Cascades of Parametric Instabilities in the Tokamak Plasma Edge during Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating

We report observations of nonlinear two-plasmon decay instabilities (TPDIs) of a high-power microwave beam, a process similar to half-harmonic generation in optics, during electron cyclotron resonance heating in a tokamak. TPDIs are found to occur regularly in the plasma edge due to wave trapping in density fluctuations for various confinement modes, and the frequencies of both observed daughter waves agree with modeling. Emissions from a cascade of subsequent decays, which indicate a generation of ion Bernstein waves, are correlated with fast-ion generation. This emphasizes the limitations of standard linear microwave propagation models and possibly paves the way for novel microwave applications in plasmas.

Impact of long-term resource conservation techniques on biogeochemical characteristics and biological soil quality indicators in a rice green-gram farming system

Nutrient management in resource conservation practices influence the structural and functional microbial diversities and thereby affect biological processes and biochemical properties in soil. We studied the long-term effects of resource conservation technologies on functional microbial diversity and their interactions with soil biochemical properties and enzymatic activities in tropical rice-green gram cropping system. The experiment includes seven treatments viz., conventional practice (CC), brown manuring (BM), green manuring (GM), wet direct drum sowing, zero tillage, green manuring-customized leaf colour chart based-N application (GM-CLCC-N) and biochar (BC) application. The result of the present study revealed that microbial biomass nitrogen (N), carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) in GM practice were increased by 23.3, 37.7 and 35.1%, respectively than CC. GM, BM and GM-CLCC-N treatments provide higher yields than conventional practice. The average well color development value, Shannon index and McIntosh index were significantly higher by 26.6%, 86.9% and 29.2% in GM as compared to control treatment. So, from this study we can conclude that resource conservation practices like GM, GM-CLCC N and BM in combination with chemical fertilizers provide easily decomposable carbon source to support the microbial growth. Moreover, dominance of microbial activity in biomass amended treatments (GM, GM-CLCC N and BM) indicated that these treatments could supply good amount of labile C sources on real time basis for microbial growth that may protect the stable C fraction in soil, hence could support higher yield and soil organic carbon build-up in long run under rice-green gram soil.

The Impact of a Wearable Activity Tracker and Structured Feedback Program on Physical Activity in Hemodialysis Patients: The Step4Life Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

People with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have very low physical activity, and the degree of inactivity is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a 12-week intervention coupling a wearable activity tracker (FitBit) and structured feedback coaching versus wearable activity tracker alone on changes in physical activity in hemodialysis patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

55 participants with ESKD receiving hemodialysis who were able to walk with or without assistive devices recruited from a single academic hemodialysis unit between January 2019 and April 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

All participants wore a Fitbit Charge 2 tracker for a minimum of 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to a wearable activity tracker plus a structured feedback intervention versus the wearable activity tracker alone. The structured feedback group was counseled weekly on steps achieved after randomization.

OUTCOME

The outcome was step count, and the main parameter of interest was the absolute change in daily step count, averaged per week, from baseline to completion of 12 weeks intervention. In the intention-to-treat analysis, mixed-effect linear regression analysis was used to evaluate change in daily step count from baseline to 12-weeks in both arms.

RESULTS

Out of 55 participants, 46 participants completed the 12-week intervention (23 per arm). The mean age was 62 (± 14 SD) years; 44% were Black, and 36% were Hispanic. At baseline, step count (structured feedback intervention: 3,704 [1,594] vs wearable activity tracker alone: 3,808 [1,890]) and other participant characteristics were balanced between the arms. We observed a larger change in daily step count in the structured feedback arm at 12 weeks relative to use of the wearable activity tracker alone arm (Δ 920 [±580 SD] versus Δ 281 [±186 SD] steps; between-group difference Δ 639 [±538 SD] steps; P<0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Single-center study and small sample size.

CONCLUSION

This pilot randomized controlled trial demonstrated that structured feedback coupled with a wearable activity tracker led to a greater daily step count that was sustained over 12 weeks relative to a wearable activity tracker alone. Future studies are required to determine longer-term sustainability of the intervention and potential health benefits in hemodialysis patients.

FUNDING

Grants from industry (Satellite Healthcare) and government (National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT05241171.

Lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index and risk of chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) are novel, non-imaging markers of visceral adiposity that are calculated by using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and serum lipid concentrations. We hypothesized that LAP and VAI are more strongly associated with adverse kidney outcomes than BMI and WC.

METHODS

Using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, we used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations of LAP, VAI, BMI and WC with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), (incident eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and > 25% decline).

RESULTS

Among the overall cohort of 27,550 participants, the mean baseline age was 65 years; 54% were women; and 41% were African American. After a median of 9.4 years (IQR 8.6, 9.9) of follow-up, a total of 1127 cases of incident CKD were observed. Each two-fold higher value of VAI (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04, 1.20), LAP (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.13, 1.29), WC (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.60, 2.76) and BMI (OR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.88, 3.77), was associated with greater odds of incident CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

LAP and VAI as measures of visceral adiposity are associated with higher odds of incident CKD but may not provide information beyond WC and BMI.

P-017 Impact of yoga intervention on immunosenescence, fertility potential and quality of life in men with Rheumatoid arthritis

Study question

Can a yoga intervention bring about alterations in immune aging, fertility potential and quality of life in men with Rheumatoid arthritis?

Summary answer

Yoga not only reduces disease severity, minimizes usage of drugs but also reduces the rate of immune aging and cellular aging.

What is known already

The complex mechanism of Rheumatoid arthritis with infertility in men involves interactions between endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems. Association of autoimmunity with dysregulated androgen (hypogonadism) levels may cause transient infertility in men. Furthermore, usage of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, sulphasalazine etc. may result into decreased quantity and quality of sperm, mitochondrial dysfunctions, reduced fertility potential and ultimately permanent infertility. These drugs can cross blood-testis-barrier and induce changes in sperm impairing spermatogenesis. Complementary and alternative medicine like yoga reduces seminal oxidative stress and its consequences like DNA fragmentation in sperm nuclear/mitochondrial genome.

Study design, size, duration

Fifty males with RA were enrolled in this 12-week prospective, open-label, single-arm exploratory study, designed to explore the impact of yoga intervention on immunosenescence, fertility potential and quality of life (QoL).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The participants were evaluated for pre (day 0) and post (12th week) levels of inflammatory markers: IL-6, IL-17A, TGF-β and TNF-α. T cell sub-set populations along with their aged T cell profiles for immunosenescence as well as telomere length and telomerase activity for cellular aging were studied. Seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were estimated as per WHO 2010 guidelines. QoL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF Scale.

Main results and the role of chance

There was significant reduction in mean levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A and elevation in TGF-β after 12 weeks. A significant reduction was seen in seminal ROS levels, 8-OHdG and DFI as well. There was a significant decline in aged T cell populations after yoga. There was no change seen in the telomere length but there was an improvement in the telomerase activity. The participants showed significant improvements in QoL after 12 weeks.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Compliance of patients for Yoga intervention was poor, hence we enrolled large number of patients to achieve the desirable sample size.

Wider implications of the findings

Adoption of yoga intervention holds the key to maintaining immune homeostasis, reduction of inflammation, reduction in the rate of cellular aging, improved overall QoL, and its associated consequences associated with physical, mental, and reproductive health.

Trial registration number

N/A

Does human serotonin-1A receptor polymorphism (rs6295) code for pain and associated symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome?

Genetic predisposition may play an important role in the development of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Serotonin is known to be involved in pain modulation and serotonin-1A receptor plays a considerable role in determining the central 5-HT tone. Consequently, variation in 5-HT1A receptor gene (HTR1A) may be responsible for inter-individual variability in pain sensitivity and other clinical symptoms of FMS. Therefore, the objectives of this research work were to study the gene polymorphism of 5-HTR1A gene and to explore the correlation between rs6295 genotype (-1019C/G HTR1A) and duration of pain, pain intensity and pain related depression and anxiety, if any, in FMS. 5-HTR1A genotype for the C(-1019)G polymorphism was typed in 62 patients with FMS and 42 healthy subjects. Present pain intensity, components of pain and pain related depression and anxiety were assessed using the numerical pain rating scale, McGill pain questionnaire and Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scale respectively. 5-HTR1A gene was represented by three different genotypes, homozygous C/C, heterozygous C/G and homozygous G/G. Analysis of the 5-HTR1A gene showed a frequency of 58%, 31% and 11% for the C/C, C/G and G/G genotypes, respectively in FMS group. This proportion was 69%, 23% and 8% in healthy subjects. No significant correlation was observed between 5-HTR1A gene polymorphism and pain and related symptoms in FMS patients. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study which investigated the correlation between the 5-HTR1A gene polymorphism and pain intensity, the affective component of pain, pain related depression and anxiety in FMS.

Physical activity in hemodialysis patients on nondialysis and dialysis days: Prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

The physical decline in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have attempted to promote physical activity at the time of dialysis; however, physical activity patterns on the nondialysis days are unknown. This study aimed to quantify physical activity on dialysis and nondialysis days in hemodialysis patients using a wearable actigraph.

METHODS

In this prospective study, subjects receiving hemodialysis were recruited from two outpatient dialysis units in urban San Diego and rural Imperial County, CA, between March 2018 and April 2019. Key inclusion criteria included: (1) receiving thrice weekly hemodialysis for ≥3 months, (2) age ≥ 18 years, and (3) able to walk with or without assistive devices. All participants wore a Fitbit Charge 2 tracker for a minimum of 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the number of steps per day. Each participant completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, the PROMIS Short form Fatigue Questionnaire at baseline, and the Participant Technology Experience Questionnaire at day 7 after study enrolment.

FINDINGS

Of the 52 recruited, 45 participants (urban = 25; rural = 20) completed the study. The mean age was 61 ± 15 years, 42% were women, 64% were Hispanic, and the mean dialysis vintage was 4.4 ± 3.0 years. For those with valid Fitbit data (defined as ≥10 hours of wear per day) for 28 days (n = 45), participants walked an average of 3688 steps per day, and 73% of participants were sedentary (<5000 steps/day). Participants aged >80 years were less active than younger (age < 65 years) participants (1232 vs. 4529 steps, P = 0.01). There were no statistical differences between the groups when stratified by gender (women vs. men [2817 vs. 4324 steps, respectively]), urbanicity (rural vs. urban dialysis unit [3141 vs. 4123 steps, respectively]), and dialysis/nondialysis day (3177 vs. 4133 steps, respectively). Due to the small sample size, we also calculated effect sizes. The effect size was medium for the gender differences (cohen's d = 0.57) and small to medium for urbanicity and dialysis/nondialysis day (d = 0.37 and d = 0.33, respectively). We found no association between physical activity and self-reported depression and fatigue scale. The majority of participants (62%, 28/45) found the Fitbit tracker easy to wear and comfortable.

DISCUSSION

ESKD participants receiving hemodialysis are frequently sedentary, and differences appear more pronounced in older patients. These findings may assist in designing patient-centered interventions to increase physical activity among hemodialysis patients.

THU0198 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB FOR PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE: FINCH 1 52-WEEK RESULTS

Background:

Filgotinib (FIL) is an oral, potent, selective JAK1 inhibitor. FINCH 1 (NCT02889796) assessed FIL efficacy and safety in patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR); primary outcome results at week (W)12 and W24 were previously reported.1

Objectives:

To present FINCH 1 W52 results.

Methods:

This global, phase 3, double-blind, active- and placebo (PBO)-controlled study randomised MTX-IR pts with active RA on a background of stable MTX 3:3:2:3 to oral FIL 200 mg or FIL 100 mg once daily, subcutaneous adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg every 2W, or PBO up to W52; pts receiving PBO at W24 were rerandomised to FIL 100 or 200 mg. Efficacy was assessed from clinical, radiographic, and pt-reported outcomes; W52 comparisons were not adjusted for multiplicity. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and laboratory abnormalities.

Results:

Of 1755 treated pts, 1417 received study drug through W52. The majority (81.8%) were female, mean (standard deviation [SD]) RA duration was 7.8 (7.6) years, and baseline mean (SD) DAS28(CRP) was 5.7 (0.9). FIL efficacy was sustained through W52; 54%, 43%, and 46% of pts receiving FIL 200 and 100 mg and ADA, respectively, had W52 DAS28(CRP) <2.6 (nominal p for FIL 200 vs ADA = 0.024) (Figures 1–2, Table 1). FIL safety profile through W52 was consistent with W24 data. AEs of interest were infrequent and balanced among treatments (Table 2); 82 pts (4.7%) discontinued treatment due to AEs.

Table 1.

Efficacy outcomes at week 52

FIL 200 mg(n = 475)FIL 100 mg(n = 480)ADA(n = 325)ACR20/50/70, %78/62/4476/59/3874/59/39DAS28(CRP) ≤3.2, %66+5959mTSSa0.18+++0.450.61HAQ-DIb−0.93+−0.85−0.85SF-36 PCSb12.011.512.4FACIT-Fb11.912.211.7

aLeast squares mean change from baseline.

bMean change from baseline.

+p <0.05,+++p <0.001 vs ADA; not adjusted for multiplicity.

ADA, adalimumab; FIL, filgotinib; mTSS, modified van der Heijde TSS.

Table 2.

Treatment-emergent AEs through week 52

Event, n (%)FIL 200(n = 475)FIL 100 mg(n = 480)ADA(n = 325)All AEs352 (74.1)350 (72.9)239 (73.5)Serious AEs35 (7.4)40 (8.3)22 (6.8)Infection206 (43.4)194 (40.4)129 (39.7)Serious infection13 (2.7)13 (2.7)10 (3.1)Herpes zoster6 (1.3)4 (0.8)2 (0.6)VTE1 (0.2)01 (0.3)MACE (adjudicated)02 (0.4)1 (0.3)Malignancy (excluding NMSC)2 (0.4)2 (0.4)2 (0.6)NMSC1 (0.2)1 (0.2)0Death3 (0.6)1 (0.2)1 (0.3)

Data omitted for patients rerandomised from placebo to FIL.

ADA, adalimumab; AE, adverse event; FIL, filgotinib; MACE, major adverse cardiovascular event; NMSC, nonmelanoma skin cancer; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

Conclusion:

Through W52, both FIL 200 and 100 mg showed sustained efficacy based on clinical and pt-reported outcomes and radiographic progression and were well tolerated in MTX-IR pts with RA, with faster onset and numerically greater efficacy for FIL 200 vs 100 mg.

References:

[1]Combe et al.,Ann Rheum Dis.2019; 78 (Suppl 2):77–8.

Disclosure of Interests:

Bernard Combe Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; UCB, Alan Kivitz Shareholder of: AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead, GSK, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim,,Flexion, Genzyme, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, SUN Pharma Advanced Research, UCB, Paid instructor for: Celgene, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Flexion, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, Yoshiya Tanaka Grant/research support from: Asahi-kasei, Astellas, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Chugai, Takeda, Sanofi, Bristol-Myers, UCB, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Pfizer, and Ono, Consultant of: Abbvie, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Daiichi-Sankyo, Astellas, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, YL Biologics, Bristol-Myers, Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, Eisai, Janssen, Sanofi, UCB, and Teijin, Désirée van der Heijde Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Cyxone, Daiichi, Eisai, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB Pharma; Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV, J-Abraham Simon-Campos: None declared, Herbert S.B. Baraf Grant/research support from: Horizon; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Pfizer; Janssen; AbbVie, Consultant of: Horizon; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck; AbbVie, Speakers bureau: Horizon, Uma Kumar: None declared, Franziska Matzkies Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Beatrix Bartok Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Lei Ye Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Ying Guo Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Chantal Tasset Shareholder of: Galapagos (share/warrant holder), Employee of: Galapagos, John Sundy Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Angelika Jahreis Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Neelufar Mozaffarian Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly & Co.; Galapagos NV; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB Pharma, Sang-Cheol Bae: None declared, Edward Keystone Grant/research support from: AbbVie; Amgen; Gilead Sciences, Inc; Lilly Pharmaceuticals; Merck; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; PuraPharm; Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie; Amgen; AstraZeneca Pharma; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Celltrion; F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.; Genentech, Inc; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen, Inc; Lilly Pharmaceuticals; Merck; Myriad Autoimmune; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, Sanofi-Genzyme, Samsung Bioepsis., Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celltrion; F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Janssen, Inc; Merck; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; Sanofi-Genzyme; UCB, Peter Nash Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB

THU0415 MELTING OF TOPHI WITH LOCAL STEROIDS IN CHRONIC TOPHACEOUS GOUT: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background:

Chronic tophaceous gout is usually difficult to treat with urate lowering therapy (ULT) [1]. Faster resolution of tophi has been seen with use of pegloticase [2], but this drug is costly and not widely available. Local steroid use is recommended in acute gouty arthritis but its role in reduction of tophi has not been studied. This study was aimed to see the effect of local steroids in tophi resolution.

Objectives:

To study the change in size of gouty tophi with local steroid injection compared to conventional treatment.

Methods:

Four crystal proven chronic tophaceous gout patients with multiple tophi were screened and enrolled in the study after taking informed consent. Total 12 tophi in 4 patients were imaged by using Duel Energy Computed Scan (DECT) for their size and volume. All 4 patients were treated with ULT as per recommended dose to achieve target serum uric acid (SUV) level. Six tophi were treated with local steroids injection (methylprednisolone acetate) at two months interval till complete resolution of tophi. Dose of steroid varied from 10 mg to 40 mg depending upon tophi size but subsequent repeat doses were same in each tophi. Six tophi not treated with local steroid served as internal control in the same patients. All 4 patients were followed up regularly in out-patient department to monitor treatment response and local side effects if any.

Results:

All 4 patients achieved target SUV (<356 µmol/L) at three months of follow up. Six tophi which were treated with local steroids injection clinically had marked reduction in size at 7-12 months of follow up [Table-1], while other 6 tophi which served as internal control had no clinically significant change in size and volume of tophi. DECT was repeated in the same settings to confirm the clinical findings. DECT revealed near complete resolution of 5 tophi [Image-1], and 50% reduction in size of one tophi. Six tophi which were not treated with local steroid had no significant reduction in size in DECT as well. Only side effect noted was skin discoloration in 5 out of 6 injected sites, none of the tophi had infection.

Conclusion:

Interestingly this is the first such study to document the use of local steroid in tophi. Thus intralesional steroids can be alternative to pegloticase or surgery where faster dissolution of tophi is required. This observation needs to be explored in large number of patients to calculate the total dose requirement of steroid as per volume and urate burden of tophi. Possible explanation of melting tophi with steroids is breaking down outer fibrous layer of tophi by local steroids which might be acting as barrier in dissolution of urate crystals with ULT.

References:

[1]Dalbeth N, House ME, Horne A et al. Prescription and dosing of urate-lowering therapy, rather than patient behaviours, are the key modifiable factors associated with targeting serum urate in gout.BMC Musculoskelet Disord2012;13:174

[2]Baraf HS, Becker MA, Gutierrez-Urena SR, et al: Tophus burden reduction with pegloticase: results from phase 3 randomized trials and open-label extension in patients with chronic gout refractory to conventional therapy. Arthritis Res Ther 15:R137, 2013

Table 1.Age/sexTotal TophiTreated TophiOutcome of treated tophiInternal control tophiDuration in monthsCase 122/M21Near complete resolutionNo Change 7Case 245/F11Complete resolutionNA 8Case 358/M52Near complete resolutionNo change12Case 424/M42Completely resolved=1,50% size reduction=1No change12Figure 1

a: DECT of Rt foot shows urate crystal deposition at 1stMTP joint and 5thtoe. Figure1b: DECT after 7 months of steroid injection in Rt 1stMTP joint tophi shows almost complete resolution but no change in 5thtoe tophi (served as internal control).

Disclosure of Interests: :

None declared

AB0156 NMR-BASED MUSCLE METABOLOMICS IN INFLAMMATORY MYOSITIS- UNDERSTANDING CHANGES IN SERUM AS A REFLECTION OF THE MUSCLE

Background:

We have previously found promise in NMR as a tool to distinguish sera of active from inactive inflammatory myositis (IIM)1. To understand the changes previously found in sera and urine we studied muscle tissue of patients with myositis.

Objectives:

To identify differences in metabolome on inflamed muscle tissues of patients with active myositis from that of healthy controls and infectious polymyositis.

Methods:

Muscle (n=17) from patients classifiable as myositis by the ACR-EULAR criteria [34 years (23.5 - 50.5 IQR), M/F 1:3] were compared with healthy controls [n=11, age= 44 (35-50) years, M/F-1:1]. Two disease controls with infectious polymyositis were also compared. Findings were applied to muscle biopsy tissues of two patients with established myositis and superadded infections (HBV, Histoplasmosis) to assess discriminatory potential.

Metabolic profiles were obtained at 800 MHZ NMR spectrometer and compared using multivariate partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The discriminatory metabolites were identified based on variable importance in projection (VIP) statistics and further evaluated for statistical significance (p-value <0.05). Paired T tests, ANNOVA and correlation of individual metabolites were done after normalizing for formate.

Results:

Metabolomics profiles in IIM were distinct from healthy controls (Fig. 1A).Of the various discriminatory metabolites (Fig. 1B), Succinate had the highest discriminatory potential (AUC 0.8, P=0.01) followed by citrate, glycine, glycerol, glucose, creatine and lactate. (Fig. 1C) Both glucose and creatine were decreased in IIM (Fig. 1D,E) and this was uniform across all types of IIM. However, glycine levels differed across different myositis subsets supporting the fact that they might differ in pathogenesis. (Fig. 1E) Amongst various serum biomarkers of muscle disease and damage, serum Aspartate Transaminase correlated with glutamate (r=0.6, p=0.01), and serum creatinine correlated negatively with glycerol (r-0.8, p=0.04),

Biopsies of infectious polymyositis suggested difference in spectra from IIM (Fig. 2A). Trends were observed towards lower succinate and higher citrate levels suggesting metabolomics could possibly be useful to differentiate the two. Muscle of both patients with IIM with superadded infectious polymyositis also exhibited low succinate and elevated citrate.

Conclusion:

Muscle metabolomics of active myositis is distinctive. Amino acids and creatine are lower in diseases muscle suggesting active breakdown and loss, in turn explaining previous findings of low levels in serum in active disease. Certain metabolite composition differ in different types of myositis supporting different pathogenesis.

Infectious polymyositis might exhibit different metabolome from IIM with potential as a biomarker though this needs to be confirmed in larger numbers.

Disclosures:

Funded by APLAR research grant 2017 awarded to Dr Latika Gupta.

References:

[1]Gupta L, Kumar D, Gulerai A, Kumar U, Misra R. “NMR-Based Serum, Urine and Muscle Metabolomics in Inflammatory Myositis for Diagnosis and Activity Assessment: Serum Metabolomics Can Differentiate Active from Inactive Myositis” Oral presentation at the ACR, Atlanta 2019.

Acknowledgments:

MSA and metabolomics supported by APLAR research grant.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Cardiorenal Syndrome: Pathophysiology

Cardiorenal syndrome commonly refers to the collective dysfunction of heart and kidney resulting in a cascade of feedback mechanism causing damage to both the organs and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome is complex, multifactorial, and dynamic. Improving the understanding of disease mechanisms will aid in developing targeted pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for the management of this syndrome. This article discusses the various mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of the cardiorenal syndrome.

Changes in soil properties of four agro-ecological zones of Tangail district in Bangladesh

This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in status of soil properties in four AEZs (AEZ 28, AEZ 9, AEZ 8 and AEZ 7) of Tangail district in Bangladesh over the span of the years. In 2017, the pH value of four AEZ was ranged from strongly acidic to slightly acidic but before 2000 it was strongly acidic to slightly alkaline. The present OM status was medium and before 2000 it was also medium. The present N status was very low, low, low and low, respectively but before 2000 it was low, medium, low and low, respectively. The present P status was low, low, low and very low, respectively in upland and low in wetland but before 2000 it was medium, medium, low and medium in upland and optimum, medium, medium and optimum in wetland, respectively. The present K status was medium, low, low and low in upland and medium, low, low and low in wetland, respectively but before 2000 it was optimum, high, high and optimum in upland and high, very high, very high and optimum in wet land, respectively. Under upland and wetland, the present S status was low, low, very low and low, respectively but before 2000 it was medium in all AEZ. The present Ca status was medium, medium, optimum and optimum, respectively but before 2000 it was optimum, high, high and high, respectively. The present Mg status was high, high, very high and very high, respectively but before 2000 it was medium in all AEZ. The Present Zn status was optimum, medium, low and low,  respectively but before 2000 it was  medium very high, very high, very high and optimum, respectively. The present B status was low in all AEZ but before 2000 it was optimum, optimum, low and low, respectively. With few exceptions, the nutrient status of the study area was reducing day by day and it was less than optimum level which was not suitable for sustainable crop production. Progressive Agriculture 29 (4): 284-294, 2018

Inter-relationship between intercepted radiation and rice yield influenced by transplanting time, method, and variety

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is one of the most important environmental factors that determine the productivity and grain quality of the crops. Continuous rainy days or cloudy weather throughout crop growth especially at critical stages often resulted in great loss of grain quality and yield in rice. Low light stress has rigorously constrained the rice production in various rice-growing regions, especially in Southeast Asia. Method and time of planting are the major management factors contributing to the higher yield potential of rice by influencing light harvesting and use efficiency. Present study was executed consecutively for 5 years (kharif seasons of 2012-2016) to determine whether planting time improves the radiation absorption and use efficiency in different duration rice cultivars. We evaluated the difference in plant growth and development leading to yield formation under different planting time which related to radiation incidence and interception. The results of the study revealed that PAR interception depends on morphological characters of cultivars and also with agronomic management such as transplanting time and method. Long duration cultivar intercepted more PAR but interception decreased due to late planting (3rd week of July), whereas short duration cultivars (Naveen) when planted earlier (1st week of June) could not effectively utilize intercepted PAR constraining the biomass accumulation and yield formation. Effect of planting density and crop architecture on PAR absorption was apparent among establishment methods as light interception at crop canopy was highest in the system of rice intensification and lowest in that of wet direct seeding. In general, Pooja as a long duration cultivar intercepted more PAR per day but when compared on same date of planting, the comparative absorption of radiation was 30.6% higher in Naveen. The lower yields in the wet season are attributed mostly to reduction in grain number per panicle or per unit land area, which is a consequence of high spikelet sterility. Grain yield of rice planted in July third week was reduced by 3.8, 12.3, and 6.9% over June first and third week and July first week, respectively, mainly due to spikelet sterility (26%) and lower grains per panicle (18%). Our results indicated that agronomic management like optimum time of sowing, cultivar duration, and establishment methods should be followed for yield improvement in tropical lowlands where light intensity is limiting due to prevailing weather situations.

Probing multi-spinon excitations outside of the two-spinon continuum in the antiferromagnetic spin chain cuprate Sr2CuO3

One-dimensional (1D) magnetic insulators have attracted significant interest as a platform for studying quasiparticle fractionalization, quantum criticality, and emergent phenomena. The spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain with antiferromagnetic nearest neighbour interactions is an important reference system; its elementary magnetic excitations are spin-1/2 quasiparticles called spinons that are created in even numbers. However, while the excitation continuum associated with two-spinon states is routinely observed, the study of four-spinon and higher multi-spinon states is an open area of research. Here we show that four-spinon excitations can be accessed directly in Sr2CuO3 using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) in a region of phase space clearly separated from the two-spinon continuum. Our finding is made possible by the fundamental differences in the correlation function probed by RIXS in comparison to other probes. This advance holds promise as a tool in the search for novel quantum states and quantum spin liquids.

Pneumococcal disease burden, clinical presentations and vaccine coverage in the Jamaican population

BACKGROUND

Pneumococcal serotypes circulating in any population vary over time and between countries and impacts the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease in Jamaica.

METHODS

Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates (n= 349) along with demographic and clinical information were collected from patients presenting at the 4 major hospitals in Jamaica over a 2-year period. Serotyping was done using latex agglutination tests and the Quellung reaction assay.

RESULTS

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence was 45.4/100,000 in children under 5 yrs and 16.3/100,000 in adults over 65 yrs. Thirteen serogroups were identified among the 120 isolates subjected to grouping; the most common being serogroups: 19 (22/120,18.3%), 6 (20/120,16.7%), 14 (20/120,16.7%), 23 (18/120,15.0%), 3 (11/120,9.2%) and nontypeable (8/120,2.3%). The estimated vaccine coverage rates for the PCV7 and PCV13 vaccines in children less than 5 yrs were 82.5% and 88.7% respectively. The 23-valent PPV23 provided 100% coverage rate in adults over 65 yrs and 82.9% coverage rate for the entire population.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates in Jamaica are comparable to those reported in certain developed countries and higher than in other developing countries. The high incidence of IPD in the paediatric population indicates that routine vaccination would be beneficial.

Computing Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering Spectra Using The Density Matrix Renormalization Group Method

We present a method for computing the resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra in one-dimensional systems using the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method. By using DMRG to address this problem, we shift the computational bottleneck from the memory requirements associated with exact diagonalization (ED) calculations to the computational time associated with the DMRG algorithm. This approach is then used to obtain RIXS spectra on cluster sizes well beyond state-of-the-art ED techniques. Using this new procedure, we compute the low-energy magnetic excitations observed in Cu L-edge RIXS for the challenging corner shared CuO4 chains, both for large multi-orbital clusters and downfolded t-J chains. We are able to directly compare results obtained from both models defined in clusters with identical momentum resolution. In the strong coupling limit, we find that the downfolded t-J model captures the main features of the magnetic excitations probed by RIXS only after a uniform scaling of the spectra is made.

Separation and purification using GO and r-GO membranes

Many materials with varied characteristics have been used for water purification and separation applications. Recently discovered graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional derivative of graphene has been considered as a promising membrane material for water purification due to its excellent hydrophilicity, high water permeability, and excellent ionic/molecular separation properties. This review is focussed on the possible versatile applicability of GO membranes. It is also known that selective reduction of GO results in membranes with a pore size of ∼0.35 nm, ideally suited for desalination applications. This article presents the applicability of graphene-based membranes for multiple separation applications. This is indeed the first review article outlining a comparison of GO and r-GO membranes and discussing the suitability for applications based on the porosity of the membranes.

This review article outlines a comparison of GO and r-GO membranes for separation and purification applications.

Metabolomics approach discriminates toxicity index of pyrazinamide and its metabolic products, pyrazinoic acid and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid

Pyrazinamide (PYZ)-an essential component of primary drug regimen used for the treatment and management of multidrug resistant or latent tuberculosis-is well known for its hepatoxicity. However, the mechanism of PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity is still unknown to researchers. Studies have shown that the drug is metabolized in the liver to pyrazinoic acid (PA) and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid (5-OHPA) which individually may cause different degrees of hepatotoxicity. To evaluate this hypothesis, PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were administered to albino Wistar rats orally (respectively, at 250, 125, and 125 mg kg^-1 for 28 days). Compared to normal rats, PYZ and its metabolic products decreased the weights of dosed rats and induced liver injury and a status of oxidative stress as assessed by combined histopathological and biochemical analysis. Compared to normal controls, the biochemical and morphological changes were more aberrant in PA- and 5-OHPA-dosed rats with respect to those dosed with PYZ. Finally, the serum metabolic profiles of rats dosed with PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were measured and compared with those of normal control rats. With respect to normal control rats, the rats dosed with PYZ and 5-OHPA showed most aberrant metabolic perturbations in their sera as compared to those dosed with PA. Altogether, the study suggests that PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity might be associated with its metabolized products, where 5-OHPA contributes to a higher degree in its overall toxicity than PA.

Real-time ultrasound guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy with and without bronchoscopic control: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Real-time ultrasound guidance may enable precise introducer needle and guidewire insertion during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). However, the safety of PDT done solely under ultrasound guidance has not been compared to additional bronchoscopic confirmation. We aimed to compare the efficacy, incidence of complications and procedural times of real-time ultrasound guided PDTs done with and without bronchoscopic confirmation.

METHODS

We analysed all bedside PDTs performed over an 18 month period. On transverse view, the introducer needle was inserted under real time guidance into the chosen interspace. The interspace of guidewire entry was confirmed on longitudinal view. In the bronchoscope group, needle and guidewire position within the tracheal lumen were confirmed by bronchoscopy.

RESULTS

We performed 177 PDTs under ultrasound guidance during the study period - 95 with and 82 without bronchoscopic confirmation. The introducer needle was inserted at the desired level on the first attempt in 81.4% of instances with no difference between groups (77.9% vs. 85.4%, P=0.6). Introducer needle entry between the first and third tracheal cartilages did not differ between groups (90.5% vs. 92.7%, P=0.6). Procedural times were longer in the bronchoscope group (13.9 min vs. 10.7 min, P<0.0001). There were more episodes of fall in oxygen saturation below 90% in the bronchoscope group (16.8% vs. 3.7%, P=0.006). Minor bleeding occurred in 6.2% of cases and did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound guidance for PDT may be equally safe, even without bronchoscopic confirmation; the incidence of hypoxic episodes may be less and the procedure can be performed in less time.

Estimation of malignant transformation rate in cases of oral epithelial dysplasia and lichen planus using immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, p53, BCL-2, and BAX markers

BACKGROUND

The issue of a possible malignant transformation in the lesions like epithelial dysplasia and oral lichen planus (OLP) is a matter of serious controversy. The purpose of this study was to suggest the malignant transformation rate in OLP and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) by using immunohistochemical expression of the tumor markers Ki-67, p53, BCL-2, and BAX.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 70 samples, including 10 samples from normal healthy mucosa categorized into Group 1, Group 2 (30 OLP), and Group 3 (30 OED) samples. Five sections (4 μm thick) were obtained and stained with monoclonal antibodies such as Ki-67, p53, BCL-2, and BAX and analyzed for number of positive cells and also for intensity of staining. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U-test (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Significant results were found only for expressions of Ki-67, p53, BCL-2 markers in both study groups (P < 0.05). In these groups, the intensity of staining was mostly mild to moderate for all studied tumor markers. In this study, subjects with an average positive IHC expression of Ki-67, p53, BCL-2, and BAX markers in normal mucosa was about 22.5%, which was significantly lower when compared with OLP (54.9%) and OED (64.9%).

CONCLUSION

The high propensity for malignant transformation in OED followed by OLP suggests that a wide range of inherent and extrinsic factors contribute to the disease progression and malignant transformation.

Leucocyte complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35) transcript and its correlation with the clinical disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

In view of the exaggerated complement activation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and significance of complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35) as a complement regulatory protein (CRP), we aimed to determine the leucocyte-complement receptor 1 (L-CR1) transcript levels and the relationship of this protein with the clinical disease activity of RA patients. Sixty-six controls and 45 RA patients were enrolled. L-CR1 transcript levels were correlated with the levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), C3, C4 and C3d in controls and patients and with disease activity score 28 (DAS28) in patients only. CIC levels were determined by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, C3 and C4 levels by nephlometry and C3d levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eleven patients were recruited for follow-up of L-CR1 and DAS28 levels at weeks 0, 12 and 24. Appropriate statistical methods were used for the data analysis. L-CR1 (P < 0·01) transcript levels were decreased in patients compared to controls. L-CR1 levels correlated negatively with DAS28, CIC and C3d. DAS28 correlated positively with levels of CIC, C3 and C3d. Levels of CIC correlated positively with C3 and C3d. Levels of C3 correlated positively with C3d in patients and with C4 in both controls and patients. Levels of L-CR1 increased with decline in DAS28 scores in follow-up patients. Observations were statistically significant. Lower levels of L-CR1 transcript in patients compared to controls, their correlations with the levels of CIC, C3d and DAS28 at different time-points in RA patients suggest CR1 as a potential disease marker for RA.

Physical growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese and Moplah children of Andaman-Nicobar Islands in India

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese children and compare it with Moplah children, who live in a similar environment. A total of 436 Car Nicobarese children and 438 Moplah children, aged 6-10 years, were selected for the study. The anthropometric measurements included stature, body weight, sitting height, bi-acromial breadth, bi-iliac breadth, mid-upper arm circumference, skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps and subscapular region. 50th percentile (median) growth curves were calculated among the studied children and compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 reference. Z scores of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and BMI for age (BMIZ) were computed using growth references of the CDC 2000. It was observed that the Car Nicobarese children were shorter but heavier than Moplah children of both sexes all through the age range, which was also reflected in median value of anthropometric variables. Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally better compared to Moplah children based on the nutritional indices. The major differences between Car Nicobarese and Moplah children were found in their arm muscularity rather than arm adiposity. Overall, Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally in normal and better condition than Moplah children. However, present dietary change (intake of high calories and fat diet) of Car Nicobarese population may be reflected in the form of childhood obesity in the recent future, which has already been observed in their adult population.

Frailty is associated with longer hospital stay and increased mortality in hospitalized older patients

INTRODUCTION

With the onset of frailty, there is often a rapid, progressive, and self- perpetuating downward spiral towards death. Frailty has enormous impact on acute hospital care and has been shown to be a more effective predictor of mortality than conventional clinical measures.

METHODS

Hospitalized older patients admitted in medical wards at a teaching public hospital were studied to determine the prevalence of frailty; its association with anemia, congestive heart failure, clinically active tuberculosis and cognitive impairment; as well as its impact upon short-term outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 250 older hospitalized patients were included, and their frailty status was assessed using Fried's criteria. Of these, 83 (33.2%) patients were frail, with frailty found to be significantly associated with increasing age. A lower mean level of haemoglobin (p, 0.002), higher chance of congestive heart failure (p, <0.001), lower mean MMSE score (p, <0.001), was found in frail older patients. Frail subjects had a higher median hospital stay. There were total of 5 deaths, all among the frail group.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that almost a third of hospitalized older patients are frail, and have anemia, higher frequency of CHF, cognitive impairment, longer hospital stay and higher mortality.

Glutamate attenuates nitric oxide release from isolated trigeminal ganglion satellite glial cells

Background/aims

Elevated concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and glutamate (Glu) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) may contribute to the development and maintenance of migraine headache. The role of satellite glial cells (SGC) and their pattern of substance release in relation to the pathophysiology of migraine are currently under investigation. In the present study, we investigated the release of NO from isolated trigeminal SGCs and its modulation by Glu.

Methods

SGCs from the TG of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8) were isolated and maintained in culture until used. SGCs were treated with graded concentrations of Glu (0, 10, 100, 1000 μM) and samples were withdrawn after 48 h of incubation. In subsequent experiments, SGCs were treated with vehicle medium, 10 μM forskolin (FSK) alone, or 10 μM FSK in conjunction with 100 μM Glu and incubated for 48 h. The NO concentration was determined using the Griess Reagent System and data was subjected to a one-way repeated measures ANOVA analysis, where p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. All experimental procedures were performed at minimum in triplicate.

Results

The concentration of NO was 3.59 ± 0.04 M under baseline conditions. Application of 10 or 100 μM Glu resulted in a significant drop in NO concentration (2.92 ± 0.017 μM and 2.83 ± 0.012 M, respectively) compared to baseline, whereas treatment with 1000 μM Glu did not significantly alter NO release. Treatment of SGCs with 10 μM FSK significantly increased NO release (to 125.94 ± 3.90% of baseline) compared to baseline. Coapplication of 10 M FSK with 100 M Glu significantly decreased FSK-induced NO release (83.73 ± 2.29% of baseline), compared to both FSK-mediated NO release and baseline levels.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that one mechanism by which SGCs protect the TG from elevated Glu concentrations that may occur in response to prolonged noxious stimulation is to reduce the release of NO.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 improves endothelial function and prevents hypertension in insulin-resistant rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Insulin resistance is often found to be associated with high blood pressure. We propose that in insulin-resistant hypertension, endothelial dysfunction is the consequence of increased activity of vascular MMP-2. As MMP-2 proteolytically cleaves a number of extracellular matrix proteins, we hypothesized that MMP-2 impairs endothelial function by proteolytic degradation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) or its cofactor, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We tested our hypothesis in bovine coronary artery endothelial cells and fructose-fed hypertensive rats (FHR), a model of acquired systolic hypertension and insulin resistance.

KEY RESULTS

Treatment of FHRs with the MMP inhibitor doxycycline, preserved endothelial function as well as prevented the development of hypertension, suggesting that MMPs impair endothelial function. Furthermore, incubating endothelial cells in vitro with a recombinant MMP-2 decreased NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Using substrate cleavage assays and immunofluorescence microscopy studies, we found that MMP-2 not only cleaves and degrades HSP90, an eNOS cofactor but also co-localizes with both eNOS and HSP90 in endothelial cells, suggesting that MMPs functionally interact with the eNOS system. Treatment of FHRs with doxycycline attenuated the decrease in eNOS and HSP90 expression but did not improve insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our data suggest that increased activity of MMP-2 in FHRs impairs endothelial function and promotes hypertension. Inhibition of MMP-2 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of hypertension.

Expression and significance of leukocyte membrane cofactor protein transcript in systemic lupus erythematosus

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) is a complement regulatory protein ubiquitously expressed on most nucleated cells. Since MCP protects autologous cells from complement-mediated injury, it is suggested to have a protective role against the self-tissue damage in inflammatory conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the relevance of MCP in human SLE is not well explored. To assess the significance of MCP in SLE, we studied expression of leukocyte MCP transcript in 60 healthy individuals (controls) and 60 patients with SLE and correlated that with the levels of circulating immune complex (CIC), C3, C3d and SLEDAI scores. The levels of leukocyte MCP transcript were significantly higher ( p < 0.001) in patients with SLE than the controls. Furthermore, MCP transcript levels exhibited significant positive correlations with SLEDAI scores and CIC level and a negative correlation with C3d level in patients. Twelve patients were followed-up until remission. The levels of MCP transcripts decreased significantly during remission as compared with the state of active disease. These findings suggest that in SLE, the expression of leukocyte MCP at the mRNA level is closely related to disease activity. A protective role of MCP in response to increased disease burden may be speculated. The follow-up study suggested MCP as a potential disease marker.

Aspergillus colonisation of pulmonary rheumatoid nodules: a rare cause of 'bull's eye' appearance

Pulmonary rheumatoid nodules [PRNs] are a well described manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. Fungal colonisation of these nodules is a rare phenomenon. We report a case of Aspergillus colonisation of multiple cavitary rheumatoid nodules in a young female patient with long-standing seropositive RA with 'bull's eye' appearance on computed tomography [CT]. The 'bull's eye' appearance inside PRNs should raise the suspicion of possible fungal colonisation. In patients with RA, a high index of suspicion for the fungal colonisation should be considered by the clinicians treating pulmonary cavitary nodules.

Synthesis and biologic activity of conformationally constrained analogs of L-363,301

We report the synthesis, biological activity and conformational analysis of analogs of the cyclic hexapeptide L-363,301, c[Pro6-Phe7-D-Trp8-Lys9-Thr10-Phe11] (numbering as in the native hormone somatostatin-14). The d-Trp in position 8 was replaced with (2R,3S)- and (2R,3R)-beta-MeTrp respectively, with an added methyl group in the beta position of Trp. The objective of our study was to determine the potency and selectivity generated by the added constraint in the beta position of the d-Trp upon binding to human somatostatin receptors hsst1-5. We synthesized the building blocks enantioselectively and incorporated them into the peptides by SPPS. Competition binding assays revealed that both compounds 2 and 3 were selective for hsst2 over hsst5. The (2R,3S) analog 2 was approximately 30 times more potent at hsst2 than the (2R,3R) analog 3. Interestingly, the (2R,3R) compound showed no binding affinity at hsst5.