Detection of arterial pressure waveform error using machine learning trained algorithms.

In critically ill and high-risk surgical room patients, an invasive arterial catheter is often inserted to continuously measure arterial pressure (AP). The arterial waveform pressure measurement, however, may be compromised by damping or inappropriate reference placement of the pressure transducer. Clinicians, decision support systems, or closed-loop applications that rely on such information would benefit from the ability to detect error from the waveform alone. In the present study we hypothesized that machine-learning trained algorithms could discriminate three types of transducer error from accurate monitoring with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve areas greater than 0.9. After obtaining written consent, patient arterial line waveform data was collected in the operating room in real-time during routine surgery requiring arterial pressure monitoring. Three deliberate error conditions were introduced during monitoring: Damping, Transducer High, and Transducer Low. The waveforms were split up into 10 s clips that were featurized. The data was also either calibrated against the patient's own baseline or left uncalibrated. The data was then split into training and validation sets, and machine-learning algorithms were run in a Monte-Carlo fashion on the training data with variable sized training sets and hyperparameters. The algorithms with the highest balanced accuracy were pruned, then the highest performing algorithm in the training set for each error state (High, Low, Damped) for both calibrated and uncalibrated data was finally tested against the validation set and the ROC and precision-recall curve area-under the curve (AUC) calculated. 38 patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 52 ± 15 years. A total of 40 h of monitoring time was recorded with approximately 120,000 heart beats featurized. For all error states, ROC AUCs for algorithm performance on classification of the state were greater than 0.9; when using patient-specific calibrated data AUCs were 0.94, 0.95, and 0.99 for the transducer low, transducer high, and damped conditions respectively. Machine-learning trained algorithms were able to discriminate arterial line transducer error states from the waveform alone with a high degree of accuracy.

Phase 1 study of selinexor plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Selinexor, an oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export, targets Exportin 1 (XPO1, also termed CRM1). Non-clinical studies support combining selinexor with proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and corticosteroids to overcome resistance in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We conducted a phase I dose-escalation trial of twice-weekly selinexor in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (SKd) to determine maximum tolerated dose in patients with RRMM (N = 21), with an expansion cohort to assess activity in carfilzomib-refractory disease and identify a recommended phase II dose (RP2D). During dose escalation, there was one dose-limiting toxicity (cardiac failure). The RP2D of twice-weekly SKd was selinexor 60 mg, carfilzomib 20/27 mg/m2 and dexamethasone 20 mg. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events included thrombocytopenia (71%), anaemia (33%), lymphopenia (33%), neutropenia (33%) and infections (24%). Rates of ≥minimal response, ≥partial response and very good partial response were 71%, 48% and 14%, respectively; similar response outcomes were observed for dual-class refractory (PI and immunomodulatory drug)/quad-exposed (carfilzomib, bortezomib, lenalidomide and pomalidomide) patients (n = 17), and patients refractory to carfilzomib in last line of therapy (n = 13). Median progression-free survival was 3·7 months, and overall survival was 22·4 months in the overall population. SKd was tolerable and re-established disease control in RRMM patients, including carfilzomib-refractory patients. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02199665).

Accelerated repair of demyelinated CNS lesions in the absence of non-muscle myosin IIB.

The oligodendrocyte (OL), the myelinating cell of the central nervous system, undergoes dramatic changes in the organization of its cytoskeleton as it differentiates from a precursor (oligodendrocyte precursor cells) to a myelin-forming cell. These changes include an increase in its branching cell processes, a phenomenon necessary for OL to myelinate multiple axon segments. We have previously shown that levels and activity of non-muscle myosin II (NMII), a regulator of cytoskeletal contractility, decrease as a function of differentiation and that inhibition of NMII increases branching and myelination of OL in coculture with neurons. We have also found that mixed glial cell cultures derived from NMIIB knockout mice display an increase in mature myelin basic protein-expressing OL compared with wild-type cultures. We have now extended our studies to investigate the role of NMIIB ablation on myelin repair following focal demyelination by lysolecithin. To this end, we generated an oligodendrocyte-specific inducible knockout model using a Plp-driven promoter in combination with a temporally activated CRE-ER fusion protein. Our data indicate that conditional ablation of NMII in adult mouse brain, expedites lesion resolution and remyelination by Plp+ oligodendrocyte-lineage cells when compared with that observed in control brains. Taken together, these data validate the function of NMII as that of a negative regulator of OL myelination in vivo and provide a novel target for promoting myelin repair in conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Serotonin transporter polymorphism interacts with childhood adversity to predict aspects of impulsivity.

The serotonin transporter polymorphism has been linked--often in interaction with environmental adversity--to a variety of outcomes, including affective disorders. This polymorphism is widely viewed as relating to anxiety traits. A different view is that it relates instead to impulsivity (vs. control) in reacting to emotions. In a test of the latter view, 303 students were genotyped on this polymorphism and completed self-reports bearing on impulsive reactions to emotions (including both negative and positive emotions in separate measures), impulsive tendencies that do not stem from emotions, and childhood adversity. The impulsivity measures reflected three latent variables: pervasive influence of feelings, feelings (including positive feelings) triggering action, and failure to carry through on intentions (with no mention of emotion). Interactions between genotype and adversity emerged for both emotion-related aspects of impulsivity. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

Lamotrigine plus quetiapine combination therapy in treatment-resistant bipolar depression.

BACKGROUND: Lamotrigine and quetiapine are commonly used in bipolar disorder, but there are no published systematic studies of their use in combination for treatment-resistant bipolar depression. METHODS: We studied 39 trials in outpatients (15 with bipolar I disorder, 22 with bipolar II disorder, and 1 with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified; 1 patient had 2 trials) with depression resistant to quetiapine or lamotrigine who were taking a mean of 1.7 other prescription psychotropic medications. Patients were given either open-label lamotrigine or quetiapine naturalistically, for up to 12 weeks of combination therapy. RESULTS: Lamotrigine (mean dose, 204.2 mg/d) plus quetiapine (mean dose, 188.5 mg/d) increased the euthymia rate (0.0% to 46.2%), decreased syndromal (79.5% to 30.8%) and subsyndromal (20.5% to 15.4%) depression rates, and improved Clinical Global Impression-Severity (mean change, -1.0) and Global Assessment of Functioning (mean change, +5.9) scores. Approximately one-fifth of patients discontinued therapy (20.5%) or required subsequent additional pharmacotherapy (20.5%). Only 10.3% discontinued due to adverse effects, and there was no significant change in mean body weight. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this uncontrolled open pilot study must be viewed with caution. However, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are warranted to confirm the possibility that combination therapy with lamotrigine and quetiapine is effective and well tolerated in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression.

Do positive emotions predict symptomatic change in bipolar disorder?

OBJECTIVES: Bipolar disorder is associated with positive emotion disturbance, though it is less clear which specific positive emotions are affected. METHODS: The present study examined differences among distinct positive emotions in recovered bipolar disorder (BD) patients (n = 55) and nonclinical controls (NC) (n = 32) and whether they prospectively predicted symptom severity in patients with BD. At baseline, participants completed self-report measures of several distinct trait positive emotions. Structured assessments of diagnosis and current mood symptoms were obtained for BD participants. At a six-month follow-up, a subset of BD participants' (n = 39) symptoms were reassessed. RESULTS: BD participants reported lower joy, compassion, love, awe, and contentment compared to NC participants. BD and NC participants did not differ in pride or amusement. For BD participants, after controlling for baseline symptom severity, joy and amusement predicted increased mania severity, and compassion predicted decreased mania severity at the six-month follow-up. Furthermore, amusement predicted increased depression severity and pride predicted decreased severity of depression. Awe, love, and contentment did not predict symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with a growing literature highlighting the importance of positive emotion in the course of bipolar disorder.

Effectiveness of lamotrigine in bipolar disorder in a clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess lamotrigine effectiveness in bipolar disorder (BD) patients in a clinical setting. METHOD: Open lamotrigine was naturalistically administered to outpatients at the Stanford University BD Clinic assessed with the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD (STEP-BD) Affective Disorders Evaluation, and monitored longitudinally with the STEP-BD Clinical Monitoring Form. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-seven patients (64 BD I, 110 BD II, 21 BD NOS, 2 Schizoaffective Bipolar Type, mean+/-SD age 42.2+/-14.4 years, 62% female) had 200 trials of lamotrigine. Lamotrigine was combined with a mean of 2.1+/-1.5 other psychotropic medications, most often during euthymia or depressive symptoms. Mean lamotrigine duration was 434+/-444 days, and mean final dose was 236+/-132mg/day without valproate, and 169+/-137mg/day with valproate. Lamotrigine was discontinued in only 26.5% of trials at 255+/-242 days, most often due to inefficacy, and seldom due to adverse effects. In 31.5% of trials lamotrigine was continued 264+/-375 days with no subsequent psychotropic added. In 42.0% of trials lamotrigine was continued 674+/-479 days, but had subsequent psychotropic added at 146+/-150 days, most often for anxiety/insomnia and depressive symptoms. In 145 trials started at Stanford, lamotrigine primarily yielded relief of depressive symptoms or maintained euthymia. In 55 trials in which lamotrigine was started prior to Stanford, lamotrigine primarily maintained euthymia. Lamotrigine was generally well tolerated, with no serious rash, and only 3.5% discontinuing due to benign rash. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of bipolar disorder outpatients commonly with comorbid conditions, and most often receiving complex combination therapy, lamotrigine had a low (26.5%, with an overall mean duration of treatment of 434 days) discontinuation rate, suggesting effectiveness in BD in a clinical setting.

Long-term effectiveness of quetiapine in bipolar disorder in a clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess quetiapine effectiveness in bipolar disorder (BD) patients in a clinical setting. METHODS: We naturalistically administered open quetiapine to outpatients assessed with the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD (STEP-BD) Affective Disorders Evaluation, and monitored longitudinally with the STEP-BD Clinical Monitoring Form. RESULTS: 96 patients (36 BD I, 50 BD II, 9 BD NOS, 1 Schizoaffective Bipolar Type, mean ± SD age 42.3 ± 13.8 years, 66.7% female) received quetiapine, combined with an average of 2.5 (in 66.7% of patients at least 2) other psychotropic medications and 0.9 non-psychotropic medications, started most often during depressive symptoms (53.1%) or euthymia (37.5%). Mean quetiapine duration and final dose were 385 days and 196 mg/day (50.0% of patients took ≤75 mg/day). Quetiapine was discontinued in 38.5% of trials, after on average 307 days, most often (in 19.8%) due to CNS adverse effects (primarily sedation). In 38.5% of trials quetiapine was continued on average 328 days with no subsequent psychotropic added. In 22.9% quetiapine was continued on average 613 days, but had subsequent psychotropic added after on average 113 days, most often for depressive symptoms. In 67 trials started at Stanford, quetiapine tended to primarily maintain euthymia and relieve depressive symptoms. In 29 trials started prior to Stanford, continuing quetiapine tended to primarily maintain euthymia and relieve mood elevation symptoms. Aside from sedation, quetiapine was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: In bipolar disorder outpatients quetiapine had a moderate (38.5%, with 385-day mean duration) discontinuation rate, and commonly did not require subsequent additional pharmacotherapy, suggesting effectiveness in a clinical setting.