Clinical features of patients with connective tissue disease with anti-human upstream binding factor antibodies: A single-center retrospective study

Anti-human upstream-binding factor (anti-hUBF) antibodies have been reported predominantly in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs); these have also been reported in patients without CTDs such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of the low frequency of expression and few case reports, there is no consensus on the clinical significance of these antibodies. Thus, we aimed to examine the clinical features of patients with anti-hUBF antibodies and analyzed 1042 patients with clinically suspected CTDs. The presence of anti-hUBF antibodies was screened using immunoprecipitation assays. Of the 1042 patients, 19 (1.82%) tested positive for anti-hUBF antibodies; among them, 10 (56%) were diagnosed with undifferentiated CTD (UCTD), six with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and three with other diseases. Five of the 10 patients with UCTD were referred to our hospital with suspected SSc. None of the five patients fulfilled the 2013 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria, but three scored seven points, a relatively high score. Six anti-hUBF-positive patients with SSc had a significantly lower modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) than that of anti-hUBF-negative patients with SSc (2 [0-2] vs 7 [0-49], p < 0.01). Compared with anti-topoisomerase I-positive patients, anti-hUBF-positive patients had a significantly lower mRSS (2 [0-2] vs 13 [0-42], p < 0.01) and lower incidence of scleroderma renal crisis (0 of 6 vs 8 of 184, p < 0.01). Compared with anti-centromere-positive patients, anti-hUBF-positive patients had a higher incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), but the difference was not statistically significant (4 of 6 vs 19 of 239). In conclusion, anti-hUBF antibodies were predominantly detected in patients with CTDs and UCTD. In patients with CTDs, SSc exhibited a high ratio, displaying a lower mRSS and higher incidence of ILD. In patients with UCTD, careful follow-up is recommended as they may develop CTDs in the future.

Absence of interstitial lung disease at initial visit may predict a favorable outcome for Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis with anti-topoisomerase I antibody

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is recognized a prognostic factor and leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the present study is to clarify factors at an initial visit that are associated with the deterioration of ILD in SSc patients with anti-topoisomerase I (anti-topo I) antibodies. This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. Fifty-three consecutive SSc patients with anti-topo I antibodies were included in this study. Of the 53 patients, 43 had ILD at their initial visit, whereas 10 did not. We examined the clinical and immunological factors at an initial visit that were associated with the deterioration of ILD. The deterioration of ILD was defined as the administration of intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY) therapy. In this cohort, 45 (85%) patients had ILD at the time of the final observation, and only two who did not have ILD at their initial visit developed ILD during the follow-up period. Until the final observation, 26 (49%) patients received IVCY therapy for the progression of ILD. The age at onset, disease duration, SSc subtype, and skin score were similar between patients with and those without IVCY therapy. Approximately 60% (26 of 43) of patients with ILD at their initial visit received IVCY therapy. On the other hand, none of the 10 patients without ILD at their initial visit received IVCY therapy. Our multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that the presence of ILD at an initial visit was an independent factor associated with the introduction of IVCY therapy (odds ratio, 2.8e+7 [95% confidence interval, 1.8e+17-uncalculated], p = 0.0048). Although anti-topo I antibodies are strongly associated with ILD, it was unlikely for SSc patients with anti-topo I antibodies to receive IVCY therapy when they did not have ILD at an initial visit.

FcγRIIB inhibits inflammation in a murine model of psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory cutaneous disease. FcγRIIB is a low-affinity receptor for the IgG Fc fragment that provides a negative feedback pathway to down-regulate B-cell antigen receptor signaling.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FcγRIIB in the development of murine imiquimod (IMQ)-induced, psoriasis-like skin inflammation.

METHODS

The experimental psoriasis-like skin inflammation was induced by the topical application of IMQ to the ears of FcγRIIB deficient (FcγRIIB^-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice. After 6 days, epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration of the skin were histopathologically assessed and cytokine and chemokine expression levels were measured with RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Skin inflammation was significantly worse in FcγRIIB^-/- mice than WT mice. In the skin, the numbers of Gr-1⁺ neutrophils, CD11c⁺ dendritic cells, and Foxp3⁺ T cells were significantly higher in FcγRIIB^-/- mice than WT mice. In the spleen, the numbers of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells and CD19⁺IL-10⁺ B cells were also significantly higher in FcγRIIB^-/-mice than WT mice. The mRNA expression of Il-6, Il-17a, and Il-23a was significantly enhanced in FcγRIIB^-/- mice. An adoptive transfer of splenic leukocytes from FcγRIIB^-/- mice into WT mice also exacerbated skin inflammation compared to WT mice that received splenic leukocytes from WT mice. Intravenous immunoglobulin significantly reduced skin inflammation in WT mice, but this improvement was not observed in FcγRIIB^-/- mice.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that FcγRIIB likely plays a suppressive role in IMQ-induced, psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Furthermore, signal modulation via FcγRIIB is a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis.

P768 Potential utility of fully automated Doppler flow velocity tracing software in patients with atrial fibrillation

Purpose

We aimed to determine the usefulness of the software, and to validate the minimum number of beats required to approximate SV in patients with AF.

Methods

We selected 21 AF patients who had undergone 2D echocardiography using GE ultrasound machine (E95, GE healthcare). LVOT area was calculated by 3.14×(LVOT diameter/2)². LVOT pulse-wave Doppler velocity was recorded from an apical approach with a quiet breathing. To maximize the number of flow envelope on the screen, sweep speed was set at 12.5 mm/s. LVOT velocity time integral was measured by both manual tracing method and fully automated method (Cardiac Auto Doppler, GE healthcare). The grand truth of mean SV (reference SV) in each patient was defined as the averaged values of SV from all consecutive beats. We also calculated the mean SV value with the successive addition of sequential beats started from the 1st beat. Each value was compared with the reference SV and % variability was calculated. We determined the minimum number of beats showing %variability becoming &lt;5%.

Results

Mean age was 77 years. Mean heart rate and reference SV index (SVI) were 80 ± 12 bpm and 35 ± 10 mL/m2. A total number of beats for recording was ranged from 16 to 25 in each patient. The fully automated software could analyze Doppler envelope in 395 out of 412 beats (Feasibility: 96%). Although there was a good correlation of SV in individual beats between the manual and automatic method (r = 0.92), the automatic method significantly overestimated SV (mean bias: 2.6 mL, p &lt; 0.001) compared with the manual method. The median values of minimum number of beats showing % variability &lt; 5% were 4 (interquartile range: 2 -7) for manual tracing method. The corresponding values were 5 (2 -6) for automatic method. If we used mean values of SV during consecutive 10 beats, 92% of patients using manual method and 96% of patients using automatic method showed % variability &lt; 5%. There were excellent correlation between reference SV and averaged SV from the 1st beat to 10th beat (manual: r = 0.98, automatic: r = 0.99). If we defined low flow status as &lt; 35 mL/m2, averaged SVI during consecutive 10 beats using the automatic method had a correct diagnosis in 20 out of 21 patients.

Conclusions

We concluded that minimum number of required beats for averaging was 10 in most AF patients. Rapid and reliable SV analysis with a novel fully automated Doppler software has a potential for its adoption in busy echocardiography laboratories.

P1408 Age and gender dependency of left ventricular and left atrial volume ratio assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography

Funding Acknowledgements

Dr. Takeuchi was supported by a Grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (19K12853) from the Japanese Society of Promotion of Science.

Background

Left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) volumes may change according to advanced aging. Since both chambers affect each other, their ratio, LV and LA volume ratio (LVLAVR) may sensitively detect age- and gender-related change in left chamber volume and function.

Purpose

We aimed to (1) investigate age and gender dependency of LVLAVR and (2) determine reference values.

Methods

We simultaneously obtained both LV and LA volume curves using 3D echocardiography with novel speckle tracking software (4D LV analysis v.3 LA, TomTec Imaging systems), and generated LVLAVR curve throughout one cardiac cycle, from which we measured LVLAVR at end-diastole (ED) and at end-systole (ES) in 313 healthy subjects (age, 20-85 years; 51% men).

Results

The mean values of LVLAVR at ED and ES in male subjects were 5.74 ± 1.54 and 1.37 ± 0.35, respectively. Corresponding values in female subjects were significantly lower (5.20 ± 1.47, p = 0.003 and 1.13 ± 0.29, p &lt; 0.001) than those in male subjects. Their age and gender dependency are shown in table. LVLAVR at ED step wisely decreased to advanced aging, and had a highest F ratio compared with other left chamber volumetric parameters in both gender.

Conclusions

We proposed new index, LVLAVR which is a sensitive parameter to reflect age- and gender-related change in LV and LA volumes. Further studies should be required to validate clinical utility of this index over traditional volumetric parameters.

Male subjects (n = 160) 3rd decade (n = 35) 4th decade (n = 34) 5th decade (n = 34) 6th decade (n = 21) 7th decade (n = 24) F ratio p-value LVEDVI (ml/m2) 81 ± 12 72 ± 11 75 ± 14 71 ± 11 68 ± 12 4.22 0.003 LVESVI 38 ± 7 33 ± 6 35 ± 8 34 ± 5 32 ± 6 2.93 0.023 Maximum LAVI 25 ± 5 25 ± 4 27 ± 5 26 ± 6 30 ± 8 4.07 0.004 Minimum LAVI 12 ± 3 12 ± 3 14 ± 3 14 ± 3 18 ± 6 12.23 &lt;0.001 LVLAVR at ED 6.80 ± 1.54 6.36 ± 1.31 5.42 ± 1.00 5.23 ± 1.37 3.97 ± 0.85 19.72 &lt;0.001 LVLAVR at es 1.53 ± 0.42 1.39 ± 0.29 1.36 ± 0.31 1.35 ± 0.32 1.09 ± 0.26 5.85 &lt;0.001 Female subjects (n = 153) 3rd decade (n = 31) 4th decade (n = 23) 5th decade (n = 30) 6th decade (n = 22) 7th decade (n = 47) F ratio p-value LVEDVI 69 ± 11 68 ± 10 62 ± 8 60 ± 9 63 ± 9 4.29 0.003 LVESVI 29 ± 6 29 ± 6 27 ± 5 26 ± 7 28 ± 6 1.45 0.220 Maximum LAVI 24 ± 5 24 ± 5 24 ± 5 25 ± 5 27 ± 5 1.73 0.147 Minimum LAVI 11 ± 2 11 ± 2 12 ± 3 13 ± 4 16 ± 4 16.59 &lt;0.001 LVLAVR at ED 6.51 ± 1.36 6.20 ± 1.26 5.43 ± 1.28 4.67 ± 0.96 4.03 ± 0.81 25.46 &lt;0.001 LVLAVR at ES 1.22 ± 0.22 1.22 ± 0.32 1.14 ± 0.33 1.06 ± 0.29 1.06 ± 0.25 2.08 0.087 LVED(S)VI, left ventricular end-diastolic (end-systolic) volume index; LAVI, left atrial volume index; LVLAVR, left ventricular left atrial volume ratio

Operation and commissioning of IFMIF (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility) LIPAc injector

The objective of linear IFMIF prototype accelerator is to demonstrate 125 mA/CW deuterium ion beam acceleration up to 9 MeV. The injector has been developed in CEA Saclay and already demonstrated 140 mA/100 keV deuterium beam [R. Gobin et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85, 02A918 (2014)]. The injector was disassembled and delivered to the International Fusion Energy Research Center in Rokkasho, Japan. After reassembling the injector, commissioning has started in 2014. Up to now, 100 keV/120 mA/CW hydrogen and 100 keV/90 mA/CW deuterium ion beams have been produced stably from a 10 mm diameter extraction aperture with a low beam emittance of 0.21 π mm mrad (rms, normalized). Neutron production by D-D reaction up to 2.4 × 10(9) n/s has been observed in the deuterium operation.

Measurement of ion species in high current ECR H⁺/D⁺ ion source for IFMIF (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility)

Ion species ratio of high current positive hydrogen/deuterium ion beams extracted from an electron-cyclotron-resonance ion source for International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility accelerator was measured by the Doppler shift Balmer-α line spectroscopy. The proton (H(+)) ratio at the middle of the low energy beam transport reached 80% at the hydrogen ion beam extraction of 100 keV/160 mA and the deuteron (D(+)) ratio reached 75% at the deuterium ion beam extraction of 100 keV/113 mA. It is found that the H(+) ratio measured by the spectroscopy gives lower than that derived from the phase-space diagram measured by an Allison scanner type emittance monitor. The H(+)/D(+) ratio estimated by the emittance monitor was more than 90% at those extraction currents.

Crystallization Behavior of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyamides (I) Dynamic and Isothermal Crystallization

Polyamide (PA) was compounded with carbon fiber (CF) with various contents (0, 5, 15, 20 vol.-%) using an elastic extruder. The effect of both the carbon fiber contents and the compounding method on thermal behavior and characteristics of crystallization are studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarizing optical light microscopy (POL). Thermal investigation was carried out under programmed cooling and isothermal conditions. The following results were obtained: (1) The crystallization temperature became higher with the increase of carbon fiber content, while the melting temperature and enthalpy were scarcely affected by the carbon fiber content. (2) The compounding methods affected the thermal behavior of composite systems. The samples that have been extruded twice have higher crystallization and melting temperatures as well as higher melting enthalpy. (3) Isothermal crystallization was observed using DSC. From the rate constant k and Avrami's index n, it was found that crystallization was accelerated by the presence of carbon fiber without changing the type of nucleation. (4) The polarizing micrographs showed that the nucleation of PA occurred on the surface or close to the CF.

DSC Studies on Fibre-Filled Polyethylene

Four kinds of inorganic fibres: carbon, silica glass, brass and aluminium, were filled in two kinds of low density polyethylenes (PE, Melt Flow Rates (MFR) at 190°C, 2.16 kg; 4 and 8 g/10 min) by extrusion molding. The filling ratio of fibres was varied from 0 to about 20% in volume. The melting and crystallization of the above systems were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The fibre-filled PE was crystallized at a temperature higher than that of the original PE. This phenomenon was observed through a wide range of cooling rate. The temperature of the main melting peak moved slightly to the low temperature side and a broad shoulder peak appeared, as the filling ratio of fibre increased. It was also recognized that the maximum temperature of the molten state affected the crystallization behavior of the system. This was observed for the fibre-filled PE having low melt flow rate. The variation of fibre species scarcely affected the melting and crystallization behavior. The results suggested that the filled fibre accelerated the nucleation process and retarded the crystal growth of PE.

Shear Flow Properties of Carbon Fibre-Filled Polyethylene Melts

A fundamental investigation of the influence of fibre loading, fibre length and matrix properties on shear viscosity, complex viscosity and the first normal stress coefficient of filled polyethylene melts prepared by different compounding techniques was carried out. Carbon fibre was compounded into two different types of low-density polyethylene (PEA and PEB) at concentrations up to about 20% by volume using different compounding techniques: a single screw extruder, and a twin screw extruder. The main difference in flow behaviours for the two kinds of carbon fibre-filled systems (CF/PEA and CF/PEB) is not due to differences between the matrix polymers, but due to the difference in fibre length or its distribution caused by the difference in compounding technique. Increasing fibre loading and fibre length increases the shear viscosity and the normal stress coefficient, with the highest increase observed at low shear rates. Especially for longer fibre-filled melts (CF/PEA series) one can estimate the yield stress in the very low shear rate region from the steady shear and dynamic flow data. In the moderate and high shear rate regions the viscosity and normal stress coefficient are influenced greatly by shear flow. Data on the relative viscosities ηr, the relative complex viscosities |η*|r and the relative normal stress coefficients ψr of the two filled systems in the moderate and high shear rate regions were compared with the empirical equation derived previously for ηr for short fibre filled polymer melts. It was found that a form of the expression similar to that obtained previously could describe ηr, |η*|r, and ψr for relatively long carbon fibre filled systems.

Viscoelastic Properties of Flexible Organic Fiber Composites

In this paper, molten high density polyethylene (HDPE) was compounded with four kinds of high performance organic fibers: two types of aramid (KF29 and KF49), liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (VF), differing in their chemical structure and fiber lengths. From the SEM pictures, it is observed that shape and size of these organic fibers maintained almost the same even after cutting in pellets, following the mixing process. VF/HDPE and LCP/HDPE systems show generally lower rates of increase of both storage modulus and dynamic viscosity with fiber content than KF/HDPE composites. Comparison of these functions at the fixed fiber content has shown that the most effective parameter, affecting the viscoelastic behaviour of organic fiber filled systems, seems to be their rigidity/flexibility in the molten state. The influence of fiber rigidity/flexibility becomes gradually lower with the increase of both strain amplitude and angular frequency. The parameters of the equations describing relationship between relative values of viscoelastic functions and fiber content were found to be largely dependent on fiber content. Such finding remarkably differs from behaviour of short inorganic fiber filled systems, where these variables maintained constant values.

Examination of mitral regurgitation with a goat heart model for the development of intelligent artificial papillary muscle

Annuloplasty for functional mitral or tricuspid regurgitation has been made for surgical restoration of valvular diseases. However, these major techniques may sometimes be ineffective because of chamber dilation and valve tethering. We have been developing a sophisticated intelligent artificial papillary muscle (PM) by using an anisotropic shape memory alloy fiber for an alternative surgical reconstruction of the continuity of the mitral structural apparatus and the left ventricular myocardium. This study exhibited the mitral regurgitation with regard to the reduction in the PM tension quantitatively with an originally developed ventricular simulator using isolated goat hearts for the sophisticated artificial PM. Aortic and mitral valves with left ventricular free wall portions of isolated goat hearts (n=9) were secured on the elastic plastic membrane and statically pressurized, which led to valvular leaflet-papillary muscle positional change and central mitral regurgitation. PMs were connected to the load cell, and the relationship between the tension of regurgitation and PM tension were measured. Then we connected the left ventricular specimen model to our hydraulic ventricular simulator and achieved hemodynamic simulation with the controlled tension of PMs.

Temporary blood pressure drop after bevacizumab administration is associated with clinical course of advanced colorectal cancer

Background:

A blood pressure drop after bevacizumab administration and its clinical significance have not been previously reported.

Methods:

Blood pressure data at 0, 90, and 180 min after a total of 162 bevacizumab administrations in 81 advanced colorectal cancer patients were retrospectively investigated.

Results:

Twenty-five patients (30%) demonstrated an average temporary drop of 20 mm Hg or more in systolic blood pressure. We classified these 25 patients as group A and the others as group B. Median time-to-treatment failure (TTF) was significantly longer in group A than in group B (291 vs 162 days; P=0.02). Furthermore, the proportion of patients who required intervention with antihypertensive drugs during bevacizumab treatment was significantly higher in group A than in group B (36% vs 4% P<0.01).

Conclusion:

This study suggests that a temporary blood pressure drop after bevacizumab administration could be a predictive marker for bevacizumab treatment.

Structural design of a newly developed pediatric circulatory assist device for Fontan circulation by using shape memory alloy fiber

Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is commonly applied for the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease such as single ventricle in pediatric patients. Patients with no ventricle in pulmonary circulation are treated along with Fontan algorithm, in which the systemic venous return is diverted directly to the pulmonary artery without passing through subpulmonary ventricle. In order to promote the pulmonary circulation after Fontan procedure, we developed a newly designed pulmonary circulatory assist device by using shape memory alloy fibers. We developed a pulmonary circulatory assist device as a non-blood contacting mechanical support system in pediatric patients with TCPC. The device has been designed to be installed like a cuff around the ePTFE TCPC conduit, which can contract from outside. We employed a covalent type functional anisotropic shape memory alloy fiber (Biometal, Toki Corporation, Tokyo Japan) as a servo actuator of the pulmonary circulatory assist device. The diameter of this fiber was 100 microns, and its contractile frequency was 2-3 Hz. Heat generation with electric current contracts these fibers and the conduit. The maximum contraction ratio of this fiber is about 7% in length. In order to extend its contractile ratio, we fabricated and installed mechanical structural units to control the length of fibers. In this study, we examined basic contractile functions of the device in the mock system. As a result, the internal pressure of the conduit increased to 63 mmHg by the mechanical contraction under the condition of 400 msec-current supply in the mock examination with the overflow tank of 10 mmHg loading.

Distinct C-terminus of the B subunit of factor XIII in a population-associated major phenotype: the first case of complete allele-specific alternative splicing products in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular bases of the heterogeneity of the B subunit of coagulation factor XIII (FXIII-B), classified by isoelectric focusing into its three population-associated major phenotypes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

By genetic sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses, a C-to-G change was identified in intron K for the Asian-associated major phenotype FXIII-B*3. A transcript containing the novel exon XII' was detected by reverse transcription PCR using hepatocyte cell lines with this allele. The exclusive existence of a novel C-terminal peptide in a homozygote of FXIII-B*3 was also detected by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The FXIII-B*3 isoform had a C-terminus 15 residues longer than the other isoforms, containing two additional basic amino acids and one extra acidic amino acid. Accordingly, the C-to-G nucleotide substitution created an efficient splice acceptor AG dinucleotide, which resulted in allele-specific alternative splicing in intron K. When compared with FXIII-B*1, the third major phenotype, FXIII-B*2, had an A-to-G change in exon III, converting His95 to Arg, and a rare phenotype, FXIII-B*4, had an A-to-T change in exon VII, converting Glu368 to Val.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an extremely rare event of complete allele-specific alternative splicing for FXIII-B. The FXIII-B*3 isoform had a distinct C-terminal peptide, while the FXIII-B*2 and FXIII-B*4 isoforms had His95 to Arg and Glu368 to Val substitutions, respectively, which led to differential isoelectric points of these isoforms. Such variations in the amino acid sequence of FXIII-B may have profound effects on its structure-function relationship, plasma FXIII levels, and disease susceptibility.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus or refractory to transarterial chemoembolization: A single institute outcome analysis

e15563

Background: Although sorafenib has been reported to prolong survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognosis of those who did not respond to or are not candidate to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains poor. The aim of this outcome analysis is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) via a subcutaneously implanted injection port in the treatment of such patients. Methods: From the prospective cohot database of Outpatient Oncology Unit, Kyoto University Hospital, patients with HCC who had been treated with HAIC using low dose cisplatin and 5-FU (cisplatin 10mg and 5-FU 250mg for day 1–5, repeated serially for three or four weeks, then repeated once weekly) between October 2003 and December 2008 were searched for. All adverse events were assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Survival analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were assessed using Log-rank test. Results: Forty-one patients were identified. The indications of HAIC were: (1) the presence of portal vein tumor thrombus (20/41 cases, 49%), (2) failure to TAE (19/41, 46%) or (3) not candidate for TAE due to the presence of extrahepatic disease (2/41 case, 5%). One complete response and 7 partial responses were observed, overall response rate being 19.5% (95%CI, 7.4–31.6%). Median overall survival was 26.1 month (95%CI: 9.6–45.6). Commonly observed grade 3/4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (10 cases, 16.3%) and neutropenia (10 cases, 16.3%). There was a trend that fewer death occur in patients who responded to HAIC (1/8 cases, 12.5%) as compared to patients who did not (11/33, 33.3%), but log-rank test failed to detect a statistical significance (P=.145). Conclusions: HAIC for patients with advanced HCC who are not candidate for TACE warrants randomized controlled trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction due to projection of the left ventricular outflow septum]

Prosthetic valve dysfunction at the aortic position is generally caused by either pannus overgrowth or thrombus or both. We encountered a case with prosthetic valve dysfunction who had undergone an aortic valve replacement 4 years and 5 months before, receiving SJM-HP 21 mm. During the initial operation, a prosthetic valve was implanted parallel to the ventricular septum and slightly up toward the non-coronary sinus (Olin technique) because of a narrow aortic annulus. Before re-do surgery, Doppler echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy showed an incomplete opening of 1 leaflet of the prosthetic valve. At the re-do operation, it was observed that the movement of the anterior leaflet of the prosthetic valve was disturbed by the projecting ventricular septum. After the projecting ventricular septum was excised, SJM-regent 17 mm valve was implanted perpendicular to the septum at the supra-annular position. Postoperative course was uneventful. The postoperative aortic peak pressure gradient decreased to 25 mmHg by Doppler echocardiography.

Entrapment of the median nerve between sublimis tendons after distal forearm fracture: an unusual case report

We present a rare case of entrapment of the median nerve between sublimis tendons after fractures of the distal radius and ulna in an 80-year-old woman. The entrapped median nerve was elongated redundantly with two regions of constriction. To our knowledge, no case of median nerve palsy caused by such a factor has been previously reported.

Role of protein kinase C in calcium-mediated signal transduction

Information from certain extracellular signals, including a group of peptide hormones and some neurotransmitters, appears to flow from the cell surface into the cell interior through two pathways, protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization, both of which become available by a single ligand-receptor interaction. Under normal conditions protein kinase C is activated by association with membrane phospholipids in the presence of 1,2-diacylglycerol. This diacylglycerol may arise in the membrane only transiently from the receptor-mediated hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. By using a synthetic permeable diacylglycerol or tumour-promoting phorbol ester (as a substitute for active diacylglycerol) it has been shown that signal passage through this protein kinase pathway is an essential prerequisite, often synergistic to that via the Ca2+ pathway, for full physiological responses, such as transmitter release and exocytosis, to be obtained. Presumably, such a role of protein kinase C may be extrapolated to the activation of many other cellular processes, including membrane conductance, gene expression and some metabolic reactions, as well as to the modulation of other receptor-mediated signal pathways. Some morphological findings with monoclonal antibodies raised against protein kinase C are presented.

Changes in survival during the past two decades for breast cancer at the Kyoto University Hospital

AIMS

To report the changes in survival over 20 years of 775 breast cancer women operated between 1982 and 2003 at the Kyoto University Hospital in Japan, reflecting changes in clinical practice over that period.

RESULTS

Survival curves have significantly improved between the periods 1982-1989 and 1990-2003. The 5- and 10-year survival rates between these periods were 80.3% and 85.1%, and 67.5% and 75.0%, respectively. Moreover, there was a difference in overall survival curves of patients of stages II and III, of 35-54 ages, or of positive estrogen receptor (ER) status between these periods.

CONCLUSION

The present study presented the recent advance of the survival rates might be due to the rational development of breast cancer treatment, and suggested the possibility that the patients of stages II and III, of 35-54 ages, or of positive ER status were received benefits by these treatments.

Development of a novel information technology (IT) system using the electronic medical record (EMR) in daily clinical practice

17066

Background: The information generated in daily practices is critical to assure safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Clinical investigators are faced with enormous amounts of data and a greater need to organize it in a meaningful and coherent manner than ever before. Computerization could offer many advantages that clinical data systematically accumulated in the course of routine medical care can provide researchers with the clues to resolve many medical questions. Methods: We developed a novel clinical database system, named CyberOncology, integrated in EMR of Kyoto University Hospital. It contained summarized treatment history, national cancer registry and consecutive clinical database. All adverse events according CTCAE ver.3, response to the treatment based on RECIST criteria and survival data were collected. The medical staffs have routinely used the CyberOncology since its starting on October 2003. The CyberOncology directly collected all data concerning oncology management of inpatient and outpatient care from EMR, and simultaneously analyzed clinical outcomes. Results: For three years since October 2003, consecutive 1,516 new cancer patients including 590 GI, 435 lung, 234 breast cancer, and 140 lymphoma with 19,767 chemotherapeutic administrations were registered in the CyberOncology. Main benefits are improvement of the quality of patient care and safety, practice standardization, and the quickness and the reliability of collecting the data. Moreover, it had the capability to serve a cross-sectional approach of cancer and drug-orientated analysis. For example, this system can easily provided with a review of clinical practice in a real time manner. Conclusions: The CyberOncology form integrated EMR successfully meets requirements of electronic case report. It has been useful in monitoring outcomes of care, effectiveness, efficiency and adherence to clinical trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The retrospective analysis of single agent gemcitabine for biliary tract cancers

14122

Background: At present, outcomes of advanced biliary tract cancers are dismal despite the prognosis of other many cancers are improving. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed survivals of 46 advanced biliary tract cancer patients, who were diagnosed between January 2001 and June 2005, and treated with gemcitabine 600–1,000 mg/m2 as an intravenous 30-min infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 for every 28 days, thereafter. Results: The median age was 63 (range 41–76) with 28 males and 18 females. Twenty-nine (63.0%) had no prior chemotherapy and 18 (30.4%) patients were inoperable cases. One (2.2%) achieved complete response; 5 (10.9%) achieved partial responses; 25 (54.3%) had stable diseases; 9 (19.6%) had progressive disease; and 6 (13.0%) were not evaluated for response. The median survival time and the 1 year-survival of all advanced biliary cancer patients were 8.6 months and 43.9%, respectively, those of the patients, who had the recurrence or residual cancer lesions after surgical resection were 13.5 months and 68.8%, and those of the inoperable patients were 5.4 months and 8.3%. Patients reported grade 3/4 neutropenia/leucopenia (4.3%) and grade 3 thrombocytopenia (2.2%). Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities were general fatigue (4.3%) and renal failure (2.2%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that history of surgical resection with tumor recurrence or with residual tumor was the independent predictors for survival. Moreover, except the features of the history of surgical resection, the prognosis of patients with low levels of serum albumin (< 3.7 g/dl) or ≥ 70 ages was worse than that of high levels of serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dl) or < 70 ages. Conclusions: In the treatment of biliary tract cancer, it seems that surgical resection even with possible residual tumor is beneficial for patients with good surgical candidate. The present study also suggests the possibility that the prognosis of patients with low levels of serum albumin (< 3.7 g/dl) or ≥ 70 ages might be worse than that of high levels of serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dl) or < 70 ages.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Nucleotide sequence comparison of a chromosome rearrangement on human chromosome 12 and the corresponding ape chromosomes

Chromosome rearrangement has been considered to be important in the evolutionary process. Here, we demonstrate the evolutionary relationship of the rearranged human chromosome 12 and the corresponding chromosome XII in apes (chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, orangutan, and gibbon) by examining PCR products derived from the breakpoints of inversions and by conducting shotgun sequencing of a gorilla fosmid clone containing the breakpoint and a "duplicated segment" (duplicon). We confirmed that a pair of 23-kb duplicons flank the breakpoints of inversions on the long and short arms of chimpanzee chromosome XII. Although only the 23-kb duplicon on the long arm of chimpanzee chromosome XII and its telomeric flanking sequence are found to be conserved among the hominoids (human, great apes, and gibbons), the duplicon on the short arm of chimpanzee chromosome XII is suggested to be the result of a duplication from that on the long arm. Furthermore, the shotgun sequencing of a gorilla fosmid indicated that the breakpoint on the long arm of the gorilla is located at a different position 1.9 kb from that of chimpanzee. The region is flanked by a sequence homologous to that of human chromosome 6q22. Our findings and sequence analysis suggest a close relationship between segmental duplication and chromosome rearrangement (or breakpoint of inversion) in Hominoidea. The role of the chromosome rearrangement in speciation is also discussed based on our new results.

Isolation, cloning, sequencing of brain type aromatase and its expression in male and female Wrasse, Pseudolabrus sieboldi

Pseudolabrus sieboldi, wrasse being a diurnal spawner provides a good opportunity to study the endocrine mechanism of estrogen formation in brain and gonads. Moreover, an extremely large amount of E2 was produced in serum and testis of wrasse. It is assumed that the presence of E2 may play a major role in diurnal gametogenesis in male fish. In this study brain type aromatase have been isolated, cloned and sequenced from the brain of wrasse. Further, the expression pattern of brain type aromatase in gonads and adult tissue of male and female fish have been analyzed. In addition, the diurnal expression pattern of brain type aromatase in both male and female fish brain during spawning season have been analyzed.The P450arom (br) was isolated, cloned and sequenced from both male and female bamboleaf wrasse. The P450arom (br) gene (1877 sequenced nucleotide) contains an ORF of 1470 bp, a 5'-UTR of 18 bp and at least 407 bp in 3'-UTR. The amino acid sequence homology in the coding region of wrasse P450arom (br) is high compared to that of medaka, Oryzias latipes (80%), rainbow trout type 2, Oncorhynchu mykiss (78.2%), fugu, Takifugu ribripes (78%) rainbow trout type 1, (76%), goldfish, Carassius auratus (66.8%) and zebrafish, Danio rerio (66.2%). Expression study reveals that P450arom (br) mRNA were most abundant in brains of both male and female fish throughout the day during the spawning season. RT-PCR study revealed that P450arom (br) was expressed in skin, anal fin and tail fin of both male and female wrasse. P450arom (br) was not detected at any time of the spawning day in either ovary or testis of wrasse.

Astroglial expression of ceramide in Alzheimer's disease brains: a role during neuronal apoptosis

Accumulating evidences indicate that ceramide is closely involved in apoptotic cell death in neurodegenerative disorders and aging. We examined ceramide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain tissues from patients with neurodegenerative disorders and the mechanism of how intra- and extracellular ceramide was regulated during neuronal apoptosis. We screened the ceramide levels in the CSF of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, and found that ceramide was significantly increased in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) than in patients with age-matched amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological controls. With immunohistochemistry in AD brains, ceramide was aberrantly expressed in astroglia in the frontal cortices, but not detected in ALS and control brains. To explore for the regulation of ceramide in astroglia in Alzheimer's disease brains, we examined the metabolism of ceramide during neuronal apoptosis. In retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal apoptosis, RA slightly increased de novo synthesis of ceramide, but interestingly, RA dramatically inhibited conversion of [14C] ceramide to glucosylceramide (GlcCer), suggesting that the increase of ceramide mass is mainly due to inhibition of the ceramide-metabolizing enzyme GlcCer synthase. In addition, a significant increase of the [14C] ceramide level in the culture medium was detected by chasing and turnover experiments without alteration of extracellular [14C] sphingomyelin levels. A 2.5-fold increase of ceramide mass in the supernatant was also detected after 48 h of treatment with RA. These results suggest a regulatory mechanism of intracellular ceramide through inhibition of GlcCer synthase and a possible role of ceramide as an extracellular/intercellular mediator for neuronal apoptosis. The increased ceramide level in the CSF from AD patients, which may be derived from astroglia, raises a possibility of neuronal apoptosis by the response to intercellular ceramide in AD.

[Emergent coronary artery bypass grafting using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support in a patient with a quadricuspid aortic valve; report of a case]

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for acute myocardial infarction. A cardiac catheter study showed 3 vessels coronary disease. He was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention for a left anterior descending arterial (LAD) lesion. Unfortunately, cardiac tamponade following stenting for LAD was complicated. A percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system was commenced along with an emergent coronary artery bypass grafting to the LAD and obtuse marginal branch. A quadricuspid aortic valve was discovered by an aortotomy and identified as Hurwitz-Roberts classification type b. Blood from the left coronary main trunk had already stopped. Intraaortic balloon pumping was instituted while weaning from the cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and all bypass grafts were sufficient. He was well 1 year after the operation.

DNA sequence and comparative analysis of chimpanzee chromosome 22

Human-chimpanzee comparative genome research is essential for narrowing down genetic changes involved in the acquisition of unique human features, such as highly developed cognitive functions, bipedalism or the use of complex language. Here, we report the high-quality DNA sequence of 33.3 megabases of chimpanzee chromosome 22. By comparing the whole sequence with the human counterpart, chromosome 21, we found that 1.44% of the chromosome consists of single-base substitutions in addition to nearly 68,000 insertions or deletions. These differences are sufficient to generate changes in most of the proteins. Indeed, 83% of the 231 coding sequences, including functionally important genes, show differences at the amino acid sequence level. Furthermore, we demonstrate different expansion of particular subfamilies of retrotransposons between the lineages, suggesting different impacts of retrotranspositions on human and chimpanzee evolution. The genomic changes after speciation and their biological consequences seem more complex than originally hypothesized.

[Infected thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm; report of a case]

A 54-year-old man complained of pain in the left upper abdomen with fever. His past medical history was significant for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Leucocytosis and an elevation of CRP levels were detected. Thoracoabdominal aneurysm of 69 mm in diameter was identified by enhanced computed tomography (CT). An infected thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed and an emergency operation was performed. The aneurysm was treated by debridement of the infected aortic tissue and in situ prosthetic graft replacement followed by antibiotic therapy. The postoperative course was uneventful and there were no adverse neurological symptoms. After surgery, antibiotics were administered for 1 month intravenously and the patient was discharged on oral antibiotics for 2 months after the operation. The patient is doing well 7 months after the operation.

Olprinone improves diaphragmatic contractility and fatigability during abdominal sepsis in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Respiratory failure with diaphragmatic fatigability is common in patients suffering sepsis or septic shock. However, the development and progress of diaphragmatic fatigability remains poorly understood, and no method has been established to treat fatigability. In this study, we hypothesize that neutrophil activation contributes to the development of diaphragmatic fatigability. We also sought to investigate whether a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, olprinone, improves diaphragmatic fatigability associated with abdominal sepsis and inhibits an increase in myeloperoxidase activity in diaphragmatic muscle.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a sham group, coecal legation perforation group (CLP), and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE) pretreated group. At 16 h after surgical procedure, the left hemidiaphragm was removed for the measurement of diaphragmatic contractility and fatigability. In addition, for the measurement of serial changes in myeloperoxidase activity, the right hemidiaphragm was also removed at 4, 8 or 16 h after the surgical procedure in each group.

RESULTS

In a septic model involving rats, we observed that diaphragmatic muscles were fatigable and myeloperoxidase activity increased. We also demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of olprinone improves diaphragmatic fatigability and inhibits an increase in myeloperoxidase activity induced by abdominal sepsis.

CONCLUSION

Olprinone represents a potential therapy for cases of respiratory failure with diaphragmatic fatigability resulting from inhibition of neutrophil activation.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in foodstuffs and human tissues from china: status of contamination, historical trend, and human dietary exposure

Concentrations of persistent organochlorine pesticides such as DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were determined in a wide variety of foodstuffs and human tissues collected from Shanghai and its vicinity in China in 2000-2001. Among the organochlorines analyzed, DDT and its metabolites were prominent compounds in most of the foodstuffs. In particular, mussels contained noticeable residues of DDTs (34,000 ng/g lipid weight), which are one to three orders greater than those reported levels in bivalves from other Asian countries. Concentrations of HCHs, CHLs, HCB, and PCBs in foodstuffs were generally low, suggesting small amounts of inputs into the environment. Temporal trends examined by comparing the results of previous studies of organochlorine levels in Chinese foodstuffs in 1970s and 1992 revealed a greater amounts of declines of DDTs and HCHs residues and the average daily intakes during the past 30 years. In contrast, very high concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were detected in human tissues from Shanghai, with the maximum values as high as 19,000 ng/g lipid weight (mean: 7,600 ng/g) and 17,000 ng/g (mean: 7,400 ng/g), respectively. Considering that foodstuffs are a main source of human exposure to contaminants, the greater concentrations of DDTs and HCHs in Chinese people might be due to past extensive usage of these compounds as agricultural pesticides. Continuous monitoring and epidemiological studies of organochlorine pesticides in humans are warranted in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report to present the residue levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human tissues of China.