tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Ivosidenib and Azacitidine in <i>IDH1</i> -Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Pau Montesinos, Christian Recher, Susana Vives, Ewa Zarzycka, Jianxiang Wang, Giambattista Bertani, Michael Heuser, Rodrigo T. Calado, Andre C. Schuh, Su-Peng Yeh, Scott R. Daigle, Jianan Hui, Shuchi S. Pandya, Diego A. Gianolio, Stephane de Botton, Hartmut Döhner
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2022)

The combination of ivosidenib - an inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) - and azacitidine showed encouraging clinical activity in a phase 1b trial involving patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia.In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia who were ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy to receive oral ivosidenib (500 mg once daily) and subcutaneous or intravenous azacitidine (75 mg per square meter of body-surface area for 7 days in 28-day cycles) or to receive matched placebo and azacitidine. The primary end point was event-free survival, defined as the time from randomization until treatment failure (i.e., the patient did not have complete remission by week 24), relapse from remission, or death from any cause, whichever occurred first.The intention-to-treat population included 146 patients: 72 in the ivosidenib-and-azacitidine group and 74 in the placebo-and-azacitidine group. At a median follow-up of 12.4 months, event-free survival was significantly longer in the ivosidenib-and-azacitidine group than in the placebo-and-azacitidine group (hazard ratio for treatment failure, relapse from remission, or death, 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16 to 0.69; P = 0.002). The estimated probability that a patient would remain event-free at 12 months was 37% in the ivosidenib-and-azacitidine group and 12% in the placebo-and-azacitidine group. The median overall survival was 24.0 months with ivosidenib and azacitidine and 7.9 months with placebo and azacitidine (hazard ratio for death, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.73; P = 0.001). Common adverse events of grade 3 or higher included febrile neutropenia (28% with ivosidenib and azacitidine and 34% with placebo and azacitidine) and neutropenia (27% and 16%, respectively); the incidence of bleeding events of any grade was 41% and 29%, respectively. The incidence of infection of any grade was 28% with ivosidenib and azacitidine and 49% with placebo and azacitidine. Differentiation syndrome of any grade occurred in 14% of the patients receiving ivosidenib and azacitidine and 8% of those receiving placebo and azacitidine.Ivosidenib and azacitidine showed significant clinical benefit as compared with placebo and azacitidine in this difficult-to-treat population. Febrile neutropenia and infections were less frequent in the ivosidenib-and-azacitidine group than in the placebo-and-azacitidine group, whereas neutropenia and bleeding were more frequent in the ivosidenib-and-azacitidine group. (Funded by Agios Pharmaceuticals and Servier Pharmaceuticals; AGILE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03173248.).
A mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation defect leads to transfer RNA uncharging and activation of the integrated stress response in the mouse heart
Authors: Pablo Ranea-Robles, Natalya N Pavlova, Aaron Bender, Andrea S Pereyra, Jessica M Ellis, Brandon Stauffer, Chunli Yu, Craig B Thompson, Carmen Argmann, Michelle Puchowicz, Sander M Houten
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2022)

Abstract Aims Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias can be severe presentations in patients with inherited defects of mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO). The pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie these cardiac abnormalities remain largely unknown. We investigated the molecular adaptations to a FAO deficiency in the heart using the long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) knockout (KO) mouse model. Methods and results We observed enrichment of amino acid metabolic pathways and of ATF4 target genes among the upregulated genes in the LCAD KO heart transcriptome. We also found a prominent activation of the eIF2α/ATF4 axis at the protein level that was independent of the feeding status, in addition to a reduction of cardiac protein synthesis during a short period of food withdrawal. These findings are consistent with an activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) in the LCAD KO mouse heart. Notably, charging of several transfer RNAs (tRNAs), such as tRNAGln was decreased in LCAD KO hearts, reflecting a reduced availability of cardiac amino acids, in particular, glutamine. We replicated the activation of the ISR in the hearts of mice with muscle-specific deletion of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2. Conclusions Our results show that perturbations in amino acid metabolism caused by long-chain FAO deficiency impact cardiac metabolic signalling, in particular the ISR. These results may serve as a foundation for investigating the role of the ISR in the cardiac pathology associated with long-chain FAO defects. Translational Perspective: The heart relies mainly on mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) for its high energy requirements. The heart disease observed in patients with a genetic defect in this pathway highlights the importance of FAO for cardiac health. We show that the consequences of a FAO defect extend beyond cardiac energy homeostasis and include amino acid metabolism and associated signalling pathways such as the integrated stress response.
Global magnitude of encephalitis burden and its evolving pattern over the past 30 years
Authors: Hao Wang, Shaohua Zhao, Shengjun Wang, Yue Zheng, Shaohua Wang, Hui Chen, Jiaojiao Pang, Juan Ma, Xiaorong Yang, Yuguo Chen
Journal: Journal of Infection (2022)

We aimed to estimate the spatiotemporal patterns of the encephalitis burden along with its attributable risk factors at the national, regional, and global levels, which may be helpful in guiding targeted prevention and treatment programs.Based on available data sources, the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of encephalitis in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2019 were reconstructed by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 using the Cause of Death Ensemble model, spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, and DisMod-MR 2.1. We conducted a systematic analysis on the epidemiological characteristics of encephalitis in detail by gender, region, and age over the past three decades.Globally, 1,444,720 incident cases, 89,900 deaths, and 4.80 million DALYs related to encephalitis were estimated in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) decreased from 23.17 and 2.18 to 19.33 and 1.19 per 100,000 person-years over the past 30 years, respectively. However, beginning in 2011-2013, the burden of encephalitis has shown an inflection point, with a further decline of the ASRs ceasing. Lower socio-demographic index (SDI) regions in South Asia, Western and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest burden of encephalitis in 2019. During the past three decades, most countries of South Asia achieved significant control of the burden. In contrast, developed countries with a higher SDI have shown a notable increase in ASMR and age-standardized DALYs rate. Children and older adults have always been high-risk groups for encephalitis.Although the global burden of encephalitis has decreased in the past 30 years, a further decline stopped from 2011 to 2013. The diverse burden in different regions calls for differentiated management, and the persistent high burden in some low-SDI regions and the increased burden in developed countries with higher SDIs deserve more attention.
The drive for sustainable healthcare must be led by students and junior doctors
Authors: Tim Ho
Journal: BMJ (2022)

The drive for sustainable healthcare must be led by students and junior doctors Tim Ho medical studentSeven years, 108 days. 1 At the time of publication, this is the time left on the Global Climate Clock before we will exceed our global warming targets. 2 Cast your mind back seven years-it is a frighteningly short period of time for anyone, but in healthcare it is the blink of an eye.Clinical trials can take decades to be completed and changes to clinical practice require multiple audit cycles.Medical education is no exception; current first year students will not be fully registered doctors when this deadline passes.Junior doctors will only just be reaching senior posts, and the best opportunities to intervene will have passed us by.
Therapeutic strategies of three-dimensional stem cell spheroids and organoids for tissue repair and regeneration
Authors: Woochan Kim, Yonghyun Gwon, Sunho Park, Hyoseong Kim, Jangho Kim
Journal: Bioactive Materials (2022)

Three-dimensional (3D) stem cell culture systems have attracted considerable attention as a way to better mimic the complex interactions between individual cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) that occur in vivo. Moreover, 3D cell culture systems have unique properties that help guide specific functions, growth, and processes of stem cells (e.g., embryogenesis, morphogenesis, and organogenesis). Thus, 3D stem cell culture systems that mimic in vivo environments enable basic research about various tissues and organs. In this review, we focus on the advanced therapeutic applications of stem cell-based 3D culture systems generated using different engineering techniques. Specifically, we summarize the historical advancements of 3D cell culture systems and discuss the therapeutic applications of stem cell-based spheroids and organoids, including engineering techniques for tissue repair and regeneration.
Distinct Immune Gene Programs Associated with Host Tumor Immunity, Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, and Chemoimmunotherapy in Resectable NSCLC
Authors: Pedro Rocha, Jiexin Zhang, Raquel Laza-Briviesca, Alberto Cruz-Bermúdez, Neus Bota-Rabassedas, Beatriz Sanchez-Espiridon, Katsuhiro Yoshimura, Carmen Behrens, Wei Lu, Ximing Tang, Apar Pataer, Edwin R. Parra, Cara Haymaker, Junya Fujimoto, Stephen G. Swisher, John V. Heymach, Don L. Gibbons, J. Jack Lee, Boris Sepesi, Tina Cascone, Luisa M. Solis, Mariano Provencio, Ignacio I. Wistuba, Humam Kadara
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2022)

Abstract Purpose: Our understanding of the immunopathology of resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still limited. Here, we explore immune programs that inform of tumor immunity and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy in localized NSCLC. Experimental Design: Targeted immune gene sequencing using the HTG Precision Immuno-Oncology panel was performed in localized NSCLCs from three cohorts based on treatment: naïve (n = 190), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 38), and neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (n = 21). Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) phenotypes were based on the location of CD8+ T cells (inflamed, cold, excluded), tumoral PD-L1 expression (&amp;lt;1% and ≥1%), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Immune programs and signatures were statistically analyzed on the basis of tumoral PD-L1 expression, immune phenotypes, and pathologic response and were cross-compared across the three cohorts. Results: PD-L1–positive tumors exhibited increased signature scores for various lymphoid and myeloid cell subsets (P &amp;lt; 0.05). TIME phenotypes exhibited disparate frequencies by stage, PD-L1 expression, and mutational burden. Inflamed and PD-L1+/TILs+ NSCLCs displayed overall significantly heightened levels of immune signatures, with the excluded group representing an intermediate state. A cytotoxic T-cell signature was associated with favorable survival in neoadjuvant chemotherapy–treated NSCLCs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Pathologic response to chemoimmunotherapy was positively associated with higher expression of genes involved in immune activation, chemotaxis, as well as T and natural killer cells (P &amp;lt; 0.05 for all). Among the three cohorts, chemoimmunotherapy-treated NSCLCs exhibited the highest scores for various immune cell subsets including T effector and B cells (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings highlight immune gene programs that may underlie host tumor immunity and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy in resectable NSCLC.
Placental mesenchymal stem cells boost M2 alveolar over M1 bone marrow macrophages via IL-1β in<i>Klebsiella</i>-mediated acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Li-Tzu Wang, B Linju Yen, Hsiu-Huan Wang, Ying-Yin Chao, Wei Lee, Li-Yueh Huang, Sheng-Kang Chiu, L. Kristopher Siu, Ko-Jiunn Liu, Huey-Kang Sytwu, Men-Luh Yen
Journal: Thorax (2022)

Rationale Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lethal complication of severe bacterial pneumonia due to the inability to dampen overexuberant immune responses without compromising pathogen clearance. Both of these processes involve tissue-resident and bone marrow (BM)–recruited macrophage (MΦ) populations which can be polarised to have divergent functions. Surprisingly, despite the known immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), simultaneous interactions with tissue-resident and recruited BMMΦ populations are largely unexplored. Objectives We assessed the therapeutic use of human placental MSCs (PMSCs) in severe bacterial pneumonia with elucidation of the roles of resident alveolar MΦs (AMΦs) and BMMΦs. Methods We developed a lethal, murine pneumonia model using intratracheal infection of a clinically relevant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) strain with subsequent intravenous human PMSC treatment. Pulmonary AMΦ and recruited BMMΦ analyses, histological evaluation, bacterial clearance and mice survival were assessed. To elucidate the role of resident AMΦs in improving outcome, we performed AMΦ depletion in the KP - pneumonia model with intratracheal clodronate pretreatment. Measurements and main results Human PMSC treatment decreased tissue injury and improved survival of severe KP - pneumonia mice by decreasing the presence and function of recruited M1 BMMΦ while preserving M2 AMΦs and enhancing their antibacterial functions. Interestingly, PMSC therapy failed to rescue AMΦ-depleted mice with KP pneumonia, and PMSC-secreted IL-1β was identified as critical in increasing AMΦ antibacterial activities to significantly improve pathogen clearance—especially bacteraemia—and survival. Conclusions Human PMSC treatment preferentially rescued resident M2 AMΦs over recruited M1 BMMΦs with overall M2 polarisation to improve KP-related ARDS survival.
Performance of the Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, and new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations without race in older acute medical patients
Authors: Esben Iversen, Anne Kathrine Bengaard, Aino Andersen, Thomas Kallemose, Morten Damgaard, Mads Hornum, Bo Feldt-Rasmussen, Ove Andersen, Morten Baltzer Houlind
Journal: Kidney International (2022)
Antiphospholipid autoantibodies in Lyme disease arise after scavenging of host phospholipids by Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Peter J. Gwynne, Luke H. Clendenen, Siu-Ping Turk, Adriana R. Marques, Linden T. Hu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2022)

A close association with its vertebrate and tick hosts allows Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, to eliminate many metabolic pathways and instead scavenge key nutrients from the host. A lipid-defined culture medium was developed to demonstrate that exogenous lipids are an essential nutrient of B. burgdorferi, which can accumulate intact phospholipids from its environment to support growth. Antibody responses to host phospholipids were studied in mice and humans using an antiphospholipid ELISA. Several of these environmentally acquired phospholipids including phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid, as well as borrelial phosphatidylcholine, are the targets of antibodies that arose early in infection in the mouse model. Patients with acute infections demonstrated antibody responses to the same lipids. The elevation of antiphospholipid antibodies predicted early infection with better sensitivity than did the standardized 2-tier tests currently used in diagnosis. Sera obtained from patients with Lyme disease before and after antibiotic therapy showed declining antiphospholipid titers after treatment. Further study will be required to determine whether these antibodies have utility in early diagnosis of Lyme disease, tracking of the response to therapy, and diagnosis of reinfection, areas in which current standardized tests are inadequate.
A dual-antigen self-amplifying RNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induces potent humoral and cellular immune responses and protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants through T cell-mediated immunity
Authors: Sean McCafferty, A.K.M. Ashiqul Haque, Aster Vandierendonck, Brian Weidensee, Magalie Plovyt, Magdalena Stuchlíková, Nathalie François, Sophie Valembois, Leo Heyndrickx, Johan Michiels, Kevin K. Ariën, Linos Vandekerckhove, Rana Abdelnabi, Caroline S. Foo, Johan Neyts, Itishri Sahu, Niek N. Sanders
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2022)

Self-amplifying RNA vaccines may induce equivalent or more potent immune responses at lower doses compared to non-replicating mRNA vaccines via amplified antigen expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that 1 μg of an LNP-formulated dual-antigen self-amplifying RNA vaccine (ZIP1642), encoding both the S-RBD and N antigen, elicits considerably higher neutralizing antibody titers against Wuhan-like Beta B.1.351 and Delta B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to those of convalescent patients. In addition, ZIP1642 vaccination in mice expanded both S- and N-specific CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells and caused a Th1 shifted cytokine response. We demonstrate that the induction of such dual antigen-targeted cell-mediated immune response may provide better protection against variants displaying highly mutated Spike proteins, as infectious viral loads of both Wuhan-like and Beta variants were decreased after challenge of ZIP1642 vaccinated hamsters. Supported by these results, we encourage redirecting focus toward the induction of multiple antigen-targeted cell-mediated immunity in addition to neutralizing antibody responses to bypass waning antibody responses and attenuate infectious breakthrough and disease severity of future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Child Weight and Adiposity from <i>in Utero</i> to 6 Years of Age
Authors: Kelly K. Ferguson, Paige A. Bommarito, Olufunmilayo Arogbokun, Emma M. Rosen, Alexander P. Keil, Shanshan Zhao, Emily S. Barrett, Ruby H.N. Nguyen, Nicole R. Bush, Leonardo Trasande, Thomas F. McElrath, Shanna H. Swan, Sheela Sathyanarayana
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2022)

Background: Prenatal phthalate exposure has been associated with lower birth weight but also higher weight in childhood. Few studies have examined weight or adiposity from birth to childhood and thus cannot assess growth trajectories associated with exposure. Objective: We assessed associations between maternal phthalate exposures in pregnancy and child weight and adiposity measured prenatally through childhood (3–6 years of age). Methods: Within The Infant Development and the Environment Study (TIDES), a prospective pregnancy cohort, we analyzed a panel of phthalate metabolites in urine collected at two visits from early and late gestation (N=780). We estimated average phthalate metabolite associations with child weight z-scores from ∼20wk gestation (estimated by ultrasound), birth, and 1, 3, 4, and 6 years of age using linear mixed-effects (LME) models. We also modeled associations with adiposity z-scores from birth (weight for length) and 1, 3, 4, and 6 years of age [body mass index (BMI)] using LME models. Results: For weight, we observed inverse associations between several phthalate metabolites and birth weight z-scores, but no associations were observed with postnatal weight z-scores in LME models. Regarding adiposity, we observed inverse associations between phthalate metabolites and weight-for-length z-scores at birth, but positive associations were observed with BMI z-scores at 3–4 years of age in LME models. For example, mono-ethyl phthalate was associated with a 0.17-unit decrease in birth weight-for-length z-score [95% confidence interval (CI): –0.29, –0.05] and a 0.18-unit increase in 4-years-of-age BMI z-score (95% CI: 0.04, 0.32). Discussion: We observed associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and lower weight at birth but not at childhood follow-up visits. However, for adiposity, we observed an interesting pattern of association with low adiposity at delivery as well as high adiposity at 3–4 years of age. Although it is not clear from our results whether these associations occur within the same children, such a pattern of adiposity in early life has been linked to cardiometabolic disease in adulthood and deserves special attention as an outcome in the study of prenatal exposures in the developmental origins of health and disease. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10077
Combining bempegaldesleukin (CD122-preferential IL-2 pathway agonist) and NKTR-262 (TLR7/8 agonist) improves systemic antitumor CD8<sup>+</sup>T cell cytotoxicity over BEMPEG+RT
Authors: Annah S Rolig, Daniel C Rose, Grace Helen McGee, Werner Rubas, Saul Kivimäe, William L Redmond
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2022)

Tumor cell death caused by radiation therapy (RT) triggers antitumor immunity in part because dying cells release adjuvant factors that amplify and sustain dendritic cell and T cell responses. We previously demonstrated that bempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG: NKTR-214, an immunostimulatory IL-2 cytokine prodrug) significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of RT through a T cell-dependent mechanism. Because RT can induce either immunogenic or tolerogenic cell death, depending on various factors (radiation dose, cell cycle phase), we hypothesized that providing a specific immunogenic adjuvant, like intratumoral therapy with a novel toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, NKTR-262, would improve systemic tumor-specific responses through the activation of local innate immunity. Therefore, we evaluated whether intratumoral NKTR-262 combined with systemic BEMPEG treatment would elicit improved tumor-specific immunity and survival compared with RT combined with BEMPEG.Tumor-bearing mice (CT26; EMT6) received BEMPEG (0.8 mg/kg; intravenously), RT (12 Gy × 1), and/or intratumoral NKTR-262 (0.5 mg/kg). Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in the blood and tumor 7 days post-treatment. The contribution of specific immune subsets was determined by depletion of CD4+, CD8+, or NK cells. CD8+ T cell cytolytic activity was determined by an in vitro CTL assay. Data are representative of 1-2 independent experiments (n=5-14/group) and statistical significance was determined by 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or repeated measures ANOVA (p value cut-off of 0.05).BEMPEG+NKTR-262 significantly improved survival compared with BEMPEG+RT in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. Response to BEMPEG+NKTR-262 was characterized by a significant expansion of activated CD8+ T cells (GzmA+; Ki-67+; ICOS+; PD-1+) in the blood, which correlated with reduced tumor size (p<0.05). In the tumor, BEMPEG+NKTR-262 induced higher frequencies of GzmA+ CD8+ T cells exhibiting reduced expression of suppressive molecules (PD-1+), compared with BEMPEG+RT (p<0.05). Further, BEMPEG+NKTR-262 treatment induced greater tumor-specific CD8+ T cell cytolytic function than BEMPEG+RT.BEMPEG+NKTR-262 therapy elicited more robust expansion of activated CD8+ T cells compared with BEMPEG+RT, suggesting that intratumoral TLR stimulation provides superior antigen presentation and costimulatory activity compared with RT. A clinical trial of BEMPEG+NKTR-262 for patients with metastatic solid tumors is in progress (NCT03435640).