Development of an in vitro cholestatic drug-induced liver injury evaluation system using HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells in sandwich configuration

Toxicological approaches in screening drugs that cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are urgently needed to reduce the risk of developing DILI and avoid immense costs resulting from late-stage drug withdrawal from clinical trials. Cholestatic DILI is characterized by bile acid (BA) accumulation in hepatocytes, typically caused by drug-induced inhibition of important bile transporters, such as bile salt export pump (BSEP) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2/3/4 (MRP2/3/4). Therefore, NTCP expression is essential for construction of an in vitro hepatocellular toxicity evaluation system. Here, we investigated whether sandwich-cultured HepG2-hNTCP-C4 (SCHepG2-hNTCP-C4) cells were applicable for evaluation of cholestatic DILI. In SCHepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells, NTCP and MRP2/4 expression levels were comparable to those in human primary hepatocytes; however, BSEP expression was low. In addition, the substrates tauro-nor-THCA-24 DBD and CDF confirmed the functionality of NTCP and MRP2, respectively. When 22 known hepatotoxins were exposed to BAs to evaluate cholestatic DILI, cytotoxicity in SCHepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells was more frequent than that in SCHepG2 cells. Thus, SCHepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells may be useful preclinical screening tools to predict the risk of cholestatic DILI induced by drug candidates. However, further studies are needed to determine why the cholestatic cytotoxicity of some compounds would be still insufficient in SCHepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells.

Prebiotic effect of two grams of lactulose in healthy Japanese women: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial

Sixty healthy Japanese women with a defaecation frequency of 2-4 times/week participated in this randomised, double-blind crossover trial. Participants received 2 g/day lactulose for 2 weeks and placebo in a random order, separated by a washout period of 3 weeks. Eight participants were excluded who did not satisfy the conditions, and therefore data from 52 were analysed. The primary outcome was defaecation frequency and the secondary outcomes were the number of defaecation days, faecal consistency, faecal volume, and the number and percentage of Bifidobacterium in faeces. The defaecation frequency (times/week) was significantly higher during lactulose (4.28±0.23) than placebo (3.83±0.23) treatment (delta (Δ) 0.45 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10-0.80], P=0.013). The defaecation days (days/week) was significantly higher during lactulose (3.77±0.17) than placebo (3.47±0.17) treatment (Δ0.30 [95% CI 0.04-0.56], P=0.024). Faecal consistency using the Bristol Stool Scale (/defaecation) was significantly higher during lactulose (3.84±0.10) than placebo (3.68±0.10) treatment (Δ0.16 [95% CI 0.00-0.31], P=0.044). Faecal volume (/week) was significantly higher during lactulose (21.73±3.07) than placebo (17.65±3.07) treatment (Δ4.08 [95% CI 0.57-7.60], P=0.024). The number of Bifidobacterium in faeces (log colony forming units/g faeces) was significantly higher during lactulose (9.53±0.06) than placebo (9.16±0.06) treatment (Δ0.37 [95% CI 0.23-0.49], P<0.0001). The percentage of Bifidobacterium in faeces was also significantly higher during lactulose (25.3±1.4) than placebo (18.2±1.4) treatment (Δ7.1 [95% CI 2.9-11.4], P=0.0014). Finally, straining at defaecation (/defaecation) during lactulose (3.62±0.24) treatment was significantly lower than during placebo (3.97±0.24) treatment (Δ0.35 [95% CI -0.69 – -0.02], P=0.037). No significant difference was observed between lactulose and placebo with regard to flatulence. Severe adverse effects did not occur. Thus, oral ingestion of 2 g/day lactulose had a prebiotic effect, increasing the number and percentage of bifidobacteria in faeces, softening the faeces, and increasing defaecation frequency, but without increasing flatulence.

Comparison of mRNA expression profiles of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in fresh and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes

In this study, freshly isolated and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes were seeded on Cell-able^® plates with feeder cells to form spheroids and were cultured for 28 days. As a control, hepatocytes were also cultured with or without feeder cells on collagen-coated plates. We verified the mRNA expression levels of drug-metabolizing enzyme-related genes and the leakage of enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH, and γ-GTP) as indicators of cell survival. As a result, the patterns of target mRNA expression in fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes were very similar during the culture period between culture methods. mRNA expression levels were highly maintained at day 28 using the 3D spheroid and co-culture methods, demonstrating that these methods are useful for maintenance of liver function. Leakage of AST and ALT was higher at day 3 but decreased at day 14. LDH was not detected, suggesting that the cell viability was also maintained during the culture period. Furthermore, the functional differences between fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes were not clearly detected. The co-culture method was useful for long-term culture not requiring 3D structure, and the 3D spheroid culture method was effective as well. With these techniques, cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes are expected to exhibit smaller individual differences and high reproducibility.

In vitro bile acid-dependent hepatocyte toxicity assay system using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes: Current status and disadvantages to overcome

Cholestatic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a type of hepatotoxicity. Its underlying mechanisms are dysfunction of bile salt export pump (BSEP) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2/3/4 (MRP2/3/4), which play major roles in bile acid (BA) excretion into the bile canaliculi and blood, resulting in accumulation of BAs in hepatocytes. The sandwich-cultured hepatocyte (SCH) model can simultaneously analyze hepatic uptake and biliary excretion. Therefore, we investigated whether sandwich-cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell)-derived hepatocytes (SCHiHs) are suitable for evaluating cholestatic DILI. Fluorescent N-(24-[7-(4-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole)]amino-3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-27-nor-5β-cholestan-26-oyl)-2'-aminoethanesulfonate (tauro-nor-THCA-24-DBD, a BSEP substrate) was accumulated in bile canaliculi, which supports the presence of a functional bile canaliculi lumen. MRP2 was highly expressed in the Western blot analysis, whereas the mRNA expression of BSEP was hardly detectable. MRP3/4 mRNA levels were maintained. Of the 22 compounds known to cause DILI with BAs, 7 showed significant cytotoxicity. Most high-risk drugs were detected using the developed SCHiH system. However, a shortcoming was the considerably low expression level of BSEP, which prevented the detection of some relevant drugs whose risks should be detected in primary human hepatocytes.

First Measurements of Absolute Branching Fractions of the Ξ_{c}^{0} Baryon at Belle

We present the first measurements of absolute branching fractions of Ξ_{c}^{0} decays into Ξ^{-}π^{+}, ΛK^{-}π^{+}, and pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+} final states. The measurements are made using a dataset comprising (772±11)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. We first measure the absolute branching fraction for B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0} using a missing-mass technique; the result is B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})=(9.51±2.10±0.88)×10^{-4}. We subsequently measure the product branching fractions B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}), B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→ΛK^{-}π^{+}), and B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+}) with improved precision. Dividing these product branching fractions by the result for B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0} yields the following branching fractions: B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})=(1.80±0.50±0.14)%, B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→ΛK^{-}π^{+})=(1.17±0.37±0.09)%, and B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+})=(0.58±0.23±0.05)%. For the above branching fractions, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. Our result for B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}) can be combined with Ξ_{c}^{0} branching fractions measured relative to Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} to yield other absolute Ξ_{c}^{0} branching fractions.

Observation of Transverse Λ/Λ[over ¯] Hyperon Polarization in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilation at Belle

We report the first observation of the spontaneous polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons transverse to the production plane in e^{+}e^{-} annihilation, which is attributed to the effect arising from a polarizing fragmentation function. For inclusive Λ/Λ[over ¯] production, we also report results with subtracted feed-down contributions from Σ^{0} and charm. This measurement uses a dataset of 800.4  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle experiment at or near a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV. We observe a significant polarization that rises with the fractional energy carried by the Λ/Λ[over ¯] hyperon.

An inverse free electron laser acceleration-driven Compton scattering X-ray source

The generation of X-rays and γ-rays based on synchrotron radiation from free electrons, emitted in magnet arrays such as undulators, forms the basis of much of modern X-ray science. This approach has the drawback of requiring very high energy, up to the multi-GeV-scale, electron beams, to obtain the required photon energy. Due to the limit in accelerating gradients in conventional particle accelerators, reaching high energy typically demands use of instruments exceeding 100’s of meters in length. Compact, less costly, monochromatic X-ray sources based on very high field acceleration and very short period undulators, however, may enable diverse, paradigm-changing X-ray applications ranging from novel X-ray therapy techniques to active interrogation of sensitive materials, by making them accessible in energy reach, cost and size. Such compactness and enhanced energy reach may be obtained by an all-optical approach, which employs a laser-driven high gradient accelerator based on inverse free electron laser (IFEL), followed by a collision point for inverse Compton scattering (ICS), a scheme where a laser is used to provide undulator fields. We present an experimental proof-of-principle of this approach, where a TW-class CO₂ laser pulse is split in two, with half used to accelerate a high quality electron beam up to 84 MeV through the IFEL interaction, and the other half acts as an electromagnetic undulator to generate up to 13 keV X-rays via ICS. These results demonstrate the feasibility of this scheme, which can be joined with other techniques such as laser recirculation to yield very compact photon sources, with both high peak and average brilliance, and with energies extending from the keV to MeV scale. Further, use of the IFEL acceleration with the ICS interaction produces a train of high intensity X-ray pulses, thus enabling a unique tool synchronized with a laser pulse for ultra-fast strobe, pump-probe experimental scenarios.

Search for a Light CP-odd Higgs Boson and Low-Mass Dark Matter at the Belle Experiment

We report on the first Belle search for a light CP-odd Higgs boson, A^{0}, that decays into low mass dark matter, χ, in final states with a single photon and missing energy. We search for events produced via the dipion transition ϒ(2S)→ϒ(1S)π^{+}π^{-}, followed by the on-shell process ϒ(1S)→γA^{0} with A^{0}→χχ, or by the off-shell process ϒ(1S)→γχχ. Utilizing a data sample of 157.3×10^{6} ϒ(2S) decays, we find no evidence for a signal. We set limits on the branching fractions of such processes in the mass ranges M_{A^{0}}<8.97  GeV/c^{2} and M_{χ}<4.44  GeV/c^{2}. We then use the limits on the off-shell process to set competitive limits on WIMP-nucleon scattering in the WIMP mass range below 5  GeV/c^{2}.

Effects of postoperative dietary intake on functional recovery of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Among elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery, malnutrition is very common and related to muscle wasting known as sarcopenia. Cardiac surgery causes a further decline of nutritional status due to reduced dietary intake (DI); however, the impact of postoperative DI on functional recovery is unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 250 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Daily DI was measured between postoperative days 3 and 7. Patients were categorized as having sufficient or insufficient DI based on whether their DI met or was less than estimated total energy requirements. Functional capacity was measured using the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) preoperatively and at discharge. Mean postoperative DI was 22.4 ± 3.0 kcal/kg/day, and postoperative DI was insufficient in 92 patients (36.8%). The prevalence of sarcopenia was not different by postoperative DI. Although there was no significant difference in preoperative 6MWD results (P = 0.65), the sufficient DI group had longer 6MWD at discharge than the insufficient DI group (P = 0.04). In multivariate regression analysis, preoperative poor nutritional status (β = -0.29), duration of surgery (β = -0.18), and postoperative DI (β = 0.40) remained statistically significant predictors for improvement of 6MWD (P < 0.0001, adjusted R² = 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative DI was independently associated with functional recovery, but preoperative sarcopenia was not. Regardless of preoperative nutritional status or the presence of sarcopenia, aggressive nutritional intervention in the early stage after surgery helps support functional recovery.

First Evidence for cos2β>0 and Resolution of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Quark-Mixing Unitarity Triangle Ambiguity

We present first evidence that the cosine of the CP-violating weak phase 2β is positive, and hence exclude trigonometric multifold solutions of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) Unitarity Triangle using a time-dependent Dalitz plot analysis of B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} with D→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decays, where h^{0}∈{π^{0},η,ω} denotes a light unflavored and neutral hadron. The measurement is performed combining the final data sets of the BABAR and Belle experiments collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance at the asymmetric-energy B factories PEP-II at SLAC and KEKB at KEK, respectively. The data samples contain (471±3)×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the BABAR detector and (772±11)×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector. The results of the measurement are sin2β=0.80±0.14(stat)±0.06(syst)±0.03(model) and cos2β=0.91±0.22(stat)±0.09(syst)±0.07(model). The result for the direct measurement of the angle β of the CKM Unitarity Triangle is β=[22.5±4.4(stat)±1.2(syst)±0.6(model)]°. The measurement assumes no direct CP violation in B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} decays. The quoted model uncertainties are due to the composition of the D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decay amplitude model, which is newly established by performing a Dalitz plot amplitude analysis using a high-statistics e^{+}e^{-}→cc[over ¯] data sample. CP violation is observed in B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} decays at the level of 5.1 standard deviations. The significance for cos2β>0 is 3.7 standard deviations. The trigonometric multifold solution π/2-β=(68.1±0.7)° is excluded at the level of 7.3 standard deviations. The measurement resolves an ambiguity in the determination of the apex of the CKM Unitarity Triangle.

Observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) Decay

We report the observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) decay based on an analysis of the inclusive photon spectrum of 24.7  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at the ϒ(2S) center-of-mass energy collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We measure a branching fraction of B[ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S)]=(6.1_{-0.7-0.6}^{+0.6+0.9})×10^{-4} and derive an η_{b}(1S) mass of 9394.8_{-3.1-2.7}^{+2.7+4.5}  MeV/c^{2}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The significance of our measurement is greater than 7 standard deviations, constituting the first observation of this decay mode.

Effectiveness of using non-invasive continuous arterial pressure monitoring with ClearSight in hemodynamic monitoring during living renal transplantation in a recipient:a case report

We investigated the effectiveness of the ClearSight system for hemodynamic management during kidney transplantation for a recipient. The recipient was to receive a kidney transplant from his mother under general anesthesia. We used continuous noninvasive finger-cuff-based monitoring of blood pressure, provided by the ClearSight system, and stroke volume variation to predict fluid responsiveness. We used of a balanced anesthetic technique and stringent monitoring standards to ensure a successful outcome for the patient. This case demonstrated that ClearSight has the potential to improve patient monitoring in hemodynamically stable patients who received kidney transplantation under general anesthesia. J. Med. Invest. 65:139-141, February, 2018.

Observation of ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S)

We report the first observation of the hadronic transition ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S), using 496  fb^{-1} data collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We reconstruct the η^{'} meson through its decays to ρ^{0}γ and to π^{+}π^{-}η, with η→γγ. We measure B(ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S))=[3.43±0.88(stat)±0.21(syst)]×10^{-5}, with a significance of 5.7σ.

Observation of an Excited Ω^{-} Baryon

Using data recorded with the Belle detector, we observe a new excited hyperon, an Ω^{*-} candidate decaying into Ξ^{0}K^{-} and Ξ^{-}K_{S}^{0} with a mass of 2012.4±0.7(stat)±0.6(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of Γ=6.4_{-2.0}^{+2.5}(stat)±1.6(syst)  MeV. The Ω^{*-} is seen primarily in ϒ(1S),ϒ(2S), and ϒ(3S) decays.

Search for B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} Decays at the Belle Experiment

We report the results of a search for the rare, purely leptonic decay B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} performed with a 711  fb^{-1} data sample that contains 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs, collected near the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The signal events are selected based on the presence of a high momentum muon and the topology of the rest of the event showing properties of a generic B-meson decay, as well as the missing energy and momentum being consistent with the hypothesis of a neutrino from the signal decay. We find a 2.4 standard deviation excess above background including systematic uncertainties, which corresponds to a branching fraction of B(B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})=(6.46±2.22±1.60)×10^{-7} or a frequentist 90% confidence level interval on the B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} branching fraction of [2.9,10.7]×10^{-7}.

Expression of Stem Cell Factor in Feline Mast Cell Tumour

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a ligand of the molecule Kit, which is expressed in mast cells and is important for mast cell proliferation, migration and survival. Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are associated with mutations of c-kit, a proto-oncogene encoding the Kit protein. In this study, we examined SCF expression in 23 samples of feline MCTs. SCF expression was detected in 10 cutaneous MCTs and a case of splenic mastocytosis. In the cutaneous MCTs, SCF-positive tumour cells were located at the margins. Kit was expressed in eight of the 10 cutaneous cases of SCF-expressing MCTs. In these cases, Kit-positive cells were located near to SCF-positive cells, and SCF/Kit double-positive tumour cells were found. Ki67-positive tumour cells were not found near to SCF-positive cells. These results suggest that SCF autocrine/paracrine mechanisms are involved in the expansion of cutaneous MCTs, but not in tumour proliferation.

The Efficacy of Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus for Postoperative Analgesia after Open Gynecological Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blinded Study

BACKGROUND

It is well known that the programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) technique effectively provides epidural anesthesia in labor. This randomized double-blind trial compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of PIEB with that of continuous epidural infusion (CEI) in patients undergoing gynecological surgery under combined general-epidural anesthesia.

METHODS

Patients undergoing open gynecological surgery under combined general-epidural anesthesia were randomized at a 1 : 1 ratio to receive PIEB or CEI. In the PIEB group, the pump delivered 4 mL ropivacaine 0.2% plus fentanyl 2 μg/mL every hour. In the CEI group, the pump delivered the same solution at a rate of 4 mL/h. In both groups, additional 4 mL boluses of ropivacaine 0.2% plus fentanyl 2 μg/mL were provided, when necessary, by patient-controlled epidural analgesia after surgery. The primary outcome was the total ropivacaine dose 40 hours after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the number of PCEA boluses and postoperative pain (evaluated on an 11-point numerical rating scale) 3, 24, and 48 hours after surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 57 patients were randomized (n = 28 and 29 in the PIEB and CEI groups, resp.). The two groups differ significantly in terms of the total ropivacaine dose 40 hours after surgery (mean (standard deviation): 155.38 (4.55) versus 159.73 (7.87) mL, P = 0.016). Compared to the CEI group, the PIEB group had significantly lower numerical rating scale scores 3 hours (median [lower-upper quartiles]: 0 [0-0.5] versus 3 [0-5.5], P = 0.002), 24 hours (1 [0-2] versus 3 [1-4], P = 0.003), and 48 hours (1 [0-2] versus 2 [2-3.5], P = 0.002) after surgery.

CONCLUSION

PIEB was better than CEI in terms of providing postoperative analgesia after open gynecological surgery under combined general-epidural anesthesia.

Development of immune and microbial environments is independently regulated in the mammary gland

Breastfeeding is important for mammals, providing immunological and microbiological advantages to neonates, together with the nutritional supply from the mother. However, the mechanisms of this functional diversity in the mammary gland remain poorly characterized. Here, we show that, similar to the gastrointestinal tract, the mammary gland develops immune and microbial environments consisting of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and the microflora, respectively, both of which are important for protecting neonates and the mother from infectious diseases. The IgA production and microflora development are coordinated in the gastrointestinal tract but seem to be independently regulated in the mammary gland. In particular, the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 28 and poly-Ig receptor, crucial molecules for the IgA production in milk, were expressed normally in germ-free lactating mice but were almost undetectable in postweaning mothers, regardless of the microflora presence. Our findings offer insights into potentially improving the quality of breastfeeding, using both immunological and microbiological approaches.

Experimental Characterization of Electron-Beam-Driven Wakefield Modes in a Dielectric-Woodpile Cartesian Symmetric Structure

Photonic structures operating in the terahertz (THz) spectral region enable the essential characteristics of confinement, modal control, and electric field shielding for very high gradient accelerators based on wakefields in dielectrics. We report here an experimental investigation of THz wakefield modes in a three-dimensional photonic woodpile structure. Selective control in exciting or suppressing of wakefield modes with a nonzero transverse wave vector is demonstrated by using drive beams of varying transverse ellipticity. Additionally, we show that the wakefield spectrum is insensitive to the offset position of strongly elliptical beams. These results are consistent with analytic theory and three-dimensional simulations and illustrate a key advantage of wakefield systems with Cartesian symmetry: the suppression of transverse wakes by elliptical beams.

Demonstration of Cascaded Modulator-Chicane Microbunching of a Relativistic Electron Beam

We present results of an experiment showing the first successful demonstration of a cascaded microbunching scheme. Two modulator-chicane prebunchers arranged in series and a high power mid-IR laser seed are used to modulate a 52 MeV electron beam into a train of sharp microbunches phase locked to the external drive laser. This configuration is shown to greatly improve matching of the beam into the small longitudinal phase space acceptance of short-wavelength accelerators. We demonstrate trapping of nearly all (96%) of the electrons in a strongly tapered inverse free-electron laser accelerator, with an order-of-magnitude reduction in injection losses compared to the classical single-buncher scheme. These results represent a critical advance in laser-based longitudinal phase space manipulations and find application in high gradient advanced acceleration as well as in high peak and average power coherent radiation sources.

Regulatory T cells with superior immunosuppressive capacity emigrate from the inflamed colon to draining lymph nodes

Foxp3⁺ Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the maintenance of colon homeostasis. Here we utilized photoconvertible KikGR mice to track immune cells from the caecum and ascending (proximal) colon in the steady state and DSS-induced colitis. We found that Tregs from the proximal colon (colonic migratory Tregs) migrated exclusively to the distal part of mesenteric lymph nodes (dMLN) in an S1PR1-dependent process. In the steady state, colonic migratory CD25⁺ Tregs expressed higher levels of CD103, ICOS, LAG3 and CTLA-4 in comparison with pre-existing LN Tregs. Intestinal inflammation led to accelerated Treg replacement in the colon, bidirectional Treg migration from the colon to dMLN and vice versa, as well as increases in Treg number, proliferation and expression of immunosuppressive molecules. This was especially apparent for CD25 very high Tregs induced in colitis. Furthermore, colonic migratory Tregs from the inflamed colon included more interleukin (IL)-10 producing cells, and demonstrated greater inhibition of T-cell proliferation in comparison with pre-existing LN Tregs. Thus, our results suggest that Tregs with superior immunosuppressive capacity are increased both in the colon and dMLN upon inflammation. These Tregs recirculate between the colon and dMLN, and are likely to contribute to the downregulation of intestinal inflammation.

Comparisons of Porcine Hepatocyte Spheroids and Single Hepatocytes in the Non-Woven Fabric Bioartificial Liver Module

We previously developed a new bioreactor of the bioartificial liver composed of non-woven fabric. We have also experimented with hepatocyte spheroids, with the aim of improving the efficiency of this NWF bioreactor. In this study, we compared the efficiencies of NWF bioreactors employing hepatocyte spheroids versus single hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated from a whole pig liver by Seglen's method. 1.0 × 1010 single hepatocytes were immobilized in the NWF bioreactor. Another 1.0 × 1010 hepatocytes were allowed to form spheroids by 24 hr suspension culture in a 4-L culture vessel, before being immobilized in the bioreactor. Hepatocyte spheroids were found to be functionally superior, on a per-cell basis, to single hepatocytes in the NWF bioreactor. However, the NWF bioreactor employing hepatocyte spheroids exhibited lower efficiency than that employing single hepatocytes, because the total number of the hepatocytes had decreased during the 24 hr suspension culture.

Large-Scale Preparation and Function of Porcine Hepatocyte Spheroids

To obtain a large number of porcine hepatocyte aggregates (spheroids) that have great potential in a bioartificial liver (BAL), we performed spheroid formation at a high cell density in a 1-L-scale spinner flask fitted with a silicon tubing apparatus for oxygen supply. We thereby obtained, within 24 hours, approximately fifty times more porcine hepatocyte spheroids as compared with the results of previous reports. The amount obtained corresponds to 2.5×109 cells and to roughly one-sixth of the cell number required for a BAL for a human patient. When we cultured spheroids continuously in suspension, they expressed three times more albumin secretion and twice the ammonium removal as compared with conventional monolayers during 10 days culture. Collagen gel entrapment of spheroids particularly lowered albumin secretion. We therefore conclude that the supension culture vessel of porcine hepatocyte spheroids is one of the most promising module types.

Controlled direct electron transfer kinetics of fructose dehydrogenase at cup-stacked carbon nanofibers

Graphene edge sites not only facilitate heterogeneous electron transfer reactions of redox species because of localization of electrons, but also allow sensitivities and selectivities to be tuned by controlling the atomic oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratio. Here, we immobilized fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) onto the surface of cup-stacked carbon nanofibers (CSCNFs), which provide highly ordered graphene edges with a controlled O/C ratio, and investigated the direct electron communication with FDH. As the O/C ratio decreased at the CSCNF surface, the negative zeta potential was mitigated and the electrochemical communication with FDH was facilitated. This is likely due to improved orientation of FDH molecules on the CSCNF surface. CSCNFs with a controlled O/C ratio could be applied to FDH-based d-fructose biosensors with tunable dynamic range and fructose biofuel cells with a controlled maximum current.

Altered expression of microRNA during fracture healing in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to impair fracture healing. Increasing evidence suggests that some microRNA (miRNA) is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications. We hypothesized that the functions of miRNA and changes to their patterns of expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis of impaired fracture healing in DM.

METHODS

Closed transverse fractures were created in the femurs of 116 rats, with half assigned to the DM group and half assigned to the control group. Rats with DM were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. At post-fracture days five, seven, 11, 14, 21, and 28, miRNA was extracted from the newly generated tissue at the fracture site. Microarray analysis was performed with miRNA samples from each group on post-fracture days five and 11. For further analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed at each timepoint.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis showed that there were 14 miRNAs at day five and 17 miRNAs at day 11, with a greater than twofold change in the DM group compared with the control group. Among these types of miRNA, five were selected based on a comparative and extended literature review. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that five types of miRNA (miR-140-3p, miR-140-5p, miR-181a-1-3p, miR-210-3p, and miR-222-3p) were differentially expressed with changing patterns of expression during fracture healing in diabetic rats compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide information to further understand the pathology of impaired fracture healing in a diabetic rat model. These results may allow the potential development of molecular therapy using miRNA for the treatment of impaired fracture healing in patients with DM.Cite this article: S. Takahara, S. Y. Lee, T. Iwakura, K. Oe, T. Fukui, E. Okumachi, T. Waki, M. Arakura, Y. Sakai, K. Nishida, R. Kuroda, T. Niikura. Altered expression of microRNA during fracture healing in diabetic rats. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:139-147. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0082.R1.

Efficacy of Immunoadsorbent Devices for Maintaining Hepatic Function in Ex Vivo Direct Xenogenic Hemoperfusion

We have developed a new system for direct xenogenic hemoperfusion of a bioartificial liver support system adopting two types of immunoadsorbent devices. In this study, we compared the efficacy of each immunoadsorbent device in maintaining porcine hepatocyte function during 3 h perfusion treatment in a canine liver failure model. Suppression of humoral immunity by the immunoglobulin adsorber prevented immunogenic hepatocyte injury more effectively, and the system showed higher hepatic function when compared with suppression of cell-mediated immunity by the leukocyte adsorber. However, single use of immunoglobulin adsorber was less effective in reducing patients' systemic ammmonia levels and modulating the Fischer's ratio compared with the case of combined use of both immunoadsorbent devices. These results suggest that suppression of humoral immunity was of primary importance in preventing immunogenic hepatocyte injury, however the adsorption of leukocytes may have a synergic effect on maintaining hepatocyte function in direct xenogenic hemoperfusion.

Enhanced in Vitro Maturation of Subcultivated Fetal Human Hepatocytes in Three Dimensional Culture using Poly-L-Lactic Acid Scaffolds in the Presence of Oncostatin M

Fetal human liver cell fractions, which contain large numbers of hepatocyte progenitors, have high proliferation potential in vitro. To create an engineered liver tissue equivalent of a clinically significant size, however, repeated subcultivation and functional maturation are necessary in vitro. A commercially available human fetal liver cell fraction that was cultivated for some time in vitro has been reported to lose liver specific functions almost completely. We therefore investigated the effects of oncostatin M (OSM) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in long-term three-dimensional (3D) culture using macroporous poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds on the restoration of such liver-specific functions of the fraction. 3D culture using PLLA scaffolds with OSM remarkably enhanced the albumin production and cytochrome P450 1A1/2 capacity with the culture time. HGF alone had no preferable effect on these functions even in 3D culture. Alpha-fetoprotein production was consistently suppressed in the 3D culture compared with that in monolayers. This suppression was not observed in the same types of culture of hepatocarcinoma Hep G2 cells. Despite these favorable observations on the 3D culture with OSM, the final attained functional levels at the 5th week were still over ten-times lower than those of Hep G2 cells when standardized with a cellular DNA amount. Although further improvement is needed for the complete functional restoration and maturation in vitro, these results demonstrate that a combination of 3D culture using PLLA scaffolds and OSM offers promising culture conditions for in vitro maturation of human hepatocyte progenitors.

Evidence for Isospin Violation and Measurement of CP Asymmetries in B→K^{*}(892)γ

We report the first evidence for isospin violation in B→K^{*}γ and the first measurement of the difference of CP asymmetries between B^{+}→K^{*+}γ and B^{0}→K^{*0}γ. This analysis is based on the data sample containing 772×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs that was collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e^{+}e^{-} collider. We find evidence for the isospin violation with a significance of 3.1σ, Δ_{0+}=[+6.2±1.5(stat)±0.6(syst)±1.2(f_{+-}/f_{00})]%, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainty on the fraction of B^{+}B^{-} to B^{0}B[over ¯]^{0} production in ϒ(4S) decays. The measured value is consistent with predictions of the standard model. The result for the difference of CP asymmetries is ΔA_{CP}=[+2.4±2.8(stat)±0.5(syst)]%, consistent with zero. The measured branching fractions and CP asymmetries for charged and neutral B meson decays are the most precise to date. We also calculate the ratio of branching fractions of B^{0}→K^{*0}γ to B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ.

Search for CP Violation and Measurement of the Branching Fraction in the Decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}

We report a study of the decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} using 921  fb^{-1} of data collected at or near the ϒ(4S) and ϒ(5S) resonances with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The measured time-integrated CP asymmetry is A_{CP}(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(-0.02±1.53±0.02±0.17)%, and the branching fraction is B(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(1.321±0.023±0.036±0.044)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the normalization mode (D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0}). These results are significantly more precise than previous measurements available for this mode. The A_{CP} measurement is consistent with the standard model expectation.

PRR11 immunoreactivity is a weak prognostic factor in non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung

INTRODUCTION

Proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) functions in the progression of cell cycle, and silencing the PRR11 gene in lung cancer cells results in the inhibition of cellular proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, invasion and colony formation. PRR11 may therefore be a therapeutic target in lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarrays of surgical specimens of non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung, from 346 subjects that were not given preoperative therapy, were autoimmunostained with PRR11 and, except for trace and pseudo-positivity, assessed as "positive" at any proportion and intensity.

RESULTS

PRR11 immunoreactivity demonstrated a tendency to associate with an aggressive phenotype (tumor size, vascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy) and some effect on overall survival (Hazard ratio 1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

PRR11 may be a weak prognostic indicator of overall survival of patients with non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Calcineurin inhibitors exacerbate coronary arteritis via the MyD88 signalling pathway in a murine model of Kawasaki disease

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have been used off-label for the treatment of refractory Kawasaki disease (KD). However, it remains unknown whether CNIs show protective effects against the development of coronary artery lesions in KD patients. To investigate the effects of CNIs on coronary arteries and the mechanisms of their actions on coronary arteritis in a mouse model of KD, we performed experiments with FK565, a ligand of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) in wild-type, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), caspase-associated recruitment domain 9 (CARD9)^-/- and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)^-/- mice. We also performed in-vitro studies with vascular and monocytic cells and vascular tissues. A histopathological analysis showed that both cyclosporin A and tacrolimus exacerbated the NOD1-mediated coronary arteritis in a dose-dependent manner. Cyclosporin A induced the exacerbation of coronary arteritis in mice only in high doses, while tacrolimus exacerbated it within the therapeutic range in humans. Similar effects were obtained in SCID and CARD9^-/- mice but not in MyD88^-/- mice. CNIs enhanced the expression of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells and the cytokine secretion by monocytic cells in our KD model. These data indicated that both vascular and monocytic cells were involved in the exacerbation of coronary arteritis. Activation of MyD88-dependent inflammatory signals in both vascular cells and macrophages appears to contribute to their adverse effects. Particular attention should be paid to the development of coronary artery lesions when using CNIs to treat refractory KD.

Short-Term Hypothermic Preservation of Porcine Hepatocyte Spheroids using uw Solution

The feasibility of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution in short-term hypothermic preservation of porcine hepatocyte spheroids was investigated, because they have great potential in bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. Porcine hepatocyte spheroids preserved for 3 days expressed almost comparable levels of albumin secretion as those without preservation, during 8 subsequent days of recultivation in continuous rotational culture, whereas isolated single cells did not reorganize into spheroids and completely lost their function in recultivation. Although for 3-day–preserved spheroids, the albumin secretion was lowered immediately after recultivation (Days 0–2), it was completely restored to that of nonpreserved ones. The function was completely lost in recultivation for 7-day–preserved ones. These results demonstrate that reorganization into spheroids is effective in preventing the functional loss of porcine hepatocytes occurring in hypothermic preservation, and that spheroid formation should precede the preservation as long as spheroid culture is finally used in BAL systems. Also, porcine hepatocyte spheroids are shown to be satisfactory stored in UW solution up to 3 days without significant cellular or functional loss.