Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_{target} of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_{target}>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

Assessment of the quality of oral biopsy procedure videos shared on YouTube

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of free-to-access videos on oral biopsy procedures on the YouTube platform.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a search on YouTube using the term "oral biopsy" and selected the first 100 videos in order of relevance. The following exclusion criteria were applied: language other than English, videos that did not cover oral biopsy techniques, videos on nonhuman specimens, postoperative instructions, personal experiences, exfoliative cytology, or "brush biopsy." Forty-seven selected videos were classified based on their duration, country of origin, date of upload to the system, author, information source and number of views, and likes and dislikes. Video quality was analyzed using DISCERN, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI).

RESULTS

The majority (78.7%) of analyzed videos were uploaded by dentists, originating from India (48.9%), with a mean duration of 11.8 min (SD, 20.4), with 104.5 likes (SD, 186.4) and 7.1 dislikes (SD, 10.55). The mean values for DISCERN, GQS, and VIQI were 1.3 (SD, 0.52), 2.1 (SD, 1.04), and 9.62 (SD, 1.69), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The majority of videos on oral biopsy published on YouTube are of low quality.

Effect of Photo-polymerization Delay on the Bond Strength and Microhardness of Dual-polymerizing Resin Cements

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

To fully maximize the potential of dual-polymerizing resin cements, a thorough understanding of how the light- and chemical-polymerizing components interact in a resin system is required. Disorder in the polymerization process between the two components may hurt one of the components versus the other, affecting the overall properties and performance of the resin cements.

PURPOSE

Evaluate photo-polymerization delay time on dentin shear-bond strength and Vickers microhardness of dual-polymerizing resin cements.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Shear bond strength (SBS) of self-adhesive (RelyX Unicem 2, 3M ESPE) and adhesive (RelyX Ultimate, 3M ESPE) dual-polymerizing resin cements were evaluated. Dentin specimens (n=80) were prepared for the SBS test according to ISO standard 29022:2013. Teeth were randomly allocated into eight groups based on the type of cement, and photo-polymerization delay times (0, 2, 5, and 10 minutes). Vickers microhardness test (HV) was performed following ASTM E384-17 (n=32) prepared based on cement type and photo-polymerization delay times; specimens were tested after 24 hours of storage. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA to determine the individual and combined effects of resin cement type and photo-polymerization delay time on SBS and HV.

RESULTS

Resin cement and photo-polymerization delay times for the adhesive cement at 0- and 2-minute pairings had significantly higher SBS means than all other combinations (p<0.0001). Resin cement type was also statistically significant (p<0.0001). Resin cement type and photo-polymerization delay times were not significant (p=0.3550) for HV.

CONCLUSIONS

Photo-polymerization delay time affected dentin SBS with higher bond strength when photo-polymerization delay time was performed between 2 and 5 minutes with a self-adhesive resin cement, and between 0 and 2 minutes with an adhesive resin cement. Delaying photo-polymerization time to 10 minutes led to inferior dentin SBS and HV for both self-adhesive and adhesive dual-polymerizing resin cements.

Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.

The Truthfulness of Nutrition Information in YouTube Cooking Channels

Objectives

To evaluate the truthfulness of nutrition, cooking, or food information in videos from Youtube cooking channels’ recipes/meal preparation demonstrations. Currently, no studies directly evaluate the truthfulness of nutrition information from cooking channels on YouTube, this research aims to fill this gap in knowledge.

Methods

Keywords (mealprep, healthy cooking, recipe, healthy dishes, meals) were selected; Google Trends was used to determine the use of each term. Each keyword was used to select 16 videos for a total of 80 videos. Each channel was evaluated to ensure it qualified as a cooking channel, then sorted into categories (professional chef, nonprofessional cook, home cook, or food media company; each category was sorted into health focused or nonhealth focused) for analysis. Both researchers abstracted content from all videos. Nutrition claims were scored for accuracy & specificity (how detailed the information was) using a tool modeled after the DISCERN tool. In addition, the following indicators of video popularity were collected: number of views, likes, dislikes, comments & subscribers. Truthfulness was assessed using the sum of accuracy and specificity scores of the videos’ nutrition content; higher scores reflect better accuracy, truthfulness, and specificity.

Results

43 of the videos (53.8%) discussed nutrition information. Mean accuracy, specificity, & truthfulness scores were 4.16 of 5, 2.65 of 5, & 6.18 out of 10, respectively. Both truthfulness and specificity were positively (p < 0.05) associated with the number of nutrition concepts noted (r = 0.309; r = 0.375). No associations were found between truthfulness scores and measures of popularity, except for number of subscribers and specificity (r = −0.366; p = 0.05). Upload source was significantly associated with accuracy (p = 0.009) but not truthfulness or specificity. Nonhealth focused professional chefs had a significantly higher mean accuracy than nonhealth focused non-professional cooks (p = 0.036). Nonhealth focused food media companies had a significantly higher mean accuracy score than nonhealth focused non-professional cooks (p = 0.014).

Conclusions

YouTube cooking channels could be reasonable sources for factual nutrition information, but truthfulness can vary based on certain factors.

Funding Sources

Simmons University.

A hepatitis C elimination model in healthcare for the homeless organization: A novel reflexive laboratory algorithm and equity assessment

BACKGROUND

Reaching World Health Organization hepatitis C (HCV) elimination targets requires diagnosis and treatment of people who use drugs (PWUD) with direct acting antivirals (DAAs). PWUD experience challenges engaging in HCV treatment, including needing multiple provider and laboratory appointments. Women, minoritized racial communities, and homeless individuals are less likely to complete treatment.

METHODS

We implemented a streamlined opt-out HCV screening and linkage-to-care program in two healthcare for the homeless clinics and a medically supported withdrawal center. Front-line staff initiated a single-order reflex laboratory bundle combining screening, confirmation, and pre-treatment laboratory evaluation from a single blood draw. Multinomial logistic regression models identified characteristics influencing movement through each stage of the HCV treatment cascade. Multiple logistic regression models identified patient characteristics associated with HCV care cascade progression and Cox proportional hazards models assessed time to initiation of DAAs.

RESULTS

Of 11,035 clients engaged in services between May 2017 and March 2020, 3,607 (32.7%) were screened. Of those screened, 1,020 (28.3%) were HCV PCR positive. Of those with detectable RNA, 712 (69.8%) initiated treatment and 670 (94.1%) completed treatment. Of those initiating treatment, 407 (57.2%) achieved SVR12. There were eight treatment failures and six reinfections. In the unadjusted model, the bundle intervention was associated with increased care cascade progression, and in the survival analysis, decreased time to initiation; these differences were attenuated in the adjusted model. Women were less likely to complete treatment and SVR12 labs than men. Homelessness increased likelihood of screening and diagnosis but was negatively associated with completing SVR12 labs. Presence of opioid and stimulant use disorder diagnoses predicted increased care cascade progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The laboratory bundle and referral pathways improved treatment initiation, time to initiation, and movement across the cascade. Despite overall population improvements, women and homeless individuals experienced important gaps across the HCV care cascade.

POS0050 ARE PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES (IMID) MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE COVID-19 TESTS AND TEST POSITIVE FOR SARS-COV-2? A MATCHED POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background:

Population-based data about the COVID-19 risk in patients with IMID remain scarce.

Objectives:

To investigate the cumulative incidence and risk factors for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV2 testing in patients with IMID compared with matched non-IMID patients from the general population.

Methods:

A population-based, matched cohort study was conducted using health administrative data from adults living in Ontario, Canada from January to December 2020. Cohorts for each of the following IMID were assembled: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (including lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s, inflammatory myositis), multiple sclerosis (MS), iritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and vasculitis. Each patient was matched with 5 non-IMID comparators based on age, sex, area of residence and living in long term care (LTC). Standardized cumulative rates of testing for SARS-CoV2, and for receiving a positive test between IMID and non-IMID were compared between IMID and non-IMID patients. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed sociodemographic factors associated with COVID-19 testing and positivity.

Results:

A total of 493,499 IMID patients and 2,466,946 non-IMID comparators were assessed. Significantly more IMID patients versus non-IMID were tested for SARS-CoV2 (27.4% vs. 22.7%), while the proportions of those positive for COVID-19 were identical (0.9% of all patients in both groups). Overall, IMID patients were more likely to undergo SARS-CoV2 testing (odds ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.27, 1.29), but their overall risk of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was not elevated (OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.93, 1)). However, the risk of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection was lower in IBD (OR 0.75), MS (OR 0.77) and psoriasis (OR 0.94) and marginally higher in RA (OR 1.07) and iritis (OR 1.13) compared with non-IMID comparators (Figure 1A). The highest standardized rates of COVID-19 infection were found in vasculitis (115 per 10,000 patients) and iritis (109 per 10,000 patients) (Figure 1B). Risk factors for COVID-19 infection included younger age, living in LTC, multimorbidity, urban living and lower income (Table 1).

Conclusion:

Patients across all IMID were more likely to be tested for COVID-19 versus non-IMID patients. IMID patients were not at higher risk for testing positive for COVID-19 as an overall group, yet risk varied across disease subgroups.

Table 1.

Factors associated with COVID-19 infection in IMID vs. Non-IMID – Multivariable Logistic Regression

VariableORCI 95%IMID vs. Non-IMID0.970.93, 1.00Age (10-year increase)0.890.89, 0.90Sex: Female vs. Males0.950.93, 0.97LTC18.6417.9, 19.42ADG score:•5-9 vs. 0-41.401.35, 1.45•10-14 vs. 0-41.731.67, 1.80•15+ vs. 0-41.181.13, 1.23Urban vs. Rural3.493.26, 3.72Income quintile•Quintile 2 vs. 10.920.89, 0.96•Quintile 3 vs. 10.900.86, 0.93•Quintile 4 vs. 10.730.70, 0.76•Quintile 5 vs. 10.600.58, 0.63

ADG - Aggregated Diagnosis Groups; IMIDs – Immune medicated inflammatory disease; LTC – long term care

Acknowledgements:

The study is supported by ICES, which is funded by an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). Parts of this material are based on data and information compiled and provided by MOHLTC and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The opinions, results and conclusions reported in this paper are those of the authors and are independent of the funding or data sources; no endorsement is intended or should be inferred.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

POS1068 Cardiac biomarkers are associated with the development of cardiovascular events in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis

Background:

N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin I (TnI) are established cardiac biomarkers that predict cardiovascular events (CVEs) in the general population. While patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, collectively termed psoriatic disease (PsD), have an increased risk of developing CVEs, the use of these cardiac biomarkers to predict CV risk has not been investigated in this population.

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the association between these cardiac biomarkers and incident CVEs, and assess their predictive value beyond the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

Methods:

A longitudinal cohort study was conducted in patients with PsD without prior history of CVEs. NT-proBNP and TnI concentrations were measured using automated clinical assays in the first available serum sample. The study outcome included any of the following CVEs occurring within the first 10 years of biomarker assessment: angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, stroke, revascularization and CV death. Associations with incident CVEs were analyzed separately for each biomarker using Cox proportional hazards regression models first adjusted for age and sex, and subsequently for the FRS. The added value of cardiac biomarkers to improve predictive performance beyond the FRS was assessed using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination index (IDI).

Results:

A total of 1000 patients with PsD were assessed between 2002 and 2019 (mean age 49 ± 12.8 years, 44.6% female) (Table 1). During a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, 64 patients developed incident CVEs. Both TnI (Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.02, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.12, 8.16) and NT-proBNP (HR 2.02; 95% CI 1.28, 3.18) predicted CVEs independently of the FRS (Figure 1). The association was stronger in males than females. Including all cardiac biomarkers and the FRS in a single model, NT-proBNP retained statistical significance (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.23, 2.97), while TnI did not (HR 2.60, 95% CI 0.98, 6.87). When comparing the predictive performance of the base model (FRS alone, AUC 75.4) to the expanded models, there was no significant improvement in any of the predictive indices with the addition of TnI (AUC 73.5, p = 0.21; NRI 0.08, p = 0.67; IDI 0.005, p = 0.37), NT-proBNP (AUC 71.0, p = 0.35; NRI 0.20, p = 0.06; IDI 0.017, p = 0.10), or both TnI and NT-proBNP (AUC 70.0, p = 0.23; NRI 0.27, p = 0.05; IDI 0.021, p =0.05).

Conclusion:

In patients with PsD, elevated NT-proBNP and TnI predict incident CVEs independent of the FRS. We did not observe a significant improvement in the performance of the predictive model when combining these cardiac biomarkers with the FRS.

References:

[1]Eder L, Wu Y, Chandran V, et al. Incidence and predictors for cardiovascular events in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2016;75(9):1680-6.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the study population (n=1000)

VariableMean ± SD / Frequency (%)PsA, no. (%)648 (64.8)PsC, no. (%)352 (35.2)Age (years)49 ± 12.8Male sex, no. (%)554 (55.4)Disease duration (years)20.2 ± 14.1Ethnicity, Caucasian (%)834 (83.4)Current smoker (%)164 (16.4)FRS (%)8.2 ± 8.6Diabetes77 (7.7)Hypertension274 (27.4)BMI (kg/m2)28.7 ± 5.9PASI4.1 ± 6.3Use of lipid-lowering medications (%)100 (10)Current use of DMARDs362 (36.2)Current use of Biologics214 (21.4)Current use of NSAIDs (daily use)265 (26.5)

1 Applicable only to patients with PsA CVE, cardiovascular events; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; FRS, Framingham Risk Score; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PASI, Psoriasis Area Severity Index; PsA, psoriatic arthritis; PsC, psoriasis without arthritis

Figure 1.

Hazard ratios of cardiac biomarker measures for incident cardiovascular events (n = 1000, 64 events). Error bars denote 95% confidence intervals. CI indicates confidence interval; CVEs, cardiovascular events; FRS, Framingham Risk Score; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide; TnI, troponin I.

Acknowledgements:

Keith Colaco is supported by the Enid Walker Estate, Women’s College Research Institute, Arthritis Society (TGP-19-0446), National Psoriasis Foundation (Early Career Grant) and the Edward Dunlop Foundation. Lihi Eder is supported by a Young Investigator Award from the Arthritis Society and an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Science and Innovation. The study was supported in part by a discovery grant from the National Psoriasis Foundation and an operating grant from the Arthritis Society (YIO-16-394).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

OP0221 TARGETED METABOLOMIC PROFILING AND PREDICTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND PSORIASIS

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, collectively termed psoriatic disease (PsD), are associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Metabolites comprise biomarkers that may add predictive value over traditional CV risk factors.

Objectives:

We aimed to identify metabolites associated with CV events (CVEs) and to determine whether they could improve CV risk prediction beyond traditional CV risk factors.

Methods:

Patients from a longitudinal PsD cohort without a prior history of CVEs were included. In the first available serum sample, a targeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics platform was used to quantify 64 metabolite measures comprised of lipoprotein subclasses, fatty acids, glycolysis precursors, ketone bodies and amino acids. The study outcome included any of the following CVEs occurring within the first 10 years of biomarker assessment: angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, revascularization procedures and CV death. The association of each metabolite with incident CVEs were analyzed separately using Cox proportional hazards regression models first adjusted for age and sex, and subsequently for traditional CV risk factors. Variable selection was performed using penalization with boosting after adjusting for age and sex. The added predictive value of the selected metabolites to improve risk prediction beyond traditional CV risk factors was assessed using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC).

Results:

A total of 977 patients with PsD, followed between 2002 and 2019, were analyzed (mean age 49.1 ± 12.6 years, 45.1% female). During a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, 70 (7.2%) patients developed incident CVEs. In Cox regression models adjusted for CV risk factors, alanine, tyrosine, total high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, medium and large HDL particles, and the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids were significantly associated with decreased CV risk. Glycoprotein acetyls, apolipoprotein B, remnant cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and very small VLDL particles were associated with an increased CV risk. In proportional sub-distribution hazards regression models adjusted for age and sex, 13 metabolites were selected (Table 1). The age- and sex-adjusted expanded model (base model + 13 metabolites) significantly improved prediction of CVEs beyond the base model (only age and sex) with an AUC of 79.9 vs. 72.6, respectively (p=0.019) (Figure 1).

Table 1.

Regression coefficients of the selected metabolites in a model adjusted for age and sex.

CategoryMetaboliteModel adjusted for Age and SexAmino AcidsAlanine-0.1179Glycine-0.0339Tyrosine-0.1010Fatty acid ratios, relative to total fatty acidsDocosahexaenoic acid-0.0862Unsaturation degree, double bonds per fatty acid-0.1265Fluid BalanceAlbumin+0.0685GlyceridesTriglycerides in IDL cholesterol+0.1546Glycolysis precursorsGlucose+0.1391InflammationGlycoprotein acetyls+0.1478Ketone bodiesAcetoacetate+0.0464Lipoprotein subclassesHDL3 Cholesterol-0.0211Medium HDL-0.0296Large HDL-0.0309Figure 1.

Predictive performance of a model with age and sex alone is compared to a model with age and sex plus selected metabolites.

Conclusion:

Using NMR metabolomics profiling, we identified a variety of metabolites associated with a lower and higher risk of developing CVEs in patients with PsD. Further study of their underlying association with CVEs is needed to clarify the clinical utility of these biomarkers to guide CV risk assessment in this population.

References:

[1]Eder L, Wu Y, Chandran V, et al. Incidence and predictors for cardiovascular events in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2016;75(9):1680-6.

[2]Soininen P, Kangas AJ, Wurtz P, et al. Quantitative serum nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics in cardiovascular epidemiology and genetics. Circ Cardiovasc Genet 2015;8(1):192-206.

Acknowledgements:

Keith Colaco is supported by the Enid Walker Estate, Women’s College Research Institute, Arthritis Society (TGP-19-0446), National Psoriasis Foundation (Early Career Grant) and the Edward Dunlop Foundation. Lihi Eder is supported by a Young Investigator Award from the Arthritis Society and an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Science and Innovation. The study was supported in part by a discovery grant from the National Psoriasis Foundation and an operating grant from the Arthritis Society (YIO-16-394).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0285 COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS, ICU ADMISSION, AND DEATH AMONG PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES (IMID) – A POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background:

It remains unclear whether patients with IMID are at greater risk for severe COVID-19.

Objectives:

To investigate the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations and their outcomes in patients with IMID compared with matched non-IMID patents from the general population.

Methods:

A population-based, matched cohort study was conducted in adults living in Ontario, Canada using health administrative data. Ten cohorts of the following IMID were assembled: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs, including systemic lupus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s, myositis), multiple sclerosis (MS), iritis, inflammatory bowel disease, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and vasculitis (including giant cell arteritis and other types of vasculitidies). Each patient was matched with 5 non-IMID comparators based on age, sex, area of residence and living in long-term care (LTC). Patients who were admitted to hospital from January 1st to July 31th, 2020 and had ICD-10 COVID-19 diagnosis codes (U07.2 or U07.1) were identified. Among those with COVID-19 hospitalizations, we determined those with admissions to intensive care unit or required mechanical ventilation or died in hospital (‘complicated hospitalization’). Age-sex-standardized rates were compared between IMID and non-IMID patients and risk factors for hospitalizations were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results:

In total, 493,499 IMID (417 hospitalized) and 2,466,946 non-IMID patients (1,519 hospitalized) were assessed. The age-sex-standardized rate of COVID-19 hospitalization was higher in IMID (6.4 per 10,000, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.8, 7.2) versus non-IMID patients (4.8 per 100,000, 95% CI 4.5, 5). The highest rates of hospitalizations were found in vasculitis (18/10,000), MS (16.7/10,000) and PMR (10.1/10,000). IMID diagnosis was associated with 37% higher risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.37, 95% CI 1.23, 1.53) (Figure 1). This risk was slightly attenuated after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities but remained elevated by 23% compared to non-IMID (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10, 1.37). The risk for hospitalizations was increased in RA, vasculitis, SARDs, PsA, MS and iritis (Figure 1). Risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalizations included older age, male sex, lower income, multimorbidity and living in long-term care (Table 1). The risk for complicated COVID-19 hospitalizations was higher by 21% in IMID patients (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02, 1.43), however, this association was attenuated after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities (OR 1.08).

Table 1.

Risk Factors for COVID-19 Hospitalizations in IMIDs vs. non-IMIDs

VariableOR95% CIIMIDs vs. Non-IMID1.231.10, 1.37Age (10 yrs)1.491.44, 1.54Sex: Female0.680.62, 0.75Long term care resident8.287.32, 9.37ADG: 5-9 vs. 0-41.451.22, 1.7110-14 vs. 0-42.261.92, 2.6715+ vs. 0-43.232.73, 3.82Income (quintile) Quintile 2 vs. 10.820.73, 0.93 Quintile 3 vs. 10.760.67, 0.86 Quintile 4 vs. 10.560.48, 0.64 Quintile 5 vs. 10.460.40, 0.54Urban vs. rural4.333.32, 5.67

ADG - Aggregated Diagnosis Groups

Conclusion:

Patients with IMID were at higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 and for having complicated hospitalizations. Hospitalization risk was partially independent of their comorbid conditions.

Acknowledgements:

The study is supported by ICES, which is funded by an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). Parts of this material are based on data and information compiled and provided by MOHLTC and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The opinions, results and conclusions reported in this paper are those of the authors and are independent of the funding or data sources; no endorsement is intended or should be inferred.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Hypofractionated adjuvant surgical cavity radiotherapy following resection of limited brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

Following surgical resection of oligometastatic disease to the brain there is a high rate of local relapse which is reduced by the addition of focal radiation therapy, often delivered as single fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to the surgical cavity. This study audited the outcomes of an alternative approach using hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) to the surgical resection cavity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seventy-nine patients who received surgical resection and focal radiation therapy to the surgical cavity using HFRT with intensity modulated radiation therapy with or without stereotactic radiotherapy were identified. Doses were delivered in five fractions every second day for 10 days. Follow-up involved MRI surveillance with three-monthly MRI scans post resection. The major endpoints were local control at the surgical cavity site, and presence of radiation necrosis at the treated site.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were included for the analysis with a median follow-up of 10.8 months. Of the cohort, 56% experienced intracranial progression, with all patients progressing distant to the resection cavity, and 7% progressing locally in addition. The one-year local control rate was 89.8%. The median progression-free survival was 10.0 months and median overall survival was 14.3 months. There was one CTCAE grade 3 toxicity of symptomatic radiation necrosis with no grade 4-5 toxicities seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of local relapse following HFRT to the surgical cavity is low with minimal risk of radiation necrosis. HFRT can be considered as an alternative to SRS for focal radiotherapy after brain metastasis resection.

Real-Time Optical Vascular Imaging, a new method for the diagnosis and monitoring of oral diseases

INTRODUCTION

Real-Time Optical Vascular Imaging (RTOVI) is a technology developed in the Centre for Oral Clinical & Translational Sciences, within the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, that allows rapid and preparation free, in vivo imaging of the microvascular anatomy of the human oral cavity. Microvascular changes are known to be related to disease subtypes, in particular cancer. This makes in vivo microvascular examination clinically valuable. However, at present there is lack of any analytical method able to objectively assess microvascular morphology images.

DISCUSSION

The assessment of microvascular morphology based on a subjective evaluation was proven to be unreliable. There was a need to develop a software-based analysis for in vivo microvascular images to support the validation of RTOVI. This paper reviews the authors work to develop and test an automated microvascular analysis method for RTOVI based on ImageJ, an open-source software. This allowed to determined which parameters offered a more robust mathematical representation of the microvascular anatomy of the gingival margin, such as the mean area per capillary and mean aspect ratio. However, in vivo microvascular images from elsewhere within the oral cavity posed a bigger challenge to the analysis procedure due to the microvascular architectural complexity and poorer contrast. Angiogenesis Analyzer, a well-known ImageJ plugin used for the quantification of in vitro microvascular images, is under development in collaboration with the University of Paris Est Créteil. The aim of this work is to obtain an automated analysis method for in vivo microvascular images able to offer a solid foundation for the diagnostic potential of RTOVI and subsequent clinical integration of this technology.

CONCLUSION

An automated analysis method for in vivo microvascular images is paramount before any attempt to clinically validate RTOVI. Our initial work of testing a software-based analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of some parameters, which is valuable for future work, and led us to move into a more sophisticated method involving customising the Angiogenesis Analyzer plugin. This is an essential step, aiming to extend the potential of in vivo microscopy with the clinical integration of RTOVI.

LAY DESCRIPTION

This article summarises the initial research work done in the field on in vivo microvascular imaging aiming to develop a technique for the diagnosis of oral diseases based on the shape of small blood vessels found just below the surface of the "skin" inside the mouth. This offers the potential to examine lesions without the need to take a sample (biopsy/cutting tissue) to observe it microscopically. This ultimately offers a potential to accelerate diagnostic decision making, avoid unpleasant and often deterrent surgical procedures and reducing diagnostic laboratory time and cost burdens. However, in order to assess images of small blood vessels obtained in clinic, we needed to develop and test a software-based analysis to avoid the subjective human interpretation, known not to work. This article describes the authors journey to achieve an automated and sophisticated analysis method unique in the world for in vivo microvascular images derived from real-time optical vascular imaging.

Real-time optical vascular imaging: a method to assess the microvascular circulation of myofascial free flaps used in the head and neck region

Microvascular free flaps are considered the gold standard in head and neck reconstructive surgery. Myofascial flaps, in particular, are useful in certain oral and maxillofacial reconstruction cases, where mucosal regeneration over the transplanted tissue is planned. Despite high success rates, 1-6% of free flaps fail. A plethora of methods are available to assess transplanted tissue viability after reconstruction, including clinical observational monitoring, surface Doppler, implantable Doppler probe, colour Doppler sonography, laser Doppler flowmeter, surface temperature and indocyanine green angiography. However, no method has demonstrated adequate reliability or has proven to be cost-effective. The authors tested a technique called real-time optical vascular imaging to evaluate the microvascular circulation of myofascial free flaps. This technique was develop at Guy's Hospital, London to observe the microvascular anatomy of the oral cavity in vivo, non-invasively and without the need for patient preparation, with the aim of detecting and monitoring oral diseases. This technology detects the red blood cells flowing inside the microvasculature at a depth of approximately 2mm, allowing the microvascular architecture and blood flow to be determined. This study showed that RTOVI may prove to be beneficial for the early detection of vascular compromise due to its immediacy and the feasibility of assessing multiple graft tissue regions.

Effect of Preheating and Fatiguing on Mechanical Properties of Bulk-fill and Conventional Composite Resin

Clinical Relevance

Bulk-fill composite resins may have comparable mechanical properties to conventional composite resin. Preheating does not reduce the mechanical properties of composite resins.

SUMMARY

Statement of Problem:

Bulk-fill composite resins are increasingly used for direct restorations. Preheating high-viscosity versions of these composites has been advocated to increase flowability and adaptability. It is not known what changes preheating may cause on the mechanical properties of these composite resins. Moreover, the mechanical properties of these composites after mastication simulation is lacking.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fatiguing and preheating on the mechanical properties of bulk-fill composite resin in comparison to its conventional counterpart.

Methods and Materials:

One hundred eighty specimens of Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative (FOBR; Bulk-Fill, 3M ESPE) and Filtek Supreme Ultra (FSU; Conventional, 3M ESPE) were prepared for each of the following tests: fracture toughness (International Organization for Standardization, ISO 6872), diametral tensile strength (No. 27 of ANSI/ADA), flexural strength, and elastic modulus (ISO Standard 4049). Specimens in the preheated group were heated to 68°C for 10 minutes and in the fatiguing group were cyclically loaded and thermocycled for 600,000 cycles and then tested. Two-/one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test was used to analyze data for statistical significance (α=0.05).

Results:

Preheating and fatiguing had a significant effect on the properties of both FSU and FOBR. Fracture toughness increased for FOBR specimens when preheated and decreased when fatigued (p=0.016). FOBR had higher fracture toughness value than FSU. Diametral tensile strength decreased significantly after fatiguing for FSU (p=0.0001). FOBR had a lower diametral tensile strength baseline value compared with FSU (p=0.004). Fatiguing significantly reduced the flexural strength of both FSU and FOBR (p=0.011). Preheating had no effect on the flexural strength of either FSU or FOBR. Preheating and fatiguing significantly decreased the elastic modulus of both composite resins equally (p&gt;0.05).

Conclusions:

Preheating and fatiguing influenced the mechanical properties of composite resins. Both composites displayed similar mechanical properties. Preheating did not yield a major negative effect on their mechanical properties; the clinical implications are yet to be determined.

A13 Phylodynamic analysis of HIV in Florida

We are interested in using phylodynamics to better understand molecular clusters of HIV within the state of Florida, USA. To our knowledge, there is currently no study using such methodology to understand the epidemic in Florida. Viral sequences collected from 2007 to 2017 (about 50,000) will be linked with individual-level data (demographics—sex, race/ethnicity—and mode of transmission) accessed through the Patient Reporting Investigating Surveillance Manager (PRISM), and the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) via the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Through the use of HIV-TRACE, which analyzes genetic distance matrices, we will create molecular transmission networks including data on mode of transmission, race/ethnicity, and sex. Furthermore, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree will be created using software (e.g. IQ-Tree, PhyML, and FastTree2) run on a high-performance cluster. Phylogenetic comparative analysis will be performed to assess the association between phylogenetic clades and demographics (including extended demographics like syphilis and other comorbidities queried from PRISM and eHARS).

It Must be True … I Read it in the Tabloids

Background

Previous attempts to improve the quality of health journalism have not led to more responsible reporting of health news.

Method

We reviewed the front pages of three daily tabloid and three daily broadsheet UK newspapers during a 1 month period in 2017 for medical headlines in which claims were made for diets, lifestyle behaviours or drug therapies that influence health.

Results

Front page medical headlines were carried by the Daily Express (11), Daily Mail (two), Daily Mirror (one) and Daily Telegraph (one). Neither the Guardian nor the Independent carried medical stories on their front pages during the period of study. Eleven headlines suggested benefits and three suggested harm. One headline accurately reflected its source material, but in this instance the source material was of doubtful clinical relevance. The remaining 13 headlines either exaggerated benefit (seven), exaggerated harm (two) or made false claims (four).

Conclusions

The cumulative effect of everyday misreporting of medical stories in UK newspapers may not only serve to confuse the public but also have serious consequences for public health.

Intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide for fracture reduction: The FAN observational study

INTRODUCTION

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) are frequently used for fracture reduction in pediatric emergency departments (ED). Combining intranasal (IN) fentanyl with inhalation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) allow for short recovery time and obviates painful and time-consuming IV access insertions.

METHODS

We performed a bicentric, prospective, observational cohort study. Patients aged 4-18years were included if they received combined PSA with IN fentanyl and N₂O for the reduction of mildly/moderately displaced fracture or of dislocation. Facial Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R) and Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scores were used to evaluate pain and anxiety before, during and after procedure. University of Michigan Sedation Score (UMSS), adverse events, detailed side effects and satisfaction of patients, parents and medical staff were recorded at discharge. A follow up telephone call was made after 24-72h.

RESULTS

90 patients were included. There was no difference in FPS-R during the procedure (median score 2 versus 2), but the FLACC score was significantly higher as compared to before (median score 4 versus 0, Δ 2, 95% CI 0, 2). Median UMSS was 1 (95% CI 1, 2). We recorded no serious adverse events. Rate of vomiting was 12% (11/84). Satisfaction was high among participants responding to this question 85/88 (97%) of parents, 74/83 (89%) of patients and 82/85 (96%) of physicians would want the same sedation again.

CONCLUSION

PSA with IN fentanyl and N₂O is effective and safe for the reduction of mildly/moderately displaced fracture or dislocation, and has a high satisfaction rate.

The Effects Of Physical Attractiveness On Honesty: A Socially Desirable Response

Two studies were conducted to determine if a female confederate's physical attractiveness affected how honest others were toward her, when honesty was seen as the socially expected behavior. A total of 180 subjects in phone cubicles were approached by a con federate who had left change there. The confederate was made to ap pear either attractive or unattractive. She asked each subject whether he/she had found the money. In both studies, subjects in the attractive condition, regardless of their sex, race, or age were more likely to respond in the socially desirable manner, than sub jects in the unattractive condition.

Results of bacteriological testing of germ-free laboratory animals

Methods used to detect bacterial contaminants in germ-free laboratory animals are described. Contaminating organisms usually establish themselves permanently in the gastro-intestinal tract but in one instance a species of Corynebacterium was isolated from samples of faeces from a group of rats over a period of five days, after which it disappeared and could not be subsequently isolated. Attention is drawn to changes in management technique which resulted in a marked decrease in the occurrence of contamination.

Anaesthesia of germ-free rabbits and rats with halothane

A simple and effective method for anaesthetising germ-free rabbits and rats for the collection of heart-blood samples is described. The anaesthetic agent, a mixture of 2 or 4 per cent halothane in oxygen, was passed into the germ-free isolators through a tube sealed into the wall and fitted at each end with a high-efficiency gas line filter.

The Fan Study: Intranasal Fentanyl and Inhaled Nitrous Oxide for Fracture Reduction

BACKGROUND: Recently, intranasal (IN) fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O) mixture have been increasingly used for procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) alone or in combination. There is a lack of data on the efficacy of these combined agents.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of IN fentanyl and N2O as PSA for the reduction of mildly-to-moderately displaced fractures and dislocations.

DESIGN/METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational cohort study between September 2014 and October 2015. Patients were recruited at CHU Sainte Justine (Montréal, Canada) and Royal Children Hospital (Melbourne, Australia). Patients between the age of 4 and 18 years were eligible if PSA consisted of IN fentanyl and N2O for the reduction of mildly-to-moderately displaced fractures or dislocations. Patients received at least IN fentanyl 1.5 mcg/kg (100 mcg max) and at least a 50/50% mixture of N2O with oxygen. Primary outcome was the efficacy of PSA measured by the patient assigned Facial Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale was also recorded. Depth of sedation was evalu-ated using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS). Adverse events were recorded following the criteria of the Consensus Panel on Sedation Research of PERC/PECARN. Additional data concerning satisfaction or discomfort were evaluated via questionnaires, and follow-up telephone calls were made to elicit information on adverse events after discharge.

RESULTS: A total of 91 patients aged 9.7±3.0 years were enrolled. There was no difference between the median FPS-R score during the procedure compared to before: Median 2 and 2 (median difference 0 [95% CI 0, 0]), respectively. The FLACC score was higher during the procedure than before: Median 4 and 0 (median difference 2 [95% CI 1, 3]). UMSS was 1 (95% CI 1, 2) during the procedure. 42 (46%) patients had adverse events, all mild: vertigo (20%), nausea (16%)]or vomiting (12%). A total of 85/88 (97%) parents and 82/85 (96%) ED physicians would want the same sedation in another procedure.

CONCLUSION: PSA with IN fentanyl and N2O seems effective in our cohort study, as evaluated by patient assigned FPS-R. Patients were minimally sedated. Adverse events were frequent but mild. Overall, parents and medical staff would want the same agents used in another procedure. Thus, PSA with IN fentanyl and N2O appears to be an attractive option for reduction of mildly displaced fractures or dislocations.

The Cambridge Otology Quality of Life Questionnaire: an otology-specific patient-recorded outcome measure. A paper describing the instrument design and a report of preliminary reliability and validity

OBJECTIVE

The Cambridge Otology Quality of Life Questionnaire (COQOL) is a patient-recorded outcome measurement (PROM) designed to quantify the quality of life of patients attending otology clinics.

DESIGN

Item-reduction model. A systematically designed long-form version (74 items) was tested with patient focus groups before being presented to adult otology patients (n. 137). Preliminary item analysis tested reliability, reducing the COQOL to 24 questions. This was then presented in conjunction with the SF-36 (V1) questionnaire to a total of 203 patients. Subsequently, these were re-presented at T + 3 months, and patients recorded whether they felt their condition had improved, deteriorated or remained the same. Non-responders were contacted by post. A correlation between COQOL scores and patient perception of change was examined to analyse content validity.

SETTING

Teaching hospital and university psychology department.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients attending otology clinics with a wide range of otological conditions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Item reliability measured by item–total correlation, internal consistency and test– retest reliability. Validity measured by correlation between COQOL scores and patient-reported symptom change.

RESULTS

Reliability: the COQOL showed excellent internal consistency at both initial presentation (a = 0.90) and 3 months later (a = 0.93). Validity: One-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference between groups reporting change and those reporting no change in quality of life (F(2, 80) = 5.866, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The COQOL is the first otology-specific PROM. Initial studies demonstrate excellent reliability and encouraging preliminary criterion validity: further studies will allow a deeper validation of the instrument.

Mixed emotions: the contribution of alexithymia to the emotional symptoms of autism

It is widely accepted that autism is associated with disordered emotion processing and, in particular, with deficits of emotional reciprocity such as impaired emotion recognition and reduced empathy. However, a close examination of the literature reveals wide heterogeneity within the autistic population with respect to emotional competence. Here we argue that, where observed, emotional impairments are due to alexithymia-a condition that frequently co-occurs with autism-rather than a feature of autism per se. Alexithymia is a condition characterized by a reduced ability to identify and describe one's own emotion, but which results in reduced empathy and an impaired ability to recognize the emotions of others. We briefly review studies of emotion processing in alexithymia, and in autism, before describing a recent series of studies directly testing this 'alexithymia hypothesis'. If found to be correct, the alexithymia hypothesis has wide-reaching implications for the study of autism, and how we might best support subgroups of autistic individuals with, and without, accompanying alexithymia. Finally, we note the presence of elevated rates of alexithymia, and inconsistent reports of emotional impairments, in eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis and anxiety disorders. We speculate that examining the contribution of alexithymia to the emotional symptoms of these disorders may bear fruit in the same way that it is starting to do in autism.