An exploration of the reach of the #MakeSpace4Research hashtag

BACKGROUND

Use of social media to communicate with and engage health professionals is increasing. A communications campaign at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust used a Twitter hashtag to improve the visibility of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals research.

AIM

This study aimed to explore the reach of the #MakeSpace4Research campaign during its first 12 months.

METHODS

Between November 2018 and 2019, data on all tweets containing #MakeSpace4Research were examined using an online analytical tool. The studied variables were: total reach; total impressions; unique authors; total retweets; total mentions; and top tweeters. All these were collated using two separate variables: matching tweets and impact.

FINDINGS

#MakeSpace4Research appeared in 6884 tweets, involving 1085 individual Twitter accounts, resulting in more than 16 million impressions. Mentions and impressions both increased threefold, and unique authors more than doubled over the 12-month period. A spike in activity was noted after the campaign was launched at a nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals research conference in May 2019.

CONCLUSION

The #MakeSpace4Research campaign has the potential to connect online communities of research-interested nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

Use of sponge-assisted endoluminal vacuum therapy for the treatment of colorectal anastomotic leaks: expert panel consensus

Background

Anastomotic leaks represent one of the most significant complications of colorectal surgery and are the primary cause of postoperative mortality and morbidity. Sponge-assisted endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) has emerged as a minimally invasive technique for the management of anastomotic leaks; however, there are questions regarding patient selection due to the heterogeneous nature of anastomotic leaks and the application of sponge-assisted EVT by surgeons.

Method

Seven colorectal surgical experts participated in a modified nominal group technique to establish consensus regarding key questions that arose from existing gaps in scientific evidence and the variability in clinical practice. After a bibliographic search to identify the available evidence and sequential meetings with participants, a series of recommendations and statements were formulated and agreed upon.

Results

Thirty-seven recommendations and statements on the optimal use of sponge-assisted EVT were elaborated on and unanimously agreed upon by the group of experts. The statements and recommendations answer 10 key questions about the indications, benefits, and definition of the success rate of sponge-assisted EVT for the management of anastomotic leaks.

Conclusion

Although further research is needed to resolve clinical and technical issues associated with sponge-assisted EVT, the recommendations and statements produced from this project summarize critical aspects to consider when using sponge-assisted EVT and to assist those involved in the management of patients with colorectal anastomotic leaks.

980 Readmissions Within 30 Days of Discharge Following Single Stoma Formation

Background

Patients who have stoma surgery are at higher risk for readmission following discharge. Some may benefit from closer post-discharge surveillance to detect complications earlier and provide timely treatment to avoid readmission. However, there are a paucity of contemporary tools to identify those at higher risk of readmission following discharge after stoma surgery. Here, we aimed to determine factors associated with readmissions, within 30 days of discharge, following stoma surgery.

Method

Retrospective review of all patients who underwent a single stoma formation at a single tertiary colorectal service (2019–2021).

Results

423 patients underwent 220 ileostomy and 203 colostomy formation surgeries. Overall, 87 (20.6%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The rate of readmission in those with IBD (n=87) was 18.4%, cancer (n=208) 20.7%, diverticular disease (n=45) 17.8% and vascular disease (n=19) was 36.8% (p>0.05). There was no association between readmission and gender, aetiology, smoking, weight, or discharge to social care. The only comorbidity associated with increased readmission was chronic heart failure (p=0.05), no other comorbidities were associated with increased readmission. There was an increased incidence of readmission in patients with post-operative stoma-specific complications (bleeding p=0.02; high-output stoma p=0.01) and in patients who received loop ileostomies compared to other stoma types (34.0% versus 18.6%; p=0.01). There was a protective effect in those given nutritional supplements post-operatively (p=0.04).

Conclusion

Readmission following single stoma formation is related to variables that potentially provide the means to triage, risk score and potentially predict readmission. Further work is being undertaken to develop and prospectively to validate a model.

Epidemiology and impact of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a medical syndrome characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Data regarding the relationship between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) are still inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to perform a comprehensive evaluation of frailty in a large European cohort of AF patients.

METHODS

A 40-item frailty index (FI) was built according to the accumulation of deficits model in the AF patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Association of baseline characteristics, clinical management, quality of life, healthcare resources use and risk of outcomes with frailty was examined.

RESULTS

Among 10,177 patients [mean age (standard deviation) 69.0 (11.4) years, 4,103 (40.3%) females], 6,066 (59.6%) were pre-frail and 2,172 (21.3%) were frail, whereas only 1,939 (19.1%) were considered robust. Baseline thromboembolic and bleeding risks were independently associated with increasing FI. Frail patients with AF were less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.89), especially with non-vitamin K antagonist OACs and managed with a rhythm control strategy, compared with robust patients. Increasing frailty was associated with a higher risk for all outcomes examined, with a non-linear exponential relationship. The use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of outcomes, except in patients with very/extremely high frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of AF patients, there was a high burden of frailty, influencing clinical management and risk of adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of OAC is maintained in patients with high frailty, but not in very high/extremely frail ones.

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

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

FINDINGS

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

INTERPRETATION

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

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Leveraging Twitter and its Unique #HashTag Capability: A Novel Social Media Resource From the European Hernia Society

Background: Digital and Social Media (#SoMe) platforms have revolutionized the way information is shared, classified and accessed among medical professionals worldwide. The aim of this study was to review the hashtags used on Twitter by @EuroHerniaS to provide a practical roadmap for easier social media utilization for hernia surgery stakeholders. Methods: The hashtags used in tweets and retweets of the @EuroHerniaS Twitter feed were collated since its foundation in November 2016. Results: The first hashtag used was #HerniaSurgery. Since foundation to July 2021, the @EuroHerniaS Twitter feed has used 90 separate hashtags. The number of new hashtags per year was increasing leading to the development of an online library. The increasing diversity of hernia related hashtags allows for the more detailed posting and searching of hernia related information on the #SoMe platform Twitter. Conclusion: The more detailed use of hashtags on Twitter is to be encouraged. Hernia surgeons can make use of them both when posting and reviewing posts to aid the categorization of posts.

Does PD-L1 Positivity in Inflammatory Cells Correlate with PD-L1 Expression in Tumor Cells in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma?

Introduction/Objective

Drugs targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint is an important type of novel immunotherapy. These checkpoint inhibitors are being used in a wide variety of cancers, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). PD-L1 expression on tumor cells in CRC is predictive of good response to checkpoint inhibitor therapies. PD-L1 expression on tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIIC) is increasingly observed and independently portends good prognosis. The relationship between PD-L1 positivity in TIIC and tumor cells is not well established. In this study, the relationship and correlation of PD-L1 positivity in TIIC and tumor cells were retrospectively reviewed.

Methods

197 sections of CRC from 33 cases (mean of 6 sections/case) with heterogeneous expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells were stained for PD-L1 with immunohistochemistry. None of the patients had received neo-adjuvant therapy. The presence of tumor cells and immune cells with positive PD-L1 expression was noted for each section.

Results

Immune cells were positive in 79% of the sections examined. TIIC were positive in 56% of the sections examined. A Cohen’s correlation study showed correlation between tumor cells and TIIC in 77% of the cases (k=0.51, moderate agreement). There was at least one section with PD-L1 positive TIIC in 97% of cases.

Conclusion

This study shows that PD-L1 is expressed in TIIC in the vast majority of CRC cases designated PD-L1 positive and that PD-L1 is positive in TIIC at a higher rate than in tumor cells. The moderate correlation is interesting, perhaps suggesting that if TIIC are noted to be positive for PD-L1 and tumor cells are not, additional sections of tumor should be stained.

Heterogeneity and Geographical Patterns of PD-L1 Positive Tumor Infiltrating Immune Cells in Colonic Adenocarcinoma

Introduction/Objective

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status is an important prognostic and predictive biomarker. PD-L1 status is difficult to accurately assess in tumor cells (TCs) due to tumor heterogeneity and lack of standardized histologic evaluation. PD-L1 expression by tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) is an independent prognostic marker and may provide fewer diagnostic challenges, as TIICs appear less heterogeneous. We examined the geographical patterns of PD-L1 expression in TCs and TIICs in order to evaluate heterogeneity and ease of histological evaluation.

Methods

197 blocks of colonic adenocarcinoma from 33 patients were retrospectively reviewed and stained for PD- L1. PD-L1 was interpreted as positive or negative in the TCs and TIICs. Geographical patterns of expression were recorded for the TCs and the TIICs at the surface, center of tumor, and invasive margin. Geographical patterns were compared using a chi-square test.

Results

56% of blocks had PD-L1 positive TCs. 42.7% showed positive TCs at the invasive margin. 38.2% had positive TCs at the invasive margin and surface. No blocks had positive TCs at the center of the tumor. 79% of blocks had PD-L1 positive TIICs. 20% showed positive TIICs at the invasive margin. 37.4% had positive TIICs at the surface and invasive margin. 15.5% of TIICs expressed PD-L1 throughout the tumor. There was a statistically significant difference in PD-L1 expression on TCs versus TIICs in 4 of the 7 geographic patterns.

Conclusion

PD-L1 expression on TCs of colonic adenocarcinoma is more heterogeneous than PD-L1 expression by TIICs. TIICs express PD-L1 more consistently throughout the tumor and are easier to identify and report. PD-L1 expression by TIICs is an independent prognostic indicator and may be more useful than TCs when evaluating the tumor microenvironment and determining PD-L1 status.

A multi-institutional, phase II open-label study of ganitumab (AMG 479) in advanced carcinoid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The IGF pathway has been implicated in the regulation of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) growth, and preliminary studies suggested that ganitumab (AMG 479), a human MAB against IGF1R, may have antitumor activity in this setting. We performed a two-cohort phase II study of ganitumab in patients with metastatic progressive carcinoid or pancreatic NETs (pNETs). This open-label study enrolled patients (≥18 years) with metastatic low- and intermediate-grade carcinoid or pNETs. Inclusion criteria included evidence of progressive disease (by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)) within 12 months of enrollment, ECOG PS 0-2, and fasting blood sugar <160  mg/dl. Prior treatments were allowed and concurrent somatostatin analog therapy was permitted. The primary endpoint was objective response. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Sixty patients (30 carcinoid and 30 pNETs) were treated with ganitumab 18  mg/kg every 3 weeks, among whom 54 patients were evaluable for survival and 53 patients for response. There were no objective responders by RECIST. The median PFS duration was 6.3 months (95% CI, 4.2-12.6) for the entire cohort; 10.5 months for carcinoid patients, and 4.2 months for pNET patients. The OS rate at 12 months was 66% (95% CI, 52-77%) for the entire cohort. The median OS has not been reached. Grade 3/4 AEs were rare and consisted of hyperglycemia (4%), neutropenia (4%), thrombocytopenia (4%), and infusion reaction (1%). Although well tolerated, treatment with single-agent ganitumab failed to result in significant tumor responses among patients with metastatic well-differentiated carcinoid or pNET.

Vestibular-somatosensory convergence in head movement control during locomotion after long-duration space flight

Space flight causes astronauts to be exposed to adaptation in both the vestibular and body load-sensing somatosensory systems. The goal of these studies was to examine the contributions of vestibular and body load-sensing somatosensory influences on vestibular mediated head movement control during locomotion after long-duration space flight. Subjects walked on a motor driven treadmill while performing a gaze stabilization task. Data were collected from three independent subject groups that included bilateral labyrinthine deficient (LD) patients, normal subjects before and after 30 minutes of 40% bodyweight unloaded treadmill walking, and astronauts before and after long-duration space flight. Motion data from the head and trunk segments were used to calculate the amplitude of angular head pitch and trunk vertical translation movement while subjects performed a gaze stabilization task, to estimate the contributions of vestibular reflexive mechanisms in head pitch movements. Exposure to unloaded locomotion caused a significant increase in head pitch movements in normal subjects, whereas the head pitch movements of LD patients were significantly decreased. This is the first evidence of adaptation of vestibular mediated head movement responses to unloaded treadmill walking. Astronaut subjects showed a heterogeneous response of both increases and decreases in the amplitude of head pitch movement. We infer that body load-sensing somatosensory input centrally modulates vestibular input and can adaptively modify vestibularly mediated head-movement control during locomotion. Thus, space flight may cause central adaptation of the converging vestibular and body load-sensing somatosensory systems leading to alterations in head movement control.

Caregiver burden and psychoeducational interventions in Alzheimer's disease: a review

BACKGROUND

Caring for a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with poor quality of life and deteriorating health for the caregiver.

METHODS

This comprehensive review was performed to investigate the current literature on caregiver burden, factors affecting caregiver burden and the effectiveness of different types of intervention.

RESULTS

Successful psychoeducational interventions for caregivers have included provision of information about AD, care planning, advice about patient management and the importance of self-care, skills training to aid patient management, stress management training, and problem-solving and decision-making guidance.

CONCLUSION

Interventions that are individually tailored to the caregiver are particularly effective at reducing caregiver burden and should be further investigated. The use of effective pharmacological treatment for the improvement and/or stabilisation of AD symptoms in the patient is also likely to improve caregiver burden.

Antifungal prophylaxis with voriconazole or itraconazole in lung transplant recipients: hepatotoxicity and effectiveness

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are common after lung transplantation and there are limited data for the use of antifungal prophylaxis in these patients. Our aim was to compare the safety and describe the effectiveness of universal prophylaxis with two azole regimens in lung transplant recipients. This is a retrospective study in lung transplant recipients from July 2003 to July 2006 who received antifungal prophylaxis with itraconazole or voriconazole plus inhaled amphotericin B to compare the incidence of hepatotoxicity. Secondary outcomes include describing the incidence of IFI, clinical outcomes after IFI and mortality. Sixty-seven consecutive lung transplants received antifungal prophylaxis, 32 itraconazole and 35 voriconazole and inhaled amphotericin B. There were no significant differences between groups in the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score at the time of transplantation, demographic characteristics, comorbidities and concomitant use of hepatotoxic medications. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 12 patients receiving voriconazole and inhaled amphotericin B and in no patients receiving itraconazole (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the percentage of transplants with IFI, but one case of zygomycosis occurred in a transplant treated with voriconazole. Voriconazole prophylaxis after lung transplantation was associated with a higher incidence of hepatotoxicity and similar clinical effectiveness when compared to itraconazole.

High prevalence of abnormal glucose homeostasis secondary to decreased insulin secretion in individuals with hereditary haemochromatosis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The prevalence and mechanisms of diabetes in hereditary haemochromatosis are not known. We therefore measured glucose tolerance, insulin secretory capacity and insulin sensitivity in adults with haemochromatosis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Subjects recruited from referrals to a haemochromatosis clinic underwent OGTT and frequently sampled IVGTT. A chart review of former clinic patients was also performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diabetes (23%) and IGT (30%) was increased in haemochromatosis compared with matched control subjects (0% diabetes and 14% IGT). Subjects with haemochromatosis and diabetes were overweight (14%) or obese (86%). The prevalence of diabetes, as determined by chart review of fasting glucose values, in subjects who had haemochromatosis and were in the 40-79 years age range was 26%. Overall, patients with haemochromatosis and control subjects had similar values for acute insulin response to glucose and insulin sensitivity. However, patients with haemochromatosis and IGT had a 68% decrease in acute insulin response to glucose (p<0.02) compared with those with NGT. They were not insulin-resistant, exhibiting instead a 62% increase in insulin sensitivity (NS). Haemochromatosis subjects with diabetes exhibited further declines in acute insulin response to glucose, insulin resistance, or both.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Diabetes and IGT are common in haemochromatosis, justifying screening for diabetes and therapeutic phlebotomy. The major abnormality associated with IGT is decreased insulin secretory capacity. Diabetes is usually associated with obesity and concomitant insulin resistance.

Optic flow dominates visual scene polarity in causing adaptive modification of locomotor trajectory

Locomotion and posture are influenced and controlled by vestibular, visual and somatosensory information. Optic flow and scene polarity are two characteristics of a visual scene that have been identified as being critical in how they affect perceived body orientation and self motion. The goal of this study was to determine the role of optic flow and visual scene polarity on adaptive modification in locomotor trajectory. An object is said to have visual polarity, or to be "visually polarized", when it contains an identifiable principal axis with one end distinct from the other. Two computer-generated virtual reality scenes were shown to subjects during 20 min of treadmill walking. One scene was a highly polarized scene, while the other was composed of objects displayed in a non-polarized fashion. Both virtual scenes depicted constant rate self motion equivalent to walking counterclockwise around the perimeter of a room. Subjects performed Stepping Tests blindfolded before and after scene exposure to assess adaptive changes in locomotor trajectory. Subjects showed a significant difference in heading direction, between pre- and post-adaptation Stepping Tests, when exposed to either scene during treadmill walking. However, there was no significant difference in the subjects' heading direction between the two visual scene polarity conditions. Therefore, it was inferred from these data that optic flow has a greater role than visual polarity in influencing adaptive locomotor function.

Imiquimod-elicited emesis is mediated by the area postrema, but not by direct neuronal activation

The immunomodulator, imiquimod, has been shown to have antiviral and antitumor properties in animal models. It also has been reported to alter cytokine levels in both animals and humans. However, because imiquimod appeared to be emetic, studies were conducted to determine the degree of sensitivity, and the pathways involved. Subcutaneous administration of > or = 10 mg/kg imiquimod to ferrets elicited emesis with latencies as short as 2'; 12 and 15 mg/kg were optimal doses. Emetic responsiveness was eliminated by complete ablation of the area postrema, but was unaffected by bilateral supradiaphragmatic section of the vagus nerve. This indicates that the emesis is produced by an activation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone B the area postrema. Ferret brain stem slices (450 microm) were preincubated in oxygenated Krebs-Ringer and then mounted in a submerged slice recording chamber. Extracellular recordings of spontaneous and ionophoretically evoked activity of area postrema neurons were obtained for up to 8 h, while the effect of bath-applied imiquimod was determined. Under control conditions, neurons showed a low frequency spontaneous discharge. Introduction of imiquimod (concentration range, 1 x 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-8)M) had no effect on neuronal firing. With ionophoresis of glutamate from an independent micropipette, a brief excitatory response was obtained. We conclude that imiquimod does not directly excite area postrema neurons. It is likely that imiquimod causes synthesis and release of some unknown emetic substance(s), very possibly cytokines.

A chemosensory gene family encoding candidate gustatory and olfactory receptors in Drosophila

A novel family of candidate gustatory receptors (GRs) was recently identified in searches of the Drosophila genome. We have performed in situ hybridization and transgene experiments that reveal expression of these genes in both gustatory and olfactory neurons in adult flies and larvae. This gene family is likely to encode both odorant and taste receptors. We have visualized the projections of chemosensory neurons in the larval brain and observe that neurons expressing different GRs project to discrete loci in the antennal lobe and subesophageal ganglion. These data provide insight into the diversity of chemosensory recognition and an initial view of the representation of gustatory information in the fly brain.

A survey of genetics knowledge of health professionals: implications for physical therapists

PURPOSE

Rapid advances in the field of genetics are having a significant impact on healthcare. Most healthcare professionals are seeing clients that have genetic components to their diseases or conditions. Increasingly, healthcare professionals need information to appropriately refer clients to genetic services and to maintain confidentiality of genetic information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of genetic advances on healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A random sample survey of the membership of six professional associations for healthcare providers was conducted in 1998. Respondents were asked questions about demographics, work settings, client characteristics, provision of genetic services, job responsibilities, genetics education, and need for genetics education.

RESULTS

The results indicate that healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, provide some genetic services but that they are not confident in providing those services. Physical therapists reported that they had limited education in genetics and that they thought more continuing education in genetics was a priority.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional associations like the APTA need to be aware of the need for genetics education for their members and to consider genetics education as a priority.

BDNF is a target-derived survival factor for arterial baroreceptor and chemoafferent primary sensory neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports survival of 50% of visceral afferent neurons in the nodose/petrosal sensory ganglion complex (NPG; Ernfors et al., 1994a; Jones et al., 1994; Conover et al., 1995; Liu et al., 1995; Erickson et al., 1996), including arterial chemoafferents that innervate the carotid body and are required for development of normal breathing (Erickson et al., 1996). However, the relationship between BDNF dependence of visceral afferents and the location and timing of BDNF expression in visceral tissues is unknown. The present study demonstrates that BDNF mRNA and protein are transiently expressed in NPG targets in the fetal cardiac outflow tract, including baroreceptor regions in the aortic arch, carotid sinus, and right subclavian artery, as well as in the carotid body. The period of BDNF expression corresponds to the onset of sensory innervation and to the time at which fetal NPG neurons are BDNF-dependent in vitro. Moreover, baroreceptor innervation is absent in newborn mice lacking BDNF. In addition to vascular targets, vascular afferents themselves express high levels of BDNF, both during and after the time they are BDNF-dependent. However, endogenous BDNF supports survival of fetal NPG neurons in vitro only under depolarizing conditions. Together, these data indicate two roles for BDNF during vascular afferent pathway development; initially, as a target-derived survival factor, and subsequently, as a signaling molecule produced by the afferents themselves. Furthermore, the fact that BDNF is required for survival of functionally distinct populations of vascular afferents demonstrates that trophic requirements of NPG neurons are not modality-specific but may instead be associated with innervation of particular organ systems.

Imipramine treatment of opiate-dependent patients with depressive disorders. A placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The literature is inconclusive on the role of antidepressant medications in treating drug dependence. Studies have either not focused on depressed patients or have selected patients with depressive disorders based on cross-sectional symptoms rather than a syndromal diagnosis. A clinical trial of an antidepressant was, therefore, conducted on drug-dependent patients with syndromal depression.

METHODS

Patients receiving methadone hydrochloride maintenance treatment were selected if they met the criteria for a DSM-III-R depressive disorder that was chronologically primary, had persisted during a past abstinent period or was long-standing, and persisted during at least 1 month of stable methadone treatment. Subjects were randomized to a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of imipramine hydrochloride. A favorable response was defined as a Clinical Global Impression scale score for depression of 2 ("much improved") or 1 ("very much improved") and at least a 75% reduction in self-reported drug or alcohol use or abstinence.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-seven patients were randomized, and 84 completed a minimum adequate trial of at least 6 weeks. Among the 84 adequately treated patients, 57% (24/42) receiving imipramine were rated as responders compared with 7% (3/42) receiving placebo (P < .001). On measures of mood, there was a robust effect of imipramine. Imipramine was superior to placebo on some self-reported measures of substance use and craving, and mood improvement was associated with improvement in self-reported substance use. However, few patients achieved urine-confirmed abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Imipramine was an effective antidepressant in patients receiving methadone who were selected via syndromal criteria for depressive illness. Imipramine may reduce substance abuse among patients whose mood improves; however, this effect was less robust.

Clinical nursing judgment related to reducing the incidence of falls by elderly patients

The incidence of falls among elderly patients has been and continues to be a major challenge for nurses. Falls add physical injury and mental stress to patients' existing health problems, are a deterrent to rehabilitation, and increase healthcare costs. This study describes the variables that nurses identify as influencing their clinical decision making and the nursing behaviors associated with preventing patient falls. The study was grounded in the theory that discretionary nursing behaviors are related to nursing expertise, and the study was guided by the assumption that such behaviors are proactive and anticipatory. An analysis of interviews of registered nurses (n = 14) working on a geriatric rehabilitation unit in a medical center in Ohio focused on the zones of association and the contextual meanings of language used by the nurses when discussing patient falls. Four themes emerged: the reasons for patient falls, identifying patients who are likely to fall, preventing falls, and nurses' feelings when patients fall.

Genetic variation in populations of Culicoides variipennis complex in the six New England states, U.S.A

We investigated the identity and distribution of members of the Culicoides variipennis complex in the six New England states of the U.S.A., a region where bluetongue transmission has not been detected. Analyses of seven polymorphic isozyme-encoding loci showed that only C.v.variipennis, not considered to be a vector of the bluetongue viruses, was present. The populations of C.v.variipennis were significantly more hetero-zygous than C.v.sonorensis and C.v.occidentalis populations from similar studies in the state of California. Estimates of genetic diversity among populations of C.v.variipennis in New England were similar to C.v.sonorensis in the state of Colorado, but were significantly more genetically divergent than California populations of C.v.occidentalis. The impact of these findings on the status of New England as a possible bluetongue-free region for the purpose of international trade in ruminant livestock and their germplasm is discussed.

A comparative study of the clinical efficacy of nedocromil sodium and placebo. How does cromolyn sodium compare as an active control treatment?

Nedocromil sodium and cromolyn sodium are the only two currently available nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents for treatment of asthma. Clinical differences between the two agents remain under continuous investigation with reports differentiating the two on the basis of atopy of the patient and reversibility of bronchoconstriction. This study investigated the efficacy of nedocromil sodium (4 mg, qid) for treatment of mild-to-moderate asthma in comparison to placebo using cromolyn sodium (2 mg, qid) as an active control treatment. Patients were primarily allergic asthmatics (with at least 15% reversibility) previously maintained on a regimen of regular bronchodilator therapy. During a 2-week run-in period, the patient's slow-release theophylline therapy was removed, and the patients were randomized to treatment after deterioration of asthma control (asthma symptom summary score of 3 for 7 of the 14 days). After 8 weeks of treatment, patients were returned to as occasion requires bronchodilator therapy, as per the 2-week baseline period. The results demonstrate that patients treated with nedocromil sodium showed statistically significant improvements during the primary time period (mean weeks 3 through 8) over placebo-treated patients as evidenced by all indexes of asthma symptoms, pulmonary function measures, and decreased bronchodilator reliance (p<0.05). Patients treated with cromolyn sodium demonstrated similar improvements over placebo-treated patients. Comparisons between nedocromil sodium and cromolyn sodium showed the two agents to be comparable in this group of primarily allergic patients with reversible disease. Between-group differences were noted for 3 of the 13 variables (nighttime asthma, FEV1, and forced expiratory flow rate between 25 % and 75% of the FVC) in favor of cromolyn sodium when the data were pooled during the primary time period. The number of patients missing 1 or more days from work/school/regular activity due to asthma was significantly fewer compared with placebo, and favoring nedocromil sodium over cromolyn sodium. No differences were observed among the three treatments for adverse events. This study demonstrated that in primarily allergic patients with reversible airways disease, nedocromil sodium and cromolyn sodium are both significantly more effective than placebo for treatment of mild-to-moderate asthma.

Antidepressant treatment in methadone maintenance patients

We review the controlled trials of antidepressant treatment in methadone patients. Several studies show antidepressant effects, but none demonstrate clear improvement in drug abuse. This is contrary to "self-medication" but rather suggests depression is either independent or substance induced. Methodologic limitations are noted, especially reliance on cross-sectional mood assessment, which may select transient mood disturbances rather than true affective disorder. We review our previously published pilot study of imipramine in depressed methadone patients selected by lifetime history, and we report four year treatment course in the nine patients who responded favorably during that trial. Patients remained euthymic during imipramine treatment and relapsed to depression during attempts to taper it. This suggests imipramine had an enduring antidepressant effect. However, intermittent drug use remained a problem for several patients, suggesting depression and drug abuse are at least in part independent disorders. Placebo controlled replications, combinations of antidepressant medication with psychosocial interventions, and exploration of antidepressants as adjuncts in methadone detoxification, are suggested avenues for further research.

Therapeutic community methods in methadone maintenance (Passages): an open clinical trial

A non-random open clinical trial was conducted to determine whether a day-treatment program based on modified therapeutic community (TC) methods (Passages) produced better treatment outcomes for heroin addicts than did standard methadone maintenance therapy. Altogether, 327 methadone clients at two clinic sites were studied: 115 Passages members, and 212 comparison subjects. Compared to non-Passages clients, clients who voluntarily joined and remained in Passages for at least 6 months exhibited significantly larger reductions in cocaine use, heroin use, needle use, criminal activity, and psychological dysfunction. The present findings suggest that TC-oriented enhanced day-treatment can help methadone clients recover from drug abuse and adopt a prosocial lifestyle.

Evaluation and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in opioid-dependent patients

Mood and anxiety disorders are common and treatable but may cause considerable morbidity if left untreated. This is especially so in opioid-dependent individuals, for whom diagnosis is difficult and rehabilitation easily compromised. Clinicians need guidelines to distinguish the patient with an independent mood or anxiety disorder from the more common anxious or depressed addict who is withdrawing, intoxicated or reacting to a life crisis. This article reviews the current knowledge of diagnosis, clinical presentation, and prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders common among opioid-dependent patients. It attempts to identify features of a patient's history that distinguish truly independent disorders and proceeds to a discussion of treatment approaches for this subgroup.

Geriatric falls: prevention strategies for the staff

1. Multiple falls and injuries are more prevalent among elderly over the age of 75 and are the second leading cause of accidental death in the elderly. The risk for falling is noted to be significantly greater in the hospitalized elderly. 2. Review of retrospective quality improvement chart audits revealed that peak fall times were associated with the patient's need for toileting, rest, and obtaining nutrition and hydration. 3. The MetroHealth Falls Prevention Program is based on simple proactive measures to prevent falls in the elderly. 4. An effective falls prevention program has several implications for gerontological nursing practice, including less restraint use, increased patient autonomy, and decreased loss of self-esteem. There is also a sense of increased nursing control over patient safety and time management, as well as implications for further nursing research.

Imipramine treatment of methadone maintenance patients with affective disorder and illicit drug use

Of 17 consecutive patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment who had primary or chronic depression, nine (53%) improved in both mood and drug abuse after imipramine treatment. This finding suggests a potential for helping such dual-diagnosis patients reduce drug abuse and associated risk for HIV. Further controlled trials are warranted.

Expression of choline acetyltransferase and nerve growth factor receptor within hypoglossal motoneurons following nerve injury

In the present study we employed light microscopic immunocytochemical techniques in order to investigate the temporal response of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFr) within hypoglossal motoneurons following unilateral transection or crushing of the XII nerve or after intraneural injections of ricin into the nerve. In control rats (i.e., sham operated) virtually all the motoneurons of the XII nucleus displayed intense immunolabeling for ChAT and were devoid of NGFr immunoreactivity. As early as 3 days post-operative the intensity and the number of ChAT-labeled neurons were reduced on the axotomized side compared to the non-lesioned side. This decrease was maximal approximately two weeks post-operative when virtually no ChAT-labeled cells were present on the lesioned side. In contrast, no loss of hypoglossal neurons was found using Nissl stains. This absence of ChAT immunolabeling persisted for several days, yet by 30 days many of the motoneurons had begun to re-express the enzyme. In contrast to the decrease in ChAT immunoreactivity, transection of the XII nerve also resulted in the expression of NGFr immunoreactivity within the lesioned motoneurons. This response was detected as early as one day post-operatively and continued throughout all time points thus far examined including times after many of the motoneurons had begun to re-express ChAT. Crushing of the XII nerve effected the expression of ChAT and NGFr in a manner comparable to, yet less intense than, that observed following transection. Ricin injected directly into the XII nerve resulted in the loss of hypoglossal motoneurons as demonstrated both in immunohistochemical and Nissl-stained tissue preparations. The cell loss was readily apparent 3 days post-operatively, and ChAT immunoreactivity permanently disappeared. NGFr immunolabeling was seen only in scattered surviving neurons but not in ricin poisoned cells. The possible mechanisms underlying the differential expression of ChAT and NGFr are discussed.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are inactivated by trypsin

Acute isolation of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells using trypsin produces neurons which respond to kainate and quisqualate but not N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Incubation of 6- to 12-day-old cultured hippocampal neurons or slices of pyriform cortex with trypsin irreversibly removes the NMDA responses normally present without significant effect on responses to kainate or quisqualate. These data indicate that the NMDA receptor has a trypsin-sensitive component which is necessary for agonist recognition or ion channel activation.

A search for narrow band signals with SERENDIP II: a progress report

Commensal programs for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), carried out concurrently with conventional radio astronomical observing programs, can be an attractive and cost-effective means of exploring the large multidimensional search space intrinsic to this effort. Our automated commensal system, SERENDIP II, is a high resolution 131,072 channel spectrometer. It searches for 0.49 Hz signals in sequential 64,700 Hz bands of the IF signal from a radio telescope being used for an astronomical observation. Upon detection of a narrow band signal with power above a preset threshold, the frequency, power, time, and telescope direction are recorded for later study. The system has been tested at the Hat Creek Radio Astronomy Observatory 85 ft telescope and the NASA-JPL Deep Space Station (DSS 14) 64 m telescope. It is currently collecting data at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory 300 ft telescope.

The suramin-treated rat as a model of mucopolysaccharidosis: reversibility of biochemical and morphological changes in the liver

Rats treated with the trypanocidal drug suramin, a potent inhibitor of several lysosomal enzymes, develop a storage disorder which mimics the features of mucopolysaccharidosis (Constantopoulos et al. 1983). In this paper we have examined the reversibility of the biochemical and pathological changes induced in the liver of the suramin-treated rat. Rats were injected with a single intravenous dose of suramin (250 mg/kg) and allowed to survive for periods of up to 6 months. The liver was examined for suramin content, pathological changes, biochemical storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and for the blockade of the relevant hydrolytic enzymes. GAG storage in the liver peaked at approximately 14 days after administration of suramin when there was a five-fold increase in the GAG content. Thereafter GAGs decreased in parallel with the fall of suramin concentrations so that within 6 months the content had returned to control levels. The activity of most of the enzymes tested had also returned to control levels within 6 months. The pathological changes which are evident in the liver 1-2 weeks after administration of the drug had diminished considerably within 6 months. These results indicate that significant reversibility of both the biochemical and pathological changes induced by suramin occurs and they support the suitability of the suramin treated rat as a model to assess the value of therapeutic treatments of mucopolysaccharidosis.

Hospice approach to the treatment of patients with advanced dementia of the Alzheimer type

A program that limits the extent of medical treatment in patients with advanced dementia of the Alzheimer type was initiated on an intermediate medical ward. Five levels of care were designed to define options that stress maintenance of patient comfort without striving for a maximal period of survival (hospice approach). An optimal care level for each patient recommended by the staff correlated highly with the severity of dementia, but care levels assigned during meetings of family members with the multidisciplinary team for 40 patients correlated poorly with the staff recommendations and the severity of dementia. Intensive nursing care and comfort measures, which included antipyretics, analgesics, and (if necessary) oxygen and anticholinergics, were provided during the terminal phase. Preliminary results indicate that the mortality did not increase significantly during the first year of this program, although the extent of medical care was limited in all patients, and 62% were not treated with antibiotics if they developed symptoms of pneumonia or urinary tract infection.

Cryoglobulins in acute experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis

The relationship between cold-insoluble complexes, or cryoglobulins, and renal disease was studied in rabbits with acute serum sickness produced with BSA. The onset of serum creatinine elevation correlated well with the appearance of cryoglobulins. The average interval between the appearance of cryoglobulins and the elevation in serum creatinine was 0.87 day. In no animal did creatinine elevation precede cryoglobulinemia, even though immune complexes were detectable much earlier by other methods. The level of cryoglobulin correlated significantly with the level of serum creatinine (r = 0.71, p less than 0.01). Cryoglobulins may be of immunopathologic significance in acute experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis.

Multiple sclerosis among immigrants in Greater London

Among immigrants resident in greater London from Europe, Ireland, the USSR, the old Commonwealth countries of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, North and South America, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran the incidence of admission to hospital for probable multiple sclerosis (MS) between 1960 and 1972 was high or moderately high. The incidence was the same order as that found in those born in the United Kingdom. Immigrants from India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries and from new Commonwealth Africa and America, which includes the West Indies, had a low incidence of hospital admission for MS. Immigrants from countries where the risk of MS is low whose parents were born in Europe had a reduced incidence of admission to hospital but not the very low incidence found in those parents were also born in these countries. Emigrating to England from low risk parts of the world did not seem to increase the risk of developing MS.

Further studies on cold insoluble circulating immune complexes in rabbits immunized with bovine albumin

Cold insoluble circulating immune complexes of BSA and anti-BSA antibody are formed in vivo while immune catabolism of antigen is occurring. The effects of temperature, rate of precipitation and redissolvability of the cold insoluble antigen were studied in this model. Circulating BSA is soluble at 37 degrees, but may precipitate when the temperature is reduced. The solubility of antigen decreases at 24 degrees and below. Complete precipitation occurs in 5-7 days. The antigen in the cryoprecipitate is difficult to redissolve unless low pH citrate or glycine buffers are used.