The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Hydration of the Stratosphere

Following the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption, several trace gases measured by the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) displayed anomalous stratospheric values. Trajectories and radiance simulations confirm that the H₂O, SO₂, and HCl enhancements were injected by the eruption. In comparison with those from previous eruptions, the SO₂ and HCl mass injections were unexceptional, although they reached higher altitudes. In contrast, the H₂O injection was unprecedented in both magnitude (far exceeding any previous values in the 17-year MLS record) and altitude (penetrating into the mesosphere). We estimate the mass of H₂O injected into the stratosphere to be 146 ± 5 Tg, or ∼10% of the stratospheric burden. It may take several years for the H₂O plume to dissipate. This eruption could impact climate not through surface cooling due to sulfate aerosols, but rather through surface warming due to the radiative forcing from the excess stratospheric H₂O.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Hydration of the Stratosphere

Following the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption, several trace gases measured by the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) displayed anomalous stratospheric values. Trajectories and radiance simulations confirm that the H₂O, SO₂, and HCl enhancements were injected by the eruption. In comparison with those from previous eruptions, the SO₂ and HCl mass injections were unexceptional, although they reached higher altitudes. In contrast, the H₂O injection was unprecedented in both magnitude (far exceeding any previous values in the 17-year MLS record) and altitude (penetrating into the mesosphere). We estimate the mass of H₂O injected into the stratosphere to be 146 ± 5 Tg, or ∼10% of the stratospheric burden. It may take several years for the H₂O plume to dissipate. This eruption could impact climate not through surface cooling due to sulfate aerosols, but rather through surface warming due to the radiative forcing from the excess stratospheric H₂O.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Hydration of the Stratosphere

Following the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption, several trace gases measured by the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) displayed anomalous stratospheric values. Trajectories and radiance simulations confirm that the H₂O, SO₂, and HCl enhancements were injected by the eruption. In comparison with those from previous eruptions, the SO₂ and HCl mass injections were unexceptional, although they reached higher altitudes. In contrast, the H₂O injection was unprecedented in both magnitude (far exceeding any previous values in the 17-year MLS record) and altitude (penetrating into the mesosphere). We estimate the mass of H₂O injected into the stratosphere to be 146 ± 5 Tg, or ∼10% of the stratospheric burden. It may take several years for the H₂O plume to dissipate. This eruption could impact climate not through surface cooling due to sulfate aerosols, but rather through surface warming due to the radiative forcing from the excess stratospheric H₂O.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Hydration of the Stratosphere

Following the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption, several trace gases measured by the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) displayed anomalous stratospheric values. Trajectories and radiance simulations confirm that the H₂O, SO₂, and HCl enhancements were injected by the eruption. In comparison with those from previous eruptions, the SO₂ and HCl mass injections were unexceptional, although they reached higher altitudes. In contrast, the H₂O injection was unprecedented in both magnitude (far exceeding any previous values in the 17-year MLS record) and altitude (penetrating into the mesosphere). We estimate the mass of H₂O injected into the stratosphere to be 146 ± 5 Tg, or ∼10% of the stratospheric burden. It may take several years for the H₂O plume to dissipate. This eruption could impact climate not through surface cooling due to sulfate aerosols, but rather through surface warming due to the radiative forcing from the excess stratospheric H₂O.

Quantitative systems pharmacology modeling sheds light into the dose response relationship of a trispecific T cell engager in multiple myeloma

In relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), there are few treatment options once patients progress from the established standard of care. Several bispecific T-cell engagers (TCE) are in clinical development for multiple myeloma (MM), designed to promote T-cell activation and tumor killing by binding a T-cell receptor and a myeloma target. In this study we employ both computational and experimental tools to investigate how a novel trispecific TCE improves activation, proliferation, and cytolytic activity of T-cells against MM cells. In addition to binding CD3 on T-cells and CD38 on tumor cells, the trispecific binds CD28, which serves as both co-stimulation for T-cell activation and an additional tumor target. We have established a robust rule-based quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model trained against T-cell activation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine data, and used it to gain insight into the complex dose response of this drug. We predict that CD3-CD28-CD38 killing capacity increases rapidly in low dose levels, and with higher doses, killing plateaus rather than following the bell-shaped curve typical of bispecific TCEs. We further predict that dose–response curves are driven by the ability of tumor cells to form synapses with activated T-cells. When competition between cells limits tumor engagement with active T-cells, response to therapy may be diminished. We finally suggest a metric related to drug efficacy in our analysis—“effective” receptor occupancy, or the proportion of receptors engaged in synapses. Overall, this study predicts that the CD28 arm on the trispecific antibody improves efficacy, and identifies metrics to inform potency of novel TCEs.

AB0392 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF UPADACITINIB IN A CHINESE SUBGROUP OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO CONVENTIONAL SYNTHETIC DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS

Background

Upadacitinib (UPA) was effective in global Phase 3 trials in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (pts) with inadequate response (IR) to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of UPA in csDMARD-IR pts with RA in Chinese subgroup from a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study (NCT02955212) 1.

Methods

Pts were randomized to 12 weeks of blinded treatment with UPA 15 mg once daily (QD) or PBO, in combination with csDMARDs. Primary and secondary endpoints were analyzed in a Chinese subgroup, including American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR) responses, remission and low disease activity measures. Safety was analyzed for pts who received ≥1 dose of study drug.

Results

228 Chinese pts (67.5% of overall trial population) were randomized and took at least one dose of study drug. Baseline characteristics were generally balanced between UPA and PBO. 46% and 35.1% used methotrexate (MTX) alone as concomitant csDMARD in UPA and PBO group, respectively. 38.9% in UPA and 43.0% in PBO group used concomitant csDMARDs other than MTX and 15.0% and 21.9% respectively used a combination. At week 12, more Chinese pts receiving UPA achieved the primary endpoint of ACR20 compared with PBO (71.9% vs 31.6%, nominal p<0.001). UPA also showed greater improvements in all secondary endpoints vs PBO at Week 12 (Table 1), including ACR50 and ACR70, mean change in Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Short-Form 36-item Health Survey-Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS), as well as proportion of pts achieving low disease activity based on DAS28-CRP ≤3.2 and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤10, and clinical remission based on DAS28-CRP <2.6. Onset of response was rapid with more pts receiving UPA achieving ACR20 by Week 1 versus PBO (25.4% vs 5.3%, nominal p<0.001). Through Week 12 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 57.9% of pts on UPA and 49.1% on PBO. The rate of pts with serious AEs (SAEs) was numerically higher with UPA than with PBO (6.1% vs 4.4%). TEAEs reported in ≥ 3% of subjects and with a higher rate on UPA vs. PBO were: upper respiratory tract infection, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, hypertension, diarrhea, and leukopenia. Overall safety was consistent with the trial population1 and similar with the reported safety profile of the global clinical program2.

Table 1.

Summary of Efficacy Endpoint Results at Week 12 in Chinese Subgroup

Endpoint aUPA 15mg (N=114)PBO (N=114)Primary endpointACR20, %71.9***31.6Secondary endpointsΔ DAS28-CRP-2.42***-0.75Δ HAQ-DI-0.55***-0.11Δ SF-36 PCS7.63 b***2.94 cDAS28-CRP ≤3.2, %46.5***9.6DAS28-CRP <2.6, %28.1***1.8CDAI ≤10, %33.3***7.0ACR50, %39.5***7.0ACR70, %16.7***2.6ACR20 at Week 1, %25.4***5.3

***Nominal p<0.001 vs PBO

aNon-responder imputation for binary endpoints; ANCOVA with multiple imputation for DAS28(CRP) and HAQ-DI; mixed model repeated measures for other continuous endpoints. Δ: mean change from baseline

bN=106

cN=104

Conclusion

UPA demonstrated clinical and functional improvement in Chinese csDMARD-IR RA pts. The safety of UPA was comparable with the overall study population and with the safety seen in the global Phase 3 program.

References

[1]Zeng X, Zhao D, Radominski SC, et al. Int J Rheum Dis. 2021;24:1530–1539.

[2]Cohen SB, van Vollenhoven RF, Winthrop KL, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2021;80:304–311.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie funded this study; contributed to its design; participated in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and in the writing, review, and approval of the abstract. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship.

Disclosure of Interests

Xiaofeng Zeng: None declared, Yi Liu: None declared, Jiankang Hu: None declared, Jingyang Li: None declared, Yongfu Wang: None declared, Dongbao Zhao: None declared, Lijun Wu: None declared, Zhengyu Xiao: None declared, ZHIJUN LI: None declared, Jian Xu: None declared, Sebastian Meerwein Shareholder of: may own AbbVie stock or options, Employee of: AbbVie employee, Yunxia Xie Shareholder of: may own AbbVie stock or options, Employee of: AbbVie employee, Peiwen Liang Employee of: AbbVie

LB0005 ORELABRUTINIB, AN IRREVERSIBLE INHIBITOR OF BRUTON’S TYROSINE KINASE (BTK), FOR THE TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, PHASE IB/IIA DOSE-FINDING STUDY

Background

Orelabrutinib is an oral, highly-selective, irreversible inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Orelabrutinib has been approved for the treatment of B cell malignancies in China. Two distinct lupus animal models showed significant efficacy of orelabrutinib in reducing disease activity, which supported the clinical development of orelabrutinib in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives

This phase Ib/IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), preliminary efficacy and biomarkers of orelabrutinib in patients with mild to moderate SLE who received standard of care (SoC) therapy.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with SLE by the ACR classification criteria for ≥ 6 months, who had a SLEDAI-2K score ≥5 at screening, and were autoantibody-positive, were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive oral orelabrutinib at 50mg, 80mg, 100mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks, respectively.

Results

This study randomized 60 patients with 55 patients who completed 12-week treatment. Age at baseline was 33.7±9.8 years and 96.7% were female. Baseline disease characteristics were generally balanced across treatment groups. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 80%, 93.3% and 100% of orelabrutinib treated patients at doses of 50mg, 80mg and 100mg QD respectively versus 85.5% in placebo group. AEs were mostly mild or moderate. Treatment-related SAEs were reported in 3 patients treated with orelabrutinib, only 1 of which was grade 3. No deaths were reported. The plasma exposure of orelabrutinib (AUC and Cmax) was proportionally increased with doses. Nearly complete BTK occupancy was achieved at all dose levels, and the occupancy lasted for 24 hours without any decrease compared to that at 4 hour post-dosing. In all evaluable patients, the SLE Response Index (SRI)-4 response rates at week 12 were 50.0%, 61.5% and 64.3% in patients treated with orelabrutinib at 50mg (n=14), 80mg (n=13) and 100mg (n=14) respectively, compared with 35.7% in patients treated with placebo (n=14), which indicated the trend of dose-dependent improvement. Among the subgroup of patients with SLEDAI-2K≥8 at screening, SRI-4 response occurred in 70%, 70% and 66.7% of patients treated with orelabrutinib at 50mg (n=10), 80mg (n=10) and 100mg (n=9), respectively, compared with 30% who received placebo (n=10). Trends of reduced proteinuria, anti-dsDNA and IgG, total B cells and increased complements C4 were also observed following orelabrutinib treatment.

Conclusion

Orelabrutinib was generally safe and well tolerated in patients with SLE. Preliminary results also suggested encouraging efficacy which supports further development of orelabrutinib in larger and longer trials for SLE.

Table 1.

Efficacy results at week 12.

All Evaluable PatientsPlaceboOrelabrutinibOrelabrutinibOrelabrutinib50 mg80 mg100 mgN=5514141314SRI-4 response, n (%)5 (35.7%)7 (50.0%)8 (61.5%)9 (64.3%)Treatment difference vs. PBO (%)14.3%25.8%28.6%SLEDAI-2K≥8, N=391010109SRI-4 response, n (%)3 (30.0%)7 (70.0%)7 (70.0%)6 (66.7%)Treatment difference vs. PBO (%)40.0%40.0%36.7%

Note: All evaluable patients at week 12 efficacy data were included in the efficacy analysis.

Figure 1.

SRI-4 response rates at week 12.

Disclosure of Interests

Ru Li: None declared, Xiaoxia Zhu: None declared, Shengyun Liu: None declared, Xiao Zhang: None declared, Changhao Xie: None declared, Zili Fu: None declared, Anbin Huang: None declared, Lingyun Sun: None declared, Dongzhou Liu: None declared, Jinxia Zhao: None declared, Lin Wu: None declared, Zhoushuai Qin Employee of: InnoCare Pharma Limited., Sichen Li Employee of: InnoCare pharma Limited., Yaorong Liu Employee of: InnoCare pharma Limited., Zhanguo Li: None declared

AB0339 EFFICACY, PHARMACOKINETICS AND SAFETY BETWEEN CT-P13 AND CHINA-APPROVED INFLIXIMAB: 54 WEEK RESULT FROM A PHASE III RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL IN CHINESE PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

CT-P13 is an approved biosimilar to EU-approved and US-licensed Infliximab (INX) for the indications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), adult and paediatric Crohn’s disease, adult and paediatric ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate equivalence of efficacy and compare PK and safety profiles of CT-P13 and China-approved INX.

Methods

In this randomized, double blinded, multicenter, parallel-group, phase III study, patients with active RA who had been responding inadequately to methotrexate for at least 3 months, were randomized to receive either CT-P13 or China-approved INX. Patients were treated with doses of 3 mg/kg at Weeks 0, 2, 6, then every 8 weeks up to Week 54. Prior to dosing at Week 30, patients randomized to China-approved INX underwent a second randomization either to continue China-approved INX or to switch to CT-P13 at Week 30. Results of patients who underwent transition to CT-P13 were included in the China-approved INX group. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in DAS28 (CRP) from baseline to Week 14, which was analyzed using an analysis of covariance. Equivalence was determined if the 90% CI for the estimate of treatment difference was entirely contained within the predefined equivalence margin of -0.6 to 0.6.

Results

270 patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio (136 and 134 patients in the CT-P13 and China-approved INX groups, respectively) and 184 patients completed the study. The least square mean change (standard error) of DAS28 (CRP) from baseline to Week 14, -1.566 [0.1419] and -1.547 [0.1491], was similar between the CT-P13 and China-approved INX groups, respectively. The 90% CI for the estimate of treatment difference (-0.29, 0.25) was contained within the predefined equivalence margin, which demonstrated therapeutic equivalence between the groups. The mean actual values for DAS28 (CRP) decreased from baseline to Week 54 and were similar between the groups (Figure 1). Additional efficacy endpoints, including ACR responses (ACR20 at Week 14; 60.6%, 54.8% and at Week 54; 65.1%, 60.6% in the CT-P13 and China-approved INX groups, respectively), EULAR responses, CDAI, and SDAI, were similar between the groups, even after switching at Week 30. During the study, mean serum INX concentrations were similar between the groups. Between Weeks 14 and 22, mean (percent coefficient of variation) AUCτ were 11156333.615 (44.796) ng·h/mL and 11462884.280 (51.057) ng·h/mL, and Cmax,ss were 66577.2 (31.4) ng/mL and 66356.1 (21.0) ng/mL in the CT-P13 and China-approved INX groups, respectively, which were similar between the groups. Most treatment-emergent AEs were grade 1 or 2 in intensity. One malignancy was reported in the CT-P13 group and no deaths were reported. The proportions of patients with anti-drug antibodies were similar between the groups, even after switching at Week 30. The overall safety profile of CT-P13 was comparable to that of China-approved INX and no new safety issues were observed (Table 1).

Table 1.

Summary of Safety Results

Number of patients (%)CT-P13 (N=136)China-approved Infliximab (N=133)Treatment-emergent AEsTotal115 (84.6%)107 (80.5%)Related97 (71.3%)86 (64.7%)Treatment-emergent serious AEsTotal17 (12.5%)12 (9.0%)Related10 (7.4%)6 (4.5%)Infusion related reaction/ hypersensitivity/anaphylactic reactionsTotal(=Related)20 (14.7%)19 (14.3%)InfectionsTotal45 (33.1%)43 (32.3%)Related36 (26.5%)40 (30.1%)

Note: Summary is presented for the safety population who received at least 1 dose (full or partial) of study drug.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that efficacy of CT-P13 is equivalent to that of China-approved INX. Also, the PK and safety profiles of CT-P13 were comparable to those of China-approved INX. No loss of efficacy or difference in safety or immunogenicity was observed after switching from China-approved INX to CT-P13 at Week 30.

Disclosure of Interests

Jonathan Kay Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Pfizer Inc.; Samsung Bioepis; Sandoz Inc., Grant/research support from: Pfizer Inc. (paid to UMass Chan Medical School), Xiaofeng Zeng Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Lin Chen Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Kaijiang Tang Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, guixiu shi Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Lin Liu Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Lijun Wu Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Yi Liu Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Jiankang Hu Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Shengyun Liu Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Zheng Yi Grant/research support from: Celltrion, Inc, Sung Hyun Kim Employee of: Celltrion, Inc, YunJu Bae Employee of: Celltrion, Inc, JeeHye Suh Employee of: Celltrion, Inc, Seungjin Rhee Employee of: Celltrion, Inc, SeulGi Lee Employee of: Celltrion, Inc, Chankyoung Hwang Employee of: Celltrion, Inc

Multimodal data fusion of cortical-subcortical morphology and functional network connectivity in psychotic spectrum disorder

•

Overlap has been noted disorders which fall on the psychotic spectrum.

•

Univariate studies may miss joint brain features across diagnostic categories.

•

mCCA with jICA is paired with features across the psychotic spectrum to produce joint components.

•

One joint component displayed a significant relationship with cognitive scores.

•

The replicate trends of cortical-subcortical irregularity in psychotic spectrum disorders.

Multiple authors have noted overlapping symptoms and alterations across clinical, anatomical, and functional brain features in schizophrenia (SZ), schizoaffective disorder (SZA), and bipolar disorder (BPI). However, regarding brain features, few studies have approached this line of inquiry using analytical techniques optimally designed to extract the shared features across anatomical and functional information in a simultaneous manner. Univariate studies of anatomical or functional alterations across these disorders can be limited and run the risk of omitting small but potentially crucial overlapping or joint neuroanatomical (e.g., structural images) and functional features (e.g., fMRI-based features) which may serve as informative clinical indicators of across multiple diagnostic categories. To address this limitation, we paired an unsupervised multimodal canonical correlation analysis (mCCA) together with joint independent component analysis (jICA) to identify linked spatial gray matter (GM), resting-state functional network connectivity (FNC), and white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) features across these diagnostic categories. We then calculated associations between the identified linked features and trans-diagnostic behavioral measures (MATRICs Consensus Cognitive Battery, MCCB).

Component number 4 of the 13 identified displayed a statistically significant relationship with overall MCCB scores across GM, resting-state FNC, and FA. These linked modalities of component 4 consisted primarily of positive correlations within subcortical structures including the caudate and putamen in the GM maps with overall MCCB, sparse negative correlations within subcortical and cortical connection tracts (e.g., corticospinal tract, superior longitudinal fasciculus) in the FA maps with overall MCCB, and negative relationships with MCCB values and loading parameters with FNC matrices displaying increased FNC in subcortical-cortical regions with auditory, somatomotor, and visual regions.

[Effects of statins on mortality and neurologic outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis]

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of statins on the mortality and neurologic function prognosis in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Clinical Controlled Trial Center Registry Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), and WanFang database up to 2021.1 were searched to obtain clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective cohort studies of statins in the treatment of TBI. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen literature and extract data. Ottawa scale and the RCT bias risk assessment tool was used for quality evaluation. Comprehensive Meta Analysis V3 statistical software for meta-analysis was applied. Results: Thirteen studies were included, with a total of 116, 500 patients, including 46, 933 patients using statins in the intervention group and 69, 567 patients in the control group. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the control group, statins can reduce the mortality of TBI patients (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.74-0.92, P<0.01), significantly improve the neurologic outcomes of TBI patients (OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.13-0.26, P<0.01), and reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β after TBI (TNF-α: OR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.07-0.34, P<0.01; IL-1β: OR=0.08, 95%CI: 0.04-0.18, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Statins can reduce the mortality of patients with TBI and improve the neurologic outcomes. Their reduction of inflammation in the body may be the basis of potential treatment, but more high-quality RCTs are still warranted.

High-content phenotypic screening identifies novel chemistries that disrupt mosquito activity and development

New classes of chemistries are needed to control insecticide resistant populations of mosquitoes and prevent transmission of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Organismal screens of chemical collections have played an important role in the search for new vector insecticides and the identification of active ingredients (AIs) that cause rapid mortality of mosquitoes. Advances in image-based screening offer an opportunity to identify chemistries that operate via novel biochemical modes and investigate the range of phenotypes exhibited by mosquitoes following exposure to lethal and sub-lethal chemical dose. An automated, high throughput phenotypic screen (HTS) employing high-content imaging of first instar (L1) Aedes aegypti larvae was developed to identify chemistries associated with mortality and atypical morphological phenotypes. A pilot screen of the Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC₁₂₈₀) identified 92 chemistries that disrupted larval activity and development, including conventional insecticides and chemistries known to modulate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and other molecular targets in mammalian systems. Secondary assay series were used to evaluate a selection of chemistries for impacts on mosquito activity, survival and development. Ritodrine hydrochloride reduced mobility of larvae but had no observable effect on survival and development of mosquitoes. High doses of metergoline suppressed larval activity and sub-lethal dose resulted in pupal mortality. Assay data support the utility of phenotypic screening and diverse entomological end-points for discovery of novel insecticidal chemical scaffolds. The insecticide discovery process must consider how multi-modal efficacy spectra contribute to vector and VBD control.

Effect of Aspect Ratio of Whisker on the Fibrillation of Liquid Crystalline Polymer in Polysulfone Matrix

The influence of content and aspect ratio of whiskers, calcium carbonate and aluminum borate, on the morphology evolution of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) was investigated in polysulfone (PSF) matrix. The study showed that the deformation of LCP droplets was significantly promoted by adding whiskers into PSF/LCP blends, and the longer whisker produced a more pronounced fibrillation effect. The analysis of flow field and elasticity of system showed that the addition of longer whiskers increased the elasticity of materials more efficiently and enhanced the vortex in the converging flow area at the entry of capillary, which resulted in an increase of the elongational stress and promoted the formation of longer LCP fibrils in PSF/whisker system.

[Proteinuria associated with hookworm infection: a case report]

As a common soil-borne nematode, hookworm is mainly parasitized in the intestine, and the clinical manifestations of hookworm infections mainly include gastrointestinal symptoms and iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, hookworm may be also parasitized in other organs in addition to gastrointestinal system, resulting in development of disorders in other systems. Proteinuria caused by hookworm infections is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed in clinical practices. Hereby, the diagnosis and treatment of a case of proteinuria associated with hookworm infections was reported, in order to increase the understanding of hookworm infection-associated proteinuria among clinicians.

Treponema denticola Induces Alzheimer-Like Tau Hyperphosphorylation by Activating Hippocampal Neuroinflammation in Mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. Tau hyperphosphorylation and amyloid β (Aβ) deposition are the key pathological hallmarks of AD. Recent studies have shown that periodontitis is a significant risk factor for AD. The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and its virulence factors have been shown to initiate and promote the hallmark pathologies and behavioral symptoms of AD. A possible link between Treponema denticola, another main periodontal pathogen, and AD has been reported. However, the role of T. denticola in AD pathogenesis is still unclear, and whether T. denticola and P. gingivalis exert a synergistic effect to promote AD development needs to be further studied. In this study, we investigated whether oral infection with T. denticola caused tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampi of mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Orally administered T. denticola induced alveolar bone resorption, colonized brain tissues, and increased the activity of the phosphokinase GSK3β by activating neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, thus promoting the hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein at Ser396, Thr181, and Thr231 in mice. An in vitro study with BV2 and N2a cell models of T. denticola invasion also verified the role of this pathogen in tau phosphorylation. T. denticola and P. gingivalis were not found to exert a synergistic effect on tau phosphorylation. In summary, these findings provide new insight into the important role of T. denticola in AD pathogenesis, providing biological connections between periodontal diseases and AD.

[A brief introduction of Ayurvedic medical classics]

Ayurveda can be traced back to 3000BC. It is the principal part of traditional medicine in India and other South Asian countries. It was divided into four historical periods according to the academic circle in India, ie. the Vedic period, the Samhita period, the Sangraha period and the modern period. The literature in the Vedic period mainly included Vedic Samhitas Brahmanas, Ramayana, Mahabharata. In the Samhita period, the "BrihatTrayee", namely, Caraka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and Astanga Hrdaya Samhita were published, indicating that Ayurveda had developed into a full-fledged medical system. In the Sangraha period, the "Laghu Trayee", namely, Madhava Nidana, Sarangadhara Samhita and Bhava Prakasa were published. At this time, a large number of annotated texts for these medical books emerged, which kept driving Ayurveda improvements. Since the modern period, Ayurvedic classical works were rearranged, edited and translated into different languages as cultural heritage, drawing attention worldwide. While the research to these works has been conducted widely in China, they are still short of systematic and professional translation and in-depth studies. This paper attempts to introduce the literature related to Ayurveda systematically, to pave the way for further research of Ayurvedic literature in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Study on surface electromyography characteristics of erector spinae muscles at different spinal anteversion angles of the scrapers]

Objective: To simulate and evaluate the scraping and grinding work of workers with different spinal anteversion angles, and to explore the effects of different anteversion angles on the erector spinae muscles of scrapers. Methods: In November 2019, 16 male college student volunteers were recruited to simulate workers' scraping and grinding work. The parameters were 25°, 15 times/min, 15°, 30 times/min, 5°, 60 times/min respectively. The surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to collect the electromyographic signals of the erector spinae muscles, and the surface electromyographic characteristics of the erector spinae muscles were evaluated with Borg Scale. Results: There were significant differences between the maximum voluntary contraction percentage (MVE%) of the left and right erector spinae muscles groups in the three groups with different spinal anteversion angles (F(left)=13.41, P(left)<0.001; F(right)=4.74, P(right)=0.005) , and the EMG amplitude was higher at 25°, 15 times/min. At 15°, 30 times/min, MVE% of the left side was significantly higher than that of the right side (t=2.58, P=0.021) . There was significant difference in the mean power frequency (MPF) of the right erector spinae muscle in the three groups (F=9.42, P<0.001) , but there was no significant difference in the MPF of the left erector spinae muscle (F=0.30, P=0.823) . The fitting line showed that the left erector spinae muscle showed a downward trend at 5°, 60 times/min (t=-5.39, P=0.012) . Conclusion: Scrapers are less likely to be fatigued when the posture is 15°, 30 times/min, but they are more likely to be fatigued when working at 5°, 60 times/min.

[Clinical investigation and research on Axis Ⅱ evaluation of patients with temporomandibular disorders]

Objective: To screen the physical, psychological and behavioral factors related to patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by using Axis Ⅱ assessment instruments of diagnostic criteria for TMD(DC/TMD). And to provide a reference to establish personalized diagnosis and treatment plans for TMD patients so as to prevent TMD and reduce predisposing factors. Methods: A total of 141 TMD patients, who were admitted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University from October 2018 to February 2021 were selected. There were 121 females and 20 males, with an average age of 30 years. A total of 90 healthy people were included as controls. A full-time psychologist conducted relevant questionnaire surveys. The questionnaires include general clinical survey forms and TMD symptom questionnaire. In addition, Axis Ⅱ assessment instruments include graded chronic pain scale, jaw functional limitation scale, oral behaviors checklist, patient health questionnaire-9 (depression), generalized anxiety disorder scale, patient health questionnaire-15 (physical symptoms), etc. The main observational indicators include: pain level, pain impact rates, overall classification of chronic pain, limited chewing function score, limited motor function score, limited communication function score, total jaw function restricted score, depression score, anxiety score, somatic symptom score and oral behavior score.The survey data were imported into SPSS 22.0 software for statistical analysis. Results: In the TMD group 60.3% (85/141) patients had various degrees of pain, 24.1% (34/141) of those with pain effect grades from 1 to 3 and 61.0% (86/141) showed chronic pain overall grades from Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The chewing function restricted score was 2.67(1.17, 4.25), motor function restricted score was 4.25(1.75, 6.12), communication function restricted score was 1.13(1.00, 2.25) and total jaw function restricted score was 2.56(1.47, 4.15) respectively. Patients with mild depression or above accounted for 59.6%(84/141), patients with mild anxiety or above accounted for 56.7%(80/141), 46.1%(65/141) patients had somatization symptoms. Statistical differences (P<0.05) were determined between TMD group and control group in various scores of jaw function, oral behavior grading, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms. Physical symptoms had significantly statistical difference between different diagnostic classification(P<0.05). Meanwhile, among the different chronic pain levels in the TMD group, there were statistical differences in the various scales of mandibular dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and somatization. In the TMD group, other significant differences were noticed between males and females in terms of the average score of mouth opening, verbal and facial communication, the total score of mandibular dysfunction as well as physical symptoms (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the healthy people, patients with TMD had more abnormal oral behaviors, different restriction of the mandibular functional activities. At the same time, depression, anxiety, and somatization were more serious. Patients with osteoarthritis and subluxation of temporomandibular joint were more likely to suffer physical symptoms. TMD patients suffering from pain had more severe mandibular dysfunction and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization.

[Retrospective analysis of infliximab in the treatment of Kawasaki disease]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) therapy for children with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Sixty-eight children with Kawasaki disease who received IFX therapy in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2014 to April 2021 were enrolled. The indications for IFX administration, changes in laboratory parameters before and after IFX administration, response rate, drug adverse events and complications and outcomes of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) were retrospectively analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. Results: Among 68 children with Kawasaki disease, 52 (76%) were males and 16 (24%) were females. The age of onset was 2.1 (0.5, 3.8) years. IFX was administered to: (1) 35 children (51%) with persistent fever who did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or steroids, 28 of the 35 children (80%) developed CAA before IFX therapy; (2) 32 children (47%) with continuous progression of CAA; (3) 1 child with persistent arthritis. In all cases, IFX was administered as an additional treatment (the time from the onset of illness to IFX therapy was 21 (15, 30) days) which consisted of second line therapy in 20 (29%), third line therapy in 20 (29%), and fourth (or more) line therapy in 28 (41%). C-reactive protein (8 (4, 15) vs. 16 (8, 43) mg/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001), serum amyloid protein A (17 (10, 42) vs. 88 (11, 327) mg/L, Z=-2.36, P=0.018) and the percentage of neutrophils (0.39±0.20 vs. 0.49±0.21, t=2.63, P=0.010) decreased significantly after IFX administration. Fourteen children (21%) did not respond to IFX and received additional therapies mainly including steroids and cyclophosphamide. There was no significant difference in gender, age at IFX administration, time from the onset of illness to IFX administration, the maximum coronary Z value before IFX administration, and the incidence of systemic aneurysms between IFX-sensitive group and IFX-resistant group (all P>0.05). Infections occurred in 11 cases (16%) after IFX administration, including respiratory tract, digestive tract, urinary tract, skin and oral infections. One case had Calmette-Guérin bacillus-related adverse reactions 2 months after IFX administration. All of these adverse events were cured successfully. One child died of CAA rupture, 6 children were lost to follow up, the remaining 61 children were followed up for 6 (4, 15) months. No CAA occurred in 7 children before and after IFX treatment, while CAA occurred in 54 children before IFX treatment. CAA regressed in 23 (43%) children at the last follow-up, and the diameter of coronary artery recovered to normal in 10 children. Conclusion: IFX is an effective and safe therapeutic choice for children with Kawasaki disease who are refractory to IVIG or steroids therapy or with continuous progression of CAA.

Author Correction: Circular RNA circ-PRKCI promotes cell proliferation and invasion by binding to microRNA-545 in gastric cancer

Correction to: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2019; 23 (21): 9418-9426-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201911_19435-PMID: 31773680, published online on 15 November 2019. After publication, the authors applied to change Figure 1E stating that "gastric cancer was observed from patients underlying response at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from March 2015 to March 2016. By the time of submission, the survival time of follow-up was only 2 years. From the 2-year follow-up data, we found that high expression of CIRC PRKCI was positively associated with a poor prognosis of GC patients". The authors claim that there is no serious change in the conclusion of the article. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19435.

Dapansutrile ameliorated chondrocyte inflammation and osteoarthritis through suppression of MAPK signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases in the elderly population. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), play an important role in the development and progression of OA. Dapansutrile is a specific inhibitor of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of dapansutrile on cartilage degeneration in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, chondrocytes were isolated from rats and then were treated with dapansutrile. After that, the expression of (Cox-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Mmp-3, Mmp-9, Mmp-13 and IL-10) were evaluated at RNA level, then the expression of (COX-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, SOX-9 and COL2) were evaluated at protein level. Subsequently, the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was tested using western blotting (WB). Additionally, the rat OA model was developed to evaluate the protective effects of dapansutrile in vivo.

RESULTS

The results showed that dapansutrile had no obvious cytotoxicity on rat chondrocytes at 24 h (0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 μM). Dapansutrile significantly decreased IL-1β-induced upregulation of COX2, iNOS, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), 9 (MMP9) and 13 (MMP13), and reversed IL-1β-induced the downregulation of IL-10, SOX9 and COL2. Dapansutrile also inhibited IL-1β-induced upregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway by downregulating the expression levels of phospho-ERK, and phospho-P38 in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, dapansutrile exhibited protective effects in rat OA model with lower Mankin's score and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that dapansutrile effectively inhibited chondrocyte inflammation by suppressing MAPK signaling pathway in vitro, and ameliorated cartilage degeneration in vivo, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect in OA treatment.

Simulating grazing beef and sheep systems

CONTEXT

Ruminant livestock make an important contribution to global food security by converting feed that is unsuitable for human consumption into high value food protein, demand for which is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate because of increasing global population and income levels. Factors affecting production efficiency, product quality, and consumer acceptability, such as animal fertility, health and welfare, will ultimately define the sustainability of ruminant production systems. These more complex systems can be developed and analysed by using models that can predict system responses to environment and management.

OBJECTIVE

We present a framework that dynamically models, using a process-based and mechanistic approach, animal and grass growth, nutrient cycling and water redistribution in a soil profile taking into account the effects of animal genotype, climate, feed quality and quantity on livestock production, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and quality, and nutrient cycling in a grazing system.

METHODS

A component to estimate ruminant animal growth was developed and integrated with the existing components of the SPACSYS model. Intake of herbage and/or concentrates and partitioning of the energy and protein contained in consumed herbage and/or concentrates were simulated in the component. Simulated animal growth was validated using liveweight data from over 200 finishing beef cattle and 900 lambs collected from the North Wyke Farm Platform (NWFP) in southwest England, UK, between 2011 and 2018. Annual nitrous oxide (N₂O), ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide emissions from individual fields were simulated based on previous validated parameters.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

A series of statistical indicators demonstrated that the model could simulate liveweight gain of beef cattle and lamb. Simulated nitrogen (N) cycling estimated N input of 190 to 260 kg ha^-1, of which 37-61% was removed from the fields either as silage or animal intake, 15-26% was lost through surface runoff or lateral drainage and 1.14% was emitted to the atmosphere as N₂O. About 13% of the manure N applied to the NWFP and excreta N deposited at grazing was lost via ammonia volatilisation.

SIGNIFICANCE

The extended model has the potential to investigate the responses of the system on and consequences of a range of agronomic management and grazing strategies. However, modelling of multi-species swards needs to be validated including the dynamics of individual species in the swards, preferential selection by grazing animals and the impact on animal growth and nutrient flows.