High-frequency spin torque oscillation in orthogonal magnetization disks with strong biquadratic magnetic coupling

In this study, we numerically investigate the spin transfer torque oscillation (STO) in a magnetic orthogonal configuration by introducing a strong biquadratic magnetic coupling. The orthogonal configuration consists of top and bottom layers with in-plane and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy sandwiching a nonmagnetic spacer. The advantage of an orthogonal configuration is the high efficiency of spin transfer torque leading a high STO frequency; however, maintaining the STO in a wide range of electric current is challenging. By introducing biquadratic magnetic coupling into the orthogonal structure of FePt/spacer/Co₉₀Fe₁₀, Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ or Ni, we were able to expand the electric current region in which the stable STO is realized, resulting in a relatively high STO frequency. For example, approximately 50 GHz can be achieved in an Ni layer at a current density of 5.5 × 10⁷ A/cm². In addition, we investigated two types of initial magnetic state: out-of-plane and in-plane magnetic saturation; this leads to a vortex and an in-plane magnetic domain structure after relaxation, respectively. The transient time before the stable STO was reduced to between 0.5 and 1.8 ns by changing the initial state from out-of-plane to in-plane.

POS0706 LONG-TERM HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE TREATMENT IMPROVES ESSPRI AND ESSDAI IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Background

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease typically affecting the salivary and lacrimal glands and producing symptoms of dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue and pain. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been shown to have various immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects, and currently have established roles in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the use of HCQ in pSS is based in expert recommendations and in few studies with a low level of evidence. There are very few publications assessing HCQ use in a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled studies. In Japan, HCQ is indicated for patients with SLE and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and is off-label use for pSS patients without CLE. Recently, ESSPRI and ESSDAI have been developed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS study group as standardized outcome tools for measuring patients’ reported symptoms and disease-specific activity. ESSDAI and ESSPRI have been proven to be valid and reliable, they have been used to select patients or as the primary or secondary outcome measures in clinical trials.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of HCQ in pSS at 8 and 52 weeks after treatment evaluated by ESSPRI and ESSDAI.

Methods

Twenty-six pSS patients (26 female, mean age 51.6 ± 13.6 years) with CLE who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SS and/or the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare criteria for SS were studied. The clinical indexes were evaluated by ESSDAI, ESSPRI, IgG and CH50 before and after HCQ treatment at 8 and 52weeks. ESSPRI components were calculated individually and as a single factor composed of the mean of the three components (pain, fatigue, and dryness: VAS 0-10). ESSDAI (0–123) proposes the evaluation of 12 domains or organ systems (constitutional, lymphadenopathy, glandular, articular, cutaneous, pulmonary, renal, peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, muscular, hematological and biology).

Results

ESSPRI and component of fatigue and pain were significantly lower at 8 and 52 weeks after treatment than HCQ pre-treatment (ESSPRI: 4.14±1.45 vs 3.38±1.57, 3.34±1.56, p=0.005, p=0.045, fatigue: 4.68±2.12 vs 3.68±1.96, 3.58±1.87, p=0.010, p=0.036, pain: 3.32±1.94 vs 2.09±1.60, 1.79±1.51, p=0.0043, p=0.0014). However, there was no significant difference in dryness component between HCQ pre-treatment and 8 and 52 weeks after treatment (4.41 ± 2.09 vs 4.32 ± 2.06, 4.21 ± 2.39, p = 0.71, p = 0.94), and the amount of saliva produced by the gum test also showed no significant difference between pre-HCQ treatment and 52 weeks after treatment (8.21 ± 6.72 vs 8.24 ± 6.79 mL / 10 minutes, p = 0.45). There was also a significant decrease in ESSDAI and constitutional, articular, cutaneous and biological domain at 52 weeks after treatment compared to HCQ pre-treatment (ESSDAI: 9.68±6.14 vs 4.74±6.43, p=0.0004; constitutional: 1.41±1.50 vs 0.63±1.26, p=0.034, articular: 1.00±1.02 vs 0.21±0.63, p=0.0027, cutaneous: 2.86±3.27 vs 1.11±2.49, p=0.010, biological: 1.14±0.83 vs 0.79±0.86, p=0.014). An improvement of at least 1 point or 15% in ESSPRI and at least 3 points in ESSDAI compared to HCQ pr-treatment were observed in 63.6% and 31.8% at 8 weeks and 73.7% and 68.4% at 52 weeks after treatment. In addition, IgG was significantly decreased at 52 weeks after treatment compared to HCQ pre-treatment (1934 ± 613 vs 1714 ± 564 mg / dL, p=0.0005).

Conclusion

HCQ treatment improved pain such as arthritis, fatigue, constitutional and cutaneous manifestations, but was not effective for salivary function and dryness. HCQ treatment was useful in improving ESSPRI and ESSDAI, and long-term treatment increased the number of effective cases from 8 weeks to 52 weeks.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Improvement of spatial resolution in photoacoustic microscopy using transmissive adaptive optics with a low-frequency ultrasound transducer

Maintaining a high spatial resolution in photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) of deep tissues is difficult due to large aberration in an objective lens with high numerical aperture and photoacoustic wave attenuation. To address the issue, we integrate transmission-type adaptive optics (AO) in high-resolution PAM with a low-frequency ultrasound transducer (UT), which increases the photoacoustic wave detection efficiency. AO improves lateral resolution and depth discrimination in PAM, even for low-frequency ultrasound waves by focusing a beam spot in deep tissues. Using the proposed PAM, we increased the lateral resolution and depth discrimination for blood vessels in mouse ears.

Gender differences in the impact of plasma xanthine oxidoreductase activity on coronary artery spasm

Background

It has been reported that decreased nitric oxide bioavailability due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the most important causes of coronary artery spasm (CAS). Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is the rate-limiting enzyme for uric acid (UA) production and plays a pivotal role in generating ROS. It was reported that the gender differences exist in the impact of serum UA levels on cardiovascular risks. We previously demonstrated that increased plasma XOR activity is significantly associated with the incidence of CAS. However, the gender differences in the impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS remain unclear.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in the clinical impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS.

Methods

We investigated plasma XOR activity in 132 patients suspected for CAS (male, n=78; female, n=54), and underwent intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test. XOR activity assay was performed using stable isotope-labeled substrate and liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Provoked CAS was defined as total or subtotal occlusion (≥90%) with accompanying symptoms of chest pain and/or ischemic ST-segment changes on the electrocardiogram. We excluded the patients who had significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50%) and/or were taking XOR inhibitors.

Results

Plasma XOR activity was significantly lower in female compared with male patients (30.3 pmol/h/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 22.8–42.7 vs. 51.7 pmol/h/mL, IQR 34.7–101.8; P<0.001). CAS was provoked in 36 male patients and 17 female patients, and they each had significantly higher plasma XOR activity compared with those without, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plasma XOR activity was independently associated with the incidence of CAS in both genders after adjustment for confounding factors. The optimal cut-off values for predicting CAS were lower in female than those in male patients (52.3 vs. 91.6 pmol/h/mL). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female patients with high XOR activity (≥52.3 pmol/h/mL; odds ratio [OR] 22.6, P<0.001) exhibited a higher incidence of CAS compared with that in male patients (≥91.6 pmol/h/mL; OR 8.2, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Plasma XOR activity was an independent predictor for the incidence of CAS in both genders. The impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS was stronger in female patients than in male patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

POS0707 SALIVARY GLAND ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND THE CLINICAL FEATURES USING ESSDAI IN PATIENTS OF EARLY-ONSET VERSUS LATE-ONSET WITH PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME

Background:

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte infiltration in salivary and lacrimal glands. pSS affects primarily middle-aged and elderly patients, although younger age groups may also be involved. However, differences of etiology and pathogenesis between early-onset pSS (EOpSS) and late-onset pSS (LOpSS) are unknown. Recently, standardized outcome tools for measuring disease-specific activity and patients’ reported symptoms have been formulated by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS study group: the EULAR SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) for systemic features of pSS [1]. Also, as the new imaging techniques, salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) proved valuable for assessing salivary gland involvement in SS and seemed to exhibit good diagnostic properties. In addition, previous studies have demonstrated usefulness of SGUS for the prognostic stratification of patients with pSS [2], [3], [4].

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to examine the differences of etiology and pathogenesis between EOpSS and LOpSS using ESSDAI and SGUS.

Methods:

Fifty-six pSS patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) / European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for SS were studied. Based on the disease onset age, all pSS patients were divided into two groups as those with the onset age of 40 years old or younger (EOpSS: n=26) and those with the onset age of older than 65 years old (LOpSS: n=30). The clinical findings were evaluated ESSDAI and OMERACT SGUS score at the first visit to our hospital. The ESSDAI (0–123) proposes the evaluation of 12 domains or organ systems (constitutional, lymphadenopathy, glandular, articular, cutaneous, pulmonary, renal, peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, muscular, hematological and biology). All patients were examined SGUS by a single investigator who was blinded to device (TUS-A300; Canon Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) with a linear transducer (7.5-10MHz). The OMERACT SGUS score was used for graded changes in the parenchymal homogeneity of salivary glands: grade 0, normal-appearing salivary gland parenchyma; grade 1, minimal change: mild inhomogeneity without hypo/anechoic areas; grade 2, moderate change: moderate inhomogeneity with focal hypo/anechoic areas; grade 3, severe change: diffuse inhomogeneity with hypo/anechoic areas occupying the entire gland surface [5].

Results:

The proportions of positive sera of RF, anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B antibodies were not different in the two groups, but the disease activities were higher in the EOpSS than in the LOpSS patients by measuring ESSDAI (7.30 vs 4.23, p=0.008), especially in constitutional domain (1.50 vs 0.60, p=0.03), articular domain (1.54 vs 0.40, p=0.0002) and biological domain (1.35 vs 0.90, p=0.04). No difference in salivary secretion was found between two groups (EOpSS: 8.02 vs LOpSS: 6.31 mL/10min.), but the OMERACT SGUS score was higher in LOpSS than in EOpSS patients (2.00 vs 2.70, p=0.0002).

Conclusion:

Although serological findings were not different, EOpSS patients had higher disease activity but less severe salivary gland degeneration than that in LOpSS patients, suggesting the pathogenesis of these two groups was different.

References:

[1]Seror R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 Jun;69(6):1103-9.

[2]Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Jul;66(7):1102-7.

[3]Hammenfors DS, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2015 Jan-Feb;33(1):56-62.

[4]Milic V, et al. PLoS One. 2019 Dec 31;14(12): e0226498.

[5]Jousse-Joulin S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Jul;78(7):967-973.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KB290 attenuates visceral fat accumulation induced by high-fat diet in mice

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adiposity effect of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KB290 originating from traditional Japanese fermented pickles in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal-fat diet, HFD or HFD supplemented with heat-killed KB290 for 8 weeks. Epididymal and renal adipose tissue weights, as well as areas of epididymal adipocytes, were significantly lower in the mice fed a HFD supplemented with KB290 than in those fed an unsupplemented HFD. Mice whose diets were supplemented with KB290 had elevated adiponectin and β3-adrenergic receptor expression in epididymal adipose tissue and an accompanying higher serum free fatty acid level. Furthermore, the HFD-induced elevations in serum glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly suppressed by dietary supplementation with KB290. Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that KB290 ingestion altered the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

CONCLUSIONS

Heat-killed L. brevis KB290 suppressed diet-induced visceral fat accumulation and ameliorated diet-induced metabolic symptoms and intestinal gut microbiota modifications, suggesting possibility of novel paraprobiotic.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Heat-killed L. brevis KB290 is useable as a material to develop functional foods that attenuate visceral fat accumulation.

SAT0546 COMPARISON OF SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY AND CONVENTIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF SALIVARY GLANDS IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME: CAN SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY CAPTURE LESIONS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE WITH CONVENTIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY?

Background:

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte infiltration in salivary and lacrimal glands. Recently, salivary gland ultrasonography (US) proved valuable for assessing salivary gland involvement in SS and seemed to exhibit good diagnostic properties. In the literature, studies conducted by the scoring of the structural changes according to B-Mode US of salivary glands showed a wide variability regarding sensitivity and specificity. Our previously study demonstrated that although conventional B-mode US findings were useful for the diagnosis of SS with low salivary flow they were not for subclinical SS with normal salivary flow (EULAR 2016). Recently, we reported that the tissue elasticity was decreased due to structural changes in the submandibular glands (SG) at the advanced stage of the disease and the shear wave elastography (SWE) is useful to distinguish pathological changes of the SG in patients with SS (EULAR2018).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of SG conventional B-mode US and SWE findings in non-SS and SS patients classified by salivary flow.

Methods:

Twenty-two non-SS patients and 99 SS patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) / European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for SS were studied. SS patients were divided into three groups according to salivary flow using gum test (VL/SS <5mL/10min. (n=38), L/SS 5-10mL/10min. (n=41) and N/SS >10mL/10min. (n=20)). All patients were examined SGUS by a single investigator who was blinded to device (TUS-A300; Canon Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) with a linear transducer (7.5-10MHz). The examination consisted of conventional B-mode US (US staging score), pulsed wave Doppler US (PD grading score) and SWE with quantitative assessment. US staging scores were assessed by glandular size, inhomogeneity and contrast of diagastric muscle (stage 0 to 3). PD grading scores were graded by pulsed wave pattern in pulsed wave Doppler US at the internal SG facial arteries (grade 0 to 2). With the region-of-interest (ROI) placed over the stiffest areas of the lesion on SWE, the quantitative means of the elasticity values were measured by shear wave velocity (Vs; m/s) and elasticity (E; kPa) for each lesion.

Results:

The US staging score, the PD grading score, the values of Vs and E were significantly higher in patients with SS than in non-SS group (SS vs non-SS; US staging score 2.10±1.07 vs 0.86±0.99, p<0.0001, PD grading score 1.17±0.83 vs 0.23±0.61, p<0.0001, Vs 1.75±0.34 vs 1.57±0.29m/s, p=0.02, E 9.64±4.02 vs 7.81±2.27kPa, p=0.04). However, there was no significant difference between non-SS and N/SS in early-stage SS by US staging score (N/SS vs non-SS; 0.95±0.89 vs 0.86±0.99) and PD grading score (N/SS vs non-SS; 0.40±0.15 vs 0.23±.061). In contrast, the values of Vs and E were highest in N/SS as compared with all groups, and were significantly higher in N/SS than in non-SS (N/SS vs non-SS; Vs 2.02±0.24 vs 1.57±0.29m/s, p<0.01, E 12.58±3.16 vs 7.81±2.27kPa, p<0.01).

Conclusion:

The present study demonstrated that although the tissue elasticity was decreased due to structural changes at the advanced stage, it increased due to inflammation and high viscosity in the SG at the subclinical SS with normal salivary flow comparing that in non-SS patients. The SWE may be a useful tool for the differential diagnosis between patients with non-SS and subclinical SS with normal salivary flow, which is difficult to distinguish by conventional B-mode US.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Factors secreted from dental pulp stem cells show multifaceted benefits for treating experimental temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration, abnormal bone remodeling, and chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate effective therapies to reverse or suppress TMJOA progression.

DESIGN

To this end, we performed intravenous administration of serum free conditioned media from human exfoliated deciduous teeth stem cells (SHED-CM) into a mechanical-stress induced murine TMJOA model.

RESULTS

SHED-CM administration markedly suppressed temporal muscle inflammation, and improved bone integrity and surface smoothness of the destroyed condylar cartilage. Moreover, SHED-CM treatment decreased the number of IL-1β, iNOS, and MMP-13 expressing chondrocytes, whereas it specifically increased PCNA-positive cells in the multipotent polymorphic cell layer. Notably, the numbers of TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic chondrocytes in the SHED-CM treated condyles were significantly lower than in those treated with DMEM, whereas the proteoglycan positive area was restored to a level similar to that of the sham treated group, demonstrating that SHED-CM treatment regenerated the mechanical-stress injured condylar cartilage and subchondral bone. Secretome analysis revealed that SHED-CM contained multiple therapeutic factors that act in osteochondral regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated that SHED-CM treatment promoted the regeneration and repair of mechanical-stress induced mouse TMJOA. Our observations suggest that SHED-CM has potential to be a potent tissue-regenerating therapeutic agent for patients with severe TMJOA.

P2462Left atrial appendage wall velocity evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography is a feasible parameter for predicting cardiac prognosis in patients with heart failure

Background

It was reported that left atrial (LA) remodeling is occurred in patients with heart failure (HF), and increased LA volume index (LAVI) is a feasible predictor for poor prognosis of HF. It was reported that LA remodeling is associated with LA appendage (LAA) dysfunction. We previously reported that LAA wall motion velocity (LAWV) obtained by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can noninvasively evaluate LAA dysfunction. However, it remains to be determined whether LAWV is useful for predicting poor prognosis in patients with HF.

Purpose

We investigated whether LAA dysfunction assessed by LAWV is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HF.

Methods

We performed TTE at discharge in 217 consecutive patients who hospitalized for HF (126 males, 71±13 years) and prospectively followed them up. LAWV was measured using Doppler tissue imaging at the LAA tip from the parasternal short-axis view on TTE imaging.

Results

There were 86 patients with cardiac events including 14 cardiac deaths and 72 rehospitalizations for HF during a median follow-up period of 404 days (interquartile range 168–748 days). LAWV was significantly lower in patients with cardiac events than in those without. LAWV was significantly decreased with advancing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction grade. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that significantly higher cardiac event rate was observed in patients with low LAWV (log-rank test, P=0.004). Cox multivariate hazard analysis revealed that LAWV was an independent predictor for cardiac events after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.82, P<0.05). Further, we categorized the patients into 3 groups based on the median of LAWV and left atrial volume index (LAVI), and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with both low LAWV and high LAVI had the highest rate of cardiac events among 3 groups (log-rank test, P<0.001; Figure).

Figure 1

Conclusion

LAWV may be a feasible parameter for predicting cardiac prognosis in patients with HF.

The Biomarker Salivary SP-D May Indicate Small Airway Inflammation and Asthma Exacerbation

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive and child-friendly biomarkers are important tools for understanding the various phenotypes of childhood asthma. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of salivary surfactant protein (SP) D in assessing the pathophysiology of childhood asthma.

METHODS

We measured salivary concentrations of SP-D and forced oscillation technique (FOT) indexes in 19 healthy controls and 21 asthmatic children. Regression equations for the predictive values of FOT indexes were generated from healthy controls. We analyzed the correlations between salivary SP-D concentration and percentages of the predictive values of FOT indexes, as well as the severity of exacerbation.

RESULTS

We found that salivary SP-D levels were higher in asthmatic children than in healthy controls. In the asthmatic children, salivary SP-D levels correlated with the percentages of predicted differences in resistance between 5 Hz and 20 Hz (%R5-R20), which represented the resistance of peripheral airways, and with the severity of asthma exacerbation.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary SP-D may reflect asthmatic inflammation in peripheral small airways and may be a useful marker for monitoring the degree of exacerbation in childhood asthma.

Storage stability of serum formulations containing ofloxacin for autologous serum eardrop therapy

OBJECTIVE

The storage stability of serum formulations containing ofloxacin for autologous serum eardrop therapy was evaluated for microbiological quality and component stability.

METHODS

Sterile serum formulations were prepared by mixing human serum and ofloxacin otic solution (1:1, v/v). To simulate eardrop contamination with external ear surface substances, prepared serum formulations were contaminated with a cotton swab that was rubbed sufficiently on the human external ear. Formulations were stored at 4 °C or room temperature in the dark. Colony forming units (CFUs), ofloxacin, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) concentrations in the stored serum formulations were determined.

RESULTS

The growth of microorganisms derived from the external ear was not detected in serum formulations after storage for 14 days, regardless of temperature. However, microbial growth was detected in serum formulations stored without ofloxacin, indicating that this is necessary for storage. In addition, concentrations of ofloxacin and bFGF did not decrease over 14 days, indicating that ofloxacin and bFGF in serum formulations are stable for this time period.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that the efficacy and safety of serum formulations used as a therapy for perforated eardrums are stable and safe for at least 14 days.

Optical coherence tomography with a 2.8-mm beam diameter and sensorless defocus and astigmatism correction

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with a 2.8-mm beam diameter is presented. Sensorless defocus correction can be performed with a Badal optometer and astigmatism correction with a liquid crystal device. OCT B-scans were used in an image-based optimization algorithm for aberration correction. Defocus can be corrected from ? 4.3 ?? D to + 4.3 ?? D and vertical and oblique astigmatism from ? 2.5 ?? D to + 2.5 ?? D . A contrast gain of 6.9 times was measured after aberration correction. In comparison with a 1.3-mm beam diameter OCT system, this concept achieved a 3.7-dB gain in dynamic range on a model retina. Both systems were used to image the retina of a human subject. As the correction of the liquid crystal device can take more than 60 s, the subject’s spectacle prescription was adopted instead. This resulted in a 2.5 times smaller speckle size compared with the standard OCT system. The liquid crystal device for astigmatism correction does not need a high-voltage amplifier and can be operated at 5 V. The correction device is small ( 9 ?? mm × 30 ?? mm × 38 ?? mm ) and can easily be implemented in existing designs for OCT.

Transmissive liquid-crystal device for correcting primary coma aberration and astigmatism in biospecimen in two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy

All aberrations produced inside a biospecimen can degrade the quality of a three-dimensional image in two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy. Previously, we developed a transmissive liquid-crystal device to correct spherical aberrations that improved the image quality of a fixed-mouse-brain slice treated with an optical clearing reagent. In this study, we developed a transmissive device that corrects primary coma aberration and astigmatism. The motivation for this study is that asymmetric aberration can be induced by the shape of a biospecimen and/or by a complicated refractive-index distribution in a sample; this can considerably degrade optical performance even near the sample surface. The device’s performance was evaluated by observing fluorescence beads. The device was inserted between the objective lens and microscope revolver and succeeded in improving the spatial resolution and fluorescence signal of a bead image that was originally degraded by asymmetric aberration. Finally, we implemented the device for observing a fixed whole mouse brain with a sloping surface shape and complicated internal refractive-index distribution. The correction with the device improved the spatial resolution and increased the fluorescence signal by ?2.4×. The device can provide a simple approach to acquiring higher-quality images of biospecimens.

Abnormal asymmetries in subcortical brain volume in schizophrenia

Subcortical structures, which include the basal ganglia and parts of the limbic system, have key roles in learning, motor control and emotion, but also contribute to higher-order executive functions. Prior studies have reported volumetric alterations in subcortical regions in schizophrenia. Reported results have sometimes been heterogeneous, and few large-scale investigations have been conducted. Moreover, few large-scale studies have assessed asymmetries of subcortical volumes in schizophrenia. Here, as a work completely independent of a study performed by the ENIGMA consortium, we conducted a large-scale multisite study of subcortical volumetric differences between patients with schizophrenia and controls. We also explored the laterality of subcortical regions to identify characteristic similarities and differences between them. T1-weighted images from 1680 healthy individuals and 884 patients with schizophrenia, obtained with 15 imaging protocols at 11 sites, were processed with FreeSurfer. Group differences were calculated for each protocol and meta-analyzed. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated smaller bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and accumbens volumes as well as intracranial volume, but larger bilateral caudate, putamen, pallidum and lateral ventricle volumes. We replicated the rank order of effect sizes for subcortical volumetric changes in schizophrenia reported by the ENIGMA consortium. Further, we revealed leftward asymmetry for thalamus, lateral ventricle, caudate and putamen volumes, and rightward asymmetry for amygdala and hippocampal volumes in both controls and patients with schizophrenia. Also, we demonstrated a schizophrenia-specific leftward asymmetry for pallidum volume. These findings suggest the possibility of aberrant laterality in neural pathways and connectivity patterns related to the pallidum in schizophrenia.

A systematic framework to derive N-glycan biosynthesis process and the automated construction of glycosylation networks

Background

Abnormalities in glycan biosynthesis have been conclusively related to various diseases, whereas the complexity of the glycosylation process has impeded the quantitative analysis of biochemical experimental data for the identification of glycoforms contributing to disease. To overcome this limitation, the automatic construction of glycosylation reaction networks in silico is a critical step.

Results

In this paper, a framework K2014 is developed to automatically construct N-glycosylation networks in MATLAB with the involvement of the 27 most-known enzyme reaction rules of 22 enzymes, as an extension of previous model KB2005. A toolbox named Glycosylation Network Analysis Toolbox (GNAT) is applied to define network properties systematically, including linkages, stereochemical specificity and reaction conditions of enzymes. Our network shows a strong ability to predict a wider range of glycans produced by the enzymes encountered in the Golgi Apparatus in human cell expression systems.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate a better understanding of the underlying glycosylation process and the potential of systems glycobiology tools for analyzing conventional biochemical or mass spectrometry-based experimental data quantitatively in a more realistic and practical way.

Modification of Immediately Electrically Detachable Coil

An immediately electrically detachable coil (IEDC) that we previously developed was modified to enhance the reliability in its detachment system. IEDC is detached by applying a monopolar high-frequency electrical current that heat and disrupt a junction between a platinum coil and a delivery wire. The original IEDC immediately detaches only when the junction is just outside the catheter tip and precise positioning of the junction is required. In the modified IEDC Its delivery wire was insulated with polytetra fluoroethylene (PTFE) to concentrate electrical current to the junction. The modified IEDC was tested in vitro and in animal experiments.

Modified IEDC always detached instantaneously even when the junction was far beyond the catheter tip. Insulated delivery wire enabled the electrical current to be concentrated at the PVA junction and produce appropriate heat to disrupt the junction.

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath arising from a membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1: a case report

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a common, benign lesion of the synovial membrane that occurs more often in large joints than in digits. Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath rarely arises in close proximity to the axial skeleton.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to report a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the atlas (C1).

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a case report.

METHODS

The methods involve clinical findings and review of current literature.

RESULTS

In this report, we describe a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1, with no apparent continuity with the facet joint. Here we show the radiographic features, with particular emphasis on positron emission tomography-computerized tomography scans, which have not been previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

We experienced an extremely rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the C1 vertebra. In spite of the rarity of this disease, GCTTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the axial skeletal lesion. Awareness of GCTTS is important because its radiographic features may simulate other neoplastic lesions in the spine.

Scaling up nano-milling of poorly water soluble compounds using a rotation/revolution pulverizer

We previously reported that a rotation/revolution pulverizer (NP-100) could mill a small amount of a drug (0.1 g) into nanoparticles in several minutes. In this investigation, scale up from the milligram to the kilogram scale of the nano-milling process by the rotation/revolution pulverizer was studied. Phenytoin was used as a model drug with low solubility in water. After confirming the improvement of the phenytoin bioavailability by milling to nanoparticles using NP-100, scaling parameters were evaluated using NP-100 and the middle scale model of NP-100 (ARV-3000T). A theoretical equation for the specific collisional energy was adapted for wet milling; this suggested that the relative centrifugal acceleration of revolution (revolution G) and the drug concentration in the suspension were the two most important parameters. The results obtained using NP-100 and ARV-3000T correlated well when these two parameters were identical. These results were applied to the large scale model of NP-100 (ARV-10KT), where 2 kg (1 kg x 2) of phenytoin nanoparticles were obtained in 60 min. The results from PXRD and DSC indicated that the milled phenytoin by ARV-3000T and ARV-10KT maintained its crystallinity. These results suggest nano-milling using a rotation/revolution pulverizer will be widely applicable to the development of nano-medicine.

Performance of a q-plate tunable retarder in reflection for the switchable generation of both first- and second-order vector beams

We examine the performance of a tunable liquid crystal q-plate in a reflective geometry. When the device is tuned to a half-wave retardance, it operates as a q-plate with twice the value (2q) by adding a quarter-wave retarder between the mirror and the q-plate. However, when the device is tuned to a quarter-wave retardance, it acts as the original q-plate without the retarder. Experimental results are shown. Using an input tunable polarization state generator, the system allows the switchable production of all states on both the first- and second-order Poincaré spheres.

Analysis of a segmented q-plate tunable retarder for the generation of first-order vector beams

In this work we study a prototype q-plate segmented tunable liquid crystal retarder device. It shows a large modulation range (5π rad for a wavelength of 633 nm and near 2π for 1550 nm) and a large clear aperture of one inch diameter. We analyze the operation of the q-plate in terms of Jones matrices and provide different matrix decompositions useful for its analysis, including the polarization transformations, the effect of the tunable phase shift, and the effect of quantization levels (the device is segmented in 12 angular sectors). We also show a very simple and robust optical system capable of generating all polarization states on the first-order Poincaré sphere. An optical polarization rotator and a linear retarder are used in a geometry that allows the generation of all states in the zero-order Poincaré sphere simply by tuning two retardance parameters. We then use this system with the q-plate device to directly map an input arbitrary state of polarization to a corresponding first-order vectorial beam. This optical system would be more practical for high speed and programmable generation of vector beams than other systems reported so far. Experimental results are presented.

Correcting spherical aberrations in a biospecimen using a transmissive liquid crystal device in two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy

Two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy has enabled the visualization of deep regions in a biospecimen. However, refractive-index mismatches in the optical path cause spherical aberrations that degrade spatial resolution and the fluorescence signal, especially during observation at deeper regions. Recently, we developed transmissive liquid-crystal devices for correcting spherical aberration without changing the basic design of the optical path in a conventional laser scanning microscope. In this study, the device was inserted in front of the objective lens and supplied with the appropriate voltage according to the observation depth. First, we evaluated the device by observing fluorescent beads in single- and two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopes. Using a 25× water-immersion objective lens with a numerical aperture of 1.1 and a sample with a refractive index of 1.38, the device recovered the spatial resolution and the fluorescence signal degraded within a depth of 0.6 mm. Finally, we implemented the device for observation of a mouse brain slice in a two-photon excitation laser scanning microscope. An optical clearing reagent with a refractive index of 1.42 rendered the fixed mouse brain transparent. The device improved the spatial resolution and the yellow fluorescent protein signal within a depth of 0-0.54 mm.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of 11C-Methionine PET for Nonenhancing Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Noninvasive radiologic evaluation of glioma can facilitate correct diagnosis and detection of malignant transformation. Although positron-emission tomography is considered valuable in the care of patients with gliomas, (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose and (11)C-methionine have reportedly shown ambiguous results in terms of grading and prognostication. The present study compared the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of diffusion tensor imaging, FDG, and (11)C-methionine PET in nonenhancing gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five consecutive newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed nonenhancing gliomas that underwent both FDG and (11)C-methionine PET were retrospectively investigated (23 grade II and 12 grade III gliomas). Apparent diffusion coefficient, fractional anisotropy, and tumor-to-normal tissue ratios of both FDG and (11)C-methionine PET were compared between grade II and III gliomas. Prognostic values of these parameters were also tested by using progression-free survival.

RESULTS

Grade III gliomas showed significantly higher average tumor-to-normal tissue and maximum tumor2-to-normal tissue than grade II gliomas in (11)C-methionine (P = .013, P = .0017, respectively), but not in FDG-PET imaging. There was no significant difference in average ADC, minimum ADC, average fractional anisotropy, and maximum fractional anisotropy. (11)C-methionine PET maximum tumor-to-normal tissue ratio of 2.0 was most suitable for detecting grade III gliomas among nonenhancing gliomas (sensitivity, 83.3%; specificity, 73.9%). Among patients not receiving any adjuvant therapy, median progression-free survival was 64.2 ± 7.2 months in patients with maximum tumor-to-normal tissue ratio of <2.0 for (11)C-methionine PET and 18.6 ± 6.9 months in patients with maximum tumor-to-normal tissue ratio of >2.0 (P = .0044).

CONCLUSIONS

(11)C-methionine PET holds promise for World Health Organization grading and could offer a prognostic imaging biomarker for nonenhancing gliomas.

Elevation of urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein after cardiac catheterization related to cardiovascular events

Purpose

Contrast medium (CM) induces tubular hypoxia via endothelial damage due to direct cytotoxicity or viscosity. Urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) increases along with tubular hypoxia and may be a detector of systemic circulation injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of detecting increases in urinary L-FABP levels due to administration of CM, as a prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular disease in patients without occurrence of CM-induced nephropathy undergoing cardiac catheterization procedure (CCP).

Methods

Retrospective longitudinal analyses of the relationship between urinary L-FABP levels and occurrence of cardiovascular events were performed (n=29). Urinary L-FABP was measured by ELISA before CCP, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after CCP.

Results

Urinary L-FABP levels were significantly higher at 12 hours (P<0.05) and 24 hours (P<0.005) after CCP compared with before CCP, only in the patients with occurrence of cardiovascular events (n=17), but not in those without cardiovascular events (n=12). The parameter with the largest area under the curve (0.816) for predicting the occurrence of cardiovascular events was the change in urinary L-FABP at 24 hours after CCP. The difference in urinary L-FABP levels (ΔL-FABP ≥11.0 μg/g creatinine) between before CCP and at 24 hours after CCP was a risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 4.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–19.13; P=0.021).

Conclusion

Measurement of urinary L-FABP before CCP and at 24 hours after CCP in patients with mild to moderate renal dysfunction may be an important indicator for risk stratification of onset of cardiovascular events.

Recurrent mutations of CD79B and MYD88 are the hallmark of primary central nervous system lymphomas

AIMS

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and have poor prognosis. Although constitutive activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway has been documented, knowledge about the genetic alterations leading to the impairment of the NF-κB pathway in PCNSLs is still limited. This study was aimed to unravel the underlying genetic profiles of PCNSL.

METHODS

We conducted the systematic sequencing of 21 genes relevant to the NF-κB signalling network for 71 PCNSLs as well as the pyrosequencing of CD79B and MYD88 mutation hotspots in a further 35 PCNSLs and 46 glioblastomas (GBMs) for validation.

RESULTS

The results showed that 68 out of 71 PCNSLs had mutations in the NF-κB gene network, most commonly affecting CD79B (83%), MYD88 (76%), TBL1XR1 (23%), PRDM1 (20%) and CREBBP1 (20%). These mutations, particularly CD79B and MYD88, frequently coincided within each tumour in various combinations, simultaneously affecting diverse pathways within the network. No GBMs had hotspot mutation of CD79B Y196 and MYD88 L265.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CD79B and MYD88 mutations in PCNSLs was considerably higher than reported in systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. This observation could reflect the paucity of antigen stimuli from the immune system in the central nervous system (CNS) and the necessity to substitute them by the constitutive activation of CD79B and MYD88 that would initiate the signalling cascades. These hotspot mutations may serve as a genetic hallmark for PCNSL serving as a genetic marker for diagnose and potential targets for molecular therapy.