Probiotic Beverage Containing Lactobacillus casei

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic beverage on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation

Optimizing Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) using Bayesian Experimental Design

Nuclear Reaction Analysis with ${}^{3}$He holds the promise to measure Deuterium depth profiles up to large depths. However, the extraction of the depth profile from the measured data is an ill-posed inversion problem. Here we demonstrate how Bayesian Experimental Design can be used to optimize the number of measurements as well as the measurement energies to maximize the information gain. Comparison of the inversion properties of the optimized design with standard settings reveals huge possible gains. Application of the posterior sampling method allows to optimize the experimental settings interactively during the measurement process.Comment: Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Conference 2008, AIP Conference proceedings 1073, p. 348-358, 4 figure

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Detection of systemic immunosuppressants in autologous serum eye drops (ASED) in patients with severe chronic ocular graft versus host disease

Abstract Purpose Chronic graft versus host disease is a major consequence after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and has great impact on patients’ morbidity and mortality. Besides the skin, liver, and intestines, the eyes are most commonly affected, manifesting as severe ocular surface disease. Treatment protocols include topical steroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and ASED. Since these patients often receive systemic immunosuppressant therapy from their oncologists, a topical re-administration of these drugs via ASED with potentially beneficial or harmful effects is possible. The purpose of the study was to determine whether and to which extent systemic immunosuppressants are detectable in ASED. Methods A total of 34 samples of ASED from 16 patients with hemato-oncological malignancies after allo-SCT were collected during the manufacturing process and screened for levels of cyclosporine, mycophenolic acid, everolimus, and tacrolimus via liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The study followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and informed consent was obtained from the subjects after explanation of the nature and possible consequences of the study. Results Cyclosporine was found in 18 ASED samples in concentrations ranging from 6.5–105.0 ng/ml (32.0 ± 22.8 ng/ml, mean ± SD). The concentration range of mycophenolic acid in 19 samples was 0.04–25.0 mg/l (4.0 ± 5.4 mg/l, mean ± SD). Everolimus and tacrolimus concentrations were well below the respective limits of quantification (&lt; 0.6 and &lt; 0.5 ng/ml) of the established LC-MS/MS method in all samples. Conclusions Our study suggests that orally administered cyclosporine and mycophenolic acid for the treatment of systemic GvHD, but not everolimus and tacrolimus, are distinctly detectable in ASED in relevant concentrations. It is highly likely that these agents affect topical therapy of ocular GvHD. However, the extent of this effect needs to be evaluated in further studies. </jats:sec

Abstract 17: Preclinical and phase 1 trial results of JI-101, a novel, oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively targets VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFRβ

Abstract Introduction JI-101 is a highly selective and potent angiogenesis inhibitor with unique EphB4 activity that distinguishes it from other agents in clinical development. We report the preclinical pharmacology and early clinical experience with this compound. Procedures Lead optimization was used to identify cgi1842 (now JI-101) with a targeted activity profile that is selective and unique. JI-101 was tested in binding, enzymatic, and cell-based assays for activity against kinase and non-kinase targets. Preclinical in vivo testing for PK, PD, efficacy, and safety pharmacology was performed in mouse, rat, guinea pig, and dog. A Phase I clinical trial is underway: 12 patients have been treated thus far with 28-day oral daily dosing at 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg QD or at 200 mg BID. PK, PD, and imaging analyses have been performed. Data JI-101 has a MW of 466D and high (&amp;lt;100 nm) potency against VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFR in enzymatic and cell-based assays. Broad kinase cross-screening (Ambit KinomeScan, 445 kinases) reveals that JI-101 is highly selective for angiogenic kinases with only 23 kinases demonstrating a Kd 15). JI-101 was co-administered with paclitaxel in a MDA-MB-231 mouse xenotransplant model, resulting in greater efficacy and no increased toxicity. Based on 28-day GLP toxicology studies conducted in rat and dog, a 100 mg qd starting dose (2 × 50 mg capsules) was chosen for Phase I studies. JI-101 appears to be very well-tolerated to date with no dose limiting toxicities. Patients have received 1-9 cycles with most receiving multiple cycles and 5 remain on study at 100 mg (1 pt), 200 mg (1 pt), and 400 mg (3 pt). Manageable hypertension has been seen in all cohorts indicating a possible PD effect. Hand-foot syndrome of short duration was seen at the 400mg dose level. Further clinical details of the PK, PD, tolerability and efficacy of JI-101 will be presented. Conclusions JI-101 potently inhibits 3 critical angiogenic kinases (VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFR) and is the only such “triple” angiogenesis inhibitor currently in development. JI-101 shows robust preclinical and clinical pharmacology and is well-tolerated to date in human trials. In tumors where EphB4 may play an oncogenic role, such as head and neck cancer, JI-101 may have anti-proliferative effects in addition to anti-angiogenic effects and should be amenable to combination therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 17.</jats:p

Abstract B11: Preclinical and preliminary phase 1 trial results of JI-101: A novel, oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively targets VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFR

Abstract Introduction: JI-101 is a highly selective and potent angiogenesis inhibitor with unique EphB4 activity that distinguishes it from other agents in clinical development. We report the preclinical pharmacology and early clinical experience with this compound. Procedures: Lead optimization was used to identify cgi1842 (now JI-101) with a targeted activity profile that is selective and unique. JI-101 was tested in binding, enzymatic, and cell-based assays for activity against kinase and non-kinase targets. Preclinical in vivo testing for PK, PD, efficacy, and safety pharmacology was performed in mouse, rat, guinea pig, and dog. A Phase I clinical trial is underway: 9 patients, 3/cohort, are being treated with 28-day oral daily dosing at 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg. PK, PD, and imaging analyses are being performed. Data: JI-101 has a MW of 466D and high (&amp;lt;100 nm) potency against VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFR in enzymatic and cell-based assays. Broad kinase cross-screening (Ambit KinomeScan, 445 kinases) reveals that JI-101 is highly selective for angiogenic kinases with only 23 kinases demonstrating a Kd 15). JI-101 was co-administered with paclitaxel in a MDA-MB-231 mouse xenotransplant model, resulting in greater efficacy and no increased toxicity. Based on 28-day GLP toxicology studies conducted in rat and dog, a 100 mg qd starting dose (2 × 50 mg capsules) was chosen for Phase I studies. JI-101 appears to be very well-tolerated to date with no dose limiting toxicities. Patients have received 1–8 cycles and 5 remain on study at 100 mg (1 pt), 200 mg (1 pt), and 400 mg (3 pt). Manageable hypertension has been seen in all cohorts indicating a possible PD effect. Further clinical details of the PK, PD, tolerability and efficacy of JI-101 will be presented. Conclusions: JI-101 potently inhibits 3 critical angiogenic kinases (VEGFR2, EphB4, and PDGFR) and is the only such “triple” angiogenesis inhibitor currently in development. JI-101 shows robust preclinical and clinical pharmacology and is well-tolerated to date in human trials. In tumors where EphB4 may play an oncogenic role, such as head and neck cancer, JI-101 may have anti-proliferative effects in addition to anti-angiogenic effects and should be amenable to combination therapy. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B11.</jats:p