Treatment with PB125® Increases Femoral Long Bone Strength in 15-Month-Old Female Hartley Guinea Pigs

Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that serves as a master regulator of anti-inflammatory agents, phase I xenobiotic, and phase II antioxidant enzymes, all of which provide a cytoprotective role during disease progression. We hypothesized that oral administration of a purported phytochemical Nrf2-activator, PB125®, would increase long bone strength in aging Hartley guinea pigs, a model prone to musculoskeletal decline. Male (N = 56) and female (N = 56) guinea pigs were randomly assigned to receive daily oral treatment with either PB125® or vehicle control. Animals were treated for a consecutive 3-months (starting at 2-months of age) or 10-months (starting at 5-months of age) and sacrificed at 5-months or 15-months of age, respectively. Outcome measures included: (1) ANY-maze™ enclosure monitoring, (2) quantitative microcomputed tomography, and (3) biomechanical testing. Treatment with PB125® for 10 months resulted in increased long bone strength as determined by ultimate bending stress in female Hartley guinea pigs. In control groups, increasing age resulted in significant effects on geometric and structural properties of long bones, as well as a trending increase in ultimate bending stress. Furthermore, both age and sex had a significant effect on the geometric properties of both cortical and trabecular bone. Collectively, this work suggests that this nutraceutical may serve as a promising target and preventive measure in managing the decline in bone mass and quality documented in aging patients. Auxiliary to this main goal, this work also capitalized upon 5 and 15-month-old male and female animals in the control group to characterize age- and sex-specific differences on long bone geometric, structural, and material properties in this animal model.

Measures of performance and proficiency in robotic assisted surgery: a systematic review

Robotic assisted surgery (RAS) has seen a global rise in adoption. Despite this, there is not a standardised training curricula nor a standardised measure of performance. We performed a systematic review across the surgical specialties in RAS and evaluated tools used to assess surgeons' technical performance. Using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically for full texts published on or after January 2020-January 2022. Observational studies and RCTs were included; review articles and systematic reviews were excluded. The papers' quality and bias score were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Score for the observational studies and Cochrane Risk Tool for the RCTs. The initial search yielded 1189 papers of which 72 fit the eligibility criteria. 27 unique performance metrics were identified. Global assessments were the most common tool of assessment (n = 13); the most used was GEARS (Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills). 11 metrics (42%) were objective tools of performance. Automated performance metrics (APMs) were the most widely used objective metrics whilst the remaining (n = 15, 58%) were subjective. The results demonstrate variation in tools used to assess technical performance in RAS. A large proportion of the metrics are subjective measures which increases the risk of bias amongst users. A standardised objective metric which measures all domains of technical performance from global to cognitive is required. The metric should be applicable to all RAS procedures and easily implementable. Automated performance metrics (APMs) have demonstrated promise in their wide use of accurate measures.

EV-301 long-term outcomes: 24-month findings from the phase III trial of enfortumab vedotin versus chemotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced urothelial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

This exploratory analysis evaluated efficacy and safety data for enfortumab vedotin versus chemotherapy over a median follow-up of ∼2 years from EV-301.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma with prior platinum-containing chemotherapy and disease progression during/after programmed cell death protein 1/ligand 1 inhibitor treatment were randomized to enfortumab vedotin or chemotherapy (docetaxel, paclitaxel, vinflunine). Endpoints were overall survival (primary), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response, and safety.

RESULTS

In total, 608 patients were included (enfortumab vedotin, n = 301; chemotherapy, n = 307). With a median follow-up of 23.75 months, 444 deaths had occurred (enfortumab vedotin, n = 207; chemotherapy, n = 237). Risk of death was reduced by 30% with enfortumab vedotin versus chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR) 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.85); one-sided, log-rank P = 0.00015]; PFS improved with enfortumab vedotin [HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.53-0.76); one-sided, log-rank P < 0.00001]. Treatment-related adverse event rates were 93.9% for enfortumab vedotin and 91.8% for chemotherapy; grade ≥ 3 event rates were 52.4% and 50.5%, respectively. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related decreased neutrophil count (14.1% versus 6.1%), decreased white blood cell count (7.2% versus 1.4%), and anemia (7.9% versus 2.7%) were more common with chemotherapy versus enfortumab vedotin; maculopapular rash (7.4% versus 0%), fatigue (6.8% versus 4.5%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (5.1% versus 2.1%) were more common with enfortumab vedotin. Of special interest adverse events, treatment-related skin reactions occurred in 47.3% of patients receiving enfortumab vedotin and 15.8% of patients receiving chemotherapy; peripheral neuropathy occurred in 48.0% versus 31.6%, respectively, and hyperglycemia in 6.8% versus 0.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

After a median follow-up of ∼2 years, enfortumab vedotin maintained clinically meaningful overall survival benefit versus chemotherapy, consistent with findings from the EV-301 primary analysis; PFS and overall response benefit remained consistent. Adverse events were manageable; no new safety signals were observed.

Assessing Displacement of Plastic Interstitial Catheters in Image-Guided Gynecological HDR Brachytherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Interstitial HDR brachytherapy involves precise, localized delivery to targets with high dose gradients, sparing adjacent organs at risk. Due to the proximity of the rectum and bladder to the target, deviations in the catheters with respect to patient anatomy can change dose to those structures. While utilizing plastic interstitial catheters allows the patient to receive hyperthermia therapy during their course of interstitial treatment, the plastic catheters were observed to show significant deflection when the metal stylets are removed for treatment. The hyperthermia electrodes and the HDR source cable are both wires of approximately the same thickness. The purpose of this study is to assess the magnitude and deflection of the plastic catheters for gynecologic interstitial plans and determine whether using flexible wires for visualization on pre-treatment imaging is suitable for reconstructing the actual treatment received.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Pre-treatment CT images where the stylets were utilized for catheter visualization were registered to a subsequent CT scan with the metal stylets removed. The original treatment dwell positions were adjusted to the second CT to evaluate 3D catheter displacement and dose distributions calculated for the bladder, rectum, and target. The plans were subsequently reconstructed on a pre-planning CT with flexible 20-gauge wires instead of metal stylets to determine their suitability as a surrogate for stylets.

RESULTS

Absolute 3D displacement for all patients was 3.5 ± 5.4 mm (n = 3433 catheter dwell positions, mean ± SD, p < 0.001) comparing plans with the stylet in versus out. Absolute catheter deflection for interstitial treatments increased with the removal of the metal stylets with a difference of 0.75 ± 0.49° (n = 313 catheters, mean ± SD, p < 0.01). The plans utilizing flexible wire instead of stylets are observed to correlate with the plans with no stylets with absolute 3D displacement and angular deflection of 1.1 ± 0.6 mm and 0.35° ± 0.3° respectively (n = 39 catheters, mean ± SD, p > 0.2). While the average target EQD2 D90 reduced by 5% ± 5% by planning without the stylets, four patients would have experienced a deviation from the prescription by >10%. There was an overall decrease in bladder D2cc and overall increase in rectal D2cc in the plans with the stylets utilized vs removed. Bladder D2cc, rectal D2cc, and target coverage showed no appreciable difference between utilizing flexible wires and the plans without. The difference in HU between the metal stylets and flexible wires was negligible.

CONCLUSION

Catheter reconstruction in interstitial gynecological treatments with CT imaging revealed significant changes in catheter positioning with respect to the target volume once the stylets are removed for treatment. Using flexible wires of similar thickness to the source cable allow for more accurate tracking during planning without distorting the patient's anatomy or the treatment images, preserving the integrity of the treatment plan.

Patterns of endocardial fibroelastosis without atrioventricular block in fetuses exposed to anti-Ro/SSA antibodies

Anti-Ro/SSA-antibody-mediated endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) without atrioventricular (AV) block at presentation is a rare cardiac phenotype. We report on 11 fetuses with this rare type of anti-Ro/SSA-antibody-mediated cardiac involvement, presenting with a distinctive echocardiographic pattern of EFE. Eleven fetuses with isolated EFE at presentation were included from four cardiac centers, and experienced fetal cardiologists reached a consensus regarding EFE location on echocardiography at presentation. Interval changes to subsequent fetal and postnatal echocardiograms were assessed to evaluate response to therapy. Echocardiographic markers of cardiac performance, including diastolic function and AV conduction, were reviewed. Ten fetuses were found to have EFE of the aortic root, proximal aorta and/or left ventricular outflow tract. In the same 10 cases, EFE of the pulmonary root, pulmonary artery and/or right ventricular outflow tract was identified. Six cases had atrial EFE and six had EFE of the crux. Four cases were known to be positive for anti-Ro/SSA antibodies prior to diagnosis, whereas, in the remaining seven, echocardiographic findings prompted testing, which was positive in all cases. The AV interval at presentation was normal in all cases, but one fetus subsequently developed AV block. Nine patients were treated with transplacental dexamethasone, five of which also received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and one received IVIG only. Of the 10 treated cases, six had improvement in EFE as shown by serial imaging and, in four cases, the severity was unchanged. All patients were liveborn. In our cohort, EFE of the aortic and pulmonary arteries and outflow tracts was nearly universal, and involvement of the atria and the crux of the heart was also common. The high survival rate and low burden of AV block are also suggestive of a distinct phenotype of anti-Ro/SSA-antibody-mediated cardiac disease with a favorable prognosis. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

1336 TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF DELIRIUM USING FUNCTIONAL MRI: PILOT STUDY

Introduction

Delirium is a common condition in older hospitalised patients causing high morbidity and mortality. The neurobiological basis for delirium is uncertain and, for numerous reasons, research in this area has been limited. Several recent studies have demonstrated that functional neuroimaging in delirium is achievable and has suggested that a brain region termed the default mode network (DMN), may play a cardinal role in delirium pathogenesis. We set out to develop a pilot study to demonstrate that it is feasible to undertake functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans in older patients with acute delirium.

Methods

Observational pilot study obtaining a fMRI scan of inpatients in an Australian, tertiary hospital, geriatric ward. Eligible patients diagnosed as delirious by a geriatrician were compared against non-delirious controls. Informed consent was obtained. A novel scanning paradigm was developed. Sequences assed brain structure and functional networks in resting state and during a simple task of sustained attention and response inhibition.

Results

11 participants have been scanned. 6 participants were delirious: mean age 81 years (range 77 – 85 years), 3 female. 5 participants were non-delirious: mean age 83.4years (range 79 -90 years), 2 female. 10 of the 11 participants completed the full imaging protocol, including task engagement. Head movement during scanning, was generally within acceptable limits. Data demonstrates considerable cortical atrophy and ventricular enlargement consistent with age. Preliminary fMRI analyses show a variable pattern of cortical recruitment during task engagement in delirious patients.

Conclusions

These findings show it is ethically and logistically feasible to engage elderly patients with acute delirium into a high end structural and functional imaging study.

POS1510-HPR IDENTIFYING THEORY-DRIVEN THERAPEUTIC CONTENT FOR A SMARTPHONE APP FOR THE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Background

Technology-supported self-management of long-term conditions (e.g., through the use of smartphone apps) provides easily accessible support. However, currently there are no systematically developed, evidence-based smartphone apps for Sjogren’s Syndrome. We took an agile approach to developing such an app: instead of starting “from scratch” we deemed it more efficient and scientifically sound to digitalise relevant components from existing, evidence-based interventions for the symptoms of SS.

Objectives

The present study was desk research, which aimed to deconstruct interventions and resources down to units of theory-driven therapeutic content, to then select from, for the inclusion in an app for the self-management of SS.

Methods

We used deductive and inductive content analysis, to identify behaviour change techniques (BCTs)[1] and behaviour change methods (BCMs)[2]. The materials consisted of published fatigue, pain and sleep interventions (e.g. [3] and [4]), as well as private-facing clinician notes and public facing resources on self-management from Versus Arthritis and the UK NHS’s CRESTA fatigue clinic.

Results

We found 38 active ingredients from the BCT Taxonomy and the BCM intervention mapping approach frameworks, of which at least 14 were overlapping in function. Importantly we noted that BCTs and BCMs were formulated in various ways pertaining to how the interventions should be delivered (form of delivery-FoD) [5]. Further qualitative analysis revealed 6 themes relating to FoD. The theme Interactivity involved presenting information in ways that would involve the reader in actively responding to it in various ways. The theme Reflection was about engaging the recipient in in-depth consideration of their own experience with symptoms and self-management processes. The theme Validation encompassed all the ways in which the illness and management experience was socialised and normalised to remove stigma and sense of isolation. The theme Treatment Rationale was about providing an a-priory transparent, sound, and compelling justification for the self-management actions required from recipients. The theme Discourse pertained to how information was being communicated, e.g., with language that is warm, simple, assertive, etc. Finally, the theme Approaches was about the therapeutic origins of the active ingredients, e.g. Second and Third Wave CBT. These themes indicate that meaningful therapeutic content is missing from commonly used theoretical frameworks for the development of interventions.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that meaningful therapeutic content is missing from commonly used theoretical frameworks for the development of interventions.

Interventions should not just include BCTs and methods, but also active ingredients pertaining to how these techniques and methods are delivered, i.e., active ingredients relating to FoD. Reflection deserves particular attention in self-management, as it is unclear empirically in apps what is the most effective way to produce the most useful psychological and behavioural insight, and for whom. FoD is a component of intervention development that requires systematising and the present findings can contribute to such efforts.

References

[1]S. Michie, et al. Annals of Behav Med 2013. 46:1

[2]G. Kok, et al. Health Psych Rev 2016. 10:3

[3]S. Hewlett, et al. Ann. Rheum. Dis 2019. 78: 4.

[4]S. D. Kyle, et al. Sleep Med Rev 2015. 23.

[5]S. U. Dombrowski, et al. Brit. J Health Psych 2016. 21: 4

Acknowledgements

I have no acknowledgments to declare.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 2.2022

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon malignancy of B-cell origin. Classical HL (cHL) and nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL are the 2 main types of HL. The cure rates for HL have increased so markedly with the advent of modern treatment options that overriding treatment considerations often relate to long-term toxicity. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for HL focusing on (1) radiation therapy dose constraints in the management of patients with HL, and (2) the management of advanced-stage and relapsed or refractory cHL.

Dysregulation of macrophage PEPD in obesity determines adipose tissue fibro-inflammation and insulin resistance

Resulting from impaired collagen turnover, fibrosis is a hallmark of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Prolidase, also known as peptidase D (PEPD), plays a vital role in collagen turnover by degrading proline-containing dipeptides but its specific functional relevance in AT is unknown. Here we show that in human and mouse obesity, PEPD expression and activity decrease in AT, and PEPD is released into the systemic circulation, which promotes fibrosis and AT IR. Loss of the enzymatic function of PEPD by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition causes AT fibrosis in mice. In addition to its intracellular enzymatic role, secreted extracellular PEPD protein enhances macrophage and adipocyte fibro-inflammatory responses via EGFR signalling, thereby promoting AT fibrosis and IR. We further show that decreased prolidase activity is coupled with increased systemic levels of PEPD that act as a pathogenic trigger of AT fibrosis and IR. Thus, PEPD produced by macrophages might serve as a biomarker of AT fibro-inflammation and could represent a therapeutic target for AT fibrosis and obesity-associated IR and type 2 diabetes.

Search for magnetic monopoles produced via the Schwinger mechanism

Electrically charged particles can be created by the decay of strong enough electric fields, a phenomenon known as the Schwinger mechanism¹. By electromagnetic duality, a sufficiently strong magnetic field would similarly produce magnetic monopoles, if they exist². Magnetic monopoles are hypothetical fundamental particles that are predicted by several theories beyond the standard model^3-7 but have never been experimentally detected. Searching for the existence of magnetic monopoles via the Schwinger mechanism has not yet been attempted, but it is advantageous, owing to the possibility of calculating its rate through semi-classical techniques without perturbation theory, as well as that the production of the magnetic monopoles should be enhanced by their finite size^8,9 and strong coupling to photons^2,10. Here we present a search for magnetic monopole production by the Schwinger mechanism in Pb-Pb heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, producing the strongest known magnetic fields in the current Universe¹¹. It was conducted by the MoEDAL experiment, whose trapping detectors were exposed to 0.235 per nanobarn, or approximately 1.8 × 10⁹, of Pb-Pb collisions with 5.02-teraelectronvolt center-of-mass energy per collision in November 2018. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer scanned the trapping detectors of MoEDAL for the presence of magnetic charge, which would induce a persistent current in the SQUID. Magnetic monopoles with integer Dirac charges of 1, 2 and 3 and masses up to 75 gigaelectronvolts per speed of light squared were excluded by the analysis at the 95% confidence level. This provides a lower mass limit for finite-size magnetic monopoles from a collider search and greatly extends previous mass bounds.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Version 1.2021

Identifying individuals with hereditary syndromes allows for timely cancer surveillance, opportunities for risk reduction, and syndrome-specific management. Establishing criteria for hereditary cancer risk assessment allows for the identification of individuals who are carriers of pathogenic genetic variants. The NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal provides recommendations for the assessment and management of patients at risk for or diagnosed with high-risk colorectal cancer syndromes. The NCCN Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal panel meets annually to evaluate and update their recommendations based on their clinical expertise and new scientific data. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)/attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) syndrome and considerations for management of duodenal neoplasia.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Version 2.2021, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

The NCCN Guidelines for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) focus on the classification of ALL subtypes based on immunophenotype and cytogenetic/molecular markers; risk assessment and stratification for risk-adapted therapy; treatment strategies for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive and Ph-negative ALL for both adolescent and young adult and adult patients; and supportive care considerations. Given the complexity of ALL treatment regimens and the required supportive care measures, the NCCN ALL Panel recommends that patients be treated at a specialized cancer center with expertise in the management of ALL This portion of the Guidelines focuses on the management of Ph-positive and Ph-negative ALL in adolescents and young adults, and management in relapsed settings.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Palliative Care, Version 2.2021

Palliative care has evolved to be an integral part of comprehensive cancer care with the goal of early intervention to improve quality of life and patient outcomes. The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide recommendations to help the primary oncology team promote the best quality of life possible throughout the illness trajectory for each patient with cancer. The NCCN Palliative Care Panel meets annually to evaluate and update recommendations based on panel members' clinical expertise and emerging scientific data. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel's recent discussions and highlights updates on the importance of fostering adaptive coping strategies for patients and families, and on the role of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to optimize symptom management.

Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 3.2021

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a highly curable form of cancer, and current treatment regimens are focused on improving treatment efficacy while decreasing the risk of late effects of treatment. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for pediatric HL provide recommendations on the workup, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of classic HL, including principles of pathology, imaging, staging, systemic therapy, and radiation therapy. This portion of the NCCN Guidelines focuses on the management of pediatric classic HL in the upfront and relapsed/refractory settings.

The Recognition of Excessive blood loss At ChildbirTh (REACT) Study: a two-phase exploratory, sequential mixed methods inquiry using focus groups, interviews and a pilot, randomised crossover study

OBJECTIVES

To explore how childbirth-related blood loss is evaluated and excessive bleeding recognised; and to develop and test a theory of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) diagnosis.

DESIGN

Two-phase, exploratory, sequential mixed methods design using focus groups, interviews and a pilot, randomised crossover study.

SETTING

Two hospitals in North West England.

SAMPLE

Women (following vaginal birth with and without PPH), birth partners, midwives and obstetricians.

METHODS

Phase 1 (qualitative): 8 focus groups and 20 one-to-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women, 5 birth partners, 11 obstetricians, 1 obstetric anaesthetist and 19 midwives (n = 51). Phase 2 (quantitative): 11 obstetricians and ten midwives (n = 21) completed two simulations of fast and slow blood loss using a high-fidelity childbirth simulator.

RESULTS

Responses to blood loss were described as automatic, intuitive reactions to the speed, nature and visibility of blood flow. Health professionals reported that quantifying volume was most useful after a PPH diagnosis, to validate intuitive decisions and guide ongoing management. During simulations, PPH treatment was initiated at volumes at or below 200 ml (fast mean blood loss 79.6 ml, SD 41.1; slow mean blood loss 62.6 ml, SD 27.7). All participants treated fast, visible blood loss, but only half treated slow blood loss, despite there being no difference in volumes (difference 18.2 ml, 95% CI -5.6 to 42.2 ml, P = 0.124).

CONCLUSIONS

Experience and intuition, rather than blood loss volume, inform recognition of excessive blood loss after birth. Women and birth partners want more information and open communication about blood loss. Further research exploring clinical decision-making and how to support it is required.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

During a PPH, clinical decision-making is intuitive with clinicians treating as soon as excessive loss is recognised.

Progress Towards Using Linked Population-Based Data For Geohealth Research: Comparisons Of Aotearoa New Zealand And The United Kingdom

Globally, geospatial concepts are becoming increasingly important in epidemiological and public health research. Individual level linked population-based data afford researchers with opportunities to undertake complex analyses unrivalled by other sources. However, there are significant challenges associated with using such data for impactful geohealth research. Issues range from extracting, linking and anonymising data, to the translation of findings into policy whilst working to often conflicting agendas of government and academia. Innovative organisational partnerships are therefore central to effective data use. To extend and develop existing collaborations between the institutions, in June 2019, authors from the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and the Alan Turing Institute, London, visited the Geohealth Laboratory based at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. This paper provides an overview of insight shared during a two-day workshop considering aspects of linked population-based data for impactful geohealth research. Specifically, we discuss both the collaborative partnership between New Zealand's Ministry of Health (MoH) and the University of Canterbury's GeoHealth Lab and novel infrastructure, and commercial partnerships enabled through the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and the Alan Turing Institute in the UK. We consider the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure as a case study approach to population-based linked health data and compare similar approaches taken by the UK towards integrated data infrastructures, including the ESRC Big Data Network centres, the UK Biobank, and longitudinal cohorts. We reflect on and compare the geohealth landscapes in New Zealand and the UK to set out recommendations and considerations for this rapidly evolving discipline.

Unhealthy environments are associated with adverse mental health and psychological distress: Cross-sectional evidence from nationally representative data in New Zealand

This study combines data on the location of health-constraining 'bads' (i: fast-food outlets, ii: takeaway outlets, iii: dairy outlets and convenience stores, iv: alcohol outlets, and v: gaming venues) and health-promoting 'goods' (i: green spaces, ii: blue spaces, iii: physical activity facilities, and iv: fruit and vegetable outlets) into a nationwide Healthy Living Index. This was applied to pooled (2015/16-2017/18) nationally representative New Zealand Health Survey data, with mental health conditions (depression, bipolar, and anxiety) and psychological distress as population-level outcomes. Mental health was associated with proximity to environmental 'goods' and 'bads'. Compared to those individuals who reside within the unhealthiest environments, there was a steady reduction in the odds of adverse mental health outcomes and psychological distress as the environment became more health-promoting.

Study of the K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] Decay at the J-PARC KOTO Experiment

The rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was studied with the dataset taken at the J-PARC KOTO experiment in 2016, 2017, and 2018. With a single event sensitivity of (7.20±0.05_{stat}±0.66_{syst})×10^{-10}, three candidate events were observed in the signal region. After unveiling them, contaminations from K^{±} and scattered K_{L} decays were studied, and the total number of background events was estimated to be 1.22±0.26. We conclude that the number of observed events is statistically consistent with the background expectation. For this dataset, we set an upper limit of 4.9×10^{-9} on the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level.

First Search for Dyons with the Full MoEDAL Trapping Detector in 13 TeV pp Collisions

The MoEDAL trapping detector consists of approximately 800 kg of aluminum volumes. It was exposed during run 2 of the LHC program to 6.46  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHCb interaction point. Evidence for dyons (particles with electric and magnetic charge) captured in the trapping detector was sought by passing the aluminum volumes comprising the detector through a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The presence of a trapped dyon would be signaled by a persistent current induced in the SQUID magnetometer. On the basis of a Drell-Yan production model, we exclude dyons with a magnetic charge ranging up to five Dirac charges (5g_{D}) and an electric charge up to 200 times the fundamental electric charge for mass limits in the range 870-3120 GeV and also monopoles with magnetic charge up to and including 5g_{D} with mass limits in the range 870-2040 GeV.

Objectively measured waist circumference is most strongly associated in father-boy and mother-girl dyads in a large nationally representative sample of New Zealanders

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of children with elevated weight or obesity is concerning for public health due to associated comorbidities. This study investigates associations between parental adiposity, physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption, and child adiposity and moderation by both child and parent gender.

METHODS

Cross-sectional nationally representative data from the New Zealand Health Survey were pooled for the years 2013/14-2016/17. Parent and child surveys were matched resulting in 13,039 child (2-14 years) and parent (15-70 years) dyads. Parent and child, height (cm), weight (kg) and waist circumference (WC) were measured objectively. Height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Linear regression, accounting for clustered samples (b [95% CI]) investigated associations between parental characteristics and child BMI z-score and WC. Interactions and stratification were used to investigate effect moderation by parent gender, child gender, and parent adiposity.

RESULTS

Parental PA and fruit and vegetable consumption were unrelated to child adiposity. Overall, higher parent BMI was related to a higher child BMI z-score (b = 0.047 [0.042, 0.052]) and higher parental WC was related to a higher child WC (0.15 [0.12, 0.17]). A three-way interaction revealed no moderation by parent gender, child gender, and parent BMI for child BMI z-score ((b = 0.005 [-0.017, 0.027], p = 0.318). However, a three-way interaction revealed moderation by parent gender, child gender, and parent WC for child WC (b = 0.13 [0.05, 0.22]). The slightly stronger associations were seen between father-son WC (b = 0.20 [0.15, 0.24]) and mother-daughter WC (b = 0.19 [0.15, 0.22]).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are highly relevant for those wishing to understand the complex relationships between child-parent obesity factors. Findings suggest that family environments should be a key target for obesity intervention efforts and show how future public health interventions should be differentiated to account for both maternal and paternal influences on child adiposity.

Independent predictors of repeat emergency room presentations in patients with noncardiac chest pain: insights from a cohort of 1066 consecutive patients with 4770 repeat presentations

Introduction

Repeat attendances with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) to emergency room (ER) are frequent..Our aim was to analyse predictors of repeat presentations to ER in patients with NCCP.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 1066 consecutive presentations with NCCP to a major urban hospital ER. Index of multiple deprivation (IMR) was computed. Charlson comorbidity (CCM) index was determined. Repeat presentation to ER to any national hospital was determined by a national linked database (pop. 53.5m).

Results

Median age was 43 (IQR 28, 59), 50.8% were male. 63% were current or previous smokers. 1 year incidence of adjudicated MI, coronary revascularisation and all-cause death was 0.6%, 2% and 5.3% respectively. There was a total of 4770 repeat ER presentations. After taking account of death independent predictors for repeat presentation were current smoking (OR 1.844, p=0.001) and CCM score ≥1 (OR 1.58, p=0.014) (table).

Conclusions

Smoking and patients with multiple comorbidities represent health policy targets for lessening hospital burden of NCCP.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust; North-West Educational Cardiac Group

Modified HEART score, utilising a single high-sensitive troponin sample, allows early, safe discharge of suspected acute coronary syndrome: a prospective multicentre cohort study of 3016 patients

Background

Combining HSTnT (high sensitive troponin T) values at low levels with composite risk scores may improve early safe, discharge in suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We tested this hypothesis by a prospective study of 3016 consecutive patients with suspected ACS in 2 large hospitals.

Methods

Consecutive chest pain (CP) presentations with HSTnT sampled and ECG undertaken at presentation were prospectively defined in 2 time periods (2011-12, n=1642 [derivation] 2018, n=1376 [validation]).

The HstnT input was modified: dichotomous HSTnT input was lowered to &lt;5 (limit of detection, LOD) or ≥5ng/l (mod TIMI and GRACE), HEART score was re-calibrated (&lt;5 = 0 [LOD], ≥5–14 = 1, &gt;14 = 2 [99th percentile]). All biomarker positive CP index and re-admissions to any regional hospital (catchment population 2.6 million) were independently adjudicated for MI by 2 experienced physicians. Primary outcome was MACE (adjudicated type 1 MI, unplanned coronary revascularisation and all cause death) at 6 weeks.

Results

In the 2 cohorts demographic factors were similar: median age 59 and 56, male 52% and 52%, previous MI 20% and 14% for 2011-12 and 2018 respectively. At 6 weeks 180 (11%) and 75 (5.4%) suffered type 1 MI and 211 (12.9%) and 92 (6.7%) patients suffered MACE in the 2011-12 and 2018 cohorts respectively.

Only Mod HEART ≤3 and undetectable HSTnT, with a nonischaemic ECG, achieved prespecified NPV of &gt;99.5% in both derivation and validation cohorts (table). However Modified HEART ≤3 score could discharge approximately 12% more patients as compared to undetectable HSTnT strategy.

Conclusion

Modified HEART score ≤3, with the use of a single HSTnT, appears the optimum early discharge strategy for suspected ACS

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Liverpool university Hospitals, North-West Educational Cardiac Group

Close proximity to alcohol outlets is associated with increased crime and hazardous drinking: Pooled nationally representative data from New Zealand

This nationwide study investigated the relationship between proximity to alcohol outlets (off-licence, on-licence, and other-licence) and two adverse outcomes; hazardous drinking and crime (common assault, non-aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and tobacco and liquor offences). After adjustment for important individual- and area-level factors, close proximity to alcohol outlets was associated with increased risk of hazardous drinking, with strong associations for on-licence outlets. Proximity alcohol outlets was also strongly associated with all crime outcomes, often with a dose-response relationship. Nationally representative New Zealand data showed that close proximity to alcohol outlets was associated with increased crime and hazardous drinking.