Selection of transcripts related to low-temperature tolerance using RNA sequencing from F2 plants between japonica and indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

At low temperatures (18°C), seedlings of an indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Kasalath showed symptoms of chlorosis, although the leaves of a japonica cultivar Arroz da Terra remained green. In this study, transcripts related to the chlorophyll content of rice seedlings grown at 18°C were investigated using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data for F2 crosses between cultivars Arroz da Terra and Kasalath, as well as their parental cultivars. Differential expression analysis revealed that gene ontology terms related to 'photosynthesis' were significantly enriched in lowly expressed genes at 18°C than at 25°C in Kasalath. However, the gene ontology terms related to 'response to stress' were significantly enriched in highly expressed genes at 18°C than at 25°C in Kasalath. When the F2 plants were grown at 18°C, their chlorophyll contents varied. Transcripts with expression levels related to chlorophyll content were statistically selected using RNA-Seq data from 21 F2 plants. In regression models, frequently selected genes included four photosynthetic and two stress-responsive genes. The expression values of four photosynthetic and two stress-responsive genes in high-frequency selected genes were significantly correlated with chlorophyll content not only in plants analysed using RNA-Seq but also in 95 F2 plants.

POS0651 CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE TO TOFACITINIB IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PROBABILITY PLOT ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FROM A 48-WEEK PHASE 3b/4 METHOTREXATE WITHDRAWAL STUDY

Background:

The Phase 3b/4 study ORAL Shift (NCT02831855) demonstrated sustained efficacy/safety of tofacitinib modified-release 11 mg QD following MTX withdrawal, that was non-inferior to continued tofacitinib + MTX use, in patients (pts) with moderate to severe RA who achieved LDA with tofacitinib + MTX at Week (W)24.1

Objectives:

To assess differences and similarities in clinical/functional responses in pts receiving tofacitinib ± MTX in ORAL Shift.

Methods:

In ORAL Shift, pts received open-label tofacitinib + MTX to W24; at W24, pts who achieved CDAI LDA were randomised to receive tofacitinib + MTX or tofacitinib + placebo (PBO) from W24–48. In this post hoc analysis, clinical efficacy endpoints were ACR-N (minimum % change from baseline [BL; Δ] at W48 achieved by each pt in 3 efficacy measures), ΔDAS28-4(ESR), and DAS28-4(ESR) remission/LDA (scores ≤3.2) and moderate/high disease activity (scores >3.2). Functional efficacy endpoints were ΔHAQ-DI and HAQ-DI clinically relevant functional progression (CRFP) status at W48, defined as failure to achieve improvement in HAQ-DI ≥ minimum clinically important difference (MCID; ≥0.22 decrease from BL in HAQ-DI). Thus, CRFP was defined as <0.22 decrease, no change or increase from BL in HAQ-DI at W48. All efficacy endpoints were summarised descriptively. Cumulative probability plots of ACR-N and ΔHAQ-DI were produced. Median of mean CRP values from BL–W24 and >W24–48 were assessed by response subgroups.

Results:

266 pts receiving tofacitinib + MTX and 264 pts receiving tofacitinib + PBO in W24–48 were included. At W48: mean ACR-N was numerically greater with tofacitinib + MTX vs tofacitinib + PBO (60.8 vs 53.1); mean decrease in HAQ-DI was generally similar between groups (-0.71 vs -0.67); mean decrease in DAS28-4(ESR) was numerically greater with tofacitinib + MTX vs tofacitinib + PBO (-2.95 vs -2.68). The differences/similarities between groups in ACR-N and ΔHAQ-DI were also seen in cumulative probability plots (Figure 1). CRFP rates were numerically lower with tofacitinib + MTX (18.7%) vs tofacitinib + PBO (23.5%), and in pts with remission/LDA (tofacitinib + MTX, 12.1%; tofacitinib + PBO, 16.8%) vs moderate/high disease activity (tofacitinib + MTX, 26.2%; tofacitinib + PBO, 30.8%). Median of mean CRP over time was generally numerically lower in pts with CRFP vs non-CRFP and DAS28-4(ESR)-defined remission/LDA vs moderate/high disease activity; and in those receiving tofacitinib + PBO vs tofacitinib + MTX, irrespective of CRFP or DAS28-4(ESR) disease status (Table 1).

Table 1.

Median of mean CRPa up to W48 by response subgroups

Tofacitinib 11 mg QD + MTXTofacitinib 11 mg QD + PBOMean CRP,amedian (IQR) [n]>BL–W24>W24–48>BL–W24>W24–48HAQ-DI CRFP2.84 (1.15–7.30)2.30 (0.82–4.75)1.45 (0.77–4.42)2.28 (0.53–7.28)[45][46][56][56]HAQ-DI non-CRFP2.81 (1.09–6.19)2.91 (1.19–5.84)2.26 (0.98–4.63)2.47 (1.13–5.53)[195][195][176][178]DAS28-4(ESR) remission/LDA2.48 (1.05–4.95)2.46 (1.07–4.76)1.70 (0.89–4.14)1.95 (0.81–3.82)[126][127][115][117]DAS28-4(ESR) moderate/high disease activity3.56 (1.17–7.13)3.58 (1.36–8.33)2.60 (0.87–5.16)2.68 (1.34–8.23)[107][107][115][115]

aMean CRP was calculated as the average CRP value during each time period (>BL–W24 or >W24–48)

CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28-4(ESR), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; IQR, interquartile range; LDA, low disease activity; MTX, methotrexate; n, number of pts meeting assessment criteria; QD, once daily

Conclusion:

Although clinical/functional responses were generally similar between treatment groups, numerical improvements were seen for some efficacy endpoints with tofacitinib + MTX vs tofacitinib + PBO. A numerically higher CRFP rate may be associated with higher DAS28-4(ESR) disease activity. CRP changes up to W48 may not trend with CRFP status.

References:

[1]Cohen et al. Lancet Rheumatol 2019; 1: E23-34.

Acknowledgements:

Study sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Medical writing support was provided by Anthony G McCluskey, CMC Connect, and funded by Pfizer Inc.

Disclosure of Interests:

Stanley B. Cohen Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Yi-Hsing Chen Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Inc, Naonobu Sugiyama Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Jose Luis Rivas Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Annette Diehl Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Tatjana Lukic Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Jerome Paulissen Consultant of: Pfizer Inc, Haiyun Fan Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Tomohiro Hirose Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Edward Keystone Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, F. Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi Genzyme, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, F. Hoffman-La Roche, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Merck, Myriad Autoimmune, Pfizer Inc, Sandoz, Sanofi Genzyme, Samsung Bioepsis, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Merck, Pfizer Inc, PuraPharm

The Visual Hand Display: A Focus on Collaboration

When young children experience subnormal vision, an array of evaluation tools and techniques is used to assess visual function. Some children who have retinopathy of prematurity may require surgery. Post-operatively, at the Children's Low Vision Center in Boston, the pediatric ophthalmologist evaluates the child's visual functioning using a variety of devices. A tool called the Visual Hand Display has been introduced to enhance the physician's methods of evaluation, thereby achieving greater understanding of the child's visual responses. Collaborations among the doctors, educators, therapists, and patients are emphasized.

P5393Deficiency of the long noncoding RNA NEAT1 disturbs T cell and monocyte-macrophage lineage differentiation and functions and results in systemic inflammation with high circulating interferon levels

Background

Inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI), and beyond proteins and microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in inflammation control. To obtain further information on the role of lncRNAs in the context of atherosclerosis, we analyzed transcriptome maps of circulating immune cells (PBMCs) of post-MI patients in whom the lncRNA NEAT1 was suppressed. Here, we report immune disturbances in murine NEAT1 knockout models with wildtype or ApoE−/− genetic background.

Methods and results

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of PBMCs from post-MI patients revealed profound transcriptome disturbances compared to healthy controls. Among these, NEAT1 suppression was notable since it affected the most highly expressed lncRNA as part of a molecular circuit also encompassing chemokines and interleukins.

We used NEAT1−/− mice to evaluate whether NEAT1 depletion per se may cause immune dysfunction. NEAT1−/− splenocytes displayed enhanced baseline ROS production, and RNA-seq identified anomalous expression and regulation of chemokines/ receptors, innate immunity genes, TNF and caspases. FACS revealed displayed anomalous Treg and TH cell differentiation in NEAT1−/− spleens vs. wildtype (WT).

Beyond grossly altered transcriptome, NEAT1−/− bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) responded to LPS with increased (p<0.001) ROS production, enhanced baseline phagocytic activity (p<0.001), and attenuated proliferation (p=0.001). FACS revealed deregulated monocyte-macrophage differentiation in NEAT1−/− bone marrow and blood.

Further, NEAT1−/− mice displayed aortic wall CD68+ cell infiltration and there was evidence of myocardial inflammation which could lead to severe and potentially life-threatening structural damage in some of these animals. This observation suggests that even stochastic activation of the highly unstable NEAT1−/− immune system may trigger uncontrolled pathogenic cascades, explaining the survival disadvantage of NEAT1−/− mice.

In addition to these studies on homozygous NEAT1−/− deficiency in WT background, we obtained data on mice with partial i.e. heterozygous NEAT1−/+ deficiency on ApoE−/− background. Analysis of this new NEAT1−/+ ApoE−/− strain indicates that even partial NEAT1 deficiency leads to systemic inflammation with high IFN-gamma levels, when the animals are exposed to immune stress e.g. high LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions

Regarding the monocyte-enriched NEAT1 suppressed in post-MI PBMCs, the data from NEAT1−/− and NEAT1−/+ ApoE−/− mice document NEAT1 as a key immune system coordinator whose deficiency affects monocyte-macrophage and T cell differentiation and functions and renders the immune system unstable and highly vulnerable to immune stress. Since in patients NEAT1 is part of a molecular circuit persistently deregulated post-MI, too, it appears reasonable to further search for new therapeutic targets within this circuit, taking advantage of the described genetic animal models.

Characterisation of a rice vacuolar invertase isoform, OsINV2, for growth and yield-related traits

OsINV2, a rice vacuolar invertase isoform, was assessed for its functional roles in plant growth and development with key focus on its agronomic traits such as grain weight, grain filling percentage, grain number and dry weights at various stages until harvest. Lack of differences between the wild-type and the mutants with respect to any of the aforementioned traits tested revealed a possibility of functional compensation of OsINV2 in the mutants conceivably by its isoform. This was confirmed by OsINV2 promoter::GUS studies, where its spatial and temporal expression in the panicle elongation stages showed that although OsINV2 expression was observed from the stage with young panicles ~1 cm in length to the flag leaf stage, significant differences with respect to panicle and spikelet phenotypes between the wild-type and the mutant were not present. However, complement lines displaying an overexpression phenotype of OsINV2 possessed a higher stem non-structural carbohydrate content under both monoculm and normal tillering conditions. A trade-off between the spikelet number and grain weight in the complement lines grown under monoculm conditions was also observed, pointing towards the necessity of OsINV2 regulation for grain yield-related traits.

Percentage of CD19+ Cells in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes After Rituximab-Based Desensitization as a Predictor of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Rituximab (RIT) is effective as a part of the desensitization therapy before ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KTx), and a single dose of RIT at 375 mg/m² or less is recommended. However, adequate RIT dose recommendations have not yet been established for individual recipients. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between the proportion of B cells in peripheral blood and acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR).

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive ABOi-KTx recipients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Before transplantation, subjects were treated with RIT at various doses, ranging from 65 to 400 mg/body (46-263 mg/m²), followed by plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin as a desensitization therapy. The percentage of CD19⁺ cells in the total peripheral blood lymphocytes population (%CD19) was determined the day before transplantation. Transplant recipients were divided into 2 groups according to pretransplant %CD19, as follows: low %CD19 group, ≤ 1.2% (n = 35) and high %CD19 group, > 1.2% (n = 9). The relationship between %CD19 and incidence of AAMR was evaluated, and the predicting factors for AAMR incidence were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The incidence of AAMR was significantly higher in the high %CD19 group than in the low %CD19 group (44.4% vs 5.7%, P = .006). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that %CD19 > 1.2% was the only independent factor to predict AAMR, with an odds ratio of 14.31 (P = .038).

CONCLUSION

High %CD19 values after rituximab administration in ABOi-KTx recipients implies insufficient depletion of B cells, which can lead to AAMR.

Genetic Evidence for the Role of a Rice Vacuolar Invertase as a Molecular Sink Strength Determinant

BACKGROUND

Rice is a major crop feeding the majority of the global population, and increasing its sink strength is one of the modes to alleviate the declining availability of food for the rapidly growing world population. We demonstrate a role for an important rice vacuolar invertase isoform, OsINV3, in sink strength determination.

RESULTS

OsINV3 mutants showed shorter panicles with lighter and smaller grains, owing to a smaller cell size on the outer and inner surfaces of the palea and lemma as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Further, strong promoter::GUS expression was observed in the palea, lemma and the rachis branches in the young elongating panicles, which supported the role of OsINV3 in cell expansion and thus, in spikelet size and panicle length determination. Size of the spikelet was found to directly influence the grain weight, which was confirmed by the lack of differences in weights of hulled grain for differently segregated alleles in the heterozygous lines. Assessment of field grown mutants not only revealed a drastic reduction in the percentage of ripened grain, 1000-grain weight and final yield, but also significantly reduced partitioning of assimilates to the panicles, whereby the total dry weight remained unaffected. Determination of the non-structural carbohydrate contents revealed a lower hexose-to-sucrose ratio in the panicles of the mutants from panicle initiation to 10 days after heading, a stage that identifies as the critical pre-storage phase of grain filling, whereas the starch contents were not affected. In addition, strong promoter::GUS expression was observed in the dorsal end of ovary during the pre-storage phase until 6 days after flowering, highlighting a function for OsINV3 in monitoring the initial grain filling stage.

CONCLUSIONS

OsINV3 was found to regulate spikelet size by playing a key role in cell expansion, driving the movement of assimilates for grain filling by modulating the hexose-to-sucrose ratio, contributing in grain weight determination and thus, the grain yield.

Selection of Transcripts Affecting Initial Growth Rate of Rice Backcrossed Inbred Lines Using RNA Sequencing Data

Seedling growth is an important factor for direct seeding of rice. However, the genetic and transcriptomic factors involved in this process are largely unknown. In this study, transcripts affecting shoot weight were identified in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from 20 backcrossed inbred lines (BILs) and their parental cultivars. The selection frequency of the genes for the regression model was determined using repeated analysis of random subsets of the transcriptome. The qLTG3-1gene, controlling low-temperature germinability, and short grain 1 gene (SG1), known to decrease organ elongation, showed high frequency. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analysis performed for BILs revealed that qLTG3-1 was included in the QTLs for shoot weight but SG1 was not. No nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the coding region of SG1 in either of the parental cultivars. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that SG1 expression was negatively correlated with shoot weight for all 104 BILs analyzed in this study. Expression QTL (eQTLs) analysis showed an eQTL for SG1 expression located in the same region as the QTL for shoot weight. However, no eQTLs were detected on the same chromosome as SG1, suggesting that nucleotide polymorphisms around the gene do not affect its expression in analyzed growth stage. Overall, these results indicate that RNA-Seq is a useful tool for identifying transcripts that can be related to seedling growth rate.

Increased metabolite production by deletion of an HDA1-type histone deacetylase in the phytopathogenic fungi, Magnaporthe oryzae (Pyricularia oryzae) and Fusarium asiaticum

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an important role in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. We found that dark pigmentation of Magnaporthe oryzae (anamorph Pyricularia oryzae) ΔMohda1, a mutant strain in which an orthologue of the yeast HDA1 was disrupted by double cross-over homologous recombination, was significantly stimulated in liquid culture. Analysis of metabolites in a ΔMohda1 mutant culture revealed that the accumulation of shunt products of the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin and ergosterol pathways were significantly enhanced compared to the wild-type strain. Northern blot analysis of the ΔMohda1 mutant revealed transcriptional activation of three melanin genes that are dispersed throughout the genome of M. oryzae. The effect of deletion of the yeast HDA1 orthologue was also observed in Fusarium asiaticum from the Fusarium graminearum species complex; the HDF2 deletion mutant produced increased levels of nivalenol-type trichothecenes. These results suggest that histone modification via HDA1-type HDAC regulates the production of natural products in filamentous fungi.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Natural products of fungi have significant impacts on human welfare, in both detrimental and beneficial ways. Although HDA1-type histone deacetylase is not essential for vegetative growth, deletion of the gene affects the expression of clustered secondary metabolite genes in some fungi. Here, we report that such phenomena are also observed in physically unlinked genes required for melanin biosynthesis in the rice blast fungus. In addition, production of Fusarium trichothecenes, previously reported to be unaffected by HDA1 deletion, was significantly upregulated in another Fusarium species. Thus, the HDA1-inactivation strategy may be regarded as a general approach for overproduction and/or discovery of fungal metabolites.

PRR11 immunoreactivity is a weak prognostic factor in non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung

INTRODUCTION

Proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) functions in the progression of cell cycle, and silencing the PRR11 gene in lung cancer cells results in the inhibition of cellular proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, invasion and colony formation. PRR11 may therefore be a therapeutic target in lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarrays of surgical specimens of non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung, from 346 subjects that were not given preoperative therapy, were autoimmunostained with PRR11 and, except for trace and pseudo-positivity, assessed as "positive" at any proportion and intensity.

RESULTS

PRR11 immunoreactivity demonstrated a tendency to associate with an aggressive phenotype (tumor size, vascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy) and some effect on overall survival (Hazard ratio 1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

PRR11 may be a weak prognostic indicator of overall survival of patients with non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia with insulin glargine 300 U/mL compared with glargine 100 U/mL in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin plus oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs (EDITION JP 2 randomised 12-month trial including 6-month extension)

AIMS

To compare insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) with glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) in Japanese adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on basal insulin and oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs over 12 months.

METHODS

EDITION JP 2 was a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study. Following a 6-month treatment period, participants continued receiving previously assigned once daily Gla-300 or Gla-100, plus oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs, in a 6-month extension period. Glycaemic control, hypoglycaemia and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

The 12-month completion rate was 88% for Gla-300 and 96% for Gla-100, with comparable reasons for discontinuation. Mean HbA_1c decrease from baseline to month 12 was 0.3% in both groups. Annualised rates of confirmed (≤3.9mmol/L [≤70mg/dL]) or severe hypoglycaemia were lower with Gla-300 than Gla-100 (nocturnal [00:00-05:59h]: rate ratio 0.41; 95% confidence interval: 0.18 to 0.92; anytime [24h]: rate ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.94). Cumulative number of hypoglycaemic events was lower with Gla-300 than Gla-100. Adverse event profiles were comparable between treatments.

CONCLUSION

Over 12 months, Gla-300-treated participants achieved sustained glycaemic control and experienced less hypoglycaemia, particularly at night, versus Gla-100, supporting 6-month results.

A reduction of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity affects sucrose/starch ratio in leaves but does not inhibit normal plant growth in rice

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) has been shown to mediate sucrose/starch ratio in plant leaves through studies of 'starch leaf' species that mainly accumulate starch in their leaves. However, the contribution of SPS to sucrose/starch ratio in rice leaves, which mainly accumulate sucrose (i.e., 'sugar leaf'), has not been confirmed due to inconsistencies in the results of previous studies. In this study, we analyzed mutant lines with reduced SPS activity, which were generated using Tos17 insertion, RNAi, and the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The knockdown and knockout mutants of OsSPS1 showed a 29-46% reduction in SPS activity in the leaves, but the carbohydrate content in the leaves and plant growth were not significantly different from those of wild-type plants. In a double knockout mutant of OsSPS1 and OsSPS11 (sps1/sps11), an 84% reduction in leaf SPS activity resulted in higher starch accumulation in the leaves than in the wild-type leaves. However, the sps1/sps11 plants grew normally, which is in contrast to the inhibited growth of SPS mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, a typical starch leaf plant. These results suggest that SPS has a smaller effect on the sucrose/starch ratio in leaves and growth of rice than on starch leaf species.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Clinical use of the co-formulation of insulin degludec and insulin aspart

AIMS

To provide a review of the available data and practical use of insulin degludec with insulin aspart (IDegAsp). Premixed insulins provide basal and prandial glucose control; however, they have an intermediate-acting prandial insulin component and do not provide as effective basal coverage as true long-acting insulins, owing to the physicochemical incompatibility of their individual components, coupled with the inflexibility of adjustment. The molecular structure of the co-formulation of IDegAsp, a novel insulin preparation, allows these two molecules to coexist without affecting their individual pharmacodynamic profiles.

METHODS

Clinical evidence in phase 2/3 trials of IDegAsp efficacy and safety in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM) have been assessed and summarised.

RESULTS

In people with T2DM, once- and twice-daily dosing provides similar overall glycaemic control (HbA1c ) to current modern insulins, but with lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. In prior insulin users, glycaemic control was achieved with lower or equal insulin doses vs. other basal+meal-time or premix insulin regimens. In insulin-naïve patients with T2DM, IDegAsp can be started once or twice-daily, based on individual need. People switching from more than once-daily basal or premix insulin therapy can be converted unit-to-unit to once-daily IDegAsp, although this strategy should be assessed by the physician on an individual basis.

CONCLUSIONS

IDegAsp offers physicians and people with T2DM a simpler insulin regimen than other available basal-bolus or premix-based insulin regimens, with stable daytime basal coverage, a lower rate of hypoglycaemia and some flexibility in injection timing compared with premix insulins.

New insulin glargine 300 U/ml versus glargine 100 U/ml in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs: glucose control and hypoglycaemia in a randomized controlled trial (EDITION JP 2)

AIMS

To compare the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) with glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin plus oral antihyperglycaemic drug(s) [OAD(s)].

METHODS

The EDITION JP 2 study (NCT01689142) was a 6-month, multicentre, open-label, phase III study. Participants (n = 241, male 61%, mean diabetes duration 14 years, mean weight 67 kg, mean body mass index 25 kg/m(2), mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.02 %, mean basal insulin dose 0.24 U/kg/day) were randomized to Gla-300 or Gla-100, while continuing OAD(s). Basal insulin was titrated to target fasting self-monitored plasma glucose 4.4-5.6 mmol/l. The primary efficacy endpoint was HbA1c change over 6 months. Safety endpoints included hypoglycaemia and weight change.

RESULTS

Gla-300 was non-inferior to Gla-100 for HbA1c reduction [least squares (LS) mean difference 0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.08, 0.27) %]. The mean HbA1c at month 6 was 7.56 and 7.52 % with Gla-300 and Gla-100, respectively. Nocturnal confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/l) or severe hypoglycaemia risk was 38% lower with Gla-300 versus Gla-100 [relative risk 0.62 (95% CI 0.44, 0.88)]; annualized rates were 55% lower at night [rate ratio 0.45 (95% CI 0.21, 0.96)] and 36% lower at any time [24 h; rate ratio 0.64 (95% CI 0.43, 0.96)]. Severe hypoglycaemia was infrequent. A significant between-treatment difference in weight change favoured Gla-300 [LS mean difference -1.0 (95% CI -1.5, -0.5) kg; p = 0.0003]. Adverse event rates were comparable between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin plus OAD(s) experienced less hypoglycaemia with Gla-300 than with Gla-100, while glycaemic control did not differ.

New insulin glargine 300 U/ml versus glargine 100 U/ml in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes using basal and mealtime insulin: glucose control and hypoglycaemia in a randomized controlled trial (EDITION JP 1)

AIM

To compare efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) with that of insulin glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The EDITION JP 1 study (NCT01689129) was a 6-month, multicentre, open-label, phase III study. Participants (n = 243) were randomized to Gla-300 or Gla-100 while continuing mealtime insulin. Basal insulin was titrated with the aim of achieving a fasting self-monitored plasma glucose target of 4.4-7.2 mmol/l. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) over 6 months. Safety measures included hypoglycaemia and change in body weight.

RESULTS

Gla-300 was non-inferior to Gla-100 for the primary endpoint of HbA1c change over the 6-month period {least squares [LS] mean difference 0.13 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) -0.03 to 0.29]}. The annualized rate of confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/l) or severe hypoglycaemic events was 34 % lower with Gla-300 than with Gla-100 at night [rate ratio 0.66 (95 % CI 0.48-0.92)] and 20 % lower at any time of day [24 h; rate ratio 0.80 (95 % CI 0.65-0.98)]; this difference was most pronounced during the first 8 weeks of treatment. Severe hypoglycaemia was infrequent. The basal insulin dose increased in both groups (month 6 dose: Gla-300 0.35 U/kg/day, Gla-100 0.29 U/kg/day). A between-treatment difference in body weight change over 6 months favouring Gla-300 was observed [LS mean difference -0.6 kg (95 % CI -1.1 to -0.0); p = 0.035]. Adverse event rates were comparable between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes using basal plus mealtime insulin, less hypoglycaemia was observed with Gla-300 than with Gla-100, particularly during the night, while glycaemic control did not differ.

Control of grain protein contents through SEMIDWARF1 mutant alleles: sd1 increases the grain protein content in Dee-geo-woo-gen but not in Reimei

A new possibility for genetic control of the protein content of rice grains was suggested by the allele differences of the SEMIDWARF1 (SD1) mutation. Two quantitative trait loci-qPROT1 and qPROT12-were found on chromosomes 1 and 12, respectively, using backcrossed inbred lines of Sasanishiki/Habataki//Sasanishiki///Sasanishiki. One of them, qPROT1, increased almost all grain proteins instead of only certain proteins in the recessive Habataki allele. Fine mapping of qPROT1 revealed that two gene candidates-Os01g0883800 and Os01g0883900-were included in this region. Os01g0883800 encoded Gibberellin 20 oxidase 2 as well as SD1, the dwarf gene used in the so-called 'Green Revolution'. Mutant analyses as well as sequencing analysis using the semi-dwarf mutant cultivars Dee-geo-woo-gen and Calrose 76 revealed that the sd1 mutant showed significantly higher grain protein contents than their corresponding wild-type cultivars, strongly suggesting that the high protein contents were caused by sd1 mutation. However, the sd1 mutant Reimei did not have high grain protein contents. It is possible to control the grain protein content and column length separately by selecting for sd1 alleles. From this finding, the genetic control of grain protein content, as well as the column length of rice cultivars, might be possible. This ability might be useful to improve rice nutrition, particularly in areas where the introduction of semi-dwarf cultivars is not advanced.

Living situations associated with poor dietary intake among healthy Japanese elderly: the Ohasama Study

BACKGROUND

Rapid increases in life expectancy have led to concurrent increases in the number of elderly people living alone or those forced to change living situations. Previous studies have found that poor dietary intake was common in elderly people living alone. However, there have been few studies about the dietary intake in elderly people living in other situations, particularly those living with family other than a spouse (nonspouse family), which is common in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the differences in dietary intake by different living situations in elderly Japanese people. We analyzed the data of 1542 healthy residents in the town of Ohasama aged 60 years and over who had completed self-administered questionnaires.

METHODS

The dietary intake was measured using a validated 141-item food frequency questionnaire. Multiple regression models with robust (White-corrected) standard errors were individually fitted for nutrients and foods by living situation.

RESULTS

In men, although the presence of other family was correlated with significantly lower intake of protein-related foods, e.g., legumes, fish and shellfish, and dairy products, these declines were more serious in men living with nonspouse family. Conversely, in men living alone the intake of fruits and vegetables was significantly lower. In women, lower intakes of fruit and protein-related foods were significantly more common in participants living with nonspouse family than those living with only a spouse.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that elderly people living alone as well as those living with family other than a spouse had poor dietary intake, suggesting that strategies to improve food choices and skills for food preparation could promote of healthy eating in elderly Japanese people.