Effects of first and second division modes on euploidy acquisition in human embryo

The aim of this study was to non-invasively investigate euploid embryos using methods other than pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. The study focused on direct cleavage (DC) observed during early embryo development. We also investigated the relationship between the mode of early embryo division and embryo ploidy. Embryos were divided into the normal cleavage (NC) and DC groups, and the DC group was further subdivided into the DC-First (DC-F) and DC-Second (DC-S) groups, depending on whether DC was observed at the first or second cleavage, respectively. The acquisition rates of euploid embryos and embryos appropriate for transfer were compared between the groups. Our results revealed that the timing of the first division did not differ between blastocyst grades or in embryos with varying degrees of ploidy. Further, the timing of the first cleavage did not affect the acquisition rate of embryos appropriate for transfer and euploid embryo formation rate did not significantly differ between the DC and NC groups. We also noted that for embryos appropriate for transfer, euploidy acquisition rate did not differ significantly between the DC and NC groups. Further, the euploidy acquisition rate of embryos did not differ between the DC-F and DC-S groups. However, the acquisition rate of embryos appropriate for transfer, including those with low mosaicism, was significantly higher in the DC-S group than in the DC-F group. These findings indicated that the number of good-quality blastocysts formed was significantly higher in the NC group than in the DC group and the acquisition rate of embryos appropriate for transfer, including those with low mosaicism, was significantly higher in the DC-S group than in the DC-F group.

Original delayed-start ovarian stimulation protocol with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and high-dose gonadotropin for poor responders and patients with poor-quality embryos

Introduction

The delayed-start gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol seems effective for patients who are poor ovarian responders, but there are insufficient data on whether it is also effective for patients with poor-quality embryos and low rates of good blastocyst formation. Specifically, the effectiveness of delayed-start gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists with progesterone has not been adequately investigated. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of the original delayed-start gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and high-dose gonadotropin in patients with poor ovarian response.

Methods

Overall, 156 patients with recurrent assisted reproductive technology failure who underwent the original protocol were included. They received cetrorelix acetate (3 mg) and MPA (10 mg) on cycle day 3, and high-dose gonadotropin was initiated on day 11. When the leading follicle reached 14 mm, ganirelix acetate (0.25 mg) was administered until the trigger day. The number of oocytes retrieved, metaphase II (MII) oocytes, two pronuclear (2PN) zygotes, and good blastocysts and live birth rates were compared between the previous (Cycle A) and original (Cycle B) cycles in three groups (Group A, all patients; Group B, poor responders; and Group C, patients with poor-quality embryos).

Results

In Group A (n=156), the number of MII oocytes (3.6 ± 3.3 versus 4.5 ± 3.6), 2PN zygotes (2.8 ± 2.9 versus 3.8 ± 3.1), good blastocysts (0.5 ± 0.9 versus 1.2 ± 1.6), and live birth rates (0.6 versus 24.4) significantly increased in Cycle B. Similar results were obtained in Group B (n=83; 2PN zygotes [1.7 ± 1.7 versus 2.3 ± 1.8], good blastocysts [0.4 ± 0.7 versus 0.9 ± 1.3], live birth rates [0 versus 18.1]) and Group C (n=73; MII oocytes [5.1 ± 3.8 versus 6.6 ± 4.0], 2PN zygotes [4.0 ± 3.4 versus 5.4 ± 3.4], good blastocysts [0.7 ± 1.1 versus 1.6 ± 1.9], and live birth rates [1.4 versus 31.5]).

Conclusion

This original protocol increased the number of MII oocytes retrieved, 2PN zygotes, good blastocysts, and live birth rates in both poor responders and in patients with poor-quality embryos.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster presence does not affect embryo ploidy

PURPOSE

We examined the impacts of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (sERC) presence on embryonic development and blastocyst ploidy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent oocyte retrieval from January 2019 to November 2021 were included in the study. We classified the oocytes into three groups: normal oocytes in the sERC ( -) cycle, normal oocytes in the sERC ( +) cycle, and sERC ( +) oocytes. Next, the levels of serum estradiol, progesterone, anti-Mullerian hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and human menopausal gonadotropin were compared between the groups. Moreover, fertilization, degeneration, and abnormal fertilization rates were compared between groups. To investigate developmental outcomes, the blastocyst and good-quality blastocyst rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection were compared. The quality of the transferred blastocysts was evaluated at follow-up. Additionally, embryos were submitted for next-generation sequencing analysis to examine the effect of sERC presence on ploidy.

RESULTS

The sERC ( +) group had significantly higher serum estradiol, serum progesterone, and serum anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations compared to those in the sERC ( -) group (P < 0.01). The abnormal fertilization rate was higher in the sERC ( +) cycle-sERC ( +) oocyte group (16.1%; 37/230) than in the sERC ( +) cycle-normal oocyte (6.2%; 63/971) and sERC ( -) cycle-normal oocyte groups (7.1%; 174/2467) (P < 0.01). After embryo transfer, nine women gave birth, and no confirmed congenital anomalies were observed. There was no significant difference in ploidy between the sERC ( +) and sERC ( -) groups.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence rates of embryos with euploidy were similar between the sERC ( +) and sERC ( -) groups.

P-175 Relationship Between oocytes with sERC and Ploidy

Study question

We investigated the effects of the presence or absence of sERC on subsequent embryonic development and the ploidy of embryos.

Summary answer

The acquisition rates for euploidy embryos were similar to those for the embryos derived from oocytes without smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (sERC).

What is known already

The effects of the presence of sERC have been reported on embryonic development processes and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET). In this study, we investigated the effects of the presence of sERC not only on embryonic development and pregnancy rate, but also on the ploidy of embryos from the oocytes with sERC.

Study design, size, duration

The subjects comprised women from whom oocytes were collected from January 2019 to November 2021. The group with the oocytes with sERC was designated as sERC(+), and the other group without sERC as sERC(-).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Retrospective analysis was performed using a time-lapse system (EmbryoScope+). They were divided into two groups according to the presence of sERC. The groups were compared for fertilization rate, degeneration rate, abnormal fertilization rate (1PN, 3PN, 2.1PN), blastocyst rate, and good-quality-blastocyst rate after ICSI. The prognosis of the transferred embryos was followed up on. In addition, the embryos that were subjected to NGS analysis were investigated for effects of the presence of sERC on their ploidies.

Main results and the role of chance

The sERC(+) group exhibited a significantly lower fertilization rate (74.8%) compared to that of the sERC(-) group (82.4%, P &lt; 0.01). The sERC(+) group exhibited a significantly higher abnormal fertilization rate (14.8%) compared to that of the sERC(-) group (6.6%, P &lt; 0.01). The sERC(+) group showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate (57.4%) compared to the sERC(-) group (45.2%, P &lt; 0.01). With respect to after ET prognosis, eight women gave birth with no confirmed congenital anomality. At the very least, the presence of sERC has been shown to have no effect on childbirth. The investigation on ploidy showed that the oocytes in the sERC(+) group included 24.2% euploidy (8/33), 9.1% mosaic (3/33), and 66.7% aneuploidy (22/33) embryos, while the oocytes in the sERC(-) group included 30.4% euploidy (137/451), 12.4% mosaic (56/451), and 57.2% aneuploidy (258/451) embryos. Thus, there was no difference due to the presence of sERC. Three out of the eight euploidy blastocysts in the sERC (+) group had been transferred, one of which reached childbirth.

Limitations, reasons for caution

PGT-A is still under clinical research in Japan.

Wider implications of the findings

Many reports suggested that oocytes with sERC can be used as embryos appropriate for transfer when they develop into blastocysts. The investigation into the ploidy of sERC(+)-derived blastocysts in this study confirmed that the presence of sERC did not affect the ploidy of embryos and that these embryos were transferable.

Trial registration number

not applicable

P-163 Effects of Early Modes of Cell Division on Blastocyst Ploidy

Study question

Abnormal cleavage (AC) has been confirmed at early development. We performed an NGS analysis on AC-derived blastocysts to investigate ploidy of the resulting embryos.

Summary answer

Group in which AC occurred during second division showed significantly higher rates for embryos appropriate for transfer than group where AC occurred during first division.

What is known already

Early division is important in embryogenesis and serves as an indicator of subsequent embryonic development. The occurrence of AC during early development can be identified with the advent of the time-lapse incubator, which in turn has led to difficulties in determining whether such AC-derived blastocysts can be used embryo transfer. In this study, we performed NGS analysis on AC-derived blastocysts to investigate the ploidy of the resulting embryos.

Study design, size, duration

The subjects comprised women from whom oocytes were collected for NGS analysis from January 2019 to November 2021. Retrospective analysis was performed using a time-lapse system (EmbryoScope+). Embryos were categorized into two groups: those with abnormal divisions observed during the first and second divisions and those in which normal divisions were observed in the same cycle.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The group with AC observed was designated the AC group and the other with normal divisions as the Normal Cleavage (NC) group. Within the AC group, the subgroup with AC observed during first division was designated as the First (AC-F) group and the subgroup with AC observed during second division as the Second (AC-S) group for comparing the acquisition rates for euploidy embryos and embryos appropriate for transfer.

Main results and the role of chance

The AC group (17.3%) showed a significantly lower rate of good blastocyst formation than did the NC group (53.4%) (P &lt; 0.01). The cutoff point for mosaicism was defined as &gt; 20% of abnormal cells. Percentage &lt;20 were classified as normal (euploid); &gt;80, abnormal (aneuploidy); and 20-80, mosaic. Using a cutoff of 50% to differentiate ‘‘low’’ mosaics from ‘‘high’’ mosaics. There was no difference between the two groups in the acquisition rates for euploidy embryos (30.8-35.1%) and the embryos appropriate for transfer, including low-mosaic ones (44.3-46.1%). There also was no difference in the acquisition rates for euploidy embryos (24.0-37.0%) between the AC-F and AC-S groups. However, the AC-S group (59.3%) showed significantly higher acquisition rates than the AC-F group (32.0%) for the embryos appropriate for transfer, including low-mosaic ones (P &lt; 0.05).

Limitations, reasons for caution

PGT-A is still under clinical research in Japan.

Wider implications of the findings

The group in which AC occurred during second division showed significantly higher acquisition rates for the embryos appropriate for transfer than the group in which AC occurred during first division. This indicates that the most important factor for identifying euploidy embryos is going through the two-cell phase during first division.

Trial registration number

not applicable

POS0755 SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, PHARMACOKINETICS, AND PHARMACODYNAMICS OF A SINGLE ORALLY ADMINISTERED DOSE OF ENPATORAN IN A PHASE I STUDY OF HEALTHY JAPANESE AND CAUCASIAN PARTICIPANTS

Background

Enpatoran, a novel, highly selective and potent dual toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR8 inhibitor, is in development for the treatment of autoimmune disorders including systemic and cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A first-in-human study in healthy participants has shown that enpatoran is well-tolerated and has a linear pharmacokinetic (PK) profile.

Objectives

To compare the PK parameters, safety, and tolerability of single ascending oral doses of enpatoran in a Phase I study in Japanese and Caucasian participants, and to explore a potential PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) relationship.

Methods

A single-centre, open-label, sequential dose group study enrolled healthy Japanese and Caucasian participants into three dose cohorts. Each Caucasian participant was matched by body weight (± 20%), height (± 15%) and sex to a Japanese participant. Participants received a single orally administered enpatoran dose of 100 mg, 200 mg, or 300 mg as a film-coated tablet under fasting conditions. PK parameters, (maximum plasma concentration [Cmax]; area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to infinity [AUC0-inf]; AUC from time 0 to the last sampling time [AUC0-tlast]) determined using noncompartmental analysis, were estimated post-dose from Day 1–3. Safety was assessed from Day -1 to 8. PK (exposure) between the two ethnic groups was compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model including ethnic group, natural log-transformed dose, and ethnic group by natural log dose interaction. Ex vivo secretion of cytokines (PD) under stimulated (using the TLR7/8 agonist, R848) and unstimulated conditions, was assessed pre- and post-dose. A panel of cytokines was analysed by multiplex immunoassay; IL-6 was considered the primary PD biomarker.

Results

The study included 36 male participants (18 Japanese and 18 Caucasian) with a mean (± SD) age of 35.1 (± 10.8) years and mean (± SD) body mass index of 23.1 (± 2.1) kg/m2. Each dose group included six Japanese and six Caucasian participants. The geometric mean enpatoran plasma exposure parameters (Cmax, AUC0-inf, and AUC0-tlast) were consistent between the two ethnic groups for each dose level (Table 1) and indicated dose proportionality. ANCOVA modeling demonstrated comparable exposure between the two groups (geometric least square mean ratio [Japanese/Caucasian;90% CI] of Cmax: 0.9409 [0.7855–1.1270]; AUC0-inf: 0.8959 [0.7497–1.0704] and AUC0-tlast: 0.8963 [0.7511–1.0695]). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were observed in six Japanese (n = 0, 100 mg; n = 3, 200 mg; n = 3, 300 mg) and four Caucasian (n = 1, 100 mg; n = 0, 200 mg; n = 3, 300 mg) participants. There we no serious TEAEs; most were mild and not dose dependent. Treatment-related TEAEs were mild diarrhoea, mild flatulence, and moderate headache. There were no deaths, withdrawals, or early terminations due to TEAEs. Administering enpatoran effectively reduced ex vivo stimulated cytokine release, with maximal inhibition observed at 2 hours post-dose (IL-6: mean ≥99%). High inhibition levels were sustained through 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner (IL-6: mean ~76–97%). The pattern of cytokine release inhibition was consistent across doses and ethnic groups.

Table 1.

PK parameters in Japanese and Caucasian participants at the three enpatoran dose levels

Parameter100 mg200 mg300 mgJapaneseCaucasianJapaneseCaucasianJapaneseCaucasianN = 6N = 6N = 6N = 6N = 6N = 6Cmax139175260245486490(ng/mL)AUC0-inf7749481910185028403330(h*ng/mL)AUC0-tlast7589311880183028103270(h*ng/mL)

All values are Geometric mean.

Cmax, maximum plasma concentration AUC0-inf, area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to infinity; AUC0-tlast, AUC from time 0 to the last sampling time.

Conclusion

There were no relevant ethnic differences in PK, PD, and safety between healthy Japanese and Caucasian participants across a range of single oral enpatoran doses, thus supporting the inclusion of Asian participants in future global Phase II studies.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank those who took part in the study. This study was sponsored by the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (CrossRef Funder ID: 10.13039/100009945), who funded medical writing support by Bioscript Stirling Ltd.

Disclosure of Interests

Sathej Gopalakrishnan Shareholder of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Axel Krebs-Brown Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Marco Nogueira Filho Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Yoshihiro Kuroki Employee of: Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd., Angelika Bachmann Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Andreas Becker Shareholder of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frank Schippers Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Markus Fluck Shareholder of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Özkan Yalkinoglu Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA, Lena Klopp-Schulze Employee of: Merck Healthcare KGaA

The effects of differences in trophectoderm biopsy techniques and the number of cells collected for biopsy on next‐generation sequencing results

Purpose

To examine how differences in trophectoderm biopsy techniques affect the frequency of mosaic embryos and sequencing results.

Methods

We examined differences in next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis results among operators or according to biopsy technique. Additionally, we determined the cut‐off for the number of collected cells to predict the occurrence of mosaicism. We collected cells according to the cut‐off value and examined whether there was a difference in the NGS analysis results between the pulling and flicking methods.

Results

There was no difference in the NGS analysis results among the operators. Regarding re‐biopsy, changes in the mosaic were observed in all specimens. The cut‐off value for the number of collected cells was five, and when more than five cells were collected, there was no difference in the NGS analysis results between the two methods.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that if trophectoderm biopsy techniques and NGS are stable, the cell collection location has a greater effect on NGS results than the biopsy technique.

A novel trophectoderm biopsy technique for all blastocyst stages

Purpose

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a new trophectoderm (TE) biopsy method that does not require prior opening of the zona pellucida at the blastocyst stage.

Methods

TE biopsy was conducted using a modified extrusion method for embryos during the cleavage stage. In this method, culture medium was injected into the perivitelline space to help extrude TE cells from the zona pellucida before TE biopsy.

Results

Our extrusion method preserves the embryo culture environment until immediately before biopsy because it does not require opening of the zona pellucida prior to TE biopsy. Furthermore, this method does not require a waiting time for blastocyst hatching after laser irradiation, thereby minimizing damage to the embryos and maintaining the time schedule of culture operations.

Conclusions

TE biopsy using this novel extrusion method may be useful in various applications, including the collection of TE cells for next‐generation sequencing analysis.

The effect of repeated cryopreservation and thawing using cryotip on the clinical outcomes of embryos

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes of embryo transfers that were cryopreserved and thawed two or three times with those cryopreserved and thawed once by CryoTip.

METHODS

Data for 388 single cryopreserved-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, performed from April 2012 to March 2014, were assessed. The blastocysts were classified into three groups: blastocysts (A) cryopreserved once, (B) cryopreserved twice, and (C) cryopreserved three times.

RESULTS

The pregnancy rate was 43.8% (134/306) in group A and 46.3% (38/82) in group B, while the miscarriage rate was 29.1% (39/134) in group A and 23.7% (9/38) in group B. The rate of improvement/maintenance of blastocyst grade was 84.0% (257/306) in group A and 80.5% (66/82) in group B. The pregnancy and miscarriage rates of the blastocysts that showed improvement/maintenance in the grade were 45.9% (118/257) and 29.7% (35/118) in group A and 48.5% (32/66) and 21.9% (7/32) in group B, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 33.3% (2/6), while the miscarriage rate was 0.0% (0/2) in group C.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy rates achieved with re-cryopreserved and rethawed blastocyst transfer were comparable to those achieved with single cryopreserved-thawed blastocyst transfer.

Polynomial-Time Algorithms for Multiple-Arm Identification with Full-Bandit Feedback

We study the problem of stochastic multiple-arm identification, where an agent sequentially explores a size-k subset of arms (also known as a super arm) from given n arms and tries to identify the best super arm. Most work so far has considered the semi-bandit setting, where the agent can observe the reward of each pulled arm or assumed each arm can be queried at each round. However, in real-world applications, it is costly or sometimes impossible to observe a reward of individual arms. In this study, we tackle the full-bandit setting, where only a noisy observation of the total sum of a super arm is given at each pull. Although our problem can be regarded as an instance of the best arm identification in linear bandits, a naive approach based on linear bandits is computationally infeasible since the number of super arms K is exponential. To cope with this problem, we first design a polynomial-time approximation algorithm for a 0-1 quadratic programming problem arising in confidence ellipsoid maximization. Based on our approximation algorithm, we propose a bandit algorithm whose computation time is O(log K), thereby achieving an exponential speedup over linear bandit algorithms. We provide a sample complexity upper bound that is still worst-case optimal. Finally, we conduct experiments on large-scale data sets with more than 1010 super arms, demonstrating the superiority of our algorithms in terms of both the computation time and the sample complexity.

Surfactant protein D inhibits activation of non-small cell lung cancer-associated mutant EGFR and affects clinical outcomes of patients

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive and TKI-resistant mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are associated with lung adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutants were previously shown to exhibit ligand-independent activation. We have previously demonstrated that pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D, SFTPD) suppressed wild-type EGFR signaling by blocking ligand binding to EGFR. We herein demonstrate that SFTPD downregulates ligand-independent signaling in cells harboring EGFR mutations such as TKI-sensitive exon 19 deletion (Ex19del) and L858R mutation as well as TKI-resistant T790M mutation, subsequently suppressing cellular growth and motility. Lectin blotting and ligand blotting in lung cancer cell lines suggested that EGFR mutants express oligomannose-type N-glycans and interact with SFTPD directly. Cross-linking assay indicated that SFTPD inhibits ligand-independent dimerization of EGFR mutants. We also demonstrated that SFTPD reduced dimerization-independent phosphorylation of Ex19del and T790M EGFR mutants using point mutations that disrupted the asymmetric dimer interface. It was confirmed that SFTPD augmented the viability-suppressing effects of EGFR-TKIs. Furthermore, retrospective analysis of 121 patients with lung adenocarcinoma to examine associations between serum SFTPD levels and clinical outcome indicated that in TKI-treated patients with lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations, including Ex19del or L858R, high serum SFTPD levels correlated with a lower number of distant metastases and prolonged overall survival and progression-free survival. These findings suggest that SFTPD downregulates both TKI-sensitive and -resistant EGFR mutant signaling, and SFTPD level is correlated with clinical outcome. These findings illustrate the use of serum SFTPD level as a potential marker to estimate the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs.

Monozygotic Twins with Discordant Sex

A nine-year-old girl with short stature was referred to the department of pediatrics at Kyushu University. The clinical diagnosis was Turner syndrome; karyotypic analysis performed on peripheral blood, using GTG techniques, demonstrated a 45,X/47,XYY (17:83) mosaicism. Her twin brother, a phenotypically normal male, had the same karyotype; 45,X/47,XYY (3:97) on peripheral blood. Their skin fibroblast karyotypes showed the same mosaicism, ie. 45,X/47,XYY (41:59 and 31:69 respectively). On eleven biochemical genetic markers the twin pair were concordant, thus the likelihood of monozygosity was 0.99527034. In addition, the analysis of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) markers revealed the likelihood of monozygosity to be 0.99944386. The most plausible explanation of the X/XYY mosaicism was nondisjunction of the Y in the first cleavage division of the 46,XY zygote. A disproportionate rate of cell populations with 45,X and 47.XYY in the twinning process of the X/XYY embryo, especially in the germ lines, would result in discordant sex in twin pairs.

Phasic synaptic incorporation of GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors at gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons is involved in the generation of the luteinizing hormone surge in female rats

Reproductive success depends on a robust and appropriately timed preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which is induced by the activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in response to positive feedback from increasing estrogen levels. Here we document an increase in postsynaptic GluR2-lacking Ca2+ -permeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors (CP-AMPARs) at synapses on GnRH neurons on the day of proestrus in rats, coincident with the increase in estrogen levels. Functional blockade of CP-AMPARs depressed the synaptic responses only on the day of proestrus and concomitantly attenuated the LH surge. Thus, the phasic synaptic incorporation of postsynaptic CP-AMPARs on GnRH neurons is involved in the generation of the LH surge.

JTT-130, a novel intestine-specific inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, ameliorates impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

AIM

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) takes part in the mobilization of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from enterocytes and hepatocytes. We investigated the effects of JTT-130, a novel intestine-specific MTP inhibitor, on impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats.

METHODS

Male ZDF rats were fed a regular powdered diet with or without JTT-130 as a food admixture (0.01-0.02%) for 6 weeks. Food intake, body weight, blood biochemical parameters, fecal lipid contents, hepatic lipid contents, tissue mRNA levels and glucose utilization in adipose tissues were assessed. An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and histological analysis of the pancreas were performed.

RESULTS

JTT-130 treatment decreased food intake, glycated hemoglobin, plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, hepatic levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and hepatic mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphatase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. JTT-130 treatment increased fecal levels of free fatty acids and cholesterol, plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY, mRNA levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissues and GLUT4 in muscle and glucose utilization in adipose tissues. Plasma insulin decreased after 2 weeks and increased after 4 weeks of JTT-130 treatment. Plasma glucose in the JTT-130-treated rats was lower with higher plasma insulin than in the control rats during the IPGTT. The islets of the JTT-130-treated rats were larger and contained more insulin than those of the control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

JTT-130 ameliorates impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in the ZDF rats thereby suggesting that JTT-130 could be useful for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

JTT-130, a novel intestine-specific inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, suppresses high fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance in Sprague-Dawley rats

AIM

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) takes part in the mobilization and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from enterocytes and hepatocytes. We investigated the effects of JTT-130, a novel intestine-specific MTP inhibitor, on high fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a 3.1% fat diet or a 35% fat diet with or without JTT-130 as a food admixture (0.029%). Food intake, body weight, abdominal fat, hepatic triglyceride, faecal free fatty acids and plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) were assessed. Plasma levels of glucose and insulin were measured during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests. In addition, indirect calorimetry was performed on rats fed with a 35% fat diet.

RESULTS

JTT-130 treatment decreased body weights, abdominal fat and hepatic triglyceride with suppression of food intake and elevation of faecal free fatty acids and plasma GLP-1 and PYY levels in rats fed with the 35% fat diet, whereas no significant effects on these parameters except for increased faecal free fatty acids were observed in rats fed with the 3.1% fat diet. JTT-130 treatment decreased plasma levels of glucose and insulin during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests on rats fed with the 35% fat diet, but not on rats fed with the 3.1% fat diet. JTT-130-treated rats showed increased O(2) consumption and CO(2) production on a 35% fat diet.

CONCLUSIONS

JTT-130 suppresses high fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance with suppression of food intake and fat absorption and could be useful for prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-related insulin resistance.

In vivo morphometric analysis of inflammatory condylar changes in rat temporomandibular joint

OBJECTIVE

Injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) causes acute swelling around the joint and subsequent morphological alterations in the condyle. We aimed to evaluate changes in the three-dimensional architecture of the condyle induced with CFA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CFA was injected into the unilateral TMJ of rats and morphological changes in the condyle were assessed repeatedly for 14 days by in vivo micro-CT.

RESULTS

Osseous abnormalities of condyle were first observed at 3-5 days after CFA injection on the tomographic images, and the condylar deformation became more obvious thereafter. Among 12 condyles examined at 14 days postinjection, osteophytosis was observed in all of the specimens and bone erosion coexisted in five condyles. None of the saline-treated condyles showed architectural changes. Significant changes were detected in the mesiolateral and rostrocaudal widths of the CFA-treated condyles at 10-14 days postinjection (P < 0.01). The extent of both condylar bone formation and resorption was greater in the CFA-injected TMJs than in saline-injected TMJs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that CFA causes dynamic morphological changes in the condyle and that our experimental approach will provide new insights into the subacute inflammatory processes in the TMJ.

Effect of alendronate on bone metabolic indices and bone mineral density in patients treated with high-dose glucocorticoid: a prospective study

SUMMARY

This prospective study, in the very early phase after initiation of glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, showed that alendronate was effective in suppressing accelerated bone resorption and subsequent decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine of patients with high-dose GC treatment.

INTRODUCTION

How bisphosphonates affect bone metabolism and BMD of patients with high-dose GC in the early phase, especially within 1 month is unclear.

METHODS

We examined the prospective effects of daily 5 mg alendronate on bone metabolism and BMD in 20 patients with high-dose GC (at least 40 mg prednisolone/day) and compared them to 34 high-dose GC-treated patients without alendronate.

RESULTS

Serum levels of calcium decreased at day 28 in the alendronate group. Urinary calcium excretion significantly increased after day 7 in both groups. The increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level at day 7 in the control group was not observed in the alendronate group, but PTH levels increased at day 28 and month 3 in the alendronate group. As for the bone turnover markers, the serum osteocalcin level decreased in both alendronate and control groups, but serum bone-type alkaline phosphatase levels did not show significant changes. Although the urinary type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) level showed significant increases on days 7 and 28 in the control group; such early increases in urinary NTX were not observed in the alendronate group. Thereafter, the urinary NTX levels fell slowly in the alendronate group significantly. BMD at the lumbar spine significantly decreased from month 1 in the control group, whereas in the alendronate group, BMD at the lumbar spine maintained almost the same level at all time points observed.

CONCLUSION

Alendronate was effective in suppressing bone resorption and subsequent BMD decrease at the lumbar spine in patients with high-dose GC treatment.

Increasing antiviral activity of surfactant protein d trimers by introducing residues from bovine serum collectins: dissociation of mannan-binding and antiviral activity

Collectins contribute to host defence through interactions with glycoconjugates on pathogen surfaces. We have prepared recombinant trimeric neck and carbohydrate recognition domains (NCRD) of collectins, and we now show that the NCRD of bovine conglutinin and CL-46 (like that of CL-43) have greater intrinsic antiviral activity for influenza A virus (IAV) than the human SP-D NCRD (hSP-D-NCRD). The three serum collectins differ from SP-D by having insertions adjacent to amino acid 325 and substitution of hydrophobic residues for arginine 343. We previously showed that a three amino acid (RAK) insertion, as found in CL-43, increases antiviral activity and mannan-binding activity of the hSP-D-NCRD, while the substitution of valine at 343, as in conglutinin, more strongly increased these activities. Mannan-binding activity of collectins has been considered to predict for ability to bind to high mannose glycans on viruses or other pathogens. We now show, however, that combined mutants containing the RAK insertion and R343V or R343I substitutions have greatly increased mannan-binding ability, but lower IAV binding or inhibiting activity than mutants containing R343V or R343I substitutions only. These findings indicate differences in the recognition of glycan structures of mannan and IAV by the NCRD and emphasize the importance of the flanking sequences in determining the differing interactions of human SP-D and bovine serum collectins with mannose-rich glycoconjugates on IAV and other pathogens. Of interest, we show conservation of some monoclonal antibody-binding epitopes between bovine collectin NCRD and hSP-D, suggesting shared structural motifs.

Diagnostic accuracy of microcomputed tomography for osseous abnormalities in the rat temporomandibular joint condyle

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of in vivo micro-CT for osseous abnormalities of the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle, using macroscopic observations as the "gold standard".

METHODS

A 30 TMJ arthritis model was prepared by injecting inflammatory complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into one side of the TMJ cavities of rats. The TMJ condyles were then imaged using micro-CT. The samples were macroscopically evaluated for osseous abnormalities, including erosions, osteophytes, flattening and concavity. The micro-CT images were independently assessed for abnormalities using the same criteria. Images in three planes were produced using the micro-XYZ technique with the micro-CT equipment.

RESULTS

According to the macroscopic observations, 26 of the 60 rat condyles showed osseous abnormalities. The micro-XYZ images detected abnormalities in 25 of the condyles. The condyle diagnostic accuracy of micro-CT was 0.98, the sensitivity was 0.96 and the specificity was 1.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Good diagnostic results were obtained using micro-CT. It is therefore an effective technique for the evaluation of osseous abnormalities in the rat TMJ condyle.

Measurement of B(Ds{+}-->mu+nu(mu))

We present a measurement of the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu}) using a 548 fb{-1} data sample collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e{+}e{-} collider. The D{s} momentum is determined by reconstruction of the system recoiling against DKgammaX in events of the type e{+}e{-}-->D{s}{*}DKX, D{s}{*}-->D{s}gamma, where X represents additional pions or photons from fragmentation. This full-reconstruction method provides high resolution in the neutrino momentum and thus good background separation, equivalent to that achieved by experiments at the tau-charm factories. We obtain the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu})=[6.44+/-0.76(stat)+/-0.57(syst)]x10{-3}, implying a D{s} decay constant of f{D{s}}=[275+/-16(stat)+/-12(syst)] MeV.

Combinatorial targeting of the macropinocytotic pathway in leukemia and lymphoma cells

Ligand-directed delivery of agents to leukemia and lymphoma cells has the potential to yield new mechanistic disease insights and targeted therapies. Here we set out to target the macropinocytotic pathway with a combinatorial approach. From the screening of acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia Molt-4 cells with a random phage-display peptide library, we isolated a phage displaying the sequence CAYHRLRRC. This peptide contains a lymph node-homing motif (Cys-Ala-Tyr) and a cell-penetrating motif (Arg-Leu-Arg-Arg). Binding of this ligand-directed phage to a large panel of leukemia/lymphoma cells and to patient-derived samples was much higher than to non-leukemia control cells. CAYHRLRRC phage internalization into Molt-4 cells is both energy- and temperature-dependent. Flow cytometry with fluorescein-labeled peptide and endocytosis blocking with specific inhibitors revealed that CAYHRLRRC is indeed taken up through macropinocytosis in Molt-4 and K562 human leukemia cells. Unexpectedly, the cell surface receptor for the CAYHRLRRC peptide is not a heparan sulfate proteoglycan as it would be predicted for other cell-penetrating peptides. Confirming this interpretation, a CAYHRLRRC-directed peptidomimetic-induced cell death in all the leukemia and lymphoma cells was evaluated, whereas a control transactivator of transcription protein (tat)-directed proapoptotic peptidomimetic was non-selective. In summary, the targeting peptide CAYHRLRRC is selectively internalized through macropinocytosis in leukemia and lymphoma cells and has potential as a drug lead for ligand-directed anti-leukemia therapies.

Relationship between patient characteristics, mandibular head morphology and thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa in symptomatic temporomandibular joints

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the minimum thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa (RGF) of grossly normal temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and to correlate this with patient gender, age and the morphological classification of the mandibular head.

METHODS

The study was performed on 191 TMJs from 109 patients (25 male and 84 female, age range 3-79 years, mean age 28.1 years) who visited Nihon University Dental Hospital, Japan with suspected TMJ disorders. The patients underwent cone beam computed tomography (3DX CT) to enable observation of the morphological features of the mandibular head. The minimum thickness of the RGF was measured using frontal section images acquired by CT. The morphology of the mandibular heads was classified according to the method of Yale and colleagues. Mean linear measurements were used for statistical analyses of patient gender, age and mandibular head morphology.

RESULTS

The average minimum thickness of the RGF was 0.79 mm. No significant difference in thickness was found between male and female patients. In addition, no differences were recorded as a result of variation in age or mandibular head morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that RGF thickness is not significantly correlated with gender, age, or mandibular head morphology, at least in this cohort of patients.

Reproducibility and accuracy of measuring unerupted teeth using limited cone beam X-ray CT

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the reproducibility among observers and accuracy of the measurement of the tooth crown width of unerupted teeth using limited area cone beam X-ray CT.

METHODS

3DX multi-image micro-CT (3DX, Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan) images of impacted supernumerary teeth in the median maxillary region taken prior to extraction were used for the samples. The width of the tooth on the 3DX image was measured five times by five individual observers. Significant differences in values among the observers in the measurement were determined by one-way analysis of variance for examining reproducibility. The measurement results of the ten samples on 3DX images were compared with the laboratory measurements using a three-dimensional co-ordinate measuring apparatus, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference among the observers in the measurement (P>0.05). The measurement results shown on 3DX images were significantly larger than those of the laboratory measurements (P<0.05). The mean difference was +0.088 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

3DX has high reproducibility for measuring the tooth crown width of unerupted teeth. While 3DX measurement values were larger than the laboratory measurements, the difference is clinically insignificant.

Evidence for a long-range component in the pion emission source in Au+Au collisions at sqrt sNN=200 GeV

Emission source functions are extracted from correlation functions constructed from charged pions produced at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The source parameters extracted from these functions at low k(T) give first indications of a long tail for the pion emission source. The source extension cannot be explained solely by simple kinematic considerations. The possible role of a halo of secondary pions from resonance emissions is explored.

Dense-medium modifications to jet-induced hadron pair distributions in Au+Au collisions at sqrt s NN=200 GeV

Azimuthal correlations of jet-induced high-p(T) charged hadron pairs are studied at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The distribution of jet-associated partner hadrons (1.0<p(T)<2.5 GeV/c) per trigger hadron (2.5<p(T)<4.0 GeV/c) is found to vary with collision centrality, in both shape and yield, indicating a significant effect of the nuclear collision medium on the jet fragmentation process.

Common suppression pattern of eta and pi0 mesons at high transverse momentum in Au + Au collisions at square root S(NN) = 200 GeV

Inclusive transverse momentum spectra of eta mesons have been measured within p(T) = 2-10 GeV/c at midrapidity by the PHENIX experiment in Au + Au collisions at square root S(NN) = 200 GeV. In central Au+Au the eta yields are significantly suppressed compared to peripheral Au + Au, d + Au, and p + p yields scaled by the corresponding number of nucleon-nucleon collisions. The magnitude, centrality, and p(T) dependence of the suppression is common, within errors, for eta and pi0. The ratio of eta to pi0 spectra at high p(T) amounts to 0.40 < R(eta/pi)0 < 0.48 for the three systems, in agreement with the world average measured in hadronic and nuclear reactions and, at large scaled momentum, in e+e- collisions.

Single electrons from heavy-flavor decays in collisions at

The invariant differential cross section for inclusive electron production in p+p collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the transverse momentum range 0.4<or=pT<OR=5.0 GeV/c in the central rapidity region ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]). The contribution to the inclusive electron spectrum from semileptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy flavor, i.e., charm quarks or, at high , bottom quarks, is determined via three independent methods. The resulting electron spectrum from heavy-flavor decays is compared to recent leading and next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations. The total cross section of charm quark-antiquark pair production is determined to be [FORMULA: SEE TEXT].

Measurement of identified and inclusive photon second-harmonic parameter and implications for direct photon production in [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] Au+Au

The azimuthal distribution of identified pi0 and inclusive photons has been measured in [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] Au+Au collisions with the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). The second-harmonic parameter (nu2) was measured to describe the observed anisotropy of the azimuthal distribution. The measured inclusive photon is consistent with the value expected for the photons from hadron decay and is also consistent with the lack of direct photon signal over the measured pT range 1-6 GeV/c. An attempt is made to extract nu2 of direct photons.

Nuclear modification of electron spectra and implications for heavy quark energy loss in Au+Au collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT]

The PHENIX experiment has measured midrapidity ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]) transverse momentum spectra ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]) of electrons as a function of centrality in Au+Au collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT]. Contributions from photon conversions and from light hadron decays, mainly Dalitz decays of pi0 and eta mesons, were removed. The resulting nonphotonic electron spectra are primarily due to the semileptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy quarks. Nuclear modification factors were determined by comparison to nonphotonic electrons in p+p collisions. A significant suppression of electrons at high pT is observed in central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial energy loss of heavy quarks.

Measurement of transverse single-spin asymmetries for midrapidity production of neutral pions and charged hadrons in polarized p + p collisions at square root(s) = 200 GeV

Transverse single-spin asymmetries to probe the transverse-spin structure of the proton have been measured for neutral pions and nonidentified charged hadrons from polarized proton-proton collisions at midrapidity and square root(s) = 200 GeV. The data cover a transverse momentum (pT) range 1.0-5.0 GeV/c for neutral pions and 0.5-5.0 GeV/c for charged hadrons, at a Feynman-x value of approximately zero. The asymmetries seen in this previously unexplored kinematic region are consistent with zero within errors of a few percent. In addition, the inclusive charged hadron cross section at midrapidity from 0.5 < pT < 7.0 GeV/c is presented and compared to next-to-leading order perturbative QCD (pQCD) calculations. Successful description of the unpolarized cross section above approximately 2 GeV/c suggests that pQCD is applicable in the interpretation of the asymmetry results in the relevant kinematic range.

Structural analysis of leucine-rich-repeat variants in proteins associated with human diseases

A number of human diseases have been shown to be associated with mutation in the genes encoding leucine-rich-repeat (LRR)-containing proteins. They include 16 different LRR proteins. Mutations of these proteins are associated with 19 human diseases. The mutations occur frequently within the LRR domains as well as their neighboring domains, including cysteine clusters. Here, based on the sequence analysis of the LRR domains and the known structure of LRR proteins, we describe some features of different sequence variants and discuss their adverse effects. The mutations in the cysteine clusters, which preclude the formation of sulfide bridges or lead to a wrong paring of cysteines in extracellular proteins or extracellular domains, occur with high frequency. In contrast, missense mutations at some specific positions in LRRs are very rare or are not observed at all.