Floral pigments and their perception by avian pollinators in three Chilean Puya species

The Chilean Puya species, Puya coerulea var. violacea and P. chilensis bear blue and pale-yellow flowers, respectively, while P. alpestris considered to be their hybrid-derived species has unique turquoise flowers. In this study, the chemical basis underlying the different coloration of the three Puya species was explored. We first isolated and identified three anthocyanins: delphinidin 3,3',5'-tri-O-glucoside, delphinidin 3,3'-di-O-glucoside and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside; seven flavonols: quercetin 3-O-rutinoside-3'-O-glucoside, quercetin 3,3'-di-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, myricetin 3,3',5'-tri-O-glucoside, myricetin 3,3'-di-O-glucoside and laricitrin 3,5'-di-O-glucoside; and six flavones: luteolin 4'-O-glucoside, apigenin 4'-O-glucoside, tricetin 4'-O-glucoside, tricetin 3',5'-di-O-glucoside, tricetin 3'-O-glucoside and selagin 5'-O-glucoside, which is a previously undescribed flavone, from their petals. We also compared compositions of floral flavonoid and their aglycone among these species, which suggested that the turquoise species P. alpestris has an essentially intermediate composition between the blue and pale-yellow species. The vacuolar pH was relatively higher in the turquoise (pH 6.2) and pale-yellow (pH 6.2) flower species, while that of blue flower species was usual (pH 5.2). The flower color was reconstructed in vitro using isolated anthocyanin, flavonol and flavone at neutral and acidic pH, and its color was analyzed by reflectance spectra and the visual modeling of their avian pollinators. The modeling demonstrated that the higher pH of the turquoise and pale-yellow species enhances the chromatic contrast and spectral purity. The precise regulation of flower color by flavonoid composition and vacuolar pH may be adapted to the visual perception of their avian pollinator vision.

Protein/Lipid ratio of pollen biases the visitation of bumblebees (Bombus ignitus Smith) to male-fertile cultivars of the Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

Bees have been known to visit the male-fertile cultivars of self-incompatible flowering plants more frequently than the male-sterile cultivars, but the origin of this preference is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that this preference is driven by the higher protein/lipid ratio of male-fertile pollen compared with male-sterile pollen by way of two caged-behavioral assays with six cultivars. In the first assay, flower-naïve bumblebees (Bombus ignitus Smith) showed a significantly higher flower-visitation rate to male-fertile cultivars (pollen germination rate > 55%; > 14 visits/10 min) of the Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) than male-sterile cultivars (pollen germination rate ≤ 20%; > 6 visits/10 min). In the second, bees still preferred the anthers of male-fertile cultivars (5-9 visits/10 min) more than those of male-sterile ones (less than 1 visit in 10 min) even in the absence of all other organs (i.e., petals, pistil, nectar), indicating that pollen is responsible for the preference. We then analyzed the macronutrient content of the pollen and its visual cues, and found that the bee preference was highly correlated with the protein/lipid ratio (0.3-1.6) but not color variables such as (a)chromatic contrast, intensity, and spectral purity. We conclude that the protein/lipid ratio influences the foraging behavior of the bumblebees likely by serving as (1) a chemotactile cue while antennating, (2) a gustatory cue after intake, and (3) an olfactory cue. In addition, the low bee visitation rate to poorly viable pollen could be due to its low protein/lipid ratio.

Pericardial effusion in oncological patients: current knowledge and principles of management

BACKGROUND

This article provides an up-to-date overview of pericardial effusion in oncological practice and a guidance on its management. Furthermore, it addresses the question of when malignancy should be suspected in case of newly diagnosed pericardial effusion.

MAIN BODY

Cancer-related pericardial effusion is commonly the result of localization of lung and breast cancer, melanoma, or lymphoma to the pericardium via direct invasion, lymphatic dissemination, or hematogenous spread. Several cancer therapies may also cause pericardial effusion, most often during or shortly after administration. Pericardial effusion following radiation therapy may instead develop after years. Other diseases, such as infections, and, rarely, primary tumors of the pericardium complete the spectrum of the possible etiologies of pericardial effusion in oncological patients. The diagnosis of cancer-related pericardial effusion is usually incidental, but cancer accounts for approximately one third of all cardiac tamponades. Drainage, which is mainly attained by pericardiocentesis, is needed when cancer or cancer treatment-related pericardial effusion leads to hemodynamic impairment. Placement of a pericardial catheter for 2-5 days is advised after pericardial fluid removal. In contrast, even a large pericardial effusion should be conservatively managed when the patient is stable, although the best frequency and timing of monitoring by echocardiography in this context are yet to be established. Pericardial effusion secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors typically responds to corticosteroid therapy. Pericardiocentesis may also be considered to confirm the presence of neoplastic cells in the pericardial fluid, but the yield of cytological examination is low. In case of newly found pericardial effusion in individuals without active cancer and/or recent cancer treatment, a history of malignancy, unremitting or recurrent course, large effusion or presentation with cardiac tamponade, incomplete response to empirical therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and hemorrhagic fluid at pericardiocentesis suggest a neoplastic etiology.

Color strategies of camellias recruiting different pollinators

Most ornithophilous plants have red flowers; this has been associated with 'the bee avoidance hypothesis', in which ornithophilous flowers may bear colors that are less conspicuous to bees than melittophilous flowers. In the genus Camellia, C. rusticana and C. japonica bear red flowers and yet recruit different pollinators; the former is entomophilous, while the latter is ornithophilous. C. japonica is considered to have been speciated from a common ancestor later than C. rusticana, accompanying a pollinator shift from insects to birds. Nevertheless, factors explaining the pollinator difference in camellias remain rudimentary. In this study, the color traits of the two camellias were investigated, to determine their color strategy to allure different pollinators. The behavior of bees towards the two camellias was examined by a two-choice assay. Flower color characteristics of the two camellias were analyzed with diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectra. Based on the visual sensory system of bees and birds, the achromatic contrast, chromatic contrast, intensity, and spectral purity of the two species were evaluated, testing the bee avoidance hypothesis. Furthermore, the compounds responsible for the fluorescence, likely serving as a visual attractant, were identified by NMR and MS. Bees visited C. rusticana flowers almost exclusively and C. japonica hardly at all. Reflectance spectral data showed that C. rusticana petals are more conspicuous to bees than birds due to a UV-reflection secondary peak; and that C. japonica petals exhibited crucially low chromatic contrast against a leaf background to bees, suggesting them to be almost indistinguishable. On the other hand, C. japonica flowers appeared conspicuous to birds. The anthers of C. rusticana exhibited blue fluorescence derived from two anthranilates, while those of C. japonica did not. The two camellias offer different color strategies to be conspicuous to their respective pollinators, and C. japonica seemed to have evolved to avoid bees. Alterations in these color traits may have played a role in pollinator shift.

POS0670 EVALUATION OF UPADACITINIB IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO FIRST-GENERATION JANUS KINASE INHIBITORS

Background

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are effective in the treatment of patients with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA), regardless of previous use of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), and receive equal billing with biological therapies in the latest version of the EULAR recommendations for treatment of RA1. However, as with bDMARDs, cases of discontinuation due to intolerance or inadequate response have been observed in patients treated with the so-called first-generation JAKi, leading to the development of a new generation of JAKi that aims to maximize efficacy and improve safety by enhancing kinase selectivity. The results of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that the efficacy and safety of Upadacitinib (UPA) treatment are favorable. Although there have been no head-to-head trials between JAKi, a matched-adjusted indirect comparative study has shown a difference in efficacy between JAKi2, suggesting that the new generation of JAKi may be effective in rheumatoid arthritis patients with intolerance or inadequate response to first-generation JAKi. It is already apparent that a clear need exists for a JAK-IR trial to give guidance in those difficult patients who are JAKi non-responders3.

Objectives

To evaluate real world efficacy of a second-generation JAK1-selective JAKi UPA in single-center cohort of RA patients who had discontinued first-generation JAKi.

Methods

Patients with RA who had discontinued tofacitinib and/or baricitinib due to inadequate response or intolerance, regardless of whether they had used bDMARDs or not, were eligible for the study if they had received UPA by October 2021 and had been followed up for at least 12 weeks. Endpoints were Kaplan-Meier survival rate with inadequate response or intolerance as reasons for discontinuation, various disease activity assessments (DAS28-ESR, SDAI, CDAI, etc.), and patient reported outcomes (visual analogue scales (VASs) such as pain and stiffness, HAQ-DI, FACIT-Fatigue Scale, etc.) at 12 weeks. In addition, the reasons for discontinuation were investigated.

Results

Fifty-one patients were included in the study, all of whom had D2T RA and had used at least one bDMARD as well as JAKi. The mean (median) age was 72.7 (77) years, disease duration 18.0 (17) years, number of bDMARDs used 3.34 (3), number of JAKi used 1.3(1), 5 patients with methotrexate, 6 patients with prednisolone, and DAS28-ESR 3.83 (3.9). At 12 weeks, the overall survival rate was 94% (94.6% in 37 cases used as 2nd JAKi and 92.9% in 14 cases used as 3rd JAKi). For reference, there was no significant difference from the 100% of the 15 cases used as the 1st JAKi (P=0.49). DAS28-ESR <3.2 and <2.6 were achieved in 60.8% and 29.4%, VASs for pain and stiffness decreased by a mean of 12.9 mm (9 mm) and 12.1 mm (7 mm), respectively, and FACIT-Fatigue scale improved by a mean of 3.0 (1). The reasons for discontinuation in the three patients were inadequate efficacy in two and leg cramps due to venous thromboembolism in one.

Conclusion

UPA is more selective for JAK1 than first generation JAKi, and is expected to reduce adverse reactions caused by inhibition of JAK family members other than JAK1. The present study suggests that UPA is effective and well tolerated, regardless of the number and type of first-generation JAKi used in the past, albeit for a short period of time. Limitations include the small number of cases and the short time frame for discussing adverse reactions.

References

[1]Smolen JS, Landewé BM, Bijlsma WJ et al., EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:685–699.

[2]Christopher JE, Ruta S, Vishvas G et al. A Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Upadacitinib Versus Tofacitinib in Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatol Ther 2021; 8:167–181.

[3]Peter Nash, Clinical use of Jak 1 inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology, Volume 60, Issue Supplement_2, May 2021, Pages ii31–ii38

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy in ptotic and large-sized breasts with two-stage reconstruction through transaxillary video-assisted technique: An effective surgical and anesthetic approach

Introduction

Skin-reducing mastectomy has been applied to several surgical techniques in which subcutaneous mastectomy is associated with various types of skin reduction, with preservation of a lower dermal flap to reinforce the inferior lateral seat of an implant. The aim of the study is to present a case series of patients with pendulous/ptotic and/or large-sized breasts treated for breast cancer at the Breast Surgery Unit of Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy, with the superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy technique, two-stage reconstruction, and transaxillary video-assisted technique, when a postoperative radiotherapy was indicated. We verified its effectiveness by discussing its results, especially in patients who are candidates for postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

A single-center retrospective study was performed between January 2020 and March 2021 on a prospectively filled database of conservative mastectomies. Of the 64 patients who underwent nipple/skin-sparing mastectomies in the mentioned period, 17 (mean age 46 years, range 30-62 years) were treated with superomedial pedicle skin-reducing mastectomy, with two-stage breast reconstruction through transaxillary video-assisted replacement expander with definitive prosthesis and contralateral symmetrization, selected for postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Results

We had only three minor complications. No flap necrosis, no infections, no breast seromas, and no reconstructive failures were observed. During follow-up of the patients treated with video-assisted reconstruction, there were no cases of infection, hematoma, implant rupture, or suture dehiscence in the reconstructed breast.

Discussion

Skin-reducing mastectomy with superomedial pedicle is a safe and reliable procedure to treat breast cancer in selected patients, i.e., those with pendulous/ptotic and or large-sized breasts. Particularly, in patients who undergo postmastectomy radiotherapy, the two-stage reconstruction with video-assisted transaxillary endoscopic approach can find its main indication, using incisions positioned far from the mammary region, offering numerous advantages.

A randomized, controlled trial of once-weekly teriparatide injection versus alendronate in patients at high risk of osteoporotic fracture: primary results of the Japanese Osteoporosis Intervention Trial-05

In this randomized, controlled trial, treatment with once-weekly subcutaneous injection of teriparatide for 72 weeks was found to be associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures compared with alendronate in women with primary osteoporosis who were at high risk of fracture.

INTRODUCTION

To determine whether the anti-fracture efficacy of teriparatide is superior to that of alendronate, a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint trial was performed.

METHODS

Japanese women aged at least 75 years were eligible for the study if they had primary osteoporosis and were at high risk of fracture. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive sequential therapy (once-weekly subcutaneous injection of teriparatide 56.5 μg for 72 weeks followed by alendronate for 48 weeks) or monotherapy with alendronate for 120 weeks. The primary endpoint was the incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures at 72 weeks (at the end of teriparatide treatment).

RESULTS

Between October 2014 and December 2017, 1011 patients (505 in the teriparatide group and 506 in the alendronate group) were enrolled. Of these, 778 patients (351 and 427, respectively) were included in the primary analysis. The incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (56 per 419.9 person-years, annual incidence rate 0.1334) than in the alendronate group (96 per 553.6 person-years, annual incidence rate 0.1734), with a rate ratio of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.99, P = 0.04). In both groups, adverse events were most frequently reported in the following system organ classes: infections and infestations, gastrointestinal disorders, and musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

CONCLUSION

Once-weekly subcutaneous injection of teriparatide significantly reduced the incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures compared with alendronate in women with primary osteoporosis who were at high risk of fracture.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

jRCTs031180235 and UMIN000015573, March 12, 2019.

Fluorescence from abnormally sterile pollen of the Japanese apricot

We observed trees of the Japanese apricot, Prunus mume 'Nanko' (Rosaceae), bearing two types of flowers: 34% had blue fluorescent pollen under UV irradiation, and 66% had non-fluorescent pollen. The fluorescent pollen grains were abnormally crushed, sterile, and devoid of intine and pollenkitt. The development of microspores within anthers was investigated: in the abnormally developed anthers, tapetal cells were vacuolated at the unicellular microspore stage, and fluorescent pollen was produced. Compounds responsible for the blue fluorescence of pollen were identified as chlorogenic acid and 1-O-feruloyl-β-D-glucose. The anthers with fluorescent pollen contained 6.7-fold higher and 3.8-fold lower amounts of chlorogenic acid and N ¹,N ⁵,N ¹⁰-tri-p-coumaroylspermidine, respectively, compared to those with non-fluorescent pollen. The tapetal vacuolization, highly accumulated chlorogenic acid, and deficiency of N ¹,N ⁵,N ¹⁰-tri-p-coumaroylspermidine imply that low-temperature stress during the early unicellular microspore stage caused a failure in microsporogenesis. Furthermore, potential effects of the visual difference on the bee behavior were also discussed through the colorimetry. The sterility, likely induced by low-temperature stress, and the preference of honeybees for fluorescence may reduce the pollination efficiency of P. mume.

AB0252 EFFICACY OF A SECOND JANUS KINASE INHIBITOR THAT WAS SWITCHED FOR DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RA IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Background:

In clinical practice, when refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is present, of which the definition implies previous use of at least two biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (generally tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis)), the next treatment choice often made is a bDMARD of another class (non-TNFis) [1]. However, patients who are inadequately responding to bDMARDs need new treatment options because subsequent bDMARDs treatment reduces their response [2]. Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are the first targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARD) licensed for the treatment of RA with comparable efficacy to bDMARDs. Unlike the single cytokine targeting approach of bDMARDs, JAKis are specifically designed to inhibit intracellular signalling molecules common to the receptors of multiple inflammatory cytokines implicated in RA pathogenesis. The choice of therapeutic agents for refractory RA is increasing, and its efficacy is expected. On the other hand, it is also true that some patients discontinued JAKis at a rate that cannot be overlooked because of insufficient efficacy. Difficult-to-treat (D2T) RA is defined as refractory to two or more b/ts DMARDs with different mechanisms of action, with active and progressive disease, as published by Eular(3)

Objectives:

To evaluate real world efficacy of approved JAKis switching in patients with D2T RA who were unable to control their disease activity due to insufficient efficacy despite the sequential use of multiple bDMARDs and JAKis, focusing on the drug retention rate.

Methods:

In our hospital, RA was diagnosed according to the 1987 or 2010 classification criteria, and when two or more bDMARDs (including both TNFis and non-TNFis) were inadequately effective, it was defined as D2T RA. We retrospectively investigated patients who switched to JAKis for D2T RA. The drug retention rate was investigated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference was tested by the Logrank test.

Results:

The 1-year retention rate of JAKis for D2T RA was 50.8% in TOF 38 cases [28 women, age average 70.2 years, disease duration average 12.4 years, past bDMARDs use average 3.5 drugs, MTX combination 9 cases, DAS28 ESR average 4.11] and 66.3% in BAR 35 cases [26 cases, 73.0 years old, 14.8 years, 4.17 agents, 9 cases, 3.68], and there was no significant difference (P = 0.30). Among them, there were 17 cases [11 cases, 70.6 years old, 13.5 years, 4.18 drugs, 2 cases, 3.65] of switching between JAKis, all of which were switching from TOF to BAR. The 1-year retention rate was 45.8% [reason for discontinuation: insufficient effect in 3 cases, adverse events in 6 cases], which was not significantly different but tended to be lower than 72.7% [reason for discontinuation: insufficient effect in 1 case, adverse event in 2 cases, patient’s convenience in 1 case] in 16 patients [13 cases, 76.3 years old, 17.1 years, 3.19 drugs, 7 cases, 3.69] who received BAR as the first JAKi for D2T RA patients (P = 0.089).

Conclusion:

Although the number of cases is small in the retrospective survey, it is suggested that the retention rate of BAR switched to D2T RA may be slightly lower in patients with a history of TOF discontinuation due to insufficient efficacy than in JAKi naive patients. It is expected that the number of new JAKi usage cases will increase in the future, and it is necessary to consider switching between other JAKis in addition to switching from BAR to TOF.

References:

[1]Smolen JS, Landewe R, Bijlsma J et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:960_77.

[2]Rendas-Baum R, Wallenstein GV, Koncz T et al. Evaluating the efficacy of sequential biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis patients with an inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Arthritis Res Ther 2011;13:R25.

[3]Nagy G, et al. EULAR definition of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2021;80:31–35. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217344.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0088 EFFICACY OF JANUS KINASE INHIBITORS FOR DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RA IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Background:

In 20-30% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the first biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (generally tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis)) is ineffective, and among the patients who do respond to therapy, 20% is faced with secondary ineffectiveness within the first 2 years of treatment [1]. In practice, when refractory RA is present, of which the definition implies previous use of at least two bDMARDs (generally TNFis), the next treatment choice often made is a bDMARD of another class (non-TNFis) [2]. On the other hand, patients who are inadequately responding to bDMARDs need new treatment options because subsequent bDMARD treatment reduces their response [3]. Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are the first targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARD) licensed for the treatment of RA with comparable efficacy to bDMARDs. Unlike the single cytokine targeting approach of bDMARDs, JAKis are specifically designed to inhibit intracellular signalling molecules common to the receptors of multiple inflammatory cytokines implicated in RA pathogenesis.

Objectives:

Difficult-to-treat (D2T) RA is defined as refractory to two or more b/ts DMARDs with different mechanisms of action, with active and progressive disease, as published by Eular(4). We evaluated real world efficacy of approved JAKis and factors that may help to continue them in patients with D2T RA.

Methods:

Patients who had inadequate response to two or more bDMARDs (including both TNFis and non-TNFis) at our hospital by December 2019 were defined as D2T RA, and patients who switched to JAKis were retrospectively investigated. The drug retention rate was determined by Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference was tested by Logrank test. Multiple regression analysis was used as the statistical method to predict continuation of JAKis for more than 1 year, with patient background (age, gender, during the disease, number of bDMARDs used, with or without methotrexate and/or glucocorticoids, disease activity score assessing 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate’ presence of rheumatoid factor/anti-CCP antibody, matrix metalloproteinase 3 value, Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index) at the time of initiation as an explanatory variable.

Results:

A total of 915 bDMARDs had been administered to 394 RA patients. The retention rate of bDMARDs and the number of bDMARDs used were 89.3% and 1.48 bDMARDs at 1 year, 67.7% and 2.27 bDMARDs at 5 years, and 52.0% and 3.15 bDMARDs at 10 years, respectively. The retention rate of JAKis at 1 year was 60.2% in 65 patients with tofacitinib (TOF) and 67.2% in 70 patients with baricitinib (BAR) (P=0.38). Among them, the drug retention rate in D2T RA patients was 50.8% in 38 TOF patients and 66.3% in 35 BAR patients with no significant difference (P=0.30). There were no patient background factors that significantly predicted continuation at 1 year for any JAKis.

Conclusion:

Despite the limited number of patients and the retrospective nature of the study, TOF and BAR were shown to be effective options for D2T RA, regardless of patient background such as disease activity or number of bDMARDs used. Other JAKis and switches between JAKis need to be investigated in the future.

References:

[1]Schaeverbeke T, Truchetet ME, Kostine M et al. Immunogenicity of biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis patients: lessons for clinical practice. Rheumatology 2016;55:210_20.

[2]Smolen JS, Landewe R, Bijlsma J et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:960_77.

[3]Rendas-Baum R, Wallenstein GV, Koncz T et al. Evaluating the efficacy of sequential biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis patients with an inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Arthritis Res Ther 2011;13:R25.

[4]Nagy G, et al. EULAR definition of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2021;80:31–35. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217344.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Strawberry pollen as a source of UV-B protection ingredients for the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

BACKGROUND

A new physical control method using ultraviolet-B (UV-B) lamps and light-reflecting sheets (UV method) significantly suppressed a spider mite population on greenhouse strawberries. Although UV-B radiation may adversely affect the survival of phytoseiid mites, previous research has suggested that Neoseiulus californicus can improve its survival on exposure to UV-B irradiation by consuming antioxidants contained in tea and peach pollen. In this study, we evaluated strawberry pollen as an alternative food source for N. californicus and examined whether antioxidants in the pollen mitigated UV-B damage to N. californicus.

RESULTS

The fecundity of N. californicus females reared on Tetranychus urticae decreased on shifting their diet to pollen. By contrast, females reared continuously on strawberry pollen produced as many eggs as females reared continuously on T. urticae. Survival and fecundity after UV-B irradiation were higher in females on the pollen diet. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity analysis revealed that the high antioxidant activity of strawberry pollen was due to four hydroxycinnamoyl spermidine derivatives.

CONCLUSION

Strawberry pollen was an adequate alternative food source for N. californicus. Feeding on strawberry pollen, which contains spermidine derivatives with high antioxidant activity, mitigated UV-B damage. This shows the potential of combining the UV-method with N. californicus for controlling T. urticae in strawberries.

Occurrence and clinical course of peri-stent contrast staining: comparison between second-generation drug-eluting stents and third generation drug-eluting stents

Background

Peri-stent contrast staining (PSS) has been reported to be associated with very late stent thrombosis.

The aims of this study was to compare the occurrence rate of PSS between second generation drug-eluting stents (2nd DES) and third generation drug-eluting stents (3rd DES), and to identify clinical characteristics associated with PSS.

Methods and results

This study comprised 1899 patients with 2493 de novo lesions treated with 2nd or 3rd DES from October 2015 to September 2018. Follow-up angiography was available for 1883 lesions (75.5%). There were 725 patients with 968 lesions treated with 2nd DES, and 716 patients with 915 lesions treated with 3rd DES. The occurrence of PSS, types of PSS, and VLST related to PSS were compared between 2nd and 3rd DES implantation. Mean follow-up period was 30±12 months. The occurrence rate of PSS and segmental type of PSS were similar between two groups (2nd DES vs. 3rd DES, 1.5% vs. 1.7%, p=0.73, 47% vs. 50%, p=0.85, and respectively). The VLST related to PSS occurred in only one case in 3rd DES group. (0% vs. 6.3%, p=0.33).

Conclusion

The occurrence rate of PSS and clinical course were similar between 2nd and 3rd DES.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P5022Dual-energy CT was effective to evaluate of microvasculopathy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Background

The existence of microvasculopathy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) had been suggested. However, the impact of microvasculopathy for pathophysiology had been unknown. Recently dual-energy CT (DECT) can produce a sensitive iodine distribution map as blood perfusion in lung fields to quantify lung perfusion, also can suggest the existence of microvasculopathy according to poor subpleural perfusion which was published previously.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed poor subpleural perfusion (defined as subpleural spaces either not or minimally perfused in all segments) and hemodynamics of 83 treatment-naïve CTEPH patients who underwent DECT from February 2014 to Jan 2019. Patients were divided according to poor subpleural perfusion: a microvasculopathy group (n=44) or a non-microvasculopathy group (n=39).

We assessed cardiopulmonary exercise test, right heart catheterization and DECT parameters as quantitative evaluation of pulmonary blood volume (PBV). PBV was calculated as the average of entire lung iodine density.

Results

PBV value in non-microvasculopathy group showed significant inverse correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (y = 14236 x-1.028 r=−0.530, p<0.01).

PBV, SvO2, and %DLCO/VA were significantly lower (22.0 vs. 26.4, p<0.01, 61.3 vs. 66.0, p<0.01, and 59.2 vs 75.9 p<0.01), and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, PVR, VE/VCO2 slope, BNP were higher (69.3 vs 60.6 p=0.04, 834 vs 586 p<0.01, 45.5 vs. 37.8, p=0.02, and 440 vs 122 p=0.04) in microvasculopathy group, while the other parameters were similar between the two groups.

Multivariate analysis revealed that %DLCO/VA was the only predictor of microvasculopathy (OR,0.895 [95% CI, 0.835 - 0.960]; P<0.01).

Conclusion

Pulmonary blood flow of patients in non-micorvasculopathy group showed inverse correlation with PVR. DECT was effective to assess the microvasculopathy in CTEPH. In our experience, less than 60% of non-operable CTEPH patients have microvasculopathy.

Mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis through p130Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity

Mechanical loading plays an important role in bone homeostasis. However, molecular mechanisms behind the mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis are poorly understood. We previously reported p130Cas (Cas) as a key molecule in cellular mechanosensing at focal adhesions. Here, we demonstrate that Cas is distributed in the nucleus and supports mechanical loading-mediated bone homeostasis by alleviating NF-κB activity, which would otherwise prompt inflammatory processes. Mechanical unloading modulates Cas distribution and NF-κB activity in osteocytes, the mechanosensory cells in bones. Cas deficiency in osteocytes increases osteoclastic bone resorption associated with NF-κB-mediated RANKL expression, leading to osteopenia. Upon shear stress application on cultured osteocytes, Cas translocates into the nucleus and down-regulates NF-κB activity. Collectively, fluid shear stress-dependent Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity supports bone homeostasis. Given the ubiquitous expression of Cas and NF-κB together with systemic distribution of interstitial fluid, the Cas-NF-κB interplay may also underpin regulatory mechanisms in other tissues and organs.

Resorcinol-formaldehyde resins as metal-free semiconductor photocatalysts for solar-to-hydrogen peroxide energy conversion

Artificial photosynthesis is a critical challenge in moving towards a sustainable energy future. Photocatalytic generation of hydrogen peroxide from water and dioxygen (H₂O + [Formula: see text]O₂ → H₂O₂, ΔG° = 117 kJ mol^-1) by sunlight is a promising strategy for artificial photosynthesis because H₂O₂ is a storable and transportable fuel that can be used directly for electricity generation. All previously reported powder photocatalysts, however, have suffered from low efficiency in H₂O₂ generation. Here we report that resorcinol-formaldehyde resins, widely used inexpensive polymers, act as efficient semiconductor photocatalysts to provide a new basis for H₂O₂ generation. Simple high-temperature hydrothermal synthesis (~523 K) produces low-bandgap resorcinol-formaldehyde resins comprising π-conjugated and π-stacked benzenoid-quinoid donor-acceptor resorcinol couples. The resins absorb broad-wavelength light up to 700 nm and catalyse water oxidation and O₂ reduction by the photogenerated charges. Simulated sunlight irradiation of the resins stably generates H₂O₂ with more than 0.5% solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency. Therefore, this metal-free system shows significant potential as a new artificial photosynthesis system.

Evaluation for Task Achievement of Robotics Programming Based on Image Information

It is difficult to make an evaluation based solely on whether programming has been achieved. However, appropriate evaluation according to the achievement level leads to learners’ subjective programming learning, and to learning support that corresponds to individuals. Therefore, the quantitative evaluation of programming learning is as important as teaching and educational methods. Since programming education is being introduced to elementary and junior high schools, a programming evaluation method for this age is necessary. Therefore, this paper proposes a new concept of quantitatively evaluating the degree of achievement of tasks by programming. It assumes a unit in junior high school technology classes for learning measurement control, and uses teaching materials that have an autonomous cleaning robot as a theme. It is aimed at quantitatively evaluating the degree of accomplishment of a task by evaluating the extent to which the robot ran in a field, as seen in the room from a still picture taken multiple times.

Immunogenomic profiles associated with response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that radiotherapy success has an immune-associated component. The immunogenomic profiles associated with responses to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were assessed in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer in this study.

METHODS

CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) and stromal lymphocyte densities were assessed by immunohistochemistry using pretreatment biopsies from patients with advanced rectal cancer who had preoperative CRT. Whole-exome sequencing and gene expression microarray analysis were conducted to investigate the genomic properties associated with the response to CRT and CD8+ TIL density. Response to CRT was determined based on Dworak tumour regression grade (TRG); tumours with complete (TRG 4) or near-complete (TRG 3) regression were grouped as good responders, and those with TRG 1 as non-responders.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical examinations (275 patients) showed that pre-CRT CD8+ TIL density was associated with better response to CRT and improved recurrence-free survival, whereas pre-CRT stromal CD8+ cell density was not associated with either response to CRT or recurrence-free survival. Whole-exome sequencing (74 patients) showed that the numbers of single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) and neoantigens predicted from SNVs were higher in good responders than in non-responders, and these correlated positively with CD8+ TIL density (r_S  = 0·315 and r_S  = 0·334 respectively). Gene expression microarray (90 patients) showed that CD8A expression correlated positively with the expression of programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) (r_S  = 0·264) and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) (r_S  = 0·507).

CONCLUSION

Pre-CRT neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cell priming may be a key event in CRT responses where immune checkpoint molecules could be useful targets to enhance tumour regression.

Beyond the physician's perspective: A review of patient-reported outcomes in dermatologic surgery and cosmetic dermatology

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are utilized in health care to quantify the patient's perspective of a health condition or treatment on outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient satisfaction. In dermatology, this is particularly relevant because the patient's perspective is critical in evaluating the outcome of cosmetic procedures as well as skin cancer treatment. We review seven validated PROMs that have been reported in the dermatologic surgery and cosmetic dermatology literature. For patients undergoing cosmetic procedures, the use of PROMs provides additional valuable outcome data beyond physician assessment. For patients with skin cancer, women experience a unique and often greater impact on HRQoL during treatment, which has been captured through PROMs. The recent development of multi-module instruments, such as the FACE-Q and FACE-Q Skin Cancer, have facilitated comprehensive assessments of treatment that impact multiple domains of HRQoL. The use of PROMs allows for dermatologists to reliably capture important disease- and treatment-related concerns, thus improving the patient experience.

Preliminary Study on Prevalence and Associated Factors with Sarcopenia in a Geriatric Hospitalized Rehabilitation Setting

The reported prevalence of sarcopenia has shown a wide range, crucially based on the diagnostic criteria and setting. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of sarcopenia and sought to identify factors associated with sarcopenia on admission in a specialized geriatric rehabilitation setting based on the newly developed the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia algorithm. Among 87 participants (mean age, 76.05 ± 7.57 years), 35 (40.2%) were classified as showing sarcopenia on admission. Prevalence was high, particularly among participants ≥80 years old, with tendencies toward lower body mass index, smoking habit, lower cognitive function, and greater functional impairment compared with the non-sarcopenic group. Identification of sarcopenia in elderly patients before rehabilitation and consideration of risk factors may prove helpful in achieving rehabilitation outcomes.

Pathologic Features of Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer

In hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients, the cancer frequently arises in the proximal colon and is often multiple (synchronous or metachronous). Pathologic differences seem to exist between hereditary and sporadic large bowel cancer, but the data are not uniform. Many authors reported that the following histologic features are often present in HNPCC: 1) mucinous histotype, 2) poorly differentiated tumors, 3) presence of peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate, with Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction. Such features have also been found in apparently sporadic colorectal cancer with, but not in sporadic colorectal cancer without DNA replication errors. Many studies have suggested that adenoma plays a main role in HNPCC carcinogenesis, and that the “adenoma-carcinoma sequence” may be the pathway to cancer in HNPCC as in sporadic colorectal cancer. Moreover, HNPCC adenomas show an early onset, villous component, high-grade dysplasia, and positivity for DNA replication errors more frequently than sporadic adenomas. Such data suggest that the adenoma-carcinoma sequence is accelerated in HNPCC and that surveillance in these patients should therefore be strict to avoid cancer development.