Clinical-haematological changes and predictors of severity in acute food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome reactions at oral food challenge: a multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Oral food challenge (OFC) is the gold standard for diagnosis of acute Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). No diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers are available, and OFC assessment criteria are not validated.

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical-haematological changes and predictors of severity of FPIES reactions at OFC.

METHODS

Observational multicentre prospective study. Children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with acute FPIES were recruited at follow-up OFC in 12 tertiary centres in Spain and Italy. OFC Outcomes (as positive/negative/inconclusive and mild/moderate/severe) were assessed based on published '2017 FPIES Consensus' criteria. Clinical characteristics were recorded, and full blood count was done at baseline, reaction onset and 4 hours later. Regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of severe reactions at OFC.

RESULTS

81 children had positive OFC (mild in 11% (9/81), moderate in 61% (49/81), severe in 28% (23/81)). Increase in neutrophils and reduction in eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes was observed (P-value<0.05). OFC was inconclusive in 19 cases despite objective signs or neutrophilia. Regression analysis showed a 2-day OFC protocol where only 25% of an age-appropriate portion is given on day 1 (not gender, age, culprit food, cumulative dose and previous reaction severity) was associated with reduced odds of severe reaction compared to giving multiple doses in a single day.

CONCLUSION

Distinct haematological changes may help support FPIES diagnosis. Current OFC assessment criteria may not capture the broad spectrum of acute FPIES presentations. This 2-day protocol may associate a reduced risk of severe reactions. Future work should aim to develop safer OFC and non-OFC diagnostics for FPIES.

Uric acid and acute kidney injury in high-risk patients for developing acute kidney injury undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether preoperative serum uric acid (SUA) elevation may play a role in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with cardiac surgery (CSA-AKI). We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the influence of preoperative hyperuricemia on AKI in patients at high risk for developing SC-AKI.

DESIGN

Multicenter prospective international cohort study.

SETTING

Fourteen university hospitals in Spain and the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

We studied 261 consecutive patients at high risk of developing CSA-AKI, according to a Cleveland score ≥ 4 points, from July to December 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

AKIN criteria were used for the definition of AKI. Multivariable logistic regression models and propensity score-matched pairwise analysis were used to determine the adjusted association between preoperative hyperuricemia (≥7 mg/dL) and AKI. Elevated preoperative AUS (≥7 mg/dL) was present in 190 patients (72.8%), whereas CSA-AKI occurred in 145 patients (55.5%). In multivariable logistic regression models, hyperuricemia was not associated with a significantly increased risk of AKI (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-3; P = .17). In propensity score-matched analysis of 140 patients, the hyperuricemia group experienced similar adjusted odds of AKI (OR 1.05, 95%CI 0.93-1.19, P = .37).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperuricemia was not associated with an increased risk of AKI in this cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at high risk of developing CSA-AKI.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology 2022 Vacancy Survey of medical laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent and distribution of laboratory workforce shortages within the nation's medical laboratories.

METHODS

The Vacancy Survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment Department and ASCP Board of Certification in Chicago, IL. Data were collected through an internet survey distributed to individuals who were able to report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories.

RESULTS

Results of the ASCP 2022 Vacancy Survey show increased overall vacancy rates for laboratory positions in all departments compared with 2020. Overall retirement rates for laboratory professionals increased across most departments.

CONCLUSIONS

Current Vacancy Survey data show continued increases in the numbers of laboratory vacancies and retirements as well as changes in certification requirements, with trends amplified during the pandemic continuing into the present. Qualitative analysis results showed that there is an urgent need to focus not only on recruitment but-equally important-on retention of laboratory professionals.

Examining the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in mitigating workforce burnout in laboratory medicine

OBJECTIVES

The clinical laboratory workforce plays a crucial role in health care delivery, yet little is known about the unique pressures and challenges this workforce faces. The objective of this study was to identify factors that contribute to burnout, discrimination, exclusion, and inequity in pathology and laboratory medicine.

METHODS

A nationwide survey was conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1, 2391 laboratory professionals were surveyed over a 1-week period about their experiences with burnout, discrimination, and work-related stress. In phase 2, the survey was extended to 1 month and questions were added to elicit more detailed information about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as wellness.

RESULTS

Results showed a high prevalence of burnout, discrimination, and stress among laboratory professionals, with significant differences among certain demographic groups. Women, Black, indigenous, or people of color individuals and those with disabilities reported higher rates of discrimination. The study also showed a need for mentorship and resources to address educational barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study highlight the urgent need for interventions to address burnout, discrimination, exclusion, and inequity in the laboratory workforce. Initiatives to increase workforce diversity, promote mentorship and diversity training programs, and improve recognition of the laboratory workforce are recommended. The results underscore the pressing need to addressing the challenges and apprehensions laboratory professionals face, including enhancing recognition of their role in patient care, tackling systemic problems related to discrimination and equity, and enhancing the provision of support and resources for managing burnout and fostering well-being.

openFrame: A modular, sustainable, open microscopy platform with single-shot, dual-axis optical autofocus module providing high precision and long range of operation

'openFrame' is a modular, low-cost, open-hardware microscopy platform that can be configured or adapted to most light microscopy techniques and is easily upgradeable or expandable to multiple modalities. The ability to freely mix and interchange both open-source and proprietary hardware components or software enables low-cost, yet research-grade instruments to be assembled and maintained. It also enables rapid prototyping of advanced or novel microscope systems. For long-term time-lapse image data acquisition, slide-scanning or high content analysis, we have developed a novel optical autofocus incorporating orthogonal cylindrical optics to provide robust single-shot closed-loop focus lock, which we have demonstrated to accommodate defocus up to ±37 μm with <200 nm accuracy, and a two-step autofocus mode which we have shown can operate with defocus up to ±68 μm. We have used this to implement automated single molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) in a relatively low-cost openFrame-based instrument using multimode diode lasers for excitation and cooled CMOS cameras.

The usability of daytime and night-time heart rate dynamics as digital biomarkers of depression severity

BACKGROUND

Alterations in heart rate (HR) may provide new information about physiological signatures of depression severity. This 2-year study in individuals with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) explored the intra-individual variations in HR parameters and their relationship with depression severity.

METHODS

Data from 510 participants (Number of observations of the HR parameters = 6666) were collected from three centres in the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, as a part of the remote assessment of disease and relapse-MDD study. We analysed the relationship between depression severity, assessed every 2 weeks with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, with HR parameters in the week before the assessment, such as HR features during all day, resting periods during the day and at night, and activity periods during the day evaluated with a wrist-worn Fitbit device. Linear mixed models were used with random intercepts for participants and countries. Covariates included in the models were age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption, antidepressant use and co-morbidities with other medical health conditions.

RESULTS

Decreases in HR variation during resting periods during the day were related with an increased severity of depression both in univariate and multivariate analyses. Mean HR during resting at night was higher in participants with more severe depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that alterations in resting HR during all day and night are associated with depression severity. These findings may provide an early warning of worsening depression symptoms which could allow clinicians to take responsive treatment measures promptly.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology’s 2021 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

Objectives

To inform the pathology and laboratory field of the most recent national wage data. Historically, the results of this biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research on laboratory recruitment, retention, education, marketing, certification, and advocacy.

Methods

The 2021 Wage Survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and the ASCP Board of Certification in Chicago, IL.

Results

Compared with 2019, results show that mean hourly wage for staff-level personnel increased for only two occupations—cytologist and medical laboratory scientist/medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist—after adjusting for inflation. Geographically, laboratory professionals from urban areas continue to earn more than their rural counterparts. Most respondents reported no change in their salaries during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Conclusions

The pandemic had a significant effect on staffing, workload, and work-life balance of many laboratory professionals. Even with the salary increases reported from the results of this survey, it is evident that the increases have not kept up with the current inflation. Focus on visibility, recruitment and retention, and diversity are essential to develop long- and short-term solutions.

Cryogenic probe for low-noise, high-frequency electronic measurements

The design and performance of a low-noise, modular cryogenic probe, which is applicable to a wide range of measurements over a broad range of working frequencies, temperatures, and magnetic fields, is presented. The design of the probe facilitates the exchange of sample holders and sample-stage amplifiers, which, combined with its characteristic low transmission and reflection loss, make this design suitable for high precision or low sensitivity measurements. The specific example of measuring the shot noise of magnetic tunnel junctions is discussed. We highlight various design characteristics chosen specifically to expand the applicability of the probe to measurement techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology 2020 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent and distribution of workforce shortages within the nation's medical laboratories.

METHODS

The survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment Department and Board of Certification in Chicago, IL. Data were collected via an internet survey distributed to individuals who were able to report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories.

RESULTS

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the staffing of clinical laboratories and the stream of incoming graduates entering the workforce. Results show decreased vacancy rates for the majority of laboratory positions across all departments surveyed. The overall anticipated retirement rates continue to decline, which suggests that the field has already lost personnel with vast amounts of experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the current and future needs of the laboratory workforce requires a collective effort by numerous groups of stakeholders at all levels, including the laboratory employers, laboratory training programs, health care executives/hospital administrators, and professional organizations. The time is now to address the future shortage of laboratory professionals and to create a resilient clinical laboratory professional workforce.

[Factors associated with intrahospital mortality in older patients with COVID-19 in Belgium : The COVID-AgeBru study]

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at assessing the association between demographical and clinical data and the intrahospital mortality in older patients with COVID-19 in Belgium.

METHODS

Descriptive, retrospective study of consecutive patients admitted to Brugmann university hospital, Brussels (Belgium) due to COVID-19 (Mars-September-2020).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients aged ≥ 70 years admitted to acute care with a positive PCR-RT test, or a highly indicative computed tomography scan.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients transferred to another institution during hospitalization.

OUTCOME MEASURE

All-cause intrahospital mortality. Demographic, clinical data, presence of comordibidties and comprehensive geriatric assessment were collected. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

From the 226 eligible patients, 160 (82.7 ± 6.5-year-old; 57.5 % females) met inclusion criteria, from which 67 (42 %) died during hospital stay. The adjusted logistic regression showed an association between intrahospital mortality and increasing age [OR = 1.09 per every year increase (95 % CI 1.02-1.16); p <0.001], type 2 diabetes [OR = 2.75 ( 1.17-6.46); p = 0.021], and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [OR = 8.67 ( 3.48-21.61); p < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONS

A higher positive association between intrahospital mortality and increasing age, type 2 diabetes, and ARDS was found. The prognosis value of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in older people with COVID-19 in Belgium requires further studies.

Aligning tumor mutational burden (TMB) quantification across diagnostic platforms: phase II of the Friends of Cancer Research TMB Harmonization Project

BACKGROUND

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) measurements aid in identifying patients who are likely to benefit from immunotherapy; however, there is empirical variability across panel assays and factors contributing to this variability have not been comprehensively investigated. Identifying sources of variability can help facilitate comparability across different panel assays, which may aid in broader adoption of panel assays and development of clinical applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine tumor samples and 10 human-derived cell lines were processed and distributed to 16 laboratories; each used their own bioinformatics pipelines to calculate TMB and compare to whole exome results. Additionally, theoretical positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) of TMB were estimated. The impact of filtering pathogenic and germline variants on TMB estimates was assessed. Calibration curves specific to each panel assay were developed to facilitate translation of panel TMB values to whole exome sequencing (WES) TMB values.

RESULTS

Panel sizes >667 Kb are necessary to maintain adequate PPA and NPA for calling TMB high versus TMB low across the range of cut-offs used in practice. Failure to filter out pathogenic variants when estimating panel TMB resulted in overestimating TMB relative to WES for all assays. Filtering out potential germline variants at >0% population minor allele frequency resulted in the strongest correlation to WES TMB. Application of a calibration approach derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas data, tailored to each panel assay, reduced the spread of panel TMB values around the WES TMB as reflected in lower root mean squared error (RMSE) for 26/29 (90%) of the clinical samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimation of TMB varies across different panels, with panel size, gene content, and bioinformatics pipelines contributing to empirical variability. Statistical calibration can achieve more consistent results across panels and allows for comparison of TMB values across various panel assays. To promote reproducibility and comparability across assays, a software tool was developed and made publicly available.

Single- vs dual-chamber ICDs to prevent from inappropriate shocks: the debate is still alive

Background

The efficacy of dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in preventing from inappropriate shocks (IS) is still a matter of debate.

Purpose

To compare the risk of IS among single- and dual-chamber ICDs in a cohort of heart failure (HF) patients carrying a prophylactic device. We aimed to focus on the relationship between programming and discriminators, and the risk of IS in a large cohort.

Methods

All HF patients with left ventricle ejection fraction &lt;35% undergoing a prophylactic ICD-only implant were collected from the multicentre, prospective and nationwide UMBRELLA study. ICD programming was performed according to regular clinical practice at each site and. ICD setting and arrhythmic events occurring during the study period were automatically stored through the remote monitoring system. An experts committee analysed in a blinded manner all electrograms coming from the arrhythmic events.

Results

From 2006 to 2015, 782 patients implanted with an ICD were analysed (537 patients (68.7%) with single-chamber ICDs and 245 patients (31.3%) with dual-chamber ICDs). During a mean follow-up of 4.35±2 years, 109 IS were delivered in 49 patients. IS occurred in 7.8% (n=42) of patients carrying single-chamber ICDs and in 2.9% (n=7) of dual-chamber carriers (p=0.001). A propensity score matched analysis was performed. The matched cohort was composed by 110 well-balanced (regarding baseline characteristics and programming) patients. In the weighted sample, dual-chamber ICDs were related to lower rates of IS (Figure 1) as compared to single-chamber devices (0.9% vs. 11.8%, p≤0.001).

Among programming the following ICD settings correlated to lower risk of IS: ≥30 of 40 intervals detection within ventricular fibrillation (VF) zone (HR=0.47; p=0.018), a programmed ATP-capable zone enabled through VF zone (HR=0.54; p=0.038), morphology discriminator (Wavelet®) (HR=0.42; p=0.032), and the specific dual-chamber discriminator (PR Logic®) (HR=0.28; p=0.004). After multivariable Cox regression analysis including clinical variables and device settings, PR Logic® discriminator was the only programming parameter independently related to a lower risk of IS (HR=0.18, CI 0.06–0.48, p=0.001).

Conclusions

In our nationwide cohort of primary prevention ICD-only patients, dual-chamber devices were associated with a lower risk of IS. ICDs equipped with PR Logic® discriminator might be useful to prevent from IS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Programming in the matched populationFigure 1

American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2019 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To inform the pathology and laboratory field of the most recent national wage data. Historically, the results of this biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research on laboratory recruitment, retention, education, marketing, certification, and advocacy.

METHODS

The 2019 Wage Survey was conducted through collaboration of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and the ASCP Board of Certification in Chicago, Illinois.

RESULTS

Compared with 2017, results show an overall increase in salaries for most laboratory occupations surveyed except cytogenetic technologists, laboratory information systems personnel, and performance improvement or quality assurance personnel. Geographically, laboratory professionals from urban areas earned more than their rural counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

As retirement rates continue to increase, the field needs to intensify its efforts on recruiting the next generation of laboratory personnel. To do so, the report urged the field to highlight advocacy for better salaries for laboratory personnel at the local and national levels when developing recruitment and retention strategies.

Revised Reporting (Issuing Addenda and Amendments) in Pathology

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to align the current experiences and best practices in revised reporting (issuing of addenda and amendments) in pathology. Pathology specialties explored in the survey include anatomic pathology, surgical pathology, cytopathology, and hematopathology.

METHODS

The study used a cross-sectional design in which an online revised reporting survey was deployed to a large national sample represented by pathologists, pathology residents, pathology fellows, pathology managers, and laboratory directors.

RESULTS

Qualitative and quantitative results from this survey highlight significant variation in standards for creating, issuing, and tracking quality indicators related to addenda and amendments. The most notable findings were a lack of standardization and the potential for widespread adoption of revised reporting best practices within and between pathology services.

CONCLUSIONS

Survey insight provides the potential for improving patient safety outcomes, engaging with consumers of our reports, providing a current state view of revised reporting, and assessing the attitudes of pathologists and laboratory professionals on how their individual approaches and team-based workflows achieve revised reports. The data generated from this survey will provide patient safety opportunities associated with accurate pathology reporting and will encourage further development of optimal pathology revised reporting guidelines.

Impact of an adaptive CRT optimization algorithm on the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrythmias of heart failure patients

Introduction

Adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy (aCRT) algorithm provides ambulatory CRT optimization and synchronized left-ventricular pacing instead of conventional biventricular pacing.

Purpose

To analyze the impact of aCRT on the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrythmia (VA) in patients with concomitant defibrillator therapy.

Methods

Symptomatic HF patients, in sinus rhythm, with LVEF ≤35% and QRS complex ≥130 ms undergoing first CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) implant were collected from the multicentre, prospective and nationwide UMBRELLA study (2012–2017). All device information was automatically stored and collected through the remote monitoring system. An experts committee analysed in a blinded manner all electrograms. The endpoint was first appropriate therapy (AT) delivered within ventricular fibrillation zone at 12-months follow-up.

Results

206 patients were collected (66.1±8.7 years; 73.3% male). Fifty nine patients composed the aCRT group and 147 composed the non-aCRT group. At implant, LBBB was present in 93% of patients, functional class III or IV in 69.9%, non-ischemic HF in 63.1% of patients and mean LVEF was 26.5±5.6%. Optimal medical treatment was achieved in a majority (B-blockers in 92%; RAASi in 89% and MRA in 72.2%).

The percentage of ventricular pacing through 12 months was 96.1±9.4% in non-aCRT patients and 97.5±2.7% in aCRT patients (p=0.261). At 1-year of follow-up, 16 patients were delivered an AT (event rate: 7.8%). Most of these episodes (n=14) were due to sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia while the rest were caused by sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/VF. A lower incidence of AT was observed in aCRT patients (3.4%) compared to non-aCRT patients (9.5%) but with no statistical differences (OR=0.33, CI 0.07–1.51, p=0.155).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing CRT provided by aCRT algorithm the risk of malign VA after 1-year of follow-up was low. Randomized studies are needed to clarify the impact of this dynamic algorithm on the arrhythmic risk of HF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Diagnostic Accuracy & Pathology Revised Reports: Evidence-Based Guideline Development

Introduction/Objective

Diagnostic errors in pathology may have adverse impact on patient outcomes and are often rectified through revised reports (RR). Improving patient outcomes with accurate RR is a tangible yet challenging benefit to assuring continuous quality improvement (CQI). Assessment and elevation of RR optimization requires counterbalance of workflow complexity in the diagnostic reporting domain. Implications inform best-practice guidelines for pathology RR and exemplify improved patient outcomes by driving down negative impacts from diagnostic errors.

Methods

A “Survey for RR in Pathology: Reality & Best Practices” was sent via email to relevant stakeholders. The 8-item survey was designed by the National Pathology Quality Registry team & ASCP’s Institute for Science, Technology & Policy. The model included quantitative and qualitative feedback to probe current experiences with RR. The survey was open April 1-30, 2019, via Key Survey and used snowball sampling.

Results

Key results illuminate necessity for RR standardization. Survey findings represent 172 respondents. Ninety- two percent of respondents indicated report accuracy as a major indication for optimizing RR practices & positively impacting patient care. Pathology practices assure appropriate RR by notifying a care provider when a change in diagnosis necessitates RR (89%) & 86% of respondents indicate delineation of RR types (e.g. addenda, amendment). Still 54% of respondents see inappropriate RR use with lack of notification to care providers and 48% indicate no delineation of RR types. This balance-counterbalance highlights deviations from optimized RR and a need for guidelines. Effects on patient care or impact to a patient’s treatment plan was indicated by 43% who affirmed stratification of diagnostic discrepancies as major vs. minor. Solely focusing on changes in diagnosis (benign vs. malignant) was heralded by 19% of respondents as a reason to categorize diagnostic discrepancies. Forty-two percent of respondents indicate data-driven CQI in the RR domain.

Conclusion

Identified RR practice gaps decrease diagnostic accuracy, confirming the need for optimal RR guidelines. RR guidelines should focus on standardized nomenclature; active dialogue between laboratory team & clinical care partners; streamlined workflows to assure accuracy; & valuing transparency to derive improved patient outcomes based on high-quality diagnostic pathology RR.

Identity and Immigration. From Ulysses’ Syndrome to the Identity Construct and their Cultural Development

Immigration is one well known but complex stressor. When we analyze its consequences, we discover the loss of social or family support, the need to afford a new unknown and many times hostile perceived environment, or languages/communications problems. Greek myths have been used as a way to explain how men afford that kind of events/monsters. However as cultural productions, myths grow and change trying to reflex the culture, society and time when they are used. Identity has been a main question for many disciplines, psychiatry has wondered about its construction but society has too, and sometimes last explanations are even better than clinical ones. We would like to discuss the inmigration phenomena using anthropology tools, which previously have nourish other psychiatric disciplines as systemic therapy. If we want to be able to treat immigrants, we have not only to fulfill their physical needs or treat their mental symptoms but to look every travel as a risk one, in which as Ulysses they are at risk of losing what they are, their identity. Identity is described in old Greece as the life lived with others, but not any other person, just those who know us and may accept our own images. In the past, the city, our born place, as a social support was what made us humans. Ulysses, out of Ithaca, found monsters, those who weren’t humans, because they didn’t live in his Greek society. As the new Ulysses, the immigrant maybe should be first helped to construct a new identity, which makes monsters disappear.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's Job Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Burnout Survey of Pathologists

OBJECTIVES

To examine job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among pathologists.

METHODS

The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The survey was administered online via the American Society for Clinical Pathology's (ASCP's) survey tool to elicit information about job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among pathologists.

RESULTS

Job satisfaction is high and well-being is rated fair to good by most respondents. However, feelings of anxiety or worry about work, high levels of stress, and burnout are prevalent among pathologists. The main contributing factor to job stress, burnout, and work-life balance is quantity of workload.

CONCLUSIONS

Creating targeted interventions based on the results of this survey may help improve the type and quality of wellness programs for pathologists. Trust among team members, managers and clinicians, and institutions can help reduce stress and increase collaboration, engagement, and motivation.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's Job Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Burnout Survey of Laboratory Professionals

OBJECTIVES

To examine job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among laboratory professionals.

METHODS

The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The survey was administered online via the American Society for Clinical Pathology's survey tool, to elicit information about job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among medical laboratory professionals.

RESULTS

Although this survey shows high job satisfaction among respondents, overall job-related stress is high and burnout is prevalent. The majority of the respondents rated their work-life balance as "fair." The main contributing factors to job stress, burnout, and work-life balance are quantity of workload and understaffing.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this survey, creating targeted interventions may help improve the quality of well-being programs for laboratory professionals. A comprehensive wellness program developed at the institutional, local, and national levels may improve morale and alleviate the recruitment and retention challenges faced by medical laboratory professionals.

Job Stress, Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Well-Being, and Job Satisfaction Among Pathology Residents and Fellows

OBJECTIVES

The study explored job stress, burnout, work-life balance, well-being, and job satisfaction among pathology residents and fellows. The aims were to examine the prevalence and sources of stress and burnout, as well as identify resources to promote work-life balance and well-being and prevent burnout.

METHODS

The study used a cross-sectional survey deployed online to a large national sample of pathology residents and fellows.

RESULTS

Job stress and burnout were prevalent, with more than a third of the respondents reporting that they were currently experiencing burnout. The respondents, particularly residents, were struggling with academics, and higher percentages were struggling with work-life balance and emotional well-being. Overall, the majority of respondents who rated their work-life balance indicated that it was poor or fair. Among the factors contributing to job stress and burnout and detracting from work-life balance, workload was the leading factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The factors contributing to job stress and burnout included organizational factors such as workload, value, and aspects of the learning environment, as well as personal factors such as work-life integration. One of the overarching implications is the need to address a range of interdependent considerations in designing resources to reduce job stress, promote work-life balance, and prevent burnout.

P5425Prognostic value of NYHA functional class in heart failure patients undergoing primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy

Background

NYHA functional class (FC) is used for selection of heart failure (HF) patients who are candidates to primary prevention (PP) implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. However, FC is subjectively estimated and concerns about its real prognostic value are still present in this setting.

Purpose

To compare whether mortality and arrhythmic risk are different, in a cohort of HF patients undergoing PP ICD-only implant, according to their FC.

Methods

All HF patients with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, undergoing first prophylactic ICD-only implant were collected from the UMBRELLA nationwide registry (2006–2015). The sample was divided into three groups: no symptoms (NYHA I), mildly symptomatic patients (NYHA II) and severely symptomatic (NYHA III) patients. Outcomes were studied as follow: all-cause death, cardiovascular mortality and arrhythmia free survival (surrogate marker of sudden cardiac death) defined as survival free of first appropriate ICD therapy delivered in ventricular fibrillation (VF) window. Arrhythmic events were collected by remote monitoring and reviewed by a committee of experts.

Results

Six hundred and twenty one patients were identified (61.1±11.4 years, 87.3% male). Distribution of study groups was as follow: 101 patients in NYHA I; 411 in NYHA II; and 109 in NYHA III. More symptomatic patients were older and had higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Higher rates of optimal medical treatment were present among study groups (beta-blockers: 92.1%; ACEI or ARB: 86.8%; aldosterone antagonists: 60.2%). After a median follow-up of 4.2 years (IQR, 2.7–5.7 years) 126 patients died (event rate: 20.3%). All-cause mortality was higher in patients with worse FC (13.9% vs. 18.3% vs. 32.9% for NYHA I, II and III respectively; p<0.001, log-rank test). Seventy-eight out of 126 deaths were related to cardiovascular causes (overall event rate: 12.6%). Cardiovascular mortality risk was also higher in more symptomatic patients (6.9% vs. 11% vs. 23.9% for NYHA I, II and III respectively; p<0.001, log-rank test). One hundred and seventeen patients received afirst appropriate ICD therapy (19.4%). Arrhythmia free survival was not different among study groups (20.8% vs. 18.7% vs. 20.8% for NYHA I, II and III, respectively; p=0.495, log-rank test). Cumulative incidence curves for the three outcomes are shown in Figure 1. After multivariate analysis, worse NYHA class independently predicted cardiovascular mortality but not all-cause death. Moreover, diabetes, AF and CKD strongly predicted both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Figure 1

Conclusions

In HF patients, prophylactic ICD seems to be useful in preventing death due to life threatening arrhythmias, regardless of the baseline FC. Nevertheless, the combination of NYHA class with other comorbidities may be useful to select those ICD candidates who obtain less survival benefit.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2018 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent and distribution of workforce shortages within the nation's medical laboratories.

METHODS

The survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment Department and Board of Certification in Chicago, IL. Data were collected via an internet survey distributed to individuals who were able to report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories.

RESULTS

Results show increased vacancy rates for laboratory positions across all departments surveyed. The overall retirement rates are at its lowest, suggesting that the field has already experienced loss of personnel with a vast amount of experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Focus on retention of qualified and certified laboratory professionals would be crucial factors in addressing the needs of the laboratory workforce. The field also needs to intensify its efforts on recruiting the next generation of laboratory personnel.

Cancer cell-derived long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) promotes melanoma migration through a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling pathway

Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers characterized by a high plasticity, a propensity for metastasis, and drug resistance. Melanomas are composed of phenotypically diverse subpopulations of tumor cells with heterogeneous molecular profiles that reflect intrinsic invasive abilities. In an attempt to identify novel factors of the melanoma invasive cell state, we previously investigated the nature of the invasive secretome by using a comparative proteomic approach. Here, we have extended this analysis to show that PTX3, an acute phase inflammatory glycoprotein, is one such factor secreted by invasive melanoma to promote tumor cell invasiveness. Elevated PTX3 production was observed in the population of MITFlow invasive cells but not in the population of MITFhigh differentiated melanoma cells. Consistently, MITF knockdown increased PTX3 expression in MITFhigh proliferative and poorly invasive cells. High levels of PTX3 were found in tissues and blood of metastatic melanoma patients, and in BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells displaying a mesenchymal invasive MITFlow phenotype. Genetic silencing of PTX3 in invasive melanoma cells dramatically impaired migration and invasion in vitro and in experimental lung extravasation assay in xenografted mice. In contrast, addition of melanoma-derived or recombinant PTX3, or expression of PTX3 enhanced motility of low migratory cells. Mechanistically, autocrine production of PTX3 by melanoma cells triggered an IKK/NFκB signaling pathway that promotes migration, invasion, and expression of the EMT factor TWIST1. Finally, we found that TLR4 and MYD88 knockdown inhibited PTX3-induced melanoma cell migration, suggesting that PTX3 functions through a TLR4-dependent pathway. Our work reveals that tumor-derived PTX3 contributes to melanoma cell invasion via targetable inflammation-related pathways. In addition to providing new insights into the biology of melanoma invasive behavior, this study underscores the notion that secreted PTX3 represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in a subpopulation of MITFlow invasive and/or refractory melanoma.

Integrated 3D Anatomical Model for Automatic Myocardial Segmentation in Cardiac CT Imagery

Segmentation of epicardial and endocardial boundaries is a critical step in diagnosing cardiovascular function in heart patients. The manual tracing of organ contours in Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) slices is subjective, time-consuming and impractical in clinical setting. We propose a novel multi-dimensional automatic edge detection algorithm based on shape priors and principal component analysis (PCA). We have developed a highly customized parametric model for implicit representations of segmenting curves (3D) for Left Ventricle (LV), Right Ventricle (RV), and Epicardium (Epi) used simultaneously to achieve myocardial segmentation. We have combined these representations in a region-based image modeling framework with high level constraints enabling the modeling of complex cardiac anatomical structures to automatically guide the segmentation of endo/epicardial boundaries. Test results on 30 short-axis CTA datasets show robust segmentation with error (mean ± std mm) of (1.46 ± 0.41), (2.06 ± 0.65), (2.88 ± 0.59) for LV, RV and Epi respectively.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2017 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

Objectives

To inform the pathology and laboratory field of the most recent national wage data. Historically, the results of this biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research on laboratory recruitment, retention, education, marketing, certification, and advocacy.

Methods

The 2017 Wage Survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology's (ASCP's) Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and the ASCP Board of Certification in Chicago, IL.

Results

Compared with 2015, results show an overall increase in salaries for most of the laboratory occupations surveyed except histotechnologists and pathologists' assistants. Geographically, laboratory professionals from urban areas earn more than their rural counterparts.

Conclusions

Survey results encourage laboratory professionals to be actively engaged in advocating for the profession in the workforce and educational training programs. Awareness of the career opportunities and value of the profession is needed to strengthen the future of the field.

Factors Related to the Acute Cellular Rejection During the First Year After Heart Transplant

INTRODUCTION

The acute cellular rejection is recognized as a factor related to the long-term viability of the heart graft. We intend to establish which factors are associated with the acute cellular rejection during the first year post heart transplant using a longitudinal model with repeated measures.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed with all the patients who underwent heart transplant between 2005-2018 at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogota, Colombia. In order to determine the factors associated with the development of acute cellular rejection, a generalized estimating equation approach was used, with an interchangeable correlation structure. The lowest value of quasi-likelihood information criterion and P < .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients (49.3 ± 11.1 years old) were included. The mortality during the first month was 16.3% and the accumulated mortality during the first year was 23.6%. The incidence of the acute cellular rejection was higher during the third month after the transplant (79.9%); most of them were acute cellular rejection grade 1. The factors associated with the development of the rejection were the cyclosporine levels out of the therapeutic range in several periods of evaluation (P < .03) and the age of the receptor (P = .049).

CONCLUSIONS

Using advanced modeling methodologies of longitudinal data we identified that the factors associated with acute cellular rejection during the first year after the transplant are related to the therapeutic levels of the calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporin) during the first 6 months of follow-up and the age of the receptor.

[Efficacy and safety of fingolimod in routine clinical practice in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Spain: an intermediate analysis of the MS NEXT study]

INTRODUCTION

Fingolimod is a disease modifying therapies, which has showed clinical efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in clinical trials with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients.

AIM

To assess fingolimod effectiveness and safety in patients with RRMS in clinical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present an interim analysis (July 2015) of MS NEXT, an observational, retrospective and multicenter study. 442 patients were included (mean age: 41 ± 9 years; median baseline EDSS: 3.0; 70% female; 284 previously treated with first-line disease modifying therapies, 139 with natalizumab and 19 without a previous treatment; mean fingolimod treatment duration: 25 ± 9 months) treated with fingolimod from November 2011 and with at least 12 months follow-up. 56 neurology-unit Spanish hospitals enrolled patients. Basal clinical and demographic data were recorded. Relapses, EDSS scores and radiological activity were recorded at baseline and annually. Adverse events were also recorded during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

After two years of follow-up: annual relapse rates decreased by 76%, the proportion of relapse-free patients was 67%, of disability progression-free patients confirmed at 3 months was 91%, of relapse and disability progression-free patients was 63%, of radiological activity-free patients was 50%, and the proportion of relapse, disability progression and radiological activity-free patients was 35%. Only 3.9% of patients discontinued fingolimod permanently during the first year of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this interim analysis, most of patients treated with fingolimod in clinical practice had a controlled clinical disease activity, stable disability progression and high persistency.

Characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3 on kiwifruit in north-west Portugal

AIMS

Bacterial kiwifruit canker disease, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) was detected in north-west Portugal in 2010, and has since caused significant losses. The objectives of this work were to characterize the Portuguese population(s) of Psa and to define the actual prevalence of Psa biovars in the most productive kiwifruit region in Portugal.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Isolates obtained from Actinidia deliciosa orchards were characterized by morphological, biochemical, physiological, fatty acids and molecular tests (PCR, BOX-PCR, duplex-PCR, multiplex-PCR and RFLP), phaseolotoxin, housekeeping and effector genes and pathogenicity. Results established that only Psa biovar 3 is present in the north-west of Portugal, despite phenotypic and genetic variability among the isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides new information on P. syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) genetic profile in Portugal, indicating for the first time, that two genetically different subpopulations of Psa biovar 3 are present.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A new subpopulation of Psa biovar 3 was found for the first time in Portugal, contributing to increase knowledge about this population worldwide and to support further understanding of the impact of Psa.

Processing of fallopian tube, ovary, and endometrial surgical pathology specimens: A survey of U.S. laboratory practices

OBJECTIVE

Many high-grade serous carcinomas initiate in fallopian tubes as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), a microscopic lesion identified with specimen processing according to the Sectioning and Extensive Examination of the Fimbria protocol (SEE-Fim). Given that the tubal origin of these cancers was recently recognized, we conducted a survey of pathology practices to assess processing protocols that are applied to gynecologic surgical pathology specimens in clinical contexts in which finding STIC might have different implications.

METHODS

We distributed a survey electronically to the American Society for Clinical Pathology list-serve to determine practice patterns and compared results between practice types by chi-square (χ2) tests for categorical variables. Free text comments were qualitatively reviewed.

RESULTS

Survey responses were received from 159 laboratories (72 academic, 87 non-academic), which reported diverse specimen volumes and percentage of gynecologic samples. Overall, 74.1% of laboratories reported performing SEE-Fim for risk-reducing surgical specimens (82.5% academic versus 65.7% non-academic, p < 0.05). In specimens from surgery for benign indications in which initial microscopic sections showed an unanticipated suspicious finding, 75.9% of laboratories reported using SEE-Fim to process the remainder of the specimen (94.8% academic versus 76.4% non-academic, p < 0.01), and 84.6% submitted the entire fimbriae.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the theories of pathogenesis of high-grade serous carcinoma have led to implementation of pathology specimen processing protocols that include detailed analysis of the fallopian tubes. These results have implications for interpreting trends in cancer incidence data and considering the feasibility of developing a bank of gynecologic tissues containing STIC or early cancer precursors.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2016-2017 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent and distribution of workforce shortages within the nation's medical laboratories.

METHODS

The 2016-2017 Vacancy Survey was conducted through collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Institute of Science, Technology, & Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment division and Board of Certification in Chicago, Illinois. Data were collected via an internet survey that was distributed to individuals who were able to report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories.

RESULTS

Results of the 2016-2017 Vacancy Survey shows decreased vacancy rates for laboratory positions across all departments surveyed compared with 2014. While overall, the data show that vacancy rates are decreasing, overall retirement rates and certification requirements are higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Focus on the qualifications and certification status of laboratory professionals would be crucial factors in addressing the needs of the laboratory workforce. The field needs to intensify its efforts on recruiting the next generation of laboratory personnel.

Systematic Review of Non-ASCP Choosing Wisely Recommendations Relevant to Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVES

To determine non-American Society for Clinical Pathology pathology- and laboratory-related Choosing Wisely recommendations that drive effective test utilization in the laboratory.

METHODS

Data were collected via a two-part web-based survey distributed to a broad sample of pathologists and laboratory professionals from a variety of institutions.

RESULTS

Pathologists' most relevant recommendation: "Do not transfuse more units of blood than absolutely necessary"; highest priority: "Do not transfuse more than the minimum number of RBC units necessary to relieve symptoms of anemia or to return a patient to a safe hemoglobin range (7-8 g/dL in stable, noncardiac inpatients)." Laboratory professionals' most relevant recommendation: "Avoid testing for a Clostridium difficile infection in the absence of diarrhea"; highest priority: "Do not routinely transfuse stable, asymptomatic hospitalized patients with a hemoglobin level greater than 7 to 8 g/dL."

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the highest priority, most relevant recommendations among those surveyed concerned utilization of blood products and transfusion management.

Abstract P5-14-04: A novel implant to deliver localized hormonal therapy to prevent and treat breast cancer

Most cancer treatment and prevention strategies include removal of the respective organ or systemic therapy. Early interception and cancer prevention is fraught with uncertainties in individual risk assessment and the absence of early surrogate markers to monitor efficacy. Hence, cancer prevention studies typically require large patient numbers. They are performed in unselected populations without clearly defined risk and benefits are often small or diluted. Hence, even successful strategies with documented benefit such as tamoxifen, have found only poor uptake in the at-risk population. Many women and providers are deterred by the low benefits to risk ratio of systemic tamoxifen exposure. The opportunity to selectively treat with an effective agent would limit the need for surgery and circumvent systemic exposure.

We propose a less toxic and less debilitating approach to prevent and treat early stage breast cancer by utilizing the slow release of anti-estrogens from silastic tubing as a local drug delivery device to the breast. Our in vitro and in vivo data demonstrate consistent release of active fulvestrant through at least 52 weeks. Extrapolating from the amount of residual drug left in the tubing after 52 weeks suggests that drug release could be maintained sufficiently to and beyond 5 years. Silastic tubing released fulvestrant at clinically relevant concentrations and associated with inhibition of ER signaling and cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo anti-tumor activity was comparable to systemic administration of the anti-estrogen. The silastic tubing preferentially delivered the anti-estrogen to mammary tissue with minimal accumulation in major organs and 20-fold lower concentrations in adjacent (abdominal) and distant fat (thoracic) pads. Consistent with fulvestrant penetrance through tumors, local delivery was more effective in reducing Ki-67 immediately adjacent to the tubing but maintained concentrations comparable to systemic therapy throughout the entire tumors. We further demonstrated that human fat cells readily take up fulvestrant and then transfer the drug to breast cancer cells. These findings support the use of local drug delivery through the human breast tissue and surrounding fatty tissue. Mammary tissues are rapidly cleared of fulvestrant upon removal of the drug-loaded tubing. This would allow the long term implantation of a drug delivery device designed to be emptied or refilled.

Local drug delivery is ideally suited in a setting of local disease or recurrence with minimal risk for systemic metastases with the goal of producing high concentrations without systemic application of the drug. Our data support the concept of a local silastic tubing device as a means to locally deliver an anti-estrogen in three major applications: early interventions for localized tumors, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or early stage breast cancer with low metastatic potential, prevention of breast cancer in women at higher risk due genetic predisposition, or used in concert with systemic therapy to provide a localized therapeutic boost. Overall, the use of implantable silastic tubing for local drug delivery represents a promising approach and introduces a potential paradigm shift in prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Munster PN, Park J, Desai P, Garcia E, Cheng S, Greier S, Pawlowska N, Chaudhuri AR, Thomas S. A novel implant to deliver localized hormonal therapy to prevent and treat breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-14-04.

Incidence and etiological mechanism of stroke in cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

We studied patients who had experienced a stroke in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery, aiming to analyse their progression and determine the factors that may influence prognosis and treatment.

METHODS

We established a protocol for early detection of stroke after cardiac surgery and collected data on stroke onset and a number of clinical, surgical, and prognostic variables in order to perform a descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Over the 15-month study period we recorded 16 strokes, which represent 2.5% of the patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Mean age in our sample was 69 ± 8 years; 63% of patients were men. The incidence of stroke in patients aged 80 and older was 5.1%. Five patients (31%) underwent emergency surgery. By type of cardiac surgery, 7% of patients underwent mitral valve surgery, 6.5% combined surgery, 3% aortic valve surgery, and 2.24% coronary surgery. Most cases of stroke (44%) were due to embolism, followed by hypoperfusion (25%). Stroke occurred within 2 days of surgery in 69% of cases. The mean NIHSS score in our sample of stroke patients was 9; code stroke was activated in 10 cases (62%); one patient (14%) underwent thrombectomy. Most patients progressed favourably: 13 (80%) scored≤2 on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. None of the patients died during the postoperative hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

In our setting, strokes occurring after cardiac surgery are usually small and have a good long-term prognosis. Most of them occur within 2 days, and they are mostly embolic in origin. The incidence of stroke in patients aged 80 and older and undergoing cardiac surgery is twice as high as that of the general population.

[Medullar thoracic compression by tophaceous gout: presentation of a case and review of the literature]

INTRODUCTION

Spine involvement in gout is an extremely uncommon complication. Dorsalgia and quadriplegia are some manifestations that may occur, although these symptoms are seen more frequently in other more prevalent pathologies, such as spinal tumors.

CASE REPORT

We present an unusual case of thoracic spinal cord compression at T10-T11 level caused by the extradural deposit of tophaceous material in a 52-year-old woman with uncontrolled chronic tophaceous gout. In addition to intensive medical treatment, the patient required surgery (hemilaminectomy and spinal decompression) and subsequent rehabilitation. Overall and neurological evolution were satisfactory.