CRISPR-Cas9 and beyond: identifying target genes for developing disease-resistant plants

Throughout the history of crop domestication, desirable traits have been selected in agricultural products. However, such selection often leads to crops and vegetables with weaker vitality and viability than their wild ancestors when exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Considering the increasing human population and climate change challenges, it is crucial to enhance crop quality and quantity. Accordingly, the identification and utilization of diverse genetic resources are imperative for developing disease-resistant plants that can withstand unexpected epidemics of plant diseases. In this review, we provide a brief overview of recent progress in genome-editing technologies, including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technologies. In particular, we classify disease-resistant mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana and several crop plants based on the roles or functions of the mutated genes in plant immunity and suggest potential target genes for molecular breeding of genome-edited disease-resistant plants. Genome-editing technologies are resilient tools for sustainable development and promising solutions for coping with climate change and population increases.

Improved survival in COVID-19 related sepsis and ARDS treated with a unique "triple therapy" including therapeutic plasma exchange: A single center retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality of critically ill patients remained high. Our group developed a treatment regimen targeting sepsis and ARDS which we labeled "triple therapy" consisting of (1) corticosteroids, (2) therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and (3) timely intubation with lung protective ventilation. Our propensity analysis assesses the impact of triple therapy on survival in COVID-19 patients with sepsis and ARDS.

METHODS

Retrospective propensity analysis comparing triple therapy to no triple therapy in adult critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Lexington Medical Center from 1 March 2020 through 31 October 2021.

RESULTS

Eight hundred and fifty-one patients were admitted with COVID-19 and 53 clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed. Multivariable analysis revealed that triple therapy was associated with increased survival (OR: 1.91; P = .008). Two propensity score-adjusted models demonstrated an increased likelihood of survival in patients receiving triple therapy. Patients with thrombocytopenia were among those most likely to experience increased survival if they received early triple therapy. Decreased survival was observed with endotracheal intubation ≥7 days from hospital admission (P < .001) and there was a trend toward decreased survival if TPE was initiated ≥6 days from hospital admission (P = .091).

CONCLUSION

Our analysis shows that early triple therapy, defined as high-dose methylprednisolone, TPE, and timely invasive mechanical ventilation within the first 96 hours of admission, may improve survival in critically ill septic patients with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 infection. Further studies are needed to define specific phenotypes and characteristics that will identify those patients most likely to benefit.

Mortality Risk Factors in Pediatric Onco-Critical Care Patients and Machine Learning Derived Early Onco-Critical Care Phenotypes in a Retrospective Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To use supervised and unsupervised statistical methodology to determine risk factors associated with mortality in critically ill pediatric oncology patients to identify patient phenotypes of interest for future prospective study.

DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study included nonsurgical pediatric critical care admissions from January 2017 to December 2018. We determined the prevalence of multiple organ failure (MOF), ICU mortality, and associated factors. Consensus k-means clustering analysis was performed using 35 bedside admission variables for early, onco-critical care phenotype development.

SETTING

Single critical care unit in a subspeciality pediatric hospital.

INTERVENTION

None.

PATIENTS

There were 364 critical care admissions in 324 patients with underlying malignancy, hematopoietic cell transplant, or immunodeficiency reviewed.

MEASUREMENTS

Prevalence of multiple organ failure, ICU mortality, determination of early onco-critical care phenotypes.

MAIN RESULTS

ICU mortality was 5.2% and was increased in those with MOF (18.4% MOF, 1.7% single organ failure [SOF], 0.6% no organ failure; p ≤ 0.0001). Prevalence of MOF was 23.9%. Significantly increased ICU mortality risk was associated with day 1 MOF (hazards ratio [HR] 2.27; 95% CI, 1.10-6.82; p = 0.03), MOF during ICU admission (HR 4.16; 95% CI, 1.09-15.86; p = 0.037), and with invasive mechanical ventilation requirement (IMV; HR 5.12; 95% CI, 1.31-19.94; p = 0.018). Four phenotypes were derived (PedOnc1-4). PedOnc1 and 2 represented patient groups with low mortality and SOF. PedOnc3 was enriched in patients with sepsis and MOF with mortality associated with liver and renal dysfunction. PedOnc4 had the highest frequency of ICU mortality and MOF characterized by acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation at admission with neurologic dysfunction and/or severe sepsis. Notably, most of the mortality in PedOnc4 was early (i.e., within 72 hr of ICU admission).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality was lower than previously reported in critically ill pediatric oncology patients and was associated with MOF and IMV. These findings were further validated and expanded by the four derived nonsynonymous computable phenotypes. Of particular interest for future prospective validation and correlative biological study was the PedOnc4 phenotype, which was composed of patients with hypoxic respiratory failure requiring IMV with sepsis and/or neurologic dysfunction at ICU admission.

Patterns and Longitudinal Changes in The Practice of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy in Korea: Korean Radiation Oncology Group 22-01

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To analyze contemporary practice patterns in breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) and to assess longitudinal changes therein over 5 years in Korea.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A nationwide survey was conducted among board-certified radiation oncologists in Korea by the Division for Breast Cancer of the Korean Radiation Oncology Group in March 2022. The survey consisted of 44 questions related to six domains: hypofractionated (HypoFx) whole breast RT, accelerated partial breast RT (APBI), regional nodal irradiation (RNI), RT for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), postmastectomy RT (PMRT), and tumor bed boost.

RESULTS

In total, 70 radiation oncologists from 61 of 101 (60%) institutions participated in the survey. HypoFx RT was used by 62 respondents (89%), which has significantly increased from 36% in 2017. The HypoFx RT was commonly administered at 40-42.5 Gy in 15-16 fractions. APBI was used by 12 respondents (17%), which has increased from 5% in 2017. The use of RNI did not change significantly: ≥ pN2 (6%), ≥ pN1 (33%), and ≥ pN1 with pathological risk factors (61%). However, the indications for use of internal mammary lymph node (IMN) irradiation have expanded. In particular, the rates of routine treatment of IMN (11% from 6% in 2017) and treatment in cases of ≥ pN2 (27% from 14% in 2017) have doubled; however, the rate of treatment for only IMN involvement, identified on imaging, has decreased to 31% from 47% in 2017. With regard to DCIS, the use of hypoFx RT increased to 75% from 25%, and the rate of omission on of RT after breast-conserving surgery decreased to 38% from 48% in 2017. The use of hypoFx RT for PMRT also increased to 36% from 8% in 2017.

CONCLUSION

The adoption of HypoFx RT after breast-conserving surgery in invasive breast cancer and DCIS has increased significantly, whereas that for PMRT has increased moderately, compared to 2017. Further studies are required to determine the optimal use of RNI.

Hyperferritinemic sepsis, macrophage activation syndrome, and mortality in a pediatric research network: a causal inference analysis

BACKGROUND

One of five global deaths are attributable to sepsis. Hyperferritinemic sepsis (> 500 ng/mL) is associated with increased mortality in single-center studies. Our pediatric research network's objective was to obtain rationale for designing anti-inflammatory clinical trials targeting hyperferritinemic sepsis.

METHODS

We assessed differences in 32 cytokines, immune depression (low whole blood ex vivo TNF response to endotoxin) and thrombotic microangiopathy (low ADAMTS13 activity) biomarkers, seven viral DNAemias, and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) defined by combined hepatobiliary dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation, and mortality in 117 children with hyperferritinemic sepsis (ferritin level > 500 ng/mL) compared to 280 children with sepsis without hyperferritinemia. Causal inference analysis of these 41 variables, MAS, and mortality was performed.

RESULTS

Mortality was increased in children with hyperferritinemic sepsis (27/117, 23% vs 16/280, 5.7%; Odds Ratio = 4.85, 95% CI [2.55-9.60]; z = 4.728; P-value < 0.0001). Hyperferritinemic sepsis had higher C-reactive protein, sCD163, IL-22, IL-18, IL-18 binding protein, MIG/CXCL9, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17a, IFN-γ, IP10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF, MCP-3, IL-2RA (sCD25), IL-16, M-CSF, and SCF levels; lower ADAMTS13 activity, sFasL, whole blood ex vivo TNF response to endotoxin, and TRAIL levels; more Adenovirus, BK virus, and multiple virus DNAemias; and more MAS (P-value < 0.05). Among these variables, only MCP-1/CCL2 (the monocyte chemoattractant protein), MAS, and ferritin levels were directly causally associated with mortality. MCP-1/CCL2 and hyperferritinemia showed direct causal association with depressed ex vivo whole blood TNF response to endotoxin. MCP-1/CCL2 was a mediator of MAS. MCP-1/CCL2 and MAS were mediators of hyperferritinemia.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings establish hyperferritinemic sepsis as a high-risk condition characterized by increased cytokinemia, viral DNAemia, thrombotic microangiopathy, immune depression, macrophage activation syndrome, and death. The causal analysis provides rationale for designing anti-inflammatory trials that reduce macrophage activation to improve survival and enhance infection clearance in pediatric hyperferritinemic sepsis.

Effect of supplementation of cryoprotectant solution with hydroxypropyl cellulose for vitrification of bovine oocytes

BACKGROUND

Successful cryopreservation of bovine oocytes is very important for research and commercial applications. However, the survival and development rate of vitrified-thawed (VT) oocytes are lower than those of non-vitrified-thawed (non-VT) oocytes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of adding hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) to the vitrification solution for bovine oocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For vitrification, bovine metaphase II oocytes were pretreated with a solution containing 10% ethylene glycol supplemented with 0, 10, 50, or 100 ug/mL HPC for 5 min, exposed to a solution containing 30% ethylene glycol supplemented with 0, 10, 50, or 100 ug/mL HPC for 30 s, and then directly plunged into liquid nitrogen.

RESULTS

The survival rate of oocytes was significantly higher in the 50 HPC group than in the 0, 10, and 100 HPC groups. The reactive oxygen species level was lower in the non-VT and 50 HPC groups than in the other groups. The mRNA levels of proapoptotic genes (Bax) were lower in the non-VT, 0, and 50 HPC groups than in the other groups. The mRNA levels of antiapoptotic genes (BCl2) were higher in the non-VT than in the other groups. The development rates of embryos (day 8) obtained via parthenogenetic activation (PA) were determined in the non-VT, 0 HPC, and 50 HPC groups. The cleavage rate was significantly higher in the non-VT group.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation of vitrification solution with HPC improves the survival of VT bovine oocytes and the development capacity of embryos derived from these oocytes via PA. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110212.

Effect of supplementation of cryoprotectant solution with hydroxypropyl cellulose for vitrification of bovine oocytes

BACKGROUND

Successful cryopreservation of bovine oocytes is very important for research and commercial applications. However, the survival and development rate of vitrified-thawed (VT) oocytes are lower than those of non-vitrified-thawed (non-VT) oocytes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of adding hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) to the vitrification solution for bovine oocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For vitrification, bovine metaphase II oocytes were pretreated with a solution containing 10% ethylene glycol supplemented with 0, 10, 50, or 100 ug/mL HPC for 5 min, exposed to a solution containing 30% ethylene glycol supplemented with 0, 10, 50, or 100 ug/mL HPC for 30 s, and then directly plunged into liquid nitrogen.

RESULTS

The survival rate of oocytes was significantly higher in the 50 HPC group than in the 0, 10, and 100 HPC groups. The reactive oxygen species level was lower in the non-VT and 50 HPC groups than in the other groups. The mRNA levels of proapoptotic genes (Bax) were lower in the non-VT, 0, and 50 HPC groups than in the other groups. The mRNA levels of antiapoptotic genes (BCl2) were higher in the non-VT than in the other groups. The development rates of embryos (day 8) obtained via parthenogenetic activation (PA) were determined in the non-VT, 0 HPC, and 50 HPC groups. The cleavage rate was significantly higher in the non-VT group.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation of vitrification solution with HPC improves the survival of VT bovine oocytes and the development capacity of embryos derived from these oocytes via PA. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110212.

Prediction of radiation-related cardiotoxicity using F-18 FDG PET in non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

Radiation-related cardiotoxicity has been refocused nowadays as the follow-up was increased amomg the patients with advanced lung cancer. The early recognition of the occult cardiotoxicity enables the early intervention preventing clinically significant cardiac events or worsening of severity.

Purpose

We aim to search whether the F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) performed immediately after radiotherapy could predict the late cardiac events.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 133 patients with locally advanced, unresectable stage III NSCLC who underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) immediately after CCRT for the response evaluation and survived at least for 6 months. Heart was recontoured according to the RTOG 0617 secondary analysis atlas for the dose volume analysis. Standardized uptake values (SUV) of the left ventricular myocardium were measured on FDG PET images. The patients were regularly followed up for the disease progression and complications. The primary end-point was the cardiac events grade ≥2 based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0).

Results

FDG PET was performed at median interval of 11 days after CCRT. Fourty-two patients experienced cardiotoxicity during a median follow-up of 47 months (range, 12 – 123 months). In univariable analysis, mean heart dose, maximum SUV of the left ventricle (LV SUVmax), white blood cell count, and diabetes were associated with the risk of cardiotoxicity. In multivariable analysis, only higher mean heart dose (&gt;11.1 Gy, hazard ratio 3.930 [95% confidence interval 1.933–7.988]; p=0.0002) and higher LV SUVmax (&gt;12.84, 2.189 [1.162–4.124]; p=0.0152) were independently associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity. In subgroup analyses, LV SUVmax remained predictive of cardiotoxicity among those with higher mean heart dose, but not among those with lower mean heart dose.

Conclusion

Early FDG PET after CCRT for NSCLC could predict the late cardiac events, especially in patients with high dose cardiac irradiation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a grant of the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation funded by the Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea (Principal Investigator: Sang-Geon Cho)

Association between body mass index and stroke severity in acute ischaemic stroke with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and both initial stroke severity at presentation and functional outcomes after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODS

Patients were categorized on the basis of their BMI into underweight (BMI <18.5, n = 111), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI <25, n = 1036) and overweight to obese (BMI ≥25, n = 472) groups. Initial stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge. The differences in stroke severity and functional outcomes were compared between groups using robust log-linear regression with a Poisson distribution and binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1619 AIS patients with NVAF from six hospitals were included. Compared with the NIHSS scores [median 5, interquartile range (IQR) 2-14] of normal-weight patients, the NIHSS scores (median 9, IQR 4-19) of underweight patients were more likely to be higher, whereas those of overweight to obese patients were lower (median 4, IQR 1-12) (P < 0.001). In terms of functional outcomes after stroke, underweight patients had a higher risk of poor functional outcomes (odds ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.09-2.56, P = 0.01) but overweight to obese patients had no significant difference in functional outcomes compared with normal-weight patients.

CONCLUSION

An inverse association was found between BMI and stroke severity in AIS patients with NVAF. This suggests the presence of an obesity paradox for short-term outcomes in patients with NVAF.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of the 2017 and 2018 versions of LI-RADS for hepatocellular carcinoma on gadoxetic acid enhanced MRI

AIM

To compare the diagnostic performance of the 2017 (v2017) and 2018 versions (v2018) of the Liver Imaging-Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-MRI) and to evaluate the effect in v2018.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Treatment-naive patients at high-risk for HCC who underwent Gd-EOB-MRI were included. The LI-RADS categories were assigned according to v2017 and v2018. The diagnostic performances were compared between v2017 and v2018 according to the size and combination of imaging features.

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients with 137 observations were identified, including 89 HCCs; 76.2% (64/84) of observations with threshold growth were re-classified as subthreshold growth when using v2018 instead of v2017. The final categories changed in nine (14%) cases. For the combination of LR-5/LR-5V, there were no significant differences in sensitivity and specificity between the two versions (sensitivity, 64% versus 58.4%; specificity, 87.5% versus 85.4%; all p>0.05). For the combination of LR-4 and LR-5/5V, the diagnostic performance of v2018 was inferior to that of v2017 when considering only major features (accuracy, 86.1% versus 80.3%, respectively; p=0.013), particularly in observations measuring 10-20 mm, but was comparable after adding the ancillary features (accuracy, 86.9% versus 86.1%, respectively; p=1.00).

CONCLUSION

In LI-RADS v2018, although a considerable number of observations re-classified subthreshold growth, changes in the assigned categories were insignificant; overall diagnostic performance was comparable to that of v2017, but v2018 might emphasise the value of ancillary features in combination with major features for determining the probability of HCC.

The effect of low body mass index on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia may worsen disease progression and lead to poor outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the effect of BMI on the development of COPD and mortality.

METHODS

We enrolled 437 584 participants registered in the physical health check-up cohort database of the Korean National Health Interview Survey from 2002 to 2003, and we defined COPD diagnosis based on the ICD-10 code and prescribed medication. BMI (kg m^-2 ) classified them to five groups (low BMI < 18.5, normal BMI 18.5-23, overweight 23-25, obesity 25-30, severe obesity ≥30) at baseline.

RESULTS

Participants in the low BMI group had a significantly higher rate of COPD development for 13 years (7.6%) than those in other groups (3.4-4.1%, P < 0.0001). Amongst never or light smokers, COPD development in the low BMI group (5.6-6.7%) was significantly higher than that in other groups (2.8-4.7%). Similarly, amongst participants with a smoking history of ≥30 years, COPD development in the low BMI group (20.1%) was higher than those in other groups (8.4-12.4%). On multivariable analysis, normal or higher than normal body weight was significantly protective against the development of COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.609-0.739,) compared to low BMI. COPD-free-survival (HR, 0.491-0.622) and overall survival (HR, 0.440-0.585) were also better in them compared to those with low BMI (all P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMI is an important risk factor for COPD development and mortality. Maintaining adequate body weight may reduce the risk for COPD development and mortality.

P671Impacts of echocardiography-defined pulmonary hypertension on clinical outcome in patients with multiple myeloma

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rarely reported complication of multiple myeloma (MM). PH of MM is usually mild to moderate and can be secondary to a variety of conditions, including left ventricular dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, chronic heart failure, treatment-related toxicity, thrombophilic condition and precapillary involvement. However, only few reports regarding PH in MM incidence and prognosis exist up to now.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of transthoracic echocardiography-defined PH and its impact on clinical outcome in patients with MM.

Methods

A total of 277 MM patients was included and divided into 2 groups–those non-pulmonary hypertension (PH) or those with PH, based on the results of the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE); PH group (n=143, 60.9±9.2 years, 68 males) versus non-PH group (n=134, 55.9±11.5 years, 72 males). We analyzed propensity score matching and multiple imputation method were used to deal with the missing data in echocardiographic characteristics.

Results

During the follow-up period (median 618 days), all-cause death occurred in 79 (28.5%) patients and 41 patients (14.8%) died from cardiovascular causes (including acute decompensated heart failure, fatal MI, sudden cardiac arrest). In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of crude population and propensity-matched population, cumulative overall survival and cardiovascular death (CVD)-free survival were significantly lower in the PH group than in the non-PH group (p<0.001). In propensity-matched population, estimated pulmonary artery pressure >35mmHg in TTE, congestive heart failure, and DM were significant independent predictors of all-cause death.

KM curves in MM stratified by PH

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the presence of PH, congestive heart failure, and DM is an independent prognostic factor for all-cause death in MM patients with MM. These results highlight the risk associated cardiovascular disease in MM patients and emphasize that management strategies that prevent deterioration of cardiac function are essential.

Abstract OT2-04-02: A phase 3 study of post-lumpectomy radiotherapy to whole breast + regional lymph nodes vs whole breast alone for patients with pN1 breast cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy (KROG 1701): Trial in progress

Background

In patients with early stage breast cancer, regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is added to whole breast irradiation (WBI) in order to control microscopic regional disease and to prevent systemic spread of cancer. According to recent randomized trials (MA.20 and EORTC 22922-10925), prophylactic RNI was associated with improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) in the patients with high-risk node negative or pN1 breast cancer. However, systemic agents now known to improve loco-regional control, such as taxane or endocrine therapy, were prescribed to a small percentage of patients in the studies. The benefit of RNI found in the previous studies might be attributed to incorporation of less effective systemic treatments. The impact of prophylactic RNI in pN1 breast cancer should be evaluated in the patients receiving modern systemic treatment. The current study was conducted to compare the effect of post-lumpectomy WBI vs WBI plus RNI on DFS in pN1 breast cancer patients who received adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy.

Methods

This study is a multicenter, phase 3, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial (NCT03269981). Eligibility criteria are ≥ 20 years female; pathologically proven invasive carcinoma of the breast; one to three positive axillary lymph nodes (pN1) in pathologic specimen; receiving breast-conserving surgery followed by taxane-based chemotherapy; having adjuvant endocrine therapy or anti-HER2 treatment according to molecular subtype of tumor. Patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive WBI or WBI plus RNI. Patient randomization was stratified by molecular subtype of tumor (i.e. luminal A/luminal B/luminal HER2/HER2-enriched/triple-negative) and methods of axillary management (i.e. sentinel lymph node biopsy/axillary lymph node dissection). The primary outcome is DFS. The secondary outcomes include DFS according to molecular subtype, treatment-related toxicity, and patient's quality of life per EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Patients will be followed for survival and disease recurrence for seven years. A total of 1,926 patients are planned to be enrolled, with recruitment initiated in April 2017. As of June 2018, a total of 236 patients were enrolled.

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by a grant from the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HA17C0043010018).

Citation Format: Kim H, Park W, Choi DH, Ahn SJ, Kim SS, Kim ES, Lee JH, Lee KC, Kim JH, Lee H-S, Kim JH, Kim MY, Park HJ, Kim K, Song SH, Kwon J, Lee IJ, Kim TH, Kim TG, Chang AR, Cho O, Jeong BK, Ha B, Lee J, Ki Y. A phase 3 study of post-lumpectomy radiotherapy to whole breast + regional lymph nodes vs whole breast alone for patients with pN1 breast cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy (KROG 1701): Trial in progress [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-04-02.

Abstract P3-12-12: Impact of regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer patients with supraclavicular and/or internal mammary lymph node involvement: A multicenter, retrospective study (KROG 16-14)

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular (SCL) and/or internal mammary (IMN) lymph node involvement.

Methods: A total of 353 patients from 11 institutions were included. One hundred and thirty-six patients had SCL involvement, 148 had IMN involvement, and 69 had both. All patients received neoadjvant systemic therapy followed by breast conserving surgery or mastectomy, and postoperative RT to whole breast/chest wall. As for regional lymph node irradiation, SCL RT was given to 344 patients, and IMN RT to 236 patients. The median RT dose was 50.4 Gy.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 61 months (range, 7-173). In-field progression was present in SCL (n=20) and/or IMN (n=7). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rates were 57.8% and 75.1%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, both SCL/IMN involvement, number of axillary lymph node ≥4, triple negative subtype, and mastectomy were significant adverse prognosticators for DFS (p = 0.022, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.004, respectively). Regarding the impact of regional nodal irradiation, SCL RT dose ≥54 Gy was not associated with DFS (5-yr rate, 52.9% vs. 50.9%, p = 0.696) in SCL-involved patients, and the receipt of IMN RT was not associated with DFS (5-yr rate, 56.1% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.099) in IMN-involved patients.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and postoperative RT achieved an acceptable in-field regional control rate in patients with SCL and/or IMN involvement. However, a higher RT dose to SCL or IMN RT was not associated with the improved DFS in these patients.

Citation Format: Kim K, Jeong Y, Shin KH, Kim JH, Ahn SD, Kim SS, Suh C-O, Kim YB, Choi DH, Park W, Cha J, Chun M, Lee DS, Lee SY, Kim JH, Park HJ. Impact of regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer patients with supraclavicular and/or internal mammary lymph node involvement: A multicenter, retrospective study (KROG 16-14) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-12.

Evolution and persistence of resistance-associated substitutions of hepatitis C virus after direct-acting antiviral treatment failures

Daclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV+ASV) treatment is an all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for the genotype 1b HCV-infected patients. In this study, we investigated how resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) evolved after treatment failures and assessed the effect of those substitutions on viral fitness. Sequencing of NS5A and NS3 revealed typical RASs after treatment failures. Interestingly, the RASs of NS3 reverted to the wild-type amino acid within 1 year after treatment failures. However, the RASs of NS5A were stable and did not change. The effect of NS5A and NS3 RASs on viral RNA replication was assessed after mutagenic substitution in the genotype 1b HCV RNA. Among single substitutions, the effect of D168V was more substantial than the others and the effect of the triple mutant combination (D168V+L31V+Y93H) was the most severe. The RAS at NS5A Y93 affected both viral RNA replication and virus production. Finally, the effect of trans-complementation of NS5A was demonstrated in our co-transfection experiments and these results suggest that such a trans-complementation effect of NS5A may help maintain the NS5A RASs for a long time even after cessation of the DAA treatment. In conclusion, the results from this investigation would help understand the emergence and persistence of RASs.

Magnetic resonance tumour regression grade and pathological correlates in patients with rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Evidence to support the specific use of magnetic resonance tumour regression grade (mrTRG) is inadequate. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathological characteristics of mrTRG after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer and the implications for surgery.

METHODS

Patients undergoing long-course CRT (45-50 Gy plus a booster dose of 4-6 Gy) for mid or low rectal cancer (cT3-4 or cN+ without metastasis) between 2011 and 2015 who had post-CRT rectal MRI before surgery were included retrospectively. Three board-certified experienced radiologists assessed mrTRG. mrTRG was correlated with pathological tumour regression grade (pTRG), ypT and ypN. In a subgroup of patients with mrTRG1-2 and no tumour spread (such as nodal metastasis) on MRI, the projected rate of completion total mesorectal excision (TME) if they underwent transanal excision (TAE) and had a ypT status of ypT2 or higher was estimated, and recurrence-free survival was calculated according to the operation (TME or TAE) that patients had actually received.

RESULTS

Some 439 patients (290 men and 149 women of mean(s.d.) age 62·2(11·4) years) were analysed. The accuracy of mrTRG1 for predicting pTRG1 was 61 per cent (40 of 66), and that for ypT1 or less was 74 per cent (49 of 66). For mrTRG2, these values were 22·3 per cent (25 of 112) and 36·6 per cent (41 of 112) respectively. Patients with mrTRG1 and mrTRG2 without tumour spread were ypN+ in 3 per cent (1 of 29) and 16 per cent (8 of 50) respectively. Assuming mrTRG1 or mrTRG1-2 with no tumour spread on post-CRT MRI as the criteria for TAE, the projected completion TME rate was 26 per cent (11 of 43) and 41·0 per cent (41 of 100) respectively. For the 100 patients with mrTRG1-2 and no tumour spread, recurrence-free survival did not differ significantly between TME (79 patients) and TAE (21) (adjusted hazard ratio 1·86, 95 per cent c.i. 0·42 to 8·18).

CONCLUSION

Patients with mrTRG1 without tumour spread may be suitable for TAE.

Interleukin-17A negatively regulates lymphangiogenesis in T helper 17 cell-mediated inflammation

During inflammation lymphatic vessels (LVs) are enlarged and their density is increased to facilitate the migration of activated immune cells and antigens. However, after antigen clearance, the expanded LVs shrink to maintain homeostasis. Here we show that interleukin (IL)-17A, secreted from T helper type 17 (T_H17) cells, is a negative regulator of lymphangiogenesis during the resolution phase of T_H17-mediated immune responses. Moreover, IL-17A suppresses the expression of major lymphatic markers in lymphatic endothelial cells and decreases in vitro LV formation. To investigate the role of IL-17A in vivo, we utilized a cholera toxin-mediated inflammation model and identified inflammation and resolution phases based on the numbers of recruited immune cells. IL-17A, markedly produced by T_H17 cells even after the peak of inflammation, was found to participate in the negative regulation of LV formation. Moreover, blockade of IL-17A resulted in not only increased density of LVs in tissues but also their enhanced function. Taken together, these findings improve the current understanding of the relationship between LVs and inflammatory cytokines in pathologic conditions.

Once-daily dosing of amikacin for treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease

SETTING

Tertiary referral centre, Samsung Medical Center, South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters and toxicities of once-daily amikacin (AMK) dosing for lung disease due to Mycobacterium abscessus.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of 48 patients with M. abscessus lung disease who received once-daily AMK for 4 weeks between January 2012 and June 2015.

RESULTS

With a starting dose of 15 mg/kg/day and adjustment of AMK dose according to the peak serum level (Cmax), the Cmax target of 55-65 μg/ml was achieved in 31.3% (15/48) of patients in the first week, 68.8% (33/48) in week 2, 91.7% (44/48) in week 3 and 95.8% (46/48) in week 4. Transient nephrotoxicity developed in 6.3% (3/48) of patients and ototoxicity in 25.0% (6/24), which was determined by audiogram as hearing loss, asymptomatic in five patients and tinnitus in one. Multivariate analysis revealed that the highest drug concentration 12 h after administration was significantly associated with the development of toxicities (adjusted odds ratio 1.862, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that once-daily AMK for 4 weeks with a target Cmax of 55-65 μg/ml can be used in patients with M. abscessus lung disease, with careful monitoring of toxicity.

Co-clinical trials demonstrate predictive biomarkers for dovitinib, an FGFR inhibitor, in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Background

We conducted co-clinical trials in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to identify predictive biomarkers for the multikinase inhibitor dovitinib in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

The PDX01-02 were established from LSCC patients enrolled in the phase II trial of dovitinib (NCT01861197) and PDX03-05 were established from LSCC patients receiving surgery. These five PDX tumors were subjected to in vivo test of dovitinib efficacy, whole exome sequencing and gene expression profiling.

Results

The PDX tumors recapitulate histopathological properties and maintain genomic characteristics of originating tumors. Concordant with clinical outcomes of the trial enrolled-LSCC patients, dovitinib produced substantial tumor regression in PDX-01 and PDX-05, whereas it resulted in tumor progression in PDX-02. PDX-03 and -04 also displayed poor antitumor efficacy to dovitinib. Mutational and genome-wide copy number profiles revealed no correlation between genomic alterations of FGFR1-3 and sensitivity to dovitinib. Of note, gene expression profiles revealed differentially expressed genes including FGF3 and FGF19 between PDX-01 and 05 and PDX-02-04. Pathway analysis identified two FGFR signaling-related gene sets, FGFR ligand binding/activation and SHC-mediated cascade pathway were substantially up-regulated in PDX-01 and 05, compared with PDX-02-04. The comparison of gene expression profiles between dovitinib-sensitive versus -resistant lung cancer cell lines in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database also found that transcriptional activation of 18 key signaling components in FGFR pathways can predict the sensitivity to dovitinib both in cell lines and PDX tumors. These results highlight FGFR pathway activation as a key molecular determinant for sensitivity to dovitinib.

Conclusions

FGFR gene expression signatures are predictors for the response to dovitinib in LSCC.

Polyamine patterns in plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and fever

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with various clinical manifestations and serologic markers. In this study, we analyzed nine polyamine (PA) profiles of plasma from patients with SLE and healthy controls (HCs), and the relationship between the PA profiles and disease activity. PA alterations in plasma of 44 patients with SLE and fever were investigated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring mode using N-ethoxycarbonyl/ N-pentafluoropropionyl derivatives, and compared with those of 43 HCs. Patients with SLE and HCs showed differences in five of nine PA profiles. Among five changed PA levels, four PAs, namely N¹-acetylcadaverine, spermidine, N¹-acetylspermidine, and spermine, were dramatically decreased. However, the level of cadaverine was increased in patients with SLE. In the partial correlation with PA profiles and disease activity markers of SLE, several disease activity markers and nutritional markers were correlated with cadaverine, spermidine, and N ⁸-acetylspermidine. Thus, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between PA metabolomics and disease activity markers in patients with SLE.

Repeated Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Is Not Essential for Asthma Screening

BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE

Older guidelines recommend that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) should be checked more than twice during the same session to confirm an asthma diagnosis. Recent studies show the excellent reproducibility of FeNO measurements. Objetive: We aimed to determine whether repeated FeNO measurements during the same session are necessary for asthma screening.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of adult outpatients who visited the respiratory medicine department for diagnosis of asthma and assessed FeNO measurements obtained from June 2016 to July 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 132 patients enrolled, 79 (59.8%) were diagnosed with asthma. Repeated FeNO measurements taken during the same session showed high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.9; P<.001) and a strong correlation (Pearson coefficient >0.9; P<.001), although reproducibility and correlation were slightly weaker in patients with low FeNO values. The value of repeated measurement was not significant; however, the second FeNO measurement was significantly higher than the first measurement in patients with the worst and best lung function. The predictive power of the first measurement of FeNO (sensitivity, 80.5%; specificity, 85.1%) was not inferior to the second (sensitivity, 76.6%; specificity 85.1%). The same was true of the geometric mean of the two.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated FeNO measurement during the same session is not essential for asthma screening in cases where the first acceptable FeNO measurement is performed using the proper method.

A pilot study of planar coil based magnetic stimulation using acute hippocampal slice in mice

Micromagnetic stimulation using small-sized implantable coils has recently been studied. The main advantage of this method is that it can provide sustainable stimulation performance even if a fibrotic encapsulation layer is formed around the implanted coil by inflammation response, because indirectly induced currents are used to induce neural responses. In previous research, we optimized the geometrical and control parameters used in implantable magnetic stimulation. Based on those results, we fabricated the planar coil and studied the LTP effect in the hippocampal slice by two different magnetic stimulation protocols using the quadripulse stimulation (QPS) pattern. We found that direct magnetic stimulation (DMS) induced insignificant LTP effect and priming magnetic stimulation (PMS) occluded LTP effect after tetanic stimulation, when QPS patterned magnetic stimulation with 1 A current pulse was applied to the planar coil.

Reduced metallic artefacts in 3 T knee MRI using fast spin-echo multi-point Dixon compared to fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences

AIM

To compare multi-point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted imaging (WI) with regard to the size of metallic artefacts when imaging the knee joint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and follow-up imaging with 3 T MRI using the multi-point Dixon technique was included in this retrospective study. The maximal distance of the image distortion area around the metallic artefact was measured (interference screw of femoral tunnel area) on sagittal images of both FSE T2WI (T2WI and fat-suppressed [FS] T2WI) and multi-point Dixon (water only image and in-phase image) sequences. The maximal distance of the image distortion were compared using paired t-tests across the image sequences (multi-point Dixon water only image versus FS T2WI and multi-point Dixon in-phase image versus T2WI).

RESULTS

The mean distance of the image distortion from metallic artefacts regardless of the image sequence ranged from 16.6 mm to 24.5 mm (Table 2). The mean distances measured by two readers on multi-point Dixon (water only image) sequences were significantly shorter than those in FS T2WI sequences (p<0.001). In contrast, the mean distances measured by two readers on multi-point Dixon (in-phase image) sequences did not differ from those of T2WI (p>0.05) sequences.

CONCLUSION

The water-only image of multi-point Dixon technique reduces the amount of metallic artefacts compared to that in FS FSE T2WI sequences; however, the metallic artefacts were not significantly different between in-phase images of multi-point Dixon and FSE T2WI.

Association Studies of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Gene Polymorphisms With Acute Rejection in Kidney Transplantation Recipients

OBJECTIVE

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) belong to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of proteins. This study was performed to evaluate the association of BMP gene polymorphisms with acute renal allograft rejection (AR) and graft dysfunction (GD) in Koreans.

METHODS

Three hundred thirty-one patients who had kidney transplantation procedures were recruited. Transplantation outcomes were determined in terms of AR and GD criteria. We selected six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): rs1979855 (5' near gene), rs1049007 (Ser87Ser), rs235767 (intron), rs1005464 (intron), rs235768 (Arg190Ser), and rs3178250 (3; untranslated region).

RESULTS

Among the six SNPs tested, the rs235767, rs1005464, and rs3178250 SNPs were significantly associated with AR (P < .05). The rs1049007 and rs235768 SNPs also showed an association with GD (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these results suggest that the BMP2 gene polymorphism may be related to the development of AR and GD in kidney transplant recipients.

Strong Spin-Phonon Coupling Mediated by Single Ion Anisotropy in the All-In-All-Out Pyrochlore Magnet Cd_{2}Os_{2}O_{7}

Spin-phonon coupling mediated by single ion anisotropy was investigated using optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations in the all-in-all-out pyrochlore magnet Cd_{2}Os_{2}O_{7}. Clear anomalies were observed in both the phonon frequencies and linewidths at the magnetic ordering temperature. The renormalization of the phonon modes was exceptionally large, signifying the presence of an unconventional magnetoelastic term from large spin-orbit coupling. In addition, the relative phonon frequency shifts show a strong correlation with the modulation of noncubic crystal field by the corresponding lattice distortion. Our observation establishes a new type of spin-phonon coupling through single ion anisotropy, a second-order spin-orbit coupling term, in Cd_{2}Os_{2}O_{7}.

Anakinra Protects Against Serum Deprivation-Induced Inflammation and Functional Derangement in Islets Isolated From Nonhuman Primates

We investigated whether serum deprivation induces islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) oligomer accumulation and/or a proinflammatory response and, if so, whether the addition of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist to the culture medium can relieve the proinflammatory response during serum-deprived culture of nonhuman primate (NHP) islets. After culture in medium with and without Ana under serum-deprived culture conditions, IAPP oligomer/amyloid accumulation, in vitro viability, islet function, cytokine secretion, and posttransplantation outcome in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nude mice were determined in islets isolated from heterozygote human IAPP transgenic (hIAPP^+/- ) mice and/or NHP islets. Serum deprivation induced accumulation of IAPP oligomer, but not amyloid, in NHP islets. Anakinra (Ana) protected islets from the serum deprivation-induced impairment of in vitro viability and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and attenuated serum deprivation-induced caspase-1 activation, transcription, and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in hIAPP^+/- mice and NHP islets. Supplementation of medium with Ana during serum-deprived culture also improved posttransplantation in vivo outcomes of NHP islets. In conclusion, serum deprivation induced accumulation of IAPP oligomers and proinflammatory responses in cultured isolated islets. Supplementation of the culture medium with Ana attenuated the functional impairment and proinflammatory responses induced by serum deprivation in ex vivo culture of NHP islets.

Deformation mechanisms to ameliorate the mechanical properties of novel TRIP/TWIP Co-Cr-Mo-(Cu) ultrafine eutectic alloys

In the present study, the microstructural evolution and the modulation of the mechanical properties have been investigated for a Co-Cr-Mo (CCM) ternary eutectic alloy by addition of a small amount of copper (0.5 and 1 at.%). The microstructural observations reveal a distinct dissimilarity in the eutectic structure such as a broken lamellar structure and a well-aligned lamellar structure and an increasing volume fraction of Co lamellae as increasing amount of copper addition. This microstructural evolution leads to improved plasticity from 1% to 10% without the typical tradeoff between the overall strength and compressive plasticity. Moreover, investigation of the fractured samples indicates that the CCMCu alloy exhibits higher plastic deformability and combinatorial mechanisms for improved plastic behavior. The improved plasticity of CCMCu alloys originates from several deformation mechanisms; i) slip, ii) deformation twinning, iii) strain-induced transformation and iv) shear banding. These results reveal that the mechanical properties of eutectic alloys in the Co-Cr-Mo system can be ameliorated by micro-alloying such as Cu addition.

Short-Term Outcomes of ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation With Uniform Protocol: Significance of Baseline Anti-ABO Titer

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is one of the major causes of poor outcomes in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi KT). Studies investigating AMR risk factors found that anti-ABO titer is a major issue. However, the significance of antibody titer has been debated. This retrospective study analyzed AMR risk factors in 59 patients who underwent ABOi KT between August 2010 and January 2015. We also analyzed AMR risk factors in recipients with high anti-ABO baseline titers (≥1:64 on dithiothreitol at 37°C phase or ≥1:256 on antihuman globulin phase). The 2-year patient survival rate was 95.8%, and the 2-year graft survival rate was 94.9%. Nine patients (15.3%) experienced clinical (6 of 59 [10.2%]) or subclinical (3 of 59 [5.1%]) AMR. One patient experienced graft loss from hyperacute rejection. AMR risk factor analysis revealed that baseline antibody titer was associated with incidence of AMR. In patients with high baseline titers, low doses of rituximab (200-mg single-dose), an antibody against CD20, was predictive for AMR. Six patients who received pretransplant intravenous immunoglobulin did not experience AMR even when they had high baseline antibody titers. Our results indicate that a high baseline antibody titer affected the incidence of AMR. ABOi KT candidates with high baseline titers need to undergo an intensified preconditioning protocol, including high-dose rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Ranitidine-induced anaphylaxis: clinical features, cross-reactivity, and skin testing

BACKGROUND

Histamine H2 receptor antagonists are commonly prescribed medications and are known to be well tolerated. However, 99 cases of ranitidine-induced anaphylaxis occurred in Korea from 2007 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical features, and diagnostic methods for ranitidine-induced anaphylaxis.

METHODS

Ranitidine-related pharmacovigilance data from 2007 to 2014 were reviewed. Adverse drug reactions with causal relationships were selected, and clinical manifestations, outcomes, and drug-related information were assessed. For further investigation, 8 years of pharmacovigilance data were collected at a single centre. Twenty-three patients participated in in vivo and in vitro studies. Skin tests, oral provocation tests, and laboratory tests were performed, including tests using other kinds of histamine H2 receptor antagonists.

RESULTS

Over 7 years, 584 patients suffered adverse reactions to ranitidine. The most common manifestation was cutaneous symptoms. Among them, 99 patients (17.0%) experienced anaphylaxis. In a single-centre study, skin prick tests were positive in 91.7% of ranitidine-induced anaphylaxis patients (11/12); the optimal concentration was 20 mg/mL. Detection of ranitidine-specific immunoglobulin E failed. Cimetidine and proton pump inhibitors showed no cross-reactivity with ranitidine based on the skin prick test, oral provocation test, or clinical determination. Surprisingly, 82.6% of patients reintroduced ranitidine and re-experienced the same adverse reactions because ranitidine was not considered the culprit drug.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although ranitidine is known as a safe drug, it can also cause diverse adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis. This study demonstrates the need to pay attention to adverse reactions to ranitidine and consider ranitidine as a cause of anaphylaxis.

Late-onset bulky naevocytoma of the perineum masquerading as a malignant melanoma

Bulky naevocytoma of the perineum is a very rare variant of giant congenital melanocytic naevus (GCMN). It presents as a bulky naevocytic tumour in the perineal region with characteristic histological findings, such as extensive areas with a neural appearance called 'lames foliacees', formation of a pseudofollicular structure and extension of naevus cells between collagen bundles in a row called 'Indian-file' pattern. We report a case of late-onset bulky naevocytoma of the perineum in a 13-year-old girl. The patient presented with two bulky, pedunculated, heavily pigmented masses in the vulvar area that developed in a pre-existing GCMN lesion, which began around puberty and caused severe gait disturbance. Given the possibility of malignant transformation, we conducted staged reduction surgery of the tumour masses, which were found to be intradermal naevi without evidence of malignancy. The patient's gait disturbance improved markedly after surgery.

3D isotropic T2-weighted fast spin echo (VISTA) versus 2D T2-weighted fast spin echo in evaluation of the calcaneofibular ligament in the oblique coronal plane

AIM

To investigate whether the image quality of three-dimensional (3D) volume isotropic fast spin echo acquisition (VISTA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) view is comparable to that of 2D fast spin echo T2-weighted images (2D T2 FSE) for the evaluation of the CFL, and whether 3D VISTA can replace 2D T2 FSE for the evaluation of CFL injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 76 patients who underwent ankle MRI with CFL views of both 2D T2 FSE MRI and 3D VISTA. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of both techniques were measured. The anatomical identification score and diagnostic performances were evaluated by two readers independently. The diagnostic performances of 3D VISTA and 2D T2 FSE were analysed by sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing CFL injury with reference standards of surgically or clinically confirmed diagnoses. Surgical correlation was performed in 29% of the patients, and clinical examination was used in those who did not have surgery (71%).

RESULTS

The SNRs and CNRs of 3D VISTA were significantly higher than those of 2D T2 FSE. The anatomical identification scores on 3D VISTA were inferior to those on 2D T2 FSE, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in diagnostic performance between the two sequences when diagnoses were classified as normal or abnormal.

CONCLUSION

Although the image quality of 3D VISTA MRI of the CFL view is not equal to that of 2D T2 FSE for the anatomical evaluation of CFL, 3D VISTA has a diagnostic performance comparable to that of 2D T2 FSE for the diagnosis of CFL injuries.

High-resolution electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing of stretchable metal oxide semiconductor transistors with high performance

As demands for high pixel densities and wearable forms of displays increase, high-resolution printing technologies to achieve high performance transistors beyond current amorphous silicon levels and to allow low-temperature solution processability for plastic substrates have been explored as key processes in emerging flexible electronics. This study describes electrohydrodynamic inkjet (e-jet) technology for direct printing of oxide semiconductor thin film transistors (TFTs) with high resolution (minimum line width: 2 μm) and superb performance, including high mobility (∼230 cm² V^-1 s^-1). Logic operations of the amplifier circuits composed of these e-jet-printed metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) TFTs demonstrate their high performance. Printed In₂O TFTs with e-jet printing-assisted high-resolution S/D electrodes were prepared, and the direct printing of passivation layers on these channels enhanced their gate-bias stabilities significantly. Moreover, low process temperatures (<250 °C) enable the use of thin plastic substrates; highly flexible and stretchable TFT arrays have been demonstrated, suggesting promise for next-generation printed electronics.

Prognostic Value of Labyrinthine 3D-FLAIR Abnormalities in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to recent research, modern MR imaging can detect the presense of abnormalities on labyrinthine. Our aim was to report the patterns and prognostic role of abnormal findings on labyrinthine imaging in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study comprised 113 patients who were diagnosed with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and underwent 3T MR imaging, including pre-/postcontrast 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T1-weighted imaging. We analyzed abnormalities on MR imaging and correlated them with audiometric results.

RESULTS

Thirty-one (27%) patients showed abnormal findings on labyrinthine MR imaging in the affected ear. The initial/final hearing levels of the MRI+ group (91 ± 25/73 ± 27 dB hearing loss) were significantly worse than those of the MRI- group (69 ± 30/48 ± 24 dB hearing loss). The incidence of abnormalities on labyrinthine MR imaging was significantly lower (3 of 40, 8%) in 40 patients with initial mild-to-moderate hearing loss than in those with profound hearing loss (16 of 34, 47%). Considering hearing improvement by the Siegel criteria, the rate of complete or partial recovery was significantly higher in the MRI- group (34%) than in the MRI+ group (10%). In patients with initial severe or profound hearing loss, the MRI- group showed greater hearing improvement (38 ± 21 dB) than the MRI+ group (23 ± 22 dB).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormalities on labyrinthine MR imaging were found in 27% of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The initial hearing loss was worse in the MRI+ group than in the MRI- group. In patients with initial severe and profound hearing loss, the presence of abnormalities on labyrinthine MR imaging indicated a poor prognosis.

CT differentiation of tuberculous and non-tuberculous pleural infection, with emphasis on pulmonary changes

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether pulmonary changes on computed tomography (CT) are helpful in differentiating between pleural tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous pleural infection

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed CT scans of patients with pleural tuberculous and non-tuberculous empyema, focusing on pulmonary changes such as consolidation, ground glass opacity, interlobular septal thickening, cavitation, abscess and presence and distribution of micronodules. We also assessed the presence of loss of overlying pleural integrity, peripheral bronchopleural fistula and lymphadenopathy.

RESULTS

We evaluated 65 patients with pleural TB and 43 with empyema. CT findings of pleural TB differed significantly from those of empyema with interlobular septal thickening (P = 0.022) and micronodules with subpleural, peribronchovascular and septal distribution (P < 0.001). Subpleural abscess was more frequently seen in empyema, accompanying loss of overlying pleural integrity and peripheral bronchopleural fistula (P < 0.001), but there was no statistical difference between the two groups in prevalence of consolidation, ground glass opacity, cavitation, centrilobular nodules or lymphadenopathy.

CONCLUSION

Interlobular septal thickening and micronodules with perilymphatic distribution are characteristic CT findings of pleural TB but not empyema. Presence of subpleural abscess and loss of pleural integrity or peripheral bronchopleural fistula are highly suggestive of empyema.

Discovery of pathogenic variants in a large Korean cohort of inherited muscular disorders

Inherited muscular disorders (IMDs) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous genetic disorders. We investigated the mutational spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in Korean patients with IMD. We developed a targeted panel of 69 known IMD genes and recruited a total of 209 Korean patients with IMD. Targeted capture sequencing identified 994 different variants. Among them, 98 variants were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants; 38 were novel variations. A total of 39 patients had the pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. Among them, 75 (36%) patients were genetically confirmed, and 18 (9%) patients had one heterozygous variant of recessive myopathy. However, two genetically confirmed patients had an additional heterozygous variant of another recessive myopathy. Four patients with one heterozygous variant of a recessive myopathy showed different phenotypes, compared with the known phenotype of the identified gene. The major causative genes of Korean patients with IMDs were DMD (19 patients), COL6A1 (9), DYSF (9), GNE (7), LMNA (7), CAPN3 (6), and RYR1 (5). This study showed the mutational and clinical spectra in Korean patients with IMD and confirmed the usefulness of strategies utilizing targeted sequencing.

Activation of the Met kinase confers acquired drug resistance in FGFR-targeted lung cancer therapy

Aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) activation/expression is a common feature in lung cancer (LC). In this study, we evaluated the antitumor activity of and the mechanisms underlying acquired resistance to two potent selective FGFR inhibitors, AZD4547 and BAY116387, in LC cell lines. The antitumor activity of AZD4547 and BAY1163877 was screened in 24 LC cell lines, including 5 with FGFR1 amplification. Two cell lines containing FGFR1 amplifications, H1581 and DMS114, were sensitive to FGFR inhibitors (IC50<250 nm). Clones of FGFR1-amplified H1581 cells resistant to AZD4547 or BAY116387 (H1581AR and H1581BR cells, respectively) were established. Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) array and immunoblotting analyses showed strong overexpression and activation of Met in H1581AR/BR cells, compared with that in the parental cells. Gene set enrichment analysis against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database showed that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways were significantly enriched in H1581AR/BR cells, with Met contributing significantly to the core enrichment. Genomic DNA quantitative PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses showed MET amplification in H1581AR, but not in H1581BR, cells. Met amplification drives acquired resistance to AZD4547 in H1581AR cells by activating ErbB3. Combination treatment with FGFR inhibitors and an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)/Met inhibitor, crizotinib, or Met-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) synergistically inhibited cell proliferation in both H1581AR and H1581BR cells. Conversely, ectopic expression of Met in H1581 cells conferred resistance to AZD4547 and BAY1163877. Acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitors not only altered cellular morphology, but also promoted migration and invasion of resistant clones, in part by inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Taken together, our data suggest that Met activation is sufficient to bypass dependency on FGFR signaling. Concurrent inhibition of the Met and FGFR pathways may have synergistic clinical benefits when targeting FGFR-dependent LC.

JAK2V617F mediates resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis by modulating FOXO3A localization and Bcl-xL deamidation

The JAK2V617F mutation is found in most patients with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). This gain-of-function mutation dysregulates cytokine signaling and is associated with increased accumulation of DNA damage, a process likely to drive disease evolution. JAK2V617F inhibits NHE-1 upregulation in response to DNA damage and consequently represses Bcl-xL deamidation and apoptosis, thus giving rise to inappropriate cell survival. However, the mechanism whereby NHE-1 expression is inhibited by JAK2V617F is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells expressing JAK2V617F compromises the NHE-1/Bcl-xL deamidation pathway by repressing NHE-1 upregulation in response to DNA damage. In JAK2V617F-positive cells, increased ROS levels results from aberrant PI3K signaling, which decreases nuclear localization of FOXO3A and decreases catalase expression. Furthermore, when compared with autologous control erythroblasts, clonally derived JAK2V617F-positive erythroblasts from MPN patients displayed increased ROS levels and reduced nuclear FOXO3A. However, in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), FOXO3A is largely localized within the nuclei despite the presence of JAK2V617F mutation, suggesting that JAK2-FOXO signaling has a different effect on progenitors compared with stem cells. Inactivation of FOXO proteins and elevation of intracellular ROS are characteristics common to many cancers, and hence these findings are likely to be of relevance beyond the MPN field.

Needs assessment for master of nursing programmes among Bangladesh nurses

AIM

This study aimed to assess the intent to enrol in a master of nursing programme among Bangladesh nurses, identify preferred programme options and measure the association among intent to enrol in the programme, clinical competency and job satisfaction.

BACKGROUND

Personal and professional aspects of potential students pursuing graduate education are beneficial in devising educational strategies. However, considering the pressing needs for higher nursing education, there are no masters of nursing programmes in Bangladesh.

METHODS

This study used a descriptive correlational design. Nurses working in Bangladesh public sector were recruited to participate in a self-administered survey (n = 260). The questionnaire consisted of perception of job satisfaction, clinical competency and the need for educational options, including the intent to enrol in a master of nursing programme, preferred specialty area, curriculum content and career goals after graduation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and point-biserial correlation.

RESULTS

Ninety per cent of the respondents reported that they intended to enrol in a master of nursing programme. Intention was significantly correlated with clinical competency but not with job satisfaction. The most preferred specialty areas were nursing management and education. Half of the respondents responded that teaching at nursing schools was a career goal after graduation.

DISCUSSION

The results of the needs assessment for the programme reflected the unique interest and priorities of the current status of Bangladesh.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate a strong motivation to enrol in a master of nursing programme, confidence in clinical competence and high demand for programme in nursing management and education. These findings should be considered to design the programme in order to meet the interest of Bangladesh nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Educational needs assessments should take precedence to ensure the best possible educational outcome and to produce competent nurses who will contribute in achieving the Millennium Development Goals of Bangladesh.

Quantitative analysis of gains and catch-up saccades of video-head-impulse testing by age in normal subjects

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate video-head-impulse test (vHIT) results in normal subjects, to determine the normative values of vHIT for the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and to characterise the catch-up saccades (CSs).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care academic referral centre.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty healthy subjects with no history of vestibular impairment, ten each in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's, underwent vHITs in the lateral semicircular canal plane.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

vHIT gains and the incidence and amplitudes of covert and overt CSs.

RESULTS

The mean vHIT gain was 1.02 ± 0.07, and the mean gain asymmetry was 2.39 ± 1.96%, with no significant differences among age groups. CSs were observed during 22.6% of the trials and in 49% of the ears. The incidence of CSs was not associated with age. The mean velocity of CSs was 55.5 ± 16.9°/s, and its mean interaural difference was 11.8 ± 10.7°/s.

CONCLUSIONS

vHIT gains were consistently equal to 1.0 in all age groups (20's to 60's), suggesting that abnormal criteria for vHIT gain (e.g. 0.8) and gain asymmetry (e.g. 8%) can be used, regardless of age. CSs were observed in about half of normal ears, suggesting that VOR is a hypometric system. The amplitudes and interaural difference of CSs were also similar in all age groups, suggesting that abnormal criteria for CS amplitude (e.g. 100°/s) and interaural difference (e.g. 40°/s) can be used, regardless of age.

Three-dimensional isotropic T2-weighted fast spin-echo (VISTA) ankle MRI versus two-dimensional fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences for the evaluation of anterior talofibular ligament injury

AIM

To compare the performance of axial images of the ankle joint on three-dimensional (3D) volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) with that of two-dimensional (2D) fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted images for the diagnosis of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 101 patients who underwent both 2D FSE T2-weighted and 3D VISTA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ankle. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of both sequences were measured. The anatomical identification score and diagnostic performances of both sequences were evaluated by two radiologists. The diagnostic performances of 3D VISTA and 2D FSE images were analysed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing ATFL injury. Surgically or clinically confirmed diagnoses were used as reference standards.

RESULTS

The margin sharpness scores on 3D VISTA were significantly inferior to those of 2D FSE (p<0.001). Other scores (entire length, entire width) were not significantly different between the two imaging methods. The SNRs and CNRs of 3D VISTA were significantly higher than those of 2D FSE (p<0.001). When diagnoses were classified as normal and abnormal, the specificity of the 3D VISTA images for the diagnosis of ATFL injury was 95.7%, significantly superior to 2D FSE (84.3-85.7%). There were no significant differences between 3D VISTA and 2D FSE images in sensitivity or accuracy for diagnosis (p=0.227-1.000), with the exception of accuracy by reader 1 (p=0.039).

CONCLUSION

3D VISTA imaging has a diagnostic performance comparable to that of 2D FSE for the diagnosis of ATFL injury, although 3D VISTA is inferior to 2D FSE for the evaluation of margin sharpness. Replacing axial and coronal images with 3D VISTA can save imaging time without negatively impacting the diagnostic ability for ATFL injury.

Optical Spectroscopic Studies of the Metal-Insulator Transition Driven by All-In-All-Out Magnetic Ordering in 5d Pyrochlore Cd(2)Os(2)O(7)

We investigated the metal-insulator transition (MIT) driven by all-in-all-out (AIAO) antiferromagnetic ordering in the 5d pyrochlore Cd(2)Os(2)O(7) using optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. We showed that the temperature evolution in the band-gap edge and free carrier density were consistent with rigid upward (downward) shifts of electron (hole) bands, similar to the case of Lifshitz transitions. The delicate relationship between the band gap and free carrier density provides experimental evidence for the presence of an AIAO metallic phase, a natural consequence of such MITs. The associated spectral weight change at high energy and first-principles calculations further support the origin of the MIT from the band shift near the Fermi level. Our data consistently support that the MIT induced by AIAO ordering in Cd(2)Os(2)O(7) is not close to a Slater type but instead to a Lifshitz type.

The pharmacokinetics of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist, tulobuterol, in Beagle dogs following transdermal and intravenous administration

Tulobuterol is a β2-adrenergic agonist that was the first bronchodilator approved as a transdermal patch for humans. Previous studies have examined the pharmacokinetics of tulobuterol in humans but not in the veterinary species. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of tulobuterol was examined in healthy Beagle dogs after transdermal and intravenous administration. The Cmax was 2.09 ng/mL at 16.0 h for a 0.2 mg/kg patch and 4.85 ng/mL at 13.6 h for a 0.4 mg/kg patch. The effective blood level in humans is 1-3 ng/mL, a concentration achieved using the 0.2 mg/kg patch in dogs. In conclusion, application of a 0.2 mg/kg tulobuterol patch to healthy dogs led to an apparently effective blood concentration for 24 h.