Artificial intelligence using deep learning analysis of endoscopic ultrasonography images for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses

BACKGROUND : There are several types of pancreatic mass, so it is important to distinguish between them before treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a mathematical technique that automates learning and recognition of data patterns. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of our AI model using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images of multiple types of pancreatic mass (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [PDAC], pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma [PASC], acinar cell carcinoma [ACC], metastatic pancreatic tumor [MPT], neuroendocrine carcinoma [NEC], neuroendocrine tumor [NET], solid pseudopapillary neoplasm [SPN], chronic pancreatitis, and autoimmune pancreatitis [AIP]). METHODS : Patients who underwent EUS were included in this retrospective study. The included patients were divided into training, validation, and test cohorts. Using these cohorts, an AI model that can distinguish pancreatic carcinomas from noncarcinomatous pancreatic lesions was developed using a deep-learning architecture and the diagnostic performance of the AI model was evaluated. RESULTS : 22 000 images were generated from 933 patients. The area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (95 %CI) of the AI model for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinomas in the test cohort were 0.90 (0.84-0.97), 0.94 (0.88-0.98), 0.82 (0.68-0.92), and 0.91 (0.85-0.95), respectively. The per-category sensitivities (95 %CI) of each disease were PDAC 0.96 (0.90-0.99), PASC 1.00 (0.05-1.00), ACC 1.00 (0.22-1.00), MPT 0.33 (0.01-0.91), NEC 1.00 (0.22-1.00), NET 0.93 (0.66-1.00), SPN 1.00 (0.22-1.00), chronic pancreatitis 0.78 (0.52-0.94), and AIP 0.73 (0.39-0.94). CONCLUSIONS : Our developed AI model can distinguish pancreatic carcinomas from noncarcinomatous pancreatic lesions, but external validation is needed.

Poor Health Behaviors among Housebound Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults Due to Prolonged Self-Restraint during the First COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND

Prolonged self-restraining behaviors induced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's containment measures can limit various positive health behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the decline in going-out and certain other positive health behaviors and investigated the relationship between excessive decreases in going-out frequency and declining engagement in positive health behaviors among community-dwelling older adults during the self-restraint period.

DESIGN

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Nishi Tokyo City, Tokyo, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 294 respondents (150 women) aged 50 years and older who lived in public housing that were permitted to be surveyed during the self-restraint period.

MEASUREMENTS

Their pre-pandemic going-out frequency around February 2020 and going-out frequency during the self-restraint period starting in April 2020 were reported. We mainly assessed the existence of home health behaviors (i.e., exercise, in-person and phone conversations, and healthy diet). A self-report questionnaire was used to obtain data.

RESULTS

Going-out frequency decreased in 41.2% of the 294 respondents owing to the government's request for self-restraint. In total, 13 individuals had been going out less than one time per week (housebound) before the request. Of the 281 people who were not housebound before the government's self-restraint request, 13.9% were newly housebound. Newly housebound individuals were 5.3 times less likely to exercise, had 2.1 times fewer social contacts, and 2.6 times less balanced or healthy diets than those who maintained their frequency of going out.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged self-restraint due to the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to housebound status and poor health behaviors. Public health intervention is needed to prevent excessive self-restraint, along with new measures integrating information and communication technologies to enable older adults to live active lives.

Impact of the Comprehensive Awareness Modification of Mouth, Chewing and Meal (CAMCAM) Program on the Attitude and Behavior Towards Oral Health and Eating Habits as Well as the Condition of Oral Frailty: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Preserving sufficient oral function and maintaining aadequate nutrition are essential for preventing physical frailty and the following long-term care. We recently developed the 6-month Comprehensive Awareness Modification of Mouth, Chewing And Meal (CAMCAM) program, in which participants gather monthly to learn about oral health and nutrition while eating a textured lunch together. This study examined whether the CAMCAM program could improve attitude and behavior towards oral health, mastication, and diet as well as ameliorate oral frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

Single-arm pre-post comparison study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 271 community-dwelling adults (72.3 ± 5.7 years of age; 159 women [58.7%]) in 4 Japanese municipalities were recruited, of which 249 participants (92%) were assessed at the final evaluation.

INTERVENTION

Participants gathered once a month at community centers to learn about oral health and nutrition while eating a "munchy" textured lunch containing proper nutrition.

MEASUREMENTS

Oral frailty, frailty, and eating behavior were evaluated with the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), Kihon checklist (KCL), and CAMCAM checklist, respectively. Participants were divided into Oral frailty (OF) and Robust groups according to OFI-8 scores. The differences in KCL and CAMCAM checklist results between the OF and Robust groups were statistically tested along with changes in scores after the program.

RESULTS

KCL and CAMCAM checklist scores were significantly lower in the OF group at the initial assessment. OFI-8 and KCL findings were significantly improved in the OF group after completing the program (all P <0.05). Regarding the CAMCAM checklist, awareness of chewing improved significantly in the Robust group (P=0.009), with a similar tendency in the OF group (P=0.080).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this pilot study suggest that the CAMCAM program may improve both oral and systemic frailty in addition to attitudes towards chewing, oral health, and meals, especially in individuals with oral frailty. The CAMCAM program merits expansion as a community-based frailty prevention program.

Correction of LAMP3-associated salivary gland hypofunction by aquaporin gene therapy

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune sialadenitis resulting in salivary gland hypofunction with dry mouth symptom. Previous studies showed that lysosome-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3) overexpression is involved in the development of salivary gland hypofunction associated with SjD. However, the molecular mechanisms are still unclear, and no effective treatment exists to reverse gland function in SjD. Analysis on salivary gland samples from SjD patients showed that salivary gland hypofunction was associated with decreased expression of sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter-1 (NKCC1) and aquaporin 5 (AQP5), which are membrane proteins involved in salivation. Further studies revealed that LAMP3 overexpression decreased their expression levels by promoting endolysosomal degradation. Additionally, we found that LAMP3 overexpression enhanced gene transfer by increasing internalization of adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) via the promoted endolysosomal pathway. Retrograde cannulation of AAV2 vectors encoding AQP1 gene (AAV2-AQP1) into salivary glands induced glandular AQP1 expression sufficient to restore salivary flow in LAMP3-overexpressing mice. LAMP3 could play a critical role in the development of salivary gland hypofunction in SjD by promoting endolysosomal degradation of NKCC1 and AQP5. But it also could enhance AAV2-mediated gene transfer to restore fluid movement through induction of AQP1 expression. These findings suggested that AAV2-AQP1 gene therapy is useful in reversing salivary gland function in SjD patients.

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib or sorafenib in non-viral unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an international propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence suggests that non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might benefit less from immunotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with non-viral advanced HCC, treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, lenvatinib, or sorafenib, in 36 centers in 4 countries (Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, and UK). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib, and OS and PFS with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib. For the primary and secondary endpoints, we carried out the analysis on the whole population first, and then we divided the cohort into two groups: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) population and non-NAFLD/NASH population.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety patients received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, 569 patients received lenvatinib, and 210 patients received sorafenib. In the whole population, multivariate analysis showed that treatment with lenvatinib was associated with a longer OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.95; P = 0.0268] and PFS (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.86; P = 0.002) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the NAFLD/NASH population, multivariate analysis confirmed that lenvatinib treatment was associated with a longer OS (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.84; P = 0.0110) and PFS (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.82; P = 0.031) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the subgroup of non-NAFLD/NASH patients, no difference in OS or PFS was observed between patients treated with lenvatinib and those treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. All these results were confirmed following propensity score matching analysis. By comparing patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib, no statistically significant difference in survival was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis conducted on a large number of advanced non-viral HCC patients showed for the first time that treatment with lenvatinib is associated with a significant survival benefit compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, in particular in patients with NAFLD/NASH-related HCC.

Prognostic impact of acute kidney injury following tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

Background

A considerable risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following transcatheter interventions without iodinated contrast agents has also been recognized; however, little is known about the incidence and clinical relevance of post-procedural AKI in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact and predictors of post-procedural AKI following TEER for TR.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 218 consecutive patients who underwent TEER for TR. Post-procedural AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/dl within 48 hours or of ≥50% within seven days after the procedure, compared to baseline. Procedural success was defined as at least one grade reduction in TR severity upon discharge. We determined the association between post-procedural AKI and the composite outcome consisting of all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization due to heart failure within one year after the procedure.

Results

Overall, the mean age of the patients was 79±7 years, and 46.3% of the patients were male. Post-procedural AKI occurred in 32 patients (14.7%) (Figure 1). Among baseline characteristics, male sex and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of &lt;60 ml/min/m2 were associated with the occurrence of AKI. In addition, patients without procedural success had a higher incidence of post-procedural AKI (30.4% vs. 1.8%; p=0.024).

Patients with AKI had a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality compared to those without AKI (12.5% vs. 1.1%; p=0.005). Moreover, AKI was associated with the incidence of the composite outcome within one year after TEER for TR (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.11–3.84; p=0.023). In addition, our restricted cubic spline curve showed that a post-procedural increase in the creatinine level within seven days after the procedure was associated with a linear trend of the risk of the composite outcome after TEER (Figure 2).

Conclusions

Post-procedural AKI occurred in 14.7% of patients undergoing TEER for TR, despite the absence of iodinated contrast agents, which was associated with worse clinical outcomes. Male sex and CKD at baseline were related to the occurrence of AKI, and the procedural success of TEER was associated with a lower incidence of AKI. Our findings highlight the clinical impact of AKI following TEER for TR and should help with identifying patients at high risk of AKI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effectiveness of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for atrial secondary mitral regurgitation

Background

Atrial secondary mitral regurgitation (ASMR) is a subtype of SMR that is characterized by normal left ventricular (LV) function, an enlarged left atrium and mitral annulus, and flattened leaflets. This anatomical feature is different from ventricular SMR (VSMR) and might therefore impact the procedural results of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). The effectiveness and durability of TEER in patients with ASMR has not yet been well-studied.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of TEER and anatomical characteristics related to optimal MR reduction in patients with ASMR.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent MitraClip at our institution. ASMR was defined as cases that met all of the following criteria: 1) normal mitral leaflets without organic disorder, 2) LV ejection fraction &gt;50%, and 3) absence of LV enlargement and segmental abnormality. The primary outcome measure was MR reduction to ≤1+, and its predictors were explored in a logistic regression analysis. Leaflet-to-annulus index (LAI) was measured using the mid-esophageal long-axis view in the A2-P2 segment as follows: (anterior leaflet length + posterior leaflet length) / anteroposterior length of the mitral annulus.

Results

Among 415 patients with SMR, 118 patients met the criteria for ASMR (mean age: 80±8 years; male: 39.8%) (Figure 1). Patients with ASMR had a larger mitral annulus diameter, shorter mobile posterior leaflet length, and smaller coaptation depth compared to those with VSMR.

The technical success rate was 90.7%, and the MR reduction to ≤1+ after TEER was achieved in 94 (79.7%) patients with ASMR, which was comparable with VSMR. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.5%. In multivariable logistic analysis, a large left-atrial (LA) volume index and a low LAI were associated with a lower rate of MR reduction to ≤1+ after TEER for ASMR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97–0.99, and OR per 0.1 increase: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.13–3.45, respectively). The combined assessment of the LA volume index and LAI stratified the risk of residual MR ≥2+ after TEER (Figure 2).

In addition, the use of a newer generation of the MitraClip systems (NTR/XTR or G4 systems) was associated with a higher rate of MR reduction to ≤1+ compared to older generations (OR: 4.65; 95% CI: 1.67–13.00).

Conclusions

TEER with the MitraClip system achieved a high rate of MR reduction to ≤1+ in patients with ASMR. Furthermore, the new generations of the MitraClip system may provide a more effective reduction in ASMR. Although our findings suggest that TEER with the MitraClip system is a safe and feasible approach in patients with ASMR, the combined assessment of the LA volume index and LAI might be useful to refine the device selection for transcatheter mitral valve treatment in this subgroup of SMR patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Right ventricular ejection fraction assessed by computed tomography in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention

Background

The role of right-ventricular (RV) function in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVI) is poorly understood. Although cardiac computed tomography (CCT) provides elaborate three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the entire anatomy of the RV and theoretically allows to assess the global RV systolic function. Nevertheless, the utility of the functional assessments of the RV using CCT remains unclear in patients undergoing TTVI.

Purpose

This study investigated the association of right-ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) assessed by CCT with clinical outcome in patients undergoing TTVI.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed 3D-RVEF by using pre-procedural CCT images in patients undergoing TTVI with either edge-to-edge repair or annuloplasty device. RV dysfunction (RVD) was defined as a CT-RVEF &lt;45%. The primary outcome was a composite outcome, consisting of all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure, within one year after TTVI.

Results

Of 157 patients, 58 (36.9%) presented with CT-RVEF &lt;45%. Patients with CT-RVEF &lt;45% were more likely to be male, to have a previous history of coronary artery disease, and had higher EuroSCORE II and a lower LVEF compared to those with CT-RVEF ≥45%, while the severity of TR was comparable between the groups.

Among the patients with CT-RVEF &lt;45%, acute procedural success was achieved in 93.1%, and in-hospital mortality was 1.7%, which were comparable to those with CT-RVEF ≥45%.

Patients with CT-RVEF &lt;45% had an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class at follow-up compared to baseline; however, CT-RVEF &lt;45% was associated with a higher risk of the composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.23; 95% confidence interval: 1.52–6.88; p=0.002) (Figure 1). Furthermore, CT-RVEF had an additional value to stratify the risk of the composite outcome beyond two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) assessments (Figure 2).

In addition, patients with CT-RVEF &lt;45% exhibited an attenuated association between a reduction in TR to &lt;3+ and a lower incidence of the composite outcome after TTVI compared to those with CT-RVEF ≥45%.

Conclusions

TTVI is safe and feasible regardless of baseline RV function, while RVD, defined as 3D-RVEF &lt;45%, is associated with a higher risk of the composite outcomes within one year after TTVI. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the prognostic benefits of TR reduction might be attenuated in patients with RVD. Given the additional prognostic value of CT-RVEF to the conventional echocardiographic assessments, the assessments of 3D-RVEF with CCT may refine the patient selection for TTVI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Refining the accuracy of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve treatment

Background

Assessing right-ventricular (RV) function is paramount for risk stratification but remains challenging in patients with TR. RV-pulmonary artery (PA) coupling seems more feasible for the assessment of RV function.

Methods

We assessed RV-PA coupling by the ratio of TAPSE and PASP at baseline, in which PASP was measured both by echocardiography (ePASP) and invasively using a right-heart catheter (iPASP). We also assessed the RV fractional-area change (RVFAC) as measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Participants for the present study comprised patients undergoing TTVR from June 2015 to July 2021 at the University Hospital of Bonn. Patients lacking either echocardiographic or invasive measurements for the assessment of RV-PA coupling were excluded from the analysis. The outcome was defined as a composite of mortality and rehospitalization due to heart failure within one year after the procedure.

Results

A total of 206 patients were included in the present analysis. The participants were at an advanced age (78.5±7.1 years), predominantly female (58.3%), and at a high risk for surgery (EuroSCORE II: 7.4±4.8%). Massive/torrential TR was observed in 100 of these patients. With the median follow-up duration of 201 days (interquartile range 98–424 days), the outcome occurred in 57 patients. Compared to TAPSE/ePASP, TAPSE/iPASP showed better predictability for the outcome: the AUCs were 0.582 for TAPSE/ePASP and increased to 0.714 when iPASP was applied to the formula (i.e. TAPSE/iPASP). The trend was also true for RV-PA coupling using RVFAC (AUCs: 0.561 for RVFAC/ePASP, 0.693 for RVFAC/iPASP). There was a significant correlation between ePASP and iPASP, whereas the correlation was attenuated in patients with TR beyond severe (i.e. massive/torrential TR) (interaction p = 0.01). In addition, a semiquantitative echocardiographic estimation of right atrial (RA) pressure was not correlated with the invasive measurement.

Conclusion

The present analysis confirms that RV-PA coupling, measured as TAPSE/PASP, is a powerful predictor of mortality and rehospitalization due to heart failure in patients undergoing TTVR. The predictability is even more improved if PA pressure is measured invasively and applied to the formulas.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Validation of expert criteria proposed by the “German Cardiac Society” for predicting procedural complexity in transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair

Background

Following up on the original EVEREST criteria and several years of procedural experience, the German Cardiac Society (GCS) proposed refined criteria indicating morphological complexity in transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) procedures which so far have not been validated.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of transesophageal echocardiography images of consecutive patients undergoing TEER in two high-volume centres, complexity was classified according to GCS criteria as optimal (neither characteristics of “complex” nor “very complex', see Table 1), complex (any of the “complex” criteria but no “very complex” criteria) and very complex (any of the “very complex” criteria). Associations with the procedural outcome, reintervention, survival, and heart failure rehospitalization were tested.

Results

633 patients (mean age 79 years, range 50 to 96 years, 59% male) were included, with 35% having dominant primary and 65% having dominant secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). 19% of patients were classified as having optimal, 40% as complex, and 41% as very complex morphologies. Successful clip implantation and reduction in MR ≤2 at discharge were achieved in 100% and 97% in the optimal, in 96% and 88% in the complex, and in 95% and 88% in the very complex morphologies, respectively (p for difference 0.13 and 0.42). The rate of successful clip deployment was significantly lower and the rate of reintervention significantly higher in patients with a mitral valve orifice area ≤3 cm2, compared to patients with a mitral valve orifice area &gt;3 cm2. Pathology extent of MR likely requiring &gt;2 clips was significantly associated with a lower rate of MR reduction to grade ≤2. Midterm (median follow-up time 640 days) mortality or hospitalization due to heart failure was significantly higher in patients with a posterior mitral leaflet length of 7–10 mm.

Conclusion

In the setting of experienced heart valve centres only a few of the complexity criteria proposed by the GCS impact on procedural and clinical outcomes. Even in the case of complex or very complex mitral valve morphology, TEER can be performed effectively with reduction of MR to ≤2 in 88% of cases.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Metabolic engineering of Schizosaccharomyces pombe for itaconic acid production

The economical production of value-added chemicals from renewable biomass is a promising aspect of producing a sustainable economy. Itaconic acid (IA) is a high value-added compound that is expected to be an alternative to petroleum-based chemicals. In this study, we developed a metabolic engineering strategy for the large-scale production of IA from glucose using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Heterologous expression of the cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (CAD) gene from Aspergillus terreus, which encodes cis-aconitate decarboxylase in the cytosol, led to the production of 0.132 g/L of IA. We demonstrated that mitochondrial localization of CAD enhanced the production of IA. To prevent the leakage of carbon flux from the TCA cycle, we generated a strain in which the endogenous malate exporter, citrate lyase, and citrate transporter genes were disrupted. A titer of 1.110 g/L of IA was obtained from a culture of this strain started with 50 g/L of glucose. By culturing the multiple mutant strain at increased cell density, we succeeded in enhancing the IA production to 1.555 g/L. The metabolic engineering strategies presented in this study have the potential to improve the titer of the biosynthesis of derivatives of intermediates of the TCA cycle.

Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey

The central region of the Milky Way is one of the foremost locations to look for dark matter (DM) signatures. We report the first results on a search for DM particle annihilation signals using new observations from an unprecedented γ-ray survey of the Galactic Center (GC) region, i.e., the Inner Galaxy Survey, at very high energies (≳100  GeV) performed with the H.E.S.S. array of five ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. No significant γ-ray excess is found in the search region of the 2014-2020 dataset and a profile likelihood ratio analysis is carried out to set exclusion limits on the annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩. Assuming Einasto and Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM density profiles at the GC, these constraints are the strongest obtained so far in the TeV DM mass range. For the Einasto profile, the constraints reach ⟨σv⟩ values of 3.7×10^{-26}  cm^{3} s^{-1} for 1.5 TeV DM mass in the W^{+}W^{-} annihilation channel, and 1.2×10^{-26}  cm^{3} s^{-1} for 0.7 TeV DM mass in the τ^{+}τ^{-} annihilation channel. With the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey, ground-based γ-ray observations thus probe ⟨σv⟩ values expected from thermal-relic annihilating TeV DM particles.

Indocyanine green conjugated phototheranostic nanoparticle for photodiagnosis and photodynamic reaciton

BACKGROUND

Phototheranostics represents a highly promising paradigm for cancer therapy, although selecting an appropriate optical imager and sensitizer for clinical use remains challenging.

METHODS

Liposomally formulated phospholipid-conjugated indocyanine green, denoted as LP-iDOPE, was developed as phototheranostic nanoparticle and its cancer imaging-mediated photodynamic reaction, defined as the immune response induced by photodynamic and photothermal effects, was evaluated with a near-infrared (NIR)-light emitting diode (LED) light irradiator.

RESULTS

Using in vivo NIR fluorescence imaging, we demonstrated that LP-iDOPE was selectively delivered to tumor sites with high accumulation and a long half-life. Following low-intensity NIR-LED light irradiation on the tumor region of LP-iDOPE accumulated, effector CD8⁺ T cells were activated at the secondary lymphoid organs, migrated, and subsequently released cytokines including interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, resulting in effective tumor regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our anti-cancer strategy based on tumor-specific LP-iDOPE accumulation and low-intensity NIR-LED light irradiation to the tumor regions, i.e., photodynamic reaction, represents a promising approach to noninvasive cancer therapy.

B2 puncture with forward-viewing EUS simplifies EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (with video)

Background and Objectives:

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is in widespread use; however, there are few dedicated devices. The B2 route is technically easier than the B3 route for guidewire insertion, dilation, and stenting but if performed with conventional oblique-viewing (OV) EUS, B2 puncture can cause transesophageal puncture and severe adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of forward-viewing (FV) EUS, which we have developed to improve safety for B2 puncture in EUS-HGS (B2-EUS-HGS).

Patients and Methods:

This single-center retrospective study included 61 consecutive patients who underwent B2-EUS-HGS with FV between February 2020 and March 2021 at Aichi Cancer Center, Japan. The patients were prospectively enrolled, and clinical data were retrospectively collected for these 61 cases.

Results:

The overall technical success rate of EUS-HGS was 98.3% (60/61). The rate of EUS-HGS with FV was 95.0% (58/61) after three cases converted to OV, and that of B2-EUS-HGS with FV was 88.5% (54/61). The early adverse event rate was 6.5% (4/61). There were no instances of transesophageal puncture. Median procedure time was 24 min (range, 8–70), and no patient required cautery dilation.

Conclusions:

B2-EUS-HGS can be performed safely using FV, without transesophageal puncture, and supportability of the device is improved as FV is coaxial with the guidewire. FV was efficacious in B2-EUS-HGS, which shows promise for clinical application in the future.

LAMP3 inhibits autophagy and contributes to cell death by lysosomal membrane permeabilization

ABBREVIATIONS

A253-control: A253 control for LAMP3 stable overexpression; A253- LAMP3: A253 LAPM3 stable overexpression; CASP1: caspase 1; CASP3: caspase 3; CHX: cycloheximide; CTSB: cathepsin B; CTSD: cathepsin D; CQ: chloroquine; DCs: dendritic cells; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; LGALS3: galectin 3; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HSG-control: HSG control for LAMP3 stable overexpression; HSG-LAMP3: HSG LAMP3 stable overexpression; HSP: heat shock protein; HTLV-1: human T-lymphocyte leukemia virus-1; IXA: ixazomib; LAMP: lysosomal associated membrane protein; MHC: major histocompatibility complex; mAb: monoclonal antibody; OE: overexpression; pepA: pepstatin A; pAb: polyclonal antibody; pSS: primary Sjögren syndrome; qRT-PCR: quantitative real- time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; SS: Sjögren syndrome; UPR: unfolded protein response; V-ATPase: vacuolar-type proton- translocating ATPase; Y-VAD: Ac-YVAD-cmk; Z-DEVD; Z-DEVD-fmk; Z-VAD: Z-VAD- fmk.

Enteric viruses replicate in salivary glands and infect through saliva

Enteric viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and astrovirus have long been accepted as spreading in the population through fecal-oral transmission: viruses are shed into feces from one host and enter the oral cavity of another, bypassing salivary glands (SGs) and reaching the intestines to replicate, be shed in feces and repeat the transmission cycle1. Yet there are viruses (for example, rabies) that infect the SGs2,3, making the oral cavity one site of replication and saliva one conduit of transmission. Here we report that enteric viruses productively and persistently infect SGs, reaching titres comparable to those in the intestines. We demonstrate that enteric viruses get released into the saliva, identifying a second route of viral transmission. This is particularly significant for infected infants, whose saliva directly transmits enteric viruses to their mothers' mammary glands through backflow during suckling. This sidesteps the conventional gut-mammary axis route4 and leads to a rapid surge in maternal milk secretory IgA antibodies5,6. Lastly, we show that SG-derived spheroids7 and cell lines8 can replicate and propagate enteric viruses, generating a scalable and manageable system of production. Collectively, our research uncovers a new transmission route for enteric viruses with implications for therapeutics, diagnostics and importantly sanitation measures to prevent spread through saliva.

P-610 Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced Notch signaling stimulates cumulus-oocyte complex expansion in PCOS

Study question

Does endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Notch signaling affect cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) expansion in pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Summary answer

Notch signaling is induced via activation of ER stress in granulosa cells (GCs) of PCOS and stimulates COC expansion that is abrogated by Notch inhibition.

What is known already

PCOS presents a variety of symptoms including ovarian dysfunction which is caused by various local factors in follicular microenvironment; among them, ER stress and following activation of unfolded protein response are critical, causing ovarian fibrosis, growth arrest of antral follicles and other ovarian dysfunctions. While Notch signaling pathway plays an important role of various ovarian functions such as ovarian development, follicle growth, luteinization and steroid hormone synthesis, the potential interaction between Notch signaling and ER stress in ovarian function is not determined.

Study design, size, duration

To examine expression levels of Notch signaling, ovaries and granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs) were collected from PCOS patients undergoing surgery or IVF. Human GLCs were collected from follicular fluid of IVF patients and cultured under ER-stressed condition. COCs obtained from PMSG-primed mice were subjected to examine the in vitro effects of ER stress activation and Notch inhibition on COC expansion. To examine the in vivo effects of Notch inhibition, dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS mouse model was used.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The expression levels of Notch signaling in ovaries and GLCs were investigated by immunohistochemistry and real time qPCR. To examine whether Notch signaling is activated by ER stress, human GLCs were incubated with ER stress inducer or inhibitor and ATF4 was knocked down by RNA interference. To investigate COC expansion level, murine COCs were cultured under ER stress condition with/without Notch signaling inhibitor. The COCs were collected from PCOS mice treated with/without Notch inhibitor.

Main results and the role of chance

We found that the expression levels of Notch2 and Hey2, a transcription factor activated by Notch signaling, were upregulated in GCs of antral follicles from PCOS patients and PCOS mice by using immunohistochemical analysis. Similarly, mRNA levels of these genes were higher in GLCs from PCOS patients than those from control patients. Notch signaling was induced in cultured human GLCs incubated with an ER stress inducer, tunicamycin; the effect was abrogated by incubation with an ER stress inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), or knockdown of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4, a transcription factor induced by ER stress). These findings suggest that Notch signaling is induced by ER stress via ATF4 pathway in human GCs. Measuring under a microscope, the area of expanded COCs was increased in cultured murine COCs incubated with tunicamycin, while this stimulatory effect of tunicamycin was abrogated by adding a Notch signaling inhibitor, DAPT. The area of expanded COCs obtained from PCOS model mice was increased compared to control mice, while administration of DAPT to these mice reduced the area. These results suggest that ER stress-induced Notch signaling stimulate COC expansion contributing PCOS pathophysiology.

Limitations, reasons for caution

COC expansion area was measured only in PCOS model mouse; it is unknown whether COC expansion is induced in PCOS patients. This point requires further investigation in PCOS patients.

Wider implications of the findings

Our findings suggest that ER stress-induced Notch signaling affects COC expansion, associated with ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS. The detailed understandings of PCOS pathophysiology may be beneficial for substantial clinical implications and inhibition of ER stress or Notch signaling may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for PCOS.

Trial registration number

This study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (19k09749, 19k24045, 19k24021, 21k16808, 21j12871,), a grant from the Takeda Science Foundation, a grant from The Tokyo Society of Medical Science, a grant from The Japan Society of Fertility Preservation, and a grant from The Japan Society for Menopause and Women’s Health (JMWH) (a JMWH Bayer Grant).

Juvenile Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Healthy Liver

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients <30 years old is extremely rare. In younger patients, HCC develops against a background of persistent hepatitis B virus infection. We herein report a 23-year-old woman with HCC with all-negative hepatitis virus markers developing in an apparently healthy liver. Imaging studies showed a 50-mm hypervascular mass in segment 4 of the left liver lobe, compatible with HCC. The patient underwent surgical resection. A histological examination showed the presence of poorly differentiated HCC. The patient was diagnosed with HCC developing in a healthy liver. This is an extremely rare case of non-B non-C HCC.

Social Detachment Influenced Muscle Mass and Strength during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Women

Social detachment due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a decline in physical activity, leading to sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. This study aimed to compare muscle mass, strength, and function values in older women before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Furthermore, changes in muscle measures across women who experienced different levels of impact on their social participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Muscle mass (total, trunk, and appendicular muscle), grip strength, oral motor skills, social interactions (social network and participation), and social support were assessed in 46 Japanese community-dwelling older women (mean, 77.5 y; range 66-93 y) before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trunk muscle mass significantly decreased after the first wave of the pandemic. When comparing changed values between the enhanced/maintained and reduced group during the pandemic, significant group difference was observed in trunk muscular mass, grip strength, and oral motor skills. Intriguingly, those who enhanced social participation had a positive change of grip strength values, showing that social participation might influence muscle function during the COVID-19 pandemic.