Spatial self-organization resolves conflicts between individuality and collective migration

Collective behavior can spontaneously emerge when individuals follow common rules of interaction. However, the behavior of each individual differs due to existing genetic and non-genetic variation within the population. It remains unclear how this individuality is managed to achieve collective behavior. We quantify individuality in bands of clonal Escherichia coli cells that migrate collectively along a channel by following a self-generated gradient of attractant. We discover that despite substantial differences in individual chemotactic abilities, the cells are able to migrate as a coherent group by spontaneously sorting themselves within the moving band. This sorting mechanism ensures that differences between individual chemotactic abilities are compensated by differences in the local steepness of the traveling gradient each individual must navigate, and determines the minimum performance required to travel with the band. By resolving conflicts between individuality and collective migration, this mechanism enables populations to maintain advantageous diversity while on the move.

How bacteria migrate collectively despite individual phenotypic variation is not understood. Here, the authors show that cells spontaneously sort themselves within moving bands such that variations in individual tumble bias, a determinant of gradient climbing speed, are compensated by the local gradient steepness experienced by individuals.

Correction to: Stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption by orally administrated vitamin D3 compounds: a prospective open-label randomized trial in osteoporosis

There were two errors in this article. 1. In the section "Ethical considerations", the registration number of the study was incorrectly given as UMIN000024492. The correct number is UMIN0000 20267. 2. The Acknowledgments paragraph was incomplete.

Using surveillance data to simulate the impact of a hypothetical pre-entry tuberculosis screening programme in Japan

BACKGROUND

Despite a growing burden of foreign-born tuberculosis (TB) patients, Japan does not currently practise pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening among foreign-born entrants.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a hypothetical pre-entry TB screening programme among new foreign-born entrants into Japan.

METHOD

Using publicly available sources, we estimated 1) the number of prevalent TB cases, defined as bacteriologically or clinically confirmed cases among new foreign-born entrants into Japan in 2015, and 2) the yield from a hypothetical pre-entry TB screening programme under three scenarios: Scenario A, in which screening would be required of all applicants intending to stay for 3 months; Scenario B, screening among applicants for visas for settlement purposes; and Scenario C, screening among student and technical intern visa applicants.

RESULTS

The numbers of prevalent TB cases under Scenarios A, B and C were respectively 492, 54 and 248 out of a total of 328 791, 21 554 and 182 879 applicants, respectively 276, 29 and 137 of whom would be detected via the pre-entry screening programme, giving an yield of respectively 83.9, 134.5 and 74.9 per 100 000 screened under each scenario.

CONCLUSION

The yield was the highest under Scenario B; however, the impact was greatest under Scenario A, in that it detected the greatest number of patients and thus contributed the most in reducing the burden of foreign-born TB cases in Japan.

Evaluation of the molecular lipid organization in millimeter-sized stratum corneum by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the lamellar and lateral structure of intercellular lipid of stratum corneum (SC) can be evaluated from millimeter-sized SC (MSC) by X-ray diffraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 12 mm × 12 mm SC sheet from hairless mouse was divided into 16 pieces measuring 3 mm × 3 mm square. From another sheet, 4 pieces of ultramillimeter-sized SC (USC:1.5 mm × 1.5 mm square) were prepared. Small and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD and WAXD) measurements were performed on each piece. For MSC and USC, changes in the lamellar and lateral structure after the application of d-limonene were measured.

RESULTS

The intensity of SAXD peaks due to the lamellar phase of long periodicity phase (LPP) and WAXD peaks due to the lateral hydrocarbon chain-packing structures varied in MSC and USC pieces, although over the 12 mm × 12 mm SC sheet. These results indicated that the intercellular lipid components and their proportion appeared nearly uniform. Application of d-limonene on MSC and USC piece with strong peaks in SAXD and the WAXD resulted in the disappearance of peaks due to the lamellar phase of LPP and decrease in peak intensity for the lateral hydrocarbon chain-packing structures. These changes are consistent with normal-sized sample results.

CONCLUSION

We found that the selection of a sample piece with strong diffraction peaks due to the lamellar and lateral structure enabled evaluation of the SC structure in small-sized samples by X-ray diffraction.

Stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption by orally administrated vitamin D3 compounds: a prospective open-label randomized trial in osteoporosis

Intestinal fractional calcium absorption (FCA) was assessed before and after vitamin D3 treatment. Serum 1,25(OH)2D concentration was significantly increased by plain vitamin D3 and reduced by eldecalcitol. The 1α hydroxyl calcidiol and eldecalcitol treatments increased FCA, which may be induced through direct stimulation of vitamin D receptors in the intestine.

INTRODUCTION

To assess the effects of vitamin D3 compounds on intestinal FCA and calcium-regulating hormones in post-menopausal osteoporosis, a randomized open-label prospective study was conducted.

METHODS

Forty eligible patients were allocated randomly into four groups: eldecalcitol (ELD; 0.75 μg/day), 1α hydroxyl calcidiol (ALF; 1 μg/day), plain vitamin D3 (800 IU/day), and control. Before and after the 4-week treatment, intestinal FCA was estimated by using a double isotope method, and serum concentrations of calcium-regulating hormones and a bone turnover marker were measured.

RESULTS

The baseline FCA value of the participants was 21.5 ± 7.9% (mean ± SD) and was significantly correlated with serum 1,25(OH)2D (calcitriol) concentration. After the treatment, the FCA significantly increased by 59.5% (95% CI, 41.6 to 77.4%) in the ELD group and by 45.9% (27.9 to 63.8%) in the ALF group, whereas no significant change in the plain vitamin D3 group was found. Unlike the baseline FCA, post-treatment FCA exhibited no significant correlation with serum calcitriol concentration. Parathyroid hormone levels were suppressed by ALF and plain vitamin D3 but were sustained in the ELD and control groups. Serum calcitriol tended to be suppressed by ELD, whereas plain vitamin D3 treatment increased both serum 25(OH)D and calcitriol concentrations.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that oral administration of vitamin D3 analogues (ALF and ELD) stimulates FCA but plain vitamin D3 does not. Those effects of vitamin D3 compounds on FCA were independent of serum calcitriol concentration, suggesting that ALF and ELD may directly stimulate intestinal vitamin D receptors.

Risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus during treatment with low-dose statins in Japan: A retrospective cohort study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in Japanese patients using low-dose hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) has not been previously examined. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of NODM associated with use of high- and low-potency statins in Japanese patients taking low-dose statins.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 2554 Japanese patients who started treatment with a statin was conducted. Only patients taking the same dose of the same statin were enrolled, and patients were separated into high- and low-potency statin groups. The outcome was incidence of NODM during statin treatment.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of NODM in the cohort was 7.4% (n = 190). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a significantly higher rate of NODM in patients taking high-potency statins compared with those taking low-potency statins (P < .001, log-rank test). Baseline fasting plasma glucose levels, use of high-potency statins, male gender and combination treatment with calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants or steroids were identified as factors that significantly increased the risk for NODM using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The use of high-potency statins at a low standard daily dose significantly increased the risk of NODM in Japanese patients compared with low-potency statins. Furthermore, clinicians should also be careful when prescribing statins in combination with steroids or immunosuppressants due to the increased risk of NODM.

Evaluation of tuberculosis contact investigations in Japan

SETTING

Although monitoring and evaluation using standardised indicators is an important aspect of tuberculosis (TB) contact investigation, no attempts have been made to systematically evaluate contact investigations in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate TB contact investigations conducted in public health centres (PHCs) by estimating the scores of selected indicators.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 to estimate six selected indicator scores for contact tracing, contact evaluation and contact treatment at 11 PHCs using the TB registry and relevant contact investigation records of all forms of newly notified active TB cases. Indicator scores were compared across PHCs using median and interquartile range (IQR).

RESULTS

A total of 2527 contacts of 313 index TB cases were identified; of these, 1874 were evaluated using the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). Of 187 contacts who were TST/IGRA-positive, 15 were diagnosed with active TB. Consistently higher medians and lower IQRs were obtained for indicators of contact tracing and contact evaluation than those of contact treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to evaluate the performance of TB contact investigations in Japan using standardised indicators; the study indicated performance gaps, especially in the treatment for latent tuberculous infection among contacts.

A Case of Diabetic Retinopathy with both Retinal Neovascularization and Complete Posterior Vitreous Detachment

PURPOSE

Report of a case with retinal neovascularization developing in the setting of diabetic retinopathy despite complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

CASE REPORT

A 76-year-old man had had type II diabetes mellitus for more than 30 years. Weiss' ring was detected by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. PVD was thus considered to be complete. On the other hand, fluorescein angiography showed two areas of hyperfluorescence at the margin of the retinal nonperfusion area.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case underscores the importance of periodic follow-up using fluorescein angiography, given the probability of retinal neovascularization development and proliferative changes for many years even in diabetic retinopathy associated with complete PVD.

RETRACTED: P444 Shared decision making for switching from oral mesalazine tablets to granules in low adherent inflammatory bowel disease patients

BACKGROUND

Oral mesalazine effectively induces and maintains remission in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. However, adherence to the drug regimen is low. Shared decision-making (SDM) is considered effective in promoting treatment adherence in IBD patients. We used SDM to switch non-adherent IBD patients from oral mesalazine tablets to granules and checked the new adherence rates.

METHODS

The IRB of our hospital approved this observational study named 'Evaluation of improvement of adherence by changing oral mesalazine to Pentasa granule in low adherent inflammatory bowel disease patients, IMPACT-PG'. We used the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8, where an MMAS-8 score of ≥6 indicates good adherence) to assess adherence to oral mesalazine. We met with low adherence patients and explained the benefits and characteristics of mesalazine granules and tablets; we then gave them a choice between continuing with the same pH-dependent mesalazine tablets (with a 20% weight/volume decrease) and switching to oral mesalazine granules (2 g in one stick, 2 g once or twice a day). Primary endpoint was adherence rate in IBD patients with granule or with tablet at 6 months, and secondary endpoint was adherence rate at 12 months. Contributing factors to good adherence to the oral regimen were also examined. The adherence rate was analysed using chi-square test, and contributing factors were determined by multivariate analysis using SPSS ver24.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighty-three patients (126 UC and 57 Crohn's colitis patients) were enrolled and examined adherence by MMAS-8 score. Good adherence ratio was 42.6% (78 of 183). Both higher age and low frequency of medication were significantly more common in adherent patients than in non-adherent patients. Odds ratios of age and the frequency of daily medication were 1.057 (95% CI 1.029-1.086; p < 0.0001) and 0.407 (95% CI 0.218-0.759; p = 0.005), respectively. SDM was performed to the 105 low adherence patients. 67% of the low adherence patients (70 of 105) preferred mesalazine granules. Five patients were dropped out until 6 months, as well as 13 patients were dropped out until 12 months. Remission rates at 0, 6, and 24 months were not significantly different between granule and tablet groups. Adherence rates at 6 [67% (44/66) vs. 32% (11 of 34)] and at 12 [72% (43 of 60) vs. 44% (14 of 32)] months were significantly higher in the granule group than in the tablet group.

CONCLUSIONS

SDM was effective for switching patients from a mesalazine tablet to a granule regimen, and adherence rates were improved in IBD patients.

Effects of biopolyimide molecular design on their silica hybrids thermo-mechanical, optical and electrical properties

Polymers, derived from bio-derived resources, have gained considerable momentum because of a lower dependence over conventional fossil-based resources without compromising the materials' thermo-mechanical properties. Unique characteristics of organic and inorganic materials can be incorporated by a combination of both to obtain hybrid materials. We have recently developed a series of transparent biopolyimides (BPI) from a biologically derived exotic amino acid, 4-aminocinnamic acid (4ACA) to yield 4-amino truxillic ester (4ATA ester) derivatives. In the present research, the polyimide-precursor was subjected to sol–gel polycondensation reactions with silicon-alkoxide followed by annealing under vacuo to yield a biopolyimide-silica hybrid. The biopolyimide structures (4ATA acid/ester) and their silica hybrids thermo-mechanical, electrical and optical performance were evaluated. It was found that the biopolyimide with 4ATA(ester) yields thermo-mechanically robust films with very high electrical stability as well as optical transparency, plausibly due to the uniform dispersion of the silica particles in the biopolyimide matrix.

Biopolyamide structure and their silica hybrids performances were studied. Biopolyamide with inability to interact with silanol during sol–gel condensation for silica formation showed superior thermo-mechanical, optical and electrical properties.

Dynamic behaviour of the soft palate during nasal positive pressure ventilation under anaesthesia and paralysis: comparison between patients with and without obstructive sleep-disordered breathing

BACKGROUND

Difficult mask ventilation is common and is known to be associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). It is our hypothesis that the incidence of expiratory retropalatal (RP) airway closure (primary outcome) during nasal positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is more frequent in patients with SDB (apnea hypopnea index ≥5 h^-1) than non-SDB subjects.

METHODS

The severity of SDB was assessed before surgery using a portable sleep monitor. In anaesthetized and paralysed patients with (n=11) and without SDB (n=9), we observed the behaviour of the RP airway endoscopically during nasal PPV with the mouth closed and determined the dynamic RP closing pressure, which was defined as the highest airway pressure above which the RP airway closure was reversed. The static RP closing pressure was obtained during cessation of mechanical ventilation in patients with dynamic RP closure during nasal PPV.

RESULTS

The expiratory RP airway closure accompanied by expiratory flow limitation occurred more frequently in SDB patients (9/11, 82%) than in non-SDB subjects (2/9, 22%; exact logistic regression analysis: P=0.022, odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1-15.4). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated AHI >10h^-1 and presence of habitual snoring as clinically useful predictors for the occurrence of RP closure during PPV. Dynamic RP closing pressure was greater than the static RP closing pressure by approximately 4-5 cm H₂O.

CONCLUSIONS

Valve-like dynamic RP closure that limits expiratory flow during nasal PPV occurs more frequently in SDB patients.

Robotic-assisted multivisceral resection for rectal cancer: short-term outcomes at a single center

BACKGROUND

The safety and feasibility of robotic-assisted multivisceral resection for locally advanced rectal cancer remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term outcomes of this procedure at our institution.

METHODS

From December 2011 to December 2016, patients who underwent robotic-assisted multivisceral resection for rectal cancer were investigated. Patient demographics, treatment characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and pathological results were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

There were 31 patients; 17 men (54.8%) and 14 women (45.2%), with a median age of 65 years (range 40-82 years). Twenty-one patients (67.7%) had a cT4 tumor, 9 patients (29.0%) had a pT4b tumor, and all patients except one (96.8%) underwent complete resection of the primary tumor with negative resection margins. Eleven patients (35.5%) received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The most commonly resected organ was the vaginal wall (n = 12, 38.7%), followed by the prostate (n = 10, 32.3%). Lateral lymph node dissection was performed in 20 patients (64.5%). The median operative time was 394 min (range 189-549 min), and the median blood loss was 41 mL (range 0-502 mL). None of the patients received intraoperative blood transfusions or required conversion to open. Overall, postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients (35.5%). The most frequent complication was urinary retention (n = 5, 16.1%), and none of the patients developed serious complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grades III-V.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic-assisted multivisceral resection for rectal cancer is safe and technically feasible.

Significance of measurement of serum trough level and anti-drug antibody of adalimumab as personalised pharmacokinetics in patients with Crohn's disease: a subanalysis of the DIAMOND trial

BACKGROUND

Significance of monitoring adalimumab trough levels and anti-adalimumab antibodies (AAA) for disease outcome in Crohn's disease (CD) patients remained unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the association of adalimumab trough levels and AAA at week 26 with clinical remission at week 52, the effect of azathiopurine on AAA and factors influencing trough levels in CD patients in the DIAMOND trial.

METHODS

We performed this study using adalimumab trough levels, AAA at week 26 and 6-thioguanine nucleotide (TGN) in red blood cells at week 12. A multiple regression model and receiver operating analysis was performed to identify factors influencing adalimumab trough levels and AAA, and adalimumab thresholds for predicting disease activity.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference of adalimumab trough level at week 26 between patients with disease remission and without at week 52 (7.7 ± 3.3 μg/mL vs 5.4 ± 4.3 μg/mL: P <.001). Adalimumab trough level of 5.0 μg/mL yielded optimal sensitivity and specificity for remission prediction (80.2% and 55.6%, respectively). AAA development at week 26 significantly affected remission at week 52 (P = .021), which was strongly associated with adalimumab trough levels. Female gender and increasing body weight were independently associated with low adalimumab trough levels, and female gender was associated with AAA development. A cut-off 6TGN level of >222.5 p mol/8 ×10⁸ RBCs yielded sensitivity (100%) and specificity (60.6%) for AAA negativity.

CONCLUSION

Adalimumab trough levels and AAA occurrence were significantly associated with clinical remission. Higher 6TGN affected AAA negativity. The combination therapy is beneficial in some relevant aspects for CD patients. (UMIN Registration No. 000005146).