Fibrosis-4 index efficiently predicts chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis development based on a large-scale data of general population in Japan

A non-invasive method to evaluate the fibrosis stage and the risk stratification of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is required. A total of 416,066 generally healthy subjects who underwent health check-ups between 1990 and 2019 were investigated. Fatty liver prevalence greatly increased from the 1990s (21.9%) to the 2000s (37.1%) but showed no considerable change between 2001-2010 (39.2%) and 2011-2019 (35.5%). During the 30 years, the rate of high FIB-4 index (≥2.67) and mean body mass index (BMI) did not markedly change. Fatty liver was significantly associated with BMI, but not with alcohol intake or FIB-4 index. Cox regression analyses for development of chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis identified that the risk of developing chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was higher in subjects without fatty liver than in those with it (hazard ratio [HR]=0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.22, p <0.001 and HR=0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.26, p =0.001, respectively), and much larger in subjects with a high FIB-4 index (≥ 2.67) than in those without it (HR=78.6; 95% CI, 29.0-213.1, p <0.001 and HR=5950.7; 95% CI,761.7-46,491.4, p <0.001, respectively). Adjusted survival curves for Cox proportional hazards regression further reinforced these results. In conclusion, the FIB-4 index is a useful indicator of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis development in the general population.

Gender-specific factors contributing to visceral obesity including the sleep-obesity relationship: a large-scale cross-sectional study from East Asia

Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between visceral obesity and its associated factors, especially sleep duration in East Asia. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses using the data of 2538 participants (mean age 56.4 ± 10.8 years) who underwent medical checkups and computed tomography of the abdomen to calculate the visceral fat area from 2008 to 2020. We additionally performed logistic regression analyses using each sleep-duration group (< 5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, and ≥ 8 h) and their respective propensity scores as covariates. According to the criteria of visceral obesity(a visceral fat area ≥ 100 cm²), 1147 of 1918 men (59.8%) and 131 of 620 women (21.1%) had visceral obesity. In multivariate analyses, visceral obesity was significantly associated with age, body mass index and triglyceride in both genders, high-density lipoproteins, uric acid levels, and daily alcohol consumption in men; and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in women. In both multivariate and propensity score matching analyses, sleep duration of > 8 h and visceral obestiy showed a positive association in men but a negative association in women with statistical significance. In conclusion, our large-scale cross-sectional study in East Asia identified various gender-specific factors associated with visceral obesity including the long sleep duration.

Usefulness and accuracy of segmental adrenal venous sampling on localisation and functional diagnosis of various adrenal lesions in primary aldosteronism

AIM

To clarify the usefulness and accuracy of segmental adrenal venous sampling (sAVS) on localisation and functional diagnosis of various adrenal lesions in primary aldosteronism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients (n=162) who underwent adrenalectomy and 138 patients indicated for medication following sAVS were analysed retrospectively. Based on immunohistopathological diagnosis, the positive predictive value (PPV) of computed tomography (CT)-detectable aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) was calculated. Moreover, endocrinological and sAVS characteristics were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively among APA, CT-undetectable aldosterone-producing nodules (APNs), multiple aldosterone-producing micronodules (MAPM), and medication groups.

RESULTS

The PPV of APA by sAVS was 137/141 (97.1%; 95% confidence interval, 92.9-99.2%). Compared to the medication cases, the APA group showed stronger disease activity clinically and significant differences in adrenal hormones, such as a higher aldosterone level and aldosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and lower cortisol levels in the adrenal central vein and aldosterone maximum tributaries on the dominant side after cosyntropin stimulation. The APA group shows focal aldosterone hypersecretion, such as mean number of aldosterone elevated segments (1.7 ± 0.7 versus 2 ± 0.9, p=0.003) and presence of aldosterone-not-elevated segments (93% versus 41%, p<0.001). Clinically and in terms of sAVS, APN and MAPM showed similar characteristics to APA and to the medication cases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

sAVS can localise functionally active tissues of CT-detectable and CT-undetectable lesions enabling decisions on surgical or medical treatment.

Providing mammography in workplaces improved screening rates: cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

Despite sufficient evidence on the importance of breast cancer screening, the screening rate has remained less than 50% in Japan. To promote behavioral change of individuals, it is important to reduce barriers to taking screening. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an environmental approach providing opportunities for mammography (MMG) in workplaces.

Methods

Female employees aged 40 years or older were eligible. Supermarket stores were randomly assigned into two groups, the intervention arm (leaflet and MMG) and the control arm (leaflet). From May to July 2018, participants in the intervention arm were given a leaflet informing the subsidies for breast cancer screening and were provided the opportunity to have MMG in their workplace. Participants in the control group were given the same leaflet, but they had to take the screening outside the workplace as usual. The primary outcome was the breast cancer screening rate in 2018, evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the screening rate in the intervention arm compared with the control arm was estimated using multilevel logistic regression.

Results

We analyzed 1624 participants (mean age was 53 years) from 25 supermarket stores (intervention: 578 patients in 8 stores, control: 1046 patients in 17 stores). The screening rate in the intervention arm was 312 (54%) and was 125 (12%) in the control arm. The OR (and 95% CIs) was 7.81 (5.03-12.12) in the final model adjusted store level effects (i.e., stores and screening rate in 2017 at each store) and individual age and current smoking.

Conclusions

In a worksite-based cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in a Japanese population, an environmental approach providing MMG opportunities in workplaces significantly increased the self-reported breast cancer screening rate within one year. (UMIN000030465)

Key messages

Providing the opportunity of mammography in Japanese supermarket stores improved the breast cancer screening rate. An environmental approach reducing barriers to screening may be more effective than conventional approaches in improving breast cancer screening rate.

Classification of the colonic splenic flexure based on three-dimensional CT analysis

Background

Mobilization of the splenic flexure can be a challenging surgical step in colorectal surgery. This study aimed to classify the splenic flexure based on the three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the splenic hilum and left renal hilum. This classification was used to compare splenic flexure mobilization during colorectal resection.

Methods

CT images of patients with colorectal cancer treated between April 2018 and December 2019 were analysed retrospectively. 3D mutual positioning of the splenic flexure from the ligament of Treitz to the splenic hilum or the left renal hilum was used to classify patients into three groups using cluster analysis. The difference in the procedure time between groups was also analysed in a subset of patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy with complete splenic flexure mobilization.

Results

Of 515 patients reviewed, 319 with colorectal cancers were included in the study and categorized based on the 3D coordinates of the splenic hilum and left renal hilum as caudal (100 patients), cranial (118) and lateral (101) positions. Male sex (P < 0.001), older age (P = 0.004) and increased bodyweight (P = 0.043) were independent characteristics of the lateral group in multiple logistic regression analysis. Thirty-four patients underwent complete splenic flexure mobilization during the study period; this took significantly longer (mean 78.7 min) in the lateral group than in the caudal and cranial groups (41.8 and 43.2 min respectively; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Locating the splenic flexure using 3D coordinates could be helpful in predicting a longer duration for mobilization of the splenic flexure.

Utility of computed tomography and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography/computed tomography for distinguishing appendiceal mucocele caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies

AIM

Differentiating appendiceal mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies before surgery is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT and ¹⁸ F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for differentiating mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal mucocele from other pathologies.

METHOD

The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed appendiceal mucoceles detected on CT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among these patients, 19 underwent FDG-PET/CT preoperatively. We compared features of the CT imaging findings and maximum standard uptake values (SUV_max ) detected by FDG-PET/CT between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies.

RESULTS

A total of 13 men (52%) and 12 women (48%) were included in this study, with a median age of 65 years (range 34-83). There were six patients (24%) with pathologically confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 patients (60%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and four patients (16%) with simple mucocele caused by chronic inflammation. On the CT findings, wall irregularity was the only significant feature for the two groups in this study (83.3% vs 0.0%, P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the SUV_max levels on PET/CT between the two groups (100.0% vs 20.0%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Distinguishing between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies using imaging modalities is challenging. Our results suggest that wall irregularity on CT and elevated SUV_max on PET/CT are useful factors that can be employed for such discrimination.

Effective reflection distance and its association with pressure augmentation index under a variety of acute hemodynamic perturbation

 

Effective reflection distance (ERD), a conceptual distance to a major reflection site from the aortic root, is associated with aging and pressure augmentation index (AIx) in clinical population. However, it is poorly understood how ERD varies and associates with AIx within a subject when the hemodynamic condition is changed extensively by acute pharmacological interventions.

Methods

In 13 anesthetized dogs, we measured aortic pressure (AP) and flow (AF) and femoral arterial flow (FF). Using AP, AF and FF, ERD based on an arterial model comprising a tube with frequency-dependent load (ERD_TL) was determined as a physiologically valid reference. ERD was also determined by wave separation (ERD_WSA) and pressure-only analyses (ERD_AW). Hemodynamic condition was changed by administrating zatebradine (bradycardic agent), nitroprusside, noradrenaline, dobutamine, and dextran.

Results

ERD_TL shortened significantly in response to infusion of nitroprusside or dobutamine. ERD_TL was significantly and negatively associated with AIx in multivariate analysis (Figure/Table). Changes in ERD_WSA or ERD_AW, and their association with AIx were not necessarily concordant with those observed in ERD_TL.

Conclusion

For the first time, we demonstrated that under diverse hemodynamic conditions, ERD_TL can change sensitively, and associates with AIx physiologically. This substantiates importance of tight attention to medication at clinical analysis of wave reflection phenomena. ERD_WSA or ERD_AW may not be a surrogate of ERD_TL.

Responses of ERD to drugs

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Pathological assessment of osimertinib-associated cardiotoxicity in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background

Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inhibits both EGFR-TKI sensitizing mutations and resistant T790M mutations detected in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Cardiac adverse events (AEs) induced by osimertinib are infrequent; however, cases of severe associated cardiac dysfunction have been reported and remain poorly understood.

Purpose

To assess pathogenesis of osimertinib-associated cardiac AEs, we analyzed myocardial specimens of three NSCLC cases with osimertinib-associated cardiac dysfunction.

Results

Analysis of LVEF prior to and after osimertinb administration in 36 NSCLC patients showed significant decrease of LVEF from 69% to 63%. Within this cohort, right ventricular (RV) biopsy was performed in 2 cases to further understand the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction. Case 1 was 78-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring an EGFR L858R mutation was treated with osimertinib as second line therapy. After 3 moths of osimetinib treatment, she presented with dyspnea, high NT-proBNP and troponin I, and significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 28%. RV biopsy showed moderate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy without inflammatory cell infiltration. Case 2 was 52-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring L858R mutation. She was treated with osimertinib as first line therapy. After 2 weeks of osimertinib, screening echocardiography revealed a reduction of LVEF from 63% to 41% without cardiac symptom. RV biopsy showed mild cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with infiltration of a few inflammatory cells in interstinum. We further analyzed death case of NSCLC. Case 3 was 63-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR ex. 19 del. and T790M mutations. After 6 months of osimertinib, she suffered from severe respiratory failure and severely reduced LVEF at 27%. She died on the 44th day after admission. Pathological autopsy revealed mild to moderate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy without inflammatory cell infiltration in both ventricles. These pathological findings may indicate neither myocyte injury nor myocarditis was induced by osimertinib in myocardium.

Conclusion

Although additional data collection of advanced NSCLC patients will be important in understanding the pathophysiology of cardiac AEs with osimertinib, osimertinib-associated cardiotoxicity may result from functional inhibition of myocyte contractility by osimertinib without induction of cell death or inflammation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Donepezil markedly prevents the progression of chronic heart failure and renal dysfunction in renal artery stenosis-induced hypertensive rats

Introduction

Parasympathetic activation by donepezil has been shown to improve prognosis in chronic heart failure (CHF) rats following myocardial infarction. We examined whether donepezil is effective in the treatment of another CHF model complicated with renal artery stenosis (RAS)-induced hypertension.

Methods

RAS was created by ligating the left renal artery up to 50% in SD rats, at the same time, we implanted a blood pressure (BP) transmitter for confirming RAS-induced hypertension (7-week post-RAS: systolic BP = 154±7 mmHg; diastolic BP = 115±8 mmHg). In the 11th week after induction of RAS, surviving animals were randomly assigned to untreated (UT, n=10) or donepezil treated [DT, n=10, dissolved in drinking water (3mg/kg/day)] group. After a 6-week treatment, the effects of donepezil were evaluated by hemodynamics, blood levels of neurohumoral markers, and morphology.

Results

Compared with UT, DT significantly prevented the progression of the left kidney atrophy (2.38±0.13 vs. 1.51±0.34 g/kg, P&lt;0.05) and kidney fibrosis (left: −64%, P&lt;0.001; right: −55%, P&lt;0.01). DT also significantly prevented the progression of CHF, through suppressing cardiac hypertrophy (2.30±0.06 vs. 2.57±0.08 g/kg, P&lt;0.01), cardiac fibrosis (−70%, P&lt;0.01), and cardiac dysfunction [cardiac index: 102±3 vs. 86±3 ml/min/kg, P&lt;0.05; left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure: 12±2 vs. 20±2 mmHg, P&lt;0.05; LV dp/dtmin: 5856±259 vs. 4924±227 mmHg/sec, P&lt;0.05]. DT not only decreased serum levels of creatinine (0.54±0.02 vs. 0.63±0.03 mg/dl, P&lt;0.05) and uric acid (1.4±0.2 vs. 1.9±0.2 mg/dl, P&lt;0.05); but also decreased plasma levels of norepinephrine (273±38 vs. 846±242, P&lt;0.01), AVP (2729±347 vs. 4783±695 pg/ml, P&lt;0.05), BNP (360±13 vs. 460±39 pg/ml, P&lt;0.05), angiotensin II and aldosteron, and suppressed the systemic inflammation.

Conclusions

Donepezil treatment markedly prevented the progression of CHF and renal dysfunction, and improved the neurohumoral markers in the CHF rat model complicated with RAS-induced hypertension, suggesting that donepezil may be used as a new pharmacotherapy for CHF patients complicated with RAS-induced hypertension.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A minimally-occlusive cuff method utilizing ultrasound vascular imaging for stress-free blood pressure measurement

Objective

Occlusive cuff inflation in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring disturbs the daily life of the user, and affects efficacy of monitoring. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel minimally-occlusive cuff method for stress-free measurement of BP. This study aimed to experimentally evaluate the reliability of this method, and improve the precision of this method by implementing a machine learning algorithm.

Methods

In this method, a thin-plate-type ultrasound probe (Size: 5.6mm-thickness × 28mm × 26mm; weight: 10g) is placed between the cuff and the skin, and used to measure the ultrasonic dimension of the artery (Figure 1). The cuff pressure (Pc), arterial dimension at systole (Ds) and diastole (Dd), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) during cuff inflation are theoretically related by the following equations,

SBP-Pc = P0·Exp[α·Ds]

DBP-Pc = P0·Exp[α·Dd]

Where P0 and α are constants, and α indicates arterial stiffness. Since multiple sets of the two equations can be defined over multiple cardiac beats while measuring Pc, Ds and Dd during mild cuff inflation (Pc is controlled less than 50 mmHg, Figure 1), it is possible to estimate SBP (SBPe) and DBP (DBPe) as solutions of the equations. In 6 anesthetized dogs, we attached the cuff and the probe to the right thigh to get SBPe and DBPe, which were one-time calibrated in each animal against reference SBP and DBP measured by using an intra-arterial catheter. We also determined the pulse arrival time (PAT), which is a commonly employed parameter in cuff-less BP monitoring. In all the dogs, BP was changed extensively by infusing noradrenaline or sodium nitroprusside.

Results

DBPe correlated tightly with DBP with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.85±0.08, and predicted DBP with error of 3.9±7.9 mmHg after one-time calibration (Figure 2). PAT correlated poorly with DBP (R2=0.49±0.17), and predicted DBP less accurately than this method. SBPe correlated well with SBP (R2=0.78±0.08) (Figure 3). However, even after one-time calibration, difference between SBPe and SBP was 2.6±18.9 mmHg, which was not acceptable. To improve the precision in SBP prediction, we used supervised machine learning approach with use of a support vector algorithm (Python, Scikit-learn), which regressed feature variables (SBPe, DBPe, Ds, Dd heart rate, and PAT) against teacher signal (reference SBP). The support vector algorithm, once trained, predicted SBP with acceptable accuracy with error of 0.7±6.9 mmHg (Figure 3).

Conclusions

This method reliably tracks BP changes without occlusive cuff inflation. Once calibrated, this method measures DBP accurately. With the aid of machine learning, precision in SBP prediction was greatly improved to an acceptable level. This method with machine learning approach has potential for stress-free BP measurement in ambulatory BP monitoring.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Modulation of sphingosine 1-phosphate by hepatobiliary cholesterol handling

Hepatobiliary cholesterol handling, mediated by Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein (NPC1L1) and ABCG5/8, is well-known to contribute to the homeostasis of cholesterol. We attempted to elucidate the impact of hepatobiliary cholesterol handling on the homeostasis of sphingolipids and lysophospholipids, especially sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). We induced the overexpression of NPC1L1 or ABCG5/8 in the mouse liver. Hepatic NPC1L1 overexpression increased the plasma and hepatic S1P levels, while it decreased the biliary S1P levels, and all of these changes were inhibited by ezetimibe. The ability of HDL to activate Akt in the endothelial cells was augmented by hepatic NPC1L1 overexpression. NPC1L1-mediated S1P transport was confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo studies conducted using C₁₇ S1P, an exogenous S1P analog. Upregulation of apolipoprotein M (apoM) was involved in these modulations, although apoM was not necessary for these modulations. Moreover, the increase in the plasma S1P levels also observed in ABCG5/8-overexpressing mice was dependent on the elevation of the plasma apoM levels. In regard to other sphingolipids and lysophospholipids, ceramides were similarly modulated by NPC1L1 to S1P, while other lipids were differently influenced by NPC1L1 or ABCG5/8 from S1P. Hepatobiliary cholesterol handling might also regulate the functional lipids, such as S1P.

Effects of preceding endoscopic treatment on laparoscopic surgery for early rectal cancer

AIM

Endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, causes inflammation, oedema and fibrosis in the surrounding tissue. However, little is known about the effect of these endoscopic therapies on salvage laparoscopic rectal surgery. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyse the effect of preceding endoscopic treatment on the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

METHOD

We analysed 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with clinical Tis or T1 at our department between May 2011 and June 2019. Data from 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery after preceding endoscopic treatment (Group E + S) were compared with those of 23 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery alone (Group S).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to preoperative details. The mean operative time tended to be longer in Group E + S, and the volume of intra-operative blood loss was greater in Group E + S than in Group S (median 63 ml vs 10 ml, P = 0.049). There were no significant differences between the groups in other surgical parameters or oncological outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery after endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer may be difficult due to an increased risk of intra-operative bleeding. Long-term prognosis after surgery was not affected by preceding endoscopic treatment in rectal cancer.

Vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure, focusing on the accessory middle colic artery and vein

AIM

Recently, the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as the vessel that supplies blood to the splenic flexure. However, the positional relationship between the AMCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) has not been evaluated. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the AMCA and the splenic flexure vein (SFV).

METHOD

Two hundred and five patients with colorectal cancer who underwent enhanced CT preoperatively were enrolled in the present study. The locations of the AMCA and IMV were evaluated, focusing on the positional relationship between the vessels and pancreas - below the pancreas or to the dorsal side of the pancreas.

RESULTS

The AMCA was observed in 74 (36.1%) patients whereas the SFV was found in 177 (86.3%) patients. The left colic artery (LCA) was the major artery accompanying the SFV in 87 (42.4%) of patients. The AMCA accompanied the SFV in 65 (32.7%) patients. In 15 (7.8%) patients, no artery accompanied the SFV. The origin of the AMCA was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 15 (20.3%) of these 74 patients. Similarly, the destination of the IMV was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 65 (31.7%) of patients.

CONCLUSION

The SFV was observed in most patients, and the LCA or AMCA was the common accompanying artery. In some patients these vessels were located on the dorsal side of the pancreas and not below it. Preoperative evaluation of this anatomy may be beneficial for lymph node dissection during left-sided hemicolectomy.

Analysis of urinary sphingolipids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in diabetic nephropathy

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Sphingolipids, such as ceramides and sphingosine, are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes; however, the modulation of urinary sphingolipids in diabetic nephropathy has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to develop a simultaneous measurement system for urinary sphingolipids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and to elucidate the modulation of urinary sphingolipids in diabetic nephropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a simultaneous measurement system for the urinary sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, and six ceramide species (Cer d18:1/16:0, Cer d18:1/18:0, Cer d18:1/18:1, Cer d18:1/20:0, Cer d18:1/22:0 and Cer d18:1/24:0), and we examined the urinary sphingolipids in 64 type 2 diabetes patients and 15 control participants.

RESULTS

The established measurement system for the urinary sphingolipids showed good precision for Cer d18:1/16:0, Cer d18:1/20:0, Cer d18:1/22:0 and Cer d18:1/24:0. We observed that the urinary levels of Cer d18:1/16:0, Cer d18:1/18:0, Cer d18:1/20:0, Cer d18:1/22:0 and Cer d18:1/24:0 were elevated in patients with stage 3 of diabetic nephropathy, and were correlated with urinary biomarkers, such as albumin and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, and sediment score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our method is useful for the measurement of ceramide in urine specimens, and urinary ceramides might be associated with the pathological condition of diabetic nephropathy, such as renal tubular injury.

The slow earthquake spectrum in the Japan Trench illuminated by the S-net seafloor observatories

Investigating slow earthquake activity in subduction zones provides insight into the slip behavior of megathrusts, which can provide important clues about the rupture extent of future great earthquakes. Using the S-net ocean-bottom seismograph network along the Japan Trench, we mapped a detailed distribution of tectonic tremors, which coincided with very-low-frequency earthquakes and a slow slip event. Compiling these and other related observations, including repeating earthquakes and earthquake swarms, we found that the slow earthquake distribution is complementary to the Tohoku-Oki earthquake rupture. We used our observations to divide the megathrust in the Japan Trench into three along-strike segments characterized by different slip behaviors. We found that the rupture of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake, which nucleated in the central segment, was terminated by the two adjacent segments.

Incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study

AIM

Pelvic lymphocele is a common complication that develops after pelvic lymph node dissection. The incidence of pelvic lymphocele formation has been reported to be 10.5-51% after gynaecological or urological procedures. However, no evidence has been reported thus far with regard to the development of pelvic lymphocele following lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) for low rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after LPND for low rectal cancer and to examine its clinical management.

METHOD

We retrospectively analysed the incidence of and risk factors for pelvic lymphocele formation after LPND for rectal cancer in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2017. We also compared the size of the lymphocele between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients by using CT volumetry and examined its clinical management.

RESULTS

A total of 30 out of 98 patients (30.8%) developed pelvic lymphocele after rectal LPND. The number of resected nodes was significantly higher in patients with a pelvic lymphocele (P < 0.01). The median volume was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic pelvic lymphocele (P = 0.011). Among the nine symptomatic patients, two underwent CT-guided drainage, one underwent transurethral ureteral stent placement and one underwent laparoscopic marsupialization.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to keep in mind the possibility of pelvic lymphocele formation during follow-up of patients who undergo LPND, and to consider an appropriate treatment when these patients are symptomatic.

Age-related and seasonal change in serum osmolarity and water intake in a healthy population

Background and aim

Few studies have clarified the seasonal and age-related change of serum osmolarity and water intake, which is thought to be associated with heat stroke and ischemic stroke. We investigated the association between them in a healthy population.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using database from Kobe Orthopedic and Biomedical Epidemiologic (KOBE) Study. Among 1138 healthy Japanese participants in the baseline survey, 1010 (women 704 and men 306) participants were eligible for the present study. Daily non-alcohol drink (NAD) intake was estimated according to food frequency questionnaire. Alcohol beverage and water in the meal or soup were excluded from the counting. Serum osmolarity (Osm/L) was calculated by Worthley’s formula: 2 (serum sodium (mEq/L)) + (blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL))/2.8 + (glucose (mg/dL))/18. The seasons the surveys were conducted were categorized into 4 groups, March-May (Spring), June-August (Summer), September-November (Autumn), and December-February (Winter). The association between serum osmolarity and daily NAD intake was analyzed using linear regression models.

Results

The seasonal change was observed in the serum osmolarity and daily NAD intake; serum osmolarity increased in spring and summer and daily NAD intake increased in summer. The serum osmolarity increased by aging in any seasons, while daily water intake didn’t. There was no significant association observed between serum osmolarity and the daily NAD intake, even after adjusting for sex, age, and season.

Conclusions

Serum osmolarity showed seasonal and age-related changes, but the serum osmolarity in subjects who had the daily habit of high NAD intake was not necessarily low.

Key messages

Serum osmolarity increased by aging and in spring and summer. Serum osmolarity was not associated with non-alcohol drink intake.

Presence of intimate family and cancer screening behavior: a cross-sectional study of 4237 workers

Background

Presence of intimate family is considered as one of the related factors of health behaviors. The study aim was to clarify the relationship between the presence of significant others and having a colorectal cancer screening.

Methods

This study used data of baseline survey of intervention study regarding breast cancer screening at worksites. A total of 6827 workers, aged 40 and over of the retail company, were required to fill out a self-administrated questionnaire related to cancer screening. the intimate family was defined as a person’s spouse or partner and children. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs] of undergoing an annual screening for colorectal cancer by the presence of spouse or partner adjusting for age. The same analysis was performed regarding the presence of children.

Results

Response rates were 70% in men and 71% in women. After excluding participants with a past history of cancer and lack of information about colorectal cancer screening or the presence of significant others, 4203 remained for the analyses. A total of 1777 participants reported that they had undergone screening for colorectal cancer within a year (42% in men and 42% in women). Screening rates of participants with/without a spouse were 45% and 30% in men, 44% and 38% in women. Screening rates of participants with/without children were 45% and 33% in men, 43% and 38% in women. ORs of undergoing annual colorectal cancer screening by the presence of spouse were 1.8 (1.3-2.5) in men and 1.3 (1.1-1.5) in women. ORs by the presence of children were 1.6 (1.2-2.1) in men and 1.1 (0.9-1.3) in women.

Conclusions

This study indicated that health behavior in cancer screening could be affected by having a spouse in both men and women. The presence of children positively related in men. Male workers with children might be under some pressure to keep their health, from a sense of responsibility of main income earner.

Key messages

Health behavior in cancer screening could be affected by having a spouse. Health behavior in cancer screening could be affected by having a child only in men.

P4605Landiolol, a beta-blocker, optimizes cardiac energetics and peripheral microhemodynamics better than ivabradine while reducing heart rate at hemodynamic resuscitation of experimental septic shock

Background

Septic shock is associated with sympathetic over-activation characterized by tachycardia, which is associated with poor survival. Though several kinds of drugs are available to reduce heart rate (HR), it is not clear which drug should be used to reduce HR effectively in initial hemodynamic resuscitation in septic shock.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate comparative effects of landiolol (a β-blocker) and ivabradine (an If-channel inhibitor) on initial hemodynamic resuscitation in a canine model of endotoxin shock.

Methods

We used 19 anesthetized dogs. Seven dogs were allocated to control (CT) group, six dogs to landiolol (BB) group, and six dogs to ivabradine (IVA) group. In all the groups, endotoxin shock was induced by intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (4 mg/kg) over 1 h. After induction of endotoxin shock, we started hemodynamic resuscitation to restore mean arterial pressure (AP) and cardiac output (CO) by infusing noradrenaline (NA) and Ringer acetate solution (RiA). Dose of NA and RiA were automatically titrated with use of a computer-controlled drug infusion system that we developed previously. Hemodynamic resuscitation was continued for 4 h. During resuscitation, the BB group was given landiolol infusion at a low-dose range (1–10 μg/kg/min, manually titrated), while the IVA group was given ivabradine at 0.25 mg/kg bolus-injected every 2 h.

Results

The drug infusion system automatically restored AP to 70 mmHg and CO to greater than 90% of baseline level in all the groups. The restored AP and CO were not significantly different among the three groups (Figure A, B). There were no significant differences in the computer-controlled infusion rate of NA and cumulated volume of RiA infused among the three groups (Figure C). During the first 2 h of resuscitation, HR was significantly reduced in the BB and IVA groups in comparison to the CT group (Figure D). However, only in the BB group, cardiac oxygen consumption was significantly lower than that in the CT group (Figure E). Blood lactate level decreased significantly after hemodynamic resuscitation only within the BB group (Figure F).

Figure 1

Conclusions

In the initial hemodynamic resuscitation of septic shock, both low-dose landiolol infusion and ivabradine injection may be used to reduce HR. However, to optimize cardiac energetics and peripheral microhemodynamics, low-dose landiolol infusion may be preferable to ivabradine injection.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 15K01307, 18K12126.

P6199Lipoprotein(a) and risk of chronic kidney disease among 4,235 Japanese hospitalized patients

Background

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been shown to be associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among various ethnicities. In addition, recent Mendelian randomization studies have suggested that Lp(a) seems to be causally associated with CKD. However, few data exist regarding this issue among Japanese population.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the association between serum Lp(a) and the CKD among Japanese population.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 6,130 subjects whose serum Lp(a) had been measured for any reason (e.g. any operations which needs bed rest for a long duration, risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension or diabetes) at our University Hospital from April 2004 to March 2014. We excluded 1,895 subjects due to the lack clinical data. We assessed their Lp(a), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, presence of hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking, body mass index, presence of coronary artery disease (CAD), and presence of CKD (stage 3 or greater).

Results

When the study subjects were divided into 5 groups based on their CKD stage, there was a significant trend among their serum Lp(a) levels (P-trend = 2.7×10–13). Under these conditions, multiple regression analysis showed that Lp(a) was significantly associated with CKD [odds ratio (OR): 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.17; p=1.3×10–7: per 10mg/dL)., independent of other classical risk factors, including age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Under these conditions, Lp(a) was significantly associated with CAD [OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06–1.16; p=1.7×10–6: per 10mg/dL), independent of the presence of CKD.

Conclusion

Serum Lp(a) was associated with the development of CKD independent of other classical risk factors among Japanese population as well.

Obstruction is associated with perineural invasion in T3/T4 colon cancer

AIM

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a risk factor for recurrence and metastasis and consequently leads to decreased survival in patients with various malignancies. Recent studies showed that stent placement in obstructive colon cancer increases the frequency of PNI. We hypothesized that mechanical stress including obstruction itself may be associated with PNI.

METHOD

We retrospectively reviewed 496 patients with pathological T3 or T4 colon cancer who did not receive preoperative treatment. Data were collected from medical charts and pathological findings. The relationships between PNI and other clinicopathological factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

PNI was observed in 239 (48%) patients. Obstruction was markedly more frequent in PNI-positive cancer (39%) than in PNI-negative cancer (24%, P = 0.0003). Multivariate analyses identified obstruction as one of the significant factors associated with PNI (OR 1.68, P = 0.028). Moreover, in 414 patients without distant metastasis who underwent complete resection, PNI was an independent factor associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 2.35, P = 0.003). The coexistence of PNI and obstruction resulted in greater decreases in recurrence-free survival than PNI-negative and/or non-obstructive cases.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that obstruction is associated with PNI and consequently contributes to an increased postoperative recurrence in colon cancer.

Evidence for solitonic spin excitations from a charge-lattice-coupled ferroelectric order

Topological defects have been explored in different fields ranging from condensed matter physics and particle physics to cosmology. In condensed matter, strong coupling between charge, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom brings about emergent excitations with topological characteristics at low energies. One-dimensional (1D) systems with degenerate dimerization patterns are typical stages for the generation of topological defects, dubbed "solitons"; for instance, charged solitons are responsible for high electrical conductivity in doped trans-polyacetylene. Here, we provide evidence based on a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study for mobile spin solitons deconfined from a strongly charge-lattice-coupled spin-singlet ferroelectric order in a quasi-1D organic charge-transfer complex. The NMR spectral shift and relaxation rate associated with static and dynamic spin susceptibilities indicate that the ferroelectric order is violated by dilute solitonic spin excitations, which were further demonstrated to move diffusively by the frequency dependence of the relaxation rate. The traveling solitons revealed here may promise the emergence of anomalous electrical and thermal transport.

Evaluation of the vascular anatomy of the left-sided colon focused on the accessory middle colic artery: a single-centre study of 734 patients

AIM

Surgery for colorectal cancer located in the splenic flexure is difficult to perform because of the complex anatomy. Recently, in addition to the middle colic artery and left colic artery (LCA), the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as a feeding artery for the left-sided colon. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure focusing on the AMCA in a large number of patients.

METHOD

A total of 734 patients who underwent CT before surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled. We retrospectively evaluated the vascular anatomy using both two- and three-dimensional CT angiography.

RESULTS

The AMCA existed in 36.4% of the cases (n = 267). In many cases, it originated from the superior mesenteric artery (n = 228, 85.4%). The AMCA had a common trunk with the transverse pancreatic artery in 54 patients (20.2%). The frequency of the presence of the AMCA was associated with the branching pattern of the LCA, and was more frequent when the LCA was absent (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of the AMCA is not rare and the AMCA has some branching patterns; therefore, recognizing it preoperatively and intra-operatively is important, being especially careful when the LCA is absent.

Cryopreservation of in vitro Shoot Tips of Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Cal.) Using D Cryo-Plate Method

　　BACKGROUND: Maintenance of in vitro collections of ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Cal.) is cumbersome and costly in an ex-situ genebank. An alternative method for long term preservation which is safe and cost-effective is required.

OBJECTIVE

To apply a novel cryopreservation procedure using the cryo-plate system to improve the long-term conservation of ulluco.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially V and D cryo-plate methods were tested, subsequently the D cryo-plate method was selected for ulluco cryopreservation. The D cryo-plate procedures were optimized for post-LN regrowth procedures including cold-hardening, sucrose addition in alginate gel, and duration of LS treatment. Optimized procedures were tested with 11 ulluco lines.

RESULTS

Shoot tips were isolated from cold-hardened shoots for 3-4 weeks at 5 degree C were excised to 1.0-1.5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide and precultured for 16h at 25 degree C on MS with 0.3 M sucrose. The shoot tips were attached on the cryo-plates by alginate gel with 0.4M sucrose. The cryo-plates with attached shoot tips were treated with 2.0 M glycerol and 1.0 M sucrose solution for 90 min at 25 degree C and dehydrated on filter paper in a Petri dish by air current flow at 25 degree C for 45 min before direct immersion in LN. This optimized procedure was applied to shoot tips of 11 ulluco lines, resulting regrowth ranging from 73 % to 97 %, with an average of 90 % post-LN regrowth.

CONCLUSION

D cryo-plate is a practical and simple procedure for cryo-storage of in vitro grown ulluco shoot tips in an ex situ genebank.