theoretically, alkalinizing agents (eg, sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃) that raise the joint microenvironment pH, could facilitate MSU crystal dissolution1 and decrease the pain of an acute gout flare. However, oral NaHCO₃ use is fraught with intolerable gastrointestinal side effects.

Objectives

To determine if NaHCO₃ in a patented transdermal formulation could effectively and safely reduce the pain of an acute gout flare.

Methods

A Phase 2a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled 418 subjects across 20 US sites. Patients with a diagnosis of gout using ACR/EULAR criteria (Score ≥ 8), ages 18-75, history of ≥ 2 gout flares in 12 months prior to randomization and on stable doses of urate lowering therapy were included. Exclusion criteria were BMI > 40kg/m2, > 12 gout flares in the year prior to randomization, history of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, evidence of septic arthritis, acute polyarticular gout (≥ 4 joints), and arthritis of any other cause. Patients were randomized to receive placebo lotion or transdermal NaHCO₃. Upon flare they initiated colchicine (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg 1 hour later) and applied study product to the limb of the affected joint. Outcome measures included pain-numeric rating scale (NRS, 0-10), time to resolution of pain (50% reduction), rescue medication use, joint tenderness, and physical function (PROMIS PF-20). Data were collected in patient diaries for the pain and PROMIS measures at several time points from baseline through Day 7, as were adverse events. Statistical analyses utilized ANCOVA (baseline pain as a covariate), Kaplan-Meier curves for homogeneity, and two-proportion z-test, all with α=0.05.

Results

98 patients had a gout flare during the 14-month study period. Those in the active arm (ITT, N=48) had an overall responder rate of 94.5% vs. 79.3% (p=0.01) in the placebo arm (ITT, N=50) over the 7-day follow up. Rescue medication use was lower in the active arm vs. placebo (6.3% vs. 20.0%, p=0.02); and PROMIS PF-20 showed greater improvements over 7 days (22.2 vs. 16.7 points, p=0.05). The most common adverse event was hypertension (14.2%) with no significant difference between arms. Per protocol analyses were conducted to adjust for adherence on Day 1 for time to resolution of pain (Figure 1) and additional 24hr endpoints (Table 1).

Table 1.

Key 24hr Endpoints (Per Protocol, n = 57)

Active (n = 28)Placebo (n = 29)P valueMedian time to resolution, hrs124720.03Change in 24hr PROMIS PF-20 score216.79.40.01Physician-assessed moderate-to-severe joint tenderness 24hr328.0%57.1%0.02

1≥ 50% reduction in pain; K-M Est.; Subjects using rescue medication, discontinuing study drug, or missing pain scores censored

2Consists of 20, 0-5-point questions; higher scores indicate better function

3LIKERT: 0 (no pain), 1 (pain), 2 (wincing), 3 (wincing and withdrawal)

Figure 1.

Time to resolution of pain1 (per protocol population, n = 57)

Conclusion

Transdermal NaHCO₃ reduced the pain intensity and duration of an acute gout flare with higher overall response rates, faster time to resolution, improvements in physical function and a reduction in rescue medication use. The lack of adverse events makes this topical a promising therapeutic choice; especially during debilitating acute gout flares in patients with concomitant comorbidities.

References

[1]Chhana et al, BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2015

Disclosure of Interests

Puja Khanna Consultant of: Dyve, Horizon, Selecta, Cerecor, Grant/research support from: Dyve, Horizon, Selecta, Cerecor, Ryan Beal Shareholder of: Dyve, Employee of: Dyve

COVID-19 infection in patients with haematological disease - A tertiary centre experience from north India

This retrospective study was aimed to understand the clinical, laboratory, radiological parameters and the outcome of COVID-19 patients with underlying haematological disease. All patients with known haematological disease admitted with COVID-19-positive status from April to August 2020 in the COVID-19 facility of a tertiary care centre in north India, were included. Their medical records were analyzed for outcome and mortality risk factors. Fifty four patients, 37 males, were included in the study. Of these, 36 patients had haematological malignancy and 18 had benign disorder. Fever (95.5%), cough (59.2%) and dyspnoea (31.4%) were the most common symptoms. Nine patients had severe disease at diagnosis, mostly malignant disorders. Overall mortality rate was 37.0 per cent, with high mortality seen in patients with aplastic anaemia (50.0%), acute myeloid (46.7%) and lymphoblastic leukaemia (40.0%). On univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >2 [odd ratio (OR) 11.6], COVID-19 severity (OR 8.2), dyspnoea (OR 5.7) and blood product transfusion (OR 6.4) were the predictors of mortality. However, the presence of moderate or severe COVID-19 (OR 16.6, confidence interval 3.8-72.8) was found significant on multivariate analysis. The results showed that patients with haematological malignancies and aplastic anaemia might be at increased risk of getting severe COVID-19 infection and mortality as compared to the general population.

POS0135 REDUCING IMMUNOGENICITY OF PEGLOTICASE (RECIPE) WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL IN PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY GOUT: A PHASE II RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background:

Pegloticase is a recombinant, pegylated uricase, used for treatment of gout patients who fail oral urate lowering therapy (ULT). Its use has been limited due to immunogenicity leading to infusion reactions.1

Objectives:

We evaluated if co-administration of an immunomodulatory agent could prolong the efficacy of pegloticase.

Methods:

Participants were recruited in a Phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial over 18 months and randomized in a 3:1 ratio by site. Inclusion criteria were: a) Age ≥ 18 years who met 2015 ACR/EULAR gout classification criteria and b) chronic refractory gout defined as symptoms inadequately controlled with ULT or contraindications. After a 2-week run-in of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 1000 mg twice daily or matching placebo (PBO), they received a combination of pegloticase 8 mg biweekly with MMF or PBO for 12 weeks. Subsequent to this MMF or PBO were discontinued but pegloticase was continued for another 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients who sustained a serum urate (SU) level of ≤ 6 mg/dl at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included 24-week durability of SU ≤ 6 mg/dl and rate of adverse events (AEs). Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon two-sample test were used for analyses along with Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests to compare survival curves between groups. Hypothesis tests were two-tailed and p-value (p) < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results:

Of 42 subjects screened, 35 were randomized, and 32 who received at least one dose of pegloticase were included in modified intention to treat analyses. Subjects were predominantly men (88%), mean age of 55.2 years (SD=9.7). Mean duration of gout was 13.4 years (SD=9.0), mean baseline sUA was 9.2 mg/dL (SD=1.6). Tophi were present in 88% and majority were on optimized ULT - 59% on allopurinol and 16% on febuxostat, with 63% reporting > 1 flare in the past year. At baseline both arms (MMF vs. PBO) had similar comorbidities – (82% vs 70%), diabetes mellitus/metabolic syndrome (14% vs 20%), coronary artery disease/peripheral vascular disease (41% vs.70%), BMI>30 (86% vs. 90%) and renal insufficiency (defined as eGFR < 90 mL/min; 73% vs. 70%). At 12 weeks, 19 of 22 (86%) in the MMF arm achieved SU ≤ 6 mg/dl compared to 4 of 10 (40%) in PBO arm (p-value = 0.01). At 24 weeks, the SU was ≤ 6 mg/dl in 68% of MMF arm vs. 30% in PBO (p-value = 0.06), and rates of AEs per month were similar between groups with the PBO arm having more infusion reactions (30% vs. 0%). The MMF arm had higher AEs compared to placebo: musculoskeletal (41% vs. 10%), gastrointestinal (18% vs. 10%), and infections (9% vs. 0%). Figure 1 shows that the percentage of subjects maintaining a sUA < 6 mg/dL at 12 weeks was significantly higher (p=0.02) in the MMF arm, and a significant difference (p=0.03) at 24 weeks indicates sustained benefit from MMF.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge this is the first randomized-controlled proof of concept trial to demonstrate the ability of an immunomodulatory agent in prolonging the efficacy of pegloticase. Short-term concomitant use of MMF therapy with pegloticase was well tolerated and showed a clinically meaningful improvement in the targeted SU ≤6 mg/dL at 12 and 24 weeks. This study suggests an innovative approach to utilize pegloticase therapy in patients with chronic gout.

References:

[1]Sundy et al. Efficacy and tolerability of pegloticase for the treatment of chronic gout in patients refractory to conventional treatment: two randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2011;306(7):711-20.

Figure 1.

Proportion of subjects maintaining serum urate (SU) ≤ 6 mg/dL over 24 week study period in mycophenolate mofetil + pegloticase vs. placebo + pegloticase

Disclosure of Interests:

Puja Khanna Consultant of: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum A, Grant/research support from: Selecta, 2)DYVE, Dinesh Khanna Consultant of: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Gary Cutter: None declared, Jeff Foster: None declared, Josh Melnick: None declared, Sara Jaafar: None declared, Stephanie Biggers: None declared, Fazlur Rahman: None declared, Hui-Chen Kuo: None declared, Michelle Feese: None declared, Kenneth Saag Consultant of: AbbVie, Inc., Bayer, Daiichi Sankyo Company LTD, Gilead Services, Inc., Horizon Pharma plc, Mallinkrodt, Radius Health, Inc., Roche/Genentech, Shanton Pharma Co., LTD, Teijin, Dyve Bioscience, LG Chem, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals., Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.,

THU0439 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ANAKINRA IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT GOUT FLARES: RESULTS FROM THE EXTENSION PHASE OF THE ANAGO STUDY

Background:

The anaGO (anakinra ingout) study was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, phase 2 study investigating the efficacy and safety of anakinra for recurrent gout flares. Results from subsequent flares (extension phase) are presented in relation to the previously reported results from the 1stflare (flare at study enrollment).

Objectives:

The objective of the extension phase was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of two anakinra regimens (100 or 200 mg daily s.c. injections for 5 days) compared to triamcinolone (single i.m. injection 40 mg) for subsequent flares after initial study enrollment flare. The primary endpoint of the study was change in patient-assessed flare pain intensity from baseline to 24-72 hours (average of 24, 48 and 72 hours) in the most affected joint measured on a visual analogue scale (0-100 VAS). Secondary endpoints included: patient’s and physician’s assessments of global response, anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and safety.

Methods:

The study included patients with acute gout (ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria) unsuitable for anti-inflammatory therapy with NSAIDs and colchicine due to contraindication, intolerance or inefficacy. Patients were eligible for treatment of subsequent flares for up to 2 years. Each patient received the same treatment for all flares, starying with the flare at enrollment.

Results:

161 patients were treated for 1 flare, 61 patients for 2 flares, 31 patients for 3, and 20 patients for 4 or more flares with 1 patient treated for 9 flares. In total, 300 flares were treated in the full study; anakinra 100 mg and 200 mg, 107 and 106 flares, respectively; and triamcinolone, 87 flares. Both anakinra doses and triamcinolone provided a clinical meaningful reduction in patient-assessed pain intensity in both the 1stand subsequent flares. Mean changes in pain intensity from baseline to 24–72 hours for total anakinra and triamcinolone were: 1stflare -41.2 and -39.4; 2ndflare -33.9 and -31.1; 3rdflare -31.8 and -51.2, respectively. Mean differences in pain reduction between anakinra and triamcinolone treatment groups were (negative value favors anakinra): 1stflare -1.8, 2ndflare -2.8 3rdflare 19.4. The majority of secondary endpoints favored anakinra, including patient’s and physician’s global assessement of response and physician’s assessement of the joint. No unexpected safety findings during subsequent flares were identified. 21 patients (19.6%) developed ADA to anakinra in low titers at some time point; 7 (6.5%) had pre-existing ADA at baseline and 12 (11.2%) developed treatment induced ADA. 2 patients had pre-existing ADA to triamcinolone at baseline. 4 patients on anakinra (3.7%) developed neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Pre-dose 72 hour anakinra serum concentrations were in similar range for ADA+ and ADA- patients. Presence of ADA was not associated with adverse events or had an impact on pain reduction.

Conclusion:

The efficacy and safety of anakinra and triamcinolone in subsequent flares were similar to the findings from 1stflare in patients with acute gout. Patient-assessed pain in the 1stand 2ndflare was reduced to similar degrees in all treatment groups, but to a larger extent in the 3rdflare in the small triamcinolone group. Secondary endpoints were in favor of anakinra across flares 1 to 3. The overall incidence of ADA and NAb was low also after repeated anakinra dosing and did not appear to impact exposure, efficacy or safety. In conclusion, anakinra was shown to be an option in the treatment of recurrent gout flares in patients for whom conventional therapy is unsuitable.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Kenneth Saag Grant/research support from: Horizon, Sobi, Shanton, Grant/research support from: Horizon Pharma, Sobi, Shanton, Consultant of: Horizon and Sobi, Consultant of: Horizon Pharma, Amgen, Radius, LG-Pharma, Takeda, Sobi, Atom, Arthrosi, Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Keenan Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Sven Ohlman Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Erik Sparve Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Daniel Lindqvist Employee of: Sobi, Ann-Charlotte Åkerblad Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Margareta Wikén Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Alexander So Consultant of: Sobi, Grünenthal, Michael H. Pillinger Grant/research support from: Horizon, Hikma, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Terkeltaub Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Astra-Zeneca

THU0409 A RANDOMIZED, PHASE 2 STUDY EVALUATING THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ANAKINRA IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT ACUTE GOUTY ARTHRITIS: THE ANAGO STUDY

Background:

In gout, urate crystals deposited in and around joints trigger episodes of acute arthritis, mediated by the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. In uncontrolled studies, the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra appears effective in reducing pain and signs of acute flares in patients with difficult-to-treat gout. However, confirmatory, adequately-powered, prospective trials are lacking. The ‘anaGO-study’ (anakinra ingout) was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, phase 2 study investigating the efficacy and safety of anakinra in acute gout (NCT03002974).

Objectives:

The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of two regimens of anakinra (100 or 200 mg daily s.c. injections for 5 days) compared to triamcinolone (single i.m. injection 40 mg) with respect to patient-assessed pain intensity. The primary endpoint was change in pain intensity from baseline to 24-72 hours (average of 24, 48 and 72 hours) in the most affected joint measured on a visual analogue scale (0-100 VAS). Secondary outcomes included: time to onset of effect, time to response, time to pain resolution, time to rescue medication use, patient’s and physician’s assessments of global response, clinical signs, inflammatory biomarkers and safety.

Methods:

Patients were recruited who had acute gout based on ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria, and were unsuitable for anti-inflammatory therapy with NSAIDs and colchicine due to contraindication, intolerance or inefficacy. Patients were randomized to each group in a 1:1:1 ratio and stratified by urate-lowering therapy use (yes/no) and BMI (<30.0 or ≥30.0 kg/m2).

Results:

165 patients were randomized; 110 to anakinra (56 to 100 mg/day, 54 to 200 mg/day) and 55 to triamcinolone; 108 and 53 were included in the primary analysis, respectively. The median (range) age was 55 (25-83) years, 87% were male, mean disease duration was 8.7 years and mean number of self-reported flares during the past year was 4.5. The pain intensity, from baseline to 24-72 hours, decreased in both treatment groups; mean (95% CI) change was -39.4 (-46.8, -32.0) for triamcinolone and -41.2 (-46.3, -36.2) for anakinra. The 100 mg and 200 mg doses of anakinra were comparably effective in decreasing pain (100 mg/day: -41.8 [-48.9, -34.8] and 200 mg/day: -40.7 [-47.9, -33.4]). Mean (95% CI) difference in pain reduction between anakinra and triamcinolone treatment groups was -1.8 (-10.8, 7.1) (p-value = 0.688 for primary endpoint). The majority of secondary efficacy endpoints were numerically in favor of anakinra, and in most instances also statistically significant, in comparison to triamcinolone, e.g. physician’s assessment of clinical signs at 72 hours and patient’s and physician’s assessment of global response at Day 8. No unexpected safety findings were identified in any of the treatment groups.

Conclusion:

Anakinra and triamcinolone reduced patient-assessed gout flare pain to similar degrees in patients for whom conventional therapy was ineffective or contraindicated. Both doses of anakinra showed comparable efficacy in pain reduction. The majority of secondary efficacy endpoints favored anakinra. Anakinra was shown to be an additional option for use during acute gout flares.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Kenneth Saag Grant/research support from: Horizon, Sobi, Shanton, Grant/research support from: Horizon Pharma, Sobi, Shanton, Consultant of: Horizon and Sobi, Consultant of: Horizon Pharma, Amgen, Radius, LG-Pharma, Takeda, Sobi, Atom, Arthrosi, Alexander So Consultant of: Sobi, Grünenthal, Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Keenan Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Sven Ohlman Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Torbjörn Kullenberg Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Lisa Osterling Koskinen Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Michael H. Pillinger Grant/research support from: Horizon, Hikma, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Terkeltaub Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Astra-Zeneca

THU0430 RENAL URATE DEPOSITION: SUMMARY OF PUBLISHED EVIDENCE

Background:

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthropathy in U.S. adults. Although the severity of this debilitating disease is often defined by the presence of tophi in the joints, systemic deposition of urate in major organ systems including the renal parenchyma is not as well established. Urate is primarily cleared through the kidneys and patients with gout often have concomitant renal disease along with other comorbidities such diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension; however, a causal role between these entities has not yet been carefully established. We hypothesize that urate deposits serve as a trigger in the inflammatory nidus to propogate subclinical tissue damage that results in the chronicity of the disease. This could potentially explain its independent role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease in gout patients.

Objectives:

To review the published literature for evidence of urate deposition in the renal parenchyma in patients with gout and summarize the histopathology and imaging findings.

Methods:

PubMed (from 1940 to 2020) was used to identify reports of autopsy, pathology and radiology imaging demonstrating urate deposition within the native renal parenchyma in patients with gout. Key words included: gout nephropathy, chronic urate nephropathy, renal tophi, gouty kidney, autopsy findings in gout, and renal imaging in gout. The reference lists from these publications were also used to identify additional articles. Literature referencing urate nephrolithiasis and renal transplants were excluded from the study.

Results:

There were 25 articles documenting renal parenchymal urate deposition in gout patients confirmed by autopsy, biopsy and/or radiology imaging in native kidneys. Among the 19 articles examining urate deposition by autopsy and/or biopsy, 100% found urate deposition in the collecting ducts and adjacent medullary interstitium. Based on these findings, the most commonly proposed mechanism for urate deposition is urate crystal precipitation in the collecting ducts with eventual desquamation of the collecting duct walls from inflammation and/or tubular obstruction with subsequent extrusion of crystals into the medullary interstitium. 89% of reports documented inflammatory cells and/or tubulointerstitial fibrosis adjacent to the renal urate deposits. 68% reported cortical thinning or scarring. In addition, 74% of included publications reported renal vascular pathology including arteriosclerosis, glomerosclerosis and nephrosclerosis. There were 6 imaging articles that all reported abnormal renal ultrasound findings with hyperechogenic renal medullas that were attributed to urate deposition.

Conclusion:

There is a growing body of literature documenting urate deposition in the renal parenchyma in gout patients based on autopsy, pathology and imaging findings. Inflammation and fibrosis adjacent to regions of urate deposition and vascular changes were common. Given the strong association of gout with renal disease, there is a critical need to elucidate the mechanism by which urate impairs the renal tissue. Thus dedicated investigation is key to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of urate deposition in the kidneys of gout patients.

References:

[1]Nickeleit, V, et al.Nephrol Dial Transplant.(1997) 12:1832-1838.

[2]Tchacarski, V, et al.Intl Urol Nephrol.1992; 24(6): 649-655.

[3]Modern, FW.Med Clin North Am.1952;21: 941-51.

[4]Linnane, JW, et al.Nephron.1981; 29: 216-22

[5]Greenbaum, D, et al. Br Med J. 1961 May 27; 1(5238): 1502–1504

[6]Bluestone, R, et al.Seminars in Arthr and Rheum.1977;7(2).

[7]Brown, J, et al.NEJM.1950; 243: 325-329.

[8]Braga, T., et al.Sci Rep.2017; 7: 39884.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Brad Marder Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Brian LaMoreaux Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Ada Kumar Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics

Machine Learning Techniques for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the elderly population. Efficient automated techniques are needed for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Many novel approaches are proposed by researchers for classification of Alzheimer’s disease. However, to develop more efficient learning techniques, better understanding of the work done on Alzheimer’s is needed. Here, we provide a review on 165 papers from 2005 to 2019, using various feature extraction and machine learning techniques. The machine learning techniques are surveyed under three main categories: support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and deep learning (DL) and ensemble methods. We present a detailed review on these three approaches for Alzheimer’s with possible future directions.

Optimal reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization in the newborn

It is difficult to identify reliable reference genes for transcriptomic analyses in biofluids such as saliva. This situation is particularly relevant for the newborn population, where rapid development is associated with dynamic changes in gene expression. Real-time gene expression monitoring holds great promise for elucidating disrupted pathways that result in morbidities unique to this population, such as retinopathy of prematurity, but its impact depends on identifying stable and consistently expressed genes across a wide range of gestational ages. We extracted total RNA from 400 neonatal saliva samples (postconceptional ages: 32 5/7 to 48 2/7 weeks), converted it to cDNA, and pre-amplified and analyzed it by qPCR for three commonly used reference genes, ACTB, GAPDH, and YWHAZ. Relative quantification was determined using the Δ Ct method. Data were analyzed as a whole and also stratified by age and sex. Descriptive statistics and homogeneity of variance were performed to identify optimal reference genes. Data analyzed from all ages and both sexes showed significant expression variation for ACTB, while GAPDH and YWHAZ showed greater stability. Male infants exhibited increased expression variation compared to females for ACTB, but neither GAPDH nor YWHAZ showed significant variance for either sex. We suggest that ACTB is an unreliable reference gene for the newborn population. Males showed significantly more variation in ACTB expression compared to females, which suggests a sex-specific developmental role for this biomarker. By contrast, GAPDH and YWHAZ were less variable and therefore preferable for use in neonates. Our findings may improve the use of reference genes for the RT-qPCR platform in the newborn over a wide range of gestational ages, thereby minimizing the likelihood of erroneous interpretation of gene expression during rapid growth, development, and differentiation.

Outcome of a screening programme for the prevention of neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infection in a UK maternity unit: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Against a background of failure to prevent neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infections (GBS) in our maternity unit using risk-based approach for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, we introduced an antenatal GBS carriage screening programme to identify additional women to target for prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the implementation and outcome of an antepartum screening programme for prevention of invasive early-onset GBS infection in a UK maternity unit.

DESIGN

Observational study of outcome of screening programme (intervention) with comparison to historical controls (preintervention).

SETTING

Hospital and community-based maternity services provided by Northwick Park and Central Middlesex Hospitals in North West London.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who gave birth between March 2014 and December 2015 at Northwick Park Hospital.

METHODS

Women were screened for GBS at 35-37 weeks and carriers offered intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Screening programme was first introduced in hospital (March 2014) and then in community (August 2014). Compliance was audited by review of randomly selected case records. Invasive early-onset GBS infections were defined through GBS being cultured from neonatal blood, cerebrospinal fluid or sterile fluids within 0-6 days of birth.

MAIN OUTCOME

Incidence of early-onset GBS infections.

RESULTS

6309 (69%) of the 9098 eligible women were tested. Screening rate improved progressively from 42% in 2014 to 75% in 2015. Audit showed that 98% of women accepted the offer of screening. Recto-vaginal GBS carriage rate was 29.4% (1822/6193). All strains were susceptible to penicillin but 11.3% (206/1822) were resistant to clindamycin. Early onset GBS rate fell from 0.99/1000 live births (25/25276) in the prescreening period to 0.33/1000 in the screening period (Rate Ratio=0.33; p=0.08). In the subset of mothers actually screened, the rate was 0.16/1000 live births (1/6309), (Rate Ratio=0.16; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that an antenatal screening programme for prevention of early-onset GBS infection can be implemented in a UK maternity setting and is associated with a fall in infection rates.

Efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone in providing postoperative analgesia: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dexamethasone is a potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiemetic drug. Individual randomized controlled trials found a possible benefit of epidural dexamethasone. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to estimate the benefit of epidural dexamethasone on postoperative pain and opioid consumption and to formulate a recommendation for evidence-based practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing the analgesic efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone combination, with local anesthetic alone for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery, were planned to be included in this meta-analysis. PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Central Register of Clinical Trials of the Cochrane Collaboration (CENTRAL) databases were searched for eligible controlled trials using the following search words: "Epidural", "dexamethasone", and "postoperative pain", until February 20, 2015.

RESULTS

Data from five randomized control trials have been included in this meta-analysis. Epidural dexamethasone significantly decreased postoperative morphine consumption (mean difference -7.89 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -11.66 to -3.71) and number of patients required postoperative rescue analgesic boluses (risk ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.63).

CONCLUSION

The present data shows that the addition of dexamethasone to local anesthetic in epidural is beneficial for postoperative pain management.

CD82/KAI expression prevents IL-8-mediated endothelial gap formation in late-stage melanomas

Melanoma cells facilitate endothelial gap formation, the first step during tumor transendothelial migration, which is mediated by both adhesion and endogenously produced chemokines (in particular, interleukin-8 (IL-8)). Tetraspanins are localized to the cell surface in cancer and participate in various functions including invasion of tissues mediated by secretion of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. However, little is known about the role of CD82 tetraspanins in malignant melanomas during cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the functional importance of CD82 expression in melanoma-mediated gap formation by using cDNAs to induce CD82 expression in highly invasive melanoma cell lines. Results showed that CD82 expression inhibited melanoma cell-induced gap formation, melanoma cell extravasation in vitro and subsequent lung metastasis development in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that inducible expression of CD82 in highly metastatic melanoma cells significantly increased p21 expression upon binding of Duffy antigen receptor group (DARC), inducing tumor cell senescence and interrupting IL-8-mediated vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin disassembly. Taken together, these studies provide a rationale for using drug therapies that restore CD82 expression and inhibit IL-8 production to inhibit late-stage melanoma cell extravasation and subsequent metastasis development.

The 2010 British Association of Stroke Physicians Survey of interventional treatments for stroke in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

The UK National Stroke Strategy (Department of Health 2007) states that patients should have access to a stroke service with neurointerventional capacity. This survey was conducted by the Clinical Standards Committee of the British Association of Stroke Physicians to get a snapshot of the availability of interventional treatments for stroke in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Questionnaires covering availability of endovascular treatments for stroke, e.g. intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, were emailed to all British Association of Stroke Physicians members in October 2010. Where more than one response was received from the same hospital, the data were only entered once. If there was a discrepancy between different respondents for the same hospital, details were cross-checked with the respondents to ensure accuracy.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 58 hospitals in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Intra-arterial thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy were available in 23 hospitals. Of these, three had not performed any procedures in 2010. Twenty centres had conducted a mean (range) of eight (2-20) procedures during the 10-month period. Thirty-five hospitals were not offering endovascular treatments. Sixteen of these were not referring patients to centres which could provide interventional treatments. Hospitals offering endovascular treatments had a mean (range) of 5.2 (2-12) stroke physicians, 2.3 (0-4) interventional neuroradiologists, and 3.6 (0-9) noninterventional neuroradiologists. Only two hospitals providing interventions had four or more interventional neuroradiologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a small number of hospitals in the United Kingdom provide interventional treatments for stroke. Almost 50% of hospitals not providing interventions had no processes in place for referral to providers.

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine: an update

The world witnessed a the first influenza pandemic in this century and fourth overall since first flu pandemic was reported during the World War I. The past experiences with influenza viruses and this pandemic of H1N1 place a consider-able strain on health services and resulted in serious illnesses and a large number of deaths. Develop-ing countries were declared more likely to be at risk from the pandemic effects, as they faced the dual problem of highly vulnerable populations and limited resources to respond H1N1. The public health experts agreed that vaccination is the most effective ways to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic. The vaccines for H1N1 virus have been used in over 40 countries and administered to over 200 million people helped in a great way and on August 10, 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) announced H1N1 to be in postpandemic period. But based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus and may undergo some agenic-variation. As WHO strongly recommends vaccination, vigilance for regular updating of the composition of influenza vaccines, based on an assessment of the future impact of circulating viruses along with safety surveillance of the vaccines is necessary. This review has been done to take a stock of the currently available H1N1 vaccines and their possible use as public health intervention in the postpandemic period.

A complicated case of cholecystitis, listeriosis and HIV/AIDS

A 37-year-old woman of Tanzanian origin presented with symptoms of cholecystitis, sepsis and oral candidiasis. Subsequent investigation found listeriosis and HIV infection. Effective use of the appropriate antibiotics and surgical management to remove the source of sepsis lead to a good recovery from the acute illness. The patient was subsequently transferred to a tertiary centre for specialist care of her underlying chronic condition of HIV/AIDS. Her case demonstrates a previously unreported association of HIV, Listeria and cholecystitis.

Intraoperative anaphylaxis caused by a hepatic hydatid cyst

Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions during anaesthesia are a major cause of concern for anaesthesiologists. During the perioperative period, any symptomatology relating to sudden-onset haemodynamic collapse or increased airway pressures during certain surgical procedures should raise suspicion of anaphylaxis. We report a case of anaphylaxis during pericystectomy for hydatid cyst of the liver intraoperatively in a 29-year-old Indian woman. Although a rare occurrence, reporting of such perioperative events is crucial for future references. Anaphylactic reactions should be seriously considered whenever a hydatid cystectomy is performed, especially in the event of a sudden haemodynamic collapse. Early diagnosis and correct treatment are essential to ensure a favourable patient outcome.

Late post-transplant erythrocytosis in a hepatitis C-positive allograft recipient on sirolimus

Hematological complications in renal transplant recipients include anemia, leukopenia, and post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE). There are numerous causes for these which include immunosuppressive drugs, viral infections, etc. We report here a hepatitis C (HCV)-positive case who developed PTE while receiving rapamycin. As both HCV infection and rapamycin through different mechanisms can produce anemia, this case report highlights the rarity of erythrocytosis.

Rosai-Dorfman disease--perianaesthetic concerns

Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD) may be challenging for anesthesiologist in view of its multisystem involvement, specially the airway. We present a patient with RDD scheduled for bilateral rhinotomy and bilateral neck dissection for nasal obstruction and gross bilateral lymphadenopathy. Care should be taken in airway management because of the distortion of airway anatomy by the soft tissue mass with possible intracheal extension of mass. Central venous catheterization should be guided by ultrasonography.

An evaluation of transient elastography in the discrimination of HBeAg-negative disease from inactive hepatitis B carriers

Liver biopsy is frequently required in HBeAg-negative disease to determine the stage of fibrosis. It can be difficult to distinguish cohorts with undetectable HBeAg who may have varying degrees of fibrosis due to different stages of disease. We have assessed the utility of transient elastography (TE) to evaluate differences in HBeAg-negative patients. A total of 220 HBsAg-positive individuals were studied: 125 (group 1) had an inactive HBsAg carrier state and 95 (group 2) were HBeAg-negative, anti-HBe-positive patients with persistently or intermittent elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or HBV DNA >10(5) copies/mL. Mean stiffness was 4.83 +/- 1.2 kPa in group 1 vs 8.53 +/- 6 kPa in group 2 (P < 0.001); statistically significant differences were also found between AST/ULN ALT/ULN ratios, HBV DNA in group 1 vs group 2, respectively (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the only variable independently associated with the stage of fibrosis was the stiffness. This study shows that mean hepatic stiffness by elastography is significantly lower in patients with inactive hepatitis B compared to those with HBeAg-negative disease. The procedure is a useful adjunct to diagnosis to confirm a clinical pattern of disease, and for more selective use of liver biopsy before considering antiviral therapy.