Pharmacokinetic Comparison Between a Fixed-Dose Combination of Atorvastatin/Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters and the Corresponding Loose Combination in Healthy Korean Male Subjects

Purpose

Statins are widely used in combination with omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of patients with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of atorvastatin and omega-3-acid ethyl esters between fixed-dose combination (FDC) and loose combination in healthy subjects.

Methods

A randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-sequence, 2-treatment, 4-period replicated crossover study was performed. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the 2 sequences and alternately received four FDC soft capsules of atorvastatin/omega-3-acid ethyl esters (10/1000 mg) or a loose combination of atorvastatin tablets (10 mg × 4) and omega-3-acid ethyl ester soft capsules (1000 mg× 4) for four periods, each period accompanied by a high-fat meal. Serial blood samples were collected for PK analysis of atorvastatin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). PK parameters were calculated by a non-compartmental analysis. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) and its 90% confidence interval (CI) of the FDC to the loose combination were calculated to compare PK parameters.

Results

A total of 43 subjects completed the study as planned. The GMR (90% CI) of FDC to loose combination for maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the time-concentration curve from zero to the last measurable point (AUClast) were 1.0931 (1.0054-1.1883) and 0.9885 (0.9588-1.0192) for atorvastatin, 0.9607 (0.9068-1.0178) and 0.9770 (0.9239-1.0331) for EPA, and 0.9961 (0.9127-1.0871) and 0.9634 (0.8830-1.0512) for DHA, respectively. The intra-subject variability for Cmax and AUClast of DHA was 30.8% and 37.5%, respectively, showing high variability. Both the FDC and the loose combination were safe and well tolerated.

Conclusion

The FDC of atorvastatin and omega-3-acid ethyl esters showed comparable PK characteristics to the corresponding loose combination, offering a convenient therapeutic option for the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Topological magnetic structure generation using VAE-GAN hybrid model and discriminator-driven latent sampling

Recently, deep generative models using machine intelligence are widely utilized to investigate scientific systems by generating scientific data. In this study, we experiment with a hybrid model of a variational autoencoder (VAE) and a generative adversarial network (GAN) to generate a variety of plausible two-dimensional magnetic topological structure data. Due to the topological properties in the system, numerous and diverse metastable magnetic structures exist, and energy and topological barriers separate them. Thus, generating a variety of plausible spin structures avoiding those barrier states is a challenging problem. The VAE-GAN hybrid model can present an effective approach to this problem because it brings the advantages of both VAE's diversity and GAN's fidelity. It allows one to perform various applications including searching a desired sample from a variety of valid samples. Additionally, we perform a discriminator-driven latent sampling (DDLS) using our hybrid model to improve the quality of generated samples. We confirm that DDLS generates various plausible data with large coverage, following the topological rules of the target system.

Super-resolution of magnetic systems using deep learning

We construct a deep neural network to enhance the resolution of spin structure images formed by spontaneous symmetry breaking in the magnetic systems. Through the deep neural network, an image is expanded to a super-resolution image and reduced to the original image size to be fitted with the input feed image. The network does not require ground truth images in the training process. Therefore, it can be applied when low-resolution images are provided as training datasets, while high-resolution images are not obtainable due to the intrinsic limitation of microscope techniques. To show the usefulness of the network, we train the network with two types of simulated magnetic structure images; one is from self-organized maze patterns made of chiral magnetic structures, and the other is from magnetic domains separated by walls that are topological defects of the system. The network successfully generates high-resolution images highly correlated with the exact solutions in both cases. To investigate the effectiveness and the differences between datasets, we study the network's noise tolerance and compare the networks' reliabilities. The network is applied with experimental data obtained by magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy and spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy.

Estimating the effective fields of spin configurations using a deep learning technique

The properties of complicated magnetic domain structures induced by various spin-spin interactions in magnetic systems have been extensively investigated in recent years. To understand the statistical and dynamic properties of complex magnetic structures, it is crucial to obtain information on the effective field distribution over the structure, which is not directly provided by magnetization. In this study, we use a deep learning technique to estimate the effective fields of spin configurations. We construct a deep neural network and train it with spin configuration datasets generated by Monte Carlo simulation. We show that the trained network can successfully estimate the magnetic effective field even though we do not offer explicit Hamiltonian parameter values. The estimated effective field information is highly applicable; it is utilized to reduce noise, correct defects in the magnetization data, generate spin configurations, estimate external field responses, and interpret experimental images.

Magnetic Hamiltonian parameter estimation using deep learning techniques

Understanding spin textures in magnetic systems is extremely important to the spintronics and it is vital to extrapolate the magnetic Hamiltonian parameters through the experimentally determined spin. It can provide a better complementary link between theories and experimental results. We demonstrate deep learning can quantify the magnetic Hamiltonian from magnetic domain images. To train the deep neural network, we generated domain configurations with Monte Carlo method. The errors from the estimations was analyzed with statistical methods and confirmed the network was successfully trained to relate the Hamiltonian parameters with magnetic structure characteristics. The network was applied to estimate experimentally observed domain images. The results are consistent with the reported results, which verifies the effectiveness of our methods. On the basis of our study, we anticipate that the deep learning techniques make a bridge to connect the experimental and theoretical approaches not only in magnetism but also throughout any scientific research.

An innovative magnetic state generator using machine learning techniques

We propose a new efficient algorithm to simulate magnetic structures numerically. It contains a generative model using a complex-valued neural network to generate k-space information. The output information is hermitized and transformed into real-space spin configurations through an inverse fast Fourier transform. The Adam version of stochastic gradient descent is used to minimize the magnetic energy, which is the cost of our algorithm. The algorithm provides the proper ground spin configurations with outstanding performance. In model cases, the algorithm was successfully applied to solve the spin configurations of magnetic chiral structures. The results also showed that a magnetic long-range order could be obtained regardless of the total simulation system size.

The spin structures of interlayer coupled magnetic films with opposite chirality

Using Monte-Carlo simulations and micromagnetic simulations, we reveal how the spin structural correlation and the skyrmion dynamics are affected by the interlayer coupling in a chiral magnetic bilayer system, in which the two layers have opposite chirality. The interaction through interlayer coupling between chiral magnetic structures influences the static and dynamics properties profoundly. The competition between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and the interlayer interaction allows multiple magnetic structures to be energetically stable, which includes sole skyrmion states (skyrmion appears in only one of the layers) and skyrmion pair states (coupled skyrmions in top and bottom layers). When current driven spin transfer torques are applied to each state, the sole skyrmion state is mainly propelled by a spin transfer torque causing the skyrmion hall effect, but the skyrmion pair state is propelled by a torque from skyrmion-skyrmion interaction and not influenced by the skyrmion hall effect. Also upon application of an external magnetic field, we found the skyrmions in a skyrmion pair state extinguish in an exclusive way, as the annihilation of a skyrmion in one of the layers stabilizes the once paired skyrmion in the other layer, i.e. the skyrmion lattice sites have only one skyrmion in either layer.

Novel chiral magnetic domain wall structure in Fe/Ni/Cu(001) films

Using spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy, we discovered a new type of domain wall structure in perpendicularly magnetized Fe/Ni bilayers grown epitaxially on Cu(100). Specifically, we observed unexpected Néel-type walls with fixed chirality in the magnetic stripe phase. Furthermore, we find that the chirality of the domain walls is determined by the film growth order with the chirality being right handed in Fe/Ni bilayers and left handed in Ni/Fe bilayers, suggesting that the underlying mechanism is the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction at the film interfaces. Our observations may open a new route to control chiral spin structures using interfacial engineering in transition metal heterostructures.

Kinetin enhances in vitro development of parthenogenetic and nuclear transfer porcine embryos

Culture conditions affect the development of mammalian embryos in vitro. Kinetin belongs to the family of N(6)-substituted adenine derivates and promotes cell division, synthesis of DNA repair enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity, and ribosomal RNA transcription. We investigated the effects of kinetin on in vitro development of parthenogenetic and nuclear transfer (NT) porcine embryos. These embryos were cultured with or without kinetin in either BSA- or polyvinyl alcohol-containing medium for 7 days. mRNA expression of three developmentally important genes, HSP70, Glut-1, and poly[A] polymerase in NT embryos was analyzed. Regardless of kinetin supplementation, the proportion of blastocysts and blastocyst cells were not significantly different in parthenogenetic embryos. However, kinetin supplementation increased expansion and hatching rates in all groups. In somatic cell NT embryos, kinetin increased the proportion of embryos developed to blastocysts from 7.5% to 15.4% in medium supplemented with PVA. However, gene expression levels of HSP70, poly[A] polymerase and Glut-1 mRNA were not significantly different in NT blastocysts. The present study indicates that kinetin not only improves blastocyst expansion and cell number of parthenogenetic porcine embryos but also enhances NT porcine embryo development in a completely defined culture condition in vitro.

Symmetry-breaking induced exchange bias in ferromagnetic Ni-Cu-Co and Ni-Fe-Co sandwiches grown on a vicinal Cu(001) surface

Ferromagnetic Ni-Cu-Co and Ni-Fe-Co sandwiches were grown epitaxially onto a vicinal Cu(001) substrate and investigated using magneto-optical Kerr effect and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism techniques. We find that the atomic steps of the vicinal surface break the magnetic reversal symmetry to induce an exchange bias in the Ni perpendicular magnetic hysteresis loop. The Ni exchange bias direction can be switched by changing the direction of the in-plane Co magnetization. In addition, the exchange bias can be tailored by changing the Cu or Fe spacer layer thickness.

Magnetic bubble domain phase at the spin reorientation transition of ultrathin Fe/Ni/Cu(001) film

Magnetic domain phases of ultrathin Fe/Ni/Cu(001) are studied using photoemission electron microscopy at the spin reorientation transition (SRT). We observe a new magnetic phase of bubble domains within a narrow SRT region after applying a nearly in-plane magnetic field pulse to the sample. By applying the magnetic field pulse along different directions, we find that the bubble domain phase exists only if the magnetic field direction is less than approximately 10 degrees relative to the sample surface. A temperature dependent measurement shows that the bubble domain phase becomes unstable above 370 K.

158 LEADING BLASTOMERE OF A 2-CELL-STAGE PORCINE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYO CONTRIBUTES TO TROPHECTODERM FIRST

Embryonic axis formation is important in normal animal development. Some vertebrate and invertebrate eggs display undeniable polarity along a plane known as the animal–vegetal axis. However, axis formation in mammals, which is studied only in mice, is still a point of issue (Hiiragi and Solter 2004 Nature 430, 360–364; Zernicka-Goetz et al. 2005 Nature 434, 391–395). In the present study, we investigated the embryonic–abembryonic axis formation in porcine species. We used porcine parthenogenetic embryos to prevent a topological change of the 2 apposing pronuclei in the egg center caused by polyspermy and to avoid the influence of the fertilization cone, which indicates the sperm entry position. For lineage tracing, DiI, a lipophilic fluorescence dye, was injected into one blastomere per embryo at the 2-cell stage. After this process, as embryos developed into the 3-cell stage, all the embryos were divided into 2 groups named Leading and Lagging, following the location of the DiI oil drop (Leading: the oil drop was positioned in the first-dividing blastomere; Lagging: the drop was positioned in the late-dividing blastomere). The embryos developed into blastocysts after 6 to 7 days of culture in vitro. Only the inner cell mass (ICM) was labeled in 50% (8/16) of the Lagging group. In some Lagging embryos (2/16), ICMs with a small portion of adjacent trophectodermal cells (TE) were labeled and 62.5% (10/16) of Lagging embryos formed the ICM part in total. On the other hand, 60% (6/10) of the Leading embryos formed only distal TE (opposite side of the ICM). Only one of the Leading embryos formed the ICM. The rest of Lagging embryos (37.5%, 6/16) or the Leading group (40.0%, 4/10) showed an even distribution of blastocysts, regardless of the ICM or TE. Oocytes, zygotes, and 2-cell-stage embryos in porcine species tended to show unequally distributed lipid contents and could be distinguished by their different colors and brightness, although not all of them showed significant differences. We injected DiI into a relatively brighter blastomere of the 2-cell-stage embryos and the results were very similar to those obtained from the Leading group (distal TE: 70.6%, 24/34). High lipid contents may be the cause of delayed development of the blastomere of an embryo. Our findings indicated that the Leading blastomere of 2-cell porcine parthenotes formed distal TE first, and that afterward, the Lagging blastomere not only filled the rest of the TE but also contributed to the ICM. This study was supported by the Research Project on the Production of Bio-organs (No. 200506030601) and Technology Developmental Program (High-Technology Development Project No. 204117-3) for Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Korea

143 DEVELOPMENTAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS OF NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS BY REPROGRAMMING SOMATIC CELLS USING TESTIS-DERIVED CELL EXTRACTS

Somatic cell cloning has promise for medical treatment using embryonic stem cells derived from cloned embryos. However, porcine cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer has been inefficient and, even after birth, cloned pigs are found to carry a variety of abnormalities. Moreover, recent molecular analyses of cloned embryos have revealed abnormal epigenetic modifications. Therefore, the prevention of epigenetic errors is expected to lead to the improvement of the success rate in animal cloning. Reports of recent studies indicate that the direct transformation of one differentiated somatic cell type into another is possible and would be advantageous for producing isogenic replacement cells. Therefore, in this study, we modulated the cell fate of somatic donor cells by introducing cell extracts derived from porcine testis. Several porcine somatic cells, including primary and stabilized porcine fibroblasts or epithelial kidney cells, were treated with streptolysin O (SLO; 230 ng mL-1), which reversibly permeablizes plasma membrane, and incubated for 30 min with testis cell-derived cell extracts (4 mg mL-1). To reseal plasma membranes, cells were placed in DMEM containing 30% FBS and 2 mM CaCl2 for 30 min. After resealing the cell membranes, we incubated the cells for 3 weeks and analyzed the expression of testis-specific genes such as protamine 1, protamine 2, SOX 9, mullerian inhibitory substance (MIS), preproacrosine (ACR), phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK-2), protein C, and c-kit ligand. In the reprogrammed primary porcine fibroblasts or epithelial kidney cells, the porcine testis extracts were able to activate the expression of the porcine testis sertoli cell-specific genes. The male germ cell functions were sustained for more than 10 days after the reprogramming process. Then, in vitro-matured oocytes were enucleated and a single cell (either reprogrammed or intact) was injected directly into cytoplasm of the oocytes. The reconstructed embryos were activated electrically and cultured in vitro for 7 days. The rate of blastocyst formation was significantly higher (P < 0.05; chi-square test) in the reprogrammed nuclear donor cells (27/119; 22.7 � 5.0%) than in the control (intact) cells (11/83; 13.3 � 3.2%). Taken together, our results suggest that testis-derived cell extracts can be successfully used to reprogram fibroblasts to express male germ cell function, thus improving the developmental efficiency of the nuclear transfer embryos.

Magnetic stripe domains in coupled magnetic sandwiches

Magnetic stripe domains in the spin reorientation transition region are investigated in (Fe/Ni)/Cu(001) and Co/Cu/(Fe/Ni)/Cu(001) using photoemission electron microscopy. For (Fe/Ni)/Cu(001), the stripe domain width decreases exponentially as the Fe/Ni film approaches the spin reorientation transition point. For Co/Cu/(Fe/Ni)/Cu(001), the Fe/Ni stripe orientation is aligned with the Co in-plane magnetization, and the stripe domain width decreases exponentially with increasing the interlayer coupling between the Fe/Ni and Co films. By considering magnetic stripes within an in-plane magnetic field, we reveal a universal dependence of the stripe domain width on the magnetic anisotropy and on the interlayer coupling.

Magnetic phase transition in Co/Cu/Ni/Cu(100) and Co/Fe/Ni/Cu(100)

Magnetic phase transitions in coupled magnetic sandwiches of Cu/Co/Cu/Ni/Cu(100) and Cu/Co/Fe/Ni/Cu(100) are investigated by photoemission electron microscopy. Element-specific magnetic domains are taken at room temperature to reveal the critical thickness at which the magnetic phase transition occurs. The results show that a coupled magnetic sandwich undergoes three types of magnetic phase transitions depending on the two ferromagnetic films' thickness. A phase diagram is constructed and explained in the process of constructing Monte Carlo simulations, which corroborate the experimental results.

Polymelia with two extra forelimbs at the right scapular region in a male Korean native calf

In a male Korean native calf 14 days of age, polymelia (notomelia) was observed macroscopically and radiographically. External features included two normal forelimbs, two normal hindlimbs and two undeveloped extra forelimbs. The extra forelimbs were attached to the caudal regions of the right scapula and devoid of muscular tissues. In the extra forelimbs, a scapula-like bone formed a joint with the incompletely duplicated humerus. The humerus fused with the incompletely duplicated radius. The ulna, carpal bones, metacarpal bones and phalanges were completely duplicated. But one set of the duplicated carpal bones consisted of five bones: radial, accessory, fourth carpal, fused second and third carpal, and fused ulnar and intermediate carpal bones. The hoof and the rudimentary hoof of accessory digit were duplicated.

An Alu cassette in the human epithelial sodium channel

Here, we report the presence of two splice variants of the human epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit (h alpha ENaC) containing Alu cassette, namely h alpha ENaC+22 and h alpha ENaC+Alu, in various tissues. Functional expression of these splice variants with hENaC beta and gamma subunits produced loss-of-channel activity in the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Interestingly, coexpression of h alpha ENaC+22 or h alpha ENaC+Alu, respectively, with wild type hENaC alpha, beta, and gamma subunits enhanced the expression of amiloride-sensitive current in oocytes. The presence of Alu sequences in the 3'-untranslated region of h gamma ENaC was also identified.

Interleukin-1 beta facilitates afferent sensory transmission in the primary somatosensory cortex of anesthetized rats

The effect of topical application of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) on afferent sensory transmission to the neurones in the primary somatosensory (SI) cortex was determined in anesthetized rats. Quantitative determination of the effect of IL-1 was made by generating post-stimulus time histograms of unit responses to the stimulation of receptive field. IL-1 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 U) significantly facilitated afferent sensory transmission in SI cortical neurones (n = 22). IL-1-induced facilitation fully recovered by 60 min after drug. In control experiments (n = 10), saline solution containing 0.2 bovine serum albumin, used as a vehicle, did not affect afferent sensory transmission. Our results suggest that IL-1 may be involved in the processing of afferent sensory information in the SI cortex of rats.

Bombesin-induced changes of sensory transmission in the dorsal column nuclei

Bombesin was intracisternally administered to determine the effects on the neuronal activities of the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) of anesthetized rats. Although averaged afferent somatosensory transmission through 22 DCN neurons did not appear to be altered by bombesin (-1.11 +/- 3.5%), 12 of them were actually augmented (+17.15 +/- 2.7%) and 10 of them were suppressed (-26.15 +/- 4.9%) during 40 min after bombesin (0.01 microgram) administration. Pretreatment of a bombesin antagonist ([Leu13,Psi(CH2NH)Leu14]bombesin, 0.1 microgram) blocked the effects of bombesin. Lower dose (0.001 microgram) of bombesin did not exert any influences. These results suggest that bombesin may heterogeneously influence afferent somatosensory information in the brain stem of the rat.

Hypercalcemia in head and neck carcinoma. Incidence and prognosis

A retrospective review of all head and neck cancers seen between January 1, 1975, and September 1, 1981, at Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, Michigan, was performed. Of 1438 patients with head and neck cancers, 41 (2.9%) had hypercalcemia (calcium greater than 11.0 mg%) during the course of their disease. The incidence of hypercalcemia by site was 13 of 351 (3.7%) larynx, 7/280 (2.5%) pharynx, 19/733 (2.6%) oral cavity (floor of mouth 4/171, tongue 9/209, tonsil 5/176, palate 1/95, other 0/82, 2/26 (7.7%) nasal cavity, and 0/48 salivary gland carcinomas. Chest radiograph results were positive for mass lesions in 17/35 (49%). Bone scans and/or x-ray results were positive in 15/31 (48%), negative in 16/31 (52%), and were not evaluated in 10 patients. Of five patients tested, all had inappropriately elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) for their serum calcium level. The hypercalcemia was medically treated in 29/41 (70%), with return-to-normal calcium levels in 17/29 (59%). Twelve patients (30%) received only terminal care. Survival from the diagnosis of hypercalcemia ranged from 1 to 514+ days (mean, 80+ days; median 33 days). It is concluded that hypercalcemia is unusual in head and neck carcinoma. Furthermore, hypercalcemia frequently is a late manifestation and terminal event. Finally, hypercalcemia in some patients may be mediated by PTH production.