Long-term follow-up study of SWEDD patients with mild parkinsonian signs

Background

Whether scan without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD) can be a reliable indication of a clinical entity of Parkinson's disease (PD) is controversial.

Objective

To evaluate the proportion of SWEDD patients with mild parkinsonian signs who are classifiable as idiopathic PD.

Methods

32 SWEDD patients with unilateral or asymmetric finger tremor with a rest component and unilateral rigidity (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-III scores of 3-5) were enrolled. They underwent longitudinal examination by UPDRS-III, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), smell test and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) at baseline (first DaTSCAN) and at follow-up (second DaTSCAN) after 27-83 months. Age-matched controls (n=112) also underwent MMSE and smell test.

Results

At follow-up, 21 of 32 SWEDD patients (65.6%) showed significantly reduced specific binding ratios below the normal range, that is, positive DaTSCAN, sometimes with increased asymmetry index (n=11). Among these 21 patients, the mean (SD) UPDRS-III score at follow-up was significantly higher than that at baseline (5.5 (2.2) vs 4.0 (0.5)) (p=0.003). The mean (SD) MMSE scores in SWEDD patients (n=32) at baseline and follow-up were not significantly different compared with those in controls. Olfactory function both in SWEDD patients with positive and negative DaTSCAN was significantly impaired versus controls (p<0.001), although no significant difference was recognised between patients with positive (n=21) and negative (n=11) second DaTSCAN.

Conclusion

The majority of SWEDD patients with mild rest tremor and rigidity could be classified as having idiopathic PD in this longitudinal and long-term follow-up study.

Evaluation of QSAR models for predicting mutagenicity: outcome of the Second Ames/QSAR international challenge project

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models are powerful in silico tools for predicting the mutagenicity of unstable compounds, impurities and metabolites that are difficult to examine using the Ames test. Ideally, Ames/QSAR models for regulatory use should demonstrate high sensitivity, low false-negative rate and wide coverage of chemical space. To promote superior model development, the Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan (DGM/NIHS), conducted the Second Ames/QSAR International Challenge Project (2020-2022) as a successor to the First Project (2014-2017), with 21 teams from 11 countries participating. The DGM/NIHS provided a curated training dataset of approximately 12,000 chemicals and a trial dataset of approximately 1,600 chemicals, and each participating team predicted the Ames mutagenicity of each trial chemical using various Ames/QSAR models. The DGM/NIHS then provided the Ames test results for trial chemicals to assist in model improvement. Although overall model performance on the Second Project was not superior to that on the First, models from the eight teams participating in both projects achieved higher sensitivity than models from teams participating in only the Second Project. Thus, these evaluations have facilitated the development of QSAR models.

A potent allele marker related to low bull conception rate in Japanese Black bulls

Over the years, there has been considerable variation in the bull conception rate (BCR) of Japanese Black cattle; moreover, several Japanese Black bulls with a low BCR of ≤10% have been identified. However, the alleles responsible for the low BCR are not determined yet. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for predicting low BCR. To this end, the genome of Japanese Black bulls was comprehensively examined by a genome-wide association study with whole-exome sequencing (WES), and the effect of the identified marker regions on BCR was determined. The WES analysis of six sub-fertile bulls with a BCR of ≤10% and 73 normal bulls with a BCR of ≥40% identified a homozygous genotype for low BCR in Bos taurus autosome 5 in the region between 116.2 and 117.9 Mb. The g.116408653G > A SNP in this region had the most significant effect on the BCR (P-value = 1.0 × 10^-23), and the GG (55.4 ± 11.2%) and AG (54.4 ± 9.4%) genotypes in the SNP had a higher phenotype than the AA (9.5 ± 6.1%) genotype for the BCR. The mixed model analysis revealed that g.116408653G > A was related to approximately 43% of the total genetic variance. In conclusion, the AA genotype of g.116408653G > A is a useful index for identifying sub-fertile Japanese Black bulls. Some positive and negative effects of SNP on the BCR were presumed to identify the causative mutations, which can help evaluate bull fertility.

Post-Disaster Mental Health and Dietary Patterns among Older Survivors of an Earthquake and Tsunami

OBJECTIVES

Research suggests that cardiometabolic disease risks are elevated among survivors of natural disasters, possibly mediated by changes in diet. Using the Brief Dietary History Questionnaire, we examined (1) dietary patterns among older survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and (2) the contribution of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS)/depressive symptoms, as well as relocation to temporary housing on dietary patterns and (3) gender differences in the associations.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data came from a prospective cohort study of 1,375 survivors aged 65-89 years (44.6% male).

MEASUREMENTS

PTSS/depression onset was evaluated in 2013, 2.5 years after the disaster. Dietary data was collected with a self-administered brief-type diet history questionnaire in 2020. A principal component analysis identified three posterior dietary patterns.

RESULTS

Diet 1 consisted of high intake of vegetables, soy products, and fruits; Diet 2 consisted of carbohydrate-rich foods and snacks/sweets; Diet 3 consisted of high intake of alcoholic beverages, meat, and seafood. Least-squares linear regression revealed that individuals with PTSS/depression were less likely to exhibit Diet 1, while individuals with PTSS were more likely to exhibit Diet 2 and 3. Especially, males who had depression showed an unhealthy dietary pattern. Those who have lived in a trailer-style temporary housing reported less consumption of Diet 3.

CONCLUSION

Survivors of disaster with symptoms of mental illness tended to exhibit less healthy dietary patterns after 9 years. Diet varied by type of post-disaster mental illness, gender, and current social circumstances. We lacked pre-disaster BDHQ data, which is a limitation.

The prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy for lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A pilot study

PURPOSE

The prognostic value of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients is not well known. The purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of PET/CT taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with primary lung cancer planned to undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Patients underwent PET/CT scans at 3 time points: before radiotherapy, within 24hours of completing radiotherapy (im-PET/CT), and 2-9 months after radiotherapy (post-PET/CT). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) was obtained. A post-PET/CT-SUV_max cut-off of 2.5 was determined as radiotherapy success.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were enrolled. im-PET/CT-SUV_max for patients in the high post-PET/CT-SUV_max group was significantly higher than that of the low group (P=0.004). Receiver operator curve analysis indicated that im-PET/CT-SUV_max of 4.35 was an optimal cut-off value to discriminate between the two groups. Multivariable analysis showed that a high im-PET/CT-SUV_max was significantly associated with a high post-PET/CT-SUV_max (P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

PET/CT-SUV_max taken immediately following radiotherapy was associated with that evaluated 2-9 months after radiotherapy.

Anesthetic management of cesarean section in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory arteritis. We presented the case of cesarean section in a patient with TA.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 31-year-old pregnant woman with TA underwent a planned cesarean section at 34 weeks of pregnancy. She had stenosis of the cerebral and coronary arteries and heart failure due to aortic regurgitation. Spinal anesthesia was performed. In addition to standard monitoring, arterial blood pressure in the dorsalis pedis artery and regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation were monitored. Intraoperative arterial blood pressure was maintained using continuous infusion of noradrenaline with a careful intermittent bolus infusion of phenylephrine. All the procedures were successfully performed without significant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In a pregnant woman with TA, severe stenosis of the cerebral and coronary arteries, and heart failure due to valvular heart disease, careful anesthetic management by selecting catecholamines and assessing the perfusion pressure for critical organs is important.

Nucleon scalar and tensor couplings from lattice QCD at the physical points

We present results for the axial, scalar and tensor isovector-couplings (gA, gS and gT) of the nucleon obtained from 2+1 flavor QCD with the physical light quark masses (Mπ = 135 MeV). Our calculations are performed at a single lattice spacing of 0.085 fm, but with two large volumes of (10.9 fm)4 and (5.5 fm)4. The configurations are generated by the PACS Collaboration with nonperturbatively 𝒪(a) improved Wilson quark action and Iwasaki gauge action. The result of gA is a good indicator for determination of gS and gT with respect to accuracy and precision. Our result of gA well reproduces the experimental value within a statistical error of less than 2%. As for gS and gT, we compute the renormalization constants at the scale of 2 GeV in the ̅M̅S scheme through the RI/SMOM(γμ) intermediate scheme, and then obtain gS = 0.927(83)stat(22)syst and gT = 1.036(6)stat(20)syst.

Determination of physiological cardiac myosin-binging protein levels (cMyc) in healthy populations

Background

Cardiac myosin–binding protein C (cMyC) is a cardiac-restricted protein that has more abundant, rapid release and clearance kinetics than cardiac troponin. The current ESC guideline suggests the cMyC may provide value as an alternative to cardiac troponin. The 99th percentile value is universally endorsed as the reference cut off to aid in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, none of the report of healthy population of cMyC.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of cMyC values in healthy subjects.

Methods

We used two cohorts in this retrospective study. 1) Healthy subjects; a total of 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) who had annual health examinations in 2012 in the area of Kamigoto, a suburb of Nagasaki city in Southern Japan were enrolled. All participants showed none of abnormal findings including cell blood counts, chemical analysis, liver function tests, general urine tests, occult blood tests of stool, barium swallow, mammography for women, abdominal ultrasound sonography, and electrocardiogram. All blood samples were obtained in a fasting state in the morning. 2) Chest pain subjects; we collected samples from 250 subjects including 50 with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction visited admitted to a university hospital for measurement of high-sensitivity troponin T and coronary artery assessment by coronary angiography. We measured cMyC level in both cohorts by HISCL™-800 system (Sysmex corporation, Japan). The assay has a limit of detection of 0.5 ng/L and a lower limit of quantification of 1.3 ng/L.

Result

In healthy subjects, median age (IQR) was 44 (20, 82) in men and 50 (23, 91) in women. The 99th percentile of cMyC was 27.3 ng/L, which was around one-third lower than that in previous report (87 ng/L). In chest pain subjects, the concentrations of cMyC at presentation were significantly higher in those with versus without AMI (median, 66 ng/L versus 10 ng/L, P&lt;0.001). Discriminatory power for AMI, as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), was comparable for cMyC (AUC, 0.85 (95% CI 0.79–0.91) and hs-cTnT (AUC, 0.81 (95% CI 0.76–0.88)).

Conclusion

We defined the normal range of cMyC in healthy Japanese subjects. The level of cMyC at presentation provides discriminatory power comparable to hs-cTnT in the diagnosis of AMI. To determine the physiological value of a biomarker may be necessary to evaluate enough information about their health status.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

High Prevalence of Early Parkinson's Disease in Patients With Subtle Parkinsonian Signs

Background: Little is known about how frequently patients with a Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) score of 3 or 4, including postural and action tremor, could be classified into early Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective: To examine the prevalence of early PD in patients with subtle parkinsonian signs (rest tremor, postural tremor, and rigidity) without bradykinesia, having a UPDRS-III score of 3 or 4.

Methods: Parkinsonism was assessed using UPDRS-III based on both the United Kingdom PD Society Brain Bank criteria and the Movement Disorder Society PD criteria. Ninety patients with a UPDRS-III score of 3 or 4, including postural tremor, were evaluated by ¹²³I-FP-CIT SPECT (DaTscan), brain MRI, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and smell test. Some patients were additionally examined by ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy or ¹²³I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine SPECT.

Results: Seventy-five [mean age (standard deviation): 76.9 (8.1)] out of 90 patients (83.3%) showed abnormal findings on DaTscan imaging: 57 out of 75 (76.0%) showed a reduced specific binding ratio (SBR) accompanied by an egg shape pattern (n = 37, 49.3%) or a mixed type pattern (n = 14, 18.7%), both reduced SBR and increased asymmetry index (AI) with a normal shape (n = 4, 5.3%), and reduced SBR only (n = 2, 2.7%); 18 (24.0%) showed an egg shape pattern or a mixed type pattern without reduced SBR. In other words, 69 out of 75 patients (92.0%) showed either an egg shape or a mixed type pattern with or without reduced SBR. All patients were free of dementia, and their olfactory function was significantly impaired compared with controls (n = 141) on the odor-stick identification test for Japanese (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The prevalence of patients with subtle parkinsonian signs having a UPDRS-III score of 3 or 4, including postural tremor, is unexpectedly high in daily clinical practice, and most of these patients could be categorized into mild early-stage PD.

Andreev reflection of fractional quantum Hall quasiparticles

Electron correlation in a quantum many-body state appears as peculiar scattering behaviour at its boundary, symbolic of which is Andreev reflection at a metal-superconductor interface. Despite being fundamental in nature, dictated by the charge conservation law, however, the process has had no analogues outside the realm of superconductivity so far. Here, we report the observation of an Andreev-like process originating from a topological quantum many-body effect instead of superconductivity. A narrow junction between fractional and integer quantum Hall states shows a two-terminal conductance exceeding that of the constituent fractional state. This remarkable behaviour, while theoretically predicted more than two decades ago but not detected to date, can be interpreted as Andreev reflection of fractionally charged quasiparticles. The observed fractional quantum Hall Andreev reflection provides a fundamental picture that captures microscopic charge dynamics at the boundaries of topological quantum many-body states.

A genome-wide association study reveals a quantitative trait locus for calf mortality on chromosome 9 in Japanese Black cattle

Calf mortality is a major problem affecting cattle production. To identify genetic variants associated with calf mortality in Japanese Black cattle, we evaluated calf mortality as a categorical trait using a threshold model and conducted a GWAS. We identified two SNPs between 32 549 297 and 32 606 924 bp on bovine chromosome 9 that were significantly associated with calf mortality from 61 to 180 days after birth. The SNP showing the highest association was localized at a region 624 bp downstream of exon 4 of the anti-silencing function 1A histone chaperone gene (ASF1A) that promotes DNA damage repair, and the null mice, which exhibit pre- and postnatal lethality. This association was also detected using the breeding value of 334 sires. The frequency of the risk allele in Japanese Black cattle from locations across Japan was 0.013; although the frequency of ASF1A risk allele was low, it is widespread in the Japanese Black cattle population. Thus, it may be necessary to routinely monitor the cattle population for the presence of this allele.

Association Between Olfactory Impairment and Disease Severity and Duration in Parkinson's Disease

Background

The association between olfactory dysfunction and disease duration and severity in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and disease severity and duration in patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism and patients with PD with a previous diagnosis.

Methods

Olfactory function was evaluated in 79 patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism, 71 patients with PD with a previous diagnosis-with patients in both groups free of cognitive impairment-and 128 age-matched controls. The Odor-Stick Identification Test for Japanese score was counted as the numbers of correct answers, responses of indistinguishable, and responses of odorless. Parkinsonism was evaluated using the Movement Disorder Society Criteria, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III, and ¹²³iodine-labeled N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane single photon emission computed tomography (DaTscan).

Results

In the patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism having the UPDRS Part III score ≥5 (mean [standard deviation: SD] score: 6.3 [1.9]) and with a positive DaTscan, the mean (SD) numbers of correct answers, responses of indistinguishable and responses of odorless were 4.3 (2.2), 1.6 (2.0), and 1.2 (2.2), respectively. In patients with PD with a previous diagnosis (mean [SD] UPDRS Part III score: 10.9 [3.2]), these numbers were 2.5 (2.2), 2.2 (2.5), and 3.8 (4.6), respectively. The patients with PD with a previous diagnosis showed more significant deterioration than the patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism in the numbers of correct answers and responses of odorless (P < 0.0001). Olfaction in the combined patient group was significantly impaired compared with age-matched controls in each category (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These findings imply a close association between olfactory dysfunction and disease severity and duration in PD.

A highly multiplexed melt-curve assay for detecting the most prevalent carbapenemase, ESBL, and AmpC genes

Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in Gram-negative bacteria is chiefly mediated by beta-lactamases including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC, and carbapenemase enzymes. Routine phenotypic detection methods do not provide timely results, and there is a lack of comprehensive molecular panels covering all important markers. An ESBL/carbapenemase high-resolution melt analysis (HRM) assay (SHV, TEM, CTX-M ESBL families, and NDM, IMP, KPC, VIM and OXA-48-like carbapenemases) and an AmpC HRM assay (16S rDNA control, FOX, MOX, ACC, EBC, CIT, and DHA) were designed and evaluated on 111 Gram-negative isolates with mixed resistance patterns. The sensitivity for carbapenemase, ESBL, and AmpC genes was 96.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.8-99.9%), 93.6% (95% CI: 85.7-97.9%), and 93.8% (95% CI: 82.8-98.7%), respectively, with a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 95.6-100%), 93.9% (95% CI: 79.8-99.3%), and 93.7% (95% CI: 84.5-98.2%). The HRM assays enable the simultaneous detection of the 14 most important ESBL, carbapenemase, and AmpC genes and could be used as a molecular surveillance tool or to hasten detection of antimicrobial resistance for treatment management.

A high-power, high-repetition-rate THz source for pump-probe experiments at Linac Coherent Light Source II

Experiments using a THz pump and an X-ray probe at an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facility like the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS II) require frequency-tunable (3 to 20 THz), narrow bandwidth (∼10%), carrier-envelope-phase-stable THz pulses that produce high fields (>1 MV cm^-1) at the repetition rate of the X-rays and are well synchronized with them. In this paper, a two-bunch scheme to generate THz radiation at LCLS II is studied: the first bunch produces THz radiation in an electromagnet wiggler immediately following the LCLS II undulator that produces X-rays from the second bunch. The initial time delay between the two bunches is optimized to compensate for the path difference in THz transport. The two-bunch beam dynamics, the THz wiggler and radiation are described, as well as the transport system bringing the THz pulses from the wiggler to the experimental hall.

A Case of Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia with Parkinsonism and Anosmia

A 69-year-old right-handed woman developed difficulty naming objects and word-finding. The clinical features of language disorder and predominant atrophy on MRI and predominant hypoperfusion on ¹²³I-IMP SPECT in the left temporo-parietal junction area were consistent with the diagnostic criteria for the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA). Neurological examination showed slight right-side rigidity and resting tremor (UPDRS-III: 4). ¹²³I-FP-CIT SPECT showed presynaptic dopamine transporter reduction in the posterior putamina with left-side predominance. The odor-stick identification test for Japanese exhibited complete loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). These findings suggest that lvPPA may be accompanied by parkinsonism and anosmia.

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

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

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

Toxicity of Heparinoids, with Special Reference to the Precipitation of Fibrinogen

To demonstrate whether the intravascular precipitation of fibrinogen is responsible for the toxicity of heparinoid, the relation between the toxicity of heparinoid in vivo and the precipitation of fibrinogen in vitro was investigated, using dextran sulfate of various molecular weights and various heparinoids.

1. There are close relationships between the molecular weight of dextran sulfate, its toxicity, and the quantity of fibrinogen precipitated.

2. The close relationship between the toxicity and the precipitation of fibrinogen found for dextran sulfate holds good for other heparinoids regardless of their molecular structures.

3. Histological findings suggest strongly that the pathological changes produced with dextran sulfate are caused primarily by the intravascular precipitates with occlusion of the capillaries.

From these facts, it is concluded that the precipitates of fibrinogen with heparinoid may be the cause or at least the major cause of the toxicity of heparinoid.

4. The most suitable molecular weight of dextran sulfate for clinical use was found to be 5,300 ~ 6,700, from the maximum value of the product (LD50 · Anticoagulant activity). This product (LD50 · Anticoagulant activity) can be employed generally to assess the comparative merits of various heparinoids.

5. Clinical use of the dextran sulfate prepared on this basis gave satisfactory results. No severe reaction was observed. However, two delayed reactions, alopecia and thrombocytopenia, were observed. These two reactions seem to come from the cause other than intravascular precipitation.

Nucleon structure from 2+1 flavor lattice QCD near the physical point

We present an update on our results of nucleon form factors measured on a large-volume lattice (8:1fm)4 at almost the physical point in 2+1 flavor QCD. The configurations are generated with the stout-smeared O(a) improved Wilson quark action and Iwasaki gauge action at β = 1:82, which corresponds to the lattice spacing of 0.085 fm. The pion mass at the simulation point is about 145 MeV. We determine the isovector electric radius and magnetic moment from nucleon electric (GE) and magnetic (GM) form factors. We also report on preliminary results of the axial-vector (FA), induced pseudo-scalar (FP) and pseudo-scalar (GP) form factors in order to verify the axial Ward-Takahashi identity in terms of the nucleon matrix elements, which may be called as the generalized Goldberger-Treiman relation.

Abstract P4-03-12: Effects of PI3K inhibitors on endocrine-resistant cell lines and differences in the characteristics of ER positive breast cancer cells after acquired resistance to the inhibitors

Background

Mutations in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which encodes the catalytic subunit of PI3Kα, is one of the most frequent genomic alterations and is found in about 40% of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2 negative breast cancers. PIK3CA mutations promote the growth and proliferation of cancers via activation of the PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and can mediate resistance to endocrine therapies in breast cancer. Although several clinical trials for PI3K inhibitors (PI3Kis) in ER-positive metastatic breast cancers are ongoing, the effects of PI3Kis on endocrine-resistant breast cancers with various characteristics and definitive biomarkers of PI3Kis are unclear. Using endocrine-resistant cells established in our laboratory, we evaluated the efficacy of PI3Ki in these cell lines and identified the characteristics associated with acquired resistance to PI3Kis in endocrine-resistant cells.

Results

Long-term estrogen deprivation-resistant (EDR) cell lines and fulvestrant-resistant cell lines (MFR and TFR) were established from MCF-7 and T-47D cells in our previous studies. These cell lines showed different ER expression levels, including high expression (EDR-1), low expression (EDR-2, -3), or no expression (MFR, TFR); all of these cell lines had the same PIK3CA mutations as the parental cell lines. The pan-class1 PI3Ki buparlisib (BKM120) and α-specific PI3K inhibitor alpelisib (BYL719) inhibited the proliferation of endocrine-resistant cell lines when compared with their parental cells. Among endocrine-resistant cells, MFR cells were dramatically inhibited by PI3Kis. Colony formation assays indicated that MFR cells were more sensitive to PI3Kis than other cells lines. Next, we established PI3Ki- and everolimus-resistant cell lines from EDR-1, EDR-2, and MFR cells using BKM120, BYL719, and everolimus. Analysis of the time required to generate resistant cells showed that MFR cells required twice as long to acquire resistance compared with EDR cells. Furthermore, the time required to acquire resistance to BYL719 was shorter than that for BKM120. BYL719-resistant (BYL-R) cells were effectively inhibited by BKM120 to a degree similar to that of parental cells; however, BYL-R cells lost sensitivity to BYL719 and everolimus. Evelolimus-resistant (EVE-R) cells were also the same. In contrast, BKM120-resistant (BKM-R) cells showed less sensitivity to BKM120, BYL719, and everolimus. In other words, the pan-PI3Ki BKM120 was able to inhibit the growth of BYL-R and EVE-R cells, whereas BYL719 and everolimus were not able to inhibit BKM-R cells sufficiently. In addition, there were no changes in ER expression in EDR-1, EDR-2, and MFR cells exposed to PI3Kis for 1 h. Interestingly, ER expression on EDR-2 cells with acquired resistance to PI3Kis was increased compared with that in parental cells.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that PI3Kis exhibited remarkable efficacy in all types of EDR cells, particularly in fulvestrant-resistant cell lines. In PI3Ki- and everolimus-resistant cell lines, BKM120 and BYL719 showed different effects, and BYL719 and everolimus may exhibit cross-resistance. Furthermore, PI3Kis were likely to change the expression of ER.

Citation Format: Tokuda E, Komatsu T, Sasaki S, Tsuboi K, Nakamura M, Iida M, Niwa T, Saito M, Hayashi S-I. Effects of PI3K inhibitors on endocrine-resistant cell lines and differences in the characteristics of ER positive breast cancer cells after acquired resistance to the inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-12.

Bethe-Salpeter wave functions of ηc(1S, 2S) and ψ(1S, 2S) states: local-potential description of the charmonium system revisited

The quark potential models with an energy-independent central potential have been successful for understanding the conventional charmonium states especially below the open charm threshold. As one might consider, however, the interquark potential is in general energy-dependent, and its tendency gets stronger in higher lying states. Confirmation of whether the interquark potential is energy-independent is also important to verify the validity of the quark potential models. In this talk, we examine the energy dependence of the charmonium potential, which can be determined from the Bethe-Salpeter (BS) amplitudes of cc̅ mesons in lattice QCD.We first calculate the BS amplitudes of radially excited charmonium states, the ηc(2S) and ψ(2S) states, using the variational method and then determine both the quark kinetic mass and the charmonium potential within the HAL QCD method. Through a direct comparison of charmonium potentials determined from both the 1S and 2S states, we confirm that neither the central nor spin-spin potential shows visible energy dependence at least up to 2S state.

Evaluation of absolute measurement using a 4π plastic scintillator for the 4πβ-γ coincidence counting method

Absolute measurement by the 4πβ-γ coincidence counting method was conducted by two photomultipliers facing across a plastic scintillator to be focused on β ray counting efficiency. The detector was held with a through-hole-type NaI(Tl) detector. The results include absolutely determined activity and its uncertainty especially about extrapolation. A comparison between the obtained and known activities showed agreement within their uncertainties.

High salt loading induces urinary storage dysfunction via upregulation of epithelial sodium channel alpha in the bladder epithelium in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

We aimed to investigate whether high salt intake affects bladder function via epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by using Dahl salt-resistant (DR) and salt-sensitive (DS) rats. Bladder weight of DR + high-salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) and DS + HS groups were significantly higher than those of DR + normal-salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl) and DS + NS groups after one week treatment. We thereafter used only DR + HS and DS + HS group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in DS + HS group than in DR + HS group after the treatment period. Cystometrogram showed the intercontraction intervals (ICI) were significantly shorter in DS + HS group than in DR + HS group during infusion of saline. Subsequent infusion of amiloride significantly prolonged ICI in DS + HS group, while no intra-group difference in ICI was observed in DR + HS group. No intra- or inter-group differences in maximum intravesical pressure were observed. Protein expression levels of ENaCα in the bladder were significantly higher in DS + HS group than in DR + HS group. ENaCα protein was localized at bladder epithelium in both groups. In conclusion, high salt intake is considered to cause urinary storage dysfunction via upregulation of ENaC in the bladder epithelium with salt-sensitive hypertension, suggesting that ENaC might be a candidate for therapeutic target for urinary storage dysfunction.

Crystallization and vitrification of electrons in a glass-forming charge liquid

Charge ordering (CO) is a phenomenon in which electrons in solids crystallize into a periodic pattern of charge-rich and charge-poor sites owing to strong electron correlations. This usually results in long-range order. In geometrically frustrated systems, however, a glassy electronic state without long-range CO has been observed. We found that a charge-ordered organic material with an isosceles triangular lattice shows charge dynamics associated with crystallization and vitrification of electrons, which can be understood in the context of an energy landscape arising from the degeneracy of various CO patterns. The dynamics suggest that the same nucleation and growth processes that characterize conventional glass-forming liquids guide the crystallization of electrons. These similarities may provide insight into our understanding of the liquid-glass transition.