Link between supercurrent diode and anomalous Josephson effect revealed by gate-controlled interferometry

In Josephson diodes the asymmetry between positive and negative current branch of the current-phase relation leads to a polarity-dependent critical current and Josephson inductance. The supercurrent nonreciprocity can be described as a consequence of the anomalous Josephson effect -a φ0-shift of the current-phase relation- in multichannel ballistic junctions with strong spin-orbit interaction. In this work, we simultaneously investigate φ0-shift and supercurrent diode efficiency on the same Josephson junction by means of a superconducting quantum interferometer. By electrostatic gating, we reveal a direct link between φ0-shift and diode effect. Our findings show that spin-orbit interaction in combination with a Zeeman field plays an important role in determining the magnetochiral anisotropy and the supercurrent diode effect.

Revised contraindications for the use of non-medical WB-electromyostimulation. Evidence-based German consensus recommendations

Whole-body electromyostimulation has proven to be a highly effective alternative to conventional resistance-type exercise training. However, due to adverse effects in the past, very extensive contraindications have been put in place for the commercial, non-medical WB-EMS market. Considering recent positive innovations e.g., federal regulation, mandatory trainer education, revised guidelines, and new scientific studies on WB-EMS application, we believe that a careful revision of the very restrictive contraindications on WB-EMS is needed. This applies all the more because many cohorts with limited options for conventional exercise have so far been excluded. During a first meeting of an evidence-based consensus process, stakeholders from various backgrounds (e.g., research, education, application) set the priorities for revising the contraindications. We decided to focus on four categories of absolute contraindications: "Arteriosclerosis, arterial circulation disorders", "Diabetes mellitus" (DM), "Tumor and cancer" (TC), "Neurologic diseases, neuronal disorders, epilepsy". Based on scientific studies, quality criteria, safety aspects and benefit/risk assessment of the category, DM and TC were moved to the relative contraindication catalogue, while arteriosclerosis/arterial circulation disorders and neurologic diseases/neuronal disorders/epilepsy were still considered as absolute contraindications. While missing evidence suggests maintaining the status of neurologic diseases/neuronal disorders as an absolute contraindication, the risk/benefit-ratio does not support the application of WB-EMS in people with arteriosclerosis/arterial circulation diseases. Despite these very cautious modifications, countries with less restrictive structures for non-medical WB-EMS should consider our approach critically before implementing the present revisions. Considering further the largely increased amount of WB-EMS trials we advice regular updates of the present contraindication list.

Genetic structure and ecological niche space of lentil's closest wild relative, Lens orientalis (Boiss.) Schmalh

Crops arose from wild ancestors and to understand their domestication it is essential to compare the cultivated species with their crop wild relatives. These represent an important source of further crop improvement, in particular in relation to climate change. Although there are about 58,000 Lens accessions held in genebanks, only 1% are wild. We examined the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the lentil's immediate progenitor L. orientalis. We used Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) to identify and characterize differentiation among accessions held at germplasm collections. We then determined whether genetically distinct clusters of accessions had been collected from climatically distinct locations. Of the 195 genotyped accessions, 124 were genuine L. orientalis with four identified genetic groups. Although an environmental distance matrix was significantly correlated with geographic distance in a Mantel test, the four identified genetic clusters were not found to occupy significantly different environmental space. Maxent modelling gave a distinct predicted distribution pattern centred in the Fertile Crescent, with intermediate probabilities of occurrence in parts of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, and the south of the Iberian Peninsula with NW Africa. Future projections did not show any dramatic alterations in the distribution according to the climate change scenarios tested. We have found considerable diversity in L. orientalis, some of which track climatic variability. The results of the study showed the genetic diversity of wild lentil and indicate the importance of ongoing collections and in situ conservation for our future capacity to harness the genetic variation of the lentil progenitor.

Sign reversal of the Josephson inductance magnetochiral anisotropy and 0-π-like transitions in supercurrent diodes

The recent discovery of the intrinsic supercurrent diode effect, and its prompt observation in a rich variety of systems, has shown that non-reciprocal supercurrents naturally emerge when both space-inversion and time-inversion symmetries are broken. In Josephson junctions, non-reciprocal supercurrent can be conveniently described in terms of spin-split Andreev states. Here we demonstrate a sign reversal of the Josephson inductance magnetochiral anisotropy, a manifestation of the supercurrent diode effect. The asymmetry of the Josephson inductance as a function of the supercurrent allows us to probe the current-phase relation near equilibrium, and to probe jumps in the junction ground state. Using a minimal theoretical model, we can then link the sign reversal of the inductance magnetochiral anisotropy to the so-called 0-π-like transition, a predicted but still elusive feature of multichannel junctions. Our results demonstrate the potential of inductance measurements as sensitive probes of the fundamental properties of unconventional Josephson junctions.

Snow patch refugia benefits for species of periglacial zones-Evidence from a high-elevation obligate

Conserving Earth's most rapidly changing biomes necessitates understanding biological consequences of altered climes. Past species- and taxa-level responses to warming environs include numerous concentrated extirpations at the southern peripheries of distributions during the late Pleistocene. Less clear are localized capacities of cold-adapted species to mitigate thermal challenges against warming temperatures, especially through proximate behavioral and physiological adjustments. Whereas snow patches persist in periglacial zones and elsewhere, broad reductions in seasonal snow raise concerns about how and why species continue to use them. If snow patches play a functional role to combat increasing thermal demands, we predicted individuals would display an array of autonomic responses to increased temperatures modulated by wind, ambient temperature, and winter fur on and away from snow patches. We tested these predictions using a mammalian exemplar of high latitude and high elevation, mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), using two sites in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA. Surprisingly, and contrary to expectations of reduced thermal stress, respiration rates were not decreased on snow patches but use of snow was strongly correlated with decreased metrics of insect harassment. As snow cover continues to decline in montane environs, the persistence of cold-adapted species depends on navigating concurrent changes in biotic communities and thermal environments and balancing competing pressures on behavioral and biological responses.

Development and usability testing of a fully immersive VR simulation for REBOA training

BACKGROUND

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potentially life-saving procedure for bleeding trauma patients. Being a rare and complex procedure performed in extreme situations, repetitive training of REBOA teams is critical. Evidence-based guidelines on how to train REBOA are missing, although simulation-based training has been shown to be effective but can be costly and complex. We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptance of REBOA training using a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) REBOA simulation, as well as assess the confidence in conducting the REBOA procedure before and after the training.

METHODS

Prospective feasibility pilot study of prehospital emergency physicians and paramedics in Bern, Switzerland, from November 2020 until March 2021. Baseline characteristics of trainees, prior training and experience in REBOA and with VR, variables of media use (usability: system usability scale, immersion/presence: Slater-Usoh-Steed, workload: NASA-TLX, user satisfaction: USEQ) as well as confidence prior and after VR training were accessed.

RESULTS

REBOA training in VR was found to be feasible without relevant VR-specific side-effects. Usability (SUS median 77.5, IQR 71.3-85) and sense of presence and immersion (Slater-Usoh-Steed median 4.8, IQR 3.8-5.5) were good, the workload without under-nor overstraining (NASA-TLX median 39, IQR 32.8-50.2) and user satisfaction high (USEQ median 26, IQR 23-29). Confidence of trainees in conducting REBOA increased significantly after training (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Procedural training of the REBOA procedure in immersive virtual reality is possible with a good acceptance and high usability. REBOA VR training can be an important part of a training curriculum, with the virtual reality-specific advantages of a time- and instructor-independent learning.

ICARUS at the Fermilab Short-Baseline Neutrino program: initial operation

The ICARUS collaboration employed the 760-ton T600 detector in a successful 3-year physics run at the underground LNGS laboratory, performing a sensitive search for LSND-like anomalous ν e appearance in the CERN Neutrino to Gran Sasso beam, which contributed to the constraints on the allowed neutrino oscillation parameters to a narrow region around 1 eV2 . After a significant overhaul at CERN, the T600 detector has been installed at Fermilab. In 2020 the cryogenic commissioning began with detector cool down, liquid argon filling and recirculation. ICARUS then started its operations collecting the first neutrino events from the booster neutrino beam (BNB) and the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam off-axis, which were used to test the ICARUS event selection, reconstruction and analysis algorithms. ICARUS successfully completed its commissioning phase in June 2022. The first goal of the ICARUS data taking will be a study to either confirm or refute the claim by Neutrino-4 short-baseline reactor experiment. ICARUS will also perform measurement of neutrino cross sections with the NuMI beam and several Beyond Standard Model searches. After the first year of operations, ICARUS will search for evidence of sterile neutrinos jointly with the Short-Baseline Near Detector, within the Short-Baseline Neutrino program. In this paper, the main activities carried out during the overhauling and installation phases are highlighted. Preliminary technical results from the ICARUS commissioning data with the BNB and NuMI beams are presented both in terms of performance of all ICARUS subsystems and of capability to select and reconstruct neutrino events.

Frailty as an indicator of postoperative complications following surgical excision of non-melanoma skin cancer on the head and neck

INTRODUCTION

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) predominantly affects those aged over 90 years, with 85% of lesions arising on the head and neck, where surgical excision remains the treatment of choice. Frailty is a measure of physiologic age and can be used as a predictor of adverse treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine if the Rockwood Frailty Index is predictive of complications following excision of NMSC.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively for patients who underwent an excision of a suspected NMSC from the head or neck across a two-month period. Details of the patient, lesion and procedure were recorded alongside ASA grade and Rockwood's Frailty score. Postoperative complications were recorded four weeks later.

RESULTS

There was a total of 125 patients: 74 (60%) male, 51 (40%) female; mean age was 78 (±9.8) years. Of the excised sites, 61% were closed primarily, 26% with a full thickness skin graft (FTSG), 13% with a local flap. Frailty ranged from 1 to 7 (median = 4). ASA ranged from 1 to 4 (median = 3). A total of 21 (17%) patients reported postoperative complications. Within this group, the median frailty and ASA grades were 5 and 3. Both frailty and ASA were positively significantly associated with age (p ≤ 0.001). There was no significant difference between the frailty or ASA grades of patients that experienced complications and those who did not. Patients who had a FTSG were significantly more likely to experience complications (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty is not predictive of postoperative complications following excision of NMSC on the head and neck. Postoperative complications are significantly more associated with FTSG.

The role of adjuvant treatment for early-stage uterine clear cell carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Uterine clear cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive subtype of endometrial carcinoma. Prospective clinical trials have not been feasible for this rare tumor, and data regarding the optimal adjuvant treatment regimen for early-stage uterine clear cell carcinomas is limited. Our study's objective was to determine if adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy improves patients' outcomes in stage I and II uterine clear cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with stage I and II uterine clear cell carcinoma were identified at a single institution. All cases were reviewed by a gynecologic pathologist. Both pure and mixed non-serous uterine clear cell carcinomas were included. Primary outcomes were recurrence free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients were identified including 39 (55%) pure and 32 (45%) mixed clear cell carcinoma. Most patients were FIGO stage IA (77.5%). Most patients (n = 58, 82%) received adjuvant therapy, including 43 (61%) receiving chemotherapy, 50 (70%) receiving radiation therapy, and 35 (49%) receiving both. Recurrence free survival was not significantly different among patients receiving no or <6 cycles of chemotherapy versus patients receiving 6 cycles of chemotherapy (p = 0.39). However, median OS was significantly different among patients receiving no or <6 cycles of chemotherapy versus 6 cycles of chemotherapy (p = 0.004). On univariable analysis, 6 cycles of chemotherapy was significantly associated with improved OS (HR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-0.07). Presence of LVSI, mutated p53, number of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes assessed, adjuvant chemotherapy (any number of cycles), and >2 medical co-morbidities were not significant predictors of OS on univariable analysis. On multivariable analysis, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy remained a significant predictor of improved OS (HR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, administration of 6 cycles of chemotherapy appears to significantly improve OS. This finding suggests consideration of 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage uterine clear cell carcinoma, however clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Species conflict at Earth’s edges – Contests, climate, and coveted resources

Direct conflict between species is an infrequently witnessed biological phenomenon. Potential drivers of such contests can include climate change, especially at Earth’s high elevation and latitudinal extremes where temperatures warm 2–5 times faster than elsewhere and hydro-geomorphic processes such as glacial recession and soil erosion affect species access to abiotic resources. We addressed a component of this broader issue by empirical assessments of mammalian conflict over access to four abiotic resources – minerals, water, snow, and shade – by annotation of past studies and by empirical data collection. Evidence for Nearctic and Palearctic mammals indicates that when desert waters are in short supply, contests intensify, generally favoring larger species regardless of their status as native or exotic. Our empirical data indicate that contests between two large and approximately similarly-sized mammals – mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) – along a 2,500 km gradient at three high-altitude (above tree-line) sites in the Rocky Mountains of North America, result in striking asymmetries; goats dominated &gt; 95% of interactions. Despite far fewer observations of encounters to access shade or snow patches, an increasingly prominent dialog needs to be held about rarely explored biological phenomena where less is known than we might otherwise presume, whether induced by climate or increasing anthropological alteration because of underpinnings to understand community structure and conservation planning. Observations on the frequency and intensity by which individuals escalate behavior to access abiotic resources remains an underappreciated arena to help identify the proximate importance of scarcity in the natural environment. Notwithstanding Darwin’s prediction some 165 years ago that populations in extreme environments (high-latitude, high-altitude) are more likely to be impacted by abiotic variables than biotic, conflict between species may be reflective of climate degradation coupled with the changing nature of coveted resources.

Is there an inter-manufacturer difference in generic clopidogrel response?

Background

Differences in platelet aggregation response to generic clopidogrel by manufacturer has not been investigated.

Purpose

Compare rates of clopidogrel response among patients receiving medication produced by two different manufacturers after acute coronary syndrome and/or percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

This quality improvement project included 515 adult patients receiving clopidogrel for acute coronary syndrome or ischemic heart disease and referred for coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention at a large, public hospital. The project was divided into two phases: 1. retrospective collection of baseline data; 2. two 12-week, prospective phases in which all clopidogrel in the hospital was restricted to a single manufacturer at a time. The primary outcome was clopidogrel response measured by platelet function testing defined as ADP response &lt;40% on light transmission aggregometry between two manufacturer groups. Aspirin response defined as arachidonic acid response &lt;20% was also measured.

Results

Of 515 total patients included in both phases (mean [SD] age, 64.5 [11.4] years; 351 [68.2%] men; 450 [87.4%] ACS), 52% were found to be clopidogrel responders based on results of platelet function testing (Table 1 – select variables). Among 135 patients in the prospective phase, there was a significantly lower proportion of patients who were clopidogrel responders in the Manufacturer 1 group compared to the Manufacturer 2 group (34.8% vs. 55.1%, p=0.03) (Table 2 – select variables). After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, aspirin response, therapeutic hypothermia, LHC indication, clopidogrel loading dose, time between loading dose and lab measurement, and manufacturer, aspirin response (OR [95% CI]: 0.96 [0.95–0.97], p&lt;0.001) and manufacturer (OR [95% CI]: 2.45 [1.18–5.22], p=0.02) were associated with clopidogrel response.

Conclusions

In a large public hospital, we observed that pharmacodynamic response to clopidogrel varied by drug manufacturer. Further investigation and/or regulation is needed to minimize inter-manufacturer variability.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

POS0130 NEAR INFRARED FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING (NIR-FOI) CAN SUPPORT THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES

Background

Differentiation between degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) and autoimmune caused connective tissue diseases (CTD), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for effective therapy. Anamnesis, clinical examination, and analysis of laboratory parameters are helpful for diagnosis, but do not always lead to clear results. One problem is that patients often show overlapping symptoms. Particularly, imaging techniques as NIR-based fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) are playing an increasingly role as quantifiable and sensitive diagnostic methods. After injection of a fluorescent dye, changes in the microcirculation caused by inflammation can be detected due to altered blood flow and accumulation in anatomical structures of the hands. Analyses of enrichment features can be used to identify pathological changes and to support the diagnosis of degenerative and autoimmune diseases.

Objectives

The present work investigates the potential of NIR-FOI feature assessment to differentiate between various rheumatic diseases, which are accompanied by pathological changes in connective tissues.

Methods

NIR fluorescence imaging comprised 360 images/6 min. after injection of the dye. Analyses of patients with the clinical diagnosis of OA (n = 236) were compared with RA patients (n = 235), and patients diagnosed with autoimmune CTD (collagenoses) (n = 149). 17 features known to occur in FOI images were analyzed in both hands in three time periods (P1-3) after injection in two independent passes. In some cases, Prima Vista images (PVI), representing the sum of images 1-240 were also analyzed (n = 45, 33, 33 for OA, RA, CTD). Signals compared to the background were assessed as positive or negative (Figure 1). The data were analyzed statistically.

Figure 1.

Examples of significantly different features in NIR-FOI images of patients with clinically diagnosed OA, RA, or CTD. Top: the whole hands, also with nail bed injuries in phase 1 (P1) for a CTD patient (right), bottom: increased intensity in muscle-tendon junction in the forearm in phase 2 (P2) for an OA patient, increased intensity in MCP joint in phase 1 (P1) for an RA patient and a secondary Raynaud syndrome for a CTD patient in PVI.

Results

Comparing the analyses of all phases of the OA cohort with those of the RA cohort, 14 of 51 features were identified as significantly different (p<0.05). The dye accumulation in metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) has high specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for RA patients (91%, 4.32). Patients in the OA cohort showed an increase in the signal at the muscle-tendon junction in the forearm (80% specificity, DOR 3.11). A comparison of the RA and CTD cohorts revealed 24 significant differences, most prominent changes in the nail bed in P1 (100% specificity, DOR 8.27) and a punctate accumulation pattern in P2 (98% specificity, DOR 2.61) for the CTD cohort. Comparing the RA and CTD cohorts, 22 features were significantly different. The strongest differences were found in the PIP joints of RA patients (78% sensitivity, DOR 2.97) and in the nail bed of CTD patients (100 % specificity, DOR 8.18). In the cumulative PV images a high specificity for a secondary Raynaud’s syndrome in CTD patients was found as compared to RA (97%, DOR 17.7) and OA (91%, DOR 5.9). Further, DIP signals for OA comparing to CTD show significant differences (76 % sensitivity, DOR 2,73).

Conclusion

The present work demonstrates the detection and localization of specific, significant features in NIR-FOI of patients with different rheumatic diseases and can thus make an important contribution to diagnosis and optimization of therapy. In future, multivariate analysis and artificial intelligence algorithms can combine these features to further improve the diagnostic value.

Acknowledgements

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (grant nb.; 13GW0341A)

Disclosure of Interests

Denise Kiesel Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Jörn Berger Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Egbert Gedat Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Sarah Ohrndorf: None declared, Andreas Briel Shareholder of: Xiralite GmbH, Employee of: Xiralite Gmbh, Vieri Failli Employee of: nanoPET GmbH, Pia Welker Employee of: nanoPET GmbH

AB1363 IMAGE PATTERN ANALYSIS IN FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN RHEUMATIC JOINT DISEASES

Background

As outlined in previous studies, different rheumatic joint diseases present specific characteristic patterns and features in fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) (1-4).

Objectives

We tested different features in FOI for their ability to differentiate various rheumatic joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with the aim to identify clear FOI criteria for the diseases.

Methods

FOI images from patients with RA, OA, PsA and healthy volunteers were evaluated by two readers blinded for diagnosis and calibrated against each other, using the prima vista mode (PVM) and the 5-phase model. For the latter, the overall time course of FOI in each hand was divided into 5 phases with a computational algorithm. Phases 1 and 2 describe the inflow (start to 15% and 15%-90% on rising edge), phase 3 is the peak phase and phases 4 and 5 comprise the outflow (90%-36.8% and 36.8% to end on falling edge). Twenty-six different features were defined by an atlas, for example the streaky pattern feature (T) as a signal enhancement around the PIP area that appears streaky, whereby the stripes are orthogonal to the finger axis (Figure 1a). The cloudy pattern (W) is visible during the inflow on the back of the hand (Figure 1b). The enthesis feature (E) depicts a V shaped and filled pattern between nail and DIP (Figure 1c). The feature frequency in each patient and phase (PVM, 5-phase) was counted and statistically analysed.

Figure 1.

Examples for FOI patterns and features: a) (T) Streaky pattern in PVM image (OA); b) (W) Cloudy pattern on the back of the hand in phase 1 (PsA); c) (E) Enthesis pattern in phase 3.

Results

In total, 128 patients (RA (age mean 54.2; SD 10.6; median 52.4), OA (58.0; 14.3; 60.1), and PsA (47.9; 12.7; 46.8)) and healthy volunteers (32 in each group) were included in the feature reading. In our analysis, OA can be differentiated from RA on the basis of the feature T. Feature T is found in phase 3 (χ2: 4.61; diagnostic odds ratio (DOR): 7.49; sensitivity (TPR) 0.11; specificity (TNR): 0.98; positive predictive value (PPV): 0.87; negative predictive value (NPV): 0.52), phase 5 (χ2: 18.5; DOR: 5.60; TPR 0.55; TNR: 0.82; PPV: 0.76; NPV: 0.64 and PVM (28.3; 12.1; 52%; 92% 87%; 65%). By means of the feature E, a distinction between RA and PsA is only limited possible (χ2: 9.58; DOR: 3.65; TPR 0.40; TNR: 0.84; PPV: 0.71; NPV: 0.59). But PsA can well be distinguished from RA by the appearance of pattern W in phase 1 (χ2: 7.68; DOR: 6.92; TPR 0.19; TNR: 0.97; PPV: 0.86; NPV: 0.54).

Other significant features yield high specificity (70%-98%) while having low sensitivity (12%-52%).

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that FOI feature analysis has the potential for differential diagnosis with FOI, which could optimize the (early) diagnostic process of rheumatic joint diseases. A majority of features yield high specificity, but only low sensitivity. The combination of different features using artificial intelligence might lead to improved diagnostic accuracy.

References

[1]Werner SG, et al. Inflammation assessment in patients with arthritis using a novel in vivo fluorescence optical imaging technology. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012; 71(4):504-510.

[2]Glimm AM, et al. Analysis of distribution and severity of inflammation in patients with osteoarthitis compared to rheumatoid arthritis by ICG-enhanced fluorescence optical imaging and musculoskeletal ultrasound: a pilot study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016; 75(3):566-570.

[3]Wiemann O, et al. The “green nail” phenomenon in ICG-enhanced fluorescence optical imaging - a potential tool for the differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2019;17(2):138-147.

[4]Schmidt A, et al. Detection of subclinical skin manifestation in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by fluorescence optical imaging. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020; 22(1):192.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Indirect effects of African megaherbivore conservation on bat diversity in the world's oldest desert

In extreme environments, temperature and precipitation are often the main forces responsible for structuring ecological communities and species distributions. The role of biotic interactions is typically thought to be minimal. By clustering around rare and isolated features, like surface water, however, effects of herbivory by desert-dwelling wildlife can be amplified. Understanding how species interact in these environments is critical to safeguarding vulnerable or data-deficient species. We examined whether African elephants (Loxodonta africana), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), and southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa) modulate insectivorous bat communities around permanent waterholes in the Namib Desert. We estimated megaherbivore use of sites based on dung transects, summarized vegetation productivity from satellite measurements of the normalized difference vegetation index, and surveyed local bat communities acoustically. We used structural equation models to identify relationships among megaherbivores and bat species richness and dry- (November 2016-January 2017) and wet- (February-May 2017) season bat activity. Site-level megaherbivore use in the dry season was positively associated with bat activity-particularly that of open-air foragers-and species richness through indirect pathways. When resources were more abundant (wet season), however, these relationships were weakened. Our results indicate that biotic interactions contribute to species distributions in desert areas and suggest the conservation of megaherbivores in this ecosystem may indirectly benefit insectivorous bat abundance and diversity. Given that how misunderstood and understudied most bats are relative to other mammals, such findings suggest that managers pursue short-term solutions (e.g., community game guard programs, water-point protection near human settlements, and ecotourism) to indirectly promote bat conservation and that research includes megaherbivores' effects on biodiversity at other trophic levels.

Treatment outcome of atypical EGFR mutations in the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer (nNGM)

BACKGROUND

Atypical EGFR mutations occur in 10-30% of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations and their sensitivity to classical EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is highly heterogeneous. Patients harboring one group of uncommon, recurrent EGFR mutations (G719X, S768I, L861Q) respond to EGFR-TKI. Exon 20 insertions are mostly insensitive to EGFR-TKI but display sensitivity to exon 20 inhibitors. Clinical outcome data of patients with very rare point and compound mutations upon systemic treatments are still sparse to date.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, multi-center study of the national Network Genomic Medicine (nNGM) in Germany, 856 NSCLC cases with atypical EGFR mutations including co-occuring mutations were reported from 12 centers. Clinical follow-up data after treatment with different EGFR-TKI, chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were available from 260 patients. Response to treatment was analyzed in three major groups: (1) uncommon mutations (G719X, S7681, L861Q and combinations), (2) exon 20 insertions and (3) very rare EGFR mutations (very rare single point mutations, compound mutations, exon 18 deletions, exon 19 insertions).

RESULTS

Our study comprises the largest thus far reported real-world cohort of very rare EGFR single point and compound mutations treated with different systemic treatments. We validated higher efficacy of EGFR-TKI in comparison to chemotherapy in group 1 (uncommon), while most exon 20 insertions (group 2) were not EGFR-TKI responsive. In addition, we found TKI sensitivity of very rare point mutations (group 3) and of complex EGFR mutations containing exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations independent of the combination partner. Notably, treatment responses in group 3 (very rare) were highly heterogeneous. Co-occurring TP53 mutations exerted a non-significant trend for a detrimental effect on outcome in EGFR-TKI treated patients in groups 2 and 3 but not in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our findings we propose a novel nNGM classification of uncommon EGFR mutations.

The Humpty Dumpty Effect on Planet Earth

Humans have treated the earth harshly. Degradation of extant ecosystems leaves little chance that they might function as they have in the past. Putting back the pieces and restoring what once existed is no longer possible even with re-wildling—an effect analogous to the Humpty Dumpty parable. However, we do have conservation successes after concerted efforts related to habitat protection, species and ecosystem restoration, and planning. While the changes to Earth's biosphere are grave, necessitating immediate and exhaustive action, our Humpty Dumpty world reassembles with progressive conservation victories at all regional scales from local to global which should lead to a modicum of optimism rather than despair. We suggest that to be truly effective our work as academic scientists must be more than publishing in scholarly journals. At the least, this should include changes in how success is measured in science and how university tenure is awarded.

Vestibular testing in children - The suppression head impulse (SHIMP) test

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of vestibular disorders and vertigo during childhood is increasing and pediatric clinicians have become more sensitive to children's balance disorders; thus, there is a need for appropriate detection test procedures for peripheral vestibular hypofunction. In order to ensure a reliable diagnosis and minimize misdiagnosis, a standardized clinical procedure via careful history and clinical examination is recommended. However, children, especially, are often unable to verbalize "vertigo" in a concrete manner, which often necessitates a consultation with a pediatrician holding nonspecific symptoms. The so-called suppression of the head impulse test (SHIMPs) represents a modification of the video head impulse test (HIMP) and is used for a more sensitive assessment of residual vestibular functions. In adults, SHIMPs are already an established diagnostic method. Nevertheless, to date, nothing is known about the applicability and standard values in childhood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this monocentric, prospective study, we investigated whether SHIMPs enable a sensitive functional analysis of the vestibular system in healthy children of different ages. For this purpose, SHIMPs were performed in 40 children aged 3-18 years.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that SHIMPs can be easily performed in children (3-18 years). It is vital that the test be appropriately explained for children to ensure sufficient test tolerance and compliance.

CONCLUSION

SHIMPs are a helpful supplement to clinically established vestibular tests such as the HIMP in pediatric vestibular balance disorder diagnostics and can be integrated into the clinical routine, especially in children who have minimal verbal abilities or understanding of the instructions for HIMP. Similar to the HIMP, SHIMPs are characterized by a short test duration and a high tolerance.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of tumor molecular classification in high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

Tumor molecular analyses in endometrial cancer (EC) includes 4 distinct subtypes: (1) POLE-mutated, (2) mismatch repair protein (MMR) deficient, (3) p53 mutant, and (4) no specific molecular profile. Recently, a sub-analysis of PORTEC-3 demonstrated notable differences in treatment response between molecular classification (MC) groups. Cost of testing is one barrier to widespread adoption of MC. Therefore, we sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of MC in patients with stage I and II high-risk EC.

METHODS

A Markov decision model was developed to compare tumor molecular classification (TMC) vs. no testing (NT). A healthcare payor's perspective and 5-year time horizon were used. Base case data were abstracted from PORTEC-3 and the molecular sub-analysis. Cost and utility data were derived from public databases, peer-reviewed literature, and expert input. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with effectiveness in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and evaluated with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test model robustness.

RESULTS

When compared to NT, TMC was cost effective with an ICER of $25,578 per QALY gained; incremental cost was $1780 and incremental effectiveness was 0.070 QALYs. In one-way sensitivity analyses, results were most sensitive to the cost of POLE testing, but TMC remained cost-effective over all parameter ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

TMC in early-stage high-risk EC is cost-effective, and the model results were robust over a range of parameters. Given that MC can be used to guide adjuvant treatment decisions, these findings support adoption of TMC into routine practice.

Erratum: Azimuthal Anisotropy of K_{S}^{0} and Λ+Λ[over ¯] Production at Midrapidity from Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=130 GeV [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 132301 (2002)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.132301.

Erratum: Azimuthal Anisotropy at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider: The First and Fourth Harmonics [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 062301 (2004)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.062301.

POS1401 ASSESSMENT OF INTERREADER RELIABILITY IN SCORING PATIENTS WITH HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BY FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING

Background:

Fluorescence Optical Imaging (FOI) utilises the fluorophore indocyanine green (ICG) to reflect enhanced microcirculation in hand and finger joints due to inflammation.

Objectives:

We wanted to assess the interreader reliability of FOI enhancement in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Furthermore, predefined typical morphologic patterns were included to determine the ability of FOI to discriminate between both diagnoses.

Methods:

An atlas with example images of grade 0-3 in different joint groups and typical morphologic patterns (‘streaky signals’[1], ‘green/blue nail sign’[2], ‘Werner sign’[3,4], and ‘Bishop’s crozier sign’) of PsA and hand OA was created. Two readers scored all joints in both hands (30 in total) of 20 cases with hand OA and PsA. The cases were randomly mixed and both readers were blinded to diagnosis. Each joint was rated on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 3 in five different images (PrimaVista Mode (PVM), phase 1, 2 (first and middle image), and 3) during the FOI sequence according to the scoring method FOIAS (fluorescence optical imaging activity score)[1,3]. Interreader reliability on scoring joint enhancement was calculated using linear weighted Cohen’s kappa (κ). Agreement on diagnosis (hand OA vs. PsA) and different morphologic patterns was assessed by calculating (regular) Cohen’s kappa.

Results:

Overall agreement on scoring joint enhancement (all phases) was substantial (κ = 0.75), with greatest consensus in phase 2 first (κ = 0.75) and lowest agreement in phase 1 (κ = 0.46). Reliability varied in different joint groups (wrist, MCP, (P)IP, DIP), with almost perfect overall agreement on PIP joint affection (κ = 0.81), substantial agreement on wrist (κ = 0.69) and DIP joint affection (κ = 0.63), and moderate agreement on MCP joint affection (κ = 0.49) across all phases. Consensus on morphologic patterns showed overall fair agreement (κ = 0.37) with a similar kappa value on the ability to discriminate between both diagnoses (κ = 0.3).

Conclusion:

Joint enhancement in FOI can be reliably assessed using a predefined scoring method. The ability of FOI to differentiate between hand OA and PsA seems to be limited. Clearer definition and more training might be needed to better agree on morphologic patterns in FOI.

References:

[1] Glimm AM, Werner SG, Burmester GR, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Mar;75(3):566-570

[2] Wiemann O, Werner SG, Langer HE, et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2019 Feb;17(2):138-148

[3] Werner SG, Langer HE, Ohrndorf S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Apr;71(4):504-510

[4] Zeidler H 2019. Fluoreszenzoptische Bildgebung. In: Zeidler H, Michel BA. Differenzialdiagnose rheumatischer Erkrankungen 5. Aufl. Springer, Heidelberg, S. 88-89

Disclosure of Interests:

Benedict Drude: None declared, Øystein Maugesten: None declared, Stephanie Gabriele Werner: None declared, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester: None declared, Jörn Berger Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Ida K. Haugen: None declared, Sarah Ohrndorf: None declared

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Three-dimensional microscale hanging drop arrays with geometric control for drug screening and live tissue imaging

Existing three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques are limited by trade-offs between throughput, capacity for high-resolution imaging in living state, and geometric control. Here, we introduce a modular microscale hanging drop culture where simple design elements allow high replicates for drug screening, direct on-chip real-time or high-resolution confocal microscopy, and geometric control in 3D. Thousands of spheroids can be formed on our microchip in a single step and without any selective pressure from specific matrices. Microchip cultures from human LN229 glioblastoma and patient-derived mouse xenograft cells retained genomic alterations of originating tumors based on mate pair sequencing. We measured response to drugs over time with real-time microscopy on-chip. Last, by engineering droplets to form predetermined geometric shapes, we were able to manipulate the geometry of cultured cell masses. These outcomes can enable broad applications in advancing personalized medicine for cancer and drug discovery, tissue engineering, and stem cell research.

Using community photography to investigate phenology: A case study of coat molt in the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) with missing data

Participatory approaches, such as community photography, can engage the public in questions of societal and scientific interest while helping advance understanding of ecological patterns and processes. We combined data extracted from community-sourced, spatially explicit photographs with research findings from 2018 fieldwork in the Yukon, Canada, to evaluate winter coat molt patterns and phenology in mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), a cold-adapted, alpine mammal. Leveraging the community science portals iNaturalist and CitSci, in less than a year we amassed a database of almost seven hundred unique photographs spanning some 4,500 km between latitudes 37.6°N and 61.1°N from 0 to 4,333 m elevation. Using statistical methods accounting for incomplete data, a common issue in community science datasets, we identified the effects of intrinsic (sex and presence of offspring) and broad environmental (latitude and elevation) factors on molt onset and rate and compared our findings with published data. Shedding occurred over a 3-month period between 29 May and 6 September. Effects of sex and offspring on the timing of molt were consistent between the community-sourced and our Yukon data and with findings on wild mountain goats at a long-term research site in west-central Alberta, Canada. Males molted first, followed by females without offspring (4.4 days later in the coarse-grained, geographically wide community science sample; 29.2 days later in our fine-grained Yukon sample) and lastly females with new kids (6.2; 21.2 days later, respectively). Shedding was later at higher elevations and faster at northern latitudes. Our findings establish a basis for employing community photography to examine broad-scale questions about the timing of ecological events, as well as sex differences in response to possible climate drivers. In addition, community photography can help inspire public participation in environmental and outdoor activities specifically with reference to iconic wildlife.

Conservation implications of using an imitation carnivore to assess rarely used refuges as critical habitat features in an alpine ungulate

Understanding relationships between animals and their habitat is a central goal in ecology with important implications for conservation. Misidentified habitat requirements can have serious repercussions because land protection or reintroductions might occur in less than optimal habitat. Studies of resource selection have greatly facilitated an understanding of ecological relationships but can be improved when vital yet infrequently utilized habitat features are more fully described. A critical element for many prey species is escape terrain or some other form of refuge to avoid predation. Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are well known for their use of cliffs to avoid predation, but a survey of the literature revealed at least twelve different approximations of goat escape terrain, ranging from > 25° to > 50° slopes. Here, we seek to (1) enhance estimates of mountain goat escape terrain and antipredator behavior, and (2) highlight the limitations of the assumption that the time an animal spends in an area is proportional to importance. To improve estimates of goat escape terrain, we conducted field work across two years (2014–15) in Glacier National Park, Montana USA and manipulated apparent predation risk by exposing mountain goats to a threatening simulated grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) treatment and a non-threatening ungulate (control) treatment. Mountain goats moved in response to the simulated bear but not in response to the simulated ungulate, with shorter latencies to move for subjects in larger groups and at shorter distances to the simulated threat. Through a used-unused resource selection function we tested 22 landscape variables to describe the use of escape terrain. Proximity to slopes greater than 60° best explained the locations to which mountain goats fled after exposure to the simulated bear, and the average slope of these escape locations was 56.5° (±14.1 S.D.). Our results suggest that mountain goat escape terrain be considered at slopes of 60° as a minimum because our simulated threat did not include pursuit of goats and, thus, slopes of 60° are likely underestimates of actual escape terrain. Additionally, because direct interactions between carnivores and goats seldom occur, serious escape terrain is infrequently used. Past estimates of escape may have miscalculated the slopes which goats select for in response to predation risk. Based on experimental approaches in the wild, we suggest that anti-predator behavior should be included in studies of resource selection when the goal is to consider habitat as a predictor for conservation success. Finally, we discuss evidence suggesting a past mountain goat introduction failed due to lack of adequate escape terrain and subsequent recolonization of a predator.

AB0325 FLUORESCENCE OPTICAL IMAGING (FOI) AIDS DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES AND INCREASES TREATMENT RESPONSE RATE IN RA THROUGH PATIENT STRATIFICATION

Background:

In recent years, indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced FOI has become clinically available as a novel tool for the early detection of rheumatic diseases, assessment of disease activity and monitoring of treatment response. The high sensitivity of this method allows visualization of slight changes in the microcirculation of the hands as a sign of inflammation. Different rheumatic diseases present characteristic signal enhancement patterns, which may facilitate differential diagnosis. Signal enhancement in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, for example, can frequently be seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives:

We analyzed data of a multicentric clinical study (OPERA, n = 3300) including patients with different rheumatic diseases. Patients were divided into groups using clinical parameters followed by FOI examination to test the hypothesis that this method can improve the diagnosis.

Methods:

The present study involved 200 patients with RA (n=200), divided into groups according to Steinbrocker’s (STBR) staging system, patients that had degenerative osteoarthritis (OA, n=100), and a control group without clinical symptoms (n=40). RA patients were examined before and during treatment with biologicals, glucocorticoids (GK), or DMARDs. Clinical and laboratory assessments were made by analyses of DAS28, patient questionnaires, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and x-rays. FOI signal intensity (SI) was defined by ratio of areas with SI in patients and controls. Image sequences were analyzed visually, and MCP joints were judged as positive if in the early phase of ICG inflow, a higher SI in any MCP region was found in comparison to the control group.

Results:

Initially, serum factors typical for RA patients were analyzed in the different groups. In 23 % of OA patients RF and/or ACPA were detected in the serum. Surprisingly, in the STBR I group, only 35 % of patients were tested as serum-positive for RF and/or ACPA. After FOI, the patients were subdivided into two groups with and without ICG enrichment in MCPs. In the MCP-positive group, the percentage of RF/ACPA-positive STBRI patients increased to 83%, with only 25 % seropositive patients in the MCP-negative group. In STBRII-IV cohorts, the proportion of RF/ACPA-positive patients was initially higher as in the STBRI group, but also increased after FOI analysis of MCP positivity. In the group treated with biologicals (STBRI-IV), responders were identified both by clinical parameters and FOI. After treatment, 42 % of all analyzed patients were found to respond to treatment. Compared to all patients, the MCP-positive group showed a significantly increased response rate at 71%, while all patients (100%) in the MCP-negative group were identified as non-responders (Figure 1).

Conclusion:

The study indicates that FOI is highly effective for the diagnosis of RA, selection of the appropriate therapy, and for the monitoring of therapeutic success. Treatment response rate can be increased (from 42% to 71%) through patient stratification in terms of ICG enrichment in MCP.

Figure.

Disclosure of Interests:

Mark Ferl: None declared, Sarah Ohrndorf: None declared, Jörn Berger Employee of: Xiralite GmbH, Andreas Briel Shareholder of: Xiralite GmbH, Pia Welker Employee of: Xiralite GmbH

Rapid Isothermal Amplification and Portable Detection System for SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic provides an urgent example where a gap exists between availability of state-of-the-art diagnostics and current needs. As assay details and primer sequences become widely known, many laboratories could perform diagnostic tests using methods such as RT-PCR or isothermal RT-LAMP amplification. A key advantage of RT-LAMP based approaches compared to RT-PCR is that RT-LAMP is known to be robust in detecting targets from unprocessed samples. In addition, RT-LAMP assays are performed at a constant temperature enabling speed, simplicity, and point-of-use testing. Here, we provide the details of an RT-LAMP isothermal assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus with performance comparable to currently approved tests using RT-PCR. We characterize the assay by introducing swabs in virus spiked synthetic nasal fluids, moving the swab to viral transport medium (VTM), and using a volume of that VTM for performing the amplification without an RNA extraction kit. The assay has a Limit-of-Detection (LOD) of 50 RNA copies/μL in the VTM solution within 20 minutes, and LOD of 5000 RNA copies/μL in the nasal solution. Additionally, we show the utility of this assay for real-time point-of-use testing by demonstrating detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in less than 40 minutes using an additively manufactured cartridge and a smartphone-based reader. Finally, we explore the speed and cost advantages by comparing the required resources and workflows with RT-PCR. This work could accelerate the development and availability of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics by proving alternatives to conventional laboratory benchtop tests.

Seeking snow and breathing hard - Behavioral tactics in high elevation mammals to combat warming temperatures

The world glaciers and areas of persistent summer snowpack are being lost due to warming temperatures. For cold-adapted species, habitat features may offer opportunities for cooling during summer heat yet the loss of snow and ice may compromise derived thermoregulatory benefits. Herein we offer insights about habitat selection for snow and the extent to which other behavioral adjustments reduce thermal debt among high elevation mammals. Specifically, we concentrate on respiration in mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), a species whose native distribution is currently tied to northern mountain ranges of North America, where large patches of persistent summer snow are declining, and which became extinct during geologically warmer epochs. To examine sensitivity to possible thermal stressors and use of summer snow cover, we tracked marked and unmarked mountain goats in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, to test hypotheses about selection for cold microclimates including shade and snow during periods of relatively high temperature. To understand functional responses of habitat choices, we measured microhabitat temperatures and a component of goat physiology–breaths per minute–as an index for metabolic expenditure. Individuals 1) selected areas closer to snow on warmer summer days, and 2) on snow had a 15% mean reduction in respiration when accounting for other factors, which suggests remnant snow plays an important role in mediating effects of air temperature. The use of shade was not as an important variable in models explaining respiration. Despite the loss of 85% of glaciers in in Glacier National Park, summer’s remnant snow patches are an important reservoir by which animals reduce heat stress and potential hyperthermia. Our findings, when contextualized with behavioral strategies deployed by other high elevation mammalian taxa help frame how ambient temperatures may be modulated, and they offer a direct way by which to assess susceptibility to increasing heat in cold-adapted species.