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Abstract Polatuzumab vedotin is a CD79b‐directed antibody–drug conjugate that targets B cells and delivers the cytotoxic payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). The phase III POLARIX study (NCT03274492) evaluated polatuzumab vedotin in combination with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R‐CHP) as first‐line treatment of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). To examine dosing decisions for this regimen, population pharmacokinetic (popPK) analysis, using a previously developed popPK model, and exposure–response (ER) analysis, were performed. The popPK analysis showed no clinically meaningful relationship between cycle 6 (C6) antibody‐conjugated (acMMAE)/unconjugated MMAE area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) or maximum concentration, and weight, sex, ethnicity, region, mild or moderate renal impairment, mild hepatic impairment, or other patient and disease characteristics. In the ER analysis, C6 acMMAE AUC was significantly associated with longer progression‐free and event‐free survival (both p = 0.01). An increase of

Abstract This ethnic sensitivity analysis used data from the phase III POLARIX study (NCT03274492) to assess polatuzumab vedotin pharmacokinetics (PKs) in Asian versus non‐Asian patients with previously untreated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and examined the appropriateness of extrapolating global study findings to Asian patients. PK and population PK (PopPK) analyses assessed polatuzumab vedotin analyte exposures by ethnicity (Asian [n = 84] vs. non‐Asian [n = 345] patients) and region (patients enrolled from Asia [n = 80] vs. outside Asia [n = 349]). In patients from Asia versus outside Asia, observed mean antibody‐conjugated monomethyl auristatin E (acMMAE) concentrations were comparable (1.2% lower at cycle [C]1 postdose, 4.4% higher at C4 predose; and 6.8% lower at C4 postdose in patients from Asia). Observed mean unconjugated MMAE was lower in patients from Asia by 6.5% (C1 postdose), 20.0% (C4 predose), and 15.3% (C4 postdose). In the PopPK analysis, C6 area under the curve and peak plasma concentrations were also comparable for acMMAE (6.3% and 3.0% lower in Asian vs. non‐Asian patients, respectively) and lower for unconjugated MMAE by 19.1% and 16.7%, respectively. By region, C6 mean acMMAE concentrations were similar, and C6 mean unconjugated MMAE concentrations were lower, in patients enrolled from Asia versus outside Asia, by 3.9%–7.0% and 17.3%–19.7%, respectively. In conclusion, polatuzumab vedotin PKs were similar between Asian and non‐Asian patients by ethnicity and region, suggesting PKs are not sensitive to Asian ethnicity and dose adjustments are not required in Asian patients to maintain efficacy and safety.

Abstract Impulsivity is a multidimensional heritable phenotype that broadly refers to the tendency to act prematurely and is associated with multiple forms of psychopathology, including substance use disorders. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of eight impulsive personality traits from the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the short UPPS-P Impulsive Personality Scale (N = 123,509–133,517 23andMe research participants of European ancestry), and a measure of Drug Experimentation (N = 130,684). Because these GWAS implicated the gene CADM2, we next performed single-SNP phenome-wide studies (PheWAS) of several of the implicated variants in CADM2 in a multi-ancestral 23andMe cohort (N = 3,229,317, European; N = 579,623, Latin American; N = 199,663, African American). Finally, we produced Cadm2 mutant mice and used them to perform a Mouse-PheWAS (“MouseWAS”) by testing them with a battery of relevant behavioral tasks. In humans, impulsive personality traits showed modest chip-heritability (~6–11%), and moderate genetic correlations (r g = 0.20–0.50) with other personality traits, and various psychiatric and medical traits. We identified significant associations proximal to genes such as TCF4 and PTPRF, and also identified nominal associations proximal to DRD2 and CRHR1. PheWAS for CADM2 variants identified associations with 378 traits in European participants, and 47 traits in Latin American participants, replicating associations with risky behaviors, cognition and BMI, and revealing novel associations including allergies, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine. Our MouseWAS recapitulated some of the associations found in humans, including impulsivity, cognition, and BMI. Our results further delineate the role of CADM2 in impulsivity and numerous other psychiatric and somatic traits across ancestries and species.

Background: The Apple Watch Series 4 (AW4) and the KardiaMobile single bipolar lead model (KM) are 2 of the most popular US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved commercial heart trackers. However, a lack of knowledge remains regarding their rhythm-detection accuracy in real-life clinical situations. This paper aims to determine the practicality of using an AW4 or a KM in modern medical practice, by assessing the accuracy of each in identifying heart rhythms and heart rate. Methods: Participants from the Toronto Heart Centre clinic were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2019. They had a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), followed by wearing the AW4 watch (OS 5.3), and pressing on the KM electrode plates, within the span of 5 minutes of one another. Each session involved a 12-lead ECG, an ECG from each device, and AW4’s photoplethysmography function (APPG). Results: Of 200 participants, 162 (81%) were in sinus rhythm, and 38 (19%) had atrial fibrillation. The rhythm-detection accuracy for sinus rhythm was 100% for the AW4, and 99.03% for the KM. For atrial fibrillation, accuracy was 90.48% for the AW4, and 100% for the KM. The heart rate accuracy for sinus rhythm was 94.39% for the KM, 90.65% for the APPG, and 96.26% for the Apple ECG function. The heart rate accuracy for atrial fibrillation was 91.30% for the KM, 82.61% for the APPG, and 86.96% for the Apple ECG function. Conclusions: Both the AW4 and the KM could reliably detect rhythm and heart rate in real-life clinical situations. However, a nonsignificant trend occurred toward better rhythm detection and accuracy with KM, compared with AW4. The difference is mainly due to artifacts (eg, tremors) and the fit of the strap for AW4. The findings have important implications for how these consumer devices can be used in real-life clinical settings. Résumé: Contexte: La Apple Watch Series 4 (AW4) et le dispositif KardiaMobile à trois électrodes (KM) sont deux des capteurs cardiaques commerciaux les plus populaires approuvés par la Food & Drug Administration (FDA) des États-Unis. Cependant, les connaissances sont encore insuffisantes en ce qui concerne leur précision à détecter le rythme cardiaque dans des situations cliniques réelles. Cet article vise à déterminer l’utilité de l’AW4 ou du KM dans la pratique médicale moderne, en évaluant la précision de chaque appareil dans la perception des rythmes cardiaques et de la fréquence cardiaque. Méthodologie: Des patients du Toronto Heart Centre ont participé à l’étude de janvier à décembre 2019. Ils ont subi un électrocardiogramme (ECG) à 12 dérivations, puis ont porté la montre AW4 (OS 5.3) et utilisé les électrodes du KM, à intervalles de 5 minutes. Chaque séance comprenait un ECG à 12 dérivations, un ECG réalisé avec chacun des dispositifs et l’utilisation de la fonction de photopléthysmographie de l’AW4. Résultats: Sur les 200 participants, 162 (81 %) étaient en rythme sinusal et 38 (19 %) présentaient une fibrillation auriculaire. Pour ce qui est du rythme cardiaque, la précision de détection chez les patients en rythme sinusal était de 100 % pour l’AW4 et de 99,03 % pour le KM. Pour ceux présentant une fibrillation auriculaire, la précision était de 90,48 % pour l’AW4 et de 100 % pour le KM. En ce qui concerne la fréquence cardiaque, la précision de détection pour le rythme sinusal était de 94,39 % pour le KM, de 90,65 % pour la fonction de photopléthysmographie de l’AW4 et de 96,26 % pour la fonction ECG d’Apple. Chez les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire, la précision à détecter la fréquence cardiaque était de 91,30 % pour le KM, de 82,61 % pour la fonction de photopléthysmographie de l’AW4 et de 86,96 % pour la fonction ECG d’Apple. Conclusions: L’AW4 et le KM ont tous deux permis de détecter de manière fiable le rythme cardiaque et la fréquence cardiaque dans des situations cliniques réelles. Soulignons toutefois qu’une tendance non significative s’est dégagée en faveur du KM pour ce qui est de la détection du rythme et de la précision par rapport à l’AW4. La différence s’explique principalement par des interférences (secousses) et par l’ajustement du bracelet avec l’AW4. Ces résultats ont une incidence importante quant à l’utilisation de ces appareils destinés aux consommateurs dans un contexte clinique réel.

Abstract Image texture analysis (radiomics) uses radiographic images to quantify characteristics that may identify tumour heterogeneity and associated patient outcomes. Using fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT)‐derived data, including quantitative metrics, image texture analysis and other clinical risk factors, we aimed to develop a prognostic model that predicts survival in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) from GOYA (NCT01287741). Image texture features and clinical risk factors were combined into a random forest model and compared with the international prognostic index (IPI) for DLBCL based on progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) predictions. Baseline FDG‐PET scans were available for 1263 patients, 832 patients of these were cell‐of‐origin (COO)‐evaluable. Patients were stratified by IPI or radiomics features plus clinical risk factors into low‐, intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups. The random forest model with COO subgroups identified a clearer high‐risk population (45% 2‐year PFS [95% confidence interval (CI) 40%–52%]; 65% 2‐year OS [95% CI 59%–71%]) than the IPI (58% 2‐year PFS [95% CI 50%–67%]; 69% 2‐year OS [95% CI 62%–77%]). This study confirms that standard clinical risk factors can be combined with PET‐derived image texture features to provide an improved prognostic model predicting survival in untreated DLBCL.

Gene editing following designer nuclease cleavage in the presence of a DNA donor template can revert mutations in disease-causing genes. For optimal benefit, reversion of the point mutation in HBB leading to sickle cell disease (SCD) would permit precise homology-directed repair (HDR) while concurrently limiting on-target non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-based HBB disruption. In this study, we directly compared the relative efficiency of co-delivery of a novel CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein targeting HBB in association with recombinant adeno-associated virus 6 (rAAV6) versus single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) to introduce the sickle mutation (GTC or GTG; encoding E6V) or a silent change (GAA; encoding E6optE) in human CD34+ mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (mPBSCs) derived from healthy donors. In vitro, rAAV6 outperformed ssODN donor template delivery and mediated greater HDR correction, leading to both higher HDR rates and a higher HDR:NHEJ ratio. In contrast, at 12–14 weeks post-transplant into recipient, immunodeficient, NOD, B6, SCID Il2rγ−/− Kit(W41/W41) (NBSGW) mice, a ∼6-fold higher proportion of ssODN-modified cells persisted in vivo compared to recipients of rAAV6-modified mPBSCs. Together, our findings highlight that methodology for donor template delivery markedly impacts long-term persistence of HBB gene-modified mPBSCs, and they suggest that the ssODN platform is likely to be most amenable to direct clinical translation. Keywords: sickle cell disease, gene editing, rAAV6, ssODN, homology-directed repair, Crispr/Cas9, hemoglobin disorders, NHEJ versus HDR, in vivo engraftment, NBSGW41 mice, CD34, hematopoietic stem cells, stem cell cures

Elements within the γ-hemoglobin promoters (HBG1 and HBG2) function to bind transcription complexes that mediate repression of fetal hemoglobin expression. Sickle cell disease (SCD) subjects with a 13-bp deletion in the HBG1 promoter exhibit a clinically favorable hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) phenotype. We developed TALENs targeting the homologous HBG promoters to de-repress fetal hemoglobin. Transfection of human CD34+ cells with TALEN mRNA resulted in indel generation in HBG1 (43%) and HBG2 (74%) including the 13-bp HPFH deletion (∼6%). Erythroid differentiation of edited cells revealed a 4.6-fold increase in γ-hemoglobin expression as detected by HPLC. Assessment of TALEN-edited CD34+ cells in vivo in a humanized mouse model demonstrated sustained presence of indels in hematopoietic cells up to 24 weeks. Indel rates remained unchanged following secondary transplantation consistent with editing of long-term repopulating stem cells (LT-HSCs). Human γ-hemoglobin expressing F cells were detected by flow cytometry approximately 50% more frequently in edited animals compared to mock. Together, these findings demonstrate that TALEN-mediated indel generation in the γ-hemoglobin promoter leads to high levels of fetal hemoglobin expression in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this approach can provide therapeutic benefit in patients with SCD or β-thalassemia. Keywords: TALEN, hemoglobinopathy, HBG, hemoglobin, HPFH, SCD, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, gene editing, HSC

Background and study aims There are conflicting data regarding the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) with self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) compared to polyethylene stents (PS) in malignant biliary obstructions and limited data related to benign obstructions. Patients and methods A retrospective cohort study was performed of 1136 patients who underwent ERCP for biliary obstruction and received SEMS or PS at a tertiary-care medical center between January 2011 and October 2016. We evaluated the association between stent type (SEMS vs PS) and PEP in malignant and benign biliary obstructions. Results Among the 1136 patients included in our study, 399 had SEMS placed and 737 had PS placed. Patients with PS were more likely to have pancreatic duct cannulation, pancreatic duct stent placement, double guidewire technique, sphincterotomy and sphincteroplasty as compared to the SEMS group. On multivariate analysis, PEP rates were higher in the SEMS group (8.0 %) versus the PS group (4.8 %) (OR 2.27 [CI, 1.22, 4.24]) for all obstructions. For malignant obstructions, PEP rates were 7.8 % and 6.6 % for SEMS and plastic stents, respectively (OR 1.54 [CI, 0.72, 3.30]). For benign obstructions the PEP rate was higher in the SEMS group (8.8 %) compared to the PS group (4.2 %) (OR 3.67 [CI, 1.50, 8.97]). No significant differences between PEP severity were identified based on stent type when stratified based on benign and malignant. Conclusions PEP rates were higher when SEMS were used for benign obstruction as compared to PS. For malignant obstruction, no difference was identified in PEP rates with use of SEMS vs PS.

Abstract Cholestatic liver injury is associated with intrahepatic biliary fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis. Resident hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) expressing Prominin‐1 (Prom1 or CD133) become activated and participate in the expansion of cholangiocytes known as the ductular reaction. Previously, we demonstrated that in biliary atresia, Prom1(+) HPCs are present within developing fibrosis and that null mutation of Prom1 significantly abrogates fibrogenesis. Here, we hypothesized that these activated Prom1‐expressing HPCs promote fibrogenesis in cholestatic liver injury. Using Prom1CreERT2‐nLacZ/+;Rosa26Lsl‐GFP/+ mice, we traced the fate of Prom1‐expressing HPCs in the growth of the neonatal and adult livers and in biliary fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Prom1‐expressing cell lineage labeling with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) on postnatal day 1 exhibited an expanded population as well as bipotent differentiation potential toward both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes at postnatal day 35. However, in the adult liver, they lost hepatocyte differentiation potential. Upon cholestatic liver injury, adult Prom1‐expressing HPCs gave rise to both PROM1(+) and PROM1(‐) cholangiocytes contributing to ductular reaction without hepatocyte or myofibroblast differentiation. RNA‐sequencing analysis of GFP(+) Prom1‐expressing HPC lineage revealed a persistent cholangiocyte phenotype and evidence of Transforming Growth Factor‐β pathway activation. When Prom1‐expressing cells were ablated with induced Diphtheria toxin in Prom1CreERT‐nLacZ/+;Rosa26DTA/+ mice, we observed a decrease in ductular reactions and biliary fibrosis typically present in BDL as well as decreased expression of numerous fibrogenic gene markers. Our data indicate that Prom1‐expressing HPCs promote biliary fibrosis associated with activation of myofibroblasts in cholestatic liver injury.

Background and study aims After stone removal in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an occlusion cholangiogram (OC) is performed to confirm bile duct clearance. OC can miss residual stones that can lead to recurrent biliary symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess if digital peroral cholangioscopy (POC) increased the diagnostic yield of residual biliary stones that are missed with OC. Patients and methods Patients having ERCP performed for choledocholithiasis were enrolled into the study only if they had one of the following criteria: dilated bile duct ≥ 12 mm and/or if lithotripsy was being performed. An OC was performed to confirm duct clearance after removal of stones followed by POC, based on inclusion criteria. The incremental yield of biliary stones missed by OC but confirmed by POC was then measured. A total of 96 POC procedures were performed on 93 patients in two tertiary care centers. Results Residual biliary stones were found in 34 % of cases. The average bile duct size in cases with residual stones was 15.1 mm ± 0.7 mm. One- to three-mm stones were found in 41 % of cases, 4- to 7-mm stones in 45 % of cases, and ≥ 8-mm stones in 14 % of cases. Lithotripsy was performed in 13 % of cases and was significantly associated with residual stones (30 % vs. 3 %, P

The synthesis of key 4-alkyl-substituted 5-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene-2-boronic acid pinacol esters 3 allowed a simplified alkylthiophene catenation process to access bis-, ter-, quater-, and quinquethiophene π-bridges for the synthesis of acceptor–π-bridge-donor– π-bridge-acceptor (A–π-D–π-A) electron donor molecules. Based on the known benzodithiophene-terthiophene-rhodanine (BTR) material, the BXR series of materials, BMR (X = M, monothiophene), BBR (X = B, bithiophene), known BTR (X = T, terthiophene), BQR (X = Q, quaterthiophene), and BPR (X = P(penta), quinquethiophene) were synthesised to examine the influence of chromophore extension on the device performance and stability for OPV applications. The BTxR (x = 4, butyl, and x = 8, octyl) series of materials were synthesised by varying the oligothiophene π-bridge alkyl substituent to examine structure–property relationships in OPV device performance. The devices assembled using electron donors with an extended chromophore (BQR and BPR) are shown to be more thermally stable than the BTR containing devices, with un-optimized efficiencies up to 9.0% PCE. BQR has been incorporated as a secondary donor in ternary blend devices with PTB7-Th resulting in high-performance OPV devices with up to 10.7% PCE.

Nanofiber technology (fiber diameter less than 1 micrometer) is under development for future Army lightweight protective clothing systems. Nanofiber applications for ballistic and chemical/biological protection are being actively investigated, but the thermal properties of nanofibers and their potential protection against cold environments are relatively unknown. Previous studies have shown that radiative heat transfer in fibrous battings is minimized at fiber diameters between 5 and 10 micrometers. However, the radiative heat transfer mechanism of extremely small diameter fibers of less than 1 micrometer diameter is not well known. Previous studies were limited to glass fibers, which have a unique set of thermal radiation properties governed by the thermal emissivity properties of glass. We are investigating the thermal transfer properties of high loft nanofiber battings composed of carbon fiber and various polymeric fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, nylon, and polyurethane. Thermal insulation battings incorporating nanofibers could decrease the weight and bulk of current thermal protective clothing, and increase mobility for soldiers in the battlefield.