A psychometric investigation of health-related quality of life measures for paediatric neurodevelopment assessment: Reliability and concurrent validity of the PEDS-QL, CHU-9D, and the EQ-5D-Y

There is a need for tools that can provide a brief assessment of functioning for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). This study evaluated the psychometric properties of three commonly used and well known HR-QoL measures in a cohort of children presenting to clinical developmental assessment services. The most common diagnoses received in these assessment services were autism spectrum disorders. Findings showed good internal consistency for the PedsQL and the CHU-9D, but not the EQ-5D-Y. This research also found that the CHU-9D, EQ-5D-Y, and PedsQL correlated with relevant functioning domains assessed by the VABS-III. Overall, the measures showed that children with neurodevelopmental conditions experienced poor HR-QoL. The majority of children (>86%) met cut-off criteria for significant health concerns on the PedsQL. On the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D, they showed reduced HR-QoL particularly on domains relating to school and homework, being able to join in activities, looking after self, and doing usual activities. This study supports the use of the CHU-9D and PedsQL in this population to assess and potentially track HR-QoL in a broad neurodevelopment paediatric population.

Investigating the Effects of a Multinutrient Supplement on Cognition, Mood and Biochemical Markers in Middle-Aged Adults with 'Optimal' and 'Sub-Optimal' Diets: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial

Background: Previous randomized controlled trials examining cognitive and mood effects of combination multivitamin supplements in healthy, non-clinical adults have reported mixed results. One purported explanation for this is that the dietary status of participants at the start of supplement interventions may influence the magnitude of the effect of supplementation. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effect of a multinutrient formula containing B group vitamins, Bacopa monniera and Ginkgo biloba on memory, attention, mood and biochemical markers of nutrient status in middle-aged adults (M = 52.84 years, n = 141) with 'optimal' and 'sub-optimal' diets over 12 weeks. We hypothesised that active supplementation would differentially improve memory and attention in those with a 'sub-optimal' diet. Results: Mixed model, repeated measures analysis revealed that, in comparison to placebo, active treatment was associated with significant increases in B vitamin status (B1, B6, B12). Regarding behavioural outcomes there was no significant benefit to memory (F(1, 113.51) = 0.53, p = 0.470) nor attention (F(1,113.77) = 1.89, p = 0.171) in the whole cohort. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was a significant beneficial effect of supplementation on attentional performance in individuals with an 'optimal' diet prior to supplementation (F(1,57.25) = 4.94, p = 0.030). In the absence of a main effect of supplementation across the entire cohort, there were also a number of significant three-way interactions (treatment by time by diet group) detected in secondary outcomes including lower state anxiety and mental fatigue in those with an 'optimal' diet. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the cognitive benefit of B vitamin and herbal supplementation may be dependent on diet quality, supporting the concepts of 'co-nutrient optimisation' and interdependency of nutrients. This warrants further investigation. This study advocates characterising the diet of participants prior to supplementation as it may influence the effect of a nutraceutical intervention.

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

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

Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19: a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under investigation in numerous randomized clinical trials, but results are publicly available only for a small number of trials. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment compared to placebo or no treatment and all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19, using data from all available randomized clinical trials, including unpublished and ongoing trials (Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GEHFX ).

METHODS

In this collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis, clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform), the Cochrane COVID-19 register, the LOVE database, and PubMed were searched until April 8, 2021. Investigators of trials registered by March 1, 2021, without published results were contacted via email. Eligible were ongoing, discontinued and completed randomized clinical trials that compared convalescent plasma with placebo or no treatment in COVID-19 patients, regardless of setting or treatment schedule. Aggregated mortality data were extracted from publications or provided by investigators of unpublished trials and combined using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random effects model. We investigated the contribution of unpublished trials to the overall evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 16,477 patients were included in 33 trials (20 unpublished with 3190 patients, 13 published with 13,287 patients). 32 trials enrolled only hospitalized patients (including 3 with only intensive care unit patients). Risk of bias was low for 29/33 trials. Of 8495 patients who received convalescent plasma, 1997 died (23%), and of 7982 control patients, 1952 died (24%). The combined risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.92; 1.02) with between-study heterogeneity not beyond chance (I2 = 0%). The RECOVERY trial had 69.8% and the unpublished evidence 25.3% of the weight in the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Convalescent plasma treatment of patients with COVID-19 did not reduce all-cause mortality. These results provide strong evidence that convalescent plasma treatment for patients with COVID-19 should not be used outside of randomized trials. Evidence synthesis from collaborations among trial investigators can inform both evidence generation and evidence application in patient care.

Reducing Implant Infection in Orthopaedics (RIIiO): Results of a pilot study comparing the influence of forced air and resistive fabric warming technologies on postoperative infections following orthopaedic implant surgery

BACKGROUND

Active warming during surgery prevents perioperative hypothermia but the effectiveness and postoperative infection rates may differ between warming technologies.

AIM

To establish the recruitment and data management strategies needed for a full trial comparing postoperative infection rates associated with forced air warming (FAW) versus resistive fabric warming (RFW) in patients aged >65 years undergoing hemiarthroplasty following fractured neck of femur.

METHODS

Participants were randomized 1:1 in permuted blocks to FAW or RFW. Hypothermia was defined as a temperature of <36°C at the end of surgery. Primary outcomes were the number of participants recruited and the number with definitive deep surgical site infections.

FINDINGS

A total of 515 participants were randomized at six sites over a period of 18 months. Follow-up was completed for 70.1%. Thirty-seven participants were hypothermic (7.5% in the FAW group; 9.7% in the RFW group). The mean temperatures before anaesthesia and at the end of surgery were similar. For the primary clinical outcome, there were four deep surgical site infections in the FAW group and three in the RFW group. All participants who developed a postoperative infection had antibiotic prophylaxis, a cemented prosthesis, and were operated under laminar airflow; none was hypothermic. There were no serious adverse events related to warming.

CONCLUSION

Surgical site infections were identified in both groups. Progression from the pilot to the full trial is possible but will need to take account of the high attrition rate.

Protocol of a two arm randomised, multi-centre, 12-month controlled trial: evaluating the impact of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based intervention Supporting UPtake and Adherence to antiretrovirals (SUPA) in adults with HIV

Background

Delay to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) and nonadherence compromise the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV (PLWH), raise the cost of care and increase risk of transmission to sexual partners. To date, interventions to improve adherence to ART have had limited success, perhaps because they have failed to systematically elicit and address both perceptual and practical barriers to adherence. The primary aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of the Supporting UPtake and Adherence (SUPA) intervention.

Methods

This study comprises 2 phases. Phase 1 is an observational cohort study, in which PLWH who are ART naïve and recommended to take ART by their clinician complete a questionnaire assessing their beliefs about ART over 12 months. Phase 2 is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) nested within the observational cohort study to investigate the effectiveness of the SUPA intervention on adherence to ART. PLWH at risk of nonadherence (based on their beliefs about ART) will be recruited and randomised 1:1 to the intervention (SUPA intervention + usual care) and control (usual care) arms. The SUPA intervention involves 4 tailored treatment support sessions delivered by a Research Nurse utilising a collaborative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach. Sessions are tailored to individual needs and preferences based on the individual patient’s perceptions and practical barriers to ART. An animation series and intervention manual have been developed to communicate a rationale for the personal necessity for ART and illustrate concerns and potential solutions. The primary outcome is adherence to ART measured using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Three hundred seventy-two patients will be sufficient to detect a 15% difference in adherence with 80% power and an alpha of 0.05. Costs will be compared between intervention and control groups. Costs will be combined with the primary outcome in cost-effectiveness analyses. Quality adjusted life-years (QALYs) will also be estimated over the follow-up period and used in the analyses.

Discussion

The findings will enable patients, healthcare providers and policy makers to make informed decisions about the value of the SUPA intervention.

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered 21/02/2014, ISRCTN35514212.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6893-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Accuracy of self-report of HIV viral load among people with HIV on antiretroviral treatment

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess, among people living with HIV, knowledge of their latest HIV viral load (VL) and CD4 count.

METHODS

Agreement between self-report and clinic record was assessed among 2771 HIV-diagnosed individuals on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the UK Antiretrovirals, Sexual Transmission Risk and Attitudes Study (2011-2012). A confidential self-completed questionnaire collected information on demographic, socioeconomic, HIV-related and health-related factors. Participants were asked to self-report their latest VL [undetectable (≤ 50 copies/mL), detectable (> 50 copies/mL) or "don't know"] and CD4 count (< 200, 200-350, 351-500 or > 500 cells/μL, or "don't know"). Latest clinic-recorded VL and CD4 count were documented.

RESULTS

Of 2678 participants on ART, 434 (16.2%) did not accurately report whether their VL was undetectable. Of 2334 participants with clinic-recorded VL ≤ 50 copies/mL, 2061 (88.3%) correctly reported undetectable VL; 49 (2.1%) reported detectable VL; 224 (9.6%) did not know their VL. Of 344 participants with clinic-recorded VL > 50 copies/mL, 183 (53.2%) correctly reported detectable VL; 76 (22.1%) reported undetectable VL; 85 (24.7%) did not know their VL. Of 2137 participants who reported undetectable VL, clinic-recorded VL was ≤ 50 copies/mL for 2061 (96.4%) and <1000 copies/mL for 2122 (99.3%). In analyses adjusted for gender/sexual orientation, ethnicity, age and time since starting ART, factors strongly associated with inaccurate self-report of VL (including "don't know") included socioeconomic disadvantage [prevalence ratio (95% CI) for "not" vs. "always" having enough money for basic needs: 2.4 (1.9, 3.1)], poor English fluency [3.5 (2.4, 5.1) vs. UK born], nondisclosure of HIV status [1.7 (1.3, 2.1)], ART nonadherence [2.1 (1.7, 2.7) for three or more missed doses vs. none in the past 2 weeks] and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) [1.9 (1.6, 2.2)]. Overall, 612 (22.9%) of 2667 participants on ART did not accurately self-report whether or not their CD4 count was ≤ 350 cells/μL.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high level of accuracy of a self-report of undetectable VL in people on ART in the UK. Overall, accurate knowledge of personal VL level varied according to demographic, socioeconomic, HIV-related and health-related factors. Active identification of people who may benefit from increased levels of support and engagement in care is important.

Which aspects of health care are most valued by people living with HIV in high-income countries? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Increasing numbers of people with HIV are living into older age and experiencing comorbidities. The development of new models of care to meet the needs of this population is now a priority. It is important that the views and preferences of patients inform the development of services in order to maintain high levels of patient satisfaction and engagement. The aim of this systematic review was to determine which aspects of healthcare are particularly valued by people living with HIV.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles. The search strategy was developed to identify articles reporting on HIV positive patients' perceptions, evaluations or experiences of healthcare services and factors associated with satisfaction with care. Peer-reviewed papers and conference abstracts were included if the study reported on aspects of health care that were valued by people living with HIV, data were collected during the era of combination therapy (from 1996 onwards), and the paper was published in English. A thematic approach to data synthesis was used.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies used both qualitative and quantitative methods. Six studies specifically reported on relative importance to patients of different aspects of care. The valued aspects of care identified were grouped into seven themes. These highlighted the importance to patients of: a good health care professional-patient relationship, HIV specialist knowledge, continuity of care, ease of access to services, access to high quality information and support, effective co-ordination between HIV specialists and other healthcare professionals, and involvement in decisions about treatment and care. We were unable to determine the relative importance to patients of different aspects of care because of methodological differences between the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified several attributes of healthcare that are valued by people living with HIV, many of which would be relevant to any future reconfiguration of services to meet the needs of an ageing population. Further research is required to determine the relative importance to patients of different aspects of care.

A discrete choice experiment to assess people living with HIV's (PLWHIV's) preferences for GP or HIV clinic appointments

OBJECTIVES

To understand which aspects of general practitioner (GP) and HIV clinic appointments people living with HIV (PLWHIV) most value when seeking advice for new health problems.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment using a convenience sample of people diagnosed with HIV. Participants were recruited from 14 general HIV clinics in the South East of England between December 2014 and April 2015. ORs were calculated using conditional logit (CLOGIT) and latent class models (LCMs).

RESULTS

A total of 1106 questionnaires were returned. Most participants were male (85%), white (74%) and were men who have sex with men (69%). The CLOGIT analysis showed people particularly valued shorter appointment waiting times (ORs between 1.52 and 3.62, p<0.001 in all instances). The LCM analysis showed there were two distinct classes, with 59% and 41% of respondents likely to be in each. The first class generally preferred GP to HIV clinic appointments and particularly valued 'being seen quickly'. For example, they had strong preferences for shorter appointment waiting times and longer GP opening hours. People in the second class also valued shorter waiting times, but they had a strong general preference for HIV clinic rather than GP appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

PLWHIV value many aspects of care for new health problems, particularly short appointment waiting times. However, they appear split in their general willingness to engage with GPs.

Estimated cost per HIV infection diagnosed through routine HIV testing offered in acute general medical admission units and general practice settings in England

OBJECTIVES

Following national guidelines to expand HIV testing in high-prevalence areas in England, a number of pilot studies were conducted in acute general medical admission units (ACUs) and general practices (GPs) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of testing in these settings. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost per HIV infection diagnosed through routine HIV testing in these settings.

METHODS

Resource use data from four 2009/2010 Department of Health pilot studies (two ACUs; two GPs) were analysed. Data from the pilots were validated and supplemented with information from other sources. We constructed possible scenarios to estimate the cost per test carried out through expanded HIV testing in ACUs and GPs, and the cost per diagnosis.

RESULTS

In the pilots, cost per test ranged from £8.55 to £13.50, and offer time and patient uptake were 2 minutes and 90% in ACUs, and 5 minutes and 60% in GPs, respectively. In scenario analyses we fixed offer time, diagnostic test cost and uptake rate at 2 minutes, £6 and 80% for ACUs, and 5 minutes, £9.60 and 40% for GPs, respectively. The cost per new HIV diagnosis at a positivity of 2/1000 tests conducted was £3230 in ACUs and £7930 in GPs for tests performed by a Band 3 staff member, and £5940 in ACUs and £18 800 in GPs for tests performed by either hospital consultants or GPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Expanded HIV testing may be more cost-efficient in ACUs than in GPs as a consequence of a shorter offer time, higher patient uptake, higher HIV positivity and lower diagnostic test costs. As cost per new HIV diagnosis reduces at higher HIV positivity, expanded HIV testing should be promoted in high HIV prevalence areas.

Pathological effects of cyanobacteria on sea fans in southeast Florida

In early August 2008, observations by divers indicated that sea fans, particularly Gorgonia ventalina, Gorgonia flabellum, and Iciligorgia schrammi, were being covered by benthic filamentous cyanobacteria. From August 2008 through January 2009 and again in April 2009, tissue samples from a targeted G. ventalina colony affected by cyanobacteria and from a nearby, apparently healthy (without cyanobacteria) control colony, were collected monthly for histopathological examination. The primary cellular response of the sea fan to overgrowth by cyanobacteria was an increase in the number of acidophilic amoebocytes (with their granular contents dispersed) that were scattered throughout the coenenchyme tissue. Necrosis of scleroblasts and zooxanthellae and infiltration of degranulated amoebocytes were observed in the sea fan surface tissues at sites overgrown with cyanobacteria. Fungal hyphae in the axial skeleton were qualitatively more prominent in cyanobacteria-affected sea fans than in controls.

Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used historically and contemporarily as a modulator of mood and cognitive function, with anxiolytic effects following administration of capsules, coated tablets and topical application. Following a pilot study with lemon balm extract administered as a water based drink, which confirmed absorption of rosmarinic acid effects on mood and cognitive function, we conducted two similar double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies. These evaluated the mood and cognitive effects of a standardised M. officinalis preparation administered in palatable forms in a beverage and in yoghurt. In each study a cohort of healthy young adults' self-rated aspects of mood were measured before and after a multi-tasking framework (MTF) administered one hour and three hours following one of four treatments. Both active lemon balm treatments were generally associated with improvements in mood and/or cognitive performance, though there were some behavioral "costs" at other doses and these effects depended to some degree on the delivery matrix.

Application of multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis to monitor Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 phage type 8 in England and Wales: emergence of a profile associated with a national outbreak

AIMS

Evaluation of multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) to subtype all isolates of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 phage type 8 in England and Wales.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Over a 13 month period from December 2010, 483 isolates of VTEC O157 PT8 were tested by MLVA; 39% were received in the first 4 months of 2011, when infections are generally low. One profile, or single locus variants of it, was present in 249 (52%) isolates but was not common previously. These cases represented a national increase in PT8, associated epidemiologically with soil-contaminated vegetables. Most of the 177 other MLVA profiles were unique to a single isolate. Profiles shared by >1 isolate included cases from two small community, food-borne outbreaks and 11 households. Several shared profiles were found among 23 isolates without known links. Apart from one group, isolates linked to travel abroad had very diverse profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis discriminated apparent sporadic isolates of the same PT and assisted in detection of cases in an emerging national outbreak.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis is an epidemiologically valid complement to surveillance and applicable as a rapid, practical test for large numbers of isolates.

Longitudinal whole-brain N-acetylaspartate concentration in healthy adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although NAA is often used as a marker of neural integrity and health in different neurologic disorders, the temporal behavior of WBNAA is not well characterized. Our goal therefore was to establish its normal variations in a cohort of healthy adults over typical clinical trial periods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Baseline amount of brain NAA, Q(NAA), was obtained with nonlocalizing proton MR spectroscopy from 9 subjects (7 women, 2 men; 31.2 ± 5.6 years old). Q(NAA) was converted into absolute millimole amount by using phantom-replacement. The WBNAA concentration was derived by dividing Q(NAA) with the brain parenchyma volume, V(B), segmented from MR imaging. Temporal variations were determined with 4 annual scans of each participant.

RESULTS

The distribution of WBNAA levels was not different among time points with respect to the mean, 12.1 ± 1.5 mmol/L (P > .6), nor was its intrasubject change (coefficient of variation = 8.6%) significant between any 2 scans (P > .5). There was a small (0.2 mL) but significant (P = .05) annual V(B) decline.

CONCLUSIONS

WBNAA is stable over a 3-year period in healthy adults. It qualifies therefore as a biomarker for global neuronal loss and dysfunction in diffuse neurologic disorders that may be well worth considering as a secondary outcome measure candidate for clinical trials.

Surgical excision for B3 breast lesions diagnosed by vacuum-assisted core biopsy

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess whether open surgical excision is required following a B3 diagnosis on 11-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB) of radiologically indeterminate breast lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four women with a histological diagnosis of the B3 category on VACB of radiologically indeterminate breast lesions were identified over a 3-year period. The VACB procedure was performed under stereotactic (n=21), ultrasound (n=2) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=1) guidance using the Suros system. Nineteen patients underwent open surgical excision. The remaining 5 patients who had 'complete' removal of the radiological abnormality using VACB under ultrasound (n=2, papilloma) or stereotactic (n=4, atypical ductal hyperplasia) guidance were followed up clinically and radiologically.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 49 years. The disease status in three patients was upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ at open surgical excision. The VACB showed atypical lobular hyperplasia in these 3 patients, associated with microcalcification (n=2) or mass lesion (n=1). No single case of upgrading to invasive breast cancer was identified in our series. The remaining patients (16 out of 19) had a benign biopsy. The upgrade to malignancy was significantly associated with the presence of atypical lobular hyperplasia, a BI-RADS category of 4 and incomplete removal of the radiological abnormality by VACB. After a mean follow-up of 18 months, no malignancy was detected in the 5 patients who did not undergo open surgical biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Open surgical excision is strongly recommended for atypical lobular hyperplasia identified in VACB specimens. VACB can be a safe alternative to surgery in the treatment of B3 lesions in selected cases, providing thorough multidisciplinary discussion has taken place.

A pilot qualitative analysis of the psychosocial factors which drive young people to decline chlamydia testing in the UK: implications for health promotion and screening

The main objectives of this study are to investigate the psychosocial issues for young people who decline chlamydia testing as part of the national chlamydia screening programme in the UK and to consider the implications for future opportunistic screening. Transcripts of qualitative semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to identify themes. The study involved 14 young people aged 16–24 years who declined chlamydia tests in non-health-care settings as part of the chlamydia screening programme. The study was conducted in educational settings where chlamydia screening is available. Four interlinked themes were identified: stigmatization of young people with chlamydia and who take a test, the feeling of embarrassment, their perception of risk and their beliefs of what the test involves. These beliefs and feelings were pervasive and negatively affected their personal decisions of having a test. In conclusion, understanding psychosocial cultural phenomena in the context of screening programmes for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people are important for their success. Chlamydia and STIs remain stigmatized; testing is poorly understood and embarrassing for young people, which impacts the poor uptake for opportunistic screening. Strategies are needed to normalize and de-stigmatize chlamydia and the chlamydia test.

MicroRNA-regulated pathways associated with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological disease characterized by growth of endometriotic tissue outside the uterine cavity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring posttranscriptional regulatory molecules that potentially play a role in endometriotic lesion development. We assessed miRNA expression by microarray analysis in paired ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues and identified 14 up-regulated (miR-145, miR-143, miR-99a, miR-99b, miR-126, miR-100, miR-125b, miR-150, miR-125a, miR-223, miR-194, miR-365, miR-29c and miR-1) and eight down-regulated (miR-200a, miR-141, miR-200b, miR-142-3p, miR-424, miR-34c, miR-20a and miR-196b) miRNAs. The differential expression of six miRNAs was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. An in silico analysis identified 3851 mRNA transcripts as putative targets of the 22 miRNAs. Of these predicted targets, 673 were also differentially expressed in ectopic vs. eutopic endometrial tissue, as determined by microarray. Functional analysis suggested that the 673 miRNA targets constitute molecular pathways previously associated with endometriosis, including c-Jun, CREB-binding protein, protein kinase B (Akt), and cyclin D1 (CCND1) signaling. These pathways appeared to be regulated both transcriptionally as well as by miRNAs at posttranscriptional level. These data are a rich and novel resource for endometriosis and miRNA research and suggest that the 22 miRNAs and their cognate mRNA target sequences constitute pathways that promote endometriosis. Accordingly, miRNAs are potential therapeutic targets for treating this disease.

Long-term clinical and surrogate marker effects of subcutaneous intermittent interleukin-2 without antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

Subcutaneous administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been shown to increase CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients. It remains unclear whether this effect is associated with a clinical benefit.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a long-term follow-up in the cohort of the UK-Vanguard study in which three groups of 12 antiretroviral-naive subjects with CD4 cell counts >350 cells/mm(3) received no treatment or IL-2 at either 4.5 or 7.5 MIU twice daily in 5 day cycles, respectively.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 376 weeks. IL-2 therapy was associated with a higher area under the curve of CD4 cell count change from baseline at week 48 but not thereafter. HIV-RNA levels were unaffected. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was initiated after a mean of 172, 175 and 152 weeks in the control group, low-dose and high-dose IL-2 treatment group, respectively, a statistically non-significant difference. There was a tendency to start HAART soon after discontinuation of IL-2 therapy which may have been triggered by the steep decay of CD4 counts. There were two serious adverse events in the control group, seven in the low-dose IL-2 group and eight in the high-dose IL-2 group. No pattern of disease was detected, making an association with IL-2 therapy unlikely.

CONCLUSIONS

We could detect neither a benefit of IL-2 therapy after week 48 nor delayed initiation of HAART. This is currently the longest follow-up data comparing IL-2 therapy with no therapy in antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients and does not show a persistent benefit of the intervention.

European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Fourth edition--summary document

Breast cancer is a major cause of suffering and death and is of significant concern to many women. Early detection of breast cancer by systematic mammography screening can find lesions for which treatment is more effective and generally more favourable for quality of life. The potential harm caused by mammography includes the creation of unnecessary anxiety and morbidity, inappropriate economic cost and the use of ionising radiation. It is for this reason that the strongest possible emphasis on quality control and quality assurance is required. Development of the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis has been an initiative within the Europe Against Cancer Programme. The fourth edition of the multidisciplinary guidelines was published in 2006 and comprises approximately 400 pages divided into 12 chapters prepared by >200 authors and contributors. The multidisciplinary editorial board has prepared a summary document to provide an overview of the fundamental points and principles that should support any quality screening or diagnostic service. This document includes a summary table of key performance indicators and is presented here in order to make these principles and standards known to a wider scientific community.

Guidelines on the standards for the training of specialised health professionals dealing with breast cancer

According to EUSOMA position paper 'The requirements of a specialist breast unit', each breast unit should have a core team made up of health professionals who have undergone specialist training in breast cancer. In this paper, on behalf of EUSOMA, authors have identified the standards of training in breast cancer, to harmonise and foster breast care training in Europe. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the increase in the level of care in a breast unit, as the input of qualified health professionals increases the quality of breast cancer patient care.

Screening mammography in women aged 40-49: is it time to change?

There is little doubt that significant benefits can accrue from carrying out screening mammography of women aged 40–49 in the setting of a highly quality assured service delivery. This will best be achieved using digital mammography to maximise detection rates and trained and high volume reading expert radiologists to apply economic cushions of optimising specificity as well as sensitivity in addition to utilising modern and accurate assessment and tissue sampling techniques that have evolved.

Cloning and functional expression of venom prothrombin activator protease from Pseudonaja textilis with whole blood procoagulant activity

The snake venom group C prothrombin activators contain a number of components that enhance the rate of prothrombin activation. The cloning and expression of full-length cDNA for one of these components, an activated factor X (factor Xa)-like protease from Pseudonaja textilis as well as the generation of functional chimeric constructs with procoagulant activity were described. The complete cDNA codes for a propeptide, light chain, activation peptide (AP) and heavy chain related in sequence to mammalian factor X. Efficient expression of the protease was achieved with constructs where the AP was deleted and the cleavage sites between the heavy and light chains modified, or where the AP was replaced with a peptide involved in insulin receptor processing. In human kidney cells (H293F) transfected with these constructs, up to 80% of the pro-form was processed to heavy and light chains. Binding of the protease to barium citrate and use of specific antibodies demonstrated that gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues had occurred on the light chain in both cases, as observed in human factor Xa and the native P. textilis protease. The recombinant protease caused efficient coagulation of whole citrated blood and citrated plasma that was enhanced by the presence of Ca2+. This study identified the complete cDNA sequence of a factor Xa-like protease from P. textilis and demonstrated for the first time the expression of a recombinant form of P. textilis protease capable of blood coagulation.

Pneumothorax after a clinical breast fine-needle aspiration of a lump in a patient with Poland's syndrome

We report the first case in the medical literature of a pneumothorax complicating fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a breast lump in a woman with a mild form of Poland's syndrome. The pneumothorax was treated conservatively. This is the first case of breast FNA-related pneumothorax seen in our clinical practice. We believe that the absence of pectoral muscles has increased the risk of this complication. We have also diagnosed an incidental screen-detected breast cancer affecting the ipsilateral breast in the same patient. We conclude that caution should be exercised when performing FNAC of breast lesions in patients with Poland's syndrome. The procedure should be preferably performed under image guidance in such patients in order to minimise the risk of this complication.

Community based syphilis screening: feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in case finding

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing community based syphilis screening using different sample collection techniques, and its effectiveness in screening at-risk populations and identifying new syphilis cases.

METHODS

Two phases of syphilis screening were conducted in venues frequented by men who have sex with men (MSM). Phase 1 used venepuncture and phase 2 a validated saliva test. Evaluation used quantitative data from testers, venues and the local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, and qualitative data from venue and programme staff.

RESULTS

1090 MSM were tested over 7 weeks. 62% of testers had not attended a GUM clinic in the past year. 64% of testers reported > or = 2 sexual contacts in the past 90 days and 11% reported > or = 10. Similar diagnosis rates were recorded for phase 1 (1.4%) and phase 2 (1.8%). There was greater uptake of testing with the saliva test in saunas during phase 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Syphilis screening in gay venues is feasible and acceptable to at-risk MSM, and reaches a group not routinely accessing GUM services. The low case detection for syphilis suggest this approach, while unlikely to contain outbreaks, may be more useful if combined with screening for other sexually transmitted infections and effective health promotion strategies.

Quality of Life in Patients Treated with First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Nevirapine And/Or Efavirenz

Objective

To assess whether differences in safety profiles between nevirapine (NVP) and efavirenz (EFV), as observed in the 2NN study, translated into differences in ‘health related quality of life’ (HRQoL).

Design

A sub-study of the 2NN study, with antiretro-viral-naive patients randomly allocated to NVP (once or twice daily), EFV or NVP+EFV, in addition to stavudine and lamivudine.

Methods

Comparing differences in changes of HRQoL over 48 weeks as measured with the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire, using analysis of variance.

Results

The 2NN study enrolled 1216 patients. No validated questionnaires were available for 244 patients, and 55 patients had no HRQoL data at all, leaving 917 patients eligible for this sub-study. A total of 471 (51%) had HRQoL measurements both at baseline and week 48. The majority (69%) of patients without HRQoL measurements did, however, complete the study. The change in the physical health score (PHS) was 3.9 for NVP, 3.4 for EFV and 2.4 for NVP+EFV ( P=0.712). For the mental health score (MHS) these values were 6.1, 7.0 and 3.9, respectively ( P=0.098). A baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration (pVL) ≥100 000 copies/ml and a decline in pVL (per log10) were independently associated with an increase of PHS. An increase of MHS was only associated with pVL decline. Patients experiencing an adverse event during follow-up had a comparable change in PHS but a significantly smaller change in MHS, compared with those without an adverse event.

Conclusions

First-line ART containing NVP and/or EFV leads to an improvement in HRQoL. The gain in HRQoL was similar for NVP and EFV, but slightly lower for the combination of these drugs.

Quality assurance in breast screening in Europe

An extensive pathology External Quality Assurance has been set up in Europe based on the experience of the UK programme. There are approximately 300 participating pathologists in France alone. With the end of the Third Action Plan (1996-2000) it is likely that the Europe Against Cancer programme will cease. However, screening will remain one of the four major public health activities funded by the European Commission and the screening network which has resided under the auspices of DGV (Industrial Relations and Social Affairs) is likely to be transferred to DGXXIV (Consumer Protection and Public Health). This would seem to be ideal the site for the activities necessary for high quality screening. It is anticipated that the drive for continued quality assurance, expansion of organised screening and the spread of skills from high quality screening programmes into symptomatic sector activity will continue for the foreseeable future.

DNA-based subtyping of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O128ab:H2 strains from human and raw meat sources

AIMS

To investigate subtyping methods for verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O128ab:H2.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eleven human and food strains isolated over a 15-year period were examined. All were intimin (eae)-negative, but all possessed enterohaemolysin and VT1-encoding sequences which in nine strains were vtx1c variant. Ten strains had VT2 genes which were all vtx2d. Plasmid profiles and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR were not discriminatory. Long-PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism of amplicons bound by the p gene and the VT2A subunit had screening potential. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using XbaI gave fine discrimination although VT2 sequences were located on a 220 kbp fragment conserved in nine strains and on a 200 kbp fragment in the 10th.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of apparent clonality, PFGE proved essential for differentiation. Long-PCR has promise for screening but requires further evaluation of inter-strain variable sequences.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A combined phenotypic and genotypic screen, and PFGE for selected strains was effective.

Life-course body size and perimenopausal mammographic parenchymal patterns in the MRC 1946 British birth cohort

Dense mammographic parenchymal patterns are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Certain features of body size have been found to be associated with breast cancer risk, but less is known about their relation to breast density. We investigated the association of birth size, childhood growth and life-course changes in body size with Wolfe grade in 1298 perimenopausal women from a British cohort of women born in 1946. The cohort benefits from repeated measures of body size in childhood and adulthood. We obtained mammograms for 90% of women who at age 53 years reported having previously had a mammogram. We found no associations with birth weight or maximum attained height. Body mass index (BMI) at age 53 years and breast size were independently and inversely associated with Wolfe grade (P-value for trend <0.001 for both). Women who reached puberty later were at a greater odds of a higher Wolfe grade than women who had an earlier puberty (odds ratio associated with a 1 year delay in menarche 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27, adjusted for BMI and breast size at mammography). A higher BMI at any age during childhood or adult life was associated with a reduction in the odds of a higher Wolfe grade, after controlling for breast size and BMI at mammography, for example, standardised odds ratio for height at age 7 was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.81). These findings reveal the importance of taking life-course changes in body size, and not just contemporaneous measures, into account when using mammographic density as an intermediate marker for risk of breast cancer.

HIV Lipodystrophy Case Definition using Artificial Neural Network Modelling

Objective

A case definition of HIV lipodystrophy has recently been developed from a combination of clinical, metabolic and imaging/body composition variables using logistic regression methods. We aimed to evaluate whether artificial neural networks could improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

The database of the case-control Lipodystrophy Case Definition Study was split into 504 subjects (265 with and 239 without lipodystrophy) used for training and 284 independent subjects (152 with and 132 without lipodystrophy) used for validation. Back-propagation neural networks with one or two middle layers were trained and validated. Results were compared against logistic regression models using the same information.

Results

Neural networks using clinical variables only (41 items) achieved consistently superior performance than logistic regression in terms of specificity, overall accuracy and area under the ROC curve. Their average sensitivity and specificity were 72.4 and 71.2%, as compared with 73.0 and 62.9% for logistic regression, respectively (area under the ROC curve, 0.784 vs 0.748). The discriminating performance of the neural networks was largely unaffected when built excluding 13 parameters that patients may not have readily available. The average sensitivity and specificity of the neural networks remained the same when metabolic variables were also considered (total 60 items) without a clear advantage against logistic regression (overall accuracy 71.8%). The performance of networks considering also body composition variables was similar to that of logistic regression (overall accuracy 78.5% for both).

Conclusions

Neural networks may offer a means to improve the discriminating performance for HIV lipodystrophy, when only clinical data are available and a rapid approximate diagnostic decision is needed. In this context, information on metabolic parameters is apparently not helpful in improving the diagnosis of HIV lipodystrophy, unless imaging and body composition studies are also obtained.

How significant is detection of ductal carcinoma in situ in a breast screening programme?

PURPOSE

To compare the histological grades of screen detected and non-screen detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and to identify any differences that might support the contention that DCIS found by breast screening represents an over-diagnosis. The aim was also to establish whether any particular mammographic features of DCIS can be used to predict tumour grade reliably.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biopsy proven cases of DCIS (n=153) were reviewed with respect to grade and subdivided into high, intermediate and low grades using the Van Nuys classification. A more aggressive subset of DCIS (microinvasive and interval cancers) were similarly analysed. Mammograms were reviewed with regard to abnormal features and distribution, and the appearances correlated with grade.

RESULTS

Fifty-four percent (53/98) of screen detected and 62% (34/52) of non-screen detected DCIS were high grade. The rest were equally intermediate and low grade, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Eighty-four percent of the aggressive subset of tumours were high grade. Micro-calcification was present in 90% and in 10% there were soft tissue changes alone. Seventy-six percent of linear branching calcification was associated with high grade DCIS. Only 13% of high grade DCIS demonstrated punctate micro-calcification; however, 38% of cases of punctate micro-calfication were associated with high grade tumours and there was a great deal of overlap between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Most cases of DCIS in both screen and non-screen detected groups were high grade. Only one in five was low grade. Analysis of the aggressive subgroup underlines the significance of high grade DCIS. Mammographic patterns are not always reliable in the prediction of tumour grade. The detection of DCIS in screening programmes is important and should not be regarded as over-diagnosis.