Period prevalence of uveitis in human T-lymphotropic virus 1 carriers versus noncarriers in a highly endemic area: The Nagasaki Islands Study

The magnitude of the effect of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection on uveitis remains unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a highly endemic area of HTLV-1 in Japan. The study included 4265 residents (men, 39.2%), mostly middle-aged and older individuals with a mean age of 69.9 years, who participated in our surveys between April 2016 and September 2022. We identified HTLV-1 carriers by screening using chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays and confirmatory tests, and the proportion of carriers was 16.1%. Participants with uveitis were determined from the medical records of all hospitals and clinics where certified ophthalmologists practiced. We conducted logistic regression analyses in an age- and sex-adjusted model to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of uveitis according to HTLV-1 infection status. Thirty-two (0.8%) participants had uveitis. For HTLV-1 carriers, the age- and sex-adjusted OR (95% CI) of uveitis was 3.27 (1.57-6.72) compared with noncarriers. In conclusion, HTLV-1 infection was associated with a higher risk of uveitis among mostly middle-aged and older Japanese residents in a highly endemic HTLV-1 area. Our findings suggest that physicians who treat HTLV-1 carriers should assess ocular symptoms, and those who diagnose patients with uveitis should consider HTLV-1 infection.

Whole-genome CRISPR screening identifies molecular mechanisms of PD-L1 expression in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive T-cell malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1) is recognized to be involved in the pathobiology of ATLL. However, what molecules control PD-L1 expression and whether genetic or pharmacological intervention might modify PD-L1 expression in ATLL cells are still unknown. To comprehend the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression in ATLL cells, we performed unbiased genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) screening in this work. In ATLL cells, we discovered that the neddylation-associated genes NEDD8, NAE1, UBA3, and CUL3 negatively regulated PD-L1 expression, whereas STAT3 positively did so. We verified, in line with the genetic results, that treatment with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib or the neddylation pathway inhibitor pevonedistat resulted in a decrease in PD-L1 expression in ATLL cells or an increase in it, respectively. It is significant that these results held true regardless of whether ATLL cells had the PD-L1 3' structural variant, a known genetic anomaly that promotes PD-L1 overexpression in certain patients with primary ATLL. Pevonedistat alone showed cytotoxicity for ATLL cells, but compared with each single modality, pevonedistat improved the cytotoxic effects of the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody avelumab and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting PD-L1 in vitro. As a result, our work provided insight into a portion of the complex regulatory mechanisms governing PD-L1 expression in ATLL cells and demonstrated the in vitro preliminary preclinical efficacy of PD-L1-directed immunotherapies by using pevonedistat to upregulate PD-L1 in ATLL cells.

Profiles of central nervous system surgical site infections in endoscopic transnasal surgery exposing the intradural space

OBJECTIVE

Despite its efficacy and minimal invasiveness, the clean-contaminated nature of endoscopic transnasal surgery (ETS) may be susceptible to central nervous system surgical site infections (CNS-SSIs), especially when involving intradural exposure. However, the profiles of ETS-associated CNS-SSIs are not fully elucidated.

METHODS

The institutional ETS cases performed between May 2017 and March 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The incidences of CNS-SSIs were calculated, and their risk factors examined.

RESULTS

The incidence of CNS-SSIs was 2.3% (7/305) in the entire cohort and 5.0% (7/140) in ETSs with intradural exposure. All the CNS-SSIs were meningitis and developed following ETS with intradural exposure. The incidences were 0%, 5.6% and 5.8% in ETSs with Esposito grade 1, 2 and 3 intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage, respectively. Among the pre- and intra-operative factors, body mass index (unit odds ratio (OR), 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44-0.89; P<0.01), serum albumin (unit OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.0007-0.92; P=0.02), and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score (unit OR, 20.7; 95% CI, 1.65-259; P<0.01) were significantly associated with CNS-SSIs. Moreover, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage was also significantly associated with CNS-SSIs (OR, 18.4; 95% CI, 3.55-95.0; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ETS-associated CNS-SSIs is acceptably low. Intradural exposure was a prerequisite for CNS-SSIs. Malnutrition and poor comorbidity status should be recognized as important risks for CNS-SSIs in ETS.

Proteomic analysis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: A biomarker identification strategy based on preparation and in-solution digestion methods of total proteins

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection, is a malignant hematologic cancer that remains difficult to cure. We herein established a biomarker identification strategy based on the total cell proteomics of cultured ATL cells to search for novel ATL biomarkers. Four protocols with a combination of selected conditions based on lysis buffers and addition agents for total cell proteomics were used for a differential analysis between the ATL cell group (consisting of 11 cell lines), HTLV-1-infected cell group (consisting of 6 cell lines), and HTLV-1-negative cell group (consisting of 6 cell lines). In the analysis, we identified 24 and 27 proteins that were significantly increased (ratio ≥2.0, p < 0.05) and decreased (ratio ≤ 0.5, p < 0.05), respectively, in the ATL group. Previously reported CCL3 and CD30/TNFRSF8 were confirmed to be among significantly increased proteins. Furthermore, correlation analysis between identified proteins and Tax suggested that RASSF2 and GORASP2 were candidates of novel Tax-regulated factors. The biomarker identification strategy established herein is expected to contribute to the identification of biomarkers for ATL and other diseases.

Rapid increase in salivary IgA and broad recognition of spike protein following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Saliva is a key component of mucosal immunity, which protects the oral cavity from viral infections. However, salivary immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in terms of immunoglobulin dynamics and recognition, have not been investigated sufficiently. In this study, saliva samples were collected from individuals that received SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA against whole spike protein and S1 protein were measured. IgA against whole spike protein increased significantly following vaccination, while IgA against S1 protein did not. Of note, the IgA response was evident two weeks after the first vaccine dose and continued to rise thereafter. On the contrary, IgG antibodies against S1 increased significantly at four weeks after vaccination. These results reveal the dynamics and recognition antigens of immunoglobulins in saliva, indicating the function of IgA in the mucosal immune system. These findings may pave the way for further studies on mucosal immune response induced by vaccination.

Performance evaluation of Espline HTLV-I/II, a newly developed rapid immunochromatographic antibody test for different diagnostic situations

IMPORTANCE

The World Health Organization estimated that 5-10 million people are infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). This number is likely to be underestimated because reliable endemic data are available for only approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. The point-of-care test is a powerful tool for the easy and quick detection of infections without the requirement for expensive instruments and laboratory equipment. Espline HTLV-I/II, a newly developed rapid immunochromatographic antibody test that was evaluated in this study, might significantly advance our understanding of the global epidemiology of HTLV-1 infection.

The evaluation of a rapid microfluidic immunofluorescence antigen test in detecting the infectiousness of COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

A test-based strategy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the measures to assess the need for isolation and prevention of infection. However, testing with high sensitivity methods, such as quantitative RT-PCR, leads to unnecessary isolation, whereas the lateral flow antigen test shows low sensitivity and false negative results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag test (Lumira Ag), a rapid microfluidic immunofluorescence method, in assessing infectivity.

METHODS

This study was performed from March 2022 to July 2022. A pair of nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained from each patient with mild COVID-19. One swab was used for Lumira Ag testing, and the other for quantitative RT-PCR testing and virus culture.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients were included in the study. Among them, PCR, Lumira Ag test, and virus culture indicated positivity for 82, 66, and 24 patients, respectively. When comparing the Lumira Ag test to virus culture, its sensitivity was 100.0% (24/24), specificity, 30.0% (18/60); positive predictive value, 36.3% (24/66); and negative predictive value (NPV), 100.0% (18/18). The positive sample for virus culture was observed until the ninth day from the onset of symptoms, while the Lumira Ag test was observed until day 11.

CONCLUSIONS

The Lumira Ag test showed high sensitivity and NPV (100% each) compared to virus culture. A test-based strategy using the Lumira Ag test can effectively exclude COVID-19 infectiousness.

The clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among very elderly people in Japan

AIM

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial infection-causing pathogen. The clonal shift from staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type II MRSA to SCCmec type IV MRSA has occurred rapidly in acute-care hospitals. However, the epidemiology and clinical impacts of MRSA in geriatric hospitals are poorly documented. We performed a molecular epidemiological analysis of the clinical isolates and retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of SCCmec type IV MRSA in elderly individuals.

METHODS

MRSA isolates were grouped according to the SCCmec type and virulence genes (tst, sea, seb, sec, and lukS/F-PV), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 145 MRSA isolates obtained from patients with a median age of 85 years, 100 (69.0%) were obtained from sputum samples, 22 (15.2%) from skin and soft tissues, and seven (4.8%) from blood samples. The most prevalent clone was SCCmec type IV/clonal complex (CC)1/sea+ (59.3%), followed by SCCmec type I/sequence type (ST) 8 (17.3%). Of the 17 (11.7%) strains to which an anti-MRSA drug was administered by a physician, only three were SCCmec type IV/CC1/sea+ (17.6%) and five were SCCmec type I/ST8 (29.4%). SCCmec type IV/CC1/sea+ MRSA was more frequently isolated in long-term care wards than were SCCmec type I/ST8 strains (odds ratio: 2.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-7.54) and was less frequently treated as the cause of MRSA infections (odds ratio: 0.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

SCCmec type IV/CC1/sea+ MRSA was the predominant clone and could be easily transmissible and be capable of colonization. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 744-749.

Dissociative ionization and Coulomb explosion of CH4 in two-color asymmetric intense laser fields

Directional fragment ejection from a tetrahedral molecule CH4 in linearly polarized two-color (ω and 2ω) asymmetric intense laser fields (50 fs, 1.4 × 1014 W cm-2, 800 nm and 400 nm) has been studied by three-dimensional ion coincidence momentum imaging. The H+ fragment produced from dissociative ionization, CH4 → H+ + CH3 + e-, is preferentially ejected on the larger amplitude side of the laser electric fields. Comparison with theoretical predictions by weak-field asymptotic theory shows that the observed asymmetry can be understood by the orientation selective tunneling ionization from the triply degenerated highest occupied molecular orbital (1t2) of CH4. A similar directional ejection of H+ was also observed for the low kinetic energy components of the two-body Coulomb explosion, CH4 → H+ + CH3+ + 2e-. On the other hand, the fragment ejection in the opposite direction were observed for the high energy component, as well as H2+ produced from the Coulomb explosion CH4 → H2+ + CH2+ + 2e-. Possible origins of the characteristic fragmentation are discussed.

Therapeutic efficacy of the resorcylic acid lactone LL-Z1640-2 for adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) remains incurable. The NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) signalling pathways are among the critical survival pathways for the progression of ATL. TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an IκB kinase-activating kinase, triggers the activation of NF-κB. The resorcylic acid lactone LL-Z1640-2 is a potent irreversible inhibitor of TAK1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2). We herein examined the therapeutic efficacy of LL-Z1640-2 against ATL. LL-Z1640-2 effectively suppressed the in vivo growth of ATL cells. It induced in vitro apoptosis and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65/RelA in ATL cells. The knockdown of IRF4 strongly induced ATL cell death while downregulating MYC. LL-Z1640-2 as well as the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 decreased the expression of IRF4 and MYC at the protein and mRNA levels, indicating the suppression of the NF-κB-IRF4-MYC axis. The treatment with LL-Z1640-2 also mitigated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK along with the expression of CC chemokine receptor 4. Furthermore, the inhibition of STAT3/5 potentiated the cytotoxic activity of LL-Z1640-2 against IL-2-responsive ATL cells in the presence of IL-2. Therefore, LL-Z1640-2 appears to be an effective treatment for ATL. Further studies are needed to develop more potent compounds that retain the active motifs of LL-Z1640-2.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of bloodstream infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring rmpA in Japanese adults

We investigated the clinical features of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring rmpA and molecular characteristics of the bacteria. We retrospectively investigated adult patients with K. pneumoniae BSI from January 2010 to March 2021 at Nagasaki University Hospital. A matched case-control study in a 1:3 ratio was conducted to clarify the clinical and bacterial characteristics of BSI caused by rmpA-positive K. pneumoniae compared with those caused by rmpA-negative isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for rmpA-positive isolates. The rmpA was detected in 36 (13.4%) of the 268 isolates. Of these 36 isolates, 31 (86.1%) harbored iucA and 35 (97.2%) each possessed peg-344 and iroB; capsular types were identified as K1 in 9 (25.0%) and K2 in 10 isolates (27.8%). Contrarily, of the 108 rmpA-negative isolates, which were matched for case-control studies, 5 isolates (4.6%) harbored iucA and 1 (0.9%) each possessed peg-344 and iroB; 2 (1.9%) and 3 isolates (2.8%) had K1 and K2 capsular types, respectively. Among the rmpA-positive isolates, ST23/K1 (eight isolates) was the most frequent, followed by ST412/non-K1/K2 (seven isolates), ST86/K2 (five isolates), and ST268/non-K1/K2 (four isolates). In a multivariate analysis using clinical factors, liver abscess positively correlated with rmpA-positive isolates, whereas biliary tract infection and use of anticancer drugs negatively correlated with rmpA-positive isolates in patients with K. pneumoniae BSI. Considering the correlation between rmpA-positive isolates and clinical features, rmpA can be used as a marker for understanding the pathophysiology of K. pneumoniae BSI.

Serological response to a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine according to previous infection history

The IgG antibody titer against SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding protein (RBD) after mRNA vaccine were compared between those with and without previous infection (PI) for up to 48 weeks. Though sustained higher IgG-RBD were observed in the PI group after two doses of vaccines, both groups benefited from the booster shots of the third vaccine. This data supports the necessity of the booster shots to those with PI.

Ion-Scale Magnetic Flux Rope Generated From Electron-Scale Magnetopause Current Sheet: Magnetospheric Multiscale Observations

We present in-depth analysis of three southward-moving meso-scale (ion-to magnetohydrodynamic-scale) flux transfer events (FTEs) and subsequent crossing of a reconnecting magnetopause current sheet (MPCS), which were observed on 8 December 2015 by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft in the subsolar region under southward and duskward magnetosheath magnetic field conditions. We aim to understand the generation mechanism of ion-scale magnetic flux ropes (ISFRs) and to reveal causal relationship among magnetic field structures, electromagnetic energy conversion, and kinetic processes in magnetic reconnection layers. Results from magnetic field reconstruction methods are consistent with a flux rope with a length of about one ion inertial length growing from an electron-scale current sheet (ECS) in the MPCS, supporting the idea that ISFRs can be generated through secondary reconnection in an ECS. Grad-Shafranov reconstruction applied to the three FTEs shows that the FTEs had axial orientations similar to that of the ISFR. This suggests that these FTEs also formed through the same secondary reconnection process, rather than multiple X-line reconnection at spatially separated locations. Four-spacecraft observations of electron pitch-angle distributions and energy conversion rate j · E ' = j · E + v e × B suggest that the ISFR had three-dimensional magnetic topology and secondary reconnection was patchy or bursty. Previously reported positive and negative values of j · E ' , with magnitudes much larger than expected for typical MP reconnection, were seen in both magnetosheath and magnetospheric separatrix regions of the ISFR. Many of them coexisted with bi-directional electron beams and intense electric field fluctuations around the electron gyrofrequency, consistent with their origin in separatrix activities.

Electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation of atypical fast-slow atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia using an inferolateral left atrial slow pathway

Background

Understandings of subtypes of atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) using variants of slow pathway (SP) are still growing. Inferolateral (inf-lat-) left atrial (LA) SP is a rare variant extending into an inf-lat-LA along the mitral annulus (MA).

Purpose

To characterize an unknown subtype of atypical fast-slow (F/S-) AVNRT using an inf-lat-LA-SP as a retrograde limb (inf-lat-LA-F/S-AVNRT).

Methods

This Japanese multicenter retrospective study enrolled 4 patients of inf-lat-LA-F/S-AVNRT that was characterized by the earliest site of atrial activation during tachycardia (EAA) between 3 and 6 o'clock along the MA. The diagnosis was made by an exclusion of AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and atrial tachycardia (AT) according to the standard criteria and was confirmed by successful elimination of tachycardia and the inf-lat-LA-SP.

Results

Surface ECG during tachycardia revealed long RP appearance except one who had short RP due to a short conduction time across the inf-lat-LA-SP. During tachycardia, far-field LA activation preceding near-field activation of coronary sinus (CS) musculature was visible in the CS recording in 2. Retrograde conduction via the inf-lat-LA-SP with a decremental delay was consistently reproducible with ventricular stimulation in 2, 1 of whom had double atrial response, while it was always masked by the presence of a retrograde conduction via the fast pathway in 1 and a retrograde block at the lower common pathway in 1. An injection of a small dose of ATP transiently interrupted a retrograde conduction over the inf-lat-LA-SP, suggesting its ATP-sensitivity. Exclusion of AVRT was made by no resetting of tachycardia with left ventricular extrastimulus in 2 and VA dissociation during overdrive pacing of tachycardia in remaining 2. Exclusion of AT was made by V-A-V response after ventricular entrainment in 1 and termination without atrial capture by ventricular pacing in 2. Ablation of the right-sided SP was unsuccessful to eliminate the tachycardia, but ablation at or near the EAA by transseptal approach was successful to cure the tachycardia, associated with an elimination of a retrograde conduction over the inf-lat-LA-SP following a development of an accelerated junction rhythm in all. Low-frequency potentials preceding local atrial activation, consistent with a retrograde activation via the inf-lat-LA-SP were detected along the MA medial to the EAA in 1.

Conclusions

Differential diagnosis of tachycardia with the EAA in the inf-lat-LA and especially long RP appearance should include inf-lat-LA-F/S-AVNRT. Presumed arrhythmogenic substrate of the inf-lat-LA-SP seemed to be consistent with the remnant of embryogenic AV ring tissue in the electropharmacological and locational characteristics. Successful elimination of this AVNRT can be obtained by ablation of the inf-lat-LA-SP, but not of the right-sided SP.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Magnetic Field Annihilation in a Magnetotail Electron Diffusion Region With Electron-Scale Magnetic Island

We present observations in Earth's magnetotail by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft that are consistent with magnetic field annihilation, rather than magnetic topology change, causing fast magnetic-to-electron energy conversion in an electron-scale current sheet. Multi-spacecraft analysis for the magnetic field reconstruction shows that an electron-scale magnetic island was embedded in the observed electron diffusion region (EDR), suggesting an elongated shape of the EDR. Evidence for the annihilation was revealed in the form of the island growing at a rate much lower than expected for the standard X-type geometry of the EDR, which indicates that magnetic flux injected into the EDR was not ejected from the X-point or accumulated in the island, but was dissipated in the EDR. This energy conversion process is in contrast to that in the standard EDR of a reconnecting current sheet where the energy of antiparallel magnetic fields is mostly converted to electron bulk-flow energy. Fully kinetic simulation also demonstrates that an elongated EDR is subject to the formation of electron-scale magnetic islands in which fast but transient annihilation can occur. Consistent with the observations and simulation, theoretical analysis shows that fast magnetic diffusion can occur in an elongated EDR in the presence of nongyrotropic electron effects. We suggest that the annihilation in elongated EDRs may contribute to the dissipation of magnetic energy in a turbulent collisionless plasma.

BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel enhances detection of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in lower respiratory tract specimens

Background

This study investigated the diagnostic utility of the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (PN panel), an automated and multiplexed nucleic acid detection system that rapidly detects 26 pathogens (18 bacteria and eight viruses) and seven antimicrobial resistance markers in a single assay.

Methods

We analyzed the targets in lower respiratory tract specimens using the PN panel and compared the detection results with those of bacterial culture methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Results

Of the 57 samples analyzed, the PN panel detected 97 targets (84 bacteria, four viruses, and nine antimicrobial resistance markers). Detection of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance was three times greater than that of the bacterial culture (25 bacteria and two resistant isolates) against the targets available in the panel. The overall positive and negative percent agreements between the PN panel and culture methods for bacterial detection were 100.0% and 92.9%, respectively. Multiple pathogens were detected by the PN panel in 24 samples (42.1%), ranging from two pathogens in 11 samples (19.3%) to six pathogens in one sample (1.8%). The PN panel semiquantitatively detected higher copies (≥ 106 copies/mL) of bacterial targets if the bacteria were positive by the culture method. In contrast, the semiquantitative values obtained by the panel varied (104 to 107 ≤ copies/mL) among bacteria that were negative by the culture method.

Conclusions

The PN panel enhanced the detection of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers in lower respiratory tract specimens.

RAISING is a high-performance method for identifying random transgene integration sites

Both natural viral infections and therapeutic interventions using viral vectors pose significant risks of malignant transformation. Monitoring for clonal expansion of infected cells is important for detecting cancer. Here we developed a novel method of tracking clonality via the detection of transgene integration sites. RAISING (Rapid Amplification of Integration Sites without Interference by Genomic DNA contamination) is a sensitive, inexpensive alternative to established methods. Its compatibility with Sanger sequencing combined with our CLOVA (Clonality Value) software is critical for those without access to expensive high throughput sequencing. We analyzed samples from 688 individuals infected with the retrovirus HTLV-1, which causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) to model our method. We defined a clonality value identifying ATL patients with 100% sensitivity and 94.8% specificity, and our longitudinal analysis also demonstrates the usefulness of ATL risk assessment. Future studies will confirm the broad applicability of our technology, especially in the emerging gene therapy sector.

Helicity-dependent dissociative tunneling ionization of CF4 in multicycle circularly polarized intense laser fields

Dissociative tunneling ionization of tetrafluoromethane (CF₄) in circularly polarized ultrashort intense laser fields (35 fs, 0.8 × 10¹⁴ W cm^-2, 1035 nm), CF₄ → CF₄⁺ + e^- → CF₃⁺ + F + e^-, has been studied by three-dimensional electron-ion coincidence momentum imaging. The photoelectron angular distribution in the recoil frame revealed that the dissociative tunneling ionization occurs efficiently when the laser electric field points from F to C. The obtained results are qualitatively consistent with the theoretical predictions by the weak-field asymptotic theory (WFAT) for tunneling ionization from the highest and next-highest occupied molecular orbitals, HOMO (1t₁), and HOMO-1 (4t₂), respectively. On the other hand, the angular distribution shows clear dependences on the polarization helicity, indicating that the breaking of the C-F bonds is sensitive to the helicity of the multicycle circularly polarized laser fields.

TAS-116 (pimitespib), a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, shows efficacy in preclinical models of adult T-cell leukemia

Adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a highly chemoresistant malignancy of peripheral T lymphocytes caused by human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 infection, for which there is an urgent need for more effective therapeutic options. The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) plays a crucial role in nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated antiapoptosis in ATL cells, and HSP90 inhibitors are new candidate therapeutics for ATL. Accordingly, we investigated the anti‐ATL effects of a novel oral HSP90 inhibitor, TAS‐116 (pimitespib), and the mechanisms involved in ex vivo and in vivo preclinical models. TAS‐116 achieved IC₅₀ values of less than 0.5 μmol/L in 10 ATL‐related cell lines and less than 1 μmol/L in primary peripheral blood cells of nine ATL patients; no toxicity was observed toward CD4⁺ lymphocytes from healthy donors, indicating the safety of this agent. Given orally, TAS‐116 also showed significant inhibitory effects against tumor cell growth in ATL cell‐xenografted mice. Furthermore, gene expression profiling of TAS‐116‐treated Tax‐positive or ‐negative cell lines and primary ATL cells using DNA microarray and multiple pathway analysis revealed the significant downregulation of the NF‐κB pathway in Tax‐positive cells and cell‐cycle arrest in Tax‐negative cells and primary ATL cells. TAS‐116 suppressed the activator protein‐1 and tumor necrosis factor pathways in all examined cells. These findings strongly indicate the efficacy of TAS‐116, regardless of the stage of ATL progression, and its potential application as a novel clinical anti‐ATL therapeutic agent.

Reconstruction of the Electron Diffusion Region With Inertia and Compressibility Effects

A method based on electron magnetohydrodynamics (EMHD) for the reconstruction of steady, two-dimensional plasma and magnetic field structures from data taken by a single spacecraft, first developed by Sonnerup et al. (2016), https://doi.org/10.1002/2016ja022430, is extended to accommodate inhomogeneity of the electron density and temperature, electron inertia effects, and guide magnetic field in and around the electron diffusion region (EDR), the central part of the magnetic reconnection region. The new method assumes that the electron density and temperature are constant along, but may vary across, the magnetic field lines. We present two models for the reconstruction of electron streamlines, one of which is not constrained by any specific formula for the electron pressure tensor term in the generalized Ohm's law that is responsible for electron unmagnetization in the EDR, and the other is a modification of the original model to include the inertia and compressibility effects. Benchmark tests using data from fully kinetic simulations show that our new method is applicable to both antiparallel and guide-field (component) reconnection, and the electron velocity field can be better reconstructed by including the inertia effects. The new EMHD reconstruction technique has been applied to an EDR of magnetotail reconnection encountered by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft on 11 July 2017, reported by Torbert et al. (2018), https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat2998 and reconstructed with the original inertia-less version by Hasegawa et al. (2019), https://doi.org/10.1029/2018ja026051, which demonstrates that the new method better performs in recovering the electric field and electron streamlines than the original version.

Fast-slow atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia phenotype mimicking the slow-slow type

Background

Fast-slow (F/S-) atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is characterized by a short atrio-His (AH) interval and the earliest site of atrial activation (EAA) in the proximal coronary sinus (EAA-CS), while slow-slow (S/S-) AVNRT presents a long AH interval and EAA-CS. Those intracardiac appearances are initial indicators for making a diagnosis.

Purpose

To identify an unknown phenotype of F/S-AVNRT.

Methods

Among 46 consecutive patients with F/S-AVNRT, 6 patients (1 man, age 59±9) had an apparent but not typical (pseudo-) S/S-AVNRT during an electrophysiologic study. In 2 patients, pseudo-S/S-AVNRT was clinically documented.

Results

In all 6 patients, the diagnosis of F/S-AVNRT was made by an exclusion of atrial tachycardia with findings of 1) a V-A-V response following ventricular entrainment or 2) termination without atrial capture by ventricular pacing, and an exclusion of AV reentrant tachycardia with a ventriculoatrial dissociation during an initial (so-called QRS transition) zone of ventricular entrainment. An initial A-A-V activation sequence on atrial induction of F/S-AVNRT observed in 1 patient and Wenckebach-type AV block during ongoing F/S-AVNRT developing in 3 patients suggested the presence of the lower common pathway (LCP). Like the typical S/S-AVNRT, pseudo-S/S-AVNRT was induced with atrial stimulation after a jump in the AH interval or double ventricular response. However, in all patients, the pseudo-S/S-AVNRT transited to F/S-AVNRT following AV block in a single cycle and/or pseudo-S/S-AVNRT transited from spontaneously or triggered by atrial contractions. Importantly, on these transitions, the atrial cycle length (CL) and EAA-CS remained unchanged, that is, the atrial CL of S/S-AVNRT was almost identical to that of F/S-AVNRT, suggesting that the essential circuit of both tachycardias was identical. Actually, both tachycardias were cured by ablation at a single site in the traditional slow pathway (SP). Collectively, the pseudo-S/S-AVNRT was diagnosed as another phenotype of F/S-AVNRT accompanied by sustained antegrade conduction via another bystander (likely the left-sided or superior) SP breaking through the His bundle owing to the repetitive antegrade block at the LCP occurring by linking phenomenon, thus representing a long AH interval during the ongoing F/S-AVNRT. When the antegrade conduction is blocked at the bystander SP during the pseudo-S/S-AVNRT, releasing the linking phenomenon, the subsequent antegrade conduction reach the His-bundle via the fast pathway, thus returning to F/S-AVNRT.

Conclusions

An unknown, but not rare F/S-AVNRT phenotype exists that apparently mimics the typical S/S-AVNRT and is also an unknown subtype of apparent S/S-AVNRT. The presence of this pseudo-S/S-AVNRT suggests the limitation of classifying types of AVNRT based on AH and HA intervals during tachycardia. Understandings of this phenotype can advance a diagnosis of atypical AVNRT with multiple phenotypes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Hemodynamic Analysis of Cerebral AVMs with 3D Phase-Contrast MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The hemodynamics associated with cerebral AVMs have a significant impact on their clinical presentation. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic features of AVMs using 3D phase-contrast MR imaging with dual velocity-encodings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients with supratentorial AVMs who had not received any previous treatment and had undergone 3D phase-contrast MR imaging were included in this study. The nidus diameter and volume were measured for classification of AVMs (small, medium, or large). Flow parameters measured included apparent AVM inflow, AVM inflow index, apparent AVM outflow, AVM outflow index, and the apparent AVM inflow-to-outflow ratio. Correlation coefficients between the nidus volume and each flow were calculated. The flow parameters between small and other AVMs as well as between nonhemorrhagic and hemorrhagic AVMs were compared.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into hemorrhagic (n = 8) and nonhemorrhagic (n = 24) groups. The correlation coefficient between the nidus volume and the apparent AVM inflow and outflow was .83. The apparent AVM inflow and outflow in small AVMs were significantly smaller than in medium AVMs (P < .001 for both groups). The apparent AVM inflow-to-outflow ratio was significantly larger in the hemorrhagic AVMs than in the nonhemorrhagic AVMs (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The apparent AVM inflow-to-outflow ratio was the only significant parameter that differed between nonhemorrhagic and hemorrhagic AVMs, suggesting that a poor drainage system may increase AVM pressure, potentially causing cerebral hemorrhage.

Characteristics and outcome of suspected cerebrovascular disease in dogs: 66 cases (2009-2016)

OBJECTIVES

To characterise the clinical signs of suspected cerebrovascular disease in dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of one hospital were searched from November 2009 to December 2016 for dogs that suffered of cerebrovascular disease. We diagnosed cerebrovascular disease based on acute onset, clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The medical history, clinical signs, concurrent disease, area of infarction, cerebrospinal fluid results, month at onset and outcome were investigated in the cerebrovascular disease group and in a control group (dogs with brain disorders other than cerebrovascular disease).

RESULTS

A total of 122 CVD cases were extracted from the 5312 patients that visited during the study period. Of these 122 cases, 66 (1.2%) matched the subject selection criteria of our study and were included in the analysis. Forebrain infarction was observed in 51 of 66 cases, of which 24 (47.1%) suffered from seizures. The number of dogs diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease was disproportionately high in August (nine of 59 cases) and December (13 of 59 cases). In the outcome survey, deterioration was observed in 11 of 55 cases.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Seizure is an important clinical sign of cerebrovascular disease in dogs. There was a significant seasonal variation in the number of dogs diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease in Japan. Clinical features observed in this report differ from those of previous reports and highlight the need for additional research in this area.

Performance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study in outbreak on a cruise ship

OBJECTIVES

A few studies on antibody testing have focused on asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with low initial anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody responses. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-testing performance was evaluated using blood samples from asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 143 COVID-19 patients during an outbreak on a cruise ship 3 weeks after diagnosis. Simultaneously, a follow-up SARS-CoV-2 genetic test was performed. Samples stored before the COVID-19 pandemic were also used to evaluate the lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA) and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid and spike proteins were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to confirm which antibodies were influenced on LFA- and ECLIA- false-negative result in crew-member samples.

RESULTS

Sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive, and negative-predictive values of LFA-detected IgM antibodies were 0.231, 1.000, 1.000, and 0.613, respectively; those of LFA-detected IgG antibodies were 0.483, 0.989, 0.972, and 0.601, respectively; and those of ECLIA-detected total antibodies were 0.783, 1.000, 1.000, and 0.848, respectively. All antibody titers measured using ELISA were significantly lower in blood samples with negative results than in those with positive results in both LFA and ECLIA. In the patients with negative results from the follow-up genetic testing, IgM-, IgG-, and total-antibody positivity rates were 22.9%, 47.6%, and 72.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing has lower performance in asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients than required in the guidelines.

Outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer: propensity-matched analysis of the National Clinical Database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has several advantages over conventional laparoscopy. However, population-based comparative studies for low anterior resection are limited. This article aimed to compare peri-operative results of robot-assisted low anterior resection (RALAR) and laparoscopy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from patients treated with RALAR or conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection (CLLAR) between October 2018 and December 2019, as recorded in the Japanese National Clinical Database, a data set registering clinical information, perioperative outcomes, and mortality. Of note, the registry does not include information on the tumour location (centimetres from the anal verge) and diverting stoma creation. Perioperative outcomes, including rate of conversion to open surgery, were compared between RALAR and CLLAR groups. Confounding factors were adjusted for using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Of 21 415 patients treated during the study interval, 20 220 were reviewed. Two homogeneous groups of 2843 patients were created by propensity score matching. The conversion rate to open surgery was significantly lower in the RALAR group than in the CLLAR group (0.7 versus 2.0 per cent; P < 0.001). The RALAR group had a longer operating time (median: 352 versus 283 min; P < 0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (15 versus 20 ml; P < 0.001), a lower in-hospital mortality rate (0.1 versus 0.5 per cent; P = 0.007), and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (median: 13 versus 14 days; P < 0.001) compared with the CLLAR group. The CLLAR group had a lower rate of readmission within 30 days (2.4 versus 3.3 per cent; P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

These data highlight the reduced conversion rate, in-hospital mortality rate, intraoperative blood loss, and length of postoperative hospital stay for rectal cancer surgery in patients treated using robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery compared with laparoscopic low anterior resection.

The Contribution of Serum Complement Component 3 Levels to 90-Day Mortality in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

The contributions of the complement system have been elucidated in the process of solid organ transplantation, including kidney transplantation. However, the role of complement in liver transplantation is unknown. We sought to elucidate the time-dependent changes of peritransplantational serum complement levels and the relationships with posttransplant outcomes and other immunological biomarkers. We enrolled 82 patients who underwent living-related donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Nine patients (11%) died within 90 days after LDLT (non-survivors). The following immunomarkers were collected preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 4 week(s) after LDLT: serum C3, C4, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and peripheral blood leukocyte populations characterized by CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD56. Consequently, C3 and C4 increased time-dependently after LDLT. Preoperatively, C3 was negatively correlated with the MELD score, Child–Pugh score, CD16-positive leukocyte percentage, and the CD56-positive leukocyte percentage. Non-survivors had lower levels of C3 at 2 weeks in comparison to survivors (median [interquartile range]: 56 [49-70] mg/dL vs. 88 [71-116] mg/dL, p=0.0059). When the cutoff value of C3 at 2 weeks to distinguish non-survivors was set to 71 mg/dL, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve were 87.5%, 75.0%, and 0.80, respectively. A principal component analysis showed an inverse relationship between the C3 and C4 levels and the percentage of CD8-, CD16-, and CD56-positive leukocytes at 1 and 2 week(s). All non-survivors were included in the cluster that showed higher percentages of CD8-, CD16-, and CD56-positive leukocytes at 2 weeks. In conclusion, we demonstrated the relationship between complement, outcomes, and other immunomarkers in LDLT and suggested the usefulness of C3 at 2 weeks after LDLT in distinguishing the mortality.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 using qRT-PCR in saliva obtained from asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients, comparative analysis with matched nasopharyngeal samples

OBJECTIVES

The accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared the quantitative RT-PCR results between nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva specimens.

METHODS

A COVID-19 outbreak occurred on a cruise ship at Nagasaki port, Japan. We obtained 123 nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva each from asymptomatic or mild patients in the late phase of infection.

RESULTS

The intervals from the diagnosis to the sampling were 25.5 days for nasopharyngeal swabs and 28.9 days for saliva. The positive rate was 19.5% (24/123) for nasopharyngeal swabs and 38.2% (47/123) for saliva (P = 0.48). The quantified viral copies (mean ± SEM copies/5 μl) were 9.3±2.6 in nasopharyngeal swabs and 920±850 in saliva (P = 0.0006).

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of saliva specimens include positive rate improvement and accurate viral load detection. Saliva may be used as a reliable sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Tocilizumab has no direct effect on cell lines infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1

Objective

It remains unclear whether human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection influences therapeutic responses in patients with rheumatic diseases and whether immunosuppressive treatments increase the risk of HTLV-1-related complications in HTLV-1 carriers with rheumatic diseases. We examined the effects of tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antagonist, on two HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines (HCT-5 and MT-2) in vitro.

Methods

We evaluated production of cytokines and chemokines, expression of HTLV-I associated genes, HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL), expression of HTLV-1 structural proteins, and apoptosis.

Results

There were no significant differences in cytokine and chemokine levels in the culture supernatants of HCT-5 and MT-2 cells treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or TCZ. No significant differences were detected in mRNA abundance of Tax or HBZ, PVL, expression of the HTLV-1 structural protein GAG, or apoptosis among HCT-5 and MT-2 cells treated with PBS or TCZ.

Conclusions

TCZ had no effect the cytokine profiles, HTLV-1 gene and protein expression, PVL, or apoptosis in HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines. Thus, TCZ treatment has no effect on HTLV-1 infection in vitro.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for elderly rectal cancer patients in Japan: a nationwide study

Background

This study aimed to analyse the perioperative results from a national dataset of rectal cancer resections in elderly patients.

Methods

The clinical records of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between 2012 and 2014 were retrieved from the Japanese National Clinical Database and analysed retrospectively. Patients were categorized according to age and those 80 years or older were defined as elderly. Subgroups were also defined according to the surgical approach (laparoscopy versus open surgery). The short-term outcomes, including mortality, anastomotic leak, surgical site infections and medical complications were compared between subgroups.

Results

Of 56 175 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery, some 6717 patients were elderly and laparoscopy was performed in 46.8 per cent of the sample. When comparing laparoscopy and open surgery in elderly patients, the operative mortality rate (1.5 versus 2.8 per cent; P < 0.001), the incidence of anastomotic leakage (5.2 versus 6.5 per cent; P = 0.026), surgical site infections (6.0 versus 8.0 per cent; P = 0.001), pneumonia (1.4 versus 2.5 per cent; P = 0.001), renal failure (0.7 versus 1.3 per cent; P = 0.016) and cardiac events (0.3 versus 0.8 per cent; P = 0.008) were lower for laparoscopy than for open surgery. The overall complication rate in elderly patients (19.5 per cent) was comparable to that in the younger group (P = 0.07). However, incidence of systemic complications was significantly higher in elderly than in younger patients (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Laparoscopy was safe and feasible in elderly patients compared with open surgery. However, the rates of systemic complications were significantly higher than in younger patients.

Had COVID-19 spread in the community before the first confirmed case in Nagasaki, Japan?

This retrospective study evaluated stored nasopharyngeal swab samples from Japanese patients with influenza-like illness during the 2019/2020 season. We aimed to determine whether COVID-19 had spread in the community before the first confirmed case. The period of influenza season during 2019/2020 in Nagasaki was shorter than in previous influenza seasons. When the first COVID-19 case was reported in Nagasaki prefecture, the number of influenza cases were very low. No positive results for SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 182 samples that were obtained from adult outpatients. Our results revealed no large-scale spread of COVID-19 in the community before the first confirmed case.

Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive esophagectomy for elderly esophageal cancer patients

The number of elderly patients with esophageal cancer has increased in recent years. The use of thoracoscopic esophagectomy has also increased, and its minimal invasiveness is believed to contribute to postoperative outcomes. However, the short- and long-term outcomes in elderly patients remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive esophagectomy in elderly patients. This retrospective study included 207 patients who underwent radical thoracoscopic esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma at Kobe University Hospital between 2005 and 2014. Patients were divided into non-elderly (<75 years) and elderly (≥75 years) groups. A propensity score matching analysis was performed for sex and clinical T and N stage, with a total of 29 matched pairs. General preoperative data, surgical procedures, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, in-hospital death, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were compared between groups. The elderly group was characterized by lower preoperative serum albumin levels and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists grade. Intraoperative data and postoperative complications did not differ between the groups. The in-hospital death rate was 4% in the elderly group, which did not significantly differ from the non-elderly group. Cancer-specific survival was similar between the two groups. Although overall survival tended to be poor in the elderly group, it was not significantly worse than that of the non-elderly group. In conclusion, the short- and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy in elderly versus non-elderly patients were acceptable. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is a safe and feasible modality for elderly patients with appropriate indications.

HTLV-1 targets human placental trophoblasts in seropositive pregnant women

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is mainly transmitted vertically through breast milk. The rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) through formula feeding, although significantly lower than through breastfeeding, is approximately 2.4%-3.6%, suggesting the possibility of alternative transmission routes. MTCT of HTLV-1 might occur through the uterus, birth canal, or placental tissues; the latter is known as transplacental transmission. Here, we found that HTLV-1 proviral DNA was present in the placental villous tissues of the fetuses of nearly half of pregnant carriers and in a small number of cord blood samples. An RNA ISH assay showed that HTLV-1-expressing cells were present in nearly all subjects with HTLV-1-positive placental villous tissues, and their frequency was significantly higher in subjects with HTLV-1-positive cord blood samples. Furthermore, placental villous trophoblasts expressed HTLV-1 receptors and showed increased susceptibility to HTLV-1 infection. In addition, HTLV-1-infected trophoblasts expressed high levels of viral antigens and promoted the de novo infection of target T cells in a humanized mouse model. In summary, during pregnancy of HTLV-1 carriers, HTLV-1 was highly expressed in placental villous tissues, and villous trophoblasts showed high HTLV-1 sensitivity, suggesting that MTCT of HTLV-1 occurs through the placenta.

Evaluation of a novel rapid TRC assay for the detection of influenza using nasopharyngeal swabs and gargle samples

We evaluated a novel transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) assay that can detect influenza A and B within 15 min using nasopharyngeal swab and gargle samples obtained from patients with influenza-like illness, between January and March 2018 and between January and March 2019. Based on the combined RT-PCR and sequencing results, in the nasal swabs, the sensitivity and specificity of TRC for detecting influenza were calculated as 1.000 and 1.000, respectively. In the gargle samples, the sensitivity and specificity of TRC were 0.946 and 1.000, respectively. The TRC assay showed comparable performance to RT-PCR in the detection of influenza viruses.

1273. Efficacy of Cefiderocol against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa in ventilator-associated pneumonia mouse model

Background

Cefiderocol (CFDC) is a novel cephalosporin with siderophore structure, characterized by transportation through siderophore receptor on outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and structural stability against beta-lactamase. The antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant bacteria is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the in vivo efficacy of CFDC using ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) mouse model.

Methods

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CFDC and meropenem (MEPM) against the test Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) isolates were measured by broth microdilution assay. Iron depleted medium was used for CFDC. For VAP mouse models, neutropenia was induced by cyclophosphamide intraperitoneal administration, followed by intubation of sterile tube in the trachea and inoculation of bacterial suspension. PK analysis were performed in infected mice, in order to determine treatment regimens to achieve targeted time above MIC (TAM) of free concentrations in plasma. Treatment was initiated 3 hours post infection and continued up to 120 h for survival analysis. To investigate the bactericidal effect, the mice were sacrificed to count bacterial load in the lung at 48 h and 24 h for VAP-Ab and Pa, respectively.

Results

MICs(mg/L) of CFDC and MEPM against Ab were 0.5 and 128, and Pa were 0.008 and 16, respectively. The treatment regimens to achieve target MIC were shown in Table 1. In order to assess dose dependency of CFDC, required doses to achieve TAM of 70%, 90%, and 100% were calculated. These doses used in the studies were achievable in human for CFDC, but not for MEPM due to high MICs of the test strains. In treatment study for VAP-Ab, bactericidal effect was achieved at TAM > 70% in CFDC groups, as well as TAM 30% in MEPM group. In VAP-Pa, bactericidal effect was observed at TAM > 90% in CFDC groups, as well as TAM 30% in MEPM group.

Table 1.Treatment regimen and free TAM against VAP-Ab and Pa

Figure 1. Bacterial load in the lungs of VAP-Ab and Pa

Conclusion

The efficacy of CFDC against VAP-Ab and Pa were demonstrated in this study. Although 90% free TAM was required for bactericidal effect, CFDC was shown to be effective against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens at the recommended clinical dosing regimen.

Disclosures

Katsunori Yanagihara, MD, PhD, Shionogi & Co.,Ltd. (Grant/Research Support)

Increased oxygen uptake and utilization in the peripheral muscles, rather than cardiac function reserve, may be determinants of increased peak VO2 by cardiac rehabilitation in heart failure

Background

Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) is a major prognostic parameter in heart failure (HF). Previous studies have shown a relationship between peak VO2 and impaired oxygen uptake and utilization in the peripheral muscles. The purpose of this study was to clarify the determinant of increased peak VO2 by cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with HF.

Methods

We performed echocardiography during upright ramp bicycle cardiopulmonary exercise test in 30 HF patients (61±1 years of age, 80% male) before and 6 months after CR. HR reserve was determined as the change in HR from rest to peak exercise, expressed as a percentage of the predicted maximal HR reserve. Elastance index (EAI) and LV end-systolic elastance index (ELVI) were derived as the ratio of end-systolic pressure to stroke volume index and end-systolic volume index, respectively. End-systolic pressure was estimated from the equation 0.9 × brachial systolic blood pressure. Ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) was calculated as the quotient of EAI and ELVI. The ratio of LDEDVI to E/e' mean was used to evaluate LV diastolic compliance. Systemic vascular resistance index was calculated as mean arterial pressure divided by echocardiography calculated cardiac index and multiplied by 80. The arterial venous oxygen content difference (C (A-V) O2 gradient) was calculated by using the Fick equation as: VO2/echocardiography calculated cardiac output.

Results

Peak VO2 and C (A-V) O2 gradient were increased by CR. However, heart rate reserve, systolic reserve, VAC, diastolic reserve and vasodilation reserve were unchanged by CR (Table 1).

Conclusions

Increased oxygen uptake and utilization in the peripheral muscles, rather than cardiac function reserve, may be determinants of increased peak VO2 by CR in HF.

Table 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Flow cytometry assay for the detection of single-copy DNA in human lymphocytes

Specific nucleic acid sequences can be detected in individual cells by in situ hybridization. However, when very few copies of a target sequence are present per cell, its signal is undetectable by flow cytometry. Although various approaches have been developed to increase fluorescence signals for in situ hybridization, flow cytometric detection of specific genomic DNA sequences has not been established. Here, we present a flow cytometry assay for detection of single-copy genomic sequences in human lymphocytes using in situ PCR with universal energy transfer-labelled primers.

Establishment of a novel diagnostic test algorithm for human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infection with line immunoassay replacement of western blotting: a collaborative study for performance evaluation of diagnostic assays in Japan

BACKGROUND

The reliable diagnosis of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is important, particularly as it can be vertically transmitted by breast feeding mothers to their infants. However, current diagnosis in Japan requires a confirmatory western blot (WB) test after screening/primary testing for HTLV-1 antibodies, but this test often gives indeterminate results. Thus, this collaborative study evaluated the reliability of diagnostic assays for HTLV-1 infection, including a WB-based one, along with line immunoassay (LIA) as an alternative to WB for confirmatory testing.

RESULTS

Using peripheral blood samples from blood donors and pregnant women previously serologically screened and subjected to WB analysis, we analyzed the performances of 10 HTLV-1 antibody assay kits commercially available in Japan. No marked differences in the performances of eight of the screening kits were apparent. However, LIA determined most of the WB-indeterminate samples to be conclusively positive or negative (an 88.0% detection rate). When we also compared the sensitivity to HTLV-1 envelope gp21 with that of other antigens by LIA, the sensitivity to gp21 was the strongest. When we also compared the sensitivity to envelope gp46 by LIA with that of WB, LIA showed stronger sensitivity to gp46 than WB did. These findings indicate that LIA is an alternative confirmatory test to WB analysis without gp21. Therefore, we established a novel diagnostic test algorithm for HTLV-1 infection in Japan, including both the performance of a confirmatory test where LIA replaced WB on primary test-reactive samples and an additional decision based on a standardized nucleic acid detection step (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) on the confirmatory test-indeterminate samples. The final assessment of the clinical usefulness of this algorithm involved performing WB analysis, LIA, and/or PCR in parallel for confirmatory testing of known reactive samples serologically screened at clinical laboratories. Consequently, LIA followed by PCR (LIA/PCR), but neither WB/PCR nor PCR/LIA, was found to be the most reliable diagnostic algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the above results show that our novel algorithm is clinically useful, we propose that it is recommended for solving the aforementioned WB-associated reliability issues and for providing a more rapid and precise diagnosis of HTLV-1 infection.

A high-throughput detection method for the clonality of Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1-infected cells in vivo

Approximately 10-20 million of Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-infected carriers have been previously reported, and approximately 5% of these carriers develop adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) with a characteristic poor prognosis. In Japan, Southern blotting has long been routinely performed for detection of clonally expanded ATL cells in vivo, and as a confirmatory diagnostic test for ATL. However, alternative methods to Southern blotting, such as sensitive, quantitative, and rapid analytical methods, are currently required in clinical practice. In this study, we developed a high-throughput method called rapid amplification of integration site (RAIS) that could amplify HTLV-1-integrated fragments within 4 h and detect the integration sites in > 0.16% of infected cells. Furthermore, we established a novel quantification method for HTLV-1 clonality using Sanger sequencing with RAIS products, and the validity of the quantification method was confirmed by comparing it with next-generation sequencing in terms of the clonality. Thus, we believe that RAIS has a high potential for use as an alternative routine molecular confirmatory test for the clonality analysis of HTLV-1-infected cells.

Decay of Kelvin-Helmholtz Vortices at the Earth's Magnetopause Under Pure Southward IMF Conditions

At the Earth's low-latitude magnetopause, clear signatures of the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) waves have been frequently observed during periods of the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), whereas these signatures have been much less frequently observed during the southward IMF. Here, we performed the first 3-D fully kinetic simulation of the magnetopause KH instability under the southward IMF condition. The simulation demonstrates that fast magnetic reconnection is induced at multiple locations along the vortex edge in an early nonlinear growth phase of the instability. The reconnection outflow jets significantly disrupt the flow of the nonlinear KH vortex, while the disrupted turbulent flow strongly bends and twists the reconnected field lines. The resulting coupling of the complex field and flow patterns within the magnetopause boundary layer leads to a quick decay of the vortex structure, which may explain the difference in the observation probability of KH waves between northward and southward IMF conditions.

A novel macrolide, solithromycin suppresses mucin overexpression induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS in airway epithelial cells

Some macrolides such as 14- and 15-membered macrolides have immunomodulatory effects such as suppression of mucin overproduction. Because a novel macrolide, solithromycin, was developed, we examined whether it suppresses the overexpression of mucin in vitro. A human airway epithelial cell line NCI-H292 was stimulated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides to induce the overproduction of a major mucin, MUC5AC. Treatment with 10 μg/mL of solithromycin significantly inhibited LPS-induced MUC5AC in both mRNA and protein levels as well as a 15-membered macrolide, azithromycin. These findings support that solithromycin has a potential immunomodulatory effect.