Cut-off optimization for 13C-urea breath test in a community-based trial by mathematic, histology and serology approach

The performance of diagnostic tests in intervention trials of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) eradication is crucial, since even minor inaccuracies can have major impact. To determine the cut-off point for ¹³C-urea breath test (¹³C-UBT) and to assess if it can be further optimized by serologic testing, mathematic modeling, histopathology and serologic validation were applied. A finite mixture model (FMM) was developed in 21,857 subjects, and an independent validation by modified Giemsa staining was conducted in 300 selected subjects. H.pylori status was determined using recomLine H.pylori assay in 2,113 subjects with a borderline ¹³C-UBT results. The delta over baseline-value (DOB) of 3.8 was an optimal cut-off point by a FMM in modelling dataset, which was further validated as the most appropriate cut-off point by Giemsa staining (sensitivity = 94.53%, specificity = 92.93%). In the borderline population, 1,468 subjects were determined as H.pylori positive by recomLine (69.5%). A significant correlation between the number of positive H.pylori serum responses and DOB value was found (r_s = 0.217, P < 0.001). A mathematical approach such as FMM might be an alternative measure in optimizing the cut-off point for ¹³C-UBT in community-based studies, and a second method to determine H.pylori status for subjects with borderline value of ¹³C-UBT was necessary and recommended.

First clinical experience in 14 patients treated with ADVOS: a study on feasibility, safety and efficacy of a new type of albumin dialysis

BACKGROUND

Liver failure (LF) is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased cost and substantial mortality. Due to the limited number of donor organs, extracorporeal liver support is suggested as an appealing concept to "bridge to transplant" or to avoid transplant in case of recovery. ADVanced Organ Support (ADVOS) is a new type of albumin dialysis, that provides rapid regeneration of toxin-binding albumin by two purification circuits altering the binding capacities of albumin by biochemical (changing of pH) and physical (changing of temperature) modulation of the dialysate. It was the aim of this study to evaluate feasibility, efficacy and safety of ADVOS in the first 14 patients ever treated with this procedure.

METHODS

Patients included suffered from acute on chronic LF (n = 9) or "secondary" LF (n = 5) which resulted from non-hepatic diseases such as sepsis. The primary endpoint was the change of serum bilirubin, creatinine and serum BUN levels before and after the first treatment with ADVOS. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for paired samples was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

A total of 239 treatments (1 up to 101 per patient) were performed in 14 patients (6 female, 8 male). Mean age 54 ± 13; MELD-score 34 ± 7; CLIF-SOFA 15 ± 3. Serum bilirubin levels were significantly decreased by 32% during the first session (26.0 ± 15.4 vs. 17.7 ± 10.5 mg/dl; p = 0.001). Similarly, serum creatinine (2.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7 mg/dl; p = 0.005) and serum BUN (49.4 ± 23.3 vs. 31.1 ± 19.7 mg/dl; p = 0.003), were significantly lowered by 27% and 37%, respectively. None of the treatment sessions had to be interrupted due to side effects related to the procedure.

CONCLUSION

ADVOS efficiently eliminates water- and protein-bound toxins in humans with LF. ADVOS is feasible in patients with advanced LF which is emphasized by a total number of more than 100 treatment sessions in one single patient.

Plasmonic modulator with >170 GHz bandwidth demonstrated at 100 GBd NRZ

We demonstrate a plasmonic Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator with a flat frequency response exceeding 170 GHz. The modulator comprises two phase modulators exploiting the Pockels effect of an organic electro-optic material in plasmonic slot waveguides. We further show modulation at 100 GBd NRZ and 60 GBd PAM-4. The electrical drive signals were generated using a 100 GSa/s digital to analog converter (DAC). The high-speed and small-scale devices are relevant for next-generation optical interconnects.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as Part of the Oncological Treatment: Survey about Patients' Attitude towards CAM in a University-Based Oncology Center in Germany

INTRODUCTION

To understand if and which patients would be open-minded to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use parallel to their oncological treatment. Moreover, we sought to determine which methods are most accepted and which are the primary motivators to use CAM.

METHODS

We developed and anonymously conducted a questionnaire for patients in the oncology center (TU Munich). Questions focus on different CAM methods, previous experiences, and willingness to apply or use CAM when offered in a university-based setting.

RESULTS

A total of 171 of 376 patients (37.4% women, 62.0% men, 0.6% unknown) participated. This corresponds to a return rate of 45%. Median age was 64 years (17-87 years). Of all participants, 15.2% used CAM during their oncological therapy; 32.7% have used it in the past. The majority (81.9%) was not using CAM during therapy; 55.5% have not used CAM in the past respectively. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between education and CAM use during therapy (r = 0.18; p = 0.02), and CAM use in the past (r = 0.17; p = 0.04). Of all patients using CAM during therapy, favored methods were food supplements (42.3%), vitamins/minerals (42.3%), massage (34.6%). Motivations are especially the reduction of side effect and stress, the positive effect of certain CAM-treatments on the immune system and tumor therapy. Results showed no difference between women and men. Most patients not having had any experience with CAM complain about the deficiency of information by their treating oncologist (31.4%) as well as missing treatment possibilities (54.3%).

CONCLUSION

Since many patients believe in study results demonstrating the efficacy of CAM, it stresses our task to develop innovative study protocols to investigate the outcomes of certain CAM on symptom reduction or other endpoints. Thus, prospective trials and innovative evidence-based treatment concepts to include CAM into high-end oncology is what patients demand and what a modern oncology center should offer.

Effects of neratinib and combination with irradiation and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

Prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still poor. Novel therapeutic approaches are of great interest to improve the effects of radiochemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib on HNSCC cell lines CAL27, SCC25 and FaDu as a single agent and in combination with irradiation and chemotherapy.

METHODS

Effects of neratinib were evaluated in HNSCC cell lines CAL27, SCC25 and FaDu. Effect on cell viability of neratinib and combination with cisplatin and irradiation was measured using CCK-8 assays and clonogenic assays. Western blot analysis was performed to distinguish the effect on epithelial growth factor receptor and HER2 expression. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTS

Growth inhibition was achieved in all cell lines, whereas combination of cisplatin and neratinib showed greater inhibition than each agent alone. Apoptosis was induced in all cell lines. Combination of neratinib with irradiation or cisplatin showed significantly increased apoptosis. In clonogenic assays, significant growth inhibition was observed in all investigated cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Neratinib, as a single agent or in combination with chemo-irradiation, may be a promising treatment option for patients with head and neck cancer.

Generation of 64 GBd 4ASK signals using a silicon-organic hybrid modulator at 80°C

We demonstrate a silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) generating four-level amplitude shift keying (4ASK) signals at symbol rates of up to 64 GBd both at room temperature and at an elevated temperature of 80°C. The measured line rate of 128 Gbit/s corresponds to the highest value demonstrated for silicon-based MZM so far. We report bit error ratios of 10^-10 (64 GBd BPSK), 10^-5 (36 GBd 4ASK), and 4 × 10^-3 (64 GBd 4ASK) at room temperature. At 80 °C, the respective bit error ratios are 10^-10, 10^-4, and 1.3 × 10^-2. The high-temperature experiments were performed in regular oxygen-rich ambient atmosphere.

Consistency of cardiac function index and global ejection fraction with global end-diastolic volume in patients with femoral central venous access for transpulmonary thermodilution: a prospective observational study

Global ejection fraction (GEF) and cardiac function index (CFI) are transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD)-derived indices of the systolic function. Their validity relies on an accurate determination of the global end-diastolic volume (GEDV). Due to an overestimation of GEDV using a femoral central venous catheter (CVC) a correction formula for indexed GEDV (GEDVI) has been implemented in the latest PiCCO™-algorithm. However, a recent study demonstrated that correction for femoral CVC does not pertain to pulmonary vascular permeability index PVPI, which is calculated of extravascular lung water EVLW and GEDV. Therefore, it was the aim of our study to evaluate, if GEF and CFI are corrected for femoral CVC. In ten adult ICU-patients with PiCCO™-monitoring, ten triplicate TPTDs were performed within 30 h. 95 complete data sets were analyzed, if a GEDV corrected for CVC site was applied to derive CFI and GEF. Therefore, we compared displayed values CFI_displayed and GEF_displayed to CFI_calculated and GEF_calculated, which were calculated from displayed GEDV, cardiac output and stroke volume. GEDV_calculated derived from division of GEDVI by predicted body surface area did not substantially differ from GEDV_displayed (1448 ± 414 ml vs. 1447 ± 416 ml), which suggests a correction of GEDV for CVC site. However, CFI_displayed was significantly lower than CFI_calculated (3.8 ± 1.6/min vs. 5.1 ± 1. 8/min: p < 0.001), suggesting that CFI_displayed is based on an uncorrected GEDV. By contrast, GEF_calculated (23.1 ± 8.7 %) was not substantially different from GEF_displayed (22.4 ± 8.6 %). Although GEDV and GEF are corrected for femoral CVC site, this does not apply to CFI. However, all indices derived from GEDV should be calculated consistently.

[Exposure of Pupils to Recreational Noise from Portable Listening Devices and Possible Preventive Measures]

Background and Objectives: Exposure to recreational noise is becoming increasingly important due to a change in leisure behavior amongst children and adolescents. The aim of this pilot study was to assess exposure of 6^th grade pupils to recreational noise from portable listening devices (PLD). Furthermore, preventive measures to reduce recreational noise exposure should be identified. Methods: In "Ohrkan Kids", 38 Bavarian pupils aged 11 to 14 were interviewed regarding their music listening behavior using a standardized questionnaire. In addition, measurements of commonly used volume settings on the children's portable listening devices were carried out. Furthermore, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), health insurance companies as well as health and education ministries of the German federal states were surveyed regarding their activities in the prevention of recreational noise exposure. Results: Based on the questionnaire data for weekly usage, 10 out of 31 children (32.3%) exceeded the upper exposure value of 85 dB recommended by labor protection law. Taking actually measured values, 9 out of 31 children (29%) exceeded this level. The DGUV and some federal states carry out specific projects for the prevention of recreational noise exposure. Conclusion: The large number of children with hazardous music consumption indicates that measures for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss are already required for 11 to 14 year olds. To maximize the number of children addressed, age-appropriate and target-group-specific preventive measures are needed. As there are only few studies which examined the effectiveness of awareness campaigns for the prevention of recreational noise, any future prevention projects should be evaluated with an increased focus on estimating their effectiveness.

An apparatus for studying electrical breakdown in liquid helium at 0.4 K and testing electrode materials for the neutron electric dipole moment experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source

We have constructed an apparatus to study DC electrical breakdown in liquid helium at temperatures as low as 0.4 K and at pressures between the saturated vapor pressure and ∼600 Torr. The apparatus can house a set of electrodes that are 12 cm in diameter with a gap of 1-2 cm between them, and a potential up to ±50 kV can be applied to each electrode. Initial results demonstrated that it is possible to apply fields exceeding 100 kV/cm in a 1 cm gap between two electropolished stainless steel electrodes 12 cm in diameter for a wide range of pressures at 0.4 K. We also measured the current between two electrodes. Our initial results, I < 1 pA at 45 kV, correspond to a lower bound on the effective volume resistivity of liquid helium of ρV > 5 × 10(18) Ω cm. This lower bound is 5 times larger than the bound previously measured. We report the design, construction, and operational experience of the apparatus, as well as initial results.

A large randomised controlled intervention trial to prevent gastric cancer by eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Linqu County, China: baseline results and factors affecting the eradication

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the full range of benefits and adverse consequences of Helicobacter pylori eradication as a strategy for gastric cancer prevention, the community-based intervention trial was launched in Linqu County, China.

DESIGN

A total of 184,786 residents aged 25-54 years were enrolled in this trial and received (13)C-urea breath test. H. pylori positive participants were assigned into two groups, either receiving a 10-day quadruple anti-H. pylori treatment or lookalike placebos together with a single dosage of omeprazole and bismuth.

RESULTS

The prevalence of H. pylori in trial participants was 57.6%. A total of 94,101 subjects completed the treatment. The overall H. pylori eradication rate was 72.9% in the active group. Gender, body mass index, history of stomach disease, baseline delta over baseline-value of (13)C-urea breath test, missed medication doses, smoking and drinking were independent predictors of eradication failure. The missed doses and high baseline delta over baseline-value were important contributors in men and women (all Ptrend<0.001). However, a dose-response relationship between failure rate and smoking or drinking index was found in men (all Ptrend<0.001), while high body mass index (Ptrend<0.001) and history of stomach disease were significant predictors in women. The treatment failure rate increased up to 48.8% (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.24 to 3.68) in men and 39.4% (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.42) in women with multiple factors combined.

CONCLUSIONS

This large community-based intervention trial to eradicate H. pylori is feasible and acceptable. The findings of this trial lead to a distinct evaluation of factors influencing eradication that should be generally considered for future eradication therapies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-TRC-10000979 in accordance with WHO ICTRP requirements.

Abstract B060: The canonical NF-κB pathway is crucial for Treg homeostasis during the antitumor response

Cancers use a wide variety of mechanisms to dampen tumor immune response. Among them, CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are largely described to inhibit the function of effector cells. In several murine models of cancer, Treg depletion suppresses tumor growth. Interestingly, it has been proposed that anti-CTLA-4 therapies exert their anti-tumor effects by targeting Tregs. Therefore, precisely understanding the mechanisms governing Treg homeostasis may be a valuable strategy to enhance immune responses against cancer. We and other have previously shown that transcription factor NF-κB plays a major role in Treg development; we are now analyzing the role of different NF-κB subunits in Tregs by using conditional knock-out mice.

We found that both p65 (RelA) and c-Rel subunits of NF-κB in Tregs, were required for both development of thymic Treg progenitors and subsequent differentiation into Foxp3-expressing mature Tregs. Ablation of NF-κB also prevented in vitro differentiation of inducible Tregs. Furthermore, specific deletion of either p65 or c-Rel subunits in natural Tregs using FoxP3-cre led to the development of a lethal autoimmune syndrome by 8 to 15 weeks of age. Ablation of both subunits further shortened the lifespan of animals to around 3 weeks of age. This was associated with profound changes in the molecular signature of NF-κB deficient Tregs, which down-regulated Treg-associated genes while acquiring an effector-like phenotype. Also, tamoxifen-induced acute deletion of NF-κB in mature Tregs reduced their survival and expression of Treg-associated markers. These data highlight a crucial role for NF-κB in maintaining Treg identity in vivo.

We next explored the role of NF-κB in Treg homeostasis during tumor growth. Strikingly, melanoma growth was drastically reduced in mice lacking c-Rel, but not p65, in Tregs. This was associated with an increased polyclonal and antigen-specific effector T cell activation. Besides, CD8 T cell depletion abolished the protection against tumor growth. We are now proceeding to test the effect of specific c-Rel inhibitors on tumor growth. We believe our work reveals a central molecular mechanism in the maintenance of Treg identity and thus highlights novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer.

Citation Format: Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer, Hyunju Ho, Roland Schmid, Ulf Klein, Sankar Ghosh. The canonical NF-κB pathway is crucial for Treg homeostasis during the antitumor response. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B060.