Interferon signaling and hypercytokinemia-related gene expression in the blood of antidepressant non-responders

Only 50% of patients with depression respond to the first antidepressant drug administered. Thus, biomarkers for prediction of antidepressant responses are needed, as predicting which patients will not respond to antidepressants can optimize selection of alternative therapies. We aimed to identify biomarkers that could predict antidepressant responsiveness using a novel data-driven approach based on statistical pattern recognition. We retrospectively divided patients with major depressive disorder into antidepressant responder and non-responder groups. Comprehensive gene expression analysis was performed using peripheral blood without narrowing the genes. We designed a classifier according to our own discrete Bayes decision rule that can handle categorical data. Nineteen genes showed differential expression in the antidepressant non-responder group (n = 15) compared to the antidepressant responder group (n = 15). In the training sample of 30 individuals, eight candidate genes had significantly altered expression according to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of these genes was examined in an independent test sample of antidepressant responders (n = 22) and non-responders (n = 12). Using the discrete Bayes classifier with the HERC5, IFI6, and IFI44 genes identified in the training set yielded 85% discrimination accuracy for antidepressant responsiveness in the 34 test samples. Pathway analysis of the RNA sequencing data for antidepressant responsiveness identified that hypercytokinemia- and interferon-related genes were increased in non-responders. Disease and biofunction analysis identified changes in genes related to inflammatory and infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease. These results strongly suggest an association between antidepressant responsiveness and inflammation, which may be useful for future treatment strategies for depression.

3D-printed eye model: Simulation of intraocular pressure

PURPOSE

To develop artificial eye models using 3D printing and to evaluate the correlation between different corneal thicknesses and intraocular pressures (IOPs).

METHODS

We designed 7 artificial eye models using a computer-aided design system and fabricated them using 3D printing. Corneal curvature and axial length were based on the Gullstrand eye model. Hydrogels were injected into the vitreous cavity, and seven different corneal thicknesses (200 to 800 μm) were prepared. In this proposed design, we also produced different corneal stiffnesses. A Tono-Pen AVIA tonometer was used by the same examiner to perform five consecutive IOP measurements in each eye model.

RESULTS

Different eye models were ideally created using 3D printing. IOP measurements were successfully performed in each eye model. The corneal thickness was significantly correlated with IOP (R2 = 0.927; 𝑃<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The 3D-printed eye model is useful for evaluating IOP measurements. This technique might be a promising alternative to the conventional porcine eye model.

Midterm results after seamless patch mitral reconstruction

Objectives

Some pathologies, including infective endocarditis or sclerotic changes of the mitral leaflet, make the conventional mitral valve repair challenging. Our previously described technique for reconstruction with a seamless pericardial patch makes the repair feasible in some of such difficult pathologies. However, the extent of mitral leaflet segments that could be safely repaired using this technique remains unknown. We investigated the association between the midterm outcome and the extent of mitral leaflet segments replaced by a pericardial patch.

Methods

From January 2009 to January 2022, patients who underwent mitral valve repair with the seamless 1-patch reconstruction technique were included. The glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium was trimmed and anchored at the papillary muscle. The edge was sewn to the leaflet and the annulus.

Results

A total of 49 patients (aged 60 ± 15 years) underwent mitral valve repair with this technique. The totally endoscopic approach was used in 27 patients (55%). No patient's repair was converted to valve replacement. No operative mortality or disabling stroke was observed during the early postoperative period. In the midterm follow-up, redo surgery was required in 9 patients (18%). Freedom from mitral valve reintervention rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 84%, 82%, and 82% for all patients, respectively. Freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 100%, 92%, and 46% for commissural lesion, 1- to 2-segment involvement, and 3-segment involvement, respectively. There was a significant difference among the 3 groups with regard to mitral valve reoperation rate (P = .002).

Conclusions

Mitral valve seamless patch reconstruction provides excellent midterm results if applied to commissural lesions or lesions involving up to 2 segments.

Search for New Physics in Electronic Recoil Data from XENONnT

We report on a blinded analysis of low-energy electronic recoil data from the first science run of the XENONnT dark matter experiment. Novel subsystems and the increased 5.9 ton liquid xenon target reduced the background in the (1, 30) keV search region to (15.8±1.3)  events/(ton×year×keV), the lowest ever achieved in a dark matter detector and ∼5 times lower than in XENON1T. With an exposure of 1.16 ton-years, we observe no excess above background and set stringent new limits on solar axions, an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment, and bosonic dark matter.

Endoscopic Findings and Treatment of Gastric Neoplasms in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

PURPOSE

Gastric neoplasia is a common manifestation of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics, endoscopic features including fundic gland polyposis (FGPsis), and treatment outcomes of gastric neoplasms (GNs) in patients with FAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 35 patients diagnosed with FAP, including nine patients from four pedigrees who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), were investigated regarding patient characteristics, GN morphology, and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (60.0%) had 38 GNs; 33 (86.8%) and 5 (13.2%) were histologically diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and adenoma, respectively. There were no specific patient characteristics related to GNs. Nodule-type GNs were more prevalent in patients with FGP than without (52.2% vs. 0.0%, P=0.002) in the upper body of the stomach. Conversely, depressed-type GNs were fewer in patients with FGPsis than in those without (13.0% vs. 73.3%, P<0.001). Slightly elevated-type GNs were observed in both groups (34.8% vs. 20.0%, P=0.538). Even within pedigrees, the background gastric mucosa and types of GNs varied. In total, 24 GNs were treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and eight with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). EMR was selected for GNs with FGPsis because of the technical difficulty of ESD, resulting in a lower en bloc resection rate (62.5% vs. 100%, P=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates the necessity of routine EGD surveillance in patients diagnosed with FAP. Notably, the morphology and location of GNs differed between patients with and without FGPsis. Endoscopic treatment and outcomes require more attention in cases of FGPsis.

Dural metastasis from prostate carcinoma mimicking tuberculum sellae meningioma: A case report

Background:

Prostate carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the central nervous system. However, when it does, a dural lesion is a common and possible misdiagnosis of meningioma. Here, we describe a case of a 77-year-old man with dural metastasis from prostate carcinoma of the tuberculum sellae.

Case Description:

The patient was diagnosed with prostate carcinoma 7 years previously and was well-controlled by hormone therapy. He was incidentally found to have a suprasellar tumor and underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery because of rapid tumor growth and worsening visual impairment. Since his serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was within the normal range, malignant meningioma was suspected based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the course. However, the pathological findings revealed dural metastasis from prostate carcinoma. He received radiation therapy, and the tumor disappeared on MRI. His visual impairment improved without recurrence. This case report highlights that dural metastasis of the tuberculum sellae arose despite the patient’s PSA level being within the normal range, and a single metastasis to the dura was found.

Conclusion:

In patients with a history of prostate carcinoma or older men, careful follow-up considering the possibility of metastasis is required when a dural lesion is found.

Gas puff imaging system for edge plasma fluctuation measurements in large helical device

A gas puff imaging system has been developed to measure edge fluctuations in large helical device. The optical system splits the image of the plasma into four wavelengths, H_α/D_α (656 nm), HeI (1s2p-1s3d; 587.6; 1s2p-1s3d, 667.8; and 1s2p-1s3s, 706.5 nm), enabling simultaneous measurement of the spatial distribution of line ratios of He I. The image of the plasma is amplified with an image intensifier and recorded with a fast-framing camera. The measurement area has a diameter of 20 cm just outside of the last closed flux surface. The spatial resolution of the optical system is about 3 mm, and the frame rate is 100 kHz for acquisition of the four wavelength images. Signal-to-noise ratio is evaluated for the system, and further improvement is discussed. Clear images are obtained for all wavelengths and a slightly different pattern is recognized, depending on the wavelength. A singular value decomposition analysis can decompose the image clearly to one perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field lines.

DOMINANT AWN INHIBITOR Encodes the ALOG Protein Originating from Gene Duplication and Inhibits AWN Elongation by Suppressing Cell Proliferation and Elongation in Sorghum

The awn, a needle-like structure extending from the tip of the lemma in grass species, plays a role in environmental adaptation and fitness. In some crops, awns appear to have been eliminated during domestication. Although numerous genes involved in awn development have been identified, several dominant genes that eliminate awns are also known to exist. For example, in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), the dominant awn-inhibiting gene has been known since 1921; however, its molecular features remain uncharacterized. In this study, we conducted quantitative trait locus analysis and a genome-wide association study of awn-related traits in sorghum and identified DOMINANT AWN INHIBITOR (DAI), which encodes the ALOG family protein on chromosome 3. DAI appeared to be present in most awnless sorghum cultivars, likely because of its effectiveness. Detailed analysis of the ALOG protein family in cereals revealed that DAI originated from a duplication of its twin paralog (DAIori) on chromosome 10. Observations of immature awns in near-isogenic lines revealed that DAI inhibits awn elongation by suppressing both cell proliferation and elongation. We also found that only DAI gained a novel function to inhibit awn elongation through an awn-specific expression pattern distinct from that of DAIori. Interestingly, heterologous expression of DAI with its own promoter in rice inhibited awn elongation in the awned cultivar Kasalath. We found that DAI originated from gene duplication, providing an interesting example of gain-of-function that occurs only in sorghum but shares its functionality with rice and sorghum.

Material radiopurity control in the XENONnT experiment

The selection of low-radioactive construction materials is of the utmost importance for rare-event searches and thus critical to the XENONnT experiment. Results of an extensive radioassay program are reported, in which material samples have been screened with gamma-ray spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$^{222}$$\end{document}222Rn emanation measurements. Furthermore, the cleanliness procedures applied to remove or mitigate surface contamination of detector materials are described. Screening results, used as inputs for a XENONnT Monte Carlo simulation, predict a reduction of materials background (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sim $$\end{document}∼17%) with respect to its predecessor XENON1T. Through radon emanation measurements, the expected \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$^{222}$$\end{document}222Rn activity concentration in XENONnT is determined to be 4.2 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$^{+0.5}_{-0.7}$$\end{document}-0.7+0.5) \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\upmu $$\end{document}μBq/kg, a factor three lower with respect to XENON1T. This radon concentration will be further suppressed by means of the novel radon distillation system.

Research Note: Expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1 Receptor Proteins in Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types in Chickens with Hepatic Fibrosis

We investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1 type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in skeletal muscle fiber types in chickens with hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Eleven hens, approximately 104 weeks old, were randomly assigned to BDL (n = 4) and sham surgery (SHAM; n = 7) groups. In BDL hens, histopathology revealed marked bile duct proliferation and liver fibrosis. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of myofibers from both the pectoralis (PCT) muscles significantly decreased in the BDL group compared with the SHAM group (P < 0.01). In contrast, the CSA of myofibers from the femorotibialis lateralis (FTL) muscle did not decrease in the BDL group. Type I fibers were large, round, and hypertrophic. Elongated type IIA and IIB fibers were also present. For IGF-1 immunostaining, the immunoreaction intensity was higher in the PCT in the BDL group than the SHAM group. Within the BDL group, type I fibers from FTL had a stronger immunoreaction intensity than the type II fibers. For IGF-1R immunostaining, the intensity of the immunoreactions was similar within the PCT in the BDL group compared with the SHAM group. For FTL, type I fibers had stronger reactions to IGF-1R than type II fibers in the BDL group. These results suggest that type I fibers express both IGF-1 and IGF-1R and become hypertrophic in chickens with hepatic fibrosis.

POS0687 INHIBITION OF BONE EROSION, DETERMINED BY HIGH-RESOLUTION PERIPHERAL QUANTITATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (HR-pQCT), IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS RECEIVING A CONVENTIONAL SYNTHETIC DMARD (csDMARD) PLUS DENOSUMAB VS csDMARD THERAPY ALONE: RESULTS OF AN OPEN-LABEL, RANDOMIZED, PARALLEL-GROUP STUDY

Background

Denosumab, a human IgG2 monoclonal antibody with high affinity for RANKL, is approved for treatment of bone erosion (ER) in patients with RA, based on the results of clinical trials. However, its effectiveness in combination with conventional therapy in RA patients has not been fully investigated in clinical practice.

Objectives

This exploratory study aimed to compare, in patients receiving conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD) for treatment of RA, the effectiveness of combined use of csDMARD and denosumab vs csDMARD alone, in terms of inhibition of ER determined by HR-pQCT.

Methods

Detail protocol of this open-label, randomized, parallel-group study has been published previously.1 RA patients with moderate or low disease activity and progressive ER were eligible, and were randomly assigned to receive denosumab in addition to the csDMARD (denosumab) group or to continued use of the csDMARD alone (csDMARD) group. Denosumab was administered every 6 months during the 12-month study period. The primary endpoint was change in ER-depth at the second and third metacarpal bones, determined by HR-pQCT at month 6. For the primary endpoint, a linear mixed effect model analysis was performed using treatment group, sex, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (positive vs negative), and baseline disease activity (DAS28-ESR) as fixed effects, patients as random effects, and baseline values as covariates. For extension data, measurement time-point and the interaction between treatment group and measurement time-point was further added as fixed effects. The adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

A total of 46 patients were randomized to denosumab and csDMARD groups (both N=23), and baseline characteristics were similar between both groups. Although the difference was not significant, the estimate mean (95%CI) change of ER-depth at month 6 from baseline as the primary endpoint was −0.57 (−1.52, 0.39) in the denosumab group vs −0.22 (−0.97, 0.53) in the csDMARD group, respectively. At months 6 and 12, ER-depth, -width, and -volume (extension data) were numerically lower in the denosumab group than in the csDMARD group (Table 1). Compared with patients in the csDMARD group, those in the denosumab group had significantly higher volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at month 12. AEs were reported in 12 (52.2%) and 13 (56.5%) of patients in the denosumab and csDMARD groups, respectively. The most common AEs of denosumab groups was hypocalcemia (reported in 4), and all the events were causally related with denosumab. Serious AEs were reported in 1 (4.3%) and 2 (8.7%) of patients in the denosumab and csDMARD groups, and which were not related to treatment drug.

Table 1.

ER and microstructure in denosumab group vs csDMARD group

MonthDenosumab group (n=21)csDMARDs group (n=22)Difference (Denosumab- csDMARDs)n1Estimate Means [95%CI]n1Estimate Means [95%CI]Estimate Means [95%CI]ER-depth617−0.46 [−1.31, 0.39]25−0.20 [−0.89, 0.49]−0.27 [−0.86, 0.32]1217−0.56 [−1.41, 0.29]22−0.20 [−0.90, 0.49]−0.35 [−0.95, 0.24]ER-width617−0.26 [−1.10, 0.57]25−0.06 [−0.73, 0.61]−0.20 [−0.81, 0.40]1217−0.27 [−1.10, 0.56]22−0.03 [−0.70, 0.64]−0.24 [−0.85, 0.38]ER-volume616−6.21 [−23.89, 11.46]24−1.71 [−16.07, 12.66]−4.51 [−16.67, 7.65]1217−6.25 [−23.94, 11.44]21−3.18 [−17.56, 11.20]−3.07 [−15.32, 9.17]vBMD6426.41 [2.78, 10.03]442.46 [−1.33, 6.24]3.95 [−0.05, 7.94]12389.20 [5.46, 12.95]423.66 [−0.15, 7.46]5.55 [1.46, 9.63]*

These were extension data.

This is the efficacy analysis set which excluded 3 patients from the full analysis set.

*; p<0.01

n, number of patients; n1, number of measurement points

Conclusion

Our results suggest that adding denosumab to csDMARD therapy may help prevent ER, promote ER repair, and improve bone microstructure.

References

[1]Iwamoto N, et al., Trials. 2019;20(1):1–8.

Disclosure of Interests

Naoki Iwamoto Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Ko Chiba Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shuntaro Sato: None declared, Kazuteru Shiraishi: None declared, Konosuke Watanabe: None declared, Nozomi Ohki: None declared, Akitomo Okada: None declared, Tomohiro Koga: None declared, Makiko Kobayashi Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (retired at submission), Kengo Saito Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Naoki Okubo Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Atsushi Kawakami Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Congenital venous anomalies associated with retrocaval ureter: evaluation using computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from anomalous development of inferior vena cava (IVC) and not from anomalous of the ureter. The anomaly always occurs on the right side due to regression of right supracardinal vein and persistence of right posterior cardinal vein. Retrocaval ureter tends to be associated with various vena cava anomalies because of the embryogenesis. We aimed to identify the prevalence of associated congenital venous anomalies (CVA) resulting from cardinal vein development in adults with retrocaval ureter using computed tomography (CT) images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 22 adults with retrocaval ureter. We evaluated CT findings and determined the incidence of associated CVA using thin slice data sets from CT scanner with 64 or more detectors. We compared the prevalence of CVA in the retrocaval ureter group (mean age: 57±19 years) and in the control group of 6189 adults with normal ureter (mean age: 66±14 years).

RESULTS

In the retrocaval ureter group, 4 adults (18.2 %) had CVA including double IVC, right double IVC, preisthmic IVC with horseshoe kidney, and preaortic iliac confluence. One of 2 adults with preaortic iliac confluence had right double right IVC. In the control group, 49 adults (0.79%) had CVA including 37 double IVCe, 11 left IVCe, and 1 IVC interruption azygos continuation. Fifteen horseshow kidneys were found. The prevalence of associated CVA in the retrocaval ureter group was higher than that in the control group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Retrocaval ureter is frequently associated with CVA. Various CVA with retrocaval ureter could happen because of abnormal development of not only the right posterior or supra cardinal vein but also other cardinal veins.

Expression and localization of tight junction-related proteins in adult rat pituitary stem/progenitor cell niches

Pituitary endocrine cells are supplied by Sox2-expressing stem/progenitor cells in the anterior lobe of the adult pituitary gland. These SOX2-positive cells are maintained in two types of microenvironments (niches): the marginal cell layer (MCL)-niche and the parenchymal-niche. Recently, we isolated dense SOX2-positive cell clusters from the parenchymal-niche by taking advantage of their resistance to protease treatment as parenchymal stem/progenitor cell (PS)-clusters. In the present study, by analyzing these isolated PS-clusters, we attempted to identify novel structural characteristics of pituitary stem/progenitor cell niches. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that tight junction-related genes were distinctly expressed in the isolated PS-clusters. Immunocytostaining showed that the tight junction molecules, ZO-1 and occludin, were localized in the apical membrane facing the pseudo-follicle-like structure of the isolated PS-clusters regardless of the expression of S100β, which distinguishes the sub-population of SOX2-positive cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry of the pituitary glands of adult rats clearly demonstrated that ZO-1 and occludin were densely present in the parenchymal-niche encircling the pseudo-follicle, while they were observed in the apical membrane in the MCL-niche facing the residual lumen. Collectively, these tight junction-related proteins might be involved in the architecture and maintenance of the plasticity of pituitary stem/progenitor cell niches.

Intraoperative rupture of intracerebral aneurysm immediately after meningioma resection: a case report

Background

Meningiomas and unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) rarely coexist. However, the treatment strategy remains to be fully elucidated. This report is a first report that UCA related to the tumor feeder intraoperatively ruptured when the meningioma was resected.

Case presentation

Herein, we present a case of meningioma coexisting with contralateral UCA related to a tumor feeder. Immediately after the meningioma was resected, intraoperative acute brain swelling due to rupture of the contralateral aneurysm appeared. The swollen brain protruding into the epidural space was resected, following contralateral ruptured aneurysm was performed by endovascular surgery. Intensive neurological treatment was administered and the patient gradually recovered.

Conclusion

This report highlights the possibility of intraoperative UCA rupture related to the tumor feeder when the meningioma is resected.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02664-8.