High-energy molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions: a molecular bond-length ruler.

We present a study on molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions (MFPADs) of small molecules using circularly polarized synchrotron light. We find that the main forward-scattering peaks of the MFPADs are slightly tilted with respect to the molecular axis. This tilt angle is directly connected to the molecular bond length by a simple, universal formula. We apply the derived formula to several examples of MFPADs of C 1s and O 1s photoelectrons of CO, which have been measured experimentally or obtained by means of ab initio modeling. In addition, we discuss the influence of the back-scattering contribution that is superimposed over the analyzed forward-scattering peak in the case of homo-nuclear diatomic molecules such as N2.

Investigating charge-up and fragmentation dynamics of oxygen molecules after interaction with strong X-ray free-electron laser pulses.

During the last decade, X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have enabled the study of light-matter interaction under extreme conditions. Atoms which are subject to XFEL radiation are charged by a complex interplay of (several subsequent) photoionization events and electronic decay processes within a few femtoseconds. The interaction with molecules is even more intriguing, since intricate nuclear dynamics occur as the molecules start to dissociate during the charge-up process. Here, we demonstrate that by analyzing photoelectron angular emission distributions and kinetic energy release of charge states of ionic molecular fragments, we can obtain a detailed understanding of the charge-up and fragmentation dynamics. Our novel approach allows for gathering such information without the need of complex ab initio modeling. As an example, we provide a detailed view on the processes happening on a femtosecond time scale in oxygen molecules exposed to intense XFEL pulses.

Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy duration (3 versus 6 months) for high-risk stage II colon cancer: the randomized phase III ACHIEVE-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with debilitating peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) in patients with high-risk stage II colon cancer. This open-label, multicenter, randomized phase III trial was conducted as a prospective pooled analysis to investigate the non-inferiority of 3 versus 6 months of adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 12 February 2014 to 31 January 2017, 525 Asian patients with high-risk stage II colon cancer were randomly assigned to 3- and 6-month treatment arms. The treatment consisted of either modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) or capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin (CAPOX). The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). The secondary end points were treatment compliance and safety. RESULTS: Of the 525 randomized patients, 11 were not treated. Among the 514 participating patients (255 in the 3-month arm; 259 in the 6-month arm), 432 (84%) received CAPOX, and 184 (36%) presented with T4 as a high-risk factor for recurrence. The 3-year DFS rate was 88.2% in the 3-month arm and 87.9% in the 6-month arm [hazard ratio (HR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67-1.87]. With CAPOX, the 3-year DFS rate was 88.2% in the 3-month arm and 88.4% in the 6-month arm (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.65-1.96). The discontinuation rate in the 3- and 6-month arms was 10% and 31% for mFOLFOX6 (P = 0.0193), and 15% and 35% for CAPOX (P < 0.0001), respectively. The incidence of grade ≥2 PSN was significantly lower in the 3-month arm than in the 6-month arm (16% and 43%, respectively, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Three months of combination therapy presented significantly less grade ≥2 PSN than the respective 6-month regimen. The shortened therapy duration did not affect the 3-year DFS rate, suggesting that a 3-month course of CAPOX can be an effective treatment option. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000013036 and Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs031180128.

Neutropenia and survival outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with trifluridine/tipiracil in the RECOURSE and J003 trials.

BACKGROUND: The phase II J003 (N = 169) and phase III RECOURSE (N = 800) trials demonstrated a significant improvement in survival with trifluridine (FTD)/tipiracil (TPI) versus placebo in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. This post hoc analysis investigated pharmacokinetic data of FTD/TPI exposure and pharmacodynamic markers, such as chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) and clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 210 patients from RECOURSE were enrolled in this substudy. A limited sampling approach was used, with three pharmacokinetic samples drawn on day 12 of cycle 1. Patients were categorized as being above or below the median area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) for FTD and TPI. We conducted a post hoc analysis using the entire RECOURSE population to determine the correlations between CIN and clinical outcome. We then carried out a similar analysis on the J003 trial to validate the results. RESULTS: In the RECOURSE subset, patients in the high FTD AUC group had a significantly increased CIN risk. Analyses of the entire population demonstrated that FTD/TPI-treated patients with CIN of any grade in cycles 1 and 2 had significantly longer median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than patients who did not develop CIN and patients in the placebo group. Patients who required an FTD/TPI treatment delay had increased OS and PFS versus those in the placebo group and those who did not develop CIN. Similar results were obtained in the J003 cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In RECOURSE, patients with higher FTD drug exposure had an increased CIN risk. FTD/TPI-treated patients who developed CIN had improved OS and PFS versus those in the placebo group and those who did not develop CIN. Similar findings were reported in the J003 cohort, thus validating the RECOURSE results. The occurrence of CIN may be a useful predictor of treatment outcomes for FTD/TPI-treated patients. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01607957 (RECOURSE). JAPAN PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION CENTER NUMBER: JapicCTI-090880 (J003).

Biomarker analysis beyond angiogenesis: RAS/RAF mutation status, tumour sidedness, and second-line ramucirumab efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma from RAISE-a global phase III study.

Background: : Second-line treatment with ramucirumab+FOLFIRI improved overall survival (OS) versus placebo+FOLFIRI for patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) [hazard ratio (HR)=0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.98, P = 0.022]. Post hoc analyses of RAISE patient data examined the association of RAS/RAF mutation status and the anatomical location of the primary CRC tumour (left versus right) with efficacy parameters. Patients and methods: Patient tumour tissue was classified as BRAF mutant, KRAS/NRAS (RAS) mutant, or RAS/BRAF wild-type. Left-CRC was defined as the splenic flexure, descending and sigmoid colon, and rectum; right-CRC included transverse, ascending colon, and cecum. Results: RAS/RAF mutation status was available for 85% of patients (912/1072) and primary tumour location was known for 94.4% of patients (1012/1072). A favourable and comparable ramucirumab treatment effect was observed for patients with RAS mutations (OS HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.71-1.04) and patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type tumours (OS HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.64-1.14). Among the 41 patients with BRAF-mutated tumours, the ramucirumab benefit was more notable (OS HR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.25-1.13), although, as with the other genetic sub-group analyses, differences were not statistically significant. Progression-free survival (PFS) data followed the same trend. Treatment-by-mutation status interaction tests (OS P = 0.523, PFS P = 0.655) indicated that the ramucirumab benefit was not statistically different among the mutation sub-groups, although the small sample size of the BRAF group limited the analysis. Addition of ramucirumab to FOLFIRI improved left-CRC median OS by 2.5 month over placebo (HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.97); median OS for ramucirumab-treated patients with right-CRC was 1.1 month over placebo (HR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.75-1.26). The treatment-by-sub-group interaction was not statistically significant for tumour sidedness (P = 0.276). Conclusions: In the RAISE study, the addition of ramucirumab to FOLFIRI improved patient outcomes, regardless of RAS/RAF mutation status, and tumour sidedness. Ramucirumab treatment provided a numerically substantial benefit in BRAF-mutated tumours, although the P-values were not statistically significant. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01183780.

Inhibitory effects of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract on HYBID (KIAA1199)-mediated hyaluronan degradation and skin wrinkling.

OBJECTIVES: Hyaluronan (HA), an important constituent of extracellular matrix in the skin, has many biological activities such as hydration that contributes to firmness and bounciness of the skin. We have reported that reduction in HA in the papillary dermis and over-expression of HYBID (HYaluronan Binding protein Involved in hyaluronan Depolymerization, alias KIAA1199 or CEMIP), a key molecule for HA degradation in skin fibroblasts, are implicated in facial skin wrinkling in Japanese and Caucasian women. However, little or no information is available for substances which inhibit the HYBID-mediated HA degradation. METHODS: Inhibition of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract and ziyuglycoside I, one of the components of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, to the HYBID-mediated HA degradation was assessed by size-exclusion chromatography of HA depolymerized by stable transfectants of HYBID in HEK293 cells (HYBID/HEK293 cells) or normal human skin fibroblasts (Detroit 551 cells and NHDF-Ad cells). The HYBID mRNA and protein expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting in the skin fibroblasts treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, and size distribution of newly produced HA was evaluated by preparing metabolically radiolabelled HA. A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study was carried out in the 21 healthy Japanese women, who were topically treated with the formulation containing Sanguisorba officinalis root extract or the placebo on each side of the face including crow's foot area. RESULTS: Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, but not ziyuglycoside I, abolished HYBID-mediated HA degradation by HYBID/HEK293 cells. Sanguisorba officinalis root extract also inhibited HYBID-mediated HA degradation in skin fibroblasts by down-regulating HYBID mRNA and protein expression. Although control untreated skin fibroblasts produced polydispersed HA, the cells treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract produced only high-molecular-weight HA. Treatment with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract-formulated lotion significantly improved skin elasticity, and reduced skin wrinkling scores at the outer eye corner compared with the placebo formulation. CONCLUSION: Sanguisorba officinalis root extract showed an anti-HYBID-mediated HA degradation activity and anti-wrinkle activity on human facial skin, which is accompanied by the improvement in elasticity. Our study provides the possibility of a new strategy to inhibit HYBID-mediated HA degradation for anti-wrinkle care.

OBJECTIFS: l'acide hyaluronique (AH), un composant important de la matrice extracellulaire de la peau, assure de nombreuses activités biologiques, telles que l'hydratation qui contribue à la fermeté et l'élasticité de la peau. Nous avons rapporté que la réduction d'AH dans le derme papillaire et une surexpression de la protéine de liaison de l'AH impliquée dans la dépolymérisation de l'AH (HYBID, alias KIAA1199 ou CEMIP), une molécule clé de la dégradation de l'AH des fibroblastes cutanés, sont impliquées dans la formation des rides au niveau de la peau du visage chez les femmes d'origine japonaise et caucasienne. Cependant, peu ou aucune information n'est disponible concernant les substances qui inhibent la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID. MÉTHODES: l'inhibition de l'extrait de racine de la pimprenelle (Sanguisorba officinalis) et du ziyuglycoside I, l'un des composants de l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis, sur la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID a été évaluée à l'aide d'une chromatographie par exclusion stérique de l'AH dépolymérisé par des transfectants stables de la protéine HYBID dans les cellules HEK293 (cellules HYBID/HEK293) ou les fibroblastes cutanés humains normaux (lignée cellulaire Detroit 551 et cellules des fibroblastes du derme humain chez l'adulte). L'expression de l'ARNm et de la protéine HYBID a été examinée par PCR quantitative en temps réel et par immuno-empreinte des fibroblastes cutanés traités avec de l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis, et l'attribution des tailles des nouveaux échantillons produits de l'AH a été évaluée par préparation d'AH radiomarqué métaboliquement. Une étude en double aveugle, randomisée et contrôlée par placebo a été menée auprès des 21 femmes japonaises en bonne santé, qui ont été traitées localement avec la formulation élaborée à partir d'extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis ou un placebo, sur chaque côté du visage, notamment sur la zone à pattes d'oie. RÉSULTATS: l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a permis d'arrêter la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID par les cellules HYBID/HEK293, mais ce n'était pas le cas du ziyuglycoside I. L'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a également inhibé la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID des fibroblastes cutanés en diminuant l'expression de l'ARNm et des protéines HYBID. Bien que les fibroblastes cutanés témoins non traités aient produit de l'AH polydispersé, les cellules traitées aux extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis ont produit uniquement de l'AH de haut poids moléculaire. Le traitement par lotion formulée à partir d'extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a amélioré de manière significative l'élasticité de la peau et réduit les scores de vieillissement du coin extérieur de la peau autour des yeux, par rapport à la formulation placebo. CONCLUSION: l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a démontré une action anti-dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID et une activité antirides au niveau de la peau du visage humain, s'accompagnant d'une amélioration de l'élasticité. Notre étude fournit la possibilité d'une nouvelle stratégie pour inhiber la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID dans le cadre des soins antirides.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a JSMO-ESMO initiative endorsed by CSCO, KACO, MOS, SSO and TOS.

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) consensus guidelines for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was published in 2016, identifying both a more strategic approach to the administration of the available systemic therapy choices, and a greater emphasis on the use of ablative techniques, including surgery. At the 2016 ESMO Asia Meeting, in December 2016, it was decided by both ESMO and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO) to convene a special guidelines meeting, endorsed by both ESMO and JSMO, immediately after the JSMO 2017 Annual Meeting. The aim was to adapt the ESMO consensus guidelines to take into account the ethnic differences relating to the toxicity as well as other aspects of certain systemic treatments in patients of Asian ethnicity. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with mCRC identified by the Presidents of the oncological societies of Japan (JSMO), China (Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology), Korea (Korean Association for Clinical Oncology), Malaysia (Malaysian Oncological Society), Singapore (Singapore Society of Oncology) and Taiwan (Taiwan Oncology Society). The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of both the current treatment practices and the drug availability and reimbursement situations in the individual participating Asian countries.

Association of salivary lactate dehydrogenase level with systemic inflammation in a Japanese population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was reported to be a useful parameter for the screening of periodontal disease. We performed a cross-sectional study to verify the usefulness of salivary LDH as a biomarker of periodontitis and to investigate the association of severity of periodontitis with systemic inflammation by measuring salivary LDH and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a community-based middle-aged and elderly population in Japan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 644 men and 1171 women, aged 30-79 years, who participated in the Toon Health Study during 2011-15. Periodontal condition was assessed by full-mouth examination including mean value of probing depth, percentage of probing depth of ≥4 mm and ≥6 mm, and bleeding on probing. Saliva and blood serum samples were collected for measurement of salivary LDH level and hs-CRP, respectively. A linear trend across quartiles of salivary LDH was calculated using linear regression. Interaction of salivary LDH and overweight status (body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 ) was tested using the cross-product term of log-transformed continuous salivary LDH and overweight status. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance adjusted for potential confounders revealed strong associations between salivary LDH level and the indicators of periodontal condition (P < .01) in both men and women. Sex- and age-adjusted mean values of hs-CRP according to salivary LDH quartiles were 0.40, 0.45, 0.45 and 0.50 mg/L (P for trend <.01). Although the association was attenuated after further adjustment for body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, alcohol intake, smoking status and physical activity. When stratified by overweight status, the association remained significant in overweight individuals (P = .03). The multivariable adjusted odds ratio of hs-CRP level of ≥1 mg/L for the highest vs lowest quartile of salivary LDH was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.01-3.69) in overweight individuals, but not significant in non-overweight individuals. CONCLUSION: Salivary LDH appears to be a promising biomarker for the mass screening of periodontitis in local community health settings. High salivary LDH levels, particularly in overweight individuals might contribute to prevention of cardiovascular disease, through measuring systemic inflammatory burdens as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

The anti-inflammatory effect of 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid (KetoC) on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide.

BACKGROUND: There is rapidly developing interest into the role of several anti-inflammatory agents to resolve inflammation in periodontal disease. A bioactive polyunsaturated fatty acid, 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid (KetoC), is known to have various beneficial physiological effects; however, the effect of KetoC on inflammation remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of KetoC on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide, and explored the intracellular mechanism responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with or without KetoC, and then stimulated with or without P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide. Levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific antagonists for G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)40 and GPR120 were used to clarify the receptor for KetoC. The intracellular mechanism was investigated using western blotting analysis to separate nuclear and cytosolic NF-κB p65 protein. RESULT: KetoC (5 µmol/L) was not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells, and significantly reduced the expression of TNFα and IL-6 mRNA and protein, and IL-1ß mRNA. No protein production of IL-1ß was observed. Additionally, when bound to GPR120, KetoC trended to downregulate nuclear NF-κB p65 protein levels. However, the antagonist for GPR40 failed to diminish the action of KetoC. CONCLUSION: KetoC suppressed the proinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1ß via NF-κB p65, by binding to its receptor GPR120. KetoC is a promising candidate in future studies as a bioactive anti-inflammatory agent in treating periodontal disease.

Increased serum PCSK9, a potential biomarker to screen for periodontitis, and decreased total bilirubin associated with probing depth in a Japanese community survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous reports suggest that several serum biomarkers play roles in the pathogenesis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in periodontitis caused by bacterial infections, linking chronic periodontitis to atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD). The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate, in a Japanese cross-sectional community survey, potential serum biomarkers of periodontitis that are associated with ASVD and chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study cohort included a total of 108 male subjects who underwent annual health examinations. Serum biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9], interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, soluble CD14, myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-3, adiponectin, total bilirubin [TBIL], and serum lipids) were analyzed to determine their association (if any) with periodontal parameters. Aortic stiffness was evaluated using the brachial-ankle aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) index and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). RESULTS: The concentrations of PCSK9 and hs-CRP were increased (P = .001 and .042, respectively), and the concentration of TBIL was decreased (P = .046), in subjects with periodontal disease (determined as a probing depth of ≥4 mm in at least one site) compared with periodontally healthy subjects. The ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the concentrations of triglycerides, remnant-like particles-cholesterol, and oxidized LDL were elevated in subjects with periodontal disease compared with periodontally healthy subjects (P = .038, .007, .002, and .049, respectively). Multivariate regression analyses indicated that the number of sites with a pocket depth of ≥4 mm was associated with the concentration of PCSK9 and inversely associated with the concentration of TBIL independently (standardized ß = .243, P = .040; standardized ß = -.443, P = .0002; respectively). Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves of PCSK9 indicated moderate accuracy for predicting the presence of disease sites (probing depth ≥ 4 mm) (area under the curve = 0.740). No significance in the values of PWV and CAVI was observed between subjects with periodontal disease and periodontally healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: In Japanese male subjects, the concentrations of serum PCSK9 and TBIL were correlated with periodontal parameters. Moreover, PCSK9 could be a candidate biomarker for diagnosing chronic periodontitis, and may also have potential to evaluate the risk for periodontitis to cause ASVD. Longitudinal studies of larger populations are necessary to confirm the exact association of periodontitis with increased serum PCSK9 and decreased TBIL.

Resveratrol suppresses the alveolar bone resorption induced by artificial trauma from occlusion in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Besides inflammatory bone loss, trauma from occlusion (TO)-induced alveolar bone loss increases the risk of future tooth loss. We have shown that resveratrol, a polyphenol, possesses anti-inflammatory characteristics and a suppressive effect on osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on TO-induced bone loss in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Trauma from occlusion was induced by overlaying composite resin onto the maxillary first molar of C57BL/6 mice. TO-induced mice were administered either resveratrol or vehicle for 15 days from 5 days before TO induction. The mice administered vehicle only served as controls. The effect of resveratrol on bone resorption was assessed histologically. Gene expression in gingival and periodontal ligament tissues was analyzed. In vitro effect of resveratrol on the differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages into osteoclastic cells was analyzed. RESULTS: Resveratrol administration significantly decreased the bone loss and suppressed the elevated expression of osteoclastogenesis-related gene in periodontal ligament tissue by TO. Resveratrol treatment also suppressed the differentiation of both RAW 264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages into osteoclastic cells. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol administration suppressed the TO-induced alveolar bone loss by suppressing osteoclast differentiation, suggesting that resveratrol is effective in preventing both inflammation and mechanical stress-induced alveolar bone resorption.

Efficacy of protocol-based pharmacotherapy management on anticoagulation with warfarin for patients with cardiovascular surgery.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin requires periodic monitoring of prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) and adequate dose adjustments based on the data to minimize the risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events. In our hospital, we have developed protocol-based pharmaceutical care, which we called protocol-based pharmacotherapy management (PBPM), for warfarin therapy. The protocol requires pharmacists to manage timing of blood sampling for measuring PT-INR and warfarin dosage determination based on an algorithm. This study evaluated the efficacy of PBPM in warfarin therapy by comparing to conventional pharmaceutical care. METHODS: From October 2013 to June 2015, a total of 134 hospitalized patients who underwent cardiovascular surgeries received post-operative warfarin therapy. The early series of patients received warfarin therapy as the conventional care (control group, n=77), whereas the latter received warfarin therapy based on the PBPM (PBPM group, n=68). These patients formed the cohort of the present study and were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The indications for warfarin included aortic valve replacement (n=56), mitral valve replacement (n=4), mitral valve plasty (n=22) and atrial fibrillation (n=29). There were no differences in patients' characteristics between both groups. The percentage time in therapeutic range in the first 10 days was significantly higher in the PBPM group (47.1%) than that in the control group (34.4%, P<.005). The average time to reach the steady state was significantly (P<.005) shorter in the PBPM group compared to the control group (7.3 vs 8.6 days). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Warfarin therapy based on our novel PBPM was clinically safe and resulted in significantly better anticoagulation control compared to conventional care.

Associated factors of behavioural problems in children at preschool age: the Hokkaido study on environment and children's health.

BACKGROUND: Finding associated factors with childhood behavioural problems as early as preschool age is important. Studies have revealed several factors including socioeconomic factors, which may vary among different cultural background and population. However, investigation in general Japanese population of preschool age has not been well demonstrated. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine associated factors of childhood behavioural problems using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a prospective birth cohort study. METHODS: Total 3813 SDQ were distributed between October 2014 and December 2015 to the subpopulation of prospective birth cohort study, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. The subpopulation consisted of participants who had reached age 5 and were born between April 2008 and December 2010. Baseline questionnaire filled at recruitment and birth record were used to obtain participant information. Children with total difficulties score ≧ 13 were defined as likelihood of behavioural problems. A total of 2553 children with valid answers were included into the analysis. The response rate was 67.1%. RESULTS: Number of children with likelihood of behavioural problems was 521 (20.4%). Boys showed more problematic scores than girls. Multivariate analysis found that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI ≧ 30 kg/m2 , primipara, maternal education lower than high school, family income during pregnancy < 3 million yen/year and boy gender were the factors associated with increased odds ratio of likelihood of child behavioural problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that prenatal socioeconomic factors were associated with likelihood of child behavioural problems at preschool age in Japan.

Subgroup analysis in RAISE: a randomized, double-blind phase III study of irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) plus ramucirumab or placebo in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma progression.

BACKGROUND: The RAISE phase III clinical trial demonstrated that ramucirumab + FOLFIRI improved overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.844, P = 0.0219] and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.793, P < 0.0005) compared with placebo + FOLFIRI for second-line metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) patients previously treated with first-line bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine. Since some patient or disease characteristics could be associated with differential efficacy or safety, prespecified subgroup analyses were undertaken. This report focuses on three of the most relevant ones: KRAS status (wild-type versus mutant), age (<65 versus ≥65 years), and time to progression (TTP) on first-line therapy (<6 versus ≥6 months). PATIENTS AND METHODS: OS and PFS were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis, with HR determined by the Cox proportional hazards model. Treatment-by-subgroup interaction was tested to determine whether treatment effect was consistent between subgroup pairs. RESULTS: Patients with both wild-type and mutant KRAS benefited from ramucirumab + FOLFIRI treatment over placebo + FOLFIRI (interaction P = 0.526); although numerically, wild-type KRAS patients benefited more (wild-type KRAS: median OS = 14.4 versus 11.9 months, HR = 0.82, P = 0.049; mutant KRAS: median OS = 12.7 versus 11.3 months, HR = 0.89, P = 0.263). Patients with both longer and shorter first-line TTP benefited from ramucirumab (interaction P = 0.9434), although TTP <6 months was associated with poorer OS (TTP ≥6 months: median OS = 14.3 versus 12.5 months, HR = 0.86, P = 0.061; TTP <6 months: median OS = 10.4 versus 8.0 months, HR = 0.86, P = 0.276). The subgroups of patients ≥65 versus <65 years also derived a similar ramucirumab survival benefit (interaction P = 0.9521) (≥65 years: median OS = 13.8 versus 11.7 months, HR = 0.85, P = 0.156; <65 years: median OS = 13.1 versus 11.9 months, HR = 0.86, P = 0.098). The safety profile of ramucirumab + FOLFIRI was similar across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses revealed similar efficacy and safety among patient subgroups with differing KRAS mutation status, longer or shorter first-line TTP, and age. Ramucirumab is a beneficial addition to second-line FOLFIRI treatment for a wide range of patients with mCRC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01183780.

Randomized phase III study of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (WJOG4407G).

BACKGROUND: FOLFIRI and FOLFOX have shown equivalent efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but their comparative effectiveness is unknown when combined with bevacizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WJOG4407G was a randomized, open-label, phase III trial conducted in Japan. Patients with previously untreated mCRC were randomized 1:1 to receive either FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (FOLFIRI + Bev) or mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab (mFOLFOX6 + Bev), stratified by institution, adjuvant chemotherapy, and liver-limited disease. The primary end point was non-inferiority of FOLFIRI + Bev to mFOLFOX6 + Bev in progression-free survival (PFS), with an expected hazard ratio (HR) of 0.9 and non-inferiority margin of 1.25 (power 0.85, one-sided α-error 0.025). The secondary end points were response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life (QoL) during 18 months. This trial is registered to the University Hospital Medical Information Network, number UMIN000001396. RESULTS: Among 402 patients enrolled from September 2008 to January 2012, 395 patients were eligible for efficacy analysis. The median PFS for FOLFIRI + Bev (n = 197) and mFOLFOX6 + Bev (n = 198) were 12.1 and 10.7 months, respectively [HR, 0.905; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.723-1.133; P = 0.003 for non-inferiority]. The median OS for FOLFIRI + Bev and mFOLFOX6 + Bev were 31.4 and 30.1 months, respectively (HR, 0.990; 95% CI 0.785-1.249). The best overall RRs were 64% for FOLFIRI + Bev and 62% for mFOLFOX6 + Bev. The common grade 3 or higher adverse events were leukopenia (11% in FOLFIRI + Bev/5% in mFOLFOX6 + Bev), neutropenia (46%/35%), diarrhea (9%/5%), febrile neutropenia (5%/2%), peripheral neuropathy (0%/22%), and venous thromboembolism (6%/2%). The QoL assessed by FACT-C (TOI-PFC) and FACT/GOG-Ntx was favorable for FOLFIRI + Bev during 18 months. CONCLUSION: FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab was non-inferior for PFS, compared with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab, as the first-line systemic treatment for mCRC. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: UMIN000001396.

A cluster randomized trial on the effect of a multifaceted intervention improved the technical quality of diabetes care by primary care physicians: The Japan Diabetes Outcome Intervention Trial-2 (J-DOIT2).

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of multifaceted interventions using the Achievable Benchmark of Care (ABC) method for improving the technical quality of diabetes care in primary care settings. METHODS: We conducted a 1-year cluster randomized controlled trial in 22 regions divided into an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). Physicians in the IG received a monthly report of their care quality, with the top 10% quality of diabetes care scores for all physicians being the achievable benchmark. The change in quality-of-care scores between the IG and CG during follow-up was analysed using a generalized linear model considering clustering. RESULTS: A total of 2199 patients were included. Their mean (sd) age was 56.5 ± 5.9 years and the mean (sd) HbA1c level was 56.4 ± 13.3 mmol/mol (7.4 ± 1.2%). The quality-of-care score in the CG changed from 50.2%-point at baseline to 51%-point at 12 months, whereas the IG score changed from 49.9%-point to 69.6%-point, with statistically significant differences between the two groups during follow-up [the effect of intervention was 19.0%-point (95% confidence interval 16.7%- to 21.3%-point; P < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Multifaceted intervention, measuring quality-of-care indicators and providing feedback regarding the quality of diabetes care to physicians with ABC, was effective for improving the technical quality of care in patients with Type 2 diabetes in primary care settings. ( TRIAL REGISTRATION: umin.ac.jp/ctr as UMIN000002186).

Femtosecond charge and molecular dynamics of I-containing organic molecules induced by intense X-ray free-electron laser pulses.

We studied the electronic and nuclear dynamics of I-containing organic molecules induced by intense hard X-ray pulses at the XFEL facility SACLA in Japan. The interaction with the intense XFEL pulse causes absorption of multiple X-ray photons by the iodine atom, which results in the creation of many electronic vacancies (positive charges) via the sequential electronic relaxation in the iodine, followed by intramolecular charge redistribution. In a previous study we investigated the subsequent fragmentation by Coulomb explosion of the simplest I-substituted hydrocarbon, iodomethane (CH3I). We carried out three-dimensional momentum correlation measurements of the atomic ions created via Coulomb explosion of the molecule and found that a classical Coulomb explosion model including charge evolution (CCE-CE model), which accounts for the concerted dynamics of nuclear motion and charge creation/charge redistribution, reproduces well the observed momentum correlation maps of fragment ions emitted after XFEL irradiation. Then we extended the study to 5-iodouracil (C4H3IN2O2, 5-IU), which is a more complex molecule of biological relevance, and confirmed that, in both CH3I and 5-IU, the charge build-up takes about 10 fs, while the charge is redistributed among atoms within only a few fs. We also adopted a self-consistent charge density-functional based tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) method to treat the fragmentations of highly charged 5-IU ions created by XFEL pulses. Our SCC-DFTB modeling reproduces well the experimental and CCE-CE results. We have also investigated the influence of the nuclear dynamics on the charge redistribution (charge transfer) using nonadiabatic quantum-mechanical molecular dynamics (NAQMD) simulation. The time scale of the charge transfer from the iodine atomic site to the uracil ring induced by nuclear motion turned out to be only ∼5 fs, indicating that, besides the molecular Auger decay in which molecular orbitals delocalized over the iodine site and the uracil ring are involved, the nuclear dynamics also play a role for ultrafast charge redistribution. The present study illustrates that the CCE-CE model as well as the SCC-DFTB method can be used for reconstructing the positions of atoms in motion, in combination with the momentum correlation measurement of the atomic ions created via XFEL-induced Coulomb explosion of molecules.

Ligature-induced periodontitis in mice induces elevated levels of circulating interleukin-6 but shows only weak effects on adipose and liver tissues.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our previous study demonstrated using an oral gavage model that Porphyromonas gingivalis could induce various inflammatory changes linked to periodontitis-associated systemic diseases by altering gut microbiota. A ligature-induced periodontitis model is similar to human periodontitis in various aspects: in both cases, alveolar bone resorption depends on oral bacterial load, and gingival tissue becomes infiltrated with inflammatory cells. Therefore, this model may be suitable for the analysis of bacterial burden and gingival tissue inflammation with changes related to systemic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Periodontal tissue destruction was induced by a 2 wk ligature placement around the bilateral maxillary second molar. We analyzed the expression profile of various genes in several tissues, levels of systemic inflammatory markers and induction of insulin resistance. In addition, we studied changes in gut microbiota composition and bacterial load in the oral cavity. RESULTS: Two weeks after ligature placement gingival inflammation was significantly induced with a disrupted gingival epithelial barrier and alveolar bone resorption accompanied by increased bacterial burden in the oral cavity. Gene expression analysis of the gingival tissue of ligated mice demonstrated that interleukin (Il)1b was significantly elevated and Il6 and Il17a tended to be higher in ligated mice than in untreated mice. Although serum IL-6 was significantly elevated and serum amyloid A tended to be higher in ligated compared to untreated mice, endotoxin levels did not differ between the two groups. Among the genes whose expressions are closely related to glucose and lipid metabolisms, only phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha (Acaca) showed significant changes following ligature placement in the liver, with the former upregulated and the latter downregulated. However, insulin sensitivity did not change following ligature placement. Furthermore, ligature placement weakly affected the composition of gut microbiota and gene expression in the intestines. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that increased oral commensals and gingival inflammation have limited roles in the pathological changes to adipose and liver tissues, which are important organs whose dysfunctions contribute to the development of periodontitis-related systemic diseases.

Fragmentation network of doubly charged methionine: Interpretation using graph theory.

The fragmentation of doubly charged gas-phase methionine (HO2CCH(NH2)CH2CH2SCH3) is systematically studied using the self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. We applied graph theory to analyze the large number of the calculated MD trajectories, which appears to be a highly effective and convenient means of extracting versatile information from the large data. The present theoretical results strongly concur with the earlier studied experimental ones. Essentially, the dication dissociates into acidic group CO2H and basic group C4NSH10. The former may carry a single or no charge and stays intact in most cases, whereas the latter may hold either a single or a double charge and tends to dissociate into smaller fragments. The decay of the basic group is observed to follow the Arrhenius law. The dissociation pathways to CO2H and C4NSH10 and subsequent fragmentations are also supported by ab initio calculations.