Generation of evidence-based carboplatin dosing guidelines for neonates and infants.

BACKGROUND: To optimally dose childhood cancer patients it is essential that we apply evidence-based dosing approaches. Carboplatin is commonly dosed to achieve a cumulative target exposure (AUC) in children, with target AUC values of 5.2-7.8 mg/ml.min defined. To achieve these exposures patients are dosed at 6.6 mg/kg/day or 4.4 mg/kg for patients <5 kg. The current study uses real world clinical pharmacology data to optimise body weight-based doses to effectively target AUCs of 5.2-7.8 mg/ml.min in infants. METHODS: Carboplatin exposures were determined across 165 treatment cycles in 82 patients ≤10 kg. AUC and clearance values were determined by Bayesian modelling from samples collected on day 1. These parameters were utilised to assess current dosing variability, determine doses required to achieve target AUC values and predict change in AUC using the modified dose. RESULTS: No significant differences in clearance were identified between patients <5 kg and 5-10 kg. Consequently, for patients <5 kg, 4.4 mg/kg dosing was not sufficient to achieve a target AUC of 5.2 mg/ml.min, with <55% of patients within 25% of this target. Optimised daily doses for patients ≤10 kg were 6 mg/kg and 9 mg/kg for cumulative carboplatin target exposures of 5.2 and 7.8 mg/ml.min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of these evidence-based carboplatin doses in neonates and infants will reduce drug exposure variability and positively impact treatment.

Sentimag® Technique for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients: Evaluation of Effectiveness, Feasibility and Challenges.

AIM: The gold standard technique of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is the dual technique of radioactive tracer with blue dye. The aim of this study was to assess the node identification rate and feasibility in terms of ease of use of this technique for SLNB in breast cancer patients. Methods: Retrospectively collected data of 143 breast cancer patients with clinically and radiologically negative axilla were analysed. SLNB procedures were performed using the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified using the Sentimag magnetometer and visual aid. Results: A total of 146 SLNB procedures were undertaken on 143 patients. Lymph node identification rate (IR) was 97.9%. Thirty seven patients (25.3%) were detected with cancer in their lymph nodes, 19% had at least one macrometastasis, 6% at least one micrometastasis and 1% had ITCs. The mean average lymph node retrieval was 2.2 nodes per procedure. Mild brownish discolouration was noted around the injection site. No allergic reaction or side effect of Sienna+î tracer / Magtraceî was reported. CONCLUSION: The new magnetic detection method of sentinel lymph nodes (Sentimag) is effective, feasible and comparable to the gold standard technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer.

Impact of the menstrual cycle on commercial prognostic gene signatures in oestrogen receptor-positive primary breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Changes occur in the expression of oestrogen-regulated and proliferation-associated genes in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast tumours during the menstrual cycle. We investigated if Oncotype® DX recurrence score (RS), Prosigna® (ROR) and EndoPredict® (EP/EPclin) prognostic tests, which include some of these genes, vary according to the time in the menstrual cycle when they are measured. METHODS: Pairs of test scores were derived from 30 ER-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative tumours sampled at two different points of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle windows were prospectively defined as either W1 (days 1-6 and 27-35; low oestrogen and low progesterone) or W2 (days 7-26; high oestrogen and high or low progesterone). RESULTS: The invasion module score of RS was lower (- 10.9%; p = 0.098), whereas the ER (+ 16.6%; p = 0.046) and proliferation (+ 7.3%; p = 0.13) module scores were higher in W2. PGR expression was significantly increased in W2 (+ 81.4%; p = 0.0029). Despite this, mean scores were not significantly different between W1 and W2 for any of the tests and the two measurements showed high correlation (r = 0.72-0.93). However, variability between the two measurements led to tumours being assigned to different risk categories in the following proportion of cases: RS 22.7%, ROR 27.3%, EP 13.6% and EPclin 13.6%. CONCLUSION: There are significant changes during the menstrual cycle in the expression of some of the genes and gene module scores comprising the RS, ROR and EP/EPclin scores. These did not affect any of the prognostic scores in a systematic fashion, but there was substantial variability in paired measurements.

T and Z, partial seed coat patterning genes in common bean, provide insight into the structure and protein interactions of a plant MBW complex.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites associated with plant seed coat and flower color. These compounds provide health benefits to humans as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. The expression of the late biosynthetic genes in the flavonoid pathway is controlled by a ternary MBW protein complex consisting of interfacing MYB, beta-helix-loop-helix (bHLH), and WD40 Repeat (WDR) proteins. P, the master regulator gene of the flavonoid expression in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), was recently determined to encode a bHLH protein. The T and Z genes control the distribution of color in bean seeds and flowers and have historically been considered regulators of the flavonoid gene expression. T and Z candidates were identified using reverse genetics based on genetic mapping, phylogenetic analysis, and mutant analysis. Domain and AlphaFold2 structure analyses determined that T encodes a seven-bladed ß-propeller WDR protein, while Z encodes a R2R3 MYB protein. Deletions and SNPs in T and Z mutants, respectively, altered the 3D structure of these proteins. Modeling of the Z MYB/P bHLH/T WDR MBW complex identified interfacing sequence domains and motifs in all three genes that are conserved in dicots. One Z MYB motif is a possible beta-molecular recognition feature (ß-MoRF) that only appears in a structured state when Z MYB is modeled as a component of a MBW complex. Complexes containing mutant T and Z proteins changed the interaction of members of the complex in ways that would alter their role in regulating the expression of genes in the flavonoid pathway.

Vincristine dosing, drug exposure and therapeutic drug monitoring in neonate and infant cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The anticancer drug vincristine is associated with potentially dose-limiting side-effects, including neurotoxicity and myelosuppression. However, there currently exists a lack of published clinical pharmacology data relating to its use in neonate and infant patients. We report a study investigating vincristine dosing and drug exposure, alongside the feasibility and impact of a therapeutic drug monitoring treatment approach, in this challenging patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vincristine pharmacokinetic data from a total of 57 childhood cancer patients, including 26 neonates and infants, were used to characterise a population pharmacokinetic model. Vincristine was administered at doses of 0.02-0.05 mg/kg or 0.75-1.5 mg/m2 in neonates and infants aged <1 year or ≤12 kg and doses of 1.5 mg/m2 in older children. RESULTS: A two-compartment model provided the best fit for the population analysis. There was no significant difference in vincristine clearance normalised for body surface area between neonates/infants and older children. Lower doses administered to neonates and infants resulted in significantly lower drug exposures (area under the curve [AUC]), compared with older children (p = 0.047). Vincristine doses of <0.05 mg/kg in neonates and infants resulted in significantly lower AUC values than observed in those receiving doses of ≥0.05 mg/kg (p ≤ 0.0001). Therapeutic drug monitoring was shown to be feasible, effective and well tolerated in neonates and infants experiencing suboptimal drug exposures. CONCLUSION: Doses of <0.05 mg/kg should not be used in neonate and infant patients because of a high risk of patients experiencing potentially suboptimal drug exposures. Therapeutic drug monitoring approaches in neonates and infants are supported by the data generated, with a proposed target therapeutic window of 50-100 µg/l∗h.

The Common Bean V Gene Encodes Flavonoid 3'5' Hydroxylase: A Major Mutational Target for Flavonoid Diversity in Angiosperms.

The classic V (violet, purple) gene of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) functions in a complex genetic network that controls seed coat and flower color and flavonoid content. V was cloned to understand its role in the network and the evolution of its orthologs in the Viridiplantae. V mapped genetically to a narrow interval on chromosome Pv06. A candidate gene was selected based on flavonoid analysis and confirmed by recombinational mapping. Protein and domain modeling determined V encodes flavonoid 3'5' hydroxylase (F3'5'H), a P450 enzyme required for the expression of dihydromyricetin-derived flavonoids in the flavonoid pathway. Eight recessive haplotypes, defined by mutations of key functional domains required for P450 activities, evolved independently in the two bean gene pools from a common ancestral gene. V homologs were identified in Viridiplantae orders by functional domain searches. A phylogenetic analysis determined F3'5'H first appeared in the Streptophyta and is present in only 41% of Angiosperm reference genomes. The evolutionarily related flavonoid pathway gene flavonoid 3' hydroxylase (F3'H) is found nearly universally in all Angiosperms. F3'H may be conserved because of its role in abiotic stress, while F3'5'H evolved as a major target gene for the evolution of flower and seed coat color in plants.

Ongoing Value and Practice Improvement Outcomes from Pediatric Palliative Care Education: The Quality of Care Collaborative Australia.

PURPOSE: Novice and experienced professionals who care for children with life limiting conditions throughout Australia were provided with pediatric palliative care (PPC) education through the Quality of Care Collaborative Australia (QuoCCA). Impact evaluation has shown this education to be beneficial. This study examines the longer term outcomes reported by the participants more than 4 months following education. METHODS: An online survey measuring quantitative and qualitative education outcomes was sent to all participants of QuoCCA 2 education throughout Australia, at least 4 months following their education. There were 152 respondents between February 2018 and June 2020. RESULTS: More than 4 months after the QuoCCA education, 98% of respondents rated it as extremely valuable or valuable and 78% of respondents rated it extremely or very helpful in improving clinical practice. Improvements in knowledge, skills or confidence were reported by 90% or more respondents in the areas of PPC referral, responding to psychosocial needs, the benefits of the PPC approach, PPC resources and communication skills. Between 84% and 89% of respondents reported improvements in advance care planning, assessment and intervention, responding to physical needs, supporting spiritual needs and supporting health professionals and self care. Providing bereavement care improved in 85% of responses. The most valuable aspects of the education, changes in practice and barriers to the implementation of learning were discussed. CONCLUSION: The interprofessional QuoCCA education in PPC continued to provide value and clinical practice improvements for the majority of respondents more than four months after the session. Respondents particularly mentioned improvements in awareness of the network of care, the practical management of patients and communication skills. Reflection on clinical practice, in a proactive clinical learning environment, enabled the translation of education into improvements to the quality of PPC.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury Caused by Kratom Use as an Alternative Pain Treatment Amid an Ongoing Opioid Epidemic.

Kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa) is a prevalent medicinal plant used mainly for the stimulant and analgesic properties provided through multiple alkaloid compounds. Over the past decade, use of kratom has increased despite the limited knowledge of toxicities and adverse side effects. With the current opioid epidemic, both patients and providers are seeking alternative methods to treat both addiction and pain control, and kratom as an alternative means of treatment has increasingly entered the mainstream. In this article, we present the clinical course of a 47-year-old male who developed fatigue, pruritus, and abnormal liver tests (with a mixed hepatocellular/cholestatic pattern) approximately 21 days after beginning kratom. After extensive evaluation including a negligible alcohol history, negative hepatitis serologies, and inconclusive imaging, the patient was diagnosed with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by kratom. Nine months after his liver tests returned to normal, he took kratom again, and after a latency of 2 days, he developed fatigue, pruritus, and loss of appetite along with abnormal liver tests (with the same biochemical profile as previously), consistent with a positive rechallenge. We believe, through the use of the Roussel-Uclaf Causality Assessment Method and expert opinion, that this is a highly likely or definite example of kratom-induced DILI. With the gaining popularity of this drug, it appears that DILI may be an important complication of kratom for providers to recognize.

Can synthetic urine replace authentic urine to "beat" workplace drug testing?

Synthetic urine (SU), which was primarily utilized by drug testing laboratories as a matrix for quality control preparations, is now commercially sold and can be used to "fool" a positive drug test. To determine if SU can pass as authentic urine, we challenged Army urine drug testing specimen accessioning and testing procedures using eight different commercial SU products. Adulteration (Sciteck AdultaCheck® 6) and Onsite SU (Synthetic UrineCheck™) test strips were also evaluated. Five of the eight SU were identified by physical observation. All SU products screened negative in the drug immunoassay and additionally passed the specimen validity testing (SVT) as authentic urine. Furthermore, SU was not detected as adulterated with the adulteration test strips (Sciteck AdultaCheck® 6) but was successfully detected as SU with the On-site synthetic urine (Synthetic UrineCheck™). To deter SU use, direct observation, as utilized by the military, may be recommended during the collection process.

Menstrual cycle associated changes in hormone-related gene expression in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer.

The major changes in hormone levels that occur through the menstrual cycle have been postulated to affect the expression of hormone-regulated and proliferation-associated genes (PAGs) in premenopausal ER+ breast cancer. Whilst previous studies have demonstrated differences in gene expression, here, we investigated if there are within patient changes in the expression of oestrogen- and progesterone-regulated genes (ERGs and PRGs) and PAGs in ER+ breast cancer during the menstrual cycle. Samples from 96 patients in two independent prospective studies of the effect of menstrual cycle on ER+ breast cancer were used. Plasma hormone measurements were used to assign tumours to one of three pre-defined menstrual cycle windows: W1 (days 27-35 and 1-6; low oestradiol and low progesterone), W2 (days 7-16; high oestradiol and low progesterone) and W3 (days 17-26; intermediate oestradiol and high progesterone). RNA expression of 50 genes, including 27 ERGs, 11 putative PRGs and seven PAGs was measured. The AvERG (geomean of PGR, GREB1, TFF1 and PDZK1) was used as a composite measure of ERG expression and showed significant changes between the three windows of the menstrual cycle increasing over 2.2-fold between W1 and W2 and decreasing between W2 and W3 and between W3 and W1. Proliferation gene expression also varied significantly, following the same pattern of changes as ERG expression, but the changes were of lower magnitude (1.4-fold increase between W1 and W2). Significant changes in the expression of eight individual ERGs, including GREB1, PGR and TFF1, and two PAGs were observed between W1 and either W2 or W3 with all genes showing higher levels in W2 or W3 (1.3-2.4-fold; FDR 0.016-0.05). The AvProg, a composite measure of PRG expression, increased significantly (1.5-fold) in W3 compared to W1 or W2 but no significant changes were observed for individual PRGs. In conclusion, we observed significant changes in ERG, PRG and PAG expression in ER+ breast tumours during the menstrual cycle that may affect the assessment and interpretation of prominent biomarkers (e.g. PgR) and commonly used multigene prognostic signatures in premenopausal ER+ breast cancer.

The Use of Ommaya Reservoirs to Deliver Central Nervous System-Directed Chemotherapy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Prophylactic eradication of central nervous system (CNS) leukaemia is the current standard of care in treating childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This is conventionally achieved through regular lumbar punctures with intrathecal injections of methotrexate into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ommaya reservoirs are subcutaneous implantable devices that provide a secure route of drug delivery into the CSF via an intraventricular catheter. They are an important alternative in cases where intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture is difficult. Among UK Paediatric Principal Treatment Centres for ALL we found considerable variation in methotrexate dosing when using an Ommaya reservoir. We review the current safety and theoretical considerations when using Ommaya reservoirs and evidence for methotrexate dose adjustments via this route. We conclude by summarising the pragmatic consensus decision to use 50% of the conventional intrathecal dose of methotrexate when it is administered via Ommaya reservoir in front-line ALL therapy.

Investigating the potential impact of dose banding for systemic anti-cancer therapy in the paediatric setting based on pharmacokinetic evidence.

BACKGROUND: To make systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) preparation more practicable, dose-banding approaches are currently being introduced in many clinical centres. The present study aimed to determine the potential impact of using recently developed National Health Service in England (NHSE) dose-banding tables in a paediatric setting. METHODS: Using pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from 385 drug administrations in 352 children aged from 1 month to 18 years, treated with five drugs (dactinomycin, busulfan, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide and etoposide), individual exposures (area under the plasma drug concentration versus time curve; AUC) obtained using doses rounded according to the published NHSE tables were calculated and compared with those obtained by standard dose calculation methods. RESULTS: For all five drugs, the relative variation between the NHSE dose and the recommended dose (RecDose) (standard individually calculated dose) was between -6% and +5% as expected. In terms of AUC, there was no statistically significant difference in precision between exposures obtained by the RecDose and those obtained with dose banding (absolute value of relative difference 15-34%). CONCLUSION: Based on pharmacokinetic data for these five drugs, the results generated support the implementation of NHSE dose-banding tables. Indeed, inter-patient variability in drug clearance and exposure far outweighs the impact of relatively small drug dose changes associated with dose banding.

Application of molecular modeling to analysis of inhibition of kinesin motor proteins of the BimC subfamily by monastrol and related compounds.

Application of molecular modeling approaches has potential to contribute to rational drug design. These approaches may be especially useful when attempting to elucidate the structural features associated with novel drug targets. In this study, molecular docking and molecular dynamics were applied to studies of inhibition of the human motor protein denoted HsEg5 and other homologues in the BimC subfamily. These proteins are essential for mitosis, so compounds that inhibit their activity may have potential as anticancer therapeutics. The discovery of a small-molecule cell-permeable inhibitor, monastrol, has stimulated research in this area. Interestingly, monastrol is reported to inhibit the human and Xenopus forms of Eg5, but not those from Drosophila and Aspergillus. In this study, homology modeling was used to generate models of the Xenopus, Drosophila, and Aspergillus homologues, using the crystal structure of the human protein in complex with monastrol as a template. A series of known inhibitors was docked into each of the homologues, and the differences in binding energies were consistent with reported experimental data. Molecular dynamics revealed significant changes in the structure of the Aspergillus homologue that may contribute to its relative insensitivity to monastrol and related compounds.

Urinoma: a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

Urinoma or para-renal pseudocyst generally occurs as a result of trauma to the pelvi-ureteric system. It consists of an encapsulated collection of extravasated urine and is usually located in the peri-renal space or more uncommonly in the peritoneal, pleural or mediastinal cavities. There is only one previously reported case of urinoma secondary to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. We report a case of symptomatic urinoma after infra-renal AAA repair and discuss the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this unusual condition.

Patient reported outcome measures following specialist nurse-led clinics in preparation for breast reconstruction surgery.

We compared patient reported outcome measures following information given about breast reconstruction surgery by either a specialist nurse or operating consultant surgeon using a comparative and validated questionnaire. One hundred and nineteen patients considering breast reconstruction were seen by a single consultant plastic surgeon (60 participants) or by a single specialist nurse (59 participants). Response rates to the questionnaires were 70% and 71% respectively and the overall conversion rate to surgery was 86%. There were no significant differences between the outcome reported for those receiving information from the specialist nurse or the operating consultant. In conclusion we found that pre-operative specialist nurse-led information provision and preparation for breast reconstruction is effective and acceptable to patients.

Incidental cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix in a patient undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for caecal cancer: a case report.

Primary appendiceal neoplasms are rare and usually found incidentally after appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis. We report a case of a perforated cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix occurring synchronously with caecal adenocarcinoma in an 81-year-old woman without abdominal symptoms or signs, who presented with iron deficiency anaemia.