ALBERT

Description: Journal of Proteome Research DOI: 10.1021/pr4012798

Description: A versatile source of single photons for quantum information processing Nature Communications 4, 1818 (2013). doi:10.1038/ncomms2838 Authors: Michael Förtsch, Josef U. Fürst, Christoffer Wittmann, Dmitry Strekalov, Andrea Aiello, Maria V. Chekhova, Christine Silberhorn, Gerd Leuchs & Christoph Marquardt

Description: Abstract 1066 Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) induction (anti-switching therapy) is an effective therapeutic strategy in sickle cell disease (SCD), both for reducing acute complications such as painful episodes and acute chest syndrome, and decreasing hospitalizations and transfusion requirements. Long term use of the only approved anti-switching agent, hydroxyurea (HU) has also been shown to improve survival. Despite this, HU is still not widely prescribed, ∼30% of patients are non-responders, and there are concerns regarding long term use of this cytotoxic agent. There is, therefore, a clear need for alternative anti-switching agents with different mechanism(s) of action, that are not cytotoxic, and that could be used either alone, or in combination with HU to enhance Hb F response. HQK-1001, an orally bioavailable short-chain fatty acid, was shown to promote Hb F synthesis and prolong erythroid survival and proliferation in transgenic mice and non-human primate models. In a Phase 1/2, dose-escalation, placebo-controlled study in 24 patients with SCD, HQK-1001 given at 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks was well tolerated, showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics (PK), and resulted in dose-dependent increase in Hb F (A Kutlar et al, Blood 2010; 116: Abstract 943). This randomized open-label Phase 2 study is being conducted to evaluate the safety, PK, and effect on Hb F of HQK-1001 administered at a higher dose and for a longer duration than previously studied. Patients with SCD age 12 years and greater were randomized to receive HQK-1001 at 30 or 40 mg/kg daily for 26 weeks. Enrollment at the 50 mg/kg dose level was opened after the Safety Monitoring Committee conducted a planned interim safety data review of the first 12 patients treated for 4 weeks. HQK-1001 is administered as 900 mg tablets, and daily oral iron supplementation is given to patients with plasma ferritin levels less than 700 ng/mL. A minimum of 14 patients stratified 1-to-1 by HU use at baseline will be enrolled at each dose level. Between 25 April 2011 and 5 August 2011, 39 patients have been enrolled and received HQK-1001 at 30 mg/kg (n = 14), 40 mg/kg (n = 14), and 50 mg/kg (n = 11). Patients were enrolled in North America (n = 18), Lebanon (n = 15) and Egypt (n = 6). Median age was 22 years (range, 12–47) and 7 (18%) were less than 18 years old. There were 20 (51%) males and 19 (49%) females. Patients had either Hb-SS (n = 34) or Hb-Sβ0 (n = 5), and 25 (64%) were on HU at baseline and continued HU while on study. Four patients have discontinued HQK-1001 per protocol following a transfusion to treat a SCD complication. One patient discontinued HQK-1001 due to pancreatitis. This patient was found to have a stone in the common bile duct and subsequently died postoperatively from multiorgan failure. The most common adverse events considered by the investigator as possibly drug-related were nausea in 10 patients (26%), abdominal/epigastric pain, vomiting, and headache in 5 (13%) each, and somnolence and dizziness in 3 (8%) each. Drug-related adverse events were graded as mild or moderate except for 1 case each of pancreatitis and gastritis graded as severe. No myelosuppression was observed. Assessment of HQK-1001 effect on Hb F and hemoglobin (Hb) is limited due to short follow-up. In 19 patients in which baseline and Week 4 data are available, the mean value at baseline for Hb was 8.9 g/dL (range, 7.4–11.4) and for Hb F was 1.11 g/dL (range, 0.15–3.33). Eight patients had data available both for Weeks 4 and 8. On Week 8, total Hb increased from baseline by a mean of 0.3 g/dL (range, −0.7 to 1.2) and Hb F increased by a mean of 0.14 g/dL (range, −0.19 to 0.42). The figure reports individual changes in Hb F from baseline to Weeks 4 (dark bars) and Week 8 (light bars), with “X” denoting the 4 patients on HU, and shows an increase in Hb F in 7 of 8 patients for that period. Enrollment is expected to be completed in August 2011 and updated results will be available at the meeting. In conclusion, the safety profile of HQK-1001 is consistent with results reported in prior studies and shows no overlapping toxicity with HU. Hb F is apparently increased in 7 of 8 patients with data available at Week 8, and this increase is seen both in patients receiving HU or not. Longer follow-up is needed to fully assess the safety of HQK-1001 and the extent of its effect on Hb F, total Hb, and SCD-related events. Disclosures: Aiello: HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Johnson:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Employment. White:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Ghalie:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

Description: Background Idelalisib (IDELA) is a first-in-class, selective, oral inhibitor of PI3Kδ that reduces proliferation, enhances apoptosis, and inhibits homing and retention of malignant B cells in lymphoid tissues. Phase 1 trials demonstrated that IDELA is highly active as a single agent or in combination with rituximab (R) in heavily pretreated patients (pts) with CLL. Pts in these trials experienced reductions in disease-associated chemokines, improvement of organomegaly and cytopenias, profound reductions in lymphadenopathy, and durable clinical benefit with an acceptable safety profile (Brown 2013; Barrientos 2013). Patients with early progression and significant co-morbidities have limited treatment options; single-agent rituximab is an option in these pts (NCCN 2013; Zelenetz 2013). Methods This Phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of IDELA + R vs placebo + R in pts with previously treated CLL. Eligibility criteria included the need for treatment per IWCLL guidelines, measurable lymphadenopathy, and CLL progression 6), renal dysfunction, or cytopenias due to poor marrow reserve. All pts received R at 375 mg/m2 [1st dose] and then 500 mg/m2q2 wks x 4, followed by q4 wks x 3 [8 doses total]) and were randomized to Arm A (n=110; IDELA 150 mg BID continuously) or Arm B (n=110; placebo BID continuously). Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Response and progression in both arms were assessed by an independent review committee using standard criteria (Hallek 2008; Cheson 2012). Results were reviewed by an external Data Monitoring Committee (DMC). Results Results are from a pre-specified interim analysis after ∼50% of the total number of 119 planned events of CLL progression or death from any cause. Data cutoff was 30 Aug 2013. Pt characteristics (n=220) included a median age of 71 yrs (78% ≥ 65 yrs); CIRS 〉 6 in 85%; median creatinine clearance of 63.6 mL/min; and presence of anemia (73%), thrombocytopenia (61%), neutropenia (34%). Median time since diagnosis was 8.5 yrs, median number of prior therapies was 3 (range: 1-12), 44% had del(17p)/TP53 mutation, and 84% had unmutated IGHV. PFS in the IDELA + R arm was superior to placebo +R (HR [95% CI] = 0.15 [0.08, 0.28]; p = 3.0 x 1011). Median PFS of pts treated with IDELA + R was not reached and for placebo + R was 5.5 mos. At 24 wks, the PFS rate for IDELA +R was 93% compared to 46% for placebo + R. PFS strongly favored IDELA + R in all subgroups, including those with del(17p)/TP53 or unmutated IGHV. Pts treated with IDELA + R and with ≥1 post-baseline assessment also had a superior overall response rate (ORR) relative to those in the control arm (81% vs. 13%; odds ratio 29.9; p = 3.0 x 1019) and a higher lymph node response (LNR) rate (93% vs. 4%; odds ratio 264.5; p = 1.3 x 10-30). Relative to the control group, pts treated with IDELA +R also had a significant improvement in overall survival (OS): HR (95% CI) = 0.28 (0.09, 0.86), p = 0.018. Adverse events (AEs) occurring in ≥20% of pts (any Gr/Gr ≥3) by arm were: pyrexia (IDELA + R 29%/3%; placebo + R 16%/1%), fatigue (IDELA + R 24%/3%; placebo + R 27%/2%), nausea (IDELA + R 24%/0%; placebo + R 22%/0%), chills (IDELA + R 22%/2%; placebo + R 16%/0%), infusion-related reactions (IDELA + R 16%/0%; placebo + R 28%/4%), and cough (IDELA + R 15%/0%; placebo + R 25%/2%). Other selected AEs (any Gr/Gr ≥3) included diarrhea (IDELA + R 19%/4%; placebo + R 14%/0%) and rash (IDELA + R 10%/2%; placebo + R 6%/0%). Select lab abnormalities (any Gr/Gr ≥3) included ALT elevation (IDELA + R 31%/6%; placebo + R 9%/1%), anemia (IDELA + R 26%/6%; placebo + R 30%/14%), neutropenia (IDELA + R 55%/34%; placebo + R 49%/22%), and thrombocytopenia (IDELA + R 17%/10%; placebo + R 26%/16%). The most common SAEs were pneumonia (6.4%), pyrexia (6.4%), and febrile neutropenia (4.5%) in IDELA + R, and pneumonia (8.4%), febrile neutropenia (5.6%), and dyspnea (3.7%) in placebo + R. AEs led to study drug discontinuation in 9 pts (8.2%) in IDELA + R and 11 pts (10.3%) in placebo + R. Based on a review of efficacy and safety, the DMC recommended stopping the study early. Conclusions IDELA + R demonstrated statistically significant improvement with acceptable safety over placebo + R in PFS, ORR, LNR and OS in heavily pretreated pts with relapsed CLL, including those with adverse genetic features. Disclosures: Furman: Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Sharman:Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding. Coutre:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Cheson:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Pagel:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Hillmen:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Barrientos:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Zelenetz:Gilead Sciences: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Kipps:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Flinn:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Ghia:Gilead Sciences: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Eradat:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Ervin:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Lamanna:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Hallek:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Coiffier:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Pettitt:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Ma:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Stilgenbauer:Gilead Sciences: Honoraria, Research Funding. Aiello:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Johnson:Gilead Sciences: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miller:Gilead Sciences: Employment, Equity Ownership. Li:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Jahn:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Dansey:Gilead Sciences: Employment, Equity Ownership. O'Brien:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding.

Description: A large part of the European building Heritage is dated back over centuries. Consequently, its structural and thermal performances are often inadequate. Commonly, different interventions are proposed for solving these issues separately. However, reasonable drawbacks arise when the structural retrofitting requires a direct contact with the target-member while the insulation layer is potentially interposed in between. In this scenario, the present research proposes a novel and unique system able to guarantee both the energetic and the structural retrofitting. Inorganic Matrix Composites (IMCs) are a promising solution in this sense. Among them, the Fabric Reinforced Cementitous Matrix (FRCM) is one of the most used; or rather a composite made of a fabric (open grid or mesh) within an inorganic matrix (lime or cement based). Even if the inorganic matrix has a relevant thickness (if compared with the one of the fabric), its thermal resistance is insufficient. The novelty of this work consists in assessing a new geo-polymeric FRCM-system by combining fly-ash binder (reused material) and expanded glass aggregate (recycled material). Direct tensile tests, for measuring the tensile strength, ultimate strain and elastic modulus, were performed in addition to thermal conductivity tests. The results were compared with those of traditional FRCM (commercially available). The potentiality of the proposal for structural and energy retrofitting is discussed and examples of its possible application are also reported.

Description: In the present paper, an innovative, recently patented technique for the construction of a curved structural member without scaffolds is proposed and illustrated. It consists of a Hinged Lifting Arch (HLA), using Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bonded strips. In detail, a series of blocks are cut following an arch geometry and then aligned on the ground floor to bond a composite on their top surface. Moreover, impregnation of the polymeric adhesive is not allowed at the extremities of each block. The fiber sheet is applied continuously along the entire extrados. In this context, hinges are introduced, and the FRP-connected blocks can easily rotate in the opposite direction around the contact ends (i.e., hinges). Finally, the middle block is lifted up, and the arch takes the desired shape. Moreover, an analytical model is proposed and discussed for designing the proper aspect ratio of the blocks in order to ensure full mutual contact when the HLA is completely lifted. The advantages of the proposed technique relate to the absence of scaffolds and improved seismic strength against horizontal loads, thanks to the presence of the FRP, which limits the occurrence of hinges at the extrados.

Description: The enhanced post-cracking properties of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), as compared to plain concrete (PC), are extensively proven by many experimental findings. However, still limited experimental data are available on the behavior of such materials in long-term conditions and durability. This paper shows results from a study lasting for about seven years, which was for a final discussion on the behavior in the short and long-term of steel and polyester FRC beams with conventional steel reinforcement, after being exposed to sustained service loading and natural environmental agents for 72 months. After 28 days of curing in laboratory conditions, the beams were moved to the exposure site and loaded up to service conditions. The evolution of the crack pattern was monitored and recorded over time. After this long exposure the beams were subjected to a four point bending test in order to evaluate their residual mechanical behavior. Eventually, the beams were cut, in order to carry out durability tests for the evaluation of the carbonation depth and chloride penetration. The experimental results highlight the favorable effects of short fibers in reducing crack width and enhancing flexural stiffness. The presence of short structural fibers appears also to play a useful role in delaying creep effects inside the concrete beams. Finally, the experimental cracking behavior is compared with the one computed by applying the fib Model Code 2010 for the bearing capacity and crack width prediction.