Increased expression of αv integrin as a regulator of fibrosis in Dupuytren's nodules

Although Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by increased transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibrosis in the palmar fascia, the relationship between TGF-β1 and integrins, which are considered to be related to fibrosis, remains unclear. We investigated the involvement of TGF-β1 and integrins in the pathological palmar fascia of Dupuytren's contracture. Seven patients underwent partial fasciectomy for treatment of this disease. The nodule and cord were isolated from the fascial tissues of the patients. Control fasciae were obtained from seven patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin and integrins in the fascial tissues. The expression of TGF-β1 and integrins was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results suggest that nodules may be areas involved in activation of fibrosis in the fascia, associated with increased expression of TGF-β1 and αv integrin. Thus, αv integrin may contribute to fibrosis in Dupuytren's contracture by activating TGF-β1.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Investigation of enteric adenovirus and poliovirus removal by coagulation processes and suitability of bacteriophages MS2 and φX174 as surrogates for those viruses

We evaluated the removal of enteric adenovirus (AdV) type 40 and poliovirus (PV) type 1 by coagulation, using water samples from 13 water sources for drinking water treatment plants in Japan. The behaviors of two widely accepted enteric virus surrogates, bacteriophages MS2 and φX174, were compared with the behaviors of AdV and PV. Coagulation with polyaluminum chloride (PACl, basicity 1.5) removed AdV and PV from virus-spiked source waters: the infectious AdV and PV removal ratios evaluated by means of a plaque-forming-unit method were 0.1-1.4-log10 and 0.5-2.4-log10, respectively. A nonsulfated high-basicity PACl (basicity 2.1) removed infectious AdV and PV more efficiently than did other commercially available PACls (basicity 1.5-2.1), alum, and ferric chloride. The MS2 removal ratios tended to be larger than those of AdV and PV, partly because of differences in the hydrophobicities of the virus particles and the sensitivity of the virus to the virucidal activity of PACl; the differences in removal ratios were not due to differences in the surface charges of the virus particles. MS2, which was more hydrophobic than the other viruses, was inactivated during coagulation with PACl. Therefore, MS2 does not appear to be an appropriate surrogate for AdV and PV during coagulation. In contrast, because φX174, like AdV and PV, was not inactivated during coagulation, and because the hydrophobicity of φX174 was similar to or somewhat lower than the hydrophobicities of AdV and PV, the φX174 removal ratios tended to be similar to or somewhat smaller than those of the enteric viruses. Therefore, φX174 is a potential conservative surrogate for AdV and PV during coagulation. In summary, the surface hydrophobicity of virus particles and the sensitivity of the virus to the virucidal activity of the coagulant are probably important determinants of the efficiency of virus removal during coagulation.

Solar Coronal Jets: Observations, Theory, and Modeling

Chromospheric and coronal jets represent important manifestations of ubiquitous solar transients, which may be the source of significant mass and energy input to the upper solar atmosphere and the solar wind. While the energy involved in a jet-like event is smaller than that of "nominal" solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), jets share many common properties with these major phenomena, in particular, the explosive magnetically driven dynamics. Studies of jets could, therefore, provide critical insight for understanding the larger, more complex drivers of the solar activity. On the other side of the size-spectrum, the study of jets could also supply important clues on the physics of transients close or at the limit of the current spatial resolution such as spicules. Furthermore, jet phenomena may hint to basic process for heating the corona and accelerating the solar wind; consequently their study gives us the opportunity to attack a broad range of solar-heliospheric problems.

Azapirones for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

No meta-analysis has evaluated azapirones (serotonin1A receptor partial agonists) as anxiolytics for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-arm trials published before October 27, 2015 were retrieved from major healthcare databases and clinical trial registries. Relative risk and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

5 RCTs (n=429) and 3 single-arm studies (n=70) were identified. 3 RCTs compared buspirone vs. methylphenidate in children/adolescents, one buspirone patches vs. placebo patches in children/adolescents, and one atomoxetine plus buspirone vs. atomoxetine vs. placebo in adults. The single-arm studies were buspirone trails in children/adolescents. All-cause discontinuation rates and adverse events did not differ between pooled buspirone and methylphenidate groups. No other meta-analyses of buspirone efficacy and safety vs. comparators were conducted due to insufficient data. 2 RCTs found no significant differences in parent and teacher ADHD-Rating Scale total scores between buspirone and methylphenidate, while one reported that methylphenidate improved parent and teacher ADHD-RS total scores vs. buspirone.

DISCUSSION

It remains unclear whether buspirone use has benefit for ADHD patients and therefore further evidence is needed for better clinical use of buspirone in patients with ADHD.

Yap1 plays a protective role in suppressing free fatty acid-induced apoptosis and promoting beta-cell survival

Mammalian pancreatic β-cells play a pivotal role in development and glucose homeostasis through the production and secretion of insulin. Functional failure or decrease in β-cell number leads to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite the physiological importance of β-cells, the viability of β-cells is often challenged mainly due to its poor ability to adapt to their changing microenvironment. One of the factors that negatively affect β-cell viability is high concentration of free fatty acids (FFAs) such as palmitate. In this work, we demonstrated that Yes-associated protein (Yap1) is activated when β-cells are treated with palmitate. Our loss- and gain-of-function analyses using rodent insulinoma cell lines revealed that Yap1 suppresses palmitate-induced apoptosis in β-cells without regulating their proliferation. We also found that upon palmitate treatment, re-arrangement of F-actin mediates Yap1 activation. Palmitate treatment increases expression of one of the Yap1 target genes, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Our gain-of-function analysis with CTGF suggests CTGF may be the downstream factor of Yap1 in the protective mechanism against FFA-induced apoptosis.

Quasicrystal as a Catalyst for the Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes

The present report describes the catalytic activity of mechanically activated nano quasicrystalline Al65Cu20Fe15 and related nano crystalline Al50Cu28Fe22 for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs are synthesized by catalytic decomposition of ethanol through nano quasicrystalline Al65Cu20Fe15 and related crystalline Al50Cu28Fe22 alloys as a catalyst. The synthesized multi-walled CNTs exhibits tube diameter ranging from 5 to 25 nm. The synthesized CNTs are characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that Al65Cu20Fe15 nanoquasicystal shows better catalytic behaviour as compared to nano-crystalline Al50Cu28Fe22 alloys for decomposition of ethanol during the synthesis of multi-walled CNTs.

Effect of the mass of immunoglobulin (Ig)G intake and age at first colostrum feeding on serum IgG concentration in Holstein calves

Forty-four Holstein calves (19 male and 25 female) were used in this study of the relationships among age at first colostrum feeding, IgG intake, and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption. Time of birth was recorded for each calf and the calves were fed colostrum ad libitum after birth at either 0930 or 1630 h. Blood samples were collected immediately before and 24h after colostrum feeding. Data from calves were then categorized into 4 groups representing time from birth to colostrum feeding: A=fed within 1h (n=5); B=fed from 1 to 6h (n=10); C=fed from 6 to 12 h (n=21); and D=fed from 12 to 18 h (n=8) after birth. Average total intake of colostrum was 3.6 ± 0.1L. Over 80% of the calves consumed ≥3 L of colostrum. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption declined remarkably 12 h after birth. Mean apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG in group D (15.8 ± 3.0%) was lower than that in groups A (30.5 ± 3.9%) and B (27.4 ± 2.8%). Serum IgG concentration in calves was positively correlated with IgG intake in all groups. The relationship between mass of IgG consumed and calf serum IgG at 24 h was different for each time of colostrum feeding, with only limited differences observed between groups A and B. We concluded that failure of transfer of passive immunity in newborn calves may be avoided if calves consume ≥3 L of colostrum with IgG concentration >40 mg/mL within 6 h after birth. These findings help define the opportunity to minimize failure of transfer of passive immunity to newborn calves under management programs similar to those used on commercial dairy farms.

CCR10 regulates balanced maintenance and function of resident regulatory and effector T cells to promote immune homeostasis in the skin

BACKGROUND

CCR10 and CCL27 make up the most skin-specific chemokine receptor/ligand pair implicated in skin allergy and inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. This pair is thought to regulate the migration, maintenance, or both of skin T cells and is suggested to be therapeutic targets for treatment of skin diseases. However, the functional importance of CCR10/CCL27 in vivo remains elusive.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the expression and function of CCR10 in different subsets of skin T cells under both homeostatic and inflammatory conditions to gain a mechanistic insight into the potential roles of CCR10 during skin inflammation.

METHODS

Using heterozygous and homozygous CCR10 knockout/enhanced green fluorescent protein knockin mice, we assessed the expression of CCR10 on regulatory and effector T cells of healthy and inflamed skin induced by chemicals, pathogens, and autoreactive T cells. In addition, we assessed the effect of CCR10 knockout on the maintenance and functions of different T cells and inflammatory status in the skin during different phases of the immune response.

RESULTS

CCR10 expression is preferentially induced on memory-like skin-resident T cells and their progenitors for their maintenance in homeostatic skin but not expressed on most skin-infiltrating effector T cells during inflammation. In CCR10 knockout mice the imbalanced presence and dysregulated function of resident regulatory and effector T cells result in over-reactive and prolonged innate and memory responses in the skin, leading to increased clearance of Leishmania species infection in the skin.

CONCLUSION

CCR10 is a critical regulator of skin immune homeostasis.