Biomechanical framework for the inverse dynamic analysis of swimming using hydrodynamic forces from swumsuit

This study aims to integrate an open-source software capable of estimating hydrodynamic forces solely from kinematic data with a full-body biomechanical model of the human body to enable inverse dynamic analyses of swimmers. To demonstrate the methodology, intersegmental forces and joint torques of the lower limbs were computed for a six-beat front crawl swimming motion, acquired at LABIOMEP-UP. The hydrodynamic forces obtained compare well with existing numerical literature. The intersegmental forces and joint torques obtained increase from distal to proximal joints. Overall, the results are consistent with the limited literature on swimming biomechanics, which provides confidence in the presented methodology.

Real-world evidence of trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer using an administrative claims database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) and regorafenib (REG) are standard therapies for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). No results of large real-world data directly comparing FTD/TPI + bevacizumab (BEV) with FTD/TPI or REG monotherapy have been reported. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of FTD/TPI + BEV in a real-world setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study used a Japanese claims database provided by Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). Eligible patients were aged 20 years and over with a diagnosis of mCRC, and received their first dose of FTD/TPI or REG from 2014 to 2021. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) in a propensity score matching (PSM) population in which PSM was carried out by matching using a 1 : 1 ratio for the FTD/TPI + BEV group and the control group (FTD/TPI or REG) by propensity score. To enhance robustness, sensitivity analyses of OS were carried out using the inverse probability treatment weighted (IPTW) approach and the analysis in the all eligible population. Secondary endpoints included time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), incidence of adverse events, and post-treatment.

RESULTS

Eligible population was 2369 for the FTD/TPI + BEV group and 9318 for the control group. The PSM population was 1787 for each group. Median OS (mOS) was longer in the FTD/TPI + BEV group compared to the control group [17.0 versus 11.6 months, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70, P < 0.001] in the PSM population. Similarly, mOS was longer for the FTD/TPI + BEV group compared to that for the control group in IPTW analyses and in the all eligible population (both HRs = 0.68). Median TTD was 3.3 months for the FTD/TPI + BEV group and 1.8 months for the control group in the PSM population (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Real-world data showed that FTD/TPI + BEV was significantly associated with OS and TTD compared to FTD/TPI or REG. In clinical practice, FTD/TPI + BEV can be a favorable regimen for refractory mCRC.

Significance of soil moisture on temperature dependence of Hg emission

Soil moisture is a key factor for mercury (Hg) emission from soil. Despite its significance for Hg emissions, the effect of soil moisture on Hg flux and fractions has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to elucidate the influences of soil moisture and temperature on Hg fluxes from soils and Hg fractions. A kinetic study was performed to measure Hg emission fluxes of six soil samples under different temperature (T) (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) and moisture conditions (0%, 10%, and 20% added water). The results showed that the Hg fluxes increased with increases in T and soil moisture. A linear correlation was found between ln (Hg emission flux) and 1/T for the six soil samples at different moisture contents (R² = 0.73-0.99). The range of activation energy (Ea) values was 25.31-57.86 kJ/mol. The Hg fractions in soils of different moisture content were determined by a sequential extraction method. The results demonstrated that soil moisture affected the Hg fractions in soils. The Ea values had different relationships with soil moisture in different soils. There were correlations between Ea and the elemental and mercuric sulfide fractions for air-dried soils. However, for moist soils, Ea was negatively correlated with the water-soluble and acid-soluble fractions. Collectively, the combination of the Hg emission kinetics and Hg fraction measurement of different moist soils indicated that Hg emission was affected by both total Hg concentration and Hg fractions.

Relationship between vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity and the number of combined nephrotoxic agents

Vancomycin is associated with nephrotoxicity; however, the influence of the number of combined nephrotoxic agents on the incidence of vancomycin nephrotoxicity has not been clarified. We investigated patient backgrounds in 148 inpatients who received vancomycin treatment. The patients were divided into nephrotoxicity (n=35) and non-nephrotoxicity (n=113) groups. A comparison of the patient backgrounds in the two groups revealed significant differences in weight, changes in serum creatinine before vancomycin administration, blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine ratio, length of vancomycin therapy, vancomycin trough concentration, and number of combined nephrotoxic agents. Multiple logistic regression analysis using these six factors as autonomous variables showed that the highest vancomycin trough concentration (odds ratio, 1.080; 95% confidence interval, 1.030-1.140; p = 0.003) and the number of combined nephrotoxic agents (odds ratio, 1.590; 95% confidence interval, 1.120-2.260; p = 0.010) were significantly related to nephrotoxicity.

Investigation of immune complexes formed by mitochondrial antigens containing a new lipoylated site in sera of primary biliary cholangitis patients

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is characterized by the presence of serum anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs). To date, four antigens among the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complex family, which commonly have lipoyl domains as an epitope, have been identified as AMA-corresponding antigens (AMA-antigens). It has recently been reported that AMAs react more strongly with certain chemically modified mimics than with the native lipoyl domains in AMA-antigens. Moreover, high concentrations of circulating immune complexes (ICs) in PBC patients have been reported. However, the existence of ICs formed by AMAs and their antigens has not been reported to date. We hypothesized that AMAs and their antigens formed ICs in PBC sera, and analyzed sera of PBC and four autoimmune diseases (Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis) using immune complexome analysis, in which ICs are separated from serum and are identified by nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. To correctly assign MS/MS spectra to peptide sequences, we used a protein-search algorithm that including lipoylation and certain xenobiotic modifications. We found three AMA-antigens, the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), the E2 subunit of the 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC-E2) and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase binding protein (E3BP), by detecting peptides containing lipoylation and xenobiotic modifications from PBC sera. Although the lipoylated sites of these peptides were different from the well-known sites, abnormal lipoylation and xenobiotic modification may lead to production of AMAs and the formation ICs. Further investigation of the lipoylated sites, xenobiotic modifications, and IC formation will lead to deepen our understanding of PBC pathogenesis.

Immune complexome analysis reveals the presence of immune complexes and identifies disease-specific immune complex antigens in saliva samples from patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly damages the salivary and lacrimal glands. Immune complex (IC) formation triggers local inflammation through IC deposition and decreased antigen function. Some ICs can leak from the lesion and into the saliva, but no salivary ICs have been reported to date. We used immune complexome analysis to comprehensively identify antigens incorporated into IC (IC-antigens) in saliva samples from patients with SS (n = 9) or with xerostomia (n = 7). Neutrophil defensin 1 (67%), small proline-rich protein 2D (67%), myeloperoxidase (44%), neutrophil elastase (44%), cathepsin G (33%), nuclear mitotic apparatus 1 (33%) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 3-kinase C2 domain-containing subunit gamma (33%) were identified as new IC-antigens specifically and frequently detected in the saliva of SS patients. Of these, neutrophil defensin 1, myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G are neutrophil intracellular proteins, which suggests that repeated destruction of neutrophils due to abnormal autoimmunity may be involved in the pathogenesis of SS. We also analyzed serum samples from three SS patients. There was little overlap of IC-antigens between two of the samples (fewer than 30% of the IC-antigens in the saliva samples), suggesting that many ICs are formed locally and independently of the circulation. In addition, we found that four SS-specific salivary antigens show sequence homology with several proteins of oral microbiomes but no antigen has homology with Epstein-Barr virus proteins. The homology between some IC-antigens and oral microbiome proteins may indicate the impact of oral infection on local autoimmunity through molecular mimicry theory.

Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate inhibits protein glycation

The production and accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are hypothesized to have a causal role in the development of the complications associated with aging and lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. Therefore, it is important to reduce the production and accumulation of AGEs. In the present study, the ability of sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) on inhibition of glycation was assessed. In vitro, PBA inhibited the glycation of albumin and collagen by up to 42.1 and 36.9%, respectively. Furthermore, when spontaneously diabetic KK mice were administered PBA (20 mg/day) or vehicle orally, glycosuria developed rapidly in the control mice, but after 6 weeks, only one treated mouse was glycosuric. In addition, the weight gain and HbA1c levels were significantly lower in the treated mice compared with the untreated mice (weight gain, 36.0 g vs. 39.4 g, P<0.01; HbA1C level, 3.96 vs. 4.78%, P<0.01; respectively). These results suggested that PBA also inhibited glycation in vivo. Further studies are required to determine whether PBA may be effective for the therapy or prevention of aging or lifestyle-related diseases caused by the accumulation of AGEs. The method of administration and the side-effects of PBA have already been established as PBA is already used clinically. Therefore, the repurposing of PBA for reducing AGE levels may be a potential option to reduce complications associated with aging.

Short-term effects of low-dose tolvaptan in acute decompensated heart failure patients with severe aortic stenosis: the LOHAS registry

Background

Tolvaptan exerts potent diuretic effects in heart failure patients without hemodynamic instability. Nonetheless, its clinical efficacy for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) due to severe aortic stenosis (AS) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of tolvaptan in ADHF patients with severe AS.

Methods

The LOw-Dose Tolvaptan (7.5 mg) in Decompensated Heart Failure Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis (LOHAS) registry is a multicenter (7 centers) prospective registry that assessed the short-term effects of tolvaptan in subjects hospitalized for ADHF with severe AS. A total of 59 subjects were enrolled between September 2014 and December 2017. The primary endpoints were changes in body weight and fluid balance measured daily from baseline up to 4 days.

Results

The median [interquartile range] patient age and aortic valve area were 85.0 [81.0–89.0] years and 0.58 [0.42–0.74] cm2, respectively. Body weight continuously decreased, and fluid balance was maintained from baseline to day 4 (p&lt;0.001, p=0.194, respectively). Median serum B-type natriuretic peptide concentration significantly decreased from 910.5 to 740.0 pg/mL by day 4 (p=0.002). However, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were non-significantly changed (p=0.250, p=0.656, respectively). Hypernatremia (&gt;150 mEq/L) and worsening renal function occurred in 2 (3.4%) and 4 (6.8%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Short-term treatment with low-dose tolvaptan is safe and effective, providing stable hemodynamic parameters in patients with ADHF and severe AS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): This research was supported by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

P1546 Reproducibility of right atrial myocardial deformation by two-dimensional speckle tracking

Background

Right atrial (RA) deformation by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has a relatively new technique to evaluate right heart function with pulmonary hypertension and cardiomyopathy. Reproducibility between observers of this technique is important to develop into a robust and reliable tool. Experience may pose significant challenges.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate reproducibility of RA strain (global and regional) between novice and expert.

Methods

One hundred thirty-three patients (n = 133) underwent 2D-Speckle tracking derived RA strain analysis by 3 independent blinded readers (expert and 2 novices). The novice observers were medical interns with no prior experience in performing strain analysis. Echocardiographic images were acquired from iE33 (Philips Medical System) but were analysed offline using single vendor dependent software (QLAB version 11.0; Philips Medical System). The result of novice observer was calculated by the average of novice observers. RA strain parameters were assessed: global RA strain and segmental (Basal, Mid, Roof). Intraobserver and interobserver analyses were performed using intra class correlation coefficients (ICC) between expert and novice.

Results

Expert and novice observer demonstrated good interobserver reproducibility of global RA strain (ICC 0.88) and segmental parameters (Basal: ICC 0.89, Mid: ICC 0.87, Roof: ICC 0.84). Of all parameters, the basal segment of RA strain showed the greatest interobserver agreement. Intraobserver agreement for novice observer was excellent for global RA strain and segmental parameters (ICC &gt; 0.88).

Conclusions

Global RA strain and segmental parameters were highly reproducible by novice and expert strain observer.

P2605Liver stiffness assessed by fibrosis-4 index; noninvasive marker using serum biomarkers is associated with right ventricular function and cardiovascular prognosis in HFpEF

Background

Liver stiffness is reported to be associated with right atrial pressure and worse prognosis of heart failure. Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index (age (years) × aspartate aminotransferase (IU/L)/platelet count (109/L) × square root of alanine aminotransferase (IU/L)) is known as a useful and simple marker for evaluating liver stiffness. However, the association between FIB4 index and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was not elucidated.

Purpose

This study aimed to clarity the association between FIB4 index and right ventricular (RV) function and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) of HFpEF.

Method

From February 2012 to December 2015, 132 subjects diagnosed as HFpEF after hospitalization of acute decompensation were enrolled (79 years, 59 male). Subjects performed thoracic surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention within half a year and died before discharge were excluded. All subjects were measured FIB4 index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to assess RV function before discharge. In addition, patients were classified into two groups: high-(≥3.01, n=52) and low-FIB4 index groups (<3.01, n=80). MACE incidence during the follow-up period were compared between these groups.

Results

Patient with high-FIB4 index were older and higher level of blood pressure. There was no difference in prevalence rates of history of liver disease. In multivariate Linear regression analysis, FIB4 index was significantly association with TAPSE independently confounding factors. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with high-FIB4 index experienced more CV events during the 1734 days of follow-up (42.3% vs 26.2%, p=0.028) (figure).

Kaplan-Meier curve freedom from MACE

Conclusions

FIB4 index is associated with RV dysfunction and a high risk of future CV event of HFpEF.

P2621Clinical safety and efficacy of tolvaptan for acute phase therapy in patients with low-flow severe aortic stenosis

Background

Conventional diuretic therapy for low-flow (LF) severe aortic stenosis (SAS) often has an inadequate effect or causes hemodynamic instability. Tolvaptan is used for acute heart failure in addition to conventional diuretics in Japan, and it does not cause intravascular dehydration.

Purpose

This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of tolvaptan in the acute phase patients with SAS and compared LF-SAS with normal-flow (NF) SAS.

Methods

56 consecutive SAS patients are analyzed. The primary endpoints were adverse clinical events (death, worsening heart failure, worsening renal failure, fatal arrhythmia, cardiogenic or hypovolemic shock, and use of inotropic agents) and the volume of urine and fluid balance within 48 hours of tolvaptan administration (Figure).

Results

Among 56 patients, 16 had LF-SAS (29%), and 40 had NF-SAS (71%). Severe adverse clinical events were not observed 48 hours after tolvaptan administration. In both groups, the urine volume significantly increased after tolvaptan administration in comparison to 24 hours before tolvaptan administration (both, p<0.01). There were no changes in the urine volume during the initial 24 and 48 hours. In the LF-SAS group, tolvaptan resulted in a significant decrease in fluid balance during the initial 24 and 48 hours compared to 24 hours before tolvaptan administration (p<0.05).

Treatment and data collection protocols

Conclusion

Adding tolvaptan to conventional treatment leads to an increase in urine output and a decreased fluid balance without hemodynamic instability in patients with LF-SAS.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Evaluation of IC50 levels immediately after treatment with anticancer reagents using a real-time cell monitoring device

A real-time cell-monitoring analysis (RTCA) system was previously developed based on the change in impedance when cells attach and spread in a culture dish coated with a gold microelectrode array. However, the potential applications of this system have not yet been fully demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to test the utility of the RTCA system to determine the cytotoxicity of four anticancer agents in carcinoma cells. The results were compared with those of the conventional WST-8 assay at the endpoint to determine the potential of the RTCA system as a new real-time assay method to evaluate cytotoxicity. iCELLigence was used as the RTCA system in this study. Suspensions of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines were seeded (2×104 cells/well) onto the E-plate (the culture plate of the iCELLigence system). After 24 h of culture, anticancer agents were added to each well, and changes in electrical impedance (cell index, CI) were recorded for another 72 h of culture. Cell proliferation was detected in real-time by the RTCA device in an automated, high throughput manner. Then, the IC50 profiles of the four anticancer agents were calculated based on the real-time cell index values. The results indicated that the RTCA system was useful in evaluating cytotoxic reactions immediately after the addition of the anticancer agents as it was able to record the data in real-time. Furthermore, the IC50 levels measured by the real-time assay were lower than those measured by the endpoint assay. Thus, RTCA systems can be used to evaluate chemotherapeutic agents in cancer cells as well as their side effects in normal cells.

Regulation of collagen type XVII expression by miR203a-3p in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Collagen type XVII (COL17) is expressed in various tissues and its aberrant expression is associated with tumour progression. In this study, we investigated the regulation of COL17 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using the cell lines NA, SAS, Ca9-22, and Sa3. COL17 was induced upon p53 activation by cisplatin in SAS; however, this effect was more limited in NA and hardly in Ca9-22 and Sa3, with mutated p53. Moreover, COL17 was found to be regulated by miR203a-3p in all cell lines. Our data suggest that COL17 expression in OSCC cell lines is regulated by p53 and miR203a-3p.

Enhancement by Ticlopidine of the Inhibitory Effect on In Vitro Platelet Aggregation of the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor Tirofiban

We determined the effects of combining the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban (MK-383, Aggrastat) and ticlopidine on inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and prolongation of bleeding time in 5 healthy male volunteers. The study consisted of 2 periods. In period 1, tirofiban was administered intravenously as a bolus injection at a dose of 5.0 µg/kg for 5 min, then as a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.05 µg/kg/min for 5 h 55 min. In period 2, ticlopidine was given orally at a dose of 200 mg once daily for 4 days, after which tirofiban was administered in the same manner as in period 1, starting 2 h after the last dose of ticlopidine. The percent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by ADP 5 µM at the end of tirofiban infusion in periods 1 and 2 was 73.6 ± 2.6 and 87.1 ± 5.7% (mean ± SD), respectively. The corresponding values for inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by collagen 2 µg/ml were 45.4 ± 36.1 and 82.8 ± 27.0%, respectively. In contrast, the percent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen after treatment with ticlopidine alone was 15.8 ± 20.2 and p ± 4.8%, respectively. Compared with tirofiban alone, the combination of tirofiban and ticlopidine significantly enhanced inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by both ADP and collagen (p <0.02 and p <0.012, respectively). The inhibitory effects of ticlopidine alone were not statistically significant. Tirofiban prolonged bleeding time both in period 1 and in period 2. However, tirofiban and ticlopidine combined did not affect bleeding time. Ticlopidine administration did not alter the pharmacokinetics of tirofiban. In conclusion, at the doses of tirofiban and ticlopidine used in this study, the combination of the two drugs enhanced inhibition of platelet aggregation but did not prolong bleeding time, suggesting that appropriate doses of tirofiban can be used concomitantly with ticlopidine with no further safety concerns but with potential additional clinical effects.

Viral eradication reduces both liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy

BACKGROUND

Whether direct-acting anti-viral therapy can reduce liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear.

AIMS

To evaluate changes in liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with HCV who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy and achieved sustained virological response (SVR).

METHODS

A total of 198 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 2 who achieved SVR after direct-acting anti-viral therapy were analysed. Liver stiffness as evaluated by magnetic resonance elastography, steatosis as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging-determined proton density fat fraction (PDFF), insulin resistance, and laboratory data were assessed before treatment (baseline) and at 24 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR24).

RESULTS

Alanine aminotransferase and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance levels decreased significantly from baseline to SVR24. Conversely, platelet count, which is inversely associated with liver fibrosis, increased significantly from baseline to SVR24. In patients with high triglyceride levels (≥150 mg/dL), triglyceride levels significantly decreased from baseline to SVR24 (P = 0.004). The median (interquartile range) liver stiffness values at baseline and SVR24 were 3.10 (2.70-4.18) kPa and 2.80 (2.40-3.77) kPa respectively (P < 0.001). The PDFF values at baseline and SVR 24 were 2.4 (1.7-3.4)% and 1.9 (1.3-2.8)% respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, 68% (19/28) of patients with fatty liver at baseline (PDFF ≥5.2%; n = 28) no longer had fatty liver (PDFF <5.2%) at SVR24.

CONCLUSION

Viral eradication reduces both liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with chronic HCV who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy (UMIN000017020).

In Vitro Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Phenylbutyric Acid Metabolite Phenylacetyl Glutamine

Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA), which exerts a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects, is rapidly cleared from the body (approximately 98%) by urinary excretion by 24 h after oral treatment in humans. PBA was almost entirely excreted to urine as phenylacetyl glutamine (PAGln). However, no data describe the potential anti-inflammatory effects of PAGln. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of PAGln on mouse spleen cells and peritoneal cavity cells, and explore the potential mechanism underlying this effect. PAGln was added to mouse spleen cell cultures stimulated by concanavalin A, or mouse peritoneal cavity cell cultures stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. After 72 h of culture, levels of inflammatory cytokines in culture supernatants were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system, and levels of inflammatory proteins were assessed by Western blotting. PAGln significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine (interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) production, decrease of cell number in the spleen cell, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory proteins (nuclear factor κB, and inducible nitric oxide synthase). These results suggest that PAGln possesses anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of T cell activation and Toll-like receptor 4 signaling. This study of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PAGln provides useful information about its potential for therapeutic applications.

Assessment of Anticancer Drug Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cells under Glucose-Depleted Conditions Using Intracellular and Extracellular Amino Acid Metabolomics

Previously, we developed a method to evaluate states of cells treated with anticancer drugs via the comprehensive analysis of amino acids, termed amino acid metabolomics. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the anticancer drugs, gemcitabine hydrochloride and pyrvinium pamoate, on the proliferation of a pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1) under hypoglycemic conditions using amino acid metabolomics. Intracellular and extracellular amino acid profiles of PANC-1 were determined by hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with simple pretreatment. Changes to the drugs' anticancer effects resulting from glucose starvation conditions were presented in score plots obtained from principal component analyses. In particular, the analysis of intracellular amino acids was found to be the superior approach because the results allowed a clearer assessment of the cell state. Further, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed to search for amino acid candidates that discriminate with anticancer drug-treated PANC-1 cells. We identified several amino acids that might be able to distinguish the drug-treated group from the control group. These results might provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cell responses such as drug resistance or austerity. The present study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer drugs under glucose starvation based on the analysis of the variation of extracellular and intracellular amino acid profiles in vitro.

Detection of copy number variations in epilepsy using exome data

Epilepsies are common neurological disorders and genetic factors contribute to their pathogenesis. Copy number variations (CNVs) are increasingly recognized as an important etiology of many human diseases including epilepsy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is becoming a standard tool for detecting pathogenic mutations and has recently been applied to detecting CNVs. Here, we analyzed 294 families with epilepsy using WES, and focused on 168 families with no causative single nucleotide variants in known epilepsy-associated genes to further validate CNVs using 2 different CNV detection tools using WES data. We confirmed 18 pathogenic CNVs, and 2 deletions and 2 duplications at chr15q11.2 of clinically unknown significance. Of note, we were able to identify small CNVs less than 10 kb in size, which might be difficult to detect by conventional microarray. We revealed 2 cases with pathogenic CNVs that one of the 2 CNV detection tools failed to find, suggesting that using different CNV tools is recommended to increase diagnostic yield. Considering a relatively high discovery rate of CNVs (18 out of 168 families, 10.7%) and successful detection of CNV with <10 kb in size, CNV detection by WES may be able to surrogate, or at least complement, conventional microarray analysis.

Amino Acid Metabolomics Using LC-MS/MS: Assessment of Cancer-Cell Resistance in a Simulated Tumor Microenvironment

We performed a comprehensive quantification of 20 amino acids in RPMI 1640 medium-cultured human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells to evaluate the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil treatment under hypoxic and hypoglycemic conditions, which mimic the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we developed a simple and comprehensive analytical method by using LC-MS/MS connected to the Intrada amino acid column, which eluted amino acids within 9 min. The present method covered a linearity range of 3.6 - 1818 μM, except for Gly (227 - 1818 μM), Ala, Asp, His (7.1 - 1818 μM each), and Trp (3.6 - 909 μM). The limits of detection were in the range of 0.02 - 38.0 pmol per injection in a standard solution. Amino acid concentration data were analyzed using principal-component analysis to represent samples on two-dimensional graphs. Linear discriminant analysis was used to classify samples on the score plots. Using this approach, the effect of 5-fluorouracil treatment could be successfully discriminated at high discrimination rates. Moreover, several amino acids were extracted from corresponding loading plots as candidate markers for distinguishing the effects of the 5-fluorouracil treatment or tumor microenvironmental conditions. These results suggest that our proposed method might be a useful tool for evaluating the efficacy of anticancer drugs in the tumor microenvironment.

Anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) leaves in vitro

Fruits and vegetables have been recognized as natural sources of various bioactive compounds. Peppers, one such natural source, are consumed worldwide as spice crops. They additionally have an important role in traditional medicine, as a result of their antioxidant bioactivity via radical scavenging. However, there are no reports regarding the bioactivity of the bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum), a commonly used edible vegetable. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of water extract from bell pepper leaves on mouse spleen cells, and explore the potential mechanism underlying this effect. The extract was prepared through homogenization of bell pepper leaves in deionized water. The sterilized supernatant was added to a mouse spleen cell culture stimulated by concanavalin A. Following 72 h of culture, the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the culture supernatant were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system, and levels of inflammatory proteins were assessed using western blotting. The bell pepper leaf extract significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine production, inhibited cell proliferation without producing cytotoxicity, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory proteins. These results suggest that components of the bell pepper leaf extract possess anti-inflammatory activity. The study of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of bell pepper leaf extract has provided useful information on its potential for therapeutic application.

miR-200c-3p spreads invasive capacity in human oral squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes over 90% of all cancers in the oral cavity. The prognosis for patients with invasive OSCC is poor; therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of invasion and subsequent metastasis not only to prevent cancer progression but also to detect new therapeutic targets against OSCC. Recently, extracellular vesicles-particularly exosomes-have been recognized as intercellular communicators in the tumor microenvironment. As exosomic cargo, deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) can shape the surrounding microenvironment in a cancer-dependent manner. Previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding miR-200c-3p expression levels in OSCC cell lines, tissues, or serum-likely because of the heterogeneous characters of the specimen materials. For this reason, single-cell clone analyses are necessary to effectively assess the role of exosome-derived miRNAs on cells within the tumor microenvironment. The present study utilized integrated microarray profiling to compare exosome-derived miRNA and exosome-treated cell-derived mRNA expression. Data were acquired from noninvasive SQUU-A and highly invasive SQUU-B tongue cancer cell clones derived from a single patient to determine candidate miRNAs that promote OSCC invasion. Matrigel invasion assays confirmed that hsa-miR-200c-3p was a key pro-invasion factor among six miRNA candidates. Consistently, silencing of the miR-200c-3p targets, CHD9 and WRN, significantly accelerated the invasive potential of SQUU-A cells. Thus, our data indicate that miR-200c-3p in exosomes derived from a highly invasive OSCC line can induce a similar phenotype in non-invasive counterparts.

Identification of novel BCL11A variants in patients with epileptic encephalopathy: Expanding the phenotypic spectrum

BCL11A encodes a zinc finger protein that is highly expressed in hematopoietic tissues and the brain, and that is known to function as a transcriptional repressor of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Recently, de novo variants in BCL11A have been reported in individuals with intellectual disability syndrome without epilepsy. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing of 302 patients with epileptic encephalopathies (EEs), and identified 2 novel BCL11A variants, c.577delC (p.His193Metfs*3) and c.2351A>C (p.Lys784Thr). Both the patients shared major physical features characteristic of BCL11A-related intellectual disability syndrome, suggesting that characteristic physical features and the persistence of HbF should lead clinicians to suspect EEs caused by BCL11A pathogenic variants. Patient 1, with a frameshift variant, presented with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which expands the phenotypic spectrum of BCL11A haploinsufficiency. Patient 2, with a p.Lys784Thr variant, presented with West syndrome followed by drug-resistant focal seizures and more severe developmental disability. These 2 newly described patients contribute to delineating the associated, yet uncertain phenotypic characteristics of BCL11A disease-causing variants.

A novel missense mutation affecting the same amino acid as the recurrent PACS1 mutation in Schuurs-Hoeijmakers syndrome

A novel causative variant (c.608G>A, p.Arg203Gln) in PACS1.

Orally administered sodium 4-phenylbutyrate suppresses the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) exerts therapeutic effects in a wide range of pathologies. A previous study by the present authors revealed that intraperitoneal administration of PBA suppresses the onset of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. In the present study, the effects of orally administered PBA are investigated, as this route of administration is more clinically relevant. The therapeutic efficacy of PBA (10 mg/12 h) in mice with experimental colitis was assessed based on the disease activity index, production of inflammatory cytokines, colon length and histopathological investigations. The results of the present study demonstrated a significantly higher survival rate in the PBA-treated group compared with the PBA-untreated (DSS control) group (P=0.0156). PBA treatment improved pathological indices of experimental colitis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the oral administration of PBA significantly inhibited the DSS-induced shortening of the colon (P<0.05) and overproduction of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 (both P<0.05) as measured in colonic lavage fluids. A marked attenuation of the DSS-induced overproduction of tumor necrosis factor was also observed. For histopathological analysis, a marked decrease in mature goblet cells and increase in enlarged nuclei of the absorptive cells was observed in colon lesions of DSS control mice as compared with normal untreated mice. However, in the PBA-treated mice, no such lesions were observed and the mucosa resembled that of DSS-untreated mice. The results of the present study, combined with those results of a previous study, suggest that oral and intraperitoneal administration of PBA have similar preventative effects on DSS-induced colitis, achieved by suppressing its pathogenesis.

Novel biallelic SZT2 mutations in 3 cases of early-onset epileptic encephalopathy

The seizure threshold 2 (SZT2) gene encodes a large, highly conserved protein that is associated with epileptogenesis. In mice, Szt2 is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. Recently, biallelic SZT2 mutations were found in 7 patients (from 5 families) presenting with epileptic encephalopathy with dysmorphic features and/or non-syndromic intellectual disabilities. In this study, we identified by whole-exome sequencing compound heterozygous SZT2 mutations in 3 patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathies. Six novel SZT2 mutations were found, including 3 truncating, 1 splice site and 2 missense mutations. The splice-site mutation resulted in skipping of exon 20 and was associated with a premature stop codon. All individuals presented with seizures, severe developmental delay and intellectual disabilities with high variability. Brain MRIs revealed a characteristic thick and short corpus callosum or a persistent cavum septum pellucidum in each of the 2 cases. Interestingly, in the third case, born to consanguineous parents, had unexpected compound heterozygous missense mutations. She showed microcephaly despite the other case and previous ones presenting with macrocephaly, suggesting that SZT2 mutations might affect head size.

A case of atypical Kabuki syndrome arising from a novel missense variant in HNRNPK

A novel causative variant (c. 464T>C, p.Leu155Pro) in the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) gene.

Enhanced regeneration potential of mobilized dental pulp stem cells from immature teeth

OBJECTIVES

We have previously demonstrated that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from mature teeth by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced mobilization method can enhance angiogenesis/vasculogenesis and improve pulp regeneration when compared with colony-derived DPSCs. However, the efficacy of this method in immature teeth with root-formative stage has never been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the stemness, biological characteristics, and regeneration potential in mobilized DPSCs compared with colony-derived DPSCs from immature teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mobilized DPSCs isolated from immature teeth were compared to colony-derived DPSCs using methods including flow cytometry, migration assays, mRNA expression of angiogenic/neurotrophic factor, and induced differentiation assays. They were also compared in trophic effects of the secretome. Regeneration potential was further compared in an ectopic tooth transplantation model.

RESULTS

Mobilized DPSCs had higher migration ability and expressed more angiogenic/neurotrophic factors than DPSCs. The mobilized DPSC secretome produced a higher stimulatory effect on migration, immunomodulation, anti-apoptosis, endothelial differentiation, and neurite extension. In addition, vascularization and pulp regeneration potential were higher in mobilized DPSCs than in DPSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

G-CSF-induced mobilization method enhances regeneration potential of colony-derived DPSCs from immature teeth.

Dentin Regeneration by Dental Pulp Stem Cell Therapy with Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2

Regenerative medicine is based on stem cells, signals, and scaffolds. Dental pulp tissue has the potential to regenerate dentin in response to noxious stimuli, such as caries. The progenitor/stem cells are responsible for this regeneration. Thus, stem cell therapy has considerable promise in dentin regeneration. Culture of porcine pulp cells, as a three-dimensional pellet, promoted odontoblast differentiation compared with monolayers. The expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp) and enamelysin/matrix metalloproteinase 20 (MMP20) mRNA confirmed the differentiation of pulp cells into odontoblasts and was stimulated by the morphogenetic signal, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). Based on the in vitro experiments, an in vivo evaluation of pulp progenitor/stem cells in the dog was performed. The autogenous transplantation of the BMP2-treated pellet culture onto the amputated pulp stimulated reparative dentin formation. In conclusion, BMP2 can direct pulp progenitor/stem cell differentiation into odontoblasts and result in dentin formation.

Molecular genetic analysis of 30 families with Joubert syndrome

Joubert syndrome (JS) is rare recessive disorders characterized by the combination of hypoplasia/aplasia of the cerebellar vermis, thickened and elongated superior cerebellar peduncles, and a deep interpeduncular fossa which is defined by neuroimaging and is termed the 'molar tooth sign'. JS is genetically highly heterogeneous, with at least 29 disease genes being involved. To further understand the genetic causes of JS, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 24 newly recruited JS families. Together with six previously reported families, we identified causative mutations in 25 out of 30 (24 + 6) families (83.3%). We identified eight mutated genes in 27 (21 + 6) Japanese families, TMEM67 (7/27, 25.9%) and CEP290 (6/27, 22.2%) were the most commonly mutated. Interestingly, 9 of 12 CEP290 disease alleles were c.6012-12T>A (75.0%), an allele that has not been reported in non-Japanese populations. Therefore c.6012-12T>A is a common allele in the Japanese population. Importantly, one Japanese and one Omani families carried compound biallelic mutations in two distinct genes (TMEM67/RPGRIP1L and TMEM138/BBS1, respectively). BBS1 is the causative gene in Bardet-Biedl syndrome. These concomitant mutations led to severe and/or complex clinical features in the patients, suggesting combined effects of different mutant genes.

Segmental Distribution of Vasa Vasorum to the Canine Abdominal Vena Cava: A Possible Correlation with its Embryogenesis

The segment of the male canine abdominal vena cava (AVC) between the liver and the renal veins receives vasa vasorum from the right phrenicoabdom inal artery, while the infrarenal segment of AVC does from the right testicular artery. These facts were confirmed by both macroscopic observation with dye injection into the arteries and measurement of contractile responses of the segments in vivo by the method with intravascular cuffs. The segmental dis tribution of vasa vasorum from arteries of the right side may closely correlate with the embryogenesis of the vein.

An anomalous dog with totally inverted viscera, which we found during our study, exhibited another anomaly of AVC: It had the segment of AVC between the liver and the renal veins at the left side of the aorta and the infrarenal segment at the right. This anomaly shows that AVC is composed with at least two segments which is formed separately during its embryogenesis and may support our hypothesis.

Characterization of SPATA5-related encephalopathy in early childhood

Mutations in SPATA5 have recently been shown to result in a phenotype of microcephaly, intellectual disability, seizures, and hearing loss in childhood. Our aim in this report is to delineate the SPATA5 syndrome as a clinical entity, including the facial appearance, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging findings. Using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we identified three children with SPATA5 mutations from two families. Two siblings carried compound heterozygous mutations, c.989_991del (p.Thr330del) and c.2130_2133del (p.Glu711Profs*21), and the third child had c.967T>A (p.Phe323Ile) and c.2146G>C (p.Ala716Pro) mutations. The three patients manifested microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, hypotonus or hypertonus, and bilateral hearing loss from early infancy. Common facies were a depressed nasal bridge/ridge, broad eyebrows, and retrognathia. Epileptic spasms or tonic seizures emerged at 6-12 months of age. Interictal electroencephalography showed multifocal spikes and bursts of asynchronous diffuse spike-wave complexes. Augmented amplitudes of visually evoked potentials were detected in two patients. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypomyelination, thin corpus callosum, and progressive cerebral atrophy. Blood copper levels were also elevated or close to the upper normal levels in these children. Clinical delineation of the SPATA5-related encephalopathy should improve diagnosis, facilitating further clinical and molecular investigation.

A change in objective sleep duration is associated with a change in the serum adiponectin level of women with overweight or obesity undergoing weight loss intervention

BACKGROUND

Although the serum adiponectin level is inversely correlated to body mass index and closely associated with obesity and related diseases, neither the impact of weight loss on the adiponectin level nor other factors that might influence the adiponectin level during weight loss intervention are well documented.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study is to assess the change in the serum adiponectin level during weight loss intervention and to determine if sleep parameters affect the serum adiponectin level.

METHODS

Ninety women with overweight or obesity aged 25 to 65 years completed a 7-month cognitive behavioural therapy based weight loss intervention that included dieting, exercise and stress management. Serum adiponectin level, body fat percent, symptoms of depression and anxiety and objective sleep parameters, assessed by actigraphy, were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

RESULTS

The serum adiponectin level was significantly increased after the weight loss intervention (P < 0.001). In a multiple regression analysis, the change of the adiponectin level was positively associated with the magnitude of body fat loss (β = -0.317, P < 0.001) and an increase of sleep minutes (β = 0.210, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

An increase in objective sleep duration was related to a significantly increased serum adiponectin level independently of the change of body fat during the weight loss intervention.

Different X-linked KDM5C mutations in affected male siblings: is maternal reversion error involved?

Genetic reversion is the phenomenon of spontaneous gene correction by which gene function is partially or completely rescued. However, it is unknown whether this mechanism always correctly repairs mutations, or is prone to error. We investigated a family of three boys with intellectual disability, and among them we identified two different mutations in KDM5C, located at Xp11.22, using whole-exome sequencing. Two affected boys have c.633delG and the other has c.631delC. We also confirmed de novo germline (c.631delC) and low-prevalence somatic (c.633delG) mutations in their mother. The two mutations are present on the same maternal haplotype, suggesting that a postzygotic somatic mutation or a reversion error occurred at an early embryonic stage in the mother, leading to switched KDM5C mutations in the affected siblings. This event is extremely unlikely to arise spontaneously (with an estimated probability of 0.39-7.5 × 10(-28) ), thus a possible reversion error is proposed here to explain this event. This study provides evidence for reversion error as a novel mechanism for the generation of somatic mutations in human diseases.