Long-term stability of the genome structure of the cyanobacterium, Dolichospermum in a deep German lake

Dolichospermum is a cyanobacterial genus commonly associated with toxic blooms in lakes and brackish water bodies worldwide, and is a long-term resident of Lake Stechlin, northeastern Germany. In recent decades, shifts in the phosphorus loading and phytoplankton species composition have seen increased biomass of Dolichospermum during summer blooms from 1998, peaking around 2005, and declining after 2020. Cyanobacteria are known to rapidly adapt to new environments, facilitated by genome adaptation. To investigate the changes in genomic features that may have occurred in Lake Stechlin Dolichospermum during this time of increased phosphorus loading and higher biomass, whole genome sequence analysis was performed on samples of ten akinetes isolated from ten, 1 cm segments of a sediment core, representing a ∼45-year period from 1970 to 2017. Comparison of these genomes with genomes of extant isolates revealed a clade of Dolichospermum that clustered with the ADA-6 genus complex, with remarkable genome stability, without gene gain or loss events in response to recent environmental changes. The genome characteristics indicate that this species is suited to a deep-chlorophyll maximum, including additional light-harvesting and phosphorus scavenging genes. Population SNP analysis revealed two sub-populations that shifted in dominance as the lake transitioned between oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions. Overall, the results show little change within the population, despite diversity between extant populations from different geographic locations and the in-lake changes in phosphorus concentrations.

Multinational comparison study of aircraft pilot healthcare avoidance behaviour

BACKGROUND

US and Canadian pilots are required to meet medical standards to secure their active flying status, but a subgroup exhibit healthcare avoidance behaviour due to fear of loss of that status. This phenomenon has the potential to impact pilot health, aeromedical screening and aviation safety. No international comparison study of pilot healthcare avoidance currently exists between US and Canadian pilots.

AIMS

To compare the rate and subtypes of healthcare avoidance behaviour secondary to fear for loss of flying status between US and Canadian pilots.

METHODS

A comparison analysis of data collected during two independent, non-probabilistic, cross-sectional internet surveys including any individual certified to perform flying duties in the USA (US survey) or Canada (Canadian survey).

RESULTS

There were 4320 US pilots and 1415 Canadian pilots who completed informed consent and 3765 US pilots and 1405 Canadian pilots were included in the results. There were 56% of US pilots who reported a history of healthcare avoidance behaviour compared to 55% of Canadian pilots (P = 0.578). A multivariable logistic regression that included age, pilot type and gender showed that US pilots were slightly more likely than Canadian pilots to report this behaviour (odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare avoidance behaviour due to fear of loss of flying status has a relatively high prevalence in both US and Canadian pilot populations.

"It's so tough for us now" - COVID-19 has negatively impacted religious practices relating to death among minority ethnic groups

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevention measures on religious practices after death, by ethnic grouping, in an opportunistic/convenience sample of UK adults.

METHODS

We distributed a questionnaire online and in hard copy between May 1 and June 18, 2020, via social media, post and face-to-face contact in Leicester, a multi-ethnic city in the UK.

RESULTS

From 980 adults providing consent, 665 completed some or all survey items and provided ethnicity data. More than double the proportion of Black and South Asian individuals reported religious practices relating to death, burials or funerals being affected by COVID-19 than White groups. Of the 151 participants reporting practices being impacted, a greater proportion of ethnic minority groups reported restricted access/alteration to eight death-related practices (e.g., funeral attendance) compared with White groups (significantly different for all practices, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK has negatively impacted on the ability to conduct religious practices after death in all ethnic groups, but the impact appears greater in ethnic minority populations than in White groups. There is a need for further qualitative research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on death and burial practices of minority ethnic groups.

Targeted sonodynamic destruction of glioblastoma cells using antibody-titanium dioxide nanoparticle conjugates

Aim: We present data on sonodynamic therapy (SDT) against glioblastoma cells utilizing titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles conjugated to anti-EGFR antibody. Materials & methods: TiO₂ nanoparticles were bound to anti-EGFR antibody to form antibody-nanoparticle conjugates (ANCs), then characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cells underwent ultrasound and assessment on viability, reactive oxygen species and apoptosis were performed. Results: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed the formation of an ANC. Transmission electron microscopy showed internalization of the ANCs by glioblastoma cells. With SDT, cell viabilities were reduced in the presence of ANCs, reactive oxygen species production was formed, but minimal effect on apoptosis was seen. Conclusion: For the first time, an ANC can be used with SDT to kill glioblastoma cells.

Developmental toxicity in embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin)

Azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin are broad spectrum strobilurin fungicides that have been measured in the aquatic environment. Strobilurins inhibit mitochondrial respiration by binding to the mitochondrial respiratory complex III. The goal of this study was to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the developing zebrafish from exposure to azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin. Exposure studies were performed where zebrafish embryos were exposed to azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin at 0.1, 10, 100 μg/L from 4 hpf to 48 hpf to measure mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress mRNA transcripts, and 5 dpf to measure movement, growth, oxygen consumption, enzymatic activities, and mRNA transcripts. Results from this study indicated that there was a significant reduction in both basal and maximal respiration at 48 hpf in zebrafish exposed to 100 μg/L of pyraclostrobin. There was no difference in oxidative stress or apoptotic mRNA transcripts at 48 hpf, indicating that the two strobilurins were acting first on mitochondrial function and not directly through oxidative stress. At 5 dpf, standard body length was significantly reduced with exposure to pyraclostrobin and azoxystrobin exposure as compared to the control. These reductions in apical endpoints corresponded with increases in oxidative stress and apoptotic mRNA transcripts in treatment groups at 5 dpf indicating that strobilurins' exposure followed the adverse outcome pathway for mito-toxicants. Our results indicate that strobilurins can decrease mitochondrial function, which in turn lead to diminished growth and movement.

Comparative Lipid Peroxidation and Apoptosis in Embryo-Larval Zebrafish Exposed to 3 Azole Fungicides, Tebuconazole, Propiconazole, and Myclobutanil, at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

Azole fungicides have entered the aquatic environment through agricultural and residential runoff. In the present study, we compared the off-target toxicity of tebuconazole, propiconazole, and myclobutanil using embryo-larval zebrafish as a model. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relative toxicity of tebuconazole, propiconazole, and myclobutanil using multiple-level endpoints such as behavioral endpoints and enzymatic and molecular biomarkers associated with their mode of action. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to azoles at environmentally relevant and high concentrations, 0.3, 1.0, and 1000 µg/L, starting at 5 h postfertilization (hpf) up to 48 hpf, as well as 5 d postfertilization (dpf). Relative mRNA expressions of cytochrome P450 family 51 lanosterol-14α-demethylase, glutathione S-transferase, caspase 9, phosphoprotein p53, and BCL2-associated X protein were measured to assess toxicity attributable to fungicides at the mRNA level, whereas caspase 3/7 (apoptosis) and 3,4-methylene​dioxy​amphetamine (lipid peroxidation) levels were measured at the enzymatic level. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction was measure through the Mito Stress test using the Seahorse XFe24 at 48 hpf. In addition, light to dark movement behavior was monitored at 5 dpf using Danio Vision® to understand adverse effects at the organismal level. There was no significant difference in the light to dark behavior with exposure to azoles compared to controls. The molecular biomarkers indicated that propiconazole and myclobutanil induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and potentially apoptosis at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.3 and 1 µg/L). The results from the mitochondrial respiration assay indicated a slight decrease in spare respiratory capacity with an acute exposure (48 hpf) to all 3 azoles at 1000 µg/L. Based on the present results, propiconazole and myclobutanil are acutely toxic compared to tebuconazole in aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1455-1466. © 2019 SETAC.

Oral Medicine for undergraduate dental students in the United Kingdom and Ireland-A curriculum

INTRODUCTION

Oral Medicine focuses on care for patients with chronic, recurrent and medically related disorders of the orofacial region that are distinct from diseases of the periodontal and tooth tissues, with an emphasis on non-surgical management. At present, there are no shared outcomes for Oral Medicine to define the standards to be achieved before new graduates become registered dentists engaged with ongoing professional development.

CURRICULUM

We present a consensus undergraduate curriculum in Oral Medicine agreed by representatives from 18 Dental Schools in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The scope of Oral Medicine practice includes conditions involving the oral mucosa, salivary glands, neurological system or musculoskeletal tissues that are not directly attributable to dental (tooth and periodontium) pathology. Account is taken of the priorities for practice and learning opportunities needed to support development of relevance to independent clinical practice. The outcomes triangulate with the requirements set out by the respective regulatory bodies in the UK and Republic of Ireland prior to first registration and are consistent with the framework for European undergraduate dental education and greater harmonisation of dental education.

CONCLUSIONS

This curriculum will act as a foundation for an increasingly shared approach between centres with respect to the outcomes to be achieved in Oral Medicine. The curriculum may also be of interest to others, such as those responsible for the training of dental hygienists and dental therapists. It provides a platform for future collective developments with the overarching goal of raising the quality of patient care.

Human Disease/Clinical Medical Sciences in Dentistry: Current state and future directions of undergraduate teaching in the UK and Ireland

In March 2017, a group of teachers of human disease/clinical medical science (HD/CMSD) representing the majority of schools from around the UK and Republic of Ireland met to discuss the current state of teaching of human disease and also to discuss how the delivery of this theme might evolve to inform improved healthcare. This study outlines how the original teaching in medicine and surgery to dental undergraduate students has developed into the theme of HD/CMSD reflecting changing needs as well as guidance from the regulators, and how different dental schools have developed their approaches to reach their current state. Each school was also asked to share a strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of their programme and to outline how they thought their HD/CMSD programme may develop. The school representatives who coordinate the delivery and assessment of HD/CMSD in the undergraduate curriculum have extensive insight in this area and are well-placed to shape the HD/CMSD development for the future.

Abstract P1-10-02: A phase II study of copper-depletion using tetrathiomolybdate in patients with breast cancer at high risk for recurrence: Updated results

Background: Metals have emerged as a viable therapeutic target for a new generation of anti-cancer and anti-metastatic agents. Copper, an essential trace element, serves as an important catalytic cofactor in several biological functions and has emerged as an essential factor in carcinogenesis. Among other elements, bone marrow derived VEGFR2+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and copper-dependent lysyl oxidase (LOX) are key elements in tumor progression. We hypothesized tetrathiomolybdate (TM)-associated copper depletion (CD) inhibits tumor metastases by reducing the number of EPCs and other copper dependent processes in the pre-metastatic niche. These results are an update of our previously reported study (Chan N, Willis A, Kornhauser N et al. Influencing the Tumor Microenvironment: Phase 2 Study of Copper Depletion with Tetrathiomolybdate in High Risk Breast Cancer and Preclinical Models of Lung Metastases. Clin Cancer Res. October 21, 2016) with longer follow-up.

Methods: A single arm phase II study of breast cancer (BC) patients (pts) at high risk for recurrence, defined as node+ triple negative (TNBC), stage 3 and 4 with no evidence of disease (NED) were enrolled on a trial of CD with TM. TM was given to maintain ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels between 8-16 mg/dl for two years with an extension phase or until relapse. The primary endpoint was a change in EPCs measured by flow cytometry before and during treatment. Secondary endpoints included tolerability, safety, PFS and LOXL-2 levels.

Results: Seventy-five pts received 2778 cycles of TM on the primary and extension study. The primary study treatment duration was 24 cycles (each cycle is 28 days) plus an extension phase. The median age is 51 years (range 29-66). Forty-five pts have stage 2/3 BC and 30 with stage 4 NED. Forty-eight percent of pts are TNBC and 40% of pts are stage 4 NED. Median Cp levels were monitored with each cycle. A decrease from 28 to 16 (p&lt;0.0001) was seen after one cycle. Interestingly, TNBC pts seemed to have a greater decrease from 23.5 to 13 after one cycle. TM was well tolerated with grade 3/4 toxicities including: reversible neutropenia (2.3%), febrile neutropenia (0.04%), fatigue (0.2%). Five-year analysis showed a decrease in EPC's (p=0.004) and LOXL-2 (p&lt;0.001). At a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the EFS for 75 pts is 71.4%. The EFS for 36 pts with TNBC is 71.7%. EFS for stage 2/3 TNBC is 83% and for stage IV TNBC is 59.3%.

Conclusions: TM is safe, well tolerated and appears to affect multiple components of the tumor microenvironment that have been identified in pre-clinical models as important for progression. Ongoing studies in banked specimens are underway to further delineate its effect on copper dependent processes necessary for metastases. Randomized trials are warranted, especially in patients who are at high risk for relapse such as those with TNBC.

Citation Format: Sahota S, Willis A, Kornhauser N, Ward M, Cobham M, Cigler T, Moore A, Andreopoulou E, Fitzpatrick V, Schneider S, Prima N, Wiener A, Ko D, De Laurentiis A, Warren JD, Rubinchik A, Mittal V, Vahdat LT. A phase II study of copper-depletion using tetrathiomolybdate in patients with breast cancer at high risk for recurrence: Updated results [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-02.

Exploring knowledge, attitudes and experience of genitourinary symptoms in women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy

Clinical trials of adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with early breast cancer have consistently reported that genitourinary symptoms are common. However, little is known about women's experiences of genitourinary symptoms, their views about the symptoms and how they impact on their lives. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, attitudes and experiences of genitourinary symptoms among women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for early breast cancer. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted and subjected to a rigorous qualitative analysis. Genitourinary symptoms were commonly reported to negatively impact on personal, social and physical activities, were often attributed to anxiety and stress and were a source of embarrassment. Women also commented on the limited information available or provided regarding the potential genitourinary adverse effects of adjuvant endocrine therapy. There was a general lack of awareness that their symptoms could be associated with or exacerbated by adjuvant endocrine therapy. Women indicated a preference to receive information and advice about potential management options from either their general practitioner or specialist. These findings underscore the importance of improving communication and increasing awareness among both clinicians and patients about the potential impact of adjuvant endocrine therapy on genitourinary symptoms.

Development of a repository of individual participant data from randomized controlled trials of therapists delivered interventions for low back pain

Background

Individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis of existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is a promising approach to achieving sufficient statistical power to identify sub‐groups. We created a repository of IPD from multiple low back pain (LBP) RCTs to facilitate a study of treatment moderators. Due to sparse heterogeneous data, the repository needed to be robust and flexible to accommodate millions of data points prior to any subsequent analysis.

Methods

We systematically identified RCTs of therapist delivered intervention for inclusion to the repository. Some were obtained through project publicity. We requested both individual items and aggregate scores of all baseline characteristics and outcomes for all available time points. The repository is made up of a hybrid database: entity‐attribute‐value and relational database which is capable of storing sparse heterogeneous datasets. We developed a bespoke software program to extract, transform and upload the shared data.

Results

There were 20 datasets with more than 3 million data points from 9328 participants. All trials collected covariates and outcomes data at baseline and follow‐ups. The bespoke standardized repository is flexible to accommodate millions of data points without compromising data integrity. Data are easily retrieved for analysis using standard statistical programs.

Conclusions

The bespoke hybrid repository is complex to implement and to query but its flexibility in supporting datasets with varying sets of responses and outcomes with different data types is a worthy trade off. The large standardized LBP dataset is also an important resource useable by other LBP researchers.

Significance

A flexible adaptive database for pain studies that can easily be expanded for future researchers to map, transform and upload their data in a safe and secure environment. The data are standardized and harmonized which will facilitate future requests from other researchers for secondary analyses.

Do the Elderly Get the Message? A Comparative Study of Stories Produced Verbally and as a Text Message

When young adults re-tell a story, they naturally produce more concise but sufficiently informative narratives. The repeated narratives of elderly adults, on the other hand, tend towards prolixity. In the present study, participants were explicitly instructed to re-tell a story in a more succinct (but informative format) to investigate whether they were able to produce informative narratives in a compressed format. 30 younger adults ([Formula: see text]) and 30 older adults ([Formula: see text]) constructed a verbal narrative from a series of cartoon frames depicting a story about a cowboy and his horse. Participants then re-told this narrative as a text message. The second narrative produced by the older adult sample did on average contain fewer words, but at the expense of informative content and discourse cohesion. The tendency of older adults to produce longer narratives with re-telling is not merely reflective of a strategic choice but rather reflects a genuine macrolinguistic deficit.

A community faith centre based screening and educational intervention to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes: A feasibility study

AIMS

People of South Asian origin experience higher rates of diabetes and complications of diabetes compared to white Europeans. Therefore, it is important to identify those with undiagnosed diabetes and those at high risk of developing diabetes, in order to intervene with lifestyle intervention to reduce risk and prevent complications. We conducted a study to assess the feasibility of delivering a faith centre based pathway for screening and referral to group education for high risk individuals to increase screening uptake and reduce diabetes risk.

METHODS

Opportunistic screening and early intervention strategy for people at risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in local faith centres. The screening consisted of a diabetes risk assessment tool and a near patient test for HbA1c. Participants found to be at high risk of diabetes (HbA1c 6-6.4%/42-46mmol/mol) were offered a 'Walking Away from Diabetes' group educational intervention aimed at increasing exercise levels and reducing diabetes risk.

RESULTS

252 participants were screened during four screening events. 202 participants (80.2%) gave consent for their data to be included in the analysis. 72.4% of participants were found to have a high diabetes risk score. 32 participants (15.8%) had a HbA1c result (6-6.4%/42-46mmol/mol). Eight participants (4.0%) had a (HbA1c ⩾6.5%/⩾47mmol/mol). Of those eligible for the diabetes prevention education programme, 18 participants (56.3%) attended.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that screening followed by group education within faith centre settings is feasible and acceptable to participants. The strategies chosen were effective in achieving a high screening yield and high uptake of group education.

Assessment of response rates and yields for Two opportunistic Tools for Early detection of Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and Diabetes (ATTEND). A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis

AIMS

To assess the opportunistic use in primary care of a computer risk score versus a self-assessment risk score for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted a randomised controlled trial in 11 primary care practices in the UK. 577 patients aged 40-75years with no current diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were recruited to a computer based risk score (Leicester Practice Computer Risk Score (LPCRS)) or a patient self-assessment score (Leicester Self-Assessment Score (LSAS)).

RESULTS

The rate of self-referral blood tests was significantly higher for the LPCRS compared to the LSAS, 118.98 (95% CI: 102.85, 137.64) per 1000 high-risk patient years of follow-up compared to 92.14 (95% CI: 78.25, 108.49), p=0.022. Combined rate of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and those at risk of developing the disease (i.e. impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)) was similar between the two arms, 15.12 (95% CI: 9.11, 25.08) per 1000 high-risk patient years for LPCRS compared to 14.72 (95% CI: 9.59, 22.57) for the LSAS, p=0.699. For the base case scenario the cost per new case of type 2 diabetes diagnosed was lower for the LPCRS compared to the LSAS, £168 (95% Credible Interval (CrI): 76, 364), and £352 (95% CrI: 109, 1148), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to a self-assessment risk score, a computer based risk score resulted in greater attendance to an initial blood test and is potentially more cost-effective.

Investigation of septin biology in vivo using zebrafish

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important animal model to study cell biology in vivo. Benefits of the zebrafish include a fully annotated reference genome, an easily manipulable genome (for example, by morpholino oligonucleotide or CRISPR-Cas9), and transparent embryos for noninvasive, real-time microscopy using fluorescent transgenic lines. Zebrafish have orthologues of most human septins, and studies using larvae were used to investigate the role of septins in vertebrate development. The zebrafish larva is also an established model to study the cell biology of infection and has recently been used to visualize septin assembly during bacterial infection in vivo. Here, we describe protocols for the study of septins in zebrafish, with emphasis on techniques used to investigate the role of septins in host defense against bacterial infection.

Primary sand-dune plant community and soil properties during the west-coast India monsoon

A seven-station interrupted belt transect was established that followed a previously observed plant zonation pattern across an aggrading primary coastal dune system in the dry tropical region of west-coast India. The dominant weather pattern is monsoon from June to November, followed by hot and dry winter months when rainfall is scarce. Physical and chemical soil characteristics in each of the stations were analysed on five separate occasions, the first before the onset of monsoon, three during and the last post-monsoon. The plant community pattern was confirmed by quadrat survey. A pH gradient decreased with distance from the shoreline. Nutrient concentrations were deficient, increasing only in small amounts until the furthest station inland. At that location, there was a distinct and abrupt pedological transition zone from psammite to humic soils. There was a significant increase over previous stations in mean organic matter, ammonium nitrate and soil-water retention, although the increase in real terms was small. ANOVA showed significant variation in electrical conductivity, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations over time. There was no relationship between soil chemistry characteristics and plant community structure over the transect. Ipomoea pes-caprae and Spinifex littoreus were restricted to the foredunes, the leguminous forb Alysicarpus vaginalis and Perotis indica to the two stations furthest from the strand. Ischaemum indicum, a C4 perennial grass species adopting an ephemeral strategy was, in contrast, ubiquitous to all stations.

Abstract P3-02-02: Targeting the tumor microenvironment: A phase II study of copper-depletion using tetrathiomolybdate (TM) in patients (pts) with breast cancer (BC) at high risk for recurrence

Background: Bone marrow derived VEGFR2+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and copper-dependent pathways, including lysyl oxidase (LOX), are critical components to remodeling the tumor microenvironment and establishing the pre-metastatic niche. In preclinical models, it has been well established that copper depletion (CD) inhibits tumor progression. We hypothesized that TM-associated CD would reduce EPCs and other copper dependent processes in the pre-metastatic niche in BC pts at high risk for relapse. We investigated the relationship between CD and its effect on EPCs and other components of the tumor microenvironment including LOX, an enzyme critical for cross-linkage of collagen and priming the pre-metastatic niche.

Methods: In this single arm, phase II study, BC pts at high risk for recurrence, defined as node+ triple negative (TN), stage 3 and 4 with no evidence of disease (NED) were enrolled on a trial of CD with TM. Pts received oral TM to maintain ceruloplasmin (Cp) between 5-17 mg/dl for 2 years on the primary study. The primary endpoint was change in EPCs measured by flow cytometry before and during treatment with TM. Secondary endpoints included tolerability, safety and effect of copper depletion on other markers including LOX, quantified by ELISA.

Results: We enrolled 75 pts. The study treatment duration was 24 cycles (each cycle is 28 days). Over 2200 cycles have been administered. The median age is 51 (range 29-66). 45 pts have Stage 2/3 BC and 30 are Stage 4 NED. TNBC pts represent 48%, and 40% of pts are Stage 4 NED. Median Cp level decreased from 28 at baseline to 15.5 (p&lt;0.0001) after one cycle. Copper depletion was most efficient in TNBC, with 91% achieving a target CP within 4 weeks. TM was well tolerated and the only grade 3/4 toxicities were reversible neutropenia (3.2%) and anemia (0.0005%). CD was associated with a significant decrease in EPCs (p=0.0014) and LOX (p&lt;0.001). At a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the PFS for all 75 pts from the start of TM treatment was 71%, including a PFS of 90% for all stage 2/3 pts with TNBC. The overall survival of all patients enrolled in the trial is 86%. Relapse after two years is a rare event. Conclusions: TM is safe, well tolerated and appears to affect multiple copper dependent biologic processes in the tumor microenvironment known to be important for tumor progression. This seems to be most striking in TNBC. We believe, further phase III trials in a high risk for relapse population are warranted.

Citation Format: Nackos E, Willis A, Kornhauser N, Ward M, Andreopoulou E, Cigler T, Moore A, Fitzpatrick V, Cobham M, Schneider S, Wiener A, Guillaume-Abraham J, Warren JD, Rubinchik A, Lane M, Mittal V, Vahdat L. Targeting the tumor microenvironment: A phase II study of copper-depletion using tetrathiomolybdate (TM) in patients (pts) with breast cancer (BC) at high risk for recurrence. [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 P3-02-02.

Facial biometrics of peri-oral changes in Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory condition which affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the oro-facial region, patients can present peri-oral swellings which results in severe facial disfigurement. To date, assessing the degree of facial changes and evaluation of treatment outcomes relies on clinical observation and semi-quantitative methods. In this paper, we describe the development of a robust and reproducible measurement strategy using 3-D facial biometrics to objectively quantify the extent and progression of oro-facial Crohn's disease. Using facial laser scanning, 32 serial images from 13 Crohn's patients attending the Oral Medicine clinic were acquired during relapse, remission, and post-treatment phases. Utilising theories of coordinate metrology, the facial images were subjected to registration, regions of interest identification, and reproducible repositioning prior to obtaining volume measurements. To quantify the changes in tissue volume, scan images from consecutive appointments were compared to the baseline (first scan image). Reproducibility test was performed to ascertain the degree of uncertainty in volume measurements. 3-D facial biometric imaging is a reliable method to identify and quantify peri-oral swelling in Crohn's patients. Comparison of facial scan images at different phases of the disease revealed precisely profile and volume changes. The volume measurements were highly reproducible as adjudged from the 1% standard deviation. 3-D facial biometrics measurements in Crohn's patients with oro-facial involvement offers a quick, robust, economical and objective approach for guided therapeutic intervention and routine assessment of treatment efficacy on the clinic.

Embolisation of an acute inflammatory pulmonary artery aneurysm using an Amplatzer® vascular plug

Pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAA) are rare. To date there are no cases in the literature describing formation secondary to oesophageal perforation. We present an unusual case of ruptured inflammatory segmental PAA. A patient with oesophageal squamous cell cancer presented with shortness of breath and sepsis following endoscopic dilatation of an oesophageal stricture. Imaging demonstrated oesophageal perforation and a pulmonary parenchymal collection containing an inflammatory PAA. Following initial conservative management, he then re-presented with haemoptysis secondary to PAA rupture. He was treated with embolisation using an Amplatzer® vascular plug (AVP) and went on to make an uneventful recovery.

Sodium-, chloride-, and mibefradil-sensitive calcium channels in intestinal pacing in wild-type and W/WV mice

Pacing of intestinal smooth muscle is driven by a network of cells found in the myenteric plexus called the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MP), which produce a rhythmic pacemaker current. Using intact segments of circular (CM) and longitudinal (LM) muscle from wild-type and W/WV mice, we found that sodium-, chloride-, and mibefradil-sensitive ion channel currents are required for normal pacing to occur. Application of 30 µmol/L and 300 µmol/L lidocaine, 1 mmol/L 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS), 50 nmol/L and 500 nmol/L mibefradil, or low sodium Krebs significantly reduced pacing frequency in LM and CM. However, simultaneously applying DIDS and lidocaine or low sodium Krebs solution did not completely block pacing nor did it have an additive effect. Lidocaine and low sodium Krebs solution also abolished the gradient of pacing frequencies (higher proximally) found throughout the intestine, resulting in a uniform contraction frequency of 30–40/min. In W/WV mice, which lack ICC-MP, application of DIDS and lidocaine had no effect on the robust pacing in LM segments. In conclusion we found that sodium-, chloride-, and mibefradil-sensitive channel activities were required for normal pacing and to maintain the pacing gradient found throughout the intestines in wild-type but not W/WV mice.

Comparisons of neural and pacing activities in intestinal segments from W/W++ and W/W(V) mice

We studied pacing and neurotransmission in longitudinal (LM) and circular muscle (CM) in intestine of W/W++ and W/W(V) mice. Electrical field-stimulation (EFS) of nerves in LM segments was more inhibitory in W/W(V) mice than in W/W++ mice. No inhibitory input to CM segments of W/W(V) mice was found. The EFS, after nerve block, entrained segments of both W/W++ and mutant mice with 10 ms pulses, and entrained those of mutant mice more readily at 1 and 3 ms pulses. Pacing with external electrodes did not depend on interstitial cells of Cajal in the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP). 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), putative antagonist at IP3 receptors, store-operated channels and the Sacro-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump, reduced frequency and amplitudes of pacing of LM segments from W/W(V) mice as it did in BALB/c mice. Thus, its actions may not require ICC-MP. SKF 96365, a putative inhibitor of store-operated channels, reduced frequencies and amplitudes of intestinal segments in W/W++ mice at 10 or 30 micromol L-1. This resulted from blocking L-Ca2+-channels. Thus, no evidence was found that store-operated channels play a role in pacing. In LM segments of W/W(V), SKF 96365 had no effects on frequency of contractions. We conclude, results from models of severely reduced systems may not be applicable to intact ICC networks.

Purification, characterization and immunolocalization of porcine surfactant protein D

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a collectin believed to play an important role in innate immunity. SP-D is characterized by having a collagen-like domain and a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), which has a specific Ca(2+)-dependent specificity for saccharides and thus the ability to bind complex glycoconjugates on micro-organisms. This paper describes the tissue immunolocalization of porcine SP-D (pSP-D) in normal slaughter pigs using a monoclonal antibody raised against purified pSP-D. Porcine SP-D was purified from porcine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by maltose-agarose and immunoglobulin M affinity chromatography. The purified protein appeared on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a band of approximately 53,000 MW in the reduced state and approximately 138,000 MW in the unreduced state. Porcine SP-D was sensitive to collagenase digestion and N-deglycosylation, which reduced the molecular mass to approximately 24,000 MW and approximately 48,000 MW respectively, in the reduced state. N-deglycosylation of the collagen-resistant fragment, reduced the molecular mass to approximately 21,000 MW showing the presence of an N-glycosylation site located in the CRD. Porcine SP-D bound to solid-phase mannan in a dose and Ca(2+)-dependent manner with a saccharide specificity similar to rat and human SP-D. The purified protein was used for the production of a monoclonal anti-pSP-D antibody. The antibody reacted specifically with pSP-D in the reduced and unreduced state when analysed by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical evaluation of normal porcine tissues showed pSP-D immunoreactivity predominantly in Clara cells and serous cells of the bronchial submucosal glands, and to a lesser extent in alveolar type II cells, epithelial cells of the intestinal glands (crypts of Lieberkuhn) in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and serous cells of the dorsolateral lacrimal gland.

Variation of proposed correlation indices of cerebrovascular reactivity with change of arteriolar diameter

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between proposed correlation indices of cerebrovascular reserve and corresponding changes of cerebrovascular reserve as measured by changes of pial arteriolar diameter. Mild and severe physiologic challenge was produced in piglets by appropriate ventilation with foreign gas mixture and altered alveolar ventilation. Intracranial pressure (ICP), arterial blood pressure (ABP), and video micrometer recordings of pial arteriolar diameter were made. Serial values of ICP and ABP were used to compute the Correlation Coefficient index (Corrx) and the Pressure Reactivity Index (PrX). For the 10 mild physiologic challenge experiments, correlations between percent change index (% delta Corrx and % delta PrX) and percent change of pial arteriolar diameter (% delta dia.) induced by mild challenges (n = 40) were 0.51 (p < .005) and 0.097 (p n.s.) respectively. For 8 asphyxia experiments, serial values with respect to time of the correlation indices were correlated with % delta dia. obtained before, during induction and recovery. The grand mean (n = 8) correlation values (+/- S.D.) of the Corrx and PrX were 0.76 (+/- 0.18, p < .025) and 0.21 (+/- 0.38, p n.s.) respectively. In contrast to the PrX index, changes of the Corrx index significantly correlated with changes of pial arteriolar diameter. However, Corrx and PrX were simultaneously high only during a state of maximum dilation. These findings suggest that sudden salient increases of the Corrx and PrX indices induced by physiologic challenge are indicative of vigorous dilatory response of the cerebral arterioles and loss of cerebrovascular reserve.

A protocol for identification of early bulbar signs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The purpose of this project is to identify characteristics that may be of assistance in establishing the diagnosis and monitoring early progression of bulbar dysfunction in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Early identification of bulbar dysfunction would assist in clinical trials and management decisions. A database of 218 clinic visits of patients with ALS was developed and formed the basis for these analyses. As a framework for the description of our methodology, the Disablement Model [World Health Organization. WHO International classification of impairment, activity, and participation: beginner's guide. In: WHO, editor. Beta-1 draft for field trials; 1999] was utilized. Our data identified that the strongest early predictors of bulbar speech dysfunction include altered voice quality (laryngeal control), speaking rate, and communication effectiveness. A protocol for measuring these speech parameters was therefore undertaken. This paper presents the protocol used to measure these bulbar parameters.

Molecular structure and conformation of cyclopropylbenzene as determined by ab initio molecular orbital calculations, pulsed-jet fourier transform microwave spectroscopic, and gas-phase electron diffraction investigations

Ab initio computational, microwave spectroscopic, and electron diffraction techniques have been used to study the gas-phase structure of cyclopropylbenzene. Theoretical calculations at the HF, B3LYP, and MP2 levels for basis sets 6-31G(d) and 6-311G(d) have been carried out. Both MP2 and B3LYP calculations showed the bisected form to be lower in energy (245/157 and 660/985 cal mol(-1), respectively, for basis sets 6-311G(d)/6-31G(d)). Rotational constants for the bisected form of the parent and eight singly substituted (13)C isotopic species were obtained. The selection rules of the observed rotational transitions and the facts that eight (rather than six) singly substituted (13)C isotopers are observed and assigned and that seven of the compound's nine carbon atoms lie in the molecule's symmetry plane required the molecule to exist in the bisected conformation. No transition from the perpendicular form was observed in the pulsed-jet microwave experiment. Gas-phase electron diffraction data were collected at a nozzle-tip temperature of 265 K. Least squares analyses were carried out using ED data alone and with the inclusion of microwave rotational constants. The principal structural results (r(g) and angle(alpha)) obtained from the combined ED/MW least-squares analysis are r(C-H)(av) = 1.093(6) A, r(C(7)-C(8))(v) = 1.514(20) A, r(C(8)-C(9))(d) = 1.507(26) A, r(C(7)-C(1)) = 1.520(25) A, r(C-C)(Ph) = 1.395(1) A, angleC(1)C(7)C(8) = 119.6(17) degrees, angleC(2)C(1)C(7) = 122.5(25) degrees, angleC(1)C(2)C(3) = 120.9(35) degrees, angleHC(8)C(9) = 116.7(20) degrees, angleHCC(Ph) = 120.0 degrees (assumed).