Improving TB case notification and treatment coverage through data use

BACKGROUND:

This was a study on national TB data.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess improvement in TB case notification and treatment coverage through improved data use for action in Nigeria

DESIGN:

We analysed pre- and post-intervention secondary TB programme data comprising data on increased supervisory visits, incentives for health workers, DOTS expansion, outreaches and geo-code monitoring. Trend analysis was performed using Cochran-Armitage χ² test for linear trends.

RESULTS:

Case-finding increased from 104,904 cases in 2017 to 138,591 in 2020. There was an increase of 2.0% from 2017 to 2018, 13.0% in 2018 to 2019 and 15.0% in 2019 to 2020 (P < 0.001). Facility DOTS coverage increased from 7,389 facilities in 2017 to 17,699 in 2020. There was an increase of 30.0% in 2018, 31.0% in 2019 and 40.0% in 2020 (P < 0.001). The number of reporting facilities increased from 5,854 in 2017 to 12,775 in 2020. Compared with 2017, there were an increase of 20.0% in 2018, 38.0% in 2019 and 32.0% in 2020 (P < 0.001). Treatment coverage rate increased from 24% in 2018 to 27% in 2019 and 30% in 2020.

CONCLUSION:

TB service expansion, improved monitoring and the use of data for decision making are key in increasing TB treatment coverage.

SARS-CoV-2 monitoring at three sewersheds of different scales and complexity demonstrates distinctive relationships between wastewater measurements and COVID-19 case data

Wastewater monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 presents a means of tracking COVID-19 community infection dynamics on a broader geographic scale. However, accounting for environmental and sample-processing losses may be necessary for wastewater measurements to readily inform our understanding of infection prevalence. Here, we present measurements of the SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 gene targets from weekly wastewater samples at three sites in Hamilton County, Ohio, during an increase and subsequent decline of COVID-19 infections. The concentration of N1 or N2 RNA in wastewater, measured over the course of six months, ranged from below the detection limit to over 10⁴ gene copies/l, and correlated with case data at two wastewater treatment plants, but not at a sub-sewershed-level sampling site. We also evaluated the utility of a broader range of variables than has been reported consistently in previous work, in improving correlations of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations with case data. These include a spiked matrix recovery control (OC43), flow-normalization, and assessment of fecal loading using endogenous fecal markers (HF183, PMMoV, crAssphage). We found that adjusting for recovery, flow, and fecal indicators increased these correlations for samples from a larger sewershed (serving ~488,000 people) with greater industrial and stormwater inputs, but raw N1/N2 concentrations corresponded better with case data at a smaller, residential-oriented sewershed. Our results indicate that the optimal adjustment factors for correlating wastewater and clinical case data moving forward may not be generalizable to all sewersheds.

Behcet's Disease (BD) Presenting as a Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)

Presentation 20 year old Caucasian male presented to eye casualty 4 weeks post initial diagnosis of bilateral acute anterior uveitis (AAU), with a three-week history of a progressively worsening headache associated with nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis Non-contrast Computed Topography of the head and Magnetic Resonance venogram revealed a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). He had a long-standing history of intermittent oral ulceration, and was diagnosed with Neuro Behcet's Disease (NBD). Treatment The patient was commenced on a therapeutic dose of enoxaparin and prednisolone, and was discharged on enoxaparin, warfarin, tapering prednisolone and azathioprine. Discussion/Conclusion NBD is a rare, but serious manifestation of BD. BD is an important differential diagnosis in a young patient presenting with CVST or bilateral AAU.

Comparison of Saliva and Nasopharyngeal Swabs for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in an Emergency Department and Ambulatory Testing Locations

Introduction/Objective

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs have been the traditional specimen source used for testing for respiratory viruses. However, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies suggested that saliva could also be used as a specimen source for testing for SARS-CoV-2. Despite potential benefits, there was limited data on the characteristics of this specimen type and few commercial assays with FDA emergency use authorization allowed saliva as a specimen source. In order to explore the feasibility and validate using saliva as a specimen source for ambulatory and emergency department patients we designed a study to compare saliva to NP swabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Methods/Case Report

Specimens were collected in the emergency department and ambulatory testing sites between May 6, 2020-July 7, 2020. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected as part of routine clinical practice and patients were given written instructions to self-collect 1mL of saliva into a sterile specimen cup with or without a straw. SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed in parallel with both specimen types using the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit (Thermo Fisher Waltham, MA). Saliva was diluted 1:1 in saline prior to testing. Specimens were transported to the lab at 4C and frozen at -80C prior to testing.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

Seventy-four patients had both an NP swab and saliva tested in this study. Thirty of the 74 patients (41%) were unable to produce the full 1mL of saliva requested, but all samples had sufficient volume for testing after dilution. There were 34 positive samples obtained with an 82% positive agreement between the NP swabs and saliva. In 6 cases, the NP swab was positive, and the paired saliva was negative. In 1 case, only the saliva was positive. The average Ct of the positive NP swabs with a paired negative saliva sample was 39.6. There was only a single invalid test for one of the saliva samples.

Conclusion

Saliva was a straightforward sample to collect and test for SARS-CoV-2. Challenges included obtaining sufficient sample and a less predictable matrix that required dilution to ensure proper pipeting. In this study, NP swabs were more sensitive for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Paired saliva was more often negative in patients shedding small amounts of SARS-CoV-2 based on a high Ct of the positive NP sample.

The influence of a 16-week exercise program, APOE status, and age on executive function task performance: A randomized trial

Previous research has shown beneficial cognitive changes following exercise training in older adults. However, the work on the potential moderating effects of Apoliprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status has been mixed, and the role of exercise intensity remains largely unexplored. The present study sought to examine the influence of APOE ε4 status and exercise intensity on measures of cognitive performance in a group of older adults. Cross-sectional comparisons between a group of younger inactive adults (n = 44, age = 28.86 ± 0.473 SD, 60.5% female) and a group of older inactive adults (n = 142, age = 67.8 ± 5.4, 62.7% female) were made on baseline measurements of APOE ε4 status, VO₂peak, and cognitive performance in the domain of executive functioning. The older adults also participated in a randomized controlled exercise trial, exercising three times per week for 16-weeks in either a low-intensity continuous training (LICT) group or a moderate-intensity continuous training plus interval training (MICT+IT) group at the Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange) Exercise Laboratory. Follow-up measurements of VO₂peak and cognitive performance were collected on the older adults after the exercise intervention. Cross-sectional comparisons between the older and younger adults demonstrated significant impairments among older adults in Stroop effect on error and time, Category Switch mixing effects, and Keep Track task. This impairment was not moderated by APOE ε4 carrier status. Improvements from pre- to post-exercise intervention were observed in both exercise groups in Stroop effect on error ([F (1, 256) = 9.381, p < 0.01, η² = 0.031]) and Category Switch switching effect reaction time ([F(1, 274) = 4.442, p < 0.05, η² = 0.020]), with no difference between exercise groups. The moderating effects of APOE ε4 carrier status were mixed. Exercise did not improve the Stroop effect on error among ε4 carriers assigned to MICT+IT when improvements were seen in all other groups. Further research is needed to examine the mechanisms of action by which exercise impacts cognitive task performance, and possible moderators such as genetic variability and exercise intensity.

Efficacy of adjunctive aripiprazole to lithium or valproate in the long-term treatment of mania in subjects with bipolar i disorder (CN138–189)

Objectives

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of adjunctive aripiprazole (ARI) to lithium (LI) or valproate (VAL) in delaying time to relapse in bipolar I disorder.

Methods

Bipolar I disorder subjects with a current manic or mixed episode received LI or VAL for at least 2 weeks; inadequate responders (YMRS score ≥ 16 and ≤35% decrease from baseline at 2 weeks) received adjunctive ARI. Subjects maintaining mood stability (YMRS and MADRS ≤ 12 for 12 consecutive weeks) were randomised 1:1 to double-blind ARI (10 to 30 mg/day) or placebo (PBO) plus LI or VAL. Relapse was monitored up to 52 weeks.

Results

337 subjects were randomised to continuation of mood stabiliser plus adjunctive ARI or PBO; 61.3% and 52.7%, respectively, completed the study. Adjunctive ARI significantly delayed the time to any relapse, hazard ratio = 0.544 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.89, log-rank p = 0.014). Overall relapse rates at 52 weeks were 14.9% and 25.4% in ARI vs PBO subjects. A superior reduction in CGI-BP Mania Severity of Illness from baseline at 52 weeks was also observed (0.3 vs. 0.0, respectively, p = 0.01). Adverse events generally were as expected per known drug and illness profiles with no significant difference in mean change in body weight between adjunctive PBO (0.60 kg) and adjunctive ARI (1.07 kg) (p = 0.49 Week 52, LOCF).

Conclusion

Continuation of aripiprazole treatment increased time to relapse to any mood episode compared with placebo plus LI/VAL over 1 year, indicating a long-term benefit in continuing adjunctive aripiprazole to a mood stabiliser after sustained remission is achieved.

Factors associated with Tdap vaccination receipt during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Pertussis morbidity and mortality disproportionately affect infants younger than 1 year, who constitute 70% of deaths from pertussis. In 2017, 43% of infants younger than 6 months diagnosed with pertussis were hospitalized. In 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that all pregnant women should receive Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis) vaccine between 27- and 36-weeks gestation in an effort to reduce infant pertussis morbidity and mortality. However, Tdap vaccination rates among pregnant women remain far from robust. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with maternal Tdap uptake to help providers identify best practices that can improve Tdap receipt and identify women at risk for not receiving this important vaccine.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A review of prenatal and delivery records was performed on all maternal-infant dyads with infants older than 36 weeks gestation admitted to the term nursery at Albany Medical Center from January 1, 2016 to April 16, 2016. A chi-squared analysis using STATA®, version 14.1, was performed to determine if any variables were associated with Tdap uptake, with statistical significance defined as P < 0.05. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the variables which had the greatest effect on Tdap receipt.

RESULTS

Tdap vaccine was received by 65.8% of pregnant women (n = 400) in the study; median gestational age of receipt was 30 weeks. Maternal influenza vaccine receipt, infant hepatitis B vaccine receipt, provider recommendation of Tdap vaccination, and on-site availability of Tdap vaccine were all positively associated with maternal Tdap receipt during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Receipt of Tdap by pregnant women was highest in those who had received a provider recommendation about its benefits and who also received influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Because women who received the influenza vaccine themselves and also consented to have their infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine had significantly higher uptake rates, encouraging vaccines usage and combating vaccine hesitancy in general can improve Tdap uptake rates. A small, but statistically significant association with receipt of assisted reproductive technologies was also seen, meriting future research.

Abstract P5-10-02: Development and validation of a polygenic score to predict breast cancer risk in unaffected Hispanic women negative for mutations on a multi-gene hereditary cancer panel

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death among Hispanic women in the United States. For women of European ancestry, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants, primarily single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that individually confer modest risk but together explain a significant proportion of genetic BC predisposition. For Hispanic women, the genetic contribution of SNPs to BC risk is not well understood. In these studies, we aim to develop and validate a polygenic score to improve risk assessment for Hispanic women who test negative for mutations in known BC susceptibility genes.

Methods: Genotypes and clinical histories were collected from consecutive development and validation cohorts of patients referred for hereditary cancer testing. Study subjects include women who report strictly Hispanic or Latin American ancestry, and who test negative for mutations in 11 genes associated with breast cancer (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, NBN, BARD1).

Based on a development cohort ascertained through June 2017, we evaluated an 86-SNP Residual Risk Score (RRS) that was previously developed and validated for women of European ancestry. In the same cohort we are developing a Hispanic Residual Risk Score (HRRS) optimized for women of Hispanic ancestry. BC associations of individual SNPs are being established through meta-analysis of the development cohort and published Hispanic studies.

Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the 86-SNP RRS, and were the primary statistical tool for evaluation of individual SNPs and candidate polygenic scores. All models included personal/family cancer history and age as independent variables. P-values are based on likelihood ratio test statistics, and reported as two-sided. The development and validation studies are being conducted according to a protocol approved by the Quorum Institutional Review Board.

Results: The development cohort included 5,454 Hispanic women, 24% of whom reported a personal history of BC. The 86-SNP RRS was significantly associated with a personal history of BC after accounting for personal and family cancer history (p&lt;10-19) with odds ratio per unit standard deviation 1.39 (95% CI = 1.30-1.50). To date, more than 5,000 Hispanic women have been ascertained for inclusion in the validation cohort. Results comparing discriminatory accuracy of the RRS and the HRRS will be presented.

Conclusions: The implementation of a clinically validated polygenic score may improve risk assessment and medical management of Hispanic women who test negative for monogenic BC mutations. The HRRS will be validated in an independent study population according to a pre-specified statistical analysis plan.

Citation Format: Hughes ER, Wagner S, Pruss D, Gallagher SK, Swedlund B, Bulka K, Hoff R, Jammulapati S, Morris B, Perry T, Lanchbury JS, Gutin A. Development and validation of a polygenic score to predict breast cancer risk in unaffected Hispanic women negative for mutations on a multi-gene hereditary cancer panel [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-10-02.

Abstract P4-09-04: Associations between clinical factors in v7.02 of the Tyrer-Cuzick model and a SNP-based residual risk score

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants, primarily single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that individually confer modest risk but together explain a significant proportion of genetic breast cancer (BC) predisposition. GWAS have also demonstrated that SNPs cannot replace family history evaluation: familial BC assessment captures a large magnitude of risk information that is not captured by SNPs. Thus, improved BC risk stratification may be achieved by combining family history assessment with SNP markers. However, to avoid double-counting shared risk information, familial and/or SNP-based risks must be adjusted for confounding.

Additional clinical and biological factors that contribute to BC risk are included in version 7.02 of the Tyrer-Cuzick model. These include height; weight; BMI; age of menarche; parity and age of first childbirth; menopausal status and age of onset; and use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). Confounding of SNPs with these factors is not well understood. Here we present an analysis of associations between an 86-SNP Residual Risk Score (RRS) and factors included in version 7.02 of the Tyrer-Cuzick model.

Methods: De-identified clinical records and genotypes were collected from a consecutive series of patients referred for hereditary cancer testing with a multigene panel. Study subjects included unaffected women age 18-84 who reported European ancestry and tested negative for mutations in 11 genes associated with BC (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, NBN, BARD1).

For each risk factor, we constructed a univariate linear regression model with RRS as the dependent variable and the clinical factor as the independent variable. From these models, we examined regression coefficients, p-values based on F-statistics, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Scatterplots and boxplots were used to visually assess associations. All analyses were conducted using R version 3.4.4. P-values were reported as two-sided with no corrections for multiple testing.

Results: 5,489 patients met the study selection criteria. The median age at hereditary cancer testing was 42 years. Nearly one third (33.1%) of women reported a BC diagnosis in a first degree relative.

The RRS was significantly associated with familial BC (p&lt;10-08). We observed marginal evidence of association between the RRS and HRT use (p=0.04). However, this association would not survive a multiple testing correction, and was not significant after multivariate adjustment for family cancer history. We found no evidence for association of the RRS with height, weight, BMI, menopausal stage, age of menarche, age of menopause, duration of menarche, parity, age of first live birth, HRT type, or HRT length of use.

Conclusions: The RRS is largely independent from the non-familial risk factors in version 7.02 of the Tyrer-Cuzick model, but is significantly associated with BC family history. Risk assessment based on Tyrer-Cuzick and SNPs must be adjusted for confounding to avoid double-counting familial risk.

Citation Format: Hughes ER, Rosenthal E, Morris B, Wagner S, Lanchbury JS, Gutin A. Associations between clinical factors in v7.02 of the Tyrer-Cuzick model and a SNP-based residual risk score [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-04.

Abstract P4-03-04: Genetic testing contributes significantly to improved identification of women eligible for increased breast cancer screening compared to the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model

Background: Increased screening, including breast MRI, is recommended for women carrying pathogenic variants (PVs) in certain breast cancer risk genes, as well as women with an estimated remaining lifetime risk of breast cancer &gt;20% based on risk models such as Tyrer-Cuzick (TC). We determined the extent to which genetic testing identifies women as candidates for increased screening who would not have been flagged using the TC model.

Methods: We evaluated 100,318 women who underwent clinical genetic testing for suspicion of hereditary breast cancer risk between June 2017 and June 2018. Testing with a 28 gene pan-cancer panel included 5 established breast cancer risk genes for which there are National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommendations for increased screening including breast MRI (BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2, PALB2). A remaining lifetime breast cancer risk estimate was calculated using TC V 7.02, unless the woman was ineligible due to a breast cancer diagnosis, age over 85, or if the sample was submitted without any of the necessary TC data. Risk estimates were calculated entering the BRCA1/2 status as unknown.

Results: 4,640 (4.6%) women were found to carry a PV in one of the five genes, with 57.0% of the PVs in BRCA1 or BRCA2, and 43.0% in ATM, CHEK2 or PALB2. Among the women with a PV, 1,479 (31.9%) had a diagnosis of breast cancer, and 407 (8.8%) were ineligible for TC for another reason. A TC risk estimate was calculated for 2,754 women, of whom 41.5% did not meet the 20% threshold using TC. Table 1 shows the breakdown for each gene by age at the time of testing. Women with PVs in BRCA1 were the least likely to have a TC score &lt;20% and those with PVs in BRCA2 and ATM were the most likely to fall below the 20% threshold. Remaining lifetime risk declined with age in all groups.

Table 1.Percentage of women carrying PVs in breast cancer risk genes with a remaining lifetime risk of breast cancer risk estimated at &lt;20% by Tyrer-Cuzick.Age at time of testingBRCA1 (N=1215)BRCA2 (N=1432)ATM (N=609)CHEK2 (N=971)PALB2 (N=413)&lt;2014.8%11.1%0.0%33.3% 20-2922.0%27.3%29.5%28.4%19.1%30-3928.7%38.1%30.3%36.4%22.6%40-4938.4%48.8%47.7%42.5%50.0%50-5949.4%62.7%64.3%52.3%44.4%60-6987.5%78.8%71.9%77.8%71.4%70-79--100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%80+100.0%--------All ages33.6%45.7%46.3%42.6%37.4%

Conclusions: Among the women included in this analysis, the TC model failed to identify approximately 40% of women eligible for high risk breast cancer screening due to PVs in breast cancer risk genes. This demonstrates that risk models based on clinical factors alone will fail to identify a significant fraction of women who are candidates for modified medical management. Additionally, it may be desirable to re-evaluate setting thresholds based on remaining lifetime risk, since this dramatically reduces the likelihood that high-risk women will be flagged for increased screening at older ages, when their immediate risk of a breast cancer diagnosis is likely to be highest.

Citation Format: Gorringe HM, Rosenthal E, Morris B, Manley S. Genetic testing contributes significantly to improved identification of women eligible for increased breast cancer screening compared to the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-04.

Ovine Model of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a common complication of ischemic heart disease that doubles mortality after myocardial infarction and is a major driving factor increasing heart failure. IMR is caused by left ventricular (LV) remodeling which displaces the papillary muscles that tether the mitral valve leaflets and restrict their closure. IMR frequently recurs even after surgical treatment. Failed repair associates with lack of reduction or increase in LV remodeling, and increased heart failure and related readmissions. Understanding mechanistic and molecular mechanisms of IMR has largely attributed to the development of large animal models. Newly developed therapeutic interventions targeted to the primary causes can also be tested in these models. The sheep is one of the most suitable models for the development of IMR. In this chapter, we describe the protocols for inducing IMR in sheep using surgical ligation of obtuse marginal branches. After successful posterior myocardial infarction involving posterior papillary muscle, animals develop significant mitral regurgitation around 2 months after the surgery.

Abstract 4831: An investigation to study the role of novel rhenium compounds on onco miR's and oncogenes involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition of prostate cancer cell lines derived from African American and Caucasian patients

In this research, we seek to evaluate the efficacy of novel rhenium compounds as a novel targeted agent against prostate cancer (PCa) in pre-clinical model system. Since the incidence and aggressiveness of Pca is more prevalent in African Americans (AA) patients than Caucasian Americans (CA), we first assessed the relevance of genes Lin28B, EZH2, miR-200, and let-7 expression in human PCa tissue specimens for characterizing tumor aggressiveness, since these genes are involved in the process and also epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).We also assessed whether these markers are deregulated by rhenium compounds using PCa cell lines. We tested the two novel rhenium compounds ie. Rhenium pentylcarbonato complexes (RPC), fac-(CO)3(á-diimine)ReOC(O)OC5H11 (where, á-diimines are 2,2’-bipyridyl and neocuproin for anticancer properties on PCa cell lines for apoptosis and cell death, and their bioactivity for anti-proliferative, anti-migratory and antispheroid forming capabilities, respectively on EO6-AA and MDA,Pca cell lines(from AA patients) and LNCAP,PC3 (from CA patients). We also studied the expression of miR-146á in these cell lines and Pca tissue specimens, since it is reported to be overexpressed in cancer cells for tumor survival advantage, regulated by down-regulating iNOS, the nitric oxide synthesizing gene. Our initial results of Real Time PCR,Western Blotting,MTT assay,smart flare assay,flow cytometry, in situ cytochemistry(TUNEL) and spheroid forming assays showed that these drugs have cytotoxic,anti proliferative and anti spheroid forming properties,can induce apoptosis in the Pca cell lines tested and can downregulate some of the onco miR's and onco genes involved in Pca aggressiveness and EMT conversions as tested by the expression profiles of miRNAs (miR-200b, miR-200c, and let-7 family) by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of EZH2, Suz12, and Lin-28B by Western Blots. It is important to emphasize here that an estimated 40,000 men die of PCa every year in the US and each year about 60,000 men will develop castrate resistant PCa for which newer drugs are needed. Therefore, our work will contribute towards the development of a novel therapy that may translate into an effective treatment regimen against PCa and is highly relevant to the mission of both basic and translational cancer researchers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Supported by a NCI disability supplement to NIH- grant# R01CA164318 and NIH-MARC

NIGMS,grant# 5 T34 GM 100831-4.We are grateful to Dr.Li, Dr.S.Banerjee and Ms.S.Ali of Detroit Medical Center,MI,USA for their support and help in conducting this research.

Citation Format: Hirendra N. Banerjee, Jameel Joyner, Alexis Barfield, B Morris, D Bell, William Kahan, Monet Stevenson, D Crummity, K Prabhakaran, Santosh Mandal, Fazlul Sarkar. An investigation to study the role of novel rhenium compounds on onco miR's and oncogenes involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition of prostate cancer cell lines derived from African American and Caucasian patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4831.

The powers of nature

There has been a widespread tendency to interpret medical practices in Africa in terms of a spiritual or religious perspective, specifically linking medicine to spirit healing. Countering this tendency this paper emphasises the importance of an empirical herbal tradition in Malawi, and examines in detail the role of animals as medicine, especially highlighting their use as an activating medicine. Such use implies a distinctive ontology, a pan-vitalism that recognises the inherent powers of nature.

Abstract P6-05-10: Association between BRCA1/2 status and DNA-based assays for homologous recombination deficiency in breast cancer

Homologous recombination (HR) repair defects are of potential therapeutic relevance in a variety of different cancers. Numerous studies have investigated the rate of BRCA1/2 mutations in triple negative breast cancer, and current clinical studies are investigating the efficacy of agents targeting HR deficiency in this breast cancer subtype. A more comprehensive assay for HR defects might expand the number of patients likely to benefit from these therapies, and may expand their utility to other breast cancer subtypes.

Recently three DNA-based measures of HR deficiency (HRD) have been developed based on whole genome tumor LOH profiles, telomeric allelic imbalance, or large-scale state transitions. These will be referred herein as HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI and HRD-LST respectively. All 3 scores are highly correlated with defects in BRCA1/2 and other pathway genes in breast or ovarian cancer, and are associated with sensitivity to platinum agents.

213 invasive breast tumor samples and matched normal tissue blocks were obtained from 3 commercial vendors. The samples were selected to contain approximately equal numbers of all subtypes of breast cancer as defined by IHC analysis of ER, PR, and HER2. BRCA1/2 mutation screening and BRCA1 promoter methylation analysis was performed, and genome wide SNP profiles were generated. These data were used to calculate HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST scores.

Somatic and germline BRCA1/2 mutations were detected in all subtypes of breast cancer at significant levels with the total mutation frequency ranging from 7.8 – 16.4% depending on subtype. In contrast BRCA1 promoter methylation was confined almost exclusively to triple negative tumors (19.7%). Overall BRCA1/2 deficiency ranged from approximately 10% in ER+/Her2- tumors up to approximately 36% in triple negative tumors.

HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD- LST scores have previously been shown to be highly significantly associated with BRCA1/2 status in both breast and ovarian cancer. In this dataset all 3 scores showed significant association with BRCA1/2 status for the entire dataset, in addition significant association was observed between the scores and BRCA1/2 status in each of the individual tumor subtypes. The 3 scores were found to be highly correlated with one another, but all 3 were still significant in multivariate analysis. This dataset is not of sufficient size to determine which of these scores is best able to identify BRCA1/2 deficient tumors. It is likely that a combination of the 3 scores will prove to be the most robust predictor of HR deficiency.

This study has demonstrated significant levels of BRCA1/2 deficiency across all subtypes of breast cancer. All 3 HR deficiency assays showed significant association with BRCA1/2 deficiency regardless of breast cancer subtype. The 3 scores are highly correlated, but also additive and a combination of all 3 is likely to provide the best predictor of HR deficiency.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-05-10.

Bias in a prehospital esophageal detector device trial: lessons learned

OBJECTIVES

Our goals were to determine whether selection bias occurred in a prehospital study comparing an esophageal detector device (EDD) to a disposable capnometer for detecting esophageal intubation, and to determine whether such a bias would have changed the study's conclusions about EDD effectiveness.

METHODS

In a study of patients requiring prehospital intubation, we determined the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the EDD for detecting esophageal intubation. We then compared intubation success rate in patients who were enrolled in the study (n = 129) to that in eligible patients who were excluded from it (n = 107). After finding that the incidence of failed intubation was higher in the "excluded" group, we used sensitivity and specificity parameters derived from the study population to assess whether EDD test characteristics would differ in studied vs. excluded patients.

RESULTS

The first intubation attempt was successful in 125 of 129 study patients and 76 of 107 excluded patients (97% vs. 71%, p = 0.03), confirming the presence of selection bias. The negative predictive value of the EDD for esophageal intubation was 98% in the study cohort and would have been 77% in patients like those excluded (i.e., difficult intubation cases).

CONCLUSIONS

The high "first attempt" intubation success rate seen in this study was due to selective exclusion of failed intubations. This selection bias led to a clinically important overestimation of the EDD's negative predictive value. Bias may substantially alter the estimations of test accuracy reported in scientific studies. To reduce the chance of unrecognized selection bias in studies of diagnostic tests, investigators must determine whether recruited subjects resemble patients in whom the test will ultimately be used.

Does aggressive phototherapy increase mortality while decreasing profound impairment among the smallest and sickest newborns?

OBJECTIVE

Aggressive phototherapy (AgPT) is widely used and assumed to be safe and effective for even the most immature infants. We assessed whether the benefits and hazards for the smallest and sickest infants differed from those for other extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW; ≤ 1000 g) infants in our Neonatal Research Network trial, the only large trial of AgPT.

STUDY DESIGN

ELBW infants (n=1974) were randomized to AgPT or conservative phototherapy at age 12 to 36 h. The effect of AgPT on outcomes (death, impairment, profound impairment, death or impairment (primary outcome), and death or profound impairment) at 18 to 22 months of corrected age was related to BW stratum (501 to 750 g; 751 to 1000 g) and baseline severity of illness using multilevel regression equations. The probability of benefit and of harm was directly assessed with Bayesian analyses.

RESULT

Baseline illness severity was well characterized using mechanical ventilation and FiO(2) at 24 h age. Among mechanically ventilated infants ≤ 750 g BW (n=684), a reduction in impairment and in profound impairment was offset by higher mortality (P for interaction <0.05) with no significant effect on composite outcomes. Conservative Bayesian analyses of this subgroup identified a 99% (posterior) probability that AgPT increased mortality, a 97% probability that AgPT reduced impairment, and a 99% probability that AgPT reduced profound impairment.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the only large trial of AgPT suggest that AgPT may increase mortality while reducing impairment and profound impairment among the smallest and sickest infants. New approaches to reduce their serum bilirubin need development and rigorous testing.

A population-based study of Coats disease in the United Kingdom I: epidemiology and clinical features at diagnosis

AIMS

coats disease is an uncommon form of retinal telangiectasis. Published case series mostly originate from tertiary referrals centres and may provide a skewed view of disease severity. We conducted a prospective population-based study of Coats disease in the United Kingdom to ascertain the incidence and provide a more representative picture.

METHODS

the study was conducted through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit. This first paper reports the features at presentation; gender, mode of presentation, visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment findings, amount of retinal exudation, and disease staging.

RESULTS

a total of 55 eligible cases of Coats disease were identified giving an estimated population incidence of 0.09 per 100.000 of the population. All cases were unilateral and 85% were male. Mean age at presentation was 146 months (median 96 months). The mean age of diagnosis was markedly different with differing mechanisms of presentation. Cases presenting with leucocoria or strabismus presented early whereas subjective visual loss presented much later. A large proportion of eyes (44%) were blind at diagnosis. The great majority of eyes (71%) had 6 or fewer clock hours of retinal exudation. More severe forms/stages of Coats disease were more common in the youngest patients.

CONCLUSIONS

compared with published studies of Coats disease, we have found milder disease severity at presentation. This is most likely because of the population-based nature of our study reflecting the full disease spectrum. A large proportion of eyes with Coats have poor visual acuity and disease severity is worse in younger patients.

A population-based study of Coats disease in the United Kingdom II: investigation, treatment, and outcomes

AIMS

coats disease is an uncommon form of retinal telangiectasia. We conducted a prospective population-based study of Coats disease in the United Kingdom to provide a more balanced picture. This paper reports the investigations and treatments used for Coats disease and their anatomic and visual outcomes.

METHODS

the study was conducted through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. All ophthalmologists notifying cases of Coats disease were sent a baseline questionnaire and a follow-up questionnaire after 6 months.

RESULTS

in total, 55 baseline and 42 follow-up questionnaires were returned. All cases were unilateral. Ultrasound was performed in 26% of cases, fluorescein angiography in 35%, and examination under anaesthesia in 42% of the cases. Laser photocoagulation was by far the primary treatment modality, used in 92%, with cryotherapy used mainly as a second-line or adjunctive treatment. In more advanced cases with significant retinal detachment, laser photocoagulation combined with pars plana vitrectomy and drainage of sub-retinal fluid can produce anatomic stability and prevent progress to end-stage disease. Intravitreal injections of steroids or VEGF inhibitors are currently of unproven efficacy in Coats disease. Overall, treatment resulted in stabilisation of visual acuity. Anatomic stabilisation or improvement was achieved in virtually all eyes.

CONCLUSION

laser photocoagulation to telangiectatic retinal vessels is the most commonly used treatment for Coats disease. Other treatments are either adjunctive or of unproven efficacy. A realistic treatment goal is to achieve anatomic stability and avoidance of enucleation for painful end-stage disease. Visual improvement is however unlikely.

Cerebrovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors: A Children's Oncology Group Report

BACKGROUND

Curative therapy for childhood cancer has dramatically improved over past decades. Therapeutic radiation has been instrumental in this success. Unfortunately, irradiation is associated with untoward effects, including stroke and other cerebrovascular disease (CVD). The Children's Oncology Group (COG) has developed guidelines for screening survivors at risk for persistent or late sequelae of cancer therapy.

OBJECTIVES

This review summarizes the pathophysiology and relevant manifestations of radiation-induced CVD and outlines the specific patient groups at risk for early-onset stroke. The reader will be alerted to the availability of the COG recommendations for monitoring, and, when applicable, specific screening and treatment recommendations will be highlighted.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary task force critically reviewed the existing literature and scored the evidence to establish the current COG guidelines for monitoring health of survivors treated with head and neck irradiation.

RESULTS

Previous head and neck exposure to therapeutic radiation is associated with latent CVD and increased risk for stroke in some patient groups. Common manifestations of radiation-induced CVD includes steno-occlusive disease, moyamoya, aneurysm, mineralizing microangiopathy, vascular malformations, and strokelike migraines.

CONCLUSION

Risk for stroke is increased in survivors of pediatric CNS tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received radiation to the brain and/or neck. As the population of survivors ages, vigilance for stroke and cerebrovascular disease needs to continue based on specific exposures during curative cancer therapy.

Cerebellocerebral diaschisis is the likely mechanism of postsurgical posterior fossa syndrome in pediatric patients with midline cerebellar tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

PFS occurs in approximately 25% of pediatric patients receiving surgery for midline posterior fossa tumors. Increasing evidence suggests that PFS represents a complex supratentorial cortical dysfunction related to surgery-induced disruption of critical cerebellocerebral connections. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a consistent surgical damage pattern may be identified in patients with PFS by early postoperative anatomic imaging analysis of the pECP and to test whether DSC can detect corresponding changes in cerebral cortical perfusion to indicate a secondary, remote functional disturbance, which could suggest a diaschisis-like pathomechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients with postoperative PFS were evaluated retrospectively and were paired with age- and sex-matched control subjects in whom PFS did not develop. MR imaging work-up included DSC within 3 to 4 weeks after surgery as well as early postoperative anatomic imaging to evaluate components of the pECP.

RESULTS

DSC showed significant decreases in CBF within frontal regions (P < .05) and a trend to global cerebral cortical hypoperfusion in patients with PFS. Logistic regression analysis suggested a strong (potentially predictive) relationship between bilateral damage to pECP and the development of PFS (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the primary cause of PFS is the bilateral surgical damage to the pECP. This leads to a trans-synaptic cerebral cortical dysfunction (a form of bilateral crossed cerebellocerebral diaschisis), which manifests with DSC-detectable global, but dominantly frontal, cortical hypoperfusion in patients with patients with PFS compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Neurological morbidity in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

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Background: The majority of children diagnosed with ALL over the past two decades have achieved long-term survival. This remarkable success is attributed in part to intensive central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy that effectively prevents CNS relapse. Because treatment-related neurological morbidity is recognized but poorly characterized, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of neurological symptoms and signs in long-term survivors of childhood ALL. Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, all long-term ALL survivors (≥ 5 years since diagnosis) aged 6–28 years who remained active patients at our institution were identified. All participants completed a questionnaire consisting of independent (and when possible validated) instruments designed to identify various neurological symptoms, as well as, a comprehensive and standardized neurologic examination by a board-certified neurologist. Results: Of the 433 potentially eligible subjects, 162 (37.4%) were enrolled. Participant demographic information and previous treatment exposure were similar to those not enrolled in the study. The rates of endorsed neurological symptoms were: neuropathy (40.1%), dizziness (33%), back pain (22.8%), fatigue (19.1%), falls (15.4%), headache (14.8%), seizures (10.5%), urinary incontinence (8.6%), and stroke (1.2%). Neurological examination confirmed an underlying sensory neuropathy in 44 patients (27.3%). Otherwise, signs of chronic cranial nerve dysfunction (1.9%) and motor weakness (5.6%) were rare. Conclusions: Symptoms and signs of a chronic sensory neuropathy, presumably from previous vincristine exposure, were evident in many patients. Complaints of fatigue, dizziness, and chronic back pain were also relatively common. The number of patients who routinely fall is of concern. Whether these falls are associated with symptoms/signs of neuropathy, weakness, and/or dizziness will require further analysis. Although headache was a common complaint, its prevalence may not differ significantly from a normal age-matched population.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pain relief for strabismus surgery in children: a randomised controlled study of the use of preoperative sub-Tenon levobupivacaine

AIMS

To compare the postoperative pain scores in children undergoing squint surgery administered with preoperative sub-Tenon levobupivacaine for postoperative pain relief versus controls.

METHODS

A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial was performed. Children aged 1-16 years undergoing strabismus surgery were recruited. The test group received sub-Tenon levobupivacaine preoperatively and topical anaesthetic eye-drops at the end of the procedure. The control group received topical anaesthetic eye-drops only at the end of surgery. Pain scores were recorded at 30 min, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h postoperatively using the Wong-Baker Pain or FLACC (face, legs, arms, cry, consolability) assessment score. The principal outcome measured was the pain score at each time interval for both groups.

RESULTS

27 patients received sub-Tenon levobupivacaine, and there were 27 age- and sex-matched controls. The pain score in the test group was not lower than that of the control group (p = 0.22 at 30 min, p = 0.37 at 2 h).

CONCLUSIONS

Sub-Tenon levobupivacaine, which is widely used for postoperative pain relief in paediatric strabismus surgery, was not effective when administered preoperatively in this cohort.

Reassortment of cell populations within the lymphoid apparatus of the sheep

As lymphocytes recirculate through the blood tissues and lymph they are sorted into populations which have varying morphological and functional characteristics. Lymphocytes are added, deleted and transformed within the lymphoid apparatus as a consequence of non-random migration and antigenic stimulation. There is evidence that the physiological characteristics of peripheral and central lymph nodes vary as a result of differences in the origins of the cells entering the nodes. Lymphocytes enter the lymph nodes from the blood and lymph in varying numbers; consequently the cell population in the efferent lymph of central and peripheral lymyph nodes contains different proportions of blood-borne and lymph-borne cells. Cells arriving in lymph nodes by way of the blood or the lymph migrate differently within the node. Those entering from the blood go principally to the paracortex and the follicular areas. Lymphocytes entering in the lymph are distributed through both the cortex and the medulla. In humoral antibody responses and in the response that occurs during the rejection of a renal allograft, lymph-borne cells populate the medullary cords, cortex and germinal centres of the nodes they enter. Within these nodes, new populations of cells are generated which have different functional attributes from the cells which provoked their formation.