When Helping Hurts: Nonabusing Family, Friends, and Neighbors in the Lives of Elder Mistreatment Victims

Research conducted by the NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) at Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues found that concerned persons experience significant distress knowing about elder abuse and trying to assist victims. Data will be presented from a nationally representative survey which included items on concerned persons in elder abuse. Thirty-one percent of all respondents reported that they had a relative or friend who experienced elder abuse; of these, 61% had attempted to help the victim and over 80% reported the experience is very or extremely stressful (2017). By both knowing about and becoming involved in elder abuse situations, concerned persons experience significant emotional and practical problems and often need professional help. NYCEAC’s Elder Abuse Helpline for Concerned Persons is the first of its kind in the country. The Helpline’s services and structure will be explained, and possibilities for replication in other locations will be explored.

Sodium Ingestion Improves Groundstroke Performance in Nationally-Ranked Tennis Players: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

This study examined the dose-response effects of ingesting different sodium concentrations on markers of hydration and tennis skill. Twelve British nationally-ranked tennis players (age: 21.5 ± 3.1 years; VO_2peak: 45.5 ± 4.4 ml^.kg^.min^-1) completed four identical in-door tennis training sessions in a cluster randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Twenty-minutes prior to each training session, participants consumed a 250 ml sodium-containing beverage (10, 20, 50 mmol/L) or a placebo (0 mmol/L), and continued to consume 1,000 ml of the same beverage at set periods during the 1-h training session. Tennis groundstroke and serve performance, agility, urine osmolality, fluid loss, sodium sweat loss and perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thirst, and gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort) were assessed. Results showed that ingesting 50 mmol/L sodium reduced urine osmolality (-119 mOsmol/kg; p = 0.037) and improved groundstroke performance (5.4; p < 0.001) compared with placebo. This was associated with a reduction in RPE (-0.42; p = 0.029), perception of thirst (-0.58; p = 0.012), and GI discomfort (-0.55; p = 0.019) during the 50 mmol/L trial compared with placebo. Linear trend analysis showed that ingesting greater concentrations of sodium proportionately reduced urine osmolality (β = -147 mOsmol/kg; p = 0.007) and improved groundstroke performance (β = 5.6; p < 0.001) in a dose response manner. Perceived thirst also decreased linearly as sodium concentration increased (β = -0.51; p = 0.044). There was no evidence for an effect of sodium consumption on fluid loss, sweat sodium loss, serve or agility performance (p > 0.05). In conclusion, consuming 50 mmol/L of sodium before and during a 1-h tennis training session reduced urine osmolality and improved groundstroke performance in nationally-ranked tennis players. There was also evidence of dose response effects, showing that ingesting greater sodium concentrations resulted in greater improvements in groundstroke performance. The enhancement in tennis skill may have resulted from an attenuation of symptomologic distracters associated with hypohydration, such as RPE, thirst and GI discomfort.

Feasibility of a novel exercise prehabilitation programme in patients scheduled for elective colorectal surgery: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background and objectives

To investigate the feasibility of delivering a functional exercise-based prehabilitation intervention and its effects on postoperative length of hospital stay, preoperative physical functioning and health-related quality of life in elective colorectal surgery.

Materials and methods

In this randomised controlled feasibility trial, 22 elective colorectal surgery patients were randomly assigned to exercise prehabilitation (n = 11) or standard care (n = 11). Feasibility of delivering the intervention was assessed based on recruitment and compliance to the intervention. Impact on postoperative length of hospital stay and complications, preoperative physical functioning (timed up and go test, five times sit to stand, stair climb test, handgrip dynamometry and 6-min walk test) and health-related quality of life were also assessed.

Results

Over 42% of patients (84/198) screened were deemed ineligible for prehabilitation due to insufficient time existing prior to scheduled surgery. Of those who were eligible, approximately 18% consented to the trial. Median length of hospital stay was 8 [range 6–27] and 10 [range 5–12] days respectively for the standard care and prehabilitation groups. Patterns towards preoperative improvements for the timed up and go test, stair climb test and 6-min walk test were observed for all participants receiving prehabilitation but not standard care.

Conclusions

Despite prehabilitation appearing to convey positive benefits on physical functioning, short surgical wait times and patient engagement represent major obstacles to implementing exercise prehabilitation programmes in colorectal cancer patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-019-05098-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Glutaredoxin-2 controls cardiac mitochondrial dynamics and energetics in mice, and protects against human cardiac pathologies

Glutaredoxin 2 (GRX2), a mitochondrial glutathione-dependent oxidoreductase, is central to glutathione homeostasis and mitochondrial redox, which is crucial in highly metabolic tissues like the heart. Previous research showed that absence of Grx2, leads to impaired mitochondrial complex I function, hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy in mice but the impact on mitochondrial structure and function in intact cardiomyocytes and in humans has not been explored. We hypothesized that Grx2 controls cardiac mitochondrial dynamics and function in cellular and mouse models, and that low expression is associated with human cardiac dysfunction. Here we show that Grx2 absence impairs mitochondrial fusion, ultrastructure and energetics in primary cardiomyocytes and cardiac tissue. Moreover, provision of the glutathione precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to Grx2-/- mice did not restore glutathione redox or prevent impairments. Using genetic and histopathological data from the human Genotype-Tissue Expression consortium we demonstrate that low GRX2 is associated with fibrosis, hypertrophy, and infarct in the left ventricle. Altogether, GRX2 is important in the control of cardiac mitochondrial structure and function, and protects against human cardiac pathologies.

Comparison of Kaposi Sarcoma Risk in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Adults Across 5 Continents: A Multiregional Multicohort Study

BACKGROUND

We compared Kaposi sarcoma (KS) risk in adults who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) across the Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Europe, Latin, and North America.

METHODS

We included cohort data of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults who started ART after 1995 within the framework of 2 large collaborations of observational HIV cohorts. We present incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs).

RESULTS

We included 208140 patients from 57 countries. Over a period of 1066572 person-years, 2046 KS cases were diagnosed. KS incidence rates per 100000 person-years were 52 in the Asia-Pacific and ranged between 180 and 280 in the other regions. KS risk was 5 times higher in South African women (aHR, 4.56; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.73-7.62) than in their European counterparts, and 2 times higher in South African men (2.21; 1.34-3.63). In Europe, Latin, and North America KS risk was 6 times higher in men who have sex with men (aHR, 5.95; 95% CI, 5.09-6.96) than in women. Comparing patients with current CD4 cell counts ≥700 cells/µL with those whose counts were <50 cells/µL, the KS risk was halved in South Africa (aHR, 0.53; 95% CI, .17-1.63) but reduced by ≥95% in other regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite important ART-related declines in KS incidence, men and women in South Africa and men who have sex with men remain at increased KS risk, likely due to high human herpesvirus 8 coinfection rates. Early ART initiation and maintenance of high CD4 cell counts are essential to further reducing KS incidence worldwide, but additional measures might be needed, especially in Southern Africa.

Developing the science and methods of community engagement for genomic research and biobanking in Africa

Historically, community engagement (CE) in research has been implemented in the fields of public health, education and agricultural development. In recent years, international discussions on the ethical and practical goals of CE have been extended to human genomic research and biobanking, particularly in the African context. While there is some consensus on the goals and value of CE generally, questions remain about the effectiveness of CE practices and how to evaluate this. Under the auspices of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Initiative (H3Africa), the H3Africa CE working group organized a workshop in Stellenbosch, South Africa in March 2016 to explore the extent to which communities should be involved in genomic research and biobanking and to examine various methods of evaluating the effectiveness of CE. In this paper, we present the key themes that emerged from the workshop and make a case for the development of a rigorous application, evaluation and learning around approaches for CE that promote a more systematic process of engaging relevant communities. We highlight the key ways in which CE should be embedded into genomic research and biobanking projects.

Using a bespoke situated digital kiosk to encourage user participation in healthcare environment design

Involving users through participation in healthcare service and environment design is growing. Existing approaches and toolkits for practitioners and researchers are often paper based involving workshops and other more traditional design approaches such as paper prototyping. The advent of digital technology provides the opportunity to explore new platforms for user participation. This paper presents results from three studies that used a bespoke situated user participation digital kiosk, engaging 33 users in investigating healthcare environment design. The studies, from primary and secondary care settings, allowed participant feedback on each environment and proved a novel, engaging "21st century" way to participate in the appraisal of the design process. The results point toward this as an exciting and growing area of research in developing not just a new method of user participation but also the technology that supports it. Limitations were noted in terms of data validity and engagement with the device. To guide the development of user participation using similar situated digital devices, key lessons and reflections are presented.

Abstract P3-17-05: Claudin-4 expression is associated with disease free survival in breast carcinoma in situ: Mean follow up of 8.2 years

Introduction: Claudins are tight junction molecules that have been associated with breast cancer prognosis. The claudin-low intrinsic subtype of invasive carcinoma was recently described and associated with high grade carcinoma, low junction molecules expression and worse response to chemotherapy. However, it is not known whether the expression of claudins may provide clues as to carcinoma in situ prognosis. The aim of study was evaluate the association between claudin–4 expression and disease-free survival and histologic type of local recurrence in carcinoma in situ after longer follow up.

Methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) block was constructed from 137 pure carcinoma in situ paraffin blocks sampled from patients treated from 1999 to 2009. The TMA was submitted to immunohistochemical staining for claudin-4. A claudin-4 score calculated based on percentage and intensity of expression, categorized samples as: claudin-4-low or claudin–4-high. Clinical data, treatment data, local recurrence data and survival of each patient were reanalyzed from medical records. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze disease-free survival; qui-square and Fisher test were employed to compare others variables; a significance level of 5 % was used.

Results: Claudin-4 expression was evaluated in 86 samples, 88.4% were claudin-4-high and 11.6% claudin-4-low. Mean follow up was 8.2 years ( and local recurrence rate was 10.5 %. There was significant difference in the disease-free survival between claudin-4-high and claudin-4-low (4.9 x 1.9 respectively, p= 0.02); however there was no difference between both in histologic type of recurrence, invasive or in situ (p=0.44).

Conclusion: In our samples, claudin-4-high expression in carcinoma in situ was more frequent than low expression. Our data showed that claudin-4-low expression had a worse prognosis in carcinomas in situ (inferior disease-free survival) but it was similar to claudin-4-high in histologic type of local recurrence.

Citation Format: Duarte GM, Almeida NR, Tocchet F, Espinola J, Pinto T, Barreto CT, Pinto GA, Soares FA, Marshall P, Paiva GR. Claudin-4 expression is associated with disease free survival in breast carcinoma in situ: Mean follow up of 8.2 years [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-17-05.

Development and assessment of inter- and intra-rater reliability of a novel ultrasound tool for scoring tendon and sheath disease - A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Tendon and synovial sheath disease is common. A method of monitoring the status of tendons and sheaths is important for both diagnosis of pathology and evaluation of the efficacy of treatments. For this study, an ultrasound scoring tool was developed and its reliability tested between raters. The tool is novel in that it scores tendons and sheaths separately, an important consideration since disorders of these structures are not necessarily concurrent.

METHODS

Thirty diseased tendons and sheaths were included in this pilot cross-sectional study. Tendon and sheath measurements were taken and the semi-quantitative five-grade score was applied to assess tendon greyscale, tendon Doppler activity and sheath Doppler activity. Inter-rater and intra-rater agreement exercises were undertaken to test the reliability of the scoring tool.

RESULTS

The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient values for both the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability tests showed excellent agreement for the tendon and sheath measurements. Unweighted kappa estimations for inter-rater scores showed excellent agreement for tendon Doppler; good agreement was shown for scoring sheath Doppler, while poor agreement was shown for tendon grey-scale scoring. The intra-rater reliability scores demonstrated similar results.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the study strongly supports the use of this scoring tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of tendon and sheath disorders. The results may be used as a starting point from which to base further work in this important area. Future studies should address the limitations found in this research with a strong focus on improving tendon grey-scale measurement accuracy and agreement.

Abstract P4-01-04: Immunohistochemical and histological features of mammographic dense and non-dense tissue in breast cancer patients

Objective: We investigated immunohistochemical and histological composition of dense and non-dense breast tissue in 18 women undergoing mastectomy as the initial treatment for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In each mammogram, we localized the dense and the non-dense areas. We used a localization technique based on a linear approximation method with interpolation of mammogram images and breast pictures. The selected areas were retrieved during mastectomy and analyzed. Results: Estrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67 and CD-34, were equally expressed in both tissues, as well as the percentage composition of fat. The percentage compositions of brownish spots among dense and non-dense tissues were significantly different (p = 0.0226). The number of terminal ductal lobular units was higher for dense than for non-dense breast tissues (p = 0.0019). In the non-dense breast tissue, there were no proliferative lesions with atypia, while we found flat epithelial atypia in 3 of the dense areas evaluated. Proliferative lesions without atypia and non-proliferative lesions were found in both tissues, but they were more frequent in dense than in non-dense breast tissues (23.5% vs 11.8%, p = 0.0455, and 17.6% vs 2.9%, p = 0.0253, respectively). Fibrosis was more frequently extensive or moderate in dense tissue, while it was predominantly mild in non-dense tissue (p = 0.03). Conclusion: There was no difference in the expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67 and CD-34, in the dense and non-dense tissue areas in breast-cancer women. In addition, both stroma fibrosis and epithelial proliferation were responsible for higher mammographic density.

Citation Format: dos Santos CC, Marshall P, Torresan R, Tinóis E, Duarte G, Teixeira S. Immunohistochemical and histological features of mammographic dense and non-dense tissue in breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-01-04.

Abstract P5-17-10: Claudin -4 expression in carcinoma in situ and its association with local recurrence, clinical and immunohistochemistry characteristics

Introduction: Claudins are tight junction molecules and have been associated to breast cancer prognosis. Claudin-low intrinsic subtype of invasive carcinoma was described recently and has been related to high grade carcinoma, low junction molecules expression and worse chemotherapy response. However, it is unknown whether Claudins expression could be associated to carcinoma in situ prognostic. The aim of this study was evaluated the Claudin – 4 expression in carcinoma in situ and its association with local recurrence, clinical and immunohistochemistry characteristics.

Methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) block was constructed, using region of interesting, with 137 pure carcinoma in situ paraffin blocks of patients treated in the Women 's Hospital Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti – UNICAMP from 1999 to 2009. The TMA was submitted to immunohistochemistry analyze to: Claudin-4, beta-catenin, e-caderin, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER-2 and Ki-67. It was calculated Claudin-4 score based in percentage and intensity of expression and categorized in: Claudin-4 low and Claudin – 4 high. The clinical data, treatment data (surgery, radiotherapy and tamoxifen use), local recurrence data (date and type) and death of each patient were reviewed in the medical records. The statistical analyze used Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test to disease free survival; qui-square and Fisher test to compare others variables; significance level of 5 % was used.

Results: It was possible to evaluate Claudin-4 expression in 86 cases, 88.4% were Claudin-4 high and 11.6% Claudin-4 low. The follow up mean was 69 months and local recurrence rate was 10.5 %. There was no significant difference in local recurrence rate between Claudin-4 high and Claudin-4 low (10.0% x 10.5% , p=1.0).The disease free survival was similar between Claudin-4 low and Claudin-4 high (p=0.559). The Claudin- 4 high was significantly more frequent in beta-catenin positive patients (p=0.048). There was no association significantly between Claudin-4 expression and: age (p=0.66), histology type (p=0.75), surgery (p=0.102), radiotherapy (p=0.29), tamoxifen use (p=0.432), ER (p=0.33), PR (p=1.0), HER-2 (p=0.23) and e-caderin (p=0.21).

Conclusion: Despite the Claudins are related to invasive carcinoma prognosis, our outcome did not show difference in local recurrence and disease free survival between Claudin-4 low and high in carcinoma in situ. The beta-catenin and claudin-4 expressions were significantly associated.

Citation Format: Duarte GM, Toucchet F, Espinola JP, Barreto CR, Paiva Silva GR, Almeida NR, Soares F, Pinto G, Marshall P. Claudin -4 expression in carcinoma in situ and its association with local recurrence, clinical and immunohistochemistry characteristics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-10.

A proteomic approach for the rapid, multi-informative and reliable identification of blood

Blood evidence is frequently encountered at the scene of violent crimes and can provide valuable intelligence in the forensic investigation of serious offences.

Optical clearing in collagen- and proteoglycan-rich osteochondral tissues

OBJECTIVE

Recent developments in optical clearing and microscopy technology have enabled the imaging of intact tissues at the millimeter scale to characterize cells via fluorescence labeling. While these techniques have facilitated the three-dimensional (3D) cellular characterization within brain and heart, study of dense connective tissues of the musculoskeletal system have been largely unexplored. Here, we quantify how optical clearing impacted the cell and tissue morphology of collagen-, proteoglycan-, and mineral-rich cartilage and bone from the articulating knee joint.

METHODS

Water-based fructose solutions were used for optical clearing of bovine osteochondral tissues, followed by imaging with transmission and confocal microscopy. To confirm preservation of tissue structure during the clearing process, samples were mechanically tested in unconfined compression and visualized by cryo-SEM.

RESULTS

Optical clearing enhanced light transmission through cartilage, but not subchondral bone regions. Fluorescent staining and immunolabeling was preserved through sample preparations, enabling imaging to cartilage depths five times deeper than previously reported, limited only by the working distance of the microscope objective. Chondrocyte volume remained unchanged in response to, and upon the reversal, of clearing. Equilibrium modulus increased in cleared samples, and was attributed to exchange of interstitial fluid with the more viscous fructose solution, but returned to control levels upon unclearing. In addition, cryo-SEM-based analysis of cartilage showed no ultrastructural changes.

CONCLUSION

We anticipate large-scale microscopy of diverse connective tissues will enable the study of intact, 3D interfaces (e.g., osteochondral) and cellular connectivity as a function of development, disease, and regeneration, which have been previously hindered by specimen opacity.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery in obese premenopausal women

Post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) has been proposed as a measure of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in apparently healthy adults. We aimed to determine the effects of a lifestyle intervention on HRR among clinically obese premenopausal women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a 3-month non-dieting lifestyle intervention program on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and HRR among healthy clinically obese premenopausal women. Thirty-one were randomly assigned to 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention and 31 served as controls. Sixty-one participants performed a maximal treadmill walking test with metabolic gas exchange. Baseline anthropometric measures were closely related to HRR at 1 min, which may indicate reduced parasympathetic reactivation. Post-exercise HRR at 60 s (HRR60) increased from 21.3 ± 6.2 to 27.8 ± 10.2 bpm in the intervention group compared with a smaller reduction (26.8 ± 12.3 to 24.5 ± 9.9 bpm) in controls (test for interaction P = 0.0001). HRR120 showed a significant effect of time (P = 0.0002) with no significant interaction with lifestyle intervention. A significant increase in VO2 peak was evident in the lifestyle group (21.6 to 23.6 mL/kg/min) compared with a modest reduction in the controls (22.6 to 21.6 mL/kg/min; test for interaction, P = 0.001). Clinically obese healthy premenopausal women achieved significant improvements in HRR60 and VO peak following a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention.

Crime and health: a preliminary study into the effects of crime on the mental health of UK university students

In this paper we report on the findings from a preliminary study in the UK into the effects of crime on health. The aim of the study was to investigate what victims of crime report to be the effects of both actual crime and the fear of crime on their physical and psychological health (as well as social well-being) and what actions they take (if any) to deal with these effects. A survey method was adopted using a modified version of the 'Health, Quality of Life and Crime Questionnaire' with 866 undergraduate student respondents from three UK universities. University students were selected as the sample population because, as a group, they form a specific 'victim community'. Conclusions extrapolated from the respondents' replies were first, there are serious negative health effects (particularly on psychological health) of a considerable minority of those students who are victims of crime. Second, the vast majority of the victims did not initiate any health intervention. Third, a large minority of the victims did not report the crime to the police. Fourth, a majority of both victims and non-victims suffered psychological negative effects from the fear of crime. Fifth, there is a huge gender imbalance among those affected by crime with female students much more fearful of crime than men. Moreover, female students were much more likely to use specific strategies to lower the risk of crime. These conclusions suggest that there may be important policy implications for universities, the police, victim support organizations and mental health services, regarding the effects of crime on students. This study is intended as a preliminary stage for subsequent in-depth and larger projects.

Distinct termination morphologies for vertically aligned carbon nanotube forests

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube forests, including single-walled nanotubes, are imaged optically as they grow in situ from cobalt/alumina catalyst using water-assisted acetylene chemical vapor deposition. Three distinct termination morphologies are identified and investigated optically and via scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative growth dynamics are extracted and show gradual deceleration and sudden termination of growth. The termination morphology is discussed in terms of the balance of forces within the forest. We speculate that sudden termination is a collective effect arising from an imbalance in these forces.

An integrated CMOS high voltage supply for lab-on-a-chip systems

Electrophoresis is a mainstay of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) implementations of molecular biology procedures and is the basis of many medical diagnostics. High voltage (HV) power supplies are necessary in electrophoresis instruments and are a significant part of the overall system cost. This cost of instrumentation is a significant impediment to making LOC technologies more widely available. We believe one approach to overcoming this problem is to use microelectronic technology (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, CMOS) to generate and control the HV. We present a CMOS-based chip (3 mm x 2.9 mm) that generates high voltages (hundreds of volts), switches HV outputs, and is powered by a 5 V input supply (total power of 28 mW) while being controlled using a standard computer serial interface. Microchip electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection is implemented using this HV CMOS chip. With the other advancements made in the LOC community (e.g. micro-fluidic and optical devices), these CMOS chips may ultimately enable 'true' LOC solutions where essentially all the microfluidics, photonics and electronics are on a single chip.

Long-term survival following colon cancer surgery: Variation associated with choice of anesthesia

17015

Background: VA Cooperative Trial 345 randomized patients having abdominal surgery to unsupplemented general anesthesia (UGA) or epidural-supplemented general anesthesia (ESGA). The long-term clinical significance of the type of anesthesia for patients having surgery for colon cancer has not been well studied. We compared survival of patients with colon cancer randomized to ESGA to survival of those randomized to UGA. Methods: Survival of colon cancer patients was not a primary trial end point. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the colon cancer patients in the trial using TNM staging data from patient records. A Cox survival model was used to test the effects of pathological stage, type of anesthesia and other covariates on survival. Results: 177 patients were evaluable. In both trial arms, survival was similar (P = 0.23) until 4.56 years. After 4.56 years, patients assigned to UGA had significantly better survival (P = 0.01). In both trial arms, the survival in patients without metastases was similar initially, but those who received UGA had significantly better survival later. A similar statistically significant pattern was evident in patients with metastases. The long-term survival benefit of UGA was even more pronounced among patients with metastases and a diagnosis of alcoholism. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that ESGA may worsen long-term survival in colon cancer patients, especially those with metastases and alcoholism. Epidural anesthesia affects visceral blood flow, immunological parameters, post-operative pain and other physiological variables, which could explain these findings. Additional studies to confirm or refute these unexpected findings are warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The relaxation of OH (v=1) and OD (v=1) by H2O and D2O at temperatures from 251 to 390 K

We report rate coefficients for the relaxation of OH(v=1) and OD(v=1) by H2O and D2O as a function of temperature between 251 and 390 K. All four rate coefficients exhibit a negative dependence on temperature. In Arrhenius form, the rate coefficients for relaxation (in units of 10(-12) cm3 molecule-1 s-1) can be expressed as: for OH(v=1)+H2O between 263 and 390 K: k=(2.4+/-0.9) exp((460+/-115)/T); for OH(v=1)+D2O between 256 and 371 K: k=(0.49+/-0.16) exp((610+/-90)/T); for OD(v=1)+H2O between 251 and 371 K: k=(0.92+/-0.16) exp((485+/-48)/T); for OD(v=1)+D2O between 253 and 366 K: k=(2.57+/-0.09) exp((342+/-10)/T). Rate coefficients at (297+/-1 K) are also reported for the relaxation of OH(v=2) by D2O and the relaxation of OD(v=2) by H2O and D2O. The results are discussed in terms of a mechanism involving the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes in which intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution can occur at rates competitive with re-dissociation to the initial collision partners in their original vibrational states. New ab initio calculations on the H2O-HO system have been performed which, inter alia, yield vibrational frequencies for all four complexes: H2O-HO, D2O-HO, H2O-DO and D2O-DO. These data are then employed, adapting a formalism due to Troe (J. Troe, J. Chem. Phys., 1977, 66, 4758), in order to estimate the rates of intramolecular energy transfer from the OH (OD) vibration to other modes in the complexes in order to explain the measured relaxation rates-assuming that relaxation proceeds via the hydrogen-bonded complexes.

The mouse dystrophin muscle promoter/enhancer drives expression of mini-dystrophin in transgenic mdx mice and rescues the dystrophy in these mice

Successful gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) requires the restoration of dystrophin protein in skeletal muscles. To achieve this goal, appropriate regulatory elements that impart tissue-specific transgene expression need to be identified. Currently, most muscle-directed gene therapy studies utilize the muscle creatine kinase promoter. We have previously described a muscle enhancer element (mDME-1) derived from the mouse dystrophin gene that increases transcription from the mouse dystrophin muscle promoter. Here, we explore the use of this native mouse dystrophin muscle promoter/enhancer to drive expression of a human dystrophin minigene in transgenic mice. We show that the dystrophin promoter can provide tissue-specific transgene expression and that the mini-dystrophin protein is expressed at the sarcolemma of skeletal muscles from mdx mice, where it restores the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. The level of transgene expression obtained is sufficient to protect mdx muscles from the morphological and physiological symptoms of muscular dystrophy, as well as from exercise-induced damage. Therefore, the dystrophin muscle promoter/enhancer sequence represents an alternative for use in gene therapy vectors for the treatment of DMD.

Incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients (pts) treated with immunomodulating agents (IMiDs)

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Introduction: We recently reported the clinical activity of IMiDs (both thalidomide (T) and lenalidomide (L)) in pts with CLL. VTE is a commonly reported complication of these agents requiring prophylaxis. Most available information is in pts treated for multiple myeloma (MM), a disease with a high baseline incidence of VTE. To determine whether the incidence of IMiDs associated VTE is similar in CLL pts we reviewed all CLL pts treated with IMiDs at our institute. Method: All CLL pts treated at our institute with T or L either alone or in combination with other antileukemic agents such as rituximab (R) or fludarabine (F)) were evaluable for this analysis. All pts were treated on IRB approved clinical trials and signed informed consent. Prophylaxis for VTE was recorded. Dose range for T was 100–300mg/day, while that of L was 5–25mg/day. Results: To date a total of 55 pts (35 on L and 20 on T) are treated with IMiDs at our center. All pts treated with L received single agent L while those treated with T received concurrent F (FT). All T treated pts also received low-dose warfarin (1 or 2 mg for body weight ≤ or > than 70 kg respectively) for VTE prophylaxis. No prophylaxis was given to L treated pts. VTE was noted in 2 (6%) pts on L and 2 (10%) on FT. Thus the cumulative incidence of IMiDs associated VTE in CLL pts at our center was 7% (4/55). Conclusion: VTE is a known side effect of IMiDs. Its incidence in CLL treated pts is unknown. Our experience with both T and L in CLL pts suggest that VTE remains a concern in this pt population as well though the incidence may be lower. Three other studies investigated T either alone (n=28)1, with F (n=18)2 or with dexamethasone/cyclophosphamide (n=3)3. Only 1 episode of VTE was reported in these studies.3 Our current analysis failed to reveal any apparent risk factors for VTE in CLL pts treated with IMiDs. Several pts on the L clinical trial continue to be on therapy. Updated results with prolonged L treatment will be presented at the meeting. 1. Kay N et al: ASH 2003 2. Furman RR et al: ASCO 2005 3. Trompeter S et al: IWCLL 2005

[Table: see text]

Casting versus surgical fixation for grade IIIA open tibial diaphysial fractures in children: effect on the rate of infection and the need for secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union

We evaluated 39 grade IIIA open tibial fractures presenting in children younger than 13 years of age, to determine if the mode of fracture stabilization (casting vs. surgical fixation) was related to the rate of infection or the need for secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union. All fractures had wound debridement in the operating room. Thirty patients had manipulation and casting, and nine surgical internal or external fixation. There were two cases of infection in the cast-treated group and two in the surgical fixation group (P=0.17). None of the fractures required a secondary surgical procedure to promote bone union. Three of the fractures treated by manipulation and casting displaced; two required re-manipulation and casting and one was converted to external fixation. In two cases the applied external fixator had to be re-aligned. Our results suggest that manipulation and casting is a reliable treatment for open tibial fractures in children.

Caesarean section in a patient with cystic fibrosis

Severely impaired pulmonary function due to cystic fibrosis is associated with a poor pregnancy outcome. A 19-year-old primigravida with cystic fibrosis had a forced expiratory volume in one second 34% of predicted and a low body mass index of 17.1 kg/m(2) before pregnancy. During pregnancy she required several admissions to hospital for deteriorating pulmonary function due to infection. She also developed gestational diabetes and required overnight feeding via a gastrostomy tube throughout pregnancy to improve her nutritional status. With close medical attention, pulmonary function tests remained stable. A joint decision was made to deliver the baby by caesarean section at 33 weeks' gestation as this was considered optimal time for mother and baby and to avoid potential catastrophic pulmonary deterioration later in pregnancy. A combined spinal-epidural technique provided adequate anaesthesia. Pulmonary function tests were performed in theatre before and after the spinal injection, as well as two and five hours postoperatively. Despite a spinal anaesthetic block to T5 bilaterally, lung function tests remained stable. An epidural infusion provided good postoperative analgesia. The outcome was successful for mother and fetus.

The mouse dystrophin muscle enhancer-1 imparts skeletal muscle, but not cardiac muscle, expression onto the dystrophin Purkinje promoter in transgenic mice

A subset of patients harboring mutations in the dystrophin gene suffer from X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy (XLCM), a familial heart disease that is not accompanied by any clinical signs of skeletal muscle myopathy. As the muscle (M) isoform of dystrophin is not expressed in these patients, the absence of skeletal muscle symptoms has been attributed to expression of the brain (B) and cerebellar Purkinje (CP) isoforms of dystrophin in skeletal, but not cardiac, muscles of XLCM patients. The compensatory mechanism of dystrophin B and CP promoter upregulation is not known but it has been suggested that the dystrophin muscle enhancer from intron 1, DME-1, may be important in this activity. Previous studies have shown that the presence of the DME-1 is essential for a significant increase in dystrophin B and CP promoter activity in skeletal muscle cells in culture. Here, we demonstrate that the mouse dystrophin CP promoter drives expression of a lacZ reporter gene specifically to the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer but not to skeletal or cardiac muscle of transgenic mice. However, if the mouse counterpart of DME-1 is present in the transgene construct, the dystrophin CP promoter is now activated in skeletal muscle, but not in cardiac muscle. Our findings provide in vivo evidence for the importance of the dystrophin muscle enhancer sequences in activating the dystrophin CP promoter in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, they provide support for the model in which muscle enhancers, like DME-1, activate the dystrophin B and CP promoters in skeletal muscle, but not in cardiac muscle, of XLCM patients.

The validity and reliability of surface EMG to assess the neuromuscular response of the abdominal muscles to rapid limb movement

The transversus abdominus muscle (TrA) has been demonstrated to be active prior to rapid movements of the upper and lower limbs. This activity is termed feed forward motivation. The lack of feed-forward activation for TrA has been demonstrated in subjects with low back pain. The measures used for investigation of TrA function have been fine-wire needle EMG. This limits the practical application of TrA study due to the cost and level of specialisation required for this technique. The objective of the current study was to investigate the validity and reliability of using a surface EMG site to replicate the findings for the feed-forward activation of TrA prior to rapid limb movement. A population of healthy, young males (n = 20) were studied and it was found that four of the subjects did not meet feed-forward criteria. These results were shown to be highly reliable after a 2-week period for the TrA/IO site only. The validity of the signal was further investigated using several functional tasks to specifically target muscles of the abdominal region. Using a cross-correlation analysis to evaluate crosstalk from adjacent muscles, it was concluded that the signal representing TrA/IO accurately demonstrates the functional activity of the muscle. This study has demonstrated a viable surface EMG method to evaluate the feed-forward activation of TrA/IO prior to rapid limb movement. This may lead to opportunities for the clinical application of this method. It was also a finding of this study that four asymptomatic subjects did not pre-activate, therefore providing a rationale for future prospective investigations on whether the lack of TrA/IO feed-forward activation is a cause or an effect of low back pain.

Does balloon mitral valvuloplasty improve cardiac function? A mechanistic investigation into impact on exercise capacity

Procedural technical success of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) is indicated by an increase in valve area and a reduction in transvalvar gradient, but there are conflicting results regarding whether these indicators correlate with subsequent improvements in exercise capacity. We conducted a study to explore the effects of valvuloplasty on cardiac function to gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for the impact on exercise ability. Sixteen patients with mitral stenosis participated in the study and the five who did not proceed to valvuloplasty served as the control group. All patients performed maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests before and 6 weeks after valvuloplasty (without valvuloplasty in controls). Central haemodynamics including cardiac output were measured non-invasively at rest and peak exercise. At baseline, the cardiopulmonary exercise test results were similar in the two groups. Following valvuloplasty, cardiac output did not alter at rest, but increased significantly at peak exercise (8.7+/-1.7 to 10.5+/-2.1 l min(-1), P<0.01), as did peak cardiac power output (1.88+/-0.55 to 2.28+/-0.74, P<0.05) and cardiac reserve (1.07+/-0.33 to 1.45+/-0.55 watts, P<0.05). Aerobic exercise capacity improved (13.9+/-4.2 to 16.4+/-4.3 ml kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.01) as did exercise duration (354+/-270 to 500+/-266 s, P<0.01). There were no significant changes in the controls. There was a significant correlation between the changes in peak VO(2) and changes in cardiac reserve (r=0.62, P<0.01) but not with changes in resting haemodynamics. These changes did not correlate with changes in peri-procedural mitral valve haemodynamics, despite increases in mitral valve area from 1.05+/-0.16 to 1.74+/-0.4 cm(2) (P<0.0001), accompanied by falls in the transvalvar gradient and pulmonary artery pressure (12.4+/-4.7 to 4.5+/-3 mmHg, and 26.8+/-8.4 to 17.4+/-5.2 mmHg, respectively, all P<0.0001). In conclusion, we found that successful mitral valvuloplasty in our patient cohort led to improved cardiac and physical functional capacity but not resting haemodynamics. Neither indicators of technical success nor resting haemodynamics were very reliable in predicting functional improvement.

Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs

The diversity, frequency, and scale of human impacts on coral reefs are increasing to the extent that reefs are threatened globally. Projected increases in carbon dioxide and temperature over the next 50 years exceed the conditions under which coral reefs have flourished over the past half-million years. However, reefs will change rather than disappear entirely, with some species already showing far greater tolerance to climate change and coral bleaching than others. International integration of management strategies that support reef resilience need to be vigorously implemented, and complemented by strong policy decisions to reduce the rate of global warming.

Ultrasound grading of cerebral ventricular dilatation in preterm neonates

OBJECTIVE

To compare three grading systems previously described for the measurement of cerebral ventricular dilatation in preterm neonates using ultrasound scans and then to compare these with expert clinical judgement.

METHODS

Eighty-one preterm neonates <1500 g birthweight or < 32 weeks' gestation, with normal, mild, moderate or severely dilated ventricles recorded predominantly during the first 2 weeks of life were selected to ensure a broad representation of ventricular size. Their cranial ultrasound scans obtained nearest to 6 weeks of age were studied. The ventricular index, the diagonal width in the coronal plane and the ventricular height in the parasagittal plane were measured adjacent to the foramen of Monro and were used to grade the degree of dilatation. In 20 of these neonates, this grading was compared with grading based on expert clinical judgement.

RESULTS

Grading according to the ventricular index defined 79% of the scans as normal. However, only 44% and 39% were considered to be normal according to vertical height and diagonal width, respectively. There was a high level of correlation between expert clinical judgement and grading based on ventricular height measurement (r = 0.812; area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve = 0.922) and the diagonal width (r = 0.806; area under ROC curve = 0.935). Ventricular index correlated poorly with clinical judgement (r = 0.298; area under ROC curve = 0.604).

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of ventricular height and the measurement of diagonal width correlated well with expert clinical judgement. The ventricular index correlated poorly and was less sensitive to mild dilatation. There was no correlation between the ventricular index and the other two measures. The ventricular height and the diagonal width are more appropriate for assessing ventricular dilatation in preterm neonates.

A mechanistic investigation of ACE inhibitor dose effects on aerobic exercise capacity in heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors at high doses have been shown to improve prognosis of heart failure patients. Their beneficial effects on exercise capacity have been less convincing in large parallel group studies. The objective of this investigation was to explore the mechanisms involved in dose-related functional effects and to test the hypothesis that a trial recommended high dose of lisinopril would improve aerobic exercise capacity and cardiovascular function more than with a low dose.

METHODS

Twelve patients with symptomatic heart failure completed a randomized double-blind crossover trial of lisinopril 5 mg o.d. and 20 mg o.d. for 24 weeks, crossing over the doses at 12 weeks. The primary end-point was aerobic exercise capacity, and the secondary end-points were cardiac performance at peak exercise and dobutamine stimulation.

RESULTS

The aerobic exercise capacity (primary end-point) was significantly higher during the 5mg per day dosage compared to the 20 mg (1696 vs 1578 ml.min(-1), P=0.016), equivalent to a rise of 1.53 ml.kg(-1)min(-1) from the 19.6 ml.kg(-1)min(-1) with 20mg when normalized by body weight. Seventy-three percent of patients showed greater peak oxygen consumption and peak cardiac power output with the 5mg per day dose than the 20 mg, and none showed the opposite. In terms of cardiac performance, although the results were not statistically significant, there was a consistent pattern showing the same directional changes in favour of the lower dose in peak exercise cardiac power output and cardiac power output at maximal dobutamine. There were no significant differences in the resting values. A total of 24 adverse reactions were reported during the 5 mg phase compared to 38 during the 20 mg phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to expectation, the aerobic exercise capacity of patients was found to be greater with the lower dose of lisinopril, suggesting that therapy with ACE inhibitors for heart failure may require tailoring the doses to the individual to optimize functional benefits in relation to the assumed prognostic benefits.

Mouse dystrophin enhancer preferentially targets lacZ expression in skeletal and cardiac muscle

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a muscle wasting disease that results from a dystrophin deficiency in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Studies concerning the regulatory elements that govern dystrophin gene expression in skeletal and/or cardiac muscle in both mouse and human have identified a promoter and an enhancer located in intron 1. In transgenic mice, the muscle promoter alone targets the expression of a lacZ reporter gene only to the right ventricle of the heart, suggesting the need for other regulatory elements to target skeletal muscle and the rest of the heart. Here we report that the mouse dystrophin enhancer from intron 1 can target the expression of a lacZ reporter gene in skeletal muscle as well as in other heart compartments of transgenic mice. Our results also suggest that sequences surrounding the mouse dystrophin enhancer may affect its function throughout mouse development.

Common medical terminology comes of age, Part Two: Current code and terminology sets--strengths and weaknesses

A number of clinical coding and vocabulary schemes are in use in healthcare enterprises today. Most of them are weak in light of the qualities that characterize adequate controlled medical terminologies, as outlined in Part One of this review. Here we look at the major code and terminology sets with a critical eye, as well as suggest practical steps to enable health industry information system purchasers and users to move forward with their effort to use common terminology to improve the quality, service, and knowledge in their enterprise.

Newspaper reporting of screening mammography

BACKGROUND

Continuing controversy surrounds screening mammography, particularly for women 40 to 49 years of age. Newspapers are potentially important sources of information on this topic, but it is not known whether they provide well-founded and objective information and recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

To examine how screening mammography is reported in newspapers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

SETTING

6 top-circulation U.S. newspapers, 1990 to 1997.

MEASUREMENTS

Number of articles about screening mammography, issues covered by the articles, information sources, content and sources of quotes, recommendations cited in articles, and presentation of risks and benefits.

RESULTS

The most common theme of newspaper articles about mammography was screening for women 40 to 49 years of age. Thirty-one percent of the articles presented information without citing a source or justification. Quotes and recommendations in the articles were approximately twice as likely to support as to express reservations about mammography for women aged 40 to 49 years. Recommendations changed little over time and rarely reflected changes in recommendations of national organizations. Of the 102 articles describing the benefits of mammography, 95% expressed them in relative terms and 11% expressed them in absolute terms.

CONCLUSIONS

Newspapers tended to overrepresent support for screening mammography for women aged 40 to 49 years. Reports would have been improved by identification of all sources for information cited, less reliance on relatively few sources, and discussion of benefits in absolute as well as relative terms. Medical journalism may benefit from identification of standards similar to those used for reporting medical research.