Early Achievement of Blood Pressure Lowering and Hematoma Growth in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-Factor Assessment and Improvement-Intracerebral Hemorrhage Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have revealed that hematoma growth mainly occurs during the first 6 h after the onset of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Early lowering of blood pressure (BP) may be beneficial for preventing hematoma growth. However, relationships between timing of BP lowering and hematoma growth in ICH remain unclear. We investigated associations between timing of BP lowering and hematoma growth for ICH.

METHODS

The Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement (SAMURAI)-ICH Study was a multicenter, prospective, observational study investigating the safety and feasibility of early (within 3 h from onset) reduction of systolic BP (SBP) to < 160 mm Hg with intravenous nicardipine for acute hypertension in cases of spontaneous ICH. The present study was a post hoc analysis of the SAMURAI-ICH study. We examined relationships between time from onset, imaging, and initiation of treatment to target SBP achievement and hematoma growth (absolute growth ≥6 mL) in ICH patients. Target SBP achievement was defined as the time at which SBP first became < 160 mm Hg.

RESULTS

Among 211 patients, hematoma growth was seen in 31 patients (14.7%). The time from imaging to target SBP and time from treatment to target SBP were significantly shorter in patients without hematoma growth than in those with (p = 0.043 and p = 0.032 respectively), whereas no significant difference was seen in time from onset to SBP < 160 mm Hg between groups (p = 0.177). Patients in the lower quartiles of time from imaging to target SBP and time from treatment to target SBP showed lower incidences of hematoma growth (p trend = 0.023 and 0.037 respectively). The lowest quartile of time from imaging to target SBP (< 38 min) was negatively associated with hematoma growth on multivariable logistic regression (OR 0.182; 95% CI 0.038-0.867; p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Early achievement of target SBP < 160 mm Hg is associated with a lower risk of hematoma growth in ICH.

Pharmacologically upregulated carcinoembryonic antigen-expression enhances the cytolytic activity of genetically-modified chimeric antigen receptor NK-92MI against colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

The natural killer cell line, NK-92MI, is cytotoxic against various types of cancer. The aim of this study was to develop chimeric antigen receptor-modified (CAR) NK-92MI cells targeting carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing (CEA) tumours and increase killing efficacy by pharmacologically modifying CEA-expression.

RESULT

We generated anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells by retroviral vector transduction. This genetically-modified cell line recognised and lysed high CEA-expressing tumour cell lines (LS174T) at 47.54 ± 12.60% and moderate CEA-expressing tumour cell lines (WiDr) at 31.14 ± 16.92% at a 5:1 effector: target (E/T) ratio. The cell line did not lyse low CEA-expressing tumour cells (HCT116) as they did their parental cells (NK-92MI cells). The histone deacetylase-inhibitor (HDAC) sodium butyrate (NaB) and the methylation-inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AZA), as epigenetic modifiers, induced CEA-expression in HCT116 and WiDr cells. Although the IC₅₀ of 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) increased, both cell lines showed collateral sensitivity to anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells. The cytolytic function of anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI cells was increased from 22.99 ± 2.04% of lysis background to 69.20 ± 11.92% after NaB treatment, and 69.70 ± 9.93% after 5-AZA treatment, at a 10:1 E/T ratio in HCT116 cells. The WiDr cells showed similar trend, from 22.99 ± 4.01% of lysis background to 70.69 ± 10.19% after NaB treatment, and 59.44 ± 10.92% after 5-AZA treatment, at a 10:1 E/T ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

This data indicates that the effector-ability of anti-CEA-CAR NK-92MI increased in a CEA-dependent manner. The combination of epigenetic-modifiers like HDAC-inhibitors, methylation-inhibitors, and adoptive-transfer of ex vivo-expanded allogeneic-NK cells may be clinically applicable to patients with in 5-FU resistant condition.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome After Heart Transplantation: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a transient cerebrovascular disorder putatively caused by some immunosuppressive agents.

CASE REPORT

We recently encountered a 47-year-old female patient diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy who developed RCVS after heart transplantation. A triple-drug regimen consisting of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and a corticosteroid was started after surgery. On postoperative day (POD) 11, the patient developed a severe headache, although computed tomography of the head demonstrated no signs of hemorrhage or infarction. At first, both a painkiller and migraine drugs were regularly administered to the patient. On POD 21, however, she developed an unbearable headache with a visual field defect and mild hemiparesis of the right hand. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a cerebral infarction in the left occipital lobe with diffuse vasoconstriction of both the middle and posterior cerebral arteries. A diagnosis of RCVS was made and tacrolimus, a drug suspected to cause RCVS, was discontinued. In its place, two doses of basiliximab followed by everolimus, both of which are alternatives for tacrolimus, were given. The corticosteroid dose was also increased. Furthermore, to release vasoconstriction, both verapamil and diltiazem were administered. On POD 27, cerebrovascular constrictions were shown to be relieved on brain MRI and the patient's neurological symptoms subsequently almost completely diminished.

CONCLUSION

RCVS should always be considered as a cause of headache in heart transplant recipients because tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent, may trigger RCVS. This will allow rapid intervention that is essential for avoiding irreversible neurological deficits.

Search for Boosted Dark Matter Interacting with Electrons in Super-Kamiokande

A search for boosted dark matter using 161.9 kt yr of Super-Kamiokande IV data is presented. We search for an excess of elastically scattered electrons above the atmospheric neutrino background, with a visible energy between 100 MeV and 1 TeV, pointing back to the Galactic center or the Sun. No such excess is observed. Limits on boosted dark matter event rates in multiple angular cones around the Galactic center and Sun are calculated. Limits are also calculated for a baseline model of boosted dark matter produced from cold dark matter annihilation or decay. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter from the Galactic center or the Sun interacting in a terrestrial detector.

Abstract WP398: Timing of Starting Doacs and Short- and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: The Samurai-nvaf Study

Background and Purpose: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for the prevention of ischemic events with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, it is unknown when DOACs should be started after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term stroke outcomes between earlier initiation and later initiation of DOACs after onset of AIS.

Methods: Patients with NVAF who developed AIS/TIA were enrolled from the database of the prospective, multicenter, observational SAMURAI-NVAF study, and they were divided into two groups according to the date of starting DOACs after stroke onset: within 3 days (E-group) and 4 or more days (L-group). The frequency of ischemic event, bleeding, and death up to 2 years was compared.

Result: DOACs were started as the first oral anticoagulants after AIS/TIA in 499 (42%) of 1192 NVAF patients. Of these, 223 patients were assigned to E-group (74±6 years of age, 78 women) and 276 patients to L-group (75±6 years of age, 101 women). E-group had lower scores of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (median 3, interquartile range [IQR] 1-8 vs 5, 2-14; P=0.001) and CHAD 2 S-VASc (median 5, IQR, 4-6 vs 5, 4-6; P=0.04) than L-group. No significant difference was observed in the rate of ischemic events (at 3 months: E 4.0% vs L 2.5%, harzard ratio [HR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-4.48; at 2 years: E 9.4% vs L 10.9%, 0.89, 0.50-1.56), bleeding (at 3 months: E 1.4% vs L 2.2%, HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.10-1.88; at 2 years: E 3.6% vs. L 4.0%, 0.97, 0.36-2.51), and death (at 3 months: E 0.5% vs L 0.4%, HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.05-31.52; at 2 years: E 4.5% vs L 8.7%, 0.57, 0.26-1.17) after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusion: Early starting of DOACs within 3 days after the onset of AIS/TIA had comparable outcome to later starting of them regarding ischemic events, bleeding, and death.

Combined Analysis of Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations at T2K

T2K reports its first results in the search for CP violation in neutrino oscillations using appearance and disappearance channels for neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beams. The data include all runs from January 2010 to May 2016 and comprise 7.482×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, which yielded in the far detector 32 e-like and 135  μ-like events, and 7.471×10^{20} protons on target in antineutrino mode, which yielded 4 e-like and 66  μ-like events. Reactor measurements of sin^{2}2θ_{13} have been used as an additional constraint. The one-dimensional confidence interval at 90% for the phase δ_{CP} spans the range (-3.13, -0.39) for normal mass ordering. The CP conservation hypothesis (δ_{CP}=0, π) is excluded at 90% C.L.

Abstract WP211: Prognostic Significance of White Blood Cell Count in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: The SAMURAI-NVAF Study

Background and Purpose: White blood cell count (WBC), a marker of the atherosclerotic burden, has reportedly been a predictor of poor outcome in the general stroke population. The purpose of this study was to clarify associations between WBC on admission and outcomes among patients having acute ischemic stroke with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), that was principally cardioembolic.

Methods: Of those enrolled in the multicenter observational Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement (SAMURAI)-NVAF study, acute ischemic stroke/TIA patients (within 7 days of onset) with NVAF with premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2 were included in the analysis. WBC on admission was categorized into quartiles. Associations between WBC count and major disability or death (mRS score of 3-6) at 90 days and 2 years were analyzed using logistic and proportional odds regression models.

Results: A total of 789 patients were studied (306 women, 76.2±9.5 years old, the median NIHSS score was 6 [IQR, 2-16], the median WBC count was 6700 [IQR, 5475-8300], the median mRS score at 90 days was 2 [IQR, 1-4], the median mRS score at 2 years was 2 [IQR, 0-5]). WBC had a significant linear association with major disability or death at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for highest versus lowest quartile 3.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.07-6.13; P for trend<0.001). Associations were similar for the outcome at 2 years (adjusted OR for highest versus lowest quartile 2.16; 95% CI 1.31-3.56; P for trend<0.001).

Conclusions: Higher WBC count on admission seems to predict a short- and long-term poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF.

Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01581502.

Abstract 179: Determinants of Cerebral Microbleeds in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation: SAMURAI-NVAF Study

Background and Purpose: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are now considered to be one of the neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease. It has been reported that CMBs are associated with age, hypertension, cognitive impairment, and use of antithrombotic drugs. We aimed at identifying factors associated with the presence of CMBs among acute ischemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who participated in the multicenter Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement (SAMURAI)-NVAF study.

Methods: Acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (within 7 days of onset) patients with NVAF who underwent T2*-weighted images on magnetic resonance imagings at baseline were included in the analysis. Factors associated with the presence of CMBs were assessed in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: Of 1,099 (77.6±10.0 years, 620 male) participants, 256 (23.2%) had CMBs: single CMB in 96 (8.7%), 2-4 of CMBs in 109 (9.9%), and ≥5 CMBs in 51 (4.6%). The presence of CMBs was associated with age [per 10 years, odds ratio (OR) 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.44], past history of stroke (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.09-2.11), and advanced cognitive impairment (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.02-2.61) in multivariable analysis adjusted for sex, hypertension, arterial disease, ever smoking, premorbid antithrombotic medications, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Among 514 patients (46.8% of the participants) with the data of urinary albumin, clinical albuminuria (urinary albumin ≥300 mg/gCr) and past history of stroke were identified as independent factors associated with CMBs (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.06-3.42 and 1.67; 1.04-2.66, respectively).

Conclusions: Approximately one fourth of acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF had CMBs. Past history of stroke and clinical albuminuria were identified as independent determinants of CMBs on top of established ones.

Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01581502.

Measurement of Coherent π^{+} Production in Low Energy Neutrino-Carbon Scattering

We report the first measurement of the flux-averaged cross section for charged current coherent π^{+} production on carbon for neutrino energies less than 1.5 GeV, and with a restriction on the final state phase space volume in the T2K near detector, ND280. Comparisons are made with predictions from the Rein-Sehgal coherent production model and the model by Alvarez-Ruso et al., the latter representing the first implementation of an instance of the new class of microscopic coherent models in a neutrino interaction Monte Carlo event generator. We observe a clear event excess above background, disagreeing with the null results reported by K2K and SciBooNE in a similar neutrino energy region. The measured flux-averaged cross sections are below those predicted by both the Rein-Sehgal and Alvarez-Ruso et al.

Higher Risk of Ischemic Events in Secondary Prevention for Patients With Persistent Than Those With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Purpose—

The discrimination between paroxysmal and sustained (persistent or permanent) atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been considered in the approach to secondary stroke prevention. We aimed to assess the differences in clinical outcomes between mostly anticoagulated patients with sustained and paroxysmal AF who had previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Methods—

Using data from 1192 nonvalvular AF patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who were registered in the SAMURAI-NVAF study (Stroke Management With Urgent Risk-Factor Assessment and Improvement-Nonvalvular AF; a prospective, multicenter, observational study), we divided patients into those with paroxysmal AF and those with sustained AF. We compared clinical outcomes between the 2 groups.

Results—

The median follow-up period was 1.8 (interquartile range, 0.93–2.0) years. Of the 1192 patients, 758 (336 women; 77.9±9.9 years old) and 434 (191 women; 77.3±10.0 years old) were assigned to the sustained AF group and paroxysmal AF groups, respectively. After adjusting for sex, age, previous anticoagulation, and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, sustained AF was negatively associated with 3-month independence (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.87; P =0.006). The annual rate of stroke or systemic embolism was 8.3 and 4.6 per 100 person-years, respectively (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–3.14) and that of major bleeding events was 3.4 and 3.1, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–2.08).

Conclusions—

Among patients with previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, those with sustained AF had a higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism compared with those with paroxysmal AF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01581502.

Male sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery: Results of a randomized trial comparing mesorectal excision with and without lateral lymph node dissection for patients with lower rectal cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0212

BACKGROUND

We conducted a randomized controlled trial (JCOG0212) to determine whether the outcome of mesorectal excision (ME) alone for rectal cancer is not inferior to that of ME with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND). The present study focused on male sexual dysfunction after surgery.

METHODOLOGY

Eligibility criteria included clinical stage II/III rectal cancer, the lower margin of the lesion below the peritoneal reflection, the absence of lateral pelvic lymph node enlargement, and no preoperative radiotherapy. After confirmation of R0 resection by ME, patients were intraoperatively randomized. Questionnaires using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) about the sexual function of men were collected before and 1 year after surgery. Sexual dysfunction incidence was defined as the ratio of patients showing sexual dysfunction after surgery relative to the number who had no erectile dysfunction before surgery.

RESULTS

Among 701 patients enrolled between June 2003 and August 2010, 472 males were included. Among them, 343 (73%) completed preoperative and postoperative questionnaires. According to the study protocol, the incidences of sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent ME alone and ME with LLND were 68% (17/25; 95%CI, 47-85%) and 79% (23/29; 95%CI, 60-92%), respectively (p = 0.37). Incidences of sexual dysfunction in patients with no or only mild erectile dysfunction before surgery who underwent ME alone and ME with LLND were 59% (48/81) and 71% (67/95), respectively (p = 0.15). Multivariate analysis identified age as the only risk factor for sexual dysfunction after surgery (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

LLND may not increase sexual dysfunction incidence after rectal cancer surgery. This incidence is associated with increased age. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00190541 and University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number C000000034.

Measurement of Muon Antineutrino Oscillations with an Accelerator-Produced Off-Axis Beam

T2K reports its first measurements of the parameters governing the disappearance of ν[over ¯]_{μ} in an off-axis beam due to flavor change induced by neutrino oscillations. The quasimonochromatic ν[over ¯]_{μ} beam, produced with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV at J-PARC, is observed at the far detector Super-Kamiokande, 295 km away, where the ν[over ¯]_{μ} survival probability is expected to be minimal. Using a data set corresponding to 4.01×10^{20} protons on target, 34 fully contained μ-like events were observed. The best-fit oscillation parameters are sin^{2}(θ[over ¯]_{23})=0.45 and |Δm[over ¯]_{32}^{2}|=2.51×10^{-3}  eV^{2} with 68% confidence intervals of 0.38-0.64 and 2.26-2.80×10^{-3}  eV^{2}, respectively. These results are in agreement with existing antineutrino parameter measurements and also with the ν_{μ} disappearance parameters measured by T2K.

Abstract TP67: Cerebral Microbleeds Are Associated With Hemorrhagic Infarction Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With NVAF: The SAMURAI-NVAF Study

Background and purpose: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are prevalent among stroke patients, and have shown to be the risk factor for the future ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in several reports. However, the significance of CMBs among acute ischemic stroke patients, especially those with non-valvular arterial fibrillation (NVAF), remains unknown.

Methods: Of 1,192 patients who participated in the SAMURAI-NVAF study (an ongoing prospective, multicenter, observational study), 1,099 patients (77.6±10.0 y.o, 620 men) underwent a T2* weighted image (T2*WI). Association of CMBs detected on T2*WI with the incidence of any hemorrhagic infarction (any HI and PH) and PH2 seven days after the index stroke and symptomatic hemorrhagic events and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge were assessed.

Results: CMBs were detected in 256 patients (23.2%); single CMB in 96, 2-4 CMBs in 109, and ≥5 CMBs in 51. Hemorrhagic infarction was more frequent as the number of CMBs increased (21.5%, 21.9%, 26.6%, and 33.3% in patients with 0, 1, 2-4, and ≥5 CMBs, respectively: p=0.024, analyzed by Cochran-Armitage test for trend). PH2 was identified in 2.5%, 0%, 2.8% and 3.9%, respectively (p=0.824), symptomatic hemorrhagic event in 1.2%, 1.0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively (p=0.5910), and mRS 3-6 in 51.5%, 54.2%, 54.1%, and 62.7%, respectively (p=0.4370). Presence of CMBs was independently associated with any hemorrhagic infarction [odds ratio (OR) 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-2.51; p=0.005] after adjustment for age, sex, premorbid mRS, infarct size, infarct number, and intravenous thrombolysis, but not with PH2 (p=0.639), symptomatic hemorrhagic events (p=0.633), or mRS 3-6 (p=0.212). Among 253 patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis or endvascular therapy, CMBs were also independently associated with hemorrhagic infarction (OR 2.75; 95%CI 1.27-6.04; p=0.010), but not with the other outcomes.

Conclusions: CMBs were associated with any hemorrhagic infarction in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF regardless of receiving thrombolysis or not. However, they were not associated with PH2, symptomatic hemorrhagic events, or unfavorable vital or functional outcomes.