Abstract
We introduce the Automatic Learning for the Rapid Classification of Events (ALeRCE) broker, an astronomical alert broker designed to provide a rapid and self-consistent classification of ...large etendue telescope alert streams, such as that provided by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and, in the future, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). ALeRCE is a Chilean-led broker run by an interdisciplinary team of astronomers and engineers working to become intermediaries between survey and follow-up facilities. ALeRCE uses a pipeline that includes the real-time ingestion, aggregation, cross-matching, machine-learning (ML) classification, and visualization of the ZTF alert stream. We use two classifiers: a stamp-based classifier, designed for rapid classification, and a light curve–based classifier, which uses the multiband flux evolution to achieve a more refined classification. We describe in detail our pipeline, data products, tools, and services, which are made public for the community (see
https://alerce.science
). Since we began operating our real-time ML classification of the ZTF alert stream in early 2019, we have grown a large community of active users around the globe. We describe our results to date, including the real-time processing of 1.5 × 10
8
alerts, the stamp classification of 3.4 × 10
7
objects, the light-curve classification of 1.1 × 10
6
objects, the report of 6162 supernova candidates, and different experiments using LSST-like alert streams. Finally, we discuss the challenges ahead in going from a single stream of alerts such as ZTF to a multistream ecosystem dominated by LSST.
Abstract Introduction Liver transplantation (OLT) is considered the most efficient therapeutic option for patients with liver cirrhosis and early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of ...overall survival and recurrence rates, when restrictive selection criteria are applied. Nevertheless, tumor recurrence may occur in 3.5% to 21% of recipients. It usually occurs within 2 years following OLT, having a major negative impact on prognosis. The efficacy of active posttransplantation surveillance for recurrence has not been demonstrated, due to the poor prognosis of recipients with recurrences. Aim To analyze the clinical, pathological, and prognostic consequences of late recurrence (>5 years after OLT). Method We analyzed the clinical records of 165 HCC patients including 142 males of overall mean age of 58 ± 6.9 years who underwent OLT between July 1994 and August 2011. Results Overall survival was 84%, 76%, 66.8%, and 57% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Tumor recurrence, which was observed in 18 (10.9%) recipients, was a major predictive factor for survival: its rates were 72.2%, 53.3%, 26.7%, and 10% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. HCC recurrence was detected in 77.8% of patients within the first 3 years after OLT. Three recipients (100% males, aged 54–60 years) showed late recurrences after 7, 9, and 10 years. In only one case were Milan criteria surpassed after the examination of explanted liver; no vascular invasion was detected in any case. Recurrence sites were peritoneal, intrahepatic, and subcutaneous abdominal wall tissue. In all cases, immunosuppression was switched from a calcineurin-inhibitor to a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. We surgically resected the extrahepatic recurrences. The remaining recipient was treated with transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting beads and sorafenib. Prognosis after diagnosis of recurrence was poor with median a survival of 278 days (range, 114–704). Conclusions Global survival, recurrence rate, and pattern of recurrence were similar to previously reported data. Nevertheless, in three patients recurrence was diagnosed >5 years after OLT. Although recurrence was limited and surgically removed in two cases, disease-free survival was poor. Thus, prolonged active surveillance for HCC recurrence beyond 5 years after OLT may be not useful to provide a survival benefit for these patients.
Abstract Liver transplantation is considered to be the most efficient therapeutic option for patients with liver cirrhosis and early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of overall survival ...and recurrence rate. The application of restrictive selection criteria based on tumor size and number of nodules is advised to obtain optimal results. Nevertheless, tumor recurrence occurs in 3.5% to 21% of recipients, despite careful pretransplant staging and patient selection. Post transplant recurrence of hepatocarcinoma clearly has a major negative impact on prognosis. Intuitively, an immunosupressed state is undesirable in cancer patients. Inversely, modulation or minimization of immunosuppressive therapy could influence tumor progression and reduce the negative impact of recurrence on posttransplant survival. Experimental evidence shows that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects. Thus, their application has been proposed as antineoplastic agents for immunosuppressive protocols in liver transplant recipients with HCC and may reduce the rate or the impact of tumor recurrence. Clinical data about efficacy and safety of mTOR-based immunosuppressant protocols in liver transplant recipients with HCC show promising results, namely low recurrence and higher survival rates compared with standard calcineurin inhibitor–based immunosuppressive protocols, even among patients with extended morphological criteria. The safety profile is regarded generally as adequate.
Abstract
Background
Few small studies have assessed the efficacy of topical therapy with tacrolimus in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of our study was to evaluate its effectiveness ...and safety in a real-world setting.
Methods
A multicenter observational retrospective study at 25 Spanish GETECCU hospitals was performed. Adult patients with UC who received topical tacrolimus from January 2009 to January 2023 were eligible. Inclusion criteria were proctitis, left-sided, or extensive colitis with persistent distal colonic activity confirmed endoscopically during the previous 3 months. Clinical and biochemical data were collected at baseline, week 4, 8 and 54. Tacrolimus trough levels were evaluated in week 4 and 8. Primary outcome was clinical response at week 8, defined as a ≥3 points or ≥30% decrease of partial Mayo score with ≥1point reduction in the bleeding score. Mean partial mayo scores were compared using the t-test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
106 patients, 59 (55.6%) males, median age 48.7 years (IQR:39.9-59.7), received rectal tacrolimus during a median of 9.7 weeks (IQR:5-18.7). Sixty-four patients (60.4%) received suppositories, 41 (38.7%) enemas and 1 patient an ointment (0.9%). Thirty (28.3%) were patients with proctitis, 45 (42.4%) with left colitis and 31 (29.2%) with extensive colitis. At baseline, 54 patients (50.9%) received concomitant biological/small molecules therapy, while 14 patients received immunomodulators. Most common dose was 2 mg (84%) Q24H (71.7%).
A significant decrease in mean partial mayo score was observed at week 4 and 8 (figure 1). Clinical response at week 8 was achieved in 63 patients (66.3%) and clinical remission in 42 (44.2%). 32 patients (33.7%) were non-responder at week 8. Clinical response and remission at week 4 were achieved in 56 (57.7%) and 33 (34.4%), respectively. Clinical response at week 8 was similar between the group with concomitant biological therapy and without (64.6.9% vs 68.1%, p=0.8). Clinical response at week 8 was similar among different extensions (proctitis: 55.6%; left colitis: 80%; extensive colitis 57.1%; p=0.052). Clinical outcomes are detailed in table 1.
Median tacrolimus trough levels at week 4 was 3.4 ng/ml (IQR 1.5-6.7) and 2.9 ng/ml (IQR 1.5-6) at week 8.
Adverse events were detected in 21 patients (19.8%), Thirteen were graded as mild and 8 moderate. Treatment was ceased due to adverse events in 11 (10.4%) patients.
Conclusion
Topical tacrolimus is effective in UC achieving clinical response in more than sixty percent at week 8 with even lower doses than reported in clinical trials. Adverse events reported in nearly 20% of patients were mostly mild.
Abstract
Background
Approximately one half of the patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) develop intestinal strictures during their lifetime. The effectiveness of currently approved drugs in ...fibrosis-predominant lesions is very limited. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of anti-TNF therapy in CD complicated by symptomatic intestinal strictures in a real-world setting.
Methods
We included adult patients with symptomatic stricturing CD receiving their first-line anti-TNF therapy. Strictures were defined as constant luminal narrowing with pre-stenotic dilatation. We excluded those patients with previous anti-TNF exposure, surgery or endoscopic therapy of the stenosis. The effectiveness of the anti-TNF was defined as a composite outcome combining the persistence of the treatment and without dose or frequency intensification, with no new immunomodulators, surgery or endoscopic therapy during follow-up. A multivariate Cox regression was performed and the final multivariate model was determined using a backward procedure.
Results
A total of 262 patients from 32 sites were included (141 received infliximab and 121 adalimumab). The median number of stenosis per patient was 1 (range 1–9). The treatment was effective in 81% and 59% of patients after 6 and 12 months, respectively, while this outcome was fulfilled by 21% after a median of 40 months (IQR, 19–85). During follow-up, anti-TNF therapy required a dose or frequency adjustment in 39% of patients, 12% required a new immunomodulator or endoscopic therapy in 4%. The proportion of subjects requiring surgery was 15% and 21% after 1 and 2 years, respectively, with an overall rate of surgery of 32%. Infliximab was associated with a higher rate of surgery as compared with adalimumab (OR 1.78; 95% CI, 1,025-3,09). A shorter time since the diagnosis of CD or the stricture and the initiation of anti-TNF therapy was associated with a greater effectiveness at 6 and 12 months (HR 0.99 95% CI 0.99–1, p = 0.045; HR 0.99 95% CI 0.99–0.99, p = 0.015; HR 0.98 95% CI 0.96–0.99, p = 0.024; HR 0.99 95% CI 0.98–1.0, p = 0.046; respectively). In the survival analysis, younger age, lower albumin levels at baseline, strictures being located in the descending colon, concomitant use of mesalamine and the presence of ulcers or lymphadenopathy at the stricture were associated with lower effectiveness. The anti-TNF agent was discontinued in 131 patients (50%), and 88 subjects (34%) required a switch to a new biologic.
Conclusion
Anti-TNF agents are effective in approximately 20% of patients with CD complicated with symptomatic strictures. Early introduction of anti-TNF therapy improves the effectiveness in the short term in these patients. Some clinical and radiological predictors can identify patients with a lower probability of response.
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