Dynamics of magnetization at infinite temperature in a Heisenberg spin chain

Understanding universal aspects of quantum dynamics is an unresolved problem in statistical mechanics. In particular, the spin dynamics of the one-dimensional Heisenberg model were conjectured as to belong to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) universality class based on the scaling of the infinite-temperature spin-spin correlation function. In a chain of 46 superconducting qubits, we studied the probability distribution of the magnetization transferred across the chain's center, [Formula: see text]. The first two moments of [Formula: see text] show superdiffusive behavior, a hallmark of KPZ universality. However, the third and fourth moments ruled out the KPZ conjecture and allow for evaluating other theories. Our results highlight the importance of studying higher moments in determining dynamic universality classes and provide insights into universal behavior in quantum systems.

Development of the What Matters 2 Adults (WM2A) wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

PURPOSE

As wellbeing is culturally bound, wellbeing measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be culturally relevant and grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and preferences. We describe the development of a nationally-relevant and culturally grounded wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: the What Matters to Adults (WM2A) measure.

METHODS

We used a mixed methods approach to measure development, combining Indigenist methodologies and psychometric methods. Candidate items were derived through a large national qualitative study. Think-aloud interviews (n = 17) were conducted to assess comprehension, acceptability, and wording of candidate items. Two national surveys collected data on the item pool (n = 312, n = 354). Items were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and item response theory (IRT) to test dimensionality, local dependence and item fit. A Collaborative Yarning approach ensured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices were privileged throughout.

RESULTS

Fifty candidate items were developed, refined, and tested. Using EFA, an eight factor model was developed. All items met pre-specified thresholds for maximum endorsement frequencies, and floor and ceiling effects; no item redundancy was identified. Ten items did not meet thresholds for aggregate adjacent endorsement frequencies. During Collaborative Yarning, six items were removed based on low factor loadings (<0.4) and twelve due to conceptual overlap, high correlations with other items, endorsement frequencies, and/or low IRT item level information. Several items were retained for content validity. The final measure includes 32 items across 10 domains (Balance & control; Hope & resilience; Caring for others; Culture & Country; Spirit & identity; Feeling valued; Connection with others; Access; Racism & worries; Pride & strength).

CONCLUSIONS

The unique combination of Indigenist and psychometric methodologies to develop WM2A ensures a culturally and psychometrically robust measure, relevant across a range of settings and applications.

Accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation for psychological distress in advanced cancer: A phase 2a feasibility and preliminary efficacy clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Psychological and existential suffering affects many people with advanced illness, and current therapeutic options have limited effectiveness. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective therapy for refractory depression, but no previous study has used rTMS to treat psychological or existential distress in the palliative setting.

AIM

To determine whether a 5-day course of "accelerated" rTMS is feasible and can improve psychological and/or existential distress in a palliative care setting.

DESIGN

Open-label, single arm, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy study of intermittent theta-burst stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 600 pulses/session, 8 sessions/day (once per hour) for 5 days. The outcomes were the rates of recruitment, completion of intervention, and follow-up (Feasibility); and the proportion of participants achieving 50% improvement on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 2 weeks post-treatment (Preliminary Efficacy).

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Adults admitted to our academic Palliative Care Unit with advanced illness, life expectancy >1 month and psychological distress.

RESULTS

Due to COVID-19 pandemic-related interruptions, a total of nine participants were enrolled between August 2021 and April 2023. Two withdrew before starting rTMS, one stopped due to clinical deterioration unrelated to rTMS, and six completed the rTMS treatment. Five of six participants had a >50% improvement in HDRS, HADS-Anxiety, or both between baseline and the 2 week follow up; the sixth died prior to the 2-week follow-up. In this small sample, mean depression scores decreased from baseline to 2 weeks post-treatment (HDRS 18 vs 7, p = 0.03). Side effects of rTMS included transient mild scalp discomfort.

CONCLUSIONS

Accelerated rTMS improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both in this small feasibility and preliminary efficacy study. A larger, sham-controlled study is warranted to determine whether rTMS could be an effective, acceptable, and scalable treatment in the palliative setting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04257227.

The effect of psychiatric decision unit services on inpatient admissions and mental health presentations in emergency departments: an interrupted time series analysis from two cities and one rural area in England

AIMS

High-quality evidence is lacking for the impact on healthcare utilisation of short-stay alternatives to psychiatric inpatient services for people experiencing acute and/or complex mental health crises (known in England as psychiatric decision units [PDUs]). We assessed the extent to which changes in psychiatric hospital and emergency department (ED) activity were explained by implementation of PDUs in England using a quasi-experimental approach.

METHODS

We conducted an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis of weekly aggregated data pre- and post-PDU implementation in one rural and two urban sites using segmented regression, adjusting for temporal and seasonal trends. Primary outcomes were changes in the number of voluntary inpatient admissions to (acute) adult psychiatric wards and number of ED adult mental health-related attendances in the 24 months post-PDU implementation compared to that in the 24 months pre-PDU implementation.

RESULTS

The two PDUs (one urban and one rural) with longer (average) stays and high staff-to-patient ratios observed post-PDU decreases in the pattern of weekly voluntary psychiatric admissions relative to pre-PDU trend (Rural: -0.45%/week, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.78%, -0.12%; Urban: -0.49%/week, 95% CI = -0.73%, -0.25%); PDU implementation in each was associated with an estimated 35-38% reduction in total voluntary admissions in the post-PDU period. The (urban) PDU with the highest throughput, lowest staff-to-patient ratio and shortest average stay observed a 20% (-20.4%, CI = -29.7%, -10.0%) level reduction in mental health-related ED attendances post-PDU, although there was little impact on long-term trend. Pooled analyses across sites indicated a significant reduction in the number of voluntary admissions following PDU implementation (-16.6%, 95% CI = -23.9%, -8.5%) but no significant (long-term) trend change (-0.20%/week, 95% CI = -0.74%, 0.34%) and no short- (-2.8%, 95% CI = -19.3%, 17.0%) or long-term (0.08%/week, 95% CI = -0.13, 0.28%) effects on mental health-related ED attendances. Findings were largely unchanged in secondary (ITS) analyses that considered the introduction of other service initiatives in the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of PDUs was associated with an immediate reduction of voluntary psychiatric inpatient admissions. The extent to which PDUs change long-term trends of voluntary psychiatric admissions or impact on psychiatric presentations at ED may be linked to their configuration. PDUs with a large capacity, short length of stay and low staff-to-patient ratio can positively impact ED mental health presentations, while PDUs with longer length of stay and higher staff-to-patient ratios have potential to reduce voluntary psychiatric admissions over an extended period. Taken as a whole, our analyses suggest that when establishing a PDU, consideration of the primary crisis-care need that underlies the creation of the unit is key.

Long-term bereavement outcomes in family members of those who died in acute care hospitals before and during the first wave of COVID-19: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Severe grief is highly distressing and prevalent up to 1 year post-death among people bereaved during the first wave of COVID-19, but no study has assessed changes in grief severity beyond this timeframe.

AIM

Understand the trajectory of grief during the pandemic by reassessing grief symptoms in our original cohort 12-18 months post-death.

DESIGN

Prospective matched cohort study.

SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS

Family members of decedents who died in an acute care hospital between November 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020 in Ottawa, Canada. Family members of patients who died of COVID (COVID +ve) were matched 2:1 with those who died of non-COVID illness (COVID -ve) during pandemic wave 1 or immediately prior to its onset (pre-COVID). Grief was assessed using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG).

RESULTS

Follow-up assessment was completed by 92% (111/121) of family members in the initial cohort. Mean ICG score on the 12-18-month assessment was 19.9 (SD = 11.8), and severe grief (ICG > 25) was present in 28.8% of participants. One-third (33.3%) had either a persistently high (>25) or worsening ICG score (⩾4-point increase between assessments). Using a modified Poisson regression analysis, persistently high or worsening ICG scores were associated with endotracheal intubation in the deceased, but not cause of death (COVID +ve, COVID -ve, pre-COVID) or physical presence of the family member in the final 48 h of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe grief is a substantial source of psychological morbidity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, persisting more than a year post-death. Our findings highlight an acute need for effective and scalable means of addressing severe grief.

Environmental impacts of earth observation data in the constellation and cloud computing era

Numbers of Earth Observation (EO) satellites have increased exponentially over the past decade reaching the current population of 1193 (January 2023). Consequently, EO data volumes have mushroomed and data storage and processing have migrated to the cloud. Whilst attention has been given to the launch and in-orbit environmental impacts of satellites, EO data environmental footprints have been overlooked. These issues require urgent attention given data centre water and energy consumption, high carbon emissions for computer component manufacture, and difficulty of recycling computer components. Doing so is essential if the environmental good of EO is to withstand scrutiny. We provide the first assessment of the EO data life-cycle and estimate that the current size of the global EO data collection is ~807 PB, increasing by ~100 PB/year. Storage of this data volume generates annual CO2 equivalent emissions of 4101 t. Major state-funded EO providers use 57 of their own data centres globally, and a further 178 private cloud services, with considerable duplication of datasets across repositories. We explore scenarios for the environmental cost of performing EO functions on the cloud compared to desktop machines. A simple band arithmetic function applied to a Landsat 9 scene using Google Earth Engine (GEE) generated CO2 equivalent (e) emissions of 0.042-0.69 g CO2e (locally) and 0.13-0.45 g CO2e (European data centre; values multiply by nine for Australian data centre). Computation-based emissions scale rapidly for more intense processes and when testing code. When using cloud services such as GEE, users have no choice about the data centre used and we push for EO providers to be more transparent about the location-specific impacts of EO work, and to provide tools for measuring the environmental cost of cloud computation. The EO community as a whole needs to critically consider the broad suite of EO data life-cycle impacts.

Comorbidities, symptoms and end-of-life medication use in hospitalised decedents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective regional cohort study in Ottawa, Canada

OBJECTIVE

To compare comorbidities, symptoms and end-of-life (EoL) palliative medication (antisecretories, opioids, antipsychotics and sedatives) use among decedents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

In a retrospective cohort study, decedent records in three acute care hospitals were abstracted, generating a prepandemic (November 2019-February 2020) group (pre-COVID) and two intrapandemic (March-August 2020, wave 1) groups, one without (COVID-ve) and one with COVID-19 infection (COVID+ve). Control group decedents were matched 2:1 on age, sex and care service (medicine/intensive care unit (ICU)) with COVID+ve decedents.

SETTING

Three regional acute care teaching hospitals in Ottawa, Canada PARTICIPANTS: Decedents (N=425): COVID+ve (n=85), COVID-ve (n=170) and pre-COVID (n=170).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data were abstracted regarding demographics, admission comorbidities and symptoms, and EoL medication use; opioid doses were standardised to parenteral morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), and the predictors of upper quartile MEDD in the last 24 hours of life were examined in multivariable logistic regression with adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dementia (41% vs 28% and 26%, p=0.03), breathlessness (63.5% vs 42% and 47%, p<0.01), cough (40% vs 27% and 19%, p<0.01) and fever (54% vs 9% and 13.5%) was higher in COVID+ve versus pre-COVID and COVID-ve groups, respectively. The median (IQR) of MEDD over the last 72 hours of life was 16.7 (9-36.5) vs 13.5 (5.7-21.8) and 10.5 (5.3-23.8) for COVID+ve versus pre-COVID and COVID-ve groups, respectively, (p=0.007). Male sex, COVID+ve grouping, ICU death and high-flow nasal cannula use predicted upper quartile MEDD dose, aORs (95% CIs): 1.84 (1.05 to 3.22), 2.62 (1.29 to 5.3), 5.14 (2.47 to 10.7) and 1.93 (1.05 to 3.52), respectively. COVID+ve group decedents used highest lorazepam and propofol doses.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 decedents, particularly those in ICU, required higher EoL opioid and sedating medication doses than matched prepandemic or intrapandemic controls. These findings should inform and guide clinical practice.

Bereavement outcomes in family members of those who died in acute care hospitals before and during the first wave of COVID-19: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of deaths worldwide, leading to symptoms of grief among the bereaved. Neither the burden of severe grief nor its predictors are fully known within the context of the pandemic.

AIM

To determine the prevalence and predictors of severe grief in family members who were bereaved early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Prospective, matched cohort study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Family members of people who died in an acute hospital in Ottawa, Canada between November 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020. We matched relatives of patients who died of COVID (COVID +ve) with those who died of non-COVID illness either during wave 1 of the pandemic (COVID -ve) or immediately prior to its onset (pre-COVID). We abstracted decedents' medical records, contacted family members >6 months post loss, and assessed grief symptoms using the Inventory of Complicated Grief-revised.

RESULTS

We abstracted data for 425 decedents (85 COVID +ve, 170 COVID -ve, and 170 pre-COVID), and 110 of 165 contacted family members (67%) consented to participate. Pre-COVID family members were physically present more in the last 48 h of life; the COVID +ve cohort were more present virtually. Overall, 35 family members (28.9%) had severe grief symptoms, and the prevalence was similar among the cohorts (p = 0.91). Grief severity was not correlated with demographic factors, physical presence in the final 48 h of life, intubation, or relationship with the deceased.

CONCLUSION

Severe grief is common among family members bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of the cause or circumstances of death, and even if their loss took place before the onset of the pandemic. This suggests that aspects of the pandemic itself contribute to severe grief, and factors that normally mitigate grief may not be as effective.

Comparative end-of-life communication and support in hospitalised decedents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective regional cohort study in Ottawa, Canada

OBJECTIVE

To compare end-of-life in-person family presence, patient-family communication and healthcare team-family communication encounters in hospitalised decedents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

In a regional multicentre retrospective cohort study, electronic health record data were abstracted for a prepandemic group (pre-COVID) and two intrapandemic (March-August 2020, wave 1) groups, one COVID-19 free (COVID-ve) and one with COVID-19 infection (COVID+ve). Pre-COVID and COVID-ve groups were matched 2:1 (age, sex and care service) with the COVID+ve group.

SETTING

One quaternary and two tertiary adult, acute care hospitals in Ottawa, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Decedents (n=425): COVID+ve (n=85), COVID-ve (n=170) and pre-COVID (n=170).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

End-of-life (last 48 hours) in-person family presence and virtual (video) patient-family communication, and end-of-life (last 5 days) virtual team-family communication encounter occurrences were examined using logistic regression with ORs and 95% CIs. End-of-life (last 5 days) rates of in-person and telephone team-family communication encounters were examined using mixed-effects negative binomial models with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

End-of-life in-person family presence decreased progressively across pre-COVID (90.6%), COVID-ve (79.4%) and COVID+ve (47.1%) groups: adjusted ORs=0.38 (0.2-0.73) and 0.09 (0.04-0.17) for COVID-ve and COVID+ve groups, respectively. COVID-ve and COVID+ve groups had reduced in-person but increased telephone team-family communication encounters: IRRs=0.76 (0.64-0.9) and 0.61 (0.47-0.79) for in-person, and IRRs=2.6 (2.1-3.3) and 4.8 (3.7-6.1) for telephone communications, respectively. Virtual team-family communication encounters occurred in 17/85 (20%) and 10/170 (5.9%) of the COVID+ve and COVID-ve groups, respectively: adjusted OR=3.68 (1.51-8.95).

CONCLUSIONS

In hospitalised COVID-19 pandemic wave 1 decedents, in-person family presence and in-person team-family communication encounters decreased at end of life, particularly in the COVID+ve group; virtual modalities were adopted for communication, and telephone use increased in team-family communication encounters. The implications of these communication changes for the patient, family and healthcare team warrant further study.

Do pain management apps use evidence-based psychological components? A systematic review of app content and quality

Background

With hundreds of pain management apps on the Canadian marketplace, it can be challenging for patients and clinicians to select effective and evidence-based mobile health (mHealth) apps that address pain from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Aims

The aim of this study is to identify pain management apps within the Canadian app marketplaces to aid clinicians in recommending apps.

Methods

The iOS and Android marketplaces were systematically searched to identify pain management apps that included at least one core component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapies. Selected apps were assessed using a researcher developed psychological components checklist, and the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). These two measures provided a robust assessment of the apps' technical abilities and psychological principles being implemented.

Results

Five hundred eight pain management apps were identified, yet only 12 included a psychological component and were available for evaluation. On average, apps contained 8.10 out of 18 psychological components (SD = 2.77) with a MARS quality rating of 4.02 out of 5 (SD = 0.32). The most common psychological components were grounded in CBT, including psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, behavioral activation, coping skills training, and social support. Among the least commonly included components were goal setting, values, and culture/diversity. Two-thirds of the apps involved health care practitioners in their development, but independent scientific review of apps was scarce.

Conclusion

The highest scoring apps (Curable, Pathways, Vivify) are highlighted for health care practitioners who may wish to recommend mHealth technologies to their patients for pain management. Future directions for research and app development are discussed.

Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems

Food from the sea can make a larger contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, and to addressing hunger and malnutrition, through improvements in production, distribution and equitable access to wild harvest and mariculture resources and products. The supply and consumption of seafood is influenced by a range of 'drivers' including ecosystem change and ocean regulation, the influence of corporations and evolving consumer demand, as well as the growing focus on the importance of seafood for meeting nutritional needs. These drivers need to be examined in a holistic way to develop an informed understanding of the needs, potential impacts and solutions that align seafood production and consumption with relevant 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses an evidence-based narrative approach to examine how the anticipated global trends for seafood might be experienced by people in different social, geographical and economic situations over the next ten years. Key drivers influencing seafood within the global food system are identified and used to construct a future scenario based on our current trajectory (Business-as-usual 2030). Descriptive pathways and actions are then presented for a more sustainable future scenario that strives towards achieving the SDGs as far as technically possible (More sustainable 2030). Prioritising actions that not only sustainably produce more seafood, but consider aspects of access and utilisation, particularly for people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, is an essential part of designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-021-09663-x.

Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems

Food from the sea can make a larger contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, and to addressing hunger and malnutrition, through improvements in production, distribution and equitable access to wild harvest and mariculture resources and products. The supply and consumption of seafood is influenced by a range of 'drivers' including ecosystem change and ocean regulation, the influence of corporations and evolving consumer demand, as well as the growing focus on the importance of seafood for meeting nutritional needs. These drivers need to be examined in a holistic way to develop an informed understanding of the needs, potential impacts and solutions that align seafood production and consumption with relevant 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses an evidence-based narrative approach to examine how the anticipated global trends for seafood might be experienced by people in different social, geographical and economic situations over the next ten years. Key drivers influencing seafood within the global food system are identified and used to construct a future scenario based on our current trajectory (Business-as-usual 2030). Descriptive pathways and actions are then presented for a more sustainable future scenario that strives towards achieving the SDGs as far as technically possible (More sustainable 2030). Prioritising actions that not only sustainably produce more seafood, but consider aspects of access and utilisation, particularly for people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, is an essential part of designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-021-09663-x.

Rock glaciers represent hidden water stores in the Himalaya

In the high mountains of Asia, ongoing glacier retreat threatens human and ecological systems through reduced water availability. Rock glaciers are climatically more resistant than glaciers and contain valuable water volume equivalents (WVEQ). Across High Mountain Asia (HMA) the WVEQ of rock glaciers is poorly quantified, and thus their hydrological significance versus glaciers is unknown. Here we present the first systematic assessment of Himalayan rock glaciers, totalling ~25,000 landforms with an areal coverage of ~3747 km². We calculate the WVEQ of Himalayan rock glaciers to be 51.80 ± 10.36 km³. Their comparative importance versus glaciers (rock glacier: glacier WVEQ ratio) is 1:25, which means that they constitute hydrologically valuable long-term water stores. In the context of climate-driven glacier recession, their relative hydrological value will likely increase. These cryospheric stores should be included in future scenario modelling to understand their role in sustainable water management for HMA.

An exploration of the sociodemographic and health conditions associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

Objective

To identify sociodemographic factors and health conditions associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Participants were recruited via investigator networks and an online panel provider with an established nationwide panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Those interested were invited to complete a survey that included an assessment of wellbeing using a visual analogue scale. Data was collected from October–November 2019 and August–September 2020. Exploratory analyses were conducted to ascertain factors associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

Results

Having more than enough money to last until next pay day, full-time employment, completion of grade 12, having a partner, and living with others were significantly associated with higher wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. A self-reported history of depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, heart disease, or disability were associated with lower self-rated wellbeing scores. Our findings indicate a need for further investigation among these socioeconomic and patient groups to identify how to improve and support the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-021-05794-3.

Oviduct Fluke (Prosthogonimus macrorchis) Found Inside a Chicken Egg in North Carolina

A video received by faculty at North Carolina State University's Prestage Department of Poultry Science revealed a live parasite inside a chicken egg. The parasite was identified as an oviduct fluke (Prosthogonimus macrorchis), a trematode with a three-host life cycle: the primary host, a galliform bird, then an aquatic snail, and finally a dragonfly larva or adult consumed by the infected bird. The egg was from a "backyard flock" with access to a watercourse. No other instances of this parasite were seen in eggs from the flock. The presence of this parasite inside an egg suggests that the worms had migrated above the shell gland in the oviduct to be incorporated inside the egg. Currently, the occurrence of an oviduct fluke inside an egg in the United States is rare. Such parasites are not found in eggs from caged layers because those birds do not have access to watercourses. This case reinforces the view that parasites requiring intermediate hosts may become more common in birds reared under free-range conditions.

AB0259 EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF FILGOTINIB ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF ROSUVASTATIN, ATORVASTATIN, AND PRAVASTATIN

Background:

Filgotinib is an orally administered small molecule that preferentially inhibits Janus kinase 1 and is approved for use in Europe and Japan in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapies. Patients with RA are at a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality relative to the general population1. Thus, it is important to understand potential drug-drug interactions of filgotinib with lipid-lowering agents such as statins. Based on in vitro studies, filgotinib is not expected to significantly increase exposure of statins via inhibition of the organic anion transporting peptide (OATP) at clinically relevant exposures. Hence, in Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical studies, statins were allowed for use with filgotinib. A post-hoc analysis showed no increase in statin-induced AEs such as muscle or liver toxicities when statins were coadministered with filgotinib (“Concomitant Use of Statins in Filgotinib-Treated Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Post Hoc Analysis”, submitted to EULAR 2021).

Objectives:

The objectives of this study (NCT04608344) were to evaluate the effect of filgotinib on the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin, which are sensitive substrates for the OATP-1B1/1B3, and the short-term safety of administering filgotinib with or without statins.

Methods:

This was an open-label, randomized, two-way, crossover study in healthy adult volunteers (n = 27). Study participants received a single dose of atorvastatin (ATV 40 mg) and a single dose of a cocktail of pravastatin (PRA 40 mg)/rosuvastatin (ROS 10 mg), on two different occasions with washout in between, alone or in combination with filgotinib (200 mg QD for 11 days). Serial pharmacokinetic sampling was performed and pharmacokinetic parameters for each statin were calculated. Safety was assessed throughout the study. An analysis of variance using a mixed-effects model was applied to the natural logarithmic transformation of pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax and AUCinf) for ATV, 2-OH-ATV (active metabolite of ATV), PRA, and ROS. Geometric-least squares means (GLSM) ratios and 90% confidence intervals (90% CI) of pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated for each analyte and were compared against pre-specified lack of pharmacokinetic alteration boundaries of 70 to 143%.

Results:

Of the 27 enrolled participants, 25 participants completed all study treatments. Most AEs and laboratory abnormalities were Grade 1 or 2 in severity; 1 participant discontinued due to a Grade 3 increase in creatine kinase and 1 participant discontinued due to difficulty in blood draws. Following coadministration of filgotinib with ATV, relative to ATV alone, ATV AUCinf was unaffected (GLSM ratio (90% CI): 0.91 (0.84, 0.99)), but ATV Cmax was slightly reduced (GLSM ratio (90% CI): 0.82 (0.69, 0.98)). 2-OH-ATV exposure (Cmax and AUCinf) were unaffected (GLSM ratio (90% CI): 0.98 (0.81, 1.18) for Cmax and 1.12 (1.02, 1.22) for AUCinf), and were within the pre-specified lack-of-effect bounds. Following coadministration with filgotinib, PRA AUCinf was unaffected (GLSM ratio (90% CI): 1.22 (1.06, 1.42)), but PRA Cmax was slightly higher (1.25 (1.01, 1.54)). ROS exposure (Cmax and AUCinf) were moderately higher upon coadministration with filgotinib (GLSM ratio (90% CI): 1.68 (1.43, 1.97) for Cmax and 1.42 (1.30, 1.56) for AUCinf), and these changes in rosuvastatin exposure are not considered to be clinically relevant.

Conclusion:

All study treatments were generally well tolerated. Co-administration with filgotinib did not have a clinically meaningful impact on the exposure of ATV, PRA, and ROS. These data support concomitant use of filgotinib with OATP substrates such as statins.

References:

[1]Piepoli MF, Hoes AW, Agewall S, et al. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(29): 2315-2381.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kacey Anderson Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Cara Nelson Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Qi Gong Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Muhsen Alani Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Thomas Tarnowski Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Ahmed A. Othman Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences

POS0672 FIRST-IN-HUMAN STUDY OF GS-5718, AN ORAL IRAK-4 INHIBITOR, IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: PHARMACOKINETICS, SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, AND ASSESSMENT OF EFFECT OF FOOD AND ACID REDUCING AGENTS ON EXPOSURE

Background:

GS-5718 is a potent and selective interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) inhibitor in clinical development for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Objectives:

The aim of this first-in-human study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of GS-5718; and the effect of food and acid-reducing agents (ARA) on GS-5718 pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.

Methods:

This was a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, single and multiple (once daily for 10 days) oral dose study. Healthy male and female subjects were enrolled in ascending dose cohorts and randomized to receive GS-5718 (15, 50 or 150 mg) or placebo. GS-5718 was administered fasted in the single ascending dose cohorts, and under fed conditions (standard meal) in the multiple dose cohorts. The effects of a high-fat meal and omeprazole (a representative ARA) on GS-5718 50 mg dose pharmacokinetics were also evaluated. Serial blood samples were collected and GS-5718 pharmacokinetic parameters were characterized. Safety was assessed by review of adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory tests, and vital signs.

Results:

A total of 74 subjects (n = 62 GS-5718; n = 12 placebo) enrolled and completed study drug treatments in this study. GS-5718 was generally well tolerated at all evaluated dose levels; AEs were mild in severity and no dose-limiting toxicities, serious AEs, nor clinically relevant electrocardiogram or vital sign abnormalities were observed in subjects administered GS-5718. GS-5718 exposure was approximately dose proportional across the evaluated multiple ascending dose range. GS-5718 showed low-to-moderate pharmacokinetic variability with median half-life of 25 to 33 hours and 1.6 to 2.4- fold accumulation at steady-state, which was achieved by Day 5-7 of dosing. Food had no clinically meaningful impact on GS-5718 exposure (AUC and Cmax) at the 50 mg dose. Co-administration of omeprazole with GS-5718 reduced GS-5718 exposure (AUC and Cmax) by 23% and 43%, respectively, at the 50 mg dose.

Conclusion:

GS-5718, administered once daily, was well tolerated following single or multiple dosing up to 150 mg. The pharmacokinetic and safety profile of GS-5718 support the further development in inflammatory diseases with once-daily administrations.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kacey Anderson Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Chia-Hsiang Hsueh Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Oksana Gurtovaya Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Anubhav Mathur Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, James Taylor Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Adrian Serone Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Ahmed A. Othman Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences

Assessment of differentially methylated loci in individuals with end-stage kidney disease attributed to diabetic kidney disease: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND

A subset of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are predisposed to developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the most common cause globally of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Emerging evidence suggests epigenetic changes in DNA methylation may have a causal role in both T1DM and DKD. The aim of this exploratory investigation was to assess differences in blood-derived DNA methylation patterns between individuals with T1DM-ESKD and individuals with long-duration T1DM but no evidence of kidney disease upon repeated testing to identify potential blood-based biomarkers. Blood-derived DNA from individuals (107 cases, 253 controls and 14 experimental controls) were bisulphite treated before DNA methylation patterns from both groups were generated and analysed using Illumina's Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip arrays (n = 862,927 sites). Differentially methylated CpG sites (dmCpGs) were identified (false discovery rate adjusted p ≤ × 10^-8 and fold change ± 2) by comparing methylation levels between ESKD cases and T1DM controls at single site resolution. Gene annotation and functionality was investigated to enrich and rank methylated regions associated with ESKD in T1DM.

RESULTS

Top-ranked genes within which several dmCpGs were located and supported by functional data with methylation look-ups in other cohorts include: AFF3, ARID5B, CUX1, ELMO1, FKBP5, HDAC4, ITGAL, LY9, PIM1, RUNX3, SEPTIN9 and UPF3A. Top-ranked enrichment pathways included pathways in cancer, TGF-β signalling and Th17 cell differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Epigenetic alterations provide a dynamic link between an individual's genetic background and their environmental exposures. This robust evaluation of DNA methylation in carefully phenotyped individuals has identified biomarkers associated with ESKD, revealing several genes and implicated key pathways associated with ESKD in individuals with T1DM.

Night shift work, sleep quality and risk of endocrine-related cancer: a systematic review

Background

Cancer is a major public health concern as it is a leading cause of death worldwide. The risk of endocrine-related cancers may be associated with suboptimal sleep quality due to disruptions in circadian rhythm. However, the extent of this relationship is not clear and warrants a review summarizing recent research findings. This systematic review aims to provide an updated summary of the literature surrounding the association between night shift work, sleep quality, circadian rhythm disruption and the risk of endocrine-related cancers.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases have been searched for related cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies. The search was limited to studies published in English, after the year 2000. Non peer-reviewed literature and randomized control trials, were excluded. Reviewers will independently extract data on study characteristics, sleep quality measures, circadian rhythm measures, cancer diagnosis, and outcome measures. Risk of bias assessment will be performed using the CLARITY tools.

Results

Data synthesis is ongoing. Associations between sleep quality, night shift work, circadian disruption and risk of endocrine-related cancer will be summarized and risk estimates will be reported for four endocrine-related cancers: breast, prostate, thyroid, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. If data are available, subgroup analyses will be carried out by cancer type, study design, and age group.

Conclusions

This review qualitatively synthesizes current literature to determine the extent of the association between sleep quality, night shift work, circadian rhythm disruption and the risk of endocrine-related cancers. These findings can contribute to population-level cancer prevention efforts and aid public health promotion of healthier sleep-related behaviours.

Key messages

The relationship between sleep quality and endocrine-related cancers should be explored further in public health research due to inconclusive evidence from current literature. The findings of this project can help promote healthy sleep behaviours and population-level cancer prevention.

SAT0149 EXPOSURE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS FOR EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB AND ITS METABOLITE GS-829845 IN SUBJECTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BASED ON PHASE 2 AND PHASE 3 STUDIES

Background:

Filgotinib is an orally administered small molecule that provides selective inhibition of JAK1, a signaling molecule that helps drive inflammatory pathways underlying rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives:

Exposure-response (ER) analyses were performed for efficacy following completion of Phase 2 studies over a wide range of doses to support evaluation of 200mg and 100 mg once daily in Phase 3 studies. ER analyses were subsequently performed by using Phase 3 efficacy data to support selection of the proposed registrational dose. ER analyses for safety based on pooled Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies were conducted to examine the safety of evaluated doses.

Methods:

Population PK analyses were conducted to estimate plasma exposures of filgotinib and GS-829845 (major circulating active metabolite of filgotinib) in both Phase 2 (DARWIN 1 and DARWIN 2) and Phase 3 studies (FINCH 1, FINCH 2, and FINCH 3) encompassing a dose range of 25 to 100 mg twice daily and 50 to 200 mg once daily. As both filgotinib and GS-829845 contribute to efficacy via JAK1 inhibition, their exposures were combined into single parameters, AUCeff and Ctau-eff (effective area under the curve and effective concentration at trough, by accounting for relative inhibition potency and molecular weight) in the ER analyses for various efficacy endpoints (e.g ACR20/50/70 responses) at Week 12 and Week 24. The ER analyses for safety endpoints (the 5 most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events [TEAEs] and Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities, serious TEAEs, and serious infections) were performed separately for filgotinib and GS-829845 exposures to characterize the individual safety profile of each analyte. The 5 evaluated TEAEs were nausea, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and hypertension; the 5 Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities included lymphocytes decrease, glucose increase, phosphate decrease, triacylglycerol lipase increase, and creatine kinase increase.

Results:

In the ER analyses for efficacy based on Phase 2 studies, high response rates were demonstrated in ACR20/50/70 across all octile groups in subjects with RA receiving filgotinib and the ER supported further evaluation of both 200 mg and 100 mg once daily doses in Phase 3 clinical studies. Similarly, ER relationships based on pooled Phase 3 studies across various endpoints (e.g ACR20/50/70) consistently revealed high response rates across the exposure range for both the filgotinib 200 mg and 100 mg doses. A trend of increasing response with increasing exposure was observed over the exposure range for multiple secondary efficacy endpoints including ACR50 and ACR70 with the effective exposures at filgotinib 200 mg primarily residing on the plateau of the ER curves.

Filgotinib was generally well-tolerated with no individual TEAE or Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormality > 5% in the filgotinib 200 mg once daily group up to Week 12. No relationships were observed between filgotinib and GS-829845 exposures (AUC0-24 and Cmax) and the most frequent TEAEs, Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities, serious TEAEs, or serious infections up to Week 52.

Conclusion:

ER analyses demonstrate that both the 200 mg and 100 mg once daily filgotinib doses are efficacious in subjects with moderately to severely active RA without clear dose-dependent effects on safety. The trend towards greater efficacy with higher exposures for some secondary endpoints (ACR50 and ACR70) and a lack of exposure-safety relationship supports a dose of 200 mg once daily over 100 mg once daily since it presents the best benefit/risk ratio among the doses tested.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Amy Meng Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead, Kacey Anderson Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Sciences, Cara Nelson Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Brian Kirby Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Liyun Ni Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Shu-Min Chuang Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Brian Kearney Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Anita Mathias Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead

What is the impact of psychiatric decision units on mental health crisis care pathways? Protocol for an interrupted time series analysis with a synthetic control study

BACKGROUND

The UK mental health system is stretched to breaking point. Individuals presenting with mental health problems wait longer at the ED than those presenting with physical concerns and finding a bed when needed is difficult - 91% of psychiatric wards are operating at above the recommended occupancy rate. To address the pressure, a new type of facility - psychiatric decision units (also known as mental health decision units) - have been introduced in some areas. These are short-stay facilities, available upon referral, targeted to help individuals who may be able to avoid an inpatient admission or lengthy ED visit. To advance knowledge about the effectiveness of this service for this purpose, we will examine the effect of the service on the mental health crisis care pathway over a 4-year time period; the 2 years proceeding and following the introduction of the service. We use aggregate service level data of key indicators of the performance of this pathway.

METHODS

Data from four mental health Trusts in England will be analysed using an interrupted time series (ITS) design with the primary outcomes of the rate of (i) ED psychiatric presentations and (ii) voluntary admissions to mental health wards. This will be supplemented with a synthetic control study with the same primary outcomes, in which a comparable control group is generated for each outcome using a donor pool of suitable National Health Service Trusts in England. The methods are well suited to an evaluation of an intervention at a service delivery level targeting population-level health outcome and the randomisation or 'trialability' of the intervention is limited. The synthetic control study controls for national trends over time, increasing our confidence in the results. The study has been designed and will be carried out with the involvement of service users and carers.

DISCUSSION

This will be the first formal evaluation of psychiatric decision units in England. The analysis will provide estimates of the effect of the decision units on a number of important service use indicators, providing much-needed information for those designing service pathways.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

primary registry: isrctn.com Identifying number: ISRCTN77588384 Link: Date of registration in primary registry: 27/02/2020.

PRIMARY SPONSOR

St George's, University of London, Cramner Road, Tooting, SW17 ORE. Primary contact: Joe Montebello.

Analysis of milk leukocyte differential measures for use in management practices for decreased mastitis incidence

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of measures derived from milk leukocyte differential (MLD) in practices that improve fresh cow mastitis monitoring and decrease mastitis incidence. Quarter milk samples were collected from Holstein and Jersey cows on d 4 and 11 postcalving. Samples were analyzed using MLD, whereby cell counts and quarter infection diagnosis were obtained. Measures derived from MLD included cell scores (total leukocyte, neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte scores), cell proportions (neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte percentages), cell thresholds (total leukocyte, neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte thresholds), and MLD diagnosis at different threshold settings (A, B, and C). Microbiological culturing of milk samples was used to determine infection status to compare the MLD diagnosis and serve as an indicator of infection. Measures derived from the microbiological analysis included occurrence of major pathogens, minor pathogens, and infection. Data analysis was based on a linear mixed model, which was used on all measures for the estimation of the fixed effects of breed, lactation number, day of sample collection, time of sampling, and quarter location, and the random effects of animal and week of sampling. All the fixed effects studied were significant for one or more of the analyzed measures. The results of this study showed that MLD-derived measures justify further study on their use for management practices for mastitis screening and prevention in early lactation.

Relationship between sleep patterns and multimorbidity in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Background

Sleep difficulties are an unmet public health problem, affecting large segments of the population around the world. Poor sleep quality and reduced sleep duration impact over half of older adults and are associated with adverse health outcomes like multiple chronic diseases (multimorbidity) and reduced longevity.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a national health survey of community-dwelling adults and older adults. A total of 30,011 participants had physiological and psychosocial data collected at baseline. Sleep measures included self-reported sleep duration (short: &lt;6 hours, normal: 6-8 hours, long: &gt;8 hours) and sleep quality (dissatisfied/very dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied/very satisfied). To capture multimorbidity, a primary definition was operationalized with 17 chronic conditions, whereas a secondary definition was operationalized with 9 chronic conditions to capture both the primary care and public health perspective.

Results

In our sample, 50.9% were female (average age: 62.7 years) and 49.1% were male (average age: 63.2 years). The majority reported a normal sleep duration and approximately half reported being either satisfied or very satisfied with sleep quality. About 70% were living with multimorbidity using the primary care definition (females: 71.7%; males 64.3%), while about 30% were living with multimorbidity using the public health definition (females: 34.8%; males: 28.9%). The adjusted analyses indicated the odds of multimorbidity increased for those who reported short or long sleep duration, as well as dissatisfaction with sleep quality, across age groups and both females and males.

Conclusions

Disrupted sleep may be an additional behavioural risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, in the context of aging populations. It is necessary to understand the potential impact of sleep on the risk of multimorbidity, and this research will build knowledge in this important area.

Key messages

This research will utilize a national health survey to examine and report the characteristics of sleep quality and sleep duration among approximately 30,000 community-dwelling adults in Canada. This research will explore relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality and multimorbidity (controlling for confounding factors) among community-dwelling adults in Canada.

An exploration of healthcare providers' experiences and perspectives of Traditional and complementary medicine usage and disclosure by Indigenous cancer patients

Background

Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) are any form of medicine, practice, treatment, product, technology, knowledge system or ceremony outside of conventional medical practice that aims to prevent and/or treat illness and/or promote well-being. Alongside conventional cancer treatments, T&CM usage is increasing; with 19% of indigenous Australians with cancer reporting using T&CM. There is limited evidence surrounding T&CM use and disclosure by indigenous patients. Our aim was to explore healthcare providers’ views about usage, disclosure/non-disclosure of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients.

Methods

Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 healthcare providers, including three indigenous providers, at a large urban hospital providing care to Indigenous cancer patients were conducted to explore providers’ experiences and attitudes towards T&CM use by Indigenous cancer patients. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to thematically analyse the data.

Results

Analysis revealed six themes: concern about risk; no ‘real’ benefits; perception of T&CM and conventional medicine as antithetical; barriers to disclosure; ‘patients’ choice’ a double-edged sword; and providers’ lack of knowledge about T&CM. Healthcare providers perceived discord between T&CM and conventional medicine. Most lacked knowledge of T&CM, and had concerns around negative-interactions with conventional treatments. They considered T&CM outside their role, citing this as reasoning for their lack of knowledge. Indigenous healthcare providers had greater understanding and openness towards T&CM.

Conclusions

Given the potential usage of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients, providers need a more comprehensive understanding of T&CM in order to inform discussion and facilitate effective disclosure on this topic. If indigenous Australians with cancer feel that cancer care providers are unreceptive to discussing T&CM, patient care risks being compromised; particularly given the potential for negative interactions between T&CM and conventional cancer treatments. Fostering health care interactions where indigenous patients feel comfortable to discuss T&CM usage should be a priority for all cancer care services.

Exploring traditional and complementary medicine use by Indigenous Australian women undergoing gynaecological cancer investigations

BACKGROUND

Indigenous Australian women experience worse gynaecological cancer outcomes than non-Indigenous women. While traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is increasingly used by cancer patients alongside conventional treatments, little is known about T&CM use by Indigenous women. This study aimed to explore the beliefs, attitudes and experiences related to T&CM use and disclosure among Indigenous women undergoing gynaecological cancer investigations.

METHODS

A mixed-methods design explored T&CM use among Indigenous women who presented for gynaecological cancer investigation at an urban Queensland hospital (September 2016 and January 2018).

RESULTS

Fourteen women participated. The reported use (86%) and perceived value of T&CM was high among the participants, however, women reported major challenges in communicating with healthcare providers about T&CM, commonly associated with trust and rapport.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the need for strategies to facilitate culturally-appropriate doctor-patient communication around T&CM to foster trust and transparency in gynaecological cancer care for Indigenous women.

Development and implementation of evidence-based laboratory safety management tools for a public health laboratory

We developed an evidence-based continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycle for laboratory safety as a method of utilizing survey data to improve safety in a public health laboratory setting. • Expert Opinion: The CQI cycle begins with the solicitation of laboratory staff input via an annual survey addressing potential chemical, physical and radiological hazards associated with multiple laboratory activities. The survey collects frequency, severity and exposure data related to these activities in the context of the most pathogenic organisms handled at least weekly. • Gap Analysis: Step 2 of the CQI cycle used survey data to identify areas needing improvement. Typically, the traditional two-dimensional risk assessment matrix is used to prioritize mitigations. However, we added an additional dimension - frequency of exposure - to create three-dimensional risk maps to better inform and communicate risk priorities. • Mitigation Measures: Step 3 of the CQI cycle was to use these results to develop mitigations. This included evaluating the identified risks to determine what risk control measures (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative or PPE) were needed. In the 2016 iteration of the CQI cycle described here, all mitigations were based on administrative controls. • Evaluation and Feedback: The last step of the CQI cycle was to evaluate the inferred effects of interventions through subsequent surveys, allowing for qualitative assessment of intervention effectiveness while simultaneously restarting the cycle by identifying new hazards. Here we describe the tools used to drive this CQI cycle, including the survey tool, risk analysis method, design of interventions and inference of mitigation effectiveness.

Proteomic and metabolomic approaches in the search for biomarkers in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an aging-related disorder that represents a major global public health burden. Current biochemical biomarkers, such as serum creatinine and urinary albumin, have important limitations when used to identify the earliest indication of CKD or in tracking the progression to more advanced CKD. These issues underline the importance of finding and testing new molecular biomarkers that are capable of successfully meeting this clinical need. The measurement of changes in nature and/or levels of proteins and metabolites in biological samples from patients provide insights into pathophysiological processes. Proteomic and metabolomic techniques provide opportunities to record dynamic chemical signatures in patients over time. This review article presents an overview of the recent developments in the fields of metabolomics and proteomics in relation to CKD. Among the many different proteomic biomarkers proposed, there is particular interest in the CKD273 classifier, a urinary proteome biomarker reported to predict CKD progression and with implementation potential. Other individual non-invasive peptidomic biomarkers that are potentially relevant for CKD detection include type 1 collagen, uromodulin and mucin-1. Despite the limited sample sizes and variability of the metabolomics studies, some metabolites such as trimethylamine N-oxide, kynurenine and citrulline stand out as potential biomarkers in CKD.

Abstract P1-11-13: Depomedroxyprogesterone therapy for hot flashes in survivors of ER-expressing breast cancer: Impact on recurrence and survival

Background

Survivors of ER-expressing operable breast cancer (ER+BC) generally do not receive hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms due to concern about provoking recurrence of disease. Single dose depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 400 mg IM has previously been shown (Loprinzi CL, et al. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:1409) to be the most effective non-estrogen therapy available for menopausal hot flashes (HF) but long-term evidence of safety in survivors of ER+BC is lacking.

Methods

Consecutive patients previously diagnosed with ER+BC who received MPA for HF between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively identified in the breast cancer patient database at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Medical records were audited for breast cancer outcomes in these cases and in contemporaneous control patients with ER+BC who did not receive MPA, matched for age, stage of disease, and year of diagnosis. Statistical comparisons of local-regional recurrence and event-free survival were performed.

Results

92 patients who received MPA were identified and matched 1:1 with contemporaneous controls. Median follow-up duration was 5.7 years in cases and 4.5 years in controls. Estimated local-regional recurrence free survival at 10 years was 85% (95% CI, 72-100%) in cases and 95% (95% CI, 86-100%) in controls. Matched pairs hazard ratio was 1.0 (95% CI, 0.06-16.0) for local-regional recurrence free survival. Estimated event-free survival at 10 years was 81% (95% CI, 69-97%) in cases and 76% (95% CI, 64-92%) in controls. Matched pairs hazard ratio was 0.38 (95% CI, 0.10-1.41) for event-free survival. The majority (77%) of case patients experienced satisfactory relief of hot flashes from MPA injection.

Conclusion

In this retrospective case-control study we were unable to identify a detrimental effect of MPA therapy for HF in survivors of ER+BC. MPA may be acceptable for management of HF in this population.

Citation Format: Ertz-Archambault N, Rogoff L, Kosiorek H, Ernst B, Anderson K, Pockaj B, Gray R, Northfelt D. Depomedroxyprogesterone therapy for hot flashes in survivors of ER-expressing breast cancer: Impact on recurrence and survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-13.

Genomic approaches in the search for molecular biomarkers in chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognised as a global public health problem, more prevalent in older persons and associated with multiple co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are common aetiologies for CKD, but IgA glomerulonephritis, membranous glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease are also common causes of CKD.

MAIN BODY

Conventional biomarkers for CKD involving the use of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from four variables (serum creatinine, age, gender and ethnicity) are recommended by clinical guidelines for the evaluation, classification, and stratification of CKD. However, these clinical biomarkers present some limitations, especially for early stages of CKD, elderly individuals, extreme body mass index values (serum creatinine), or are influenced by inflammation, steroid treatment and thyroid dysfunction (serum cystatin C). There is therefore a need to identify additional non-invasive biomarkers that are useful in clinical practice to help improve CKD diagnosis, inform prognosis and guide therapeutic management.

CONCLUSION

CKD is a multifactorial disease with associated genetic and environmental risk factors. Hence, many studies have employed genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches to identify biomarkers for kidney disease. In this review, we have summarised the most important studies in humans investigating genomic biomarkers for CKD in the last decade. Several genes, including UMOD, SHROOM3 and ELMO1 have been strongly associated with renal diseases, and some of their traits, such as eGFR and serum creatinine. The role of epigenetic and transcriptomic biomarkers in CKD and related diseases is still unclear. The combination of multiple biomarkers into classifiers, including genomic, and/or epigenomic, may give a more complete picture of kidney diseases.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From the DCCT/EDIC Study

Background

Hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress is implicated in the increased risk for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A random subcohort of 349 participants was selected from the DCCT / EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) cohort. This included 320 controls and 29 cardiovascular disease cases that were augmented with 98 additional known cases to yield a case cohort of 447 participants (320 controls, 127 cases). Biosamples from DCCT baseline, year 1, and closeout of DCCT , and 1 to 2 years post‐ DCCT ( EDIC years 1 and 2) were measured for markers of oxidative stress, including plasma myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase activity, urinary F 2α isoprostanes, and its metabolite, 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α . Following adjustment for glycated hemoblobin and weighting the observations inversely proportional to the sampling selection probabilities, higher paraoxonase activity, reflective of antioxidant activity, and 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , an oxidative marker, were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (−4.5% risk for 10% higher paraoxonase, P <0.003; −5.3% risk for 10% higher 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , P =0.0092). In contrast, the oxidative markers myeloperoxidase and F 2α isoprostanes were not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for glycated hemoblobin. There were no significant differences between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups in the change in all biomarkers across time segments.

Conclusions

Heightened antioxidant activity (rather than diminished oxidative stress markers) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus, but these biomarkers did not change over time with intensification of glycemic control.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT 00360815 and NCT 00360893.