β-Delayed One and Two Neutron Emission Probabilities Southeast of ^{132}Sn and the Odd-Even Systematics in r-Process Nuclide Abundances

The β-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities (P_{1n} and P_{2n}) of 20 neutron-rich nuclei with N≥82 have been measured at the RIBF facility of the RIKEN Nishina Center. P_{1n} of ^{130,131}Ag, ^{133,134}Cd, ^{135,136}In, and ^{138,139}Sn were determined for the first time, and stringent upper limits were placed on P_{2n} for nearly all cases. β-delayed two-neutron emission (β2n) was unambiguously identified in ^{133}Cd and ^{135,136}In, and their P_{2n} were measured. Weak β2n was also detected from ^{137,138}Sn. Our results highlight the effect of the N=82 and Z=50 shell closures on β-delayed neutron emission probability and provide stringent benchmarks for newly developed macroscopic-microscopic and self-consistent global models with the inclusion of a statistical treatment of neutron and γ emission. The impact of our measurements on r-process nucleosynthesis was studied in a neutron star merger scenario. Our P_{1n} and P_{2n} have a direct impact on the odd-even staggering of the final abundance, improving the agreement between calculated and observed Solar System abundances. The odd isotope fraction of Ba in r-process-enhanced (r-II) stars is also better reproduced using our new data.

The association between frailty and physical performance in elderly patients with heart failure

Background

Frailty is known to be an important prognostic indicator in heart failure (HF). The Korean version of the frail scale for Koreans (K-FRAIL) has been developed and verified. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the K-FRAIL scale and physical performance, including muscular fitness and aerobic capacity in patients with HF.

Methods

This study included 143 HF patients aged over 65 years from a single tertiary hospital. In these subjects, muscular fitness was assessed using the handgrip test and knee extensor strength measurement, and aerobic capacity was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walk test. Frailty status was measured using the K-FRAIL questionnaire and was classified as robust (K-FRAIL scale: 0), prefrail (1–2), and frail (3–5).

Results

Mean age of participants with robust (N=37), prefrail (N=75), and frail (N=31) were 72.5, 73.5, and 76.3 years, respectively. There was no difference in sex and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) among groups, but the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower as frailty status increased (75.6±17.2 vs. 70.0±20.5 vs. 56.1±23.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; P<0.001). Hand-grip strength and knee extensor muscle strength did not differ among groups. However, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2; 22.8±5.0 vs. 19.3±4.6 vs. 16.9±4.7 mL/kg/min, P<0.001) and 6-min walk distance (458.4±68.2 vs. 404.5±92.3 vs. 311.2±120.5 m; p<0.001) significantly decreased according to frailty severity. In multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, haemoglobin, eGFR and LVEF, peak VO2 (β=−0.311; P=0.002) and 6-min walk distance (β=−0.384; P<0.001) showed a significant inverse association with the K-FRAIL scale. With the cut-off value from receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, peak VO2 (hazard ratio, 5.08; p=0.023) and 6MWT (hazard ratio, 3.99; p=0.020) were independent predictor of frailty according to K-FRAIL scale.

Conclusion

In elderly HF patients, physical performance differs according to frailty status, peak VO2 and 6-min walk distance correlates with the K-FRAIL scale better than muscular fitness.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effect of follow-up raloxifene therapy after denosumab discontinuation in postmenopausal women

Follow-up raloxifene therapy after denosumab discontinuation resulted in a decrease in bone mass to the pre-denosumab levels and a rebound increase of bone turnover markers. The decrease in lumbar bone mineral density was particularly evident when the body mass index was low, there were previous vertebral fractures, or lumbar bone mineral density before denosumab administration was low.

INTRODUCTION

Selective estrogen receptor modulators may be an alternative to bisphosphonates for treating rebound resorption after discontinuing denosumab. This study aimed to investigate the effects of follow-up raloxifene therapy after denosumab discontinuation in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included 61 patients who received 12-month follow-up raloxifene therapy after denosumab discontinuation. The primary endpoint was the bone mineral density change. The secondary endpoints were the changes in bone turnover markers and the incidence of new vertebral fractures.

RESULTS

Raloxifene administration for 12 months after denosumab discontinuation resulted in a significantly lower bone mineral density at all sites compared to the level at 6 months after the last denosumab treatment (lumbar spine, - 5.48%; femoral neck, - 2.95%; total hip, - 3.52%; all, p < 0.001). The decrease in lumbar bone mineral density was particularly evident when the body mass index was low, there were previous vertebral fractures, or lumbar bone mineral density before denosumab administration was low. Marked increases in the bone turnover markers from baseline were noted after switching to raloxifene. However, no new vertebral fractures occurred during raloxifene treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Follow-up raloxifene therapy after denosumab discontinuation resulted in a decrease in bone mass to the pre-denosumab levels and a rebound increase of bone turnover markers. Therefore, raloxifene administered sequentially after denosumab discontinuation was not effective in preventing rebound phenomenon.

Comparison of fracture risk between type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a comprehensive real-world data

Population-based cohort study of 6,548,784 Korean subjects demonstrates that the risk of fracture was higher in patients with diabetes than in nondiabetic subjects. Furthermore, patients with type 1 diabetes were associated with a higher risk of fracture than patients with type 2 diabetes for all measurement sites.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased fracture risk. Although the pathophysiologic effect on bone metabolism differs according to the type of diabetes, a higher risk of fracture in patients with diabetes than in nondiabetic patients has been consistently demonstrated. Considering the ever-increasing number of patients with diabetes, we aimed to provide updated information on whether this phenomenon remains valid in real-world settings by using large-scale population datasets.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service dataset of preventive health check-ups between January 2009 and December 2016. The hazard ratios were calculated for any fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture and were analyzed according to the presence and type of diabetes. Among 10,585,818 subjects, 6,548,784 were eligible for the analysis (2418 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM] and 506,208 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration (in years) was 7.0 ± 1.3 for subjects without diabetes, 6.4 ± 2.0 for those with T1DM, and 6.7 ± 1.7 for T2DM. Patients with T1DM had a higher incidence rate for all types of fractures per 1000 person-years. The fully adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for any fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture were higher in T1DM than in T2DM (1.37 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-1.52] for any fracture, 1.33 [95% CI: 1.09-1.63] for vertebral fracture, and 1.99 [95% CI: 1.56-2.53] for hip fracture).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large-scale population analysis, diabetes was associated with a higher risk of all types of fractures. Patients with T1DM had a higher risk of fracture than those with T2DM for all measurement sites, and hip fractures had the highest risk. Therefore, fracture prevention training for patients with diabetes is advisable.

Development of postbiotics by whey bioconversion with Enterococcus faecalis M157 KACC81148BP and Lactococcus lactis CAU2013 KACC81152BP for treating periodontal disease and improving gut health

This study developed postbiotics with whey bioconversion product produced by Enterococcus faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP, and mixed whey bioconversion products produced by E. faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis CAU2013 KACC 81152BP to alleviate periodontitis (PD) and to improve gut health. The powdered whey bioconversion product (EF) produced by E. faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP, mixed whey bioconversion products (EF+LL) from E. faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP and L. lactis CAU2013 KACC 81152BP, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control) were administered orally to PD-induced rats for 8 wk. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and epithelial proliferation in periodontal tissue were found in control, but the lesions were reduced in PD+EF group (administration of EF to PD-induced rats), and no lesions were observed in PD+EF+LL group (administration of EF+LL to PD-induced rats). The bone loss volumes in PD+EF and PD+EF+LL groups were lower than in control. Cytokine production levels related to inflammation were lower and antioxidative stress markers were higher in PD+EF and PD+EF+LL groups than in control for both periodontal tissue and gut. The ratios of Lactobacillus spp. in gut microbiome of PD+EF and PD+EF+LL groups were higher than in control. These results indicate that the whey bioconversion product produced by E. faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP, and mixed whey bioconversion products produced by E. faecalis M157 KACC 81148BP and L. lactis CAU2013 KACC 81152BP are effective on relieving periodontitis and improving the gut health.

Natural Products for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Pancreatic cancer, the seventh most lethal cancer around the world, is considered complicated cancer due to poor prognosis and difficulty in treatment. Despite all the conventional treatments, including surgical therapy and chemotherapy, the mortality rate is still high. Therefore, the possibility of using natural products for pancreatic cancer is increasing. In this study, 68 natural products that have anti-pancreatic cancer effects reported within five years were reviewed. The mechanisms of anti-cancer effects were divided into four types: apoptosis, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-resistance. Most of the studies were conducted for natural products that induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. Among them, plant extracts such as Eucalyptus microcorys account for the major portion. Some natural products, including Moringa, Coix seed, etc., showed multi-functional properties. Natural products could be beneficial candidates for treating pancreatic cancer.

Metabolomics Changes of Serum and Tissues in Mice Died of Acute Tetracaine Poisoning

Abstract

Objective To study the changes of metabolites in serum and tissues （kidney, liver and heart） of mice died of acute tetracaine poisoning by metabolomics, to search for potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways, and to provide new ideas for the identification of cause of death and research on toxicological mechanism of acute tetracaine poisoning. Methods Forty ICR mice were randomly divided into control group and acute tetracaine poisoning death group. The model of death from acute poisoning was established by intraperitoneal injection of tetracaine, and the metabolic profile of serum and tissues of mice was obtained by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Orbitrap HRMS）. Multivariate statistical principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were used, combined with t-test and fold change to identify the differential metabolites associated with death from acute tetracaine poisoning. Results Compared with the control group, the metabolic profiles of serum and tissues in the mice from acute tetracaine poisoning death group were significantly different. Eleven differential metabolites were identified in serum, including xanthine, spermine, 3-hydroxybutylamine, etc.; twenty-five differential metabolites were identified in liver, including adenylate, adenosine, citric acid, etc.; twelve differential metabolites were identified in heart, including hypoxanthine, guanine, guanosine, etc; four differential metabolites were identified in kidney, including taurochenodeoxycholic acid, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, dimethylethanolamine and indole. Acute tetracaine poisoning mainly affected purine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as metabolism of alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Conclusion The differential metabolites in serum and tissues of mice died of acute tetracaine poisoning are expected to be candidate biomarkers for this cause of death. The results can provide research basis for the mechanism and identification of acute tetracaine poisoning.

Fermented milk with Lactobacillus curvatus SMFM2016-NK alleviates periodontal and gut inflammation, and alters oral and gut microbiota

This study aimed to analyze the effect of milk fermented with Lactobacillus curvatus SMFM2016-NK on periodontal diseases and gut health in a rat model. To improve the effect of Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk administration for relieving periodontitis, the periodontitis rat models were treated with the following for 4 wk: 10% skim milk (normal), periodontitis + 10% skim milk (negative control), periodontitis + Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-fermented milk (positive control), and periodontitis + Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk (PD+LCFM). Transcriptional analysis of inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10] was performed via quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The changes in the oral and gut microbiomes after administering Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk were analyzed with metagenomics sequencing using DNA extracted from the oral gingival tissues and feces from the cecum of the rat models. After treatment with Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk, the relative gene expression levels of TNFA and IL1B in the gingiva decreased in the PD+LCFM group compared with those in the negative control group. In the oral microbiome, the proportion of the phylum Proteobacteria in the PD+LCFM group was lower than that in the negative control after treatment with Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk. For the effect in the gut, the relative gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the colon between the normal and negative control groups were not different; however, the expression levels of TNFA and IL1B in the PD+LCFM and positive control groups, respectively, were lower than those in the negative control group. The composition and diversity of the gut microbiome differed among normal, periodontitis, and Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk treatment groups. These results indicate that Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk could alleviate periodontal and gut inflammation and change oral and gut microbiota.

Machine learning for predicting fractional flow reserve based on optical coherence tomography in intermediate coronary stenosis

Background

Machine learning approaches using intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) to predict fractional flow reserve (FFR) have not been previously investigated. The objective of the study was to evaluate a machine learning method to estimate FFR based on intravascular OCT images in intermediate coronary lesions.

Methods

Data from both OCT- and wire-based FFR methods were obtained for lesions of the left anterior descending artery in 125 patients. Based on the total number of lesions, training and testing groups were partitioned at a ratio of 5:1. For the training group, 36 features, including 16 clinical and lesion characteristics, and 21 OCT features, were used to model machine learning-FFR. machine learning-FFR values were then derived for the testing group and compared with wire-based FFR values in terms of a diagnosis of ischemia (FFR &lt;0.8).

Results

Clinical and lesion characteristics and OCT features between the training and testing groups were similar. During the machine learning modeling of the training group, six important features of machine learning-FFR were identified: minimal luminal area, percentage of the stenotic area, lesion length, proximal luminal area, pre-procedural platelet count, and hypertension. machine learning-FFR values showed a good correlation (r=0.853, P&lt;0.001) with wire-based FFR values (Figure 1A). The diagnostic power of an FFR value less than 0.8, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of machine learning-FFR values for the testing group were 85.7%, 100%, 100%, 77.8%, and 90.5%, respectively (Figure 1B). Additionally, OCT-based machine learning-FFR values showed a good diagnostic accuracy compared with other image-based FFR values.

Conclusions

The OCT-based machine learning-FFR method can be used to simultaneously acquire information on both image and functional modalities using one invasive procedure, suggesting that it may be used to optimize treatments for intermediate coronary artery stenosis, as well as save time and cost.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (no. 2017R1A2B2003191)

Transplant outcomes in kidney recipients with lupus nephritis, and systematic review

Background

Despite improved survival of patients with lupus nephritis (LN), some require kidney transplantation because of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the transplant outcomes of these patients and other recipients have not been thoroughly compared.

Methods

In total, 1848 Korean kidney recipients who underwent transplantation from 1998 to 2017 at two tertiary referral centers were evaluated retrospectively. Among them, 28 recipients with LN, and 50 control recipients matched by age, sex, and donor type, were compared with respect to graft and patient survival. We pooled our data with 17 previous cohort studies in which the graft survival of recipients with LN was described in detail.

Results

During the median follow-up period of 9.5 years (maximum 21 years), graft failure (GF) occurred in 10.7% and 16.0% of LN and control recipients, respectively. No differences were found in the rates of GF and death-censored graft failure or patient survival between the two groups. The risks of acute T cell-mediated and antibody-mediated rejection were also similar between the two groups. The pooled analysis showed similar 1- and 5-year graft survival rates between LN and control recipients.

Conclusions

Kidney transplantation is an acceptable option in patients with concurrent LN and ESRD.

P5731Optimal blood pressure in diabetic hypertensive patients with overt proteinuria

Background

Evidence for the benefit of intensive blood pressure lowering in diabetic nephropathy is not clear at this time. The objective of this study was to demonstrate whether lower mean blood pressure (BP) in treated hypertensive patients with diabetic nephropathy is associated with better prognosis.

Methods

From the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) Health Examination Database, diabetic hypertensive subjects with proteinuria between 2009 and 2010 were selected and followed-up until 2015 (N=8,663). Mean of the recorded systolic and diastolic BP during follow-up health examinations were stratified into five categories (SBP: <120, 120 to <130, 130 to <140, 140 to <150, and ≥150 mmHg; DBP: <70, 70 to <80, 80 to <90, 90 to <100, and ≥100 mmHg). All-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and renal outcome (progression to end stage renal disease or doubling of serum creatinine) were examined by Cox proportional hazard models with the propensity scores adjusted method.

Results

Compared to SBP of 130 to <140 mmHg, SBP of 120 to <130 mmHg was associated with lower risk of all-cause death (HR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.64–0.95), stroke (HR: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.94), and renal outcome (HR: 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68–0.97). SBP of <120 mmHg was associated with benefit for renal outcomes (HR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.55–0.88) but not with elevated risk of other outcomes. Compared to DBP of 80 to <90 mmHg, DBP of 70 to <80 mmHg were associated with lower risk of all-cause death (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64–0.88) but with higher risk of MI (HR: 1.52; 95% CI, 1.05–2.21). DBP of <70 mmHg was associated with reduced risk of all-cause death (HR: 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64–0.98).

Conclusion

In diabetic hypertensive subjects with overt proteinuria, deterioration of renal function decreased with decreasing SBP and the lowest risk of all-cause death and stroke were observed in SBP <130 mmHg. Low DBP was associated with low risk of all-cause death but there was a J curve phenomenon for MI in DBP of 70 to <80 mmHg.

P3555Lower native T1, extracellular volume and T2 on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is related to more left ventricular reverse remodeling in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Guideline-directed medical therapy can induce left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). Some predictors for LVRR have been reported but, there were few studies about the relationship between cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters and LVRR in NIDCM on optimal GDMT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed echocardiogram and CMR data of newly diagnosed 142 NIDCM patients (age: 57±16 years old, 71.8% male) in a single center from Jan 2012 to Dec 2017. NIDCM was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% and the ischemic etiology was excluded by CMR, coronary angiography or coronary CT or SPECT scan. LVRR was defined as improvement in LVEF ≥10% during follow-up period (median 403 days).

Results

Baseline LVEF and LV end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) were 27±8% and 64±8 mm. There were 87 patients (61.3%) of LVRR in our cohort. In LVRR group, native T1 value was significantly lower (1326±66 for LVRR vs 1369±72ms, p<0.001), extracellular volume (ECV) was significantly lower (28.3±3.6 for LVRR vs 32.4±4.4%, p<0.001), and T2 value was significantly lower (49.6±4.6 for LVRR vs 52.1±5.4ms, p=0.004) compared with non-LVRR group. ECV was an independent predictor for LVRR after adjusting current LVRR predictors such as age, sex, LVEF, LVEDD, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and QRS duration (Odd ratio 0.706, 95% confidence interval 0.616–0.809, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Lower native T1, ECV and T2 on CMR is related to higher incidence of LVRR in NIDCM. Further larger prospective study should be warranted to confirm the relationship between CMR parameters and LVRR in NIDCM.

Abstract P1-08-24: Conditional survival of breast cancer patients: Korean nationwide registry

Purpose: Conditional relative survival (CRS) could provide more relevant information on the current prognosis of cancer survivors than standard 5-year relative survival (RS). This study aimed to estimate the 5-year CRS of Korean breast cancer patients.

Patients and Methods: We identified 145,083 breast cancer cases with diagnosis between 2002 and 2013 in the Korea Central Cancer Registry. The CRS was estimated for every year after diagnosis, according to sex, age, histologic types, stage, and year of diagnosis.

Results: The 5-year RS at diagnosis was 90.8% and 10-year RS was 85.7%. Five-year CRS was 91.0% and 94.3% at 1-year and 5-year after diagnosis. Women had better 5-year CRS than men after 5 years of survival (94.3% vs. 79.5%), and very young and very old patients had worse 5-year CRS after 5 years of survival than other age groups (92.2% in &lt;40yr, 92.6% in ≥70yr vs. 95.4% in 40-49, 94.3% in 50-59, and 93.7% in 60-69, relatively). In histologic types, CRS of metaplastic carcinoma has improved from 82.0% to 95.2%, compared to CRS of lobular carcinoma (from 93.1% to 92.5%). Hardly any excess mortality (5-year CRS ≥ 95%) was seen since 7 years after diagnosis. There was hardly any excess mortality at 5 years of survival, for the patients with 40-49 years (95.4%), with localized disease (97.8%), and with metaplastic carcinoma (95.2%).

Conclusion: This study showed that CRS of breast cancer survivors in Korea has been improved, which varied by sex, age, stage, and histologic types. These CRS analysis could provide a more detailed information for survival to breast cancer survivors and clinicians.

Citation Format: Jung S-Y, Jung K-W, Won Y-J, Kwon Y, Ha J, Kim YA, Kong S-Y, Lee ES. Conditional survival of breast cancer patients: Korean nationwide registry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-24.

Effects of cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector B on meat quality traits in Berkshire pigs

Cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) B is a member of the CIDE family of apoptosis-inducing factors. In the present study, we detected a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), c.414G>A, which corresponds to the synonymous SNP 414Arg, in CIDE-B in the Berkshire pigs. We also analyzed the relationships between the CIDE-B SNP and various meat quality traits. The SNP was significantly associated with post-mortem pH_24h, water-holding capacity (WHC), fat content, protein content, drip loss, post-mortem temperature at 12 h (T12) and 24 h (T24) in a co-dominant model (P < 0.05). A significant association was detected between the SNP and post-mortem pH_24h, fat content, protein content, drip loss, shear force, and T24 in gilts; and color parameter b*, WHC, and T24 in barrows (P < 0.05). The SNP was significantly correlated with the fat content, and CIDE-B mRNA expression was significantly upregulated during the early stage of adipogenesis, suggesting that CIDE-B may contribute towards initiation of adipogenesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CIDE-B mRNA was strongly expressed in the liver, kidney, large intestine, and small intestine, and weakly expressed in the stomach, lung, spleen, and white adipose tissue. These results indicate that the CIDE-B SNP is closely associated with meat quality traits and may be a useful DNA marker for improving pork quality.

Schottky barrier-gated high performance photodetectors using a water-borne polymeric colloid

Here, we demonstrate the synergetic application of a cationic surfactant (CTAB) for the fabrication of a fast response organic photoconductor via an environmentally benign fabrication process. A water-borne colloid of the semiconducting polymer PBTTT was fabricated via a mini-emulsion process with CTAB as the surfactant, and deposited onto a Au-patterned substrate to complete the photoconductor device geometry. Due to the preferential adsorption of the ammonium cation of the CTAB molecules onto the Au surface, a dipole layer was created and thus the work function of Au was significantly reduced, as confirmed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopic studies. We show that the resulting Schottky barrier between Au-CTAB and PBTTT can be used as an artificial 'gate' for a trap-limited photoconductive mechanism, leading to a fast temporal response of the photoconductor without sacrificing the efficient photoconductive gain-generating mechanism. As a result, a high detectivity of 4.92 × 10(10) Jones, as well as a high gain of 107, can be realized from the PBTTT-based organic photoconductor. This result opens the possibility of fabricating high performance and simple structured organic photodetectors via a nontoxic fabrication process.

Evaluation of Salmonella Growth at Low Concentrations of NaNO2 and NaCl in Processed Meat Products Using Probabilistic Model

This study developed probabilistic models to predict Salmonella growth in processed meat products formulated with varying concentrations of NaCl and NaNO2. A five-strain mixture of Salmonella was inoculated in nutrient broth supplemented with NaCl (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.75%) and NaNO2 (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 ppm). The inoculated samples were then incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 4°C, 7°C, 10°C, 12°C, and 15°C for up to 60 days. Growth (assigned the value of 1) or no growth (assigned the value of 0) for each combination was evaluated by turbidity. These growth response data were analyzed with a logistic regression to evaluate the effect of NaCl and NaNO2 on Salmonella growth. The results from the developed model were compared to the observed data obtained from the frankfurters to evaluate the performance of the model. Results from the developed model showed that a single application of NaNO2 at low concentrations did not inhibit Salmonella growth, whereas NaCl significantly (p<0.05) inhibited Salmonella growth at 10°C, 12°C, and 15°C, regardless of the presence of oxygen. At 4°C and 7°C, Salmonella growth was not observed in either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. When NaNO2 was combined with NaCl, the probability of Salmonella growth decreased. The validation value confirmed that the performance of the developed model was appropriate. This study indicates that the developed probabilistic models should be useful for describing the combinational effect of NaNO2 and NaCl on inhibiting Salmonella growth in processed meat products.

Treatment Strategy for Persistent Sciatic Artery and Novel Classification Reflecting Anatomic Status

BACKGROUND

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a relatively rare congenital variant of the lower limb vasculature and can have highly variable clinical presentations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between PSA anatomy and clinical presentation, and to suggest an optimal management strategy.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2014, 24 PSAs in 19 patients were diagnosed by computed tomography and referred to the vascular surgery department. Patient demographics, types of PSA and femoral artery, aneurysmal changes, symptoms, and treatment methods were assessed. Additionally, all English literature from 1964 to 2014 was reviewed and compared using the PubMed database (224 PSAs in 171 patients).

RESULTS

PSA was diagnosed in 10 men (52.6%) and nine women (47.4%). PSAs were bilateral in five patients (26.3%) and symptomatic in 12 patients, while in seven patients PSA was found incidentally. According to the Pillet-Gauffre classification, Type 2a was the most common variant (n = 15/24, 62.5%), with unclassifiable types in two limbs. Compared with cases in the literature, the PSA occlusion rate in this study was higher (n = 10/24, 41.7% vs. n = 54/224, 27.5%), but aneurysm incidence was higher in the literature cases (n = 5/24, 20.8% vs. n = 112/224; 50.7%). In this study, 16 limbs (66.6%) were treated conservatively, and six limbs were treated by open surgery, including four bypasses, one amputation, and one thrombo-embolectomy. Endovascular coil embolization was performed in one limb, and a hybrid procedure with stent graft was performed in one limb with PSA aneurysm. Based on the present series and the literature review, a new classification system and treatment option is proposed according to the anatomic status and the presence of aneurysm. According to the new classification, class III was the most common in both the present study (18/24; 75%) and the literature review, and the presence of aneurysm was the most important determinant of surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The new classification system is simple and provides guidance for management. Limb anatomy of the femoral artery system and the presence of PSA aneurysm should be considered when selecting the optimal treatment. The risk of embolism from the presence of aneurysm is an important factor for treatment, and bypass surgery is mostly required in classes III and IV.

Impact of (18)FDG PET and (11)C-PIB PET brain imaging on the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in a regional memory clinic in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the improvement in the accuracy of diagnosis of dementia subtypes among Chinese dementia patients who underwent [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG PET) with or without carbon 11-labelled Pittsburgh compound B ((11)C-PIB).

METHODS

This case series was performed in the Memory Clinic at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. We reviewed 109 subjects (56.9% were female) who received PET with or without (11)C-PIB between January 2007 and December 2014. Data including age, sex, education level, Mini-Mental State Examination score, Clinical Dementia Rating scale score, neuroimaging report, and pre-/post-imaging clinical diagnoses were collected from medical records. The agreement between the initial and post-PET with or without (11)C-PIB dementia diagnosis was analysed by the Cohen's kappa statistics.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy of initial clinical diagnosis of dementia subtype was 63.7%, and diagnosis was subsequently changed in 36.3% of subjects following PET with or without (11)C-PIB. The rate of accurate initial clinical diagnosis (compared with the final post-imaging diagnosis) was 81.5%, 44.4%, 14.3%, 28.6%, 55.6% and 0% for Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, other dementia, and mixed dementia, respectively. The agreement between the initial and final post-imaging dementia subtype diagnosis was only fair, with a Cohen's kappa of 0.25 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.45). For the 21 subjects who underwent (11)C-PIB PET imaging, 19% (n=4) of those with Alzheimer's disease (PIB positive) were initially diagnosed with non-Alzheimer's disease dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, PET with or without (11)C-PIB brain imaging helped improve the accuracy of diagnosis of dementia subtype in 36% of our patients with underlying Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

JAK-STAT and G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways are frequently altered in epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma

Epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (EITL, also known as type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma) is an aggressive intestinal disease with poor prognosis and its molecular alterations have not been comprehensively characterized. We aimed to identify actionable easy-to-screen alterations that would allow better diagnostics and/or treatment of this deadly disease. By performing whole-exome sequencing of four EITL tumor-normal pairs, followed by amplicon deep sequencing of 42 tumor samples, frequent alterations of the JAK-STAT and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways were discovered in a large portion of samples. Specifically, STAT5B was mutated in a remarkable 63% of cases, JAK3 in 35% and GNAI2 in 24%, with the majority occurring at known activating hotspots in key functional domains. Moreover, STAT5B locus carried copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity resulting in the duplication of the mutant copy, suggesting the importance of mutant STAT5B dosage for the development of EITL. Dysregulation of the JAK-STAT and GPCR pathways was also supported by gene expression profiling and further verified in patient tumor samples. In vitro overexpression of GNAI2 mutants led to the upregulation of pERK1/2, a member of MEK-ERK pathway. Notably, inhibitors of both JAK-STAT and MEK-ERK pathways effectively reduced viability of patient-derived primary EITL cells, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for this neoplasm with no effective treatment currently available.

Long-term control of diabetes in immunosuppressed nonhuman primates (NHP) by the transplantation of adult porcine islets

Pig islets are an alternative source for islet transplantation to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D), but reproducible curative potential in the pig-to-nonhuman primate (NHP) model has not been demonstrated. Here, we report that pig islet grafts survived and maintained normoglycemia for >6 months in four of five consecutive immunosuppressed NHPs. Pig islets were isolated from designated pathogen-free (DPF) miniature pigs and infused intraportally into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rhesus monkeys under pretreatment with cobra venom factor (CVF), anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and maintenance with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody and low-dose sirolimus. Ex vivo expanded autologous regulatory T cells were adoptively transferred in three recipients. Blood glucose levels were promptly normalized in all five monkeys and normoglycemia (90-110 mg/dL) was maintained for >6 months in four cases, the longest currently up to 603 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests during the follow-up period showed excellent glucose disposal capacity and porcine C-peptide responses. Adoptive transfer of autologous regulatory T cells was likely to be associated with more stable and durable normoglycemia. Importantly, the recipients showed no serious adverse effects. Taken together, our results confirm the clinical feasibility of pig islet transplantation to treat T1D patients without the need for excessive immunosuppressive therapy.

Fatal scedosporiosis in multiple solid organ allografts transmitted from a nearly-drowned donor

Scedosporium spp. is the most common mold infection in pneumonia resulting from near-drowning. Three fatal scedosporiosis cases developed after solid organ transplantation, probably transmitted from the nearly-drowned donor. One heart transplant recipient and two kidney transplant recipients developed fatal scedosporiosis following deceased donor transplantation from the same donor, a nearly-drowned victim of a suicide attempt. Genotypically, indistinguishable strains of Scedosporium auratiacum were recovered from the three recipients. Two liver transplant recipients from the same donor received prophylactic voriconazole without any subsequent signs of infection. To determine the safety of donation from nearly-drowned donors, a national traceback investigation was also performed of the causes of deaths in all transplant recipients who received organs from drowned donors between 2001 and 2013. Over 13 years, 2600 deceased donor transplants were performed in Korea. Among these 2600 deceased donor transplants, 27 (1%) victims of drowning donated their organs. From these 27 donors, 84 patients received organ transplants and 18 died, including the above three. We found no microbiologic evidence of invasive mold transmission from the nearly-drowned donors to the other 15 recipients. Although disseminated infection in the donor could not be demonstrated by culture, undiagnosed disseminated donor infection and transmission of Scedosporium spp. should be considered in near-drowning events.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.