Abstract: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery are a major burden on healthcare systems. Optimal management of perioperative intravenous fluids may reduce mortality rates and improve outcomes from surgery. Previous small trials of cardiac-output guided haemodynamic therapy algorithms in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery have suggested this intervention results in reduced complications and a modest reduction in mortality. However, this existing evidence is based mainly on elective (planned) surgery, with little evaluation in the emergency setting. There are fundamental clinical and pathophysiological differences between the planned and emergency surgical setting which may influence the effects of this intervention. A large definitive trial in emergency surgery is needed to confirm or refute the potential benefits observed in elective surgery and to inform widespread clinical practice. Methods The FLO-ELA trial is a multi-centre, parallel-group, open, randomised controlled trial. 3138 patients aged 50 and over undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using minimisation to minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring to guide protocolised administration of intra-venous fluid, or usual care without cardiac output monitoring. The trial intervention will be carried out during surgery and for up to 6 h postoperatively. The trial is funded through an efficient design call by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme and uses existing routinely collected datasets for the majority of data collection. The primary outcome is the number of days alive and out of hospital within 90 days of randomisation. Participants and those delivering the intervention will not be blinded to treatment allocation. Participant recruitment started in September 2017 with a 1-year internal pilot phase and is ongoing at the time of publication. Discussion This will be the largest contemporary randomised trial examining the effectiveness of perioperative cardiac output-guided haemodynamic therapy in patients undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery. The multi-centre design and broad inclusion criteria support the external validity of the trial. Although the clinical teams delivering the trial interventions will not be blinded, significant trial outcome measures are objective and not subject to detection bias. Trial registration ISRCTN 14729158. Registered on 02 May 2017.

Abstract: To establish the demographic characteristics, laboratory findings and clinical outcomes in patients with autoimmune disease (AD) compared with a propensity-matched cohort of patients without AD admitted with COVID-19 to hospitals in the UK. Methods This is a multicentre observational study across 26 NHS Trusts. Data were collected both retrospectively and prospectively using a predesigned standardized case record form. Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted between 1 April 2020 and 31 July 2020 were included. Results Overall, 6288 patients were included to the study. Of these, 394 patients had AD prior to admission with COVID-19. Of 394 patients, 80 patients with SLE, RA or aPL syndrome were classified as severe rheumatologic AD. A higher proportion of those with AD had anaemia [240 (60.91%) vs 206 (52.28%), P = 0.015], elevated LDH [150 (38.08%) vs 43 (10.92%), P  & lt; 0.001] and raised creatinine [122 (30.96%) vs 86 (21.83%), P = 0.01] , respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients with severe rheumatologic AD had elevated CRP [77 (96.25%) vs 70 (87.5%), P = 0.044] and LDH [20 (25%) vs 6 (7.5%), P = 0.021] . Patients with severe rheumatologic AD had significantly higher mortality [32/80 (40%)] compared with propensity matched cohort of patients without AD [20/80 (25%), P = 0.043] . However, there was no difference in 180-day mortality between propensity-matched cohorts of patients with or without AD in general (P = 0.47). Conclusions Patients with severe rheumatologic AD had significantly higher mortality. Anaemia, renal impairment and elevated LDH were more frequent in patients with any AD while elevated CRP and LDH were more frequent in patients with severe rheumatologic AD both of which have been shown to associate with increased mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Abstract: Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is uncommon but is associated with poor outcomes. In selected high risk patients (pts), high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is often used as CNS prophylaxis with frontline (1L) DLBCL therapy despite uncertain efficacy, optimum dose and timing of delivery. A recent UK study (Wilson et al 2020) showed that intercalated HDMTX (i-HDMTX) was associated with increased toxicity and R-CHOP delays compared to end of treatment (EOT) delivery. Although hypothesis generating, the study size was insufficient to determine whether EOT was non-inferior in terms of CNS relapse risk. Methods: We conducted an international, multicentre retrospective analysis of consecutive DLBCL or high grade BCL pts between 2007-20 from 47 centers in Europe, Australia and N. America. Pts were included if they received R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like 1L therapy with curative intent as well as HDMTX CNS prophylaxis (≥1 cycle). Concurrent intrathecal (IT) prophylaxis was permitted. Pts with known CNS involvement at baseline and those treated with more intensive protocols (e.g. R-DA-EPOCH) were excluded. i-HDMTX was defined as any pt receiving a HD-MTX cycle before the final R-CHOP cycle. CNS relapse events were excluded if occurring after first systemic lymphoma relapse/progression. Time to event endpoints were measured from diagnosis to first event or censor and analysed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. Time to CNS relapse was analysed using competing risk Fine and Gray method (for death and non-synchronous systemic relapse). To mitigate for possible immortality bias in the EOT arm, a landmark analysis for pts alive and free from progression at 6 months was conducted. We aimed to exclude a 5% difference in 2-year (y) CNS relapse rates. Results: 1,384 pts were analysed. 750 received i-HDMTX and 634 received EOT HDMTX. Key baseline characteristics are summarised in Table 1. Median follow up was 37.9 months. 44.2% had high CNS IPI (4-6) with no significant difference between i-HDMTX and EOT groups (45.1% vs 43.1%, p=0.087). ≥2 cycles of HDMTX were used in 86.6% with no difference between groups (85.6% vs 87.9%, p=0.22). Concurrent IT prophylaxis use was higher for EOT pts (55.6% vs 38.1% p & lt;0.0001). 78 CNS relapses (42 i-HDMTX, 36 EOT) were observed: parenchymal in 41 (53%), parenchymal and leptomeningeal in 16 (21%) and isolated leptomeningeal in 21 (27%). There was no significant difference in 2y CNS relapse rates between i-HDMTX and EOT in all pts: 5.2% vs 3.9%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.92 (95% CI 0.58-1.47), p=0.74, 2y difference -0.2% (-2.0-2.5) or landmark analysis: 2.8% vs 4.1%, HR: 0.93 (0.56-1.55), p=0.79, 2y difference: -0.3% (-1.8-2.2%) (Fig 1a/b). Exploratory analyses focusing on pts with isolated CNS relapse (n=57) demonstrated similar results (2y rates 3.6% vs 3.0%, p=0.99). On multivariable analysis (MVA) of risk factors for CNS relapse, renal/adrenal involvement was the only variable associated with increased CNS relapse risk (adjusted HR 1.74 (1.03-2.92), p=0.038). Notably, IT prophylaxis was not associated with reduction in CNS relapse. In 600 high CNS IPI (4-6) pts, there was no difference in CNS relapse risk between i-HD-MTX and EOT (3y rates 9.4% vs 8.6%, HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.52-1.62)). In a composite high risk group including CNS IPI 4-6 and/or any of the following: ≥3 extranodal sites, renal, adrenal, testicular or breast involvement (n=885) there was no difference in 3y CNS relapse rates between groups (i-HDMTX 7.6% vs EOT 7.4%, HR 0.94 (0.58-1.53)). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the i-HDMTX and EOT groups were as follows: 3y PFS 70.7% vs 76.7% (p=0.098), 3y OS 79.9% vs 87.0% (p=0.0016). However, there were no PFS/OS differences between groups on landmark analysis (n=1259) (Fig 1c). On analysis of pts experiencing ≥1 R-CHOP delay of ≥7 days, use of i-HDMTX was the only factor on MVA associated with increased delays (p & lt;0.0001). Discussion: We found no evidence that EOT delivery increases CNS relapse risk when compared to i-HDMTX in this large analysis of pts treated with 1L R-CHOP. Delays to R-CHOP cycles were increased with i-HDMTX. Findings in a high risk subgroup were unchanged and rates of CNS relapse in this HDMTX treated group were similar to published comparable high risk cohorts receiving infrequent CNS prophylaxis. Where HDMTX prophylaxis is used, delivery could be deferred until R-CHOP completion. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Wilson: Takeda: Other: Conference fees; Janssen: Other: Conference fees; Abbvie: Honoraria. Eyre: Janssen: Honoraria; Secura Bio: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead/KITE: Honoraria, Other: Travel support for conferences, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel to conferences; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Beigene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Ahearne: Pfizer: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria. Schorb: Roche: Research Funding; Riemser Pharma GmbH: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding. Ku: Antegene: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Genor Biopharma: Consultancy. Narkhede: Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Genmab: Other: Medical writing support, Research Funding; TG Therapeautics: Research Funding. Lewis: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties; Novartis: Patents & Royalties; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Øvlisen: Abbvie: Other: Travel expenses. Santarsiere: Janssen: Honoraria. Shah: Abbvie, Janssen and Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Roulin: Janssen: Other: Travel and meetings. Manos: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Travel and meetings. Hamad: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Lopez-Garcia: Roche: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Travel and accommodation grants; Janssen: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Advisor, Travel and accommodation grants, Research Funding; Abbvie: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Advisor, Travel and accommodation grants; Celgene: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Fresenius: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Novonordisk: Other: Speaker Honoraria. El-Galaly: ROCHE Ltd: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Abbvie: Other: Speakers fee. Cheah: Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Loxo/Lilly: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory and travel expenses, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Ascentage pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory. Ferreri: Gilead, Novartis, Juno, PletixaPharm, Roche, Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS, Beigene, Pharmacyclics, Hutchison Medipharma, Amgen, Genmab, ADC Therapeutics, Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer: Research Funding. Fox: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Other: speaker fees. Cwynarski: Gilead: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Atara: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences; Roche: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Other: travel to scientific conferences. McKay: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; KITE: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Beigene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract: Prophylactic high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is often used for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients at high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse, despite limited evidence demonstrating efficacy or the optimal delivery method. We conducted a retrospective, international analysis of 1384 patients receiving HD-MTX CNS prophylaxis either intercalated (i-HD-MTX) (n = 749) or at the end (n = 635) of R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like therapy (EOT). There were 78 CNS relapses (3-year rate 5.7%), with no difference between i-HD-MTX and EOT: 5.7% vs 5.8%, P = .98; 3-year difference: 0.04% (−2.0% to 3.1%). Conclusions were unchanged on adjusting for baseline prognostic factors or on 6-month landmark analysis (n = 1253). In patients with a high CNS international prognostic index (n = 600), the 3-year CNS relapse rate was 9.1%, with no difference between i-HD-MTX and EOT. On multivariable analysis, increasing age and renal/adrenal involvement were the only independent risk factors for CNS relapse. Concurrent intrathecal prophylaxis was not associated with a reduction in CNS relapse. R-CHOP delays of ≥7 days were significantly increased with i-HD-MTX vs EOT, with 308 of 1573 (19.6%) i-HD-MTX treatments resulting in a delay to subsequent R-CHOP (median 8 days). Increased risk of delay occurred in older patients when delivery was later than day 10 in the R-CHOP cycle. In summary, we found no evidence that EOT delivery increases CNS relapse risk vs i-HD-MTX. Findings in high-risk subgroups were unchanged. Rates of CNS relapse in this HD-MTX-treated cohort were similar to comparable cohorts receiving infrequent CNS prophylaxis. If HD-MTX is still considered for certain high-risk patients, delivery could be deferred until R-CHOP completion.

Abstract: Conditional gene regulation in Drosophila through binary expression systems like the LexA-LexAop system provides a superb tool for investigating gene and tissue function. To increase the availability of defined LexA enhancer trap insertions, we present molecular, genetic, and tissue expression studies of 301 novel Stan-X LexA enhancer traps derived from mobilization of the index SX4 line. This includes insertions into distinct loci on the X, II, and III chromosomes that were not previously associated with enhancer traps or targeted LexA constructs, an insertion into ptc, and seventeen insertions into natural transposons. A subset of enhancer traps was expressed in CNS neurons known to produce and secrete insulin, an essential regulator of growth, development, and metabolism. Fly lines described here were generated and characterized through studies by students and teachers in an international network of genetics classes at public, independent high schools, and universities serving a diversity of students, including those underrepresented in science. Thus, a unique partnership between secondary schools and university-based programs has produced and characterized novel resources in Drosophila, establishing instructional paradigms devoted to unscripted experimental science.

Abstract: Denitrification is essential to the removal of nitrogen from wastewater during treatment, yet an understanding of the diversity of the active denitrifying bacteria responsible in full‐scale wastewater treatment plants ( WWTPs ) is lacking. In this study, stable‐isotope probing ( SIP ) was applied in combination with microautoradiography ( MAR )‐fluorescence in situ hybridization ( FISH ) to identify previously unrecognized active denitrifying phylotypes in a full‐scale WWTP with biological N and P removal. Acknowledging that different denitrifiers will have specific carbon source preferences, a fully 13 C ‐labelled complex substrate was used for SIP incubations, under nitrite‐reducing conditions, in order to maximize the capture of the potentially metabolically diverse denitrifiers likely present. Members of the R hodoferax,   D echloromonas , S ulfuritalea,   H aliangium and T hermomonas were represented in the 16 S rRNA gene clone libraries from DNA enriched in 13 C , with FISH probes optimized here for their in situ characterization. FISH and MAR confirmed that they were all active denitrifiers in the community. The combined approach of SIP and MAR‐FISH represents an excellent approach for identifying and characterizing an un‐described diversity of active denitrifiers in full‐scale systems.