Subtle changes in individual joints result in both positive and negative change scores in a patient: results from a clinical trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Radiographic progression in clinical trials is assessed by interpreting changes in total radiographic joint score, and the reliability of those scores depends on an evaluation of sum scores. It is not known how consistently changes in individual joints are identified by independent readers and in independent readings. Patients and 7255 single joints from 178 patients who participated in the Trial of Etanercept and Methothrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) trial were evaluated. Every image was independently scored twice according to the Sharp-van der Heijde method by two independent readers, so that four scores per joint were available. Absolute agreement and consistency of negative and positive erosion change scores across readers and readings were compared on a per-joint level, as well as on a per-patient level. The number of joints showing a change for erosion was very low in this trial: 691/7255 analysed joints had at least one non-zero change score out of four readings. Absolute agreement between readings was remarkably poor: only 12 joints showed a consistently positive or negative change in all four readings. Change scores in opposite directions in the same joint across independent readings were rare (25 joints). Frequency of opposite joint scores in the same patient (mixed change patterns) was reader dependent. Substantial intra and interreader disagreement in scoring change in individual joints is common. Opposite joint scores in the same patient, however, are rare and reader dependent. Notwithstanding these subtle inconsistencies on the individual joint level, the total Sharp score is a useful and discriminatory outcome measur

Increase of the Density, Temperature and Velocity of Plasma Jets driven by a Ring of High Energy Laser Beams

Supersonic plasma outflows driven by multi-beam, high-energy lasers, such as Omega and NIF, have been and will be used as platforms for a variety of laboratory astrophysics experiments. Here we propose a new way of launching high density and high velocity, plasma jets using multiple intense laser beams in a hollow ring formation. We show that such jets provide a more flexible and versatile platform for future laboratory astrophysics experiments. Using high resolution hydrodynamic simulations, we demonstrate that the collimated jets can achieve much higher density, temperature and velocity when multiple laser beams are focused to form a hollow ring pattern at the target, instead of focused onto a single spot. We carried out simulations with different ring radii and studied their effects on the jet properties. Implications for laboratory collisionless shock experiments are discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Accepted to HED

Comparison of different definitions to classify remission and sustained remission: 1 year TEMPO results

To assess methods to calculate achieving and sustaining remission in a double blind randomised trial in patients with RA who received etanercept, methotrexate, or an etanercept/methotrexate combination. Remission was defined as DAS <1.6, DAS28 <2.6, and ACR70 response. Sustaining remission was analysed in three ways: (a) analysis of sustained DAS remission, DAS28 remission, or ACR70 response continuously for 6 months; (b) analysis of sustained remission appraised through a continuity rewarded scoring system, which is the weighted sum of all intervals in the study in which patients are in DAS or DAS28 remission; or (c) longitudinal modelling of remission odds using generalised estimating equations. Significantly more patients treated with the etanercept/methotrexate combination reached DAS remission (37%) than those treated with either methotrexate (14%) or etanercept (18%) alone (p <0.01). Results for DAS28 and for the ACR70 response were similar. Agreement between DAS remission and DAS28 remission was good, but agreement between either of these and the ACR70 response was less. Patients in DAS or DAS28 remission had a lower level of disease activity (fewer active joints, lower ESR) than those achieving ACR70 response; the converse was seen using pain VAS. The three methods were comparable for sustainability of remission and showed significant advantage for combination therapy, which increased the number and durability of remission periods. DAS and DAS28 remission results were similar for assessing achieving and sustaining remission in RA, frequently differing from patients classified as ACR70 responders. The three methods of examining duration of remission produced comparable result

Feasibility and Performance of the Staged Z-Pinch: A One-dimensional Study with FLASH and MACH2

Z-pinch platforms constitute a promising pathway to fusion energy research. Here, we present a one-dimensional numerical study of the staged Z-pinch (SZP) concept using the FLASH and MACH2 codes. We discuss the verification of the codes using two analytical benchmarks that include Z-pinch-relevant physics, building confidence on the codes' ability to model such experiments. Then, FLASH is used to simulate two different SZP configurations: a xenon gas-puff liner (SZP1*) and a silver solid liner (SZP2). The SZP2 results are compared against previously published MACH2 results, and a new code-to-code comparison on SZP1* is presented. Using an ideal equation of state and analytical transport coefficients, FLASH yields a fuel convergence ratio (CR) of approximately 39 and a mass-averaged fuel ion temperature slightly below 1 keV for the SZP2 scheme, significantly lower than the full-physics MACH2 prediction. For the new SZP1* configuration, full-physics FLASH simulations furnish large and inherently unstable CRs (> 300), but achieve fuel ion temperatures of many keV. While MACH2 also predicts high temperatures, the fuel stagnates at a smaller CR. The integrated code-to-code comparison reveals how magnetic insulation, heat conduction, and radiation transport affect platform performance and the feasibility of the SZP concept

Олокизумаб, моноклональное антитело к интерлейкину 6, в комбинации с метотрексатом у пациентов с ревматоидным артритом и неадекватным контролем заболевания на фоне терапии ингибиторами фактора некроза опухоли: результаты оценки эффективности и безопасности в рандомизированном контролируемом исследовании III фазы

Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of olokizumab (OKZ), a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine, versus placebo (PBO) in patients with prior inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IRs).Methods In this 24-week multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the patients were randomised in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive subcutaneously administered OKZ 64 mg once every 2 weeks (q2w), OKZ 64 mg once every 4 weeks (q4w) or PBO plus methotrexate. At week 16, the patients on PBO were randomised to receive either OKZ regime. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response at week 12. Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C-reactive protein (DAS28 (CRP)) &lt;3.2 at week 12 was the major secondary efficacy endpoint. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed.Results In 368 patients randomised, ACR20 response rates were 60.9% in OKZ q2w, 59.6% in OKZ q4w and 40.6% in PBO (p&lt;0.01 for both comparisons). Achievement of DAS28 (CRP) &lt;3.2 was significantly different, favouring the OKZ arms. Improvements in efficacy and patientreported outcomes were maintained throughout 24 weeks and were noted after week 16 in patients who switched from PBO.Dose-related treatment-emergent serious adverse events were 7% in OKZ q2w, 3.2% in OKZ q4w and none in the PBO group.Conclusions Direct inhibition of IL-6 with OKZ resulted in significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis compared with PBO in TNFi-IR patients with a similar safety profile as observed for monoclonal antibodies to the IL-6 receptor.Цель исследования – оценить эффективность и безопасность олокизумаба (ОКЗ), моноклонального антитела к интерлейкину (ИЛ) 6, по сравнению с плацебо у больных ревматоидным артритом (РА) с предшествующим неадекватным ответом на ингибиторы фактора некроза опухоли альфа (ФНО α ).Методы.В данном 24-недельном многоцентровом плацебо-контролируемом двойном слепом исследовании пациенты рандомизировались в соотношении 2:2:1 для проведения терапии ОКЗ подкожно в дозе 64 мг 1 раз в 2 нед; ОКЗ в дозе 64 мг 1 раз в 4 нед либо плацебо, в комбинации с метотрексатом. На неделе 16 пациентов, получавших плацебо, рандомизировали для проведения терапии ОКЗ в одном из двух режимов. Первичной конечной точкой являлась доля пациентов, у которых был достигнут ответ по ACR20 (20% улучшение согласно критериям ACR) на неделе 12. Важнейшей из вторичных конечных точек было достижение значения DAS28-CРБ &lt;3,2 на неделе 12. Проводилась оценка безопасности и иммуногенности.Результаты. У 368 рандомизированных пациентов частота ответа по ACR20 составила 60,9% в группе ОКЗ 1 раз в 2 нед, 59,6% в группе ОКЗ 1 раз в 4 нед и 40,6% в группе плацебо (p&lt;0,01 для обоих сравнений). Между группами отмечались значимые различия по частоте достижения DAS28-CРБ &lt;3,2 в пользу групп ОКЗ. Достигнутое улучшение сохранялось на протяжении всех 24 нед, а у пациентов, которым плацебо заменялось на ОКЗ, улучшение выявлялось после недели 16. Частота связанных с терапией серьезных нежелательных явлений составила 7% в группе ОКЗ 1 раз в 2 нед и 3,2% в группе ОКЗ 1 раз в 4 нед, в то время как в группе плацебо их не было.Заключение. Прямое ингибирование ИЛ6 ОКЗ привело к значительному уменьшению выраженности проявлений РА по сравнению с плацебо у пациентов с неадекватным ответом на ингибиторы ФНО α , при этом профиль безопасности был схож с таковым при назначении моноклональных антител к рецептору ИЛ6