Discrimination of cellulose fabrics using infrared spectroscopy and newly developed discriminant analysis

Identifying cellulose fibers in fabric products is necessary for quality control and appropriate distribution but can be difficult because of their similarities. A novel technique to identify cellulose fabrics has been developed that uses infrared spectroscopy with the attenuated total reflection (ATR) method, evaluated with an improved Fisher's discriminant analysis including regularization coefficients and orthogonal decompositions. Sequential discrimination of six different types of cellulose fibers -cotton, ramie, and linen, which are natural fibers, and rayon, cupra, and lyocell, which are regenerated fibers- was achieved using the new technique.

ANALYSES OF H*(10) DOSE RATES MEASURED IN ENVIRONMENT CONTAMINATED BY RADIOACTIVE CAESIUM: CORRECTION OF DIRECTIONAL DEPENDENCE OF SCINTILLATION DETECTORS

Ambient dose equivalent rates were measured in the environment of the Fukushima prefecture using NaI(Tl)/CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors and CdZnTe/Ge semiconductor detectors. The dose rates obtained at the same locations varied beyond uncertainty (1σ). By replacing the spectrum-dose conversion operators obtained from the anterior-posterior geometry with those from the rotational geometry, the dose rates agreed with each other within uncertainties, except for a CsI(Tl) scintillation detector with a considerably flat crystal configuration, due to its excessive directional dependence.

Dual Targeting of CDK4/6 and cMET in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Simple Summary

Up to 50% of uveal melanoma patients subsequently develop metastases, for which no effective treatment has been identified. In this study, 87.5% of uveal melanoma patients’ samples were positive for phosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB), and ex vivo incubation of patients’ biopsy specimens with CDK4/6 inhibitor decreased the phosphorylation of RB. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is rich in the liver microenvironment, diminished the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitor. In human HGF knock-in NOD.Cg-Prkdc scid Il2rg tm1Wjl/SzJ mice, combination of CDK4/6 inhibitor and cMET inhibitor showed significant growth suppression in implanted metastatic uveal melanoma cells, compared to CDK4/6 inhibitor alone. Taken together, our preclinical study indicated that combining CDK4/6 inhibitor and cMET inhibitor would provide significant clinical benefit to patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

Abstract

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common cancer of the eye in adults. Up to 50% of UM patients subsequently develop metastases, especially in the liver. It has been reported that the retinoblastoma (RB) pathway is deregulated in more than 90% of UM despite the rarity of mutations in the RB1 gene itself. CDK4/6 inhibition (CDK4/6i) is a rational strategy for treatment of UM. In this report, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor on metastatic UM. A CDK4/6 inhibitor suppressed UM cell lines growth in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) decreased the effect of CDK4/6 inhibitor on metastatic UM cell lines. When CDK4/6i was combined with cMET inhibitor, enhanced growth suppression was observed in metastatic UM tumors grown in human-HGF knock-in xenograft mouse models. HGF is enriched in the liver and the majority of liver metastases from UM express activated forms of cMET; therefore, signaling through cMET could contribute to the resistance mechanisms against CDK4/6i, especially in UM patients with hepatic metastasis. Together, these results provide a rationale for the use of cMET inhibitor in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic UM.

CCL299, a Benzimidazole Derivative Induces G1 Phase Arrest and Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND/AIM

Benzimidazoles are considered potential anticancer candidates. We herein studied the anticancer activity of CCL299, 4-(1H-1,3-benzodiazol-1-yl) benzonitrile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this in vitro study, we used ATP assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, and caspase-3/7 assays to evaluate the effects of CCL299 on cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression and apoptosis.

RESULTS

ATP assays showed that CCL299 inhibited cell growth in the hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2 and the cervical cancer cell line HEp-2, without exhibiting cytotoxic effects on non-cancer cells and TIG-1-20 fibroblasts. Flow cytometry, western blotting, and caspase-3/7 assays revealed that CCL299 induced G₁-phase cell-cycle arrest followed by apoptosis that was associated with up-regulation of p-p53 (Ser15) and p21 expression and the down-regulation of p-CDK2 (Thr160) expression.

CONCLUSION

CCL299 exhibits cytotoxic activity via apoptosis in a subset of cancer cells, and should be considered as a promising anticancer candidate agent.

Greater coronary lipid core plaque assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound in patients with elevated xanthine oxidoreductase: a mechanistic insight

Background

Elevated serum uric acid level was reportedly associated with greater coronary lipid plaque. Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in purine metabolism and believed to play important roles in coronary atherosclerosis. However, the relation of XOR to coronary lipid plaque and its mechanism are unclear.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of XOR on coronary lipid plaque and the associated factors with XOR in coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Patients with stable CAD undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention under near-infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) guidance were prospectively enrolled. They were divided into three groups according to serum XOR activities; low, normal, and high. Coronary lipid core plaques in non-target vessels were evaluated by NIRS-IVUS with lipid core burden index (LCBI) and a maximum LCBI in 4 mm (maxLCBI4mm). Systemic endothelial function and inflammation were assessed with reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Results

Of 68 patients, 26, 31, and 11 were classified as low, normal, and high XOR activity groups. LCBI (474.4±171.6 vs. 347.4±181.6 vs. 294.0±155.9, p=0.04) and maxLCBI4mm (102.1±56.5 vs. 65.6±48.5 vs. 55.6±37.8, p=0.04) were significantly higher in high XOR group than in normal and low XOR groups. Although RHI was significantly correlated with body mass index, diabetes, current smoking, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, no relation was found between XOR activity and RHI (Figure). There were also no relations between XOR activity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (Figure).

Conclusion

Elevated XOR activity was associated with greater coronary lipid plaque in patients with stable CAD, without significant relations to systemic endothelial function and inflammation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Prognostic significance of 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia update on definition of sarcopenia

Background/Introduction

Sarcopenia plays a major role in the pathophysiology of frailty and is associated with worse outcome in the elderly population including patients with heart failure. A recent update of the most common definition of sarcopenia in Asia, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS2019), included significant changes in the diagnostic algorithm with newly dividing sarcopenia into severe and “non-severe” sarcopenia.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences between AWGS2014 and AWGS2019 in patients with heart failure.

Methods

In the multicenter prospective FRAGILE-HF registry, which included elderly (≥65 years old) patients who were hospitalized with heart failure, we studied 865 patients (80±8 years old, 42% female). All-cause death in 1-year follow-up was tracked.

Results

Based on the original version of AWGS (AWGS2014), 183 patients (21%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia, which was associated with higher age, lower physical performance, less muscle mass, and greater heart failure risk (all p<0.001) as well as higher rate of all-cause death (HR 1.90, p=0.004 after adjustment by multivariable regression). Those patients with sarcopenia by AWGS2014 were reclassified mainly to severe sarcopenia (155, 84.7%) by AWGS2019, and 25 (13.7%) and 2 (1.1%) were classified into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia. Meanwhile, 24 (3.5%) and 4 (0.6%) of patients without sarcopenia by AWGS2014 were reclassified into sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, respectively. Although severe sarcopenia by AWGS2019 was associated with higher age, lower physical performance, less muscle mass, and greater heart failure risk (all p<0.001), patients with “non-severe” sarcopenia was rather younger (p<0.001) and had better physical performance (p=0.021) despite less muscle mass (p<0.001) than those without sarcopenia. Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated severe sarcopenia by AWGS2019 was an independent prognostic factor (HR 1.77, p=0.014), but “non-severe” sarcopenia was not (HR 1.52, p=0.37). The prognosis of patients who were reclassified from non-sarcopenia to sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia were comparable to those remained non-sarcopenia. When added to other risk factors, the prognostic predictability of AWGS2019 was significantly lower than AWGS2014 (net reclassification improvement −0.26, p=0.025).

Conclusions

About a half of “non-severe” sarcopenia in AWGS2019 were patients without sarcopenia in AWGS2014. The prognosis of such patients who were newly diagnosed as sarcopenia was good, resulting in low overall prognostic predictability of AWGS2019. A further consideration for diagnostic algorithms of sarcopenia may be warranted in patients with heart failure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Japan Heart Foundation

Insufficient lipid lowering therapy could not bring favorable prognostic effect in high risk patients who were functionally deferred percutaneous coronary intervention

Introduction

Deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a functionally insignificant stenosis is associated with favorable long-term prognoses. However, previous reports revealed that patients with fractional flow reserve (FFR) 0.81–0.85 had higher cardiovascular adverse event rates than those with FFR >0.85. Numbers of large clinical trials established the lower, the better strategy for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) management for patients after PCI. However, in the real clinical practice, the achievement rate of target LDL-C is often insufficient in patients with atherosclerotic risk factors who were functionally deferred PCI.

Purpose

We aimed to examine optimal LDL-C management for patients with intermediate coronary stenosis deferred PCI by FFR measurement.

Methods

This observational study included 293 consecutive patients with coronary stenosis deferred PCI due to greater FFR than 0.80. We separately analyzed 90 patients with 0.81–0.85 of FFR and 203 patients with >0.85. Patients in each group were further classified into 2 groups based on LDL-C level at one year after FFR measurement; the Lower LDL-C group (<100 mg/dL) and the Higher LDL-C group (>100 mg/dL). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure hospitalization and unplanned revascularization.

Results

Patients with FFR 0.81–0.85 had a significantly higher MACCE rate than those with FFR >0.85 (hazard ratio (HR): 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–3.07, p=0.043). In patients with FFR 0.81–0.85, the Lower LDL-C group (n-=53) had a significantly lower rate of the primary endpoint than the Higher LDL-C group (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.97, Log-rank p=0.036, Figure A). Whereas, there was no significant difference in the event rate between 2 groups in patients with FFR >0.85 (Log-rank p=0.42, Figure B).

Conclusion

Uncontrolled LDL-C level was associated with higher MACCE rate in patients who were deferred PCI due to FFR 0.81–0.85. These results suggested that even in patients who were deferred PCI, those with coronary artery stenosis of lower FFR value should receive strict LDL-C lowering therapy with close monitoring.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Negative impact of skeletal muscle impairment in older patients with heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction

Background/Introduction

Reduced functional capacity is an important phenotype of heart failure (HF), even though it may be considered multifactorial, especially in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Impairment in skeletal muscle may be one of extra-cardiac factors for reduced functional capacity and subsequent poor outcome.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the impact of the impairment in skeletal muscle, defined by the cut-offs proposed by the international consensus, on functional capacity and clinical outcome, in HF patients with preserved and reduced EF (HFrEF).

Methods

This is a multicenter prospective study including 1317 consecutive older (≥65 years) hospitalized patients with HF [HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥45%, n=675, 82±7 years, 46.4% male) and HFrEF (ejection fraction <45%, n=642, 78±8 years, 68.4% male)].

Results

HFrEF patients were more likely to have low skeletal muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (30.9% vs 22.1%, p=0.003) whereas less likely to have low muscle strength (handgrip strength; 62.9% vs 73.8%, p<0.001) than HFpEF, resulting in similar prevalence of sarcopenia between the two groups (21.6% vs 18.1%, p=0.19). In HFrEF, presence of sarcopenia was an independent predictor of reduced functional capacity assessed by a 6-minute walk distance (standardized beta=−0.093, p=0.039 in multivariate linear regression analysis) and 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% CI; 2.14 (1.22–3.70), p=0.009 in multivariate Cox-regression analysis). In patients with HFpEF, sarcopenia could predict mortality (aHR and 95% CI; 2.23 (1.23–3.91), p=0.009), though its association with reduced functional capacity was not significant after multivariate adjustment (standardized beta=−0.059, p=0.20). Kaplan-Meier survival curves in HFpEF and HFrEF are shown (Figure).

Conclusion(s)

In older patients with HF, sarcopenia was similarly contributed to mortality in HFpEF and HFrEF whereas its influence on functional capacity was pronounced in HFrEF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Japan Heart Foundation Research Grant

Social frailty provides additive prognostic impact on one-year outcome in aged patients with congestive heart failure

Background

Frailty is associated with multisystem declines in physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, resulting in increased risks of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Although frailty is conceptualized as an accumulation of deficits in multiple areas, most of the studies have focused mainly on physical frailty, and the social domains is one of the least investigated area.

Objectives

We prospectively evaluated the incidence and prognostic implication of social frailty (SF) in older patients with HF.

Methods

The FRAGILE-HF is a multicenter, prospective cohort study including patients hospitalized for HF and aged ≥65 years old. We defined SF by Makizako's 5 items, which are 5 questions proposed and validated to be associated with future disability. The primary endpoint of this study was a composite of death from any cause and rehospitalization due to HF. The impact of SF on all-cause mortality alone was also evaluated.

Results

Among 1,240 hospitalized HF patients, 5 simple questions revealed that 825 (66.5%) were in SF. During 1-year observation period after the discharge, the combined endpoint was observed in 399 (32.2%) patients, and 145 (11.7%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that SF patients had significantly higher rates of both the combined endpoint and all-cause mortality than those without SF (Log-rank test: p<0.05 for both, Figures). Moreover, SF remained independently associated with higher event rate of the combined endpoint (hazard ratio: 1.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 1.66; p=0.038) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 2.30; p=0.044), even after adjusting for other covariates. Significant incremental prognostic value was shown when information on social frailty was added to known risk factors for combined endpoint (NRI: 0.189, 95% confidence interval: 0.063–0.316, p=0.003) and all-cause mortality (NRI: 0.234, 95% confidence interval: 0.073–0.395, p=0.004).

Conclusions

Among older hospitalized patients with heart failure, two-thirds of the population was with SF. Evaluating SF provides additive prognostic information in elderly patients with heart failure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Novartis Pharma Research Grants, Japan Heart Foundation Research Grant

CCL113, a novel sulfonamide, induces selective mitotic arrest and apoptosis in HeLa and HepG2 cells

Targeting cell‑cycle regulation to hinder cancer cell proliferation is a promising anticancer strategy. The present study investigated the effects of a novel sulfonamide, CCL113, on cell cycle progression in cancer cell lines (HeLa and HepG2), a noncancerous cell line (Vero) and a normal human fibroblast cell line (TIG‑1‑20). The present results showed that treatment with CCL113 significantly decreased the viability of the cancer cells. FACS analyses showed that CCL113 treatment increased the proportion of cancerous and noncancerous cells in the G2/M phase. Analyses of cell cycle regulatory proteins showed that CCL113 treatment inhibited the activity of CDK1 in HeLa cells, possibly due to the decrease in the level of Cdc25B/C proteins and arrest in the M phase. Using time‑lapse imaging‑assisted analyses of HeLa and Vero cells expressing fluorescent ubiquitination‑based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI), it was observed that CCL113 treatment led to a prolonged G2 phase at the G2/M checkpoint and arrest in the M phase in both cell lines. This possibly activated the DNA damage response in noncancerous cells, while inducing mitotic arrest leading to apoptosis in the cancer cells. The results of molecular docking studies suggested that CCL113 might have the potential to bind to the taxol‑binding site on β‑tubulin. In conclusion, CCL113 holds potential as a reliable anticancer drug due to its ability to induce mitotic arrest followed by apoptosis of cancer cells and to activate the DNA damage response in noncancerous cells, thereby facilitating exit from the cell cycle.

Sindbis viral structural protein cytotoxicity on human neuroblastoma cells

PURPOSE

Oncolytic viral therapy for neuroblastoma (NB) cells with Sindbis virus (SINV) is a promising strategy for treating high-risk NB. Here, we evaluated the possibility of using SINV structural proteins as therapeutic agents for NB since UV-inactivated SINV could induce cytopathogenic effects.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of UV-inactivated SINV toward human NB cell lines NB69, NGP, GOTO, NLF, SK-N-SH, SH-SY5Y, CHP134, NB-1, IMR32, and RT-BM-1 were analyzed. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assays. To determine the components of SINV responsible for the cytotoxicity of UV-inactivated SINV, expression vectors encoding the structural proteins, namely capsid, E2, and E1, were transfected in NB cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays.

RESULTS

UV-inactivated SINV elicited more significant cytotoxicity in NB69, NGP, and RT-BM-1 than in normal human fibroblasts. Results of the transfection experiments showed that all NB cell lines susceptible to UV-inactivated SINV were highly susceptible to the E1 protein, whereas fibroblasts transfected with vectors harboring capsid, E1, or E2 were not.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of the UV-inactivated SINV is due to apoptosis induced by the E1 structural protein of SINV, which can be used selectively as a therapeutic agent for NB.

Development of prediction models for the sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinomas to preoperative S-1 administration

S-1 is an anticancer agent that is comprised of tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium, and is widely used in various carcinomas including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although an established prediction tool is not available, we aimed to develop prediction models for the sensitivity of primary OSCC cases to the preoperative administration of S-1.

We performed DNA microarray analysis of 95 cases with OSCC. Using global gene expression data and the clinical data, we developed two different prediction models, namely, model 1 that comprised the complete response (CR) + the partial response (PR) versus stable disease (SD) + progressive disease (PD), and model 2 that comprised responders versus non-responders. Twelve and 18 genes were designated as feature genes (FGs) in models 1 and 2, respectively, and, of these, six genes were common to both models. The sensitivity was 96.3%, the specificity was 91.2%, and the accuracy was 92.6% for model 1, and the sensitivity was 95.6%, the specificity was 85.2%, and the accuracy was 92.6% for model 2. These models were validated using receiver operating characteristic analysis, and the areas under the curves were 0.967 and 0.949 in models 1 and 2, respectively. The data led to the development of models that can reliably predict the sensitivity of patients with OSCC to the preoperative administration of S-1. The mechanism that regulates S-1 sensitivity remains unclear; however, the prediction models developed provide hope that further functional investigations into the FGs will lead to a greater understanding of drug resistance.