Formation and evolution of carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu: Direct evidence from returned samples

Samples of the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu were brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. We analyzed 17 Ryugu samples measuring 1 to 8 millimeters. Carbon dioxide-bearing water inclusions are present within a pyrrhotite crystal, indicating that Ryugu's parent asteroid formed in the outer Solar System. The samples contain low abundances of materials that formed at high temperatures, such as chondrules and calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions. The samples are rich in phyllosilicates and carbonates, which formed through aqueous alteration reactions at low temperature, high pH, and water/rock ratios of <1 (by mass). Less altered fragments contain olivine, pyroxene, amorphous silicates, calcite, and phosphide. Numerical simulations, based on the mineralogical and physical properties of the samples, indicate that Ryugu's parent body formed ~2 million years after the beginning of Solar System formation.

POS0794 PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS IN JAPAN – A NATIONWIDE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background

Takayasu arteritis (TAK), a granulomatous large vessel vasculitis, mainly involves the aorta and its proximal branches and commonly occurs in young females. However, studies of pregnancy in women with TAK are sparse and limited, probably due to the rarity of the disease.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to understand the status quo of medical treatments of the primary disease and outcomes of pregnancy in patients with TAK, and birth outcomes of the children in Japan.

Methods

Patients with TAK who conceived after the onset of the disease and were managed at medical facilities participating in the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis (JPVAS) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The following information was collected from patients who had a live-born baby: age at diagnosis of TAK, disease classification, age at delivery, treatments before and during pregnancy, complications during pregnancy, birth outcomes of the children, and changes in disease activity during pregnancy and after delivery.

Results

Fifty-one cases and 69 pregnancies from 19 ethics committee-approved centers were enrolled during the study period 2019–2021. Of these, 49 cases and 66 pregnancies (95.7%) resulted in delivery and live-born babies. The Numano classification of the 49 cases was as follows: type I, 11; type IIa, 15; type IIb,12; type III, 1; type IV, 1; type V, 9; with type IIa being the most common. The age of diagnosis was 22 years (13–37 years, year of diagnosis 1965–2017), the median age of the delivery of 66 pregnancies was 31 years (year of delivery 1969-2021), and the median duration of illness at delivery was nine years. There were 34 planned pregnancies (51.5%, including four pregnancies by artificial insemination/ovulation induction). Preconception therapy included prednisolone (PSL) in 51 pregnancies (77.3%, median dose 7.5 mg (range 4–30 mg)/day), immunosuppressive drugs in 18 pregnancies (27.3%, azathioprine 8, tacrolimus 7, methotrexate 4, cyclosporin A 1, and colchicine 1), biologics in 12 pregnancies (18.1%, infliximab 6, tocilizumab 5, and adalimumab 1), antihypertensive drugs in 5 pregnancies (7.6%). Surgical treatment had been performed before pregnancy in 6 cases (aortic root replacement 2, subclavian artery dilatation 1, subclavian artery bypass 1, subclavian artery stenting 1, and ascending aorta semicircular artery replacement 1). Medications used during the course of pregnancy included PSL in 48 pregnancies (72.7%, median dose 8 mg (range 4–30 mg)/day, increased in 13 pregnancies, decreased in 1 pregnancy), immunosuppressants in 13 pregnancies (19.7%, azathioprine 6, tacrolimus 6, and cyclosporin A 1), biologics 9 pregnancies (13.6%, infliximab 4, tocilizumab 4, and adalimumab 1). Immunosuppressants and biologics were discontinued in five and four pregnancies after conception. Complications during pregnancy were observed in 20 pregnancies (30.3%), with hypertension being the most common. Complications related to TAK or its treatment were severe infections in two pregnancies and aneurysm enlargement due to increased circulating plasma volume in one pregnancy. Aortic arch replacement was performed after delivery for the latter case. Relapse of TAK was observed in 4 pregnancies (6.1%) during pregnancy and in 8 pregnancies (12.1%) after delivery. One pregnancy resulted in restenosis of subclavian artery for which dilatation procedure was performed prior to the pregnancy. There were 13/66 (19.7%) preterm infants and 17/59 (28.8%) low birth weight infants; all but one had a birth weight of more than 2,000 g and no had serious postnatal abnormalities. Forty-three (82.7%) of the 52 confirmed infants were breastfeed fully or mixed.

Conclusion

Most of the pregnancies in patients with TAK were successfully delivered while they had low disease activity at a dose of less than 10 mg/day of PSL. Relapse occurred during pregnancy and after delivery in some cases. The babies tended to have low birth weight, but 82.7% of them were breastfed without serious complications.

Disclosure of Interests

Takako Miyamae: None declared, Yusuke Manabe: None declared, takahiko sugihara Speakers bureau: TS has received honoraria from Abbvie Japan Co., Ltd., AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB Japan Co., Grant/research support from: TS has received research grants from AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Ono Pharmaceutical., Natsuka Umezawa: None declared, Hajime Yoshifuji Speakers bureau: HY has received lecture fees from Janssen and Chugai., Naoto Tamura: None declared, Yoshiyuki Abe: None declared, Shunsuke Furuta Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.

DaiichiSankyo Co.,Ltd.

Asahi-Kasei Pharma Corporation, Manami Kato: None declared, Takashi Kumagai: None declared, Kaito Nakamura: None declared, Hiroko Nagafuchi: None declared, Jun Ishizaki: None declared, Naoko Nakano: None declared, Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.,TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., Consultant of: AstraZeneca plc., MEDICAL & BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES CO., LTD., Pfizer Inc., AbbVie Inc., ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO. LTD.,

Novartis Pharma K.K., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.AbbVie Inc., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.,Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Pfizer Inc. Alexion Inc., TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED., Kohei Karino: None declared, Koichi Amano Speakers bureau: AbbVie GK, Asahi-Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd., Eisai, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKlein, Janssen Pharma, Pfizer Japan, Grant/research support from: Asahi-Kasei Pharma,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd., Takahiko Kurasawa: None declared, Shuichi Ito: None declared, Ryusuke Yoshimi: None declared, Noriyoshi Ogawa: None declared, Shogo Banno: None declared, Taio Naniwa Speakers bureau: Chugai, Tanabe, Abbbvie, Eisai, Grant/research support from: Chugai, Tanabe, Abbbvie, Eisai, Satoshi Ito Speakers bureau: SI has received speaker’s fees from pharmaceutical companies., Akinori Hara: None declared, Shinya Hirahara: None declared, Haruhito A. Uchida: None declared, Yasuhiro Onishi: None declared, Yohko Murakawa Speakers bureau: Astellas, UCB, Chugai, AbbVie, Grant/research support from: Chugai, AbbVie, Yoshinori Komagata: None declared, Yoshikazu Nakaoka: None declared, Masayoshi Harigai Speakers bureau: MH has received speaker’s fee from AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Novartis Japan, Pfizer Japan Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Teijin Pharma Ltd and UCB Japan., Consultant of: MH is a consultant for AbbVie, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma.

Prevalence of Hoarseness and Its Association with Severity of Dysphagia in Patients with Sarcopenic Dysphagia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of hoarseness and its association with the severity of dysphagia in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using the Japanese sarcopenic dysphagia database.

SETTING

19 hospitals including 9 acute care hospitals, 8 rehabilitation hospitals, 2 long-term care hospitals, and 1 home visit rehabilitation team.

PARTICIPANTS

287 patients with sarcopenic dysphagia, aged 20 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Sarcopenic dysphagia was diagnosed using a reliable and validated diagnostic algorithm for the condition. The presence and characteristics of hoarseness classified as breathy, rough, asthenic, and strained were assessed. The prevalence of hoarseness and the relationship between hoarseness and Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS) were examined. Order logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, naso-gastric tube, and handgrip strength was used to examine the relationship between hoarseness and FILS at baseline and at follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean age was 83 ± 10 years. Seventy-four (26%) patients had hoarseness, while 32 (11%), 20 (7%), 22 (8%), and 0 (0%) patients had breathy, rough, asthenic, and strained hoarseness, respectively. Median FILS at the initial evaluation was 7 (interquartile range, 5-8). Hoarseness (β=0.747, 95% confidence intervals= 0.229, 1.265, p=0.005), age, sex, naso-gastric tube, and handgrip strength were associated independently with baseline FILS, while hoarseness (β=0.213, 95% confidence intervals= -0.324, 0.750, p=0.438) was not associated independently with the FILS at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Hoarseness was associated with the severity of dysphagia at baseline, however not a prognostic factor for sarcopenic dysphagia. Resistance training of swallowing and respiratory muscles and voice training as part of rehabilitation nutrition might be useful for treating sarcopenic dysphagia.

Pebbles and sand on asteroid (162173) Ryugu: In situ observation and particles returned to Earth

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft investigated the C-type (carbonaceous) asteroid (162173) Ryugu. The mission performed two landing operations to collect samples of surface and subsurface material, the latter exposed by an artificial impact. We present images of the second touchdown site, finding that ejecta from the impact crater was present at the sample location. Surface pebbles at both landing sites show morphological variations ranging from rugged to smooth, similar to Ryugu's boulders, and shapes from quasi-spherical to flattened. The samples were returned to Earth on 6 December 2020. We describe the morphology of >5 grams of returned pebbles and sand. Their diverse color, shape, and structure are consistent with the observed materials of Ryugu; we conclude that they are a representative sample of the asteroid.

Association between Inflammation and Functional Outcome in Patients with Sarcopenic Dysphagia

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate whether inflammation affects the outcome of swallowing ability to improve treatment for sarcopenic dysphagia.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed using data from the Japanese sarcopenic dysphagia database.

SETTING

The database was constructed using data from 19 hospitals and one home visiting rehabilitation team.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with sarcopenic dysphagia with measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum albumin (Alb) were included.

MEASUREMENTS

Patients were assigned to two groups using CRP, Alb, and the Japanese modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). The Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS) was measured at the times of admission and follow-up (FILS follow-up) to assess swallowing function.

RESULTS

A total of 197 patients were included. Mean or median values of each parameter were as follows: age: 83.8±8.7, Alb: 3.2 ± 0.6 g/dL, CRP: 8.0 [3.0, 29.0] mg/L, mGPS: 1 [1-2], FILS: 7 [6-8], FILS follow-up: 8 [7-8], and duration of follow-up: 57.0 [27.0, 85.0] days. The FILS score at follow-up was significantly lower in the high CRP group (≥ 5.0 mg/L) than in the low CRP group (< 5.0 mg/L) (p = 0.01). Further, the FILS score at follow-up was significantly lower in the high mGPS group (class; 2) than in the low mGPS group (class; 0 and 1) (p = 0.03). In the multiple linear regression analyses without FILS at baseline, CRP and mGPS were independent risk factors for FILS follow-up. When FILS at baseline was entered, CRP and mGPS were not an independent risk factors for FILS follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammation could modify the outcome of the patients with sarcopenic dysphagia. Inflammation may be an important risk factor in evaluating patients with sarcopenic dysphagia.

POS0336 PATTERNS OF LARGE-VESSEL LESIONS AND POOR TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH LARGE-VESSEL GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is characterized by cranial symptoms and large-vessel lesions (LVL) in the aorta or its branches. We retrospectively analyzed the Japanese patients newly diagnosed as GCA between 2007 and 2014, and subsequently treated with glucocorticoid (GC). The imaging studies revealed that LVLs were observed in approximately half of the GCA patients, and the LVLs were significantly associated with the increased probability of poor treatment outcomes (1).

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the distribution of LVLs of GCA was associated with poor treatment response.

Methods:

In a retrospective, multi-centric, nationwide registry of GCA patients treated with GCs between 2007 and 2014, 68 newly-diagnosed GCA with LVLs by imaging were detected. All investigators were members of Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis (JPVAS). Poor treatment outcomes (non-achievement of clinical remission by week 24 or relapse during 104 weeks) were primarily evaluated. Cumulative rates and median time to the first event were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Associated factors with the outcomes were analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results:

The mean age was 70.5 years, and 70.6% were women. Twenty-seven (39.7%) of the 68 patients were diagnosed as having GCA by both positive temporal artery biopsy and positive imaging, and 41 (60.3%) by positive imaging. Aortic lesions were detected in 72.1% (group 2, n=49) of the 68 GCA patients with LVLs. Patients without aortic lesions were categorized into two phenotypes: large-vessel GCA with subclavian lesions (group 1, n=9) and atypical large-vessel GCA without subclavian lesions (group 3, n=10). Cranial lesions were observed in 66.7%, 55.1%, and 80.0% in the group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The initial mean dose (SD) of prednisolone was 0.74 (0.26) mg/kg/day, and 20.6 % received methotrexate for remission induction therapy. Baseline dose of GCs and mean time to achievement of low-dose GCs (prednisolone ≤ 5 mg/day) was not significantly different among the three groups.

Overall, 35 (51.5%) of the 68 patients had the event of poor treatment outcomes. Eleven patients were not able to achieve clinical remission by week 24. Relapse after achievement of clinical remission was reported in total of 24 patients; 9 between week 0 and 24, 12 between week 24 and 52, 3 between week 52 and 104. The cumulative rate of events of poor treatment outcomes over the two years was 11.1% in patients with group 1, 55.3% in those with group 2, and 88.0% in those with group 3. Mean time to events was significantly different among the three groups. Multivariable analysis showed the risk of poor treatment outcomes was likely to decrease in the group 1 (hazard ratio 0.14 [95% CI 0.02-1.03], p=0.054), while it increased in the group 3 (hazard ratio 2.22 [95% CI 1.06-4.68], p=0.035).

Conclusion:

The distribution of LVLs were associated with poorer treatment outcomes. A half of the patients with aortic lesions had poor treatment outcomes while subclavian arteritis without aortic lesions had better clinical outcomes. Atypical large vessel-GCA without the aortic and subclavian artery involvement was the worst prognostic phenotype of LV-GCA. Extent of LVLs by imaging should be considered when determining the treatment strategy for GCA.

References:

[1]Sugihara T, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020;22(1):72

Acknowledgements:

The authors would like to acknowledge Mitsuaki Isobe (Sakakibara Heart Institute), Yoshihiro Arimura (Kichijoji Asahi Hospital), and all the investigators in the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis (JPVAS). In addition to the authors, the following investigators and institutions participated in this study: Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University Koshigaya Hospital (Shigeto Kobayashi); Niigata Rheumatic Center (Satoshi Ito); Niigata Prefectural Shibata Hospital (Noriyuki Homma).

Disclosure of Interests:

takahiko sugihara Speakers bureau: TS has received honoraria from Abbvie Japan Co., Ltd., AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Grant/research support from: TS has received research grants from AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo., and Ono Pharmaceutical., Haruhito A. Uchida Grant/research support from: HAU belongs to the Department of Chronic Kidney

Disease and Cardiovascular Disease which is endowed by Chugai Pharmaceutical, MSD, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Kawanishi Holdings., Hajime Yoshifuji Speakers bureau: HY has received lecture fees from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd., Yasuhiro Maejima Speakers bureau: YM have received honoraria from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.., Taio Naniwa Speakers bureau: TN has received lecture fees from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.., Grant/research support from: TN has received research grants from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.., Yasuhiro Katsumata Speakers bureau: YK has received honoraria from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Glaxo-Smithkline K.K., Sanofi K.K., Pfizer Japan Inc., and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp., Takahiro Okazaki Grant/research support from: TO has received research grants from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Pharmaceutical., and Actelion, Jun Ishizaki: None declared, Yohko Murakawa Speakers bureau: YM has received honoraria from Abbvie, Astellas, Ayumi Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai Pharmaceutical, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Kissei Pharmaceutical, Nippon Kayaku, Pfizer Pharmaceutical, Takeda Pharmaceutical, UCB Pharmaceutical, Grant/research support from: YM has received research grant support from Asahi Kasei Pharma, AbbVie Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Nippon Kayaku, Gilead Sciences Inc, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Teijin Pharma., Noriyoshi Ogawa: None declared, Hiroaki Dobashi: None declared, Tetsuya Horita: None declared, Yoshiya Tanaka Speakers bureau: YT has received consulting fees, speaking fees, and/or honoraria from Daiichi-Sankyo, Astellas, Pfizer, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Bristol-Myers, Chugai, YL Biologics, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Janssen, UCB, Grant/research support from: YT has received research grants from Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, Bristol-Myers, Chugai, Astellas, Abbvie, MSD, Daiichi-Sankyo, Pfizer, Kyowa- Kirin, Eisai, Ono., Shunsuke Furuta: None declared, Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: TT has served on speakers’ fees for AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Pfizer, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Sanofi, Teijin, Takeda, and Novartis., Consultant of: TT has received consulting fees from Astra Zeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Mitsubishi Tanabe, AbbVie, Nippon Kayaku, Janssen, Astellas, Taiho, Chugai, Taisho Toyama, GlaxoSmithKline, and UCB., Grant/research support from: TT has received research grants from Astellas, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda, AbbVie, Asahi Kasei, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Pfizer, Eisai, AYUMI, Nippon Kayaku, and Novartis., Yoshinori Komagata Speakers bureau: YK has received speakers’ fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Daiichi Sankyo, AbbVie, Nippon Shinyaku, Towa., Consultant of: YK has received consulting fees from Chugai, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Asahi Kasei, UCB, Yoshikazu Nakaoka Speakers bureau: YN has received lecture fees from Astellas, Takeda, Daiichi Sankyo, Actelion, and Japan Blood Products Organization (JB)., Consultant of: YN has received consulting fees and/or lecture fees from AbbVie and Chugai, Grant/research support from: YN has received research grants from Chugai and Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd, masayoshi harigai Speakers bureau: MH has received speaker’s fee from AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, Inc.,Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., GlaxoSmithKline K.K., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pfizer Japan Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma Ltd., Consultant of: MH is a consultant for AbbVie, Boehringer-ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. and Teijin Pharma., Grant/research support from: MH has received research grants from AbbVie Japan GK, Asahi Kasei Corp., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc.,Eisai Co., Ltd., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Sekiui Medical, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma Ltd.

The Mass of Geniohyoid Muscle Is Associated with Maximum Tongue Pressure and Tongue Area in Patients with Sarcopenic Dysphagia

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the associations about the mass of geniohyoid and tongue muscle and the maximum tongue pressure in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia using ultrasonography.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study.

SETTING

5 hospitals including 3 acute and 2 rehabilitation hospitals and 1 older facility.

PARTICIPANTS

36 inpatients with sarcopenic dysphagia.

MEASUREMENTS

Ultrasonography was performed for geniohyoid muscle and tongue. The area for geniohyoid and tongue muscles in sagittal plane and the mean brightness level (0-255) in the muscle area were calculated. Maximum tongue pressure as strength of swallowing muscle were investigated. Partial correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis adjusting for age and sex were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 81.1 ± 7.9. Men were 23. The mean BMI was 19.0 ± 4.1. The mean maximum tongue pressure was 21.3 ± 9.3 kPa. The mean cross sectional area for geniohyoid muscles was 140 ± 47 mm2. The mean brightness for geniohyoid muscle was 18.6 ± 9.0. The mean cross sectional area for tongue muscles was 1664.1 ± 386.0 mm2. The mean brightness for tongue muscles was 34.1 ± 10.6. There was a significant positive correlation between area of geniohyoid muscle and maximum tongue pressure (r = 0.38, p = 0.04). Geniohyoid muscle area was an explanatory factor for maximum tongue pressure (p = 0.012) and tongue muscle area (p = 0.031) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Geniohyoid muscle mass was an independent explanatory factor for maximum tongue pressure and tongue muscle mass.

An artificial impact on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu formed a crater in the gravity-dominated regime

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft investigated the small asteroid Ryugu, which has a rubble-pile structure. We describe an impact experiment on Ryugu using Hayabusa2's Small Carry-on Impactor. The impact produced an artificial crater with a diameter >10 meters, which has a semicircular shape, an elevated rim, and a central pit. Images of the impact and resulting ejecta were recorded by the Deployable CAMera 3 for >8 minutes, showing the growth of an ejecta curtain (the outer edge of the ejecta) and deposition of ejecta onto the surface. The ejecta curtain was asymmetric and heterogeneous and it never fully detached from the surface. The crater formed in the gravity-dominated regime; in other words, crater growth was limited by gravity not surface strength. We discuss implications for Ryugu's surface age.

Hayabusa2 arrives at the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu-A spinning top-shaped rubble pile

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft arrived at the near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu in 2018. We present Hayabusa2 observations of Ryugu's shape, mass, and geomorphology. Ryugu has an oblate "spinning top" shape, with a prominent circular equatorial ridge. Its bulk density, 1.19 ± 0.02 grams per cubic centimeter, indicates a high-porosity (>50%) interior. Large surface boulders suggest a rubble-pile structure. Surface slope analysis shows Ryugu's shape may have been produced from having once spun at twice the current rate. Coupled with the observed global material homogeneity, this suggests that Ryugu was reshaped by centrifugally induced deformation during a period of rapid rotation. From these remote-sensing investigations, we identified a suitable sample collection site on the equatorial ridge.

The surface composition of asteroid 162173 Ryugu from Hayabusa2 near-infrared spectroscopy

The near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu, the target of the Hayabusa2 sample-return mission, is thought to be a primitive carbonaceous object. We report reflectance spectra of Ryugu's surface acquired with the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on Hayabusa2, to provide direct measurements of the surface composition and geological context for the returned samples. A weak, narrow absorption feature centered at 2.72 micrometers was detected across the entire observed surface, indicating that hydroxyl (OH)-bearing minerals are ubiquitous there. The intensity of the OH feature and low albedo are similar to thermally and/or shock-metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. There are few variations in the OH-band position, which is consistent with Ryugu being a compositionally homogeneous rubble-pile object generated from impact fragments of an undifferentiated aqueously altered parent body.

The geomorphology, color, and thermal properties of Ryugu: Implications for parent-body processes

The near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu is thought to have been produced from a parent body that contained water ice and organic molecules. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft has obtained global multicolor images of Ryugu. Geomorphological features present include a circum-equatorial ridge, east-west dichotomy, high boulder abundances across the entire surface, and impact craters. Age estimates from the craters indicate a resurfacing age of [Formula: see text] years for the top 1-meter layer. Ryugu is among the darkest known bodies in the Solar System. The high abundance and spectral properties of boulders are consistent with moderately dehydrated materials, analogous to thermally metamorphosed meteorites found on Earth. The general uniformity in color across Ryugu's surface supports partial dehydration due to internal heating of the asteroid's parent body.

Spectral dynamics of shift current in ferroelectric semiconductor SbSI

Photoexcitation in solids brings about transitions of electrons/holes between different electronic bands. If the solid lacks an inversion symmetry, these electronic transitions support spontaneous photocurrent due to the geometric phase of the constituting electronic bands: the Berry connection. This photocurrent, termed shift current, is expected to emerge on the timescale of primary photoexcitation process. We observe ultrafast evolution of the shift current in a prototypical ferroelectric semiconductor antimony sulfur iodide (SbSI) by detecting emitted terahertz electromagnetic waves. By sweeping the excitation photon energy across the bandgap, ultrafast electron dynamics as a source of terahertz emission abruptly changes its nature, reflecting a contribution of Berry connection on interband optical transition. The shift excitation carries a net charge flow and is followed by a swing over of the electron cloud on a subpicosecond timescale. Understanding these substantive characters of the shift current with the help of first-principles calculation will pave the way for its application to ultrafast sensors and solar cells.

Shift current photovoltaic effect in a ferroelectric charge-transfer complex

Shift current is a steady-state photocurrent generated in non-centrosymmetric single crystals and has been considered to be one of the major origins of the bulk photovoltaic effect. The mechanism of this effect is the transfer of photogenerated charges by the shift of the wave functions, and its amplitude is closely related to the polarization of the electronic origin. Here, we report the photovoltaic effect in an organic molecular crystal tetrathiafulvalene-p-chloranil with a large ferroelectric polarization mostly induced by the intermolecular charge transfer. We observe a fairly large zero-bias photocurrent with visible-light irradiation and switching of the current direction by the reversal of the polarization. Furthermore, we reveal that the travel distance of photocarriers exceeds 200 μm. These results unveil distinct features of the shift current and the potential application of ferroelectric organic molecular compounds for novel optoelectric devices.The bulk photovoltaics refers to an effect whereby electrons move directionally in non-centrosymmetric crystals upon light radiation. Here, Nakamura et al. observe this effect in a ferroelectric organic charge-transfer complex, which shows large diffusion distance of photogenerated electrons over 200 µm.

Polar metal phase stabilized in strained La-doped BaTiO3films

Ferroelectric polarization and metallic conduction are two seemingly irreconcilable properties that cannot normally coexist in a single system, as the latter tends to screen the former. Polar metals, however, defy this rule and have thus attracted considerable attention as a new class of ferroelectrics exhibiting novel properties. Here, we fabricate a new polar metal film based on the typical ferroelectric material BaTiO₃by combining chemical doping and epitaxial strain induced by a substrate. The temperature dependences of the c-axis lattice constant and the second harmonic generation intensity of La-doped BaTiO₃films indicate the existence of polar transitions. In addition, through La doping, films become metallic at the polar phase, and metallicity enhancement at the polar state occurs in low-La-doped films. This intriguing behaviour is effectively explained by our first-principles calculations. Our demonstration suggests that the carrier doping to ferroelectric material with epitaxial strain serves as a new way to explore polar metals.

Zero-bias photocurrent in ferromagnetic topological insulator

Magnetic interactions in topological insulators cause essential modifications in the originally mass-less surface states. They offer a mass gap at the Dirac point and/or largely deform the energy dispersion, providing a new path towards exotic physics and applications to realize dissipation-less electronics. The nonequilibrium electron dynamics at these modified Dirac states unveil additional functions, such as highly efficient photon to spin-current conversion. Here we demonstrate the generation of large zero-bias photocurrent in magnetic topological insulator thin films on mid-infrared photoexcitation, pointing to the controllable band asymmetry in the momentum space. The photocurrent spectra with a maximal response to the intra-Dirac-band excitations can be a sensitive measure for the correlation between Dirac electrons and magnetic moments.

By magnetic-doping, the electronic band structure of a topological insulator can be significantly altered to yield functional behaviour. Here, the authors demonstrate a large photocurrent response, and its control, under zero-bias in an optimally-designed magnetically-doped topological insulator thin film.

Preferential infiltration of interleukin-4-producing CXCR4+ T cells in the lesional muscle but not skin of patients with dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are collectively termed autoimmune myopathy. To investigate the difference between muscle- and skin-infiltrating T cells and to address their role for myopathy, we characterized T cells that were directly expanded from the tissues. Enrolled into this study were 25 patients with DM and three patients with PM. Muscle and skin biopsied specimens were immersed in cRPMI medium supplemented with interleukin (IL)-2 and anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-conjugated microbeads. The expanded cells were subjected to flow cytometry to examine their phenotypes. We analysed the cytokine concentration in the culture supernatants from the expanded T cells and the frequencies of cytokine-bearing cells by intracellular staining. There was non-biased in-vitro expansion of tissue-infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from the muscle and skin specimens. The majority of expanded T cells were chemokine receptor (CCR) type 7(-) CD45RO(+) effecter memory cells with various T cell receptor (TCR) Vβs. The skin-derived but not muscle-derived T cells expressed cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) and CCR10 and secreted large amounts of IL-17A, suggesting that T helper type 17 (Th17) cells may have a crucial role in the development of skin lesions. Notably, the frequency of IL-4-producing chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR)4(+) Th2 cells was significantly higher in the muscle-derived cells and correlated inversely with the serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. stromal-derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCL12, a ligand for CXCR4, was expressed at a high level in the vascular endothelial cells between muscular fasciculi. Our study suggests that T cell populations in the muscle and skin are different, and the Th2 cell infiltrate in the muscle is associated with the low severity of myositis in DM.

Gate control of electronic phases in a quarter-filled manganite

Electron correlation often produces a variety of electrically insulating states caused by self-organization of electrons, which are particularly stable at commensurate fillings. Although collapsing such ordered states by minute external stimuli has been a key strategy toward device applications, it is difficult to access their true electronic phase boundaries due to the necessity of fine-tuning of material parameters. Here, we demonstrate the ambipolar resistance switching in Pr(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 thin films (x = 0.5; an effectively 1/4-filled state) by quasi-continuous control of the doping level x and band-width W using gate-voltage and magnetic field, enabled by the extreme electric-field formed at the nanoscale interface generated in an electrolyte-gated transistor. An electroresistance peak with unprecedented steepness emerges on approaching a critical point in the x-W phase diagram. The technique opens a new route to Mott-insulator based transistors and to discovering singularities hitherto unnoticed in conventional bulk studies of strongly correlated electron systems.

Advanced glycation end products-induced vascular calcification is mediated by oxidative stress: functional roles of NAD(P)H-oxidase

Vascular calcification, especially medial artery calcification, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and end-stage kidney disease. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulated in these patients may be associated with vascular calcification, although their actions are obscure. Since AGEs can induce oxidative stress, which leads to vascular damage, we investigated an in vitro study to elucidate the effects of AGEs and the roles of NAD(P)H oxidase in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. A7r5, rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were incubated in calcification medium with glycolaldehyde-derived AGE (AGE3) to measure calcium deposition and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and to determine mRNA levels of osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), Runx2, Nox-1, Nox-4, and p22(phox) by real-time PCR. Calcium deposition was increased by AGE3 in a dose-dependent manner (100-300 μg/dl) in A7r5 cells. Expression levels of Runx2, OPN, and OCN mRNAs were significantly higher in AGE3 treatment than those in control BSA. Increased 8-OHdG concentration in the culture medium and higher expression of Nox-1, Nox-4, and p22(phox) mRNAs (3-6-fold) were observed in cells treated with AGE3. AGE3-stimulated calcium deposition was significantly decreased in the cells transfected by either small interfering RNA for Nox-4 or p22(phox), compared to the controls. In contrast, no significant effect was shown in silencing of Nox-1. Excessive oxidative stress and osteoblastic transition of VSMCs are involved in the pathogenesis of AGEs-induced vascular calcification. NAD(P)H oxidase plays important roles in this process.

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin is positively associated with free testosterone in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Although a recent study showed that undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is important for male fertility and testosterone production by testes, little is known about the relationship between ucOC and testosterone in humans. We found for the first time that ucOC is positively associated with free testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION

The ucOC has been shown to play a key role in energy metabolism as an endocrine hormone. Although a recent animal study demonstrated that ucOC is also important for male fertility and testosterone production by the testes, association between serum osteocalcin and testosterone levels has not been understood in humans.

METHODS

Sixty-nine male patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited and chemical bone markers [total osteocalcin (TOC), ucOC, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (uNTX)], gonadotropic hormones [luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)], and free testosterone (FT) were measured.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis showed that ucOC and ucOC/TOC ratio were associated positively with FT and negatively with LH (for ucOC, β = 0.30, p = 0.042 and β = -0.52, p = 0.048; for ucOC/TOC ratio, β = 0.31, p = 0.031 and β = -0.54, p = 0.036, respectively) independently of age, duration of diabetes, body mass index, and hemoglobin A1c. ucOC and ucOC/TOC ratio were significantly associated with FT even after adjusting for LH and FSH (β = 0.24, p = 0.042 and β = 0.25, p = 0.031, respectively). However, neither TOC, BAP, nor uNTX was associated with the gonadotropic hormones or FT levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates for the first time that ucOC is associated positively with FT and negatively with LH in type 2 diabetes. These findings support the recent evidence that ucOC is involved in testosterone production in male subjects.

The changes in the neuronal PC12 and the intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells during the coculture. The functional analysis using an in vitro coculture system

The interaction between intestinal epithelial cells andperipheral neuronal cells were examined using an invitro coculture system. Two cell lines, Caco-2 and PC12, were usedfor this experiment as an intestinal epithelial and entericneuronal cell model, respectively. By coculturing with fullydifferentiated Caco-2 cells, the neurite outgrowth was inducedin PC12 cells. This neurite outgrowth in PC12 was blocked byanti-nerve growth factor (NGF) polyclonal antibodies,suggesting that the neurite outgrowth in PC12 during thecoculture with Caco-2 cells was due to NGF secreted fromCaco-2 cells. On the other hand, coculturing with fullydifferentiated PC12 cells induced the decrease oftransepithelial electrical resistance in Caco-2 cellmonolayers. The permeability of lucifer yellow alsosignificantly increased, suggesting that the barrier functionand paracellular permeability of Caco-2 monolayers werealtered by coculturing with PC12 cells. The present studysuggests that this in vitro coculture system is a good modelfor the functional analysis of interaction among intestinalepithelial cells with different cell types.

The impact of ischemic stress on the quality of isolated pancreatic islets

BACKGROUND

Although the ischemic stress of donated organs has been shown to have strong negative effects on islet recovery, the impact on islet quality remains uncertain. In the present study, therefore, we examined the influence of ischemic stress on the expression of inflammatory mediators among isolated islets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Islets were isolated from adult porcine pancreata subjected to 16-hour cold ischemia time (CIT) in addition to 40-minute warm ischemia time (WIT). We evaluated the islet yield, islet loss during the first 24 hours in culture, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio, ATP/DNA ratio, glucose-stimulated respiratory activity, in vivo bioassay, and the expression of inflammatory mediators (tissue factor [TF], [MCP-1], macrophage migration inhibitory factor) on the isolated islets. We also analyzed ATP/DNA ratios of the exocrine tissues during isolation procedures.

RESULTS

The islet yield, survival rate during culture, and glucose-stimulated respiratory activity were significantly lower in cases of 16-hour CIT plus 40-minute WIT compared with the control group (P < .0001, .0006, and .002, respectively). In contrast, ADP/ATP ratio as well as TF and MCP-1 expressions on the isolated islets were higher among the ischemic group (P = .005, .16, and .005, respectively). During isolation procedures, the ATP/DNA of the exocrine tissues was extremely lower in the ischemic compared to the control group (P < .0001). Notably, however, both ATP/DNA and ADP/ATP ratio of isolated islets were well preserved even in the ischemic group (P = .45 and .40).

DISCUSSION

These data suggest that ischemic stress during the preservation period negatively affects the energy status of exocrine tissues. Destruction of the exocrine tissues, in combination with warm ischemic stress during the isolation procedures, subsequently decreases isolated islet activity, inducing the expression of inflammatory mediators.

Glutamate exocrine dynamics augmented by plasma glutamine and the distribution of amino acid transporters of the rat pancreas

The nutritional and physiological roles of amino acid (AA)s have been investigated for individual organs. In the current study, we focused on the dynamics of glutamate and transport systems in the pancreas. We employed original procedures to obtain rat pancreatic juice (PJ) subjected to intravenous administration of alanyl-glutamine (AG) for AA analysis. The pancreatic expressions of the transporters were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We found that glutamate was secreted into the PJ in the basal state. The intravenous administration of AG increased the concentration and total amount of glutamate excreted into the PJ. In terms of the transport systems, L-type AA transporter (LAT1) was identified exclusively in the islet cells. Glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1), glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST), vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGUT1) and cystine/glutamic acid transporter (xCT) were found in the islet cells. xCT was identified in the duct cells as well, but was not accompanied by the expression of 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) staining in the islets and the acinar cells, similar to neutral AA transporter (ASCT2) or b0,+-type AA transporter 1(BAT1). Excitatory AA transporter (EAAC) was identified only in the acinar cells. Glutamate was exclusively found in the acinar cells. We revealed the novel dynamics of glutamate in the rat PJ. The glutamate secretion into the PJ was augmented by plasma glutamine, indicating the de novo metabolisms of glutamate, together with the local expression of the related transporters.

Evaluation of preoperative positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) for detecting lymph node metastasis in gynecologic carcinoma

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Background: To evaluate the sensitivety, specificity, and accuracy of PET-CT for detecting lymph node metastasis in gynecologic carcinoma. Methods: Between May 2007 to August 2008, 36 consecutive patients (pts) with cervical carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma and epithelial ovarian carcinoma were enrolled. All pts underwent PET-CT prior to the surgery of systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. For pathological metastatic lymph nodes, the size of intranodal tumor deposits (maximum diameter of metastatic foci in each lymph node) were recorded. Results: The total number of pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) plus paraaortic lymph nodes (PANs) removed was 2426. The median number of removed lymph nodes (LNs) was 67 each pts (range: 25 to 102). The number of involvement LNs was 79 (3.5%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of preoperative PET-CT to detect LN metastasis were 24%, 99.9%, and 97.5%, respectively. The sensitivity of PLNs and PANs were 39.5% and 7.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were 35.7%, that of adenocarcinoma were 8.1%. FDG-PET detected 100% of intranodal tumor deposits > or =10 mm, whereas tumor deposits smaller than 5 mm were not detected. Conclusions: The results of our study revealed 76% underdiagnosis (overlooking) in evaluation of preoperative PET-CT in LN metastasis. Particularly, tumor deposits smaller than 5 mm were not detected at all. Using PET-CT for detecting small LN metastasis in gynecologic carcinoma may be unreliable so far. However we found that PLNs are comparatively easy to be detected than PANs, and SCC are comparatively easy to be detected than adenocarcinoma. The improved usability and application of PET-CT for detecting LN metastasis in gynecologic carcinoma have to keep researching constructively.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Genetic variants of phosvitin in egg yolk of the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Phosvitin polymorphism in egg yolk of the Japanese quail was found by horizontal polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Six phenotypes of yolk phosvitin designated A, B, C, AB, AC, and BC were observed in a population of 281 birds. Analysis of family data revealed that the phenotypic variation of quail yolk phosvitins was controlled by an autosomal Pv locus with three codominant alleles, Pva, Pvb and Pvc. The gene frequencies of Pva, Pvb and Pvc were 0.064, 0.824 and 0.112, respectively.

An improved method to extract RNA from soil with efficient removal of humic acids

AIMS

To remove humic substances from RNA extracted from soil for the study of bacterial gene expression in soil.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A soil RNA extraction method was improved by optimization of lysis conditions and further purification by a spin column, to efficiently remove humic substances that may hinder enzymatic reactions of extracted RNA. Fluorescence spectrophotometry demonstrated that the improved method removed both humic and fulvic acids efficiently. Using the improved method, the signal of gene expression detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) increased 10-fold compared with that using the previous method. Using the method, we extracted RNA from a sterilized field soil, which was inoculated with Pseudomonas putida KT2440 transformed with a chloroaromatic degrading plasmid, in the presence or absence of 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB). Real-time RT-PCR performed using the extracted RNA as a template confirmed the induction of chloroaromatic degrading genes in 3CB-amended soil.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified soil RNA extraction method succeeded in removing the co-extracted humic substances from soil RNA efficiently and improving the detection efficiency of the bacterial gene expression in soil.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This improved method is a useful tool for the extraction of RNA to detect gene expression in soil.

Enhanced biofilm formation and 3-chlorobenzoate degrading activity by the bacterial consortium of Burkholderia sp. NK8 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

AIMS

To characterize biofilm formation of a chlorobenzoates (CBs) degrading bacterium, Burkholderia sp. NK8, with another bacterial species, and the biodegradation activity against CBs in the mixed-species biofilm.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Burkholderia sp. NK8 was solely or co-cultured with each of five other representative bacteria in microtitre dishes. Biofilm formation involving the strain NK8 was synergistically promoted by co-culturing with only Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Epifluorescent microscopy revealed that cells of the bacterial strain NK8 were viable and distributed randomly in the mixed-species biofilms. Enumeration of the attached cells on the surface of wells revealed that cells of the strain NK8 increased approx. 10-fold by the co-culture with the strain PAO1 compared to those by monoculture of the strain NK8, and the degradation activity of 3-chlorobenzoate by the dual-species biofilms was more promoted than that by the strain NK8-monocultured biofilms.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced biofilm formation of Burkholderia sp. NK8 by the bacterial consortium occurred, but is determined by the partner bacterial species. The mixed-species biofilms have the advantage to degrade CBs on a solid surface.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides a significance of bacterial consortia on the biofilm formation and the degradation activity of Burkholderia sp. NK8, which contribute for complete degradation of chlorinated aromatics.

Optimization of a prominent oxygen-permeable device for pancreatic islets

BACKGROUND

We have demonstrated a culture bag system that is useful for pancreatic islet transplantation. To improve and simplify islet transplantation procedures from culture to transplantation, we developed a novel device specific for both islet culture and transplantation (TUBERO Device [TD]) using an oxygen-permeable material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Porcine islets with 30 minutes warm ischemia time were cultured for 24 hours at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 and humidified air under three different procedures: (1) ordinary culture flask, (2) culture bag suitable for platelets, and (3) TD. Loss of islets during culture, glucose-stimulated insulin release as an islet functional test, and ADP/ATP ratio as an index of islet viability tests were evaluated to compare the devices. TD was further applied in two clinical islet transplantations using non-heart-beating donors in Japan.

RESULTS

The loss of islets during culture was considerably lower in the TD group. The stimulation index upon glucose challenge tests was significantly higher in the TD group than the others. The ADP/ATP ratio in TD group was significantly lower than that in the ordinary flask group, suggesting that the apoptotic islets were relatively lower among TD. Most importantly, TD was successfully applied both in the clinical islet cultures and in transplantation, resulting in excellent graft function.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the TD, a novel product, not only simplifies islet transplantation procedures, but also maintain the quality of isolated islets.

The combination of high glucose and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) inhibits the mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells through glucose-induced increase in the receptor for AGEs

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is known to be associated with reduced bone mass and increased bone fractures. This is thought to be due to a decrease in osteoblastic bone formation rather than an increase in osteoclastic bone resorption, but the precise mechanism is unknown. In this study, we examined whether or not high glucose or advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which play key roles in the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes, affect the differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. First, MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated in media containing either 22 mM glucose, 22 mM mannitol, 300 microg/ml AGE2, or 300 microg/ml AGE3. Each of these agents alone did not affect the mineralization of the cells by von Kossa staining and Alizarin red staining. However, high glucose but not mannitol or AGEs markedly increased mRNA expression of AGE receptor (RAGE) by real-time PCR. Next, we examined the combined effects of high glucose and AGEs on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. The combination of 22 mM glucose and 300 microg/ml AGE2 significantly inhibited the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and 22 mM glucose in combination with either 300 microg/ml AGE2 or AGE3 apparently decreased osteocalcin mRNA expression. These results suggest that high glucose or AGEs alone might have no effect on osteoblastic differentiation, but their combination could additionally or synergistically inhibit osteoblastic mineralization through glucose-induced increase in RAGE expression.

The histological subtype and grade work as prognostic indicators for platinum-based chemotherapy (CTX) of advanced ovarian carcinoma (AOC)

16015

Background: We previously reported the new histopathologic grading system applicable for all histological types of ovarian carcinoma (Cancer 82:893–901, 1998), which thereafter was reappraised by several investigators. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship of the histopathologic type and grade with the effect of CTX for AOC. Methods: Between 1/89 and 12/05, 272 consecutive patients (pts) with pT3 (FIGO stage III or IV) AOC pts received 6 cycles or more of cisplatin (70 mg/m2 for 1 cycle)-based CTX combined with aggressive debulking surgery consisting of hysterectomy, bilateral adnectomy, omentectomy, pelvic to paraaortic lymphadenectomy, with or without more extensive surgery including intestinal resections. Histological types and grade were diagnosed according to the WHO classification system and our system reported method, respectively. Results: Of the eligible 261 pts, response was achieved in 67% (CR: 21.8%, PR: 45.2%) of the pts. Response (CR+PR/total) by histological type was 86% (36+91/148) for serous, 97% (16+13/30) for transitional cell, 67% (5+13/27) for endometrioid, 4% (0+1/29) for mucinous, and 0% (0+0/27) for clear cell, respectively. Response (overall/CR) for chemo-sensitive histological types (serous/transitional cell/endometrioid) by grade (G) was 86%/52% for 21 G1, 90%/31% for 64 G2, and 83%/28% for 118 G3 (CR rate: G3 vs G1 + G2: p=0.02). Response duration (CR/PR) by G was not reached/30 months (mo) for G1, 85 mo/23 mo for G2, 40 mo/16 mo for G3. Response (overall/CR) to 2nd line CTX was 75%/38% for G1, 73%/17% for G2, and 47%/10% for G3. Conclusions: Histological type correlated with platinum-CTX sensitivity. CTX regimens should be designed based on the histological subtypes. New “non-platinum” regimens should be considered for both mucinous and clear cell carcinoma. Histological grade worked as an indicator for CR rate, response duration (thus, progression rate), and response rate to 2nd line CTX. Thus, the grade is considered to be a significant prognostic factor for platinum-sensitive AOC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Combination chemotherapy with consecutive low-dose cisplatin with ifosfamide and epirubicin (CLD-IEP) in uterine sarcoma

10057

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of CLD-IEP for patients (pts) with sarcoma uteri. Methods: Eligible criteria were: a histologic proof of advanced or recurrent sarcoma uteri; measurable lesions; age between 18 and 80 yrs; WHO PS 0–3; WBC = 3,000/μL; platelet count = 100,000/μL; hemoglobin level = 9 g/dL; adequate liver function; C-Cr = 40 mL/min; no lung, heart, or brain disease; no previous neoplastic disease; no prior chemotherapy; and informed consent. The CLD-IEP regimen was ifosfamide 700 mg/m2 infused over 2 hrs days 1 through 3; epirubicin 50 mg/m2 bolus day 5; and cisplatin 15 mg/m2 infused over 4 hrs days 1 through 5. The treatment was repeated at 4-week intervals. Results: To date, forty eligible pts (16 leiomyosarcoma [LMS], 4 endometrial stromal sarcoma, and 20 carcinosarcoma) were enrolled in this study and all pts were assessable for response, toxicity, and survival. The median age was 52 yrs (range, 28–77). Thirteen pts received CLD-IEP in the neoadjuvant setting. Nine pts had prior radiotherapy. After a median of 4 cycles (range, 2–13), we observed objective responses in 24 pts (60%), with 5 (13%) CRs and 19 (48%) PRs (95% CI, 42% to 78%, 4% to 22%, 30% to 66%, respectively). Of 16 pts with LMS, 1 CR and 7 PRs (1 pt with good PR surviving more than 48 months after the start of CLD-IEP) were observed. Median overall survival time (MOS) after the start of CLD-IEP for all 40 pts was 17 months (range, 3 to 62). MOS was 20.5 months in the responders versus 9 months in the non-responders (Log-rank, p=0.023). The median progression-free survival time of the responders was 10.5 months. NCI-CTC grade 3 or 4 leucopoenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia occurred in 63%, 75%, 12%, and 18%, respectively. There was no significant nausea/vomiting, nephrotoxicity, or CNS toxicity. Conclusions: CLD-IEP regimen has significant to moderate anti-tumor activity with acceptable toxicity in pts with sarcoma uteri including LMS.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Spatial variations in submolecular vibronic spectroscopy on a thin insulating film

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy on single naphthalocyanine molecules adsorbed on an ultrathin aluminum oxide film exhibits electron-vibronic coupling that varies with the position of tunneling over the molecule. The spectra at different positions are composed of several series of equally spaced peaks, which are interpreted as progression of progressions of molecular vibrational modes. The spatial variations correlate with the molecular orbital structure, revealing spatially dependent electron-vibronic coupling and selective vibrational excitation.

Preventive effects of glycaemic control on ocular complications of Spontaneously Diabetic Torii rat

AIM

Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat is a new model of non-obese type 2 diabetes. SDT rats show severe ocular complications such as cataracts, tractional retinal detachment with fibrous proliferation and massive haemorrhaging in the anterior chamber. In the present study, blood glucose levels of SDT rats were controlled in order to examine whether these ocular complications are caused by hyperglycaemia.

METHODS

SDT rats were treated with an insulin implant to control blood glucose. To evaluate retinal function, we used electroretinograms (ERG) and measured vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations within the aqueous humour. Finally, we studied retinal flat-mounts and trypsin digestion to evaluate vascular abnormalities in SDT rats.

RESULTS

Forty-four-week-old SDT rats displayed an increase in VEGF concentrations within the aqueous humour and significant prolongation of the peak latencies in ERG (Sigma(OP(1)-OP(4)); Sprague-Dawley (SD): 146.2 +/- 1.06 ms; SDT: 166.3 +/- 2.38 ms; SDT + insulin: 149.2 +/- 1.83 ms). Retinal flat-mounts of SDT rats showed venous dilation and meandering vascular networks. Furthermore, acellular capillaries were observed in the retinal trypsin digestion. Insulin treatment prevented these ocular abnormalities in SDT rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that ocular complications of SDT rats are caused by hyperglycaemia. The features of SDT rats indicate their usefulness for the future study of diabetic retinopathy.

Atomic-Scale Coupling of Photons to Single-Molecule Junctions

Spatial resolution at the atomic scale has been achieved in the coupling of light to single molecules adsorbed on a surface. Electron transfer to a single molecule induced by green to near-infrared light in the junction of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) exhibited spatially varying probability that is confined within the molecule. The mechanism involves photo-induced resonant tunneling in which a photoexcited electron in the STM tip is transferred to the molecule. The coupling of photons to the tunneling process provides a pathway to explore molecular dynamics with the combined capabilities of lasers and the STM.

Atomic scale control of single molecule charging

A scanning tunneling microscope was used to study charging of single copper phthalocyanine molecules adsorbed on an ultrathin Al(2)O(3) film grown on a NiAl(110) surface. A double-barrier tunnel junction is formed by a vacuum barrier between the tip and the molecule and an oxide barrier between the molecule and the NiAl. In this geometry the molecule can be charged by the tunneling electrons. This charging was found to be strongly dependent on the position of the tip above the molecule and the applied bias voltage.