AB0136 ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG OBESITY, GENETIC POLYMORPHISM, AND CLINICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Several study suggested body mass index(BMI) may influence development of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). There are conflicting reports concerning the impact of high BMI on development of RA, but several reports of obese on drug resistance and functional impairment. The relationship of genetic polymorphism on obesity is unclear in RA.

Objectives:

To examine the relationship among BMI, genetic polymorphism of obesity, disease activity of RA, laboratory parameters, and therapeutic agent of RA.

Methods:

We have carried out a retrospective observational study by systematically analyzing medical records of total 289 patients diagnosed with RA in Shinko Hospital between March 2016 and December 2019. We also conducted genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including FTO (rs1558902 and rs9939609), UCP1 (rs1800592), ADR2(rs1042713) and ADR3(rs4994) after informed consent. Obesity was defined as BMI over than 25 and patients were divided between obese (“Ob”) and non-obese (“non-Ob”). These SNPs, DAS28CRP, laboratory parameters, methotrexate dose, use of biological DMARDs were compared between Ob and non-Ob patients.

Results:

Of these 289 patients, 82.7% was female, mean age was 61.9 years and BMI was 22.4. Univariate logistic regression showed differences (p<0.1) between Ob and non Ob groups in UCP1 gene mutation(63.6% vs 78%, P=0.018), DAS(2.24 vs 1.99, P=0.033),triglyceride abnormality(23.8% vs 9.3%, P=0.021), HDL(56 vs 71, P=0.00009), HbA1c abnormality(26.5% vs 12.1%, P=0.019),γGTP(32 vs 21, P=0.00037), ALP (253 vs 230, P=0.0058), ALT (26.5 vs 20, P=0.029),and MTX dose(6 vs 8, P=0.066). Multivariate logistic regression showed that Ob group was significantly associated with HDL(OR=0.976, 95%CI 0.958 to 0.995), UCP1 gene mutation(OR=0.446, 95%CI 0.202 to 0.984), γGTP(OR=2.321, 95%CI 1.269 to 4.245), and MTX dose(OR=0.866, 0.784 to 0.957).

Conclusion:

Obesity in patients with RA had significant positive correlation with γGTP, and negative correlation with HDL, UCP gene mutation and MTX dose.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0868 THE FORMULA TO PREDICT TACROLIMUS CONCENTRATION ACCORDING TO GENOTYPING OF CYP3A5 IS USEFUL FOR EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IN INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE WITH DERMATOMYOSITIS

Background:

Tacrolimus (TAC), an immunosuppressant, can be used in second-line maintenance therapy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) [1]. Although some studies reported the clinical efficacy of initial high-trough levels of TAC in combination with GC and IVCY in induction therapy for severe DM-ILD [2], there have been no useful clinical tools for deciding suitable initial dose of TAC. Genotype of polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 enzyme was reported to play an important role in pharmacokinetics of TAC [3], and we made a formula for deciding initial dose of TAC according to CYP3A5 genotypes in our previous study.

Objectives:

In our previous study (retrospective study), we set the target trough according to the severity for nine DM-ILD patients, six of whom were CYP3A5 *3/*3 and investigated the dose of TAC that could attain the trough using their CYP3A5 genootyping. Using these results, we developed a formula for deciding initial daily dose of TAC (target trough*weight / [(151.1, if CYP3A5 *3/*3) or (86.5, if CYP3A5 *1 allele)]). In this study, we prospectively examined the usefulness and accuracy of this formula.

Methods:

We introduced TAC for new six DM-ILD patients who visited our hospital between November 2019 and May 2020 (prospective study). The starting dose of TAC was decided by using the formula. We assessed the association between predicted and observed trough concentration of TAC at first measurement date (from day 2 to day4), using linear regression analysis. We also assessed the days for attaining the target trough concentration between the patients using the formula (prospective group) and six patients with CYP3A5 *3/*3 (retrospective group).

Results:

CYP3A5 genotype of all six DM-ILD patients were *3/*3 and underwent the TAC treatment by using the formula. The predicted and observed trough concentration of first measurement date were significantly correlated in the patients (r 2= 0.897, p=0.0041) (Fig.1). Compared with our retrospective study, target trough was more quickly attained in patients of the prospective study (Fig.2).

Conclusion:

The formula which we made for attainment target trough concentration based on CYP3A5 genotype was useful for deciding the starting dose of TAC. We also showed that we could attain the target trough concentration at early stage of initial treatment by using the formula.

References:

[1]Oddis CV and Aggarwal R. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018;14(5):279-89.

[2]Suzuka T et al. Int J Rheum dis 2019;22: 303-13.

[3]Y. Muraki et al. Exp Ther Med 2018;15:532-38.

Figure 1.

Correlation of predicted and observed tacrolimus trough concentration at first measurement in the prospective study

Figure 2.

Days to attain the target trough concentration of tacrolimus in the prospective group and the retrospective group

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

ATP binding cassette proteins ABCG37 and ABCG33 function as potassium-independent cesium uptake carriers in Arabidopsis roots

Radiocesium accumulated in the soil by nuclear accidents is a major environmental concern. The transport process of cesium (Cs⁺) is tightly linked to the indispensable plant nutrient potassium (K⁺) as they both belong to the group I alkali metals with similar chemical properties. Most of the transporters that had been characterized to date as Cs⁺ transporters are directly or indirectly linked to K⁺. Using a combinatorial approach of physiology, genetics, cell biology, and root uptake assay, here we identified two ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins, ABCG37 and ABCG33, as facilitators of Cs⁺ influx. A gain-of-function mutant of ABCG37 (abcg37-1) showed increased sensitivity to Cs⁺-induced root growth inhibition, while the double knockout mutant of ABCG33 and ABCG37 (abcg33-1abcg37-2) showed resistance, whereas the single loss-of-function mutants of ABCG33 and ABCG37 did not show any alteration in Cs⁺ response. In planta short-term radioactive Cs⁺-uptake assay along with growth and uptake assays in a heterologous system confirmed ABCG33 and ABCG37 as Cs⁺-uptake carriers. Potassium response and content were unaffected in the double-mutant background and yeast cells lacking potassium-uptake carriers transformed with ABCG33 and ABCG37 failed to grow in the absence of K⁺, confirming that Cs⁺ uptake by ABCG33 and ABCG37 is independent of K⁺. Collectively, this work identified two ABC proteins as new Cs⁺-influx carriers that act redundantly and independent of the K⁺-uptake pathway.

Effect of aerobic exercise on muscle structure and expression of proteins promoting hypertrophy and metabolism in aged rats

Aging and physical inactivity lead to histochemical changes in muscles. The expression of many muscle proteins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1a), declines with age. However, the effect of aerobic exercise on muscle structure and the expression profile of these proteins in elderly rats is unknown. Here, we investigated whether short-term aerobic exercise improves muscle structure and increases BDNF, SIRT1, and PGC-1a levels in aged rats. Ten male Wistar rats (95-week-old) were assigned to sedentary (SED) or exercise (Ex) groups. The Ex group performed running on a treadmill for 1 h, 6 times per week, for 2 weeks. The extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed to examine the muscle fibre type composition, cross-sectional area, and capillary-to-fibre (C/F) ratio. BDNF, SIRT1, and PGC-1a levels were evaluated by western blotting. Relative to the SED group, the Ex group showed increased proportion of Type I fibres (P<0.05), cross-sectional area of all muscle fibre types (P<0.05), succinate dehydrogenase activity (P<0.001), C/F ratio (P<0.05), and expression of BDNF, SIRT1, and PGC-1a (P<0.05).Thus, 2 weeks of aerobic exercise is sufficient to improve muscle histology and hypertrophic marker protein expression, indicating that it could prevent skeletal muscle atrophy in elderly rats.

FRI0129 DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTION MODEL FOR MAXIMUM METHOTREXATE (MTX) DOSE WITHOUT HEPATOTOXICITY USING AN INDEX OF ERYTHROCYTE MTX-POLYGLUTAMATE (MTXPG) LEVELS SPECULATED BY CLINICAL AND GENETIC MARKERS

Background:

MTX is transported into cells and retained long after polyglutamation. MTXPG level can predict response and possibly adverse effects of MTX. We reported erythrocyte MTXPG concentrations efficiently discriminated patients with and without hepatotoxicity1. We also developed genetic and clinical prediction models for efficacy and hepatotoxicity of MTX2. In the present study, we firstly investigated the effects of clinical and secondly genetic variables on the concentration of total MTXPG and determined oral maximum MTX dose without hepatotoxicity using these variables.

Objectives:

To develop a prediction model for maximum MTX dose without hepatotoxicity.

Methods:

Concentrations of erythrocyte MTX-PG (PG1 to PG4) were detected by LC-MS/MS and calculated total MTXPG as sum of them. MTX-PGn levels were measured in 265 RA patients including 40 patients with elevated AST or ALT (≥ 60 U/L; 1.5 times of upper limits) and the 6 SNPs of 6 gens related to MTXPG metabolism were identified by RT-PCR.

Results:

Total concentrations of MTXPG were 141.3 ± 86.5 and 87.6 ± 47.8 nmol/L (mean±SD) in 40 RA patients with hepatotoxicity and 225 patients without, respectively (p<0.0001). By ROC analysis, the two groups were most efficiently discriminated with cutoff concentration of 100.0 nmol/L (AUC 0.731). Next, genetic and clinical model to speculate the MTXPG concentration was established by multivariate analysis using 4 clinical and 3 genetic variables which were selected from 20 clinical and 6 genetic variables by univariate analysis (p<0.1). Finally, a speculation model for MTXPG concentration by 4 clinical variables (MTX dose, BMI, RBC count, and creatinine) and one genetic variable (GGH c.452C>T) was developed (Figure). When MTXPG concentration of 100 nmol/L was applied to the model, maximum MTX dose without hepatotoxicity was calculated for each patient asMTX dose (mg) = {100 (MTXPG) – 96 + 1.7*BMI + 28*RBC - 120*creatinine - 19.3*GGH(C/T)} / 7.7. Real dose of oral MTX exceeded the calculated dose in 23 of 40 patients (57.5%) with hepatotoxicity, whereas it exceeded in 95 of 223 patients (42.6%) without hepatotoxicity (OR 1.82, p=0.081).

Conclusion:

Maximum MTX dose without hepatotoxicity was speculated by several clinical and genetic markers without measurement of erythrocyte MTX-PG concentrations.

References:

[1]Takahashi M, et al: Clinical Pathology (Rinsho Byori), 67:433-442, 2019.

[2]Onishi A, et al: The Pharmacogenomics J, doi.org/10.1038/s41397-019-0134-9, 2019

Disclosure of Interests:

Shunichi Kumagai Grant/research support from: Astellas, Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe Co.Ltds, Consultant of: Sysmex Co.Ltd, Speakers bureau: many companies, Soshi Takahashi: None declared, Miho Takahashi: None declared, Toshiharu Saito: None declared, Katsuyuki Yoshida: None declared, Motoko Katayama: None declared, Saki Mukohara: None declared, Norihiko Amano: None declared, Akira Onishi Speakers bureau: AO received a speaker fee from Chugai, Ono Pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Asahi-Kasei, and Takeda, Masakazu Shinohara: None declared, Saori Hatachi: None declared

SAT0154 EXAMINATION OF CYP3A5 GENOTYPE IS USEFUL FOR INTRODUCTION OF TACROLIMUS TREATMENT IN OUTPATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Background:

Though several studies showed the efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a dose-depending manner [1], the relationship between efficacy and concentration of TAC remained unclear. Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 were reported not only to play an important role in pharmacokinetics of TAC but also to have an influence on clinical outcomes in patients of rheumatic diseases. Several reports showed that the blood concentration of TAC in patients with a CYP3A5 *1 allele (EX, expressor) was lower than that of patients with a CYP3A5 *3/*3 (NEX, non-expressor) [2].

Objectives:

To assess the relationship between efficacy and concentration of TAC in patients with RA, and to examine the usefulness of CYP3A5 genotype screening to detect outpatients suitable for TAC treatment.

Methods:

We examined the relationship between disease activity score (DAS) 28-CRP and concentration of TAC in patients with RA. TAC was taken after the evening meal and blood samples were taken 12±4h after TAC administration. Next we investigated the relationship between genotype frequencies of CYP3A5 and concentration of TAC in patients with rheumatic disease without having renal dysfunction (eGFR<60) and also investigated the influence of concomitant drugs, such as strong inhibitors of CYP3A4/5 or metabolized by CYP3A4/5, to C/D value in each NEX and EX group. The blood concentration of TAC normalized to the corresponding dose per body weight (C/D, ng/ml per mg/kg) was analyzed according to genetic variation in CYP3A5. Furthermore we investigated the relationship between genotype frequencies of CYP3A5 and concentration of TAC in patients with rheumatic disease at first visit and second visit after starting TAC administration to assess the possibility for making rapid attainment of enough concentrations of TAC in early stage of treatment.

Results:

The concentration of TAC tended to be negatively correlated with the disease activity of RA. The C/D value in the NEX group (n=16) was 124.7±62.1, which was significantly higher than that in the EX group (n=23; 67.7±29.8;P<0.001). When comparing patients using concomitant drugs which are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4/5 or metabolized by CYP3A4/5 with patients not using those drugs, the each C/D value of NEX group was 122.9±52.3 (n=9) and 126.9±77.3 (n=7), and that of EX group was 71.3±32.2 (n=12) and 63.8±28.0 (n=11). There were no significant differences between these groups. In NEX group, when comparing concentration of TAC at first visit and second visit after starting TAC administration, the each concentration of TAC was 3.14±2.06 ng/ml and 3.80±2.20 ng/ml in NEX group (n=10), and that of TAC was 1.82±0.82 ng/ml and 2.69±1.52 ng/ml (n=11) in EX group (Figure).

Conclusion:

TAC showed efficacy in patients with RA in a concentration-dependent manner. EX patients may be impossible to achieve enough concentration of TAC even though using TAC of 3mg/day, approved dose for patients with RA in Japan, and NEX patients could make rapid attainment of enough concentrations of TAC in early stage of treatment, suggesting that we should consider induction of TAC only in NEX outpatients. Furthermore, drugs only slightly affected concentration of TAC in this study, suggesting that we can use TAC without any special attention to concomitant drugs.

References:

[1]Furst DE et al. Arthritis Rheum 2002;46:2020-28.

[2]Y. Muraki et al. Exp Ther Med 2018;15:532-38.

Acknowledgments:

none

Disclosure of Interests:

Soshi Takahashi: None declared, Shinji Horibata: None declared, Saori Hatachi: None declared, Miho Takahashi: None declared, Motoko Katayama: None declared, Saki Mukohara: None declared, Norihiko Amano: None declared, Katsuyuki Yoshida: None declared, Kennosuke Yorifuji: None declared, Shunichi Kumagai Grant/research support from: Astellas, Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe Co.Ltds, Consultant of: Sysmex Co.Ltd, Speakers bureau: many companies

FRI0246 GENOTYPING OF CYP3A5 IS USEFUL FOR TREATMENT WITH TACROLIMUS IN INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN DERMATOMYOSITIS

Background:

Tacrolimus (TAC), an immunosuppressant, can be used in second-line maintenance therapy of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) [1]. In Japan, TAC is approved for DM-ILD and often used as induction therapy for severe cases, especially in patients with anti-MDA5-Ab (melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody) positive, in combination with glucocorticoids (GC) and intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY). Some studies reported the clinical efficacy of initial high-trough level TAC for DM-ILD in combination with GC and IVCY [2]. Adjustment to target concentration of TAC in early stage of treatment is important for controlling disease activity. The concentration of TAC depends on genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 enzyme expression and several reports showed that the bioavailability and concentration of TAC in patients with a CYP3A5 *1 allele (*1) was lower than those with a CYP3A5 *3/*3 (*3/*3) [3].

Objectives:

To examine the usefulness of CYP3A5 polymorphisms in decision of initial dose to achieve the target concentration of TAC and to evaluate the clinical efficacy in patients of DM-ILD who achieved the enough concentration of TAC in early stage of treatment.

Methods:

We investigated CYP3A5 polymorphisms and TAC concentration in 9 patients of DM-ILD without renal dysfunction (eGFR>60). TAC was taken after both morning and evening meals and blood samples were taken 12h after TAC administration. The blood concentration of TAC normalized to the corresponding dose per body weight (C/D, ng/ml per mg/kg) was analyzed according to genetic variation in CYP3A5. Based on the retrospective analyzation, we chose proper dose of TAC in initial treatment for an anti-MDA5-Ab positive DM-ILD patient, whose genotype was *3/*3.

Results:

The C/D value in the *3/*3 group (n=6) was 154.6±25.6, which was significantly higher than that in the *1 group (n=3;79.0±2.8; P =0.028). When the target concentration was set at 5-10 ng/ml, the required dose was (0.0316 to 0.0633) mg/kg in the *1 group and (0.0162 to 0.0324) mg/kg in the *3/*3 group. The *1 group needs more dose than that of the *3/*3 group to achieve the same target trough of TAC, suggesting that the examination of CYP3A5 genotype is useful for deciding initial dose of TAC (Fig.1). We started TAC 6mg/day with setting target concentration at 15-20 ng/ml to a *3/*3 patient of DM-ILD with anti-MDA5-Ab positive, resulting in good clinical course with making rapid attainment of target concentration in early stage of treatment (Fig.2).

Conclusion:

To examine the CYP3A5 genotype is valuable for deciding the initial dose of TAC, especially in patients who need achievement to target concentration rapidly.

References:

[1]Oddis CV and Aggarwal R. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018;14(5):279-89.

[2]Suzuka T et al. Int J Rheum dis 2019;22: 303-13.

[3]Y. Muraki et al. Exp Ther Med 2018;15:532-38.

Acknowledgments:

none

Disclosure of Interests:

motoko katayama: None declared, Shinji Horibata: None declared, Soshi Takahashi: None declared, Miho Takahashi: None declared, Saki Mukohara: None declared, Norihiko Amano: None declared, Katsuyuki Yoshida: None declared, Saori Hatachi: None declared, Kennosuke Yorifuji: None declared, Shunichi Kumagai Grant/research support from: Astellas, Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe Co.Ltds, Consultant of: Sysmex Co.Ltd, Speakers bureau: many companies

Physical Frailty and Risk of Needing Long-Term Care in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: a 6-Year Prospective Study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between physical frailty and risk of needing long-term care, and compare the predictive value and clinical usefulness of a simple frailty scale (FRAIL) with that of the original Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) criteria.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A 6-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults in a west Japanese suburban town.

PARTICIPANTS

1,554 older adults aged 65 years and over who were initially free of long-term care needs at baseline.

MEASUREMENTS

Physical frailty was defined by the CHS criteria and the FRAIL scale. The onset of needing long-term care was ascertained using national records of certification of long-term care needs. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the association between physical frailty and risk of needing long-term care. Decision curve analysis was performed to compare the clinical usefulness of the two physical frailty criteria.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 244 were ascertained as needing long-term care. Baseline physical frailty was significantly associated with elevated risk of needing long-term care, with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-3.02) for being frail and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.10-2.03) for being pre-frail as defined by the CHS criteria, compared with being robust (p for trend = 0.001). Similar results were found for physical frailty defined by the FRAIL scale, with a multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CIs) of 2.11 (1.25-3.56) for being frail and 1.73 (1.28-2.35) for being pre-frail vs. being robust (p for trend < 0.001). The two physical frailty criteria had similar net benefits in identifying individuals at high risk for needing long-term care.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical frailty is significantly associated with an increased risk of needing long-term care in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Compared with the original CHS criteria, the simple FRAIL scale has comparable predictive value and clinical usefulness for identifying individuals at risk for needing long-term care.

Hydrogen and steam injected tandem μ-reactor GC/FID system: phenol recovery from bisphenol A and alkylphenols using Ni/Y zeolite

Hydrogen and steam injected tandem μ-reactor-GC/FID system achieved online quantification of products from hydrogenation and dealkylation of bisphenol A and alkylphenols using Ni/Y zeolite.

S-Adenosylmethionine Synthesis Is Regulated by Selective N6-Adenosine Methylation and mRNA Degradation Involving METTL16 and YTHDC1

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is an important metabolite as a methyl-group donor in DNA and histone methylation, tuning regulation of gene expression. Appropriate intracellular SAM levels must be maintained, because methyltransferase reaction rates can be limited by SAM availability. In response to SAM depletion, MAT2A, which encodes a ubiquitous mammalian methionine adenosyltransferase isozyme, was upregulated through mRNA stabilization. SAM-depletion reduced N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) in the 3' UTR of MAT2A. In vitro reactions using recombinant METTL16 revealed multiple, conserved methylation targets in the 3' UTR. Knockdown of METTL16 and the m⁶A reader YTHDC1 abolished SAM-responsive regulation of MAT2A. Mutations of the target adenine sites of METTL16 within the 3' UTR revealed that these m⁶As were redundantly required for regulation. MAT2A mRNA methylation by METTL16 is read by YTHDC1, and we suggest that this allows cells to monitor and maintain intracellular SAM levels.

Physical Frailty Is Associated with Longitudinal Decline in Global Cognitive Function in Non-Demented Older Adults: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between physical frailty and subsequent decline in global cognitive function in the non-demented elderly.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A prospective population-based study in a west Japanese suburban town, with two-year follow-up.

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwellers aged 65 and older without placement in long-term care, and not having a history of dementia, Parkinson's disease and depression at baseline, who participated in the cohort of the Sasaguri Genkimon Study and underwent follow-up assessments two years later (N = 1,045).

MEASUREMENTS

Global cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Physical frailty was identified according to the following five components: weight loss, low grip strength, exhaustion, slow gait speed and low physical activities. Linear regression models were used to examine associations between baseline frailty status and the MoCA scores at follow-up. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk of cognitive decline (defined as at least two points decrease of MoCA score) according to baseline frailty status.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and eight non-demented older adults were included in the final analyses (mean age: 72.6 ± 5.5 years, male 40.3%); 5.8% were frail, and 40.8% were prefrail at baseline. One hundred and fifty nine (22.5%) participants experienced cognitive decline over two years. After adjustment for baseline MoCA scores and all confounders, being frail at baseline was significantly associated with a decline of 1.48 points (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.37 to -0.59) in MoCA scores, as compared with non-frailty. Frail persons were over two times more likely to experience cognitive decline (adjusted odds ratio 2.28; 95% CI, 1.02 to 5.08), compared to non-frail persons.

CONCLUSION

Physical frailty is associated with longitudinal decline in global cognitive function in the non-demented older adults over a period of two years. Physically frail older community-dwellers should be closely monitored for cognitive decline that can be sensitively captured by using the MoCA.

Tandem μ-reactor-GC/MS for online monitoring of aromatic hydrocarbon production via CaO-catalysed PET pyrolysis

Online monitoring of products by a tandem μ-reactor-GC/MS system revealed the CaO catalysed PET pyrolysis pathway.

Polybacterial aetiology and outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia

SETTING

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While interactions among bacterial pathogens in the respiratory tract have been studied, the impact of polybacterial aetiology on mortality has not been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of polybacterial aetiology on mortality, prevalence, microbial patterns and clinical characteristics among CAP patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

RESULTS

Bacterial aetiology was established in 711 (46.0%) of 1544 enrolled hospitalised CAP patients. Of these, polybacterial aetiology was identified in 89 (12.5%): Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently identified pathogen (n = 55, 61.8%). The most prevalent microbial combination was S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (n = 19, 21.3%). Alcoholism and lack of previous antibiotic therapy were independent predictors of polybacterial aetiology. The proportion of patients with severe pneumonia was significantly higher in the polybacterial aetiology group than in the monobacterial group. Multivariate analysis showed that polybacterial aetiology was a predictor of 30-day mortality (OR 2.14, 95%CI 1.07-4.24, P = 0.030), independently of severe pneumonia status, pneumonia severity index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and inappropriate empirical therapy.

CONCLUSION

Polybacterial CAP tends to advance in severity, and indicates adverse outcomes.

Thymic Granulomatous Lesions in Pigs

Rare cases of thymic granulomatous lesions were found in pigs. The lesions consisted of epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes. Such lesions also were observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, and stomach. The cytoplasm of the majority of giant cells and some epithlioid cells was periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. All cells were positive for vimentin, lysozyme, and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the giant cells were rich in organella and attached to adjacent epithelioid cells by membrane interdigitation. The cells included numerous coated vesicles and granules. No etiologic pathogen, including porcine circovirus type 2, was detected in the lesions. This is the rare case of idiopathic thymic granulomatous lesion in pigs.

Impact of bacterial coinfection on clinical outcomes in pneumococcal pneumonia

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of bacterial coinfection on patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence, clinical features, microbial distributions, and outcomes of patients with bacterial coinfection in a cohort of 433 hospitalized patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Eighty-five patients (19.6 %) were diagnosed with bacterial coinfection; the most frequent pathogens were Haemophilus influenzae (25 patients, 33.3 %), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (15 patients, 20.0 %), and Moraxella catarrhalis (13 patients, 17.3 %). The CURB-65 score and pneumonia severity index (PSI) were significantly higher in patients with bacterial coinfection (both P < 0.001). In addition, the proportion of patients with bacterial coinfection who met the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) severe pneumonia criteria was significantly higher (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three risk factors for bacterial coinfection in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia: alcoholism (odds ratio [OR], 5.12; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI), 1.60-16.4; P = 0.006), hospitalization for 2 days or more within 90 days preceding admission (OR, 2.02; 95 % CI, 1.03-3.98; P = 0.041), and residence in a nursing home or extended care facility (OR, 3.22; 95 % CI, 1.48-6.97; P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis for 30-day mortality showed that bacterial coinfection was a significant adverse prognostic factor (OR, 2.50; 95 % CI, 1.13-5.53; P = 0.023), independent of IDSA/ATS severe pneumonia, PSI, or healthcare-associated pneumonia. In conclusion, bacterial coinfection may have an adverse impact on severity and outcomes of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Excitation-photon-energy selectivity of photoconversions in halogen-bridged Pd-chain compounds: Mott insulator to metal or charge-density-wave state

Ultrafast photoinduced transitions of a one-dimensional Mott insulator into two distinct electronic phases, metal and charge-density-wave (CDW) state, were achieved in a bromine-bridged Pd-chain compound [Pd(en)2Br](C5-Y)2H2O (en=ethylenediamine and C5-Y=dialkylsulfosuccinate), by selecting the photon energy of a femtosecond excitation pulse. For the resonant excitation of the Mott-gap transition, excitonic states are generated and converted to one-dimensional CDW domains. For the higher-energy excitation, free electron and hole carriers are produced, giving rise to a transition of the Mott insulator to a metal. Such selectivity in photoconversions by the choice of initial photoexcited states opens a new possibility for the developments of advanced optical switching and memory functions.

T cells affect thymic involution during puberty by inducing regression of the adrenal reticularis

The thymus involutes after puberty, although the mechanism by which this process occurs remains poorly understood. The profile of thymic involution, which is inversely correlated with an increase in peripheral T cells, may indicate that the accumulation of T cells in the periphery is related to thymic atrophy. In this study, it was shown that the prevention of T cell generation delayed the initiation of thymic involution. The activation of T cells increased the serum concentration of glucocorticoid (GC) and thymic involution, which was completely prevented by adrenalectomy. In the adrenals of growing mice, the activity of the zona fasciculata, which produces GC, increased and plateaued by the weaning period; however, the zona reticularis (ZR), which produces dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that has anti-GC actions, started to decline just before puberty. Thymic atrophy was preceded by the infiltration of activated T cells into the ZR and by the loss of ZR cells. Thus, T cells are involved in thymic involution, a process which was retarded by DHEA administration, through an increase in GC activity due to ZR cell-killing.

Efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy in locally advanced non-squamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a retrospective multicenter study of Tohoku Gynecologic Cancer Unit

OBJECTIVE

Radical hysterectomy (RH) is a standard treatment for locally advanced non-squamous cell carcinoma (N-SCC) of the uterine cervix, but there have been no reports on whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical hysterectomy could improve the outcome of patients with this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study enrolled 77 patients with Stage IB2 to IIB N-SCC of the uterine cervix. Of these, 27 patients were treated with NAC prior to radical hysterectomy (NAC group) and 50 with RH alone (RH group). The two-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. Clinical parameters such as clinical stage, histological type, and postoperative treatment were also examined between the groups.

RESULTS

While the two-year RFS rates were 81.5% and 70.0% in NAC and RH groups, respectively (p = 0.27) and the median PFS was 51 months and 35 months in NAC and RH groups, respectively (p = 0.35), the median OS was 58 months and 48 months in NAC and RH groups, respectively, which was significant (p = 0.0014). The median OS of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma in NAC group was significantly higher than that in RH group: 58 months versus 37 months (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

NAC prior to RH may offer the prognostic advantage of patients with locally advanced N-SCC of the uterine cervix, especially mucinous adenocarcinoma.