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Mathews DM, Peart JM, Sim RG, Johnson NP, O'Sullivan S, Derraik JGB, Hofman PL. Response to Letter to the Editor From Marin et al: "The SELFI Study: Iodine Excess and Thyroid Dysfunction in Women Undergoing Oil-Soluble Contrast Hysterosalpingography". J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:e902-e903. [PMID: 36948881 PMCID: PMC10438866 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Divya M Mathews
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jane M Peart
- Department of Radiology, Auckland Radiology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Robert G Sim
- Department of Radiology, Auckland Radiology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Neil P Johnson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Repromed Auckland and Auckland Gynecology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Susannah O'Sullivan
- Department of Endocrinology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
| | - José G B Derraik
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Paul L Hofman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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Mathews DM, Peart JM, Sim RG, Johnson NP, O'Sullivan S, Derraik JGB, Hofman PL. The SELFI Study: Iodine Excess and Thyroid Dysfunction in Women Undergoing Oil-Soluble Contrast Hysterosalpingography. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:3252-3260. [PMID: 36124847 PMCID: PMC9693785 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hysterosalpingography (HSG) with oil-soluble contrast medium (OSCM) improves pregnancy rates. However, OSCM has high iodine content and long half-life, leading to potential iodine excess. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to determine the pattern of iodine excess after OSCM HSG and the effect on thyroid function. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted of 196 consecutive consenting eligible women without overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. All completed the study with compliance greater than 95%. Participants underwent OSCM HSG (Auckland, 2019-2021) with serial monitoring of thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and urine iodine concentration (UIC) for 24 weeks. The main outcome measure was the development of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), defined as a nonpregnant TSH greater than 4 mIU/L with normal FT4 (11-22 pmol/L) in those with normal baseline thyroid function. RESULTS Iodine excess (UIC ≥ 300 μg/L) was almost universal (98%) with UIC peaking usually by 4 weeks. There was marked iodine excess, with 90% and 17% of participants having UIC greater than or equal to 1000 μg/L and greater than 10 000 μg/L, respectively. Iodine excess was prolonged with 67% having a UIC greater than or equal to 1000 μg/L for at least 3 months. SCH developed in 38%; the majority (96%) were mild (TSH 4-10 mIU/L) and most developed SCH by week 4 (75%). Three participants met the current treatment guidelines (TSH > 10 mIU/L). Thyroxine treatment of mild SCH tended to improve pregnancy success (P = .063). Hyperthyroidism (TSH < 0.3 mIU/L) occurred in 9 participants (5%). CONCLUSION OSCM HSG resulted in marked and prolonged iodine excess. SCH occurred frequently with late-onset hyperthyroidism occasionally. Regular thyroid function tests are required for 6 months following this procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya M Mathews
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jane M Peart
- Department of Radiology, Auckland Radiology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Robert G Sim
- Department of Radiology, Auckland Radiology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Neil P Johnson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Repromed Auckland and Auckland Gynecology Group, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
| | - Susannah O'Sullivan
- Department of Endocrinology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
| | - José G B Derraik
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Paul L Hofman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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O'Sullivan S, McGowan CM, Junnila J, Hyytiäinen HK. The effect of manually facilitated flexion of the thoracic spine on the interspinous space among horses with impinging dorsal spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae. Vet J 2022; 289:105909. [PMID: 36182065 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Impinging dorsal spinous processes (IDSP) are typically diagnosed and graded using radiography, during which the effect of the horses' thoracolumbar posture on the interspinous spaces is not commonly considered. Posture can be altered from a spontaneous, relatively extended, or lordotic, position by manual facilitation of thoracic flexion ('thoracic lift'). This study aimed to ascertain if the thoracic vertebral interspinous space distances were increased by using facilitated thoracic flexion to alter the posture in horses diagnosed with IDSP. Seven horses of mixed breed and sex, median age 9.1 years (interquartile range, 7.2-12.4 years), with a diagnosis of thoracic IDSP with no history of spinal surgery, were included in the study. Two sets of radiographs were obtained. The initial set was taken in the horses' spontaneous posture and the second in the manually facilitated flexed posture. Each image was anonymised allowing blinded measurement of the interspinous spaces. Analysis was performed using Hodges-Lehmann median differences estimates. An increase in the median interspinous space distance was achieved after manual facilitation of thoracic flexion at every thoracic intervertebral space (5th-18th thoracic [T] vertebra). The greatest median increase was seen between T7-T8 and T12-T13 (3.1 mm and 3.0 mm, respectively) whereas the lowest median increase was seen between T17-T18 (0.7 mm). In this study, thoracic interspinous space distances could be increased by using manual facilitation to alter the thoracic posture in horses with IDSP, which could affect grading and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
| | - C M McGowan
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
| | - J Junnila
- EstiMates OY, Tykistökatu 4, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - H K Hyytiäinen
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Viikintie 49 (P.O. Box 57), 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Geary R, O'Sullivan S, McDermott S, Dunne M, Keenan L, Sharma P, Thirion P. Evaluation of Radical Thoracic Re-Irradiation: A Single Institution Retrospective Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.07.1484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Morales-Lara AC, Johnson PW, Douglass EJ, O'Sullivan S, Yamani MH, Noseworthy PA, Carter RE, Adedinsewo DA. Artificial intelligence-based risk stratification of atrial fibrillation among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy compared to other cardiomyopathies. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.2503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is diagnosed in up to 50% of patients with heart failure. However, the prevalence of AF among patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) ranges from only 2–10%, with the lowest rates in Black women. An artificial intelligence enhanced electrocardiogram (AI-ECG) has previously been shown to be effective in detecting AF while in sinus rhythm, and for AF risk prediction in a population-based study.
Purpose
Our objective was to evaluate the use of an AI-ECG for AF risk stratification among women of reproductive age (18 to 49 years) with PPCM compared to other forms of cardiomyopathy.
Methods
We identified 59 reproductive age women with a diagnosis of PPCM between January 2007, and October 2018 and included matched controls in a 3:1 fashion. Matching was performed based on sex, age, race, and left ventricular ejection fraction. We excluded patients with a diagnosis of AF prior to cardiomyopathy diagnosis date. AI-ECG prediction probabilities were generated for ECGs performed within a 30-day window prior to the patient's first cardiomyopathy diagnosis date for the entire study cohort.
Results
A total of 236 patients were included in the final analysis (59 cases, 177 controls). Overall, the median age at cardiomyopathy diagnosis was 31.7 years (IQR: 18.5, 49.4), 76.3% were White, 8.5% were Black, and 15.3% represented other or unknown race. Over the period studied, 3.4% of women with PPCM developed AF compared to 5.6% of women with other cardiomyopathies. The frequency of positive AI-ECG predictions for AF was more common among women with other cardiomyopathies (40.7%) compared to women with PPCM (20.3%). The predicted odds ratio for AF development following a cardiomyopathy diagnosis based on AI-ECG results was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.73) for PPCM compared to other cardiomyopathies (p=0.006).
Conclusion
We demonstrated that an AI-ECG model for AF prediction may play a potential role in arrhythmia risk stratification/prediction among young women with PPCM who have a demonstrable lower risk for AF compared to women with other cardiomyopathies. Mechanisms for lower AF risk among patients with PPCM remain unknown. Further studies evaluating mechanistic pathways will be essential.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Morales-Lara
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - P W Johnson
- Mayo Clinic, Quantitative Health Sciences , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - E J Douglass
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - S O'Sullivan
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - M H Yamani
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - P A Noseworthy
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Rochester , United States of America
| | - R E Carter
- Mayo Clinic, Quantitative Health Sciences , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - D A Adedinsewo
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
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Adedinsewo D, Morales-Lara CA, Douglass E, O'Sullivan S, Young K, Burnette D, Spertus J, Butler-Tobah Y, Rose C, Carter R, Noseworthy P, Phillips S. Relationship between cardiovascular symptoms, health status assessment and cardiomyopathy in the obstetric population. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.2600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pregnancy related cardiomyopathy is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. A presumed overlap between normal pregnancy-associated symptoms and clinical symptoms of cardiomyopathy contributes to delays in diagnosis and increased risk of maternal mortality.
Purpose
We sought to evaluate the association between patient-reported cardiovascular symptoms and the presence of cardiomyopathy among pregnant and postpartum patients. We hypothesize that individual cardiovascular symptoms are unrelated to the presence of cardiomyopathy. We also evaluated the use of a novel adaptation of a validated health status questionnaire in relation to cardiomyopathy.
Methods
We enrolled 48 pregnant (>13 weeks) and postpartum (up to 12 months) participants in a prospective study between October 2021 and February 2022. All study participants completed a baseline questionnaire, which included current cardiovascular symptoms, an assessment of health status using an adapted version of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12), followed by a resting transthoracic echocardiogram on the same day. We defined cardiomyopathy as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% based on 2-D echocardiography. Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were employed to evaluate the association between reported cardiovascular symptoms, the adapted KCCQ-12 (KCC-A) score, and cardiomyopathy.
Results
At the time of enrollment, 67% were pregnant and 33% postpartum. Forty-eight percent identified as White, 31% as Black, 10% as Asian, and 10% as other race. The median age was 31 years (Q1: 28, Q3: 35) and 6% had an LVEF <50%. We found no statistically significant association between four reported cardiovascular symptoms (shortness of breath, orthopnea, fast breathing, and episodes of “asthma” that did not improve with inhalers or other treatment) and cardiomyopathy or medial E/e' ratio. KCC-A scores were low in the study population overall (median 52; Q1:40, Q3: 61). We demonstrated a significantly lower KCC-A score among women with LVEF <50% (median 24; Q1: 15, Q3: 44) compared to women with LVEF ≥50% (median 54; Q1: 44, Q3: 61) p=0.02.
Conclusions
We showed no significant association between individual cardiovascular symptoms and cardiomyopathy in an obstetric population. However, we demonstrate for the first time that an adapted KCCQ-12 questionnaire for health status assessment could potentially identify women with a high-likelihood of cardiomyopathy during the peripartum period who may benefit from additional evaluation including echocardiography. Larger studies are needed to validate this finding.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This study was funded by a research grant from the Miami Heart Research Institute, Florida Heart Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health
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Affiliation(s)
- D Adedinsewo
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - C A Morales-Lara
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - E Douglass
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - S O'Sullivan
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - K Young
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Rochester , United States of America
| | - D Burnette
- Mayo Clinic, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Rochester , United States of America
| | - J Spertus
- University of Missouri, Biomedical and Health Informatics , Kansas City , United States of America
| | - Y Butler-Tobah
- Mayo Clinic, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Rochester , United States of America
| | - C Rose
- Mayo Clinic, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Rochester , United States of America
| | - R Carter
- Mayo Clinic, Quantitative Health Sciences , Jacksonville , United States of America
| | - P Noseworthy
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Rochester , United States of America
| | - S Phillips
- Mayo Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine , Jacksonville , United States of America
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McNulty M, Waldron O, Ather M, Rangaswamy G, Houlihan O, Dunne M, Curran B, Ryan S, Skourou C, El Beltagi N, Fitzpatrick D, O'Sullivan S, Faul C. PO-1141 Stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy for spinal metastases; A single institution study. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)03105-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Janssen M, Holzinger A, Nevejans N, Eminaga O, Meyer CP, Miernik A. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI): closing the gap between image analysis and navigation in complex invasive diagnostic procedures. World J Urol 2022; 40:1125-1134. [PMID: 35084542 PMCID: PMC8791809 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-022-03930-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Literature review Cystoscopy is the gold standard for initial macroscopic assessments of the human urinary bladder to rule out (or diagnose) bladder cancer (BCa). Despite having guidelines, cystoscopic findings are diverse and often challenging to classify. The extent of the false negatives and false positives in cystoscopic diagnosis is currently unknown. We suspect that there is a certain degree of under-diagnosis (like the failure to detect malignant tumours) and over-diagnosis (e.g. sending the patient for unnecessary transurethral resection of bladder tumors with anesthesia) that put the patient at risk. Conclusions XAI robot-assisted cystoscopes would help to overcome the risks/flaws of conventional cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is considered a less life-threatening starting point for automation than open surgical procedures. Semi-autonomous cystoscopy requires standards and cystoscopy is a good procedure to establish a model that can then be exported/copied to other procedures of endoscopy and surgery. Standards also define the automation levels—an issue for medical product law. These cystoscopy skills do not give full autonomy to the machine, and represent a surgical parallel to ‘Autonomous Driving’ (where a standard requires a human supervisor to remain in the ‘vehicle’). Here in robotic cystoscopy, a human supervisor remains bedside in the ‘operating room’ as a ‘human‐in‐the‐loop’ in order to safeguard patients. The urologists will be able to delegate personal- and time-consuming cystoscopy to a specialised nurse. The result of automated diagnostic cystoscopy is a short video (with pre-processed photos from the video), which are then reviewed by the urologists at a more convenient time.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- Department of Urology, University Hospital of Münster (UKM), Muenster, Germany.
| | - M Janssen
- Department of Urology, University Hospital of Münster (UKM), Muenster, Germany
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Human-Centered AI Lab, Institute for Medical Informatics/Statistics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- xAI Lab, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Nathalie Nevejans
- AI Responsible Chair, Research Center in Law, Ethics and Procedures, Faculty of Law of Douai, University of Artois, Arras, France
| | - O Eminaga
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - C P Meyer
- Urology Clinic, Ruhr‑University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Arkadiusz Miernik
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg-Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany
- RaVeNNA 4Pi-Consortium of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Freiburg, Germany
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Mathews DM, Peart JM, Johnson NP, Sim RG, Heather NL, Webster D, O'Sullivan S, Hofman PL. Hysterosalpingography with Oil-Soluble Contrast Medium Does Not Increase Newborn Hypothyroidism. Int J Endocrinol 2022; 2022:4532714. [PMID: 35242184 PMCID: PMC8888087 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4532714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hysterosalpingography (HSG) with oil-soluble contrast medium (OSCM) improves pregnancy rates in women with idiopathic infertility. However, OSCM has high iodine content and slow clearance resulting in potential iodine excess. If pregnancy occurs, this could impact fetal thyroid gland development and function. We aim to determine the effect of a preconceptional OSCM HSG on the thyroid function of the neonate. Design and Patients. This was a retrospective analysis of newborn TSH data for a cohort of neonates conceived within six months of an OSCM HSG in the Auckland region, New Zealand, from the years 2000 to 2019. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of these newborns were obtained from newborn screening, which is routinely performed for all children at 48-72 hours of life. The primary outcome was the incidence of permanent or transient congenital hypothyroidism in this cohort. RESULTS Of 146 babies included, all had normal TSH levels with values ranging from 1 to 7 mIU/L on the whole blood analysis of a capillary heel sample using the Perkin-Elmer AutoDelfia assay. Conception during the first 3 cycles following an OSCM HSG was 76%; however, TSH levels in this group were not higher than those conceived in later cycles. CONCLUSION Preconceptional OSCM HSG did not increase the risk of congenital hypothyroidism in the New Zealand scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya M. Mathews
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paediatric Endocrinology, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Neil P. Johnson
- Repromed Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Natasha L. Heather
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme, LabPlus, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dianne Webster
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme, LabPlus, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susannah O'Sullivan
- Endocrinology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul L. Hofman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paediatric Endocrinology, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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O'Sullivan S, Macfarlane R, Khan K, Horwitz M. 377 Expanding the Use of Wide-Awake Local Anaesthesia Non-Tourniquet (WALANT) Technique in The Management of Hand Trauma Patients During the COVID 19 Pandemic. Br J Surg 2021. [PMCID: PMC8524476 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab259.988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Aim COVID19 produced a unique challenge to the management of hand trauma. There was reduced theatre capacity and inpatient beds as staff and resources were lost to make way for the critically unwell1, however the burden of patients (albeit reduced) requiring emergency procedures remained2. During 1stUK peak we adopted a one-stop hand trauma clinic where patients were assessed by senior surgeons and immediately operated on under local anaesthesia with Adrenalin, a model mirrored by other units across the UK during this time3,4. Subsequent to surgery they were either seen on the same day for advice with a hand therapist or booked for immediate hand therapy follow up. Method A retrospective review of 158 cases operated on over a 4-month COVID19 period compared to the same 4-month period 1 year previously. Indications for surgery and type of anaesthesia were recorded. Follow up and complication rates were reviewed for the COVID19 patients. Results There were similarities in the demographic of patients across both cohorts and in mechanism of injury, with trauma the highest indication for surgery. The comparable data sets showed only 21% of patients treated used WALANT pre-COVID19 versus 100% of patient during COVID19. Conclusions WALANT is a viable model by which to perform emergency hand trauma surgery in a low cost and low resource setting. Previously this model was not utilised to full effect in our hospital. The results demonstrate the adaptability of WALANT in an adverse and dynamic situation, such as COVID19, thus highlighting benefits to patient care and service provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - K Khan
- Chelsea and Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Horwitz
- Chelsea and Westminster, London, United Kingdom
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Mathews DM, Johnson NP, Sim RG, O'Sullivan S, Peart JM, Hofman PL. Iodine and fertility: do we know enough? Hum Reprod 2021; 36:265-274. [PMID: 33289034 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Iodine is a vital micronutrient and its importance in thyroid function is well established. However, abnormalities in iodine intake may also have other effects. In particular, iodine is taken up avidly by the ovary and endometrium. Iodine deficiency is associated with reduced fertility. The use of high iodine concentration contrast media has recently been shown to improve conception rates in couples with unexplained infertility (UI). We hypothesize that this improvement could be related to the iodine excess and mechanisms independent of its action on thyroid. In this article, the metabolism of iodine and its potential role in fertility will be discussed, including the impact of both iodine deficiency and excess states and the importance of iodine in normal fetal development. This will include insights from animal studies on the effect of iodine in the uterine and ovarian structural environment, hormonal milieu and immunological factors affecting implantation. We speculate that iodine may well have a role as a potential therapy for UI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya M Mathews
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Neil P Johnson
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Australia and University of Auckland & Repromed Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Susannah O'Sullivan
- Endocrinology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Paul L Hofman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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McDermott RL, Mihai A, Dunne M, Keys M, O'Sullivan S, Thirion P, ElBeltagi N, Armstrong JG. Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy for Large (≥5 cm) Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2020; 33:292-299. [PMID: 33309479 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2020.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is a standard of care for medically inoperable early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma. Tumours greater than 5 cm have been excluded from randomised trials using SABR and, hence, it is not used as a standard for larger lung tumours. However, improvements in radiation therapy techniques and the success of SABR in treatment of early stage disease may allow safe delivery of ablative doses to larger tumours. We analysed our experience with tumours ≥5 cm to determine the efficacy and toxicity profile of SABR in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated survival, control rates, patterns of failure and toxicity in patients with a tumour diameter larger than 5 cm that had no nodal or distant metastases treated with SABR technology. Patients had been treated in two centres since 2009 and were retrospectively analysed. All patients had positron emission tomography staging, were discussed at a tumour board and were documented to have no nodal or distant metastatic disease. Treatment outcomes were analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared using the Log-rank test. Cox regression was used to investigate the association between the survival outcomes and predictor variables. RESULTS In total, 86 patients were identified. Six patients had no follow-up imaging. Therefore, 80 patients were available for analysis. All patients were reclassified according to the updated AJCC eighth edition. The median follow-up was 19.6 months. No patients received neoadjuvant or concurrent systemic therapy. One patient received adjuvant systemic therapy. The median age at treatment was 77 years (range 58-91). Eighty-four per cent were stage T3N0M0 and 16% were staged T4N0M0. The median tumour diameter was 5.8 cm (range 5.0-9.3 cm). The median gross tumour volume, measured on a single phase of the respiratory cycle, was 45.7 cm3 (range 12.1-203.3 cm3). The median overall survival was 20.9 months (95% confidence interval 12.6-29.1 months). One-, 2- and 3-year overall survival was 71%, 48% and 32%, respectively. The median local failure-free survival was 19.5 months (95% confidence interval 14.4-24.6). The median disease-free survival was 15.1 months (95% confidence interval 9.9-20.4 months). Local control at 1, 2 and 3 years was 85% (95% confidence interval 76-94%), 71% (95% confidence interval 58-84%) and 57% (95% confidence interval 40-74%), respectively. Forty-four patients (55%) had any treatment failure (local, mediastinal, intrapulmonary or distant metastases). Out-of-field intrapulmonary disease progression was the most common mode of failure, occurring in 21 patients (26%). Local failure occurred in 19 patients (24%) - alone or in combination with other progression. Distant metastases occurred in 20 patients (25%). Neither histological subtype, tumour size nor gross tumour volume had a statistically significant effect on local failure-free survival. Two patients experienced grade 3 late dyspnoea. There were no other reported grade 3 or higher acute or late toxicities. CONCLUSION SABR for larger lung tumours ≥5 cm results in high local control and acceptable survival in patients with medically inoperable large non-small cell lung carcinoma treated with radiation alone. Such patients should be considered for SABR owing to fewer treatment fractions and acceptable toxicity. Local control analysis reveals a sustained pattern of local failure emphasising the need for long-term follow-up. Improvements in technical strategies are required to further improve local control.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L McDermott
- St Luke's Institute of Cancer Research, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - A Mihai
- Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M Dunne
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M Keys
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S O'Sullivan
- St Luke's Institute of Cancer Research, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Thirion
- Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - N ElBeltagi
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J G Armstrong
- St Luke's Institute of Cancer Research, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland; St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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McCarthy CM, O'Sullivan S, Corcoran P, Eogan M, Bennett D, Horgan M, O'Donoghue K. Medicine, media and the law: The effect on training in obstetrics and gynaecology. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 257:35-41. [PMID: 33359922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The inextricable link between medicine and the legal profession has flourished in the 21st century, with countless newspaper articles and social media content on medical cases visible at every juncture. This is particularly true in the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology, with one of the highest rates of litigation of all medical specialities. We aimed to evaluate the influence of media and the legal environment on the career of trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology. Under the auspices of the Irish national training body, we distributed a 26-item questionnaire to doctors-in-training (DIT) working in obstetrics and gynaecology in the Republic of Ireland. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analyses were performed on the anonymised data. 151 DIT responded to the questionnaire, with a response rate of 86.2 % (sample size = 175). The majority were female (79.9 %, n = 121), Irish (85.5 %, n = 106) and had no children (67.0 %, n = 83). 86.7 % (n = 131) felt that the media did not have a positive impact on patients receiving care, and, further, unfairly represented the speciality (94.1 %; n = 142). Additionally, DIT felt that medico-legal issues had a negative impact on issues such as retention and recruitment. These two areas were implicated in over three quarters of DIT considering leaving the speciality. This study demonstrates that DIT perceive media scrutiny and litigation to have a negative effect on the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology. Further support integrated into specialist training, is needed to ensure that trainees are adequately equipped to deal with both mainstream and social media as well as interactions they may have with the legal profession as they progress through their career.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland.
| | - S O'Sullivan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - P Corcoran
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M Eogan
- Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - D Bennett
- Medical Education Unit, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - M Horgan
- Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K O'Donoghue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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O'Sullivan S, Ozoemena L, Liu L, McGrath JA, Mellerio JE, Martinez AE. PLACK syndrome: the penny dropped. Clin Exp Dermatol 2020; 45:1091-1092. [PMID: 32918489 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - L Ozoemena
- National Diagnostic EB Laboratory, Viapath, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - L Liu
- National Diagnostic EB Laboratory, Viapath, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - J A McGrath
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - J E Mellerio
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - A E Martinez
- Dermatology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Duggan W, Hannan E, Brosnan C, O'Sullivan S, Conlon K. Conservative management of complete traumatic pancreatic body transection; A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2020; 71:222-224. [PMID: 32480329 PMCID: PMC7262372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic trauma is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, cases that involved injury to the pancreatic duct were almost always managed operatively. Much of the morbidity and mortality associated is related to operative complications. This case highlights that where possible, in instances where there is no bile leak or active haemorrhage, a conservative management approach may be safe and effective.
Introduction Isolated pancreatic body transection secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is a very rare injury associated with poor outcomes. Almost all previously reported cases were managed by emergency distal pancreatectomy, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of complete transection of the pancreas at the body that was successfully treated by conservative management in an adult patient. Presentation of case A 19-year-old male was found to have complete transection of the pancreatic body on computed tomography (CT) following blunt force abdominal trauma. Given that he was haemodynamically stable without evidence of haemorrhage or bile leakage on imaging, a trial of conservative management was initiated. He remained well through his admission, gradually improving clinically and biochemically with stable appearances on serial imaging. He remains asymptomatic as of six months since discharge from the hospital and continues to be monitored in the outpatient setting. Discussion Management of pancreatic trauma with ductal injury has typically been with emergency distal pancreatectomy, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The decision to operate should not be purely based on radiological findings, and should take into account clinical status, haemodynamic stability, coexisting injuries and evidence of active haemorrhage or bile leak. Conclusion In select cases, it is reasonable to trial conservative management in isolated traumatic pancreatic body fracture by means of close clinical observation and serial imaging. This may allow the patient to avoid a high-risk emergency distal pancreatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Duggan
- St Vincent's University Hospital, 196 Merrion Road, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - E Hannan
- St Vincent's University Hospital, 196 Merrion Road, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Brosnan
- St Vincent's University Hospital, 196 Merrion Road, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S O'Sullivan
- St Vincent's University Hospital, 196 Merrion Road, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K Conlon
- St Vincent's University Hospital, 196 Merrion Road, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
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O'Sullivan S, Bowe S, O'Riordan T, Murphy A, Murphy M, Heffron C, Bourke JF. Skin Cancer Excision Is More Efficient and Cost Effectivein a Specialist Secondary Care Service. Ir Med J 2020; 113:38. [PMID: 32815680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim To compare the relative efficiencies of skin excisions in primary and secondary care. Methods We compared the benign: malignant ratio for specimens referred by General Practice, General Surgery and the Skin Cancer Service to the regional pathology laboratory over one month. We used cost minimization analysis to compare the relative efficiencies of the services. Results 620 excisions were received: 139 from General Practice, 118 from General Surgery and 363 from the Skin Cancer Service. The number (%) of malignant lesions was 13 (9.4%) from General Practice, 18 (15.2%) from General Surgery and 137 (37.7%) from the Skin Cancer Service. Excision was cheaper in General Practice at €84.58 as compared to €97.49 in the hospital day surgical unit. However, the cost per malignant lesion excised was €1779.80 in general practice versus €381.78 in the Skin Cancer Service. Conclusion Our results indicate that moving skin cancer treatment to General Practice may result in an excess of benign excisions and therefore be both less efficient and less cost effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- Dept. of Dermatology, South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork
| | - S Bowe
- Dept. of Dermatology, South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork
| | - T O'Riordan
- Dept. of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork
| | - A Murphy
- Dept. of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork
| | - M Murphy
- Dept. of Dermatology, South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork
| | - C Heffron
- Dept. of Histopathology, Cork University Hospital, Cork
| | - J F Bourke
- Dept. of Dermatology, South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork
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McDermott R, Mihai A, Thirion P, Keys M, O'Sullivan S, Dunne M, Elbeltagi N, Armstrong J. Clinical Outcomes of Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy for large (>5cm) lung cancers. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.1362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Keys M, O'Sullivan S, Dermott RM, Wallace N, Dunne M, Armstrong J, Thirion P. EP-1354 Impact of Pulmonary SABR on Pulmonary Function Tests: Report of a single institution experience. Radiother Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(19)31774-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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Cummins D, Skourou C, O'Sullivan S, Davenport P, Fitzpatrick D, Faul C, Javadpour M, Dunne M. EP-1908 A Guide For Predicting Normal Tissue Dose in Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Radiother Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(19)32328-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Charlesworth A, O'Sullivan S, Ferreira C, Barbaso I, LeCouteur J, Barrett S, Sayer V, Dunn J, Westcott E, Datta V, McCarthy M. The clinical and financial outcomes of initiating a home fluid and electrolyte (HFE) service at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2017.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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21
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Cagney DN, Thirion PG, Dunne MT, Fleming C, Fitzpatrick D, O'Shea CM, Finn MA, O'Sullivan S, Booth C, Collins CD, Buckney SJ, Shannon A, Armstrong JG. A Phase II Toxicity End Point Trial (ICORG 99-09) of Accelerated Dose-escalated Hypofractionated Radiation in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2017; 30:30-38. [PMID: 29097074 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The objective of this phase II clinical trial was to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) in localised non-resectable/non-operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients with stage I-III NSCLC were enrolled in a prospective single-arm All Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group (ICORG 99-09) toxicity end point phase II trial. The protocol allocated patients between three radiation schedule dose levels (60, 66 or 72 Gy, in 20, 22 and 24 fractions, respectively, 3 Gy daily, five fractions per week) according to combined lung V25Gy (V25Gy ≤ 30%) with built-in early stopping toxicity rules. The primary end point was toxicity with evaluation of dose-limiting toxicity. The secondary objectives included radiological tumour response rate at 3 months after the completion of radiation therapy and the thoracic progression-free survival time. RESULTS Sixty patients were recruited from August 1999 to June 2009. Forty-nine patients were included in the primary per-protocol analysis. Eleven patients were not evaluable. In the first 30 evaluable patient cohort, severe oesophageal toxicity was reported in two patients (2/49; 4% experiencing grade 5 oesophageal late toxicity, related to the 97% oesophageal length). The trial was temporarily closed and was then reopened to validate an oesophageal dose volume constraint (DVC) of limiting the length of oesophagus fully encompassed by the 97% isodose to less than 1 cm (applied to 21 patients). The trial prospectively showed the safety of the oesophageal DVC, with no oesophageal toxicity above grade 3 thereafter. Thirty-nine per cent of patients had disease progression at 3-4 months after radiotherapy, 22% had stable disease, 20% had a complete response and 14% had a partial response. The median overall survival was 13.6 months (95% confidence interval 10.5-16.7) and overall survival at 1 and 3 years was 57% and 29%, respectively. CONCLUSION A strategy using accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT is feasible and reasonably safe for patients with inoperable NSCLC. It is safe to deliver for centrally located tumours if DVCs are applied to the oesophagus, which is the primary dose-limiting toxicity. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy of hypofractionated regimens for centrally located tumours using an oesophageal DVC and monitoring for oesophageal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D N Cagney
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - P G Thirion
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M T Dunne
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Fleming
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D Fitzpatrick
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C M O'Shea
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M A Finn
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S O'Sullivan
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Booth
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C D Collins
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S J Buckney
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Shannon
- Cancer Trials Ireland (formerly ICORG), Dublin, Ireland
| | - J G Armstrong
- St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland; Cancer Trials Ireland (formerly ICORG), Dublin, Ireland
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Keenan L, O'Sullivan S, Glynn A, Totaro M, Brennan S. EP-1397: Patterns of failure in patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy post lymphadenectomy for melanoma. Radiother Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(16)32647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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23
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Houlihan O, O'Sullivan S, Dunne M, Salib O, Gillham C, McVey G, Faul C, Cunningham M, Armstrong J, McNamara D, O'Neill B. EP-1289: Anal squamous cell carcinoma; a retrospective case series. Radiother Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(16)32539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Grey A. Adverse skeletal effects of drugs - beyond Glucocorticoids. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2015; 82:12-22. [PMID: 25039381 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporotic fractures are an important public health problem with significant individual and societal costs. In addition to the major risk factors for osteoporotic fracture, low bone mineral density (BMD), age, low body weight and history of fracture or falls, some drugs are now considered to be important secondary risk factor for bone loss and fracture, particularly amongst predisposed individuals. Currently available data are often generated from small observational clinical studies, making risk assessment and development of management guidelines difficult. In many cases, the exposed population has a low baseline risk for fracture and additional assessment and treatment may not be necessary. In this review, we focus on drugs other than glucocorticoids identified as potentially causing adverse skeletal effects, summarizing the existing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies, and suggest recommendations for patient management.
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O'Sullivan S, Sutton M, Fitzpatrick G. Prevalence of elevated cardiac troponin T in ICU patients using the high-sensitivity assay and the relationship with mortality. Crit Care 2014. [PMCID: PMC4068376 DOI: 10.1186/cc13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Radziwon-Balicka A, Santos-Martinez MJ, Corbalan JJ, O'Sullivan S, Treumann A, Gilmer JF, Radomski MW, Medina C. Mechanisms of platelet-stimulated colon cancer invasion: role of clusterin and thrombospondin 1 in regulation of the P38MAPK-MMP-9 pathway. Carcinogenesis 2013; 35:324-32. [DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgt332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Wang T, O'Sullivan S, Gamble G, Ruygrok P. Bone Density Before and After Heart or Lung Transplantation—A Longitudinal Study. Heart Lung Circ 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.03.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Wang T, O'Sullivan S, Gamble G, Ruygrok P. Longitudinal Study of Bone Density in Heart or Lung Transplantation Recipients. Heart Lung Circ 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2012.05.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Salwa S, Bourke M, O'Shaughnessy M, O'Sullivan S, Kelly J, O'Sullivan G. Electrochemotherapy - a novel effective approach to naso-ocular basal cell carcinoma treatment. Eur J Surg Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2011.08.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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O'Sullivan S. AG.03 Impulsive and compulsive behaviours in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2011-300504.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Lin JM, Watson M, Callon K, Tong PC, Naot D, Horne A, Aati O, Porteous F, Gamble G, Cornish J, Browett P, Grey A. The skeletal effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib. Bone 2011; 49:281-9. [PMID: 21550432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2011.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Nilotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed to manage imatinib-resistance in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It inhibits similar molecular targets to imatinib, but is a significantly more potent inhibitor of Bcr-Abl. Nilotinib exhibits off-target effects in other tissues, and of relevance to bone metabolism, hypophosphataemia has been reported in up to 30% of patients receiving nilotinib. We have assessed the effects of nilotinib on bone cells in vitro and on bone metabolism in patients receiving nilotinib for treatment of CML. We firstly investigated the effects of nilotinib on proliferating and differentiating osteoblastic cells, and on osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow cultures and RAW264.7 cells. Nilotinib potently inhibited osteoblast proliferation (0.01-1uM), through inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFR). There was a biphasic effect on osteoblast differentiation such that it was reduced by lower concentrations of nilotinib (0.1-0.5uM), with no effect at higher concentrations (1uM). Nilotinib also potently inhibited osteoclastogenesis, predominantly by stromal-cell dependent mechanisms. Thus, nilotinib decreased osteoclast development in murine bone marrow cultures, but did not affect osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells. Nilotinib treatment of osteoblastic cells increased expression and secretion of OPG and decreased expression of RANKL. In 10 patients receiving nilotinib, levels of bone turnover markers were in the low-normal range, despite secondary hyperparathyroidism, findings that are similar to those in patients treated with imatinib. Bone density tended to be higher than age and gender-matched normal values. These data suggest that nilotinib may have important effects on bone metabolism. Prospective studies should be conducted to determine the long-term effects of nilotinib on bone density and calcium metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah O'Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
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O'Sullivan S, Geddes T, Lovelock T. The migration of fragments of glass from the pockets to the surfaces of clothing. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 208:149-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Naot D, Callon KE, Watson M, Gamble GD, Ladefoged M, Karsdal MA, Browett P, Cornish J, Grey A. Imatinib mesylate does not increase bone volume in vivo. Calcif Tissue Int 2011; 88:16-22. [PMID: 20978751 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-010-9429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 09/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the management of disorders in which activation of c-Abl, PDGFR, or c-Kit signaling plays a critical role. In vitro, imatinib stimulates osteoblast differentiation, inhibits osteoblast proliferation and survival, and decreases osteoclast development. Patients treated with imatinib exhibit altered bone and mineral metabolism, with stable or increased bone mass. However, recovery from the underlying disease and/or weight gain might contribute to these effects. We therefore investigated the skeletal effects of imatinib in healthy rats. We evaluated the effects of imatinib on bone volume, markers of bone turnover, and bone histomorphometry in mature female rats treated for 5 weeks with either vehicle, imatinib 40 mg/kg daily, or imatinib 70 mg/kg daily. Compared to vehicle, imatinib reduced trabecular bone volume/tissue volume (mean [SD]: vehicle 26.4% [5.4%], low-dose imatinib 24.8% [4.9%] [P = 0.5], high-dose imatinib 21.1% [5.7%] [P = 0.05]), reduced osteoblast surface (mean [SD]: vehicle 12.8% [5.8%], low-dose 6.8% [1.9%] [P < 0.01], high-dose 7.8 [3.1%] [P < 0.05]), and reduced serum osteocalcin (mean change from baseline [95% CI]: vehicle -8.2 [-26.6 to 10.2] ng/ml, low dose -79.7 [-97.5 to -61.9] ng/ml [P < 0.01 vs. vehicle], high-dose -66.0 [-82.0 to -50.0] ng/ml [P < 0.05 vs. vehicle]). Imatinib did not affect biochemical or histomorphometric indices of bone resorption. These results suggest that, in healthy animals, treatment with imatinib does not increase bone mass and that the improvements in bone density reported in patients receiving imatinib may not be a direct effect of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah O'Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Singh-Curry V, Bunzeck N, O'Sullivan S, Molloy M, Perry R, Bain P, Lees A, Duzel E, Husain M. PATH50 Novelty-seeking and risk-taking behaviour in subtypes of Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.226340.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Beddow S, Lambert P, Montgomery G, Singh J, Mills J, Duffy N. P2.088 Patient and carer opinions of apomorphine use in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(09)70439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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O'Sullivan S, Horne A, Wattie D, Porteous F, Callon K, Gamble G, Ebeling P, Browett P, Grey A. Decreased bone turnover despite persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism during prolonged treatment with imatinib. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009; 94:1131-6. [PMID: 19174494 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2008-2324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate has an established role in the management of a number of malignant and proliferative conditions. Cross-sectional and short-term prospective studies have demonstrated secondary hyperparathyroidism during imatinib therapy, and variable changes in markers of bone turnover. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine the biochemical and skeletal effects of imatinib during long-term therapy. DESIGN This was a 2-yr prospective study. SETTING The study was performed at an academic clinical research center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Nine patients with bcr-abl positive chronic myeloid leukemia were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS Patients received Imatinib mesylate 400 mg/d. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum and urine biochemistry, markers of bone turnover, and bone mineral density were measured. RESULTS Participants developed mild secondary hyperparathyroidism, with significant decreases in serum calcium and phosphate (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001 vs. baseline, respectively) and an increase in PTH (P < 0.0001 vs. baseline). Biochemical markers of bone turnover demonstrated a biphasic response, with an initial increase in markers of bone formation being followed by a decrease in markers of both formation and resorption. Bone density at the lumbar spine increased [mean (95% confidence interval) change from baseline 3.6% (1.6, 5.5); P = 0.003] as did that at the total body [1.4% (0.2, 2.5); P = 0.065], whereas that at the proximal femur did not change [-0.12% (-3.0, 2.7); P = 0.93]. Body weight and fat mass increased significantly (P < 0.0001 vs. baseline). CONCLUSIONS Long-term treatment with imatinib leads to persistent mild secondary hyperparathyroidism. Despite this, bone turnover is decreased, and bone density is stable or increased. Evaluation of the skeletal actions and safety of imatinib during longer-term therapy is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah O'Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Bradley DI, Fisher SN, Guénault AM, Haley RP, O'Sullivan S, Pickett GR, Tsepelin V. Fluctuations and Correlations of Pure Quantum Turbulence in Superfluid 3He-B. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 101:065302. [PMID: 18764468 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.065302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2008] [Revised: 07/01/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We describe the first measurements of line-density fluctuations and spatial correlations of quantum turbulence in superfluid 3He-B. All of the measurements are performed in the low-temperature regime, where the normal-fluid density is negligible. The quantum turbulence is generated by a vibrating grid. The vortex-line density is found to have large length-scale correlations, indicating large-scale collective motion of vortices. Furthermore, we find that the power spectrum of fluctuations versus frequency obeys a -5/3 power law which verifies recent speculations that this behavior is a generic feature of fully developed quantum turbulence, reminiscent of the Kolmogorov spectrum for velocity fluctuations in classical turbulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- D I Bradley
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
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O'Sullivan S, Naot D, Callon K, Porteous F, Horne A, Wattie D, Watson M, Cornish J, Browett P, Grey A. Imatinib promotes osteoblast differentiation by inhibiting PDGFR signaling and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by both direct and stromal cell-dependent mechanisms. J Bone Miner Res 2007; 22:1679-89. [PMID: 17663639 DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.070719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Several lines of evidence suggest that imatinib may affect skeletal tissue. We show that inhibition by imatinib of PDGFR signaling in osteoblasts activates osteoblast differentiation and inhibits osteoblast proliferation and that imatinib inhibits osteoclastogenesis by both stromal cell-dependent and direct effects on osteoclast precursors. INTRODUCTION Imatinib mesylate, an orally active inhibitor of the c-abl, c-kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) tyrosine kinases, is in clinical use for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors. Interruption of both c-kit and c-abl signaling in mice induces osteopenia, suggesting that imatinib might have adverse effects on the skeleton. However, biochemical markers of bone formation increase in patients with CML starting imatinib therapy, whereas bone resorption is unchanged, despite secondary hyperparathyroidism. We assessed the actions of imatinib on bone cells in vitro to study the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) underlying the skeletal effects we observed in imatinib-treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Osteoblast differentiation was assessed using a mineralization assay, proliferation by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, and apoptosis by a TUNEL assay. Osteoclastogenesis was assessed using murine bone marrow cultures and RAW 264.7 cells. RT and multiplex PCR were performed on RNA prepared from human bone marrow samples, osteoblastic cells, and murine bone marrow cultures. Osteoprotegerin was measured by ELISA. RESULTS The molecular targets of imatinib are expressed in bone cells. In vitro, imatinib increases osteoblast differentiation and prevents PDGF-induced inhibition of this process. Imatinib inhibits proliferation of osteoblast-like cells induced by serum and PDGF. In murine bone marrow cultures, imatinib inhibits osteoclastogenesis stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and partially inhibits osteoclastogenesis induced by RANKL and macrophage-colony stimulating factor. Imatinib partially inhibited osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-stimulated RAW-264.7 cells. Treatment with imatinib increases the expression of osteoprotegerin in bone marrow from patients with CML and osteoblastic cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together with recent in vivo data, these results suggest a role for the molecular targets of imatinib in bone cell function, that inhibition by imatinib of PDGFR signaling in osteoblasts activates bone formation, and that the antiresorptive actions of imatinib are mediated by both stromal cell-dependent and direct effects on osteoclast precursors.
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Chaves AA, Zingaro G, Yordy M, O'Sullivan S, Galijatovic-Idrizbegovic A, Schuck H, Mixson L, Briscoe R. SENSITIVITY TO DETECT QT INTERVAL PROLONGATION IN A TELEMETRIZED BEAGLE DOG: CARDIOVASCULAR STUDIES WITH MOXIFLOXACIN. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2007.02.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Chaves AA, Zingaro GJ, Yordy MA, Bustard KA, O'Sullivan S, Galijatovic-Idrizbegovic A, Schuck H, Christian DB, Hoe CM, Briscoe RJ. A highly sensitive canine telemetry model for detection of QT interval prolongation: Studies with moxifloxacin, haloperidol and MK-499. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2007; 56:103-14. [PMID: 17643323 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2007.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2007] [Accepted: 04/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical evaluation of delayed ventricular repolarization manifests electrocardiographically as QT interval prolongation and is routinely used as an indicator of potential risk for pro-arrhythmia (potential to cause Torsades de Pointes) of novel human pharmaceuticals. In accordance with ICH S7A and S7B guidelines we evaluated the sensitivity and validity of the beagle dog telemetry (Integrated Telemetry Services (ITS)) model as a preclinical predictor of QT interval prolongation in humans. METHODS Cardiovascular monitoring was conducted for 2 h pre-dose and 24 h post-dosing with moxifloxacin (MOX), haloperidol (HAL), and MK-499, with a toxicokinetic (TK) evaluation in a separate group of dogs. In both cardiovascular and TK studies, MOX (0, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), HAL (0, 0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) and MK-499 (0, 0.03, 0.3 and 3 mg/kg) were administered orally by gavage in 0.5% methylcellulose. Each dog received all 4 doses using a dose-escalation paradigm. Inherent variability of the model was assessed with administration of vehicle (0.5% methylcellulose) alone for 4 days. RESULTS Significant increases in QT(c) were evident with 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg of MOX (C(max)< or =40 microM), 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg of HAL (C(max)< or =0.36 microM) and 0.3 and 3 mg/kg of MK-499 (C(max)< or =825 nM) with peak increases of 45 (20%), 31 (13%), and 45 (19%) ms, respectively (p< or =0.05). DISCUSSION In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the ITS-telemetry beagle dog exhibits low inherent intra-animal variability and high sensitivity to detect small but significant increases in QT/QT(c) interval ( approximately 3-6%) with MOX, HAL and MK-499 in the same range of therapeutic plasma concentrations attained in humans. Therefore, this dog telemetry model should be considered an important preclinical predictor of QT prolongation of novel human pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Chaves
- Safety Assessment, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA
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Bradley DI, Fisher SN, Guénault AM, Haley RP, Mulders N, O'Sullivan S, Pickett GR, Roberts J, Tsepelin V. Contrasting mechanical anisotropies of the superfluid 3He phases in aerogel. Phys Rev Lett 2007; 98:075302. [PMID: 17359032 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.075302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
There has been much recent interest in how impurity scattering may affect the phases of the p-wave superfluid 3He. Impurities may be added to the otherwise absolutely pure superfluid by immersing it in aerogel. Some predictions suggest that impurity scattering may destroy orientational order and force all of the superfluid phases to have an isotropic superfluid density. In contrast to this, we present experimental data showing that the response of the A-like phase to superfluid flow is highly anisotropic, revealing a texture that is easily modified by flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- D I Bradley
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
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Chaves AA, Keller WJ, O'Sullivan S, Williams MA, Fitzgerald LE, McPherson HE, Goykhman D, Ward PD, Hoe CM, Mixson L, Briscoe RJ. Cardiovascular monkey telemetry: Sensitivity to detect QT interval prolongation. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2006; 54:150-8. [PMID: 16679034 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2006.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2006] [Accepted: 03/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical evaluation of delayed ventricular repolarization manifests electrocardiographically as QT interval prolongation and is routinely used as an indicator of potential risk for pro-arrhythmia (potential to cause Torsades de Pointes) of novel human pharmaceuticals. In accordance with ICH S7A and S7B guidelines we evaluated the sensitivity and validity of the monkey telemetry model as a preclinical predictor of QT interval prolongation in humans. METHODS Cardiovascular monitoring was conducted for 2 h pre-dose and 24 h post-dosing with Moxifloxacin (MOX), with a toxicokinetic (TK) evaluation in a separate group of monkeys. In both studies, MOX was administered orally by gavage in 0.5% methylcellulose at 0, 10, 30, 100, 175 mg/kg. Each monkey received all 5 doses using a dose-escalation paradigm. Inherent variability of the model was assessed with administration of vehicle alone for 4 days in all 4 monkeys (0.5% methylcellulose in deionized water). RESULTS MOX had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, PR or QRS intervals. MOX produced significant dose-related increases in QTc at doses of 30 (Cmax=5.5+/-0.6 microM), 100 (Cmax=16.5+/-1.6 microM), and 175 (Cmax=17.3+/-0.7 microM) mg/kg with peak increases of 22 (8%), 27 (10%), and 47 (18%) ms, respectively (p<or=0.05; compared to vehicle). DISCUSSION In conclusion, we have developed a reproducible, sensitive and reliable primate telemetry model in rhesus monkeys, which exhibits low inherent intra-animal variability and high sensitivity to detect small but significant increases in QT/QTc interval (approximately 4%) with MOX in the same range of therapeutic plasma concentrations attained in humans. Therefore, the primate telemetry model should be considered an important preclinical predictor of QT prolongation of novel human pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Chaves
- Safety Assessment, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486, United States
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Overbeek SE, O'Sullivan S, Leman K, Mulder PGH, Hoogsteden HC, Prins JB. Effect of montelukast compared with inhaled fluticasone on airway inflammation. Clin Exp Allergy 2005; 34:1388-94. [PMID: 15347371 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02041.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhaled corticosteroids are currently regarded as the gold standard in anti-inflammatory therapy, however, leukotriene receptor antagonists have been ascribed anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVE We directly compared the anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP, 100 microg Diskus, twice daily) and oral montelukast (MON 10 mg, nocte) in bronchial biopsies of patients with asthma in a double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group design. METHODS Bronchial biopsies, serum and urine samples were collected from 36 atopic asthmatics before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Activated T cells (CD25+), eosinophils (MBP+) and mast cells (tryptase+) were analysed by immunohistochemistry. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and IL-5 were analysed by radio and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. Urinary 9alpha-11beta-PGF2 and leukotriene E4 (LTE4) were measured by EIA. RESULTS A comparison of changes from baseline [FP/MON ratio (95% confidence interval)] of activated T cells was not different when subjects were treated with FP compared to treatment with MON [1.00 (0.18-4.86); P=0.924]. Following treatment, mast cells in the FP group were significantly lower than in the group treated with MON [0.39 (0.16-0.97); P=0.041]. There was no difference in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria following either treatment [0.54 (0.05-2.57); P=0.263]. However, treatment with FP resulted in a significantly greater decrease in serum ECP, compared to treatment with MON [0.37 (0.25-0.71); P=0.002]. CONCLUSIONS FP appears to be superior to MON as an anti-inflammatory therapy in mild asthmatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Overbeek
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines which signal via the gamma chain of the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor and the interferons (IFNs) have been shown to enhance T cell survival in vitro by rescuing cells from apoptosis. METHODS A study was undertaken to determine whether treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP; 250 microg twice daily) for 2 weeks could modulate production of IL-15 or IFN-beta and thereby affect T cell survival in bronchial tissue of 10 patients with mild/moderate asthma. Bronchial biopsy specimens were taken before and on completion of treatment. RESULTS The mean (95% CI) number of T cells per unit area decreased in the asthmatic group following 2 weeks of treatment with FP (from 7.0 (5.6 to 8.4) to 4.5 (4.0 to 5.1); p = 0.001). There was an increase in the percentage of T cells undergoing apoptosis following FP treatment as assessed by T cell/TUNEL staining (from 4.5 (2.6 to 6.4) to 8.7 (6.6 to 10.8); p = 0.0001). The percentage of cells staining for IL-15 and IFN-beta in the lamina propria, determined by an alkaline phosphatase biotin streptavidin technique, decreased significantly from baseline values of 31.6 (23.4 to 39.7) to 19.6 (12.5 to 26.7), p = 0.039 for IL-15 and from 18.9 (13.5 to 24.4) to 9.5 (5.9 to 13.1), p = 0.007 for IFN-beta following 2 weeks of treatment with FP. However, only the decrease in the percentage of cells staining for IL-15 was significantly correlated with an increased number of apoptotic T cells following treatment (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION These findings support a novel mechanism for the ability of inhaled corticosteroids to decrease T cell numbers, possibly by downregulation of the cytokine IL-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- Department of Immunology, Royal Free and University College Hospital Medical School, London NW3 2QG, UK.
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Abstract
The fabrication and testing of a minimally intrusive (2 mm high, 10 mm diameter) biomedical interface pressure sensor are described. Such sensors are needed for the implementation of improved safety features in the next generation of automated intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) systems. The sensor utilizes a structured elastomer as a deflection element sandwiched between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor device. Simple mechanical modifications allow sensitivity and zero offset adjustment. The sensor is housed in a package machined from an engineering polymer. The device is easily calibrated using either a bench-top or an on-body calibration procedure. The device is particularly sensitive to cuff artefacts arising from variations in cuff-wrap tightness and folding of the cuff. As such, it offers some promise for detecting potential hazard conditions which can occur during conventional IVRA procedures. For the purpose of unit conversion, 1 Pa = 1 N/m2, 1 MPA = 1 N/mm2 and 40 kPa approximately equal to 300 mmHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Casey
- Physics Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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Abstract
Airway dehydration and subsequent hyperosmolarity of periciliary fluid are considered critical events in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). It has been shown that an in vitro hyperosmolar stimulation of basophils and mast cells with mannitol can induce the release of histamine and leukotrienes. The aim of this study was to establish if a hyperosmolar challenge could trigger activation of eosinophils to release chemokines and lipid mediators. Peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated from seven asthmatic and six non-asthmatic subjects. Hyperosmolar stimulation of eosinophils with mannitol (0.7 M), resulted in a significant increase in LTC4 levels compared to baseline in both asthmatic (15.2+/-4.6 vs. 70.1+/-9.5; P = 0.0002) and control subjects (14.3+/-4.0 vs. 55.6+/-5.6; P = 0.0001). ECP levels did not increase significantly above baseline following mannitol stimulation in either group. This study shows that eosinophils can be activated by a hyperosmolar stimulus. Therefore it seems reasonable to suggest that eosinophils could contribute to EIB.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Moloney
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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Ryan P, Aarons S, Murray D, Markham T, O'Sullivan S, Lyons F, Lee G, Fitzgibbon J. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) detected in two patients with Kaposi's sarcoma-like pyogenic granuloma. J Clin Pathol 2002; 55:619-22. [PMID: 12147659 PMCID: PMC1769721 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.55.8.619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To report the finding of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in two patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-like pyogenic granuloma. This form of pyogenic granuloma closely resembles KS histologically and it has been reported that immunohistochemistry in such lesions may be positive for smooth muscle actin and factor VIII related antigen, which are typically negative in KS. In both patients the lesions were positive for CD31, CD34, smooth muscle actin, and factor VIII related antigen, a profile typical of KS-like pyogenic granuloma. The lesions were tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA, which to date has been consistently found in all types of KS. METHODS The lesions were tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A known HHV-8 positive KS specimen was used as the positive control. Six samples of non-KS vascular skin lesions were used as negative controls for the PCR reaction. RESULTS Both lesions were positive on PCR for HHV-8 and the specificity of product was confirmed by direct sequencing. None of the six control vascular skin lesions was positive for HHV-8. These results strongly indicate KS as the true diagnosis and are supported by the reported clinical course in both cases. CONCLUSIONS Techniques targeting HHV-8 DNA for detection to confirm a diagnosis of KS are both sensitive and specific. In cases where the differential diagnosis includes KS-like pyogenic granuloma, caution should be taken not to diagnose solely on the basis of immunohistochemistry phenotype. In such cases, PCR targeting HHV-8 DNA sequences is a better diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ryan
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, Mercy Hospital, Cork, Ireland
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Longstaff L, Milner RH, O'Sullivan S, Fawcett P. Carpal tunnel syndrome: the correlation between outcome, symptoms and nerve conduction study findings. J Hand Surg Br 2001; 26:475-80. [PMID: 11560432 DOI: 10.1054/jhsb.2001.0616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients who had undergone carpal tunnel decompression surgery. Each patient was assessed in clinic, their case notes were reviewed and their electrophysiological results were analysed and graded according to severity. The median preoperative duration of symptoms was 2 years. No relationship was found between the nature or duration of pre-operative symptoms and the severity of the electrophysiological impairment. Furthermore, no relationship could be identified between pre-operative nerve conduction impairment and either successful outcome of surgery (defined as complete symptom relief) or time to resolution of symptoms after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Longstaff
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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O'Sullivan S, Cormican L, Faul JL, Ichinohe S, Johnston SL, Burke CM, Poulter LW. Activated, cytotoxic CD8(+) T lymphocytes contribute to the pathology of asthma death. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 164:560-4. [PMID: 11520715 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.164.4.2102018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the presence of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and their possible association with viral infection in bronchi of victims of fatal asthma. Postmortem samples from the peribronchial region of the lung were obtained from seven patients who died an asthma death (AD), seven asthmatic patients who died of unrelated causes (AUC), and seven postmortem cases with no history of lung disease (control subjects). Using immunohistochemical techniques, the CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell population in peribronchial tissue was characterized in three patient groups. The percentage of CD8(+) cells expressing the activation marker CD25 was higher in the AD group than in both the AUC and control groups (11.91 +/- 1.92% versus 3.93 +/- 1.63% and 1.09 +/- 0.56%, respectively (p < 0.001). Perforin expression, a marker of cytotoxicity, was highest in the AD group (9.16 +/- 1.5%) compared with 1.39 +/- 0.9; 1.8 +/- 0.6% in the AUC and control groups respectively (p < 0.001). Expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) by CD8(+) T cells was higher in the AD group than the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the AD group was less than half that of the control group (1.46 +/- 0.2 versus 3.2 +/- 0.1; p = 0.02). Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), viral genome for rhinovirus (RV) was detected in lung tissue from three of the seven cases in the AD group. Two of these cases also had detectable respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral genome for RSV was detected in five of the AUC group and in one of these cases, RV was also detected. No viral genome was detected in the lungs of the control group. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence of an aberrant CD8(+) T-cell population, possibly in response to viral infection in subjects who die of acute asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O'Sullivan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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