Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Sujata Malik
Sunburst Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., India
Keynote: Healthcare digitization: Transforming and disrupting healthcare
Biography:
Sujata Malik is a seasoned hospital management professional with extensive first-hand experience of managing operations of large hospitals in India. She is currently the Head of the Healthcare Management Consulting Company. She is a Member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). She is a Principal Assessor with National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), India. Her experience with technology enabled home-care has given her further insight into the transformational potential of digitization of healthcare.
Abstract:
The use of technology in many parts of the world has been limited to use for administrative purposes, with Hospital Information Management Systems (HIMS) of all hues and calibers, being used by hospitals. Availability and use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) are still very fragmented and not universally deployed in many countries. Access and adoption of technology for healthcare is lagging as compared to other industries. There are gaps in generation of epidemiological data in the developed world. Access to healthcare is a problem for rural and vulnerable sections of society in developing countries. There is an apparent demand-supply gap in availability of specialty and super-specialty healthcare experts. Quality in healthcare needs to be boosted through efficient use of technology to enable realistic bench-marking. Standardization and data security have been an issue in all developing countries and to an extent in the developed world as well. New possibilities are emerging through use of digital technologies in healthcare. Big data analytics and machine learning help in developing algorithms of care and providing standardized care globally. Planning of healthcare through predictive analytics is poised to enable efficient deployment of resources. Personalized healthcare is becoming a reality. Remote monitoring through wearable and interoperable devices will revolutionize access to high quality care. Cost of healthcare will also come down. Collection of healthcare quality data can be automated, making bench-marking of healthcare organizations a reality, through measurement of resources, processes and outcomes. Block-chain technologies can bring new transparency into the system. Finally, the patient will have control over how he chooses and accesses healthcare. Policy-makers, providers and users will make informed decisions.
Keynote Forum
Masahiro Onuma
TriSGuide Ltd, Japan
Keynote: Electronic water can reduce oxidative stress in cancer and diabetes patients for 3 weeks drinking
Time : 10:00-10:45
Biography:
Masahiro Onuma pursued his Bachelors in Biochemistry from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. He is the President for TriSGuide Ltd. He has expertise in oxidative disease prevention to use non-medical product based on GSK’s experience of allopurinol which is the strongest anti-oxidant in this world
Abstract:
Oxidative stress means a state where there is an imbalance between the oxidizing action and the reducing action due to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in a living body, resulting in the oxidizing action becoming dominant. Oxidative stress arises as the balance between production and removal which is disrupted through excessive production of ROS and impairment of the antioxidant system. Oxidative stress has been reported to be involved in the onset and progress of various diseases. Characteristics of type-2 diabetes are insulin secretion failure and insulin resistance, but it seems that oxidative stress is greatly involved in insulin secretion failure. In the insulin secretion-inducing β cells of Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, the amount of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which is representative of the ROS elimination system, is small and resistance to oxidative stress is considered to be weak. Regarding cancer, it is well known that chronic inflammatory conditions increase the risk of carcinogenesis. Cells such as neutrophils and macrophages are activated in the inflammation area leading to increase in production of active oxygen and nitric oxide. These free radicals cause DNA mutation and cell proliferation thereby promoting cancer development. When chronic inflammation is present, cancer develops more easily. Electronic water which was developed to generate electrons in water was consumed for three weeks, after meals, between meals and before sleeping 6 times a day and according to the test subjects' possible time periods. The amount of drinking water was 750-1000 mL and BAP and d-ROMs checks for all cases were carried out at 4:30 pm. The results of cancer patients and diabetes patients were seen as attached. As a result, the d-ROMs value in the degree of oxidative stress has reduced, and the BAP value, which is an indicator of plasma antioxidant capacity, has improved significantly
Keynote Forum
Nditsheni J Ramakuela
University of Venda, South Africa
Keynote: Healthcare literacy of diabetic mellitus chronic complications among diabetic patients: A rural South Africa perspective
Biography:
Nditsheni J Ramakuela is a Healthcare Professional, Specialized in Community Health Care and Sexuality of Women. She is also a Lecturer in the University of Venda, South Africa. She has more than 20 years of clinical and teaching experience. Through her experience she developed passion for general nursing conditions and disorders. She is an active researcher who publishes papers every year in accredited journals and receives excellence in research awards yearly. She also empowers rural community women with reproductive health issues.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Diabetic care is a lifelong responsibility, careful management and early treatment strategies may reduce the risk of complications. A profound need for an improvement in the awareness of diabetes management and its complications in the primary healthcare sectors is a dire requirement. Inadequate health literacy can cause difficulties in understanding diabetic chronic complications. Individuals with poorer health literacy have difficulty interpreting medication warning labels, following directions on a prescription label and identifying their complications. Difficulties in understanding and performing health-related activities may ultimately lead to poorer health outcomes. This study intended is to assess health literacy of diabetic mellitus chronic complications among diabetic patients at selected rural hospitals of South Africa.
Methodology: This study employed a quantitative, typically descriptive, non-experimental approach using cross-sectional descriptive designs. Seven hospitals, 3 health centers and 12 clinics were selected for the study. The population was 259 diabetic patients in the province. Patients diagnosed with diabetes above 18 years were admitted from April to November 2016 in medical units of selected hospitals. A self-designed self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Validity and reliability and ethical considerations were adhered too.
Findings: It was revealed that the accessibility to health services, treatment and behavioral factors were found to be challenges amongst diabetic patients and were perceived to be contributing to inadequate health literacy regarding diabetic complications.
Conclusion: Patients with diabetic complications require adequate knowledge and health services within their reach.
Recommendations: The use of mobile clinics to provide services to remote villages and home-care visits to diabetic patients in remote communities for continuing literacy.
- Organ Transplantation Surgery
Location: 1
Chair
Yusuf Gunay
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA
Co-Chair
Medhat Askar
Director, Transplant Immunology, Baylor University Medical Center, USA
Session Introduction
Sang Soo Kim
Pusan National University Hospital, South Korea
Title: Non-albumin proteinuria as biomarker for early diabetic kidney disease: Beyond albuminuria
Time : 13:50 - 14:20
Biography:
Sang Soo Kim had focused at his research area to establish the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complication and to identify novel methods for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic complications at Pusan National University Hospital. He had participated in a number of randomized clinical trials as Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator. Specially, he had published a number of original articles related to diabetic complication (diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy) at peer-reviewed international journals. As a Visiting Scholar, he had conducted experimental studies for hypothalamic metabolism at Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School for 2 years.
Abstract:
The increasing number of people with diabetes has had a major impact on the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease, which is a metabolic disorder with high morbidity and mortality and is the leading cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). To improve the lives of people with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and to reduce the impact on society, early identification of the development or progression of DKD using appropriate screening and diagnostic tools is very important in order to provide timely and proper management. Albuminuria is considered as a sensitive marker of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk, and is used as the first clinical indicator of DKD. Although the presence of urinary albumin is recognized as an early marker of DKD, significant glomerular damage has already occurred by the time albuminuria is apparent. It has been suggested that Non-Albumin Proteinuria (NAP), rather than albuminuria, might be an important biomarker for early detection of the development and progression of DKD. We recently demonstrated that urinary NAP might be a sensitive and specific marker of tubular damage that predicts renal impairment in type-2 diabetic patients. Furthermore, non-albumin proteinuria showed additional value over and above that of albuminuria for predicting the progression of CKD in patients with type-2 diabetes. Whereas, there is no doubt that hypertension plays a pivotal role in developing DKD. Thus, the role of NAP as biomarkers in hypertensive disorder might be considered quite interesting in the future.
Janez Rozman
Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Title: A model and setup for selective infrared stimulation of isolated porcine vagus nerve
Time : 14:20 - 14:50
Biography:
Janez Rozman, Ph. D. was born in Novo mesto, the Republic of Slovenia, in 1956. In 1982 he finished his engineering degree at the Faculty of Natural Science at the University of Ljubljana in the Republic of Slovenia. He received a M.Sc. degree in 1988 from the same institution. The title was: Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Surface of Electrodes of Implants Removed from Human Tissue. In January 1993, he finished his dissertation entitled: Selective Stimulation of Nerve Fibers at Faculty of Electrical Engineering University of Ljubljana. In January 1994, he his colleagues have established a small research company ITIS d. o. o. Ljubljana and formed his own research group Center for Implantable Technology and Sensors. His research interests concern investigation of possibilities in selective stimulation of autonomic nerves, ganglia, glands and other organs to improve their function in disease. Link to the references:http://izumbib.izum.si/bibliografije/Y20170120172405-A2227555.html.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Electrical nerve stimulation has been widely applied in both neuroscience and clinical practice. Among numerous alternative neuro-modulation techniques, opto-thermal methods are becoming more and more popular. The foremost advantage of using infrared light (IR) pulses for nerve stimulation over electrical methods is high spatial resolution, lack of stimulation artifacts and lack of electrochemical processes.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: As concluded by Wells et all. (2007), neuronal activation using IR occurs mainly by a photo-thermal mechanism due to IR-induced brief temperature transients (dT/dt and dT/dx). The rapid temperature rise induces a transient change in the electrical capacitance of the neuron's plasma membrane, which in turn depolarizes the cell and induces a propagating action potential (AP). The wavelength was chosen based on the desired penetration depth in the nerve tissue. We propose to use short-wavelength infrared (SWIR, IR-B DIN) light with wavelength of 1936 microns emitted by a Light Emitting Diode and conducted using an optical fiber.
Findings: We developed the equipment including a measuring chamber, a SWIR source, optical chopper, multi-electrode recording spiral nerve cuff and CAP amplifier. The stimulator is capable of delivering extremely steep rectangular SWIR pulses ranging from 100 to 500 µs and energy of up to ∼1 J∕cm2. The induced thermal transients should have a highly localized nature and fast temporal dynamics within the particular superficial region of on an isolated porcine vagus nerve.
Conclusion & Significance: This report describes the challenges related to the development of IR neuro-modulation therapies. Results will be relevant for further development of the VNS methods and implantable systems to be potentially used in clinical practice.
Bruce Gelb
NYU Langone Transplant Institute, USA
Title: Vascularized allograft transplantation: Ethical challenges in a brave new world
Time : 15:40 - 16:10
Biography:
Dr. Bruce Gelb is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. He performs liver, kidney, pancreas, and living donor transplant surgery, as well as a key member of the Face Transplant team, leading the development and management of the immunosuppression regimens for the VCA program. He also serves as the Chair of the Quality Improvement Committee of NYU Langone Health. Dr. Gelb also serves on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Ethics Committee. Dr. Gelb is concerned with a variety of issues in bioethics, with particular interest in the ethics of transplantation. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Global Bioethics Initiative, an NGO member of the United Nations Academic Impact with special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
Abstract:
Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) has become a feasible reconstructive option for patients with severe disfiguring injuries not otherwise amenable to conventional reconstructive techniques. Approximately 200 VCA transplants have been performed worldwide to date, 40 of which have been partial or full-face transplant surgeries. The incidence of rejection exceeds 80% in the face transplant population. This unacceptably high rate of early acute rejection is significantly higher than in abdominal and thoracic transplantation and has been attributed to the increased immunogenicity of skin containing grafts as well as frequent sensitization of the transplant recipient related to treatment of the original injury with allogeneic skin grafts and frequent blood transfusions. In August 2015, our transplant center performed the most extensive full face transplant in the world to date in a patient with a positive flow crossmatch (negative CDC crossmatch) utilizing a novel induction immunosuppression regimen targeting depletion of T cells and mature B cells utilizing rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin and a single dose of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The patient has been maintained on standard triple drug maintenance therapy (tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone).
At 35 months post-transplant, the recipient remains free from any rejection episode. Periodic biopsies have been performed to confirming absence of histopathologic evidence of rejection. The same induction regimen has been utilized in a second patient with similar early results.Early acute rejection in VCA transplant occurs at an unacceptably high rate. Prevention of rejection episodes may improve long-term outcomes as has been seen in solid organ transplantation. We are cautiously optimistic that this novel induction strategy targeting B and T lymphocyte depletion, along with conservative tapering of maintenance immunosuppression, may reduce the rate of early rejection in facial VCA.
Ramesh K Batra
Yale University, USAl
Title: Age based living kidney donor selection: A bipartite ethical dilemma
Biography:
Ramesh K Batra is a Multi-Organ Transplant Surgeon at Yale University, USA. He has a special interest in bioethics in organ transplantation and is undergoing Higher Education in Ethics. His special interest includes maximum utility of deceased donor and living donor organs and how best to allocate the limited resource of organs.
Abstract:
The first kidney transplant in 1954 set the precedent for success of living donor kidney transplants for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients across the world. Kidney transplant from a deceased or a living donor in general is the gold standard treatment for ESRD patients over dialysis. The survival benefit offered is significantly higher with a Living Donor Kidney Transplant (LDKT) in comparison to a Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant (DDKT). Amongst the LDKT, much similar to the results for a DDKT, it is observed that a younger donor kidney leads to a longer graft and patient survival. Therefore, when a recipient with multiple donor options is evaluated by a transplant center, whilst controlling for other factors, a younger age becomes a preferred choice whilst selecting the appropriate donor. Therefore, it appears that selection of a living kidney donor is more likely based on the recipient outcome. But, from a purely living kidney donor perspective, the impact of nephrectomy on life expectancy and cumulative risk of ESRD worsens with advancing age of the donor. This impact is more pronounced for black males as compared to white. So, a younger black donor suffers higher long-term risks after kidney donation, although they provide a superior quality allograft for the recipient. Similarly, following a utilitarian approach, Estimated Post Transplant Survival score (EPTS) should also be applied to living donor kidney recipients when encountered with multiple donor options. A living donor transplant is geared with the primary responsibility towards minimizing risks to the donor and this consideration should be followed when choosing between a donor, rather than the objectivity of age. This consideration should also include the recipient age and their life expectancy to achieve maximum utility of the donated allograft, by utilizing the EPTS score.
- Heart Transplant Surgery
Chair
Walter G. Land
German Academy of Transplantation Medicine, Germany
Session Introduction
Chris Elliott
Leman Micro Devices SA, Switzerland
Title: Impact of ubiquitous blood pressure monitoring
Time : 11:50-12:20
Biography:
Chris Elliott is a Fellow of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and a Barrister (trial lawyer) specializing in regulated technology. He has wide experience of the development of leading-edge technological products and their regulatory approval. For the last 7 years, he has specialized in the innovative measurement of blood pressure and the clinical exploitation of the results.
Abstract:
For many patients’ hypertension is asymptomatic, often called the silent killer. Early detection and treatment can massively reduce mortality but need accurate measurement. For most people that is not possible, either because they cannot visit a medical practitioner or, even if they could, their consultations are hurried and rare with little time for a proper measurement of resting BP. Emerging technologies can change this. BP measurement using sensors and software built in to the ubiquitous smartphone can be medically accurate and free to the user. When coupled with telehealth consultations, it opens up a new vision of hypertension management. When used with other sensors already in the smartphone, the diagnosis extends to cardiac volume, arrhythmias, single-lead ECG and heart valve timing. The author’s company is conducting clinical trials of a device that is small enough and cheap enough to be bundled with every smartphone, so opening up the prospect of 1 billion people per year gaining this capability at no direct cost, just as the camera in the phone imposes no direct cost. All of the measurements meet accepted accuracy standards because they use mature techniques like Riva-Rocci but with no cuff for blood pressure, infrared detection for body temperature, pulse oximetry for blood oxygen and others. The device is already in quantity production and is expected to be widely available in 2019. LMD’s sensor delivers actionable and reliable data to the user and clinician and has the potential to change hypertension management globally.
Pushpanjali Swain
National Institute of Health and Family Welfare New Delhi, India
Title: Strengthening auxiliary nurse midwife services for women and children in India through an innovative approach
Biography:
Pushpanjali Swain is currently a Professor and Head of the Department of Statistics and Demography, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, India. She was a WHO Fellow of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in 2007. She has contributed 25 research papers which were published in different journals at national and international level. She had monitored various large-scale surveys like District Level Household Surveys (DLHS) and Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES) of UNICEF of the country as a nodal person, monitoring of Annual Sentinel Surveillance for HIV Infection in India and coordinated the Integrated Behavioral and Biological Surveillance (IBBS) in the states of Rajasthan and Delhi in India
Abstract:
The objective of the study is to highlight the major contribution made by Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) to achieve the national targets of IMR, MMR and TFR through an innovative approach called mother and child tracking system in India and critically reviewed the achievements and shortcomings. India is a vast country with population of 125 crores having a large workforce about 2 lakhs of ANMs to take care of its women in the reproductive age group and children up to five years of age. ANM has been pillar to the India’s public health system to provide basic medical care to huge rural population in an extensive network of PHCs and health sub centres. It has been a concern of Government of India to reduce maternal deaths, infant and child mortality in the country. Also, India being signatory to MDGs and SDGs, various intervention strategy has been adopted like Nation Rural Health Mission in 2005. Under the mission large group of activists were identified and created at village level of 1000 population named ASHA to assist and support to ANMs. ANMs got the helping hand in terms of identifying pregnant women and infant and children in the village. For better planning and monitoring of the program an innovation project was launched in 2009 to track and plan for pregnant mothers and children through a web-based Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) to speed up the reduction of deaths of pregnant mothers and child deaths in the country. The study is descriptive in nature and used secondary data sources i.e. HMIS, rural health statistics, national health profile, sample registration system and national family health survey, etc. The data was analyzed for the period after implementation of MCTS and prior to the period of no MCTS to compare the speed of reduction of IMR and MMR. Studies show that awareness level of women in rural areas is low to avail services during pregnancy. MCTS is very much ANM centric. ANMs register all pregnant women and children below 5 years through MCTS and receive registration numbers. ANM gets the work plan weekly within her catchment areas so that she would know who are due for ANCs, delivery, post-natal care and immunization services. Once the due services given to pregnant mothers and children, the update of information was done in the portal. This process helped ANMs to update service. Analysis shows that there is an improvement of coverage of ANC, institutional delivery and immunization to infants and identification and addressing the prenatal and postnatal complications through the tracking system. Since the portal is internet based, in hilly and far flanged areas, services are not updated regularly due to power failure and slow network connectivity. Also, sub-center is not well equipped with internet and computer facilities so to update the services. She must go to block level to enter the data, there is a time lag between services and update so real time monitoring and tracking sometimes not possible. It shows that there has been significant reduction of IMR and MMR in the country during the period MCTS. Because ANM has been reminded about the quantum of job to perform every week and monitored by higher authority through the portal. Also, TFR is also declining and reached replacement level of fertility in most parts of the country except a few states.
Subash Sapkota
Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
Title: Toxicological assessment of pyrethrum based mosquito coil smoke on rats
Time : 13:40-14:10
Biography:
Subash Sapkota has obtained his MSc Human Anatomy (Medical) from Kathmandu University in 2015. He has worked as a Lecturer in Kathmandu University and is currently working in Gandaki Medical College. He is continuously involved in animal experiment and has potential in research field.
Abstract:
The study was carried out to investigate the effect of pyrethrum based mosquito coil smoke on the biochemistry and histomorphology of the Wister albino rats. The experiment involved two groups of rats (experimental group and control group, n=10), weighing between 150 to 200 g. Before exposure to pyrethrum coil, blood samples were collected from the femoral vein. After that the experimental rats were exposed to the smoke of pyrethrum for a continuous duration 8 hours daily in 27 m3 (3´3´3) well ventilated room for 10 weeks. Thereafter, the blood samples were taken through cardiac puncture and comparison was made with those in the control group. Apart from that different organs were collected after intracardial perfusion technique under Ketamine (80 mg/kg) and Diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) using 10% phosphate buffer formalin. The smoke from the coils induce significant increase (p≤0.05) in the levels of WBC, RBC, Hb and significant decrease (p≤0.05) in platelets, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and total protein in biochemical study. The elevated levels of hepatic enzymes were found in the serum of the rats exposed to smoke. This indicated that the enzymes were released from the damaged tissues into the bloodstream. Similarly, smoke induced histopathological changes, including inflammation of the tracheal epithelium, congestion of lung parenchyma with foci of pneumonia. Likewise, dilatation of sinusoids, pericentral vein and periportal tract inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes were observed. In kidney patchy perivascular and interstitial inflammatory cells were seen whereas glomeruli and tubules appeared unremarkable. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to pyrethrum coil and mat can lead to deleterious effect on health affecting mainly pulmonary, liver and kidney functions apart from allergic reactions and risk of pyrethroid poisoning.
Laju Maya Basnet
Nepal Medical College, Nepal
Title: Anatomical study of medial sural artery and its perforators in Nepalese: An aid to reconstructive surgery
Biography:
Laju Maya Basnet is an Anatomist working as a Lecturer in Department of Anatomy, Nepal Medical College, Nepal since 2013. She has obtained her MSc Anatomy (Medical) from Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal in 2012. She has published 2 original research articles, 2 case reports and a practical anatomy book.
Abstract:
Objective: The present study was undertaken to know the anatomical basis of Medial Sural Artery (MSA) and its perforators.
Methods: The popliteal arteries of 16 preserved cadaveric lower limbs were injected with a mixture of red ink and glycerine. The number, location, diameter of perforators; length and intramuscular course of pedicle; the branching pattern of MSA were observed and measured.
Results: The mean of 2.2±1.2 perforators (range, 0 to 4) was observed. The perforators were clustered between 8.6 to 25.7 cm from the popliteal crease and 0.3 to 7.5 cm from posterior midline of leg. The dominant perforators were observed in middle 1/3rd of the leg. The average pedicle length was 12.04±3.27 cm. The intramuscular courses of pedicles were observed in deep and superficial strata in 65.7% and 34.3% respectively. The MSA originated from popliteal artery in 62.5% and common sural artery in 37.5%. An accessory MSA was found in 12.5%. Type I and Type III branching pattern of MSA were observed in 31.2% each whereas Type II was found in 37.5%. The mean external diameter of perforators and MSA were 0.85±0.27 mm and 2.2±0.43 mm respectively.
Conclusion: The metrical presentation of this study provides an easy access to know about the distribution of perforators and branching pattern of MSA which will help the surgeons to make a convenient plan to harvest the MSA perforator flap in Nepalese population
Russell Miller
University of Tokyo, Japan
Title: Integrated immune ratio associated with tumor growth and prognosis in pancreatic cancer
Biography:
Russell Miller is a Motivated health development professional seeking new long-term opportunity in the Life Science and Healthcare industries in Japan. Experience in laboratory, biotech and science communication fields both in Japan and US. He completed his Master of International Health from The University of Tokyo
Abstract:
Background & Aim: The prognosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains poor due to the difficulty of disease diagnosis and therapy. Immunotherapy has had robust performance against several malignancies, including PDAC. In this study, we aim to analyze the expression of CD8 and FoxP3 on T cell lymphocytes in tumor tissues and analyze the possible clinical significance of these findings in order to find a novel effective immunotherapy target in PDAC using a murine model.
Methods: A tissue microarray using patient PDAC and matched non-tumorous samples was stained and analyzed for associations with clinicopathological characteristics. A preclinical murine model administrated with various immunotherapies was analyzed with growth inhibitor, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay and immunohistochemistry.
Results: Infiltrating FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) levels in tumor tissues were associated with survival, while CD8+ infiltrating T cells (TILs) were not. Considering the drawbacks of these measures alone, the number of CD8+ and FoxP3+ T cells were combined to create a new estimated value Integrated Immune Ratio (IIR), which showed excellent validity in survival risk stratification. IIR was further verified as an independent prognostic factor according to multivariate analysis. In our preclinical murine model, CD25 and TGF-β combination blockade had a higher tumor growth inhibitor value. This combination therapy significantly depleted periphery and intratumor FoxP3+ Tregs while increasing intratumor CD8+ T cell levels compared to controls or anti-TGF-β monotherapy (p<0.05). Anti-CD25 monotherapy alone also had the ability to deplete periphery and intratumor Tregs (p<0.05). Intratumor IL-10, TGF-β was notably lower associated with higher IFN-γ excretion in this combination immunotherapy. Such combination immunotherapy was further confirmed to synergize with anti-PD-1 monotherapy to improve tumor growth inhibition and Japan cure rates.
Conclusion: The combination of CD25, TGF-β and PD-1 blockade plays a potentially effective role in inhibiting tumor formation and progression. Our results also provide a strong rational for use of IIR in future immunotherapy clinical trials.
Mirwais Amiri
Amiri Medical Complex, Afghanistan
Title: Rapid development of Cardiology Department at Amiri Medical Complex and its significant contributions to Afghanistan cardiac health
Biography:
Mirwais Amiri had completed 6 months Residence in Orthopedics at LRH Peshawar, Pakistan and then 1 year in Cardiology at PGMI HMC, Peshawar, Pakistan. He has later joined Afghan National Army Hospital (Late Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan Hospital) in Medicine Department and then got opportunity to go to Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi, India where he successfully completed three years tenure and did Fellowship in Noninvasive Cardiology and then rejoined Cardiology Department of Late Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan Hospital (Afghan National Army Hospital).
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of deaths in Afghanistan accounting for 19% of the total annual deaths (World Health Organization, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Country Profiles, 2014). Cardiology at Amiri Medical Complex is developing as a key department, which has already treated a record number of cardiac patients in the history of Afghanistan in just three years of its establishment. The focus of the cardiology department is the delivery of top-quality and timely cardiac care to patients in the hospital setting that is critical to its success. Since April 2015, approximately 0.17M patients have visited the facility for treatment of which 0.1M (59%) has been treated for cardiac ailments. A total of 1,326 cardiovascular surgical procedures comprising of CABGs, valve replacements, corrective surgery for congenital heart disease and vascular surgeries have been done. Over 5,000 catheterization lab procedures comprising of diagnostic coronary and peripheral angiographies, right heart catheterization study, coronary angioplasties with stenting, ASD and PDA device closure, aortic and pulmonary valve balloon dilatation procedures have been done. The last one-year mortality rate for the cardiovascular surgical cases is 6.2% whereas for catheterization lab it is 0.47%. In short time, the Cardiology Department’s significant contribution to Afghanistan cardiac health with low mortality rate is a great breakthrough in the health history of Afghanistan.