Development of Ring-Expansion RAFT Polymerization of tert-Butyl Acrylate with a Cyclic Trithiocarbonate Derivative toward the Facile Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers.

Polymers with cyclic topology have no terminal structure and, therefore, exhibit various unique physical and functional properties compared to those of linear analogs. In this paper, we report an innovative methodology for the synthesis of cyclic polymers via ring-expansion RAFT (RE-RAFT) polymerization of vinyl monomers using a cyclic trithiocarbonate derivative (CTTC) as a RAFT agent. RE-RAFT of tert-butyl acrylate (TBA) was performed to yield a mixture of polymers exhibiting a bimodal size exclusion chromatography (SEC) trace. Both the peak top molecular weights shifted to higher-molecular-weight regions as the monomer conversion increased. The structure of the resulting polymer mixture was examined by 1H NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS. Detailed studies indicated that the obtained polymer of higher molecular weight was one of the large-sized cyclic polymers generated by the fusion of smaller-sized cyclic polymers during the RE-RAFT polymerization process. This approach opens the door to the simple synthesis of well-controlled cyclic polymers with complex structures, such as alternating and multi-block repeat unit sequences.

Innovative submucosal injection solution for endoscopic resection with phosphorylated pullulan: a preclinical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A submucosal injection solution is used to assist in endoscopic surgery. The high viscosity of current solutions makes them difficult to inject. In the present study, we developed an extremely low-viscosity, easy-to-use submucosal injection solution using phosphorylated pullulan (PPL). METHODS: The PPL solutions were prepared at different concentrations, and their viscosities were measured. The mucosal elevation capacity was evaluated using excised porcine stomachs. Controls included 0.4% sodium hyaluronate (SH), 0.6% sodium alginate (SA), and saline. To evaluate the practicality, the catheter injectability of 0.7% PPL was measured, and EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were performed using the stomach and colorectum of live pigs. As controls, 0.4% SH and saline were used. RESULTS: The PPL solutions were of extremely low viscosity compared to the solutions of 0.4% SH and 0.6% SA. Nevertheless, the mucosal elevation capacity of PPL solutions for up to 0.7% concentration was similar to that of 0.4% SH, and 0.7% PPL was less resistant to catheter infusion than 0.4% SH and 0.6% SA. In live pig experiments with endoscopic mucosal resection and ESD, snaring after submucosal injection of 0.7% PPL was easier than with 0.4% SH, ESD with 0.7% PPL produced less bubble formation than with 0.4% SH, and the procedure time tended to be shorter with 0.7% PPL than with 0.4% SH because of the shorter injection time. CONCLUSIONS: The PPL solution is an innovative and easy-to-use submucosal injection solution.

Robust and Objective Evaluation of Superficial Punctate Keratopathy in a Murine Dry Eye Model.

Purpose: To establish a robust and objective method to evaluate (SPK) superficial punctate keratopathy in a murine dry eye model by developing a reliable photographic system. Design: Experimental study. Subjects: A murine dry eye model was generated by exorbital lacrimal gland excision. Sham-operated mice were used as healthy controls. For the sham operation, an incision was made without touching the gland. Methods: A photographic system was constructed, consisting of an LED lamp and a digital camera fitted with a zoom lens and sharp cut filter. SPK was detected by applying fluorescein solution. To validate the system, SPK was compared between dry eye mice and healthy control mice, and diquafosol (DIQUAS ophthalmic solution 3%; Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) or cyclosporine (PAPILOCK Mini ophthalmic solution 0.1%; Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) was used to dry eye mice. Main Outcome Measures: SPK was evaluated using the parameters of fluorescence score and fluorescein-stained area. Results: The photographs clearly indicated SPK in dry eye mice. A fluorescence score of 0 to 9 could be easily assessed, and the fluorescein-stained area was quantifiable. The fluorescein-stained area correlated with fluorescence score (correlation coefficient: 0.98), with good interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.999). The fluorescein-stained area increased significantly in dry eye mice compared with that of healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Both types of therapeutic eye drops decreased the fluorescein-stained area relative to saline-treated mice (P < 0.05 in diquafosol vs. saline; P < 0.01 in cyclosporine vs. saline). Conclusions: This newly developed system is a robust alternative for quantitative evaluation of SPK in a murine dry eye model. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

[Classical cortical superficial siderosis presenting as extensive higher brain dysfunction with hypoperfusion in the frontoparietal lobe on the 123I-IMP-SPECT: a case report].

A 72-year-old male developed neurological symptoms such as difficulty in charging his electronic money card and making his mobile-phone call ten months before admission. On admission, neurological examination revealed extensive higher brain dysfunction such as impairment in recent memory, executive function disorders, constructional disturbance, agraphia and acalculia. Brain MRI revealed a low intensity lesion on the surface of the cerebral cortex diffusely and symmetrically on T2*-weighted images. MRI images are consistent with superficial siderosis. However, the lack of hemosiderin deposition in the brain stem and cerebellar hemisphere was atypical of the classical type of superficial siderosis. 123I-IMP-SPECT revealed hypoperfusion dominantly in the left hemisphere, particularly in the left frontal and parietal lobes. According to the Boston criteria, the patient with the cerebral microbleeds and cortical superficial siderosis was diagnosed with probable CAA (cerebral amyloid angiopathy).

Sex differences in cardiovascular risk, lifestyle, and psychological factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

BACKGROUND: The excess risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with diabetes is greater in women than in men. The present study aimed to examine sex differences in the control of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lifestyle and psychological factors, in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 4923 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this cross-sectional study. Female/male differences in cardiovascular risk factor levels, and corresponding odds ratios for achieving recommended ranges for preventing cardiovascular diseases and having unhealthy lifestyle and psychological factors were computed by linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Women were less likely than men to achieve recommended ranges for glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and obesity-related anthropometric indices such as body mass index and waist circumference, but were more likely than men to be on target for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Women were also more likely than men to have an unhealthy lifestyle and psychological factors, including less dietary fiber intake, less leisure-time physical activity, shorter sleep duration, more constipation, and more depressive symptoms. Similar findings were observed when the participants were subgrouped by age (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and past history of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant sex differences for a range of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lifestyle and psychological factors, suggesting the importance of adopting a sex-specific approach for the daily clinical management of diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and growing evidence suggests that the risk increases more in women than men. Differences between the sexes in terms of the control of risk factors have been proposed to explain this association. Although ethnic and regional differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors have been reported, most evidence has come from Western countries, and evidence from Asia is limited. Given the differences in health care systems, as well as cultural and sociological backgrounds, it is important to clarify the sex differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle, and psychological factors in order to incorporate appropriate sex-specific approaches into public health policies.The present study comprehensively assessed sex differences in a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lifestyle and psychological factors in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that women were less likely than men to achieve recommended ranges for glycemic control, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as obesity-related anthropometric indices, but were more likely to be on target for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, women were more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle and psychological factors, such as less dietary fiber intake, less physical activity, shorter sleep duration, and more constipation, and depressive symptoms. These results suggest the need for a comprehensive and sex-specific approach for the management of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lifestyle and psychological factors, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes.

Incidence and risks of coronary heart disease and heart failure in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Fukuoka diabetes registry.

AIMS: We prospectively investigated the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF), risk factors and prognosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 4,874 outpatients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65 years, male 57%, previous CHD 14%) were registered at multicenter diabetes clinics of a prefecture in 2008-2010 and followed for the development of CHD and HF requiring hospitalization for a median of 5.3 years (follow-up rate 98%). Risk factors were evaluated using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional models. RESULTS: The incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 12.3 for CHD (silent myocardial ischemia 5.8, angina pectoris 4.3, myocardial infarction 2.1) and 3.1 for hospitalized HF, respectively. New-onset CHD was significantly associated with higher serum adiponectin [the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile HR 1.6 (95%CI 1.0-2.6)]. HF was significantly associated with higher serum adiponectin [the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile HR 2.4 (95%CI 1.1-5.2)], and lower serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio, a surrogate marker for sarcopenia [lowest quartile vs. the highest quartile HR 4.6 (95%CI 1.9-11.1)]. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of heart disease was low and circulating adiponectin and sarcopenia may predict the development of heart disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Expression of kinesin family member C1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma affects tumor progression and stemness.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a novel molecular target for the treatment of PDAC. Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) belongs to the kinesin superfamily proteins and has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of carcinomas. However, the role of KIFC1 in PDAC remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the expression and biological function of KIFC1 in PDAC. Immunohistochemically, KIFC1 was found in 37 of 81 PDAC cases (46%). A high expression of KIFC1 was significantly related to tumor size (p = 0.023) and poor overall survival (p = 0.011). Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that KIFC1 expression was a prognostic factor in PDAC cases. As for cancer stem cell markers, KIFC1 expression tended to co-express significantly with CD44 (p < 0.01). The growth and spheroid colony formation of KIFC1 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected PDAC cells were significantly lower than those of negative control siRNA-transfected cells. Therefore, our findings suggest that KIFC1 is an independent prognostic factor in PDAC and may represent a new promising therapeutic target in PDAC.

Usefulness of urinary tubule injury markers for predicting progression of renal dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria: The Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

AIMS: We prospectively investigated the association of urinary tubule injury markers with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Urinary kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver-type fatty-acid-binding protein (L-FABP), and urinary albumin-to creatinine ratio (UACR) were measured in 2,685 participants with type 2 diabetes. Renal outcomes were ≥ 30% decline in eGFR from the baseline and annual eGFR decline for 5 years. RESULTS: In normoalbuminuric participants, no tubular markers were associated with ≥ 30% decline in eGFR or annual eGFR changes. In those with UACR ≥ 30 mg/gCr, hazard ratios for ≥ 30% eGFR decline were 1.37 (95% confident interval (CI) 1.07-1.75) for urinary KIM-1 (>1.5 µg/gCr), 1.46 (95% CI 1.13-1.66) for urinary NGAL (>16.4 µg/gCr), and 1.26 (95% CI 0.94-1.66) for urinary L-FABP (>12.5 µg/gCr), 2.61 (95% CI 1.64-4.17) for the combination of 3 tubular markers above the cutoff after multivariable adjustments including UACR and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that urinary tubule injury markers and their combination were significant predictors for the future eGFR decline in those with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria independently of UACR and eGFR. Urinary tubular markers may be useful to identify high-risk patients with albuminuria.

Epitaxial growth of an atom-thin layer on a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode for stable Li-ion battery cycling.

Transition metal dissolution in cathode active material for Li-based batteries is a critical aspect that limits the cycle life of these devices. Although several approaches have been proposed to tackle this issue, this detrimental process is not yet overcome. Here, benefitting from the knowledge developed in the semiconductor research field, we apply an epitaxial method to construct an atomic wetting layer of LaTMO3 (TM = Ni, Mn) on a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material. Experimental measurements and theoretical analyses confirm a Stranski-Krastanov growth, where the strained wetting layer forms under thermodynamic equilibrium, and it is self-limited to monoatomic thickness due to the competition between the surface energy and the elastic energy. Being atomically thin and crystallographically connected to the spinel host lattices, the LaTMO3 wetting layer offers long-term suppression of the transition metal dissolution from the cathode without impacting its dynamics. As a result, the epitaxially-engineered cathode material enables improved cycling stability (a capacity retention of about 77% after 1000 cycles at 290 mA g-1) when tested in combination with a graphitic carbon anode and a LiPF6-based non-aqueous electrolyte solution.

Relationship of coffee consumption with a decline in kidney function among patients with type 2 diabetes: The Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The evidence regarding the effects of coffee consumption on incident chronic kidney disease is inconclusive, and no studies have investigated the relationship in patients with diabetes. We aimed to prospectively investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and the decline in estimated glomerular function rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3,805 patients (2,112 men, 1,693 women) with type 2 diabetes (mean age 64.2 years) and eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were followed (completion of follow up, 97.6%; median 5.3 years). Coffee consumption was assessed at baseline. The end-point was a decline in eGFR to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 during the follow-up period. RESULTS: During follow up, 840 participants experienced a decline in eGFR to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Higher coffee consumption reduced the risk of decline in eGFR. Compared with no coffee consumption, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.77 (0.63-0.93) for less than one cup per day, 0.77 (0.62-0.95) for one cup per day and 0.75 (0.62-0.91) for two or more cups per day (P for trend 0.01). This trend was unaffected by further adjustment for baseline eGFR and albuminuria. The mean eGFR change per year was -2.16 mL/min/1.73 m2 with no coffee consumption, -1.89 mL/min/1.73 m2 with less than one cup per day, -1.80 mL/min/1.73 m2 with one cup per day and -1.78 mL/min/1.73 m2 with two or more cups per day (P for trend 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of decline in eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Incidence of end-stage renal disease and risk factors for progression of renal dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data regarding diabetic kidney disease are accumulated insufficiently in Japan. We prospectively investigated the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and risk factors for progression of renal dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: 4904 participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65 years, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 75 mL/min/1.73 m2, proportion of eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 21%) were investigated for the progression to ESRD requiring dialysis in multicenter outpatients registry for 5 years. Risk factors for progression of renal dysfunction (≥ 30% decline in eGFR from the baseline and annual eGFR decline rates) were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence rates of ESRD and all-cause mortality were 4.1/1000 person-years and 12.3/1000 person-years, respectively, and increased according to stages of chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, incidence of ESRD 176.6/1000 person-years, all-cause mortality 57.4/1000 person-years). Incidence of ≥ 30% decline in eGFR from the baseline was 16.4% at 5 years, and the mean annual decline rate was -1.84 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. The progression of renal dysfunction was significantly associated with older age, poor glycemic control, blood pressure, albuminuria, eGFR, previous cardiovascular disease, lifestyle factors (body mass index, reduced intake of dietary fiber, increased intake of sodium, no regular exercise), and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study has emphasized the importance of multifactorial interventions on risk factors to suppress the high incidence of ESRD in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Polypharmacy and bone fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes: The Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

AIMS: To prospectively investigate the association between the number of prescribed drugs and the fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,706; 2,755 men, 1,951 postmenopausal women; mean age, 66 years) were followed for a median of 5.3 years and grouped on the basis of the number of prescribed drugs at baseline. The main outcomes were fractures at any anatomic site and fragility fractures (fractures at hip and spine sites). RESULTS: During follow-up, any fracture occurred in 662 participants. The overall age- and sex-adjusted fracture incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 21.2 (0-2 drugs), 28.1 (3-5 drugs), 37.7 (6-8 drugs), and 44.0 (≥9 drugs) (p for trend < 0.001). Compared with 0-2 drugs, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for fractures were 1.34 (1.07-1.68) for 3-5 drugs, 1.76 (1.37-2.26) for 6-8 drugs, and 1.71 (1.27-2.31) in ≥ 9 drugs. The multivariate-adjusted HR (95% CI) per increment in drugs was 1.05 (1.02-1.08) (p < 0.001). Similar tendencies were observed for fragility fractures. CONCLUSIONS: A greater number of prescribed drugs is associated with an increased bone fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody-positive dermatomyositis with the preferential involvement of neck extensors: a case report].

A 68-year-old man with a 2-month history of progressive weakness and spontaneous pain in proximal limb muscles presented to our hospital with a dropped head. He started experiencing progressive dysphagia several days before admission. On admission, he had muscle weakness of the limbs and neck extensors with edema and induration in distal extremities. Laboratory tests showed elevation of muscle enzymes. FDG-PET/CT demonstrated multiple hypermetabolic lymph nodes, but the primary site was not identified; thus, metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary origin was considered. The patient was diagnosed with anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody-positive paraneoplastic myopathy based on serum tests. Histological findings of the left biceps brachii muscle biopsy revealed severe variation in fiber size and perifascicular myofiber atrophy. Myofibers exhibited myxovirus resistance protein A expression predominantly in the perifascicular region. Following intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient's muscle strength improved with normalization of muscle enzyme levels. The dropped head was considered to have resulted from the preferential involvement of neck extensors based on the observed FDG-PET/CT uptake in neck extensors.

Constipation and diabetic kidney disease: The Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

BACKGROUND: Constipation was shown to be associated with higher risk of end-stage kidney disease or incident chronic kidney disease, although evidence in diabetic patients is lacking. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between constipation and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: In total, 4826 Japanese outpatients with type 2 diabetes were classified according to presence or absence of constipation (defecation frequency < 3 times/week and/or taking laxative medication). DKD was defined as presence of decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), and/or albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g). Odds ratios for the presence of DKD were computed by a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Compared with participants without constipation, the age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio for presence of DKD was 1.58 (95% confidence interval 1.38-1.82) for those with constipation. This association persisted following adjustment for potential confounding factors. Decreased defecation frequency and laxative use were also significantly associated with higher prevalence of DKD. Overall, these findings were identical even when decreased eGFR and albuminuria were separately analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Constipation was associated with higher likelihood of DKD in patients with diabetes, suggesting the importance of clinical assessment of constipation to identify patients at high risk of progression of kidney disease.

Up-regulation of cytosolic prostaglandin E synthase in fetal-membrane and amniotic prostaglandin E2 accumulation in labor.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to have important roles in labor, but the detailed mechanism underlying the spontaneous human labor remains unknown. Here, we examined the involvement of prostaglandin biosynthetic enzymes and transporter in the accumulation of PGE2 in amniotic fluid in human labor. PGE2 and its metabolites were abundant in amniotic fluid in deliveries at term in labor (TLB), but not at term not in labor (TNL). In fetal-membrane Transwell assays, levels of PGE2 production in both maternal and fetal compartments were significantly higher in the TLB group than the TNL group. In fetal-membrane, the mRNA level of PTGES3, which encodes cytosolic prostaglandin E synthase (cPGES), was significantly higher in TLB than in TNL, but the mRNA levels of the other PGE2-synthase genes were not affected by labor. Moreover, the mRNA level of PTGS2, which encodes cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the amnion was significantly higher in TLB than in TNL. Western blot analyses revealed that the levels of COX-1 and COX-2 were comparable between the two groups, however, the level of cPGES was relatively higher in TLB than in TNL. COXs, cPGES, and prostaglandin transporter (SLCO2A1) proteins were all expressed in both chorionic trophoblasts and amniotic epithelium. These findings suggest that COXs, cPGES and SLCO2A1 contribute to PGE2 production from fetal-membrane in labor.

Extremely Dense Gamma-Ray Pulses in Electron Beam-Multifoil Collisions.

Sources of high-energy photons have important applications in almost all areas of research. However, the photon flux and intensity of existing sources is strongly limited for photon energies above a few hundred keV. Here we show that a high-current ultrarelativistic electron beam interacting with multiple submicrometer-thick conducting foils can undergo strong self-focusing accompanied by efficient emission of gamma-ray synchrotron photons. Physically, self-focusing and high-energy photon emission originate from the beam interaction with the near-field transition radiation accompanying the beam-foil collision. This near field radiation is of amplitude comparable with the beam self-field, and can be strong enough that a single emitted photon can carry away a significant fraction of the emitting electron energy. After beam collision with multiple foils, femtosecond collimated electron and photon beams with number density exceeding that of a solid are obtained. The relative simplicity, unique properties, and high efficiency of this gamma-ray source open up new opportunities for both applied and fundamental research including laserless investigations of strong-field QED processes with a single electron beam.

Prediction of early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after resection using digital pathology images assessed by machine learning.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a representative primary liver cancer caused by long-term and repetitive liver injury. Surgical resection is generally selected as the radical cure treatment. Because the early recurrence of HCC after resection is associated with low overall survival, the prediction of recurrence after resection is clinically important. However, the pathological characteristics of the early recurrence of HCC have not yet been elucidated. We attempted to predict the early recurrence of HCC after resection based on digital pathologic images of hematoxylin and eosin-stained specimens and machine learning applying a support vector machine (SVM). The 158 HCC patients meeting the Milan criteria who underwent surgical resection were included in this study. The patients were categorized into three groups: Group I, patients with HCC recurrence within 1 year after resection (16 for training and 23 for test); Group II, patients with HCC recurrence between 1 and 2 years after resection (22 and 28); and Group III, patients with no HCC recurrence within 4 years after resection (31 and 38). The SVM-based prediction method separated the three groups with 89.9% (80/89) accuracy. Prediction of Groups I was consistent for all cases, while Group II was predicted to be Group III in one case, and Group III was predicted to be Group II in 8 cases. The use of digital pathology and machine learning could be used for highly accurate prediction of HCC recurrence after surgical resection, especially that for early recurrence. Currently, in most cases after HCC resection, regular blood tests and diagnostic imaging are used for follow-up observation; however, the use of digital pathology coupled with machine learning offers potential as a method for objective postoprative follow-up observation.

Incidence of stroke and its association with glycemic control and lifestyle in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Fukuoka diabetes registry.

AIMS: We prospectively investigated the incidence of stroke and its subtypes, risk factors and prognosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 4,875 participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65.4 years, male 57%, previous stroke 10%) were investigated for the development of stroke for 5 years. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional models. RESULTS: The incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 6.7 for new-onset stroke (ischemic 5.5, hemorrhagic 1.2) and 22.7 for recurrent stroke (ischemic 18.8, hemorrhagic 3.8), respectively. Ischemic stroke was significantly associated with age, male, reduced regular physical activity, HbA1c, diabetic kidney disease and previous stroke. Lacunar infarction was significantly associated with obesity, reduced regular physical activity, HbA1c and diabetic kidney disease, whereas atherothrombotic stroke was significantly associated with age, reduced intake of dietary fiber, reduced regular physical activity, HbA1c and previous stroke. Recurrent stroke was significantly associated with depressive symptom. Thirty-day and one-year survival was 76% and 64% for hemorrhagic stroke, and 96% and 91% for ischemic stroke, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study reemphasized the importance of glycemic control and lifestyle modification such as regular physical exercise for stroke prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Defecation frequency and glycemic control in patients with diabetes: The Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.

AIMS: Constipation has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of diabetes. However, few studies have evaluated the relationship between defecation frequency, one of the major symptoms of constipation, and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between defecation frequency and HbA1c in patients with diabetes. METHODS: We determined the relationship between defecation frequency and HbA1c in 5029 patients with diabetes in the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry, a multi-center prospective cohort study conducted in diabetes specialist outpatient clinic (mean age 64.9 years, men 55%). Participants were classified according to their defecation frequency: ≥7, 3-<7 and <3 times/week. RESULTS: Low defecation frequency was linearly associated with high HbA1c, with mean levels of 7.41% (95% confidence interval, 7.37-7.44%), 7.54% (7.49-7.60%) and 7.63% (7.52-7.74%) for patients with defecation frequencies of ≥7 times/week, 3-<7 times/week and <3 times/week (p for trend <0.001). This association remained after multivariable adjustment for confounding factors. There was no evidence of heterogeneity in the association between defecation frequency and HbA1c level according to age, sex, type of diabetes, or laxative use. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests the importance of assessing defecation frequency in the management of diabetes.