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The band structures and band gap energies, Eg, of passive films formed on titanium (Ti) in simulated bioliquids, Hanks’ solution (Hanks) and saline, were evaluated. Ti was polarized at 0, −0.1, and −0.2 VAg/AgCl, Ef, for 1 h. After polarization, the surfaces were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the photoelectrochemical responses were evaluated. The current change during photoirradiation was recorded as a photocurrent transient at each measuring potential, Em, and by changing the wavelength of the incident light. Passive films consisted of a very thin TiO2 layer containing small amounts of Ti2O3 and TiO, hydroxyl groups, and water. During polarization in Hanks, calcium and phosphate ions were incorporated or formed calcium phosphate but not in saline. Calcium phosphate and hydroxyl groups influenced the band structure. Eg was graded in Hanks but constant in saline, independent of Ef and Em. The passive film on Ti behaved as an n-type semiconductor containing two layers: an inner oxide layer with a large Eg and an outer hydroxide layer with a small Eg. In Hanks, Eg was 3.3–3.4 eV in the inner oxide layer and 2.9 eV in the outer hydroxide layer. In saline, Eg was 3.3 eV in the inner layer and 2.7 eV in the outer layer. Calcium phosphate and hydroxyl groups influenced the band structure of the passive film. The Eg of the outermost surface was smaller than that of TiO2 ceramics, which is probably one of the principles of the excellent biocompatibility of Ti among metals.

Koichiro Watanabe,1 Shinji Fujimoto,2 Tatsuro Marumoto,2 Tadayuki Kitagawa,3 Kazuyuki Ishida,3 Tadashi Nakajima,2 Yoshiya Moriguchi,4 Keita Fujikawa,2 Takeshi Inoue5 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Japan Medical Office, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan; 3Takeda Development Center – Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan; 4Medical Affairs, Lundbeck Japan K.K., Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Koichiro Watanabe, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan, Tel +81-422-47-5511, Fax +81-422-45-4697, Email koichiro@tke.att.ne.jpAim: Anhedonia in major depressive disorder may be resistant to first-line antidepressants. We examined the effect of vortioxetine, a multimodal antidepressant, on anhedonia-like symptoms in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder.Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study of vortioxetine (10 mg or 20 mg) in Japanese patients aged 20– 75 years with recurrent major depressive disorder and a Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of at least 26. The primary outcome was the mean change from baseline to week 8 in anhedonia-like symptoms as measured by MADRS anhedonia factor score, composed of: Q1, apparent sadness; Q2, reported sadness; Q6, concentration; Q7, lassitude; and Q8, inability to feel. Mean change in MADRS total score and anhedonia factor score were compared among treatment groups, with data categorized by median baseline anhedonia factor score (0– 17 or ≥ 18).Results: Data were available for 489 patients. The least-squares mean difference in MADRS anhedonia factor score change from baseline to week 8 versus placebo was − 1.34 for vortioxetine 10 mg (P = 0.0300) and − 1.77 for vortioxetine 20 mg (P = 0.0044). The leas