C-terminally truncation is a prominent post-translational modification of human erythrocyte α-synuclein.

α-Synuclein is a protein related to synucleinopathies with high expression in the central nervous system and erythrocytes which are a major source of peripheral α-synuclein. Recent reports have suggested the presence of α-synuclein within extracellular vesicles derived from erythrocytes, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies. While Lewy bodies, intracellular inclusions containing aggregated α-synuclein, are prominently observed within the brain, their occurrence in peripheral neurons implies the dissemination of synucleinopathy pathology throughout the body via the propagation of α-synuclein. In this study, we found erythrocytes and circulating extracellular vesicles obtained from plasma contained α-synuclein, which was separated into four major forms using high-resolution clear native-PAGE and isoelectric focusing. Notably, erythrocyte α-synuclein was classified into full-length and C-terminal truncated forms, with truncation observed between Y133 and Q134 as determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Our finding revealed that C-terminally truncated α-synuclein, which was previously reported to exist solely within the brain, was also present in erythrocytes and circulating extracellular vesicles obtained from plasma.

Housing relocation does not have to induce a significant stress response in captive Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that housing relocation may be stressful for captive non-human primates. Our study investigated the stress levels of Japanese macaques during a housing relocation by measuring their daily fecal cortisol metabolites, which are often used as an indicator of stress. METHODS: Ten adult Japanese macaques, single-housed for research purposes, were relocated to a new facility. Fecal samples were collected daily for 7 days. Cortisol metabolite concentrations were determined via enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: No significant differences in cortisol metabolite levels were found in 7 days, but concentration levels showed that the highest median was associated to the relocation day. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal cortisol metabolite increase suggests that there was a slight activity increase in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Techniques encouraging cooperation of the monkeys, the short time duration of the relocation, and consistency in the environment may have contributed to the minimal stress levels observed.

Identification of genotype-biochemical phenotype correlations associated with fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency, caused by an FBP1 mutation, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypoglycemic lactic acidosis. Due to the rarity of FBPase deficiency, the mechanism by which the mutations cause enzyme activity loss still remains unclear. Here we identify compound heterozygous missense mutations of FBP1, c.491G>A (p.G164D) and c.581T>C (p.F194S), in an adult patient with hypoglycemic lactic acidosis. The G164D and F194S FBP1 mutants exhibit decreased FBP1 protein expression and a loss of FBPase enzyme activity. The biochemical phenotypes of all previously reported FBP1 missense mutations in addition to G164D and F194S are classified into three functional categories. Type 1 mutations are located at pivotal residues in enzyme activity motifs and have no effects on protein expression. Type 2 mutations structurally cluster around the substrate binding pocket and are associated with decreased protein expression due to protein misfolding. Type 3 mutations are likely nonpathogenic. These findings demonstrate a key role of protein misfolding in mediating the pathogenesis of FBPase deficiency, particularly for Type 2 mutations. This study provides important insights that certain patients with Type 2 mutations may respond to chaperone molecules.

Extension of bacterial rDNA sequencing for simultaneous methylation detection and its application in microflora analysis.

Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the bacterial 16S rDNA region has numerous scientific applications, it does not provide DNA methylation information. Herein, we propose a simple extension for bisulfite sequencing to investigate 5-methylcytosine residues in the bacterial 16S rDNA region from clinical isolates or flora. Multiple displacement amplification without DNA denaturation was used to preferentially pre-amplify single-stranded bacterial DNA after bisulfite conversion. Following the pre-amplification, the 16S rDNA region was analyzed using nested bisulfite PCR and sequencing, enabling the simultaneous identification of DNA methylation status and sequence data. We used this approach (termed sm16S rDNA PCR/sequencing) to identify novel methylation sites and a methyltransferase (M. MmnI) in Morganella morganii and different methylation motifs among Enterococcus faecalis strains from small volumes of clinical specimens. Further, our analysis suggested that M. MmnI may be correlated to erythromycin resistance. Thus, sm16S rDNA PCR/sequencing is a useful extension method for analyzing the DNA methylation of 16S rDNA regions in a microflora, providing additional information not provided by conventional PCR. Given the relationship between DNA methylation status and drug resistance in bacteria, we believe this technique can be effectively applied in clinical sample testing.

Post-translational modification of lysine residues in erythrocyte α-synuclein.

α-Synuclein is a protein linked to various synuclein-associated diseases ('synucleinopathies'), including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy Bodies and multiple system atrophy, and is highly expressed in the central nervous system and in erythrocytes. Moreover, α-synuclein-containing erythrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles may be involved in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies and their progression across the blood-brain barrier. Several post-translational modifications of α-synuclein have been reported in brain inclusions, including S129 phosphorylation, but fewer have been found in erythrocytes. In this study, we analysed the post-translational modifications of erythrocyte α-synuclein using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that all lysine residues in the α-synuclein protein could be modified by acetylation, glycation, ubiquitination or SUMOylation but that phosphorylation, nitration and acylation were uncommon minor post-translational modifications in erythrocytes. Since the post-translational modification of lysine residues has been implicated in both membrane association and protein clearance, our findings provide new insight into how synucleinopathies may progress and suggest possible therapeutic strategies designed to target α-synuclein.

Proteogenomic landscape and clinical characterization of GH-producing pituitary adenomas/somatotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.

The clinical characteristics of growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas/somatotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs) vary across patients. In this study, we aimed to integrate the genetic alterations, protein expression profiles, transcriptomes, and clinical characteristics of GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs to identify molecules associated with acromegaly characteristics. Targeted capture sequencing and copy number analysis of 36 genes and nontargeted proteomics analysis were performed on fresh-frozen samples from 121 sporadic GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs. Targeted capture sequencing revealed GNAS as the only driver gene, as previously reported. Classification by consensus clustering using both RNA sequencing and proteomics revealed many similarities between the proteome and the transcriptome. Gene ontology analysis was performed for differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and mutant GNAS samples identified by nontargeted proteomics and involved in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. The results suggested that GNAS mutations impact endocrinological features in acromegaly through GPCR pathway induction. ATP2A2 and ARID5B correlated with the GH change rate in the octreotide loading test, and WWC3, SERINC1, and ZFAND3 correlated with the tumor volume change rate after somatostatin analog treatment. These results identified a biological connection between GNAS mutations and the clinical and biochemical characteristics of acromegaly, revealing molecules associated with acromegaly that may affect medical treatment efficacy.

MicroRNA-874 targets phosphomevalonate kinase and inhibits cancer cell growth via the mevalonate pathway.

The microRNA (miR) miR-874, a potential tumour suppressor, causes cell death via target gene suppression in various cancer types. Mevalonate pathway inhibition also causes cell death in breast cancer. However, the relationship between the mevalonate pathway and miR-874-induced apoptosis or its association with the tumour suppressor p53 has not been elucidated. We identified phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK), a key mevalonate pathway enzyme, and sterol regulatory element-binding factor 2 (SREBF2), the master cholesterol biosynthesis regulator, as direct miR­874 targets. Next-generation sequencing analysis revealed a significant miR-874-mediated downregulation of PMVK and SREBF2 gene expression and p53 pathway enrichment. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-874 directly regulated PMVK and SREBF2. miR-874-induced apoptosis was p53 dependent, and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that miR-874 transfection resulted in apoptosis and p53 pathway activation. Downregulation of PMVK expression also caused cell cycle arrest and p53 pathway activation, which was rescued by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) supplementation. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database indicated a negative correlation between miR-874 and PMVK expression and between miR-874 and SREBF2 expression. These findings suggest that miR-874 suppresses the mevalonate pathway by targeting SREBF2 and PMVK, resulting in GGPP depletion, which activates the p53 pathway and promotes cycle arrest or apoptosis.

Liver group 2 innate lymphoid cells regulate blood glucose levels through IL-13 signaling and suppression of gluconeogenesis.

The liver stores glycogen and releases glucose into the blood upon increased energy demand. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in adipose and pancreatic tissues are known for their involvement in glucose homeostasis, but the metabolic contribution of liver ILC2s has not been studied in detail. Here we show that liver ILC2s are directly involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Mechanistically, interleukin (IL)-33 treatment induces IL-13 production in liver ILC2s, while directly suppressing gluconeogenesis in a specific Hnf4a/G6pc-high primary hepatocyte cluster via Stat3. These hepatocytes significantly interact with liver ILC2s via IL-13/IL-13 receptor signaling. The results of transcriptional complex analysis and GATA3-ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and scRNA-seq trajectory analyses establish a positive regulatory role for the transcription factor GATA3 in IL-13 production by liver ILC2s, while AP-1 family members are shown to suppress IL-13 release. Thus, we identify a regulatory role and molecular mechanism by which liver ILC2s contribute to glucose homeostasis.

Chemical cues of identity and reproductive status in Japanese macaques.

Olfactory communication plays an important role in the regulation of socio-sexual interactions in mammals. There is growing evidence that both human and nonhuman primates rely on odors to inform their mating decisions. Nevertheless, studies of primate chemical ecology remain scarce due to the difficulty of obtaining and analyzing samples. We analyzed 67 urine samples from five captive female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) and 30 vaginal swabs from three of these females using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and examined the relationship between odor (compounds identified, richness, intensity, and diversity) and female identity as well as cycle phase. We found a total of 36 urine compounds of which we identified 31, and 68 vaginal compounds of which we identified 37. Our results suggest that urine and vaginal odor varied more between individuals than within cycle phases. However, we found that within a female cycle, urine samples from similar phases may cluster more than samples from different phases. Our results suggest that female odor may encode information about identity (vaginal and urine odor) and reproductive status (urine odor). The question of how conspecifics use female urine and vaginal odor remains open and could be tested using bioassays. Our results and their interpretation are constrained by our limited sample size and our study design. Nonetheless, our study provides insight into the potential signaling role of female odor in sexual communication in Japanese macaques and contributes to our understanding of how odors may influence mating strategies in primates.

Extreme emotional disturbance: Legal frameworks and considerations for forensic evaluation.

A significant minority of jurisdictions in the United States offer extreme emotional disturbance (EED) as a partial defense to murder. The form of this defense, as established by statute and case law, varies widely among jurisdictions. Empirical research on EED is scant with little guidance to forensic mental health professionals on how to approach and conceptualize potential EED cases. This paper addresses these issues by being the first known published work to (1) set forth a contemporary map of the varying definitions and scope of EED across the United States, (2) translate legal terminology into constructs accessible to forensic evaluators, and (3) provide legal and clinical analyses of sample EED cases to highlight key differences in the form of the defense and the admissibility of evidence between jurisdictions.

Dynamic changes in insulin requirements with post-operative time using bedside artificial pancreas to maintain normoglycemia without hypoglycemia after cardiac surgery.

It is difficult to manage postoperative blood glucose levels without hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in cardiac surgery patients even if continuous intravenous insulin infusion is used. Therefore, the insulin requirements for maintaining normoglycemia may be difficult to evaluate and need to be elucidated. In this single-center retrospective study, 30 adult patients (age 71.5 ± 9.0 years old, men 67%, BMI 22.0 ± 3.1 kg/m2, diabetes 33%) who underwent cardiac surgery and used bedside artificial pancreas (STG-55) as a perioperative glycemic control were included. We investigated the insulin and glucose requirements to maintain normoglycemia until the day after surgery. The bedside artificial pancreas achieved intensive glycemic control without hypoglycemia under fasting conditions for 15 h after surgery (mean blood glucose level was 103.3 ± 3.1 mg/dL and percentage of time in range (70-140 mg/dL) was 99.4 ± 2.0%). The total insulin requirement for maintaining normoglycemia differed among surgical procedures, including the use of cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery, while it was not affected by age, body mass index, or the capacity of insulin secretion. Moreover, the mean insulin requirement and the standard deviation of the insulin requirements were variable and high, especially during the first several hours after surgery. Treatment using the bedside artificial pancreas enabled intensive postoperative glycemic control without hypoglycemia. Furthermore, the insulin requirements for maintaining normoglycemia after cardiac surgery vary based on surgical strategies and change dynamically with postoperative time, even in the short term.

The impact of vildagliptin on the daily glucose profile and coronary plaque stability in impaired glucose tolerance patients with coronary artery disease: VOGUE-A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The impact of reduction in glycemic excursion on coronary plaques remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate whether a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor could reduce the glycemic excursion and stabilize the coronary plaques compared with conventional management in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial including CAD patients with IGT under lipid-lowering therapy receiving either vildagliptin (50 mg once a day) or no medication (control group) regarding glycemic treatment. The primary endpoint was changes in the minimum fibrous cap thickness and lipid arc in non-significant native coronary plaques detected by optical coherence tomography at 6 months after intervention. Glycemic variability expressed as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) measured with a continuous glucose monitoring system was evaluated before and 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: A total of 20 participants with 47 lesions were allocated to either the vildagliptin group (10 participants, 22 lesions) or the control group (10 participants, 25 lesions). The adjusted difference of mean changes between the groups was - 18.8 mg/dl (95% confidence interval, - 30.8 to - 6.8) (p = 0.0064) for the MAGE (vildagliptin, - 20.1 ± 18.0 mg/dl vs. control, 2.6 ± 12.7 mg/dl), - 22.8° (- 40.6° to - 5.1°) (p = 0.0012) for the mean lipid arc (vildagliptin, - 9.0° ± 25.5° vs. control, 15.8° ± 16.8°), and 42.7 µm (15.3 to 70.1 µm) (p = 0.0022) for the minimum fibrous cap thickness (vildagliptin, 35.7 ± 50.8 µm vs. control, - 15.1 ± 25.2 µm). CONCLUSIONS: Vildagliptin could reduce the MAGE at 6 months and may be associated with the decreased lipid arc and increased minimum FCT of the coronary plaques in CAD patients with IGT as compared with the control group. These findings may represent its potential stabilization effect on coronary plaques, which are characteristic in this patient subset. Trial registration Registered in the UMIN clinical trial registry (UMIN000008620), Name of the registry: VOGUE trial, Date of registration: Aug 6, 2012, URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000010058.

TAS4464, a NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, activates both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways via c-Myc-mediated regulation in acute myeloid leukemia.

TAS4464, a potent, selective small molecule NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, leads to inactivation of cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) and consequent accumulations of its substrate proteins. Here, we investigated the antitumor properties and action mechanism of TAS4464 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). TAS4464 induced apoptotic cell death in various AML cell lines. TAS4464 treatments resulted in the activation of both the caspase-9-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway and caspase-8-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway in AML cells; combined treatment with inhibitors of these caspases markedly diminished TAS4464-induced apoptosis. In each apoptotic pathway, TAS4464 induced the mRNA transcription of the intrinsic proapoptotic factor NOXA and decreased that of the extrinsic antiapoptotic factor c-FLIP. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the signaling pathway of the CRL substrate c-Myc was enriched after TAS4464 treatment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that TAS4464-induced c-Myc bound to the PMAIP1 (encoding NOXA) and CFLAR (encoding c-FLIP) promoter regions, and siRNA-mediated c-Myc knockdown neutralized both TAS4464-mediated NOXA induction and c-FLIP downregulation. TAS4464 activated both caspase-8 and caspase-9 along with an increase in NOXA and a decrease in c-FLIP, resulting in complete tumor remission in a human AML xenograft model. These findings suggest that NAE inhibition leads to anti-AML activity via a novel c-Myc-dependent apoptosis induction mechanism.

Two cases of symptomatic secondary hypophysitis due to Rathke's cleft cysts treated with glucocorticoids: long-term follow-up.

Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is a common incidental tumor in the hypothalamic-pituitary region. Some reports have shown that the clinical symptoms and endocrine functions of symptomatic RCCs are temporarily improved by glucocorticoid administration. However, it is still unknown whether glucocorticoid treatment is effective for symptomatic RCCs according to long-term observations. In this study, we describe the long-term clinical outcomes of two cases of glucocorticoid-treated biopsy-proven secondary hypophysitis caused by RCCs. We summarize the symptoms, imaging findings, and endocrine evaluations of two symptomatic RCC patients with concomitant hypophysitis before and after prednisolone treatment. In both evaluated cases, visual impairments and altered endocrine parameters were present due to chiasm and stalk compression; these outcomes improved after shrinkage of RCCs in response to prednisolone administration, and partial recovery of anterior pituitary hormone secretion was observed. However, in both cases, the deficits in anterior pituitary hormone secretion recurred, possibly due to persistent inflammatory infiltration in the RCCs and pituitary glands. After relapse of hypophysitis, anterior hormone secretion did not fully recover. In our cases of secondary hypophysitis caused by RCCs, prednisolone administration had an early effect of cyst shrinkage, followed by partial improvements in clinical symptoms and pituitary functions. However, long-term observation showed that prednisolone treatment did not contribute to complete improvement in anterior pituitary hormone dysfunction.

Insufficient Postoperative Rehabilitation in Patients with Both Proximal Femoral Fracture and Antecedent Mental Illness.

INTRODUCTION: Though a combination of proximal femoral fracture and mental illness is likely, the management of this combination is not well established. The aim of this study was to clarify the current disposition of acute care and rehabilitation for patients with this combination of conditions at our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 192 patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward who present with a proximal femoral fracture and an antecedent mental illness. We investigated walking ability prior to injury and after surgery, at discharge from our institution, using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score. RESULTS: Although patients in the psychiatric ward demonstrated postoperative hospital stays approximately 10 days longer than those in the orthopedic ward, more than half of the patients in the psychiatric ward were discharged from our institution with a functional level of complete dependence for walking ability. In addition, nearly 90% of the patients studied were transferred to a psychiatric hospital where no physical therapy or rehabilitation was provided to the inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, patients with proximal femoral fracture and antecedent mental illness tended to be discharged with complete dependence in walking ability, often to a psychiatric hospital without physical therapy or rehabilitation. We hope this paper will draw attention to the need for rehabilitation in these patients.

Relationship between glycated hemoglobin level and duration of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Sulfonylurea-related hypoglycemia increases the risk of cardiovascular sequela, such as cardiac arrhythmia. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) and the duration of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glucose levels in the enrolled patients (n = 300) were investigated with a professional continuous glucose monitoring device in the outpatient setting at six diabetes centers in Japan. RESULTS: A total of 269 participants completed the study. The duration of hypoglycemia with glucose values of <54 mg/dL was significantly longer in patients with an HbA1c level of ≤6.4% than in those with an HbA1c level of ≥8.0%, and that of hypoglycemia with glucose values of <70 mg/dL was significantly longer in patients with an HbA1c level of ≤6.4%, 6.5-6.9% or 7.0-7.4% than in those with an HbA1c level of ≥8.0%. Patients with an HbA1c level of ≤6.4% were exposed to glucose values of <70 mg/dL for >10% of the time in daily life (6.8 ± 5.6 min/h). The duration of hypoglycemia with glucose values of <70 mg/dL was longer at night than during the daytime, and the nadir of glucose values occurred between 03.00 and 05.00 hours irrespective of HbA1c level. The duration of hypoglycemia was associated with the duration of diabetes and sulfonylurea dose. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of hypoglycemia was inversely correlated with HbA1c level and was longer during the night-time than daytime in type 2 diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas.

A Case of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Multiple Drug Resistance and High Expression of Efflux Transporters.

CONTEXT: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Patients usually respond well to oral synthetic thyroxine (levothyroxine); however, for unknown reasons some individuals present with treatment-resistant Hashimoto thyroiditis. In cases of cancer and certain infectious diseases, the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been implicated in multidrug resistance, and we hypothesized and investigated a role of ABC transporters in drug-resistant Hashimoto's thyroiditis. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient whose case we report had a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, immune thrombocytopenia, and refractory hypertension, with varying treatment resistance to the oral medications prescribed for each condition. In order to establish or exclude a genetic basis for her illness, we examined the patient's gene expression profiles using peripheral blood leukocytes, and found that ABCG2/BCRPexpression was significantly high compared with healthy volunteers. Also, the increased daunomycin efflux capacity of our patient's lymphocytes was successfully inhibited by fumitremorgin C, a specific ABCG2/BCRP inhibitor, and the patient's level of thyroid-stimulating hormone increased by 248.6% after administration of intact levothyroxine tablets but decreased by 45.1% when tablets were crushed. Her average blood pressure decreased from 166.3/108.5 mmHg to 125.9/78.8 mmHg when switching from intact to crushed losartan tablets. CONCLUSIONS: High expression and accelerated efflux transporter activity of ABCG2/BCRP in the small intestine are expected to contribute to the ineffectiveness of orally administered intact tablets in cases with treatment-resistant Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and crushed tablets can be more effective for some of these patients.

Empagliflozin's Ameliorating Effect on Plasma Triglycerides: Association with Endothelial Function Recovery in Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

AIM: So far, the mechanisms behind the cardiovascular benefits of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have not been fully clarified. METHODS: In order to evaluate the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on systemic hemodynamics, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and endothelial function, 50 diabetic patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in this analysis and were given empagliflozin 10 mg/d. Cookie meal testing (carbohydrates: 75 g, fats: 28.5 g), endothelial function testing using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and body composition evaluation were performed before and after six months of treatment. Changes in %FMD between the treatment periods and its association with metabolic biomarkers were evaluated. RESULTS: After six months of treatment, the body weight and body fat percentage decreased significantly, while the body muscle percentage increased significantly. The hemoglobin A1c level and fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels were significantly decreased with treatment. Postprandial insulin secretion was also significantly suppressed and the insulin resistance index was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the fasting and postprandial triglyceride (TG) levels decreased significantly, while total ketone bodies increased significantly after the six-month treatment. While the plasma brain natriuretic peptide level was not changed, the C-reactive protein level was decreased and FMD was significantly improved after the six-month treatment. Multiple regression analysis showed that the strongest predictive factor of FMD improvement is change in the plasma TG levels. CONCLUSION: SGLT2 inhibitors improve multiple metabolic parameters. Of these, a reduction in plasma TGs was strongly associated with endothelial function recovery in diabetic patients with CAD, and this reduction may be related to the cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Aldosterone Reduction Rate After Saline Infusion Test May Be a Novel Prediction in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate assessment and localization of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are essential for the treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA). Although adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the standard method of reference for subtype diagnosis in PA, controversy exists concerning the criteria for its interpretation. This study aims to determine better indicators that can reliably predict subtypes of PA. METHOD: Retrospective, single-cohort analysis including 209 patients with PA who were subjected to AVS. Eighty-two patients whose plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) were normalized after surgery were histopathologically or genetically diagnosed with APA. The accuracy of image findings was compared to AVS results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis between the operated and the no-apparent laterality groups was performed using AVS parameters and loading test for diagnosis of PA. RESULT: Agreement between image findings and AVS results was 56.3%. ROC curve analysis revealed that the lateralization index (LI) after adrenocorticotropin stimulation cutoff was 2.40, with 98.8% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity. The contralateral suppression index (CSI) cutoff value was 1.19, with 98.0% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity. All patients over the LI and CSI cutoff values exhibited unilateral subtypes. Among the loading test, the best classification accuracy was achieved using the PAC reduction rate after a saline infusion test (SIT) >33.8%, which yielded 87.2% sensitivity or a PAC after a SIT <87.9 pg/mL with 86.2% specificity for predicting bilateral PA. CONCLUSION: The combined criteria of the PAC reduction rate and PAC after the SIT can determine which subset of patients with APA who should be performed AVS for validation.

Real-World Effectiveness of Ramelteon and Suvorexant for Delirium Prevention in 948 Patients With Delirium Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of ramelteon and suvorexant for delirium prevention in real-world practice. It explored whether ramelteon and/or suvorexant would affect delirium prevention among both patients at risk for but without delirium (patients at risk) and those with delirium the night before a consultation. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted by trained psychiatrists at consultation-liaison psychiatric services from October 1, 2017, to October 7, 2018. Patients who were aged 65 years or older and hospitalized because of acute diseases or elective surgery, had risk factors for delirium, and had insomnia or delirium on the night before the consultation were prescribed ramelteon and/or suvorexant. The decision to take medication was left to the discretion of each patient. The primary outcome was incidence of delirium based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, during the first 7 days. RESULTS: Among 526 patients at risk, those taking ramelteon and/or suvorexant developed delirium significantly less frequently than those who did not, after control for the effects of risk factors on the estimate of an independent association between the effects of ramelteon and/or suvorexant and the outcome of developing delirium (15.7% vs 24.0%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.48;, 95% CI, 0.29-0.80; P = .005). Similar results were found among 422 patients with delirium (39.9% vs 66.3%; OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.59; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Ramelteon and suvorexant appear to be effective for delirium prevention in real-world practice.