Hewlett-Packard (Netherlands)

Abstract Background Endoscopic activity indices for ulcerative colitis (UC) demonstrate limited accuracy, particularly in acute severe UC (ASUC). Artificial intelligence-based scoring (AI) may enhance this. We investigated whether the DovaVision UC AI tool could detect differences in endoscopic response rates between personalised and standard infliximab (IFX) dosing in ASUC patients enrolled in the prospective randomised TITRATE trial, that were previously not detected with human assessment. Methods In TITRATE, adult IFX-naive steroid-refractory ASUC patients were randomised 1:1 to standard dosing (SD) or personalised dosing (PD) with IFX. After an initial 5 mg/kg IFX infusion, patients in the SD group received 5 mg/kg IFX at week 2 and 6. In the PD arm, additional 5 mg/kg IFX infusions were administered guided by a Bayesian pharmacokinetic algorithm (iDose™) aiming to achieve prospectively defined target IFX serum concentrations until day 42. Endoscopies were recorded at baseline and at week 6. Definitions of endoscopic response were ≥2-point improvement in UC endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) and ≥1-point improvement in Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) at week 6 compared to baseline. Patients with missing endoscopic data were classified as non-responders. Endoscopic activity was previously scored on blinded videos by 2 independent human experts, with a third for adjudication (1). Here, we applied the DovaVision UC AI tool to the blinded videos. This scored the UCEIS and MES on individual frames and aggregated results to yield final procedure-level scores. Results In total, 48 patients were randomised to PD (n = 23) or SD (n = 25) (Table 1). Human UCEIS or MES assessments could not distinguish differences in response rates (UCEIS: 13 (56.5%) in the PD and 11 (44.0%) in the SD group (p = 0.540); MES: 14 (60.8%) in PD and 10 (40.0%) in SD group (p = 0.250)) (1).Using AI-assessed UCEIS, 27/48 (56.2%) patients achieved endoscopic response, comprising 18/23 (78.3%) in the PD and 9/25 (36.0%) in the SD group (p = 0.004). Using AI-assessed MES, 24/48 patients (50.0%) responded (16/23 (69.6%) in PD and 8/25 (32.0%) in SD group (p = 0.020)) (Figure 1). Conclusion In ASUC patients treated with IFX, the AI tool was able to detect endoscopic response at 6 weeks of IFX treatment, regardless of the endoscopic activity index that was used. The AI tool could also distinguish response rate differences between personalised and standard dosing of IFX. In the original study, human UCEIS or MES assessments could not distinguish such differences. This is the first IBD study in which AI was able to distinguish treatment effects between different treatment strategies, demonstrating its potential to fundamentally improve clinical trial methodology.

Obicetrapib is a potent, selective cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor that significantly lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Additive reductions in LDL-C occur when obicetrapib is combined with ezetimibe. The impact of obicetrapib and ezetimibe fixed-dose combination (FDC) on coronary plaque burden is unknown. Favorable changes in noncalcified coronary atherosclerotic plaque volume (NCPV) may indicate a potential beneficial effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. REMBRANDT is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial designed to assess the efficacy of obicetrapib and ezetimibe FDC on coronary plaque burden. Individuals aged 45 years or older with ASCVD (imaging evidence of vascular disease or clinically manifested ASCVD) and an LDL-C of ≥70 mg/dL despite maximally tolerated lipid-modifying therapy are eligible to participate. Eligible participants (N = 300) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to obicetrapib 10 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg FDC once daily or placebo tablet once daily. The primary efficacy outcome of REMBRANDT is percent change in total NCPV from baseline to 18 months as assessed by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). Secondary endpoints include absolute change in total NCPV, percent and absolute change in NCPV in the most diseased coronary segment, percent change in LDL-C, and change in perivascular fat attenuation index from baseline to 18 months. The REMBRANDT trial will determine whether the favorable effects of obicetrapib and ezetimibe FDC on LDL-C translate to a reduction in coronary plaque burden as a potential mechanism for ASCVD risk reduction. NCT06305559.

<p>This Supplementary Issue of the <em data-start="877" data-end="937">Journal of Natural Built Social Environment Health (NBSEH)</em> hosts the <em data-start="948" data-end="967">Book of Abstracts</em> of the 25th International Congress on Industry, Environment, and Health (CIIES25), held in Casablanca, Morocco, 15–17 May 2025. All abstracts were reviewed and approved by the scientific committee of the congress. They are published under a single DOI as part of NBSEH’s mission to ensure scientific dissemination, archiving, and long-term accessibility.</p>

status: Published

Significant health inequities exist in screening uptake for certain types of cancer. The review question was to identify and describe interactive, tailored digital, computer, and web-based interventions to reduce health inequity in cancer screening and review the effectiveness of such interventions in increasing screening rates versus usual care. We searched four medical literature databases for randomized control trials (RCTs) published until 12 January 2023 that evaluated interventions aimed at increasing the percentage of breast, prostate, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening uptake. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to heterogeneity among studies. After screening 4200 titles and abstracts, 17 studies were included. Studies focused on colorectal ( n = 10), breast ( n = 4), cervical ( n = 2), and prostate ( n = 1) cancer screening. All were based in the USA except two. Most studies focused on ethnicity/race, while some included low-income populations. Intervention types were heterogeneous and used computer programs, apps, or web-based methods to provide tailored or interactive information to participants about screening risks and options. Some studies found positive effects for increasing cancer screening uptake in the intervention groups compared to usual care, but results were heterogeneous. Interventions that use individual and cultural tailoring of cancer screening educational material should be further developed and investigated outside of the USA. Designing effective digital intervention strategies, with components that can be adapted to remote delivery may be an important strategy for reducing health inequities in cancer screening during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

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Identifying the boundary beyond which quantum machines provide a computational advantage over their classical counterparts is a crucial step in charting their usefulness. Gaussian boson sampling (GBS), in which photons are measured from a highly entangled Gaussian state, is a leading approach in pursuing quantum advantage. State-of-the-art GBS experiments that run in minutes would require 600 million years to simulate using the best preexisting classical algorithms. Here, we present faster classical GBS simulation methods, including speed and accuracy improvements to the calculation of loop hafnians. We test these on a ∼100,000-core supercomputer to emulate GBS experiments with up to 100 modes and up to 92 photons. This reduces the simulation time for state-of-the-art GBS experiments to several months, a nine–orders of magnitude improvement over previous estimates. Last, we introduce a distribution that is efficient to sample from classically and that passes a variety of GBS validation methods.

PurposeThe association between gout, the most common crystal arthropathy, and sexual dysfunctions has often been investigated by studies in the last decades. Despite the presence of shared risk factors and comorbidities and the possible effects on sexual health of long-term gout complications, awareness of this association is severely lacking and the pathogenetic mechanisms have only partially been identified. In the present review, we aimed to investigate the current evidence regarding the potential mechanisms linking sexual dysfunctions and gout.MethodsA comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed to provide a summary of currently available evidence regarding the association between gout and sexual dysfunctions.ResultsGout and sexual dysfunctions share several risk factors, including diabesity, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and peripheral vascular disease. Gout flares triggered by intense inflammatory responses feature severe pain and disability, resulting in worse sexual function, and some, but not all, treatments can also impair sexual health. Long-term gout complications can result in persistent pain and disability due to joint deformity, fractures, or nerve compression, with negative bearing on sexual function. The presence of low-grade inflammation impairs both sex steroids synthesis and endothelial function, further advancing sexual dysfunctions. The psychological burden of gout is another issue negatively affecting sexual health.ConclusionsAccording to currently available evidence, several biological and psychological mechanisms link sexual dysfunctions and gout. Addressing risk factors and providing adequate treatment could potentially have beneficial effects on both conditions. Appropriate clinical evaluation and multidisciplinary approach are recommended to improve patient care.