Brown adipose tissue is involved in diet-induced thermogenesis and whole-body fat utilization in healthy humans

Background/Objectives:

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a potential therapeutic target against obesity and diabetes through thermogenesis and substrate disposal with cold exposure. The role of BAT in energy metabolism under thermoneutral conditions, however, remains controversial. We assessed the contribution of BAT to energy expenditure (EE), particularly diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), and substrate utilization in human adults.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, BAT activity was evaluated in 21 men using ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxy-_D-glucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) after cold exposure (19 °C). The subjects were divided into BAT-positive (n=13) and BAT-negative (n=8) groups according to the ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT findings. Twenty-four hour EE, DIT and respiratory quotient were measured using a whole-room indirect calorimeter at 27 °C.

Results:

Body composition, blood metabolites and 24-h EE did not differ between groups. DIT (%), calculated as DIT divided by total energy intake, however, was significantly higher in the BAT-positive group (BAT-positive: 9.7±2.5%, BAT-negative: 6.5±4.0%, P=0.03). The 24-h respiratory quotient was significantly lower (P=0.03) in the BAT-positive group (0.861±0.027) than in the BAT-negative group (0.889±0.024).

Conclusion:

DIT and fat utilization were higher in BAT-positive subjects compared to BAT-negative subjects, suggesting that BAT has a physiologic role in energy metabolism.

Effect of transient expression of fluorescent protein probes in synovial and myoblast cell lines

Here, we investigate the appropriate fluorescent proteins for use in the culture of synovial MH7A and myoblast C2C12 cells. Fluorescent signal intensities of 3 different fluorescent proteins were examined in these cell lines. The fluorescent intensity of transiently expressed AcGFP, DsRed, and mStrawberry were examined in these cell lines, and the influence of the amount of plasmid used on transfection efficiency and cell viability were investigated.

Intermittent exotropia surgery in children: long term outcome regarding changes in binocular alignment. A study of 666 cases

PURPOSE

To review and determine the long term outcome of surgery for intermittent exotropia in children.

CASES

A total of 666 cases were reviewed. They were 15 years old or younger and underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia during the preceding 22 years. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was performed in 349 cases. Unilateral recession of the lateral rectus and resection of the medial rectus muscles was performed in 298 cases. One and four muscle procedures were performed in 19 cases. The outcome was evaluated at 1 month and 4 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Orthotropia or mini-microtropia was achieved in 401 patients (60.2%) one month after surgery. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was more effective than unilateral recession- resection. Out of these 401 patients, half, 199 patients (49.6%) showed orthotropia or mini-microtropia 4 years after surgery while the other half, 202 (50.4%), became exotropic. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was also more effective in producing orthotropia or mini-microtropia on a long term basis than unilateral recession-resection. The rate of orthotropia or mini- microtropia was higher when the patients were operated before 3 years and after 11 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a strong tendency for intermittent exotropia to recurr and drift into permanent exotropia during 4 or more years following surgery. It is advocated to aim at orthotropia during the immediate post- surgical period and to avoid overcorrection. Early surgery is not necessary when the patient is over 4 years of age. Bilateral lateral rectus recession is the preferred surgical procedure.

Esotropia surgery in children: long term outcome regarding changes in binocular alignment; a study of 956 cases

PURPOSE

To study the correlation between the outcome at 1 month (when the postoperative eye position is at the earliest stabilized), and 4 years after surgery.

METHOD

Retrospective review of medical records.

CASES

The authors reviewed 956 patients under 15 years of age who underwent unilateral or bilateral recession of the medial rectus muscle during a 22 year period representing the entire practice period of the senior author since the department was founded in 1977. The series comprised 521 cases of congenital/infantile esotropia (manifest before 6 months of age with no accommodative component) and 435 cases of acquired esotropia (manifest after 6 months of age with no accommodative component or with an accommodative component but excluding those with a high AC/A ratio). A consistent surgical plan was employed throughout this period for each condition.

RESULTS

Both types of esotropia showed a slight tendency to become exotropic during the 4 years after surgery. There was no difference in general success with regard to the reconstructive restoration of normal appearance or improvement of appearance between 1 month and 4 years after surgery. Patients with normal retinal correspondence or simultaneous perception achieved better binocular alignments at the 4 year followup than those who did not have such sensory binocular cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS

In infantile and acquired esotropia, it is essential that orthotropia or minimal esotropia be present at 1 month of surgery in order to obtain a binocular alignment within +/- 4 PD of orthotropia 4 years after surgery. It is strongly recommended to avoid overcorrection (consecutive exotropia) at 1 month after surgery for both congenital/infantile and acquired esotropia.

Binocular Function of Intermittent Exotropia Before and After Surgery

Purpose: We examined the binocular function of intermittent exotropia before and after surgery, and studied the effect of the surgery and the factor that might be involved in its result.Materials and Methods: 402 intermittent exotropic patients, who underwent their first surgical correction for the strabismus at Teikyo University Hospital, were examined for retinal correspondence and stereo acuity before and after surgery.Results: 367 patients (91.3%) had already had good stereo acuity before surgery when their eyes were straight. Regarding retinal correspondence, though 192 patients (47.8%) were abnormal (dual) before surgery, 301 patients (74.9%) were normal after surgery. The eye deviation of 101 patients who could not get normal retinal correspondence after surgery was significantly larger than normal (P <.001), and 77.2% of them had also vertical strabismus which was mainly composed of dissociated vertical deviation.Conclusion: Normal binocular function could be recovered by surgical treatment in most intermittent exotropic patients. When patients could not get normal retinal correspondence after surgery, we supposed that dissociated vertical deviation might exert an important effect upon their binocular function.

[Binocular function of intermittent exotropia before and after surgery]

PURPOSE

We examined the binocular function of intermittent exotropia before and after surgery, and studied the effect of the surgery and the factor that might be involved in its result.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

402 intermittent exotropic patients, who underwent their first surgical correction for the strabismus at Teikyo University Hospital, were examined for retinal correspondence and stereo acuity before and after surgery.

RESULTS

367 patients (91.3%) had already had good stereo acuity before surgery when their eyes were straight. Regarding retinal correspondence, though 192 patients (47.8%) were abnormal (dual) before surgery, 301 patients (74.9%) were normal after surgery. The eye deviation of 101 patients who could not get normal retinal correspondence after surgery was significantly larger than normal (p < 0.001), and 77.2% of them had also vertical strabismus which was mainly composed of dissociated vertical deviation.

CONCLUSION

Normal binocular function could be recovered by surgical treatment in most intermittent exotropic patients. When patients could not get normal retinal correspondence after surgery, we supposed that dissociated vertical deviation might exert an important effect upon their binocular function.

Two different types of humoral immune response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in high-responder periodontitis patients

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is considered to be an aetiological agent in various forms of periodontitis, with serotype b-specific carbohydrate being the immunodominant antigen of A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 in high-responder patients. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the organism may also be an important antigen. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the importance of LPS as an antigen of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Twenty patients who had high antibody titres to strain Y4 were selected, and the reactivity of their sera with LPS was determined by ELISA and Western blotting. Two groups of patients were observed: group 1 had high IgG titres only to serotype b strain, whereas group 2 had high IgG titres to serotypes a, b and c strains. The results of adsorption tests showed that anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 antibody in group 1 patients mostly consisted of antibody reactive with the serotype b-specific carbohydrate, whereas the antibody in group 2 patients mostly consisted of antibody reactive with the LPS of all serotypes. These data show that anti-LPS antibody is present and predominant in anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 antibody from some high-responder patients, and indicate an important role for LPS as an antigen in the humoral immune response to the organism.

Increasing-current electroshock seizure test: a new method for assessment of anti- and pro-convulsant activities of drugs in mice

We developed the increasing-current electroshock seizure (ICES) test, a new method for assessment of anti- and pro-convulsant activities of drugs in mice. In this method, a single train of pulses (square wave, 5 msec, 20 Hz) of linearly increasing intensity from 5 to 30 mA (increment of 0.1 mA/0.1 sec, i.e., 5-30 mA in 25 sec) was applied via ear electrodes. The current at which tonic hindlimb extension occurred was recorded as the seizure threshold. Thus, this method allows determination of the seizure threshold current for individual animals. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, phenobarbital, diazepam, and morphine all increased the seizure threshold current in a dose-dependent manner, whereas ethosuximide was not effective. The seizure threshold current decreased after treatment with reserpine, chlorpromazine, aminophylline, strychnine, pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline, picrotoxin, and ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCE). These results indicate that the ICES test, like the maximal electroshock seizure test, is a model of grand mal-type seizure and is useful for evaluation of both the anti- and pro-convulsant activities of drugs.

Results of surgery for paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy

In 138 cases of paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy, transposition of the superior oblique muscle and resection of the medial rectus muscle were carried out. Surgery was performed with or without recession of the lateral rectus muscle. The long-term prognosis for 4 years or more was observed in 35 cases. We found that the same results could be obtained by selecting transposition of the superior oblique muscle in cases of complete palsy and resection of the medical rectus muscle in cases of incomplete palsy. There was no benefit in combining resection of the medial rectus muscle when performing the transposition of the superior oblique muscle. Regardless of which method was used, a combination with recession of the lateral rectus muscle greatly improved the effectiveness of the procedure.

[Surgical and botulinum toxin treatment in two cases of abnormal retinal correspondence-exotropia with congenital homonymous hemianopsia]

We report 2 unusual cases of congenital occipital hemianopsia associated with abnormal retinal correspondence (ARC)-exotropia. Two Japanese males, 25 and 28 years of age, visited our hospital for surgical correction of manifest exotropia with dissociated vertical deviation and overaction of the superior oblique muscle. Visual field examination demonstrated homonymous hemianopsia with approximately 5 to 10 degrees of macular sparing. Visually evoked potential examination showed small amplitude similar to dissociated vertical deviation patients in all half-field stimulation. Electrooculogram examination demonstrated defective pursuit to the ipsilateral side. Some investigators have speculated that progressive exotropia compensates for homonymous hemianopsia and is a rare contraindication for strabismus surgery. To confirm the deterioration of motor and visual functions before surgery in these patients, we tried injections of botulinum A type toxin into the lateral rectus muscle ipsilateral to the hemianopsia. Contrary to the hypothesis, our patients had no change in their binocular visual fields and visual function. Finally, we performed recession of the lateral rectus muscle, so that both patients were satisfied with their ocular alignment, with no marked change of visual behavior.

General pharmacological profile of the new cognition-enhancing agent nefiracetam

The general pharmacological properties of a novel cognition-enhancing agent, nefiracetam (N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)acetamide, DM-9384, CAS 77191-36-7) were investigated, and the following results were obtained. 1. Central nervous system: Nefiracetam showed depressant activities (such as ataxia) on general behavior (mice), and inhibited spontaneous locomotor activity, rota-rod and traction performances (mice) and polysynaptic potential of the spinal reflex (rats), and potentiated pentobarbital anesthesia (mice). The drug inhibited electroshock-induced seizure at relatively low doses, but did not affect chemoshock-induced seizure (mice). Nefiracetam failed to show analgesic activity in the tail pinch test, but inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome (mice). An inhibitory pattern in the electroencephalogram was observed (cats). Nefiracetam had little or no effect on body temperature (rats). 2. Respiratory and cardiovascular systems: Nefiracetam induced transient decreases in blood pressure, left ventricular pressure and LV dp/dt max at higher doses (dogs). 3. Autonomic nervous system: Nefiracetam had no influence on pupil size (rabbits). The drug induced no significant effect on the pressor response to norepinephrine or depressor response to acetylcholine, but inhibited the contractile response of the nictitating membrane to preganglionic cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation at the highest dose (dogs). 4. Gastrointestinal system: Nefiracetam inhibited gastrointestinal propulsion (mice), gastric emptying rate and gastric secretion (rats) at higher doses. Nefiracetam produced no apparent damage in the gastric mucosa, and had no effect on bile secretion (rats). 5. Isolated smooth muscle: Nefiracetam had no effect on the resting tonus of isolated ileum, whereas it inhibited the contractile response to acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, nicotine and BaCl2 at higher concentrations (guinea pigs). Nefiracetam had no effect on the resting tonus or the serotonin-induced contraction of stomach fundus (rats). The drug had no effect on the resting tonus or the norepinephrine-induced contraction of vas deferens, but tended to inhibit the contraction induced by nerve stimulation (guinea pigs). Nefiracetam had little or no effect on the resting tonus or oxytocin-induced contraction of virgin uterus, or on spontaneous contraction of pregnant uterus (rats). Nefiracetam did not affect the resting tonus of trachea, whereas it inhibited isoproterenol-induced relaxation at the highest concentration (guinea pigs). Nefiracetam had no chronotropic effect in isolated atria, but showed a slight negative inotropic effect at the highest concentration (guinea pigs). 6. Miscellaneous: Nefiracetam slightly decreased urinary volume, whereas it did not affect urinary electrolyte excretion (rats).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[The development of occlusion amblyopia following atropine therapy for strabismic amblyopia]

For the treatment of strabismic amblyopia the authors have used atropine in the sound eye under usual optical correction as soon as central fixation of the amblyopic eye is secured by means of proceeding occlusion therapy. Although there may be little effect of occlusion in atropine therapy, six children under five years of age developed amblyopia in their sound eyes. In every case, the first sign of developing amblyopia was the decrease of fixation ability in the sound eye in a binocular fixation test prior to the reduction of visual acuity. On the other hand, fixation ability of the originally amblyopic eye was reinforced more and more not only during atropinization but after its finish until deep amblyopia developed in the sound eye. In three cases, eccentric fixation occurred at 7, 9, and 17 weeks after atropinization. These facts suggest that occlusion amblyopia following atropine therapy is not the result of deprivation but is due to the reversal of the eye used for fixation. Strabismic amblyopia may have the tendency toward an alternation between fixation abilities of the two eyes and such a binocular sensory anomaly may cause strabismic amblyopia itself.

General pharmacological profile of the new anti-ulcer drug 3-[[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]methyl]-amino-N -methylbenzamide

Pharmacological properties of the anti-ulcer drug 3-[[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl] methyl]-amino-N-methylbenzamide (DQ-2511, CAS 104775-36-2) on the central and autonomic nervous systems, smooth muscle, gastrointestinal system, and other miscellaneous systems were investigated. 1. DQ-2511 showed little or no influence on general behavior, spontaneous motor activity, hexobarbital sleeping time (mouse), conditioned avoidance response (rat), body temperature (rabbit), EEG or spinal reflex (cat) after oral administration (300-1000 mg/kg) or intravenous injection (15, 50 mg/kg). It also had no anticonvulsant or analgesic activities (mouse). 2. DQ-2511 had no influence on pupil size (rabbit). It reduced or tended to reduce contractile responses of the nictitating membrane induced by electrical stimulation of pre- and post-ganglionic sympathetic nerve (cat) at the highest dose. The drug inhibited the pressor response to norepinephrine, but had little or no inhibitory effect on the depressor response to acetylcholine at the highest dose (dog). 3. DQ-2511 reduced contractile responses to nicotine, BaCl2, acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin (isolated guinea pig ileum), to acetylcholine and histamine (trachea), and to norepinephrine (vas deferens) at high concentrations. It also inhibited spontaneous and oxytocin-induced motility (isolated rat uterus). 4. DQ-2511 decreased gastric motility in a dose-related manner at intravenous doses of 5-50 mg/kg (dog). It also reduced gastric emptying rate at oral doses of 100-1000 mg/kg, and gastric secretion at intraperitoneal doses of 100-300 mg/kg (rat). On the other hand, it induced no definite changes in intestinal motility (dog) or gastrointestinal transit (mouse).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Central effects of iohexol and iopamidol, non-ionic contrast media]

Central effects of intravenously (i.v.)-administered iohexol were compared with those of iopamidol in a series of tests. Mannitol was used as a reference. As assayed by the primary screening test based on Irwin's method, i.v. administration of mannitol resulted in a score of 0 in ddY mice and a score of 0.6 in ICR mice in the startle response. These results were not different from the data of both iohexol and iopamidol. Iopamidol at a dose of 1750 mgI/kg produced an inhibitory effect on the spontaneous locomotor activity. Iohexol at a dose of 7000 mgI/kg potentiated the duration of thiopental-induced narcosis. Hypothermia was caused by high doses of both iohexol and iopamidol. Electric stimulus increased the mortality of mice pretreated with high doses of iohexol and iopamidol. Both drugs had no notable activities in the anticonvulsant, electroencephalic, muscle relaxant and antinociceptive tests. These results indicate that both iohexol and iopamidol do not necessarily possess a similar pharmacological action. Judging from the LD50 of approximately 15000 mgI/kg for both drugs, they seem unlikely to have a specific pharmacological action on the central nervous system.

Pharmacological studies with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist midaglizole. Part II: Central and peripheral nervous systems

Pharmacological properties of midaglizole (DG-5128, CAS 66529-17-7) on central and peripheral nervous systems were investigated in comparison with those of tolbutamide. 1. Central nervous system: Midaglizole showed little or no effects on general behavior (mouse), spontaneous motor activity (mouse), hexobarbital anesthesia (mouse), conditioned avoidance response (rat) and body temperature (rabbit) at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg. It also produced little or no changes in electroencephalogram (cat) and spinal reflex (cat) after intravenous dosing of 10 mg/kg. The drug lacked anticonvulsant and analgesic activities (mouse). Midaglizole produced clonic convulsion, mydriasis, lacrimation, increase in pinna reflex, decrease in spontaneous motor activity, increase in pain threshold (mouse) and rise in body temperature (rabbit) at oral dose of 300 mg/kg. Tolbutamide showed similar effects except that it potentiated hexobarbital anesthesia, slightly decreased convulsion and tended to decrease body temperature. 2. Autonomic nervous system: Midaglizole potentiated the pressor response to norepinephrine and inhibited the depressor response to acetylcholine at an intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg (anesthetized dogs). Similar results were observed after dosing of tolbutamide. Midaglizole potentiated the contractile response of nictitating membrane to pre- and post-ganglionic cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation after intravenous dosing of 1 mg/kg (cat). Tolbutamide lacked the activity on the contraction elicited by both stimulations. Midaglizole and tolbutamide had little or no effect on pupil size (rabbit). 3. Skeletal muscle contraction (neuromuscular junction): Midaglizole (3-10 mg/kg i.v.) slightly potentiated the tibialis anterior muscle contraction induced by peroneal nerve stimulation, but did not potentiate the contraction by direct (muscle) stimulation (rabbit). On the other hand, tolbutamide increased the contraction induced by both nerve and muscle stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological studies with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist midaglizole. Part III: Smooth muscle, gastrointestinal and miscellaneous systems

Pharmacological properties of midaglizole (DG-5128, CAS 66529-17-7) on smooth muscle, gastrointestinal and miscellaneous systems were investigated in comparison with those of tolbutamide. 1. Isolated smooth muscle: Midaglizole inhibited the contractile responses of the ileum to nicotine, acetylcholine, serotonin and BaCl2, and especially the response to histamine (guinea pig). Tolbutamide also reduced the contractions. On spontaneous motility of the uterus (estrus, diestrus, pregnant), midaglizole produced an increase in tonus and frequency, and decrease in contractile amplitude (rat). Tolbutamide reduced the motility of the uterus. The contractile response of the vas deferens to norepinephrine was potentiated after midaglizole and tolbutamide (guinea pig). Midaglizole inhibited the contractile response of the trachea to histamine, whereas it had little or no effect on the response to acetylcholine (guinea pig). Tolbutamide reduced the responses to both spasmogens. 2. Gastrointestinal system: Midaglizole induced an increase in gastrointestinal transit (mouse) and potentiated the gastrointestinal motility (dog). Tolbutamide was without any effect on these parameters. Gastric emptying rate, gastric secretion and gastric mucosa were not influenced after midaglizole (rat). Tolbutamide decreased gastric secretion and produced injury of gastric mucosa. 3. Urine volume: Midaglizole and tolbutamide showed a diuretic activity (rat). 4. Anti-inflammatory activity: Midaglizole and tolbutamide inhibited carrageenin-induced paw edema (rat).