Multi-point measurement using two-channel reflectometer with antenna switching for study of high-frequency fluctuations in GAMMA 10

A two-channel microwave reflectometer system with fast microwave antenna switching capability was developed and applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror device to study high-frequency small-amplitude fluctuations in a hot mirror plasma. The fast switching of the antennas is controlled using PIN diode switches, which offers the significant advantage of reducing the number of high-cost microwave components and digitizers with high bandwidths and large memory that are required to measure the spatiotemporal behavior of the high-frequency fluctuations. The use of two channels rather than one adds the important function of a simultaneous two-point measurement in either the radial direction or the direction of the antenna array to measure the phase profile of the fluctuations along with the normal amplitude profile. The density fluctuations measured using this system clearly showed the high-frequency coherent fluctuations that are associated with Alfvén-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves in GAMMA 10. A correlation analysis applied to simultaneously measured density fluctuations showed that the phase component that was included in a reflected microwave provided both high coherence and a clear phase difference for the AIC waves, while the amplitude component showed neither significant coherence nor clear phase difference. The axial phase differences of the AIC waves measured inside the hot plasma confirmed the formation of a standing wave structure. The axial variation of the radial profiles was evaluated and a clear difference was found among the AIC waves for the first time, which would be a key to clarify the unknown boundary conditions of the AIC waves.

Abstract P2-01-37: Technical feasibility and validity of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence

Background: The incidence of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) was reported to be approximately 5-10% of breast cancer patients who had breast-conserving surgery. However, the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with IBTR still remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study wasto evaluate feasibility and validity of sentinel lymph node biopsy for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (second SLNB).

Patients and methods: A prospective database of 1607 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer who underwent SLNB from January 2005 to May 2015 was analyzed and 46 patients with IBTR underwent SLNB. Lymphatic mapping was performed using a combined method of blue dye and radioisotope. ICG fluorescence imaging was performed in cases with failure of identification by blue dye and radioisotope.

Results: The median age was 52 (range: 36-82) years at the time of second SLNB and the mean size of recurrent tumor was 1.39 ± 0.63 cm. Thirty-one (67.4%) and 10 (21.7%) patients had a history of previous SLNB and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), respectively. Another five (10.9%) patients had no previous axillary surgery for primary tumors. Preoperative lymphatic mapping by lymphoscintigraphy was successfully performed in 24 of 36 patients (66.7%). The identification rate by lymphoscintigraphy among patients with previous SLNB, ALND, and no axillary surgery was 64.0% (16/25), 66.6% (6/9) and 100% (2/2), respectively (P= 0.583). Overall, sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were successfully identified in 37 (80.4%) of 46 patients during surgery. The identification rate in patients with previous SLNB, ALND and no axillary surgery was 80.6% (25/31), 80.0% (8/10) and 80.0% (4/5), respectively (P=0.990). The aberrant lymphatic drainage to extra-ipsilateral axilla was found more frequently in patients with previous ALND compared with previous SLNB and no axillary surgery (40.0% vs. 6.5% vs. 0%, P=0.015).Among three (6.5%) patients with SLN metastases, one patient with previous SLNB had macrometastasis at the ipsilateral axilla and ALND found a positive non-SLN (1/21). The remaining two patients with previous SLNB and ALND had micrometastases at ipsilateral and contralateral axilla, respectively and both patients underwent no further axillary treatment. After second SLNB, systemic treatment including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and trastuzumab was performed in 17 (37.0%), 36 (78.3%) and seven (15.2%) patients, respectively. No axillary recurrence was observed after a median follow-up time of 37.2 months from surgery for IBTR.

Conclusions: Second SLNB is technically feasible regardless of types of previous axillary surgery and may avoid complications from unnecessary ALND for IBTR. Furthermore, it could improve risk prediction for IBTR and provide valid information for deciding adjuvant therapy.

Citation Format: Matsumoto A, Jinno H, Yanagisawa T, Yoshikawa M, Takahashi Y, Seki T, Takahashi M, Hayashida T, Ikeda T, Kitagawa Y. Technical feasibility and validity of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-37.

Triterpenes with Anti-invasive Activity from Sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus

The methanolic extract [inhibition (%): 61.2±3.8 (p<0.01) at 100 μg/mL] and its EtOAc-soluble fraction [inhibition (%): 82.5±1.7 (p<0.01) at 100 μg/mL1 from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus collected in Japan significantly inhibited invasion of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells through matrigel-coated filters. In addition, the methanolic extract significantly inhibited lung tumor formation fifteen days after injection of BI6F10 melanoma cells in mice [inhibition (%) 66.1 ± 12:8 (p < 0.05) at 500 mg/kg/d, p.o.]. Lanostane-type triterpenes were isolated as the common principal constituents from Japanese and Russian . obliquus. Furtheremore, we examine the inhibitory effects of the constituents on the invasion of HT 1080 cells. Interestingly, 3β-hydroxylanosta-8,24-dien- 21-al [inhibition (%) 37.9 ± 3.0 (p < 0.05) at 30 μM] significantly inhibited the invasion, and no cytotoxic effect at 30 μM was observed.

Structures of Aromatic Glycosides from the Seeds of Cassia auriculata

A new benzocoumarin glycoside, cassiaglycoside I (1), a new naphthol glycoside, cassiaglycoside II (2), a new chromon glycoside, cassiaglycoside III (3), a new phenylethyl glycoside, cassiaglycoside IV (4), were isolated from the seeds of Cassia auriculata, together with seven known constituents. The chemical structures of four new constituents were characterized on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Rebamipide, an anti-ulcerative drug, inhibits induction of salivary dysfunction by benzodiazepines

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rebamipide, an antistomach ulcer agent, ameliorated benzodiazepine-induced hyposalivation in rat parotid gland (PG) and submandibular gland (SMG).

METHODS

Saliva was collected from PG and SMG through a capillary cannula inserted into the parotid duct and sublingual papillae, respectively, every 15 min for 1 h after stimulation with pilocarpine dissolved in physiological saline and intraperitoneally administered at 1 mg kg^-1 . Diazepam (DZP) was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.2 mg kg^-1 twice daily for 7 days. Rebamipide was administered at 10, 20, 30, or 100 mg kg^-1 concomitantly with DZP to determine its effect on hyposalivation. The effect of rebamipide on movement of intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺ ]i) in isolated parotid acinar cells was analyzed using Fluo4, a fluorescent dye used to detect Ca²⁺ .

RESULTS

Repetitive administration of DZP decreased salivary secretion in PG and SMG. This inhibitory effect was weakened by administration of rebamipide. Prior administration of DZP (10^-6 M) significantly suppressed carbachol (10^-7 M)-induced increase in [Ca²⁺ ]i. This inhibitory effect was ameliorated by combined use with rebamipide (5 × 10^-4 M).

CONCLUSION

This findings suggest that rebamipide weakens the downregulatory effect of DZP on salivary secretion by preventing DZP-induced suppression of increase in [Ca²⁺ ]i.

Loss of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AIMS

Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-1 (SFRP1) is a well-known negative regulator of the wingless type (Wnt)-β-catenin pathway and its inactivation plays an important role in the development and progression of many cancers. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical significance of SFRP1 expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and to define the relationship to Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

METHODS

Fifty IHCC patients who had liver resection were enrolled in this study. SFRP1 protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues. The patients were divided into two groups: SFRP1 positive (n = 30) and negative (n = 20). Clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

SFRP1 significantly correlated with curability (Cur A, B vs. C, p = 0.029); and recurrent pattern (intrahepatic vs. extrahepatic, p = 0.010). The negative SFRP1 group had significantly poorer prognosis, and 5-year survival rates were 8.1% of the negative SFRP1 group and 44.6% of the positive SFRP1 group, respectively. Moreover, the disease-free survival rate in the negative SFRP1 group was significantly poorer (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that loss of SFRP1served as an independent prognostic factor in IHCC for both overall (HR, 2.923; 95% CI, 1.30-6.56; p = 0.009) and disease-free (HR, 2.631; 95% CI, 1.31-5.27; p = 0.006) survival. In addition, SFRP1 expression negatively correlated to β-catenin expression (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Those results suggested that the loss of SFRP1 could be a poor prognostic factor for IHCC, through the Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

The Antiproliferative Effect of Chakasaponins I and II, Floratheasaponin A, and Epigallocatechin 3-O-Gallate Isolated from Camellia sinensis on Human Digestive Tract Carcinoma Cell Lines

Acylated oleanane-type triterpene saponins, namely chakasaponins I (1) and II (2), floratheasaponin A (3), and their analogs, together with catechins—including (–)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (4), flavonoids, and caffeine—have been isolated as characteristic functional constituents from the extracts of “tea flower”, the flower buds of Camellia sinensis (Theaceae), which have common components with that of the leaf part. These isolates exhibited antiproliferative activities against human digestive tract carcinoma HSC-2, HSC-4, MKN-45, and Caco-2 cells. The antiproliferative activities of the saponins (1–3, IC₅₀ = 4.4–14.1, 6.2–18.2, 4.5–17.3, and 19.3–40.6 µM, respectively) were more potent than those of catechins, flavonoids, and caffeine. To characterize the mechanisms of action of principal saponin constituents 1–3, a flow cytometric analysis using annexin-V/7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) double staining in HSC-2 cells was performed. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3/7 activation were also detected after 48 h. These results suggested that antiproliferative activities of 1–3 induce apoptotic cell death via activation of caspase-3/7.

Calibrations of the LHD Thomson scattering system

The Thomson scattering diagnostic systems are widely used for the measurements of absolute local electron temperatures and densities of fusion plasmas. In order to obtain accurate and reliable temperature and density data, careful calibrations of the system are required. We have tried several calibration methods since the second LHD experiment campaign in 1998. We summarize the current status of the calibration methods for the electron temperature and density measurements by the LHD Thomson scattering diagnostic system. Future plans are briefly discussed.

High time resolved electron temperature measurements by using the multi-pass Thomson scattering system in GAMMA 10/PDX

High time resolved electron temperature measurements are useful for fluctuation study. A multi-pass Thomson scattering (MPTS) system is proposed for the improvement of both increasing the TS signal intensity and time resolution. The MPTS system in GAMMA 10/PDX has been constructed for enhancing the Thomson scattered signals for the improvement of measurement accuracy. The MPTS system has a polarization-based configuration with an image relaying system. We optimized the image relaying optics for improving the multi-pass laser confinement and obtaining the stable MPTS signals over ten passing TS signals. The integrated MPTS signals increased about five times larger than that in the single pass system. Finally, time dependent electron temperatures were obtained in MHz sampling.

Measurement of neutral gas pressure in the D-module of GAMMA 10/PDX by using ASDEX type fast ionization gauge

In the divertor simulation experiments in the GAMMA 10/PDX tandem mirror, pressure of the neutral gas was investigated by using a fast ionization gauge. The gauge was absolutely calibrated for hydrogen gas by using a capacitance manometer. Change of the gauge sensitivity due to the magnetic field of GAMMA 10/PDX was also evaluated. The typical gas pressure measured in detached plasma experiments was 0.1-10 Pa. The degree of plasma detachment determined from the reduction of heat flux was enhanced as the gas pressure increases. Rapid increase of the gas pressure under the plasma flow was also observed.

A 60-GHz interferometer with a local oscillator integrated antenna array for divertor simulation experiments on GAMMA 10/PDX

In conventional multichannel/imaging microwave diagnostics of interferometry, reflectometry, and electron cyclotron emission measurements, a local oscillator (LO) signal is commonly supplied to a receiver array via irradiation using LO optics. In this work, we present a 60-GHz interferometer with a new eight-channel receiver array, called a local oscillator integrated antenna array (LIA). An outstanding feature of LIA is that it incorporates a frequency quadrupler integrated circuit for LO supply to each channel. This enables simple and uniform LO supply to the receiver array using only a 15-GHz LO source and a coaxial cable transmission line instead of using an expensive 60-GHz source, LO optics, and a waveguide transmission line. The new interferometer system is first applied to measure electron line-averaged density inside the divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) on GAMMA 10/PDX tandem mirror device.

Analysis method for Thomson scattering diagnostics in GAMMA 10/PDX

We have developed an analysis method to improve the accuracies of electron temperature measurement by employing a fitting technique for the raw Thomson scattering (TS) signals. Least square fitting of the raw TS signals enabled reduction of the error in the electron temperature measurement. We applied the analysis method to a multi-pass (MP) TS system. Because the interval between the MPTS signals is very short, it is difficult to separately analyze each Thomson scattering signal intensity by using the raw signals. We used the fitting method to obtain the original TS scattering signals from the measured raw MPTS signals to obtain the electron temperatures in each pass.

Degranulation Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants in Antigen-Stimulated Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL-2H3) Cells

Mast cells and basophils play important roles in both immediate- and late-phase reactions of type 1 allergy. Histamine, which is released from mast cells and basophils stimulated by an antigen or degranulation inducers, is usually determined as a degranulation marker in experiments on immediate allergic reactions in vitro. β-Hexosaminidase is also stored in secretory granules of the cells and is released concomitantly with histamine when the cells are immunologically activated, and recently this enzyme activity in the medium has been used as a marker of the degranulation. In this paper, we review our studies on the search for degranulation inhibitors, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and curcuminoids, from medicinal plants using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells.

New biofunctional effects of the flower buds of Camellia sinensis and its bioactive acylated oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides

We review the biofunctional effects of the flower buds of Camellia sinensis and C. sinensis var. assamica, such as antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic, antiobesity, and gastroprotective effects in vivo, and antiallergic, pancreatic lipase inhibitory, and amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation inhibitory activities in vitro. Although the biofunctional effects of tea leaves have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to those of the flowers and seeds of the tea plant. Our studies focused on the saponin constituents of the extracts of the flower buds of C. sinensis cultivated in Japan and China, and C. sinensis var. assamica cultivated in India, and we review their beneficial biofunctions for health promotion.

Structure of a Coumaric Acid Analogue with a Monoterpene Moiety from the Flowers of Osmanthusfragrans var. aurantiacus and Evaluation of Cinnamic Acid Analogues as Nitric Oxide Production and Degranulation Inhibitors

A coumaric acid analogue with a monoterpene moiety named floraosmanol A (1) was isolated from the flowers of Osmanthisfragrans var. aurantiacus. The chemical structure was elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Floraosmanol A (1) significantly inhibited nitric oxide .(NO) production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) activated RAW264.7 macrophages and the release of P-hexosaminidase as a marker of degranulation from rat basophile leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. In addition, several cinnamic acid analogues were conjugated with geraniol and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol through an ester linkage. The inhibitory effects on NO production and the release of P-hexosaminidase of the synthesized compounds were examined for structure-activity relationships.

Structure of a Coumaric Acid Analogue with a Monoterpene Moiety from the Flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus and Evaluation of Cinnamic Acid Analogues as Nitric Oxide Production and Degranulation Inhibitors

A coumaric acid analogue with a monoterpene moiety named floraosmanol A (1) was isolated from the flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus. The chemical structure was elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Floraosmanol A (1) significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) activated RAW264.7 macrophages and the release of β-hexosaminidase as a marker of degranulation from rat basophile leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. In addition, several cinnamic acid analogues were conjugated with geraniol and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol through an ester linkage. The inhibitory effects on NO production and the release of β-hexosaminidase of the synthesized compounds were examined for structure-activity relationships.

Phenylethanoid and phenylpropanoid glycosides with melanogenesis inhibitory activity from the flowers of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis

A methanol extract of the flowers of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis Roem. (Amaryllidaceae) demonstrated inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. From the extract, four new phenylethanoid glycosides, tazettosides A–D (1–4), and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside, tazettoside E (5), were isolated along with 23 known compounds (6–28). Of the isolates, 1 (IC50 = 22.0 μM) and 4 (82.5 μM), 3-methoxy-8,9-methylenedioxy-3,4-dihydrophenanthridine (13, IC50 = 28.5 μM), 5,6-dihydrobicolorine (14, 23.7 μM), tazettine (16, 60.8 μM), benzyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (18, 27.8 μM), 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (21, 74.6 μM), 3-phenylpropyl β-D-glucopyranoside (22, 59.0 μM), and cinnamyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (24, 88.0 μM) showed inhibitory effects without notable cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations.

Chemical structures of constituents from the whole plant of Bacopa monniera

Two new dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, bacomosaponins A and B, and three new phenylethanoid glycosides, bacomosides A, B1, and B2, were isolated from the whole plant of Bacopa monniera Wettst. The chemical structures of the new constituents were characterized on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In the present study, bacomosaponins A and B with acyl groups were obtained from the whole plant of B. monniera. This is the first report of acylated dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides isolated from B. monniera. In addition, dammarane-type triterpene saponins significantly inhibited the aggregation of 42-mer amyloid β-protein.

Quantitative Determination of Principal Alkaloid and Flavonoid Constituents in Wintersweet, the Flower Buds of Chimonanthuspraecox

A quantitative analytical method has been-developed for four alkaloids (1-4), identified as constituents responsible for the melanogenesis inhibitory activity of the.extracts of wintersweet, the flower buds of Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link (Calycanthaceae). Concurrently, a quantitative analytical protocol has been developed for five flavonoids (5-9), which also exhibited inhibitory activity. To approve the validity of the developed protocols, five extracts of the flower buds collected in Chinese market were evaluated. The optimum conditions of separation and detection of these alkaloids (1-4) and flavonoids (5-9) were achieved on a common ODS column using a MeOH-H₂0 mobile phase with different additives [Et₂NH for alkaloids (1-4); acetic acid for flavonoids (5-9)]. The results. indicated that these assays were reproducible and precise, and could be readily utilized for evaluation of the melanogenesis inhibitory activity of -wintersweet on the basis of the content of the functional species. The principal flavonoid constituents (5-9) also exhibited lipid accumulation inhibitory activity.

Quantitative Determination of Principal Alkaloid and Flavonoid Constituents in Wintersweet, the Flower Buds of Chimonanthus praecox

A quantitative analytical method has been developed for four alkaloids (1–4), identified as constituents responsible for the melanogenesis inhibitory activity of the extracts of wintersweet, the flower buds of Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link (Calycanthaceae). Concurrently, a quantitative analytical protocol has been developed for five flavonoids (5–9), which also exhibited inhibitory activity. To approve the validity of the developed protocols, five extracts of the flower buds collected in Chinese market were evaluated. The optimum conditions of separation and detection of these alkaloids (1–4) and flavonoids (5–9) were achieved on a common ODS column using a MeOH-H2O mobile phase with different additives [Et2NH for alkaloids (1–4); acetic acid for flavonoids (5–9)]. The results indicated that these assays were reproducible and precise, and could be readily utilized for evaluation of the melanogenesis inhibitory activity of wintersweet on the basis of the content of the functional species. The principal flavonoid constituents (5–9) also exhibited lipid accumulation inhibitory activity.

Effect of interventions by an antimicrobial stewardship team on clinical course and economic outcome in patients with bloodstream infection

BACKGROUND

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent one of the most severe and clinically important conditions in the hospital setting. We have organized an interdisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) at our hospital and performed consultations focusing on BSI patients since 2013. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of AST interventions on the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcomes of BSI patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective quasi-experimental study of BSI patients at a single Japanese university hospital. AST provided recommendations to attending physicians regarding appropriate diagnosis, therapy, and management of BSI patients after reviewing medical charts.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 308 cases of BSI from January to December, 2012 (pre-intervention group) and 324 cases of BSI from April, 2013 to March, 2014 (post-intervention group). No significant differences in the in-hospital mortality or 30-day mortality rates were observed between both the groups. Inappropriate therapy was initiated in a significantly lower proportion of patients in the post-intervention group (18.5% vs. 11.4%; P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that inappropriate therapy was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-4.82; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

An interdisciplinary AST intervention approach decreases the use of inappropriate therapy and may improve clinical outcomes in BSI patients.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitory activity of dimeric dihydrochalcone glycosides from flowers of Helichrysum arenarium

A methanol extract of everlasting flowers of Helichrysum arenarium L. Moench (Asteraceae) was found to inhibit the increase in blood glucose elevation in sucrose-loaded mice at 500 mg/kg p.o. The methanol extract also inhibited the enzymatic activity against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV, IC50 = 41.2 μg/ml), but did not show intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. From the extract, three new dimeric dihydrochalcone glycosides, arenariumosides V-VII (2-4), were isolated, and the stereostructures were elucidated based on their spectroscopic properties and chemical evidence. Of the constituents, several flavonoid constituents, including 2-4, were isolated, and these isolated constituents were investigated for their DPP-IV inhibitory effects. Among them, chalconaringenin 2'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (16, IC50 = 23.1 μM) and aureusidin 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (35, 24.3 μM) showed relatively strong inhibitory activities.