Ethnic differences in treatment outcome for children and young people accessing mental health support

Children and Young People (CYP) from minoritized ethnic backgrounds experience structural inequalities in Children and Young People's Mental Health Settings (CYPMHS). This mixed methods study explores whether CYP's ethnicity is associated with their treatment outcomes (operationalised as 'measurable change') from CYPMHS. A multilevel multi-nominal regression analysis, controlling for age, gender, referral source, presenting difficulty, case closure reason, suggests that CYP from Asian backgrounds (OR = 0.82, CI [0.70, 0.96]) and Mixed-race (odds ratio (OR) = 0.80; 95% CI [0.69, 0.92]) are less likely to report measurable improvement in mental health difficulties compared to White British CYP. Three themes from a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 CYP from minoritized ethnic backgrounds focused on views and experiences of ending mental health support are also presented. CYP view personalised support and the right therapist as conducive to good endings and valued a range of outcomes pertaining to empowerment. Experiences of stigma and inequalities may begin to explain the less positive outcomes experienced by Asian and Mixed-race CYP found in the regression analysis. The implications of these findings and future areas of research are suggested.

Providing environmentally sustainable nephrology care: focus in low- and middle-income countries

Health care on a global scale significantly contributes to carbon emissions, with high-income countries being the primary culprits. Within health care, dialysis plays a significant role as a major source of emissions. Low- and middle-income countries have a high burden of kidney disease and are facing an increasing demand for dialysis. This reality presents multiple opportunities to plan for environmentally sustainable and quality kidney care. By placing a stronger emphasis on primary and secondary prevention of kidney disease and its progression, within the framework of universal health coverage, as well as empowering patients to enhance self-care, we can significantly reduce the need for costly and environmentally detrimental kidney replacement therapy. Mandating the adoption of lean and innovative low-carbon dialysis practices while also promoting the growth of kidney transplantation would enable low- and middle-income countries to take the lead in implementing environmentally friendly nephrology practices and reducing costs, thus optimizing sustainability and the well-being of individuals living with kidney disease.

682 IMPACT OF DISCHARGE INTERVENTIONS FOR OLDER PATIENTS LEAVING HOSPITAL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF REVIEWS

Introduction

The UK has an aging population and there is an increasing need for additional care and support services for elderly patients discharged from hospital. Despite a large evidence base on different discharge services there is inconsistent findings on their effectiveness. This systematic review of reviews aimed to evaluate the impact of a variety of discharge interventions on older people leaving hospital.

Method

Ten databases were searched (including Medline and The Cochrane Library) using multiple key search terms related to ‘systematic reviews’, ‘older people’ and ‘discharge’. Only systematic reviews of interventions for people aged over 60 years that provided additional support or adapted their discharge processes were included. Outcomes of interest included mortality, readmissions, length of hospital stay, patient health status and costs. Abstract, title and full-text screening was conducted independently by two reviewers. Interventions were categorised by intervention type and a narrative synthesis was conducted on data extracted.

Results

Of the 8,748 title and abstracts reviewed, 859 full texts were assessed for eligibility, of these 91 were taken forward to quality assessment and 66 moderate or high-quality reviews were included in the final synthesis. Interventions were categorised into 10 types and had varying impact on outcomes. A statistically significant positive impact on the outcomes of interest was found for: Interventions providing ‘rehabilitation, therapy or care at home (or in the community) around the time of discharge’ reducing length of stay; ‘primary care interventions’, ‘Discharge planning/coordination or case management’ and ‘patient education’.

Conclusion

This systematic review of reviews shows that different types and configurations of discharge interventions can benefit older patients in multiple ways when compared to usual care and highlights which intervention types make no difference or have negative impacts. These findings will help to inform the development of new discharge interventions and the direction of future research.

BSAC Vanguard Series: Are we finally finding our voice on antimicrobial resistance?

Modern medicine is a miracle, as recently demonstrated by the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. However, the sad reality is that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is simultaneously undermining our progress. We need to take urgent action to prevent devastating effects on lives, poverty and global development. Late last year, the heads of the World Health Organization, Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization came together to launch a new group of global leaders and experts from right across the world. I'm honoured to be a member of their Global Leaders Group. Many feel powerless in the face of AMR, but the truth is there are many things we can do. I outline some here, from simple but very effective steps such as proper handwashing, right through to putting consumer pressure on food suppliers to reduce reliance on antibiotics in the food supply chain. Change won't happen overnight, but we can and must make a difference.

Real-world comparison of the last generation balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves in patients undergoing TAVI

Background/Introduction

The balloon expandable (BE) Edwards Sapien-S3/Ultra, and the self-expanding (SE) Medtronic Evolut-Pro represent the main volume of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures conducted worldwide.

Purpose

The present study represents the largest real-world comparison of periprocedural and short-term outcome between the aforementioned last generation devices.

Methods

Consecutive patients who had undergone TAVI with either the BE (S3/Ultra) or SE (Evolut-Pro/R-34mm if 34mm valve was required) device, in five centers were retrospectively studied. Periprocedural and short-term outcomes were recorded and compared.

Results

In total, 1341 patients (58.5% male) were treated with contemporary BE and SE valves (574 and 767pts with BE and SE respectively) and followed up for a median of 18.7 (IQR 30) months. Baseline demographics were similar between the two groups apart from severe left ventricle (LV) systolic impairment and extensive aorta calcification, being more prevalent amongst BE and SE groups respectively. Patients treated with the Evolut-Pro/R34mm device had significantly lower peak (16±9mmHg for SE vs 23.9±6mmHg for the BE valves, p=0.001) and mean (8.6±6mmHg SE vs 11.2±5.2mmHg BE, p=0.001) gradients at discharge.

Conversely, the BE group demonstrated significantly lower rates of at least moderate residual aortic regurgitation (AR) post-operatively (0.7% vs 5.2% for BE and SE valves respectively, p<0.001). Interestingly, the rate of new permanent pacemaker (PPM) required after the implantation in initially pacemaker-free patients, was higher for the S3/Ultra cohort compared to the self-expanding valve group (14.4% vs 12.3% respectively, p=0.001). No statistical difference was recorded between valve groups regarding cerebrovascular events (3.4% vs. 2.7% for SE and BE respectively, p=0.466), major vascular complications (4.2% vs. 3.0% for SE and BE respectively, p=0.251) and death to hospital discharge (1.6% vs. 2.9% for SE and BE respectively, p=0.117).

One-year Kaplan-Meier estimated survival was similar between the two groups (88.7% for BE vs. 91.4% for SE valves, plog-rank=0.093). When adjusting for age, extensive calcification of the aorta and baseline LV function all caused mortality hazard ratios were similar between patients treated with BE vs SE valves (HR 1.39; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.98, p=0.07).

Conclusions

Real life comparison of the last generation balloon expandable and self-expanding devices demonstrates superiority of the former in terms of residual PVL, at the expense of higher transvalvular gradients and higher need of new PPM implantation. The latter however may represent differences in center practices with regards to thresholds for permanent pacing. Long-term follow-up and future larger trials are required to establish any potential long-term difference in clinical outcomes and prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

448 The Impact of Noise in the Operating Theatre: A Review of the Evidence

Background

Noise has been recognised to have a negative impact on performance and wellbeing in many settings. Average noise levels have been found to range between 51-79 dB in operating theatres. Despite this, there is little research investigating the effect of noise on surgical team functioning.

Method

A literature review to look at the impact of noise in the operating theatre was performed on MEDLINE which included the search terms ‘noise’ OR ‘distraction’ AND ‘technical skill’ OR ‘Surgical skill’ OR ‘Operating Room’. 10 of 307 articles identified were deemed relevant.

Results

8 of 10 studies found noise to be detrimental to communication and surgical performance, particularly regarding total errors and time to task completion. No studies found noise to be beneficial. Two studies found case irrelevant verbal communication to be a frequent form of noise pollution in operating theatres; this is both perceived by surgeons to be distracting and delays patient care. Noise was most harmful to trainees.

Conclusions

Noise and irrelevant verbal communications were both found to be harmful to surgical performance, surgeon experience and team functioning. The worsened effect on the trainee exposes an urgent need to address noise pollution in the training environment.

A Phase II Study of Biodegradable Stents Plus Palliative Radiotherapy in Oesophageal Cancer

AIMS

Self-expanding metal stents provide rapid improvement of dysphagia in oesophageal cancer but are associated with complications. The aim of the present study was to test the effectiveness of an alternative treatment of combining biodegradable stents with radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Simon two-stage single-arm prospective phase II trial design was used to determine the efficacy of biodegradable stents plus radiotherapy in patients with dysphagia caused by oesophagus cancer who were unsuitable for radical treatment. Fourteen patients were recruited and data from 12 were included in the final analyses.

RESULTS

Five of 12 patients met the primary end point: one stent-related patient death; four further interventions for dysphagia within 16 weeks of stenting (41.7%, 95% confidence interval 15.2-72.3%). The median time to a 10-point deterioration of quality of life was 2.7 weeks. Nine patients died within 52 weeks of registration. The median time to death from any cause was 15.0 weeks (95% confidence interval 9.6-not reached).

CONCLUSION

The high re-intervention observed, which met the pre-defined early stopping criteria, meant that the suggested alternative treatment was not sufficiently effective to be considered for a larger scale trial design. Further work is needed to define the place of biodegradable stents in the management of malignant oesophageal strictures.

Ex vivo normothermic perfusion of isolated segmental porcine bowel: a novel functional model of the small intestine

BACKGROUND

There is an unmet need for suitable ex vivo large animal models in experimental gastroenterology and intestinal transplantation. This study details a reliable and effective technique for ex vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) of segmental porcine small intestine.

METHODS

Segments of small intestine, 1.5-3.0 m in length, were retrieved from terminally anaesthetized pigs. After a period of cold ischaemia, EVNP was performed for 2 h at 37°C with a mean pressure of 80 mmHg using oxygenated autologous blood diluted with Ringer's solution. The duration of EVNP was extended to 4 h for a second set of experiments in which two segments of proximal to mid-ileum (1.5-3.0 m) were retrieved from each animal and reperfused with whole blood (control) or leucocyte-depleted blood to examine the impact of leucocyte depletion on reperfusion injury.

RESULTS

After a mean cold ischaemia time of 5 h and 20 min, EVNP was performed in an initial group of four pigs. In the second set of experiments, five pigs were used in each group. In all experiments bowel segments were well perfused and exhibited peristalsis during EVNP. Venous glucose levels significantly increased following luminal glucose stimulation (mean(s.e.m.) basal level 1.8(0.6) mmol/l versus peak 15.5(5.8) mmol/l; P < 0.001) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels increased in all experiments, demonstrating intact absorptive and secretory intestinal functions. There were no significant differences between control and leucocyte-depleted animals regarding blood flow, venous glucose, GLP-1 levels or histopathology at the end of 4 h of EVNP.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel model is suitable for the investigation of gastrointestinal physiology, pathology and ischaemia reperfusion injury, along with evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions.

Current status and solutions for gender equity in anaesthesia research

Despite increasing numbers of women entering anaesthesia, they remain persistently under-represented within academic anaesthesia and research. Gender discordance is seen across multiple aspects of research, including authorship, editorship, peer review, grant receipt, speaking and leading. Women are also under-represented at higher faculty ranks and in department chair positions. These inequities are further magnified for women with intersectional identities, such as those who identify as Black, indigenous and women of colour. Several barriers to participation in research have been identified to date, including a disproportionate amount of family responsibilities, a disproportionate burden of clinical service, gender bias, sexual harassment and the gender pay gap. Several strategies to improve gender equity have been proposed. Increasing access to formal mentorship of women in academic medicine is frequently cited and has been used by healthcare institutions and medical societies. Senior faculty and leaders must also be conscious of including women in sponsorship and networking opportunities. Institutions should provide support for parents of all genders, including supportive parental leave policies and flexible work models. Women should also be materially supported to attend formal educational conferences targeted for women, aimed at improving networking, peer support and professional development. Finally, leaders must display a clear intolerance for sexual harassment and discrimination to drive culture change. Peers and leaders alike, of all genders, can act as upstanders and speak up on behalf of targets of discrimination, both in the moment or after the fact. Gender inequities have persisted for far too long and can no longer be ignored. Diversifying the anaesthesia research community is essential to the future of the field.

Development, behaviour and sensory processing in Marshall-Smith syndrome and Malan syndrome: phenotype comparison in two related syndromes

BACKGROUND

Ultrarare Marshall-Smith and Malan syndromes, caused by changes of the gene nuclear factor I X (NFIX), are characterised by intellectual disability (ID) and behavioural problems, although questions remain. Here, development and behaviour are studied and compared in a cross-sectional study, and results are presented with genetic findings.

METHODS

Behavioural phenotypes are compared of eight individuals with Marshall-Smith syndrome (three male individuals) and seven with Malan syndrome (four male individuals). Long-term follow-up assessment of cognition and adaptive behaviour was possible in three individuals with Marshall-Smith syndrome.

RESULTS

Marshall-Smith syndrome individuals have more severe ID, less adaptive behaviour, more impaired speech and less reciprocal interaction compared with individuals with Malan syndrome. Sensory processing difficulties occur in both syndromes. Follow-up measurement of cognition and adaptive behaviour in Marshall-Smith syndrome shows different individual learning curves over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Results show significant between and within syndrome variability. Different NFIX variants underlie distinct clinical phenotypes leading to separate entities. Cognitive, adaptive and sensory impairments are common in both syndromes and increase the risk of challenging behaviour. This study highlights the value of considering behaviour within developmental and environmental context. To improve quality of life, adaptations to environment and treatment are suggested to create a better person-environment fit.

Left heart Impella-device to bridge acute mitral regurgitation to MitraClip-procedure: a novel implementation of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support

Background

Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) is an emergency, often requiring urgent surgery. Severe acute MR presenting with hemodynamic collapse is usually caused by papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or chordal rupture, resulting in flail mitral leaflet(s). Preoperative stabilization is complex due to concomitant hemodynamic collapse and hypoxic respiratory failure. Finding the right balance between both preload and inotropic support is challenging. When patients are too sick for immediate surgical intervention, mechanical circulatory support can be considered because of its ability to both unload and reduce of cardiac work while increasing coronary perfusion and cardiac output. Nevertheless, even after initial stabilization, surgical risk remains high in critically ill acute severe MR patients and transcatheter treatments such as MitraClip are increasingly being explored.

Methods

Between August 2017 and September 2019, patients presenting with acute severe mitral regurgitation and considered too ill for immediate surgical intervention (EURO-II score &gt;11.2% plus pulmonary oedema necessitating mechanical ventilation and/or hemodynamic instability), were selected for an Impella-assisted LV unloading technique as bridge to MitraClip-procedure. Five patients were selected for the combined left Impella/MitraClip-procedure in two tertiary cardiac ICUs.

Results

The mean age was 72 years. The cause of MR was ischemic in 20% and all patients presented in cardiogenic shock state, necessitating mechanical ventilation. The overall cardiac operative risk assessment (Euro-II) score predicted a 35% chance of in-hospital mortality. Cardiac output was severely impaired (mean LVOT VTI 8.2 cm). All patients were on inotropic support and supported by an Impella-CP pVAD (mean flow 2.5 Liter per minute; mean 6.3 days of support). In all cases, we managed to reduce the LVEDP below 15 mmHg using the combination of medical therapy (afterload reduction, inotropes), mechanical ventilation and pVAD-therapy. The MR was significantly reduced by a MitraClip-procedure in each Impella supported patient. The overall survival at discharge was 80%. One patient with late referral and multiple organ failure at presentation deceased due to refractory cardiogenic shock. Overall, severe MR was reduced to grade 1+ and all four patients survived 6 months after discharge with only one readmission for decompensated heart failure.

Conclusions

A combined strategy of Impella and MitraClip appears to be a novel, feasible alternative for patients presenting with acute, severe MR unable to proceed to a corrective surgical procedure at presentation due to severe left ventricular forward flow failure. In these cases, the early initiation of pVAD-support may reduce the risk of development of irreversible end- organ damage and dysfunction. Exploration in a larger, randomised population is warranted to investigate this strategy further.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Panic disorder and subthreshold panic in the UK general population: Epidemiology, comorbidity and functional limitation

Objective

The epidemiology of panic disorder has not been investigated in the past in the UK using a nationally representative sample of the population. The aim of the present paper was to examine the epidemiology, comorbidity and functional impairment of subthreshold panic and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Method

We used data from the 2000 Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity survey (N = 8580). Panic disorder and agoraphobia were assessed with the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R).

Result

The prevalence of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia was 1.70% (95% confidence interval: 1.41–2.03%). Subthreshold panic was more common. Economic inactivity was consistently associated with all syndromes. The comorbidity pattern of the panic syndromes and the associated functional impairment show that panic-related conditions are important public health problems, even in subthreshold status.

Conclusions

The findings show that efforts to reduce the disability associated with psychiatric disorders should include detection and management of panic disorder.

Adequacy Targets Can be Met in Anuric Patients by Automated Peritoneal Dialysis: Baseline Data from Eapos

♦ Objective

Conventional continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in patients without residual renal function and with high solute transport is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) has the potential to improve both solute clearance and ultrafiltration in these circumstances, but its efficacy as a treatment modality is unknown. The European Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes Study (EAPOS) is a 2-year, prospective, European multi-center study designed to determine APD feasibility and clinical outcomes in anuric patients. The present article describes the baseline data for patients recruited into the study.

♦ Design

All PD patients treated in the participating centers were screened for inclusion criteria [urinary output < 100 mL/24 h, or residual renal function (RRF) < 1 mL/min, or both]. After enrollment, changes were made to the dialysis prescription to achieve a weekly creatinine clearance above 60 L per 1.73 m2 and an ultrafiltration rate above 750 mL in 24 hours.

♦ Setting

The study is being conducted in 26 dialysis centers in 13 European countries.

♦ Baseline Data Collection

The information collected includes patient demographics, dialysis prescription, achieved weekly creatinine clearance, and 24-hour ultra-filtration (UF).

♦ Results

The study enrolled 177 anuric patients. Median dialysis duration before enrollment was 22.5 months (range: 0 – 285 months). Mean solute transport measured as the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine (D/PCr) was 0.74 ± 0.12. Patients received APD for a median of 9.0 hours overnight (range: 7 – 12 hours) using a median of 11.0 L of fluid (range: 6 – 28.75 L). Median daytime volume was 4.0 L (range: 0.0 – 9.0 L). Tidal dialysis was used in 26 patients, and icodextrin in 86 patients. At baseline, before treatment optimization, the weekly mean total creatinine clearance was 65.2 ± 14.4 L/1.73 m2, with 105 patients (60%) achieving the target of more than 60 L/1.73 m2. At baseline, 81% of patients with high transport, 69% with high-average transport, and 40% with low-average transport met the target. At baseline, 70% of patients with a body surface area (BSA) below 1.7 m2, 60% with a BSA of 1.7 – 2.0 m2, and 56% with a BSA above 2.0 m2 achieved 60 L/1.73 m2 weekly. Median UF was 1090 mL/24 h, and 75% of patients achieved the UF target of more than 750 mL/24 h.

♦ Conclusion

This baseline analysis of anuric patients recruited into the EAPOS study demonstrates that a high proportion of anuric patients on APD can achieve dialysis and ultrafiltration targets using a variety of regimes. This 2-year follow-up study aims to optimize APD prescription to reach predefined clearance and ultrafiltration targets, and to observe the resulting clinical outcomes.

Innovation in Fischer–Tropsch: Developing Fundamental Understanding to Support Commercial Opportunities

In this contribution we provide details of the BP-Johnson Matthey proprietary Fischer–Tropsch technology and the advanced CANS reactor and catalyst system. The advanced CANS catalyst carrier reactor provides superior heat transfer, reduced pressure drop and higher productivity that lead to major economic savings. Fundamental understanding of catalyst behaviour is also key to obtaining a catalyst that is stable over the lifetime of its use. Synthesis, calcination and reduction steps introduce changes in the catalyst properties prior to syngas introduction. In particular, the presence of water can affect the final catalyst performance. The activity of a good catalyst can be significantly reduced by a sub-optimal activation or start-up. Similarly, stable operation and minimising deactivation are vital for long and stable catalyst life, with years of operation without requiring regeneration. In this report we also share a fundamental study on the catalyst activation across different catalyst supports. This combines advanced in situ techniques with reactor testing to explore the role of the support on catalyst performance. The results illustrate the critical need for a logical and systematic catalyst development programme to explore these effects to optimise the whole FT process. The combination of a joint approach in development plays a key role in a long term success in a process. The fundamental catalyst understanding, optimisation and improvements in combination with the novel CANS reactor design maximise their potential and offer the potential for a world leading technology.

P1718Veno-arterial ECMO versus Left Impella bleeding complications in cardiogenic shock patients on dual antiplatelet therapy

Background

Selective groups of patients, presenting with INTERMACS-1 cardiogenic shock due to acute ischaemic heart failure, may benefit from mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Patients with biventricular failure, severe septic shock or oxygenation problems should be selected for VA-ECMO, although the left Impella-CP heart pump can be considered as a less invasive alternative in supporting predominantly left ventricular failure. Bleeding issues are a major concern in patients on MCS, especially in this group where triple anticoagulation therapy (unfractionated heparin (UFH) for prevention of pump thrombosis and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting) is necessitated. We aim to investigate the bleeding and transfusion rate in DAPT-patients on VA-ECMO versus Impella.

Methods

We report single center data for 51 VA-ECMO and 8 Impella patients between 2011 and 2019. Indication for MCS was acute ischaemic cardiogenic shock. Patient demographics, transfusions and reported/radiographically diagnosed bleeding (BARC-classification) complications were analyzed. All patients received UFH and low dose aspirin plus clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Impella flow was at least 2.5 L/min. Transfusion targets were Hb >7 g/dl, fibrinogen >100 mg/dl (or >150 mg/dl when active bleeding) and platelet count >50/fL.

Results

Impella patients were significantly older (VA-ECMO 52.8 vs. Impella 62.4; p=0.02) as compared to the VA-ECMO group. Anti-Xa-levels and length of the MCS-run (mean 7.9 VA-ECMO vs. 6.4 days Impella) were comparable in both groups. Occurrences of minor bleeds was comparable between both groups (mainly oozing from the insertion site in the ImpellaTM group 63% vs. VA-ECMO 72%; p>0.05) but major bleedings with BARC score of 3 or more were significantly lower in the Impella group (13% vs. VA-ECMO 65%; p=0.005). Platelet and red blood cell transfusions were significantly lower in the Impella group (0.1 units of platelets per day vs. 1.1 units of platelets per day on VA-ECMO; p=0.002 and 0.8 units of RBCs per day vs. 2.6 units of RBCs per day on VA-ECMO; p=0.02).

Bleeding/transfusion VA-ECMO vs Impella

Conclusions

Bleeding is a frequent complication of MCS. However, in our cohort, triple anticoagulation in acute cardiogenic shock due to ischaemic left ventricle failure resulted in a lower major bleeding rate when support was given by the left Impella device as compared with VA-ECMO therapy group. As a result, platelet and red blood cell transfusions were lower in the Impella group. These findings are likely to be partly explained by the increased number and size of cannulas in VA-ECMO, as well as the increased risk of haemolysis and consumptive coagulopathy due to the complexity and extensive foreign body surface of the ECMO-circuit. We conclude that Impella support should be considered as a safer option than VA-ECMO with regards to bleeding in patients with ischaemic left ventricular failure who require DAPT and MCS as a bridge to recovery or other definitive therapy.

High incidence of anti-cytokine autoantibodies in dogs with immune diseases suggests important immuno-regulatory functions

Autoantibodies against cytokines have been associated with immunodeficiency, susceptibility to infectious diseases, autoimmunity and inflammation in humans, but have not yet been investigated in the Veterinary field so far. The aim of the current study was to determine the presence of anti-cytokine autoantibodies in canines suffering from various conditions including recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer in comparison to healthy controls. This is the first report of the presence of autoantibodies against cytokines in dogs. A total of 101 serum samples (51 patients and 50 clinically healthy dogs) from the state of Mexico and surroundings were analysed using a multiplex bead-based flow cytometry assay. Results show significant levels of various anti-cytokine autoantibodies in diseased dogs but not in healthy controls. In addition we show distinct associations of various disease types to the specificity of anti-cytokine autoantibodies and to response complexities. Apart from the direct functional/causal implication of anti-cytokine auto-antibodies on disease processes, this findings point to the possibility to use anti-cytokine response patterns as diagnostic tools.

Bi-allelic Loss-of-Function CACNA1B Mutations in Progressive Epilepsy-Dyskinesia

The occurrence of non-epileptic hyperkinetic movements in the context of developmental epileptic encephalopathies is an increasingly recognized phenomenon. Identification of causative mutations provides an important insight into common pathogenic mechanisms that cause both seizures and abnormal motor control. We report bi-allelic loss-of-function CACNA1B variants in six children from three unrelated families whose affected members present with a complex and progressive neurological syndrome. All affected individuals presented with epileptic encephalopathy, severe neurodevelopmental delay (often with regression), and a hyperkinetic movement disorder. Additional neurological features included postnatal microcephaly and hypotonia. Five children died in childhood or adolescence (mean age of death: 9 years), mainly as a result of secondary respiratory complications. CACNA1B encodes the pore-forming subunit of the pre-synaptic neuronal voltage-gated calcium channel Ca_v2.2/N-type, crucial for SNARE-mediated neurotransmission, particularly in the early postnatal period. Bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in CACNA1B are predicted to cause disruption of Ca²⁺ influx, leading to impaired synaptic neurotransmission. The resultant effect on neuronal function is likely to be important in the development of involuntary movements and epilepsy. Overall, our findings provide further evidence for the key role of Ca_v2.2 in normal human neurodevelopment.

Further delineation of Malan syndrome

Malan syndrome is an overgrowth disorder described in a limited number of individuals. We aim to delineate the entity by studying a large group of affected individuals. We gathered data on 45 affected individuals with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis through an international collaboration and compared data to the 35 previously reported individuals. Results indicate that height is > 2 SDS in infancy and childhood but in only half of affected adults. Cardinal facial characteristics include long, triangular face, macrocephaly, prominent forehead, everted lower lip, and prominent chin. Intellectual disability is universally present, behaviorally anxiety is characteristic. Malan syndrome is caused by deletions or point mutations of NFIX clustered mostly in exon 2. There is no genotype‐phenotype correlation except for an increased risk for epilepsy with 19p13.2 microdeletions. Variants arose de novo, except in one family in which mother was mosaic. Variants causing Malan and Marshall‐Smith syndrome can be discerned by differences in the site of stop codon formation. We conclude that Malan syndrome has a well recognizable phenotype that usually can be discerned easily from Marshall–Smith syndrome but rarely there is some overlap. Differentiation from Sotos and Weaver syndrome can be made by clinical evaluation only.

Angiotensin receptor blocker vs ACE inhibitor effects on HDL functionality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) reduce cardiovascular events in the general population. Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients are at high cardiovascular risk but few studies have directly addressed the comparative efficacy of these drugs. MHD disrupts the normally atheroprotective actions of high density lipoprotein (HDL), therefore, we compared ACEI or ARB treatment on HDL functions in MHD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HDL was isolated at the starting point (pre) and 3-6 months later (post) in 30 MHD randomly assigned to placebo, ramipril or valsartan. Outcomes included cholesterol efflux, inflammatory cytokine response, effects on Toll-like receptors (TLR), superoxide production, methylarginine and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels. HDL from ARB- or ACEI-treated subjects was more effective in maintaining efflux than HDL of placebo. HDL from ARB- or ACEI-treated subjects but not placebo lessened cellular superoxide production. In contrast, neither ARB nor ACEI improved HDL anti-inflammatory effect. Indeed, HDL of ACEI-treated subjects potentiated the cytokine responses in association with activation of TLR but did not alter the HDL content of methylarginines or SAA.

CONCLUSION

Both ACEI and ARB stabilized HDL cholesterol acceptor function and sustained cellular anti-oxidative effects but not anti-inflammatory effects, and ACEI-treatment instead amplified the HDL inflammatory response. The findings reveal possible utility of antagonizing angiotensin actions in MDH and suggest a possible mechanism for superiority of ARB vs ACEI in the setting of advanced kidney disease.

A Stuck Hemodialysis Central venous Catheter

Background

A growing number of hemodialysis patients are dependent upon central venous catheters (CVCs) for long-term vascular access. Although many complications of CVCs have been documented, the phenomenon of the stuck catheter is described relatively infrequently.

Case report

We describe a case where attempts to remove the line by exploration of the jugular insertion site in theater were unsuccessful and the line was internalized.

Discussion

The case is then discussed with all available cases in the literature to suggest principles of managing and preventing the stuck catheter phenomenon.

Development of a low-maintenance measurement approach to continuously estimate methane emissions: A case study

The chemical breakdown of organic matter in landfills represents a significant source of methane gas (CH₄). Current estimates suggest that landfills are responsible for between 3% and 19% of global anthropogenic emissions. The net CH₄ emissions resulting from biogeochemical processes and their modulation by microbes in landfills are poorly constrained by imprecise knowledge of environmental constraints. The uncertainty in absolute CH₄ emissions from landfills is therefore considerable. This study investigates a new method to estimate the temporal variability of CH₄ emissions using meteorological and CH₄ concentration measurements downwind of a landfill site in Suffolk, UK from July to September 2014, taking advantage of the statistics that such a measurement approach offers versus shorter-term, but more complex and instantaneously accurate, flux snapshots. Methane emissions were calculated from CH₄ concentrations measured 700m from the perimeter of the landfill with observed concentrations ranging from background to 46.4ppm. Using an atmospheric dispersion model, we estimate a mean emission flux of 709μgm^-2s^-1 over this period, with a maximum value of 6.21mgm^-2s^-1, reflecting the wide natural variability in biogeochemical and other environmental controls on net site emission. The emissions calculated suggest that meteorological conditions have an influence on the magnitude of CH₄ emissions. We also investigate the factors responsible for the large variability observed in the estimated CH₄ emissions, and suggest that the largest component arises from uncertainty in the spatial distribution of CH₄ emissions within the landfill area. The results determined using the low-maintenance approach discussed in this paper suggest that a network of cheaper, less precise CH₄ sensors could be used to measure a continuous CH₄ emission time series from a landfill site, something that is not practical using far-field approaches such as tracer release methods. Even though there are limitations to the approach described here, this easy, low-maintenance, low-cost method could be used by landfill operators to estimate time-averaged CH₄ emissions and their impact downwind by simultaneously monitoring plume advection and CH₄ concentrations.

Abstract PD8-03: ESR1 gene fusions drive endocrine therapy resistance and metastasis in breast cancer

Background. Dysregulation of the estrogen receptor gene (ESR1) is an established mechanism of inducing endocrine therapy resistance. We previously discovered a chromosomal translocation event generating an estrogen receptor gene fused in-frame to C-terminal sequences of YAP1 (ESR1-YAP1) that contributed to endocrine therapy resistance in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer models. This study compares functional, transcriptional, and pharmacological properties of additional ESR1 gene fusion events of both early stage (ESR1-NOP2) late stage (ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x) breast cancers to gain a better understanding of therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Understanding the role of ESR1 fusions in inducing metastasis is critical, since the primary cause of death in breast cancer patients is through metastasis to distant sites.

Methods. RNA-seq screens identified ESR1 fusions from early and late stage, endocrine therapy resistant breast tumor samples. Functional experiments were conducted using ER+ breast cancer cell lines, xenograft, and PDX models to test the ability of ESR1 fusions to induce therapeutic resistance and metastasis. ChIP-seq and RNA-seq were performed to examine transcriptional properties and differential gene expression induced by the fusions which directed subsequent pharmacological experiments with a CDK4/6 inhibitor.

Results. ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x promoted estrogen-independent and fulvestrant-resistant growth in vitro and induced greater tumor growth and increased metastatic capacity to the lungs of xenografted mice. In contrast, the ESR1-NOP2 fusion was sensitive to low estrogen conditions in vitro, and did not promote tumor growth. RNA-seq profiling revealed E2F targets pathway as the most highly enriched pathway induced by the ESR1 fusions. IHC revealed higher levels of pRb in ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x xenograft tumors and subsequent CDK4/6 inhibition completely blocked tumor growth in an ESR1-YAP1 PDX model. Integrating RNA-seq with ChIP-seq data, we discovered a set of EMT and metastasis genes bound by all ESR1 fusions and WT-ER, but whose expression was strongly and uniquely up-regulated only by the ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x fusions. These studies also revealed gained sites bound only by the ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x fusions, not bound by WT-ER nor ESR1-NOP2. Genes mapping to these sites have a role in metastatic biology and were highly up-regulated by the YAP1 and PCDH11x fusions, potentially mediated by long range transcriptional activation.

Conclusion. ESR1-YAP1 and ESR1-PCDH11x are driver fusions that occur in drug-resistant, advanced stage breast cancer and are a new class of recurrent somatic mutation that can cause acquired endocrine therapy resistance, yet can be treated with CDK4/6 inhibition. These driver fusions also confer increased metastatic ability through their ability to drive expression of genes that contribute to EMT and metastasis. In contrast, ESR1-NOP2 did not produce functional protein and appears to be a passenger event. These studies may provide pre-clinical rationale for targeting ESR1 translocated breast tumors, since the presence of an ESR1 driver fusion places a patient in a therapeutic category where none of the currently available endocrine therapies are likely to be effective.

Citation Format: Lei JT, Shao J, Zhang J, Iglesia M, Chan DW, Cao J, Anurag M, Singh P, Haricharan S, Kavuri SM, Matsunuma R, Schmidt C, Kosaka Y, Crowder R, Hoog J, Phommaly C, Goncalves R, Ramalho S, Rodrigues-Peres RM, Lai W-C, Hampton O, Rogers A, Tobias E, Parikh P, Davies S, Ma C, Suman V, Hunt K, Watson M, Hoadley KA, Thompson A, Perou CM, Creighton CJ, Maher C, Ellis MJ. ESR1 gene fusions drive endocrine therapy resistance and metastasis in breast cancer [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 PD8-03.

Involvement of users and carers in the training of psychiatrists: making it happen

Despite the widespread belief that the involvement of users and carers in the training of psychiatrists would provide a valuable addition to the training process, it is clear that many trainees do not receive this input as part of their current teaching. This article explores some of the questions and concerns that all those parties involved have raised and draws on the experience of users, carers and psychiatrists to address some of these issues and promote the further development of this practice.

Validation of the "Security Needs Assessment Profile" for measuring the profiles of security needs of Chinese forensic psychiatric inpatients

Mapping forensic psychiatric services with the security needs of patients is a salient step in service planning, audit and review. A valid and reliable instrument for measuring the security needs of Chinese forensic psychiatric inpatients was not yet available. This study aimed to develop and validate the Chinese version of the Security Needs Assessment Profile for measuring the profiles of security needs of Chinese forensic psychiatric inpatients. The Security Needs Assessment Profile by Davis was translated into Chinese. Its face validity, content validity, construct validity and internal consistency reliability were assessed by measuring the security needs of 98 Chinese forensic psychiatric inpatients. Principal factor analysis for construct validity provided a six-factor security needs model explaining 68.7% of the variance. Based on the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, the internal consistency reliability was rated as acceptable for procedural security (0.73), and fair for both physical security (0.62) and relational security (0.58). A significant sex difference (p=0.002) in total security score was found. The Chinese version of the Security Needs Assessment Profile is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the security needs of Chinese forensic psychiatric inpatients.