Laminar-type gratings overcoated with carbon-based materials to enhance analytical sensitivity of flat-field emission spectrograph in the VUV region.

Laminar-type spherical diffraction gratings overcoated with carbon-based materials were designed, fabricated, and evaluated for the purpose of enhancing the analytical sensitivity of the flat-field spectrograph in a vacuum ultraviolet region of 35-110 eV. As the design benchmark for numerical calculations, diffraction efficiency (DE) and spectral flux, which are defined by the product of the DE and numerical aperture and correlate with the analytical sensitivity of the spectrograph, were used. To simplify the feasibility study on the overcoating effects, we assumed a laminar-type grating having a grating constant of 1/1000 mm and coated with a Au layer of 30.0 nm thickness and an incidence angle of 84.0°. The optimized groove depth and duty ratio were 30.0 nm and 0.3, respectively. In addition, the optimum thicknesses of the overcoating layer were 44, 46, 24, and 30 nm for B4C, C, diamond-like-carbon, and SiC, respectively. Based on these results, we have fabricated a varied-line-spacing holographic grating overcoated with B4C with a thickness of 47 nm. For the experimental evaluation, we used the light source of Mg-L and Al-L emissions excited by the electron beam generated from an electron microscope, an objective flat-field spectrograph, and a CCD imaging detector. The experimental results showed that the spectrograph employing a new grating overcoated with the B4C layer indicated almost the same spectral resolution and 2.9-4.2 times higher analytical sensitivity compared with those obtained with a previously designed Au-coated grating having a grating constant of 1/1200 mm and used at an incidence of 86.0°.

Retrospective study to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinicopathological characteristics, treatments received, and outcomes of HER2-low breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of all breast cancers (BCs) are currently categorized as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative [immunohistochemistry (IHC) 0, 1+, or 2+/in situ hybridization (ISH) negative]; approximately 60% of BCs traditionally categorized as HER2-negative express low levels of HER2. HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) status became clinically actionable with approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan to treat unresectable/metastatic HER2-low BC. Greater understanding of patients with HER2-low disease is urgently needed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This global, multicenter, retrospective study (NCT04807595) included tissue samples from patients with confirmed HER2-negative unresectable/metastatic BC [any hormone receptor (HR) status] diagnosed from 2014 to 2017. Pathologists rescored HER2 IHC-stained slides as HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2 IHC 0 after training on low-end expression scoring using Ventana 4B5 and other assays at local laboratories (13 sites; 10 countries) blinded to historical scores. HER2-low prevalence and concordance between historical scores and rescores were assessed. Demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: In rescored samples from 789 patients with HER2-negative unresectable/metastatic BC, the overall HER2-low prevalence was 67.2% (HR positive, 71.1%; HR negative, 52.8%). Concordance was moderate between historical and rescored HER2 statuses (81.3%; κ = 0.583); positive agreement was numerically higher for HER2-low (87.5%) than HER2 IHC 0 (69.9%). More than 30% of historical IHC 0 cases were rescored as HER2-low overall (all assays) and using Ventana 4B5. There were no notable differences between HER2-low and HER2 IHC 0 in patient characteristics, treatments received, or clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately two-thirds of patients with historically HER2-negative unresectable/metastatic BC may benefit from HER2-low-directed treatments. Our data suggest that HER2 reassessment in patients with historical IHC 0 scores may be considered to help optimize selection of patients for treatment. Further, accurate identification of patients with HER2-low BC may be achieved with standardized pathologist training.

Improvement of patient localization repeatability using a light-section based optical surface guidance system in a pre-positioning procedure.

PURPOSE: Surface-guided radiotherapy is useful for the pre-positioning and monitoring of radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of surface guidance on the repeatability of patient localization and to estimate the specific point at which high positional errors occur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients without the VOXELAN system (non-VXLN group) and 10 patients with the VOXELAN as the pre-positioning procedure (VXLN group) were included in this analysis. Twelve regions of interest (ROI) were defined in all the patients to verify any misalignment during radiotherapy. Thirteen ROIs were defined on the isocenter. RESULTS: Compared with the non-VXLN group, the translational positional errors of the VXLN group were the same for all the ROIs. The mean translational positional errors of the VXLN group in the longitudinal direction were approximately 0.1mm, and the standard deviation was the largest among the three directions in all the ROIs. The magnitude of the standard deviation in the non-VXLN group varied independently of the ROI and direction. The standard deviations of the VXLN group in the longitudinal direction were large in all the ROIs, while the standard deviations in the vertical and lateral directions were small. CONCLUSION: Pre-positioning with a surface guidance system reduced the body twist and rotation, which could not be corrected by image-guided radiotherapy alone. Since the VOXELAN can detect positioning errors quickly and without additional radiation exposure to the patient, it can be used as a tool for pre-positioning in radiotherapy.

Bone strength of the proximal femur in healthy subjects with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

We compared the bone strength measured via quantitative computed tomography-based finite element method (QCT/FEM) between healthy adults with and without ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). No statistically significant difference was observed in the bone strength between healthy adults with and without OPLL. Hyperostosis of the posterior longitudinal ligament in OPLL may not be associated with the systemic bone strength. INTRODUCTION: Although patients with OPLL have been reportedly associated with increased level of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), little is known about the bone strength in OPLL subjects. The aim of this study is to investigate the bone strength measured via QCT/FEM in healthy subjects with OPLL using the medical check-up data, including whole-body CT scans. METHODS: We examined 796 participants (529 men and 267 women) who underwent CT scans in a single health center between January 2008 and May 2009. We identified OPLL in whole spine and divided the subjects into two groups: non-OPLL and OPLL groups. We calculated the predicted bone strength (PBS) of the proximal femur using QCT/FEM and examined the bone mineral status of the calcaneus using quantitative ultrasound (QUS). We compared the PBS and the QUS parameters between the non-OPLL and OPLL groups. RESULTS: Seventy-four subjects (9.3%; 57 men and 17 women) were diagnosed with OPLL in the whole spine. The OPLL group was significantly older than the non-OPLL group. No statistically significant difference was observed in the PBS and the QUS parameters between the non-OPLL and OPLL groups in both sexes. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was noted in the PBS and the QUS parameters between two groups in age- and gender-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hyperostosis of the posterior longitudinal ligament in OPLL may not be associated with bone strength and bone mineral status at the extremities.

Impaired residual renal function predicts denosumab-induced serum calcium decrement as well as increment of bone mineral density in non-severe renal insufficiency.

Denosumab treatment of osteoporotic patients, except those with severe renal insufficiency, reduced cCa levels. Low baseline cCa, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, and high bone turnover increased the risk of lower cCa, while increasing bone mineral density. Pretreatment with antiresorptive agents was beneficial in reducing the risk of hypocalcemia. INTRODUCTION: Although denosumab-induced hypocalcemia has been frequently observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4-5D being treated with denosumab for osteoporosis, few studies have assessed the risk factors for serum-corrected calcium (cCa) reductions in patients with non-severe renal insufficiency. This study assessed the risk factors for reduced cCa concentration following denosumab administration and analyzed factors predictive of changes in bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Seventy-seven osteoporotic patients, not including those with CKD stages 4-5D, were treated with 60 mg denosumab once every 6 months. Biochemical parameters and BMD were analyzed from prior to the initial dose until 1 month after the second dose. RESULTS: Following the first administration of denosumab, cCa levels decreased, reaching a minimum on day 7. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that baseline cCa, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) or pretreatment with antiresorptive agents were significant factors independently associated with the absolute reduction in cCa from baseline to day 7 (ΔcCa0-7 days). ΔcCa0-7 days after the second dose of denosumab was significantly lower than that after the first dose. After 6 months of denosumab treatment, both LS-BMD and FN-BMD significantly increased from baseline. LS-BMD and FN-BMD correlated significantly with baseline TRACP-5b or BAP and eGFR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both low eGFR and high bone turnover were independent risk factors for denosumab-induced cCa decrement, and for increases in BMD. Pretreatment with antiresorptive agents may reduce the risk of hypocalcemia.

Infection rate of Schistosoma japonicum in the snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi in endemic villages in the Philippines: Need for snail surveillance technique.

Schistosomiasis japonica is one of seven NTDs endemic in the Philippines that continues to threaten public health in the country. The causative agent, the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, uses an amphibious snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi which can harbor larval stages that multiply asexually, eventually producing the infective cercariae which are shed into the water. Contamination of freshwater bodies inhabited by the snail intermediate host occurs through release of human and animal feces containing S. japonicum eggs. Miracidia hatching from these eggs subsequently infect the snails that inhabit these water bodies. The degree of fecal contamination can vary across snail sites and influences snail infection rates in these sites. In this study, conventional malacological surveys using intensive manual search for snails were conducted from 2015 to 2016 in seven selected endemic provinces, namely Leyte and Bohol in the Visayas and Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Compostela Valley in Mindanao. A total of 6,279 O. hupensis quadrasi snails were collected from 38 snail sites. The municipality of Trento in Agusan del Sur recorded the highest number of snail sites (7) that yielded O. hupensis quadrasi snails while only one snail site was found positive for O. hupensis quadrasi snails in Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Talibon in Bohol. Alegria in Surigao del Norte yielded the highest number of snail sites (5) that were found to harbor snails positive for S. japonicum infection. The snail infection rates in this municipality ranged from 0.43% to 14.71%. None of the snails collected from Talibon in Bohol was infected. Bohol is the only province among the 28 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces which has reached near elimination status. Snail infection rates were found to vary considerably across snail sites, which could be due to the degree of fecal contamination of the snail sites and their connectivity to water that can serve as contamination source.

Possible association of oestrogen and Cryba4 with masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia, which is associated with limited mouth opening, progresses very slowly from adolescence. The prevalence rates of this disease are higher among women than among men, suggesting oestrogen involvement. As parafunctional habits are frequently observed, mechanical stress is likely involved in the pathogenesis and advancement of this disease. To elucidate the pathological condition, we examined the effect of oestrogen on tenocyte function and the relationship between mechanical stress and crystallin beta A4 (Cryba4), using murine TT-D6 tenocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell proliferation assays, RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and mechanical loading experiments were performed. RESULTS: The physiological dose of oestrogen increased the levels of scleraxis and tenomodulin in TT-D6 tenocytes. In contrast, forced expression of Cryba4 inhibited scleraxis expression in these cells. Surprisingly, oestrogen significantly promoted cell differentiation in the Cryba4-overexpressing TT-D6 tenocytes. Moreover, tensile force induced Cryba4 expression in these tendon cells. CONCLUSION: Oestrogen and Cryba4 may be associated with the progression of masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia.

Infection rate of Schistosoma japonicum in the snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi in endemic villages in the Philippines: Need for snail surveillance technique

@#Schistosomiasis japonica is one of seven NTDs endemic in the Philippines that continues to threaten public health in the country. The causative agent, the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, uses an amphibious snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi which can harbor larval stages that multiply asexually, eventually producing the infective cercariae which are shed into the water. Contamination of freshwater bodies inhabited by the snail intermediate host occurs through release of human and animal feces containing S. japonicum eggs. Miracidia hatching from these eggs subsequently infect the snails that inhabit these water bodies. The degree of fecal contamination can vary across snail sites and influences snail infection rates in these sites. In this study, conventional malacological surveys using intensive manual search for snails were conducted from 2015 to 2016 in seven selected endemic provinces, namely Leyte and Bohol in the Visayas and Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Compostela Valley in Mindanao. A total of 6,279 O. hupensis quadrasi snails were collected from 38 snail sites. The municipality of Trento in Agusan del Sur recorded the highest number of snail sites (7) that yielded O. hupensis quadrasi snails while only one snail site was found positive for O. hupensis quadrasi snails in Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Talibon in Bohol. Alegria in Surigao del Norte yielded the highest number of snail sites (5) that were found to harbor snails positive for S. japonicum infection. The snail infection rates in this municipality ranged from 0.43% to 14.71%. None of the snails collected from Talibon in Bohol was infected. Bohol is the only province among the 28 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces which has reached near elimination status. Snail infection rates were found to vary considerably across snail sites, which could be due to the degree of fecal contamination of the snail sites and their connectivity to water that can serve as contamination source.

The relationship of waist circumference and body mass index to grey matter volume in community dwelling adults with mild obesity.

Objective: Previous work has shown that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with low grey matter volume. However, evidence on the relationship between waist circumference (WC) and brain volume is relatively scarce. Moreover, the influence of mild obesity (as indexed by WC and BMI) on brain volume remains unclear. This study explored the relationships between WC and BMI and grey matter volume in a large sample of Japanese adults. Methods: The participants were 792 community-dwelling adults (523 men and 269 women). Brain magnetic resonance images were collected, and the correlation between WC or BMI and global grey matter volume were analysed. The relationships between WC or BMI and regional grey matter volume were also investigated using voxel-based morphometry. Results: Global grey matter volume was not correlated with WC or BMI. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed significant negative correlations between both WC and BMI and regional grey matter volume. The areas correlated with each index were more widespread in men than in women. In women, the total area of the regions significantly correlated with WC was slightly greater than that of the regions significantly correlated with BMI. Conclusions: Results show that both WC and BMI were inversely related to regional grey matter volume, even in Japanese adults with somewhat mild obesity. Especially in populations with less obesity, such as the female participants in current study, WC may be more sensitive than BMI as a marker of grey matter volume differences associated with obesity.

A two-year follow-up of surgical and non-surgical treatments in patients with masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia.

This study re-examined the usefulness of surgery for the management of masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia (MMTAH) through a comparison of the outcomes between patients who underwent surgery and those who did not. The duration of follow-up was 2 years. Twenty-eight patients who attended the study hospital and were given a diagnosis of MMTAH were included. Nineteen patients underwent surgery (surgical group) and nine patients were instructed to open their mouths wide once a day and did not undergo surgery (non-surgical group). Maximum mouth opening, impairment of daily activities, satisfaction, and the status of mouth opening training were evaluated after surgery. The mean increase in mouth opening after 2 years was 20.2mm in the surgical group and 2.4mm in the non-surgical group. Adequate mouth opening training led to satisfactory results 2 years postoperative, and sustained mouth opening training for 6 months after surgery was a key factor for obtaining good outcomes. The general condition and personality of individual patients should be evaluated carefully before surgery to estimate whether or not they can endure the pain associated with postoperative mouth opening training. The results of this study suggest that the surgical procedure is useful for the management of MMTAH.

Relationship between Sensory Perception and Frailty in a Community-Dwelling Elderly Population.

BACKGROUND: Aging anorexia, defined as loss of appetite and/or reduced food intake, has been postulated as a risk factor for frailty. Impairments of taste and smell perception in elderly people can lead to reduced enjoyment of food and contribute to the anorexia of aging. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between frailty and taste and smell perception in elderly people living in urban areas. DESIGN: Data from the baseline evaluation of 768 residents aged ≥ 65 years who enrolled in a comprehensive geriatric health examination survey was analyzed. Fourteen out of 29-items of Appetite, Hunger, Sensory Perception questionnaire (AHSP), frailty, age, sex, BMI, chronic conditions and IADL were evaluated. AHSP was analyzed as the total score of 8 taste items (T) and 6 smell items (S). Frailty was diagnosed using a modified Fried's frailty criteria. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operator curves for detection of frailty demonstrated that T (0.715) had moderate accuracy, but S (0.657) had low accuracy. The cutoffs, sensitivity, specificity and Youden Index (YI) values for each perception were T: Cutoff 26.5 (YI: 0.350, sensitivity: 0.639, specificity: 0.711) and S: Cutoff 18.5 (YI: 0.246, sensitivity: 0.690, specificity: 0.556). Results from multiple logistic regression models, after adjusting for age, sex, IADL and chronic conditions showed that participants under the T cutoff were associated with exhaustion and those below the S cutoff were associated with slow walking speed. The adjusted logistic models for age, sex, IADL and chronic conditions showed significant association between T and frailty (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.29-6.12), but not between S and frailty (OR 1.73, 95% CI 0.83-3.63). CONCLUSIONS: Taste and smell perception, particularly taste perception, were associated with a greater risk of frailty in community-dwelling elderly people. These results suggest that lower taste and smell perception may be an indicator of frailty in old age.

Structural Reconstruction of the Perivascular Space in the Adult Mouse Neurohypophysis During an Osmotic Stimulation.

Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) neuropeptides in the neurohypophysis (NH) control lactation and body fluid homeostasis, respectively. Hypothalamic neurosecretory neurones project their axons from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to the NH to make contact with the vascular surface and release OXT and AVP. The neurohypophysial vascular structure is unique because it has a wide perivascular space between the inner and outer basement membranes. However, the significance of this unique vascular structure remains unclear; therefore, we aimed to determine the functional significance of the perivascular space and its activity-dependent changes during salt loading in adult mice. The results obtained revealed that pericytes were the main resident cells and defined the profile of the perivascular space. Moreover, pericytes sometimes extended their cellular processes or 'perivascular protrusions' into neurohypophysial parenchyma between axonal terminals. The vascular permeability of low-molecular-weight (LMW) molecules was higher at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Axonal terminals containing OXT and AVP were more likely to localise at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Chronic salt loading with 2% NaCl significantly induced prominent changes in the shape of pericytes and also increased the number of perivascular protrusions and the surface area of the perivascular space together with elevations in the vascular permeability of LMW molecules. Collectively, these results indicate that the perivascular space of the NH acts as the main diffusion route for OXT and AVP and, in addition, changes in the shape of pericytes and perivascular reconstruction occur in response to an increased demand for neuropeptide release.

Comparison of ultrasonographic joint and tendon findings in hands between early, treatment-naïve patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Although both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lead to joint deformity, SLE arthritis is typically non-erosive and often accompanied by Jaccoud's deformity. Therefore, we examined characteristics of joint and tendon lesions in patients with SLE and RA by ultrasonography. Fifteen treatment-naïve SLE patients and 40 treatment-naïve RA patients with joint symptoms were included in this study. The hand joints and related tendons were ultrasonographically examined using grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD). Joint involvement was comparably observed in patients with SLE and RA (80% versus 95%, p = 0.119). However, tendon involvement was more frequent in SLE than in RA (93% versus 65%, p = 0.045), especially in the wrist joints (73% versus 40%, p = 0.037). When we investigated the intensity of US findings, the joint synovitis score (GS + PD) per affected joint was lower in SLE than RA (2.0 versus 2.6, p = 0.019), while tendon inflammation score was not significantly different (2.1 versus 2.2, p = 0.738). Finally, the examination of concordance between joint and tendon involvement in the same finger revealed that joint lesion appeared in only 49% of fingers having tendon involvement in the SLE group, which was significantly less than 74% in the RA group ( p = 0.010). Thus, as compared with RA, SLE arthropathy is characterized by the predominance of tenosynovitis/periextensor tendon inflammation, which is likely to develop independently from joint synovitis.

Association between transforming growth factor-ß1 -509 C>T variants and hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

The transcriptional activity of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is increased in subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies have indicated that the -509C genotype in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected subjects and the -509T genotype in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected subjects can increase the transcriptional activity of the TGF-ß1 gene. We conducted a meta-analysis to clarify whether these two hepatitis viruses affect the association between TGF-ß1 C-509T variants and HCC susceptibility. Using data derived from 8 case-control studies available in the PubMed database (5 with Asian and 3 with Caucasian populations), including 1,427 cases and 3,735 controls [1,610 patients with chronic liver disease and 2,125 healthy controls], we calculated pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. We used dominant (TT + CT vs. CC), recessive (TT vs. CC + CT), and co-dominant (TT vs. CC and CT vs. CC) genetic models. An overall analysis showed no association between the TGF-ß1 C-509T variants and HCC susceptibility for all models. In contrast, a subgroup analysis, based on the infecting hepatitis viruses, provided the following results. Among the cases and controls with chronic liver disease, the TGF-ß1 C-509T variants were significantly associated with decreased HCC susceptibility for two models with HBV-infected subjects, whereas the variants were significantly associated with increased HCC susceptibility for one model with HCV-infected subjects. Among the cases and healthy controls, there was a significant association between the TGF-ß1 C-509T variants and increased HCC susceptibility for two models involving HCV-infected subjects. Among the cases and the entire control group, the same results were obtained for all genetic models with HCV-infected subjects. Although further data accumulation is required, our results suggest that these two hepatitis viruses affect the association between TGF-ß1 C-509T variants and HCC susceptibility in opposite manners.

Computer-Assisted Detection of Cerebral Aneurysms in MR Angiography in a Routine Image-Reading Environment: Effects on Diagnosis by Radiologists.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experiences with computer-assisted detection of cerebral aneurysms in diagnosis by radiologists in real-life clinical environments have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of computer-assisted detection in a routine reading environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 39 months in a routine clinical practice environment, 2701 MR angiograms were each read by 2 radiologists by using a computer-assisted detection system. Initial interpretation was independently made without using the detection system, followed by a possible alteration of diagnosis after referring to the lesion candidate output from the system. We used the final consensus of the 2 radiologists as the reference standard. The sensitivity and specificity of radiologists before and after seeing the lesion candidates were evaluated by aneurysm- and patient-based analyses. RESULTS: The use of the computer-assisted detection system increased the number of detected aneurysms by 9.3% (from 258 to 282). Aneurysm-based analysis revealed that the apparent sensitivity of the radiologists' diagnoses made without and with the detection system was 64% and 69%, respectively. The detection system presented 82% of the aneurysms. The detection system more frequently benefited radiologists than being detrimental. CONCLUSIONS: Routine integration of computer-assisted detection with MR angiography for cerebral aneurysms is feasible, and radiologists can detect a number of additional cerebral aneurysms by using the detection system without a substantial decrease in their specificity. The low confidence of radiologists in the system may limit its usefulness.

Diversity and Distribution of Rice Blast (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) Races in Bangladesh.

The pathogenicity of 331 blast isolates (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) collected from different regions and ecosystems for rice cultivation in Bangladesh was evaluated by compatibility on 23 differential varieties (DV), each harboring a single blast resistance gene, and susceptible 'Lijiangxintuanheigu' (LTH). A wide variation in virulence was found among the isolates, and 267 races were classified using a new designation system. Virulence of blast isolates against DV carrying the resistance genes Pia, Pib, Pit, Pik-s, Piz-t, Pi12(t), Pi19(t), and Pi20(t), as well as avirulence against those carrying Pish, Pi9, Pita-2, and Pita, was distributed widely in Bangladesh. Cluster analysis of the compatibility data on the DV initially classified the isolates into groups I and II. The virulence spectra of the two groups differed mainly according to the reactions of the DV to Pii, Pi3, Pi5(t), Pik-m, Pi1, Pik-h, Pik, Pik-p, and Pi7(t). Group I isolates were distributed mainly in rainfed lowlands, whereas group II isolates were found mainly in irrigated lowlands; however, there were no critical differences in geographic distribution of the blast isolates. In total, 26 isolates, which could be used to identify the 23 resistance genes of the DV on the basis of their reaction patterns, were selected as a set of standard differential blast isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first clear demonstration of the diversity and differentiation of blast races in Bangladesh. This information will be used to develop a durable blast protection system in that country.

Diversity and Distribution of Rice Blast (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) Races in Japan.

In total, 310 rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) isolates from Japan showed wide variation in virulence. Virulence on rice (Oryza sativa L.) differential varieties (DV) harboring resistance genes Pish, Pia, Pii, Pi3, Pi5(t), Pik-s, and Pi19(t) ranged from 82.9 to 100.0%. In contrast, virulence on DV possessing Pib, Pit, Pik-m, Pi1, Pik-h, Pik, Pik-p, Pi7(t), Pi9(t), Piz, Piz-5, Piz-t, Pita-2, Pita, Pi12(t), and Pi20(t) ranged from 0 to 21.6%. Cluster analysis using the reaction patterns of the DV classified isolates into three groups: I, virulent to Pik, Pik-h, Pik-p, Pik-m, Pi1, and Pi7(t); IIa, avirulent to the preceding 6 genes and virulent to Pia, Pii, Pi3, and Pi5(t); and IIb, avirulent to all 10 genes. Group I was limited to northern Japan and group IIb to central Japan, while group IIa was distributed throughout Japan. We estimate that group IIa represents the original population and that groups I and IIb arose from it through minor changes in pathogenicity. We classified these isolates into 123 races by a new designation system and conclude that the rice blast races in Japan are less diverse than previously thought.

Changes in tumor expression of HER2 and hormone receptors status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 21,755 patients from the Japanese breast cancer registry.

BACKGROUND: We investigate rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) and tumor expression of ER, PgR, HER2 discordance after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Japanese breast cancer registry data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of more than 300,000 breast cancer cases treated at 800 hospitals from 2004 to 2013 were retrieved from the breast cancer registry. After data cleanup, we included 21,755 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and had no distant metastases. pCR was defined as no invasive tumor in the breast detected during surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. HER2 overexpression was determined immunohistochemically and/or using fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: pCR was achieved in 5.7% of luminal tumors (n = 8730), 24.6% of HER2-positive tumors (n = 4403), and 18.9% of triple-negative tumors (n = 3660). Among HER2-positive tumors, pCR was achieved in 31.6% of ER-negative tumors (n = 2252), 17.0% of ER-positive ones (n = 2132), 31.4% of patients who received trastuzumab as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 2437), and 16.2% of patients who did not receive trastuzumab (n = 1966). Of the 2811 patients who were HER2-positive before treatment, 601 (21.4%) had HER2-negative tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, whereas 340 (3.4%) of the 9947 patients with HER2-negative tumors before treatment had HER2-positive tumors afterward. Of the 10,973 patients with ER-positive tumors before treatment, 499 (4.6%) had ER-negative tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, whereas 519 (9.3%) of the 5607 patients who were ER-negative before treatment had ER-positive tumors afterward. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that loss of HER2-positive status can occur after neoadjuvant treatment in patients with primary HER2-positive breast cancer. We also confirmed that in practice, differences in pCR rates between breast cancer subtypes are the same as in clinical trials. Our data strongly support the need for retest ER, PgR, HER2 of surgical sample after neoadjuvant therapy in order to accurately determine appropriate use of targeted therapy.