Mycobacterium leprae promotes triacylglycerol de novo synthesis through induction of GPAT3 expression in human premonocytic THP-1 cells

Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is the etiological agent of leprosy, and the skin lesions of lepromatous leprosy are filled with numerous foamy or xanthomatous histiocytes that are parasitized by M. leprae. Lipids are an important nutrient for the intracellular survival of M. leprae. In this study, we attempted to determine the intracellular lipid composition and underlying mechanisms for changes in host cell lipid metabolism induced by M. leprae infection. Using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), we demonstrated specific induction of triacylglycerol (TAG) production in human macrophage THP-1 cells following M. leprae infection. We then used [14C] stearic acid tracing to show incorporation of this newly synthesized host cell TAG into M. leprae. In parallel with TAG accumulation, expression of host glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 3 (GPAT3), a key enzyme in de novo TAG synthesis, was significantly increased in M. leprae-infected cells. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of GPAT3 in THP-1 cells (GPAT3 KO) dramatically reduced accumulation of TAG following M. leprae infection, intracellular mycobacterial load, and bacteria viability. These results together suggest that M. leprae induces host GPAT3 expression to facilitate TAG accumulation within macrophages to maintain a suitable environment that is crucial for intracellular survival of these bacilli.

Deficiency of Type I Platelet-Activating Factor-Acetylhydrolase Catalytic Subunits Causes an Increase in Body Weight

Type I platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) forms a complex consisting of two catalytic subunits (α1 and/or α2) with a regulatory subunit (β). Although this protein was discovered as an enzyme that degrades an acetyl ester linked at the sn-2 position of platelet-activating factor (PAF), its physiological function remains unknown. In this study, to examine whether knockout mice lacking the catalytic subunits of this enzyme showed a different phenotype from that of wild-type mice, we measured and compared the body weights of knockout mice and control mice. The body weights of knockout mice were significantly increased compared to those of the control mice during 6 to 20 weeks from birth. Food intake was also significantly increased in knockout mice compared with control mice during these periods. Since a decrease in testis weight was reported in the knockout mice, we expected a decrease in testosterone levels. We measured and compared the amounts of testosterone in the serum and testis of knockout and control mice using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and found that testosterone levels in both the serum and testis were significantly decreased in the knockout mice compared with the control mice. These results suggest that a deficiency of type I PAF-AH catalytic subunits causes an increase in body weight, in part, due to reduced testosterone levels in male mice.

Autologous skeletal myoblast sheet prevents cardiomyocyte ischemia and right heart dysfunction in pressure-overloaded right heart porcine model

Introduction

Severe heart failure (HF) with congenital heart disease (CHD) have demonstrated life threatening disorder despite of remarkable progress in medical therapies. Autologous skeletal myoblast sheet transplantation therapy showed clinical efficacy for left ventricular dysfunction by cytokine paracrine effects, which are expected to be sufficiently effective against right ventricular (RV) dysfunction which is often seen in end-stage of CHD patients with severe HF.

Hypothesis

An autologous skeletal myoblast sheet transplantation alleviates RV dysfunction in a pressure-overloaded right heart in a porcine model.

Methods

Five-to-six-month-old Göttingen mini-pigs underwent pulmonary artery banding with vascular occluding system. To create the porcine model of chronic pressure-overloaded right heart, vascular occluding system was gradually inflated, over a month, to make pulmonary stenosis to banding velocity >3.0 m/s measured by echocardiography (UCG), and then fixed for another month. Two months after banding, autologous skeletal myoblast sheet was placed on the epicardium of the RV free wall and followed for 2 months. Groups were as follows: control (C, n=5), sheet implantation (S, n=5). Cardiac function was measured using UCG, cardiac computed tomography (CT), and cardiac catheterization (Cath). Two months after sheet implantation, hearts were dissected for histologic analysis.

Results

Before sheet implantation, RV dysfunction was equal in groups; however, 2 months after sheet implantation, RV dysfunction and myocardial ischemia was significantly ameliorated in group S than group C. On CT, RV ejection fraction exacerbation were well controlled in Group S compared to Group C (S 44.9±2.2 vs C 31.9±2.1% [p=0.0042]). UCG and Cath revealed well maintained systolic and diastolic function in Group S compared to Group C (Tei index: S 0.42±0.06 vs C 0.70±0.07 [p=0.0240], Fraction Area Change: S 45.8±7.8 vs C 19.5±1.3% [p=0.0240], Isovolumic Relaxation Time; S 44.3±9.2 vs C 97.3±9.5 ms [p=0.0304]). On C11-Acetate Positron Emission Tomography, myocardial ischemia was more prominent in Group C compared to Group S (K mono-Rest/Stress: S 3.17±0.69 vs C 2.03±0.65 min-1 [p=0.0421], Myocardial Blood Flow-Rest/Stress: S 3.22±0.39 vs C 2.13±0.92 min-1 [p=0.0421]). In histologic analysis, Group S presented less progressed hypertrophic change in periodic acid-Schiff stain (S 13.5±0.9 vs C 18.0±3.0 μg [p=0.0240]), anti-fibrotic changes in picrosirius red stain (S 3.0±0.3 vs C 4.2±0.2% [p=0.0421]), more angiogenesis in CD31 expression (S 18.3±1.5 vs C 10.7±2.8 / 104 μm2 [p=0.0240]), and less production of reactive oxygen species in fluorescent immunostaining (S 5.9±1.7 vs C 18.4±1.7% [p=0.0304]).

Conclusion

Autologous skeletal myoblast sheet transplantation alleviates cardiomyocyte Ischemia and RV dysfunction in a porcine model of pressure-overloaded right heart.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Functional engineered heart tissue cultured in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor improve cardiac function in the distressed rat heart

Introduction

How to construct massive cardiac tissue and culture it with functional improvement may be crucial as cardiomyogenesis in failed heart. We previously presented that dynamic culture in a rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor could provide a better culture environment for maintenance of the engineered 3D cardiac tissue. However, it is unknown about the effect of the tissue cultured in a RWV bioreactor on engraftment and improvement of function in the distressed rat heart.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that the engineered 3D cardiac tissue cultured in a RWV bioreactor could improve its engraftment and lead recovery of cardiac function in rat infarction model.

Methods

We made engineered cardiac tissue by seeding 2.0 × 106 human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes on the PLGA fiber sheet. It was cultured in the RWV bioreactor for seven days (RWV group). For the control, static culture has been done. After in vitro assessment, these tissues were transplanted to myocardial infarction model nude rats (sham, control, and RWV group, n=10, respectively) and cardiac performance was evaluated by ultrasonography. Four weeks after transplantation, we evaluated their hearts by histological analysis.

Results

The RWV group demonstrated maturation of cardiomyocytes evidenced by significantly higher expression of Troponin T (TnT), sarcomeric α actinin (SAA), connexin 43 (Cx43) and myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) than the control by Western blots (TnT; 2.7±1.0 vs. 1.0±0.4, p<0.01, SAA; 2.1±0.7 vs. 1.0±0.2, p<0.01, Cx 43; 2.0±0.6 vs. 1.0±0.1, p<0.05, MYH7; 10.9±2.7 vs. 1.0±0.1, p<0.01). In the culture supernatant, the concentration of cytokines related to angiogenesis was significantly higher in the RWV group than in the control (VEGF; 29.6±7.4 vs. 12.2±4.3pg/ml, p<0.01, HGF; 72.7±9.9 vs. 42.6±5.9pg/ml, p<0.01). Four weeks after transplantation, the left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved in the RWV group than in the control (RWV vs. control; 47±4.9 vs. 38±6.9%, p<0.01). On histological analysis, more engineered cardiac tissue survived in the RWV group than in the control (RWV vs. control; 7/10 vs. 3/10, p=0.18). A vascular-like structure double-stained with isolectin B4 and smooth muscle actin was partially observed in the transplanted tissue. LV remodeling exhibiting extracellular collagen deposition (fibrotic area, RWV vs. control; 17±4.3 vs. 24±5.2%, p<0.05) and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (RWV vs. control; 16±1.7 vs. 18±2.1μm, p<0.05) was significantly attenuated in RWV group than in the control. Neovascularization was significantly noted in the RWV group compared with the control (capillary density, RWV vs. control; 545±113 vs. 356±92, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Functional engineered 3D cardiac tissue cultured in a RWV bioreactor could induce angiogenesis and improved its engraftment, leading significant improvement of cardiac function in rat infarction model.

Dynamic culture in a RWV bioreactor

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Cholesterol uptake capacity: a new measure of HDL functionality as a predictor of subsequent revascularization in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality in the development of de novo coronary artery disease by using the cholesterol-efflux capacity, a measure of the ability of HDL to promote cholesterol removal from lipid-laden macrophages. Recently, we developed a rapid cell-free assay system to directly evaluate the capacity of HDL to accept additional cholesterol; the measurement of the cholesterol-uptake capacity (CUC) enables HDL functionality to be readily evaluated in our daily practice. However, prognostic implication of CUC measurement at the timing of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the association between baseline CUC and revascularization during follow-up in the patients who underwent PCI.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the patients who underwent PCI with follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) or ischemic-driven revascularization. The patients who had the frozen blood samples of which CUC were measurable at the index PCI and follow-up CAG or revascularization were enrolled. We excluded the patients under hemodialysis.

Results

Among a total of 703 consecutive patients who underwent PCI between Dec 2014 and Mar 2019, we finally enrolled 74 patients who underwent ischemic-driven revascularization (revascularization group) and 183 patients who underwent follow-up CAG without revascularization (non-revascularization group).There were no significant difference in baseline traditional cardiovascular risk factors between the groups. However, the presence of diabetes was significantly more frequent in the revascularization group (63.5% vs 41.0%; P=0.001) than in the non-revascularization group. CUC at the index PCI was significantly lower in the revascularization group than in the non-revascularization group (87.0±19.5 vs 93.9±19.2; P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that impaired HDL functionality assessed by decreased CUC level at the index PCI (odds ratio; 0.984, 95% confidence interval; 0.969–1.000) was independently associated with subsequent revascularization after PCI. Indeed, there was a graded inverse association between increasing tertiles of CUC levels and the incidence of revascularization during a median follow-up of 881 days (Figure). Especially in the subgroup analysis of non-diabetic patients, decreased CUC level at the index PCI was independently associated with subsequent revascularization (odds ratio; 0.947, 95% confidence interval; 0.915–0.981), while not in diabetic population.

Conclusion

Serum CUC level at the index procedure was associated with subsequent revascularization especially in non-diabetic patients who underwent PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Association of Muscle Strength and Gait Speed with Cross-Sectional Muscle Area Determined by Mid-Thigh Computed Tomography - A Comparison with Skeletal Muscle Mass Measured by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

BACKGROUND

Muscle mass is often mentioned not to reflect muscle strength. For muscle mass assessment skeletal muscle index (SMI) is often used. We have reported that dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived SMI does not change with age in women, whereas the cross-sectional muscle area (CSMA) derived from computed tomography (CT) does.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to compare CT and DXA for the assessment of muscle tissue.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study in the local residents.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1818 subjects (age 40-89 years) randomly selected from community dwellers underwent CT examination of the right mid-thigh to measure the cross-sectional muscle area (CSMA). Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was measured by DXA. The subjects performed physical function tests such as grip strength, knee extension strength, leg extension strength, and gait speed. The correlation between CT-derived CSMA and DXA-derived SMM along with their association with physical function was examined.

RESULTS

After controlling for related factors, the partial correlation coefficient of muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) with physical function was larger than that of DXA-derived SMM for gait speed in men (p=0.002) and knee extension strength in women (p=0.03). The partial correlation coefficient of quadriceps (Qc) CSA with physical function was larger than that of DXA-derived SMM for leg extension power in both sexes (p=0.01), gait speed in men (p<0.001), and knee extension strength in women (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Mid-thigh CT-derived CSMA, especially Qc CSA, showed significant associations with grip strength, knee extension strength, and leg extension power, which were equal to or stronger than those of DXA-derived SMM in community-dwelling middle-aged and older Japanese people. The mid-thigh CSMA may be a predictor of mobility disability, and is considered to be useful in the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Simultaneous Detection of Six Different Types of Pesticides by an Immunosensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance

Six pesticides, azoxystrobin, boscalid, chlorfenapyr, imazalil, isoxathion, and nitenpyram, were simultaneously detected by using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor. The working ranges were 3.5 - 19 ng/mL for azoxystrobin, 4.5 - 50 ng/mL for boscalid, 2.5 - 25 ng/mL for chlorfenapyr, 5.5 - 50 ng/mL for imazalil, 3.5 - 50 ng/mL for isoxathion, and 8.5 - 110 ng/mL for nitenpyram. They showed adequate recovery results in tomato samples: 104 - 116% for azoxystrobin, 94 - 101% for boscalid, 90 - 112% for chlorfenapyr, 96 - 106% for imazalil, 107 - 119% for isoxathion, and 104 - 109% for nitenpyram. The correlation coefficient with liquid chromatography (HPLC or LC-MS/MS) using vegetable samples also agreed well: 0.91 - 0.99 as R2 without strong bias, except for nitenpyram for which the SPR immunosensor sensitivity was too low. The SPR immunosensor will have high applicability for pesticide residue analyses in vegetable samples.

P5391Systemic administration of high-mobility group box 1 can suppress adverse post-infarction ventricular remodeling in a rat infarction model by enhancing self-regeneration

Background

High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) reportedly enhances CXCR4-positive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) recruitment to damaged tissue to promote tissue regeneration.

Purpose

Our aim of this study is to evaluate whether systemic administration of HMGB1 might promote tissue repair in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model.

Methods

We prepared 26 MI model rats with high ligation of the left coronary artery. Two weeks later, HMGB1 (3 mg/kg/day) or phosphate-buffered saline (control: 3 mL/kg/day) was administered for 4 days via femoral vein. Cardiac performance was evaluated by ultrasonography, left ventricular (LV) remodeling via immunostaining. We then used immunostaining to examine MSC recruitment to damaged tissue in green fluorescent protein bone marrow transplantation (GFP-BMT) model rats, and also performed intravital imaging using two-photon microscopy to visualize BM-cells recruitment in real time.

Results

Compared with control rats, there was a significant improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction of the HMGB1 group (HMGB1 vs. control: 48.6% ± 5.5% vs. 33.6% ± 5.4%; p<0.01) at 4 weeks after each administration. LV remodeling, characterized by interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and a decrease of capillary density, was significantly attenuated in the HMGB1 group compared with control rats. On QT-PCR analysis, VEGF mRNA expression was significantly higher in the HMGB1 group than in the control (border zone; 1.6±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.2; p=0.02, septal zone; 1.1±0.1 vs. 0.9±0.1; p<0.01). In GFP-BMT rats, GFP+/PDGFR+ cells were significantly mobilized to the border zone in the HMGB1 group compared with the control (1331±197 vs. 615±45 /mm2; p<0.01), leading to formation of newly developed vasculature (Figure 1). In intravital imaging, more GFP+ cells were mobilized to the infarction area in the HMGB1 group than in the control, which was further enhanced at 12h later. Additionally, SDF-1 expression in the peri-infarction area increased significantly in MI rats compared with normal rats (MI vs. normal; 2.1±0.4 vs. 0.9±0.1; p<0.01), in where some cell-adhesions of vascular endothelial cells were destroyed.

Conclusions

Systemic administration of HMGB1 mobilized BM-MSCs to the damaged myocardium via the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling complex. Those BM-MSCs might migrate to extracellular matrix in the border zone via the gap of each endothelial cell, leading to induction of angiogenesis and reduced fibrosis.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Development of a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of the fungicide mepanipyrim and its metabolite

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) was developed for determination of anilinopyrimidine fungicide mepanipyrim in vegetables. Two derivatives of mepanipyrim and mepanipyrim propanol type metabolite which carried carboxy acid were synthesized and conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin. BALB/c mice were immunized to prepare anti-mepanipyrim monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) by obtained conjugates. The dc-ELISAs based on the prepared MoAbs, MPP107 and MPP204, showed working ranges between 0.12 and 1.8 ng/mL with mepanipyrim for MPP107, 0.12 and 2.4 ng/mL with mepanipyrim for MPP204, and 0.2 ng/mL and 5.7 ng/mL with the mepanipyrim propanol type for MPP204. The dc-ELISAs showed the sufficient sensitivity to determine the mepanipyrim residues for the MRLs of 1-15 mg/kg among the majority of vegetables and fruits in Japan. Recovery and/or correlation results from HPLC suggested that the dc-ELISAs would be applicable to the residue analysis of mepanipyrim and its propanol type in vegetables.

Development of an Immunosensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance for Simultaneous Residue Analysis of Three Pesticides -Boscalid, Clothianidin, and Nitenpyram- in Vegetables

A simultaneous immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was developed for determination of 3 pesticides -boscalid, clothianidin and nitenpyram- instead of the direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (dcELISAs) widely used as individual determination methods. Carboxy groups that introduced compounds to their pesticides were designed, and conjugates of them and bovine serum albumin were immobilized onto separate channels of the same sensor chip. When a mixture of 3 monoclonal antibodies reacted to each pesticide, and 3 pesticides were injected into the SPR immunosensor, each channel showed specific reactivity at 15 - 93 ng mL^-1 for boscalid, 6.7 - 27 ng mL^-1 for clothianidin, and 7.3 - 62 ng mL^-1 for nitenpyram. Recovery tests using vegetables spiked with a mixture of 3 pesticides showed good results: 75 - 90%, 88 - 104%, and 72 - 105%, respectively, with a high correlation to results of the dcELISAs. The SPR immunosensor would be useful for the determination of pesticide residues in vegetables.

Amelioration of sexual behavior and motor activity deficits in a castrated rodent model with a selective androgen receptor modulator SARM-2f

Sarcopenia and cachexia present characteristic features of a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength, anorexia, and lack of motivation. Treatments for these diseases have not yet been established, although selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are considered as therapeutic targets. We previously reported that a novel SARM compound, SARM-2f, exhibits anabolic effect on muscles, with less stimulatory effect on prostate weight compared with testosterone, in rat Hershberger assays and cancer cachexia models. In this study, we studied the mechanism of action for SARM-2f selectivity and also assessed whether the muscle increase by this compound might lead to improvement of muscle function and physical activity. First, we examined the tissue distribution of SARM-2f. Tissue concentration was 1.2-, 1.6-, and 1.9-fold as high as the plasma concentration in the levator ani muscle, brain, and prostate, respectively. This result showed that the tissue-selective pharmacological effect did not depend on SARM-2f concentration in the tissues. The ability of SARM-2f to influence androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transcriptional activation was examined by reporter assays using human normal prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) and skeletal muscle cells (SKMC). SARM-2f exerted higher activity against AR in SKMC than in PrEC. Mammalian two hybrid assays showed different co-factor recruitment patterns between SARM-2f and dihydrotestosterone. Next, we studied the effect of SARM-2f on motivation and physical functions such as sexual behavior and motor activities in castrated rat or mouse models. SARM-2f restored the sexual behavior that was lost by castration in male rats. SARM-2f also increased voluntary running distance and locomotor activities. These results suggest that tissue-specific AR regulation by SARM-2f, but not tissue distribution, might account for its tissue specific androgenic effect, and that the muscle mass increase by SARM-2f leads to improvement of physical function. Together, these findings suggest that SARM-2f might represent an effective treatment for sarcopenia and cachexia.

Involvement of Leukotriene B4 Released from Keratinocytes in Itch-associated Response to Intradermal Interleukin-31 in Mice

A recent study suggests that interleukin-31 (IL-31) exerts its effect via indirect mechanisms rather than through direct stimulation of cutaneous nerves. However, the underlying peripheral mechanisms of IL-31-induced itch in the skin remain unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the peripheral mechanisms underlying IL-31-induced itch in mice. IL-31-induced itch-related response was inhibited by anti-allergic drugs (tranilast and azelastine), but not by an H1 histamine receptor antagonist (terfenadine). Furthermore, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (zileuton), but not a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin), and a leuko-triene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist (CMHVA) attenuated the action of IL-31. IL-31 receptor-immunoreactivity was observed in the epidermis and primary sensory neurones. IL-31 receptor mRNA was expressed in mouse keratinocytes and dorsal root ganglia neurones. IL-31 increased the production of LTB4 in mouse keratinocytes. These results suggest that IL-31 elicits itch not only through direct action on primary sensory neurones, but also by inducing LTB4 production in keratinocytes.

Pharmacological evaluation of pioglitazone and candesartan cilexetil in a novel mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, modified choline-deficient, amino acid-defined diet fed low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice

AIM

Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR-KO) mice fed a modified choline-deficient and amino acid-defined (mCDAA) diet show non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-like pathophysiology. In order to pharmacologically benchmark this model, effects of pioglitazone (a thiazolidinedione) and candesartan cilexetil (an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) on steatosis and liver fibrosis were examined.

METHODS

Pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) and candesartan cilexetil (3 mg/kg) were given orally once daily to LDLR-KO mice under mCDAA diet for 7 weeks. Blood biochemistry and hepatic histology were assessed, and hepatic gene expression levels and triglyceride content were measured.

RESULTS

Pioglitazone suppressed hepatic COL1A1 gene expression by 43% and attenuated hepatic fibrosis areas by 49%. Pioglitazone also decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase levels, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride content, and hepatic expression of other fibrosis-related genes such as TGFB1, SPP1, TIMP1, and IL6. Candesartan cilexetil suppressed hepatic COL1A1 gene expression by 33%, whereas the other end-points including hepatic fibrosis areas were not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Pioglitazone showed anti-fibrotic effects accompanied by improving hepatic transaminase activity and hepatic lipid accumulation, but the effect of candesartan cilexetil was only limited, unlike previous reports for angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers. As the pharmacological effects of pioglitazone in the current animal model are similar to those reported in patients with NASH, this model may represent some aspects of the pathophysiology of NASH. Further profiling using other agents or mechanisms that have been tested in the clinic will better clarify the utility of the animal model.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a combined mouse model of genetic modification and dietary challenge

AIM

Experimental models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are still required for understanding the pathophysiology of this disease. This study aimed to examine whether disease progression is accelerated by combining dyslipidemic genetic modification and dietary challenges and develop NASH-associated hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma in a short period.

METHODS

Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were fed a modified choline-deficient amino acid-defined diet, including 1 w/w% cholesterol and 41 kcal% fat, and was comprehensively profiled over 1 year.

RESULTS

Microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis in the liver was observed from the first week after starting the modified choline-deficient amino acid-defined diet. Macrovesicular steatosis was exacerbated with time and was observed in almost all hepatocytes at week 8, but slightly decreased at week 16. Infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and upregulation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β were also observed from week 1. Plasma hepatic transaminase activities were increased at week 1, reached a peak at week 4, and gradually decreased thereafter. In parallel with increases in hepatic gene expression of collagen-I, the hepatic fibrosis area expanded after week 4 and massively spread all over the liver by week 8. Hepatocellular hyperplasia was observed from week 24. Hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma were observed from week 31 and 39, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that, in a rodent NASH model with the combination of genetic modification and dietary challenges, hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatic injury, hepatic fibrosis, hepatocellular hyperplasia, adenoma, and carcinoma can be developed in a relatively short period.

Analysis of the Fungicide Boscalid in Horticultural Crops Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and an Immunosensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) and an immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR-sensor) were developed for fungicide boscalid determination in horticultural crops. To produce antiboscalid monoclonal antibodies (MoAb BSC7 and MoAb BSC72) for these assays, a hapten of boscalid was synthesized and conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin for Balb/c mouse immunization. The working range of the dc-ELISA was 0.8-16 ng/mL with MoAb BSC7 and 2.5-120 ng/mL with MoAb BSC72, and that of the SPR-sensor was 17-80 ng/mL with MoAb BSC7. The dc-ELISA and SPR-sensor were compared for their sensitivity in determining boscalid residues at the maximum residue limit of 1-40 mg/kg for horticultural crops in Japan. Recovery of the spiked boscalid was 85-109% by the SPR-sensor and 100-124% by the dc-ELISA. On real tomato samples, the results obtained by both of these immunoassays correlated well with the results obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Association of the C–509→T polymorphism, alone or in combination with the T869→C polymorphism, of the transforming growth factor-β1 gene with bone mineral density and genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis in Japanese women

Transforming growth factor-beta1 is an important local regulator of bone metabolism, acting downstream of estrogen and cooperatively with vitamin D. The possible association of a C 509-->T polymorphism in the promoter region of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene, alone or in combination with a T869-->C (Leu10-->Pro) polymorphism, with bone mineral density and genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis was investigated in 625 postmenopausal Japanese women. The frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of the C-509-->T polymorphism in the study population were 24%, 49%, and 27%, respectively. A significant association of C-509-->T genotype with bone mineral density was detected: lumbar spine (L2-L4) and total body bone mineral density values were 7% and 5% lower, respectively, in individuals with the TT genotype than in those with the CT or CC genotype. The serum concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 did not vary with C-509-->T genotype. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for age, height, body weight, time since menopause, smoking status, body fat mass, and lean mass, revealed a significantly higher frequency of the TT genotype of the C-509-->T polymorphism in 286 individuals with osteoporosis than in 170 normal controls. Analysis of combined C-509-->T and T869-->C genotypes showed that L2-L4 bone mineral density decreases and the prevalence of osteoporosis increases with the number of T alleles. These results suggest that the C-509-->T polymorphism, alone or in combination with the T869-->C polymorphism, of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene is a genetic determinant of bone mass, and that the number of T alleles in the combined genotype is a risk factor for the genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Classification of women with and without hip fracture based on quantitative computed tomography and finite element analysis

We used quantitative computed tomography and finite element analysis to classify women with and without hip fracture. Highly accurate classifications were achieved indicating the potential for these methods to be used for subject-specific assessment of fracture risk.

INTRODUCTION

Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is the current clinical diagnostic standard for assessing fracture risk; however, many fractures occur in people not defined as osteoporotic by aBMD. Finite element (FE) analysis based on quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images takes into account both bone material and structural properties to provide subject-specific estimates of bone strength. Thus, our objective was to determine if FE estimates of bone strength could classify women with and without hip fracture.

METHODS

Twenty women with femoral neck fracture and 15 women with trochanteric fractures along with 35 age-matched controls were scanned with QCT at the hip. Since it is unknown how a specific subject will fall, FE analysis was used to estimate bone stiffness and bone failure load under loading configurations with femoral neck internal rotation angles ranging from -30° to 45° with 15° intervals. Support vector machine (SVM) models and a tenfold cross-validation scheme were used to classify the subjects with and without fracture.

RESULTS

High accuracy was achieved when using only FE analysis for classifying the women with and without fracture both when the fracture types were pooled (82.9 %) and when analyzed separately by femoral neck fracture (87.5 %) and trochanteric fracture (80.0 %). The accuracy was further increased when FE analysis was combined with volumetric BMD (pooled fractures accuracy, 91.4 %)

CONCLUSIONS

While larger prospective studies are needed, these results demonstrate that FE analysis using multiple loading configurations together with SVM models can accurately classify individuals with previous hip fracture.

A New Grip Strength Measuring Device for Detailed Evaluation of Muscle Contraction among the Elderly

BACKGROUND

We developed a new grip strength measuring device, which considers the time axis, for evaluating muscle contraction in detail in elderly people.

OBJECTIVES

To present the novel device and preliminary results concerning agility in gripping.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and twenty-one older persons (48 men and 73 women, mean age 74.4 years) referring for memory disorders to the outpatient clinic of our institute.

MEASUREMENTS

A novel device taking advantage of an industrial force-gauge was developed for measuring gripping performance. The instrument graphically described participants' strength production. Nine indices were derived from four points identified by the graph: 1) starting point ("Go signal"), 2) time when gripping starts, 3) turning point (TP) when the inclination of the curve depicting strength production changes, and 4) peak of strength production. Results obtained from the study sample of older persons were compared (as ratios) to a control group of 30 healthy young adults in their thirties in order to calculate age-related decline rates. Differences between right and left side were compared.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed between right and left hands concerning the time to reach peak of strength, and time from TP to strength peak in both men and women. For women, the following indices were also significantly different: time to reach TP, strength at TP, time from TP to strength peak, curve inclination from TP to strength peak, and ratio of TP strength divided by peak strength.

CONCLUSION

Declines in several indices of gripping agility were measured. The parameters which were more closely related to time than strength itself showed significant differences between right and left hands, especially in women.

Occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in river water in Japan and assessment of their environmental risk

The existence of pharmaceuticals in the water environment is thought to be a potential problem for aquatic organisms. In this study, we conducted a nationwide survey to clarify the occurrence of 24 selected pharmaceuticals in major Japanese rivers and evaluated their environmental risk to aquatic organisms. We found a total of 22 substances in river waters at concentrations from several nanograms per liter to several micrograms per liter. We found the highest, which was 2.4 μg/L of caffeine, followed by 1.5 μg/L of crotamiton and 1.4 μg/L of sulpiride. We conducted an environmental risk assessment of the 22 pharmaceuticals detected in river water, for which predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values for crustacea and algae had been obtained. The measured environmental concentration/PNEC values of four substances, caffeine, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, and ketoprofen, exceeded 0.1 with the maximum value of 9.0 for clarithromycin. As clarithromycin exhibits a high environmental risk to aquatic organisms, particular attention is required.

Association of serum copper levels and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

It has been suggested that copper ion is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. The aim of this study is to examine the association of serum copper levels and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. We recruited a total of 132 patients with type 2 diabetes, and measured their serum copper levels by atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum copper levels were positively correlated with HbA1c levels (r=0.176, p=0 .044). In addition, after 3-month glycemic control, we evaluated whether the improvement of glycemic control influenced serum copper levels. As hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were decreased (from 8.7% to 6.8%, p<0.001), copper levels tended to be decreased (from 105.7 μg/dL to 101.8 μg/dL, p=0.069). In conclusion, it is likely that serum copper levels are associated with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Resection of malignant fibrous histiocytoma through a combined thoracic and abdominal wall approach]

We report a case of resection of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) via combined thoracic and abdominal wall incision reconstructed using GORE DUALMESH. A 60-year-old woman underwent resection of a left lower chest wall tumor. Since the tumor infiltrated into the diaphragm, a part of the left diaphragm and left upper abdominal wall were resected together. The left chest was closed by suturing the diaphragm to the ribs. The resected area of the thoracic and abdominal wall was 12×12 cm and was reconstructed with GORE DUALMESH. She received adjuvant radiotherapy as the tumor cells were detected in the surgical margin of the diaphragm. The patient has remained well without signs of recurrence for 10 months after the operation.