Investigating the Factor Structure of the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite and Cognitive Function Index across Racial/Ethnic, Sex, and Aβ Status Groups in the A4 Study

BACKGROUND

Disparities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are well-documented among different racial/ethnic groups and between sex/genders. Neuropsychological assessment provides important information about cognitive changes and can offer valuable insights into disparities. However, neuropsychological measures must be comparable across racial/ethnic and sex/gender groups to accurately interpret disparities.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate measurement invariance (equivalence) of the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) and the Cognitive Function Index across racial/ethnic, sex/gender, and β-amyloid (Aβ) status groups.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional analysis of screening data from the Anti-Amyloid in Asymptomatic AD (A4) Study. The study enrolled participants aged 65-85 from sites across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants completed the PACC and the Cognitive Function Index. Participants classified as cognitively normal also underwent a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan to determine Aβ status.

RESULTS

Participants self-identified as non-Hispanic White (n=5241), non-Hispanic Black (n=267), Asian (n=228), or Hispanic White (n=225) as well as male (n=2885) or female (n=3076). Among those who underwent a PET scan, 3115 were classified as Aβ- and 1309 were classified as Aβ+. We found support for a one-factor model for both the PACC and Cognitive Function Index across the full sample and in samples stratified by race/ethnicity, sex/gender, and Aβ status. The one-factor model of the PACC and Cognitive Function Index demonstrated scalar measurement invariance across racial/ethnic, sex/gender, and Aβ status groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that performance on the PACC and Cognitive Function Index can be compared across the racial/ethnic, sex/gender, and Aβ status groups examined in this study.

Does treatment modality affect measures of arterial stiffness in women with gestational diabetes?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether arterial stiffness (AS) differs between healthy women and women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed by different treatment modalities.

METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study comparing AS in pregnancies complicated by GDM and low-risk controls. AS was assessed by recording aortic pulse-wave velocity (AoPWV), brachial augmentation index (BrAIx) and aortic augmentation index (AoAIx) using the Arteriograph® at four gestational-age windows: 24 + 0 to 27 + 6 weeks (W1); 28 + 0 to 31 + 6 weeks (W2); 32 + 0 to 35 + 6 weeks (W3) and ≥ 36 + 0 weeks (W4). Women with GDM were considered both as a single group and as subgroups stratified by treatment modality. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model on each AS variable (log-transformed) with group, gestational-age window, maternal age, ethnicity, parity, body mass index, mean arterial pressure and heart rate as fixed effects and individual as a random effect. We compared the group means including relevant contrasts and adjusted the P-values using Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 155 low-risk controls and 127 women with GDM, of whom 59 were treated with dietary intervention, 47 were treated with metformin only and 21 were treated with metformin + insulin. The two-way interaction term of study group and gestational age was significant for BrAIx and AoAIx (P < 0.001), but there was no evidence that mean AoPWV was different between the study groups (P = 0.729). Women in the control group demonstrated significantly lower BrAIx and AoAIx compared with the combined GDM group at W1-W3, but not at W4. The mean difference in log-transformed BrAIx was -0.37 (95% CI, -0.52 to -0.22), -0.23 (95% CI, -0.35 to -0.12) and -0.29 (95% CI, -0.40 to -0.18) at W1, W2 and W3, respectively. The mean difference in log-transformed AoAIx was -0.49 (95% CI, -0.69 to -0.30), -0.32 (95% CI, -0.47 to -0.18) and -0.38 (95% CI -0.52 to -0.24) at W1, W2 and W3, respectively. Similarly, women in the control group also demonstrated significantly lower BrAIx and AoAIx compared with each of the GDM treatment subgroups (diet, metformin only and metformin + insulin) at W1-W3. The increase in mean BrAIx and AoAIx seen between W2 and W3 in women with GDM treated with dietary management was attenuated in the metformin-only and metformin + insulin groups. However, the mean differences in BrAIx and AoAIx between these treatment groups were not statistically significant at any gestational-age window.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies complicated by GDM demonstrate significantly higher AS compared with low-risk pregnancies regardless of treatment modality. Our data provide the basis for further investigation into the association of metformin therapy with changes in AS and risk of placenta-mediated diseases. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Exploring views of members of the public and policymakers on the acceptability of population level dietary and active-travel policies: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on what shapes the acceptability of population level dietary and active-travel policies in England. This information would be useful in the decision-making process about which policies should be implemented and how to increase their effectiveness and sustainability. To fill this gap, we explored public and policymakers' views about factors that influence public acceptability of dietary and active-travel policies and how to increase public acceptability for these policies.

METHODS

We conducted online, semi-structured interviews with 20 members of the public and 20 policymakers in England. A purposive sampling frame was used to recruit members of the public via a recruitment agency, based on age, sex, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Policymakers were recruited from existing contacts within our research collaborations and via snowball sampling. We explored different dietary and active-travel policies that varied in their scope and focus. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic reflexive analysis with both inductive and deductive coding.

RESULTS

We identified four themes that informed public acceptability of dietary and active-travel policies: (1) perceived policy effectiveness, i.e., policies that included believable mechanisms of action, addressed valued co-benefits and barriers to engage in the behaviour; (2) perceived policy fairness, i.e., policies that provided everyone with an opportunity to benefit (mentioned only by the public), equally considered the needs of various population subgroups and rewarded 'healthy' behaviours rather than only penalising 'unhealthy' behaviours; (3) communication of policies, i.e., policies that were visible and had consistent and positive messages from the media (mentioned only by policymakers) and (4) how to improve policy support, with the main suggestion being an integrated strategy addressing multiple aspects of these behaviours, inclusive policies that consider everyone's needs and use of appropriate channels and messages in policy communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight that members' of the public and policymakers' support for dietary and active-travel policies can be shaped by the perceived effectiveness, fairness and communication of policies and provide suggestions on how to improve policy support. This information can inform the design of acceptable policies but can also be used to help communicate existing and future policies to maximise their adoption and sustainability.

The AFLETES study: atrial fibrillation in veteran athLETEs and the risk of stroke

Background

Endurance athletes are at an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared to the general population. However, the risk of stroke in athletes who develop AF is not known.

Purpose

We aimed to assess the risk of stroke in endurance veteran athletes with AF when compared to those that remain in sinus rhythm.

Methods

A questionnaire was broadcasted through social media and sports clubs. Individuals that had competed in at least one competitive event and were ≥40 years old were included. Self-reported demographic, past medical history and training history data were collected and a CHA2DS2-VASc was calculated. Binary logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with AF and stroke.

Results

The survey received 1002 responses from 41 countries across Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North and South America, and 942 were included in the final analysis. The average age was 52.4±8.5 years and 83.7% were male. The most common sports were cycling (n=677, 71.9%), running (n=558, 59.2%) and triathlon (n=245, 26%). There were 190 (20.2%) individuals who reported AF and 26 (2.8%) individuals who reported stroke, of which 14 (53.9%) had AF. Lifetime exercise dose (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03, p=0.02) and swimming (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.39, p=0.04) were associated with AF in multivariable analysis. AF (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.80, 9.72 p&lt;0.01) was positively associated with stroke, even in individuals with a CHA2DS2-VASc of 0 or 1 (OR: 4.20, 95% CI: 1.83, 9.66, p&lt;0.01) (Figure 1).

Conclusions

This survey provides early evidence that the risk of stroke in veteran endurance athletes who develop AF is not negligible, even in those deemed to be at low risk by CHA2DS2-VASc score. Longitudinal studies are needed to substantiate these findings to inform decisions around anticoagulation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Maternal hemodynamics and neonatal birth weight in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes: new insights from novel causal inference analysis modeling

OBJECTIVE

Normal pregnancy is characterized by significant changes in maternal hemodynamics that are associated with fetal growth. Pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with large-for-gestational age and macrosomia, but the relationship between maternal hemodynamic parameters and birth weight (BW) among women with GDM has not been established. Our objective was to investigate the influence of maternal hemodynamics on neonatal BW in healthy pregnancies and in those complicated by GDM.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional case-control study of women aged ≥ 16 years with a singleton viable pregnancy, recruited between January 2016 and February 2021 at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK. GDM was defined as a fasting glucose level ≥ 5.3 mmol/L and/or serum glucose level ≥ 7.8 mmol/L, 2 h following a 75-g oral glucose load. We collected data on maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome, including body mass index (BMI) at booking and BW centile adjusted for gestational age at delivery. Maternal hemodynamic parameters were assessed at 34-42 weeks' gestation using the Arteriograph® and bioreactance techniques. Graphical causal inference methodology was used to identify causal effects of the measured variables on neonatal BW centile.

RESULTS

Included in the analysis were 141 women with GDM and 136 normotensive non-diabetic pregnant controls. 62% of the women with GDM were managed pharmacologically, with metformin and/or insulin. Variables included in the final model were cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), total peripheral resistance (TPR), aortic augmentation index (AIx), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and BMI at booking. Among the controls, maternal BMI, CO and aortic PWV were significantly associated with neonatal BW. Each SD increase in booking BMI produced an increase of 8.4 BW centiles (P = 0.002), in CO produced an increase of 9.4 BW centiles (P = 0.008) and in aortic PWV produced an increase of 7.1 BW centiles (P = 0.017). We found no significant relationship between MAP, TPR or aortic AIx and neonatal BW. Maternal hemodynamics influenced neonatal BW among the women with GDM in a similar manner to that in the control group, but only the relationship between maternal BMI and neonatal BW reached statistical significance, with a 1-SD increase in BMI producing an increase of 6.1 BW centiles (P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal BMI, CO and PWV were determinants of BW in our control group. The relationship between maternal hemodynamics and neonatal BW was similar between women with GDM and healthy controls. Our findings therefore suggest that fetal growth restriction in pregnancies complicated by GDM may indicate maternal cardiovascular dysfunction. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands

We discovered a highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 in the Netherlands. One hundred nine individuals with this variant had a 0.54 to 0.74 log₁₀ increase (i.e., a ~3.5-fold to 5.5-fold increase) in viral load compared with, and exhibited CD4 cell decline twice as fast as, 6604 individuals with other subtype-B strains. Without treatment, advanced HIV-CD4 cell counts below 350 cells per cubic millimeter, with long-term clinical consequences-is expected to be reached, on average, 9 months after diagnosis for individuals in their thirties with this variant. Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands, which suggests that the increased virulence is attributable to the viral strain. Genetic sequence analysis suggests that this variant arose in the 1990s from de novo mutation, not recombination, with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.

1285 Reporting of Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy As A Surgical Innovation: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Aim

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is most commonly performed using open surgical techniques. Minimal access approaches have reduced the morbidity of many types of surgery, however technical limitations have hindered the widespread adoption of laparoscopic methods for PD. There has been increasing use of surgical robots to facilitate a minimal access approach, motivated by improved visualisation, ergonomics and dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic methods. Methods for the safe introduction of novel techniques are lacking, and the way in which surgical innovations are reported may affect adoption into clinical practice. The aim of this study is to understand how robotic PD has been reported as a surgical innovation.

Method

A systematic review is being conducted by the trainee led RoboSurg Collaborative. A literature search was performed to identify primary research reporting outcomes of robotic PD. Articles are being screened in duplicate by title and abstract, then by full text review. The following data will be extracted: study methodology and rationale; centre, surgeons and patient details; governance and ethical considerations; learning curves; details of the intervention, including modifications; and how outcomes were reported, including use of core outcome sets. The data will be analysed using a narrative synthesis method.

Results

The search identified 1305 articles reporting on robotic pancreas surgery. An interim report of progress will be presented.

Conclusions

A rich narrative synthesis will enable innovators to understand how robotic PD has been reported. This will encourage transparent, methodical, and meaningful reporting of robotic PD, increasing the quality of clinical evidence.

Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: impact of omission of breast cancer surgery in older women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer on quality-of-life outcomes

BACKGROUND

Primary endocrine therapy may be an alternative treatment for less fit women with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. This study compared quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in older women treated with surgery or primary endocrine therapy.

METHODS

This was a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study of surgery or primary endocrine therapy in women aged over 70 years with operable breast cancer. QoL was assessed using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of cancer QoL questionnaires QLQ-C30, -BR23, and -ELD14, and the EuroQol Five Dimensions 5L score at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for baseline variation in health, fitness, and tumour stage.

RESULTS

The study recruited 3416 women (median age 77 (range 69-102) years) from 56 breast units. Of these, 2979 (87.2 per cent) had ER-positive breast cancer; 2354 women had surgery and 500 received primary endocrine therapy (125 were excluded from analysis due to inadequate data or non-standard therapy). Median follow-up was 52 months. The primary endocrine therapy group was older and less fit. Baseline QoL differed between the groups; the mean(s.d.) QLQ-C30 global health status score was 66.2(21.1) in patients who received primary endocrine therapy versus 77.1(17.8) among those who had surgery plus endocrine therapy. In the unmatched analysis, changes in QoL between 6 weeks and baseline were noted in several domains, but by 24 months most scores had returned to baseline levels. In the matched analysis, major surgery (mastectomy or axillary clearance) had a more pronounced adverse impact than primary endocrine therapy in several domains.

CONCLUSION

Adverse effects on QoL are seen in the first few months after surgery, but by 24 months these have largely resolved. Women considering surgery should be informed of these effects.

407 QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: AN INDIVIDUALISED APPROACH IS NEEDED AUTHORS

Background

Cognitive training (CT) may be beneficial in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. However, few studies have qualitatively evaluated CT programmes in dementia. The aim of this analysis was to explore the benefits and barriers to a home-based computerised CT programme for healthy older adults, and people living with MCI or dementia.

Methods

This was a nested qualitative study within a larger feasibility randomised trial of CT. Participants underwent semi-structured interviews after 12 weeks of CT. Where possible, participants were interviewed with their carers. The interview schedule and analysis were underpinned by the health belief model. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, open-coded, and categorised into themes. The analytical framework was developed, and themes were condensed under four major categories: benefits and efficacy, barriers, threat, and behaviour.

Results

37 participants underwent interviews (10 healthy older adults, 4 MCI, 5 dementia, 9 patient-carer dyads [2 MCI, 7 dementia]). CT was feasible and acceptable to participants. Benefits included: enjoyment, improved awareness, benchmarking cognitive function, reassurance of abilities, and giving back control. Barriers were more prevalent amongst those with dementia: problems with technology, frustration, conflict between patients and carers, apathy and lack of insight, anxiety or low mood, and lack of portability. Perceived risk susceptibility of dementia varied between participants. Healthy older adults and MCI perceived the severity of dementia risk as high, which was only partially mitigated by CT. Participants living with dementia valued a more individualised approach to training, accounting for baseline characteristics. For people living with dementia, maintenance was as valued as improvement of cognitive function.

Conclusions

CT was a feasible intervention for healthy older adults, and people living with dementia and MCI. Benefits were present, but the identified barriers need to be addressed for CT to be implemented successfully.

Longitudinal characterisation of haematological and biochemical parameters in cancer patients prior to and during COVID-19 reveals features associated with outcome

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients are at increased risk of death from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Cancer and its treatment affect many haematological and biochemical parameters, therefore we analysed these prior to and during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and correlated them with outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with cancer testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in centres throughout the United Kingdom were identified and entered into a database following local governance approval. Clinical and longitudinal laboratory data were extracted from patient records. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, logistic regression, or linear regression for outcomes. Hierarchical clustering of heatmaps was performed using Ward's method.

RESULTS

In total, 302 patients were included in three cohorts: Manchester (n = 67), Liverpool (n = 62), and UK (n = 173). In the entire cohort (N = 302), median age was 69 (range 19-93 years), including 163 males and 139 females; of these, 216 were diagnosed with a solid tumour and 86 with a haematological cancer. Preinfection lymphopaenia, neutropaenia and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were not associated with oxygen requirement (O2) or death. Lymphocyte count (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.03), LDH (P < 0.0001) and albumin (P < 0.0001) significantly changed from preinfection to during infection. High rather than low neutrophils at day 0 (P = 0.007), higher maximal neutrophils during COVID-19 (P = 0.026) and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; P = 0.01) were associated with death. In multivariable analysis, age (P = 0.002), haematological cancer (P = 0.034), C-reactive protein (P = 0.004), NLR (P = 0.036) and albumin (P = 0.02) at day 0 were significant predictors of death. In the Manchester/Liverpool cohort 30 patients have restarted therapy following COVID-19, with no additional complications requiring readmission.

CONCLUSION

Preinfection biochemical/haematological parameters were not associated with worse outcome in cancer patients. Restarting treatment following COVID-19 was not associated with additional complications. Neutropaenia due to cancer/treatment is not associated with COVID-19 mortality. Cancer therapy, particularly in patients with solid tumours, need not be delayed or omitted due to concerns that treatment itself increases COVID-19 severity.

Treating Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer: Outcomes after Stereotactic Radiosurgery

AIMS

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an alternative to surgery or whole brain radiotherapy for the control of single or multiple brain metastases in patients with breast cancer. To date, there is no clear consensus on factors that might predict overall survival following SRS. The aim of this study was to assess the overall survival of breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with SRS at a single centre and to examine the factors that might influence survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with breast cancer and brain metastases, considered suitable for SRS by the regional neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team. All patients were treated at a single National Health Service centre.

RESULTS

In total, 91 patients received SRS between 2013 and 2017, of whom 15 (16.5%) were alive at the time of analysis. The median overall survival post-SRS was 15.7 months (interquartile range 7.7-23.8 months) with no significant effect of age on survival (67 patients ≤ 65 years, 16.3 months; 26 patients > 65 years, 11.4 months, P = 0.129). The primary tumour receptor status was an important determinant of outcome: 31 oestrogen receptor positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) patients had a median overall survival of 13.8 months, 14 ER+/HER2+ patients had a median overall survival of 21.4 months, 30 ER-/HER2+ patients had a median overall survival of 20.4 months and 16 patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) had a median overall survival of 8.5 months. A larger total volume of tumour treated (>10 cm³), but not the number of individual metastases treated, was associated with worse survival (P = 0.0002) in this series. Patients with stable extracranial disease at the time of SRS had improved overall survival compared with those with progressive extracranial disease (30 patients stable extracranial disease overall survival = 20.1 months versus 33 patients progressive extracranial disease overall survival = 11.4 months; P = 0.0011). Seventeen patients had no extracranial disease at the time of SRS, with a median overall survival of 13.1 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This single-centre series of consecutive patients with brain metastases from breast cancer, treated with SRS, had a similar overall survival compared with previous studies of SRS. TNBC and ER+/HER2- histology, metastatic volumes >10 cm³ and progressive extracranial disease at the time of SRS were associated with worse survival.

Erythrophages do not develop when lumbar CSF and blood samples are mixed in vitro

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a crucial method in the diagnostic process for suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), especially when cerebral imaging is negative or inconclusive. CSF cytology (detection of erythrophages or siderophages) is used to determine whether a bloodstained CSF resembles a genuine SAH. Whether erythrophages may develop in vitro after a traumatic puncture in case of delayed CSF analysis is unclear. An in vitro development of erythrophages after traumatic puncture would diminish the diagnostic properties of CSF analysis. We assessed whether erythrophagocytosis is detectable in CSF after an imitated traumatic lumbar puncture.

Methods

We mimicked a traumatic lumbar puncture by mixing surplus CSF with whole blood from the same patient. From this mixture, cytological specimens were obtained immediately and repeatedly at time intervals of 1 h, until 7 h after mixing, or until the mixture was exhausted. Each cytological specimen was microscopically examined independently by four experienced CSF cytologists for the presence of erythrophages.

Results

We studied 401 CSF cytological specimens of 96 punctures in 90 patients. We could not identify any erythrophages in all cytological specimens. Fleiss’ Kappa for interrater-reliability was 1.0.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence for an in vitro erythrophagocytosis after a mimicked traumatic lumbar puncture. Therefore, the occurrence of erythrophages in CSF cytology can be regarded as a reliable sign of an autochthonous bleeding in the subarachnoid space. Our results support the crucial role of CSF analysis in clinical practice in case of a suspected SAH but negative cerebral imaging.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12987-018-0116-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Difficult debriefing situations: A toolbox for simulation educators

BACKGROUND

Simulation-based education (SBE) has emerged as an essential modality for health professions education. One of the central tenants of effective SBE is reflective practice, typically guided by a facilitated debriefing. The debriefing conversation has the possibility of becoming a difficult conversation based on learner and situation-related factors. Difficult debriefing situations may threaten the learning environment, thus requiring an appreciation and understanding of the various ways that learners may react adversely to simulation and debriefing.

AIM

This article provides a review of the various phenotypes of difficult debriefing situations and a toolbox of proactive and reactive strategies to help guide the simulation educator to manage these situations, with the ultimate goal of achieving learning objectives.

Abstract PD3-15: Novel cFlip inhibitor suppresses chemotherapy-induced breast cancer stem cell activity through blocking HIF1-α

Background: The emergence of the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis has helped to explain previously poorly understood clinical concepts such as metastases, late tumour recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy. Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of all types of breast cancer with a more frequent relapse rate and reduced length of survival in metastatic disease. It has been shown to contain a higher proportion of CSCs than other types of breast cancer. Paclitaxel, a taxane in widespread use in breast cancer, induces apoptosis in a ligand-independent manner through the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. cFLIP is both an antagonist of this apoptosis pathway and has the ability to form aggregates that interfere with the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of both HIF1α and β-catenin- two molecules involved in CSC-signalling. Using a novel compound targeted against cFLIP, we wanted to assess whether its combination with paclitaxel effectively targeted CSCs, particularly in TNBC.

Methods: In vitro experiments were used to assess the effect on cell viability, mammosphere formation and ALDH+ of both chemotherapy and our novel agent, OH14. We then used siRNA-mediated knockdown of cFLIP to confirm an on-target effect. Annexin V assays were used to assess apoptosis and both Western blotting and qPCR was used to examine the effect of paclitaxel and OH14 on protein levels and gene expression of CSC-signalling pathways. Athymic mice were used to in serial dilution experiments and for in vivo treatmenst with paclitaxel and OH14 on a TNBC cell line.

Results: We established an in vitro model demonstrating that a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents (FEC, Paclitaxel and Docetaxel) increased CSC-like behaviour and the ALDH+ population in a broad range of breast cancer cell lines. A mathematical model demonstrated that chemotherapy increased the absolute number of CSCs after treatment suggesting that CSC-like signaling was being induced. OH14, our novel compound, sensitised Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cell lines to paclitaxel by increasing its apoptotic effect but had a more profound effect on mammosphere formation and ALDH positivity. This suggests that it preferentially targets CSCs. Serial dilution experiments demonstrated that chemotherapy increased the tumour forming potential of a TNBC cell line in vivo and that this effect was abrogated with OH14. Treatment of the same cell line in vivo demonstrated that paclitaxel +/- OH14 successfully targeted tumours but that the paclitaxel tumours recurred whereas those subject to combined treatment remained undetectable. Further experiments examining CSC signalling showed that HIF1α-mediated signalling was increased by paclitaxel and abrogated by the addition of OH14.

Conclusion: cFLIP has a dual effect in both increasing apoptosis and targeting signaling in TNBC CSCs. In a breast cancer subtype in desperate need of novel therapeutic strategies, targeting cFLIP warrants further investigation and progression towards clinical trials.

Citation Format: Robinson T, Turnham D, Gruca A, Piggott L, Clarkson R. Novel cFlip inhibitor suppresses chemotherapy-induced breast cancer stem cell activity through blocking HIF1-α [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD3-15.

The SAGES Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy program (FUSE): history, development, and purpose

BACKGROUND

Adverse events due to energy device use in surgical operating rooms are a daily occurrence. These occur at a rate of approximately 1-2 per 1000 operations. Hundreds of operating room fires occur each year in the United States, some causing severe injury and even mortality. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) therefore created the first comprehensive educational curriculum on the safe use of surgical energy devices, called Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE). This paper describes the history, development, and purpose of this important training program for all members of the operating room team.

METHODS

The databases of SAGES and the FUSE committee as well as personal photographs and documents of members of the FUSE task force were used to establish a brief history of the FUSE program from its inception to its current status.

RESULTS

The authors were able to detail all aspects of the history, development, and national as well as global implementation of the third SAGES Fundamentals Program FUSE.

CONCLUSIONS

The written documentation of the making of FUSE is an important contribution to the history and mission of SAGES and allows the reader to understand the idea, concept, realization, and implementation of the only free online educational tool for physicians on energy devices available today. FUSE is the culmination of the SAGES efforts to recognize gaps in patient safety and develop state-of-the-art educational programs to address those gaps. It is the goal of the FUSE task force to ensure that general FUSE implementation becomes multinational, involving as many countries as possible.

Removal of toxic metals during biological treatment of landfill leachates

Progressive implementation of the European Water Framework Directive has resulted in substantial changes in limits for discharges of heavy metals both to watercourses, and to sewer. The objective of this paper is to provide original, real, full-scale data obtained for removal of metals during aerobic biological leachate treatment, and also to report on studies carried out to look at further trace metal removal. Polishing technologies examined and investigated include; the incorporation of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes into biological treatment systems, the use of ion exchange, and of activated carbon polishing processes. Ultrafiltration was able to provide a 60 percent reduction in COD values in treated leachates, compared with COD values found in settled/clarified effluents. Removal rates for COD varied from 30.5 to 79.8 percent. Additionally, ultrafiltration of treated leachates significantly reduced both chromium and nickel concentrations of effluents by 61.6% and 34.3% respectively (median values). Despite mean reductions of chromium (9.7%) and nickel (13.7%) noted during the ion exchange trials, these results would not justify use of this technology for metals removal at full-scale. Further preliminary studies used pulverized activated carbon (PAC) polishing of UF effluents to demonstrate that significant (up to 80 per cent) removal of COD, TOC and heavy metals could readily be achieved by doses of up to 10g/l of suitable activated carbons. Additional evidence is provided that many trace metals are present not in ionic form, but as organic complexes; this is likely to make their removal to low levels more difficult and expensive.

Anomalous Heating and Plasmoid Formation in a Driven Magnetic Reconnection Experiment

We present a detailed study of magnetic reconnection in a quasi-two-dimensional pulsed-power driven laboratory experiment. Oppositely directed magnetic fields (B=3  T), advected by supersonic, sub-Alfvénic carbon plasma flows (V_{in}=50  km/s), are brought together and mutually annihilate inside a thin current layer (δ=0.6  mm). Temporally and spatially resolved optical diagnostics, including interferometry, Faraday rotation imaging, and Thomson scattering, allow us to determine the structure and dynamics of this layer, the nature of the inflows and outflows, and the detailed energy partition during the reconnection process. We measure high electron and ion temperatures (T_{e}=100  eV, T_{i}=600  eV), far in excess of what can be attributed to classical (Spitzer) resistive and viscous dissipation. We observe the repeated formation and ejection of plasmoids, consistent with the predictions from semicollisional plasmoid theory.

The Convective Transport of Active Species in the Tropics (CONTRAST) Experiment

The Convective Transport of Active Species in the Tropics (CONTRAST) experiment was conducted from Guam (13.5° N, 144.8° E) during January-February 2014. Using the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V research aircraft, the experiment investigated the photochemical environment over the tropical western Pacific (TWP) warm pool, a region of massive deep convection and the major pathway for air to enter the stratosphere during Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter. The new observations provide a wealth of information for quantifying the influence of convection on the vertical distributions of active species. The airborne in situ measurements up to 15 km altitude fill a significant gap by characterizing the abundance and altitude variation of a wide suite of trace gases. These measurements, together with observations of dynamical and microphysical parameters, provide significant new data for constraining and evaluating global chemistry climate models. Measurements include precursor and product gas species of reactive halogen compounds that impact ozone in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere. High accuracy, in-situ measurements of ozone obtained during CONTRAST quantify ozone concentration profiles in the UT, where previous observations from balloon-borne ozonesondes were often near or below the limit of detection. CONTRAST was one of the three coordinated experiments to observe the TWP during January-February 2014. Together, CONTRAST, ATTREX and CAST, using complementary capabilities of the three aircraft platforms as well as ground-based instrumentation, provide a comprehensive quantification of the regional distribution and vertical structure of natural and pollutant trace gases in the TWP during NH winter, from the oceanic boundary to the lower stratosphere.

Effects of climate change on the occurrence and distribution of livestock diseases

The planet's mean air and ocean temperatures have been rising over the last century because of increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These changes have substantial effects on the epidemiology of infectious diseases. We describe direct and indirect processes linking climate change and infectious diseases in livestock with reference to specific case studies. Some of the studies are used to show a positive association between temperature and expansion of the geographical ranges of arthropod vectors (e.g. Culicoides imicola, which transmits bluetongue virus) while others are used to illustrate an opposite trend (e.g. tsetse flies that transmit a range of trypanosome parasites in sub-Saharan Africa). We further describe a positive association between extreme events: droughts and El Niño/southern oscillation (ENSO) weather patterns and Rift Valley fever outbreaks in East Africa and some adaptation practices used to mitigate the impacts of climate change that may increase risk of exposure to infectious pathogens. We conclude by outlining mitigation and adaptation measures that can be used specifically in the livestock sector to minimize the impacts of climate change-associated livestock diseases.