Topographical nature of the polymer matrix and reactivity of attached functional groups: effect of crosslink density on the efficiency of solid-phase hypochlorite oxidations

A series of crosslinked polystyrene-supported hypohalite reagents with the reagent function in different microenvironments were prepared and their reactivities in oxidation and halogenation reactions on organic substrates were investigated. The reactivity of the hypohalite reagent function was observed to be dependent on the topographical nature of the polymer matrix. The reactivity in these cases depends on the degree of crosslinking which affects the extent of functionalisation and also the mechanical integrity and stability of the polymer support. Hypohalite reagents starting from 1%, 2%, 4% and 20% crosslinked polystyrenes were prepared and used for oxidation and halogenation reactions. The reactivity of the hypohalite function is reduced considerably when the degree of crosslinking is increased. A decrease in the degree of functionalisation is also observed with increase in the degree of crosslinking

Treatment with LY2409021, a Glucagon Receptor Antagonist, Increases Liver Fat in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Aims To evaluate whether treatment with LY2409021, a novel, selective glucagon receptor antagonist, is associated with changes in hepatic fat and other safety variables related to the benefit–risk profile for chronic use in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Safety and efficacy were assessed in patients with T2D taking metformin and sulphonylurea who were randomized to LY2409021 20 mg (n = 65), placebo (n = 68), or sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 41). Key endpoints included change from baseline to month 6 in hepatic fat fraction (HFF), assessed by magnetic resonance imaging; hepatic aminotransferases; blood pressure; lipid profile; fasting plasma glucose; and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Results A significant increase in HFF was seen with LY2409021 vs sitagliptin (least squares [LS] mean difference 3.72%; P < .001) and placebo (4.44%; P < .001), accompanied by significant elevations in alanine aminotransferase levels with LY2409021 vs sitagliptin (6.8 U/L; P = .039) and vs placebo (10.7 U/L; P < .001). No patients had concomitant elevations in bilirubin levels. LY2409021 treatment showed significant HbA1c reductions vs placebo (LS mean difference −0.77%; P < .001) but not sitagliptin (−0.20%; P = .383). Similar results were observed for fasting plasma glucose. LY2409021 was also associated with significant increases in systolic blood pressure vs sitagliptin (4.9 mm Hg; P = .030) and vs placebo (4.3 mm Hg; P = .029), as well as significant increases in body weight and total cholesterol. All effects of LY2409021 were reversible. Conclusion In this cohort of patients with T2D, chronic glucagon receptor antagonism with LY2409021 was associated with glucose-lowering but also demonstrated increases in hepatic fat, hepatic aminotransferases, and other adverse effects

Quantitative CT: Associations between Emphysema, Airway Wall Thickness and Body Composition in COPD

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between CT phenotypes—emphysema by low attenuation area and bronchitis by airway wall thickness—and body composition parameters in a large cohort of subjects with and without COPD. In 452 COPD subjects and 459 subjects without COPD, CT scans were performed to determine emphysema (%LAA), airway wall thickness (AWT-Pi10), and lung mass. Muscle wasting based on FFMI was assessed by bioelectrical impedance. In both the men and women with COPD, FFMI was negatively associated with %LAA. FMI was positively associated with AWT-Pi10 in both subjects with and without COPD. Among the subjects with muscle wasting, the percentage emphysema was high, but the predictive value was moderate. In conclusion, the present study strengthens the hypothesis that the subgroup of COPD cases with muscle wasting have emphysema. Airway wall thickness is positively associated with fat mass index in both subjects with and without COPD

Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: results from two phase III, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials

Lebrikizumab, a high-affinity IgG-4 monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-13, selectively prevents the formation of the IL-13Ra1/IL-4Ra heterodimer receptor signalling complex. Lebrikizumab demonstrated rapid, dose-dependent efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in a phase IIb trial (NCT03443024). Here, we report 16-week efficacy and safety outcomes of lebrikizumab monotherapy in patients with AD from two ongoing 52-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trials – ADvocate1 (NCT04146363) and ADvocate2 (NCT04178967). Eligible patients with moderate-to-severe AD [adults and adolescents (12–17 years of age, weighing ≥40 kg)] were randomized 2: 1 to subcutaneous lebrikizumab 250 mg or placebo every 2 weeks. Efficacy analyses included proportions of patients achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)-75 and Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ≥ 4-point improvement from baseline (P ≥ 4) at week 16. Nonefficacy-related missing data were imputed by multiple imputation. In ADvocate1, proportions of patients treated with lebrikizumab 250 mg (n = 283) and placebo (n = 141) achieving IGA 0/1 at week 16 were 43.0% and 12.8% (P \u3c 0.001); EASI-75 responses were 59.3% and 16.4% (P \u3c 0.001); P ≥ 4 proportions were 46.3% and 12.7% (P \u3c 0.001), respectively. In ADvocate2 (lebrikizumab, n = 281; placebo, n = 146), corresponding proportions for IGA 0/1 were 33.1% and 10.9% (P \u3c 0.001); EASI-75 responses were 50.8% and 18.2% (P \u3c 0.001); P ≥ 4 proportions were 38.3% and 11.3% (P \u3c 0.001), respectively. The percentage of patients reporting ≥1 TEAE was comparable in ADvocate1 (lebrikizumab, 45.4%; placebo, 51.1%) and ADvocate2 (lebrikizumab 53.0%; placebo 66.2%). Data from two ongoing pivotal phase III trials suggest that lebrikizumab 250 mg Q2W provides an efficacious treatment option with an acceptable safety profile for patients with moderate-to-severe AD

The association of plasma biomarkers with computed tomography-assessed emphysema phenotypes

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a phenotypically heterogeneous disease. In COPD, the presence of emphysema is associated with increased mortality and risk of lung cancer. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are useful in quantifying emphysema but are associated with radiation exposure and high incidence of false positive findings (i.e., nodules). Using a comprehensive biomarker panel, we sought to determine if there was a peripheral blood biomarker signature of emphysema. Methods: 114 plasma biomarkers were measured using a custom assay in 588 individuals enrolled in the COPDGene study. Quantitative emphysema measurements included percent low lung attenuation (%LAA) ≤ −950 HU, ≤ − 910 HU and mean lung attenuation at the 15th percentile on lung attenuation curve (LP15A). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine plasma biomarkers associated with emphysema independent of covariates age, gender, smoking status, body mass index and FEV1. The findings were subsequently validated using baseline blood samples from a separate cohort of 388 subjects enrolled in the Treatment of Emphysema with a Selective Retinoid Agonist (TESRA) study. Results: Regression analysis identified multiple biomarkers associated with CT-assessed emphysema in COPDGene, including advanced glycosylation end-products receptor (AGER or RAGE, p < 0.001), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM, p < 0.001), and chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20, p < 0.001). Validation in the TESRA cohort revealed significant associations with RAGE, ICAM1, and CCL20 with radiologic emphysema (p < 0.001 after meta-analysis). Other biomarkers that were associated with emphysema include CDH1, CDH 13 and SERPINA7, but were not available for validation in the TESRA study. Receiver operating characteristics analysis demonstrated a benefit of adding a biomarker panel to clinical covariates for detecting emphysema, especially in those without severe airflow limitation (AUC 0.85). Conclusions: Our findings, suggest that a panel of blood biomarkers including sRAGE, ICAM1 and CCL20 may serve as a useful surrogate measure of emphysema, and when combined with clinical covariates, may be useful clinically in predicting the presence of emphysema compared to just using covariates alone, especially in those with less severe COPD. Ultimately biomarkers may shed light on disease pathogenesis, providing targets for new treatments. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0127-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The association of plasma biomarkers with computed tomography-assessed emphysema phenotypes

Abstract Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a phenotypically heterogeneous disease. In COPD, the presence of emphysema is associated with increased mortality and risk of lung cancer. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are useful in quantifying emphysema but are associated with radiation exposure and high incidence of false positive findings (i.e., nodules). Using a comprehensive biomarker panel, we sought to determine if there was a peripheral blood biomarker signature of emphysema. Methods 114 plasma biomarkers were measured using a custom assay in 588 individuals enrolled in the COPDGene study. Quantitative emphysema measurements included percent low lung attenuation (%LAA)≤ - 950 HU, ≤ -910 HU and mean lung attenuation at the 15th percentile on lung attenuation curve (LP15A). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine plasma biomarkers associated with emphysema independent of covariates age, gender, smoking status, body mass index and FEV1. The findings were subsequently validated using baseline blood samples from a separate cohort of 388 subjects enrolled in the Treatment of Emphysema with a Selective Retinoid Agonist (TESRA) study. Results Regression analysis identified multiple biomarkers associated with CT-assessed emphysema in COPDGene, including advanced glycosylation end-products receptor (AGER or RAGE, p < 0.001), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM, p < 0.001), and chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20, p < 0.001). Validation in the TESRA cohort revealed significant associations with RAGE, ICAM1, and CCL20 with radiologic emphysema (p < 0.001 after meta-analysis). Other biomarkers that were associated with emphysema include CDH1, CDH 13 and SERPINA7, but were not available for validation in the TESRA study. Receiver operating characteristics analysis demonstrated a benefit of adding a biomarker panel to clinical covariates for detecting emphysema, especially in those without severe airflow limitation (AUC 0.85). Conclusions Our findings, suggest that a panel of blood biomarkers including sRAGE, ICAM1 and CCL20 may serve as a useful surrogate measure of emphysema, and when combined with clinical covariates, may be useful clinically in predicting the presence of emphysema compared to just using covariates alone, especially in those with less severe COPD. Ultimately biomarkers may shed light on disease pathogenesis, providing targets for new treatments.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134591/1/12931_2014_Article_127.pd

A Pilot Genome-Wide Analysis Study Identifies Loci Associated With Response to Obeticholic Acid in Patients With NASH

A significantly higher proportion of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who received obeticholic acid (OCA) had histological improvement relative to placebo in the FLINT (farnesoid X nuclear receptor ligand obeticholic acid for noncirrhotic, NASH treatment) trial. However, genetic predictors of response to OCA are unknown. We conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in FLINT participants to identify variants associated with NASH resolution and fibrosis improvement. Genotyping was performed using the Omni2.5 content GWAS chip. To avoid false positives introduced by population stratification, we focused our GWAS on white participants. Six regions on chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 7, 15, and 17 had multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with suggestive association (P < 1 × urn:x-wiley:2471254X:media:hep41439:hep41439-math-0001) with NASH resolution. A sentinel SNP, rs75508464, near CELA3B on chromosome 1 was associated with NASH resolution, improvement in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, portal inflammation, and fibrosis. Among individuals carrying this allele, 83% achieved NASH resolution with OCA compared with only 33% with placebo. Eight regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 11, 13, and 18 had multiple SNPs associated with fibrosis improvement; of these, rs12130403 near TDRD10 on chromosome 1 was also associated with improvement in NASH and portal inflammation, and rs4073431 near ANO3 on chromosome 11 was associated with NASH resolution and improvement in steatosis. Multiple SNPs on chromosome 11 had suggestive association with pruritus, with rs1379650 near ANO5 being the top SNP. Conclusion: We identified several variants that may be associated with histological improvement and pruritus in individuals with NASH receiving OCA. The rs75508464 variant near CELA3B may have the most significant effect on NASH resolution in those receiving OCA

A Genome-Wide Association Study in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Identification of Two Major Susceptibility Loci

There is considerable variability in the susceptibility of smokers to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The only known genetic risk factor is severe deficiency of α1-antitrypsin, which is present in 1–2% of individuals with COPD. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a homogenous case-control cohort from Bergen, Norway (823 COPD cases and 810 smoking controls) and evaluated the top 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the family-based International COPD Genetics Network (ICGN; 1891 Caucasian individuals from 606 pedigrees) study. The polymorphisms that showed replication were further evaluated in 389 subjects from the US National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) and 472 controls from the Normative Aging Study (NAS) and then in a fourth cohort of 949 individuals from 127 extended pedigrees from the Boston Early-Onset COPD population. Logistic regression models with adjustments of covariates were used to analyze the case-control populations. Family-based association analyses were conducted for a diagnosis of COPD and lung function in the family populations. Two SNPs at the α-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA 3/5) locus were identified in the genome-wide association study. They showed unambiguous replication in the ICGN family-based analysis and in the NETT case-control analysis with combined p-values of 1.48×10−10, (rs8034191) and 5.74×10−10 (rs1051730). Furthermore, these SNPs were significantly associated with lung function in both the ICGN and Boston Early-Onset COPD populations. The C allele of the rs8034191 SNP was estimated to have a population attributable risk for COPD of 12.2%. The association of hedgehog interacting protein (HHIP) locus on chromosome 4 was also consistently replicated, but did not reach genome-wide significance levels. Genome-wide significant association of the HHIP locus with lung function was identified in the Framingham Heart study (Wilk et al., companion article in this issue of PLoS Genetics; doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000429). The CHRNA 3/5 and the HHIP loci make a significant contribution to the risk of COPD. CHRNA3/5 is the same locus that has been implicated in the risk of lung cancer