Reprogramming neuroblastoma by diet-enhanced polyamine depletion.

Neuroblastoma is a highly lethal childhood tumor derived from differentiation-arrested neural crest cells. Like all cancers, its growth is fueled by metabolites obtained from either circulation or local biosynthesis. Neuroblastomas depend on local polyamine biosynthesis, with the inhibitor difluoromethylornithine showing clinical activity.

Incidence, prevalence and mortality of diabetes in children and adolescents aged under 20 years in the Republic of Maldives.

Aim: There is little published data on diabetes in youth in the Maldives. This study aimed to determine incidence, prevalence and mortality of diabetes in children and adolescents <20 years.

Methods: Data on all known existing cases in 2009 and all new cases from 2009 to 2018 was collected from the Diabetes Society of the Maldives registry.

Right ventricular systolic function assessment: rank of echocardiographic methods vs. cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Aims: Right ventricular (RV) systolic function is prognostically important, but its assessment by echocardiography remains challenging, in part because of the multitude of available measurement methods. The purpose of this prospective study was to rank these methods against the reference of RV ejection fraction (EF) as obtained in a broad clinical population by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods And Results: Two hundred and twenty-three individuals were included in the study.

A national consensus on outcomes and indicators for diabetes patient education.

Aim: To develop a national evidence and consensus position on the desired goals, outcomes and indicators of diabetes patient education (DPE).

Methods: A mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods were used including: (i) literature reviews to identify existing definitions, issues and work in the area; (ii) interviews with key opinion leaders; (iii) focus groups with people with diabetes; (iv) a national survey of diabetes education service providers; (v) a systematic consultation process culminating in a national stakeholder forum.

Results: Three overarching goals were identified as the main purpose of diabetes patient education: (i) optimal adjustment to living with diabetes, (ii) optimal health outcomes and (iii) optimal cost-effectiveness (for the individual and for society).

Are current psychometric tools suitable for measuring outcomes of diabetes education?

Aims: To critically appraise the suitability, validity, reliability, feasibility and sensitivity to change of available psychometric tools for measuring the education outcomes identified in the (Australian) National Consensus on Outcomes and Indicators for Diabetes Patient Education.

Methods: Potentially suitable psychometric measurement tools were identified through a two-step process. Step 1: a structured semi-systematic literature review and consultation with experts; step 2: development of inclusion criteria and a formal, purpose-designed, systematically derived Appraisal Checklist-from the literature and with expert psychometric advice-to critically appraise the identified tools for relevance, validity, reliability, responsiveness to change, burden, feasibility and acceptability.