Citations

Abstract Background. Quantitative radiomic features of medical images could provide clinical significance in assisting decision-making, but the existing feature selection and modeling methods are usually parameter-dependent. We aim to develop and validate a generalized radiomic method applicable to a variety of clinical outcomes. Methods and materials. A generalized methodology for radiomic feature selection and modeling (‘GRFM’ for short), including two-step feature selection and logistic regression, was proposed for studying clinical outcomes correlations. The two-step feature selection consists of Pearson correlation analysis followed by a sequential forward floating selection algorithm to identify robust feature subsets. We also applied an adaptive searching strategy to systematically determine globally optimal parameters, rather than relying on preset parameters. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of three outcomes: lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer (GC), the five-year survival status of high-grade osteosarcoma (HOS), and the pathological grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Results. The optimal Pearson thresholds were 0.85, 0.80 and 0.75, and the optimal feature numbers were 11, 14 and 8 in GC, HOS and pNETs, respectively. The AUC values of the three predictive models combined with the corresponding parameters were 0.9017 versus 0.9026, 0.7652 versus 0.7113, and 0.8438 versus 0.8212 for the training and validation cohorts, showing promissing generality and classifier performance . Conclusion. The proposed method was helpful in predicting different clinical outcomes, and has potential application as a general and noninvasive prediction tool to guide clinical decision-making in various cancer sites.

A rare APOE variant APOE3 -Jac reduces self-aggregation and promotes healthy brain aging.

AbstractIntroductionBlood‐based biomarkers of amyloid pathology and neurodegeneration are entering clinical use. It is critical to understand what factors affect the levels of these markers.MethodsPlasma markers (Aβ42, Aβ40, NfL, T‐tau, Aβ42/40 ratio) were measured on the Quanterix Simoa HD‐1 analyzer for 996 Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) participants, aged 51 to 95 years. All other data were collected during in‐person MCSA visits or abstracted from the medical record.ResultsAmong cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants, all plasma markers correlated with age. Linear regression models revealed multiple relationships. For example, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index and chronic kidney disease were associated with higher levels of all biomarkers. Some relationships differed between mild cognitive impairment and dementia participants.DiscussionMultiple variables affect plasma biomarkers of amyloid pathology and neurodegeneration among CU in the general population. Incorporating this information is critical for accurate interpretation of the biomarker levels and for the development of reference ranges.

Background There is heterogeneity in the names and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques. This may have adverse consequences on education, research, and implementation into clinical practice. We aimed to produce standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques. Methods We conducted an international consensus study involving experts using a three-round Delphi method to produce a list of names and corresponding descriptions of anatomical targets. After long-list formulation by a Steering Committee, the first and second rounds involved anonymous electronic voting and commenting, with the third round involving a virtual round table discussion aiming to achieve consensus on items that had yet to achieve it. Novel names were presented where required for anatomical clarity and harmonization. Strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50% to 74% agreement. Results Sixty expert Collaborators participated in this study. After three rounds and clarification, harmonization, and introduction of novel nomenclature, strong consensus was achieved for the names of 16 block names and weak consensus for four names. For anatomical descriptions, strong consensus was achieved for 19 blocks and weak consensus was achieved for one approach. Several areas requiring further research were identified. Conclusions Harmonization and standardization of nomenclature may improve education, research, and ultimately patient care. We present the first international consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of blocks of the abdominal wall, chest wall, and paraspinal blocks. We recommend using the consensus results in academic and clinical practice.

8020 Background: MM patients (pts) often receive several lines of therapy with multiple drug combinations and, as lenalidomide (R)-containing regimens are commonly used as first-line therapy, R-free options for subsequent lines are necessary. Additionally, as pts age and become less tolerant to treatment, more convenient regimens, such as all-oral options, with less toxicity are needed. Dexamethasone (dex)-based doublets are effective and tolerable in this setting. Methods: Proteasome inhibitor (PI)-exposed and/or intolerant and R-refractory pts who had ≥2 prior therapies (N = 122) were randomized 3:2 to receive: ixazomib (ixa) 4 mg (5.5 mg from cycle 2 if tolerated) on day (d) 1, 8, 15, and dex 20 mg (≥75 years [yrs], 10 mg) on d 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23; or pomalidomide (pom) 4 mg on d 1–21, and dex 40 mg (≥75 yrs, 20 mg) on d 1, 8, 15, 22, in 28-d cycles until progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Pts were stratified by age ( < 65 vs ≥65 yrs), International Staging System (ISS) disease stage at study entry (I/II vs III), and prior lines of therapy (2 vs ≥3). The study was powered to test the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). Results: In the ixa-dex (n = 73) vs pom-dex (n = 49) arms, median age was 72 vs 68 yrs (36% vs 18% ≥75 yrs), 25% vs 22% of pts had ISS stage III MM, and 52% vs 53% had received ≥3 prior therapies (per stratification). At data cutoff (5/31/2020), 19% vs 20% of pts were ongoing on treatment with ixa-dex vs pom-dex; primary reasons for discontinuation were PD (47% vs 57%) and adverse events (AEs; 23% vs 12%). With median follow-up of 15.3 vs 17.3 months (mos), median PFS (mPFS) was 7.1 vs 4.8 mos with ixa-dex vs pom-dex (hazard ratio [HR] 0.847; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.535–1.341; p = 0.477); the Table shows mPFS by prior lines, and secondary endpoints. Pts received a median of 6 cycles with both ixa-dex (range 1–25) and pom-dex (range 1–27); 64% of ixa-dex pts were able to escalate to a 5.5 mg dose of ixa. 69% vs 81% of ixa-dex vs pom-dex pts had grade (G) ≥3 AEs, 51% vs 53% had serious AEs, 39% vs 36% had an AE leading to drug discontinuation, 44% vs 32% had an AE leading to dose reduction, and 13% vs 13% died on study. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL; EORTC QLQ-C30/MY20, and EQ-5D-5L) was maintained, and similar between arms. Conclusions: Ixa-dex prolonged PFS vs pom-dex in these heavily pretreated, PI-exposed and/or intolerant, R-refractory pts, but the difference was not statistically significant. Ixa-dex was well tolerated, with lower G≥3 AE rates vs pom-dex, and comparable HRQoL. Clinical trial information: NCT03170882.

Background: While both apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and diabetes affect longevity as well as Alzheimer’s disease, their relationship remains to be elucidated. Objective: The current study investigated the potential interaction between diabetes and APOE for lifespan and their relationship with cognitive status. Methods: We reviewed the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) dataset, which documents longitudinally clinical records of 24,967 individuals with APOE genotype and diabetic status. Results: Diabetes was associated with shorter lifespan in APOE3 carriers (n = 12,415, HR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.17–1.42, p < 0.001) and APOE2 carriers (n = 2,390, HR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.10–1.69, p = 0.016), while such associations were weaker and not significant in APOE4 carriers (n = 9,490, HR = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.99–1.24, p = 0.162). As there is a significant interactive effect of cognitive status and diabetes on lifespan (p < 0.001), we stratified subjects by cognitive status and observed persistent APOE-dependent harmful effects of diabetes in nondemented individuals but not demented individuals. Notably, questionnaire-based activity status, with which we previously observed an association between APOE genotype and longevity, was also significantly affected by diabetes only in non-APOE4 carriers. Conclusion: The effects of diabetes on longevity vary among APOE genotype. These effects are observed in nondemented individuals and are potentially associated with activity status during their lifespan.