Diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound and virtual CT navigational bronchoscopy for biopsy of pulmonary nodules, mediastinal lymph nodes, and thoracic tumors in children.

OBJECTIVE: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy and needle aspiration (EBUS-TBB/EBUS-TBNA) are first line investigative modalities for lung and mediastinal pathology in adults. We aimed to characterize and assess the diagnostic yield of EBUS and virtual CT navigation guided biopsies in children. STUDY DESIGN: This single center, retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent radial or linear EBUS procedures (+/- CT navigation) for biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes, tumors, and pulmonary nodules. Demographic, procedural, and outcome were collected. RESULTS: Sixty procedures were performed in 56 patients aged 2-22 years of age between January 2015 and May 2023. The most common indications for biopsy were pulmonary nodules (45%) and hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy (33%). For cases in which a final diagnosis was ascertained by any means, the diagnostic yield for linear EBUS (mediastinal pathology) was 76% and the diagnostic yield from radial EBUS (pulmonary nodules and lung masses) was 85%. The most common diagnoses were infection (45%), malignancy (17%), and sarcoidosis (11%). Among patients in whom infection was the final diagnosis, a total of 31 pathogens were identified. Eighteen were identified on bronchoalveolar lavage and an additional 14 pathogens identified on EBUS-TBB, representing an increase of 77% (p < .005). The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values for malignancy detection were 73%, 100%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: EBUS-TBB/TBNA is a safe and effective way to diagnose lung and mediastinal pathology in children. Pediatric interventional pulmonology is a growing field offering minimally-invasive diagnostic opportunities for children in whom more invasive procedures were previously the only option.

Hemosiderin-Laden Macrophages in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples of Children with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and assess for an association between hemosiderin-laden macrophages and pulmonary arterial hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study of infants and children with and without BPD who underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) the at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 2012 and 2021. RESULTS: BAL from 205 children with BPD and 106 controls without BPD matched for tracheostomy, infection, and age were reviewed for hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Seventy-one individuals (34.6%) with BPD had a BAL with 10% or more hemosiderin-laden macrophages compared with 3 (2.8%) controls (P < .0001; OR, 18.19; 95% CI, 5.57-59.41). Patients with pulmonary hypertension by echocardiogram (P = .04; OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.05-12.96) or an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure during cardiac catheterization, rs (14) = 0.56, P = .04, were more likely to have elevated hemosiderin-laden macrophages on BAL samples less than 60 days from bronchoscopy. After adjusting for birth weight, gestational age, BPD grade, and age at the time of bronchoscopy using logistic regression, pulmonary hypertension was associated with a higher odds of hemosiderin-laden macrophages of 10% or more (P = .02; OR, 6.37; 95% CI, 1.28-31.87). No association was observed between hemosiderin-laden macrophages and sex, race, gestational age, birth weight, tracheostomy, or infectious studies. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study revealed increased hemosiderin-laden macrophages in BAL samples from patients with BPD and a significant association with pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is unclear whether elevated hemosiderin-laden macrophages within BPD contributes to the pathogenesis of lung and pulmonary vascular disease or is simply a biomarker of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Disease Control After Hypofractionation Versus Conventional Fractionation for Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Comparative Effectiveness in a Large Observational Cohort.

PURPOSE: Questions remain about whether moderately hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation is appropriate for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using the prospective database of a multicenter, collaborative quality improvement consortium, we identified patients with node-negative, triple-negative breast cancer who received whole-breast irradiation with either moderate hypofractionation or conventional fractionation. Using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), we compared outcomes using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimation method with Cox regression models estimating the hazard ratio for time-to-event endpoints between groups. RESULTS: The sample included 538 patients treated at 18 centers in 1 state in the United States, of whom 307 received conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation and 231 received moderately hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation. The median follow-up time was 5.0 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.77-5.15 years). The 5-year IPTW estimates for freedom from local recurrence were 93.6% (95% CI, 87.8%-96.7%) in the moderate hypofractionation group and 94.4% (95% CI, 90.3%-96.8%) in the conventional fractionation group. The hazard ratio was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.51-2.17; P = .89). The 5-year IPTW estimates for recurrence-free survival were 87.8% (95% CI, 81.0%-92.4%) in the moderate hypofractionation group and 88.4% (95% CI 83.2%-92.1%) in the conventional fractionation group. The hazard ratio was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.62-1.67; P = .95). The 5-year IPTW estimates for overall survival were 96.6% (95% CI, 92.0%-98.5%) in the moderate hypofractionation group and 93.4% (95% CI, 88.7%-96.1%) in the conventional fractionation group. The hazard ratio was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.30-1.42; P = .28). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of outcomes in this large observational cohort of patients with triple-negative, node-negative breast cancer treated with whole-breast irradiation revealed no differences by dose fractionation. This adds evidence to support the use of moderate hypofractionation in patients with triple-negative disease.

Study protocol for SFX-01 after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAS): a multicentre randomised double-blinded, placebo controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm carries high morbidity and mortality. Despite huge advances in techniques to secure the aneurysm, there has been little progress in the treatment of the deleterious effects of the haemorrhage.Sulforaphane is an Nrf2 inducer with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to improve clinical outcome in experimental models of SAH, but is unstable. SFX-01 (Evgen Pharma) is a novel composition comprised of synthetic sulforaphane stabilised within an α-cyclodextrin complex. On ingestion, the complex releases sulforaphane making SFX-01 an ideal vehicle for delivery of sulforaphane. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The objective of the study is to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of SFX-01. This is a prospective, multicentre, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial in patients aged 18-80 years with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the previous 48 hours. 90 patients will be randomised to receive SFX-01 (300 mg) or placebo two times per day for up to 28 days.Safety will be assessed using blood tests and adverse event reporting.Pharmacokinetics will be assessed based on paired blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sulforaphane levels on day 7. A subgroup will have hourly samples taken during 6 hours post-dosing on days 1 and 7. Pharmacodynamics will be assessed by haptoglobin and malondialdehyde levels, and maximum flow velocity of middle cerebral artery will be measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound.Clinical outcomes will be assessed at days 28, 90 and 180 with modified Rankin Scale, Glasgow Outcome Score, SAH Outcome Tool, Short Form-36, Brain Injury Community Rehabilitation Outcome Scales and Check List for Cognitive and Emotional consequences following stroke. MRI at 6 months including quantitative susceptibility mapping and volumetric T1 will measure iron deposition and cortical volume.Safety, CSF sulforaphane concentration and middle cerebral artery flow velocity will be primary outcomes and all others secondary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from South Central Hampshire A committee. Outcomes of the trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02614742.

SFX-01 reduces residual disability after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master transcriptional regulator of the protective cellular response to oxidative stress. Sulforaphane is a Nrf2 activator but is unstable at ambient temperature. SFX-01 is a novel composition comprised of synthetic sulforaphane stabilised within the pocket of an α-cyclodextrin complex. Here we tested the efficacy of SFX-01 in murine relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS: Relapsing EAE was induced in female SJL mice using immunization against PLP139-151. In the therapeutic experiment, the aim was to model initiation of treatment after diagnosis in RRMS, so treatment was started at day 19, one day prior to the expected relapse onset. In the prophylactic experiment, mice were treated from the time of immunization and followed for three weeks. RESULTS: SFX-01 reduced residual disability in both experiments. Most of this effect was mediated by a decrease in maximum severity of relapses and improved recovery during follow-up. Histological examination of the spinal cord was consistent with the clinical findings, with improvement in demyelination and the number of apoptotic cells, but not inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to the vehicle group. CONCLUSIONS: SFX-01 is efficacious in EAE. In first-in-man and phase II clinical trials for other indications, SFX-01 was found to be well-tolerated. A trial comparing BG-12 and SFX-01 would address whether SFX-01 can offer RRMS patients a better option with respect to efficacy and tolerability.

Therapeutic targeting of the NRF2 and KEAP1 partnership in chronic diseases.

The transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2; encoded by NFE2L2) and its principal negative regulator, the E3 ligase adaptor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), are critical in the maintenance of redox, metabolic and protein homeostasis, as well as the regulation of inflammation. Thus, NRF2 activation provides cytoprotection against numerous pathologies including chronic diseases of the lung and liver; autoimmune, neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders; and cancer initiation. One NRF2 activator has received clinical approval and several electrophilic modifiers of the cysteine-based sensor KEAP1 and inhibitors of its interaction with NRF2 are now in clinical development. However, challenges regarding target specificity, pharmacodynamic properties, efficacy and safety remain.

Estimating the Aqueous Solubility of Pharmaceutical Hydrates.

Estimation of crystalline solute solubility is well documented throughout the literature. However, the anhydrous crystal form is typically considered with these models, which is not always the most stable crystal form in water. In this study, an equation which predicts the aqueous solubility of a hydrate is presented. This research attempts to extend the utility of the ideal solubility equation by incorporating desolvation energetics of the hydrated crystal. Similar to the ideal solubility equation, which accounts for the energetics of melting, this model approximates the energy of dehydration to the entropy of vaporization for water. Aqueous solubilities, dehydration and melting temperatures, and log P values were collected experimentally and from the literature. The data set includes different hydrate types and a range of log P values. Three models are evaluated, the most accurate model approximates the entropy of dehydration (ΔSd) by the entropy of vaporization (ΔSvap) for water, and utilizes onset dehydration and melting temperatures in combination with log P. With this model, the average absolute error for the prediction of solubility of 14 compounds was 0.32 log units.

Solid-State and Solution Characterization of Myricetin.

Myricetin (MYR) is a natural compound that has been investigated as a chemopreventative agent. MYR has been shown to suppresses ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression and reduce the incidence of UVB-induced skin tumors in mice. Despite MYR's promise as a therapeutic agent, minimal information is available to guide the progression of formulations designed for future drug development. Here, data is presented describing the solid-state and solution characterization of MYR. Investigation into the solid-state properties of MYR identified four different crystal forms, two hydrates (MYR I and MYR II) and two metastable forms (MYR IA and MYR IIA). From solubility studies, it was evident that all forms are very insoluble (<5 µg/ml) in pure water. MYR I was found to be the most stable form at 23, 35, and 56°C. Stability determination indicated that MYR undergoes rapid apparent first-order degradation under basic pH conditions, and that degradation was influenced by buffer species. Apparent first-order degradation was also seen when MYR was introduced to an oxidizing solution. Improved stability was achieved after introducing 0.1% antioxidants to the solution. MYR was found to have good stability following exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is a consideration for topical applications. Finally, a partitioning study indicated that MYR possess a log P of 2.94 which, along with its solid-state properties, contributes to its poor aqueous solubility. Both the solid-state properties and solution stability of MYR are important to consider when developing future formulations.

Biometry, keratometry, and calculation of intraocular lens power for the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

OBJECTIVE: To document intraocular measurements and predict intraocular lens (IOL) power specific to the bald eagle. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eleven adult, captive bald eagles. PROCEDURES: Axial globe length (AGL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), crystalline lens thickness (CLT), and the distance from the cornea to the posterior lens capsule (CPLC) were measured in eight adult bald eagles using B-mode with vector A-mode ultrasound. Keratometry was done on four eagles. Two estimates for postoperative anterior chamber depth (PACD) were obtained from four aphakic eyes from three eagles by measuring from the apex of the anterior cornea to the center of an imaginary line that would connect the remaining edges of the anterior lens capsule across the capsulorhexis (PACD1) and from the apex of the anterior cornea to halfway between the anterior and posterior lens capsule (PACD2). IOL strength was predicted using the Colenbrander, Binkhorst, and Fyodorov theoretical formulas. RESULTS: Mean ± SD biometry for phakic eyes was AGL = 26.57 ± 0.45 mm, ACD = 4.45 ± 0.18 mm, CLT = 5.49 ± 0.14 mm, and CPLC = 10.00 ± 0.33 mm. Mean predicted PACD1 was 6.1 ± 0.66 mm, and PACD2 was 6.4 ± 0.70 mm. Mean horizontal and vertical corneal refractive power was 39.91 ± 0.43 diopters (D) and 40.02 ± 0.08 D, respectively. Calculated IOL power ranged from +16.4 to 17.4 D. CONCLUSIONS: Calculations using ultrasonographic biometry, keratometry, and theoretical IOL formulas suggest that the strength of an IOL necessary to return an aphakic bald eagle to emmetropia is between +16.4 and +17.4 D.

Stability of sulforaphane for topical formulation.

CONTEXT: Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound that has been investigated as a chemopreventive agent. SFN has been shown to inhibit the activator-protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor and may be effective for inhibition of ultraviolet (UV) induced skin carcinogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the stability of SFN as a function of pH, temperature and in various solvents and formulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stability was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. A potential lead formulation was identified and evaluated in vivo. RESULTS: SFN was determined to undergo apparent first-order degradation kinetics for the conditions explored. It was observed that SFN undergoes base catalyzed degradation. Buffer species and solvent type impacts stability as well. SFN was found to be very sensitive to temperature with degradation rate changing by a factor of nearly 3.1 for every 10 °C change in temperature (at pH 4.0). SFN completely degraded after 30 days in a conventional pharmaceutical cream formulation. Improved stability was observed in organic formulation components. Stability studies were conducted on two nonaqueous topical formulations: a polyethylene glycol (PEG) ointment base and an organic oleaginous base. CONCLUSION: Topically applied SFN in the PEG base formulation significantly reduced AP-1 activation after UV stimulation in the skin of a transgenic mouse model, indicating that SFN in this formulation retains efficacy in vivo.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for recurrent glossopharyngeal neuralgia after microvascular decompression.

BACKGROUND: We report the first application of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR) for recurrent glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) after microvascular decompression (MVD). The patient is a 51-year-old male with left-sided GN. He underwent MVD and did well for almost 4 years. Later on, the patient started to experience recurrent intolerable throat pain, frequently 10/10 in intensity. Based on the application of radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia, GKR was offered to the patient. METHODS: After careful identification of the nerve with the assistance of a neuroradiologist, we targeted the nerve root complex, which is the cisternal portion of the nerve, using the Coherent Oscillatory State Acquisition for the Manipulation of Image Contrast (COSMIC) pulse sequence with contiguous 1-mm slices obtained by an 1.5 Tesla MRI. The radiosurgery was planned utilizing the Leksell Gamma Plan version 8.1. A single shot with a 4-mm collimator was used to deliver 80 Gy to the 100% isodose line. RESULTS: Four weeks after the treatment, the patient began to notice significant pain relief. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient's pain, which was intolerable prior to radiosurgery, was mild and occasional. CONCLUSION: GKR, which is now widely used for refractory trigeminal neuralgia, can be considered for refractory or recurrent GN. With a multidisciplinary approach and advanced neuroimaging, GKR is feasible for GN after MVD, despite the shortness of the intracranial cisternal nerve portion. Further studies are necessary to establish the role of GKR for refractory GN after MVD; however, given its rarity and the lack of experience with GKR for this condition, retrospective studies with dozens of patients are almost impossible at this time.

Comparative evaluation of pharmaceutical products obtained in Mexico: augmenting existing scientific data.

CONTEXT: The accessibility of pharmacies in neighboring countries has facilitated the trend of acquiring medications outside of local borders. However, scientific data assessing the drug content and quality of these medications has not increased in a corresponding fashion. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to augment existing scientific data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen products that were obtained from pharmacies in Mexico were evaluated for active ingredient content. The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) assessed included amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, levothyroxine, sildenafil citrate, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and warfarin. API content was analysed with high performance liquid chromatography assays and the resultant data interpreted by applying United States Pharmacopeia (USP) acceptability limits. RESULTS: All of the samples analyzed for the two ciprofloxacin products and the two ampicillin products were found to be within the USP limits. Of the four different sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim products tested, all were within USP limits for sulfamethoxazole, but contained 2-3 individual units which were outside of USP limits for trimethoprim. Several of the remaining products (amoxicillin, levothyroxine, sildenafil citrate, and warfarin) had individual units that fell outside of the USP limits, although only one of the levothyroxine products (1 out of 20 tablets tested) and both sildenafil citrate products (all of the units tested) contained units outside of ±25% label claim.

Utility of daily image guidance with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for tumors of the base of skull.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to report our experience using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for tumors involving the base of skull. METHODS: In all, 100 patients were prospectively treated with IMRT to a median dose of 64 Gy (range, 45-70 Gy). Daily helical megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) scans were obtained as part of an IGRT registration protocol for patient alignment. RESULTS: The 2-year local-regional control was 91%. A total of 3295 daily MVCT scans were obtained. The mean shift to account for interfraction motion was 1.18 ± 1.75 mm, 1.81 ± 1.34 mm, and 1.33 ± 1.19 mm for the medial-lateral (ML), superior-inferior (SI), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions, respectively. Pretreatment shifts of >3 mm occurred in 10%, 26%, and 18%, in the ML, SI, and AP directions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility and efficacy of daily IGRT as a complement to IMRT for skull base were demonstrated.

Pre-clinical Implants of the Levitronix PediVAS® Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device - Strategy for Regulatory Approval.

The PediVAS blood pump is a magnetically levitated centrifugal pump designed for pediatric bridge-to-decision or bridge-to-recovery in pediatric patients from 3-20kg in weight. In preparation for submission of an investigational device exemption (IDE) application, we completed a final six-animal series of pre-clinical studies. The studies were conducted under controlled conditions as prescribed by the recently released FDA guidance document for animal studies for cardiovascular devices. Three 30-day chronic left ventricular support studies were completed in a juvenile lamb model to demonstrate the safety and hemocompatibility of the PediVAS pump. Three additional 8-hour acute biventricular support studies were performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach from a hemodynamic and systems standpoint. It is estimated that 50% of pediatric patients who require left ventricular support also require right ventricular support. All studies were successfully completed without complications, device malfunctions, or adverse events. End-organ function was normal for the chronic studies. We noted small surface lesions on one kidney from each chronic study as well as the presence of ring thrombus on connectors, as expected for these types of studies in animal models. The strategy and challenges imposed by performing a controlled cardiovascular device study in a juvenile lamb model are discussed. We believe that these successful implants demonstrate safety and performance for the PediVAS device for support of an IDE application to initiate human clinical trials and provide a roadmap for other researchers.

NASA Radiation Biomarker Workshop, September 27-28, 2007.

A summary is provided of presentations and discussions at the NASA Radiation Biomarker Workshop held September 27-28, 2007 at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. Invited speakers were distinguished scientists representing key sectors of the radiation research community. Speakers addressed recent developments in the biomarker and biotechnology fields that may provide new opportunities for health-related assessment of radiation-exposed individuals, including those exposed during long-duration space travel. Topics discussed included the space radiation environment, biomarkers of radiation sensitivity and individual susceptibility, molecular signatures of low-dose responses, multivariate analysis of gene expression, biomarkers in biodefense, biomarkers in radiation oncology, biomarkers and triage after large-scale radiological incidents, integrated and multiple biomarker approaches, advances in whole-genome tiling arrays, advances in mass spectrometry proteomics, radiation biodosimetry for estimation of cancer risk in a rat skin model, and confounding factors. A summary of conclusions is provided at the end of the report.

The management of painful bone metastases with an emphasis on radionuclide therapy.

OBJECTIVE: This review provides an update on the management of painful bone metastases, with an emphasis on radionuclide therapy, and introduces oligometastases and quantitative imaging evaluations for clinical trials. METHODS: The current use of radionuclides, alone and in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy for painful bone metastases, is discussed, including toxicity, cost and overall outcomes. RESULTS: Radionuclide therapy is shown to be a useful and cost-effective means of alleviating bone pain in metastatic disease and may be more effective when combined with chemotherapy, bisphosphonates and radiation therapy. Early use of radionuclides in pain therapy may limit cancer progression by inhibiting oligometastases development. Thus, radionuclides can significantly decrease patient morbidity, prolong patient survival, and may decrease the occurrence of new bone metastases. CONCLUSION: Palliative pain therapy is critical for effectively managing bone metastases, with treatment options including analgesics, external beam radiotherapy, chemotherapy and radionuclides. Radionuclide therapy is underutilized. Recent studies using radionuclides with chemotherapy and bisphosponates, or using newer radionuclides or combinations of radionuclides and treatment paradigms (e.g., higher activities, repetitive or cyclic administration, chemo sensitization, chemo supplementation), are encouraging. A comprehensive, inter-disciplinary clinical approach is needed. Clinical collaborations will optimize radionuclide therapy for pain palliation and increase awareness of its benefits.