Wu, Qing Feng

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal proliferation of a neoplastic plasma cell and its production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin; evolving from an asymptomatic pre-malignant stage named monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). At the time of diagnosis with MM, lytic lesions are present in approximately 70-80% of patients. Lytic lesions increase the risk for skeletal related events as well as treatment costs, while lowering quality of life and overall survival. Metastatic bone surveys underestimate bone disease since plain radiographs demonstrate abnormalities until at least 30% of trabecular bone has been lost and cannot provide information about ongoing bone remodeling. Bone scintigraphy lacks usefulness in following bone disease due to decreased osteoblast activity in MM, while Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans produce heterogeneous local bone mineral density changes and are not recommended to evaluate bone disease in these patients. Biomarkers (eg, N- and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen) have been used to assess bone metabolism balance (BMB; ie, the difference between bone formation and resorption) in MM prior and subsequent to specific therapies, however, consensus is still lacking and their clinical utility is uncertain. Calcium in nature consists of six isotopes, and the relative abundance of the isotopes varies measurably. The strength of molecular bonds depends on atomic weight of the participating atoms. Calcium (Ca) containing compounds react at different rates depending on atomic mass. Bone formation favors lighter isotopes of Ca, depleting soft tissue of light Ca isotopes, while bone resorption releases this isotopically light Ca back into soft tissue with little or no selectivity. As a result of this difference in isotope fractionation, Ca isotopic composition in soft tissue should shift to heavier Ca isotope values in positive BMB and lighter values in negative BMB. In order to identify whether Ca isotopic composition can be used as a marker of myeloma-induced bone disease, we first set out to determine its association with MM disease activity. Using multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we determined the Ca isotopic composition in 108 peripheral blood samples from 54 patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Ca isotopic composition was determined as the ratio between the naturally occurring 44Ca and 42Ca isotopes (δ44/42Ca) relative to a standard in parts per ten thousand units, as previously described by Morgan et al. Disease activity was determined at the time of δ44/42Ca determination by assessing disease status and response to treatment, as described by the International Myeloma Working Group uniform response criteria, defining progressive or relapsed disease as active disease, and stable or responsive disease as non-active. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi squared or Fisher’s exact test, interval variables were analyzed using a one-tailed t-test. A repeated measures logistic regression model was developed using a cross-sectional time-series generalized estimating equation. All statistical analysis was done using Stata/SE 12.0. Fifty-four adult patients (61% male) diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy, ranging from MGUS (n=1) to SMM (n=4) to MM (n=49), were assessed at different time points, with 7 patients being assessed once, 41 were assessed twice, 5 were assessed 3 times, while 1 patient was assessed 4 times. Mean age at the time of first assessment was 66, ranging from 45 to 84. Mean δ44/42Ca was statistically lower in the active disease group as compared to the non-active group (-0.7536 vs -0.6564, p=0.0466). In a statistically significant repeated measurement logistic regression model (p= 0.0239), δ44/42Ca is associated with active disease (OR=0. 054, p=0.031, 95% CI=0.004-0.765) after adjusting for age, gender, presence of anemia, serum creatinine, free light chain ratio, current bisphosphonate and current anti-myeloma therapy. A lower δ44/42Ca in the active disease group might suggest a link between a more intense level of bone resorption and myeloma activity. Ca isotopic composition can become part of the clinician’s arsenal to determine disease status in a patient with MM. In order to further characterize δ44/42Ca to specifically infer myeloma-induced bone disease activity, further studies that include serum biomarkers and dynamic imaging should be performed. Disclosures: Gordon: Arizona State University: “Application of Ca isotope analysis to the early detection of metastatic cancer” (AzTE reference number M13-117) Patents & Royalties; Arizona State University: “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L), “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L) Patents & Royalties. Skulan:AZTE: “Application of Ca isotope analysis to the early detection of metastatic cancer” (AzTE reference number M13-117) Patents & Royalties; AZTE: “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L), “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L) Patents & Royalties. Anbar:Arizona State University: “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L), “Isotopic biomarkers for rapid assessment of bone mineral balance in biomedical applications” (US Application #PCT/US2011/039780; AzTE reference number M10-102L) Patents & Royalties; Arizona State University: “Application of Ca isotope analysis to the early detection of metastatic cancer” (AzTE reference number M13-117) Patents & Royalties. Fonseca:AMGEN: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; Binding Site: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Lilly: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Genzyme: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Medtronic: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Cylene: Research Funding; Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of the disease: Patents & Royalties.

Background Results of animal studies assessing efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy for ischemic stroke remain inconsistent. Aims The aims are to assess efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy for ischemic stroke in animal studies. Methods Randomized controlled animal trials assessing efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell therapy were eligible. Stroke therapy academic industry round table was used to assess methodologic quality of included studies. Primary outcomes were total infarction volume and modified Neurological Severity Score. Multiple prespecified sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted. Random effects models were used for meta-analysis. Results Thirty-three randomized animal trials were included with a total of 796 animals. The median quality score was 6 (interquartile range, 5–7). Bone marrow stromal cell therapy decreased total infarction volume (standardized mean difference, 0.897; 95% confidence interval, 0.553–1.241; P < .001) at follow-up. Overall standardized mean difference between animals treated with bone marrow stromal cell and controls was 2.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.84–3.11; P < .001) for modified Neurological Severity Score; 1.27 (95% confidence interval, 0.72–1.82; P < .001) for adhesive removal test; and 2.13 (95% confidence interval, 0.65–3.61; P < .001) for rotarod test. Significant heterogeneity among studies was observed. Effect of all outcomes stayed significant in various sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses, except in a few subgroup analyses with small sample size or with short time follow-up. No significant difference between groups was observed except for study location, in which significantly larger estimates were found in Asian countries. On the basis of this meta-analysis, larger sample sizes are warranted for future animal studies. Conclusions Bone marrow stromal cell therapy significantly decreased total infarction volume and increased neural functional recovery in randomized controlled animal models of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUNDBurnout is a syndrome affecting the entirety of work life and characterized by cynicism, detachment, and inefficacy. Despite longstanding concerns about burnout in hospital medicine, few data about burnout in hospitalists have been published.PURPOSEA systematic review of the literature on burnout in inpatient‐based and outpatient‐based physicians worldwide was undertaken to determine whether inpatient physicians experience more burnout than outpatient physicians.DATA SOURCESFive medical databases were searched for relevant terms with no language restrictions. Authors were contacted for unpublished data and clarification of the practice location of study subjects.STUDY SELECTIONTwo investigators independently reviewed each article. Included studies provided a measure of burnout in inpatient and/or outpatient nontrainee physicians.DATA EXTRACTIONFifty‐four studies met inclusion criteria, 15 of which provided direct comparisons of inpatient and outpatient physicians. Twenty‐eight studies used the same burnout measure and therefore were amenable to statistical analysis.DATA SYNTHESISOutpatient physicians reported more emotional exhaustion than inpatient physicians. No statistically significant differences in depersonalization or personal accomplishment were found. Further comparisons were limited by the heterogeneity of instruments used to measure burnout and the lack of available information about practice location in many studies.CONCLUSIONSThe existing literature does not support the widely held belief that burnout is more frequent in hospitalists than outpatient physicians. Better comparative studies of hospitalist burnout are needed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:653–664. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine

Abstract Because studies of the association between tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) treatment and risk of fracture have shown inconsistent findings, we sought to assess whether people who take TCAs are at increased risk of fracture. Relevant studies published by June 2012 were identified through database searches of Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, and WorldCat Dissertations and Theses from their inception, and manual searching of reference lists. Only original studies that examined the association between TCA treatment and risk of fracture were included. Two investigators independently conducted literature searches, study selection, study appraisal, and data abstraction using a standardized protocol. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Because of the heterogeneity of these studies, random-effects models were used to pool estimates of effect. Overall, TCA use was associated with significantly increased fracture risk (relative risk [RR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–1.60; p &lt; 0.001). Increased fracture risk associated with TCA use was also observed in studies that adjusted for bone mineral density (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.24–1.90; p &lt; 0.001) or depression (RR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28–1.67; p &lt; 0.001). Strength of association with TCA exposure duration ≥6 weeks (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00–1.28) was substantially weaker than association with TCA exposure duration &lt;6 weeks (RR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.41–4.08). Prior TCA exposure had no significant effect on fracture risk (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86–1.26; p = 0.70). After accounting for publication bias, we found the overall association between TCA use and fracture risk to be slightly weaker (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.24–1.50) but still significant (p &lt; 0.001). Findings of this meta-analysis indicate that treatment with TCAs may convey an increased risk of fracture, independent of depression and bone mineral density. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Background and Purpose— Telestroke reduces acute stroke care disparities between urban stroke centers and rural hospitals. Current technologies used to conduct remote patient assessments have high start-up costs, yet they cannot consistently establish quality timely connections. Smartphones can be used for high-quality video teleconferencing. They are inexpensive and ubiquitous among health care providers. We aimed to study the reliability of high-quality video teleconferencing using smartphones for conducting the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Methods— Two vascular neurologists assessed 100 stroke patients with the NIHSS. The remote vascular neurologist assessed subjects using smartphone videoconferencing with the assistance of a bedside medical aide. The bedside vascular neurologist scored patients contemporaneously. Each vascular neurologist was blinded to the other’s NIHSS scores. We tested the inter-method agreement and physician satisfaction with the device. Results— We demonstrated high total NIHSS score correlation between the methods ( r =0.949; P <0.001). The mean total NIHSS scores for bedside and remote assessments were 7.93±8.10 and 7.28±7.85, with ranges, of 0 to 35 and 0 to 37, respectively. Eight categories had high agreement: level of consciousness (questions), level of consciousness (commands), visual fields, motor left and right (arm and leg), and best language. Six categories had moderate agreement: level of consciousness (consciousness), best gaze, facial palsy, sensory, dysarthria, and extinction/inattention. Ataxia had poor agreement. There was high physician satisfaction with the smartphone. Conclusions— Smartphone high-quality video teleconferencing is reliable, easy to use, affordable for telestroke NIHSS administration, and has high physician satisfaction.

Abstract Whether hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values are suitable for diagnosing diabetes has been debated. We sought to assess the prevalence of elevated HbA1c levels in a prediabetes patient population. Oral glucose tolerance tests and HbA1c levels were analyzed for patients entering a diabetes prevention program between January 1, 2007, and September 13, 2009. We calculated the percentage of patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who had HbA1c values in the 6.0% to 6.4% range or in the 5.7% to 6.4% range. The mean age of the 242 patients was 62 years; 64.0% were women, and 88.0% were white. Isolated IFG was detected in about 56.2% of patients and combined IFG and IGT in about 37.2%. Only 28.5% of patients had HbA1c values in the 6.0% to 6.4% range, whereas 65.3% had values in the 5.7% to 6.4% range. Our data suggest that reliance on HbA1c testing alone to identify candidates for a diabetes prevention program would miss a substantial number of eligible patients.