Impact of Nonmedical Switches From Reference Infliximab to Biosimilars on Disease Control Within a Rheumatology Practice.

Infliximab is an anti-tumor necrosis factor agent used to treat rheumatologic disease. Evidence on the safety of switching to biosimilars and the associated risk factors for flares/loss of disease control within rheumatology is limited. The primary objective is to evaluate nonmedical switches from reference infliximab to biosimilars in rheumatology on risks and level of disease control.

The absorption properties of ZrO nanoparticles in the THz and sub-THz frequency ranges.

As terahertz (THz) and sub-THz region electromagnetic waves are becoming vital for industrial applications such as 5G wireless communication, so too are THz and sub-THz wave absorbing materials. Herein, we report the optical properties of monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO) nanoparticles in these frequency regions, with different crystalline sizes. The crystalline sizes of the three samples, measured by transmission electron microscopy, are 93 ± 23 nm (denoted 1), 28 ± 14 nm (denoted 2) and 2.

Oocyte cryopreservation in mosaic Turner syndrome with polycystic ovaries.

Objective: To report a case of a patient with Turner syndrome (TS) mosaicism and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), who underwent successful ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval, and cryopreservation.

Design: Case report.

Subjects: A female patient with mosaic TS (45,X [24%]/46,XX [76%]) and a paternally inherited balanced reciprocal translocation t(2:6) diagnosed with PCOS.

Long-term heat-storage materials based on λ-TiO for green transformation (GX).

Effective reuse of waste heat energy is an important energy savings issue for green transformation. In general, phase-change heat storage materials cannot store energy for a prolonged period. If a solid material could conserve the accumulated thermal energy and release it only on demand, then its heat-storage application potential is considerably widened.

A clinical focus on oral tolerance in the development, prevention, and management of food allergy.

Food allergy impacts up to 10 % of the population and can result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. The pathogenesis of food allergy is not entirely understood but the disruption in naturally occurring oral tolerance is presumed to be involved. Research has been directed not only toward prevention of food allergy but on the restoration of oral tolerance by various means including immunotherapy (oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous), as well as adjunctive therapies including biologicals and probiotics.

Draft Genome Sequences of Three Bacterial Species from Aquatic Habitats near Washington, DC.

We report the draft genome sequences of three bacterial species isolated from freshwater ponds or features around monuments in Washington, DC, during a semester-long microbiology lab course at the George Washington University. Two of the isolates belong to potentially novel species but lost their viability and could not be revived.

Oral ENT-01 Targets Enteric Neurons to Treat Constipation in Parkinson Disease : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is associated with α-synuclein (αS) aggregation within enteric neurons. ENT-01 inhibits the formation of αS aggregates and improved constipation in an open-label study in patients with PD.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral ENT-01 for constipation and neurologic symptoms in patients with PD and constipation.

30 Gbit/s PAM4 transmission using an 8-GHz directly modulated multi-section laser.

This paper describes the characterization of a novel directly modulated multi-section laser with a master-slave configuration. Amplitude and phase noise measurements show relative intensity noise values of around -150 dB/Hz and a 3-dB linewidth of around 3 MHz. The laser's suitability for optical access networks, enabled by the chirp reduction from the external injection locking, is shown by demonstrating unamplified 30 Gbit/s C-band transmission over 25 km and 50 km of single mode fiber using PAM4, as well as 30 Gbit/s PAM4 and PAM8 amplified transmission over 75 km.

The Meat of the Matter: Understanding and Managing Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Alpha-gal syndrome is an unconventional food allergy, characterized by IgE-mediated hypersensitivity responses to the glycan galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) and not to a food-protein. In this review, we discuss how alpha-gal syndrome reframes our current conception of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of food allergy. The development of alpha-gal IgE is associated with tick bites though the possibility of other parasites promoting sensitization to alpha-gal remains.

Codevelopment of Implementation Interventions to Support Parent-Led Care for Pain in Infants: Protocol for a Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Background: Untreated pain in infants is associated with adverse health outcomes. Despite strong evidence for accessible, effective, and low-cost parent-led pain-relieving interventions such as breastfeeding or chestfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, these interventions are not routinely used.

Objective: The objective of this study is to support the implementation of parent-led pain interventions by identifying barriers to and facilitators of parent-led, evidence-informed pain care in infants during acute procedures.

Operationalizing integrated needs-based workforce planning at Nova Scotia Health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This paper documents Nova Scotia Health's progress in operationalizing integrated needs-based workforce planning as part of its ongoing response to the pandemic. A multidisciplinary workforce planning team with representation spanning key portfolios was created to facilitate the organization's response to the pandemic. Analyses applied early in Wave 3 of the pandemic showed large projected shortages in several professions and identified which services would likely be scarcest among the available workforce relative to patient need.

DPP inhibition alters the CXCR3 axis and enhances NK and CD8+ T cell infiltration to improve anti-PD1 efficacy in murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death in the USA by 2030. Immune checkpoint inhibitors fail to control most PDAC tumors because of PDAC's extensive immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor immune infiltration, a phenotype also seen in other non-inflamed (ie, 'cold') tumors. Identifying novel ways to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC is critical.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Global Phase 3 Study of Edasalonexent in Pediatric Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Results of the PolarisDMD Trial.

Background: Edasalonexent (CAT-1004) is an orally-administered novel small molecule drug designed to inhibit NF-κB and potentially reduce inflammation and fibrosis to improve muscle function and thereby slow disease progression and muscle decline in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Objective: This international, randomized 2 : 1, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study in patients ≥4 - < 8 years old with DMD due to any dystrophin mutation examined the effect of edasalonexent (100 mg/kg/day) compared to placebo over 52 weeks.

Methods: Endpoints were changes in the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA; primary) and timed function tests (TFTs; secondary).

Toward Chemical Validation of Leishmania infantum Ribose 5-Phosphate Isomerase as a Drug Target.

Neglected tropical diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites (Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and spp.) place a significant health and economic burden on developing nations worldwide. Current therapies are largely outdated, inadequate, and face mounting drug resistance from the causative parasites.

Disease-modifying effects of edasalonexent, an NF-κB inhibitor, in young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of the MoveDMD phase 2 and open label extension trial.

Chronic activation of NF-κB is a key driver of muscle degeneration and suppression of muscle regeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Edasalonexent (CAT-1004) is an orally-administered novel small molecule that covalently links two bioactive compounds (salicylic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) that inhibit NF-κB. This placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept phase 2 study with open-label extension in boys ≥4-<8 years old with any dystrophin mutation examined the effect of edasalonexent (67 or 100 mg/kg/day) compared to placebo or off-treatment control.

Current Insights into Immunotherapy Approaches for Food Allergy.

In the last decade, there has been increasing research dedicated to food immunotherapy to induce clinical desensitization and provide protection by increasing clinical reaction thresholds. Results from recent food immunotherapy studies with differing routes of administration (oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous) suggest that food immunotherapy can induce clinical desensitization with varying levels of safety, however lasting tolerance has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, treatment side effects and dosing logistics may make the therapies difficult for some supporting the need for alternative treatment approaches.

Strategies to maximize clinical efficiency while maintaining patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview-based study from private practice dermatologists.

Background: Many dermatologists have experienced significant changes to their practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: It is vital to recognize how the pandemic has affected dermatology practices and identify methods to maximize clinical efficiency while maintaining patient safety.

Methods: Private practice dermatologists in metropolitan areas were interviewed regarding various issues, including patient volume, types of visits or procedures being performed, screening for COVID-19, and operational modifications.

Proton Pump Inhibitor-Induced Galactorrhea in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Friend or Foe?

Over the last decades, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been widely used as the mainstay for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal side effects, gastroesophageal reflux, and peptic ulcer disease. However, their safety profile has come into question recently after reports relating them to several side effects as well as kidney disease. Omeprazole, one of the mainly used PPIs, is almost entirely metabolized by the liver but the resulting metabolites are renally excreted.

Normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to a novel GNRH1 variant in two siblings.

Summary: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is characterised by insufficient secretion of pituitary gonadotropins resulting in delayed puberty, anovulation and azoospermia. When hypogonadotropic hypogonadism occurs in the absence of structural or functional lesions of the hypothalamic or pituitary gland, the hypogonadism is defined as idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). This is a rare genetic disorder caused by a defect in the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GNRH) by the hypothalamus or a defect in the action of GNRH on the pituitary gland.

Antileishmanial Drugs Modulate IL-12 Expression and Inflammasome Activation in Primary Human Cells.

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases. The treatment of leishmaniasis relies exclusively on chemotherapy including amphotericin B (AmB), miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine), and pentamidine. Besides the fact that these molecules are harmful for patients, little is known about the impact of such antileishmanial drugs on primary human cells in relation to immune function.