FPGA-based fast bin-ratio spiking ensemble network for radioisotope identification.

In this work, we demonstrate the training, conversion, and implementation flow of an FPGA-based bin-ratio ensemble spiking neural network applied for radioisotope identification. The combination of techniques including learned step quantisation (LSQ) and pruning facilitated the implementation by compressing the network's parameters down to 30% yet retaining the accuracy of 97.04% with an accuracy loss of less than 1%. Meanwhile, the proposed ensemble network of 20 3-layer spiking neural networks (SNNs), which incorporates 1160 spiking neurons, only needs 334 µs for a single inference with the given clock frequency of 100 MHz. Under such optimisation, this FPGA implementation in an Artix-7 board consumes 157 µJ per inference by estimation.

"Simulect" as a model compound for assessing placental transfer of monoclonal antibodies in minipigs.

The aim of this study was to directly test and measure in vivo, if placental transfer of monoclonal antibodies takes place in pregnant Göttingen Minipigs to assess their suitability for reproductive assessment of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Simulect®, an approved anti CD25 (anti IL-2 receptor alpha) chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody, was used as a model monoclonal antibody. Maternal systemic exposure and potential placental transfer of Simulect® to fetuses were investigated following 4 weekly bolus intravenous administration of 5.0 mg/kg from gestation day (GD) 79 or 80 (e.g GD 79, 86, 93 and 100) and with terminal Caesarean section on GD 108 or GD 109 respectively. Results clearly showed exposure in maternal animals, detectable compound in the amniotic fluid from one out of 9 maternal animals, but no exposure in fetuses confirming absence of placental transfer of the selected model antibody Simulect® in minipigs. The absence of Simulect® in the fetuses further supports that the presence of Simulect® in the amniotic fluid in one maternal animal was likely due to contamination with maternal blood during sampling. The demonstrated absence of fetal exposure clearly indicates that, the minipig is not a suitable species for conduct of reproductive toxicity studies with monoclonal antibodies.

A shortened study design for embryo-fetal development studies in the minipig.

The minipig is accepted from scientific and regulatory perspectives for the safety evaluation of drug candidates on embryo-fetal development. The relative size and the duration of gestation (112-115 days) in the minipig is, however, considered a drawback compared with routine smaller species. We evaluated if study duration and cost could be optimized without impacting scientific validity by performing all terminal procedures around mid-gestation (60 days). At this stage, minipig fetal size is not too dissimilar to full term rabbit and therefore better suited to fetal processing/examination compared with at the end of gestation. Despite encountering higher than anticipated embryo-fetal death, morphological defects clearly associated with a known teratogen, pyrimethamine, were detected. Although the gonads are poorly differentiated macroscopically at mid-term, a histological examination confirmed that external sexing of the fetuses was accurate. Double staining of the bone and cartilage of the mid-term fetal skeleton allowed a more refined examination.

"All pigs are equal" Does the background data from juvenile Göttingen minipigs support this?

For pediatric indications requiring juvenile toxicity testing, the rat is the preferred species. However, for some drugs it might not be an appropriate model or regulatory agencies may also request a non-rodent species. Due to the relatively recent use of Göttingen minipigs, little background data are available. This shortage of historical data can raise concerns with respect to interpretation, thus potentially discouraging investigators. This article presents background data from 82 piglets collected at different ages. The data described show the normal variations and changes which are important in the interpretations of these studies. Age-related changes were observed for several cardiac and clinical pathology parameters and in the haematopoietic tissues. Therefore, all pigs were not considered equal. It can be concluded that these data can be used as guidance, to support the concurrent study control data but cannot completely replace them.

Implementing the extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study (EOGRTS): important points to consider.

The hallmark of the extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study (EOGRTS) is that, based on certain criteria or triggers, selected offspring are assigned at weaning to different cohorts for further investigation of sexual maturation, reproductive organ integrity and function, neuropathological and behavioral endpoints, and/or immune function. The triggers allow for a more customizable design based directly on the data, while minimizing animal usage. Compared to the two-generation reproductive toxicity study, the EOGRTS design increases the number, extent, and duration of F1-offspring assessments resulting in more thorough and efficient utilization of the first generation while excluding the second generation of offspring unless triggered. Therefore, the EOGRTS has the potential to reduce the number of rats required by nearly 1200 animals per study. When performing the EOGRTS, the complexity of this study should not be underestimated and experienced flexible testing laboratories with sufficient resources and historical control data for all parameters are essential. The aim of this review is to discuss the important aspects of this challenging study design and to share our knowledge on the implementation of this study in our laboratories. In addition, we elaborate on the type of criteria for expansion of the study and logistical considerations. Altogether, this review can be used as guidance by other labs, study monitors, and registration officers.

Pre-clinical safety assessment of the synthetic human milk, nature-identical, oligosaccharide Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT).

Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) is a tetrasaccharide naturally occurring in human breast milk, but not in cow's milk. The safety data generated on a potential new LNnT ingredient produced by chemical synthesis is presented. Standard in vitro genotoxicity tests were performed. LNnT was also administered via gavage in 14-, 28- and 90-day studies at levels corresponding to 0 (control), 1000, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg bw/day in juvenile rats. Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) currently approved for use in infant formulae was used as a reference control at one dose level of 5000 mg/kg bw/day. LNnT was non-mutagenic in in vitro assays. Oral administration up to 5000 mg/kg bw/day to rats over 90 days was not associated with any adverse effects, based on clinical observations, body weight gain, feed consumption, clinical pathology, organ weights and histopathology findings. Regarding gastrointestinal effects, LNnT was better tolerated than FOS during the first 2 weeks of treatment. A No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 5000 mg/kg bw/day for both male and female rats was identified for LNnT when administered by gavage for 90 days. These findings in the juvenile rat support the safety of LNnT for possible use in infant foods and allow further investigation in clinical studies.

Oral propylparaben administration to juvenile male Wistar rats did not induce toxicity in reproductive organs.

Parabens are in widespread use as preservatives in drugs. In the late 1990 s, concerns were raised about their capacity to disrupt endocrine function based on in vitro data and in vivo uterotrophic tests. Studies in juvenile male rats provided conflicting results on pospubertal sperm production. In an exploratory pharmacokinetic study, Wistar male rats received a single dose of propylparaben (PP) at 3, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/kg, orally on postnatal day (PND) 31. Plasma PP concentrations were quantifiable up 8h after dosing with a mean T max value of 15 min. Distribution was 4.8 l/kg, the plasma elimination half-life was 47 min, and clearance was 4.20 (l/h)/kg at 10mg/kg. A sulfoconjugated metabolite was detected. In the juvenile toxicology study, PP was orally administered by gavage to 20 Wistar male rats at doses of 3, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/kg/day in 1% hydroxyethylcellulose for 8 weeks starting on PND21. A first subgroup of 10 males/dose was necropsied immediately after the 8-week exposure period; a second subgroup of 10 males/dose was necropsied after a 26-week washout period. Blood samples were taken from additional satellite animals after dosing on PND21 and PND77 for toxicokinetic analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of PP on the weight of the male reproductive organs, epididymal sperm parameters, hormone levels, or histopathology. The dose of 1000 mg/kg/day was the no-observed adverse effect level, corresponding to a maximum plasma concentration of 12,030 ng/ml and exposure to 47 760 ng · h/ml (AUC0-8 h) at the end of the treatment.

Teratology studies in the mouse.

The rat is the routine species of choice as the rodent model for regulatory safety testing of xenobiotics such as medicinal products, food additives, and other chemicals. However, the rat is not always suitable for pharmacological, toxicological, immunogenic, pharmacokinetic, or even practical reasons. Under such circumstances, the mouse offers an alternative for finding a suitable rodent model acceptable to the regulatory authorities. Since all essential routes of administration are possible, the short reproductive cycle and large litter size of the mouse make it a species well adapted for use in teratology studies. Given that good quality animals, including virgin mated females, can be acquired relatively easily and inexpensively, the mouse has been used in reproductive toxicity studies for decades and study protocols are well established.

Combined fertility and embryotoxicity study.

Under normal circumstances, fertility and embryotoxicity studies are run separately according to the ICH S5(R2) guideline for the detection of toxicity to reproduction of medicinal products (1). However, the flexible approach of the S5(R2) guideline also allows the reproduction stages covered in the fertility and embryo-fetal development studies (stages A to D) to be combined into a single study design. The administration period covers the pre-mating and gestation phases through to closure of the hard palate. The principal advantages of the combined study include reductions in the number of animals required and cost. Although the rat is the routine species of choice, the mouse may also be used.