Generational trends in the transition to womanhood in lowland rural Nepal: Changes in the meaning of early marriage

OBJECTIVE

In South Asia, studies show secular trends toward slightly later women's marriage and first reproduction. However, data on related biological and social events, such as menarche and age of coresidence with husband, are often missing from these analyses. We assessed generational trends in key life events marking the transition to womanhood in rural lowland Nepal.

METHODS

We used data on 110 co-resident mother-in-law (MIL) and daughter-in-law (DIL) dyads. We used paired t-tests and chi-squared tests to evaluate generational trends in women's education, and mean age at menarche, marriage, cohabitation with husband, and first reproduction of MIL and DIL dyads. We examined norms held by MILs and DILs on a daughter's life opportunities.

RESULTS

On average, MIL was 29 years older than DIL (60 years vs. 31 years). Both groups experienced menarche at average age 13.8 years. MIL was married at average 12.4 years, before menarche, and cohabitated with husbands at average 14.8 years. DIL was simultaneously married and cohabitated with husbands after menarche, at average 15 years. DIL was marginally more educated than MIL but had their first child on average 0.8 years earlier (95% CI -1.4, -0.1). MIL and DIL held similar norms on daughters' education and marriage.

CONCLUSION

While social norms remain similar, the meaning of "early marriage" and use of menarche in marriage decisions has changed in rural lowland Nepal. Compared to DIL, MIL who was married earlier transitioned to womanhood more gradually. However, DIL was still married young, and had an accelerated trajectory to childbearing.

Preliminary searches for spin-dependent interactions using sidebands of nuclear spin-precession signals

Various theories beyond the Standard Model predict new particles with masses in the sub-eV range with very weak couplings to ordinary matter. A new P-odd and T-odd interaction between polarized and unpolarized nucleons proportional to s⃗⋅r̂ is one such possibility, where r⃗=rr̂ is the spatial vector connecting the nucleons, and s⃗ is the spin of the polarized nucleon. Such an interaction involving a scalar coupling gsN at one vertex and a pseudoscalar coupling gpn at the polarized nucleon vertex can be induced by the exchange of spin-0 pseudoscalar bosons. We describe a new technique to search for interactions of this form and present the first measurements of this type. We show that future improvements to this technique can improve the laboratory upper bound on the product gsNgpn by two orders of magnitude for interaction ranges at the 100 micron scale.

Impact of menopausal symptoms on work and careers: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Women over 50 years are one of the fastest-growing employment groups. Menopausal symptoms can adversely impact quality of life, work performance and attendance; however, few studies look at the impact of individual menopausal symptoms on work and career development.

AIMS

To measure the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in employees in a healthcare setting, to assess the impact of individual symptoms on work, attendance and career development and to explore perceptions about workplace supports.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study of Irish hospital workers, menopausal employees were asked about the frequency of 10 menopausal symptoms and the extent to which each symptom impacted them at work. Impacts on performance, attendance and career development were assessed, along with the benefits of workplace support.

RESULTS

Responses from 407 women showed that the most common menopausal symptoms affecting employees greater than 50% of the time while at work were fatigue (54%), difficulty sleeping (47%), poor concentration (44%) and poor memory (40%). Work performance was impacted for 65% of respondents and 18% had taken sick leave. There was a significant association between symptom severity at work and reduced work performance, career development decisions and attendance. Manager awareness about menopause (29%) and flexible working times (29%) were selected as the most important workplace supports.

CONCLUSIONS

Female employees are negatively impacted by menopausal symptoms while at work, particularly by psychological and neurocognitive symptoms which were associated with reduced work performance, attendance and career decisions. Manager awareness and flexible schedules were considered the most beneficial workplace supports.

551 Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Following AstraZeneca (AZD1222) COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report

Covid-19 infections correlate with peripheral neuropathy. Correlations extend to vaccination, with reports of polyradiculoneuropathy. We report a case of a 59-year-old right-hand dominant female presenting with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) nineteen days after AZD1222.

BSSH diploma-qualified hand surgeon assessment identified increasing median nerve (MN) paraesthesia and upper limb pain. Symptoms occurred post-AZD1222 second dose administered 12-weeks after the first. Past medical history was unremarkable, and she had not contracted Covid-19. Examination found severe CTS-signs: thenar weakness, positive provocative tests (Phalen's and Tinel's) and 8mm MN static 2-point discrimination. Electrophysiology confirmed very severe wrist bilateral median neuropathies, with no evidence of widespread peripheral neuropathy. Left carpal tunnel decompression found a swollen MN bulging through the transverse carpal ligament. The patient reported symptom improvement 2 weeks post-operatively.

This was reported using MHRA “yellow card” protocols as symptoms occurred within the period of neuropathic side effects. Proposed neuropathy mechanisms in Covid-19 include vasa nervorum microangiopathy. Post-vaccine effects could be connected to such changes in microcirculation implicated in CTS. Vaccines containing SARS-CoV-2 antigens enhance autoimmunity and may cause antibody-mediated effects on the synovial sheath, worsening symptoms in pre-existing CTS. Though we do not claim causality, emerging post-vaccination effects may include exacerbation. It is not uncommon for clinicians to diagnose CTS in patients with symptoms overlooked until an inciting event. With Covid-19 ‘boosters' the long-term strategy, vaccinations may increase neuropathy contribution. Increasing caseloads may present future challenges to hand surgeons managing CTS. Recording correlations may provide a basis for investigating CTS pathophysiology post AZD1222.

Astrocytic outer retinal layer thinning is not a feature in AQP4-IgG seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND

Patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive (AQP4-IgG+) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) frequently suffer from optic neuritis (ON) leading to severe retinal neuroaxonal damage. Further, the relationship of this retinal damage to a primary astrocytopathy in NMOSD is uncertain. Primary astrocytopathy has been suggested to cause ON-independent retinal damage and contribute to changes particularly in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL), as reported in some earlier studies. However, these were limited in their sample size and contradictory as to the localisation. This study assesses outer retinal layer changes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a multicentre cross-sectional cohort.

METHOD

197 patients who were AQP4-IgG+ and 32 myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein antibody seropositive (MOG-IgG+) patients were enrolled in this study along with 75 healthy controls. Participants underwent neurological examination and OCT with central postprocessing conducted at a single site.

RESULTS

No significant thinning of OPL (25.02±2.03 µm) or ONL (61.63±7.04 µm) were observed in patients who were AQP4-IgG+ compared with patients who were MOG-IgG+ with comparable neuroaxonal damage (OPL: 25.10±2.00 µm; ONL: 64.71±7.87 µm) or healthy controls (OPL: 24.58±1.64 µm; ONL: 63.59±5.78 µm). Eyes of patients who were AQP4-IgG+ (19.84±5.09 µm, p=0.027) and MOG-IgG+ (19.82±4.78 µm, p=0.004) with a history of ON showed parafoveal OPL thinning compared with healthy controls (20.99±5.14 µm); this was not observed elsewhere.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that outer retinal layer loss is not a consistent component of retinal astrocytic damage in AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine if OPL and ONL are damaged in late disease due to retrograde trans-synaptic axonal degeneration and whether outer retinal dysfunction occurs despite any measurable structural correlates.

Proceedings of the inaugural Canadian Healthcare Navigation Conference: a forum for sharing innovations and best practices in navigation services

Background

Individuals experiencing chronic illnesses face many physical, emotional, and social strains as a result of their illnesses, all the while trying to navigate unfamiliar territory in the healthcare system. Navigation is a strategy that can help people facing complex care needs and barriers to care in finding and accessing needed supports in the health care system. Navigators provide a patient-centred service, guiding individuals through their care plans and overcoming barriers to care. Navigation supports for individuals experiencing complex care needs have shown significant promise and have been gaining traction across Canada.

Methods

The Canadian Healthcare Navigation Conference was the first event of its kind in Canada to bring together navigation researchers, service providers, students, decision makers, and individuals with lived experience to share lessons learned, promising practices, and research findings. This event was co-hosted by the Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and NaviCare/SoinsNavi at the University of New Brunswick, and took place virtually on April 15–16, 2021.

Results

This event spanned two days, which both began with a keynote address, one from a researcher and medical professional in navigation, and another from an individual with lived experience involved in advocacy in Canadian healthcare. Concurrent oral presentations by a variety of presenters were held following each keynote presentation. A poster session was held at the end of the first day, and a panel presentation rounded out the second day. Concurrent and poster presentations covered a range of topics pertaining to approaches to navigation, navigator roles, evaluation and quality improvement, lived experience in navigation, and navigation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel presentation focused on identifying how the navigation field has progressed in Canada and identifying crucial next steps in navigation. These next steps were determined to be: 1) agreement on navigation-related definitions, 2) regulation and training, 3) equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, 4) integrating lived experience, and 5) regional coordination.

Conclusion

This conference was an important first step to creating a shared national conversation about navigation services so that we can continue to develop, implement, and share best evidence and practices in the field.

RESONANCE Registry: rationale and design of the retrospective and prospective longitudinal, observational registry in pediatric and adult patients with recurrent pericarditis

Background

Annually in the United States (US), an estimated 80–90,000 patients are diagnosed with acute pericarditis and 15–30% experience recurrent pericarditis (RP), resulting in increased morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine. Corticosteroids (CS) are often added to the treatment plan in RP despite CS-associated adverse events and inherent potentiation of recurrence with long-term treatment. A recent Phase 3 clinical trial RHAPSODY (NCT03737110) demonstrated efficacy and safety of rilonacept, an interleukin-1 α and β cytokine trap, in patients with RP. RHAPSODY data helped support FDA approval of the first therapy for RP. With the emergence of this targeted therapy, there is increased interest to learn more about this disease with the goal to better inform treatment and management decisions and improve long-term outcomes.

Purpose

RESONANCE Registry aims to evaluate the natural history of RP by collecting retrospective and prospective, longitudinal physician- and patient-reported outcomes data in real-world clinical practice across the US.

Methods

RP patients with active disease (recurrence within 3 years) will have both retrospective and prospective data collected (Figure 1) for as long as their RP is managed up to 5 years. For patients with inactive disease (no recurrence within 3 years), data collection will be retrospective (Figure 2). Up to 500 patients in the US are planned for enrollment at pediatric and adult medical centers, with the potential for expansion to European sites. Additionally, patients will be recruited through a novel, internet-based technology platform and screened for eligibility at a “decentralized” trial site. The registry will include variables obtained from health records, including baseline characteristics and medical history, as well as patient reported outcome (PRO) measures collected every 3 months. The RESONANCE protocol is designed to include a broad population of pediatric and adult patients, regardless of etiology or treatment course, including patients treated with rilonacept. Data will be analyzed to understand disease heterogeneity, variability in treatment and management, and impact on HRQoL. The protocol and Case Report Forms (CRFs) were developed in collaboration with physicians, patients, and patient advocates.

Conclusions

Registries utilize real-world data to fill knowledge gaps in the management of less common diseases such as RP. The RESONANCE Registry is the first RP registry designed to collect data across a broad range of patients regardless of treatment. The registry will also serve as a connection point for physicians to further educate and empower patients with information about their disease. In addition, PRO data may enable greater insights into the understanding of the burden of RP from the patient's perspective.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals

The potential impact of post-COVID symptoms in the healthcare sector

BACKGROUND

The phenomenon of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is evolving from an abstract array of non-specific symptoms to an identifiable clinical entity of variable severity. Its frequency and persistence have implications for service delivery and workforce planning.

AIMS

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms consistent with PCS and the subjective degree of recovery in a cohort of healthcare workers, focusing on those who have returned to work.

METHODS

A study population of 1176 was surveyed when attending for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing. Two sub-groups were identified: those with known (i.e. diagnosed on PCR testing) and assumed (i.e. antibody evidence of previous infection) SARs-CoV-2 infection, at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Each group was asked about their subjective degree of recovery and the nature of their persistent symptoms. Results were analysed via excel and SPSS.

RESULTS

In total, 144 employees showed PCR evidence of previous infection, with 139 of these being infected at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Of these 139, only 19% (n = 26) reported feeling 100% recovered, and 71% reported persistent symptoms. Of those with assumed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 78), 32 (41%) were truly asymptomatic since the commencement of the pandemic, while 46 (59%) described symptoms suggestive of possible infection at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Of this latter group, 23% (n = 18) also reported residual symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

PCS is prevalent among this group, including those not previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Its' frequency and duration present challenges to employers with regards to the management of work availability and performance.

Imaging features of the evolving patterns of metastatic prostate cancer

The pattern of metastases in prostate cancer (PC) is evolving. Increased use of imaging, newer imaging techniques with higher sensitivity for disease detection and patients receiving multiple lines of novel therapies with increased life expectancy are likely to be contributory. Awareness of metastatic disease patterns improves early diagnosis, accurate staging, and initiation of appropriate therapy, and can inform prognostic information and anticipate potential disease complications. The aim of this review is to document the spectrum of metastases in PC including emerging and unusual patterns, and to highlight the role of novel imaging including prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positron-emission tomography (PET) and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) to improve diagnostic and response assessment accuracy.

Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography in Neuromyelitis Optica

Background and Objectives

To determine optic nerve and retinal damage in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG)-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) in a large international cohort after previous studies have been limited by small and heterogeneous cohorts.

Methods

The cross-sectional Collaborative Retrospective Study on retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) in neuromyelitis optica collected retrospective data from 22 centers. Of 653 screened participants, we included 283 AQP4-IgG–seropositive patients with NMOSD and 72 healthy controls (HCs). Participants underwent OCT with central reading including quality control and intraretinal segmentation. The primary outcome was thickness of combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform (GCIP) layer; secondary outcomes were thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and visual acuity (VA).

Results

Eyes with ON (NMOSD-ON, N = 260) or without ON (NMOSD-NON, N = 241) were assessed compared with HCs (N = 136). In NMOSD-ON, GCIP layer (57.4 ± 12.2 μm) was reduced compared with HC (GCIP layer: 81.4 ± 5.7 μm, p < 0.001). GCIP layer loss (−22.7 μm) after the first ON was higher than after the next (−3.5 μm) and subsequent episodes. pRNFL observations were similar. NMOSD-NON exhibited reduced GCIP layer but not pRNFL compared with HC. VA was greatly reduced in NMOSD-ON compared with HC eyes, but did not differ between NMOSD-NON and HC.

Discussion

Our results emphasize that attack prevention is key to avoid severe neuroaxonal damage and vision loss caused by ON in NMOSD. Therapies ameliorating attack-related damage, especially during a first attack, are an unmet clinical need. Mild signs of neuroaxonal changes without apparent vision loss in ON-unaffected eyes might be solely due to contralateral ON attacks and do not suggest clinically relevant progression but need further investigation.

Linking a European cohort of children born with congenital anomalies to vital statistics and mortality records: A EUROlinkCAT study

EUROCAT is a European network of population-based congenital anomaly (CA) registries. Twenty-one registries agreed to participate in the EUROlinkCAT study to determine if reliable information on the survival of children born with a major CA between 1995 and 2014 can be obtained through linkage to national vital statistics or mortality records. Live birth children with a CA could be linked using personal identifiers to either their national vital statistics (including birth records, death records, hospital records) or to mortality records only, depending on the data available within each region. In total, 18 of 21 registries with data on 192,862 children born with congenital anomalies participated in the study. One registry was unable to get ethical approval to participate and linkage was not possible for two registries due to local reasons. Eleven registries linked to vital statistics and seven registries linked to mortality records only; one of the latter only had identification numbers for 78% of cases, hence it was excluded from further analysis. For registries linking to vital statistics: six linked over 95% of their cases for all years and five were unable to link at least 85% of all live born CA children in the earlier years of the study. No estimate of linkage success could be calculated for registries linking to mortality records. Irrespective of linkage method, deaths that occurred during the first week of life were over three times less likely to be linked compared to deaths occurring after the first week of life. Linkage to vital statistics can provide accurate estimates of survival of children with CAs in some European countries. Bias arises when linkage is not successful, as early neonatal deaths were less likely to be linked. Linkage to mortality records only cannot be recommended, as linkage quality, and hence bias, cannot be assessed.

A review on diatom biosilicification and their adaptive ability to uptake other metals into their frustules for potential application in bone repair

Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic algae that have a distinctive siliceous cell wall (frustule) with unique architectures. The nanotopography of the frustule is perfectly replicated between generations, offering a source of highly intricate and identical silica microparticles. In recent years, the ability to alter their cell wall chemistry both in terms of functionalisation with organic moieties or by incorporation of the metal ions in their frustules has increased interest in their utility for catalysis technologies, and semiconductor and biomedical applications. Herein we review the fundamental biological mechanisms in which diatoms produce their frustule and their ability to substitute different metal ions in their frustule fabrication process. The review focuses on the potential of diatom frustules as a naturally derived biomaterial in bone tissue engineering applications and how their cell walls, comprising biogenic silica, could either partially or fully incorporate other bone therapeutic metal ions, e.g., titanium or calcium, into their frustule. The use of diatom frustules in bone repair also potentially offers a 'greener', more environmentally friendly, biomaterial as they can naturally synthesise oxides of silicon and other metals into their frustules under ambient conditions at a relatively neutral pH. This process would negate the use of harsh organic chemicals and high-temperature processing conditions, often used in the fabrication of silica based biomaterials, e.g., bioactive glass.

Asbestos-related diseases

Knowledge of asbestos-related diseases has been accumulating for over one hundred years as the industrial value of asbestos was recognised for the strength of its fibres and their resistance to destruction, resulting in increasing production and use until the multiple health effects have become apparent. Deposition in the lung parenchyma results in an inflammatory/progressively fibrotic response, with impaired gas exchange and reduced lung compliance ('asbestosis'), causing progressive dyspnoea and respiratory failure for which only palliation is indicated, although anti-fibrotic agents used for idiopathic usual interstitial pneumonitis remain to be evaluated. Benign pleural effusion, diffuse pleural fibrosis (occasionally with associated rolled atelectasis) and pleural plaques are the non-malignant pleural diseases that result from fibres reaching the pleura. But the main issues that led to the ban on asbestos in industry are those of malignancy: lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma (MM) of the pleura and MM of the peritoneum. Bronchogenic carcinoma risk from asbestos exposure is dose-dependent and multiplies the risk attributable to tobacco smoking. The principles of treatment are as for all cases of lung cancer. Low-dose computed tomography screening of exposed people can detect early-stage, non-small cell cancers, with improved survival. The amphibole varieties of asbestos are much more potent causes of MM than chrysotile, and the risk increases exponentially for 40-50 years following first exposure. As MM is non-resectable and poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, curative treatment is not possible and screening not justified.

16 Pharmacological Interventions for Sialorrhoea in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Introduction

We looked at patients with Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and reviewed articles that used any pharmacological therapy to attempt to reduce the volume or burden of sialorrhoea. The control was patients on placebo or receiving usual best care. The primary outcome was symptom burden of sialorrhoea.

Method

The review was registered on Prospero (CRD42016042470.) 7 electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS) were searched until April 2019 using search terms for sialorrhoea and Parkinson’s disease. We additional searched through the last 6 years of abstracts from the International Movement Disorder Conference, Movement Disorder Society International Congress and World Parkinson’s Congress. Hand searching was performed of published journals from the Movement Disorder Journal of the Movement Disorder Society and Neurology. Inclusion criteria included patients aged over 18; patients with a diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease; patients with the complication of sialorrhoea and any pharmacological therapy aimed at reducing sialorrhoea. All articles were assessed for risk of bias independently by two assessors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results

7 articles were included from the 1,015 screened citations. 3 studies used Botox B as an intervention with clear objective measures and low risk of bias. These studies did show a significant reduction in sialorrhoea however the largest study showed some reporting bias and the others had small numbers and a short follow up period. 1 study looked at Botox A which showed significant improvement in sialorrhoea but had short follow-up.

Conclusion

Most studies have very small numbers and were followed up for only 1 month. There was significant heterogeneity in outcome measures but little evidence of significant harm from from the treatments studied. Overall, more robust evidence is required in order to achieve a gold standard in the treatment of sialorrhoea.

Geometrical predictors of small virtual neoLVOT size in functional mitral regurgitation

Background

LVOT obstruction is a potentially lethal complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). An anticipated neoLVOT area of &lt;2cm2 is presumed to imply prohibitive risk. Measurement of the anticipated neoLVOT can be time consuming and requires specialist software to facilitate virtual valve implantation.

Purpose

To determine simple geometrical predictors of prohibitive neoLVOT size.

Methods

165 consecutive, non-calcific FMR patients referred to a transcatheter heart valve program were analysed. Segmentation of the mitral annulus and left heart geometry was performed using CT. Suitability for a default D-shaped TMVR was determined by proprietary annular inclusion criteria. Systolic neoLVOT area was determined via virtual valve implantation of the default TMVR.

Results

Sufficient image data for annular and neoLVOT suitability assessment was available in 152 patients. 105 patients (69%) were suitable for TMVR based on annular measurements. Of these, neoLVOT area was &gt;2cm2 in 88 (84%). Overall, compared to patients not suitable for TMVR (n=64), those suitable had larger ventricles with lower LVEF, and larger annuli (table 1). Using binomial logistic regression involving the variables within table 1, LVESD was the sole statistically significant variable to predict neoLVOT area of &lt;2cm2 (p=0.02). LVESD &lt;48mm had 82% sensitivity and 94% specificity for the presence of prohibitive neoLVOT (figure 1).

Conclusion

Smaller LVESD is a strong predictor of small neoLVOT, and hence LVOT obstruction post default D-shaped TMVR implantation. This simple measure may therefore be used to streamline patient selection for advanced pre-procedural imaging analysis.

Predicting NeoLVOT size &lt;2 cm2

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Cohort profile: a collaborative multicentre study of retinal optical coherence tomography in 539 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (CROCTINO)

PURPOSE

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) captures retinal damage in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Previous studies investigating OCT in NMOSD have been limited by the rareness and heterogeneity of the disease. The goal of this study was to establish an image repository platform, which will facilitate neuroimaging studies in NMOSD. Here we summarise the profile of the Collaborative OCT in NMOSD repository as the initial effort in establishing this platform. This repository should prove invaluable for studies using OCT to investigate NMOSD.

PARTICIPANTS

The current cohort includes data from 539 patients with NMOSD and 114 healthy controls. These were collected at 22 participating centres from North and South America, Asia and Europe. The dataset consists of demographic details, diagnosis, antibody status, clinical disability, visual function, history of optic neuritis and other NMOSD defining attacks, and OCT source data from three different OCT devices.

FINDINGS TO DATE

The cohort informs similar demographic and clinical characteristics as those of previously published NMOSD cohorts. The image repository platform and centre network continue to be available for future prospective neuroimaging studies in NMOSD. For the conduct of the study, we have refined OCT image quality criteria and developed a cross-device intraretinal segmentation pipeline.

FUTURE PLANS

We are pursuing several scientific projects based on the repository, such as analysing retinal layer thickness measurements, in this cohort in an attempt to identify differences between distinct disease phenotypes, demographics and ethnicities. The dataset will be available for further projects to interested, qualified parties, such as those using specialised image analysis or artificial intelligence applications.

Material stiffness variation in mosquito antennae

The antennae of mosquitoes are model systems for acoustic sensation, in that they obey general principles for sound detection, using both active feedback mechanisms and passive structural adaptations. However, the biomechanical aspect of the antennal structure is much less understood than the mechano-electrical transduction. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we measured the fluorescent properties of the antennae of two species of mosquito—Toxorhynchites brevipalpis and Anopheles arabiensis—and, noting that fluorescence is correlated with material stiffness, we found that the structure of the antenna is not a simple beam of homogeneous material, but is in fact a rather more complex structure with spatially distributed discrete changes in material properties. These present as bands or rings of different material in each subunit of the antenna, which repeat along its length. While these structures may simply be required for structural robustness of the antennae, we found that in FEM simulation, these banded structures can strongly affect the resonant frequencies of cantilever-beam systems, and therefore taken together our results suggest that modulating the material properties along the length of the antenna could constitute an additional mechanism for resonant tuning in these species.

The neutron electric dipole moment experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source

Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment experimental sensitivity, both in terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement the scheme of Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. The unique properties of combining polarized ultracold neutrons, polarized 3He, and superfluid 4He will be exploited to provide a sensitivity to ∼ 10−28 e · cm. Our cryogenic apparatus will deploy two small (3 L) measurement cells with a high density of ultracold neutrons produced and spin analyzed in situ. The electric field strength, precession time, magnetic shielding, and detected UCN number will all be enhanced compared to previous room temperature Ramsey measurements. Our 3He co-magnetometer offers unique control of systematic effects, in particular the Bloch-Siegert induced false EDM. Furthermore, there will be two distinct measurement modes: free precession and dressed spin. This will provide an important self-check of our results. Following five years of “critical component demonstration,” our collaboration transitioned to a “large scale integration” phase in 2018. An overview of our measurement techniques, experimental design, and brief updates are described in these proceedings.

Collaborative International Research in Clinical and Longitudinal Experience Study in NMOSD

Objective

To develop a resource of systematically collected, longitudinal clinical data and biospecimens for assisting in the investigation into neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.

Methods

To illustrate its research-enabling purpose, epidemiologic patterns and disease phenotypes were assessed among enrolled subjects, including age at disease onset, annualized relapse rate (ARR), and time between the first and second attacks.

Results

As of December 2017, the Collaborative International Research in Clinical and Longitudinal Experience Study (CIRCLES) had enrolled more than 1,000 participants, of whom 77.5% of the NMOSD cases and 71.7% of the controls continue in active follow-up. Consanguineous relatives of patients with NMOSD represented 43.6% of the control cohort. Of the 599 active cases with complete data, 84% were female, and 76% were anti-AQP4 seropositive. The majority were white/Caucasian (52.6%), whereas blacks/African Americans accounted for 23.5%, Hispanics/Latinos 12.4%, and Asians accounted for 9.0%. The median age at disease onset was 38.4 years, with a median ARR of 0.5. Seropositive cases were older at disease onset, more likely to be black/African American or Hispanic/Latino, and more likely to be female.

Conclusions

Collectively, the CIRCLES experience to date demonstrates this study to be a useful and readily accessible resource to facilitate accelerating solutions for patients with NMOSD.

Runs of homozygosity and testicular cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is highly heritable but > 50% of the genetic risk remains unexplained. Epidemiological observation of greater relative risk to brothers of men with TGCT compared to sons has long alluded to recessively acting TGCT genetic susceptibility factors, but to date none have been reported. Runs of homozygosity (RoH) are a signature indicating underlying recessively acting alleles and have been associated with increased risk of other cancer types.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether RoH are associated with TGCT risk.

METHODS

We performed a genome-wide RoH analysis using GWAS data from 3206 TGCT cases and 7422 controls uniformly genotyped using the OncoArray platform.

RESULTS

Global measures of homozygosity were not significantly different between cases and controls, and the frequency of individual consensus RoH was not significantly different between cases and controls, after correction for multiple testing. RoH at three regions, 11p13-11p14.3, 5q14.1-5q22.3 and 13q14.11-13q.14.13, were, however, nominally statistically significant at p < 0.01. Intriguingly, RoH200 at 11p13-11p14.3 encompasses Wilms tumour 1 (WT1), a recognized cancer susceptibility gene with roles in sex determination and developmental transcriptional regulation, processes repeatedly implicated in TGCT aetiology.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Overall, our data do not support a major role in the risk of TGCT for recessively acting alleles acting through homozygosity, as measured by RoH in outbred populations of cases and controls.

The Future Excess Fraction of Cancer Attributable to High Body Mass Index in Australia

Background: High body mass index (BMI > 25 kg/m2) has been found to be associated with an increased risk of many cancers, including cancers of the colon and rectum, liver, and pancreas. Aim: This study aimed to estimate the future burden of cancer resulting from current levels of overweight and obesity in Australia. Methods: The future excess fraction method was used to estimate the future burden of cancer among the proportion of the Australian adult population who were overweight or obese in 2016. Calculations were conducted for 13 cancer types, including cancers of the colon, rectum, kidney, and liver. Results: The cohort of 18.7 million adult Australians in 2016 will develop ∼7.6 million cancers over their lifetime. Of these, ∼402,500 cancers (5.3%) will be attributable to current levels of overweight and obese. The majority of these will be postmenopausal breast cancers (n = 72,300), kidney cancers (n = 59,200), and colon cancers (n = 55,100). More than a quarter of future endometrial cancers (30.3%) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (35.8%) will be attributable to high body mass index. Conclusion: A significant proportion of future cancers will result from current levels of high body mass index. Our estimates are not directly comparable to past estimates of the burden from overweight and obesity because they describe different quantities - future cancers in currently exposed vs current cancers due to past exposures. The results of this study provide us with relevant up-to-date information about how many cancers in Australia could be prevented.

Sex differences in basal hypothalamic anorectic and orexigenic gene expression and the effect of quantitative and qualitative food restriction

Background

Research into energy balance and growth has infrequently considered genetic sex, yet there is sexual dimorphism for growth across the animal kingdom. We test the hypothesis that in the chicken, there is a sex difference in arcuate nucleus neuropeptide gene expression, since previous research indicates hypothalamic AGRP expression is correlated with growth potential and that males grow faster than females. Because growth has been heavily selected in some chicken lines, food restriction is necessary to improve reproductive performance and welfare, but this increases hunger. Dietary dilution has been proposed to ameliorate this undesirable effect. We aimed to distinguish the effects of gut fullness from nutritional feedback on hypothalamic gene expression and its interaction with sex.

Methods

Twelve-week-old male and female fast-growing chickens were either released from restriction and fed ad libitum or a restricted diet plus 15% w/w ispaghula husk, a non-nutritive bulking agent, for 2 days. A control group remained on quantitative restriction. Hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neuropeptides were measured using real-time PCR. To confirm observed sex differences, the experiment was repeated using only ad libitum and restricted fed fast-growing chickens and in a genetically distinct breed of ad libitum fed male and female chickens. Linear mixed models (Genstat 18) were used for statistical analysis with transformation where appropriate.

Results

There were pronounced sex differences: expression of the orexigenic genes AGRP (P < 0.001) and NPY (P < 0.002) was higher in males of the fast-growing strain. In genetically distinct chickens, males had higher AGRP mRNA (P = 0.002) expression than females, suggesting sex difference was not restricted to a fast-growing strain. AGRP (P < 0.001) expression was significantly decreased in ad libitum fed birds but was high and indistinguishable between birds on a quantitative versus qualitative restricted diet. Inversely, gene expression of the anorectic genes POMC and CART was significantly higher in ad libitum fed birds but no consistent sex differences were observed.

Conclusion

Expression of orexigenic peptides in the avian hypothalamus are significantly different between sexes. This could be useful starting point of investigating further if AGRP is an indicator of growth potential. Results also demonstrate that gut fill alone does not reduce orexigenic gene expression.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13293-018-0178-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Changing distribution and abundance of the malaria vector Anopheles merus in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Background: The malaria vector Anopheles merus occurs in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. As its contribution to malaria transmission in South Africa has yet to be ascertained, an intensification of surveillance is necessary to provide baseline information on this species. The aim of this study was therefore to map An. merus breeding sites in the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga Province and to assess qualitative trends in the distribution and relative abundance of this species over a 9-year period. Methods: The study was carried out during the period 2005-2014 in the four high-risk municipalities of Ehlanzeni District. Fifty-two breeding sites were chosen from all water bodies that produced anopheline mosquitoes. The study data were extracted from historical entomological records that are captured monthly. Results: Of the 15 058 Anopheles mosquitoes collected, 64% were An. merus. The abundance and distribution of An. merus increased throughout the four municipalities in Ehlanzeni District during the study period. Conclusion: The expanded distribution and increased abundance of An. merus in the Ehlanzeni District may contribute significantly to locally acquired malaria in Mpumalanga Province, likely necessitating the incorporation of additional vector control methods specifically directed against populations of this species.

Case management of malaria in Swaziland, 2011-2015: on track for elimination?

Objective: To assess adherence to malaria diagnosis and treatment guidelines (2010 and 2014) in all health care facilities in Swaziland between 2011 and 2015. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving all health care facilities that diagnosed and managed malaria cases in Swaziland. Patients' age, sex, diagnosis method and type of treatment were analysed. Results: Of 1981 records for severe and uncomplicated malaria analysed, 56% of cases were uncomplicated and 14% had severe malaria. The type of malaria was not recorded for 30% of cases. Approximately 71% of cases were confirmed by rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) alone, 3% by microscopy alone and 26% by both RDT and microscopy. Of the uncomplicated cases, 93% were treated with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) alone, 5% with quinine alone and 2% with AL and quinine. Amongst the severe cases, 11% were treated with AL alone, 44% with quinine alone and 45% with AL and quinine. For severe malaria, clinics and health centres prescribed AL alone more often than hospitals (respectively 13%, 12% and 4%, P = 0.03). Conclusion: RDTs and/or microscopy results are used at all facilities to inform treatment. Poor recording of malaria type causes difficulties in assessing the prescription of antimalarial drugs.

Muddy puddles - the microbiology of puddles located outside tertiary university teaching hospitals

In the British Isles, the frequency of rain results in the formation of puddles on footpaths and roads in/around hospitals. No data are available demonstrating the microbiological composition of such puddles and therefore a study was undertaken to examine the microbiology of puddles in the grounds of two tertiary university-teaching hospitals (18 sites) and compared with control puddles from non-hospital rural environments (eight sites), estimating (i) total viable count; (ii) identification of organisms in puddles; (iii) enumeration of Escherichia coli: (iv) detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing organisms and (v) direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A mean count of 2·3 × 10³  CFU per ml and 1·0 × 10⁹  CFU per ml was obtained for hospital and non-hospital puddles respectively. Isolates (n = 77; 54 hospital and 23 non-hospital) were isolated comprising of 23 species among 17 genera (hospital sites), where the majority (10/16; 62·5%) of genera identified were Gram-negative approximately, a fifth (20·6%) were shared by hospital and non-hospital rural samples. Escherichia coli was detected in half of the hospital puddles and under-half (37·5%) of the rural puddles extended spectrum β-lactamase organisms were not detected in any samples examined. Rainwater puddles from the hospital and non-hospital environments contain a diverse range of bacteria, which are capable of causing infections.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study demonstrated the presence of a wide diversity of bacterial taxa associated with rainwater puddles around hospitals, many of which are capable of causing human disease. Of clinical significance is the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a hospital puddle, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis. The presence of potentially disease-causing bacteria in puddles in and around hospitals identifies a new potential environmental reservoir of bacteria. Furthermore work is now needed to define their potential of entering or exiting hospital wards by contaminated footwear.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance among Escherichia coli and Salmonella in Ontario smallholder chicken flocks

Surveillance is an important component of an overall strategy to address antimicrobial resistant bacteria in food animals and the food chain. The poultry market has many points of entry into the Canadian food chain, and some production practices are underrepresented in terms of surveillance. For example, pathogen carriage and antimicrobial resistance surveillance data are limited in smallholder chicken flocks raised for slaughter at provincially inspected abattoirs. In Canada, antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from commercial broiler chicken flocks, slaughtered at federally inspected abattoirs, is monitored by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). The objective of this study was to establish baseline information of antimicrobial resistance presence in E. coli and Salmonella isolated from smallholder flocks in Ontario, utilizing CIPARS collection and isolation methodologies, and to compare findings with CIPARS federally inspected abattoir data from Ontario, Canada. Five chickens per flock were sampled from 205 smallholder flocks. Of 1,025 samples, the E. coli prevalence was 99% (1,022/1,025), and 47% (483/1,022) of positive E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more of the 14 antimicrobials. Furthermore, as compared to results reported for the CIPARS commercial flocks, E. coli isolates from smallholder flocks had significantly lower resistance prevalence to six of 14 individual antimicrobials. Recovery of E. coli did not differ between federally inspected and provincially inspected flocks. Salmonella prevalence at the bird level in smallholder flocks was 0.3% (3/1,025), significantly lower (p ≪ 0.0001, 95% CI 0.080%-0.86%) than federally inspected commercial flocks. The overall differences found between the commercial and smallholder flocks may be explained by differences in poultry husbandry practices and hatchery sources.