Non-invasive in-utero quantification of vascular reactivity in human placenta

OBJECTIVE

Placental vascular reactivity (PlVR) indicates the ability of the placental vasculature to match blood supply to fetal demand. Many pregnancy disorders alter the characteristics of PlVR, resulting in suboptimal oxygen delivery, although current understanding is limited by the lack of non-invasive, repeatable methods to measure PlVR in utero. Our objective was to quantify PlVR by measuring the placental response to transient changes in maternal carbon dioxide (CO2) using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that PlVR will increase with gestational age to meet the changing demands of a growing fetus, and that PlVR will be driven by a maternal response to changes in CO2 concentration.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 35 women with a healthy singleton pregnancy, of whom 31 were included in the analysis. The median gestational age was 32.6 (range, 22.6-38.4) weeks. Pregnant women were instructed to follow audiovisual breathing cues during a MRI scan. Maternal end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) was measured concurrently with resting placental BOLD MRI for a total of 7-8 min. Preprocessing of magnetic resonance images consisted of manual delineation of placental anatomy and motion correction. In each placental voxel, vascular reactivity was computed using a coherence-weighted general linear model between MRI signal and EtCO2 stimulus. Global PlVR was computed as the mean of voxel-wise PlVR values across the placenta.

RESULTS

PlVR, quantified by the placental response to induced, transient changes in maternal CO2, was consistently measured in utero using BOLD MRI. PlVR increased non-linearly with advancing gestational age (P < 0.001) and was higher on the fetal side of the placenta. PlVR was associated positively with fetal brain volume after accounting for gestational age. PlVR did not show any significant associations with maternal characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

We present, for the first time, a non-invasive paradigm to quantify PlVR in ongoing human pregnancies without the use of exogenous gases or contrast agents. Our findings suggest that PlVR is driven by a fetal response to changes in maternal CO2. Ease of translation to the clinical setting makes PlVR a promising biomarker for the identification and management of high-risk pregnancies. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A247 MEDITATION AND YOGA FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (MY-IBS): A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background

When delivered in person, yoga is effective in managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms. However, research is needed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of yoga as a therapeutic option when delivered virtually.

Aims

The aim was to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a yoga program, delivered virtually, for patients with IBS. We hypothesized the program would be feasible and effective in improving outcomes in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Methods

Adults diagnosed with IBS were randomized to receive either a Hatha yoga intervention or to an advice-only control group. The intervention consisted of facilitator-led weekly online classes for eight weeks delivered using Microsoft Office Teams and daily home practice. Yoga sessions included sequential delivery of postures, chanting, breathing exercises, and meditation over four weeks, with integrated practice over the final four weeks. Feasibility was evaluated with recruitment and attrition rates, adherence, and safety. The primary outcome was severity of IBS symptoms (IBS-Symptom Severity Score, IBS-SSS). Secondary outcomes included anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) assessed at baseline and eight weeks. Unadjusted and adjusted analysis of variance (and covariance) models compared baseline and post-intervention data between groups using intent to treat analysis.

Results

Sixty-five participants participated (32 treatment, 33 control). The mean age was 44.2±14.1 years and 91% identified as female. Participants had been living with IBS for 11.7±11 years. Fifteen participants were lost to follow-up (20% attrition rate). Participants attended on average 5.9±1.7 out of a possible 8 sessions (74% adherence) and accumulated 1,187±545 minutes in daily practice over eight weeks. No adverse events were reported. The groups did not differ at baseline (P>0.05). From baseline to post intervention, unadjusted ANOVA models indicated the yoga program was not statistically superior to the control group for IBS-symptoms (-17.5 points; 95% CI -62.6 to 27.6; P = 0.440), anxiety (-0.91 points; 95% CI -2.47 to 0.64; P = 0.245) and stress (-0.65 points; 95% CI -1.73 to 0.44; P = 0.239). Significant differences between groups were seen for depression (-1.82 points; 95% CI -3.49 to -0.15; P = 0.033). A second model considered relevant covariates including age, comorbidities, and years since diagnosis (i.e., ANCOVA), and the results were similar to the unadjusted model.

Conclusions

Our virtual Hatha yoga and mediation program was feasible, and participants showed improvement in their depression scores. However, they did not experience a significant improvement in their IBS symptoms, anxiety, or stress, perhaps due to the short timeframe of the intervention.

Funding Agencies

None

2-Deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography, cortical thickness and white matter graph network abnormalities in brains of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia suggest early neuronopathy rather than axonopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disorder, although extra-motor degeneration is well recognized, especially in frontotemporal regions manifested as ALS with frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD). Previous neuroimaging studies of the brains of ALS-FTD patients have measured abnormalities of either grey matter (GM) or white matter (WM) structures but not of both together. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate both GM and WM in the same ALS-FTD patient using functional and structural neuroimaging. By doing so, insights could be gained into whether neurodegeneration in ALS-FTD is primarily a neuronopathy or axonopathy.

METHODS

After high-resolution brain 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸ F]fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸ F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained in ALS-FTD patients and in age- and sex-matched neurological controls, changes in metabolic rate, cortical thickness (CT) and WM network analysis using graph theory were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in ¹⁸ F-FDG PET metabolism, CT and WM connections were observed in motor and extra-motor brain regions of ALS-FTD patients compared to controls. Both CT and underlying WM networks were abnormal in frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes of ALS-FTD patients with 86 of 90 brain regions showing reductions of CT.

CONCLUSION

Abnormalities in significantly fewer WM networks underlying the affected cortical regions suggest that neurodegeneration in brains of ALS-FTD patients is primarily a 'neuronopathy' rather than an 'axonopathy.'

AB1344-HPR POOLED ANALYSIS OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ABATACEPT OR OTHER TARGET DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS (TDMARD) AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS (T2DM)-RELATED HEALTHCARE RESOURCE UTILIZATION (HCRU) AND COSTS IN TNFI-NAÏVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) PATIENTS WITH T2DM

Background:

Limited information is available on the impact of target disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (tDMARD) on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objectives:

The objective was to compare T2DM-related healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and cost for TNF inhibitors (TNFi)-naive patients pooled from two commercial databases with RA and T2DM receiving abatacept, other non-TNFi, or TNFi.

Methods:

A retrospective, observational study was conducted with MarketScan and PharMetrics (January 2008-September 2018). The study population included TNFi-naïve adult patients with RA and T2DM newly initiating abatacept, TNFi (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab) or other non-TNFi (tocilizumab, anakinra, sarilumab, rituximab, tofacitinib). Date of tDMARD initiation was the index date. Patients had ≥2 RA diagnoses separated by ≥7 days, ≥1 T2DM diagnosis, and had ≥12 months of pre-index continuous enrollment. Follow-up ended at the end of patient insurance enrollment, study period or index treatment. T2DM-related HCRU and costs including inpatient stay, outpatient visits, ER visits, and pharmacy use were measured on a per-patient-per-month (PPPM) basis (2018 USD). Patients treated with abatacept were matched to TNFi and non-TNFi cohorts separately by propensity score adjusted with patients baseline comorbidities, HCRU, and costs.

Results:

A total of 16,236 patients meeting criteria were identified. Most patients were female (74.3%), and the overall average age of 55.4 years (Table 1). After matching, 850 pairs of abatacept vs non-TNFi patients, and 1,096 pairs of abatacept vs TNFi patients were included in the adjusted results. Patients initiating abatacept had $144 lower adjusted T2DM-related costs as compared to non-TNFi and $79 lower costs than TNFi cohorts (Table 2).

Table 1.

Patient Characteristics

Abataceptn=1,134Non-TNFin=1,353TNFin=13,749TotalN=16,236Age, mean years (SD)58.5 (11.3)57.7 (11.2)54.9 (10.6)55.41 (10.7)Gender, female, n (%)936 (82.5)993 (73.4)10,142 (73.8)12,071 (74.3)CCI, mean (SD)2.2 (1.4)2.3 (1.4)1.8 (1.1)1.89 (1.14)DCSI, n (%) Cardiovascular361 (31.8)406 (30.0)2,500 (18.2)3,267 (20.1) Neuropathy294 (25.9)374 (27.6)3,161 (23.0)3,829 (23.6) Nephropathy146 (12.9)193 (14.3)1,151 (8.4)1,490 (9.2) PVD131 (11.6)155 (11.5)874 (6.4)1,160 (7.1) Retinopathy103 (9.1)119 (8.8)922 (6.7)1,144 (7.0) Cerebrovascular74 (6.5)102 (7.5)620 (4.5)796 (4.9) Metabolic9 (0.8)20 (1.5)141 (1.0)170 (1.0)

CCI: Charlson comorbidity index; DCSI: diabetes complications severity index; PVD: peripheral vascular disease.

Table 2.

Adjusted T2DM-related HCRU and Costs after Propensity Score Matching

Abataceptn=850Non-TNFin=850Diff (ABA- Non-TNF)Abataceptn=1,096TNFin=1,096Diff (ABA- TNF)T2DM-related HCRU (per 1000 Patients per Month)Number of Hospitalizations13.920.4-6.5*12.614.9-2.3*Number ofER Visits22.016.15.9*18.416.32.0*Number ofOutpatient Visits311334.8-23.7*299.3286.912.4T2DM-related Costs (PPPM $)Inpatient Costs507535-28413475-62ER Costs271710*2225-3Outpatient Costs190323-13318617016*Pharmacy Costs1071007*97128-31Total Costs831975-144719798-79*

*P<0.05

Conclusion:

TNFi-naive RA patients with T2DM newly initiating abatacept had lower adjusted rates of T2DM-related hospitalizations compared to patients who initiated a non-TNFi or a TNFi. Total costs were lower among patients initiating abatacept vs. patients who initiated a non-TNFi or a TNFi. Findings suggest that initial abatacept among TNFi-naïve patients may be able to reduce healthcare utilization arising from T2DM complications and reduce T2DM-related costs in RA patients.

Disclosure of Interests:

Xue Han Employee of: BMS, Qian Xia Shareholder of: I own shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Employee of: I am a paid employee of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Ying Bao Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Vardhaman PATEL Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Amrina Roy Employee of: Mu-Sigma, Varshini Rajagopalan Employee of: Mu-Sigma, Francis Lobo Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb (US), Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb (US)

Secondary lymphangioma of vulva: a report of two cases

Secondary lymphangiomas or acquired lymphangiomas of vulva represent dilatation of upper dermal lymphatics following damage to previously normal deep lymphatics. They have been reported to occur following various infections, surgeries and radiotherapy which can cause damage to deep lymphatics.Treatment options in the management of secondary lymphangiomas include surgical resection, carbon dioxide laser vaporisation, sclerosing agents etc. We report two cases of secondary lymphangioma of vulva that followed radiotherapy for carcinoma of cervix. Both the patients were treated successfully by surgery.

3D global and regional patterns of human fetal subplate growth determined in utero

The waiting period of subplate evolution is a critical phase for the proper formation of neural connections in the brain. During this time, which corresponds to 15 to 24 postconceptual weeks (PCW) in the human fetus, thalamocortical and cortico-cortical afferents wait in and are in part guided by molecules embedded in the extracellular matrix of the subplate. Recent advances in fetal MRI techniques now allow us to study the developing brain anatomy in 3D from in utero imaging. We describe a reliable segmentation protocol to delineate the boundaries of the subplate from T2-W MRI. The reliability of the protocol was evaluated in terms of intra-rater reproducibility on a subset of the subjects. We also present the first 3D quantitative analyses of temporal changes in subplate volume, thickness, and contrast from 18 to 24 PCW. Our analysis shows that firstly, global subplate volume increases in proportion with the supratentorial volume; the subplate remained approximately one-third of supratentorial volume. Secondly, we found both global and regional growth in subplate thickness and a linear increase in the median and maximum subplate thickness through the waiting period. Furthermore, we found that posterior regions--specifically the occipital pole, ventral occipito-temporal region, and planum temporale--of the developing brain underwent the most statistically significant increases in subplate thickness. During this period, the thickest region was the developing somatosensory/motor cortex. The subplate growth patterns reported here may be used as a baseline for comparison to abnormal fetal brain development.

Juvenile dermatomyositis associated with lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy and associated metabolic abnormalities are being increasingly recognized as complications of juvenile dermatomyositis. We report one such case.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma

Pseudo Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare vascular lesion, usually associated with arterio venous malformations of the Parker Weber type, and only occasionally with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome per se. We report one such case.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha modulation of glycoprotein Ib alpha expression in human endothelial and erythroleukemia cells

Glycoprotein Ib alpha (GpIb alpha) is a platelet membrane Gp that binds von Willebrand factor and mediates platelet adhesion to subendothelium. We have found both GpIb alpha mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In previously published work we reported that combined treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) markedly increased the GpIb alpha mRNA level in HUVEC. We have now documented that TNF-alpha alone induces GpIb alpha mRNA and protein expression, studied the kinetics of this response, and investigated potential mechanisms of the TNF-alpha effect. GpIb alpha mRNA induction by TNF-alpha is detectable as early as 2 hours after exposure to this cytokine, and reaches a maximal level after 20 to 24 hours. Using a nuclear run-on assay we found that GpIb alpha gene transcription is increased approximately 10-fold after 2 hours of TNF-alpha treatment. Furthermore, using two monoclonal antibodies that recognize different epitopes of GpIb alpha, we found that the protein expression in endothelial cells is markedly increased by TNF-alpha. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and the phorbol ester phorbol myristate acetate, which mimic many effects of TNF-alpha on endothelial cells, have no effect on endothelial or human erytholeukemia (HEL)-cell GpIb alpha mRNA. TNF-alpha treatment for 24 hours increases the HEL cell GpIb alpha mRNA level approximately fourfold, showing a time- and dose-dependent effect similar to that seen in HUVEC. TNF-alpha-induced GpIb alpha mRNA and protein synthesis may play a role in mediating platelet or other cell interaction with activated endothelium. Unlike other endothelial pro-thrombotic and pro-adhesive proteins induced by TNF-alpha, GpIb alpha is not induced by IL-1 treatment, which suggests a novel pathway for induction of this protein.

Jejunogastric intussusception as a technique for in situ resection

A technique for resection of irreducible, gangrenous jejunogastric intussusception is presented. In comparison with previously described resection procedures involving division of the stoma, dismantling of the gastrojejunostomy or higher gastrectomy, in situ resection is simple and safe.

Study of doshic involvement in apasmara (epilepsy) and its utility

68 cases of epilepsy are studied here for assessing the doshic dominance to understand prognosis with a view to supplement the treatment with some doshahara compounds or drugs. Most of the cases studied or vata or pitta dominant cases, thereby, requiring vatahara or pittahara treatment.

Constitutional study of cancer patients - its prognostic and therapeutic scope

28 patients undergoing treatment for Cancer and 57 normal adults are studied for their Prakriti (constitution and temperature) to find out whether there is any difference in the prakriti pattern of Cancer patients when compared with that of normal volunteers. Pitta dominance is found in the prakriti pattern of Cancer patients followed by Kapha dominance. The prognostic therapeutic utility and scope of the knowledge of prakriti patterns are also discussed in this paper.

Treatment of tropical eosinophilia with an ayurvedic compound - a clinical trial

The effect of an Ayurvedic preparation consisting of Swasakutara, Curcuma longa (Haridra) and Withania somnifera (Asvagandha) is accessed in 12 patients of tropical eosinphilia. The modern control drug Hetrazan is used in another batch of 11 patients for comparison. The Ayurvedic compound causes complete relief of most of the clinical signs and symptoms associated with the disease and reduces E.S.R. significantly. However the drug has no effect on the level of circulating eosinophils.