Colectomy in patients with liver disease: albumin-bilirubin score accurately predicts outcomes

BACKGROUND

Patients with liver disease undergoing colectomy have higher rates of complications and mortality. The Albumin-Bilirubin score is a recently developed system, established to predict outcomes after hepatectomy, that accounts for liver dysfunction.

METHODS

All patients undergoing colectomy were identified in the 2015-2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program colectomy-targeted database. Demographics and outcomes were compared between patients with Albumin-Bilirubin Grade 1 vs. 2/3. Multivariable regression was performed for outcomes including colorectal-specific complications. Areas under the receiver operative characteristic curves were calculated to determine accuracy of the Albumin-Bilirubin score.

RESULTS

Of 86,273 patients identified, 48% (N = 41,624) were Albumin-Bilirubin Grade 1, 45% (N = 38,370) Grade 2 and 7% (N = 6,279) Grade 3. Patents with Grade 2/3 compared to Grade 1 had significantly increased mortality (7.2% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001) and serious morbidity (31% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Colorectal-specific complications including anastomotic leak (3.7% vs. 2.8%, p < 0.001) and prolonged ileus (26% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) were higher in patients with Grade 2/3. Grade 2/3 had increased risk of mortality (odds ratio 3.07, p < 0.001) and serious morbidity (1.78, p < 0.001). Albumin-Bilirubin had excellent accuracy in predicting mortality (area under the curve 0.81, p < 0.001) and serious morbidity (0.70, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Albumin-Bilirubin is easily calculated using only serum albumin and total bilirubin values. Grade 2/3 is associated with increased rates of mortality and morbidity following colectomy. Albumin-Bilirubin can be applied to risk-stratify patients prior to colectomy.

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer at Initial Presentation versus Progression during and after Treatment, Differences in Management: Management Differences for Initial Presentation versus Progression of Disease after Initial Treatment

Stage IV colorectal cancer is a prevalent disease and understanding the appropriate treatment options is important. Medical oncologic treatment remains the mainstay of treatment in cases where curative resection is not possible. Surgical intervention is indicated if the primary tumor and associated metastases are amenable to curative resection or if obstructive, bleeding, or perforative complications arise from the tumor. New endoscopic techniques can provide palliation and benefit for patients who cannot undergo surgery and may speed time to chemotherapy initiation. Recently, immunotherapy has shown promise at managing, controlling, and regressing advanced disease, in some cases converting it to curative with resection. For patients that progress while on treatment, continued medical therapy remains the mainstay of treatment. Further research into the benefits of asymptomatic primary tumor resection without curative intent needs to be performed. Colorectal cancer, and more specifically metastatic colorectal cancer, continues to have improved 1- and 5-year survival rates and likely will continue to do so over the coming months and years.

Anatomic and physiologic diagnostic discrepancies in fetuses with single ventricle congenital heart disease in a contemporary cohort

OBJECTIVE

Image quality of fetal echocardiography (FE) has improved in the recent era, but few recent studies have reported the accuracy of FE specifically in single ventricle congenital heart disease (SV). Our study aims to assess the ability of FE to correctly predict postnatal anatomy and physiology in SV in a contemporary cohort.

METHODS

The contemporary, clinical reports of FE with SV performed from 7/2017 to 7/2021 were compared with postnatal echocardiograms in a formal quality assurance program. SV were grouped by anatomic subtype. Diagnostic errors were designated as major if the error would have resulted in significant alteration in fetal counseling or postnatal management. Remaining errors were classified as minor. Physiologic discrepancies, including prostaglandin dependency (PGE-D), atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR), pulmonary venous obstruction, and atrial septal restriction were assessed by review of postnatal course.

RESULTS

A total of 119 subjects were analyzed. SV subtypes in the cohort included hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) (n=68), tricuspid atresia (n=16), double inlet left ventricle (n=12), unbalanced atrioventricular canal (UAVC) (n=11), heterotaxy (n=9), and other (n=3). The rate of major anatomic and physiologic errors was low (n=6, 5.0%). A higher proportion of minor errors were noted in HLHS and tricuspid atresia but the differences were not statistically significant. Physiologic discrepancies were uncommon, with three major discrepancies including underestimation of degree of venous obstruction in one non-HLHS fetus with total anomalous pulmonary venous return, overestimation of atrial septal restriction in one HLHS fetus, and incorrect prediction of PGE-D with 1 false-negative for pulmonary blood flow. No discrepancy in degree of AVVR or atrial septal restriction affected postnatal care. Minor physiologic discrepancies included two false-positive predictions of PGE-D with 1 false-positive for ductal-dependent systemic flow, and 1 false-positive for pulmonary blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary review of FE in SV at our center, there was high accuracy in describing anatomic and physiologic findings in fetuses with SV. Major physiologic discrepancies were uncommon but included important cases of false-negative prediction of PGE-dependence and underestimation of obstruction of total anomalous pulmonary venous return. These data can both inform more accurate counseling of families with SV fetuses and guide diagnostic improvement efforts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Clinical Acceptability of Artificial Intelligence-Screened Interstitial Lung Disease (AI-ILD) in Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) treated with thoracic radiotherapy (RT) are at greater risk of pulmonary toxicity. Automatic universal screening for ILD allows radiation oncologists (ROs) to risk stratify patients and implement necessary modifications to their respiratory monitoring or treatment. Automatic screening however may affect RO workload and so it is imperative to assess the clinical acceptability of this tool.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We have developed a machine learning algorithm to identify patients who are at high risk of having ILD based on RT planning computed tomography (CT) images. A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated to test feasibility and acceptability of the machine learning algorithm. If positive, the results of the machine learning algorithm were made available to ROs via structured electronic reporting. ROs were prompted to review the patient and consider expert radiologist consultation if thought appropriate. All electronic surveys and qualitative comments were summarized to describe clinical acceptability. Expert radiologist established gold standard ILD status of all patients on the study. A formal review of RO feedback was collected for all screen-positive, true-positive cases.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty cases were screened of which 45 were flagged as AI-ILD positive and the responsible RO notified. Of these 45 screen-positive cases, all continued on to RT except for 3 patients with tumor progression. From these 45, 24 surveys were completed, 21 had no prior suspicion of ILD. There were 7 true-positives, of which 1 had a survey response. Based on the survey responses, 88% of cases underwent review by the responsible RO. In 16 cases this automatic notification prompted case consultation with an expert radiologist. Expert review was performed from 10 minutes up to 53 hours after the email prompt to the radiologist, with median response time of 1.5 hours. In the 7 screen-positive, true-positive cases, only 2 were not previously known to the responsible RO. In the two cases where true-positive ILD status was previously unknown, one was a mild case of ILD and the other had previously received thoracic RT at this institution without ILD being identified, in both cases the ROs were grateful that this diagnosis was identified prior to treatment. RO confidence in the machine learning prediction was moderate due to the high proportion of false positives.

CONCLUSION

Based on available survey results, more than 75% of the screen-positive cases were reviewed by the responsible RO and two-thirds of these involved expert radiology input. RO feedback was generally positive and this tool was rated as a net benefit despite the high rate of false-positives and the need for clarification.

Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) for Brain Metastases: Initial Experience from a Prospective Multi-Institutional Registry

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Resection and intraoperative brachytherapy for patients with large, operable brain metastasis allows for both relief of mass effect and the delivery of radiotherapy (RT) to the resection cavity with a favorable dosimetric profile. The objective of this study was to analyze early patterns-of-care and treatment-related toxicity outcomes for brain metastasis patients treated with surgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) using a novel brachytherapy carrier.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with brain metastasis, de novo and recurrent disease, who enrolled onto a prospective multi-institutional observational study (NCT04427384) were the subject of this analysis. Patients underwent resection and immediate implantation of bioresorbable, conformable, 20 mm x 20 mm x 4 mm collagen tile brachytherapy device(s) containing four uniform-intensity Cesium-131 sources. Toxicities were categorized using the CTCAE v5.0 adverse event (AE) criteria.

RESULTS

From 10/2020 to 01/2023, 13 participating sites enrolled and treated 48 patients with 51 metastases (13 with de novo and 35 patients with recurrent brain metastases), and 3 patients had 2 lesions implanted at the same procedure. Median age was 61 years (range: 28-80), 52% were female, and the most common primary types were lung (56%) and breast (13%). The median maximum pre-operative dimension was 3.4 cm (range: 1.7-5.7) and median pre-operative tumor volume 13.7cm3 (range: 1.7-132). 64% had received prior RT with a median time from last RT to STaRT of 14.6 months range: 3.5-57.3). Median KPS at screening was 80 (range: 50-100), and remained stable at post op visit (80, range: 50-100), and at 3-months following treatment (80, range 50-100), respectively (p>0.05). The median time for implantation was 3 minutes (range: 0.4-30). At a median follow-up of 4 months (range: <1-18), no patient experienced a radiation-attributed AE, and only 1 attributable Gr >3 AE was noted (Gr 5 intracerebral hemorrhage deemed probably related to surgery and unrelated to the implanted device).

CONCLUSION

Early results from this prospective multi-center trial demonstrate the feasibility and safety of STaRT. The lack of radiation-related AE, even with short follow-up, is intriguing given the relatively large lesion size and proportion of patients treated for recurrent, previously irradiated disease. Additional follow-up will provide data on tumor control outcomes and radiation necrosis rates using this novel technique.

Association of Artificial Intelligence-Screened Interstitial Lung Disease with Radiation Pneumonitis and Mortality in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a common and dose-limiting toxicity following radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are believed to be at increased risk of developing complications including RP, ILD progression, or death. An automated method to identify patients prior to radiotherapy at high risk of developing toxicities or death may allow clinicians to mitigate risk through informed treatment planning and careful patient monitoring.

MATERIALS/METHODS

All locally advanced NSCLC patients treated with definitive radiation from 2006-2021 with a minimum 1 year of follow-up were assessed. RP and mortality data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was previously developed and validated to identify patients with radiographic ILD using planning computed tomography (CT) images, with an accuracy of 0.82. Planning CT scans for the retrospective cohort were used as input to the CNN, with artificial intelligence-screened ILD (AI-ILD) score as an output. AI-ILD scores above our established threshold were labeled as AI-ILD+. The association between AI-ILD score, AI-ILD+/-, mean lung dose (MLD), and the primary outcome of grade ≥2 (G2+) RP or mortality, as well as the secondary outcomes of G2+ RP and mortality were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate and multivariable logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

Of 799 patients reviewed, 745 eligible patients were included in the analysis; grade 0-5 RP was reported in 51.3%, 27.1%, 16.9%, 4.0%, 0.1%, and 0.5% of patients respectively. Overall, 22.9% of patients were AI-ILD+, and therefore at high risk (>20% chance) of having true ILD. On UVA, AI-ILD score, AI-ILD+ and MLD were significantly associated with the primary outcome of G2+ RP or mortality, as well as the secondary outcome of mortality. However, only MLD was significantly associated with the secondary outcome of G2+ RP. On MVA, both AI-ILD+ (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.97, p = 0.04) and MLD (OR 1.13, 95% 1.05-1.21, p = 0.008) were significantly associated with G2+ RP or mortality. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median toxicity-free survival (TFS) time for AI-ILD+ and AI-ILD- patients were 1.7 and 3.4 years respectively, with a 2-year TFS of 48.3% vs. 59.3% (log-rank test: p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in rates of G2+ RP.

CONCLUSION

The AI-ILD algorithm can detect high risk patients with significantly decreased TFS following definitive treatment for NSCLC. AI-ILD classification was not associated with a significant difference in rates of RP when accounting for MLD. Future work will focus on improving the classification algorithm, expert radiologist validation of this dataset, and exploring reasons for the mortality difference in AI-ILD+ patients.

Evaluating the effect of child home safety training upon three family support practitioner groups: a mixed-methods study

AIMS

Unintentional injuries in the home contribute substantially to preschool child morbidity and mortality. Practitioners such as health visitors, family mentors and children's centre staff are well-positioned to facilitate child injury prevention by providing home safety advice to families, and training may enhance their ability to do so. We aimed to assess the impact of child home safety training for these practitioners.

METHODS

An explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Practitioners completed questionnaires before, and up to 7 months after, receiving child home safety training and took part in interviews. Seventy-eight health visitors, 72 family mentors and 11 children's centre staff members completed questionnaires. Items were used to calculate scores on home safety knowledge, confidence to provide home safety advice and belief that child home safety promotion is important. Thematic analysis of interviews with seven health visitors and nine family mentors, open-ended responses to the questionnaires and an additional evaluation form was conducted to explore attendees' perceptions of the training and its impact. In addition, seven health visitors and six children's centre staff who had received no training were interviewed.

RESULTS

Knowledge was greater post-training than pre-training across all participants (p < .001). When practitioner groups were analysed separately, there were significant increases in family mentors' knowledge (p < .001) and belief (p = .016), and health visitors' confidence (p = .0036). Qualitative findings indicated that most training session attendees valued the training, believed their practice relating to child home safety had improved as a result, and felt further similar training sessions would be beneficial. Those who had not attended the sessions described a need for more child home safety training.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivering training to practitioners providing child home safety promotion to families with preschool children can enhance injury prevention knowledge, beliefs and confidence and positively impact on home safety promotion by practitioners.

Epidemiology and impact of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a medical syndrome characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Data regarding the relationship between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) are still inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to perform a comprehensive evaluation of frailty in a large European cohort of AF patients.

METHODS

A 40-item frailty index (FI) was built according to the accumulation of deficits model in the AF patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Association of baseline characteristics, clinical management, quality of life, healthcare resources use and risk of outcomes with frailty was examined.

RESULTS

Among 10,177 patients [mean age (standard deviation) 69.0 (11.4) years, 4,103 (40.3%) females], 6,066 (59.6%) were pre-frail and 2,172 (21.3%) were frail, whereas only 1,939 (19.1%) were considered robust. Baseline thromboembolic and bleeding risks were independently associated with increasing FI. Frail patients with AF were less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.89), especially with non-vitamin K antagonist OACs and managed with a rhythm control strategy, compared with robust patients. Increasing frailty was associated with a higher risk for all outcomes examined, with a non-linear exponential relationship. The use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of outcomes, except in patients with very/extremely high frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of AF patients, there was a high burden of frailty, influencing clinical management and risk of adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of OAC is maintained in patients with high frailty, but not in very high/extremely frail ones.

Outpatient management of uncomplicated enteric fever: A case series of 93 patients from the Hospital of Tropical Diseases, London

OBJECTIVES

Enteric fever is predominantly managed as an outpatient condition in endemic settings but there is little evidence to support this approach in non-endemic settings. This study aims to review the outcomes of outpatients treated for enteric fever at the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in London, UK.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with confirmed enteric fever between August 2009 and September 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and microbiological data were collected and compared between the inpatient and outpatient populations. Outcomes investigated were complicated enteric fever, treatment failure and relapse.

RESULTS

Overall, 93 patients (59% male, median age 31) were identified with blood and/or stool culture confirmed enteric fever and 49 (53%) of these were managed as outpatients. The commonest empirical treatment for outpatients was azithromycin (70%) and for inpatients was ceftriaxone (84%). Outpatients were more likely than inpatients to receive only one antibiotic (57% vs 19%, p < 0.01) and receive a shorter duration of antibiotics (median 7 vs 11 days, p <0.01). There were no cases of complicated disease or relapse in either the inpatient or outpatient groups. There was one treatment failure in the outpatient group. Azithromycin was well-tolerated with no reported side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that outpatient management of uncomplicated imported enteric fever is safe and effective with the use of oral azithromycin. Careful monitoring of patients is recommended as treatment failure can occur.

A History of Health Policy and Health Disparity

Civil Rights legislation and court decisions influenced health care policy, which attempted to provide health care to elderly and low-income populations. Passing Medicaid and Medicare was monumental in increasing access to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act aimed to increase access to and affordability of health care to alleviate some disparities in health care. The Affordable Care Act established the National Institute of Minority and Health Disparity and Offices of Minority Health. However, disparities of access, care, morbidity, and mortality among marginalized populations persist. We in the thoracic community must leverage all means to mitigate the injustice of health disparities.

Rhabdomyosarcoma in Ovary- Pathologist’s Diagnostic Dilemma

Introduction/Objective

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. However, rhabdomyosarcoma in the ovary is exceptionally unusual and presents a diagnostic challenge. We report one such case and its clinical and pathological perspective.

Methods/Case Report

16-year-old female presented with an enlarging pelvic mass, abdominal distension, and pain. Imaging revealed a heterogeneous left ovarian mass, right axillary lymphadenopathy, and right-hand soft tissue mass. CA-125 was 1833.0 U/ml. Patient underwent left salphingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, peritoneal and mesenteric biopsy for ovarian staging, incidental appendectomy, and right axillary lymph node excision with suspicion of ovarian epithelial tumor. Pathological evaluation revealed a 16-cm intact ovary with multiple solid and cystic nodules with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopic examination of ovarian tumor showed a high-grade malignant tumor consisting of sheets of small round blue cells with severe cytologic atypia, increased mitoses, and features suggestive of rhabdoid morphology. The other specimens were positive for metastases. The tumor cells were immunopositive for Myogenin and MyoD1 while immunonegative for Cytokeratin AE1/AE3, SF-1, PLAP, SALL4, MelanA, and S-100. INI-1 and BRG-1 demonstrated intact nuclear expression. FISH testing identified rearrangement of the FOX01 gene at 13q14. Based on these findings, diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was rendered. Currently, the patient is receiving rhabdomyosarcoma chemotherapy treatment and has responded well.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA

Conclusion

In cases with complex and urgent clinical presentation, where the existence of a primary tumor is unknown and where symptoms attributable to primary ovarian tumor dominate the clinical picture, rhabdomyosarcoma is rarely proposed in the differential diagnoses of small round blue cell tumors of the ovary. At present, the right-hand mass is under evaluation; thus, the true nature of the ovarian mass, primary or metastatic is unknown. Our case illustrates the importance of exact diagnoses, as treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma, is different from other ovarian tumors.

Professional Internet Presence Amongst Endocrine Surgeons in the United States

BACKGROUND

There is a wide range of social media adoption within medical specialties. The use of social media by endocrine surgeons has not been investigated. We undertook this study to describe the use of social media and other platforms by endocrine surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons' publicly available website was used to identify practicing endocrine surgeons in the United States. Surgeon demographics and practice characteristics were collected via internet query. Five social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) were investigated for professional accounts. The presence of a non-institutional professional website, an active Healthgrades account, and presence in non-institutional YouTube videos were also queried. One point was assigned for presence on each of the eight platforms. A professional internet presence (PIP) score was calculated. Descriptive statistics were performed on PIP scores to evaluate the relationship between surgeon and practice characteristics and PIP score.

RESULTS

A total of 417 endocrine surgeons were studied. LinkedIn (222, 53.2%) and Twitter (110, 26.4%) were the most commonly used platforms. PIP scores were categorized into zero, one, two, and three or more accounts; 26.9% of surgeons had no professional internet presence. Academic surgeons had a significantly different PIP score than community-based surgeons (P < 0.01). There was no significant association between PIP score and surgeon sex, geographic regions, rural versus urban settings, and years of experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-identified US endocrine surgeons have low professional internet presence. Endocrine surgeons may consider bolstering their professional internet presence to disseminate medical information.

Sex disparity in skin carcinogenesis and potential influence of sex hormones

Background

Sex or gender disparity in skin cancer has been documented for a long time at the population level. UV radiation (UVR) is a common environmental risk for all three major types of skin cancer: cutaneous melanoma (CM), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The underlying mechanism for sex disparity has been largely attributed to sex‐differentiated behaviour patterns related to UVR. Non‐UVR factors such as intrinsic physiological differences have been suggested but remain understudied.

Aims, Materials and Methods

This review summarizes and compares the known sex differences in three skin cancer types with regard to body site distribution and age influence.

Results

We found a similar age‐dependent sex difference pattern in CM and BCC. Specifically, CM and BCC tend to show higher incidence in young women and old men, with a switching age around menopause. The switching age suggests involvement of sex hormones, which has shown controversial influence on skin cancers at epidemiological level. Literatures regarding sex hormone receptors for oestrogen, androgen and progesterone are summarized for potential explanations at molecular level.

Discussion

Overall, more and more evidence suggests non‐UVR factors such as sex hormones play critical roles in skin cancer (especially CM and BCC), yet solid population and molecular evidence are required. Incidences of skin cancer are increasing which suggests limited effect for the current UVR‐avoidance prevention methods.

Conclusion

Fully understanding the causes of sex disparities in incidence is necessary for developing a comprehensive prevention strategy.

Kavain Interference with Amphetamine Immunoassay

INTRODUCTION

We encountered unexpected false positive urine results in three patients for amphetamine-type substances by immunoassay, measured as part of community drug prevention programmes. Kavain was identified in all three urine samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). No other potential cross-reactants were found.Kavain is a kava-lactone present in kava, a ceremonial and recreational drink derived from roots and stem of the plant Piper Methysticum. It is consumed regularly by many indigenous Pacific and Australian Aboriginal communities.

METHODS

Urine immunoassay was performed on a Beckman Coulter AU480 Analyser using CEDIA amphetamine-type substances reagent and DRI ethanol reagent. Three different kava powders were purchased from local kava clubs and dissolved in ethanol, then evaporated and reconstituted in blank urine and analysed by immunoassay, GC-MS for amphetamine-type substances. Additionally authentic kavain standard was also tested for cross reactivity by immunoassay and analysed by GC-MS to compare the mass fragmentation pattern and retention time with the kava powder and patient specimens.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The patient urine samples tested positive by CEDIA immunoassay for amphetamines. However, when analysed by GCMS they were negative for amphetamine-type but contained kavain.The kava powders and kavain standard all cross reacted with the amphetamine immunoassay to give falsely detected results. GCMS did not identify any amphetamine-type compounds in any of the Kava powders nor in the kavain standard.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of false positive amphetamine measurements due to kavain, a component of the kava drink, widely consumed in Oceania and Australasia.

Current videofluoroscopy practice in the United Kingdom: A survey of imaging professionals

INTRODUCTION

Videofluoroscopy (VFSS) is a frequently used radiological investigation for dysphagia and is conducted within a radiology setting by speech and language therapists (SLTs) working alongside imaging personnel (radiologists and/or radiographers). Previous surveys of SLT practice have reported variability in VFSS protocols and procedures. The aim of this study was to explore current clinical practice for VFSS from the perspective of imaging personnel engaged in VFSS within the United Kingdom.

METHODS

A comprehensive online survey enabled exploration of current practices of imaging professionals. Target participants were diagnostic imaging personnel (radiographers and radiologists) with experience of working in VFSS clinics. Descriptive statistics describe and summarise the data alongside inferential statistics where appropriate.

RESULTS

54 survey participants represented 40 unique acute healthcare organisations in the UK, in addition to two respondents from the Republic of Ireland. The survey demonstrated high variance in clinical practice across all stages of the VFSS procedure. Clinicians were not always compliant with current UK guidelines and the roles and responsibilities of different professionals working within the clinics were often not clearly defined.

CONCLUSION

Further research is required to develop new international, interprofessional VFSS guidelines to standardise service delivery for VFSS, improving diagnostic accuracy, efficiency and patient experience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In the absence of VFSS guidelines for imaging personnel, practitioners should familiarise themselves with the UK Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists VFSS Position paper; IR (ME)R guidelines and DRLs for the client groups with which they work to guide clinics and improve practice. Clinicians should revisit protocols and clinical governance regarding safe practice in order to improve the quality of care within the VFSS clinic.

Physiologic Mechanisms of Type II Diabetes Mellitus Remission Following Bariatric Surgery: a Meta-analysis and Clinical Implications

INTRODUCTION

As obesity prevalence grows in the USA, metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly more common. Current theories propose that insulin resistance is responsible for the hypertension, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and low HDL that comprise metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery is one potential treatment, and its effects include permanently altering the patient's physiology and glucose regulation. Consequently, patients with T2DM who undergo bariatric surgery often experience tighter glucose control or remission of their T2DM altogether. This meta-analysis aims to explore the physiologic mechanisms underlying T2DM remission following bariatric surgery, which demonstrates effects that could lead to expansion of the NIH criteria for bariatric surgery candidates.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus. Two independent reviewers conducted title, abstract, and full text review of papers that met inclusion criteria. Papers that measured hormone levels before and after bariatric surgery were included in the meta-analysis. Weighted means and standard deviations were calculated for preoperative and postoperative GLP-1, GIP, ghrelin, and glucagon.

RESULTS

Total postprandial GLP-1 increased following bariatric surgery, which correlated with improvements in measures of glycemic control. Fasting GLP-1, fasting GIP, total postprandial GIP, total fasting ghrelin, and fasting glucagon all decreased, but all changes in hormones evaluated failed to reach statistical significance. Studies also demonstrated changes in hepatic and peripancreatic fat, inflammatory markers, miRNA, and gut microbiota following bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSION

While this meta-analysis sheds light on possible mechanisms, further studies are necessary to determine the dominant mechanism underlying remission of T2DM following bariatric surgery.

Evaluating the role of dithiolane rich fraction of Ferula asafoetida (apiaceae) for its antiproliferative and apoptotic properties: in vitro studies

Asafoetida resin has been reported for various biological activities but its use has been widely restricted owing to its pungent smell and pool water solubility.

AIM

In vitro study of the anticancer potential of microwave-extracted essential oil (EO) of Ferula asafoetida.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phytochemical investigation and in vitro cytotoxicity assessment was carried out in two human liver cancer cell lines. The expression of NFKB1, TGFB1, TNF, CASP3 was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Ferula asafoetida EO contains high concentrations of dithiolane, which possess antiproliferative activity in human liver carcinoma cell lines (HepG2 and SK-Hep1) in a dose-dependent manner. The bioactive compounds in F. asafoetida are capable of induction of apoptosis and altered NF-kB and TGF-β signalling with increase in caspase-3 and TNF-α expression.

CONCLUSION

Further elucidation of bioactive molecules and underlying mechanisms could lead to potential intervention in liver cancer in animal models. The safety and efficacy as well as the mode of EO action in animal models would be highly crucial.

Abstract OT3-08-01: A phase Ib/II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of nitric oxide deprivation and docetaxel in triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease that currently lacks an efficacious form of therapy. Although chemotherapy is the current standard of care for metastatic TNBC, the 5-year prognosis remains grim with a high rate of disease recurrence. Cancer relapse is thought to be initiated by chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). These BCSCs give rise to a diverse clonal population that results in a heterogeneous cancer, which complicates targeted therapeutic strategies. Our previous studies revealed that BCSCs utilize inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived nitric oxide to promote their proliferation, migration, and self-renewal capacity. In an effort to target the BCSC population, we found that iNOS inhibition with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) sensitized BCSCs to docetaxel in vivo in TNBC xenograft models, leading to decreased BCSC viability and tumor burden. These findings suggest that BCSC resist conventional therapy in a nitric oxide-dependent manner and that combination of L-NMMA with docetaxel will effectively target BCSCs to prevent further relapse. A phase Ib/II clinical trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose, recommended phase 2 dose (R2PD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and efficacy of the L-NMMA and docetaxel combination in TNBC patients with chemotherapy-refractory locally advanced or metastatic disease. For the phase Ib portion of the study, a standard Bayesian continual reassessment method is being used to investigate 7 dose levels of L-NMMA (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 mg/kg) and two dose levels of docetaxel (75 and 100 mg/m2). Sixteen patients have been recruited to date, and based on current pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety data, the RP2D is expected to be docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (Day 1) and L-NMMA 20 mg/kg (Days 1-5) every 3 weeks. Two and three patients received 15 mg/kg L-NMMA + 75 mg/m2 docetaxel and 17.5 mg/kg L-NMMA + 100 mg/m2 docetaxel, respectively. Of these 5 patients, one partial responder completed 8 cycles before discontinuing treatment due to taxane-associated neuropathy. Among the five patients treated at the RP2D, only one taxane-associated DLT occurred. The overall response rate for patients treated at the higher doses was 22.2%. Early results of the phase Ib/II trial indicate the safety, tolerability, and promising activity of the first-in-class pan-NOS inhibitor L-NMMA in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of chemotherapy-refractory TNBC.

Citation Format: Chung AW, Ensor JE, Darcourt J, Belcheva A, Patel T, Chang JC, Niravath PA. A phase Ib/II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of nitric oxide deprivation and docetaxel in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-08-01.

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy.

RESULTS

Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.