Drug-loaded polymer-coated silver nanoparticles for lung cancer theranostics

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in cancer across the globe. To minimize these deaths, the replacement of traditional chemotherapy with novel strategies is significant. We have developed a nanotheranostic approach using silver nanoparticles for imaging and treatment. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are fabricated by chemical reduction method. The formulation of AgNPs was confirmed by different characterization techniques like stability test, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Confocal Raman Spectroscopy, and Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis. Further, AgNPs are coated with poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and then loaded with paclitaxel (Pac). Then the drug-loaded PLGA-coated AgNPs were characterized for size and zeta potential measurement by zetasizer, surface morphology study by atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and release kinetics study. The imaging and anticancer properties of these nanoformulations are investigated using lung cancer cell lines. The results proved that the particles are in the nanometer range with smooth surface morphology. Moreover, the drug-loaded NPs showed a sustained release of the drug for a longer period of time. Further the formulations showed imaging property with greater anticancer efficacy. Thus, the results suggest the effective use of these nanoformulation in both lung cancer imaging and treatment using a simple and efficient approach.

Educational Intervention to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Rural Patients with Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from An Innovative Academic-Community Partnership

BACKGROUND

The pandemic has disproportionately impacted rural communities with a higher burden of chronic disease and COVID-19 infection. West Virginia is a rural state with a high rate of diabetes, hypertension, and COPD, which are known risk factors for severe COVID-19 and long COVID. Yet, there is a significant hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the state. The purpose of this study was to use an educational intervention to increase vaccine knowledge and vaccine acceptance in rural patients with chronic disease(s) in West Virginia. This project used an academic-community partnership comprised of researchers, practitioners, community organizations, community-engaged partners, and patient stakeholders to increase COVID-19 health literacy and increase vaccine acceptance among rural West Virginians with chronic conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A quasi-experimental study design was used to deliver an educational intervention by trained Health Navigators using short videos to increase COVID-19 health literacy and address participants' vaccine concerns. Eligibility included adults (18 years and older) who have at least one chronic condition. A statewide community advisory board (CAB) guided the development of the educational training curriculum and implementation strategies. An adapted version of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework guided the development of the intervention. Health Navigators (n = 45) delivered the educational intervention in their local communities between November 2022 and October 2023 (project implementation is still ongoing). Intervention fidelity checks, an adaptable script, and a flow chart allowed tailoring of brief videos to address participants' specific COVID-19 questions and vaccine concerns. A validated online survey, monitored by an online Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database, assessed participants' knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and vaccine intention.

RESULTS

Health Navigators delivered the intervention to 1368 West Virginians in 52 counties (59.2% women; 61.8% without a college degree). Participants reported living with an average of 2.1 ± 1.4 chronic conditions. The mean age was 43.5 ± 18.8 years. The majority of participants (81.2%) had received the primary vaccination series, and 63.1% had at least one booster. However, 18% were unvaccinated or did not complete the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Discussions to improve vaccine literacy focused on how the vaccine was so quickly developed and protects against variants, addressing concerns related to the safety, short- and long-term side effects, and importance of vaccine uptake for immunocompromised individuals. Participants with higher concerns were more likely to be unvaccinated and to have not completed their primary series or boosters (p < 0.001). However, the educational intervention improved the willingness of individuals who were either unvaccinated or did not complete their primary vaccine series to get vaccinated (11.4%).

DISCUSSION

Our findings highlight the importance of vaccine literacy in increasing vaccination rates among rural patients with chronic diseases. Using the EPIS framework allowed us to reflect upon the challenges, ensure resilience during changing local contexts, and plan and implement a promising, cost-effective intervention in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the need for tailored educational interventions based on disease status, which has implications for public health and patient care in rural and underserved communities. Academic-community partnerships can be useful for successful knowledge transfer for vaccine acceptance to reduce rural health disparities.

Copper Nanoclusters as Novel Podium for Cancer Detection, Imaging, and Therapy Applications

Nanoclusters (NCs) are meticulously small, kinetically stable, crystalline materials which hold immense potential as multifaceted catalysts for a broad range of biomedical applications. Metal NCs are atomically precise and exist within the range of Fermi wavelength of electrons. They are highly advantageous as functional materials as their physicochemical properties can be customized to meet specific requirements. Copper NCs (CuNCs) are emerging as an efficient substitute to the other existing metal NCs. The synthesis of CuNCs is highly methodical, fast, cost effective and does not involve any complicated manipulation. On the contrary to gold and silver NCs, copper is a vital trace element for humans that can be excreted easily out the body. Further, the relatively inexpensiveness and easy availability of copper aids in potential nanotechnological applications in large quantity. As such, CuNCs have attracted great interest among the research community recently. The modern developments in the strategy, synthesis, surface modifications, and use of CuNCs in diagnosis of disease, imaging and treatment have been discussed in the present review. Approaches to regulate and augment the emission of CuNCs, challenges and drawbacks have also been considered. This review brings to light the multifarious applications of CuNCs and their potential as emerging theranostic agents. It is anticipated that the visions and directions for translating existing developments in CuNCs from the laboratory to the clinic can be further improved and enhanced.

Exploring facilitators and barriers to patient-provider communication regarding diabetes self-management

Objective

Long-term type 2 diabetes management requires open communication between a patient and their provider for self-care adherence. This study explored facilitators and barriers to diabetes-specific communication in West Virginia, a medically underserved state with the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%) in the U.S.

Methods

A secondary qualitative analysis was conducted using data from semi-structured interviews (n = 34) and 4 focus groups (n = 23) with participants of a diabetes education program. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three facilitators to patient-provider communication emerged: "Patient-Provider Partnership", "Provider Accessibility", and "Empowerment Through Education". Partnership with providers, especially those who were accessible outside of scheduled appointments, and empowerment obtained through diabetes education facilitated diabetes-specific patient-provider communication. However, barriers included "Providers' Focus on 'Numbers' Rather than Patient Concerns", "Patient Lack of Preparation for Appointments", and "Providers 'Talking Down to' Patients".

Conclusion

The findings highlight patient- and provider-related factors that impact diabetes-specific communication.

Innovation

Previous interventions have trained providers in communication skills. Despite some success, challenges in implementation remain considering providers' limited time and overwhelming demands. This study suggests that diabetes education programs incorporating communication and self-advocacy skills could be a promising alternative as they can empower patients to communicate their diabetes-specific needs/preferences with providers.

Isolation, characterisation, anticancer and anti-oxidant activities of 2-methoxy mucic acid from Rhizophora apiculata: an in vitro and in silico studies

The main objective of the present study is to isolate and characterise the novel bioactive molecule, 2-methoxy mucic acid (4) from Rhizophora apiculate Blume under the Rhizophoraceae family. In this study, the 2-methoxy mucic acid (4) was isolated for the first time from the methanolic extract of the leaves of R. apiculata. Anticancer activity of 2-methoxy mucic acid (4) was evaluated against HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines and they displayed promising activity with IC₅₀ values of 22.88283 ± 0.72 µg/ml in HeLa and 2.91925 ± 0.52 µg/ml in the case of MDA-MB-231, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant property of 2-methoxy mucic acid (4) was found to be (IC₅₀) 21.361 ± 0.41 µg/ml. Apart from in vitro studies, we also performed extensive in silico studies (molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation) on four critical antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-w, Bcl-xL and Bcl-B) towards 2-methoxy mucic acid (4). The results revealed that this molecule showed higher binding affinity towards Bcl-B protein (ΔG = -5.8 kcal/mol) and the structural stability of this protein was significantly improved upon binding of this molecule. The present study affords vital insights into the importance of 2-methoxy mucic acid (4) from R. apiculata. Furthermore, it opens the therapeutic route for the discovery of anticancer drugs. Research HighlightsThis is a first report on a bioactive compound identified and characterised; a novel 2-methoxy mucic acid derived from methanolic crude extract from the leaves of R. apiculata from ANI.Estimated binding free energy of 2-methoxy mucic acid is found to be -5.8 kcal/mol to the anti-apoptotic Bcl-B protein.2-methoxy mucic acid showed both significant anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Factors associated with COVID-19-related mental health among Asian Indians in the United States

Background

In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mental health symptoms and mental illness. Specific subgroups such as Asian Indians in the US have also been subject to additional stressors due to unprecedented loss of lives in their home country and increased Asian hate due to the misperception that Asians are to be blamed for the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.

Objective

We examined the various factors including discrimination associated with COVID-19-related mental health symptoms among Asian Indians.

Methods

We administered an online survey between May 2021 and July 2021 using convenient and snowball sampling methods to recruit Asian Indian adults (age > 18 years, N = 289). The survey included questions on mental health and the experience with unfair treatment in day-to-day life. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were performed.

Results

Overall, 46.0% reported feeling down, depressed, or lonely and feeling nervous, tense, or worried due to the COVID-19 pandemic; 90.0% had received at least one dose of vaccination and 74.7% reported some form of discrimination. In the fully-adjusted logistic regression, age (AOR = 0.95; 95%CI- 0.92, 0.97;p < 0.01) and general health (AOR=0.84; 95%CI- 0.73, 0.97; p < 0.015) were negatively associated with mental health symptoms. Participants who experienced discrimination were more likely (AOR=1.26; 95%CI- 1.08, 1.46; p < 0.01) to report mental health symptoms.

Conclusion

In this highly vaccinated group of Asian Indians discriminatory behaviors were associated with mental health symptoms suggesting the need for novel institutional level policy responses to reduce anti-Asian racism.

Prevalence and factors associated with diagnosed diabetes mellitus among Asian Indian adults in the United States

Higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been documented among South Asians living in the United States. However, combining the south Asian subgroups into one category masks the heterogeneity in the diagnosed DM, after controlling for known protective and risk factors. We assessed the association of Asian Indian ethnicity to diagnosed DM using a nationally representative sample of 1,986 Asian Indian adults in the US compared to 109,072 Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) using disaggregated data from the National Health Interview Survey (2012-2016) (NHIS). 2010 US census figures were used for age-sex standardization. Age-sex adjusted prevalence of DM was 8.3% in Asian Indians as compared to 5.8% in NHW. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression models, Asian Indians had higher odds ratios of reporting diagnosed DM compared to NHWs (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.71). This association remained strong and significant even after controlling for other risk factors in the model (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.85). Results suggest a favorable socio-economic profile of Asian Indians was not protective on diagnosed DM. In addition, they were more likely to have diagnosed DM due to higher prevalence of obesity despite healthier behaviors of smoking and exercise.

Relationship Among Diabetes Distress, Health Literacy, Diabetes Education, Patient-Provider Communication and Diabetes Self-Care

OBJECTIVES

Mechanisms underlying relationships among patients' health literacy, diabetes distress, diabetes education, and provider counseling for self-care of chronic conditions are unclear. This study tested these relationships using SEM with adult patients with comorbid diabetes and hypertension in rural WV.

METHODS

Ninety-one participants of a 12-week self-management program reported on diabetes self-care (diet, exercise, blood glucose (BG) monitoring) and related provider counseling.

RESULTS

Based on patient report, providers' recommendations included following a low-fat diet, eating fruits/ vegetables, limiting sweets, a daily low-level of exercise and/or exercise ≥20 minutes three times/week, and BG monitoring. Provider recommendations were shown to be associated with patients' self-care behaviors (r=0.22, p<0.05). Multiple factors directly influenced provider recommendations: diabetes distress, health literacy, and family history of diabetes. A positive association was also noted between prior diabetes education and provider recommendations and diabetes self-care (r=0.44, p<0.001). A negative association was noted between diabetes distress and self-care, but a positive effect on provider recommendations was found. The model demonstrated good fit [CFI=0.94, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) =0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

To enhance diabetes self-care, providers should consistently provide education on self-care behaviors as well as partner with them to address diabetes distress.

A theoretical model of college students' sleep quality and health-related quality of life

Poor sleep confers significant morbidities and is highly prevalent among college students in the United States. This research assessed sleep quality and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Further, because sleep quality research often lacks a theoretical foundation, we applied a theoretical model using selected constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Health Belief Model (HBM). A random, stratified sample of undergraduate students participated in an online survey (N = 494). Structural equation modeling assessed the association between theoretical constructs, sleep quality, and HRQOL. The final model fit was acceptable, with ~ 20% of the variance in sleep quality explained by the theoretical constructs and control variables. HBM constructs were indirectly and negatively related to sleep quality, mediated through behavioral intention, and also positively and directly associated with behavioral intention. Behavioral intention was strongly and negatively associated with sleep quality. Approximately 31% of the variance in HRQOL was explained by poor sleep quality, behavioral intention, and gender. Poor sleep was most strongly associated with reduced HRQOL. HBM constructs and behavioral intention from TPB were significantly associated with poor sleep quality, and poor sleep was significantly related to poor HRQOL.

Predictors of diabetes risk perception among college students

Objective: To explore the diabetes knowledge and future disease risk perception of college students. Participants: 697 college students were purposefully recruited at a large state university and completed an online survey. Methods: Diabetes knowledge, future disease risk perception, lifestyle, and demographic factors were assessed. Results: The majority of students (56%) reported a family history of diabetes but perceived their diabetes risk as low/moderate (90%). Logistic regression indicated higher knowledge (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13), age (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16), bodymassindex (BMI) (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 2.33-10.30) and family history of diabetes (OR, 4.30; 95% CI, 1.97-9.40) increased perception of future diabetes risk. Those who self-rated their health as good/excellent and read food labels regularly/often had lower perceived future risk of diabetes. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of educating college students on diabetes risk factors as well as primary/secondary prevention for reducing diabetes incidence in this age group.

Hypoxia responsive phytonanotheranostics: A novel paradigm towards fighting cancer

Hypoxia enhances tumor aggressiveness, thereby reducing the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Phytomedicine, which is nowadays considered as the new panacea owing to its dynamic physiological properties, is often plagued by shortcomings. Incorporating these wonder drugs in nanoparticles (phytonanomedicine) for hypoxia therapy is a new prospect in the direction of cancer management. Similarly, the concept of phytonanotheranostics for the precise tumor lesion detection and treatment monitoring in the hypoxic scenario is going on a rampant speed. In the same line, smart nanoparticles which step in for "on-demand" drug release based on internal or external stimuli are also being explored as a new tool for cancer management. However, studies regarding these smart and tailor-made nanotheranostics in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment are very limited. The present review is an attempt to collate these smart stimuli-responsive phytonanotherapeutics in one place for initiating future research in this upcoming field for better cancer treatment.

AB0551 CUTANEOUS LUPUS AREA AND SEVERITY INDEX(CLASI) CORRELATES WITH SELF-IMAGE SCORE BUT NOT QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has multi-system involvement including skin. We explored how skin involvement influenced with the quality of life of patients with SLE.

Objectives

To correlate the domains of SLE QoL with skin involvement and total lupus disease activity.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of patients with SLE was carried out to assess Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and SLE-QoL. Lupus disease activity and damage were quantified using Mex-SLEDAI (Mexican SLE Disease Activity Index) and SLICC (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) Damage Index respectively. Data is expressed as median (IQR).

Results

In the cohort of 35 patients with SLE, with an age of 26(IQR:17-32) years and including eight (22.8%) males, the CLASI score was 5.5(IQR:3-11.5) with an activity score of 3(1-5) and a chronicity score of 1(0-4). The disease duration was 4years (IQR: 2-3) while SLE-QoL was 73(62-86). Overall, most of the patients had active disease at inclusion with a mex-SLEDAI of 8(6.5-11.5). SLICC was 1(0-4).

The correlation matrix of different domains of the SLE-QoL with CLASI, and Mex-SLEDAI is presented in Table 1. Correlation with SLICC was not analysed since it was zero in the majority of participants. Multivariate analyses were not done since there was lack of association on univariate analysis.

Table 1.

Correlations between different domains of the SLE(Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) -QoL(Quality of Life) with CLASI (Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index) and Mexican SLE-DAI(SLE Disease Activity Index).

SLE-QoL DomainsPhysical functioningPhysical activitySymptomsTreatmentMoodSelfimageTotalCLASI Activity.028-.062.242.103.113.252.102(p=0.87)(p=0.73)(p=0.16)(p=0.56)(p=0.52)(p=0.15)(p=0.56)CLASI Damage.125.010.257.239.233.446**.243(p=0.47)(p=0.95)(p=0.13)(p=0.17)(p=0.18)(p=0.007)(p=0.16)CLASI total.047-.062.448*.331.332.315.281(p=0.80)(p=0.75)(p=0.013)(p=0.07)(p=0.07)(p=0.09(p=0.13)Mexican SLEDAI SCORE.001.130.390*.251.115.197.200(p=0.99)(p=0.47)(p=0.025)(p=0.16)(p=0.52)(p=0.27)(p=0.27)

Conclusion

In this cohort of patients with active SLE, the SLE-QoL did not correlate with either the overall disease activity score nor the skin specific score. Only the Self-image domain correlated with the skin score. This implies that in active disease, the skin involvement may have only a minor effect on the quality of life.

References

[1]Klein R, Moghadam-Kia S, LoMonico J, Okawa J, Coley C, Taylor L, Troxel AB, Werth VP. Development of the CLASI as a tool to measure disease severity and responsiveness to therapy in cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Archives of dermatology. 2011 Feb 1;147(2):203-8.

[2]Leong KP, Kong KO, Thong BY, Koh ET, Lian TY, Teh CL, Cheng YK, Chng HH, Badsha H, Law WG, Lau TC. Development and preliminary validation of a systemic lupus erythematosus-specific quality-of-life instrument (SLEQOL). Rheumatology. 2005 Oct 1;44(10):1267-76.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Multifaceted Engineered Biomimetic Nanorobots Toward Cancer Management

The noteworthy beneficiary to date in nanotechnology is cancer management. Nanorobots are developed as the result of advancements in the nanostructure, robotics, healthcare, and computer systems. These devices at the nanoscale level are beneficial in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various health conditions notably cancer. Though these structures have distinct potentialities, the usage of inorganic substances in their construction can affect their performance and can cause health issues in the body. To overcome this, naturally inspired substances are incorporated in the fabrication process of nanorobots termed biomimetic nanorobots that can overcome the immunological responses and reduce the side effects with effective functionalization. These biomimetic nanorobots can widen the opportunities in cancer imaging and therapy. Herein, an up-to-date review of biomimetic nanorobots along with their applications in cancer management is provided. Furthermore, the safety issues and future directions of biomimetic nanorobots to achieve clinical translation are also stated.

Building Collective Efficacy to Support Public Health Workforce Development

CONTEXT

Leaders in public health have made great advances in workforce development over the past 30 years, while shifting from an emphasis based in training on individual, technical skills to a more holistic development approach, which boosts crosscutting skills. Efforts to increase public health workforce capabilities remain focused on workers as individuals, rather than the workforce as a collective unit.

PROGRAM

Research has shown that a strategic adult learning approach can improve both individual capabilities and the collective performance of the workforce, which can be explained using social cognitive theory and the concept of collective efficacy, or the collective belief of workers in the ability of the group to succeed. We explain how a prior training program pushed us to explore this approach.

IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed approach covers proposed implementation strategies to build collective efficacy as part of existing workforce development initiatives, with a focus on 5 key steps.

EVALUATION

Experience in fields as diverse as sports psychology and organizational development has shown that it is possible to evaluate changes in collective efficacy using measures that can be adopted in public health.

DISCUSSION

Adjusting existing public health workforce development initiatives to build collective efficacy can help link workforce self-confidence to performance. More actionable data are needed to determine the best methods for achieving those goals in the field of public health.

Addressing Diabetes Distress in Self-Management Programs: Results of a Randomized Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

West Virginia ranks 1st nationally in the prevalence of hypertension (HTN; 43.8%) and diabetes (16.2%). Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are distressed over physical and psychological burden of disease self-management.

METHODS

This study investigated the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce diabetes distress and outcomes [glycemic control, blood pressure (BP)] among T2DM adults with comorbid HTN. Participants were randomized to a 12-week diabetes and hypertension self-management program versus a 3-month wait-listed control group. Trained health coaches and experts implemented the lifestyle program in a faith-based setting using an adapted evidence-based curriculum. Twenty adults with T2DM and HTN (n=10 per group) completed baseline and 12-week assessments. Diabetes distress was measured by using a validated Diabetes Distress Survey (17-item Likert scale; four sub-scales of emotional burden, physician related burden, regimen related burden, and interpersonal distress). Baseline and post-intervention changes in diabetes distress were compared for both groups; reduction in distress in the intervention groups are depicted using waterfall plots. The mean age, HbA1c and BMI were 55 ± 9.6 years, 7.8 ± 2.24 and 36.4 ± 8.8, respectively. Diabetes distress (total; mean) was 1.84±0.71.

RESULTS

Participants reported higher diabetes distress related to emotional burden (2.1±0.94) and regimen-related distress (2.0 ± 0.74); physician-related distress was the lowest (1.18±0.64). In general, diabetes distress reduced among intervention participants and was especially significant among those with HbA1c ≤ 8% (r=0.28, p=0.4), and systolic/diastolic BP ≤140/80 mm Hg (r=0.045, P=0.18).

IMPLICATIONS

Findings suggest that lifestyle self-management programs have the potential to reduce diabetes distress.

Diabetes Knowledge, Behaviors, and Perceptions of Risk in Rural West Virginia Counties

Introduction

A little less than half of American adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes. In 2016, West Virginia (WV) had the highest percentage (15.2%) of adults with diagnosed diabetes in the U.S.

Purpose

In partnership with the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), a cross-sectional study was preformed to assess knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions of diabetes risk.

Methods

Data was collected by trained HSTA students and teachers who lived in rural counties in WV. Information was assessed using validated surveys, and HbA1c was obtained by utilizing professional point-of-care (Bayer) kits.

Results

Mean age and Body Mass Index (BMI) was 36.11±17.86 years and 27.80±6.09 kg/m², respectively. More than half of the participants had a family history of diabetes (58.8%) and hypertension (60.2%), and a majority had elevated BMI (65.9%). However, only 29.2% rated their future risk for diabetes as moderate to high. Eighty percent (80%) had an inadequate amount of weekly exercise, and 36% had lower quality of diet. Overall, dietary quality and diabetes knowledge was associated with a low to moderate diabetes risk score; risk score positively correlated with higher HbA1c (r=0.439, P<.001). Participants' HbA1c, perceived future risk of diabetes and family history of diabetes emerged as significant predictors of diabetes risk in the regression model, controlling for health behavior and diabetes knowledge.

Implications

HbA1c, perceived future risk of diabetes and family history of diabetes may be the best predictors of developing diabetes in the future and, therefore, are important to assess during community screening. Perception of diabetes risk is lower than actual diabetes risk in WV.

Opportunities for diabetes and peripheral artery disease-related lower limb amputation prevention in an Appalachian state: A longitudinal analysis

•

Patients in the rural state of WV are at high-risk for atraumatic amputation.

•

There are opportunities for improved diabetes and vascular disease management in WV.

•

Patients at risk for vascular disease require preventive foot care and medication.

•

Amputation may represent a sentinel event that promotes patient behavior change.

Lower extremity amputation due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes (DM) is a life-altering event that identifies disparities in access to healthcare and management of disease. West Virginia (WV), a highly rural state, is an ideal location to study these disparities. The WVU longitudinal health system database was used to identify 1) risk factors for amputation, 2) how disease management affects the risk of amputation, and 3) whether the event of amputation is associated with a change in HbA1c and LDL levels.

Adults (≥18 years) with diagnoses of DM and/or PAD between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed on patients with lab information for both HbA1c and LDL while adjusting for patient factors to examine associations with amputations. In patients who underwent amputation, we compared laboratory values before and after using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

50,276 patients were evaluated, 369 (7.3/1000) underwent amputation. On multivariable analyses, Male sex and Self-pay insurance had higher odds for amputation. Compared to patients with DM alone, PAD patients had 12.3 times higher odds of amputation, while patients with DM and PAD had 51.8 times higher odds of amputation compared to DM alone. We found significant associations between odds of amputation and HbA1c (OR 1.31,CI = 1.15–1.48), but not LDL. Following amputation, we identified significant decreases in lab values for HbA1c and LDL.

These findings highlight the importance of medical optimization and patient education and suggest that an amputation event may provide an important opportunity for changes in disease management and patient behavior.

Nanobiosensor-based diagnostic tools in viral infections: Special emphasis on Covid-19

The rapid propagation of novel human coronavirus 2019 and its emergence as a pandemic raising morbidity calls for taking more appropriate measures for rapid improvement of present diagnostic techniques which are time‐consuming, labour‐intensive and non‐portable. In this scenario, biosensors can be considered as a means to outmatch customary techniques and deliver point‐of‐care diagnostics for many diseases in a much better way owing to their speed, cost‐effectiveness, accuracy, sensitivity and selectivity. Besides this, these biosensors have been aptly used to detect a wide spectrum of viruses thus facilitating timely delivery of correct therapy. The present review is an attempt to analyse such different kinds of biosensors that have been implemented for virus detection. Recently, the field of nanotechnology has given a great push to diagnostic techniques by the development of smart and miniaturised nanobiosensors which have enhanced the diagnostic procedure and taken it to a new level. The portability, hardiness and affordability of nanobiosensor make them an apt diagnostic agent for different kinds of viruses including SARS‐CoV‐2. The role of such novel nanobiosensors in the diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 has also been addressed comprehensively in the present review. Along with this, the challenges and future position of developing such ultrasensitive nanobiosensors which should be taken into consideration before declaring these nano‐weapons as the ideal futuristic gold standard of diagnosis has also been accounted for here.

A comprehensive in silico and in vitro studies on quinizarin: a promising phytochemical derived from Rhizophora mucronata Lam

Mangrove plants are a great source of phytomedicines, since from the beginning of human civilization and the origin of traditional medicines. In the present study, ten different mangrove leaf methanolic extracts were screened for the type of phytochemicals followed by assessing antimicrobial, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. The efficient methanolic crude extract of Rhizospora mucornata was further purified and characterized for the presence of the bioactive compound. Based on UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, NMR and HRMS analysis, the bioactive compound was 1,4-dihydroanthraquinone; also termed as Quinizarin. This identified compound was potential in exhibiting antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity. Quinizarin inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella aerogenes with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.78 and 1.5 mg/ml. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay revealed the maximum activity of 99.8% at the concentration of 200 µg/ml with an IC50 value of 12.67 ± 0.41 µg/ml. Cytotoxic assay against HeLa (cervical) and MDA-MB231(breast) cancer cell lines revealed IC50 values to be 4.60 ± 0.26 and 3.89 ± 0.15 µg/ml. Together the results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies explained that Quinizarin molecule showed stronger binding affinity (-6.2 kcal/mol) and significant structural stability towards anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Thus, the study put forth the promising role of the natural molecule - Quinizarin isolated from R. mucornata in the formulation of therapeutic drugs against bacterial infections and cancer. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Identifying knowledge gaps in heart failure research among women using unsupervised machine-learning methods

Aim: To identify knowledge gaps in heart failure (HF) research among women, especially postmenopausal women. Materials & methods: We retrieved HF articles from PubMed. Natural language processing and text mining techniques were used to screen relevant articles and identify study objective(s) from abstracts. After text preprocessing, we performed topic modeling with non-negative matrix factorization to cluster articles based on the primary topic. Clusters were independently validated and labeled by three investigators familiar with HF research. Results: Our model yielded 15 topic clusters from articles on HF among women. Atrial fibrillation was found to be the most understudied topic. From articles specific to postmenopausal women, five clusters were identified. The smallest cluster was about stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: Topic modeling can help identify understudied areas in medical research.

Smart nanotheranostic hydrogels for on-demand cancer management

Theranostics is a revolution in cancer therapy. Hydrogels have many implications as a drug delivery vehicle and theranostics hydrogels could be a model nanotherapeutic for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Metabonomics and the Gut Microbiome Associated With Primary Response to Anti-TNF Therapy in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy is indicated for treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], but has a primary non-response rate of around 30%. We aim to use metabonomic and metataxonomic profiling to identify predictive biomarkers of anti-TNF response in Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Patients with luminal Crohn's disease, commencing anti-TNF therapy, were recruited with urine, faeces, and serum samples being collected at baseline and 3-monthly. Primary response was defined according to a combination of clinical and objective markers of inflammation. Samples were measured using three UPLC-MS assays: lipid, bile acid, and Hydrophillic Interaction Liquid Chromatography [HILIC] profiling with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of faeces.

RESULTS

Samples were collected from 76 Crohn's disease patients who were anti-TNF naïve and from 13 healthy controls. There were 11 responders, 37 non-responders, and 28 partial responders in anti-TNF-treated Crohn's patients. Histidine and cysteine were identified as biomarkers of response from polar metabolite profiling [HILIC] of serum and urine. Lipid profiling of serum and faeces found phosphocholines, ceramides, sphingomyelins, and triglycerides, and bile acid profiling identified primary bile acids to be associated with non-response to anti-TNF therapy, with higher levels of phase 2 conjugates in non-responders. Receiver operating curves for treatment response demonstrated 0.94 +/ -0.10 [faecal lipid], 0.81 +/- 0.17 [faecal bile acid], and 0.74 +/- 0.15 [serum bile acid] predictive ability for anti-TNF response in Crohn's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, longitudinal cohort study of metabonomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis demonstrates that a range of metabolic biomarkers involving lipid, bile acid, and amino acid pathways may contribute to prediction of response to anti-TNF therapy in Crohn's disease.

PODCAST

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Establishing the promising role of novel combination of triple therapeutics delivery using polymeric nanoparticles for Triple negative breast cancer therapy

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a lethal tumor with an advanced degree of metastasis and poor survivability as compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. TNBC which consists of 15 % of all types of breast cancer is categorized by the absence of expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). This is the main reason for the failure of current hormonal receptor-based therapies against TNBCs, thus leading to poor patient outcomes. Therefore, there is a necessity to develop novel therapies targeting this devastating disease.

Methods: In this study, we have targeted TNBC by simultaneous activation of apoptosis through DNA damage via cytotoxic agent such as paclitaxel (PAC), inhibition of PARP activity via PARP inhibitor, olaparib (OLA) and inhibiting the activity of FOXM1 proto-oncogenic transcription factor by using RNA interference technology (FOXM1-siRNA) in nanoformulations. Experiments conducted in this investigation include cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and apoptosis study using MDA-MB-231 cells.

Results: The present study validates that co-delivery of two drugs (PAC and OLA) along with FOXM1-siRNA by cationic NPs, enhances the therapeutic outcome leading to greater cytotoxicity in TNBC cells.

Conclusion: The current investigation focuses on designing a multifunctional drug delivery platform for concurrent delivery of either PAC or PARP inhibitor (olaparib) and FOXM1 siRNA in chitosan-coated poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with the ability to emerge as a front runner therapeutic for TNBC therapy.

AB0581 HIGH PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH IIM AS COMPARED WITH SLE: RETROSPECTIVE DATA REVIEW FROM A LARGE COHORT AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN INDIA

Background:

Infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM). India is endemic for Tuberculosis (TB) with a prevalence of 2.3 cases per thousand population.

Objectives:

Thus, we studied the prevalence of TB in our cohort of IIM patients and compared with that in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods:

Medical records from paper charts and electronic medical records were reviewed for adults and juvenile patients with SLE (ACR criteria 1997) and IIM (Bohan and Peter criteria 1975) first presented at a tertiary care hospital in India from 1989 to 2016. Clinical variables including disease characteristics variables, the frequency, site, duration and complication of active TB as well as dose of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs were extracted retrospectively from the medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort and TB characteristics. Chi-square and t-test were used to evaluate association of TB with clinical diagnosis as well as medication data.

Results:

There were 167 (132 adults and 35 juvenile) IIM and 280 (131 adults and 149 juvenile) SLE in our cohort. Active TB occurred in 24 (14.4%) of all IIM cases (18, 13.6% adults; 6, 17.1% juvenile) as compared to 18 (6.4%) of all SLE cases (8, 6.1% adults; 10, 6.7% juvenile, p value < 0.01). Of all the TB in myositis, most often it was seen in Dermatomyositis (n=11, 45.8%) followed by Polymyositis (5, 20.8%), and occasionally in Overlap myositis (3, 12.5) and juvenile dermatomyositis (1,4.1%).

Considering an annual TB rate of 211 per 100,000 of the general population, the risk of developing active TB was 62-fold higher in patients with IIM and 27-fold higher in those with lupus. Patients with IIM had higher odds of developing TB as compared with Lupus [odds ratio 2.86 (CI 1.5-5.47), p=0.007).

Amongst 24 IIM patients with TB, 10 had pulmonary TB and 14 had extra-pulmonary TB. The median glucocorticoid dose at the diagnosis of TB was 0.25 (0-1.5) mg/kg/day. Half the cases of active TB occurred during inactive myositis. Seventeen patients with active TB were followed up over 27 months (8-184), with remission of TB in all cases but required prolonged courses of Anti-Tuberculous Therapy (ATT) in 25% cases with 10 ATT related adverse events in 8 patients and 5 patients with relapse of myositis due to lowering of immunosuppression.

Conclusion:

Patients with IIM have higher prevalence of active TB as compared with SLE patients. The risk is highest in patients with Dermatomyositis possibly related to high doses of steroids. Extra-pulmonary forms of TB are more common, and patients commonly require prolonged course of ATT and may suffer relapses of myositis during ATT. Screening for latent TB may be useful in IIM patients before prescribing steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs.

References:

[1]TB Statistics India | National, treatment outcome & state statistics [Internet]. TB Facts | TB, tests, drugs, statistics. [cited 2019 Jun 13]. Available from:https://www.tbfacts.org/tb-statistics-india/

[2]Muhammed H, Gupta L, Zanwar A, Misra DP, Lawrence A, Agarwal V, Aggarwal A, Misra R;OPC0243: Infections are leading cause of in-hospital mortality in patients with inflammatory myositis; Indian J Rheumatol 2018;13, Suppl S2:93-241

[3]Gaitonde S, Pathan E, Sule A, Mittal G, Joshi VR. Efficacy of isoniazid prophylaxis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving long term steroid treatment. Ann Rheum Dis. 2002 Mar;61(3):251–3.

[18]He D, Bai F, Zhang S, Jiang T, Shen J, Zhu Q, et al. High incidence of tuberculosis infection in rheumatic diseases and impact for chemoprophylactic prevention of tuberculosis activation during biologics therapy. Clin Vaccine Immunol CVI. 2013 Jun;20(6):842–7.

Figure 1.

(A) Prevalence and (B) sites of tuberculosis

Table 1.

Table 2.

Clinical profile of patients with Tuberculosis

Disclosure of Interests:

Latika Gupta: None declared, Abhishek Zanwar: None declared, Rohit Aggarwal Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Genentech, BMS, Mallinckrodt, Consultant of: Pfizer, Genentech, BMS, Mallinckrodt, Bristol Myers-Squibb, octapharma, CSL Behring, AstraZeneca, Corbus, Kezar, Abbvie, Able Lawrence: None declared, Durga Misra: None declared, Vikas Agarwal: None declared, Ramnath Misra: None declared, Amita Aggarwal: None declared

SAT0323 MYOSITIS-SPECIFIC AND MYOSITIS-ASSOCIATED AUTOANTIBODIES IN A LARGE INDIAN COHORT OF INFLAMMATORY MYOSITIS REVEAL NOVEL CLINICO-PHENOTYPIC PATTERNS

Background:

Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis (IIM) are heterogenous, with distinct autoantibodies reflecting upon possible clinical evolution and outcomes. Ethnicity has major influence on both antibody prevalence patterns as well as phenotypic behaviours linked to them.

Objectives:

Thus we sought prevalence and co-existence of myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis associated autoantibodies (MAAs) and associated clinical characteristics in a large cohort of patients with IIM.

Methods:

Adult patients with a physician diagnosis of IIM as per ACR/EULAR classification criteria were investigated for the presence of MSAs/MAAs by Line immunoassay (G4, Euro-Immune, Lubeck, Germany). Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) was tested by Immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and patterns in various antibody subsets explored. Prevalence and associations of different antibodies were assessed in disease subsets and clinical phenotypes.

Results:

MSA and MAAs were tested in 250 IIM patients (F:M 3.8:1) of median age 37 (25-47) and disease duration 6 (3-17) years. Dermatomyositis (DM) was seen in most patients 83 (33.2%) followed by overlap myositis (OM), juvenile DM, Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS), polymyositis (PM), and cancer associated myositis (CAM). MSAs/MAAs were found in 148 (59.2%) of patients, of which 95 (64.2%) had an MSA and 53 (35.8%) had MAAs (Fig, 1A). 93 (62.8%) of autoantibody positive patients were positive for a single antibody, and only 2 (0.8%) of total had more than one MSA (Table 1).

Table 1.

Multiple antibodies positive upon testing for MSA and MAA by the LIA

Note: ** PL-7 co-exists with Ku + Pm/Scl, **PL-12 co-exists with Pm/Scl + Ro52, **SRP co-exists with Pm/Scl + Ro52

The most frequently detected MSA was anti-Jo-1 (8%), with a further 9 specificities each found in 0.5–7.0% of patients. Amongst the autoantibody positive patients, 21% (n=53) had isolated MAA positivity, anti-Ro52 (33, 62.3%) being the most common, followed by anti-Pm/Scl (11, 20.8%) and anti-Ku (9, 17.0%) (Fig. 1B).

Figure 1.

A. MSA and MAA in Indian cohort of myositis B. ANA patterns in myositis C. MSA in ANA negative IIM

On ANA, 76.0% (172 of 226) were positive, with speckled being the most common pattern (37%,Fig. 1C). Of those ANA negative (n=54), 61% had either MSA or MAA (Fig 1D). 18 (54.6%) had autoantibodies associated with cytoplasmic patterns suggesting that cytoplasmic ANA may be underreported.

Clinical presentation akin to DM was seen with all MSA except anti-SRP. PM group was heterogenous, and included ASS, OM and necrotizing phenotype (Fig. 2A). On occasion, anti-SRP, anti-Mi-2 and anti-MDA5 presented with clinical phenotype of ASS. (Fig 2A,C). Patients with ARS or anti-SAE were often clinically amyopathic (Figure 2B,C)

Figure 2.

A. Phenotypic associated with various antibody subsets B,C,and D. MSA/MAA in muscle weakness, rash and ILD phenotype. E. Unique feature of eye-lid edema in some patients with MDA-5 positive myositis

ARS were associated with mechanic’s hand (p<0.0001,OR 7.6), ILD (p<0.0001,OR 4.4), and arthritis (p=.002,OR 2.6) though there was no difference between Jo-1 and non-Jo-1 ASS. Anti-MDA-5 associated with fever (p=0.003,OR 12) and weight loss (p=0.008,OR 10.2) and unique phenotype of eye-lid edema in some adults (Figure 2E) and arthritis in children (p=0.01, OR 11.5). Anti-TIF-1ɣ associated with alopecia (p=0.007,OR 5.9) and malignancy (p= <0.0001,OR 34) in adults but not children.

Conclusion:

Myositis autoantibodies are seen in two-thirds IIM and identify distinct clinical subsets as well as unique phenotypes. MSA/MAA are positive in two-thirds of those negative on ANA, adding diagnostic value. MSAs are nearly always mutually exclusive and thus useful as biomarkers for diagnosis.

Acknowledgments:

MSA testing supported by grants from APLAR and Association of Physicians of India.

Disclosure of Interests:

Latika Gupta: None declared, Priyanka Gaur: None declared, Vikas Agarwal: None declared, Rohit Aggarwal Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Genentech, BMS, Mallinckrodt, Consultant of: Pfizer, Genentech, BMS, Mallinckrodt, Bristol Myers-Squibb, octapharma, CSL Behring, AstraZeneca, Corbus, Kezar, Abbvie, Ramnath Misra: None declared

SAT0230 MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION SYNDROME IN SLE AND SYSTEMIC ONSET JIA: SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR

Background:

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a serious complication in rheumatic disease. Fever and hyperferritinemia are common in systemic onset JIA and cytopenias are common in SLE thus recognising MAS in them is a challenge.

Objectives:

We compared clinical, laboratory parameters, various classification criteria for MAS, and its outcome in SLE and sJIA.

Methods:

Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from clinician diagnosed cases of MAS with SLE/sJIA who were admitted between 2004-2018 at a tertiary care hospital. Percentage of patients satisfying Ravelli, International consensus, HLH 2004 and criteria proposed by Parodi et al1were calculated.

Results:

Among 33 patients (18 females) with MAS 19 had SLE and 14 had sJIA. MAS was more likely to be the presenting manifestation of disease in SLE as compared to sJIA (p<0.05). There were no differences in the clinical features among these two diseases. EBV and CMV were identified in 2 patients each as the trigger for MAS.

Patients with SLE had lower baseline TLC and platelet whereas patients with sJIA-MAS had significantly higher median CRP (p = 0.002), fall in TLC (p=0.012) and delta ESR/CRP ratio (p=0.02) and lower fibrinogen level (p=0.006). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Ferritin/CRP ratio and number of patients with Ferritin/ESR >80 were similar. Bone Marrow hemophagocytosis was seen in only in 21% of patients.

Only 6/33 fulfilled HLH criteria but criteria meant for sJIA or SLE performed well for both diseases and majority of patients could be diagnosed using them. Treatment included steroids(100%), cyclosporine(30%), Tacrolimus(21%), cyclophosphamide(21%), etoposide(3%) and thalidomide(12%). Mortality was similar in both groups.

Table 1.

Agreement amongst MAS/HLH criteria in SLE and sJIA MAS

SLE-MASHLHRavelli et alConsensusParodi et alHLH4444Ravelli et al4191918Consensus4191918Parodi et al4181818sJIA-MASHLHRavelli et alConsensusParodi et alHLH2222Ravelli et al2121112Consensus2111212Parodi et al2121214Table 2.

Comparison with various other cohorts

Minoia et alsJIAn (%)Our studysJIA, n (%)Our Study SLE, n (%)SLE, n (%) Ai-Chun Liu et alJuvenile SLE n (%)Parodi et alNumber36214193238MAS as presenting feature (%)80 (22)4 (28)12 (63)NA24 (63)Most common manifestation (%)Fever (96)Fever (100)Fever (89)Fever (96)Fever (89)Most common triggerDisease activityDisease activityDisease activityDisease activityDisease activityBM done251 (72.3)8 (57)12 (63)32 (96)38 (100)BM hemophagocytosis150 (60.7)2 (25)5 (41)32 (100)20 (52)Mortality28 (8)2 (14)2 (10.5)4 (12.5)4 (11.4)Patients meeting JIA criteria %NA-100NA100Patients meeting HLH criteria %NA1419NA66

Conclusion:

MAS is more likely to be presenting manifestation in SLE compared to sJIA. Though lab parameters are significantly different in MAS associated with SLE & sJIA, criteria meant for MAS in sJIA or SLE MAS performed equally well in both diseases.

References:

[1]Parodi A et al, Macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a multinational multicenter study of thirty-eight patients. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Nov;60(11):3388-99.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 45 countries for 2012-2017: Device-associated module

BACKGROUND

We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2012 to December 2017 in 523 intensive care units (ICUs) in 45 countries from Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.

METHODS

During the 6-year study period, prospective data from 532,483 ICU patients hospitalized in 242 hospitals, for an aggregate of 2,197,304 patient days, were collected through the INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI) were applied.

RESULTS

Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was higher (5.05 vs 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days); the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was also higher (14.1 vs 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days,), as well as the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.1 vs 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days). From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance, such as of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to piperacillin-tazobactam (33.0% vs 18.3%), were also higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a significant trend toward the reduction in INICC ICUs, DA-HAI rates are still much higher compared with CDC-NHSN's ICUs representing the developed world. It is INICC's main goal to provide basic and cost-effective resources, through the INICC Surveillance Online System to tackle the burden of DA-HAIs effectively.

The effect of rurality on the risk of primary amputation is amplified by race

OBJECTIVE

Primary amputation (ie, without attempted revascularization) is a devastating complication of peripheral artery disease. Racial disparities in primary amputation have been described; however, rural disparities have not been well investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of rurality on risk of primary amputation and to explore the effect of race on this relationship.

METHODS

The national Vascular Quality Initiative amputation data set was used for analyses (N = 6795). The outcome of interest was primary amputation. Independent variables were race/ethnicity (non-Latinx whites vs nonwhites) and rural residence. Multivariable logistic regression examined impact of rurality and race/ethnicity on primary amputation after adjustment for relevant covariates and included an interaction for race/ethnicity by rural status.

RESULTS

Primary amputation occurred in 49% of patients overall (n = 3332), in 47% of rural vs 49% of urban patients (P = .322), and in 46% of whites vs 53% of nonwhites (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, nonwhites had a 21% higher odds of undergoing primary amputation overall (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.39). On subgroup analysis, rural nonwhites had two times higher odds of undergoing primary amputation than rural whites (AOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.53-2.78) and a 52% higher odds of undergoing primary amputation than urban nonwhites (AOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.19-1.94). In the urban setting, nonwhites had a 21% higher odds of undergoing primary amputation than urban whites (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05-1.39).

CONCLUSIONS

In these analyses, rurality was associated with greater odds for primary amputation in nonwhite patients but not in white patients. The effect of race on primary amputation was significant in both urban and rural settings; however, the effect was significantly stronger in rural settings. These findings suggest that race/ethnicity has a compounding effect on rural health disparities and that strategies to improve health of rural communities need to consider the particular needs of nonwhite residents to reduce disparities.

Classification of close binary stars using recurrence networks

Close binary stars are binary stars where the component stars are close enough such that they can exchange mass and/or energy. They are subdivided into semidetached, overcontact, or ellipsoidal binary stars. A challenging problem in the context of close binary stars is their classification into these subclasses based solely on their light curves. Conventionally, this is done by observing subtle features in the light curves like the depths of adjacent minima, which is tedious when dealing with large datasets. In this work, we suggest the use of machine learning algorithms applied to quantifiers derived from recurrence networks to differentiate between classes of close binary stars. We show that overcontact binary stars occupy a region different from semidetached and ellipsoidal binary stars in a plane of characteristic path length and average clustering coefficient, computed from their recurrence networks. We use standard clustering algorithms and report that the clusters formed correspond to the standard classes with a high degree of accuracy.

Geographic variation in amputation rates among patients with diabetes and/or peripheral arterial disease in the rural state of West Virginia identifies areas for improved care

OBJECTIVE

Amputation is a devastating but preventable complication of diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Multiple studies have focused on disparities in amputation rates based on race and socioeconomic status, but few focus on amputation trends in rural populations. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of major and minor amputation among patients admitted with diabetes and/or PAD in a rural, Appalachian state, and to identify geographic areas with higher than expected major and minor amputations using advanced spatial analysis while controlling for comorbidities and rurality.

METHODS

Patient hospital admissions of West Virginia residents with diagnoses of diabetes and/or PAD and with or without an amputation procedure were identified from the West Virginia Health Care Authority State Inpatient Database from 2011 to 2016 using relevant International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition and 10the edition codes. Bayesian spatial hierarchical modeling was conducted to identify areas of high risk, while controlling for important confounders for amputation.

RESULTS

Overall, there were 5557 amputations among 459,452 hospital admissions with diabetes and/or PAD from 2011 to 2016. The majority of the amputations were minor (61.7%; n = 3430), with a prevalence of 7.5 per 1000 and 40.4% (n = 2248) were major, with a prevalence of 4.9 per 1000. Geographic analysis found significant variation in risk for both major and minor amputation across the state, even after adjusting for the prevalence of risk factors. Analyses indicated an increased risk of amputation in the central and northeastern regions of West Virginia at the county level, although zip code-level patterns of amputation varied, with high-risk areas identified primarily in the northeastern and south central regions of the state.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant geographic variation in risk of amputation across West Virginia, even after adjusting for disease-related risk factors, suggesting priority areas for further investigation. The level of granularity obtained using advanced spatial analyses rather than traditional methods demonstrate the value of this approach, particularly when risk estimates are used to inform policy or public health intervention.

Mediating Role of Acculturation and Lifestyle Behaviors on Cardiometabolic Risk Among a National Sample of U.S. Asian Indians

Asian Indians are the third largest and fastest growing Asian subgroup in the U.S. and have high risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study explored the mediating role of lifestyle behaviors on the relationship between acculturation and cardiometabolic risk factors among Asian Indians using the Diabetes in Indian Americans national study. The cross-sectional study sample comprised 1038 randomly selected adult Asian Indians in seven U.S. sites. Acculturation was assessed using the Acculturation Scale for Southeast Asians. Diet and lifestyle behaviors were measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II subscales. Path analyses with bootstrap methods were conducted. Dietary behavior significantly mediated the relationship between acculturation and HbA1C (β = 0.004, p = 0.047), and physical activity mediated the relationship between acculturation and HDL (β = 0.08, p = 0.011). Other mediation models were not significant (p > 0.05). Mediating factors besides lifestyle behaviors should be explored in future studies.

Cardiovascular Disease & Cancer Risk Among South Asians: Impact of Sociocultural Influences on Lifestyle and Behavior

A comprehensive literature review revealed cultural beliefs, societal obligations, and gender roles within the South Asian community to be indirect contributors to the health of South Asian immigrants (SAIs). Health professionals need to increase their work with SAI communities to change less beneficial cultural elements such as misconceptions about health and exercise, and lack of communication when using alternative medicines. Community engaged efforts and continuing medical education are both needed to improve the health of the South Asian immigrant population in a culturally appropriate manner.

Association Between Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Sleep Quality in a Large College Student Sample

Objective/Background: Poor sleep and nonmedical use (NMU) of prescription drugs (NMUPD) are both common among college students. Since lack of sleep adversely influences academic performance, this study examined the association between NMUPD and subjective sleep quality among college students. Participants: Students who completed the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment data (Fall 2010, Spring 2011; N = 135,874). Methods: Associations were examined between NMUPD in four classes over the past 12 months (antidepressant, painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants), and five aspects of sleep quality (Enough Sleep, Early Awakening, Daytime Sleepiness, Difficulty Falling Asleep, and Problem With Daytime Sleepiness) in the past seven days. Results: Any NMUPD (at least one class), NMU of stimulants specifically, and NMU of painkillers specifically were associated with getting fewer days of Enough Sleep (OR: 0.86, 0.93, and 0.84 respectively), more days of Early Awakening (OR: 1.28, 1.10, and 1.28 respectively), Daytime Sleepiness (OR: 1.23, 1.13, and 1.16 respectively), and Difficulty Falling Asleep (OR:1.32, 1.10, and 1.27 respectively; p < .0001, each). NMU of sedatives was significantly associated with having Problem With Daytime Sleepiness (OR: 1.10), more days of Early Awakening (OR: 1.12), and Difficulty Falling Asleep (OR: 1.17; p < .0001). Conclusions: NMUPD is associated with poor sleep among college students. Therefore, behavioral medicine screening and treatment of this vulnerable population should consider sleep health, NMUPD, and the potential that these problems may be comorbid.

Impact of rural versus urban geographic location on length of stay after carotid endarterectomy

Background

Reducing the incidence of extended length of stay (ELOS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), defined as LOS > 1 day, is an important quality improvement focus of the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). Rural patients with geographic barriers pose a particular challenge for discharge and may have higher incidences of ELOS as a result. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of patients’ home geographic location on ELOS after CEA.

Methods

The VQI national database for CEA comprised the sample for analyses ( N = 66,900). Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes, a validated system used to classify the nation’s census tracts according to rural and urban status, was applied to the VQI database and used to indicate patients’ home geographic location. LOS was categorized into two groups: LOS ≤ 1 day (66%) and LOS > 1 day (ELOS) (34%). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the effect of geographic location on ELOS after adjustment for age, gender, race, and comorbid conditions.

Results

A total of 66,900 patients were analyzed and the mean age of the sample was 70.5 ± 9.3 years (40% female). After adjustment for covariates, the urban group had increased risk for ELOS (OR = 1.20, p < 0.001). Other factors that significantly increased risk for ELOS were non-White race/Latinx/Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 1.44, p < 0.001) and nonelective status (OR = 3.31, p < 0.001). In addition, patients treated at centers with a greater percentage of urban patients had greater risk for ELOS (OR = 1.008, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These analyses found that geographic location did impact LOS, but not in the hypothesized direction. Even with adjustment for comorbidities and other factors, patients from urban areas and centers with more urban patients were more likely to have ELOS after CEA. These findings suggest that other mechanisms, such as racial disparities, barriers in access to care, and disparities in support after discharge for urban patients may have a significant impact on LOS.

Weighted recurrence networks for the analysis of time-series data

Recurrence networks (RNs) have become very popular tools for the nonlinear analysis of time-series data. They are unweighted and undirected complex networks constructed with specific criteria from time series. In this work, we propose a method to construct a ‘weighted recurrence network’ from a time series and show that it can reveal useful information regarding the structure of a chaotic attractor which the usual unweighted RN cannot provide. Especially, a network measure, the node strength distribution, from every chaotic attractor follows a power law (with exponential cut off at the tail) with an index characteristic to the fractal structure of the attractor. This provides a new class among complex networks to which networks from all standard chaotic attractors are found to belong. Two other prominent network measures, clustering coefficient and characteristic path length, are generalized and their utility in discriminating chaotic dynamics from noise is highlighted. As an application of the proposed measure, we present an analysis of variable star light curves whose behaviour has been reported to be strange non-chaotic in a recent study. Our numerical results indicate that the weighted recurrence network and the associated measures can become potentially important tools for the analysis of short and noisy time series from the real world.

Red Meat Consumption (Heme Iron Intake) and Risk for Diabetes and Comorbidities?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine the role of red meat consumption, especially heme iron intake, and risk for diabetes and its comorbidities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies consistently show that consumption of red meat has been contributory to a multitude of chronic conditions such as diabetes, CVD, and malignancies. There are various emerging reasons that strengthen this link-from the basic constituents of red meat like the heme iron component, the metabolic reactions that take place after consumption, and finally to the methods used to cook it. The causative links show that even occasional use raises the risk of T2DM. Prior studies show how nitrites and nitrates in red meat can lead to increased insulin resistance, dysregulated blood glucose levels, and elevated oxidative stress all leading to chronic diseases. With the rise in these preventable chronic diseases, we examine how disease-causing links can be eliminated with appropriate lifestyle choices.

Outcomes in juvenile onset lupus: single center cohort from a developing country

Introduction

About 10–20% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have onset in childhood and have more severe organ involvement. Survival of juvenile SLE patients is improving worldwide. Long-term data of childhood onset SLE from developing countries is scarce.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data at initial presentation and follow-up visits were retrieved from clinic files, hospital information system and personal interviews. Treatment received, complications, flares, outcomes and death were recorded. Survival was calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and regression analysis was done for predictors of mortality.

Results

Children with SLE ( n = 273, 250 girls) had a median age at onset of 14 years and duration of illness prior to diagnosis at our hospital of 1 year. Fever and arthritis were the most common presenting manifestations. Renal disease was seen in 60.5% and central nervous system (CNS) disease in 29%. The median follow-up period in 248 patients was 3.5 years. Fourteen children died, and 10 of these had active disease at the time of death. The mean actuarial survival was 24.5 years and survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 97.9%, 95% and 89% respectively. Fever, CNS disease, anti-dsDNA levels and serious infections predicted death on univariate and multivariate analysis. Infections were seen in 72 children (26.3%), and 38 of these infections were serious. One-third of the patients had damage on the last follow-up. Flares were seen in 120 children, the majority being major flares.

Conclusion

Outcomes of pediatric SLE in North Indian children are similar to those seen in developed countries. Infections pose a major challenge in these patients.

Association of ITGAM, TNFSF4, TNFAIP3 and STAT4 gene polymorphisms with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in a North Indian population

Several susceptibility genes have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) across different populations worldwide. However, data on association between genetic polymorphisms and SLE from Indian population is scarce. We aimed to replicate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ITGAM, TNFSF4, TNFAIP3 and STAT4 genes with susceptibility to SLE in a North Indian population. Three hundred and ninety-four SLE patients and 583 unrelated healthy controls of the same ethnic background were enrolled. All samples were genotyped for SNPs in ITGAM (rs1143679), TNFSF4 (rs2205960), TNFAIP3 (rs5029939) and STAT4 (rs7574865) using TaqMan genotyping assay. At allele level, significant association with susceptibility to SLE was detected with polymorphisms in ITGAM (A vs. G, odds ratio (OR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30–2.30, p < 0.001), TNFSF4 (T vs. G, OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.08–1.64, p < 0.01), TNFAIP3 (G vs. C, OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.27–2.85, p < 0.01) and STAT4 (T vs. G, OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.13–1.69, p < 0.01). All four SNPs were associated with SLE under a dominant model with an OR of 1.47 (95% CI = 1.07–2.04, p < 0.05) for ITGAM, 1.30 (95% CI = 1.01–1.69, p < 0.05) for TNFSF4, 1.90 (95% CI = 1.25–2.90, p < 0.01) for TNFAIP3 and 1.38 (95% CI = 1.06–1.78, p < 0.05) for STAT4. Under a recessive model, significant association was found with ITGAM (OR = 4.87, 95% CI = 2.17–10.91, p < 0.001), TNFSF4 (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13–3.00, p < 0.05) and STAT4 (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.19–2.77, p < 0.01). In conclusion, single nucleotide polymorphisms in ITGAM, TNFSF4, TNFAIP3 and STAT4 genes are associated with susceptibility to SLE in a North Indian population.

Arachnoid Cyst Causing Depression and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: a Case Report

Arachnoid cysts are benign space-occupying brain lesions that contain cerebrospinal fluid. Most cases are congenital in origin, caused by failed fusion of the arachnoid membrane early in fetal development. Cases are often incidentally detected on neuroimaging; however, rarely patients present with neuropsychiatric manifestations when cysts expand and cause a midline shift, compression of nearby brain tissue or cerebrospinal fluid compartments or both. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with no past history or family history of psychiatric illness who developed acute-onset right-sided weakness, depressive symptoms, and other neuropsychiatric deficits. A diagnosis of organic mood disorder caused by an arachnoid cyst was made. Her symptoms and neuropsychiatric deficits remitted after cyst marsupialisation by open craniotomy. Therefore, it is important to investigate the organic aetiology in elderly patients who present with simultaneous mood disorder and cognitive dysfunction.

Perceived Benefits and Barriers of a Community-Based Diabetes Prevention and Management Program

This study examined the perceptions of benefits of and barriers to participating in a community-based diabetes program to improve program effectiveness. The Diabetes Prevention and Management (DPM) program was a twenty-two session, 1-year program, modeled after the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program and AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors framework. Community-based participatory research approach was used to culturally tailor the curriculum. Participants included overweight or obese adults with dysglycemia. A benefits and barriers survey was developed to gather information on participants' perception of the program, as well as information on demographics and health literacy levels. Eighty-nine adults participated in the DPM program (73% females; 62% diabetic; 77% had adequate health literacy); 79% of participants completed the benefits and barriers survey. Principal component analysis indicated two components representing benefits (Cronbach's α = 0.83) and barriers (α = 0.65). The majority perceived high benefits and low barriers to program participation; benefits included helpful interaction with health coach or program leader (73%), improved lifestyle modification (65%) due to the program, and satisfaction with the program (75%). Open-ended questions confirmed themes related to benefits of program participation, suggestion for programmatic improvements as well as barriers to participation. Participant feedback could be used to guide interventions and tailor future program implementation.

Guided imagery targeting exercise, food cravings, and stress: a multi-modal randomized feasibility trial

The purpose of this randomized wait-list controlled trial was to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a guided imagery based multi-behavior intervention intended to address psychological stress, food cravings, and physical activity. Personalized guided imagery scripts were created and participants were instructed to practice guided imagery every day for 35 consecutive days. Of 48 women who enrolled, we report comparisons between 16 randomized to treatment with 19 who were wait-listed (overall Mage = 45.50; Mbodymassindex = 31.43). Study completers reported 89% compliance with practicing guided imagery during the intervention. A significant time-by-group interaction was observed with reductions in food cravings and increases in physical activity compared with wait-list controls. Telephone-based multi-behavior interventions that utilize guided imagery to address food cravings and exercise behavior appear to be acceptable for overweight and obese women. Future phone-based guided imagery research testing this skill to address multiple health behaviors is justified.

The Humanistic and Economic Burden Associated with Anxiety and Depression among Adults with Comorbid Diabetes and Hypertension

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to estimate the humanistic and economic burden associated with depression and anxiety among adults with comorbid diabetes and hypertension. Pooled data from the 2013 and 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used to include adults (≥18 years old) who were alive and diagnosed with both diabetes and hypertension during the observation period. We assessed the humanistic burden with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and economic burden with the total annual healthcare expenditures. Depending on the presence/absence of depression and anxiety, the study sample was divided into four groups (i.e., no depression/anxiety, depression only, anxiety only, and depression and anxiety). Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between the depression/anxiety categories and disease burden measures. The incremental burden associated with depression and/or anxiety was estimated with the counterfactual recycled prediction. Of the 4560 adults with comorbid diabetes and hypertension, 13.2% reported depression only, 8.7% reported anxiety only, and 7.7% reported both. Results from adjusted analyses indicated that the presence/absence of depression and anxiety was associated with significantly poorer HRQoL, especially on the mental component. Having either depression or anxiety corresponded to reduced mental component summary scores by more than four points. The reduction was as high as 10.35 points when both conditions occurred. Comparing to adults without depression or anxiety, the per-capital incremental annual healthcare expenditures were $4607 for the depression group, $2481 for the anxiety group, and $8709 for adults with both conditions. Furthermore, adults with depression and anxiety were 58% more likely to spend at least 10% of annual household income on healthcare as compared to those with neither the conditions. Our results highlight the needs for integrating cost-effective mental health services into diabetes management to improve the HRQoL and reduce healthcare costs for adults with comorbid diabetes and hypertension.

Vegetarian Diet and Cardiometabolic Risk among Asian Indians in the United States

Research studies have shown that plant-based diets confer cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits. Asian Indians (AIs) in the US (who have often followed plant-based diets) have elevated risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity suggesting ethnic vulnerability that imply genetic and/or lifestyle causative links. This study explored the association between this ethnic group and diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome after controlling for demographics, acculturation, family history of diabetes, and lifestyle and clinical risk factors. The sample comprised of 1038 randomly selected adult AIs in seven US sites. Prevalence and metabolic syndrome was estimated, and obesity was calculated using the WHO Asian criteria. Multivariate analysis included multinomial logistic regression. The mean age and length of residency in the US were 47 and 18.5 years, respectively. The majority of respondents were vegetarians (62%) and educated. A vegetarian lifestyle was associated with females, food label users, respondents with poor/fair current health status, less acculturated, and those who reported their diet had not changed after coming to the US. Vegetarian status was a protective factor and lowered the risk for diabetes but not for metabolic syndrome and obesity in the regression model. Results provide a firm basis for educational programs.

Incidence, risk factors and associated mortality of central line-associated bloodstream infections at an intensive care unit in northern India

Objective

To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and associated mortality of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) in India.

Design

This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 16 months at a tertiary care referral medical center.

Setting

We conducted this study over a period of 16 months at a tertiary care referral medical center.

Participants

All patients with a central venous catheter (CVC) for >48 h admitted to the ICU were enrolled.

Intervention and main outcome measures

Patient characteristics included were underlying disease, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) scores and outcome. Statistical analysis of risk factors for their association with mortality was also done.

Results

There were 3235 inpatient-days and 2698 catheter-days. About 46 cases of CLABSI were diagnosed during the study period. The overall rate of CLABSI was 17.04 per 1000 catheter-days and 14.21 per 1000 inpatient-days. The median duration of hospitalization was 23.5 days while the median number of days that a CVC was in place was 17.5. The median APACHE II and SOFA scores were 17 and 10, respectively. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common organism (n = 22/55, 40%). Immunosuppressed state and duration of central line more than 10 days were significant factors for developing CLABSI. SOFA and APACHE II scores showed a tendency towards significance for mortality.

Conclusions

Our results underscore the need for strict institutional infection control measures. Regular training module for doctors and nurses for catheter insertion and maintenance with a checklist on nurses' chart for site inspection and alerts in all shifts are some measures planned at our center.