A Cellular atlas of the human fallopian tube reveals the metamorphosis of secretory epithelial cells during the menstrual cycle and menopause

The fallopian tube, connecting the uterus with the ovary, is a dynamic organ that undergoes cyclical changes and is the site of several diseases, including serous cancer. Here, we use single-cell technologies to construct a comprehensive cell map of healthy pre-menopausal fallopian tubes, capturing the impact of the menstrual cycle and menopause on different fallopian tube cells at the molecular level. The comparative analysis between pre- and post-menopausal fallopian tubes reveals substantial shifts in cellular abundance and gene expression patterns, highlighting the physiological changes associated with menopause. Further investigations into menstrual cycle phases illuminate distinct molecular states in secretory epithelial cells caused by hormonal fluctuations. The markers we identified characterizing secretory epithelial cells provide a valuable tool for classifying ovarian cancer subtypes.

Graphical summary

Graphical summary of results. During the proliferative phase (estrogen high ) of the menstrual cycle, SE2 cells (OVGP1 + ) dominate the fallopian tube (FT) epithelium, while SE1 cells (OVGP1 - ) dominate the epithelium during the secretory phase. Though estrogen levels decrease during menopause, SE post-cells (OVGP1 + , CXCL2 + ) make up most of the FT epithelium.

Sprague Dawley rats from different vendors vary in the modulation of prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) by dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate drugs

RATIONALE

Rodent vendors are often utilized interchangeably, assuming that the phenotype of a given strain remains standardized between colonies. Several studies, however, have found significant behavioral and physiological differences between Sprague Dawley (SD) rats from separate vendors. Prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), a form of sensorimotor gating in which a low-intensity leading stimulus reduces the startle response to a subsequent stimulus, may also vary by vendor. Differences in PPI between rat strains are well known, but divergence between colonies within the SD strain lacks thorough examination.

OBJECTIVES

We explored intrastrain variation in PPI by testing SD rats from two vendors: Envigo and Charles River (CR).

METHODS

We selected drugs acting on four major neurotransmitter systems that have been repeatedly shown to modulate PPI: dopamine (apomorphine; 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 mg/kg), acetylcholine (scopolamine; 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), glutamate (dizocilpine; 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mg/kg), and serotonin (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, DOI; 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg). We determined PPI and startle amplitude for each drug in male and female Envigo and CR SD rats.

RESULTS

SD rats from Envigo showed dose-dependent decreases in PPI after apomorphine, scopolamine, or dizocilpine administration, without significant effects on startle amplitude. SD rats from CR were less sensitive to modulation of PPI and/or more sensitive to modulation of startle amplitude, across the three drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

SD rats showed vendor differences in sensitivity to pharmacological modulation of PPI and startle. We encourage researchers to sample rats from separate vendors before experimentation to identify the most suited source of subjects for their specific endpoints.

A new oral model of free fatty acid kinetics to assess lipolysis in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes

Assessing free fatty acids (FFAs) kinetics and the role of insulin and glucose on FFA lipolysis and disposal may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Some models have been proposed to describe FFA kinetics during an intravenous glucose tolerance test and only one during an oral glucose tolerance test. Here, we propose a model of FFA kinetics during a meal tolerance test and use it to assess possible differences in postprandial lipolysis in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and individuals with obesity without type 2 diabetes (ND). We studied 18 obese ND and 16 T2D undergoing three meal tolerance tests (MTT) on three occasions (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). We used plasma glucose, insulin, and FFA concentrations collected at breakfast to test a battery of models and selected the best one based on physiological plausibility, ability to fit the data, precision of parameter estimates, and the Akaike parsimony criterion. The best model assumes that the postprandial suppression of FFA lipolysis is proportional to the above basal insulin, while FFA disposal is proportional to FFA concentration. It was used to compare FFA kinetics in ND and T2D along the day. The maximum lipolysis suppression occurred significantly earlier in ND than T2D (39 ± 6 min vs. 102 ± 13 min, 36 ± 4 min vs. 78 ± 11 min, and 38 ± 6 min vs. 84 ± 13 min, P < 0.01, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively), making lipolysis significantly lower in ND than T2D. This is mainly attributable to the lower insulin concentration in the second group. This novel FFA model allows to assess lipolysis and insulin antilipolytic effect in postprandial conditions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we propose a new mathematical model able to quantify postprandial FFA kinetics and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in both subjects with obesity without type 2 diabetes (ND) and subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Results show that the slower postprandial suppression of lipolysis in T2D contributes to the higher free fatty acid (FFA) concentration that, in turn, may contribute to hyperglycemia.

760 Investigating Theatre Cancellation Rates in a London Hospital

Aim

Theatre cancellations are a major source of system inefficiency, placing an unnecessary financial burden on the NHS. The aim of this audit was to investigate the reasons for cancellations in elective surgery at a London hospital and to assess the general preoperative process.

Method

We undertook a retrospective audit of all elective theatre cancellations from the day surgery unit over a three-month period in 2021. 78 cancellations were identified, and their cause was investigated. Furthermore, we reviewed theatre lists over one month to calculate the proportion of cancelled procedures per specialty. Also, to gain a further understanding of the present protocol, we reviewed the current preoperative process.

Results

The main reason for cancellations was patients being physiologically unfit for surgery, accounting for 28.2% of all cases. The next biggest reason for cancellation, at 16.7%, was failure to comply with COVID protocol. The specialty with the largest proportion of cancellations was General Surgery, at 17.7%.

Conclusions

We believe many reasons for cancellations were avoidable. Therefore, we propose a change to the preoperative process to target multiple reasons for cancellation. We suggest a more comprehensive pre-admission phone call five days prior to surgery which includes discussions around medication compliance and changes in condition. We also suggest a set of observations and routine bloods are taken when patients come in for their COVID swab. This allows any potential cause of cancellation to be identified and rectified, or the patient could be rescheduled. This should increase efficiency of the day surgery unit.

Burnout in diabetes and endocrinology specialist registrars across England, Scotland and Wales in the pre-COVID era

BACKGROUND

Presence of either emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or lack of personal accomplishment define Burnout Syndrome which may lead to decreased workforce productivity, increased absenteeism, depression and medical errors as well as decreased patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of burnout syndrome among Diabetes Specialist Registrars across England, Scotland and Wales and to identify any self-reported factors which may be contributory to burnout.

METHODS

Over 430 Diabetes Specialist Registrars were invited to anonymously participate in an electronic survey which used Maslach Burnout Inventory and selfreporting questionnaire to identify burnout and contributory factors.

RESULTS

In this pre-pandemic times study, Burnout was identified in 61 (57.5%; n = 106) respondents using Maslach burnout cut-off scores. 45.2% (48/106) participants had scored high in Emotional Exhaustion, while lack of personal accomplishment and depersonalization was seen in 24.5% (26/106) and 21.6% (23/106) of the respondents respectively. The commonest self-reported stressors by participants were "General Internal Medicine workload" 60.4% (64/106) followed by "Lack of specialty training" 36.8% (39/106) and "Lack of audit/research/Continuing Professional Development time" 10.8% (11/106) CONCLUSION: Burnout syndrome is frequent among the participating Diabetes Specialist Registrars and urgent steps may be required address this problem nationally to ensure that these physicians remain physically and mentally healthy, especially after the pandemic.

A Study of Otological Manifestations of Temporal Bone Fractures

The aim of study was to evaluate various otological manifestations of temporal bone fractures and to suggest their management. This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Armed Forces over 2.5 years in 57 cases of temporal bone fracture in patients of age group of 12-59 yrs comprising 49 males and 8 females. Radioimaging was done for diagnosing the fracture, mapping its extent and for clinical correlation. Hearing was assessed by tuning forks, free field hearing and pure tone audiogram as per the fitness of patient. Majority of patients were in the age group 20-40 years who had met with road accidents. Important otological features included Battle sign (24.6%), ear canal laceration (53%), tympanic membrane perforation (7%), haemotymanum (40%), ear discharge (66.7%), hearing loss (63%), vertigo (16%), tinnitus (21%), facial paralysis (68%) and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea (3.5%). Otic capsule sparing fracture was three times more common than violating ones. Facial palsies were treated with oral steroid with complete recovery in 56.41% cases but three required decompression surgery. 4 patients underwent tympanoplasty. Both the cerebrospinal fluid leaks stopped in 2 weeks time. Facial palsy is as common as hearing loss. TM perforation is as rare as CSF leak. Otic capsule violating fracture line is less common. Hearing loss shows recovery in most of the cases. Delayed onset positional vertigo is more common than acute vertigo. Large numbers of immediate onset complete facial palsy do recover from injury without surgery.

1292 Aortic Valve Neocuspidization Using Glutaraldehyde-Treated Autologous Pericardium: A Literature Review

Background

Aortic Valve Neocuspidization using glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium was first performed by Ozaki et al. in 2007. This technique has become an alternative to tissue and mechanical valve as long-term anticoagulation is not required and shows promising midterm results and durability.

Method

A comprehensive search was performed on the major database using search terms “Ozaki technique” AND “Aortic Valve Neocuspidization” AND “AV Neocuspidization” AND “Autologous pericardium” AND “glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium”. Articles up to 1st of August 2020 were included in this study.

Results

A total of 9 studies with a total of 1342 patients were included. The mean age was 67.36 and 54.23% were male. 66.32% and 23.92% of patients had aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation, respectively. 66% of patients had a native tricuspid aortic valve and 31.37 % patients’ native aortic valve was bicuspid. Three studies reported their experience performing Aortic Valve Neocuspidization via mini sternotomy.

Conclusions

Aortic Valve Neocuspidization is an alternative to biological and mechanical prostheses for surgical aortic valve replacement. The short and mid-term outcome are comparable without the need for long term oral anticoagulation. Long term follow-up data is required for this novel approach to be widely adopted.

Immune Therapies for Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are hematologic malignancies arising from the bone marrow. Despite recent advances in treating these diseases, patients with higher-risk MDS and AML continue to have a poor prognosis with limited survival. It has long been recognized that there is an immune component to the pathogenesis of MDS and AML, but until recently, immune therapies have played a limited role in treating these diseases. Immune suppressive therapy exhibits durable clinical responses in selected patients with MDS, but the question of which patients are most suitable for this treatment remains unclear. Over the past decade, there has been remarkable progress in identifying genomic features of MDS and AML, which has led to an improved discernment of the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases. An improved understanding of immune and inflammatory molecular mechanisms of MDS and AML have also recently revealed novel therapeutic targets. Emerging treatments for MDS and AML include monoclonal antibodies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific T-cell-engaging antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, vaccine therapies, and cellular therapeutics including chimeric antigen receptor T-cells and NK cells. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of immune dysregulation in MDS and AML and an update on novel immune therapies for these bone marrow malignancies.

The quality of life index: a pilot study integrating treatment efficacy and quality of life in oncology

The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer will experience some form of drug-related toxicity and subsequent impairments in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Despite this, HRQoL is assessed inconsistently and there is no validated method to integrate HRQoL data into the assessment of therapeutic agents. This proof of concept study utilizes data from the neoadjuvant I-SPY 2 clinical trial to describe the development of the Quality of Life Index (QoLI) measure. The QoLI represents a single composite score that incorporates validated longitudinal measures of clinical efficacy and QoL and one that permits a more comprehensive, direct comparison of individual therapeutic agents. Preliminary data suggest the QoLI is able to distinguish between agents based on their efficacy and toxicity; with further validation, the QoLI has the potential to provide more patient-centered evaluations in clinical trials and help guide treatment decision making in breast cancer and other oncologic diseases.

Young-onset diabetes, nutritional therapy and novel insulin delivery systems: a report from the 21st Hong Kong Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors - East Meets West Symposium

The prevalence and incidence of young-onset diabetes are increasing in many parts of the world, with the most rapid increase occurring in Asia, where one in five people with diabetes are diagnosed below the age of 40 years. Accumulation of glycaemic burden from an early age significantly increases the lifetime risks of developing complications from diabetes. Despite impending health threats, young people fare worse in the control of blood glucose and other metabolic risk factors. Challenges in the management of young-onset diabetes are compounded by heterogeneity of the underlying causes, pathophysiology and clinical phenotypes in this group. Effective characterization of people with diabetes has implications in steering the choice of glucose-lowering drugs, which, in turn, determines the clinical outcome. Medical nutritional therapy is key to effective management of people with diabetes but dietary adherence is often suboptimal among younger individuals. A recently published consensus report on nutritional therapy addresses dietary management in people with prediabetes as well as diabetes, and summarizes clinical evidence regarding macronutrient and micronutrient composition as well as eating patterns in people with diabetes. For people with type 1 diabetes, automated insulin delivery systems have rapidly evolved since the concept was first introduced at the National Institute of Health and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in 2005. The subsequent development of a type 1 diabetes simulator, developed using detailed human physiology data on carbohydrate metabolism replaced the need for pre-clinical animal studies and facilitated the seamless progression to artificial pancreas human clinical trials.

Taxonomic Interference Associated with Phonemic Paraphasias in Agrammatic Primary Progressive Aphasia

Phonemic paraphasias are thought to reflect phonological (post-semantic) deficits in language production. Here we present evidence that phonemic paraphasias in non-semantic primary progressive aphasia (PPA) may be associated with taxonomic interference. Agrammatic and logopenic PPA patients and control participants performed a word-to-picture visual search task where they matched a stimulus noun to 1 of 16 object pictures as their eye movements were recorded. Participants were subsequently asked to name the same items. We measured taxonomic interference (ratio of time spent viewing related vs. unrelated foils) during the search task for each item. Target items that elicited a phonemic paraphasia during object naming elicited increased taxonomic interference during the search task in agrammatic but not logopenic PPA patients. These results could reflect either very subtle sub-clinical semantic distortions of word representations or partial degradation of specific phonological word forms in agrammatic PPA during both word-to-picture matching (input stage) and picture naming (output stage). The mechanism for phonemic paraphasias in logopenic patients seems to be different and to be operative at the pre-articulatory stage of phonological retrieval. Glucose metabolic imaging suggests that degeneration in the left posterior frontal lobe and left temporo-parietal junction, respectively, might underlie these different patterns of phonemic paraphasia.

Abstract 3353: Four vs six cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) in early stage triple-negative breast cancer

Background: ABC trials established the use of non-anthracycline containing regimen, docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) in the adjuvant setting in early stage breast cancer. In clinical practice, TC is commonly used in Stage I Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). However, no specific recommendations exist in literature, regarding the number of cycles that can be used. i.e. TC4 vs TC6. Our aim, was to determine if TC4 is non-inferior to TC6 when used as adjuvant therapy in early stage TNBC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 77 patients who were diagnosed with early stage TNBC between 2007 to 2017, at our institution who had received either TC4 or TC6 as adjuvant therapy. The number of cycles the patients received were based on provider preference. The two groups (TC4, TC6) were compared in regard to stage of cancer at diagnosis based on AJCC 7thedition, grade of adverse events, recurrence and death from breast cancer recurrence.

Results: Out of 77 patients, based on T stage, 25 (32.5%) were T1b, 38(49.4%) were T1c, 13(16.9%) were T2 and 1(1.3%) was T3. All patients were node negative. 53(68.8%) received TC4 and 24(31.2%) received TC6. Regarding side effects, adverse of any grade were seen in 42(79.2%) patients who received TC4 and 23(95.8%) in patients who received TC6(p=0.091). Adverse events which were grade 3 or higher were seen in 7(15.9%) in TC4 group and 3(13%) in the TC6 group (p=1.000). Recurrence in the TC4 group was seen in 4 patients (7.5%) and 3(12.5%) patient in the TC6 group (p=0.259). Death due to breast cancer recurrence was seen in 1 patient (1.9%) in the TC4 group and 1(4.1%) patient in the TC6 group.

Conclusions: In this limited series, TC4 appears to be equally effective to TC6, with fewer adverse events of any grade. However, a longer follow up and a larger patient base is required to be studied for a more definitive conclusion.

Citation Format: Aparna Basu, Hadi A. Mohammed, Sharmeen Mahmood, Vrushali Dabak, Randa Loutfi. Four vs six cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) in early stage triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3353.

Beyond HbA1c : using continuous glucose monitoring metrics to enhance interpretation of treatment effect and improve clinical decision-making

Assessment of glycaemic outcomes in the management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes has been revolutionized in the past decade with the increasing availability of accurate, user-friendly continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This advancement has brought a need for new techniques to appropriately analyse and understand the voluminous and complex CGM data for application in research-related goals and clinical guidance for individuals. Traditionally, HbA_1c was established using the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and other trials as the ultimate measure of glycaemic control in terms of efficacy and, by default, risk of microvascular complications of diabetes. However, it is acknowledged that HbA_1c alone is inadequate at describing an individual's daily glycaemic variation and risks for hypo- and hyperglycaemia, and it does not provide the guidance needed to decrease those risks. CGM data provide means by which to characterize an individual's daily glycaemic excursions on a different time scale measured in minutes rather than months. As a consequence, clinical reports, such as the ambulatory glucose profile, increasingly include summary statistics related to averages (mean glucose, time in range) as well as markers related to glycaemic variability (coefficient of variation, standard deviation). However, there is a need to translate those metrics into specific risks that can be addressed in an actionable plan by individuals with diabetes and providers. This review presents several clinical scenarios of glycaemic outcomes from CGM data that can be analysed to describe glycaemic variability and its attendant risks of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, moving towards relevant interpretation of the complex CGM data streams.

Four versus six cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide in early breast cancer

e12047

Background: ABC trials established the use of non-anthracycline containing regimen, docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) as adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer. In clinical practice, TC is commonly used in Stage I Triple Negative (TN) and Stage I,II Hormone positive breast cancer. However, no specific recommendations exist in literature, regarding the number of cycles that can be used. i.e. TC4 vs TC6. Our aim, was to determine if TC4 is non-inferior to TC6 when used as adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 143 patients who were diagnosed with early breast cancer, between 2007 to 2017, at our institution who had received either TC4 or TC6 as adjuvant therapy. The number of cycles the patients received were based on provider preference. The two groups (TC4, TC6) were compared in regard to stage of cancer at diagnosis based on AJCC 7th edition-stratified by TNM staging for hormone positive and T staging only for TN, grade of adverse events, recurrence and death from breast cancer. Median follow up was 5 years. Results: Out of the 143, 102(71.3%) received TC4 and 41(28.7%) received TC6. Among the hormone positive, 42 were stage I and out of which 32(76.2%) received TC4 and 10(23.8%) received TC6 and there were 24 stage II patients, out of which 17(70.8%) received TC4 and 7(29.2%) received TC6. Among the TN group, there were 64 who were T1, out of which 45(70.3%) received TC4 and 19(29.7%) received TC6, while there were 12 T2 patients, out of which 7(58.3%) received TC4 and 5(41.7%) received TC6. Recurrence of breast cancer was seen in 5(4.9%) in TC4 and 3(7.3%) in TC6, p=0.569. Death due to breast cancer was seen in 2(1.9%) in TC4 and 1(2.4%) in TC6, p=0.856. Adverse events were seen in 86(84.3%) in TC4 and 39(95.1%) in TC6,p=0.078. Adverse events of Grade 3 or higher were seen in 10(9.8%) in TC4 and 11(26.8%) in TC6, p=0.09. Conclusions: In this limited series, TC4 appears to be equally effective to TC6, with fewer adverse events of any grade and lower incidence of Grade 3 or higher side effects which was statistically significant. Although the proportion of patients who received TC 4 were higher in our series, the percentage of patients who received TC6 was higher in stage II for hormone positive and T2 for TN when compared to Stage 1 and T1 respectively. We also found a higher percentage of recurrence and death due to breast cancer in TC6 which was not statistically significant and this likely a reflection of the fact that as mentioned above patient with a higher stage at diagnosis tended to receive 6 cycles as compared to 4 cycles and therefore had a higher chance of recurrence in the future.

Predictive factors of upstaging DCIS to invasive carcinoma in BCT vs mastectomy

BACKGROUND

Upstaging from DCIS to invasive ductal carcinoma varies widely from 0 to 59%. We aim to identify risk factors associated with upstaging in all DCIS patients and based on specific surgical intervention.

METHODS

Patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of DCIS undergoing BCT or mastectomy were reviewed. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify risk factors for upstaging.

RESULTS

In total, 623 patients had a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS. Upstaging occurred in 74 patients (12%) overall. There was no difference in upstaging rates between mastectomy and BCT (11% v 14% p = 0.27). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was positive in 4/212 patients (1%). Multivariable analysis revealed suspicion of microinvasion (OR 5.7 95%CI2.2-14.9), surgeon suspicion of invasive disease (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.4) and larger size/multicentric/extensive tumor (OR 1.9 95% CI 1.1-3.4) increase risk of upstaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Suspicion of microinvasion, surgeon suspicion, and tumor size can be used to help guide the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy. For patients without these high risk characteristics, it is hard to justify the use of concurrent SLN biopsy for patients who undergo BCT.

Age and Periodontal Health - Immunological View

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Aging clearly impacts a wide array of systems, in particular the breadth of the immune system leading to immunosenescence, altered immunoactivation, and coincident inflammaging processes. The net result of these changes leads to increased susceptibility to infections, increased neoplastic occurrences, and elevated frequency of autoimmune diseases with aging. However, as the bacteria in the oral microbiome that contribute to the chronic infection of periodontitis is acquired earlier in life, the characteristics of the innate and adaptive immune systems to regulate these members of the autochthonous microbiota across the lifespan remains ill defined.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clear data demonstrate that both cells and molecules of the innate and adaptive immune response are adversely impacted by aging, including in the oral cavity, yielding a reasonable tenet that the increased periodontitis noted in aging populations is reflective of the age-associated immune dysregulation. Additionally, this facet of host-microbe interactions and disease needs to accommodate the population variation in disease onset and progression, which may also reflect an accumulation of environmental stressors and/or decreased protective nutrients that could function at the gene level (ie. epigenetic) or translational level for production and secretion of immune system molecules.

SUMMARY

Finally, the majority of studies of aging and periodontitis have emphasized the increased prevalence/severity of disease with aging, all based upon chronological age. However, evolving areas of study focusing on "biological aging" to help account for population variation in disease expression, may suggest that chronic periodontitis represents a co-morbidity that contributes to "gerovulnerability" within the population.

Enhancement of toxic Cr (VI), Fe, and other heavy metals phytoremediation by the synergistic combination of native Bacillus cereus strain and Vetiveria zizanioides L

Bioremediation of Cr (VI), Fe, and other heavy metals (HMs) through plant-microbes interaction is one of the efficient strategies due to its high efficiency, low cost, and ecofriendly nature. The aim of the study was to isolate, characterize, and assess the potential of rhizospheric bacteria to enhance growth and metal accumulation by the chromium hyperaccumulator Vetiveria zizanoides. The bacterial strain isolated from mine tailings was identified to be Bacillus cereus (T1B3) strain exhibited plant growth-promoting traits including, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase, indole acetic acid, and siderophores production, nitrogen fixation, and P solubilization. Removal capacity (mg L^-1) of T1B3 strain was 82% for Cr⁺⁶ (100), 92% for Fe (100), 67% for Mn(50), 36% for Zn (50), 31% for Cd (30), 25% for Cu (30), and 43% for Ni (50) during the active growth cycle in HM-amended, extract medium. Results indicate that inoculating the native V. zizanioides with T1B3 strain improves its phytoremediation efficiency of HMs. The mineralogical characteristics of chromite ore tailings and soil were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis.

Distinguishing postpartum and antepartum depressive trajectories in a large population-based cohort: the impact of exposure to adversity and offspring gender

BACKGROUND

Distinguishing temporal patterns of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after childbirth has important clinical implications for diagnosis, treatment, and maternal and child outcomes. The primary aim of the present study was to distinguish patterns of chronically elevated levels of depressive symptoms v. trajectories that are either elevated during pregnancy but then remit after childbirth, v. patterns that increase after childbirth.

METHODS

The report uses latent growth mixture modeling in a large, population-based cohort (N = 12 121) to investigate temporal patterns of depressive symptoms. We examined theoretically relevant sociodemographic factors, exposure to adversity, and offspring gender as predictors.

RESULTS

Four distinct trajectories emerged, including resilient (74.3%), improving (9.2%), emergent (4.0%), and chronic (11.5%). Lower maternal and paternal education distinguished chronic from resilient depressive trajectories, whereas higher maternal and partner education, and female offspring gender, distinguished the emergent trajectory from the chronic trajectory. Younger maternal age distinguished the improving group from the resilient group. Exposure to medical, interpersonal, financial, and housing adversity predicted membership in the chronic, emergent, and improving trajectories compared with the resilient trajectory. Finally, exposure to medical, interpersonal, and financial adversity was associated with the chronic v. improving group, and inversely related to the emergent class relative to the improving group.

CONCLUSIONS

There are distinct temporal patterns of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, after childbirth, and beyond. Most women show stable low levels of depressive symptoms, while emergent and chronic depression patterns are separable with distinct correlates, most notably maternal age, education levels, adversity exposure, and child gender.

Structure-property relationships from universal signatures of plasticity in disordered solids

When deformed beyond their elastic limits, crystalline solids flow plastically via particle rearrangements localized around structural defects. Disordered solids also flow, but without obvious structural defects. We link structure to plasticity in disordered solids via a microscopic structural quantity, "softness," designed by machine learning to be maximally predictive of rearrangements. Experimental results and computations enabled us to measure the spatial correlations and strain response of softness, as well as two measures of plasticity: the size of rearrangements and the yield strain. All four quantities maintained remarkable commonality in their values for disordered packings of objects ranging from atoms to grains, spanning seven orders of magnitude in diameter and 13 orders of magnitude in elastic modulus. These commonalities link the spatial correlations and strain response of softness to rearrangement size and yield strain, respectively.

Computer therapy for the anxiety and depression disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A 2010 meta-analysis of internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) RCTs argued 'computer therapy for the anxiety and depressive disorders was effective, acceptable and practical health care' without data on effectiveness or practicality in routine practice.

METHODS

Databases, reviews and meta-analyses were searched for randomised controlled trials of cCBT or iCBT versus a control group (care as usual, waitlist, information control, psychological placebo, pill placebo, etc.) in people who met diagnostic criteria for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or generalised anxiety disorder. Number randomised, superiority of treatment versus control (Hedges'g) on primary outcome measure, length of follow-up, follow up outcome, patient adherence and satisfaction/harm were extracted; risk of bias was assessed. A search for studies on effectiveness of iCBT in clinical practice was conducted.

RESULTS

64 trials were identified. The mean effect size (efficacy) was g = 0.80 (NNT 2.34), and benefit was evident across all four disorders. Improvement was maintained at follow-with good acceptability. Research probity was good, and bias risk low. In addition, nine studies comparing iCBT with traditional face-to-face CBT and three comparing iCBT with bibliotherapy were identified. All three modes of treatment delivery appeared equally beneficial. The results of effectiveness studies were congruent with the results of the efficacy trials.

LIMITATIONS

Studies variably measured changes in quality of life and disability, and the lack of comparisons with medications weakens the field.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions drawn in the original meta-analysis are now supported: iCBT for the anxiety and depressive disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care.

Understanding frames: A qualitative study of young people's experiences of using standing frames as part of postural management for cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Consensus opinion supports standing frame use as part of postural management for nonambulant young people with cerebral palsy. Although the rationale for standing frame use and the associated challenges have been described, little attention has been given to the users' experiences. The aim of the current study was to explore young people's positive and negative experiences, and attitudes regarding standing frame use.

METHODS

Framework analysis informed an open exploration of young people's opinions of standing frames. Using semistructured interviews, 12 young people with cerebral palsy (6 female) were interviewed, providing the data set for transcription and thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

The first theme "attitudes to standing frames" describes the young people's understanding of why they use standing frames. Although standing frames can be painful, some young people believe they should be endured to improve their body structure and function. There were mixed views about the impact standing frames have socially, with some young people feeling excluded from their peers, and others feeling as though standing frames helped them "fit in." Some young people are not offered a choice about how and when they use their standing frame. The second theme "challenges of standing frame use" highlights the issues with standing frame use such as manual handling, interference from siblings, and the lack of aesthetically pleasing standing frame designs.

CONCLUSIONS

Young people report benefits related to choice, pain relief, and participation but can also cause pain, discomfort, and reduced independence and participation. Healthcare professionals should have open, informative conversations about potential benefits and challenges of standing frames on all aspects of the young people's lives, including participation and activity.

Understanding frames: A UK survey of parents and professionals regarding the use of standing frames for children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Standing frames are used for children with cerebral palsy (CP). They may improve body structure and function (e.g., reducing risk of hip subluxation, and improving bladder and bowel function), improving activity (e.g., motor abilities) and participation (e.g., interaction with peers), but there is little evidence that they do. We aimed to identify current UK standing frame practice for children with CP and to understand stakeholder views regarding their clinical benefits and challenges to use.

METHOD

Three populations were sampled: clinicians prescribing standing frames for children with CP (n = 305), professionals (health and education) working with children with CP who use standing frames (n = 155), and parents of children with CP who have used standing frames (n = 91). Questionnaires were developed by the co-applicant group and piloted with other professionals and parents of children with CP. They were distributed online via clinical and parent networks across the UK.

RESULTS

Prescribing practice was consistent, but achieving the prescribed use was not always possible. Respondents in all groups reported the perceived benefits of frames, which include many domains of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health for Children and Youth. Challenges of use are related to physical space and child-reported pain.

CONCLUSIONS

These survey findings provide information from key stakeholders regarding current UK standing frame practice.

Bioconversion of Municipal Solid Wastes for Bioethanol Production

ABSTRACT: The use of dilute acid (H2SO4, 3%) and alkali (NaOH, 3%) pretreatment methods has some potential how ever to date, these methods effectively increase ethanol production of municipal solid waste (MSW). Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichoderma reesei. Finally, the fermentation was done by sugar three ethanologenic yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pichia stipitis, canida shehatae for bioethanol production.The highest ethanol yield (22.32%) v/v. was obtained with a pre-hydrolysis treatment consisting of NaOH at 3% concentration, followed by Pichia stipitis and enzymatic hydrolysis with Aspergillus niger. Pre-hydrolysis treatment consisted Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out with Alkali pretreated wastes yield more sugar as compared to acid treatment using produced more ethanol than others at each time point. The experimental results observed that 80% of the cellulose converted to glucose from the waste which can be easily fermented to production. of ethanol. The ability focus on related environmental issues, such as sustainable waste management, climate change, land use and biodiversity, are discussed.

Solitary Skeletal Muscle Metastasis as First Site of Recurrence of Cervical Cancer: A Case Report

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with a large majority of prevalence (85%) in developing countries. As of 2012, it accounts for 7.5% of all female cancer deaths. Despite its high prevalence, skeletal muscle metastasis from cervical cancer is extremely uncommon. In our extensive literature search, we were able to find only 8 cases where skeletal muscle metastasis was the only site of recurrence. We report a case of a 52-year-old African-American woman with a past medical history of cervical cancer (stage IIIB) who presented with pain and swelling in her left upper arm over the preceding 2 months. MRI of the left upper arm showed a solid well-circumscribed mass measuring 7.0 × 2.8 × 2.5 cm, deep to the biceps. Biopsy of the mass revealed a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma that was p16-positive. PET scan showed that the lesion was the sole site of metastasis. She received local radiation with concurrent chemotherapy. Follow-up MRI 6 months after the completion of therapy showed resolution of the mass. She has remained disease-free for the last 24 months as evidenced by a PET/CT scan in May 2016. In this case report, we discuss the role of imaging and pathology in the diagnosis of a solitary metastatic lesion. This case also emphasizes the importance of a close follow-up which aids in early intervention, increasing overall survival.

Are Evidence Standards Different for Genomic- vs. Clinical-Based Precision Medicine? A Quantitative Analysis of Individualized Warfarin Therapy

Evidence requirements for implementation of precision medicine (PM), whether informed by genomic or clinical data, are not well defined. Evidence requirements are driven by uncertainty and its attendant consequences; these aspects can be quantified by a novel technique in health economics: value of information analysis (VOI). We utilized VOI analysis to compare the evidence levels over time for warfarin dosing based on pharmacogenomic vs. amiodarone-warfarin drug-drug interaction information. The primary outcome was the expected value of perfect information (EVPI), which is an estimate of the upper limit of the societal value of conducting future research. Over the past decade, the EVPI for the pharmacogenomic strategy decreased from $1,550 to $140 vs. $1,220 to $280 per patient for the drug-interaction strategy. Evidence levels thus appear to be higher for pharmacogenomic-guided vs. drug-interaction-guided warfarin dosing. Clinical guidelines and reimbursement policies for warfarin PM could be informed by these findings.