A Review of the EUSO-Balloon Pathfinder for the JEM-EUSO Program

EUSO-Balloon is a pathfinder for JEM-EUSO, the mission concept of a spaceborne observatory which is designed to observe Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray (UHECR)-induced Extensive Air Showers (EAS) by detecting their UltraViolet (UV) light tracks "from above." On August 25, 2014, EUSO-Balloon was launched from Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base (Ontario, Canada) by the balloon division of the French Space Agency CNES. After reaching a floating altitude of 38 km, EUSO-Balloon imaged the UV light in the wavelength range ∼290-500 nm for more than 5 hours using the key technologies of JEM-EUSO. The flight allowed a good understanding of the performance of the detector to be developed, giving insights into possible improvements to be applied to future missions. A detailed measurement of the photoelectron counts in different atmospheric and ground conditions was achieved. By means of the simulation of the instrument response and by assuming atmospheric models, the absolute intensity of diffuse light was estimated. The instrument detected hundreds of laser tracks with similar characteristics to EASs shot by a helicopter flying underneath. These are the first recorded laser tracks measured from a fluorescence detector looking down on the atmosphere. The reconstruction of the direction of the laser tracks was performed. In this work, a review of the main results obtained by EUSO-Balloon is presented as well as implications for future space-based observations of UHECRs.

A retrospective collection of diagnostic data from the desmoid tumor research foundation natural history study

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Background: Desmoid tumors are a benign sarcoma diagnosed in 4-5 patients per million each year. The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF) launched the patient registry and natural history study (NHS) in 2017. This is a retrospective analysis of diagnostic data collected, tumor location, rates of misdiagnosis, how genetics testing is being incorporated into clinical practice, and additional clinical trial participation. Methods: The NHS launched September 2017 and contains 15 surveys covering diagnostics, disease, treatment, care management, and quality of life. Current reporting as of December 31, 2020, contains 619 participants or legally authorized representatives for which a subset have completed the surveys on desmoid tumor diagnoses. Results: Survey analysis documents that the most prevalent tumor locations were intra-abdominal 35.5% (220), joint / extremities 21.2% (131), and chest wall 14.7% (91). The majority of participants, 68.2%, reported that they had unifocal tumors (199/292), 19.5% reported that they had multifocal desmoid tumors (57). Biopsy procedures were the primary method of diagnosis according to 57.2% (167/292) of the participants, with needle biopsy comprising 19.8% (33/167). Biopsy as the primary method of diagnosis was most prevalent in tumors of the head and neck (18/26, 69.2%), chest wall (32/47, 68.1%) joint /extremities (50/90, 55.6%), and abdominal tumors (27/51, 52.9%). Additionally, imaging methods (CT, MRI) were the primary method of diagnosis in 22.6% (66/292) and surgical resection 14.4% (42/292). Misdiagnosis is common for this tumor type, as 41.0% (119/290) participants reported an incorrect initial diagnosis. The reported incorrect diagnoses are described in the table. Genetic testing is not standard of care for desmoid tumors but is increasing in practice. A total of 78 participants (28%) of 282 participants report they had genetic testing (germline or somatic) of their tumor tissue. The majority of those participants, 65.4% (51/78), reported having Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Of the participants that had genetic testing, 89.0% live in the United States. 10.5% of participants (37/353) have reported having participated in clinical trials. The majority of participants (317/368, 86.1%) are willing to participate in other studies in the future, with 77.4% (285/368) willing to donate specimens for biomarker studies. Conclusions: Participants with desmoid tumors report many methods of diagnosis for their diverse tumor locations, high rates of misdiagnosis, and increased rates of genetic mutation testing. Data collection through the DTRF NHS is ongoing.[Table: see text]

A patient reported outcomes of treatments for desmoid tumors: An international natural history study

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Background: The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF) launched the natural history study (NHS) in 2017. At this time, there are no standard-of-care options for this rare sarcoma. The treatments, clinical descriptors, and the patient reported outcomes to pharmacologic agents are described here within. Methods: The web-based natural history study launched September 2017 in collaboration with the National Organization of Rare Disorders. It contains 15 surveys covering diagnostics, disease, treatment, care management, and quality of life. Treatment types included in the DTRF NHS were pharmacology, surgery, radiation, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HiFU), and active surveillance (watch and wait). Results: While surgery was once the primary intervention for desmoid tumor patients, the NHS participants reported that 47.6% had received active surveillance or no systemic treatment at diagnosis. This is most common for desmoid tumors located in abdominal wall (54/103; 52.4%). There were 87 reported cases of complete surgical resection, 38 incomplete resections, and 23 bowel resections. 9 amputations were reported; 8 participants reported recurrent disease following the removal of the limb. The non-surgical interventions, such as radiation and HiFU, were mostly described for participants with chest wall tumors (15 pts) and joints/extremities (10 pts). Many options for systemic therapies were described including sorafenib (44/284; 15.5%), sulindac (36/284; 12.7%), and anti-hormonal agents tamoxifen and toremifene (34/285; 10.9%) were described. Targeted agents, such as gamma secretase inhibitor, pazopanib, and sorafenib, were greater in the United States than the non-US country participants (21% vs 9%). Multiple lines of treatments were reported by 81 participants, surgery is greatest as the first intervention for all tumor locations (49/81, 60%), with the exception of those with head/neck tumors who received chemotherapy (6/11, 55%). Analysis has started to evaluate the efficacy of systemic treatments from these NHS data. The table describes the participant reported outcomes of anti-hormonal agents, chemotherapeutics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and targeted agents. Both chemotherapies and targeted agents were reported to have 38.1% response rates from the participants with 34.3% and 23.8% of participants reported progressive disease on therapy, respectively. Conclusions: Desmoid tumor NHS study participants reported the use of many treatment modalities demonstrating a range of frequency of use by tumor location and efficacy. Data collection through the DTRF NHS is ongoing.[Table: see text]

145 Stocker gains on diverse summer annual pastures

The objective of this study was to determine if increasing forage botanical diversity improved stocker gains on warm-season annual (WSA) pastures. An opportunity exists to add extra gain on fall-born calves by grazing summer pastures after spring weaning and selling at a more favorable late summer market. However, cool-season perennial pastures in the Mid-South often have insufficient quality and yield to support desired summer gains. Therefore, the improved production and nutritive value of WSA forages shows promise in this system. A study was conducted near Princeton, KY, where calves (329, 366, and 297 kg in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) grazed one of three WSA forage treatments without supplementation in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included 1) sorghum-sudangrass monoculture (MONO), 2) simple mixture (SIMPLE = sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet, soybean), and 3) complex mixture (COMPLEX = SIMPLE + sudangrass, corn, crabgrass, cowpea, sunflower, sunn hemp, daikon radish, forage rape, Korean lespedeza). In 2017, MONO and SIMPLE calves had higher average daily gain (ADG) than COMPLEX calves (0.79 kg/day vs. 0.66 kg/day, P < 0.03). In 2018, no differences in ADG were detected among treatments (P > 0.3); however, calves only gained 0.01 kg/day. In 2019, MONO and SIMPLE calves again had higher ADG than COMPLEX calves (0.59 kg/day vs. 0.43 kg/day, P < 0.03). The exceptionally low 2018 ADG was likely due to the higher nutritional demand of heavier calves and the lower nutritive value of mature forages compared to other years. In conclusion, complex WSA forage mixtures did not offer any improvement in animal performance, and proper management of all WSA forages (maintaining a vegetative state) is paramount to achieving adequate gains on stockers without supplementation; however, supplementation may be necessary to improve WSA forage utilization in the rumen, potentially leading to more favorable gains.

Outcomes in oncogenic-addicted advanced NSCLC patients with actionable mutations identified by liquid biopsy genomic profiling using a tagged amplicon-based NGS assay

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based molecular profiling is rapidly gaining traction in clinical practice of advanced cancer patients with multi-gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels. However, clinical outcomes remain poorly described and deserve further validation with personalized treatment of patients with genomic alterations detected in plasma ctDNA. Here, we describe the outcomes, disease control rate (DCR) at 3 months and progression-free survival (PFS) in oncogenic-addicted advanced NSCLC patients with actionable alterations identified in plasma by ctDNA liquid biopsy assay, InVisionFirst®-Lung. A pooled retrospective analysis was completed of 81 advanced NSCLC patients with all classes of alterations predicting response to current FDA approved drugs: sensitizing common EGFR mutations (78%, n = 63) with T790M (73%, 46/63), ALK / ROS1 gene fusions (17%, n = 14) and BRAF V600E mutations (5%, n = 4). Actionable driver alterations detected in liquid biopsy were confirmed by prior tissue genomic profiling in all patients, and all patients received personalized treatment. Of 82 patients treated with matched targeted therapies, 10% were at first-line, 41% at second-line, and 49% beyond second-line. Acquired T790M at TKI relapse was detected in 73% (46/63) of patients, and all prospective patients (34/46) initiated osimertinib treatment based on ctDNA results. The 3-month DCR was 86% in 81 evaluable patients. The median PFS was of 14.8 months (12.1–22.9m). Baseline ctDNA allelic fraction of genomic driver did not correlate with the response rate of personalized treatment (p = 0.29). ctDNA molecular profiling is an accurate and reliable tool for the detection of clinically relevant molecular alterations in advanced NSCLC patients. Clinical outcomes with targeted therapies endorse the use of liquid biopsy by amplicon-based NGS ctDNA analysis in first line and relapse testing for advanced NSCLC patients.

0931 Parenting Stress Can Be Predicted by Parent and Child Sleep, and Can Be Reduced by an Intervention Targeting Child Sleep in Vulnerable Families

Introduction

Studies suggest that family intervention programs should consider different sources of parenting stress (PS). Knowing that child sleep has an impact on PS, this study aimed to examine if a child sleep intervention can affect PS in vulnerable families.

Methods

In a first study, parent and child sleep habits along with PS were assessed using Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and homemade questions assessing child sleep. Measures were administered to 138 community mothers (children 3-79 months). Multiple linear regression analyses examined mothers and child sleep associations to PS, controlled by family income. Following results of this first study, 11 vulnerable mothers (children 39-68 months) participated in a child sleep intervention specifically developed for vulnerable families. Measures administered were the same as for study 1, but in this study, the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire was used to assess the child sleep. Wilcoxon’s t-test compared pre and post-intervention measures.

Results

In the first study, sleep onset latency (SOL; β= -.25; p= .003), waketime (β= -.28; p= .003) and sleep aids (β= -.19; p= .048) explained 23.6% of PS variance. When child sleep variables were added to the model, only bedtime resistance was significant (β= -.23; p= .023) and increased the explained variance to 30.6%. Following the child sleep intervention, no significant changes in parent sleep were observed. However, results show improvement of child bedtime resistance (Mpre=10.73; Mpost=8.36; p= .027) and PS (Mpre=3.50; Mpost=3.82; p= .05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that higher PS is explained by greater struggles in parents sleep (higher SOL, later waketime and higher use of sleep aids) as well as bedtime resistance behaviors in children. Furthermore, PS can be reduced by an intervention improving child bedtime resistance, even if parent sleep is not improved.

Support

 

0938 Sleep, Perfectionism and Cognitive Anxiety in Sports: An Exploratory Study

Introduction

Perfectionism has been related to cognitive anxiety in sports. The bidirectional association between sleep and anxiety has also been well studied. However, the relationship between sleep habits, anxiety and perfectionism in physically active young individuals hasn’t been documented yet. This was the objective of the present study.

Methods

150 young, physically active participants (10 to 18 years old; 47% boys, 51% girls) completed an online survey comprised of questions extracted from the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R and the Adolescent Sleep Habits Survey. First, independent t-tests were conducted to compare sleep habits, personal standards (PS), perceived parental pressure (PPP) and perceived coach pressure (PCP) of more anxious (ANX) to less anxious (NOANX) participants. Then, stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were computed to examine the significant sleep habits and perfectionism variables associations with competitive cognitive anxiety.

Results

Results show that ANX participants have higher PS (t(148)=3.19, p=0.002), less total sleep time on weekend (TST; t(148)=-2.94, p=0.004), longer sleep onset latency (SOL) on weeknights (t(128.09)=2.28, p=0.03) and report more daytime sleepiness (t(148)=3.06, p=0.003) compared to NOANX participants. The significant sleep variables and PS collectively explained 17.7% of competitive cognitive anxiety variance (p=0.00). PS was the largest predictor (β=0.27, p=0.00), followed by daytime sleepiness (β=0.21, p=0.007), weekend TST (β=-0.17, p=0.023) and weeknight SOL (β=0.16, p=.038).

Conclusion

These results suggest that, even though PS is associated with cognitive anxiety, sleep seem to be an important factor to consider. Specifically, increased daytime sleepiness accompanied by difficulties falling asleep during school nights and no recovery sleep during weekends significantly contribute to competitive cognitive anxiety. These results could have important implications when addressing competitive anxiety issues in young athletes.

Support

N/A

0933 Preschoolers Sleep Explains Parent Cognitions and Parenting Behaviors

Introduction

Children sleep is influenced by biological and socio-environmental factors. The contribution of various bedtime practices on child sleep is now well established. Emerging literature now seeks to understand the influence of more general parenting practices on child sleep. Thus, the current study examined how perceived children needs and parenting behaviors are associated with children sleep.

Methods

In a first study, 88 mothers (children 2-71 months) recruited during community activities completed the Child’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire, as well as a questionnaire regarding child needs (CN) and parents response to those needs (RN). Multiple linear regression analyses examined child sleep associations first to CN and then to RN, controlled by the child developmental score. Following this first study, 12 vulnerable mothers (children 39-68 months) participated in a child sleep intervention specifically developed for vulnerable families. The same measures were administered and Wilcoxon t-tests were calculated to compared pre and post intervention scores.

Results

Daytime sleepiness (β=.26, p=.008), sleep anxiety (β=.29, p=.007) and children cognitive development (β=-.32, p=.008) explained 31,6% of CN variance. Daytime sleepiness (β=.26, p=.03), and bedtime routine (β=-.68, p=.00), explained 20,8% of RN variance. Following the child sleep intervention, no change in CN were obtained, but a significant improvement in RN was found (Mpre=5.28 ± 1.60, Mpost=4.33 ± .65, p=.045).

Conclusion

Results suggest that parents perceived more needs in their child when they present higher daytime sleepiness, higher sleep anxiety and cognitive developmental difficulties. On the other hand, parents have more difficulty responding to their child needs when they see sleepiness in their child or struggle with bedtime routine. A child sleep intervention does not seem to change the perception of child needs but have a positive impact on the parent response to those needs.

Support

 

Metabolic profiling of a chronic kidney disease cohort reveals metabolic phenotype more likely to benefit from a probiotic

SCOPE

Persistent reduction in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a hallmark of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and is associated with an elevation of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). This metabolomics pilot study sought to identify metabolites that differentiated patients with CKD whose BUN decreased on a probiotic and possible mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Metabolomics was used to analyze baseline plasma samples previously diagnosed with CKD Stage III-IV. Patients had participated in a dose escalation study of the probiotic Renadyl™. A total of 24 samples were categorized depending on whether BUN increased or decreased from baseline after 4 months of probiotic use. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze the data and determine the metabolites that best differentiated the phenotypic groups. The sixteen patients who had a decrease in BUN were not significantly different based on demographic and clinical measures from those whose BUN increased or did not change with the exception of age. Eleven of the fourteen metabolites that differentiated the groups were known to be modulated by gut microflora, which may eventually provide a mechanistic link between probiotic and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolomics revealed metabolites at baseline that may predict individuals with CKD that would most benefit from a probiotics.

Metabolomics Reveals New Mechanisms for Pathogenesis in Barth Syndrome and Introduces Novel Roles for Cardiolipin in Cellular Function

Barth Syndrome is the only known Mendelian disorder of cardiolipin remodeling, with characteristic clinical features of cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, and neutropenia. While the primary biochemical defects of reduced mature cardiolipin and increased monolysocardiolipin are well-described, much of the downstream biochemical dysregulation has not been uncovered, and biomarkers are limited. In order to further expand upon the knowledge of the biochemical abnormalities in Barth Syndrome, we analyzed metabolite profiles in plasma from a cohort of individuals with Barth Syndrome compared to age-matched controls via 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A clear distinction between metabolite profiles of individuals with Barth Syndrome and controls was observed, and was defined by an array of metabolite classes including amino acids and lipids. Pathway analysis of these discriminating metabolites revealed involvement of mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial biochemical pathways including: insulin regulation of fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, biogenic amine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling, and tRNA biosynthesis. Taken together, this data indicates broad metabolic dysregulation in Barth Syndrome with wide cellular effects.

Methodology to study polymers interaction by surface plasmon resonance imaging

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique has been primarily used in the field of biology, in particular for the study of antibody-antigen interactions. Recently, polymers were introduced to form inclusion complexes.

We describe here, a methodology based on surface plasmon resonance imaging to study water-resistant and reversible inclusion complexes using systems which are compatible with a cosmetic use. The purpose of this study is to follow in real time the interaction between two polymers.

To carry out this study:

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A biochip based on a covalent binding of one “host polymer” on a gold-activated surface was developed.

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The binding of the host polymer to a guest polymer was monitored.

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The presence of interactions between the β-cyclodextrins groups of the host polymer and the adamantyl functional groups of the guest polymer and the possibility of dissociating the complex were established.

This technique allowed carrying out parallel assays for optimizing the amount of complexes formed, the host polymer being spotted at five concentrations. It was then possible to study the influence of the concentration in host system for two concentrations of the guest polymer. The concentration in the host polymer yielding the highest immobilization of the guest system was further determined.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition: overview of the therapeutic use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and direct renin inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy in hypertensive diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, or normoalbuminuria has been repeatedly shown to improve cardiovascular mortality and reduce the decline in glomerular filtration rate. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade in normotensive diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria cannot be advocated at present. Dual RAAS inhibition with ACE inhibitors plus ARBs or ACE inhibitors plus direct renin inhibitors has failed to improve cardiovascular or renal outcomes but has predisposed patients to serious adverse events.