Fluorofenidone Attenuates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis by Enhancing Autophagy and Retaining Mitochondrial Function

BACKGROUND

Fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) is a novel pyridone agent and has potent anti-NLRP3 inflammasome and anti-fibrotic activities. However, the mechanisms underlying its pharmacological actions are not fully understood.

METHODS

A renal fibrosis rat model was established by the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) procedure and the rats were randomized and treated with, or without, AKF-PD for 3 and 7 days. The levels of renal fibrosis, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, mitochondrial function, and autophagy were tested in rat kidney tissues. Macrophages following lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) stimulation were examined by Western blot, spectrophotometry, and TEM.

RESULTS

Compared with the untreated UUO rats, AKF-PD treatment significantly mitigated the UUO procedure-induced renal fibrosis in rats. AKF-PD treatment decreased mitochondrial dysfunction and IL-Iβ and caspase-1 expression in rat kidney tissues and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in activated macrophages. Mechanistically, AKF-PD treatment significantly attenuated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, increased Beclin-1 and LC3 II expression and autophagosome formation, and ameliorated the mitochondrial damage in renal tissues and activated macrophages.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that AKF-PD treatment inhibited renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating the autophagy-mitochondria-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Paeoniflorin alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in HK-2 cells by inhibiting apoptosis and repressing oxidative damage via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. AKI and ischemia/reperfusion (hypoxia/reoxygenation, H/R) injury can be induced due to several reasons. Paeoniflorin (PF) is a traditional herbal medicine derived from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. It exerts diverse therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and immunomodulatory properties; thus, it is considered valuable for treating several diseases. However, the effects of PF on H/R injury-induced AKI remain unknown. In this study, we established an in vitro H/R model using COCL2 and investigated the functions and underlying mechanisms of PF on H/R injury in HK-2 cells. The cell vitality was evaluated using the cell count kit-8 assay. The DCFH-DA fluorescence probe was used to measure the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative damage was detected using superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay kits. Apoptotic relative protein and Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling were evaluated by Western blotting. Our results indicated that PF increased cell viability and SOD activity and decreased the ROS and MDA levels in HK-2 cells with H/R injury. PF inhibits apoptosis by increasing Bcl-2 and decreasing Bax. Furthermore, PF significantly upregulated the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2, but downregulated the expression of HIF-1α and Keap1. PF considerably increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation and unregulated the HO-1 expression. The Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) could reverse the abovementioned protective effects of PF, suggesting that Nrf2 can be a critical target of PF. To conclude, we found that PF attenuates H/R injury-induced AKI by decreasing the oxidative damage via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting apoptosis.

High-Q lasing via all-dielectric Bloch-surface-wave platform

Controlling the propagation and emission of light via Bloch surface waves (BSWs) has held promise in the field of on-chip nanophotonics. BSW-based optical devices are being widely investigated to develop on-chip integration systems. However, a coherent light source that is based on the stimulated emission of a BSW mode has yet to be developed. Here, we demonstrate lasers based on a guided BSW mode sustained by a gain-medium guiding structure microfabricated on the top of a BSW platform. A long-range propagation length of the BSW mode and a high-quality lasing emission of the BSW mode are achieved. The BSW lasers possess a lasing threshold of 6.7 μJ/mm2 and a very narrow linewidth reaching a full width at half maximum as small as 0.019 nm. Moreover, the proposed lasing scheme exhibits high sensitivity to environmental changes suggesting the applicability of the proposed BSW lasers in ultra-sensitive devices.

Reirradiation vs. Systemic Therapy vs. Combination Therapy for Recurrent High-Grade Glioma: A Meta-Analysis of Survival and Toxicity

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To compare the effects of reirradiation, systemic therapy and combination therapy (reirradiation + systemic therapy) on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse effects (AEs) in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (rHGG).

MATERIALS/METHODS

A search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase and CENTRAL on 18 March 2022, and repeated on 1 November 2022. Studies comparing OS, PFS and AEs in patients with rHGG, and encompassing the following four groups were included; reirradiation vs systemic therapy, combination therapy vs systemic therapy, combination therapy vs reirradiation, and reirradiation + bevacizumab-based systemic therapy vs reirradiation +/- non-bevacizumab-based systemic therapy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized control trials (RCTs) and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. The logHR and SE (logHR) for OS and PFS, and logRR and SE (logRR) for AEs were extracted or estimated if not reported. Meta-analyses were performed for each comparator group using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was performed on only RCTs if ≥ 2 studies were available.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies comprising of 2201 participants were included. In the reirradiation vs systemic therapy group, there was no difference in PFS (2 studies, 185 participants; HR 0.87 (95% CI 0.61-1.22)) and OS (3 studies, 237 participants; HR 0.94 (95% CI 0.67-1.31)). In the combination therapy vs systemic therapy group, combination therapy improved PFS (6 studies, 605 participants; HR = 0.70 (95% CI 0.59-0.82)) and OS (6 studies, 537 participants; HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.56-0.96)), and there was no difference in grade 3+ AEs (4 studies, 398 participants; RR 1.03 (95% CI 0.57-1.86)). Subgroup analysis of only RCTs (2 studies, 205 participants) similarly showed no difference in grade 3+ AEs (RR 1.13 (95% CI 0.71-1.82)), though no significant improvements in PFS (HR 0.51 (95% CI 0.22-1.19)) or OS (HR 0.90 (95% CI 0.65-1.26)) were demonstrated. In the combination therapy vs reirradiation group, combination therapy improved PFS (5 studies, 259 participants; HR 0.50 (95% CI 0.37-0.69)) and OS (13 studies, 713 participants; HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.47-0.74)). In the reirradiation + bevacizumab-based systemic therapy vs reirradiation +/- non-bevacizumab-based systemic therapy group, combining reirradiation with bevacizumab improved PFS (2 studies, 104 participants; HR 0.46 (95% CI 0.27-0.77)) and OS (5 studies, 256 participants; HR 0.42 (95% CI 0.24-0.72)), and reduced radionecrosis (RN) (5 studies, 353 participants; RR 0.17 (95% CI 0.06-0.48)).

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy may improve OS and PFS with acceptable toxicity in select patients with rHGG. Further RCTs comparing systemic therapy to combination therapy, particularly with bevacizumab-based systemic therapy, are needed. The limitations of previous RCTs must be addressed; namely inadequate accrual of appropriate patients, and exclusion of FLAIR abnormalities from target delineation.

Ligand Engineering and Recrystallization of Perovskite Quantum-Dot Thin Film for Low-Threshold Plasmonic Lattice Laser

Solution-process perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are promising materials to be utilized in photovoltaics and photonics with their superior optical properties. Advancements in top-down nanofabrication for perovskite are thus important for practical photonic and plasmonic devices. However, different from the chemically synthesized nano/micro-structures that show high quality and low surface roughness, the perovskite QD thin film prepared by spin-coating or the drop-casting process shows a large roughness and inhomogeneity. Low-roughness and low-optical loss perovskite QD thin film is highly desired for photonic and optoelectronic devices. Here, this work presents a pressure-assisted ligand engineering/recrystallization process for high-quality and well-thickness controlled CsPbBr₃ QD film and demonstrates a low-threshold and single-mode plasmonic lattice laser. A recrystallization process is proposed to prepare the QD film with a low roughness (RMS = 1.3 nm) and small thickness (100 nm). Due to the low scattering loss and strong interaction between gain media and plasmonic nanoparticles, a low lasing threshold of 16.9 µJ cm^-2 is achieved. It is believed that this work is not only important to the plasmonic laser field but also provides a promising and general nanofabrication method of solution-processed QDs for various photonic and plasmonic devices.

Integration of on-chip perovskite nanocrystal laser and long-range surface plasmon polariton waveguide with etching-free process

Perovskite materials prepared in the form of solution-processed nanocrystals and used in top-down fabrication techniques are very attractive to develop low-cost and high-quality integrated optoelectronic circuits. Particularly, integrated miniaturized coherent light sources that can be connected to light-guiding structures on a chip are highly desired. To control light propagating on a small footprint with low-loss optical modes, long-range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) waveguides are employed. Herein, we demonstrate an on-chip fabricated photonic-plasmonic hybrid system consisting of a perovskite lasing structure coupled to an LRSPP waveguide achieving a low lasing threshold and a propagation length over 100 μm. Preventing perovskite material degradation and the formation of surface roughness of the laser cavity during fabrication is made possible by designing a fabrication technique without any etching step.

[Development of a Ranking Tool for Scientificity, Transparency and Applicability of Clinical Practice Guidelines]

Objective: To address the limitations of existing methods and tools for evaluating clinical practice guidelines, we aimed to develop a comprehensive instrument focusing on the three main dimensions of guideline development: scientificity, transparency, applicability. We will use it to rank the guidelines according to the scores. We abbreviated it as STAR, and its reliability, validity and usability were also tested. Methods: A multidisciplinary expert working group was set up, including methodologists, statisticians, journal editors, medical professionals, and others. Scoping review, Delphi methods and hierarchical analysis were used to determine the final checklist of STAR. Results: The new instrument contained 11 domains and 39 items. Intrinsic reliability of each domain was indicated by Cronbach's α coefficient, with a average value of 0.646. The Cohen's kappa coefficients for methodological evaluators and clinical evaluators were 0.783 and 0.618. The overall content validity index was 0.905. The R2 for the criterion validity analysis was 0.76. The average score for usability of the items was 4.6, and the mean time spent to evaluate each guideline was 20 minutes. Conclusion: The instrument has good reliability, validity and evaluating efficiency, and can be used for evaluating and ranking guidelines more comprehensively.

[Correlation analysis between children and adolescents watching food TV advertising and fast food consumption]

Based on the open data of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 249 children, adolescents and 249 heads of families who completed two rounds of surveys in 2011 and 2015 were selected in this study. According to the fast food consumption of children and adolescents, they were divided into fast food consumption group and non-fast food consumption group. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between children and adolescents watching Food TV advertising and fast food consumption. After adjusting relevant factors, the results showed that children and adolescents requiring their parents to buy food in TV advertisements (OR=3.122, P=0.001), parents buying food for their children in TV advertisements (OR=4.717, P=0.036), children and adolescents buying food in TV advertisements themselves (OR=3.728, P=0.041), children and adolescents' preference for food in TV advertisements (OR=2.946, P=0.044) and the frequency of children and adolescents reported by their parents asking their parents to buy food in TV advertisements (OR=3.113, P=0.002) were associated with children and adolescents' fast food consumption.

Lithographic in-mold patterning for CsPbBr3 nanocrystals distributed Bragg reflector single-mode laser

Extensive studies on lead halide perovskites have shown that these materials are excellent candidates as gain mediums. Recently, many efforts have been made to incorporate perovskite lasers in integrated optical circuits. Possible solutions would be to utilize standard lithography with an etching/lift-off process or a direct laser etching technique. However, due to the fragile nature of the lead halide perovskites which gives rise to significant material deterioration during the lithography and etching processes, realizing a small-size, low-roughness, and single-mode laser remains a challenge. Here, a lithographic in-mold patterning method realized by nanocrystal concentration control and a multi-step filling-drying process is proposed to demonstrate CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) waveguide lasers. This method realizes the patterning of the CsPbBr₃ nanocrystal laser cavity and DBR grating without lift-off and etching processes, and the smallest fabricated structures are obtained in a few hundred nanometers. The single-mode lasing is demonstrated at room temperature with a threshold of 23.5 μJ cm^-2. The smallest full width at half maximum FWHM of the laser output is 0.4 nm. Due to the fabrication process and the DBR laser geometry, the lasers can be fabricated in a compact array, which is important for incorporating perovskite-based lasers in complex optoelectronic circuits.

Enhancing Raman signals from bacteria using dielectrophoretic force between conductive lensed fiber and black silicon

An osmium-coated lensed fiber (OLF) probe combined with a silver-coated black silicon (SBS) substrate was used to generate a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force that traps bacteria and enables Raman signal detection from bacteria. The lensed fiber coated with a 2-nm osmium layer was used as an electrode for the DEP force and also as a lens to excite Raman signals. The black silicon coated with a 150-nm silver layer was used both as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate and the counter electrode. The enhanced Raman signal was collected by the same OLF probe and further analyzed with a spectrometer. For Raman measurements, a drop of bacterial suspension was placed between the OLF probe and the SBS substrate. By controlling the frequency of an AC voltage on the OLF probe and SBS substrate, a DEP force at 1 MHz concentrated bacteria on the SBS surface and removed the unbound micro-objects in the solution at 1 kHz. A bacteria concentration of 6 × 10⁴ CFU/mL (colony forming units per mL) could be identified in less than 15 min, using a volume of only 1 μL, by recording the variation of the Raman peak at 740 cm^-1.

Ultrasonic evaluation of systemic and renal perfusion in sepsis patients before and after fluid resuscitation

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the significance of renal Doppler ultrasound in evaluating systemic and renal perfusion in sepsis patients before and after fluid resuscitation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty sepsis patients admitted to the Department of Intensive Medicine and intensive care unit (ICU) of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2014 to December 2014 were enrolled in this study, and 35 patients were included in the final analysis. These patients were divided into positive and negative fluid responsiveness groups. They were also divided into an acute kidney injury (AKI) group and a non-AKI group according to changes in creatinine and urine volume. The correlations of the changes in hemodynamics before and after fluid resuscitation in each group with the changes in renal resistance index (RRI) and renal blood flow (RBF) grades were evaluated.

RESULTS

Before and after fluid resuscitation, the heart rate (HR), blood creatinine (Cre), and lactate (Lac) levels of all patients, including the patients in the positive fluid responsiveness group decreased, and the stroke volume (SV) and central venous pressure (CVP) increased. Only HR decreased in the negative fluid responsiveness group. In the AKI group, HR, Cre, and Lac decreased, while in the non-AKI group, HR decreased, but CVP and SV increased. There were differences between HR, Lac, and change rate of Lac (Lac%) after fluid resuscitation for the positive and negative fluid responsiveness groups. There was no statistical difference between the RRI values of each group before and after fluid resuscitation. The RRI values of the AKI group were higher than those of the non-AKI group, while the AKI group's RBF grades were lower than those of the non-AKI group. The change rate of RRI (RRI%) was higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. Except for the negative fluid responsiveness group, the RBF grade of each group increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The approach of RBF classification based on Doppler ultrasound can be used to evaluate the systemic and renal perfusion of patients with severe sepsis before and after fluid resuscitation, while the RRI value cannot be used for evaluation. However, the RRI value can be used as a dynamic index for the evaluation of renal perfusion in patients with AKI.

[Experimental study on the effect of olfactory training on olfactory function in mice with olfactory dysfunction]

Objective: To observe the effect of olfactory training on mice with olfactory dysfunction induced by 3-methylindole (3-MI). Methods: Thirty-one male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups by random digits table: control group (group A, n=10), olfactory dysfunction group (group B, n=10) and olfactory dysfunction+olfactory training group (group C, n=11). Mice in group B and group C were intraperitoneally injected with 150 mg/kg 3-MI to induce olfactory dysfunction model, while mice in group A were intraperitoneally injected with corn oil of the same volume. From the first day after injection, mice in group C were treated with 4 kinds of odors by inhalation, while mice in group B were treated with distilled water by inhalation, with 2 times/d, 30 min/time/kind of odor, and continuous training for 28 d. Group A was not treated. Buried food pellet tests were conducted before injection and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after injection, respectively. The olfactory epithelium was harvested for observation of the number of olfactory marker protein (OMP) and the thickness of olfactory epithelium on the 28th day after injection. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Before injection, all mice in each group had no olfactory dysfunction. At the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after injection, the food finding time of mice in group C was shorter than that in group B, and the difference was statistically significant ((175.88±100.50) s vs (266.73±46.83) s, (132.00±84.62) s vs (264.10±48.50) s, (103.57±77.43) s vs (197.43±69.78) s, (67.79±32.54) s vs (176.63±61.06) s, all P<0.05), but food finding time of mice in group B and C was longer than that in group A (the food finding time of group A at the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after injection was (27.13±5.36) s, (25.83±7.28) s, (23.13±2.72) s, (26.63±7.60) s, respectively, all P<0.05). At the 28th day after olfactory training, the number of OMP positive cells in group B and C were fewer than that in group A, and the difference was statistically significant ((108.00±28.19)/HP vs (288.22±84.06)/HP, (199.33±58.55)/HP vs (288.22±84.06)/HP, all P<0.05). The number of OMP positive cells in group C were higher than that in group B (P<0.05). The number of OMP positive cells had negative correlation with food finding time (r=-0.886, P<0.01). As for the thickness of the olfactory epithelium, the thickness of group B was thinner than that in group A and C, and the difference was statistically significant ((59.57±31.27) μm vs (114.55±40.70)μm vs (90.54±37.72) μm, all P<0.05). Conclusion: Olfactory training can accelerate the recovery of olfactory function in 3-MI-induced olfactory impaired mice.

The Abscopal Effect of Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy: Fool's Gold or El Dorado?

An 'abscopal' effect if often used to refer to distant tumour regression after localised irradiation. Since the first report of the abscopal effect in the 1950s, well-documented cases with radiotherapy alone are very rare. It is widely accepted that the immune response plays an important role in the abscopal effect, although the mechanism is still unclear. With the recent success of cancer immunotherapy, there is growing interest in combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy to boost abscopal response rates. Compared with conventional radiotherapy, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) not only delivers ablative dose to the tumour, but may also induce robust immune responses. In this review we examine studies that combine SABR and immunotherapy. We review the preclinical rationale for SABR and immunotherapy combinations, the case for and against abscopal effects, and the current landscape of clinical trials.

[Exploration on developing the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for osteoarthritis in primary care of China]

At present, several clinical practice guidelines for osteoarthritis have been developed. Although contradictions about some recommendations are still in dispute, large number of clinical practice guidelines recommended core treatments, namely education, weight loss and exercise therapy. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of primary osteoarthritis should focus on the above three treatments. However, we have to develop the clinical practice guidelines for osteoarthritis in primary hospital, based on the characteristics of osteoarthritis in China, the burden of disease, the health literacy of patients and the clinical decision-making of diagnosis and treatment of primary osteoarthritis in primary medical care.We suggest to formulate guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis in primary medical care to regulate primary interventions.

Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells in treating knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of animal studies

PURPOSE

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injection has emerged as a novel treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) but with inconsistent results in the experimental studies. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the preclinical animal studies of MSCs injection for KOA and to determine the evidence for a role for MSCs in further clinical trials.

METHODS

A systematic search of KOA animal studies published through Aug 2017 was conducted using the PubMed, Embase and Web of science. Criteria for eligibility were animal studies assessing the therapeutic effects of MSCs intra-articular injection to animals with KOA. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by the SYRCLE tool for assessing risk of bias in animal intervention studies. Descriptive synthesis was performed. Evidence quality was evaluated based on the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (CERQual) tool.

RESULTS

Twenty-three KOA animal studies were eligible for inclusion. According to the SYRCLE's tool, all included studies had high risk of bias. Between-study heterogeneity was substantial. The included studies varied in terms of species, modeling methods, MSCs origin, treatment timing, injections frequency, transplantation type and dose of MSCs. The following outcomes, gross morphology, histological analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, radiological evaluation or behavior analysis, were reported in the primary studies. For all outcomes, the evidence quality was low or very low.

CONCLUSIONS

We do not have absolute confidence to recommend use MSCs injection for KOA clinical trials. Based on the internal and external validity of current animal studies, high quality experimental studies and efforts for effective translation from preclinical studies to clinical trials are still required.

[Progress in methodological characteristics of clinical practice guideline for osteoarthritis]

At present, several clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis have been developed by institutes or societies. The ultimate purpose of developing clinical practice guidelines is to formulate the process in the treatment of osteoarthritis effectively. However, the methodologies used in developing clinical practice guidelines may place an influence on the transformation and application of that in treating osteoarthritis. The present study summarized the methodological features of individual clinical practice guideline and presented the tools for quality evaluation of clinical practice guideline. The limitations of current osteoarthritis guidelines of China are also indicated. The review article might help relevant institutions improve the quality in developing guide and clinical transformation.

Abstract OT2-02-02: A randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase 1b/2 study of eribulin mesylate in combination with PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, high-hyaluronan metastatic breast cancer

Eribulin (ERI), a non-taxane microtubule inhibitor, is approved for treatment in patients (pts) with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have received ≥1 (European Union) or ≥2 (United States) prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease, including an anthracycline and taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. In a phase 2 study, ERI has demonstrated single-agent activity in first line treatment of pts with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) MBC. Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of the tumor microenvironment, specifically within the stroma, and high levels of HA are associated with disease progression. In HA-High, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) xenografts, the anti-tumor effect of ERI was enhanced by addition of PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase (PEGPH20). PEGPH20 is an engineered enzyme under investigation for use in combination with anticancer therapies in pts with tumors that accumulate HA. PEGPH20 acts by temporarily degrading HA to reduce tumor interstitial pressure and decompress blood vessels, thus increasing access of anticancer agents and immune cells to tumor sites. This randomized, open-label, multicenter, study of ERI in combination with PEGPH20 vs ERI alone was designed to evaluate safety and tolerability and efficacy in pts with HER2−, HA-High, MBC previously treated with 0–1 systemic (cytotoxic or targeted) anticancer therapy.

The trial was activated in June 2016 and will enroll approximately 96 pts (aged ≥18 yrs; n=6–18 in phase 1b; n=84 randomized to obtain 80 evaluable pts in phase 2).Pts with measurable disease of ≥1 lesion ≥10 mm in long-axis diameter (nonlymph nodes) or ≥15 mm in short-axis diameter (lymph nodes) with ECOG PS of 0 or 1 will be included. Pts will be excluded for having had adjuvant chemotherapy within the past 6 months, hormonal/biological therapy within the past 3 wks, or radiation or small molecule targeted therapy within the past 2 wks. Pts will also be excluded if they were previously treated with ERI or any hyaluronidase agent.

Phase 1b includes at least 1 initial safety run-in cohort in which 6 pts (any HA level) will receive PEGPH20 3 μg/kg intravenous (IV) on days −1 and 7 of a 21-day cycle, each dose followed approximately 24 (±4) hours later with ERI 1.4 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 8. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) will be assessed in the first cycle.The primary endpoint in phase 1b is the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of the ERI and PEGPH20 combination, defined as the maximum dose at which ≤1 pt experiences a DLT.Alternatively, modified dose levels will be evaluated in additional cohorts.

In phase 2, HA-High pts will be stratified by TNBC vs other HER2− status and randomized to receive RP2D combination treatment or ERI alone. Pts with clinical benefit will remain on ERI or both study drugs until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. The primary endpoint in phase 2 is objective response rate. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and overall survival. Exploratory endpoints include clinical benefit rate, disease control rate, and duration of response.

Citation Format: Alvarez RH, Savulsky C, Almonte A, Xing D, Lokker N, Chondros D. A randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase 1b/2 study of eribulin mesylate in combination with PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, high-hyaluronan metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-02-02.

Estrogen alone or in combination with parathyroid hormone can decrease vertebral MEF2 and sclerostin expression and increase vertebral bone mass in ovariectomized rats

The study is about the regulatory effects of estrogen and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on sclerostin, a protein that inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The results indicate that estrogen may down-regulate sclerostin expression and that estrogen displays synergistic action with PTH. These results provide a new perspective on the relationship between estrogen and bone.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether estrogen can down-regulate SOST and MEF2 (myocyte enhancer factor 2) expression and whether co-treatment with estrogen and PTH has a stronger effect on suppressing SOST than PTH applied alone in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

Forty-three-month-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were ovariectomized and divided into four groups (n = 10). Another ten age-matched rats received sham operations as controls. After allowing 8 weeks for the development of vertebral osteopenia, the rats were administered the drug intervention. For this intervention, the estrogen group was subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol at 25 μg/kg body weight, the PTH group was injected with 80 μg/kg synthetic human PTH (1-34), and the co-treatment group was concurrently treated with PTH and estrogen at the above dosage. The OVX group and sham group were treated with vehicle. The drug treatment was conducted for 12 weeks. After the lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) was measured, the rats were sacrificed, and the lumbar spine and blood were collected for qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and other tests.

RESULTS

Estrogen can down-regulate MEF2 and sclerostin expression, and co-treatment with estrogen and PTH has a stronger effect on suppressing MEF2 and SOST mRNA than PTH alone. The co-treatment group displayed slightly higher bone mass and biomechanical properties than the PTH group, but the differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Estrogen appears to be a regulator of sclerostin, and the effect may involve suppressing MEF2s. Combined treatment with PTH and estrogen is not more beneficial for vertebral bone mass and strength than treatment with PTH alone in ovariectomized rats.

Association between use of benzodiazepines and risk of fractures: a meta-analysis

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. It has been shown that BZD use could be associated with increased fracture risk. However, studies on the use of BZDs and fracture risk have yielded inconsistent results. Results from the present meta-analysis show that BZD use is associated with a moderate and clinically significant increase in the risk of fractures.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between the use of BZDs and fracture risk has been neither well identified nor summarized. This meta-analysis reports on the use of BZDs, especially short-acting BZDs, and their correlation with a moderate and clinically significant increase in fracture risk. This analysis will provide evidence for clinicians to consider fracture risk when prescribing BZDs among the elderly population. This study was conducted to determine whether people who take BZDs are at an increased fracture risk.

METHODS

A systematic search of studies published through January 2013 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and ScienceDirect. Case-control and cohort studies that assessed the relationship between BZD use and the risk of fractures were identified. Literature searches, study selections, methodological assessments, and data mining were independently conducted by two reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. STATA 12.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. Random effects models were used for pooled analysis due to heterogeneity among the studies.

RESULTS

There were 25 studies, including 19 case-control studies and 6 cohort studies, that met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the results of the meta-analysis indicated that BZD use was associated with a significantly increased fracture risk (relative risk (RR) = 1.25; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.17-1.34; p < 0.001). Increased fracture risk associated with BZD use was observed in participants aged ≥65 years old (RR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15-1.38; p < 0.001). When only hip fractures were included as the outcome measure, the RR increased to 1.35. However, subgroup meta-analyses showed that there was no significant association between BZD use and fracture risk in Eastern countries (RR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.76-2.14; p = 0.362) as well as between long-acting BZD use and risk of fractures (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.95-1.54; p = 0.12). After accounting for publication bias, we observed that the overall association between BZD use and fracture risk to be slightly weaker (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.30) but still significant.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that the use of BZD, especially short-acting BZD, is associated with a moderate and clinically significant increase in fracture risk. However, large prospective studies that minimize selection bias are necessary to determine a more accurate fracture risk associated with BZD use.

Association between aspartic acid repeat polymorphism of the asporin gene and susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis: a genetic meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disease that is characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage in the knee. Genetic factors have been implicated in KOA. Recently, several genetic studies have suggested that susceptibility to KOA is affected by the number of aspartic acid (D) residues in the amino-terminal of the asporin protein, but evidence remains conflicting. Therefore, the objective of the present meta-analysis was to investigate whether or not the D-repeat polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to KOA.

METHODS

A systematic search of all relevant studies published through Dec 2012 was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and ScienceDirect. Allelic counts were evaluated for the D14 and D13 alleles respectively. The included studies were only assessed in the analysis of the following allele model: D14 allele vs others alleles combined, D13 allele vs others alleles combined, and D14 allele vs D13 allele.

RESULTS

Seven studies (eight comparisons) with 5515 total participants (2334 KOA patients and 3181 controls), which involved four Caucasian and four Asian populations, were eligible for inclusion. Meta-analysis was conducted for genotype D14 vs others combined, D13 vs others combined, and D14 vs D13. In the stratification based on ethnicity, studies were divided into Caucasian and Asian populations. We did not detect positive association between KOA and the D14 allele in Asian populations (OR = 1.527, 95% CI: 0.879-2.653) and in Caucasian populations (OR = 1.053, 95% CI: 0.905-1.225). There was also no positive association between susceptibility to KOA and D13 allele in Asian populations (OR = 0.950, 95% CI: 0.732-1.233) and in Caucasian populations (OR = 0.866, 95% CI: 0.723-1.037).

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that the D-repeat of asporin gene (ASPN) may not be a major susceptibility locus in the Caucasian and Asian populations with KOA. Because of the limitations of the present meta-analysis, accurate conclusions could not be drawn based on the current evidence, and further studies with large sample size are required.

Open reduction and internal fixation versus external fixation for unstable distal radial fractures: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus the ones of closed reduction and external fixation (EF) in the treatment of distal radial fractures.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared the clinical results of ORIF to EF in the treatment of distal radial fractures. A systemic retrieve from PubMed, EMBASE, OVID and Cochrane Collaboration CENTRAL database resulted in 11 studies with 824 patients. We thus performed data synthesis using RevMan (version 5.1).

RESULTS

Superior statistical differences were observed for DASH scores (at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up) grip strength (at 3 months follow-up), volar tilt (at 12 months follow-up), flexion and supination (at 3 months follow-up), and extension (at 3 and 6 months follow-up) in ORIF patients group, compared with those in EF group. We also found a significantly higher risk of infection associated with EF. There was no significant difference in the incidence of malunion and median nerve dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Regarding surgical fixation of unstable distal radius fractures, ORIF yields significantly better subjective outcome (DASH scores) the first year after operation, restoration of anatomic volar tilt, and forearm flexion and extension at the end of the follow-up period. However, EF results in higher incidence of infection compared to ORIF. ORIF is equal to EF for either grip strength, or range of motion of the injured wrist, or incidence of malunion or median nerve dysfunction at the end of the follow-up period.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II. Therapeutic study.

The percutaneous compression plate versus the dynamic hip screw for treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

BACKGROUND

The use of a percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) provides a minimally invasive technique for the fixation of stable intertrochanteric femoral fractures. It has several theoretically potential advantages over the dynamic hip screw (DHS) such as shorten incision and lower incidence of wound infection.

HYPOTHESIS

PCCP have several advantages than DHS, such as reduced blood loss, transfusion, mortality, shorter operative time, and lower incidence of complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to identify the clinical outcomes and safety of patients with stable intertrochanteric hip fractures operated on using PCCP compared with DHS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of all studies published through April 2012 was conducted using the Medline, Embase, Sciencedirect, OVID and the Cochrane Central database. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised control trials (qRCTs) that compared PCCP with DHS in treating adult patients with stable intertrochanteric hip fractures and provided data on safety and clinical effects were identified. Demographic characteristics, adverse events and clinical outcomes were manually extracted from all of the selected studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies encompassing 914 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the result of meta-analysis indicated that over DHS, PCCP allowed significantly shorter operative time, reduced blood loss as well as transfusion, diminished incidence of cardiovascular events. However, there were no significant differences in length of hospitalization, rate of walking without help, early mortality and other complications.

DISCUSSION

Significant differences favoring PCCP were found with regard to operative time, blood loss, transfusion and lower incidence of cardiovascular events. However, owing to the limitations of this systematic review, future RCTs are still needed to confirm this data and the clinical efficiency of PCCP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II: low-powered prospective randomized trial.

Detection and widespread distribution of sodium channel alleles characteristic of insecticide resistance in Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes in China

Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes are widely distributed throughout China and are known to be important disease vectors. Two pyrethroid resistance associated mutations have been identified in Cx. pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), but there is little information on the diversity and distribution of kdr alleles in pyrethroid resistance in Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes in China. In the present study, we report on a modified three tube allele-specific (AS)-PCR method for detecting the 1014F and 1014S alleles. The new technique was applied to identify the distribution of the two alleles in natural Cx. pipiens complex populations in China. The results confirmed that the new method is both sensitive and specific. The 1014F allele was found in all 14 of the field populations tested (frequency ranged from 6.8 to 76.2%) and the 1014S allele was found in almost two-thirds (frequency from 2.4 to 28.6%), indicating that the genotypes known to be associated with pyrethroid resistance are widespread in China. The resistance-associated alleles were more common in southern Chinese sampling sites than in northern sites. The coexistence of the two resistant mutations in individual mosquitoes was also observed in five of the field populations. Two alternative mutations within the L1014 codon were identified in Culex pipiens molestus Forskal, 1775, including a non-synonymous mutation resulting in a 1014C substitution.

Satisfaction with continuous glucose monitoring in adults and youths with Type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To describe satisfaction with continuous glucose monitoring in Type 1 diabetes; to correlate continuous glucose monitoring satisfaction scores with usage; and to identify common themes in perceived benefits and barriers of monitoring reported by adults, youths and the parents of youths in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation continuous glucose monitoring trials.

METHODS

The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Scale questionnaire was completed after 6 months of monitoring. Participants also answered open-ended queries of positive and negative attributes of continuous glucose monitoring.

RESULTS

More frequent monitoring was associated with higher satisfaction for adults (n = 224), youths (n = 208) and parents of youths (n = 192) (all P < 0.001) in both the 'benefits' and 'hassles' sub-scales of the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Scale, but the greatest differences between the two groups involved scores on hassle items. Common barriers to monitoring use included insertion pain, system alarms and body issues; while common benefits included glucose trend data, opportunities to self-correct out-of-range glucose levels and to detect hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

As frequent use of continuous glucose monitoring is associated with improved glycaemic control without increased hypoglycaemia it is important to overcome barriers, reinforce benefits and set realistic expectations for this technology in order to promote its more consistent and frequent use in individuals with Type 1 diabetes.

Effect of water deficit on biomass production and accumulation of secondary metabolites in roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Two-year-old seedlings of licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) were exposed to three degrees of water deficit, namely weak (60-70%), moderate (40-50%), and strong (20-30%) relative water content in soil, whereas control plants were grown in soil with 80-90% water content. Moderate and strong water deficit decreased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and biomass production. Water use efficiency and the root-to-shoot ratio increased significantly in response to water deficit, indicating a high tolerance to drought. Weak water deficit did not decrease root biomass production, but significantly increased the production of glycyrrhizic acid (by 89%) and liquiritin (by 125%) in the roots. Therefore, a weak water deficit can increase the yield of root medical compounds without negative effect on root growth.

Evaluation of fourth international standard for whole cell pertussis vaccine

Whole cell pertussis vaccine is still widely used in many countries. An International Standard is needed for its potency control. The Third International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine was prepared about 40 years ago and its replacement was recommended by the Expert Committee for Biological Standardisation (ECBS) of the WHO. Material in ampoules coded 94/532 was prepared as a candidate replacement and has been evaluated in international collaborative studies which consisted of two parts. The first part, to assess the suitability of the candidate standard by comparing it with the Second International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine (IS2) involved 14 laboratories in 11 countries. The second part to compare the candidate standard with the Third International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine (IS3) involved 16 laboratories in 14 countries. Since 1995 various other studies have included the international standards and the results of these are also considered in assessing likely continuity of the IU for potency of whole cell pertussis vaccine. The preparation in ampoules coded 94/532 was adopted by the WHO ECBS in October 2006 as the 4th International Standard for whole cell pertussis vaccine and assigned an activity of 40 IU per ampoule on the basis of the studies reported here.

Collaborative study for the standardisation of the histamine sensitizing test in mice and the CHO cell-based assay for the residual toxicity testing of acellular pertussis vaccines

The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) require the performance of extensive quality and safety control testing before the release on the market of vaccine products for human use. Safety testing with regard to residual pertussis toxin (PT) in acellular pertussis combination vaccines is performed through assessment of fatal sensitisation of mice to histamine challenge by the vaccine product under test. Currently, use of different in-house procedures and no requirement for the inclusion of a standard reference in each assay render comparisons of results obtained for identical vaccine batches between different control laboratories very difficult. At the initiative of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare (EDQM), an international collaborative study was organised for the standardization of the Histamine Sensitizing Test (HIST) in mice and the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO)-cell-based assay (performed at the bulk product level) for the residual toxicity testing of acellular pertussis vaccines or acellular pertussis-based combination vaccines. The study was run under the aegis of the Biological Standardisation Programme, jointly supported by the Council of Europe and the European Commission under the project code BSP076. Ten (10) laboratories participated in the study and were requested to perform 3 independent Histamine Sensitizing Tests in mice and to report results of the lethal end-point measurement as prescribed by the Ph. Eur. monographs. Some of them also reported data from an in-house validated CHO-cell-based assay. In addition, some of the laboratories reported concomitantly data obtained by measurement of the drop in temperature induced after the histamine challenge, a method currently under investigation to be added as an alternative end-point for the HIST in the Ph. Eur. monographs for acellular pertussis-based combination vaccines in order to alleviate animal suffering (in application of the 3Rs principle). Based on the results of the collaborative study, a potency of 7500 IU/vial (International Units per vial) was assigned to the current Ph. Eur. Biological Reference Preparation (BRP) for PT. The results of the study also show that 1) intra- and inter-laboratory variations can be improved by the use of a validated standard operating procedure; 2) inclusion in each assay of a standard reference sample, calibrated in IU, can increase comparability of results among laboratories and thus help to reduce repeat testing; 3) a correlation between mortality data and temperature data was observed although, due to the limited number of data sets and the lack of a common method for the temperature end-point, further investigation of this point is required; 4) the CHO-cell-based assay did not yield comparable results and further standardisation of the assay procedure may be investigated in a follow-up project.

CD3(+) and/or CD14(+) depletion from cord blood mononuclear cells before ex vivo expansion culture improves total nucleated cell and CD34(+) cell yields

Cord blood (CB) is used increasingly in transplant patients lacking sibling or unrelated donors. A major hurdle in the use of CB is its low cell dose, which is largely responsible for an elevated risk of graft failure and a significantly delayed neutrophil and platelet engraftment. As a positive correlation has been shown between the total nucleated cell (TNC) and CD34(+) cell dose transplanted and time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, strategies to increase these measures are under development. One strategy includes the ex vivo expansion of CB mononuclear cells (MNC) with MSC in a cytokine cocktail. We show that this strategy can be further improved if CD3(+) and/or CD14(+) cells are first depleted from the CB MNC before ex vivo expansion. Ready translation of this depletion strategy to improve ex vivo CB expansion in the clinic is feasible as clinical-grade devices and reagents are available. Ultimately, the aim of improving TNC and CD34(+) transplant doses is to further improve the rate of neutrophil and platelet engraftment in CB recipients.

International Bordetella pertussis assay standardization and harmonization meeting report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 19-20 July 2007

An international meeting on Bordetella pertussis assay standardization and harmonization was held at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, 19–20 July 2007. The goal of the meeting was to harmonize the immunoassays used for pertussis diagnostics and vaccine evaluation, as agreed upon by academic and government researchers, regulatory authorities, vaccine manufacturers, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The primary objectives were (1) to provide epidemiologic, laboratory, and statistical background for support of global harmonization; (2) to overview the current status of global epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunology of pertussis; (3) to develop a consensus opinion on existing gaps in understanding standardization of pertussis assays used for serodiagnosis and vaccine evaluation; and (4) to search for a multicenter process for addressing these priority gaps. Presentations and discussions by content experts addressed these objectives. A prioritized list of action items to improve standardization and harmonization of pertussis assays was identified during a group discussion at the end of the meeting. The major items included: (1) to identify a group that will organize, prepare, maintain, and distribute proficiency panels and key reagents such as reference and control sera; (2) to encourage the development and identification of one or more reference laboratories that can serve as an anchor and resource for other laboratories; (3) to define a performance-based assay method that can serve as a reference point for evaluating laboratory differences; (4) to develop guidance on quality of other reagents, e.g., pertussis toxin and other antigens, and methods to demonstrate their suitability; (5) to establish an international working group to harmonize the criteria to evaluate the results obtained on reference and proficiency panel sera; (6) to create an inventory to determine the amount of appropriate and well-characterized sera that are available globally to be used as bridging reagents for vaccine licensure; and (7) to seek specific guidance from regulatory authorities regarding the expectations and requirements for the licensure of new multicomponent pertussis vaccines.