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Peer review is an essential quality assurance component of radiation therapy planning. A growing body of literature has demonstrated substantial rates of suggested plan changes resulting from peer review. There remains a paucity of data on the impact of peer review rounds for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We therefore aim to evaluate the outcomes of peer review in this specific patient cohort.
Methods and materials:
We conducted a retrospective review of all SBRT cases that underwent peer review from July 2015 to June 2018 at a single institution. Weekly peer review rounds are grouped according to cancer subsite and attended by radiation oncologists, medical physicists and medical radiation technologists. We prospectively compiled ‘learning moments’, defined as cases with suggested changes or where an educational discussion occurred beyond routine management, and critical errors, defined as errors which could alter clinical outcomes, recorded prospectively during peer review. Plan changes implemented after peer review were documented.
Results:
Nine hundred thirty-four SBRT cases were included. The most common treatment sites were lung (518, 55%), liver (196, 21%) and spine (119, 13%). Learning moments were identified in 161 cases (17%) and translated into plan changes in 28 cases (3%). Two critical errors (0.2%) were identified: an inadequate planning target volume margin and an incorrect image set used for contouring. There was a statistically significantly higher rate of learning moments for lower-volume SBRT sites (defined as ≤30 cases/year) versus higher-volume SBRT sites (29% vs 16%, respectively; p = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Peer review for SBRT cases revealed a low rate of critical errors, but did result in implemented plan changes in 3% of cases, and either educational discussion or suggestions of plan changes in 17% of cases. All SBRT sites appear to benefit from peer review, though lower-volume sites may require particular attention.
OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 is evolving as well as spreading within and between communities is vital for the design of rational, evidence-based control measures. Continuous genomic surveillance is imperative to identify and track variants and can be paired with clinical data, to identify associations with severity or vaccine breakthroughs. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In June of 2021, we established UNM as a CDC-funded hub for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 for New Mexico and 3 other Rocky Mountain region states (Wyoming, Idaho, Montana). Through our Rocky Mountain COVID Consortium (RMCC), we have sequenced over 6,000 genomes of SARS-CoV-2 from RMCC partners. For New Mexico we integrate county and zip code data to provide more granular insights into how SARS-CoV-2, and particular variants, are transmitting within the state. We also pair this data with vaccine breakthrough cases identified by the NMDOH, as well as with clinical outcome data. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We sequenced over 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from New Mexico (n=3091), Idaho (n=1538), Arkansas (n=1101), Wyoming (n=251), and Montana (n=33). We used this data to infer the transmission dynamics, identify variants, and map the spread of the virus. We identified a novel local variant that spread across New Mexico in early 2021, but was quickly replaced by the Alpha variant. In all RMCC states, the Delta variant overtook Alpha and has become nearly the only variant currently circulating in these states. We identified sequenced isolates from vaccine breakthrough cases in NM and demonstrate their role in onward transmission. We can identify shifts at a county or zip-code level in circulating lineages which may correspond to clinical outcomes or fluctuating case counts. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This integrated genomic data can be used by policy and decision makers within the New Mexico Department of Health and our RMCC partners to guide their public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article sets out to address some of the questions relating to translation/adaptation/“versions of versions of versions” (Simon Stephens), as exemplified in three recent productions of Brecht plays. Particular attention is paid to Stephens's “version” of The Threepenny Opera staged at the National Theatre in 2016. A similar approach to the translating of a major play text is also noticeable in two Australian productions of Brecht plays, where the “translator” also presumes to “improve” on the original author's staging, textual and characterization choices.
We offer a preliminary examination of whether national and organizational level contexts amplify or reduce the effects of de-globalization on the performance of MNCs. Theoretically, we borrow ideas from both event system theory and institutional fit to propose a model explicating key dimensions of the relationship between de-globalization, national and organizational context, and MNC performance. We then test our ideas using data assembled from 283 MNCs in 20 countries. We find that while de-globalization has a negative effect on MNC performance, national and organizational level contextual endowments do moderate this relationship. We discuss some implications of our findings and highlight attendant limitations.
ABSTRACT IMPACT: It is our hope that a better understanding of the relationship between genetic variants that influence heart failure precursor traits will not only inform clinical care, but enable better assessment of inherited risk and will identify new biological targets for drug development. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: In this project, using a large-scale human genomic dataset with extensive phenotype data available, we intend to interrogate the known MTSS1 variants that have been associated with heart failure (HF) in previous GWAS studies in order to understand the directionality and mechanisms of their effects. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Data was obtained from the UK Biobank, a large prospective cohort of ˜500,000 patients across the United Kingdom with extensive phenotype data, including ˜50,000 patients with cardiac MRI and ˜200,000 with whole exome sequencing. We test for associations between genetic variants at the MTSS1 locus and HF precursor traits using logistic regression or linear regression, adjusting for age, gender, and principal components (PCs) of ancestry. For rare variant analyses we ‘bin’ rare variants (MAF < 0.01) using the software tool BioBin to aggregate low frequency genetic variants into single genetic units. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary data have shown that variants in the known MTSS1 enhancer region which reduce MTSS1 expression are associated with smaller, more contractile hearts. We anticipate that common variants known to reduce enhancer activity will attenuate heart failure precursor traits, will be associated with a reduced risk clinical heart failure, and will favorably impact clinical outcomes once HF is established. We also anticipate that rare exonic variants predicted to impair MTSS1 function will attenuate heart failure precursor traits. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Through this work, we intend to take advantage of multiple novel approaches to better understand a complex disease process, identify a new potential therapeutic target (namely one that targets cardiac function), and to determine which patient subgroups will benefit from this our therapeutic interventions and why.
Substance use and psychiatric illness, particularly psychotic disorders, contribute to violence in emergency healthcare settings. However, there is limited research regarding the relationship between specific substances, psychotic symptoms and violent behaviour in such settings. We investigated the interaction between recent cannabinoid and stimulant use, and acute psychotic symptoms, in relation to violent behaviour in a British emergency healthcare setting.
Methods
We used electronic medical records from detentions of 1089 individuals under Section 136 of the UK Mental Health Act (1983 amended 2007), an emergency police power used to detain people for 24–36 h for psychiatric assessment. The relationship between recent cannabinoids and/or stimulant use, psychotic symptoms, and violent behaviour, was estimated using logistic regression.
Findings
There was evidence of recent alcohol or drug use in 64.5% of detentions. Violent incidents occurred in 12.6% of detentions. Psychotic symptoms increased the odds of violence by 4.0 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.2–7.4; p < 0.0001]. Cannabinoid use combined with psychotic symptoms increased the odds of violence further [odds ratios (OR) 7.1, 95% CI 3.7–13.6; p < 0.0001]. Recent use of cannabinoids with stimulants but without psychotic symptoms was also associated with increased odds of violence (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–7.9; p < 0.0001).
Interpretation
In the emergency setting, patients who have recently used cannabinoids and exhibit psychotic symptoms are at higher risk of violent behaviour. Those who have used both stimulants and cannabinoids without psychotic symptoms may also be at increased risk. De-escalation protocols in emergency healthcare settings should account explicitly for substance use.
The Democratic and Republican parties select their presidential nominees through a complex, fundamentally unstable process. It is an awkward amalgamation of disparate components, each designed to empower different constituencies within the party and pursue different goals. Each party ultimately chooses its nominee at a national convention comprised of delegates from each state. The mechanisms for selecting delegates to the national convention, however, are distinct from the procedures for determining the presidential candidates for whom those delegates must vote. National convention delegates are often selected at statewide or congressional-district conventions or through other intraparty mechanisms. They are typically pledged or “bound” to presidential candidates based on the outcomes of presidential preference contests, such as primaries and caucuses. Because of the complicated relationship among these components, the national convention need not nominate the person who received the most primary and caucus votes nationwide, won the most delegates, or prevailed in the most primaries and caucuses.
Background: Central neuropathic pain syndromes are a result of central nervous system injury, most commonly related to stroke, traumatic spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis. These syndromes are distinctly less common than peripheral neuropathic pain, and less is known regarding the underlying pathophysiology, appropriate pharmacotherapy, and long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term clinical effectiveness of the management of central neuropathic pain relative to peripheral neuropathic pain at tertiary pain centers. Methods: Patients diagnosed with central (n=79) and peripheral (n=710) neuropathic pain were identified for analysis from a prospective observational cohort study of patients with chronic neuropathic pain recruited from seven Canadian tertiary pain centers. Data regarding patient characteristics, analgesic use, and patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the composite of a reduction in average pain intensity and pain interference. Secondary outcome measures included assessments of function, mood, quality of life, catastrophizing, and patient satisfaction. Results: At 12-month follow-up, 13.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-25.8) of patients with central neuropathic pain and complete data sets (n=52) achieved a ≥30% reduction in pain, whereas 38.5% (95% CI, 25.3-53.0) achieved a reduction of at least 1 point on the Pain Interference Scale. The proportion of patients with central neuropathic pain achieving both these measures, and thus the primary outcome, was 9.6% (95% CI, 3.2-21.0). Patients with peripheral neuropathic pain and complete data sets (n=463) were more likely to achieve this primary outcome at 12 months (25.3% of patients; 95% CI, 21.4-29.5) (p=0.012). Conclusion: Patients with central neuropathic pain syndromes managed in tertiary care centers were less likely to achieve a meaningful improvement in pain and function compared with patients with peripheral neuropathic pain at 12-month follow-up.
Background: Considerable evidence from twin and adoption studies indicates that genetic and shared environmental factors play a role in the initiation of smoking behavior. Although twin and adoption designs are powerful to detect genetic and environmental influences, they do not provide information on the processes of assortative mating and parent–offspring transmission and their contribution to the variability explained by genetic and/or environmental factors. Methods: We examined the role of genetic and environmental factors in individual differences for smoking initiation (SI) using an extended kinship design. This design allows the simultaneous testing of additive and non-additive genetic, shared and individual-specific environmental factors, as well as sex differences in the expression of genes and environment in the presence of assortative mating and combined genetic and cultural transmission, while also estimating the regression of the prevalence of SI on age. A dichotomous lifetime ‘ever’ smoking measure was obtained from twins and relatives in the ‘Virginia 30,000’ sample and the ‘Australian 25,000’. Results: Results demonstrate that both genetic and environmental factors play a significant role in the liability to SI. Major influences on individual differences appeared to be additive genetic and unique environmental effects, with smaller contributions from assortative mating, shared sibling environment, twin environment, cultural transmission, and resulting genotype-environment covariance. Age regression of the prevalence of SI was significant. The finding of negative cultural transmission without dominance led us to investigate more closely two possible mechanisms for the lower parent–offspring correlations compared to the sibling and DZ twin correlations in subsets of the data: (1) age × gene interaction, and (2) social homogamy. Neither of the mechanism provided a significantly better explanation of the data. Conclusions: This study showed significant heritability, partly due to assortment, and significant effects of primarily non-parental shared environment on liability to SI.
There are no available medications for the management of alcohol dependence for patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD).
Aims
To conduct a multisite, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of baclofen in the treatment of alcohol dependence, with or without liver disease (trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01711125).
Method
Patients (n = 104) were randomised to placebo, baclofen 30 mg/day or 75 mg/day for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included survival time to lapse (any drinking), relapse (≥5 drinks per day in men and ≥4 in women), and the composite outcome of drinks per drinking day, number of heavy drinking days, and percentage days abstinent.
Results
There was a significant effect of baclofen (composite groups) on time to lapse (χ2 = 6.44, P<0.05, Cohen's d = 0.56) and relapse (χ2 = 4.62, P<0.05, d = 0.52). A significant treatment effect of baclofen was observed for percentage days abstinent (placebo 43%, baclofen 30 mg 69%, baclofen 75 mg 65%; P<0.05). There was one serious adverse event (overdose) directly related to medication (75 mg).
Conclusions
Baclofen may be an effective treatment option for patients with ALD. However, given the profile of adverse events, the role for this medication might be best limited to specialist services.
The genetic component of Cannabis Use Disorder may overlap with influences acting more generally on early stages of cannabis use. This paper aims to determine the extent to which genetic influences on the development of cannabis abuse/dependence are correlated with those acting on the opportunity to use cannabis and frequency of use.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 3303 Australian twins, measuring age of onset of cannabis use opportunity, lifetime frequency of cannabis use, and lifetime DSM-IV cannabis abuse/dependence. A trivariate Cholesky decomposition estimated additive genetic (A), shared environment (C) and unique environment (E) contributions to the opportunity to use cannabis, the frequency of cannabis use, cannabis abuse/dependence, and the extent of overlap between genetic and environmental factors associated with each phenotype.
Results
Variance components estimates were A = 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–0.70] and E = 0.36 (95% CI 0.29–0.42) for age of opportunity to use cannabis, A = 0.74 (95% CI 0.66–0.80) and E = 0.26 (95% CI 0.20–0.34) for cannabis use frequency, and A = 0.78 (95% CI 0.65–0.88) and E = 0.22 (95% CI 0.12–0.35) for cannabis abuse/dependence. Opportunity shares 45% of genetic influences with the frequency of use, and only 17% of additive genetic influences are unique to abuse/dependence from those acting on opportunity and frequency.
Conclusions
There are significant genetic contributions to lifetime cannabis abuse/dependence, but a large proportion of this overlaps with influences acting on opportunity and frequency of use. Individuals without drug use opportunity are uninformative, and studies of drug use disorders must incorporate individual exposure to accurately identify aetiology.