Efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bimekizumab, a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody targeting both interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, could be effective for treating Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the management of PsA. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search by August 2023 was performed through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. investigating the efficacy or safety data of bimekizumab in the treatment of PsA. Data was pooled using the random-effects models. Egger tests were used to evaluate potential publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 4 RCTs, involving 892 PsA patients and 467 placebo controls, were included in this analysis. Bimekizumab significantly increased the rates of PASI75 and PASI100 compared with placebos [RR = 7.22, 95% CI (5.24, 9.94), p < 0.001; RR = 10.12, 95% CI (6.00, 17.09), p < 0.001]. The rate of overall adverse events was slightly higher in the bimekizumab group [RR = 1.42, 95% CI (1.05, 1.93) p = 0.023). However, there were fewer adverse severe drug reactions in the bimekizumab group compared to the placebo. CONCLUSION: Bimekizumab had a significant clinical benefit in managing PsA and an acceptable safety profile.

Design of off-axis aspheric four-mirror non-axial mechanical zoom optical system with large relative aperture.

A large relative aperture is essential to improve the spatial resolution of zoom systems. To overcome the limitations of the existing off-axis reflective mechanical zoom system with a low zoom rate and a small relative aperture, this paper proposes a non-axis movement method for increasing the degrees of freedom. On the basis of nodal aberration theory, passive eccentricity is changed into active eccentricity to achieve wave aberration balance in the multiple structures of the zoom imaging system. An off-axis aspherical four-mirror non-axial mechanical zoom optical system is designed and fabricated. The prototype has been successfully processed and assembled with the help of computer-aided alignment technology. The prototype's F-number is 4 and zoom ratio is 4.57:1. Experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed method.

Multi-key optical encryption based on two-channel incoherent scattering imaging.

Optical encryption has been extensively researched in the field of information security due to its characteristics of being parallel and multi-dimensionsal. However, most of the proposed multiple-image encryption systems suffer from a cross-talk problem. Here, we propose a multi-key optical encryption method based on a two-channel incoherent scattering imaging. In the encryption process, plaintexts are coded by the random phase mask (RPM) in each channel and then coupled by an incoherent superposition to form the output ciphertexts. In the decryption process, the plaintexts, keys, and ciphertexts, are treated as a system of two linear equations with two unknowns. By utilizing the principles of linear equations, the issue of cross-talk can be mathematically resolved. The proposed method enhances the security of the cryptosystem through the quantity and order of the keys. Specifically, the key space is significantly expanded by removing the requirement of uncorrected keys. This approach provides a superior method that can be easily implemented in various application scenarios.

Frequency-domain compression imaging for extending the field of view of infrared thermometers.

We propose a computational imaging technique for expanding the field of view of infrared thermometers. The contradiction between the field of view and the focal length has always been a chief problem for researchers, especially in infrared optical systems. Large-area infrared detectors are expensive and technically arduous to be manufactured, which enormously limits the performance of the infrared optical system. On the other hand, the extensive use of infrared thermometers in COVID-19 has created a considerable demand for infrared optical systems. Therefore, improving the performance of infrared optical systems and increasing the utilization of infrared detectors is vital. This work proposes a multi-channel frequency-domain compression imaging method based on point spread function (PSF) engineering. Compared with conventional compressed sensing, the submitted method images once without an intermediate image plane. Furthermore, phase encoding is used without loss of illumination of the image surface. These facts can significantly reduce the volume of the optical system and improve the energy efficiency of the compressed imaging system. Therefore, its application in COVID-19 is of great value. We design a dual-channel frequency-domain compression imaging system to verify the proposed method's feasibility. Then, the wavefront coded PSF and optical transfer function (OTF) are used, and the two-step iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TWIST) algorithm is used to restore the image to get the final result. This compression imaging method provides a new idea for the large field of view monitoring systems, especially in infrared optical systems.

Incidence and risk factors for recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: To systematically review the incidence and risk factors for recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBMdisc, Wanfang, and Weipu for case-control studies related to recurrent FSGS from the establishment until October 2022. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022315448). Data were analyzed using Stata 12.0, with odds ratios (counting data) and standardized mean difference (continuous data) being considered as effect sizes. If the I2 value was greater than 50%, the random-effects model was used; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. A meta-analysis on the incidence and risk factors for recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation was performed. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies with 966 patients and 12 factors were included in the meta-analysis. There were 358 patients with recurrent FSGS and 608 patients without FSGS after kidney transplantation. The results showed that the recurrence rate of FSGS after kidney transplantation was 38% (95% CI: 31%-44%). Age at transplantation (SMD = -0.47, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.20, p = .001), age at onset (SMD = -0.31, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.08, p = .008), time from diagnosis to kidney failure (SMD = -0.24, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.04, p = .018), proteinuria before KT (SMD = 2.04, 95% CI 0.91 - 3.17, p < .001), related donor (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.20 - 3.30, p = .007) and nephrectomy of native kidneys (OR 6.53, 95% CI 2.68 - 15.92, p < .001) were associated with recurrent FSGS, whereas HLA mismatches, duration of dialysis before KT, sex, living donor, tacrolimus use and previous transplantation were not associated with recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of FSGS after kidney transplantation remains high. Clinical decision-making should warrant further consideration of these factors, including age, original disease progression, proteinuria, related donor, and nephrectomy of native kidneys.

Bacterial distribution and drug resistance in blood samples in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 2018-2020 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To understand the distribution and drug resistance of bacteria in clinical blood culture specimens in Ningxia in recent years, and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of bloodstream infection diseases. 　　　Methods　The blood culture isolation bacteria and drug resistance of Ningxia bacterial resistance monitoring network hospitals from 2018 to 2020 were statistically analyzed by WHONET5.6 software. Results　In the past three years, a total of 6 757 strains of bacteria were isolated from blood samples, including 3 697 strains (54.7%) of gram-negative bacteria and 3 060 (45.3%) of gram-positive bacteria. Among the gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (2 074 strains,30.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (696 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (139 strains), and Acinetobacter baumannii (121 strains). Among the gram-positive bacteria, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (1 691 strains,25.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (442 strains), Streptococcus spp. (431 strains), Enterococcus spp. (379 strains). Resistance to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 56.6% and 22.6% against third-generation cephalosporins, and resistance to carbapenems was 1.0% and 3.7%, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were resistant to carbapenems at 9.0%（12/139） and 80.7%（71/121）. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected at 26.8%, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was detected at 70%, and no Staphylococcus bacteria resistant to vancomycin and linezolid were found. For three years, only 1 strain of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis was detected, and no linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus and Enterococcus were detected. Conclusions　Ningxia clinical blood specimen isolates of Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are more common. Among them, the resistance rate of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to the third generation of cephalosporins is relatively stable, and the resistance rate to carbapenems is low. Acinetobacter baumannii is highly resistant to carbapenems, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus detection rates are on the rise and should be closely monitored.

The Novel Modafinil Analog, JJC8-016, as a Potential Cocaine Abuse Pharmacotherapeutic.

(±)Modafinil ((±)MOD) and its R-enantiomer (R-modafinil; R-MOD) have been investigated for their potential as treatments for psychostimulant addiction. We recently reported a series of (±)MOD analogs, of which JJC8-016 (N-(2-((bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)thio)ethyl)-3-phenylpropan-1-amine) was selected for further development. JJC8-016 and R-MOD were evaluated for binding across ~70 receptors, transporters, and enzymes. Although at a concentration of 10 µM, there were many hits for JJC8-016, binding affinities in the range of its DAT affinity were only observed at the serotonin transporter (SERT), dopamine D2-like, and sigma1 receptors. R-MOD was more selective, but had much lower affinity at the DAT (Ki=3 µM) than JJC8-016 (Ki=116 nM). In rats, systemic administration of R-MOD alone (10-30 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently increased locomotor activity and electrical brain-stimulation reward, whereas JJC8-016 (10-30 mg/kg i.p.) did not produce these effects. Strikingly, pretreatment with JJC8-016 dose-dependently inhibited cocaine-enhanced locomotion, cocaine self-administration, and cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior, whereas R-MOD inhibited cocaine-induced reinstatement only at the high dose of 100 mg/kg. Notably, JJC8-016 alone neither altered extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens nor maintained self-administration. It also failed to induce reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. These findings suggest that JJC8-016 is a unique DAT inhibitor that has no cocaine-like abuse potential by itself. Moreover, pretreatment with JJC8-016 significantly inhibits cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking behavior likely by interfering with cocaine binding to DAT. In addition, off-target actions may also contribute to its potential therapeutic utility in the treatment of cocaine abuse.