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.

Radiotherapy for Liver Cancer: An International Multi-Centre Pooled Analysis of 925 Cases

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Primary and secondary liver cancer incidence is growing and has a poor prognosis. The standard use of radiation has been hampered by studies with a wide range of patients, different management protocols and varied outcomes. To overcome this heterogeneity in the literature, larger and higher-level trials are warranted, but, so far, have been difficult to implement. Therefore, pooled analyses may offer the best way to determine the benefit of radiation, identify treatment parameters needed to optimize treatment techniques, and identify patient factors that allow for better patient selection.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with liver cancer treated by radiotherapy at centers in Canada, United States and Australia was pooled. Patient and treatment characteristics were noted, as well as the clinical outcomes of local control within 1 year, recurrence and mortality. Stepwise Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant predictors for recurrence and mortality. Patients were stratified by center, and primary versus metastatic disease.

RESULTS

A total of 925 patients were included in this study. Mean age was 67 years, and 45% had a primary diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. 1-year local control rate was 80%. Median survival was 1.8 years (1.9 years for primary liver cancer, and 1.4 years for metastatic liver cancer). Higher total dose and BED was associated with better survival. Median time to recurrence was 1.5 years. Higher total dose was associated with lower risk of recurrence CONCLUSION: As one of the largest pooled analyses in hepatic cancer, this international multi-center study provides pragmatic data on clinical outcomes of patients receiving radiotherapy for liver cancer. This database may assist in better selection of patients for future studies and answer questions such as what is the optimal dose and which patients benefit from treatment.

Locally Isolated Trichoderma harzianum Species Have Broad Spectrum Biocontrol Activities against the Wood Rot Fungal Species through Both Volatile Inhibition and Mycoparasitism

Pathogenic root/wood rot fungal species infect multiple urban tree species in Singapore. There is a need for sustainable and environmentally friendly mitigation. We report the local Trichoderma strains as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) for pathogenic wood rot fungal species such as Phellinus noxius, Rigidoporus microporus, and Fulvifomes siamensis. Isolated Trichoderma strains were DNA-barcoded for their molecular identities and assessed for their potential as a BCA by their rate of growth in culture and effectiveness in inhibiting the pathogenic fungi in in vitro dual culture assays. Trichoderma harzianum strain CE92 was the most effective in inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic fungi tested. Preliminary results suggested both volatile organic compound (VOC) production and direct hyphal contact contributed to inhibition. SPME GC-MS identified known fungal inhibitory volatiles. Trichoderma harzianum strain CE92 hyphae were found to coil around Phellinus noxius and Lasiodiplodia theobromae upon contact in vitro and were possibly a part of the mycoparasitism. In summary, the work provides insight into Trichoderma inhibition of pathogenic fungi and identifies local strains with good potential for broad-spectrum BCAs against root/wood rot fungi in Singapore.

A Metagenomic Survey of Wood Decay Fungi in the Urban Trees of Singapore

Mature tropical urban trees are susceptible to root and trunk rot caused by pathogenic fungi. A metagenomic survey of such fungi was carried out on 210 soil and tissue samples collected from 134 trees of 14 common species in Singapore. Furthermore, 121 fruiting bodies were collected and barcoded. Out of the 22,067 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) identified, 10,646 OTUs had annotation information, and most were either ascomycetes (63.4%) or basidiomycetes (22.5%). Based on their detection in the diseased tissues and surrounding soils and/or the presence of fruiting bodies, fourteen basidiomycetes (nine Polyporales, four Hymenochaetales, one Boletales) and three ascomycetes (three species of Scytalidium) were strongly associated with the diseased trees. Fulvifomes siamensis affected the largest number of tree species surveyed. The association of three fungi was further supported by in vitro wood decay studies. Genetic heterogeneity was common in the diseased tissues and fruiting bodies (Ganoderma species especially). This survey identified the common pathogenic fungi of tropical urban trees and laid the foundation for early diagnosis and targeted mitigation efforts. It also illustrated the complexity of fungal ecology and pathogenicity.

Plant-based milk: unravel the changes of the antioxidant index during processing and storage - a review

As a nutrient rich emulsion extracted from plant materials, plant-based milk (PBM) has been the latest trend and hot topic in the food industry due to the growing awareness of consumers toward plant-based products in managing the environmental (carbon footprint and land utility), ethical (animal well-fare) and societal (health-conscious) issues. There have been extensive studies and reviews done to discuss the distinct perspective of PBM including its production, health effects and market acceptance. However, not much has been emphasized on the valuable antioxidants present in PBM which is one of the attributes making them stand apart from dairy milk. The amounts of antioxidants in PBM are important. They offered tremendous health benefits in maintaining optimum health and reducing the risk of various health disorders. Therefore, enhancing the extraction of antioxidants and preserving their activity during production and storage is important. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review of how these antioxidants changes in response to different processing steps involved in PBM production. Presumably, antioxidants in PBM could be potentially lost due to thermal degradation, oxidation or leaching into processing water. Hence, this paper aims to fill the gaps by addressing an extensive review of how different production steps (germination, roasting, soaking, blanching, grinding and filtration, and microbial inactivation) affect the antioxidant content in PBM. In addition, the effect of different microbial inactivation treatments (thermal or non-thermal processing) on the alteration of antioxidant in PBM was also highlighted. This paper can provide useful insight for the industry that aims in selecting suitable processing steps to produce PBM products that carry with them a health declaration.

Diagnosis and management of primary central nervous system lymphoma: a Consensus Practice Statement from the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a clinicopathological disease entity that accounts for 1 % of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Advanced patient age, adverse disease biology and complexities of diagnosis and treatment render outcomes markedly inferior to systemic NHL. Despite this, an increasing evidence base including limited randomised controlled clinical trial data is informing optimal therapeutic strategies with methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy schedules and intensified consolidation in selected patients. This practice statement represents an evidence-based review of the literature and has been devised to assist healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of this disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Ammonium-free medium is critical for regeneration of shoot tips of the endangered species Pogostemon yatabeanus cryopreserved using droplet-vitrification

BACKGROUND

Pogostemon yatabeanus, synonym Dysophylla yatabeana, (Labiatae) is an endangered wild species in Korea. It has has a limited natural habitat and requires urgent conservation measures.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an efficient cryopreservation protocol using in vitro shoot tips to complement traditional conservation approaches in case seeds are unavailable, or insufficient in number for conservation programs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Node-cutting induced shoot tips of in vitro plants were produced and cryopreserved using a droplet-vitrification method following improvements in preculture, osmoprotection, vitrification solution (VS) and regrowth treatments. The starting protocol included preculture with 10% sucrose for 31 h, followed by osmoprotection with C4-35% (17.5% glycerol + 17.5% sucrose) for 40 min, and cryoprotection with A3-80% (33.3% glycerol + 13.3% DMSO + 13.3% EG + 20.1% sucrose) for 60 min on ice, cooling and warming using aluminum foil strips, and regrowth in MS hormone-free medium.

RESULTS

Shoot tips of Pogostemon yatabeanus were sensitive to the osmotic stress evidenced by low survival after step-wise preculture with 17.5% sucrose and cryopreservation without osmoprotection. Among VS tested, including PVS2, PVS3 and their alternatives, A3-80% on ice for 60 min resulted in the highest post-cryopreservation survival (80%) and regeneration (20%). Post-cryopreservation regeneration significantly improved (up to 73%) by incubation of cryopreserved shoot tips on ammonium-free medium followed by GA X₃-containing medium and medium without growth regulators.

CONCLUSION

Cryopreservation of in vitro shoot tips using droplet-vitrification was developed as a complementary conservation approach for D. yatabeana. Adjustment of medium composition during the recovery stage was important for regeneration of healthy plants from both cryoprotected-control and cryopreserved shoot tips.

The cost-effectiveness of banning highly hazardous pesticides to prevent suicides due to pesticide self-ingestion across 14 countries: an economic modelling study

BACKGROUND

Reducing suicides is a key Sustainable Development Goal target for improving global health. Highly hazardous pesticides are among the leading causes of death by suicide in low-income and middle-income countries. National bans of acutely toxic highly hazardous pesticides have led to substantial reductions in pesticide-attributable suicides across several countries. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of implementing national bans of highly hazardous pesticides to reduce the burden of pesticide suicides.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to examine the costs and health effects of implementing a national ban of highly hazardous pesticides to prevent suicides due to pesticide self-poisoning, compared with a null comparator. We used WHO cost-effectiveness and strategic planning (WHO-CHOICE) methods to estimate pesticide-attributable suicide rates for 100 years from 2017. Country-specific costs were obtained from the WHO-CHOICE database and denominated in 2017 international dollars (I$), discounted at a 3% annual rate, and health effects were measured in healthy life-years gained (HLYGs). We used a demographic projection model beginning with the country population in the baseline year (2017), split by 1-year age group and sex. Country-specific data on overall suicide rates were obtained for 2017 by age and sex from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 Data Resources. The analysis involved 14 countries spanning low-income to high-income settings, and cost-effectiveness ratios were analysed at the country-specific level and aggregated according to country income group and the proportion of suicides due to pesticides.

FINDINGS

Banning highly hazardous pesticides across the 14 countries studied could result in about 28 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24 000-32 000) fewer suicide deaths each year at an annual cost of I$0·007 per capita (95% UI 0·006-0·008). In the population-standardised results for the base case analysis, national bans produced cost-effectiveness ratios of $94 per HLYG (95% UI 73-123) across low-income and lower-middle-income countries and $237 per HLYG (95% UI 191-303) across upper-middle-income and high-income countries. Bans were more cost-effective in countries where a high proportion of suicides are attributable to pesticide self-poisoning, reaching a cost-effectiveness ratio of $75 per HLYG (95% UI 58-99) in two countries with proportions of more than 30%.

INTERPRETATION

National bans of highly hazardous pesticides are a potentially cost-effective and affordable intervention for reducing suicide deaths in countries with a high burden of suicides attributable to pesticides. However, our study findings are limited by imperfect data and assumptions that could be improved upon by future studies.

FUNDING

WHO.

Enteropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL) with intracranial metastasis : a rare and dismal condition

BACKGROUND

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare type of gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. EATL with intracranial metastasis is even rarer. We report a case of EATL with intracranial metastasis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 36-years old man presented with five weeks history of intractable diarrhea. Colonoscopy was normal, but abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed mural thickening at duodenojejunal junction, and subsequent jejunofiberoscopy showed a circumferential ulceration at the jejunum. Histo-immunopathology confirmed the diagnosis of enteropathyassociated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type II. His disease course proved to be aggressive and refractory to standard front-line chemotherapy, and eventually progressed through second-line salvage regimen with CNS and intracranial involvement. He died nine months after the initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

EATL with brain metastasis is a very rare occurrence with dismal prognosis.

Pretreatment Anterior Choroidal Artery Infarction Predicts Poor Outcome after Thrombectomy in Intracranial ICA Occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Predictors of outcome after endovascular thrombectomy have not been investigated adequately in patients with intracranial ICA occlusions. This study aimed to assess the impact of anterior choroidal artery infarction in pretreatment DWI on the outcome of patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion who underwent thrombectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 113 patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion who underwent DWI followed by thrombectomy between January 2011 and July 2016. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between the groups positive and negative for anterior choroidal artery infarction and patients with good outcomes (90-day mRS 0-2) and poor outcomes (mRS 3-6). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of a good outcome.

RESULTS

On pretreatment DWI, anterior choroidal artery infarction was observed in 60 patients (53.1%). Good outcomes were significantly less frequent in the group positive for anterior choroidal artery infarction than in the group negative for it (25% versus 49.1%, P = .008). Parenchymal hemorrhage occurred only in the group positive for anterior choroidal artery infarction (13.3% versus 0%, P = .007). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of good outcome were an absence of anterior choroidal artery infarction (OR, 0.333; 95% CI, 0.135-0.824; P = .017) and successful reperfusion (OR, 5.598; 95% CI, 1.135-27.604; P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment anterior choroidal artery infarction is associated with parenchymal hemorrhage and poor outcome after thrombectomy in patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion. In addition, the absence of anterior choroidal artery infarction and successful reperfusion were independent predictors of good outcome after thrombectomy in acute intracranial ICA occlusion.

Levobupivacaine versus Racemic Bupivacaine in Spinal Anaesthesia for Urological Surgery

Racemic bupivacaine is the most common local anaesthetic used intrathecally. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compared the clinical efficacy and motor block of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 0.5% racemic bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for urological surgery. The surgery required an upper level of sensory block of at least the tenth thoracic dermatome. Fifty patients were recruited (levobupivacaine group n=24; bupivacaine group n=26). Spinal anaesthesia was achieved with 2.6 ml of study solution injected in the subarachnoid space at the lumbar 3/4 interspace. One patient from the levobupivacaine group was excluded due to technical failure. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the quality of sensory and motor block or in haemodynamic change. Anaesthesia was adequate and patient satisfaction good in all cases.

We conclude that 0.5% levobupivacaine can be used as an alternative to 0.5% racemic bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for surgery when a sensory block to at least T10 is required.

The risk of developing major depression among individuals with subthreshold depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Studies have consistently shown that subthreshold depression is associated with an increased risk of developing major depression. However, no study has yet calculated a pooled estimate that quantifies the magnitude of this risk across multiple studies.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review to identify longitudinal cohort studies containing data on the association between subthreshold depression and future major depression. A baseline meta-analysis was conducted using the inverse variance heterogeneity method to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of major depression among people with subthreshold depression relative to non-depressed controls. Subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate whether IRR estimates differed between studies categorised by age group or sample type. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to test the robustness of baseline results to several sources of study heterogeneity, such as the case definition for subthreshold depression.

RESULTS

Data from 16 studies (n = 67 318) revealed that people with subthreshold depression had an increased risk of developing major depression (IRR = 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.28-2.97). Subgroup analyses estimated similar IRRs for different age groups (youth, adults and the elderly) and sample types (community-based and primary care). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that baseline results were robust to different sources of study heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the scaling up of effective indicated prevention interventions for people with subthreshold depression, regardless of age group or setting.

Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 improves mental health in victims with irritable bowel syndrome developed after a major flood disaster

Individuals in a community who developed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after major floods have significant mental health impairment. We aimed to determine if Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 was effective in improving symptoms, psychology and quality of life measures in flood-affected individuals with IBS and if the improvement was mediated by gut microbiota changes. Design was non-randomised, open-label, controlled before-and-after. Of 53 participants, 20 with IBS were given B. infantis M-63 (1×10⁹ cfu/sachet/day) for three months and 33 were controls. IBS symptom severity scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, SF-36 Questionnaire, hydrogen breath testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and stools for 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis were performed before and after intervention. 11 of 20 who were given probiotics (M-63) and 20 of 33 controls completed study as per-protocol. Mental well-being was improved with M-63 vs controls for full analysis (P=0.03) and per-protocol (P=0.01) populations. Within-group differences were observed for anxiety and bodily pain (both P=0.04) in the M-63 per-protocol population. Lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was observed with M-63 vs controls (P=0.01) and the lower ratio was correlated with higher post-intervention mental score (P=0.04). B. infantis M-63 is probably effective in improving mental health of victims who developed IBS after floods and this is maybe due to restoration of microbial balance and the gut-brain axis. However, our conclusion must be interpreted within the context of limited sample size. The study was retrospectively registered on 12 October 2017 and the Trial Registration Number (TRN) was NCT03318614.

Attitudes and self-reported end-of-life care of Australian and New Zealand intensive care doctors in the context of organ donation after circulatory death

The incidence of organ donation after circulatory death (DCD) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) has steadily increased in recent years. Intensive care doctors are vital to the implementation of DCD and healthcare professionals' attitudes to DCD can influence their participation. In order to determine ANZ intensive care doctors' attitudes to DCD, to explore if demographic characteristics influence attitude to DCD and to assess if attitude to DCD can predict palliative prescription rationale at the end of life of DCD donors, a cross-sectional online survey was distributed to ANZ intensive care doctors and responses collected between 29 April and 10 June 2016. Exploratory factor analysis was used to define various attributes of attitude to DCD. Results were subjected to comparative statistical analyses to examine the relation between demographic data and attitude to DCD. Multiple regression models were used to examine if attitude to DCD could predict intensive care doctors' palliative prescription rationales at the end of life of DCD donors. One hundred and sixty-one intensive care doctors responded to the survey with 69.4% having worked in intensive care for ten years or more. Respondents responded positively to the support of and perceived importance of DCD in helping those who would benefit from the donations (constructive attributes)(mean composite factor score = 3.84, standard deviation [SD] 0.83), they positively perceived that conducive and facilitative orchestration of DCD helps families cope (mean composite factor score = 3.94, SD 0.72) and that they would manage a DCD donor similar to any patient at the end of their life (mean score = 3.94, SD 0.72). Respondents responded negatively to having concerns that the circulatory death of potential DCD donors does not occur within the specified time frame (mean score = 2.28, SD 1.02). There was an association between organ donation professional education courses, familiarity with national guidelines and positive attitudes to certain attributes of attitude to DCD. Regression models demonstrated the attitude to DCD may predict intensive care doctors' palliative medication prescription rationales at the end of life of the DCD donor. Intensive care doctors in ANZ adopt a morally neutral attitude to DCD where they recognise the importance of organ donation, and support and conduct DCD as a part of good end-of-life care.

Remodeling of the HDL proteome with treatment response to abatacept or adalimumab in the AMPLE trial of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To evaluate changes in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) proteome and HDL function in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients initiating therapy with abatacept or adalimumab in the Abatacept Versus Adalimumab Comparison in Biologic-Naïve RA Subjects with Background Methotrexate (AMPLE) study.

METHODS

Ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with ion mobility mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS) was used to analyze proteins associated with immunoaffinity-captured HDL from plasma of 30 patients with RA randomized to either abatacept (n = 15) or adalimumab (n = 15) therapy. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, HDL anti-oxidant capacity, cholesterol profiles, and homocysteine levels were also measured at baseline and following treatment. Repeated-measures analyses were performed using mixed-effect linear models to model the within-subject covariance over time.

RESULTS

In models controlling for age, sex and treatment group, improvement in inflammation measured by decreases in CRP was associated with improvement in HDL function and changes in several HDL-associated proteins including significant decreases in lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, serum amyloid A-I (SAA-I) and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (p values < 0.05). Improvement in disease activity was also associated with changes in multiple HDL-associated proteins. Adalimumab was associated with higher PON1 activity, HDL-associated serotransferrin, and HDL-associated immunoglobulin J chain, and lower HDL-associated SAA-I over time compared with abatacept.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in inflammation associated with treatment of RA, using either abatacept or adalimumab in the AMPLE study, was associated with improvement in HDL function and significant alterations in the HDL proteome, including proteins involved in the immune response, proteinase inhibition, and lipid metabolism.

Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Differences in Characteristics and Outcomes after Endovascular Therapy between Patients with and without Underlying Severe Atherosclerotic Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prediction of underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis before endovascular therapy might be helpful for appropriate therapeutic planning in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to compare the characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion relative to the existence or nonexistence of underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients with acute basilar artery occlusion underwent multimodal endovascular therapy. All patients underwent stent-retriever thrombectomy as a first-line endovascular therapy. Patients with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis underwent additional intracranial angioplasty and stent placement. The clinical and imaging characteristics and treatment outcomes were retrospectively analyzed and compared between patients with and without intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

RESULTS

Underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was identified at the occlusion site in 15 patients (24.1%). Occlusion in the proximal segment of the basilar artery was more common in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (60% versus 6.4%, P < .001), whereas occlusion in the distal segment was more common in those without it (91.5% versus 26.7%, P < .001). Bilateral thalamic infarction on a pretreatment DWI was less common in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (0% versus 27.7%, P = .027) compared with those without it. There were no significant differences in the rates of successful revascularization, favorable outcome, symptomatic hemorrhage, and mortality between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was not uncommon in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. The occlusion segment of the basilar artery and the presence or absence of bilateral thalamic infarction on a pretreatment DWI might be helpful for predicting underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. Patients with and without underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis who underwent endovascular therapy had similar outcomes.

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Acute Reocclusion after Emergent Angioplasty or Stenting for Underlying Intracranial Stenosis in Patients with Acute Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A major concern after emergent intracranial angioplasty in cases of acute stroke with underlying intracranial stenosis is the acute reocclusion of the treated arteries. This study reports the incidence and clinical outcomes of acute reocclusion of arteries following emergent intracranial angioplasty with or without stent placement for the management of patients with acute stroke with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients with acute stroke received emergent intracranial angioplasty with or without stent placement for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis and underwent follow-up head CTA. Acute reocclusion was defined as "hypoattenuation" within an arterial segment with discrete discontinuation of the arterial contrast column, both proximal and distal to the hypoattenuated lesion, on CTA performed before discharge. Angioplasty was defined as "suboptimal" if a residual stenosis of ≥50% was detected on the postprocedural angiography. Clinical and radiologic data of patients with and without reocclusion were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 46 patients, 29 and 17 underwent angioplasty with and without stent placement, respectively. Acute reocclusion was observed in 6 patients (13%) and was more frequent among those with suboptimal angioplasty than among those without it (71.4% versus 2.6%, P < .001). The relative risk of acute reocclusion in patients with suboptimal angioplasty was 27.857 (95% confidence interval, 3.806-203.911). Furthermore, a good outcome was significantly less frequent in patients with acute reocclusion than in those without it (16.7% versus 67.5%, P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute reocclusion of treated arteries was common after emergent intracranial angioplasty with or without stent placement in patients with acute stroke with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis and was associated with a poor outcome. Suboptimal results of angioplasty appear to be associated with acute reocclusion, irrespective of whether stent placement was performed.

Outcomes Are Not Different between Patients with Intermediate and High DWI-ASPECTS after Stent-Retriever Embolectomy for Acute Anterior Circulation Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Questions remain as to what benefits embolectomy provides to patients presented with considerable early ischemic changes on baseline imaging studies. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score applied to DWI on treatment outcomes in patients with acute stroke undergoing stent-retriever embolectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and DWI data from 171 patients with acute anterior circulation stroke who were treated with stent-retriever embolectomy within 6 hours of symptom onset. DWI-ASPECTS scores were analyzed with the full scale or were dichotomized (4-6 versus 7-10). Patients with DWI-ASPECTS ≤3 were excluded from the study. Associations between outcome and clinical and radiologic factors were determined with a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 at 3 months.

RESULTS

The median DWI-ASPECTS was 7 (interquartile range, 6-8). The rates of good outcome, symptomatic hemorrhage, and mortality were not different between high DWI-ASPECTS (scores of 7-10) and intermediate DWI-ASPECTS (scores of 4-6) groups. In patients with an intermediate DWI-ASPECTS, good outcome was achieved in 46.5% (20/43) of patients with successful revascularization, whereas no patients without successful revascularization had a good outcome (P = .016). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of good outcome were age and successful revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that there were no differences in outcomes between patients with a high DWI-ASPECTS and those with an intermediate DWI-ASPECTS who underwent stent-retriever embolectomy for acute anterior circulation stroke. Thus, patients with an intermediate DWI-ASPECTS otherwise eligible for endovascular therapy may not be excluded from stent-retriever embolectomy or stroke trials.

A review on alkaline pretreatment technology for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass

The native form of lignocellulosic biomass is resistant to enzymatic breakdown. A well-designed pretreatment that can promote enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass with reasonable processing cost is therefore necessary. To this end, a number of different types of pretreatment technologies have been developed with a common goal of making biomass more susceptible to enzymatic saccharification. Among those, a pretreatment method using alkaline reagent has emerged as one of the most viable process options due primarily to its strong pretreatment effect and relatively simple process scheme. The main features of alkaline pretreatment are that it selectively removes lignin without degrading carbohydrates, and increases porosity and surface area, thereby enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis. In this review, the leading alkaline pretreatment technologies are described and their features and comparative performances are discussed from a process viewpoint. Attempts were also made to give insights into the chemical and physical changes of biomass brought about by pretreatment.

Preventing depression and anxiety in young people: a review of the joint efficacy of universal, selective and indicated prevention

Depression and anxiety (internalizing disorders) are the largest contributors to the non-fatal health burden among young people. This is the first meta-analysis to examine the joint efficacy of universal, selective, and indicated preventive interventions upon both depression and anxiety among children and adolescents (5-18 years) while accounting for their co-morbidity. We conducted a systematic review of reviews in Medline, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, from 1980 to August 2014. Multivariate meta-analysis examined the efficacy of preventive interventions on depression and anxiety outcomes separately, and the joint efficacy on both disorders combined. Meta-regressions examined heterogeneity of effect according to a range of study variables. Outcomes were relative risks (RR) for disorder, and standardized mean differences (Cohen's d) for symptoms. One hundred and forty-six randomized controlled trials (46 072 participants) evaluated universal (children with no identified risk, n = 54) selective (population subgroups of children who have an increased risk of developing internalizing disorders due to shared risk factors, n = 45) and indicated prevention (children with minimal but detectable symptoms of an internalizing disorder, n = 47), mostly using psychological-only strategies (n = 105). Reductions in internalizing disorder onset occurred up to 9 months post-intervention, whether universal [RR 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.60], selective (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.85) or indicated (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29-0.78). Reductions in internalizing symptoms occurred up to 12 months post-intervention for universal prevention; however, reductions only occurred in the shorter term for selective and indicated prevention. Universal, selective and indicated prevention interventions are efficacious in reducing internalizing disorders and symptoms in the short term. They might be considered as repeated exposures in school settings across childhood and adolescence. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42014013990.).

Clinical Prognostic Factors and Treatment Outcome of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Elderly Patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and treatment outcome of for elderly patients (age>or=60 at time of diagnosis) with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 52 patients diagnosed with aggressive NHL between January 1990 and May 2000.

RESULTS

The patient's median age was 69 years (range: 60~92). Thirty-two (61.5%) patients were male. Patients included those with diffuse large B cell (53.8%), peripheral T cell (23.1%), AILD-like T-cell (3.8%), angiocentric (3.8%), mantle cell (3.8%), Burkitt's lymphoma (3.8%), and others (7.9%). International prognostic index (IPI) parameters were as follows: elevated LDH (60.8%), ECOG performance status>or=2 (32.7%), advanced stage (III/IV, 62.7%), and extranodal site>or=2 (11.5%). Twenty-six (50.0%) patients demonstrated a high and high-intermediate IPI. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 26.6 months. The overall median survival was 22.7 months and the 2-year survival rate was 46.9%. Among the 49 patientstreated with chemotherapy, 28 (57.1%) patients achieved complete remission (CR). Univariate analysis identified 8 prognostic factors for overall survival: age<70 (P=0.04), low/low-intermediate IPI (P=0.02), good performance (P= 0.04), normal WBC (P=0.008), normal Hb (P=0.02), normal LDH (P=0.04), CR on first line therapy (P<0.001), and absence of B symptom (P=0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors for improved overall survival were age <70 (P=0.03), low/low-intermediate IPI (P=0.03), normal WBC (P=0.006), and CR on first line therapy (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, even elderly patients (>or=60 years) with aggressive NHL can be successfully treated with conventional chemotherapy and the important prognostic factors for survival are age, IPI, initial WBC, and CR on first line treatment.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in patients with malignancies

BACKGROUND

Malignancy is known to be associated with an increased mortality rate in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). However, risk factors contributing to the poor prognosis of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies remain undefined.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the potential involvement of malignancy and its related factors contributing to the poor outcome of SJS/TEN, in a retrospective study.

METHODS

In total 517 patients with SJS/TEN were enrolled. Forty-seven who sustained various types of malignancies were analysed for numerous malignancy-related factors, including cancer types, clinical stages and chemotherapies given or not before the onset of SJS/TEN.

RESULTS

We found that the mortality rate of patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies was higher than that of patients without malignancies (32%, 15/47 vs. 8·5%, 40/470, respectively) (P < 0·001). The use of phenytoin was significantly higher in the malignancy group. The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (80%, four of five; P < 0·001; odds ratio 43) and colorectal cancer (67%, two of three; P = 0·022; odds ratio 21·5) significantly increased the death rate of patients with SJS/TEN, whereas lung cancer and urothelial carcinoma did not. Patients who had received ongoing or recent chemotherapy showed higher mortality than those without chemotherapy (P = 0·022; odds ratio 4·95). Furthermore, among the 47 patients with SJS/TEN with malignancies, lower serum albumin, haemoglobin and platelet count were detected in the deceased patients than in the surviving patients before the onset of SJS/TEN.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that several factors related to malignancies, such as specific cancer types, chemotherapy and malnutrition, may contribute to poor prognosis in patients with malignancies developing SJS/TEN.

Immunomagnetic Reduction Assay on Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin for Screening of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The accredited biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) offers limited sensitivity and specificity in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To improve the screening performance, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) has been identified as another promising biomarker of HCC, combined with AFP biomarkers. The results of the commercial optical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit easily have the interference problem due to the optical methodology. The immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assay based on the magnetic measurement was utilized to assay DCP biomarkers without the excellent antiinterference performances. A DCP magnetic reagent, composed of iron-oxide (Fe3O4 ) magnetic nanoparticles coated with anti-DCP antibodies solved in phosphoryl-buffer solution, was synthesized and characterized. In the test of standard DCP antigens, superior antiinterference and sensitivity than optical ELISA were proved. In the animal test, the results indicate good agreement between the IMR assay findings and the tumor sizes of HCC rats at all time points after the HCC implantation. The feasibility of the developed DCP magnetic reagent with the IMR for the detection of DCP is verified, and demonstrates the high potential for future clinical applications.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is not a risk factor for poor outcomes after total hip and total knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

Historically, arthroplasty in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been less successful than for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). It is not known if SLE remains an independent risk factor for poor arthroplasty outcomes or if other factors, such as avascular necrosis (AVN), continue to play a role.

METHODS

A case-control study using data from a single-institution arthroplasty registry compared SLE total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with OA controls matched by age, gender and presence of AVN. Baseline, two-year administrative and self-report data, and diagnosis leading to arthroplasty were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 54 primary SLE THA and 45 primary SLE TKA were identified from May 2007 through June 2011. AVN was present in 32% of SLE THA and no TKA. SLE THA had worse preoperative WOMAC pain (42.5 vs. 52.7; p = 0.01) and function (38.8 vs. 48.0; p = 0.05) compared with OA. However, at two years there was no difference in WOMAC pain (91.1 vs. 92.1; p = 0.77) or WOMAC function (86.4 vs. 90.8; p = 0.28). SLE TKA were similar to OA in both preoperative pain (42.6 vs. 48.4; p = 0.14) and function (42.1 vs. 46.8; p = 0.30) and two-year pain (85.7 vs. 88.6; p = 0.50) and function (83.7 vs. 85.1; p = 0.23). Compared to OA, SLE THA and TKA patients had more renal failure (14% vs. 1%; p = 0.007) and hypertension (52% vs. 29%; p = 0.009). In a multivariate linear regression, SLE was not predictive of either poor pain or poor function.

CONCLUSIONS

While SLE patients have more comorbidities than OA, and SLE THA have worse preoperative pain and function compared with OA controls, SLE was not an independent risk factor for poor short-term pain or function after either hip or knee arthroplasty.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: duodenal aspiration vs glucose breath test

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) remains challenging. Our aim was to examine the diagnostic yield of duodenal aspiration/culture and glucose breath test (GBT), and effects of gender, race and demographics on prevalence of SIBO.

METHODS

Patients with unexplained gas, bloating and diarrhea and negative endoscopy, imaging and blood tests were prospectively enrolled in two centers in USA. Randomly, within 1 week each patient underwent both duodenal aspiration/culture and GBT. The diagnostic yield of each test and relationship of symptoms, and effects of ethnicity, age, and gender on prevalence of SIBO were assessed and compared.

KEY RESULTS

Duodenal culture was positive in 62/139 (44.6%) subjects and GBT was positive in 38/139 (27.3%) subjects with an overall diagnostic agreement of 65.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of GBT was 42%, 84%, 68%, and 64%, respectively. Ethnicity or gender did not influence SIBO, but SIBO positive patients were older (p = 0.0018). Symptom patterns were similar except bloating was more prevalent in GBT positive and gas in culture positive subjects.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Duodenal aspiration/culture identifies 45% of patients with suspected SIBO. GBT has lower sensitivity but good specificity for detection of SIBO. There were no ethnic or gender differences in the prevalence of SIBO, but patients with SIBO were older. Because GBT is non-invasive, it should be considered first in patients with suspected SIBO.

Special Issue on "Analytical Methods for Oxidized Biomolecules and Antioxidants" The use of isoprostanoids as biomarkers of oxidative damage, and their role in human dietary intervention studies

Isoprostanoids are a group of non-enzymatic oxidized lipids from polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are commonly used as biomarkers for oxidative damage, to assess in vivo lipid peroxidation in diseases related to the vascular system and neurodegeneration. Currently, there is a mismatch with the outcome in the use of these biomarkers in intervention studies, particularly when testing the effect of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, or zinc, or a cocktail of these, with other food components. Much of this is because the biomarkers, the method of measurement, and the duration of supplementation are unsuitable. In this review, we will highlight the formation of isoprostanoids from their respective fatty acids, and their application as biomarkers for oxidative damage in vivo, considering human dietary intervention studies evaluating plasma and urine, using mass spectrometry techniques.

Production of lactic acid from the mixture of softwood pre-hydrolysate and paper mill sludge by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

Paper mill sludge is a solid waste material composed of pulp residues and ash generated from pulping and paper making process. The carbohydrate portion of the sludges from Kraft/Recycle paper mill has chemical and physical characteristics similar to those of commercial wood pulp. Because of its high carbohydrate content and well-dispersed structure, the sludge can be biologically converted to value-added products without pretreatment. In bioconversion of solid feedstock such as paper mill sludge, a certain amount of water must be present to attain fluidity. In this study, hemicellulose pre-hydrolysate, in place of water, was added to the sludge to increase the concentration of the final product. Pre-hydrolysate was obtained by hot-water treatment of pine wood in which the total sugar concentration reached 4 wt.%. The mixture was processed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using enzymes (cellulase and pectinase) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (ATCC-10863). Pectinase was added to hydrolyze mannose oligomers in the pre-hydrolysate to monomers. During the SSF of the mixture, calcium carbonate in the paper sludge acted as a buffer, yielding calcium lactate as the final product. External pH control was unnecessary due to the buffer action of calcium carbonate that maintained the pH near optimum for the SSF. The lactic acid yield in the range of 80-90 % of the theoretical maximum was obtained. Use of the mixed feed of pre-hydrolysate and pulp mill sludges in the SSF raised the product concentration to 60 g of lactate/L.

Burnout in physicians

Increasing numbers of doctors are experiencing burnout now more than ever before and the worrying part is that what we see is just the tip of the iceberg. Burnout, a state of mental exhaustion caused by the doctor's professional life, is characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and a reduced sense of accomplishment or success. Burnout has been largely ignored or under-recognised previously. This paper provides a perspective on burnout among doctors, including an overview of symptoms, the scale of the problem, the implications and causes of burnout and, finally, a strategic framework to provide a basis for managing it. Most importantly, professional bodies are urged to start taking steps to help troubled doctors. Medical Colleges should provide essential assistance, support and guidance as well as ensuring fair management and promotion policies.

Bleeding outcome during a dengue outbreak in 2005 in the East-coast region of Peninsular Malaysia: a prospective study

During a dengue outbreak in 2005 in the East-coast region of Peninsular Malaysia, one of the worst hit areas in the country at that time, we undertook a prospective study. We aimed to describe the bleeding outcome and changes in the liver and hematologic profiles that were associated with major bleeding outcome during the outbreak. All suspected cases of dengue admitted into the only referral hospital in the region during the outbreak were screened for WHO 2002 criteria and serology. Liver function, hematologic profile and severity of bleeding outcome were carefully documented. The association between symptoms, liver and hematologic impairments with the type of dengue infection (classical vs. hemorrhagic) and bleeding outcome (major vs. non-major) was tested. Dengue fever was confirmed in 183 cases (12.5/100,000 population) and 144 cases were analysed. 59.7% were dengue hemorrhagic fever, 3.5% were dengue shock syndrome and there were 3 in-hospital deaths. Major bleeding outcome (gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial bleeding or haemoptysis) was present in 14.6%. Elevated AST, ALT and bilirubin were associated with increasing severity of bleeding outcome (all P < 0.05). Platelet count and albumin level were inversely associated with increasing severity of bleeding outcome (both P < 0.001). With multivariable analysis, dengue hemorrhagic fever was more likely in the presence of abdominal pain (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.02- 1.6) and elevated AST (OR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.1) but the presence of pleural effusion (OR 5.8, 95% CI: 1.1-29.9) and elevated AST (OR 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005-1.01) predicted a severe bleeding outcome. As a conclusion, the common presence of a severe hemorrhagic form of dengue fever may explain the rising death toll in recent outbreaks and the worst impairment in liver and hematologic profiles was seen in major bleeding outcome.

Disruption of the gastroesophageal junction by central obesity and waist belt: role of raised intra-abdominal pressure

Obesity is a major reason for the recent increase in incidence of reflux disease and cancers at the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GOJ) and is mediated through a rise in the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) but the exact mechanisms are unclear. Raised IAP from obesity and with application of waist belt produces mechanical distortion of the GOJ through formation of partial hiatus hernia. Even though there is no trans-sphincteric acid reflux, there is increased ingress of acid into the lower sphincter (intra-sphincteric reflux) as a consequence of raised IAP. In addition, short segment acid reflux is more evident in obese subjects with a belt on. Acid pocket is also enlarged in hiatus hernia, and acts as a reservoir of acid available to reflux whenever the sphincter fails. Above mechanisms may explain the common occurrence of cardiac lengthening and inflammation found in asymptomatic obese subjects. The inflamed cardia is also immunohistochemically similar to non-intestinal Barrett's mucosa, which is of etiological importance for cancers at the GOJ. Interventions that can reduce the mechanical distortion and acid exposure at the GOJ, including diet, exercise, drugs, sphincter augmentation therapy, and surgery, are clinically relevant in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease but more data are needed whether if these strategies are also effective in preventing cancer. As a conclusion, raised IAP produces silent mechanical disruption of the GOJ, which may explain the high occurrence of cancers in this region and it is potentially reversible with early interventions.

Hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in acute medical wards

BACKGROUND

Clostridum difficile (C. difficile) infection is increasingly seen among hospitalised patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but its rate and associated risk factors are not known. We aimed to determine the rate and characteristics of hospital-acquired C. difficile infection in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted into acute medical wards.

METHODS

Our prospective cross-sectional study involved 159 patients with established type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted into acute medical wards who developed a hospital-acquired C. difficile infection. Stools were tested for C. difficile toxins using a toxin A/B kit and a toxin A kit. Clinical features, laboratory findings, types of antibiotics, and use of a proton pump inhibitor were examined for their association with the infection.

RESULTS

Thirteen subjects were positive for toxin A and one for toxin B. Using univariable analysis, we found that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hospital acquired C. difficile infection were younger (mean 53.8 years, p=0.02), had diarrhoea and abdominal pain (p=0.001) but no fever. Sepsis (p=0.02) and use of a proton pump inhibitor (p=0.01) were more commonly implicated as the cause of the infection. Of the various types of antibiotics prescribed, carbapenem (28.6% vs 4.1%, p=0.01) and metronidazole (42.9% vs 19.3%, p=0.04) were significantly associated with hospital acquired C. difficile infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted into acute medical wards and who developed hospital-acquired C. difficile infection have distinct characteristics.

Kinetics of transient hiatus hernia during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and swallows in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND

Proximal displacement of the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) is present in hiatus hernia but also occurs transiently during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) and swallows. Using a novel magnetic-based technique we have performed detailed examination of the GEJ movement during TLESRs and swallows in healthy subjects.

METHODS

In 12 subjects, a magnet was endoscopically clipped to the GEJ and combined assembly of Hall-Effect locator probe and 36 channel high-resolution manometer passed nasally. After a test meal the subjects were studied for 90 min.

KEY RESULTS

The median amplitude of proximal movement of GEJ during TLESRs was 4.3 cm (1.6-8.8 cm) and this was substantially greater than during swallowing at 1.2 cm (0.4-2.7 cm), P = 0.002. With both TLESRs and swallows proximal GEJ movement coincided with lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation and return to its original position occurred 4 s after return of LES tone. Kinetic modeling of the movement of the GEJ during TLESRs indicated two return phases with the initial return phase having the greater velocity (0.9 cm s(-1) ) and being strongly correlated with amplitude of proximal movement (r = 0.8, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The marked proximal GEJ migration during TLESRs represents very severe herniation of the GEJ. The rapid initial return of the GEJ following TLESRs when the crural diaphragm is relaxed and its correlation with amplitude suggest it is due to elastic recoil of the phreno-esophageal ligament. The marked stretching of the phreno-esophageal ligament during TLESRs may contribute to its weakening and development of established hiatus hernia.

The Kiss2 receptor (Kiss2r) gene in Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus maccoyii and in Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola lalandi - functional analysis and isolation of transcript variants

The kisspeptin system plays an essential role in reproductive function in vertebrates, particularly in the onset of puberty. We investigated the kisspeptin system in two Perciform teleosts, the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT; Thunnus maccoyii), and the Yellowtail Kingfish (YTK; Seriola lalandi), by characterising their kisspeptin 2 receptor (Kiss2r) genes. In addition to the full length Kiss2r cDNA sequences, we have isolated from SBT and YTK a transcript variant that retained an intron. We have further obtained three ytkKiss2r transcript variants that contained deletions. In vitro functional analysis of the full length SBT and YTK Kiss2r showed higher response to Kiss2-10 than to Kiss1-10, with stronger transduction via PKC than PKA. The full length ytkKiss2r and two deletion variants were differentially expressed in the brain of male, but not in female, juvenile YTK treated with increasing doses of Kiss2-10 peptide. In the gonads, the expression level of the ytkKiss2r transcripts did not vary significantly either in the male or female fish. This is the first time that transcript variants of the Kiss2r gene that contain deletions and show responsiveness to treatments with kisspeptin have been reported in any teleost.

Incidence and outcomes of pregnancy-associated cancer in Australia, 1994-2008: a population-based linkage study

Objective

To determine trends in pregnancy-associated cancer and associations between maternal cancer and pregnancy outcomes.

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Setting

New South Wales, Australia, 1994–2008.

Population

A total of 781 907 women and their 1 309 501 maternities.

Methods

Cancer and maternal information were obtained from linked cancer registry, birth and hospital records for the entire population. Generalised estimating equations with a logit link were used to examine associations between cancer risk factors and pregnancy outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Incidence of pregnancy-associated cancer (diagnosis during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery), maternal morbidities, preterm birth, and small- and large-for-gestational-age (LGA).

Results

A total of 1798 new cancer diagnoses were identified, including 499 during pregnancy and 1299 postpartum. From 1994 to 2007, the crude incidence rate of pregnancy-associated cancer increased from 112.3 to 191.5 per 100 000 maternities (P < 0.001), and only 14% of the increase was explained by increasing maternal age. Cancer diagnosis was more common than expected in women aged 15–44 years (observed-to-expected ratio 1.49; 95% CI 1.42–1.56). Cancers were predominantly melanoma (33.3%) and breast cancer (21.0%). Women with cancer diagnosed during pregnancy had high rates of labour induction (28.5%), caesarean section (40.0%) and planned preterm birth (19.7%). Novel findings included a cancer association with multiple pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.13–2.05) and LGA (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.14–1.89).

Conclusions

Pregnancy-associated cancers have increased, and this increase is only partially explained by increasing maternal age. Pregnancy increases women’s interaction with health services and the possibility for diagnosis, but may also influence tumour growth.

Cre transgene results in global attenuation of the cAMP/PKA pathway

Use of the cre transgene in in vivo mouse models to delete a specific 'floxed' allele is a well-accepted method for studying the effects of spatially or temporarily regulated genes. During the course of our investigation into the effect of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) expression on cell death, we found that cre expression either in cultured cell lines or in transgenic mice results in global changes in PKA target phosphorylation. This consequently alters gene expression profile and changes in cytokine secretion such as IL-6. These effects are dependent on its recombinase activity and can be attributed to the upregulation of specific inhibitors of PKA (PKI). These results may explain the cytotoxicity often associated with cre expression in many transgenic animals and may also explain many of the phenotypes observed in the context of Cre-mediated gene deletion. Our results may therefore influence the interpretation of data generated using the conventional cre transgenic system.