Erratum: Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 031802 (2023)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.031802.

New evidence for the Ontong Java Nui hypothesis

The formation of the Ontong Java Nui super oceanic plateau (OJN), which is based on the model that the submarine Ontong Java Plateau (OJP), Manihiki Plateau (MP), and Hikurangi Plateau (HP) were once its contiguous fragments, could have been the largest globally consequential volcanic event in Earth's history. This OJN hypothesis has been debated given the paucity of evidence, for example, the differences in crustal thickness, the compositional gap between MP and OJP basalts and the apparent older age of both plateaus relative to HP remain unresolved. Here we investigate the geochemical and ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages of dredged rocks recovered from the OJP's eastern margin. Volcanic rocks having compositions that match the low-Ti MP basalts are reported for the first time on the OJP and new ~ 96-116 Ma and 67-68 Ma ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age data bridge the temporal gap between OJP and HP. These results provide new evidence for the Ontong Java Nui hypothesis and a framework for an integrated tectonomagmatic evolution of the OJP, MP, and HP. The isotopic data imply four mantle components in the source of OJN that are also expressed in present-day Pacific hotspots sources, indicating origin from (and longevity of) the Pacific Large Low Shear-wave Velocity Province.

Degassing of early-formed planetesimals restricted water delivery to Earth

The timing of delivery and the types of body that contributed volatiles to the terrestrial planets remain highly debated1,2. For example, it is unknown if differentiated bodies, such as that responsible for the Moon-forming giant impact, could have delivered substantial volatiles3,4 or if smaller, undifferentiated objects were more probable vehicles of water delivery5-7. Here we show that the water contents of minerals in achondrite meteorites (mantles or crusts of differentiated planetesimals) from both the inner and outer portions of the early Solar System are ≤2 μg g-1 H2O. These are among the lowest values ever reported for extraterrestrial minerals. Our results demonstrate that differentiated planetesimals efficiently degassed before or during melting. This finding implies that substantial amounts of water could only have been delivered to Earth by means of unmelted material.

Pleiotropic Roles of a KEAP1-Associated Deubiquitinase, OTUD1

Protein ubiquitination, which is catalyzed by ubiquitin-activating enzymes, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, and ubiquitin ligases, is a crucial post-translational modification to regulate numerous cellular functions in a spatio-temporal-specific manner. The human genome encodes ~100 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which antagonistically regulate the ubiquitin system. OTUD1, an ovarian tumor protease (OTU) family DUB, has an N-terminal-disordered alanine-, proline-, glycine-rich region (APGR), a catalytic OTU domain, and a ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM). OTUD1 preferentially hydrolyzes lysine-63-linked ubiquitin chains in vitro; however, recent studies indicate that OTUD1 cleaves various ubiquitin linkages, and is involved in the regulation of multiple cellular functions. Thus, OTUD1 predominantly functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting p53, SMAD7, PTEN, AKT, IREB2, YAP, MCL1, and AIF. Furthermore, OTUD1 regulates antiviral signaling, innate and acquired immune responses, and cell death pathways. Similar to Nrf2, OTUD1 contains a KEAP1-binding ETGE motif in its APGR and regulates the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress response and cell death. Importantly, in addition to its association with various cancers, including multiple myeloma, OTUD1 is involved in acute graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Thus, OTUD1 is an important DUB as a therapeutic target for a variety of diseases.

Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande

We report a search for cosmic-ray boosted dark matter with protons using the 0.37  megaton×years data collected at Super-Kamiokande experiment during the 1996-2018 period (SKI-IV phase). We searched for an excess of proton recoils above the atmospheric neutrino background from the vicinity of the Galactic Center. No such excess is observed, and limits are calculated for two reference models of dark matter with either a constant interaction cross section or through a scalar mediator. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter with hadrons using directional information. The results present the most stringent limits on cosmic-ray boosted dark matter and exclude the dark matter-nucleon elastic scattering cross section between 10^{-33}cm^{2} and 10^{-27}cm^{2} for dark matter mass from 1  MeV/c^{2} to 300  MeV/c^{2}.

Involvement of heterologous ubiquitination including linear ubiquitination in Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive accumulation of ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions leads to proteinopathy and neurodegeneration. Along with the seven types of Lys-linked ubiquitin chains, the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC)-mediated Met1-linked linear ubiquitin chain, which activates the canonical NF-κB pathway, is also involved in cytoplasmic inclusions of tau in AD and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 in ALS. Post-translational modifications, including heterologous ubiquitination, affect proteasomal and autophagic degradation, inflammatory responses, and neurodegeneration. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SHARPIN and RBCK1 (which encodes HOIL-1L), components of LUBAC, were recently identified as genetic risk factors of AD. A structural biological simulation suggested that most of the SHARPIN SNPs that cause an amino acid replacement affect the structure and function of SHARPIN. Thus, the aberrant LUBAC activity is related to AD. Protein ubiquitination and ubiquitin-binding proteins, such as ubiquilin 2 and NEMO, facilitate liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and linear ubiquitination seems to promote efficient LLPS. Therefore, the development of therapeutic approaches that target ubiquitination, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and inhibitors of ubiquitin ligases, including LUBAC, is expected to be an additional effective strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Relationships between dietary diversity and gut microbial diversity in the elderly

Diet is considered as a major driver of gut microbiota composition. However, little is known about the relationship between overall dietary balance and gut microbiota, especially in the elderly. Here, using the Quantitative Index for Dietary Diversity (QUANTIDD), we analysed the relationships between dietary diversity and gut microbiota diversity in 445 Japanese subjects aged 65-90 years. We also examined the effect of age by comparing the young-old group aged 65 to 74 years (<75 years group; n=246) and the old-old group aged 75 years and older (≥75 years group; n=199). QUANTIDD showed significant positive relationships with Pielou's evenness and Shannon indices, two α-diversity indices related to the uniformity of species distribution. This suggests that a more diverse diet is associated with a more uniform abundance of various bacterial groups, rather than a greater variety of gut bacteria. QUANTIDD also showed significant positive associations with the abundance of Anaerostipes, Eubacterium eligens group, and Eubacterium ventriosum group, which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and are beneficial to health. Negative association was found with the abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus group, which produces inflammatory polysaccharides. Positive associations between QUANTIDD and α-diversity indices or the abundance of specific bacterial groups were identified among all subjects and in the <75 years group, but not in the ≥75 years group. Our results suggest that dietary diversity contributes to the diversity of the gut microbiota and increases the abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria, but only up to a certain age. These findings help to understand the complex relationship between diet and gut microbiota, and provide hints for specific dietary interventions to promote beneficial gut microbiota in the elderly.

OTUD1 deubiquitinase regulates NF-κB- and KEAP1-mediated inflammatory responses and reactive oxygen species-associated cell death pathways

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) regulate numerous cellular functions by removing ubiquitin modifications. We examined the effects of 88 human DUBs on linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC)-induced NF-κB activation, and identified OTUD1 as a potent suppressor. OTUD1 regulates the canonical NF-κB pathway by hydrolyzing K63-linked ubiquitin chains from NF-κB signaling factors, including LUBAC. OTUD1 negatively regulates the canonical NF-κB activation, apoptosis, and necroptosis, whereas OTUD1 upregulates the interferon (IFN) antiviral pathway. Mass spectrometric analysis showed that OTUD1 binds KEAP1, and the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of OTUD1, which contains an ETGE motif, is indispensable for the KEAP1-binding. Indeed, OTUD1 is involved in the KEAP1-mediated antioxidant response and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell death, oxeiptosis. In Otud1^-/--mice, inflammation, oxidative damage, and cell death were enhanced in inflammatory bowel disease, acute hepatitis, and sepsis models. Thus, OTUD1 is a crucial regulator for the inflammatory, innate immune, and oxidative stress responses and ROS-associated cell death pathways.

Different changes in the biomarker C-terminal telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II) following intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multi-center randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES

We previously reported, based on a multicenter randomized-control study, that the efficacy of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (IA-HA) was not inferior to that of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the molecular effects on the pathophysiology of knee OA remain unclear. C-terminal telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II) is reported to primarily originate from the interface between articular cartilage and subchondral bone, which is a site of potential remodeling in OA. We performed a predefined sub-analysis of the previous study to compare the changes of urinary CTX-II (uCTX-II) in response to IA-HA to those in response to NSAID for knee OA.

DESIGN

A total of 200 knee OA patients were registered from 20 hospitals and randomized to receive IA-HA (2,700 kDa HA, 5 times at 1-week intervals) or NSAID (loxoprofen sodium, 180 mg/day) for 5 weeks. The uCTX-II levels were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The uCTX-II levels were significantly increased by IA-HA treatment (337.7 ± 193.8 to 370.7 ± 234.8 ng/μmol Cr) and were significantly reduced by NSAID treatment (423.2 ± 257.6 to 370.3 ± 250.9 ng/μmol Cr). The %changes of uCTX-II induced by IA-HA (11.6 ± 29.5%) and NSAID (-9.0 ± 26.7%) was significantly different (between-group difference: 20.6, 95% confidence intervals: 10.6 to 30.6).

CONCLUSIONS

While both IA-HA and NSAID improved symptoms of knee OA, uCTX-II levels were increased by IA-HA and reduced by NSAIDs treatment, suggesting these treatments may improve symptoms of knee OA through different modes of action.

Retraction: Pressure-Induced Superconducting State of Europium Metal at Low Temperatures [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 197002 (2009)]

Retraction of DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.197002.

Interplay between protein acetylation and ubiquitination controls MCL1 protein stability

The anti-apoptotic myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) protein belongs to the pro-survival BCL2 family and is frequently amplified or elevated in human cancers. MCL1 is highly unstable, with its stability being regulated by phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Here, we identify acetylation as another critical post-translational modification regulating MCL1 protein stability. We demonstrate that the lysine acetyltransferase p300 targets MCL1 at K40 for acetylation, which is counteracted by the deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). Mechanistically, acetylation enhances MCL1 interaction with USP9X, resulting in deubiquitination and subsequent MCL1 stabilization. Therefore, ectopic expression of acetylation-mimetic MCL1 promotes apoptosis evasion of cancer cells, enhances colony formation potential, and facilitates xenografted tumor progression. We further demonstrate that elevated MCL1 acetylation sensitizes multiple cancer cells to pharmacological inhibition of USP9X. These findings reveal that acetylation of MCL1 is a critical post-translational modification enhancing its oncogenic function and provide a rationale for developing innovative therapeutic strategies for MCL1-dependent tumors.

MCL1, an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family protein, is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and its oncogenic function is finely regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Shimizu et al. dissect the molecular mechanism of acetylation-mediated MCL1 stability control, providing insights into potential therapeutic intervention targeting the MCL1 protein.

Inhibition of CK1ε potentiates the therapeutic efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitor in breast cancer

Although inhibitors targeting CDK4/6 kinases (CDK4/6i) have shown promising clinical prospect in treating ER+/HER2- breast cancers, acquired drug resistance is frequently observed and mechanistic knowledge is needed to harness their full clinical potential. Here, we report that inhibition of CDK4/6 promotes βTrCP1-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of RB1, and facilitates SP1-mediated CDK6 transcriptional activation. Intriguingly, suppression of CK1ε not only efficiently prevents RB1 from degradation, but also prevents CDK4/6i-induced CDK6 upregulation by modulating SP1 protein stability, thereby enhancing CDK4/6i efficacy and overcoming resistance to CDK4/6i in vitro. Using xenograft and PDX models, we further demonstrate that combined inhibition of CK1ε and CDK4/6 results in marked suppression of tumor growth in vivo. Altogether, these results uncover the molecular mechanisms by which CDK4/6i treatment alters RB1 and CDK6 protein abundance, thereby driving the acquisition of CDK4/6i resistance. Importantly, we identify CK1ε as an effective target for potentiating the therapeutic efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Th2 cell-derived histamine is involved in nasal Th2 infiltration in mice

OBJECTIVE

Histamine derived from mast cells and basophils plays important roles in inducing allergic symptoms. Although T cells also produce histamine, the involvement of the histamine produced from T cells has remained enigmatic. We sought to reveal the roles of T helper 2 (Th2) cell-derived histamine in nasal allergic disorders.

METHODS

The histamine production from Th2 cells was measured by EIA. The mRNA expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) was measured by real-time PCR. To investigate the roles of Th2 cell-derived histamine in vivo, we analyzed an antigen-specific Th2 cell transfer mouse model.

RESULTS

Th2 cells produced histamine by T cell receptor stimulation, and these properties were specific for Th2 cells, but not Th1 cells and naïve CD4 T cells. The histamine produced from Th2 cells was involved in the infiltrations of Th2 cells in response to antigen exposure.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Th2 cell-derived histamine play important roles in nasal allergic disorders.

Increased risk of rhinovirus infection in children during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), was first detected in Japan in January 2020 and has spread throughout the country. Previous studies have reported that viral interference among influenza virus, rhinovirus, and other respiratory viruses can affect viral infections at the host and population level.

Methods

To investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on influenza and other respiratory virus infections, we analyzed clinical specimens collected from 2244 patients in Japan with respiratory diseases between January 2018 and September 2020.

Results

The frequency of influenza and other respiratory viruses (coxsackievirus A and B; echovirus; enterovirus; human coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43; human metapneumovirus; human parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3, and 4; human parechovirus; human respiratory syncytial virus; human adenovirus; human bocavirus; human parvovirus B19; herpes simplex virus type 1; and varicella‐zoster virus) was appreciably reduced among all patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic except for that of rhinovirus in children younger than 10 years, which was appreciably increased. COVID‐19 has not spread among this age group, suggesting an increased risk of rhinovirus infection in children.

Conclusions

Rhinovirus infections should be continuously monitored to understand their increased risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic and viral interference with SARS‐CoV‐2.

Th2 cells and macrophages cooperatively induce allergic inflammation through histamine signaling

Histamine, which is mainly produced by mast cells and basophils, participates in various allergic symptoms, and some studies have reported that macrophages also produce histamine. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that macrophages, especially alternatively activated macrophages (M2) induced by T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, participate in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. The major source of Th2 cytokines is antigen-specific Th2 cells. To elucidate the relationship between histamine, macrophages, and Th2 cells in allergic inflammation, we established a macrophage-Th2 cell co-culture model in vitro and an antigen-specific Th2 cell transfer mouse model of rhinitis. In vitro analyses indicated that macrophages produce histamine by interacting with antigen-specific Th2 cells through the antigen. Furthermore, Th2 cells and macrophages cooperatively elicited rhinitis in the mouse model. We determined that histamine induces Th2- and macrophage-elicited sneezing responses through H1 receptor signaling, whereas it induces nasal eosinophil infiltrations through H4 receptor signaling. Collectively, these results indicate a novel histamine production mechanism by macrophages, in which Th2 cells and macrophages cooperatively induce nasal allergic inflammation through histamine signaling.

New methods for determination of the keyhole position in the lateral suboccipital approach to avoid transverse-sigmoid sinus injury: Proposition of the groove line as a new surgical landmark

PURPOSE

The asterion is frequently used as an anatomical landmark to determine the location of a keyhole in the lateral suboccipital approach used in craniotomies. However, the asterion may not be ideal because of large individual differences among patients. We examined a simple and safe method for determining an optimal keyhole position (KP) using the digastric groove as a new landmark in the lateral suboccipital approach.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with trigeminal neuralgia who underwent surgery in our institute between April 2014 and December 2018 were included. The groove line (GL) was designed accurately, extending the digastric groove on the surface of the occipital bone, as the x-axis. The y-axis was depicted from the posterior edge of the digastric groove (the groove point: GP) vertical to the GL. The x-y coordinates represented the distances from GP on each axis. The x-y coordinates of median edge of the transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSJ point), asterion, and the intersection of the GL and transverse sinus (the transverse point: TP) were investigated, based on intraoperative findings and recorded videos.

RESULTS

The x-y coordinated of the TSJ point were (23.9±3.9, 7.2±3.6). In all patients, the TSJ point was located superior to the GL. The x-y coordinates of the asterion were (27.3±6.0, 8.9±4.1), and in 28 of the 33 patients, their coordinates exceeded the TSJ points. The x-coordinate of the TP was 29.5±4.5, and was located behind the TSJ point on the GL in all patients. The shortest distance between the TSJ points and TP was approximately 3mm. According to these measurements, we decided that the optimal KP would be at 20mm from the GP, subjacent to the GL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our methods of using the GL as a new surgical landmark for setting the optimal KP is simple, safe, and useful.

Impact of stress myocardial blood flow as an important predictor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event in hemodialysis patients, even in patients without myocardial perfusion abnormality

Background

In the clinical setting, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major problem not only in general patients but also in regular hemodialysis (HD) patients. Positron emission tomography (PET) is becoming a reliable modality for detecting coronary artery disease. Of course, PET illustrates myocardial perfusion (MP), PET also measures myocardial blood flow (MBF) directly. We have reported stress MBF is an independent predictor in HD population. Although some prior studies show CFR is an independent predictor for their prognosis in patients without MP abnormality, there is limited data about the predictability of stress MBF in HD patients without MP abnormality.

Methods

A total 438 of HD patients who undergone 13NH3PET for suspected IHD were enrolled. All patients were undergone13NH3PET at Nagoya Radiological Diagnosis Foundation. After we excluded patients whose summed stress score (SSS) &lt;4, we identified 182 eligible patients. Patients were divided into two group according to the median value of CFR levels; low stress MBF group (≤2.56) and high stress MBF group (&gt;2.56). We followed up them up to 4.2 years (median 2.4 years) and collected their data. We evaluated their major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular event. We performed Kaplan-Meyer analysis and multivariable cox regression models. Furthermore, we evaluated the incremental value with C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) when CFR added into a model with established risk factors.

Result

There were intergroup difference in baseline characteristics: age, gender, prior CVD and diabetes. Kaplan-Meyer analysis shows statistically intergroup difference [log rank p=0.013, hazard ratio (HR) 0.413, 95% confidential interval (CI) 0.220–0.775]. Multivariable cox regression model for MACCE shows CFR is an independent risk factor (p=0.004, HR 0.311, 95% CI 0.137–0.684). As regarding model discrimination, all of C-index (0.832 vs 0.796, p=0.15), NRI (0.513, p=0.008) and IDI (0.032, p=0.033) were greatest in a predicting model with established risk factors plus stress MBF.

Conclusion

The low stress MBF group has poor prognosis in MACCE comparing to the high stress MBF group. Stress MBF is an independent risk factor for MACCE. Adding stress MBF on conventional risk factors could more accurately predict MACCE in HD patients, even in patients without MP abnormality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Japanese multicenter registry evaluating the antegrade dissection reentry with cardiac computed tomography for chronic coronary total occlusion

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac computed tomography (CT) for antegrade dissection re-entry (ADR) technique in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Although PCI of CTO is a rapidly evolving field, procedure success rate remains suboptimal. Recently, ADR with Stingray device for CTO-PCI has also evolved to one of the pillar technique of the hybrid algorithm. Although the success rate of the device could be improved, it also remains not always high especially as first crossing strategy.

Methods

Forty eight patients with total occlusion suitable for revascularization evaluated by baseline coronary angiography and cardiac CT were enrolled in this study from April 2017 to April 2019 from 30 enrolled centers. The primary observation was procedural success. Furthermore, all puncture point with Stingray were analyzed by cardiac CT. In each point, 1) plaques on the isolated myocardial side at distal puncture site (+1 point), 2) any plaques excluded above definition at distal puncture site (+2 points), 3) calcification on both 1 and 2 at distal puncture site (+1 point) were analyzed and calculated the score (Score 0–3) (Figure 1).

Results

Overall procedure success rate was 95.8% (46/48) and antegrade success rate was 91.3% (42/46). Sixteen cases were succeeded with single guidewire escalation and 32 cases were attempted ADR with Stingray system. Within them, 25 cases were succeeded and 7 cases were observed puncture failure. And 3cases were succeeded with IVUS guide and 2 cases were with retrograde appTechnical success rate with stingray was 78.1% (25/32). Cardiac CT was analyzed 60 puncture sites in 32 cases which were attempted ADR with stingray system (1.88 sites/case). CT score at ADR success point was significantly smaller compare to that at ADR failure point (0.68±1.09 vs 1.77±1.09, p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusions

Pre procedure Cardiac CT and CT score might be useful for ADR technique in CTO PCI not only for case selection but also for puncture site selection.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Diabetes and hemodialysis are important factor for decrease coronary flow reserve even in the patients with normal myocardial perfusion

Background

In clinical setting, patients with traditional coronary risk factors are at high risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Such patients who complain chest discomfort are usually performed nuclear myocardial perfusion (MP) test. We sometimes find patients whose PET result shows normal MP and abnormal coronary flow reserve (CFR). However, there are limited data about the predictors for decreased CFR. In the view of describe above, we have investigated the parameters for decreased CFR in the patients without MP abnormality.

Methods and results

From 20th April 2013 to 21st December 2018, we performed 2,930 13N- ammonia PET for suspected CAD. After excluding the follows; 966 patients with repeated test, 54 patients with incomplete data, one patient missed, we investigated 1,909 eligible patients' data. We performed least square to identify the factors decreased CFR. Hemodialysis (HD), age, prior revascularization, diabetes (DM) and body mass index (BMI) were independent risk factor for decreased CFR in all population. On the other hand, HD, age, DM, hypertension and BMI were independent risk factor for decreasing CFR in patients without MP abnormality. According to the result of least square methods, we classified all patients into four groups; without DM/ without HD group, with DM/ without HD group, without DM/ with HD group and with DM/ with HD group. The value of CFR in each group were as follows: without DM/ without HD group (median, 1st quartile-3rd quartile; 2.88, 2.21–3.52), with DM/ without HD group (2.65, 2.00–3.38), without DM/ with HD group (2.29, 1.67–2.95) and with DM/ with HD group (1.97, 1.43–2.68). There were statistically significant intergroup differences. The value of CFR in the patients without MP abnormality were as follows: without DM/ without HD group (3.04, 2.47–3.65), with DM/ without HD group (2.98, 2.40–3.61), without DM/ with HD group (2.52, 2.10–3.08) and with DM/ with HD group (2.38, 1.86–2.97). Even in the patients without MP abnormality, there were also statistically significant intergroup differences.

Conclusion

According to our 13N-ammonia PET data analysis, DM and HD were important and independent factors for decreased CFR. Even in the patients without MP abnormality, DM and HD were important factor for decreased CFR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Phosphorylation-dependent osterix degradation negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation

Proteasome inhibitors exert an anabolic effect on bone formation with elevated levels of osteoblast markers. These findings suggest the important role of the proteasomal degradation of osteogenic regulators, while the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we report that the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and ixazomib markedly increased protein levels of the osteoblastic key transcription factor osterix/Sp7 (Osx). Furthermore, we revealed that Osx was targeted by p38 and Fbw7 for proteasomal degradation. Mechanistically, p38-mediated Osx phosphorylation at S73/77 facilitated Fbw7 interaction to trigger subsequent Osx ubiquitination. Consistent with these findings, p38 knockdown or pharmacological p38 inhibition resulted in Osx protein stabilization. Treatment with p38 inhibitors following osteogenic stimulation efficiently induced osteoblast differentiation through Osx stabilization. Conversely, pretreatment of p38 inhibitor followed by osteogenic challenge impaired osteoblastogenesis via suppressing Osx expression, suggesting that p38 exerts dual but opposite effects in the regulation of Osx level to fine-tune its activity during osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, Fbw7-depleted human mesenchymal stem cells and primary mouse calvarial cells resulted in increased osteogenic capacity. Together, our findings unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying the Osx protein stability control and suggest that targeting the Osx degradation pathway could help enhance efficient osteogenesis and bone matrix regeneration.

Lipin-2 degradation elicits a proinflammatory gene signature in macrophages

Lipin-2 is a phosphatidate phosphatase with key roles in regulating lipid storage and energy homeostasis. LPIN2-genetic deficiency is associated with an autoinflammatory disorder, underscoring its critical role in innate immune signaling; however, the regulatory mechanisms underlying protein stability remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Lipin-2 interacts with β-TRCP, a substrate receptor subunit of the SCF^β-TRCP E3 ligase, and undergoes ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. β-TRCP-knockout in RAW264.7 macrophages resulted in Lipin-2 accumulation, leading to the suppression of LPS-induced MAPK activation and subsequent proinflammatory gene expression. Consistent with this, treatment with MLN4924, a Cullin-neddylation inhibitor that suppresses SCF E3 activity, increased Lipin-2 protein and concomitantly decreased Il1b expression. These findings suggested that β-TRCP-mediated Lipin-2 degradation affects macrophage-elicited proinflammatory responses and could lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat inflammatory diseases.

Combination gemcitabine plus S-1 versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin for advanced/recurrent biliary tract cancer: the FUGA-BT (JCOG1113) randomized phase III clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) is the standard treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC); however, it causes nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, and requires hydration. Gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS) reportedly has equal to, or better, efficacy and an acceptable toxicity profile. We aimed to confirm the non-inferiority of GS to GC for patients with advanced/recurrent BTC in terms of overall survival (OS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We undertook a phase III randomized trial in 33 institutions in Japan. Eligibility criteria included chemotherapy-naïve patients with recurrent or unresectable BTC, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 - 1, and adequate organ function. The calculated sample size was 350 with a one-sided α of 5%, a power of 80%, and non-inferiority margin hazard ratio (HR) of 1.155. The primary end point was OS, while the secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), adverse events (AEs), and clinically significant AEs defined as grade ≥2 fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, oral mucositis, or diarrhea.

RESULTS

Between May 2013 and March 2016, 354 patients were enrolled. GS was found to be non-inferior to GC [median OS: 13.4 months with GC and 15.1 months with GS, HR, 0.945; 90% confidence interval (CI), 0.78-1.15; P = 0.046 for non-inferiority]. The median PFS was 5.8 months with GC and 6.8 months with GS (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.70-1.07). The RR was 32.4% with GC and 29.8% with GS. Both treatments were generally well-tolerated. Clinically significant AEs were observed in 35.1% of patients in the GC arm and 29.9% in the GS arm.

CONCLUSIONS

GS, which does not require hydration, should be considered a new, convenient standard of care option for patients with advanced/recurrent BTC.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

This trial has been registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm), number UMIN000010667.

P1618A polymethoxy flavonoid, Nobiletin, Has a therapeutic potency against the development of heart failure through NBP1 activation

Introduction

Maladaptive hypertrophy is being recognized as a critical event during the development of heart failure. The control of cardiac hypertrophy may be one of the therapeutic strategy for heart failure therapy. In our previous study, we screened natural compound library and found that a natural compound, Nobiletin, could inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in culture. Nobiletin has various useful effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidant and may be applicable to pharmacological therapy for heart failure.

Hypothesis

We thought that nobiletin might prevent the development of heart failure in vivo and investigated the target molecule of Nobiletin in the heart.

Methods and results

In primary cardiomyocytes, Nobiletin significantly inhibited phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertrophic responses such as increases in cell size and hypertrophic gene transcription, such as ANF and BNP. C57BL6 mice were subjected to sham or transarotic constriction (TAC). Oral administrations of Nobiletin (20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle were repeated for 8 weeks. Nobiletin treatment significantly prevented TAC-induced increases in PWT and systolic dysfunction. Nobiletin also suppressed TAC-induced myocardial cell hypertrophy, perivascular fibrosis, and hypertrophic gene transcriptions. To investigate the target molecule of Nobiletin, Nobiletin-binding proteins were purified from rat heart using biotin-conjugated Nobiletin. We identified 162 novel binding protein of Nobiletin by LC/MS-MS. One of them, Nobiletin-binding protein 1 (NBP1) related to cellular metabolic pathway. Pulldown assay demonstrated that biotin-conjugated Nobiletin, but not biotin, directly interacted with recombinant NBP1. In vitro enzyme assay showed that Nobiletin enhanced NBP1 activity. Although NBP1 knockdown could not affect PE-induced hypertrophic response gene transcriptions and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, NBP1 knockdown failed to exhibit Nobiletin-mediated anti-hypertrophic effects. NBP1-KO mice and WT mice were subjected to sham or TAC and randomly divided into two groups: Nobiletin (20 mg/kg/day) and vehicle. After 8 weeks, Nobiletin significantly improved TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction in WT mice but not in NBP1-KO mice. Nobiletin also prevented TAC-induced increases in HW/BW rate, myocardial cell hypertrophy, and mRNA levels of ANF and β-MHC in WT mice but not in NBP1-KO mice.

Conclusions

In this study, we demonstrate that Nobiletin inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the development of heart failure in vivo. NBP1 activity is required to exhibit therapeutic potency of Nobiletin for heart failure. These finding suggest that a natural compound, nobiletin, might be a candidate for heart failure agent in human.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant.

P5410Combination assessment of renal and hepatic dysfunction improves the predictability of prognosis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Background

Renal dysfunction is associated with poor mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Hepatic dysfunction, assessed by Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index, has also prediction ability in acute decompensated HF (ADHF) patients. We investigated whether the assessment of the combination of FIB4 index and renal dysfunction improves predictability in patients with ADHF.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive 758 patients who admitted due to ADHF from January 2011 to February 2018 and followed up for one year. FIB4 index on admission was calculated by the formula: age (yrs) × AST[U/L] / (platelets [103/μL] × (ALT[U/L])1/2). Study subjects were divided into high FIB4 index (>3.25) and low FIB4 index (≤3.25), furthermore each group were classified by the presence/absence of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73m). We have generated four groups; low FIB4/without CKD (n=154), low FIB4/with CKD (n=294), high FIB4/without CKD (n=56), and high FIB4/with CKD (n=254). The primary outcome was defined as all-cause mortality in one year. We performed Kaplan-Meyer analysis and multivariable Cox regression models. Furthermore, we evaluated the incremental value with C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) when FIB4 index and renal dysfunction added to a baseline model.

Results

In total, 106 patients died in one year. High FIB4 index and CKD showed significantly higher 1-year mortality (high FIB4 index: 19.7% vs 10.3%, p<0.001, CKD: 17.0% vs 6.7%, p<0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meyer analysis shows that high FIB4 index with CKD showed statistically higher mortality than the others (vs low FIB4/without CKD, p<0.001, vs high FIB4/without CKD, p=0.031, vs low FIB4/with CKD, p<0.001, respectively).

Multivariate Cox regression model revealed that both high FIB4 index and CKD were an independent risk predictor of 1-year mortality (FIB4 index: p<0.001, HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.035–1.087, CKD: p=0.004, HR 1.834, 95% CI 1.213–2.773, respectively) in patients with ADHF.

A baseline model for prediction of 1-year mortality was determined by multivariable logistic regression including age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and serum albumin (C-index: 0.688). Adding high FIB4 index and CKD to the baseline model, all of C-index (0.738, p=0.04), NRI (0.122, p=0.067), and IDI (0.024, p=0.004) were improved.

Receiver operating characteristic curves

Conclusions

Combination assessment of renal and hepatic dysfunction could improve the predictability of prognosis in patients with ADHF.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P4551Prognostic utility of Palliative Prognostic Index for prediction of 30-day and 1-year outcome in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Background

The prognosis of heart failure remains poor similar to the terminal cancer patients, although recent progress in medical treatment. Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) is a widely used prognostic index for terminal cancer patients (PPI includes: Palliative Performance Scale, oral intake, oedema, dyspnea at rest and delirium), suggesting the short-term prognostic marker of terminal cancer patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of PPI on 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality and 1-year events (including all-cause mortality, readmission due to heart failure and new onset of cerebral infarction after hospital discharge) among acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients.

Method

Study subjects comprised of consecutive 764 patients who admitted due to ADHF and followed up for 1-year. PPI were calculated at the time of hospital admission. Study subjects were divided into two groups based on the PPI: L-PPI (PPI<6) and H-PPI (6≤PPI). We calculated the C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to evaluate the improvement of prediction ability on 30-day mortality.

Result

H-PPI showed significantly higher 30-day mortality than L-PPI [7.9% vs 2.0%, log rank p<0.001, Hazard retio (HR): 1.26, 95% confidential interval(CI): 1.14–1.37, p<0.001], 1-year mortality [20.0% vs 12.7%, log rank p=0.022, HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.21, p<0.001]and 1-year events [45.5% vs 31.1%, log rank p<0.001, HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.09–1.17, p<0.001]. Multivariate cox proportional hazard models adjusted with several covariates revealed that PPI was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10–1.36, p<0.001), 1-year mortality (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04–1.16, p<0.001) and 1-year events (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.15, p<0.001), respectively.

A reference model for prediction of 30-day mortality was determined including left ventricular ejection fraction and serum albumin concentration by multivariable logistic regression analysis. (P<0.05) (C-index: 0.720) Adding PPI to the reference model (C-index: 0.773) significantly improved both NRI (0.458, p=0.038) and IDI (0.046, p=0.007), respectively.

Conclusion

We suggest that assessment of PPI showed good prognostic ability for 30-day and 1-year outcome, while PPI provided additional prognostic information in patients with ADHF.

P6240The impact of stress myocardial blood flow as a very strong predictor for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event in hemodialysis population

Background

In the clinical setting, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major problem not only in general patients but also in regular hemodialysis (HD) patients. 13ammonia positron emission tomography (13NH3PET) is an established and excellent diagnostic device for IHD. Although coronary flow reserve is the most important index in IHD diagnosis, there are limited data about stress myocardial blood flow (MBF). We investigated the prognosis predictability of stress MBF in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE).

Methods and results

A total 438 of HD patients who undergone 13NH3PET for suspected IHD were enrolled. 29 cases were excluded due to revascularization therapy in 60 days. In total we collected 409 eligible cases. All patients were undergone13NH3PET at Nagoya Radiological Diagnosis Foundation. Patients were divided into two group according to the median value of stress MBF levels; low stress MBF group (<2.12) and high stress MBF group (≥2.12). We followed up them up to 4.2 years (median 2.4 years) and collected their data. We evaluated their all-cause mortality, CV mortality and MACCE. Kaplan-Meyer analysis shows that intergroup difference in all-cause mortality (log rank p=0.001, hazard ratio [HR] 0.411, 95% confident interval [CI] 0.261–0.632), CV mortality (log rank p=0.002, HR 0.324, 95% CI 0.157–0.625) and MACCE (log rank p<0.001, HR 0.465, 95% CI 0.324–0.657). Multiple cox analysis that include established risk factors shows CFR is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR 0.261, 95% CI 0.154–0.442), CV mortality (HR 0.172, 95% CI 0.079–0.374) and MACCE (HR 0.329, 95% CI 0.213–0.503). As a result of the incremental value with C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) when CFR added into a model with established risk factors, each indicator shows adding stress MBF on established risk factors improve the predictability in all-cause mortality, CV mortality and MACCE (all-cause mortality; NRI 0.642, p<0.001, IDI 0.091, p<0.001, CV mortality NRI 0.809, p<0.001, IDI 0.116, p<0.001, MACCE; NRI 0.646, p<0.001, IDI 0.072, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Considering prognosis of HD population, stress MBF is an important and independent predictor for all-cause mortality, CV mortality and MACCE. As a result of our investigation, stress MBF is one of most strong predictors in HD population.

P1608Inhibition of GATA4 dimerization suppress hypertrophic responses

Introduction

Hypertrophic signals eventually reach the nuclei of cardiomyocytes, change patterns of gene expression, and cause the development of heart failure. During the development of heart failure, intrinsic histone acetyltransferase called p300 induce GATA4 acetylation. Acetylated GATA4 increases its DNA binding, up-regulates cardiac hypertrophic response genes, and lead to heart failure. A zinc finger protein, GATA4 is the transcription factor that expression level is high in heart. It has been reported that GATA1, the same GATA family, regulates transcriptional activity through its homo-dimerization. However, GATA4 homo-dimerization and its relationship to hypertrophic responses are still unknown.

Purpose

To clarify the relationship between GATA4 homo-dimerization and transcriptional activity and investigate whether inhibition of this homo-dimerization become therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods

GST pull-down and DNA pull-down assay were performed using GST fusion full length and deletion mutants of GATA4 and biotin-conjugated ET-1 promoter probe including a GATA element. Recombinant C-zinc finger domain (256–326), including C-zinc finger motif (256–295) and acetylation site (308–326) was cross-linked using glutaraldehyde and subjected to silver staining. An expression plasmid with three GATA4-acetylation site mutant-conjugated with nuclear localization sequence (3xG4D) was constructed. Immunoprecipitation and western blotting were performed using nuclear extract from HEK293T cells expressing p300, GATA4, and 3xG4D. Luciferase assay was using ANF and ET-1 promoter sequences. Neonatal rat cultured cardiomyocyte expressed 3xG4D and then stimulated with phenylephrine (PE) for 48 hours. Next cardiomyocytes stained with α-actinin antibody and measured the cell surface area.

Results

The acetylation site of GATA4 was required for the dimerization of GATA4. But, C-zinc finger motif (256–295) and the acetylation site were required for the DNA binding. Recombinant C-zinc finger domain formed not only a homo-dimer but also a multimer. Co-expression of p300 increased the formation of homo-dimer as well as the acetylation of GATA4 in HEK293T cells. The GATA4 homo-dimer was disrupted by acetyl-deficient GATA4 or HAT-deficient p300 mutant. Overexpression of 3xG4D prevented the dimerization of GATA4, but not acetylation of GATA4. The result of luciferase assay showed that overexpression of 3xG4D prevented p300/GATA-induced ANF and ET-1 promoter activities. Furthermore, overexpression of 3xG4D inhibited phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Conclusions

These results suggest that GATA4 dimerization may play an important role in hypertrophy-response gene activation. Thus, it is likely that inhabitation of GATA4 dimerization become therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy.

P4998Novel GATA4 binding proteins, RbAp48/46, regulate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with depending on the phosphorylate State of GATA4

Introduction

Cardiac hypertrophy is being recognized as a critical event during the development of heart failure. A zinc finger protein GATA4 associates with an intrinsic histone acetyltransferase p300 and regulates myocardial transcriptional activities in response to hypertrophic stimuli. Here, we show that Retinoblastoma protein (Rb)-associated protein 48 and 46 (RbAp48, RbAp46) are novel components of p300/GATA4 complex. Both RbAp48 and 46 form a repressor complex with HDACs and has been implicated in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional repression. However, the precise functional relationships among p300, GATA4, RbAp48, and RbAp46 remain unknown.

Hypothesis

We assessed the hypothesis that RbAp48/46 form a functional complex with p300/GATA4 and regulated hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes.

Methods and results

IP-WB using nuclear extract from rat heart demonstrated that GATA4 formed a complex with RbAp48, RbAp46, HDAC1, and HDAC2. GST pull down assay using recombinant proteins showed that GATA4 physically interacted with both RbAp48 and RbAp46 but not HDAC1 and HDAC2. Deletion mutant assay revealed that N-terminal domain of GATA4 interacted with RbAp48/46. In HEK293T cell, overexpression of RbAp48/46 recruited HDAC1/2 to GATA4, inhibited p300-induced GATA4 acetylation and suppressed p300/GATA4-dependent ANF and ET-1 promoter activations. Conversely, the knockdown of RbAp48/46 reversed these changes. Although overexpression of HDAC1/2 did not change p300/GATA4-induced these promoter activities, co-expression of HDAC1 or HDAC2 with RbAp48/46 enhanced RbAp48/46-mediated inhibitory actions. In cardiomyocytes, overexpression of RbAp48/46 significantly inhibited phenylephrine (PE)-induced GATA4 acetylation, activation of ANF and ET-1 promoters, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The knockdown of RbAp48/46 reversed these changes. Moreover, the knockdown of HDAC1/2 deteriorated PE-induced hypertrophy-responsive events and did not exhibit RbAp48/46-induced inhibitory actions. Finally, MEK1/ERK-mediated S105 phosphorylation of GATA4 by PE stimulus induced the dissociation of RbAp48/46 with GATA4, the increase of p300-induced GATA4-acetylation, the synergistic activation of ANF and ET-1 promoters with p300/GATA4, and the decrease of RbAp48/46 recruitments onto the GATA element of the ANF promoter. Conversely, PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, treatment inhibited GATA4-phosphorylation and these changes.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrate that RbAp48/46 mediate the binding between GATA4 and HDAC1/2 and regulate p300/GATA4 axis. The phosphorylation of S105 GATA4 has a critical role on the dissociation of GATA4/RbAp48/46/HDAC repressor complex, the formation of 300/GATA4 activator complex, and the increase of GATA4 acetylation and hypertrophic responses. These findings suggest that RbAp48/46 may regulate hypertrophic responses involved in modulating the posttranslational modification crosstalk of GATA4.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant.

P2527Accumulative impact of poor nutrition and frailty on 1-year mortality among acute decompensated heart failure patients

Background

Several studies have proved that both poor nutrition (PN) and Frail are associated with poor prognosis among heart failure patients. However, it has not been fully revealed whether PN and frail could have impact on prognosis accumulatively.

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of nutritional and Frailty status on 1-year mortality among hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods

Study subjects comprised of 315 hospitalized patients with ADHF. To evaluate the nutritional and Frailty status, we calculated the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) index at hospital admission. PN and Frailty were defined as the CONUT score ≥5 and SOF index ≥2, respectively.

Results

z Sixty-nine subjects (21.9%) were died within 1-year. PN and Frailty were observed in 33.3% and 55.6% of study subjects, respectively. Both PN and Frailty were similarly related to the 1-year mortality by univariate cox regression analysis (Hazard Ratio (HR) 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51–3.91, p=0.0003: HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.83–5.66, p<0.0001, respectively).

Study subjects were classified into 4 groups according to the nutritional and frailty status: control (normal nutrition without Frailty, n=110), PN alone (PN without Frailty, n=30), Frailty alone (Frailty without PN, n=100), and PN + Frailty (PN with Frailty, n=75). The Kaplan-Meier event curves for 1-year all-cause mortality illustrated that subjects with PN + Frailty had a significantly higher mortality than in subjects with control, PN alone and Frailty alone (log rank p=0.0001, 0.0180, 0.0070, respectively).

As well as, cox regression analysis revealed that PN + Frailty showed significantly higher mortality than control, PN alone and Frailty alone. (HR 5.33, 95% CI 2.75–11.1, p<0.0001: HR 2.99, 95% CI 1.26–8.78, p=0.011: HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.21–3.61, p=0.008, respectively). Moreover, multivariate cox regression analysis also revealed that PN with Frailty was independently associated with 1-year mortality even after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease. (HR 3.40, 95% CI 1.69–7.32, adjusted p<0.001)

Kaplan-Meier curve for 1year mortality

Conclusions

The combination assessment consisted with nutrition and frailty could identify poor prognosis patients with ADHF.

P1607Epigenetic modifications via histone acetylation by p300 are changed during the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure

Background

An intrinsic histone acetyltransferase (HAT), p300, is required for acetylation and the transcriptional activity of GATA4, as well as pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the development of heart failure (HF) in vivo. Recently, studies of histone modification have been performed within the flexible tails, such as H3K9 and H3K14. Although most previously studied histone modifications are within the flexible tails of histones, H3K122 is reportedly a novel site of the histone globular domain acetylated by p300, and its acetylation activates gene transcriptions by destabilizing histone-DNA binding and increasing the accessibility of transactional factors to DNA. However, little is known about the extent histone modifications directly affect LVH and HF.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that p300 could induce epigenetic changes by acetylation of the globular domain as well as tail domain of histone during the development of LVH and HF.

Methods

First, to investigate whether the acetylation of H3K122 in the globular domain of histones as well as those of H3K9 and H3K14 in the tail domain of histones increased in cardiomyocytes hypertrophy, western blotting and chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed using neonatal rat cultured cardiomyocytes with phenylephrine (PE) stimulus. Second, neonatal rat cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with p300 knockdown by siRNA or curcumin, a p300-specific HAT inhibitor. Third, to investigate the role of p300 HAT activity in histone acetylation in vivo, we utilized mice overexpressing p300 in the heart, which induced LVH. Final, to investigate whether these acetylation changes during the development of LVH and HF, in vivo ChIP assay was performed using hypertensive heart disease model of Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Results

Western blotting indicated that treatment with PE increased the acetylation of H3K122 as well as those of H3K9 and H3K14 in cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. ChIP assay demonstrated that PE increased the recruitment of acetylated H3K122 and H3K9 onto ANF and BNP promoters containing the GATA element and peaks of acetylation of these domains were 4 hours after PE stimulation. Next, these acetylations were significantly inhibited by p300 knockdown by siRNA or treatment with curcumin. Conversely, in vivo ChIP assays in mice overexpressing p300 indicated that p300 overexpression increased recruitment of acetylated H3K122 and H3K9 onto ANF and BNP promoters containing the GATA element. Next, in hypertensive heart disease model of Dahl salt-sensitive rats, in vivo ChIP assays reviled that acetylation of H3K9 was increased around ANF and BNP promoters containing the GATA element at the LVH stage but that of H3K122 was increased at the HF stage.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that acetylation of H3K122 in globular domain of histones by p300 is the key event of the transition from LVH to HF.

P2528Responsiveness to nutritional intervention would impact on future cardiovascular prognosis in poor fitness patients

Purpose

Nutritional improvement has been proposed for long-term cardiovascular prognosis as well as fitness recovery. We aimed to examine whether “responsiveness” to nutritional and exercise interventions would impact patients' cardiovascular prognosis even patients in low baseline fitness level.

Methods

We included 254 consecutive patients who participated in the phase II comprehensive cardiovascular rehabilitation (CCR) for at least three months. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) at the initial and completion phases of CCR. Nutritional guidance was periodically performed individually during CCR. Peak oxygen uptake (PVO2) was measured through CPX to evaluate the fitness level, whereas nutritional status was evaluated using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Patients were divided into “low fitness” and “normal fitness” groups based on the median of baseline PVO2. Each group was further classified into four categories according to the changes in VO2 and GNRI during CCR: “Both NOT improved”, “Only GNRI improved”, “Only PVO2 improved”, and “Both improved”.

Results

Cox proportional regression analysis showed that the category of “both NOT improved” was an independent predictor for cardiovascular risk among the baseline low fitness group (Hazard ratio: 4.5, p=0.007); whereas no significant difference among the normal fitness group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the event-free survival rate was significantly lower in the “both NOT improved” category (log rank p=0.002) among the baseline low fitness group (figure); whereas no significant difference among the normal fitness group.

GNRI/PVO2 improvement vs. prognosis

Conclusion

Responsiveness to nutritional and exercise intervention could be a predictive factor of cardiovascular prognosis even in low fitness patients.

P2434Digital zoom decreases radiation exposure dose up to 30% in percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Interventional cardiology is gaining greater popularity worldwide with each passing year. Reduction of exposure dose is a very imminent and an important issue in cardiology procedure. Although a newer radiation reduction technique, device and procedure are very valuable and expected, we should consider about therapy technique, radiation technique, devices, and the way to protection. Digital zoom digitally enlarges images in real time by up to 2.5-fold at lower doses than those used with traditional field of view changes. In our phantom examination the average dose reduction of digital zoom was 27%.

Methods and results

This study is designated as single-center, retrospective, not-randomized, observation study. 2101 eligible cases were collected. We assigned the cases of PCI without the use of Digital zoom to the Conventional group and those involving the use of Digital zoom to the Digital zoom group. There were 806 patients in the Conventional group and 1195 in the Digital zoom group. Because we had begun using Digital zoom from January 2015 onwards, all patients in the Conventional group had undergone PCI from January 2013 to December 2014 and all patients in the Digital zoom group had undergone PCI from January 2015 to December 2016. In addition, we calculated the RAK/minute and DAP/minute for an accurate assessment. To minimize the difference of characteristics between two groups, propensity score including all baseline variables was performed. Furthermore, Predictors of radiation exposure were investigated using multivariable least square methods. Inter group differences were observed in DAP, RAK, DAP/min, and RAK/min (Digital zoom group vs conventional group: DAP, 16000 cGy cm2 [from 1st quartile to 3rd quartile; 10300–24400] vs 20700 [13400–29500], p<0.001; DAP/min, 557 cGy cm2/min [392–737] vs 782 [571–1010], p<0.01; RAK, 1590 Gy [990–2410] vs 1850 [1220–2720], p<0.01; RAK/min, 54.7 Gy/min [38.5–73.2] vs 71.2 [51.5–93.0], p<0.01). Even after propensity score matching, intergroup differences in DAP (810 cases), DAP/min (811 cases), RAK (746 cases), and RAK/min (744 cases) persisted. Furthermore, the least squares method showed that Digital zoom is an important predictor of DAP (β=0.17, p<0.01) and RAK (β=0.12, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Digital zoom is an old and cost-free technique, but one of most powerful reduction of exposure method. Propensity score adjustment and least square methods show that digital zoom is one of independent effective method.

P6243Impact of coronary flow reserve as an important predictor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event in hemodialysis patients even in patients without myocardial perfusion abnormality

Background

In the clinical setting, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major problem not only in general patients but also in regular hemodialysis (HD) patients. 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (13NH3PET) is an established and excellent diagnostic test for IHD. We have reported about the predictability of coronary flow reserve (CFR) in poor prognosis in HD population. Some prior studies show that low CFR predicts poor prognosis for not only cardiovascular event but also all-cause mortality. Although it is well-known that CFR is an important predictor, there are limited data about CFR of patients without myocardial perfusion (MP) abnormality. We investigated the prognostic predictability of adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) in HD patients without MP abnormality.

Methods

A total 438 of HD patients who underwent 13NH3PET for suspected IHD were enrolled. All patients were underwent 13NH3PET at our facility. After we excluded patients whose summed stress score (SSS) >3, we identified 182 eligible patients. Patients were divided into two group according to the median value of CFR; low CFR group (≤2.405) and high CFR group (>2.405). We followed up them up to 4.2 years (median 2.4 years) and collected their data. We evaluated their major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular event. We performed Kaplan-Meyer analysis and multivariable cox regression models. Furthermore, we evaluated the incremental value with C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) when CFR added into a model with established risk factors.

Results

There were intergroup difference in baseline characteristics: age, gender, prior CVD and diabetes. Kaplan-Meyer analysis shows statistically intergroup difference [log rank p=0.04, hazard ratio (HR) 0.54, 95% confidential interval (CI) 0.30–0.97]. Multivariable cox regression model for MACCE shows CFR is an independent risk factor (p=0.04, HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30–0.97). As regarding model discrimination, all of C-index (0.82 vs 0.80, p=0.23), NRI (0.51, p<0.01) and IDI (0.03, p=0.03) were greatest in a predicting model with established risk factors plus CFR.

Conclusions

The low CFR group had poor prognosis in MACCE comparing to the high CFR group. CFR would be an independent risk factor for MACCE. Adding CFR on conventional risk factors could more accurately predict MACCE in HD patients, even in patients without MP abnormality.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase MIB2 enhances inflammation by degrading the deubiquitinating enzyme CYLD

The tumor suppressor CYLD is a deubiquitinating enzyme that suppresses polyubiquitin-dependent signaling pathways, including the proinflammatory and cell growth-promoting NF-κB pathway. Missense mutations in the CYLD gene are present in individuals with syndromes such as multiple familial trichoepithelioma (MFT), but the pathogenic roles of these mutations remain unclear. Recent studies have shown that CYLD interacts with a RING finger domain protein, mind bomb homologue 2 (MIB2), in the regulation of NOTCH signaling. However, whether MIB2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts on CYLD is unknown. Here, using the cell-free-based AlphaScreen and pulldown assays to detect protein-protein interactions, along with immunofluorescence assays and murine Mib2 knockout cells and animals, we demonstrate that MIB2 promotes proteasomal degradation of CYLD and enhances NF-κB signaling. Of note, arthritic inflammation was suppressed in Mib2-deficient mice. We further observed that the ankyrin repeat in MIB2 interacts with the third CAP domain in CYLD and that MIB2 catalyzes Lys-48-linked polyubiquitination of CYLD at Lys-338 and Lys-530. MIB2-dependent CYLD degradation activated NF-κB signaling via tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) stimulation and the linear ubiquitination assembly complex (LUBAC). Mib2-knockout mice had reduced serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and exhibited suppressed inflammatory responses in the K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis model. Interestingly, MIB2 significantly enhanced the degradation of a CYLD^P904L variant identified in an individual with MFT, although the molecular pathogenesis of the disease was not clarified here. Together, these results suggest that MIB2 enhances NF-κB signaling in inflammation by promoting the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of CYLD.

Erratum: Structural and Valence Changes of Europium Hydride Induced by Application of High-Pressure H_{2} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 025501 (2011)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.025501.

Abstract P2-14-09: A novel nipple aleolar complex involvement predictive index (NACPI) for indicating nipple sparing mastectomy in breast cancer patients

Background: While Preservation of NAC is concerned to increase the risk of local recurrences in the retroareolar glandular tissue, nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) is increasing in patients with breast cancer and has been shown to result in better cosmetic outcome and the benefit for quality-of-life. It is necessary to predict accurately NAC involvement in order to select which patients may be candidates to NSM. The distance from the nipple to the tumor (DNT) is proposed as one of the best criteria to select the patient. The purpose of this study is to identify the predictors of NAC involvement retrospectively and to develop a clinical predictive model to select the patients who can be offered preservation of NAC.Methods: A total of 168 patients with primary operable breast cancer who received subcutaneous mastectomy for breast reconstruction at Saitama Medical Center during July 2013 to December 2017 were selected from the hospital's surgical database. NAC involvement was defined by the presence of invasive carcinoma and/or ductal carcinoma in situ at the subareolar margin.

Results: Of the 148 patients who were preserved NAC, 89.9% (133/148) were NAC involvement negative and 10.1% (15/148) were positive in permanent pathological specimens. Of the 20 patients who were resected NAC, NAC involvement positivity was only 50.0% (10/20). This revealed that NAC involvement with a sensitivity (SN) of 40.0%, a specificity (SP) of 93.0%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 50.0% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.9% (AUC=0.665, 95%CI: 0.5345-0.796). In 140 patients who were performed intraoperative sub-nipple frozen section biopsy, the findings was significantly associated with NAC involvement (P&lt;0.001), and which predict the NAC involvement with a SN of 93.3%, a SP of 89.6%, a PPV of 51.9%, and a NPV of 99.1% (AUC=0.915, 95%CI: 0.835-0.994). In the concordance rate between frozen section findings and definitive pathologic results, DCIS was 53% (9/17), atypical cell was 50% (2/4) and invasive ductal carcinoma was 100% (3/3). Correlation between NAC involvement and clinicopathological factors, tumor size ≥4cm (P&lt;0.001), DNT &lt;1cm by MMG (P=0.002), DNT &lt;1cm by MRI (P&lt;0.001), nipple contrast findings by MRI (P&lt;0.001), tumor in central portion (P&lt;0.001), multicentirc/focal lesion (P&lt;0.001), c(N) positive (P=0.014) were significant relation with NAC involvement. Each predictors were scored 0 or 1, and the total score of 0-3 points was defined as low risk, 4 points as intermediate risk, and 5-7 points as high risk. Depending on this categorized classification, the NAC involvement rate was 3.5% (5/142) in low risk, 68.7% (11/16) in intermediate risk, 90.0% (9/10) in high risk and there was a significant correlation between the risk group and NAC involvement (P &lt;0.001). Notably, assuming that NAC is preserved for low risk patients and is resected for intermediate and high risk patients, NACPI contributes to improve the accuracy of selecting the surgical procedures (SN 80.0%, SP 95.8%, PPV 76.9%, NPV 96.5% (AUC=0.879, 95%CI: 0.784-0.974)).Conclusion: This study suggests that NACPI can help us indicating subcutaneous mastectomy for the breast cancer patients who request preserve NAC with more oncological safety.

Citation Format: Seki H, Sakurai T, Shimizu K, Mizuno S, Tokuda T, Kaburagi T, Seki M, Karahashi T, Nakajima K. A novel nipple aleolar complex involvement predictive index (NACPI) for indicating nipple sparing mastectomy in breast cancer patients [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 P2-14-09.

Correlation Between Splenectomy and Portal Vein Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

In adults undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the transplanted livers are partial grafts, and the portal venous pressure is higher than that observed with whole liver grafts. In patients undergoing LDLT concomitant with splenomegaly, portal venous flow is often diverted to collateral vessels, leading to a high risk of portal vein thrombosis. In such cases, occlusion of the collateral veins is important; however, complete occlusion of all collaterals without blocking the blood flow through the splenic artery causes portal hypertension and liver failure. We aimed to examine the effect of performing a splenectomy concomitant with LDLT to reduce portal vein complications.

METHODS

Between 1991 and 2017, we performed 170 LDLT operations, including 83 in adults. For this cohort study, adult cases were divided into 2 groups. Group I was those who underwent LDLT without splenectomy (n = 60); Group II was those who underwent LDLT with splenectomy for the reduction of portal hypertension (n = 23). We investigated the incident rates of complications, including blood loss, lethal portal vein thrombosis (intrahepatic thrombosis), acute rejection, and so on. We also investigated the survival rates in both groups.

RESULTS

The incident rate of lethal portal vein thrombosis in Group II was significantly lower than that observed in Group I (4.4% vs 21.7%, respectively, P = .0363). There were no statistically significant differences observed between the groups with respect to blood loss, survival rates, and other such parameters.

CONCLUSION

LDLT concomitant with splenectomy might effectively reduce the occurrence of portal vein complications in adults.

Effect of Middle Hepatic Vein Tributaries Preserving Technique Until Just Before Graft Retrieval on Donors' Surgical Outcomes in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

The technique of preserving the major tributaries of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) (V5 and V8) until just before graft retrieval is beneficial to minimize congestion time of the graft. However, it remains unclear whether this technique exerts a burden on donors in terms of operative time, blood loss, and postoperative hepatic dysfunction. In this study we investigated adverse effects of the MHV tributaries preserving technique until immediately before graft retrieval on donors' surgical outcomes.

METHODS

Data from 71 donors who underwent right hepatectomy without MHV for a liver transplantation at our hospital from January 2002 to August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Donors were divided into 3 groups as follows: group 1 (n = 12), no MHV tributary reconstruction; group 2 (n = 33), single MHV tributary reconstruction; group 3 (n = 26), 2 or 3 MHV tributaries reconstruction. Donor operation time, blood loss, proportion of the remnant liver, maximum postoperative total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, minimum platelets, prothrombin time, albumin level, number of days in hospital from surgery to discharge, and surgical complications were compared.

RESULTS

Compared with groups 2 and 3, group 1 exhibited shorter average operational time and less average blood loss, but the difference was not significant. Comparisons of all other factors indicated no significant differences.

CONCLUSION

The technique of preserving the major tributaries of the MHV until just immediately before graft retrieval does not appear to impose an apparent burden on donors.