42 Disruption of endogenous SOX2 during porcine embryo development using the CRIPSR/Cas9 system

The lineage specification of the pre-implantation embryo is important to understand the developmental process, but it remains unclear because the expression of lineage-specific genes is distinct among species. Pigs have genetic and physiological traits similar to humans; however, there are differences in gene expression during the pre-implantation stage. To select a candidate gene that affects the formation of the inner cell mass (ICM) in porcine embryo, we conducted preliminary experiments. First, we measured the expression level of candidate genes for lineage specification in parthenogenetic-activated embryos. The expression of pluripotent genes peaked on Day 3 and thereafter decreased gradually. Next, we conducted immunocytochemistry. OCT4 was expressed in all cells in morula and Day 5 blastocyst, but some Day 7 blastocysts expressed OCT4 in both ICM and trophectoderm (TE), whereas others expressed OCT4 only in ICM. NANOG was not observed in the morula stage, whereas SOX2 was located in a restricted area. To examine the effect of SOX2 in ICM formation, we injected plasmid expressing Cas9 and guide (g)RNA using Lipofectamine for efficient transgene expression at the 2-cell stage to increase viability by inducing mosaicism. The expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) contained in the plasmid confirmed that the plasmid was operating normally. In SOX2-knockout (KO) early blastocysts, the numbers of total cells and SOX2- and NANOG-positive cells were greatly decreased, while OCT4 was expressed in most cells. As in early blastocysts, SOX2-KO late blastocysts had fewer cells expressing SOX2, NANOG, and SOX17 than control. To identify the transcriptional consequences of SOX2 reduction, we performed quantitative PCR analysis on non-injected and PX458-gRNA injected blastocysts. Injection of PX458-gRNA resulted in downregulation of NANOG, SOX17, and SMAD7, but not SOX2 and OCT4. Furthermore, proliferation-associated genes were downregulated in injected blastocysts. In conclusion, SOX2-targeted porcine embryos showed blastocoel formation, the inner cell mass formed poorly, and embryos have inefficient cells. Also, the depletion of SOX2 in porcine blastocysts downregulated pluripotent genes and proliferation genes. This work was supported by the BK21 Plus Program, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2019R1C1C1004514), the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (IPET) through the Development of High Value-Added Food Technology Program funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA; 118042-03-3-HD020).

High-frequency gas effusion through nanopores in suspended graphene

Porous, atomically thin graphene membranes have interesting properties for filtration and sieving applications. Here, graphene membranes are used to pump gases through nanopores using optothermal forces, enabling the study of gas flow through nanopores at frequencies above 100 kHz. At these frequencies, the motion of graphene is closely linked to the dynamic gas flow through the nanopore and can thus be used to study gas permeation at the nanoscale. By monitoring the time delay between the actuation force and the membrane mechanical motion, the permeation time-constants of various gases through pores with diameters from 10–400 nm are shown to be significantly different. Thus, a method is presented for differentiating gases based on their molecular mass and for studying gas flow mechanisms. The presented microscopic effusion-based gas sensing methodology provides a nanomechanical alternative for large-scale mass-spectrometry and optical spectrometry based gas characterisation methods.

Atomically thin porous graphene is promising for filtration and sieving applications. Here the authors, using a laser-actuated micro-drum device of bilayer graphene with controlled number of nanopores, and measuring the permeation rate of different gases, show that it can also be used for permeation-based sensing.

Triggers of stress cardiomyopathy and their association with clinical outcomes

Background

Stress cardiomyopathy can be a result of physical stress, emotional stress, or both. Whether the type of trigger affects clinical outcomes is not well studied.

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of emotional and physical stressors and to assess differences in patient characteristics and mortality based on the type of trigger.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 523 consecutive patients who presented to our institution from 2006 to 2016. All patients presented with acute coronary syndrome. Triggers for stress cardiomyopathy were abstracted from reviewing patients' medical records. Patients were categorized into those with 1) physical trigger, 2) emotional trigger, 3) both physical and emotional trigger, or 4) no known trigger. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were reported.

Results

Among 523 patients with stress cardiomyopathy, 151 (28.9%) had a physical trigger, 189 (36.1%) had an emotional trigger, 30 (5.7%) had both physical and emotional triggers, and 153 (29.3%) had no known triggers identified. Men comprised the higher proportion of patients with physical triggers. Comorbidities including diabetes, pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism were more prevalent among patients with physical triggers. Compared to patients with no obvious triggers, patients with a physical trigger had a much higher mortality rate (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.3, p=0.007), whereas patients with an emotional trigger had significantly lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.89, p=0.007).

Conclusion

Different triggers for stress cardiomyopathy is associated with different baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes. Overall survival is worst in the group with an identified physical trigger.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Depressive Symptom Severity and Immigration-Related Characteristics in Asian American Immigrants

The study examined immigration factors associated with depressive symptom severity among Asian American immigrants. Participants were 458 Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese adults. Depressive symptom severity was measured by PHQ-9. Overall, the likelihood of being moderately to severely depressed was significantly increased among immigrants living in the US for < 10 years and Korean Americans compared to Chinese Americans. However, mild level of depressive symptoms was not associated with any immigration-related factors. The positive impact of shorter duration of living in the US and a younger age at immigration (≤ 17) on depressive symptoms was evident among women but not among men. For men, marital status and education level were significant predictors of being moderately to severely depressed. Differentiating immigrant factors and identifying depressive symptom severity can help drive community and clinical interventions to detect and treat depression early among Asian American immigrants.

Abstract A34: Differences between self-reported and electronically monitored adherence among Korean breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy

Background: The aim of this study was to compare self-report medication adherence measure with adherence data collected from Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) electronic monitors in Korean breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Between June 2017 and January 2018, patients who planned to take endocrine therapy (ET) were recruited for this observational cohort study. Adherence was assessed by participants’ self-reports at 3 different time points and by MEMS for the first 12 months of ET. The time points 1, 2, and 3 were at approximately 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after initiation of ET. MEMS data that had the date and time of each pill bottle opening were used to calculate electronically monitored adherence (MEMS adherence). Self-reported and MEMS adherence measures were matched and compared for 146 patients.

Results: The mean [±SD, interquartile range (IQR)] self-reported adherence and MEMS adherence were 95% (±11, 95-100%) and 84% (±16, 80-95%), respectively. The mean (±SD) difference between the self-reported adherence and the MEMS adherence was 11% (±13). Among those who self-reported no missed doses (self-reported adherence 100%) for 3 or 6 months, mean MEMS adherence and the proportion with MEMS adherence &gt;90% (good adherence) were 89% and 64%, respectively. In comparison, among those who self-reported adherence 97-99%, 93-96%, 90-92%, and &lt;90%, mean MEMS adherence was 86%, 83%, 79%, and 56% respectively, and the proportion with MEMS adherence &gt;90% was 35%, 36%, 17%, and 0%, respectively. The difference between the two adherence measures increased over time. The differences at the time points 1, 2, and 3 was 9%, 11% and 17%, respectively. There was a strong relationship between the two adherence measures (r=0.59, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions: There is a sizable and significant difference between self-reported and MEMS adherence. However, self-reported adherence correlated by MEMS adherence suggests that self-reported adherence gives a useful measure for clinical monitoring. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (No. 2018R1A1A3A04076879).

Citation Format: Yul Ha Min, Sae Byul Lee, Minsun Lee. Differences between self-reported and electronically monitored adherence among Korean breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Modernizing Population Sciences in the Digital Age; 2019 Feb 19-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A34.

Activity of Cefiderocol Alone and in Combination with Levofloxacin, Minocycline, Polymyxin B, or Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole against Multidrug-Resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

The production of an L1 metallo-β-lactamase and an L2 serine active-site β-lactamase precludes the use of β-lactams for the treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. Preclinical data suggest that cefiderocol is the first approved β-lactam with reliable activity against S. maltophilia, but data on strains resistant to current first-line agents are limited, and no studies have assessed cefiderocol-based combinations. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro activity of cefiderocol alone and in combination with levofloxacin, minocycline, polymyxin B, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) against a collection of highly resistant clinical S. maltophilia isolates. For this purpose, the MICs of cefiderocol, ceftazidime, levofloxacin, minocycline, polymyxin B, and TMP-SMZ for 37 S. maltophilia isolates not susceptible to levofloxacin and/or TMP-SMZ were determined. Nine strains with various cefiderocol MICs were then tested in time-kill experiments with cefiderocol alone and in combination with comparators. The only agents for which susceptibility rates exceeded 40% were cefiderocol (100%) and minocycline (97.3%). Cefiderocol displayed the lowest MIC50 and MIC90 values (0.125 and 0.5 mg/liter, respectively). In time-kill experiments, synergy was observed when cefiderocol was combined with levofloxacin, minocycline, polymyxin B, or TMP-SMZ against 4/9 (44.4%), 6/9 (66.7%), 5/9 (55.5%), and 6/9 (66.7%) isolates, respectively. These data suggest that cefiderocol displays potent in vitro activity against S. maltophilia, including strains resistant to currently preferred agents. Future dynamic and in vivo studies of cefiderocol alone and in combination are warranted to further define cefiderocol's synergistic capabilities and its place in therapy for S. maltophilia infections.

THU0219 FIRST-INHUMAN STUDY OF SAFETY, PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS OF IRAK1/4 INHIBITOR R835 IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Background:

Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) and Interleukin-1 Receptors (IL-1R) play a critical role in the innate immune response as microbial and tissue damage sensors, providing a bridge between the innate and adaptive immunity. Interleukin receptor associated kinases (IRAK) 1 and 4 are serine/threonine kinases that are essential for signaling downstream of most TLRs and IL-1Rs and the resulting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Suppression of TLR and IL-1R signaling through inhibition of IRAK1/4 kinases is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We have identified a potent and selective IRAK1/4 inhibitor (R835) that showed dose-dependent inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a TLR4 agonist), and IL-1β induced serum cytokines in mice. R835 prevented disease onset and progression in multiple rodent models of inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and lupus models.

Objectives:

The aim of this FIH study was to characterize the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of R835 after single or multiple dose oral administrations.

Methods:

This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 1 study in healthy subjects in three parts: single ascending doses (20 mg-1920 mg, Part A) with food effect in a separate cohort (480 mg), multiple ascending doses (120 mg and 960 mg, BID, Part B) with a caffeine interaction (960 mg cohort), and an intravenous LPS challenge test at 240 mg oral dose of R835 (Part C).

Results:

Single doses of up to 480 mg R835 in organic solution, single doses of up to 1920 mg R835 as capsule, multiple doses of 120 mg R835 Q12H (organic solution), and 960 mg R835 Q12H (capsule) were safe and well tolerated. All R835 related adverse events (AEs) were mild in intensity and reversible, and mostly associated with the higher doses of R835 in the organic solution. The most common AEs were headache and gastrointestinal disturbance. The PK of R835 was linear and dose proportional in exposure over the dose range studied. A nominal level of accumulation in plasma achieved rapidly upon repeated BID administrations with steady-state essentially attained in 2 days. A high-fat meal with the capsule formulation resulted in slow rate of absorption but had no effect on the extent of absorption. There was no effect of R835 on metabolism of caffeine (P450 CYP1A2 prototype substrate). In the LPS challenge test, R835 profoundly inhibited the acute release of cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MIP1α and MIP1β, but had no impact on CRP release.

Conclusion:

R835 was well tolerated after single or multiple dose administrations. The most common AEs were headache and gastrointestinal disturbance. For both of the formulations tested, the PK of R835 was linear and exposure was dose proportional with rapid steady-state attainment following BID administration. There was no drug-drug interaction by use of caffeine as the protype substrate. R835 inhibited the LPS induced release of cytokines in the serum, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MIP1α and MIP1β, mirroring preclinical data in mice. The desirable PK and safety profile combined with proof of mechanism, as demonstrated by inhibition of cytokine release, support progression of R835 into Phase II clinical development as an agent for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Lucy Yan Shareholder of: Amgen, Rigel, Employee of: Amgen, Rigel, Sandra Tong Shareholder of: Rigel, Employee of: Rigel, Anthony Absalom: None declared, Izaak den Daas: None declared, Gary Park Shareholder of: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Employee of: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Vanessa Taylor Shareholder of: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Employee of: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Donna Chow Shareholder of: Rigel, Employee of: Rigel, Meng Lee Shareholder of: Rigel, Employee of: Rigel, Hanzhe Zheng Shareholder of: Rigel, Employee of: Rigel, Andrew Chow Shareholder of: Rigel, Employee of: Rigel

Abstract D026: Correlates of lifestyle behaviors to prevent colorectal cancer among low-income Vietnamese Americans

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third highest cause of mortality in Vietnamese Americans. Lifestyle behaviors including diet, physical activity, smoking, and drinking have been associated with the incidence of CRC. Despite the association between health behaviors and CRC, as well as documented non-optimal engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors among this group, little research has been done to address health behaviors in Vietnamese Americans. Methodology We recruited 804 Vietnamese Americans aged 50 or order from 20 community-based organizations (CBOs) in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. As a dependent variable, lifestyle behaviors were measured as a composite score of smoking, drinking, diet, and physical activity. Measures for independent variables included knowledge on CRC risks and screening, cancer related health beliefs, CRC screening self-efficacy, and CRC related social norm. Descriptive analysis, t-test (for categorical IVs) and correlation analysis (for continuous IVs) were first conducted to select the variables to be included in the multiple regression analysis. Results Among 804 participants, 41% were men, 60% were women, and about 22% were older than 75. Approximately 62% had an annual household income below $20,000, and only 18% had a college degree or higher. We conducted a bivariate (t-test and correlation) analysis. The results showed that gender, income, knowledge on CRC risk factors, beliefs that getting cancer is determined by the fate, and two CRC-related social norms were associated with composite score of lifestyle behaviors. Multiple regression analysis showed that being female (log odds = 2.02, 95% CI 1.53–2.51) and having greater knowledge (log odds = .61, 95% CI .002–.21) on CRC risk factors are significant predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviors controlling for other variables. Conclusion Findings revealed sub-optimal levels of healthy lifestyle behaviors and knowledge of CRC risk factors among Vietnamese Americans. The study highlights the importance of educating knowledge about the risk factors of CRC to improve lifestyle behaviors, which may eventually contribute to preventing CRC in this population. Acknowledgement: This research project was supported by grant U01MD010627 (PI: Grace X. Ma, PhD) funded by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of National Institute of Health (NIH), and partially supported by the grant of U54 CA221704(5) funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of NIH (Contact PIs: Grace X. Ma, PhD and Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi, MD, PhD). The contents of this abstract are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIMHD or the NCI, NIH.

Citation Format: Minsun Lee, Lin Zhu, Jin-Hyeok Nam, Cicely K Johnson, Carolyn Fang, Grace X Ma. Correlates of lifestyle behaviors to prevent colorectal cancer among low-income Vietnamese Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D026.