Differential Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride on Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Not Treated or Treated with Transforming Growth Factor-β2 or Dexamethasone

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) (10-7%, 10-6%, or 10-5%) on healthy and glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. For this purpose, we used in vitro models replicating a healthy HTM and HTM with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or steroid-induced glaucoma (SG) using two-dimensional (2D) cultures of HTM cells not treated or treated with a 5 ng/mL solution of transforming growth factor-β2 or 250 nM dexamethasone (DEX). Methods: Analyses were carried out for (1) the intercellular affinity function of 2D HTM monolayers, as determined by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements; (2) cell viability; (3) cellular metabolism by using a Seahorse bioanalyzer; and (4) expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, an ECM modulator, and cell junction-related molecules. Results: In the absence and presence of BAC (10-7% or 10-5%), intercellular affinity function determined by TEER and cellular metabolic activities were significantly and dose dependently affected in both healthy and glaucomatous HTM cells despite the fact that there was no significant decrease in cell viabilities. However, the effects based on TEER values were significantly greater in the healthy HTM. The mRNA expression of several molecules that were tested was not substantially modulated by these concentrations of BAC. Conclusions: The findings reported herein suggest that low concentrations of BAC may have unfavorable adverse effects on cellular metabolic capacity by inducing increases in the intercellular affinity properties of the HTM, but those effects of BAC were different in healthy and glaucomatous HTM cells.

Rhizoviticin is an alphaproteobacterial tailocin that mediates biocontrol of grapevine crown gall disease

Tailocins are headless phage tail structures that mediate interbacterial antagonism. Although the prototypical tailocins, R- and F-pyocins, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other predominantly R-type tailocins have been studied, their presence in Alphaproteobacteria remains unexplored. Here, we report the first alphaproteobacterial F-type tailocin, named rhizoviticin, as a determinant of the biocontrol activity of Allorhizobium vitis VAR03-1 against crown gall. Rhizoviticin is encoded by a chimeric prophage genome, one providing transcriptional regulators and the other contributing to tail formation and cell lysis, but lacking head formation genes. The rhizoviticin genome retains a nearly intact early phage region containing an integrase remnant and replication-related genes critical for downstream gene transcription, suggesting an ongoing transition of this locus from a prophage to a tailocin-coding region. Rhizoviticin is responsible for the most antagonistic activity in VAR03-1 culture supernatant against pathogenic A. vitis strain, and rhizoviticin deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in the antitumorigenic activity in planta. We identified the rhizoviticin-coding locus in eight additional A. vitis strains from diverse geographical locations, highlighting a unique survival strategy of certain Rhizobiales bacteria in the rhizosphere. These findings advance our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of tailocins and provide a scientific foundation for employing rhizoviticin-producing strains in plant disease control.

Significant and Various Effects of ML329-Induced MITF Suppression in the Melanoma Cell Line

To study the inhibitory effects on microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-related biological aspects in malignant melanomas (MMs) in the presence or absence of the low-molecular MITF specific inhibitor ML329, cell viability, cellular metabolic functions, and three-dimensional (3D) spheroid formation efficacy were compared among MM cell lines including SK-mel-24, A375, dabrafenib- and trametinib-resistant A375 (A375DT), and WM266-4. Upon exposure to 2 or 10 μM of ML329, cell viability was significantly decreased in WM266-4, SK-mel-24, and A375DT cells, but not A375 cells, in a dose-dependent manner, and these toxic effects of ML329 were most evident in WM266-4 cells. Extracellular flux assays conducted using a Seahorse bioanalyzer revealed that treatment with ML329 increased basal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, proton leakage, and non-mitochondrial respiration in WM266-4 cells and decreased glycolytic function in SK-mel-24 cells, whereas there were no marked effects of ML329 on A375 and A375DT cells. A glycolytic stress assay under conditions of high glucose concentrations also demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of ML329 on the glycolytic function of WM266-4 cells was dose-dependent. In addition, ML329 significantly decreased 3D-spheroid-forming ability, though the effects of ML329 were variable among the MM cell lines. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of selected genes, including STAT3 as a possible regulator of 3D spheroid formation, KRAS and SOX2 as oncogenic-signaling-related factors, PCG1a as the main regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and HIF1a as a major hypoxia transcriptional regulator, fluctuated among the MM cell lines, possibly supporting the diverse ML329 effects mentioned above. The findings of diverse ML329 effects on various MM cell lines suggest that MITF-associated biological activities are different among various types of MM.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Lipid Metabolism Regulators Are the Possible Determinant for Characteristics of Myopic Human Scleral Stroma Fibroblasts (HSSFs)

The purpose of the current investigation was to elucidate what kinds of responsible mechanisms induce elongation of the sclera in myopic eyes. To do this, two-dimensional (2D) cultures of human scleral stromal fibroblasts (HSSFs) obtained from eyes with two different axial length (AL) groups, <26 mm (low AL group, n = 2) and >27 mm (high AL group, n = 3), were subjected to (1) measurements of Seahorse mitochondrial and glycolytic indices to evaluate biological aspects and (2) analysis by RNA sequencing. Extracellular flux analysis revealed that metabolic indices related to mitochondrial and glycolytic functions were higher in the low AL group than in the high AL group, suggesting that metabolic activities of HSSF cells are different depending the degree of AL. Based upon RNA sequencing of these low and high AL groups, the bioinformatic analyses using gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified that sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2) is both a possible upstream regulator and a causal network regulator. Furthermore, SREBF1, insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) were detected as upstream regulators, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) was detected as a causal network regulator. Since those possible regulators were all pivotally involved in lipid metabolisms including fatty acid (FA), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (Chol) biosynthesis, the findings reported here indicate that FA, TG and Chol biosynthesis regulation may be responsible mechanisms inducing AL elongation via HSSF.

Benzalkonium chloride greatly deteriorates the biological activities of human corneal stroma fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner

BACKGROUND

Corneal tissues indirectly obtain nutritional needs and oxygen to maintain their homeostasis, and therefore, benzalkonium chloride (BAC) containing ocular instillations for medical therapy may, in turn, induce toxic effects more than expected in corneal tissues, especially the inside stroma layer.

METHODS

To evaluate the effects of very low concentrations (10-8%, 10-6%, or 10-4%) of BAC on human corneal stroma, we used two-dimensional (2D) cultures of human corneal stromal fibroblast (HCSF) cells and carried out the following analyses: (1) cell viability measurements, (2) Seahorse cellular bio-metabolism analysis, and (3) the expression of ECM molecules and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related molecules.

RESULTS

In the absence and presence of 10-8%, 10-6%, or 10-4% concentrations of BAC, cell viability deteriorated and this deterioration was dose-dependent. The results showed that maximal mitochondrial respiration was decreased, the mRNA expression of most of ECM proteins was decreased, and ER stress-related molecules were substantially and dose-dependently down-regulated in HCSFs by the BAC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reported herein indicate that the presence of BAC, even at such low concentrations, is capable of causing the deterioration of cellular metabolic functions and negatively affecting the response to ER stress in HCSF cells resulting in a substantially decreased cellular viability.

[Two Cases of Closed LECS for Early Gastric Cancer]

In recent years, laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery(LECS)is reported as the treatment of gastric cancer. We report closed LECS performed for an elderly patient with remnant gastric cancer and gastric cancer in a patient with lung cancer. Case 1 is an 85-year-old male. Early gastric cancer was pointed out in the remnant stomach after distal gastrectomy. ESD was not indicated because of the size of tumor. Because of his age and many comorbidities, closed LECS was performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis was pT1a(M), pPM0, pDM0, Ly0, v0. Case 2 is a 56-year-old male. He was undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer with pleural dissemination. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed early gastric cancer. ESD was not indicated for this lesion because of the depth of tumor. Pleural dissemination of lung cancer is his prognostic factor, and gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was considered excessively invasive. Therefore, closed LECS was performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis was pT1b2(SM2), pPM0, pDM0, Ly1c, v1a. Closed LECS could be useful therapeutic option for early gastric cancer.

Multiple intra-articular injections with adipose-derived stem cells for knee osteoarthritis cause severe arthritis with anti-histone H2B antibody production

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA results from the breakdown of cartilage, which leads to deterioration of the entire joint and the connective tissue that holds the joint together, and gradually and irreversibly worsens over time. Adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ADSCs) have been used in the treatment of knee OA. However, the safety and efficacy of ADSC treatment of OA remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology of severe knee arthritis that occurred after ADSC treatment by screening for autoantibodies in synovial fluid from patients who received ADSC treatment.

Methods

Adult Japanese patients with OA who received ADSC treatment at Saitama Cooperative Hospital between June 2018 and October 2021 were enrolled. Antibodies (Abs) were screened using immunoprecipitation (IPP) with [³⁵S]-methionine-labeled HeLa cell extracts. The detected protein was identified by liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) and ion trap MS, and the corresponding proteins were confirmed as autoantigens using immunoblotting. Ab titers were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

A total of 113 patients received ADSC treatment, and 75% (85/113) received ADSC injection at least twice with a 6-month interval between. No obvious abnormalities were observed in any patient after their first treatment; by contrast, 53% (45/85) of patients who received their second or third ADSC injection showed severe knee arthritis. IPP detected a common anti-15 kDa Ab in synovial fluid of 62% (8/13) of the samples analyzed from patients who showed severe arthritis. This Ab was not detected in synovial fluid obtained from the same joints before treatment. The corresponding autoantigen was identified as histone H2B. All available synovial samples from patients who tested positive for anti-histone H2B Ab were newly positive after the treatment; that is, none had been positive for anti-histone H2B Ab before treatment.

Conclusions

Multiple ADSC injections for OA induced severe arthritis in a high percentage of patients, particularly after the second injection. Synovial fluid from some patients with knee arthritis contained Ab to histone H2B that appeared only after ADSC treatment. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ADSC treatment-induced severe arthritis.

Are Allergy-Induced Implant Failures Actually Hypersensitivity Reactions to Titanium? A Literature Review

PURPOSE

This literature review was performed to assess whether implant failures are associated with titanium allergy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic search of the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases up to April 2021 was conducted, and the obtained articles were independently assessed by two reviewers. Articles describing cases of implant failure in which the cause of implant failure was only identified as allergy were included.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included. Eight studies identified Ti allergy by clinical examinations, of which four used patch tests, three used the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT)/memory lymphocyte immunostimulation assay (MELISA), and one used both tests. Nine studies reported cases of titanium hypersensitivity in combination with other systemic allergy-related disorders, with eight cases also showing positive results for Ni, Hg, Cr, and Co hypersensitivity. Ten papers reported the improvement of symptoms after the removal of the Ti implants and their replacement with zirconia implants, and two of these papers showed good results.

CONCLUSION

Cases of probable titanium allergy included those with true titanium allergies and those with a potentially different cause. However, the differentiation of these cases is difficult. Since no definitive method has been established for diagnosing titanium allergy, a comprehensive diagnosis based on the clinical course and clinical examination using a patch test/LTT/MELISA is necessary. Implant treatment should be performed with caution in patients with any preoperative allergies.

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B^{0}→D^{*-}ℓν Decays

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.

Precise Measurement of the D_{s}^{+} Lifetime at Belle II

We measure the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+} meson using a data sample of 207  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle II experiment running at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The lifetime is determined by fitting the decay-time distribution of a sample of 116×10^{3} D_{s}^{+}→ϕπ^{+} decays. Our result is τ_{D_{s}^{+}}=(499.5±1.7±0.9)  fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is significantly more precise than previous measurements.

3D culture induction of adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exhibits adipocyte-specific molecular expression patterns and metabolic functions

Adipose tissues are closely related to physiological functions and pathological conditions in most organs. Although differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes have been used for in vitro adipose studies, the difference in cellular characteristics of adipogenic differentiation in two-dimensional (2D) culture and three-dimensional (3D) culture remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated gene expression patterns using RNA sequencing and metabolic functions using an extracellular flux analyzer in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with and without adipogenic induction in 2D culture and 3D culture. In 2D culture, 565 up-regulated genes and 391 down-regulated genes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by adipogenic induction of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, whereas only 69 up-regulated genes and 59 down-regulated genes were identified as DEGs in 3D culture. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that genes associated with lipid metabolism were identified as 2 out of the top 3 causal networks related to diseases and function in 3D spheroids, whereas only one network related to lipid metabolism was identified within the top 9 of these causal networks in the 2D planar cells, suggesting that adipogenic induction in the 3D culture condition exhibits a more adipocyte-specific gene expression pattern in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Real-time metabolic analysis revealed that the metabolic capacity shifted from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells in the 3D culture condition but not in those in the 2D cultured condition, suggesting that adipogenic differentiation in 3D culture induces a metabolic phenotype of well-differentiated adipocytes. Consistently, expression levels of mitochondria-encoded genes including mt-Nd6, mt-Cytb, and mt-Co1 were significantly increased by adipogenic induction of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in 3D culture compared with those in 2D culture. Taken together, the findings suggest that induction of adipogenesis in 3D culture provides a more adipocyte-specific gene expression pattern and enhances mitochondrial respiration, resulting in more adipocyte-like cellular properties.

Search for a τ^{+}τ^{-} Resonance in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} Events with the Belle II Experiment

We report the first search for a nonstandard-model resonance decaying into τ pairs in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} events in the 3.6-10  GeV/c^{2} mass range. We use a 62.8  fb^{-1} sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider. The analysis probes three different models predicting a spin-1 particle coupling only to the heavier lepton families, a Higgs-like spin-0 particle that couples preferentially to charged leptons (leptophilic scalar), and an axionlike particle, respectively. We observe no evidence for a signal and set exclusion limits at 90% confidence level on the product of cross section and branching fraction into τ pairs, ranging from 0.7 to 24 fb, and on the couplings of these processes. We obtain world-leading constraints on the couplings for the leptophilic scalar model for masses above 6.5  GeV/c^{2} and for the axionlike particle model over the entire mass range.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} Decays at Belle II

We report a measurement of the CP-violating parameters C and S in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} decays at Belle II using a sample of 387×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events recorded in e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center-of-mass energy corresponding to the ϒ(4S) resonance. These parameters are determined by fitting the proper decay-time distribution of a sample of 415 signal events. We obtain C=-0.04_{-0.15}^{+0.14}±0.05 and S=0.75_{-0.23}^{+0.20}±0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

TGF-β2 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions in 2D Planer and 3D Spheroids of the Human Corneal Stroma Fibroblasts in Different Manners

To examine the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that is induced on the human corneal stroma, two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) cultures of human corneal stroma fibroblasts (HCSFs) were used. In this study, HCSF 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids were characterized by (1) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (2) trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran permeability, (3) cellular metabolic measurements, (4) the physical properties of 3D HCSF spheroids, and (5) the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule gene expressions, including collagen (COL) 1, 4 and 6, and fibronectin (FN), a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1-4, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, 3, 9 and 14, and several endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related factors. In the 2D HCSFs, TGF-β2 concentration-dependently generated (1) a considerable increase in ECM deposits revealed by SEM, (2) an increase in TEER values and a decrease in FITC-dextran permeability, (3) increases in both mitochondrial and glycolytic functions, and a substantial upregulation of COL1, COL4, FN, αSMA, TIMP1, TIMP, and most ER stress-related genes and the downregulation of COL6 and MMP3. In the case of 3D spheroids, TGF-β2 induced the downsizing and stiffening of 3D spheroids and the upregulation of COL6, MMP14, and most ER stress-related genes. These findings suggest that TGF-β2 significantly induced a number of EMT-associated biological events including planar proliferation, cellular metabolic functions, and the production of ECM molecules in the 2D cultured HCSF cells, but these effects were significantly less pronounced in the case of 3D HCSF spheroids.

First Observation of Electron Scattering from Online-Produced Radioactive Target

We successfully performed electron scattering off unstable nuclei which were produced online from the photofission of uranium. The target ^{137}Cs ions were trapped with a new target-forming technique that makes a high-density stationary target from a small number of ions by confining them in an electron storage ring. After developments of target generation and transportation systems and the beam stacking method to increase the ion beam intensity up to approximately 2×10^{7} ions per pulse beam, an average luminosity of 0.9×10^{26}  cm^{-2} s^{-1} was achieved for ^{137}Cs. The obtained angular distribution of elastically scattered electrons is consistent with a calculation. This success marks the realization of the anticipated femtoscope which clarifies the structures of exotic and short-lived unstable nuclei.

Simultaneous Effects of a Selective EP2 Agonist, Omidenepag, and a Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase Inhibitor, Ripasudil, on Human Orbital Fibroblasts

Purpose: To assess the combined effects of omidenepag (OMD), a selective EP2 agonist, and ripasudil (Rip), an inhibitor of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinases, on the human orbital adipose tissue, two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human orbital fibroblasts (HOFs) were employed. Methods: Cellular metabolic functions (2D), physical (3D), lipid staining (3D), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for adipogenesis-related genes, PPARγ and AP2, and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, including collagen (COL)1, 4, and 6, and fibronectin (FN) (3D) were evaluated in the presence of OMD (100 nM) and/or Rip (10 μM). Results: Real-time metabolic analyses revealed that the adipogenic differentiation (DIF+) with OMD significantly shifted an energetic state toward energetic, whereas DIF+ with Rip significantly shifted that toward quiescent. In the case of both drugs upon DIF+, the metabolic effect of OMD was predominant. DIF+ induced enlargement and stiffed 3D spheroid with increased lipid staining and mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes, COL4 and COL6, and decreased the expression of COL1. In the presence of OMD and/or Rip to DIF+, (1) the sizes were further increased by Rip and the stiffness was significantly decreased by OMD or Rip and (2) COL4 or AP2 expression was substantially increased by OMD or Rip, respectively. Conclusion: The results presented herein indicate that the metabolic effects of OMD and Rip exerted opposing effects and the effects of OMD toward Ap2 and ECM expressions were distinct from those of Rip, but the effects of OMD toward the physical aspects and adipogenesis of the 3D cultured HOFs were similar to the effects of Rip.

Physical Properties and Cellular Metabolic Characteristics of 3D Spheroids Are Possible Definitive Indices for the Biological Nature of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

The current study's objective was to elucidate some currently unknown biological indicators to evaluate the biological nature of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). For this purpose, four different CAFs, CAFS1, CAFS2, SCC17F and MO-1000, were established using surgical specimens from oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) with different clinical malignant stages (CAFS1 and CAFS2, T2N0M0, stage II; SCC17F and MO-1000, T4aN2bM0, stage IVA). Fibroblasts unrelated to cancer (non-CAFs) were also prepared and used as controls. Initially, confirmation that these four fibroblasts were indeed CAFs was obtained by their mRNA expression using positive and negative markers for the CAF or fibroblasts. To elucidate possible unknown biological indicators, these fibroblasts were subjected to a cellular metabolic analysis by a Seahorse bioanalyzer, in conjugation with 3D spheroid cultures of the cells and co-cultures with a pancreas ductal carcinoma cell line, MIA PaCa-2. The mitochondrial and glycolytic functions of human orbital fibroblasts (HOF) were nearly identical to those of Graves'-disease-related HOF (GOF). In contrast, the characteristics of the metabolic functions of these four CAFs were different from those of human conjunctival fibroblasts (HconF), a representative non-CAF. It is particularly noteworthy that CAFS1 and CAFS2 showed markedly reduced ratios for the rate of oxygen consumption to the extracellular acidification rate, suggesting that glycolysis was enhanced compared to mitochondrial respiration. Similarly, the physical aspects, their appearance and stiffness, of their 3D spheroids and fibroblasts that were induced effects based on the cellular metabolic functions of MIA PaCa-2 were also different between CAFs and non-CAFs, and their levels for CAFS1 or SCC17F were similar to those for CAFS2 or MO-1000 cells, respectively. The findings reported herein indicate that cellular metabolic functions and the physical characteristics of these types of 3D spheroids may be valuable and useful indicators for estimating potential biological diversity among various CAFs.

Test of Light-Lepton Universality in the Rates of Inclusive Semileptonic B-Meson Decays at Belle II

We present the first measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B-meson decays, R(X_{e/μ})=B(B→Xeν)/B(B→Xμν), a precision test of electron-muon universality, using data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. In events where the partner B meson is fully reconstructed, we use fits to the lepton momentum spectra above 1.3  GeV/c to obtain R(X_{e/μ})=1.007±0.009(stat)±0.019(syst), which is the most precise lepton-universality test of its kind and agrees with the standard-model expectation.

2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer treatment prevents Candida albicans biofilm formation on acrylic resin

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of photoreactive 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) in inhibiting Candida albicans biofilm formation on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and assess its mechanism and need for re-application by evaluating its interaction with salivary mucin and durability during temperature changes.

METHODS

PMMA discs were used as specimens. The MPC coating was applied using the spray and cure technique for the treatment groups, whereas no coating was applied to the control. The MPC treatment (MT) groups were further differentiated based on the number of thermal cycles involved (0, 1000, 2500, and 5000). The optical density was measured to assess mucin adsorption (MA). Contact angle (CA) was calculated to evaluate surface hydrophilicity. The presence of MPC components on the PMMA surface was assessed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). C. albicans biofilms were evaluated qualitatively (scanning electron microscope images) and quantitatively (colony-forming units (CFUs)). Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison test.

RESULTS

MA rate and CA increased significantly in the MT groups, which exhibited significantly fewer CFUs and thinner biofilms than those of the control group. Based on the XPS, MA, and CFU evaluations, the durability and efficacy of the MPC coating were considered stable up to 2500 thermal cycles. Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between mucin concentration and MPC efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The photoreactive MPC coating, which was resistant to temperature changes for approximately 3 months, effectively prevented C. albicans biofilm formation by modifying surface hydrophilicity and increasing mucin adsorption.

TGF-β Isoforms Affect the Planar and Subepithelial Fibrogenesis of Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts in Different Manners

Three highly homologous isoforms of TGF-β, TGF-β-1~3, are involved in the regulation of various pathophysiological conditions such as wound healing processes in different manners, despite the fact that they bind to the same receptors during their activation. The purpose of the current investigation was to elucidate the contributions of TGF-β-1 ~3 to the pathology associated with conjunctiva. For this purpose, the biological effects of these TGF-β isoforms on the structural and functional properties of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultured human conjunctival fibroblasts (HconF) were subjected to the following analyses: 1) transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), a Seahorse cellular metabolic measurement (2D), size and stiffness measurements of the 3D HTM spheroids, and the qPCR gene expression analyses of extracellular matrix (ECM) components (2D and 3D). The TGF-β isoforms caused different effects on the proliferation of the HconF cell monolayer evaluated by TEER measurements. The differences included a significant increase in the presence of 5 ng/mL TGF-β-1 and -2 and a substantial decrease in the presence of 5 ng/mL TGF-β-3, although there were no significant differences in the response to the TGF-β isoforms for cellular metabolism among the three groups. Similar to planar proliferation, the TGF-β isoforms also induced diverse effects toward the mechanical aspects of 3D HconF spheroids, where TGF-β-1 increased stiffness, TGF-β-2 caused no significant effects, and TGF-β-3 caused the downsizing of the spheroids and stiffness enhancement. The mRNA expression of the ECMs were also modulated in diverse manners by the TGF-β isoforms as well as the culture conditions for the 2D vs. 3D isoforms. Many of these TGF-β-3 inducible effects were markedly different from those caused by TGF-β1 and TGF-β-2. The findings presented herein suggest that the three TGF-β isoforms induce diverse and distinctly different effects on cellular properties and the expressions of ECM molecules in HconF and that these changes are independent of cellular metabolism, thereby inducing different effects on the epithelial and subepithelial proliferation of human conjunctiva.

mTOR Inhibitors Modulate the Physical Properties of 3D Spheroids Derived from H9c2 Cells

To establish an appropriate in vitro model for the local environment of cardiomyocytes, three-dimensional (3D) spheroids derived from H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were prepared, and their morphological, biophysical phase contrast and biochemical characteristics were evaluated. The 3D H9c2 spheroids were successfully obtained, the sizes of the spheroids decreased, and they became stiffer during 3-4 days. In contrast to the cell multiplication that occurs in conventional 2D planar cell cultures, the 3D H9c2 spheroids developed into a more mature form without any cell multiplication being detected. qPCR analyses of the 3D H9c2 spheroids indicated that the production of collagen4 (COL4) and fibronectin (FN), connexin43 (CX43), β-catenin, N-cadherin, STAT3, and HIF1 molecules had increased and that the production of COL6 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) molecules had decreased as compared to 2D cultured cells. In addition, treatment with rapamycin (Rapa), an mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 inhibitor, and Torin 1, an mTORC1/2 inhibitor, resulted in significantly decreased cell densities of the 2D cultured H9c2 cells, but the size and stiffness of the H9c2 cells within the 3D spheroids were reduced with the gene expressions of several of the above several factors being reduced. The metabolic responses to mTOR modulators were also different between the 2D and 3D cultures. These results suggest that as unique aspects of the local environments of the 3D spheroids, the spontaneous expression of GJ-related molecules and hypoxia within the core may be associated with their maturation, suggesting that this may become a useful in vitro model that replicates the local environment of cardiomyocytes.

Prostanoid FP and EP2 Receptor Agonists Induce Epithelial and Subepithelial Fibrogenetic Changes in Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts in Different Manners

Purpose: To examine the effects of prostanoid FP and EP2 receptor agonists, PGF2α and Omidenepag (OMD), respectively, on the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β2) induced conjunctival fibrogenesis. Methods: Two-dimension (2D) and three-dimension (3D) cultures of these fibroblasts were subjected to following analyses: (1) planar proliferation evaluated by transendothelial electron resistance (TEER) measurements, (2) real-time metabolic analyses, (3) subepithelial proliferation evaluated by 3D spheroid' size and stiffness measurements, and (4) the mRNA expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and their modulators. Results: TGF-β2 induced increase in the planar proliferation was significantly decreased or enhanced by PGF2α or OMD, respectively. The proportion of oxygen consumption required to drive ATP synthesis compared with that driving proton leakage was increased by PGF2α and OMD independently with TGF-β2. In contrast, maximal mitochondrial respiration was decreased by PGF2α and OMD, and the OMD-induced effect was further enhanced by the presence of TGF-β2. In addition, the TGF-β2 dependent increase in the glycolytic capacity was cancelled by PGF2α and/or OMD. Alternatively, subepithelial proliferation, as evidenced by the stiffness of the 3D spheroids, was substantially increased by both PGF2α and OMD, and these were differently modulated by TGF-β2. The expression of several related factors as above fluctuated among the conditions for both 2D and 3D and TGF-β2 untreated or treated cultures. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that the prostanoid FP or the EP2 receptor agonist may solely and differently induce the planar and subepithelial proliferation of HconF cells and these were also modulated by TGF-β2.

Search for an Invisible Z^{'} in a Final State with Two Muons and Missing Energy at Belle II

The L_{μ}-L_{τ} extension of the standard model predicts the existence of a lepton-flavor-universality-violating Z^{'} boson that couples only to the heavier lepton families. We search for such a Z^{'} through its invisible decay in the process e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}Z^{'}. We use a sample of electron-positron collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV collected by the Belle II experiment in 2019-2020, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 79.7  fb^{-1}. We find no excess over the expected standard-model background. We set 90%-confidence-level upper limits on the cross section for this process as well as on the coupling of the model, which ranges from 3×10^{-3} at low Z^{'} masses to 1 at Z^{'} masses of 8  GeV/c^{2}.

Rare case of retroperitoneal mitotically active leiomyoma in a postmenopausal woman

Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors, and retroperitoneal leiomyomas without coexisting uterine leiomyomas are extremely rare. Mitotically active leiomyomas, which are leiomyomas with increased mitotic activity, are rarely observed in postmenopausal women, except under the influence of exogenous hormones. This report presents a rare case of a retroperitoneal mitotically active leiomyoma in a postmenopausal woman. The patient presented with an abdominal mass and underwent surgical resection of the retroperitoneal tumor. Pathological examination revealed a mitotically active retroperitoneal leiomyoma with 31 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields. The patient did not experience recurrence during the 2-year follow-up period. This case highlights the need to consider retroperitoneal mitotically active leiomyomas in postmenopausal women and suggests that myomectomy can prevent their recurrence.

Three-Dimensional Spheroid Configurations and Cellular Metabolic Properties of Oral Squamous Carcinomas Are Possible Pharmacological and Pathological Indicators

The objective of the current study was to elucidate the clinicopathological significance and appearance of in vitro three-dimension (3D) spheroid models of oral malignant tumors that were prepared from four pathologically different squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC; low-grade; SSYP and MO-1000, intermediate-grade; LEM2) and oral adenosquamous carcinoma (OASC; high-grade; Mesimo) obtained from patients with different malignant stages. To characterize the biological significance of these cell lines themselves, two-dimensional (2D) cultured cells were subjected to cellular metabolic analysis by a Seahorse bioanalyzer alongside the measurement of the cytotoxicity of cisplatin (CDDP). The appearance of their 3D spheroids was then observed by phase contrast microscopy, and both 2D and 3D cultured cells were subject to trypsin digestion and qPCR analysis of factors related to oncogenic signaling and other related analyses. ATP-linked respiration and proton leaking were significantly different among the four cell lines, and the malignant stages of these cultures were significantly associated with increased ATP-linked respiration and decreased proton leakage. Alternatively, the appearances of these 3D spheroids were also significantly diverse among them, and their differences increased in the order of LEM2, MO-1000, SSYP, and Mesimo. Interestingly, these orders were exactly the same in that the efficacies of CDDP-induced cytotoxicity increased in the same order. qPCR analysis indicated that the levels of expression of oncogenic signaling-related factors varied among these four cell lines, and the values for fibronectin and a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, PGC-1α, were prominently elevated in cultures of the worst malignant Mesimo cells. In addition, although 0.25% trypsin-induced destruction was comparable among all four 2D cultured cells, the values for the 3D spheroids were also substantially varied among these cultures. The findings reported herein indicate that cellular metabolic functions and 3D spheroid architectures may be valuable and useful indicators for estimating the pathological and drug-sensitive aspects of OSCC and OASC malignancies.

First Measurement of the B^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}π^{0} Branching Fraction and CP Asymmetry

We study B^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}π^{0} using 711  fb^{-1} of data collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We measure an inclusive branching fraction of (19.0±1.5±1.4)×10^{-6} and an inclusive CP asymmetry of (9.2±6.8±0.7)%, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic, and a B^{+}→ρ(770)^{+}π^{0} branching fraction of (11.2±1.1±0.9_{-1.6}^{+0.8})×10^{-6}, where the third uncertainty is due to possible interference with B^{+}→ρ(1450)^{+}π^{0}. We present the first observation of a structure around 1  GeV/c^{2} in the π^{0}π^{0} mass spectrum, with a significance of 6.4σ, and measure a branching fraction to be (6.9±0.9±0.6)×10^{-6}. We also report a measurement of local CP asymmetry in this structure.

Search for Lepton-Flavor-Violating τ Decays to a Lepton and an Invisible Boson at Belle II

We search for lepton-flavor-violating τ^{-}→e^{-}α and τ^{-}→μ^{-}α decays, where α is an invisible spin-0 boson. The search uses electron-positron collisions at 10.58 GeV center-of-mass energy with an integrated luminosity of 62.8  fb^{-1}, produced by the SuperKEKB collider and collected with the Belle II detector. We search for an excess in the lepton-energy spectrum of the known τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ} and τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} decays. We report 95% confidence-level upper limits on the branching-fraction ratio B(τ^{-}→e^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ}) in the range (1.1-9.7)×10^{-3} and on B(τ^{-}→μ^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ}) in the range (0.7-12.2)×10^{-3} for α masses between 0 and 1.6  GeV/c^{2}. These results provide the most stringent bounds on invisible boson production from τ decays.

First Observation of Λπ^{+} and Λπ^{-} Signals near the K[over ¯]N(I=1) Mass Threshold in Λ_{c}^{+}→Λπ^{+}π^{+}π^{-} Decay

Using the data sample of 980  fb^{-1} collected with the Belle detector operating at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider, we present the results of an investigation of the Λπ^{+} and Λπ^{-} invariant mass distributions looking for substructure in the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λπ^{+}π^{+}π^{-}. We find a significant signal in each mass distribution. When interpreted as resonances, we find for the Λπ^{+} (Λπ^{-}) combination a mass of 1434.3±0.6(stat)±0.9(syst)  MeV/c^{2} [1438.5±0.9(stat)±2.5(syst)  MeV/c^{2}], an intrinsic width of 11.5±2.8(stat)±5.3(syst)  MeV/c^{2} [33.0±7.5(stat)±23.6(syst)  MeV/c^{2}] with a significance of 7.5σ (6.2σ). As these two signals are very close to the K[over ¯]N threshold, we also investigate the possibility of a K[over ¯]N cusp, and find that we cannot discriminate between these two interpretations due to the limited size of the data sample.

Development of Rat Caries-Induced Pulpitis Model for Vital Pulp Therapy

Rodent animal models for vital pulp therapy are commonly used in dental research because their tooth anatomy and cellular processes are similar to the anatomy and processes in humans. However, most studies have been conducted using uninfected sound teeth, which makes it difficult to adequately assess the inflammatory shift after vital pulp therapy. In the present study, we aimed to establish a caries-induced pulpitis model based on the conventional rat caries model and then evaluate inflammatory changes during the wound-healing process after pulp capping in a model of reversible pulpitis induced by carious infection. To establish the caries-induced pulpitis model, the pulpal inflammatory status was investigated at different stages of caries progression by immunostaining targeted to specific inflammatory biomarkers. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that both Toll-like receptor 2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were expressed in moderate and severe caries-stimulated pulp, indicating that an immune reaction occurred at both stages of caries progression. M2 macrophages were predominant in moderate caries-stimulated pulp, whereas M1 macrophages were predominant in the severe caries-stimulated pulp. Pulp capping in teeth with moderate caries (i.e., teeth with reversible pulpitis) led to complete tertiary dentin formation within 28 d after treatment. Impaired wound healing was observed in teeth with severe caries (i.e., teeth with irreversible pulpitis). During the wound-healing process in reversible pulpitis after pulp capping, M2 macrophages were predominant at all time points; their proliferative capacity was upregulated in the early stage of wound healing compared with healthy pulp. In conclusion, we successfully established a caries-induced pulpitis model for studies of vital pulp therapy. M2 macrophages have an important role in the early stages of the wound-healing process in reversible pulpitis.

TRIM27 expression is associated with poor prognosis in sinonasal mucosal melanoma

BACKGROUND

Tripartite motif-containing 27 (TRIM27) has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, the role of TRIM27 in sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) remains poorly understood.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We retrospectively examined 28 patients with SNMM treated with between 2003 and 2021. We undertook immunohistochemical analysis of TRIM27, Ki-67, and p-Akt1 expression in SNMM tissues. We also investigated the relationship between TRIM27 expression and clinical characteristics, prognosis, Ki-67 as a tumor growth potential marker, and p-Akt1 as one of the prognostic factors in mucosal melanoma.

RESULTS

TRIM27 expression was significantly higher in T4 disease than in T3 disease and was higher in stage IV than in stage III. Patients with high-TRIM27 SNMM had a significantly poorer prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival.There was also a significantly higher rate of distant metastasis. Univariate analysis for OS revealed that TRIM27 and T classification were significant poor prognostic factors. In addition, the Ki-67 positive score and the p-Akt1 total staining score were significantly higher in the high-TRIM27 group than in the low-TRIM27 group.

CONCLUSIONS

High TRIM27 expression in SNMM was associated with advanced T classification, poor prognosis and distant metastasis. We suggest that TRIM27 has potential as a novel biomarker for prognosis in SNMM.

A186 ASSOCIATION OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS BOWEL URGENCY IMPROVEMENT WITH CLINICAL RESPONSE AND REMISSION

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) can result in a high prevalence of bowel movement urgency (BU), significantly reducing patient quality of life.

Purpose

Early BU improvement association with later clinical endpoint improvements was examined in moderately-to-severely active UC patients (pts) treated with mirikizumab (miri).

Method

BU was evaluated in Phase 3 randomized placebo (PBO)-controlled 12-week induction (LUCENT-1, NCT03518086) and 40-week maintenance (LUCENT-2, NCT03524092) trials with miri. Pts received IV miri 300mg or PBO during induction. Week (W)12 miri responders were rerandomized at LUCENT-2 baseline (BL) to subcutaneous miri 200mg or PBO. BU was measured with 11-point Urgency Numeric Rating Scale (UNRS) from 0 (no urgency) to 10 (worst possible). Pts’ UNRS scores were an average from 7 consecutive days prior to visit. Association of pts with BU Clinically Meaningful Improvement (CMI) or BU remission between BL and W4 with the proportion of pts achieving clinical response, and clinical, endoscopic, or symptomatic remission at end of W12 was assessed. For pts who achieved clinical response at W12, the analyses were repeated for the end of maintenance based on W12 BU status. Logistic regression models with treatment, urgency (BU CMI or BU Remission), treatment-by-urgency group interaction, and stratification factors were fitted to examine the association between early urgency improvement and later clinical endpoints.

Result(s)

Treatment-by-urgency group interactions were not statistically significant across clinical outcomes for induction and maintenance. For induction, treatment and urgency status were statistically significant. Pts experiencing BU CMI or BU remission at W4 were consistently more likely to achieve clinical response, and clinical, endoscopic, or symptomatic remission at W12 for both treatment groups. For remission, only treatment main effect was statistically significant. Among miri induction clinical responders (an enriched population), BU CMI or BU Remission at end of induction (W12) was not associated with later maintenance efficacy outcomes (W52). Miri-treated pts achieved higher rates of clinical response, and clinical, endoscopic, or symptomatic remission at W52 than with PBO regardless of BU CMI or BU Remission at W12 (Table).

Image

Conclusion(s)

Early BU Improvement, CMI or Remission, was associated with better clinical outcomes during induction for miri and PBO pts, showing BU is a sensitive predictor of early clinical outcomes. Among miri induction responders, miri consistently provided better maintenance of response and remission rates than PBO.

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Eli Lilly and Company

Disclosure of Interest

D. Clemow Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, C. Sapin Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, T. Hibi Grant / Research support from: AbbVie, ActivAid, Alfresa Pharma, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., JMDC, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Nippon Kayaku, Pfizer Japan, and Takeda, Consultant of: AbbVie, Apo Plus Station, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, EA Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Kyorin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, Takeda, and Zeria Pharmaceutical, Speakers bureau of: AbbVie, Aspen Japan K.K., Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, JIMRO, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, and Takeda, M. Dubinsky Shareholder of: Trellus Health, Grant / Research support from: AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, and Prometheus Biosciences, Consultant of: AbbVie, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Pfizer, Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Takeda, and UCB Pharma, S. Vermeire Consultant of: AbbVie, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Avaxia Biologics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dr. Falk Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos NV, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Hospira, Janssen, Mundipharma, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, ProDigest, Progenity, Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Robarts Clinical Trials, Second Genome, Shire, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, and Tillots Pharma AG, Speakers bureau of: AbbVie, Dr. Falk Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos NV, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Pfizer, Robarts Clinical Trials, and Takeda, S. Schreiber Grant / Research support from: personal fees and/or travel support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly and Company, Dr. Falk Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos NV, Gilead Sciences, I-MAB Biopharma, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Protagonist Therapeutics, Provention Bio, Roche, Sandoz/Hexal, Shire, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, and UCB Pharma, T. Gibble Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, L. Peyrin-Biroulet Grant / Research support from: AbbVie, Fresenius Kabi, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Takeda, Consultant of: AbbVie, Alimentiv, Allergan, Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly and Company, Enthera, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos NV, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Gossamer Bio, InDex Pharmaceuticals, Inotrem, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mylan, Norgine, Ono Pharmaceutical, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Pandion Therapeutics, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tillots Pharma AG, Viatris, and Vifor Pharma, M. Watanabe Grant / Research support from: AbbVie, Alfresa Pharma, EA Pharma, Kissei, Kyorin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Nippon Kayaku, Takeda, and Zeria Pharmaceutical, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, EA Pharma, Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Gilead Sciences, Nippon, and Takeda, Speakers bureau of: EA Pharma, Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Gilead Sciences, Janssen, JIMRO, Kissei, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan, Takeda, and Zeria Pharmaceutical, R. Panaccione Grant / Research support from: AbbVie, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Pfizer, and Takeda, Consultant of: Abbott, AbbVie, Alimentiv, Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Elan Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos NV, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, Mylan, Oppilan Pharma, Pandion Therapeutics, Pfizer, Progenity, Protagonist Therapeutics, Roche, Sandoz, Satisfai Health, Shire, Sublimity Therapeutics, Takeda, Theravance Biopharma, and UCB Pharma, J. Jones: None Declared

Novel Functional Peptide for Next-Generation Vital Pulp Therapy

Although vital pulp therapy should be performed by promoting the wound-healing capacity of dental pulp, existing pulp-capping materials were not developed with a focus on the pulpal repair process. In previous investigations of wound healing in dental pulp, we found that organic dentin matrix components (DMCs) were degraded by matrix metalloproteinase-20, and DMC degradation products containing protein S100A7 (S100A7) and protein S100A8 (S100A8) promoted the pulpal wound-healing process. However, the direct use of recombinant proteins as pulp-capping materials may cause clinical problems or lead to high medical costs. Thus, we hypothesized that functional peptides derived from recombinant proteins could solve the problems associated with direct use of such proteins. In this study, we identified functional peptides derived from the protein S100 family and investigated their effects on dental pulp tissue. We first performed amino acid sequence alignments of protein S100 family members from several mammalian sources, then identified candidate peptides. Next, we used a peptide array method that involved human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to evaluate the mineralization-inducing ability of each peptide. Our results supported the selection of 4 candidate functional peptides derived from proteins S100A8 and S100A9. Direct pulp-capping experiments in a rat model demonstrated that 1 S100A8-derived peptide induced greater tertiary dentin formation compared with the other peptides. To investigate the mechanism underlying this induction effect, we performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis using hDPSCs and the S100A8-derived peptide; the results suggested that this peptide promotes tertiary dentin formation by inhibiting inflammatory responses. In addition, this peptide was located in a hairpin region on the surface of S100A8 and could function by direct interaction with other molecules. In summary, this study demonstrated that a S100A8-derived functional peptide promoted wound healing in dental pulp; our findings provide insights for the development of next-generation biological vital pulp therapies.

Search for a Dark Photon and an Invisible Dark Higgs Boson in μ^{+}μ^{-} and Missing Energy Final States with the Belle II Experiment

The dark photon A^{'} and the dark Higgs boson h^{'} are hypothetical particles predicted in many dark sector models. We search for the simultaneous production of A^{'} and h^{'} in the dark Higgsstrahlung process e^{+}e^{-}→A^{'}h^{'} with A^{'}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and h^{'} invisible in electron-positron collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV in data collected by the Belle II experiment in 2019. With an integrated luminosity of 8.34  fb^{-1}, we observe no evidence for signal. We obtain exclusion limits at 90% Bayesian credibility in the range of 1.7-5.0 fb on the cross section and in the range of 1.7×10^{-8}-200×10^{-8} on the effective coupling ϵ^{2}×α_{D} for the A^{'} mass in the range of 4.0  GeV/c^{2}<M_{A^{'}}<9.7  GeV/c^{2} and for the h^{'} mass M_{h^{'}}<M_{A^{'}}, where ϵ is the mixing strength between the standard model and the dark photon and α_{D} is the coupling of the dark photon to the dark Higgs boson. Our limits are the first in this mass range.

Evidence of a New Excited Charmed Baryon Decaying to Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}

We present the study of B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}p[over ¯] decays based on 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++} candidates are reconstructed via their decay to Λ_{c}^{+}π^{∓} and Λ_{c}^{+} decays to pK^{-}π^{+}, pK_{S}^{0}, and Λπ^{+} final states. The corresponding branching fractions are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+}p[over ¯])=(1.09±0.06±0.07)×10^{-4} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-}p[over ¯])=(1.84±0.11±0.12)×10^{-4}, which are consistent with the world average values with improved precision. A new structure is found in the M_{Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}} spectrum with a significance of 4.2σ including systematic uncertainty. The structure is possibly an excited Λ_{c}^{+} and is tentatively named Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}. Its mass and width are measured to be (2913.8±5.6±3.8)  MeV/c^{2} and (51.8±20.0±18.8)  MeV, respectively. The products of branching fractions for the Λ_{c}(2910)^{+} are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+})=(9.5±3.6±1.6)×10^{-6} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-})=(1.24±0.35±0.10)×10^{-5}. Here, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Unexpected Crosslinking Effects of a Human Thyroid Stimulating Monoclonal Autoantibody, M22, with IGF1 on Adipogenesis in 3T3L-1 Cells

To study the effects of the crosslinking of IGF1 and/or the human thyroid-stimulating monoclonal autoantibody (TSmAb), M22 on mouse adipocytes, two- and three-dimensional (2D or 3D) cultures of 3T3-L1 cells were prepared. Each sample was then subjected to the following analyses: (1) lipid staining, (2) a real-time cellular metabolic analysis, (3) analysis of the mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules including collagen (Col) 1, 4 and 6, and fibronectin (Fn), and (4) measurement of the size and physical properties of the 3D spheroids with a micro-squeezer. Upon adipogenic differentiation (DIF+), lipid staining and the mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the 2D- or 3D-cultured 3T3-L1 cells substantially increased. On adding IGF1 but not M22 to DIF+ cells, a significant enhancement in lipid staining and gene expressions of adipogenesis-related genes was detected in the 2D-cultured 3T3-L1 cells, although some simultaneous suppression or enhancement effects by IGF1 and M22 against lipid staining or Fabp4 expression, respectively, were detected in the 3D 3T3-L1 spheroids. Real-time metabolic analyses indicated that monotherapy with IGF1 or M22 shifted cellular metabolism toward energetic states in the 2D 3T3-L1 cells upon DIF+, although no significant metabolic changes were induced by DIF+ alone in 2D cultures. In addition, some synergistical effects on cellular metabolism by IGF1 and M22 were also observed in the 2D 3T3-L1 cells as well as in cultured non-Graves' orbitopathy-related human orbital fibroblasts (n-HOFs), but not in Graves' orbitopathy-related HOFs (GHOFs). In terms of the physical properties of the 3D 3T3-L1 spheroids, (1) their sizes significantly increased upon DIF+, and this increase was significantly enhanced by the presence of both IGF1 and M22 despite downsizing by monotreatment, and (2) their stiffness increased substantially, and no significant effects by IGF-1 and/or M22 were observed. Regarding the expression of ECM molecules, (1) upon DIF+, significant downregulation or upregulation of Col1 and Fn (3D), or Col4 and 6 (2D and 3D) were observed, and (2) in the presence of IGF-1 and/or M22, the mRNA expression of Col4 was significantly downregulated by M22 (2D and 3D), but the expression of Col1 was modulated in different manners by monotreatment (upregulation) or the combined treatment (downregulation) (3D). These collective data suggest that the human-specific TSmAb M22 induced some unexpected simultaneous crosslinking effects with IGF-1 with respect to the adipogenesis of 2D-cultured 3T3-L1 cells and the physical properties of 3D 3T3-L1 spheroids.

The Effect of Surgical Weight Loss on Cognition in Individuals with Class II/III Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a global epidemic and is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. It remains unknown whether weight loss interventions, such as bariatric surgery, can mitigate cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the effect of surgical weight loss on cognition in individuals with class II/III obesity.

DESIGN

We performed a prospective cohort study of participants who underwent bariatric surgery. At baseline and two years following surgery, participants completed metabolic risk factor and neuropsychological assessments.

SETTING

Participants were enrolled from an academic suburban bariatric surgery clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 113 participants who completed baseline assessments and 87 completed two-year follow-up assessments (66 in-person and 21 virtual) after bariatric surgery. The mean (SD) age was 46.8 (12.5) years and 64 (73.6%) were female.

INTERVENTION

Bariatric surgery. There were 77 (88.5%) participants that underwent sleeve gastrectomy and 10 (11.5%) that underwent gastric bypass surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognition was assessed using the NIH toolbox cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). The primary outcome was the change in NIHTB-CB fluid composite score before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The primary outcome, NIHTB-CB composite score, was stable following bariatric surgery (-0.4 (13.9), p=0.81,n=66). Among secondary outcomes, the NIHTB-CB dimensional card sorting test (executive function assessment), improved (+6.5 (19.9),p=0.01,n=66) while the Rey AVLT delayed recall test (memory assessment) declined (-0.24 (0.83),p=0.01,n=87) following surgery. Improvements to metabolic risk factors and diabetes complications were not associated with improvements to NIHTB-CB composite score. The other 4 NIHTB-CB subtests and Rey AVLT assessments of auditory learning and recognition were stable at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Following bariatric surgery, the age-adjusted composite cognitive outcome did not change, but an executive subtest score improved. These results suggest that bariatric surgery may mitigate the natural history of cognitive decline in individuals with obesity, which is expected to be faster than normal aging, but confirmatory randomized controlled trials are needed. The decline in delayed recall also warrants further studies to determine potential differential effects on cognitive subtests.

The role of thyroid function in female and male infertility: a narrative review

PURPOSE

We herein aimed to review the new insights into the impact of impaired thyroid function on male and female fertility, spacing from spontaneous pregnancy to ART, with the objective of providing an updated narrative revision of the literature.

METHODS

This narrative review was performed for all available prospective, retrospective and review articles, published up to 2021 in PubMed. Data were extracted from the text and from the tables of the manuscript.

RESULTS

Thyroid dysfunction is frequently associated with female infertility, whereas its link with male infertility is debated. Female wise, impaired function is detrimental to obstetric and fetal outcomes both in spontaneous pregnancies and in those achieved thanks to assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Furthermore, the reference range of TSH in natural pregnancy and ART procedures has recently become a matter of debate following recent reports in this field. On the other hand, the impact of thyroid function on the male reproductive system is less clear, although a possible role is suggested via modulation of Sertoli and Leydig cells function and spermatogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid function should be carefully monitored in both male and female, in couples seeking spontaneous pregnancy as well as ART, as treatment is generally immediate and likely to improve chances of success.

[A Case of Inverted LECS for GIST Near the Pylorus Ring]

Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery(LECS)is a surgical procedure to avoid excessive resection of the gastrointestinal wall and preserve its function. For gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST)near the cardia and pylorus ring, the function of the cardia and pylorus can be preserved by minimum excision and hand-sewn suture closures. Here, we report a case successfully treated with inverted LECS for GIST near the pylorus ring. The patient was a 58-year-old male. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy had revealed a 45 mm sized SMT near the pylorus ring. Biopsy by EUS-FNA indicated gastric GIST. The tumor was separated from the pylorus ring and inverted LECS was performed. The defect was closed with hand-sewn sutures, forming an L-shape. The postoperative course was good and he was discharged from hospital 10 days after surgery. It is considered that devising the direction of closure by means of the LECS procedure can preserve the pyloric function without passage obstruction or stasis, even for gastric GIST near the pylorus ring.

[Unresectable Advanced HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer Leading to a Perforation during Chemotherapy with Trastuzumab plus Paclitaxel]

The patient was a 70s female with gastric cancer. CT and PET scans revealed metastases of para-aortic lymph nodes, hepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes, and left supraclavicular lymph nodes. She was diagnosed with T4a, N2, M1(LYM), and cStage ⅣB and was given chemotherapy with paclitaxel due to chronic kidney disease and trastuzumab treatment. We planned to perform radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection due to the disappearance of FDG uptake except for primary gastric cancer on PET scans 5 months after chemotherapy. However, the patient developed pan-peritonitis due to gastric cancer perforation; therefore, emergency distal gastrectomy with Billroth Ⅱ reconstruction was performed. She received chemotherapy(only trastuzumab)after getting discharged. Reports about gastric cancer perforation during chemotherapy using trastuzumab are rare. We should consider the possibility of perforated gastric cancer during chemotherapy and optimal surgical procedures, including the extent of lymph node dissection in the case of Stage Ⅳ gastric cancer.

[Questionnaire Survey of Treatment Strategies for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination in Yamaguchi Prefecture]

The questionnaire survey was conducted on treatment strategies for gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination at 7 institutions, including 5 designated cancer hospitals in Yamaguchi prefecture. Staging laparotomy was performed at 6 out of 7 institutions. Six out of 7 institutions selected the treatment strategy for P0CY1 cases", upfront resection and adjuvant therapy". The doublet chemotherapy was performed by S-1 plus platinum or taxane. Surgical treatment for P1 cases, conversion gastrectomy was considered at all institutions when it was judged that R0 resection was possible after induction chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for P1 cases was treated according to the guidelines at all institutions, and the regimen was not changed depending on the peritoneal dissemination.

SWI by 7T MR Imaging for the Microscopic Imaging Diagnosis of Astrocytic and Oligodendroglial Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite advances in molecular imaging, preoperative diagnosis of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas can be challenging. In the present study, we assessed whether 7T SWI can be used to distinguish astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas and whether malignant grading of gliomas is possible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

7T SWI was performed on 21 patients with gliomas before surgery with optimization for sharp visualization of the corticomedullary junction. Scoring for cortical thickening and displacement of medullary vessels, characteristic of oligodendroglial tumors, and cortical tapering, characteristic of astrocytic tumors, was performed. Additionally, characteristics of malignancy, including thickening of the medullary veins, the presence of microbleeds, and/or necrosis were scored.

RESULTS

Scoring for oligodendroglial (highest possible score, +3) and astrocytic (lowest score possible, -3) characteristics yielded a significant difference between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas (mean, -1.93 versus +1.71, P < .01). Scoring for malignancy was significantly different among the World Health Organization grade II (n = 10), grade III (n = 4), and grade IV (n = 7) tumors (mean, 0.20 versus 1.38 versus 2.79). Cortical thickening was observed significantly more frequently in oligodendrogliomas (P < .02), with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 85.7%; observation of tapering of the cortex was higher in astrocytomas (P < .01) with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Visualization of the corticomedullary junction by 7T SWI was useful in distinguishing astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Observation of tapering of the cortex was most sensitive and specific for diagnosing astrocytomas. Reliably predicting malignant grade was also possible by 7T SWI.

Empagliflozin attenuates arrhythmogenesis via inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation in diastolic phase of diabetic cardiomyopathy

Background

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is an important complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and reported to increase the risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Recent clinical trials showed that empagliflozin (EMPA), a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, improved cardiovascular outcomes regardless of the presence of diabetes and the traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Despite the promising benefit of EMPA on heart failure treatment, its beneficial effect in the context of anti-arrhythmic therapy has not been fully examined. We therefore aimed to examine anti-arrhythmic effect of acute EMPA treatment especially onto calcium (Ca2+) handling in diabetic cardiomyocytes.

Methods

We assessed echocardiography, hemodynamic study, electrophysiology, Ca2+ handling and protein expression in C57BLKS/J-leprdb/db mice (db/db mice), a leptin receptor-deficient model of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and their non-diabetic lean heterozygous Leprdb/+ littermates (db/+ mice).

Results

The 16-week-old db/db mice had preserved systolic function but exhibited diastolic dysfunction. In arrhythmia induction using ex-vivo Langendorff-perfused hearts, db/db mice showed a significantly increased premature ventricular complex (PVC) by 2x Ca2+ and 1μM isoproterenol load than control, which was attenuated by EMPA perfusion (1 μM). Diabetic cardiomyocytes showed an increased frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and waves, and decreased Ca2+ transient amplitude and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content. Ca2+ transient decay tau and time to 50% decay were significantly prolonged in diabetic cardiomyocytes. These data indicating the impaired Ca2+ handling in diabetic cardiomyocytes were normalized by acute administration of EMPA (1 μM), while the administration of NHE inhibitor (Cariporide 10 μM) did not show significant differences. In the protein expression analysis, CaMKII Thr287 autophosphorylation and CaMKII-dependent RyR2 S2814 phosphorylation were significantly increased in diabetic hearts, which were inhibited by short-term (30 min) perfusion of EMPA (1 μM). The expressions of SERCA2a and phospholamban were not significantly different among three groups. Lastly, whole hearts O-GlcNAcylation, one of the important post translational modifications, was significantly reduced by EMPA treatment.

Conclusion

EMPA improved intracellular Ca2+ handling and attenuated arrhythmogenesis in mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy at the diastolic dysfunction phase, suggesting that EMPA may exhibit this anti-arrhythmic effect by normalization of intracellular calcium handling via inhibiting O-GlcNAcylation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Boehringer Ingelheim

Time-series transcriptome of Brachypodium distachyon during bacterial flagellin-induced pattern-triggered immunity

Plants protect themselves from microorganisms by inducing pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) via recognizing microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), conserved across many microbes. Although the MAMP perception mechanism and initial events during PTI have been well-characterized, knowledge of the transcriptomic changes in plants, especially monocots, is limited during the intermediate and terminal stages of PTI. Here, we report a time-series high-resolution RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis during PTI in the leaf disks of Brachypodium distachyon. We identified 6,039 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves sampled at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours after treatment (hat) with the bacterial flagellin peptide flg22. The k-means clustering method classified these DEGs into 10 clusters (6 upregulated and 4 downregulated). Based on the results, we selected 10 PTI marker genes in B. distachyon. Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested a tradeoff between defense responses and photosynthesis during PTI. The data indicated the recovery of photosynthesis started at least at 12 hat. Over-representation analysis of transcription factor genes and cis-regulatory elements in DEG promoters implied the contribution of 12 WRKY transcription factors in plant defense at the early stage of PTI induction.

All Trans-Retinoic Acids Facilitate the Remodeling of 2D and 3D Cultured Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts

Vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is known to be a potent regulator of the growth and differentiation of various types of cells. In the present study, the unidentified effects of ATRA on superficial and vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were examined. The study involved the use of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human conjunctival fibroblast (HconF) cells in the presence or absence of TGF-β2. The effects of ATRA (1 μM) on superficial or vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were evaluated by the barrier function by trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC dextran permeability measurements and real-time metabolic analysis, as well as the physical properties, namely, the size and stiffness, of 3D spheroids, respectively. In addition, the expressions of several related molecules, including extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, ECM modulators including a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and ER stress-related factors, were examined. ATRA significantly induced (1) an increase in TEER values and a decrease in FITC dextran permeability, respectively, in the 2D monolayers, and (2) relatively and substantially increased the size and stiffness, respectively, of the 3D spheroids. These ATRA-induced effects were further enhanced in the TGF-β2-treated cells, whereas the TGF-β2-induced enhancement in glycolytic capacity was canceled by the presence of ATRA. Consistent with these physical and morphological effects, the mRNA expressions of several molecules were significantly but differently induced between 2D and 3D cultures by ATRA, although the presence of TGF-β2 did not substantially affect these gene expression levels. The findings reported in this study indicate that ATRA may exacerbate both superficial and vertical conjunctival fibrosis spreading independently of TGF-β2-induced changes.