Long-term Experience on Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema in the Coastal Area of Fukushima, Japan After the 2011 Triple Disaster

BACKGROUND/AIM

Disasters can jeopardize breast cancer care and Japan's triple disaster in 2011 (earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident) is no exception. However, detailed information is lacking regarding the care of breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) following the disaster. We aimed to explore the process by which local patients become aware of BCRL, the problems faced, and the support they require. We also aimed to clarify the effects of the 2011 disaster on experiences related to lymphedema in the target population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who developed BCRL after breast cancer treatment were recruited from Iwaki city, a municipality located in the southern coastal region of Fukushima (N=16). In-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the obtained data were appraised using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five themes related to BCRL were identified: 1) the process of becoming aware of BCRL, 2) troubles or worries/concerns due to BCRL, 3) information sources regarding BCRL management, 4) strategies to cope with BCRL, and 5) the adverse impacts of the 2011 disaster on BCRL management.

CONCLUSION

Except for the disaster context, the themes are in line with those of previous studies conducted in the non-disaster context. Nonetheless, there were limited but non-negligible adverse effects of the 2011 disaster on long-term local BCRL management. The findings of this study demonstrate the necessity for individualizing coping strategies against BCRL among healthcare professionals in the Fukushima coastal area and beyond.

Prognostic value of cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging for predicting cardiac events after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

In patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS), cardiac sympathetic nervous (CSN) dysfunction and its improvement after TAVR have been reported; however, the prognostic impact of CSN function remains unclear. This study investigated the prognostic value of cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging for the prediction of cardiac events after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods

This study was a single-center prospective observational study that enrolled patients with AS or failed surgical bioprostheses between July 2017 and May 2019. MIBG scintigraphy was performed before and after TAVR to evaluate the delayed heart–mediastinum ratio (d-H/M). Patients were classified into three pairs of groups based on the baseline and post-TAVR d-H/M (≥2.0 or <2.0) and on the presence of TAVR-related improvement of d-H/M. The study endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization due to heart failure. The association of d-H/M with MACE following TAVR was based on a Cox proportional hazards ratio model adjusted for multiple prognostic variables.

Results

Of 187 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR, 111 (31 men; median age: 86 years) were evaluated. Over a median follow-up of 366 days, 16 (14.4%) patients had MACE. The incidence of MACE was significantly lower in patients with d-H/M improvement and/or the high post-TAVR d-H/M (≥2.0). Post-TAVR d-H/M had significant impacts on MACE, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.326 (95% confidence interval, 0.139–2.515; p=0.027).

Conclusions

Both d-H/M improvement and high post-TAVR d-H/M were associated with better prognosis in patients who underwent TAVR. Cardiac MIBG imaging was useful for predicting cardiac events after TAVR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of cancer and the 5-year survival rate is only 5%. Several studies have suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be involved in recurrence and metastasis and so it is essential to establish an approach targeting CSCs. Here we have demonstrated that cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) suppressed CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs in PDAC. Microarray analysis suggested that cGMP inhibited Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), which is known as a tumor suppressor. Surprisingly, our data demonstrated that FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs. Our data also indicated that patients with high FOXO3 activation signatures had poor prognoses. This evidence suggested that cGMP induction and FOXO3 inhibition could be ideal candidates for pancreatic CSC.

Successful treatment of nonunion with teriparatide after failed ankle arthrodesis for Charcot arthropathy

We describe a case of successful treatment to nonunion after multiple arthrodesis operations for Charcot arthropathy with teriparatide. We describe the case of a 25-year-old woman with severe Type I diabetes mellitus that resulted in nonunion after multiple arthrodesis operations for Charcot arthropathy. The woman sustained a femoral shaft fracture for which she underwent surgery with intramedullary nail fixation. Immediately after surgery, an empiric course of teriparatide was initiated. Femoral shaft fracture healing was observed after 2 weeks, and the woman was able to walk 12 weeks after the surgery, at which point plain film and computed tomography images revealed complete union of the ankle.

Evaluation of a mirror-polishing technique for fluorocarbon polymer surfaces for reduction of contamination from containers used in ultratrace analysis

A mirror-polishing technique for fluorocarbon polymer surfaces using high-precision diamond cutting tools was developed. The goal of this technique was the reduction of ultratrace elemental analysis contamination levels of containers fabricated from such mirror-polished materials. Remarkably smooth inner surfaces with degrees of flatness of 0.1 μm peak-to-valley (PTV) for containers fabricated from mirror-polished PTFE materials were obtained, in contrast to degrees of surface flatness of more than 30 μm PTV for commercially available PTFE containers. (Here, PTV denotes the difference between the highest peak and deepest valley in a scanned area of 10 × 10 μm.) Extractable impurity levels for mirror-polished PTFE container surfaces were reduced by more than 1 order of magnitude relative to those of unpolished PTFE containers. The surface conditions of the PTFE containers were observed by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. The microphotographs so obtained suggest that the degree of surface smoothness of the containers is proportional to their ultratrace metallic contamination levels.

Generation of dendritic cells and macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells aiming at cell therapy

This report describes generation of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. iPS cell-derived DC (iPS-DC) exhibited the morphology of typical DC and function of T-cell stimulation and antigen presentation. iPS-DC loaded with cytomegalovirus (CMV) peptide induced vigorous expansion of CMV-specific autologous CD8+ T cells. Macrophages (iPS-MP) with activity of zymosan phagocytosis and C5a-induced chemotaxis were also generated from iPS cells. Genetically modified iPS-MPs were generated by the introduction of expression vectors into undifferentiated iPS cells, isolation of transfectant iPS cell clone and subsequent differentiation. By this procedure, we generated iPS-MP expressing a membrane-bound form of single chain antibody (scFv) specific to amyloid β (Aβ), the causal protein of Alzheimer's disease. The scFv-transfectant iPS-MP exhibited efficient Aβ-specific phagocytosis activity. iPS-MP expressing CD20-specific scFv engulfed and killed BALL-1 B-cell leukemia cells. Anti-BALL-1 effect of iPS-MP in vivo was demonstrated in a xeno-transplantation model using severe combined immunodeficient mice. In addition, we established a xeno-free culture protocol to generate iPS-DC and iPS-MP. Collectively, we demonstrated the possibility of application of iPS-DC and macrophages to cell therapy.

Hippocalcin protects hippocampal neurons against excitotoxin damage by enhancing calcium extrusion

Hippocalcin, which is a member of the neuronal calcium-sensor protein family, is highly expressed in hippocampal pyramidal cells. Recently, it was demonstrated that hippocalcin deficit caused an increase in neuronal cell death in the field CA3 of Ammon's horn (CA3) region of the hippocampus following the systemic injection of kainic acid. Treatment with kainic acid results in seizure-induced cell death in CA3. In the present study, we injected quinolinic acid, which is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor agonist, into the hippocampal field CA1 of Ammon's horn (CA1) region in hippocalcin-knockout (-/-) mice, a procedure which mimics transient ischemia. Although significant pyknotic changes were observed at the injected site in wild-type (+/+) mice 24 h after injection, the area of pyknotic cells extended throughout the hippocampus in -/- mice. The quantification of cell numbers in Nissl-stained sections indicated that the cell damage in -/- mice was more severe than that in +/+ mice. The density of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling-positive cells roughly paralleled that of Nissl-stained pyknotic cells. Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons showed that the number of surviving neurons from -/- mice after 7 days in culture was smaller than the number from +/+ mice. The measurement of intracellular calcium concentrations in single cells revealed that the calcium extrusion from -/- neurons was slower than that from +/+ neurons. The involvement of hippocalcin in the upkeep of calcium extrusion was confirmed using hippocalcin-expressing COS7 cells. These results suggest that hippocalcin plays an important role in calcium extrusion from neurons and, in turn, helps to protect them against calcium-dependent excitotoxin damage in the hippocampus.

Effect of ankle joint stiffness during eccentric phase in rebound jumps on ankle joint torque at midpoint

The purposes of this study were to investigate firstly, the ankle joint stiffness during the eccentric phase in rebound jumps, and secondly, the effect of ankle joint stiffness during the eccentric phase on ankle joint torque at midpoint. Nine active males executed rebound drop jumps from a height of 30 cm (RDJ30) and 50 cm (RDJ50), and 5-repetition rebound jumps (5RJ). Force plate data, limb position and electromyogram (EMG) of the medial head of gastrocnemius (GAS), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were recorded simultaneously during all jumps. When compared with RDJ30 and RDJ50, 5RJ displayed significantly higher jumping height, ankle joint torque at midpoint, ankle joint stiffness during the eccentric phase, and integrated EMG (IEMG) of GAS and SOL. Furthermore, 5RJ displayed significantly lower contact time and IEMG of TA than RDJ30 and RDJ50 did. The ankle joint torque at midpoint showed a significant positive correlation with jumping height but a significant negative correlation with contact time in rebound jumps. There was a significant positive correlation between the ankle joint stiffness during the eccentric phase and ankle joint torque at midpoint in rebound jumps. These results suggested that for the rebound jumps to be effective, it may be important to enhance the ankle joint torque at midpoint by greater ankle joint stiffness during the eccentric phase. These results also suggested that compared to 5RJ, RDJ30 and RDJ50 may reduce ankle joint stiffness in order to protect the tendomuscular system from the stretch load. However, ankle joint stiffness is possibly increased in 5RJ because the restraint to defend the tendomuscular system is reduced by prediction or adaptation to the stretch load because it is a continuous jump.

Serum lipoprotein(a) dynamics before/after menopause and long-term effects of hormone replacement therapy on lipoprotein(a) levels in middle-aged and older Japanese women

AIM

To assess lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) dynamics before and after menopause and to examine long-term changes during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in middle-aged and older Japanese women.

METHODS

(1) Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Lp(a) concentrations of 526 patients were compared. The patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of menopausal status (premenopause, perimenopause, postmenopause). (2) Serum markers of lipid metabolism were measured at baseline and at 6-month intervals in 161 postmenopausal women who continuously received HRT with conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for 4 years. (3) Changes in serum concentrations of markers were compared among 120 women with hypercholesterolemia who were randomly assigned to receive HRT (CEE plus MPA, or transdermal estradiol plus MPA) or pravastatin.

RESULTS

(1) Lp(a) concentrations were significantly higher in the postmenopausal women than in the premenopausal or perimenopausal women. (2) The mean Lp(a) concentration after 6 months of HRT decreased by about 19%, and similar levels were maintained for 4 years (3). The mean Lp(a) concentration after 6 months of HRT decreased by 19.9% in the CEE plus MPA group, but did not change significantly in the transdermal estradiol plus MPA group or the pravastatin group.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that HRT with CEE plus MPA is useful for the management of elevated serum Lp(a) concentrations in middle-aged and older women. However, follow-up studies are needed to determine whether this finding is related to the future prevention of coronary heart disease events.

A randomized comparison of locking and non-locking palmar plating for unstable Colles' fractures in the elderly

This study compared the effectiveness of locking and non-locking palmar plating for unstable Colles' fractures in the elderly. The patients treated with locking plates included 4 men and 18 women with a mean age of 68 years (Group A) and those treated with non-locking plates included 3 men and 28 women with a mean age of 74 years (Group B). Radiographic parameters, including palmar tilt, radial inclination and radial length were measured before surgery, after surgery and at final followup. There were no significant differences in respect of any of the radiographic parameters between the two groups pre-operatively. After surgery, all of the radiographic parameters were improved in both groups and there were no significant differences between the two groups at final followup.

Hippocalcin-deficient mice display a defect in cAMP response element-binding protein activation associated with impaired spatial and associative memory

Hippocalcin is a member of the neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) protein family that is highly expressed in hippocampal pyramidal cells and moderately expressed in the neurons of cerebral cortex, cerebellum and striatum. Here we examined the physiological roles of hippocalcin using targeted gene disruption. Hippocalcin-deficient (-/-) mice displayed no obvious structural abnormalities in the brain including hippocampal formation at the light microscopic level. Deletion of hippocalcin did not result in up-regulation of the hippocalcin-related proteins; neural visinin-like Ca(2+)-binding proteins (NVP) 1, 2, and 3. The synaptic excitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons appeared to be normal, as estimated by the shape of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials elicited by single- and paired-pulse stimuli, and by tetanic stimulation. However, N-methyl-d-aspartate stimulation- and depolarization-induced phosphorylation of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) was significantly attenuated in -/- hippocampal neurons, suggesting an impairment in an activity-dependent gene expression cascade. In the Morris water maze test, the performance of -/- mice was comparable to that of wild-type littermates except in the probe test, where -/- mice crossed the previous location of the platform significantly less often than +/+ mice. Hippocalcin-deficient mice were also impaired on a discrimination learning task in which they needed to respond to a lamp illuminated on the left or right side to obtain food reinforcement. No abnormalities were observed in motor activity, anxiety behavior, or fear learning. These results suggest that hippocalcin plays a crucial role in the Ca(2+)-signaling pathway that underlies long-lasting neural plasticity and that leads to spatial and associative memory.

A single set of low intensity resistance exercise immediately following high intensity resistance exercise stimulates growth hormone secretion in men

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an additional set immediately following high intensity resistance exercise on growth hormone (GH) response.

METHODS

Subjects (n=8) performed 4 resistance exercise protocols (bilateral knee extension exercise) on separate days. The protocols were categorized into 2 types of protocol, namely "Strength-up type (S-type)" and "Combination type (Combi-type)". The S-type was resistance exercise which consisted of 5 sets at 90% of 1 repetition maximum (RM) with 3-min rest periods between sets, whereas the Combi-type is a training protocol which adds an additional set (either 50% of 1 RM [C50-type], 70% of 1 RM [C70-type] or 90% of 1 RM [C90-type]) to the S-type. Serum GH concentration and blood lactate concentration were determined pre-exercise and at 0-60 min postexercise. Relative changes in thigh girth and maximal unilateral isometric strength were determined pre-exercise and immediately postexercise.

RESULTS

The increasing values of GH concentration (DGH) in the S-type was the lowest of all protocols. On the other hand, DGH in the C50-type showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher increase than in the S-type and C90-type, and a relatively higher increase than in the C70-type.

CONCLUSION

These results suggests that a high intensity, low volume training protocol to induce neural adaptation resulted in little GH response, but GH secretion was increased by performing a single set of low intensity resistance exercise at the end of a series of high intensity resistance sets.

Equation-of-state measurements of polyimide at pressures up to 5.8 TPa using low-density foam with laser-driven shock waves

The laser-driven equation-of-state (EOS) experiments for polyimide are presented. The experiments were performed with emission measurements from the rear sides of shocked targets at up to a laser intensity of 10(14) W/cm(2) or higher with 351 nm wavelength and 2.5 ns duration. Polyimide Hugoniot data were obtained up to 0.6 TPa with good accuracy. Applying low-density foam ablator to the EOS unknown material, we also obtained the data at a highest pressure of 5.8 TPa in the nonmetal materials. Those data were in agreement with the theoretical curves.

Effects of soy protein diet on the expression of adipose genes and plasma adiponectin

Many studies have reported the cholesterol-lowering, anti-lipogenic, anti-obesity and anti-hypertensive effects of soy protein. Adipose tissue-specific plasma protein, adiponectin, has anti-atherogenic and anti-insulin-resistance properties. Here, we investigated the effects of soy protein diet on body fat composition, plasma glucose, lipid and adiponectin levels and expression of genes involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism in obese KK-A y mice. Body weights and adipose tissue weights of mesenteric, epididymal, and brown fat were lower in mice on calorie-restricted diet containing soy protein isolate. Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and glucose levels were also decreased by this diet. Body fat content and plasma glucose levels in mice on a soy protein isolate diet were still lower than those treated with an isocaloric casein-protein-diet. Among the genes related to glucose and fatty acid metabolism, adiponectin mRNA levels in adipose tissue and adiponectin plasma concentrations were elevated in mice on a calorie-restricted diet, although there were no significant differences between soy protein and casein protein groups. Our results indicate that that soy protein diet decreased body fat content and plasma glucose levels more effectively than isocaloric casein-protein diet in obese mice.

Vaginal symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women: comparison with other climacteric symptoms

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the current status of vaginal symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women, and to clarify the significance of vaginal symptoms by analyzing their relationship to other climacteric symptoms.

METHODS

The complaints of 613 women attending a menopause clinic (mean age +/- standard deviation 53.5 +/- 7.2 years; time since menopause or bilateral oophorectomy 6.4 +/- 6.5 years) were evaluated according to the Keio modified menopause index.

RESULTS

In total, 56.4% of subjects had at least one vaginal symptom. The most frequent vaginal symptom was dyspareunia, followed by vaginal dryness, discharge and itching, and the mean prevalence of the four symptoms was 31.7%. The peak intensity of vaginal symptoms occurred in the sixth decade, or 3-5 years after menopause or oophorectomy. Vaginal symptoms were usually associated with other climacteric symptoms, but some occurred independently.

CONCLUSIONS

A moderate proportion of Japanese postmenopausal women experience vaginal symptoms, which can occur independently of other climacteric symptoms. Vaginal symptoms therefore warrant careful attention during the treatment of postmenopausal women.

[Differences between gynecological cancer patients taken care for at home and those taken care for at the hospital]

Thirty-five patients with end-stage gynecological cancer, twelve taken care for at home care and 23 taken care for at our hospital, were compared. The life span after recurrence was significantly (p < 0.05) longer in the group taken care for at home. The number of persons living with the patient was also significantly (p < 0.01) larger in the group taken care for at home. Moreover, the hospitalization in the end stage of the disease was significantly (p < 0.01) shorter in the group taken care for at home. The average hospitalization in the end was for 6.5 days. Four patients died at their home. Average period the 12 patients stayed at home was 52.7 days. Following matters are important in order to provide home care. 1. We must know the biological characteristics of the cancer. 2. It is important that it does not lose the timing to which shift to the home care, keeping good doctor-patient relationship. 3. Limit of the therapy against cancer and importance of treatment at home should be carefully and clearly explained to the patient.

Effects of counseling on climacteric symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

We objectively assessed the effects of counseling on climacteric symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Symptoms in 44 women (age, 51.4 +/- 3.4 years; period after menopause, 3.6 +/- 3.4 years) treated with counseling were evaluated according to the Keio modified menopause index. The response to counseling was compared with that to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

RESULTS

Forty cases (90.9%) showed an improvement in index score. There were no significant relationships between improvement and age, the period after menopause, or the severity or type of symptoms before counseling. The most improved symptom was headache, followed by palpitation and insomnia. Physical symptoms accounted for most of the common symptoms. The pattern of improvement with counseling was markedly different from that with HRT.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that counseling is effective for treating climacteric symptoms, since it improves not only psychological symptoms, but also physical ones. Counseling may deserve evaluation as a complementary treatment to HRT.

Reduction by phytate-reduced soybean beta-conglycinin of plasma triglyceride level of young and adult rats

This study examined the effects of soybean beta-conglycinin, from which phytate was mostly removed, on the plasma lipids in young and adult rats. Male Wistar young (6 week-old) and adult (21 week-old) rats were fed high cholesterol diets containing 20% casein, soy protein isolate (SPI), or soybean beta-conglycinin for 10 days. In young rats, although the food intake of the beta-conglycinin group was higher than those of the casein and SPI groups, the weight gain was significantly lower than those of the other groups. However, in adult rats, the weight gain was not different among the groups. In young and adult rats, relative liver weights of SPI and beta-conglycinin groups were significantly lower than that of the casein group, and the degree of the reduction was more marked in the beta-conglycinin group than in the SPI group. In young rats, the plasma triglyceride level was significantly lower in the SPI and beta-conglycinin groups than that in the casein group. In addition, the plasma triglyceride level of the beta-conglycinin group was significantly lower than that of the SPI group. Plasma total cholesterol levels of the SPI and beta-conglycinin groups were significantly lower than that of the casein group. However, there was little difference in the lowering effect between SPI and beta-conglycinin. These results indicate that soybean beta-conglycinin may have lowering functions not only on plasma total cholesterol level, but also on plasma triglyceride level.

Usefulness of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in Japanese hyperlipidemic women within seven years of menopause

OBJECTIVE

To assess the therapeutic value of treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in women with hypoestrogenic hyperlipidemia caused by menopause.

DESIGN

Fifty-six women with total cholesterol (TC) levels of 220 mg/dl or more who were within 7 years of menopause were randomly assigned to receive an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (pravastatin 10 mg/day; treated group, 26 patients) or no medical treatment (nontreated group, 30 patients) in this 6-month nonblinded prospective trial.

RESULTS

In the treated group, the mean (SD) TC levels decreased significantly from 254.5+/-22.3 mg/dl at baseline to 204.7+/-22.2 mg/dl (19.6%), and the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level decreased significantly from 146.7+/-30.5 to 104.3+/-22.5 mg/dl (28.9%); the mean arteriosclerotic index decreased significantly from 2.98 to 2.08 (30.2%). There were no significant changes in either triglyceride levels or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In the nontreated group, there were no significant changes in the TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, or triglyceride levels; there was also no change in the arteriosclerotic index. After 6 months, the TC level, LDL-C level, and arteriosclerotic index were significantly lower in the treated group compared with the nontreated group (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lowered TC and LDL-C levels and was useful in the treatment of hypoestrogenic hyperlipidemia for periods of at least 6 months.

Immunochemical assessment of neural visinin-like calcium-binding protein 3 expression in rat brain

Expression of neural visinin-like calcium-binding protein 3 (NVP3) was assessed by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses in rat brain. NVP3 was markedly expressed in the cerebellum, at a concentration of 9.5microM. On SDS-PAGE, native NVP3 migrated at 23kDa, identical to the recombinant myristoyl-form, but somewhat faster than the non-myristoyl-form. Both forms bound 3 moles of calcium. The myristoyl-form exhibited a cooperativity in binding calcium and calcium-dependent membrane-binding, but the non-myristoyl-form did not. At 3 months, NVP3 was primarily localized in the Purkinje cells, with intense staining in the cell bodies, dendrites and axons. The cerebellar granule cells and basal nuclear neurons were faintly stained. During development of the cerebellum, NVP3-positive Purkinje cells first appeared on post-natal day 14 (P14). The staining intensity then increased and plateaued on P28. Labeling showed a tendency to accumulate in the dendrites and nerve terminals in a fine granular pattern. During aging process, NVP3 levels decreased by 43% at 12 months and 68% at 24 months, while the levels of NVP1, synaptophysin and drebrin were preferentially preserved. These results suggest that NVP3 is involved in dendritic arborization and postsynaptic function in cerebellar Purkinje cells and that presynaptic nerve terminals are another functional site of the protein.

Effect of soy and milk whey protein isolates and their hydrolysates on weight reduction in genetically obese mice

The effect on genetically obese mice of a milk whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI) and their hydrolysates (WPI-H, SPI-H) on the rate of body fat disappearance was investigated. Male yellow KK mice were made obese by feeding with a high-fat diet containing 30% fat from 6 to 10 weeks of age. They were then fed with an energy-restricted low fat (5.0%) and high protein (35% WPI, WPI-H, SPI or SPI-H) diet for 2 weeks at the 60% level of energy intake by mice on laboratory feed. During the weight reduction period, the body weight of the WPI, WPI-H, SPI and SPI-H groups changed by -9.1, -9.1, -10.0 and -11.1 g/14 days, respectively, the reduction being significantly lower in the SPI-H group than in the WPI and WPI-H groups. The plasma total cholesterol level was significantly lower with the SPI diet, and the plasma glucose level was lower with the SPI and SPI-H diets than with the WPI and WPI-H diets. Although the body protein content was comparable in all the groups, the body fat content was significantly lower with the SPI diet than with the WPI diet, and was also significantly lower with the SPI-H diet than with the WPI and WPI-H diets. The weight of the perirenal fat pads was significantly lower with the SPI-H diet than with the WPI and WPI-H diets. These results indicate that SPI and SPI-H are suitable protein sources in an energy-restricted diet for treating obesity.

Light and glutamate-induced degradation of the circadian oscillating protein BMAL1 during the mammalian clock resetting

Recently discovered mammalian clock genes are believed to compose the core oscillator, which generates the circadian rhythm. BMAL1/CLOCK heterodimer is the essential positive element that drives clock-related transcription and self-sustaining oscillation by a negative feedback mechanism. We examined BMAL1 protein expression in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) by immunoblot analysis. Anti-BMAL1 antiserum raised against rBMAL1 recognized 70 kDa mBMAL1b and detected a similar immunoreactivity (IR) as a major band in rat brains. Robust circadian BMAL1-IR oscillations with nocturnal peaks were detected in the SCN during a light/dark cycle and under constant darkness. A short duration light exposure at night acutely reduced BMAL1-IR in the SCN during photoentrainment. This might be attributable to the degradation of BMAL1 protein. Application of glutamate and NMDA to the SCN slices at projected night, a procedure mimicking photic phase delay shift, also acutely reduced BMAL1-IR in a similar manner. A rapid decrease of BMAL1 protein suggests that BMAL1 protein might be implicated in the light-transducing pathway within the SCN.

Isolation and characterization of the gene encoding mouse tax-responsive element-binding protein (TREB) 5

TREB5/hXBP-1/HTF is a basic region leucine zipper protein which binds to a cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE)-like element in both human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 and human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes. To analyze the structure and transcription regulation of the TREB5 gene, we isolated the mouse TREB5 gene and cDNA. The mouse TREB5 gene contains five exons and four introns and spans approximately 5 kb. The deduced amino acid sequence of mouse TREB5 exhibited 77% and 94% homology to human and rat TREB5, respectively. The b-zip structure is completely conserved in mouse, rat and human. Southern blot analysis of the mouse genomic DNA demonstrated that positive bands exactly coincide with those expected from sequences of the cloned genes, indicating that the mouse TREB5 gene is present as a single copy. The transcription start site of the mouse TREB5 gene was mapped to -15 bp upstream from the ATG initiation codon. Promoter analysis of serial deletion mutants revealed that the -142 bp upstream region is the minimum sequence to promote mouse TREB5 gene expression and that the -1.0 kb upstream region is required for full promoter activity.

Soy protein isolate and its hydrolysate reduce body fat of dietary obese rats and genetically obese mice (yellow KK)

This study examined in dietary obese and genetically obese rodents the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) and its hydrolysate (SPI-H) on the rate of body-fat disappearance. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4-16 wk old) and yellow KK mice (6-10 wk old) were made obese by feeding high-fat diets containing 30% fat. They were then fed energy-restricted, low-fat (5.0%), and high-protein (35% casein, SPI, or SPI-H) diets for 4 wk at 60% of the level of the energy intake of rodents on laboratory chow. The body-fat contents of rats and mice fed a high-fat diet were 27.3 and 33.6 g/100 g body weight, respectively, at the end of the obese period. For rats, the apparent absorbability of dietary energy and fat was significantly lower in the SPI and SPI-H groups than in the casein group, but vice-versa for nitrogen balance. Body-fat content in mice fed SPI and SPI-H diets was significantly lower than in those fed the casein diet. In rats, plasma total cholesterol level was lower with the SPI-H diet, and plasma glucose level was lower with the SPI and SPI-H diets than with the casein diet. These results indicate that SPI and SPI-H are suitable protein sources in energy-restricted diets for the treatment of obesity.

Absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc in growing male rats fed diets containing either phytate-free soybean protein or soybean protein isolate or casein

The effect of dietary phytate-free soybean protein (PFS) on intestinal mineral absorption and retention was examined in growing male rats using a three-day mineral balance technique. The rats were fed diets containing PFS, soybean protein isolate (SPI) or casein at a 20% level for 5 wk. Total calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents in diets were adjusted to 0.35, 0.05, 0.7, 0.0035 and 0.003%, respectively, by supplementation of the diet with their salts. Mineral absorption and retention ratios in rats fed the PFS diet were significantly higher than those in rats fed either the SPI or casein diet. These results suggest that PFS may be a promising dietary protein source for improving the mineral bioavailability in humans.

Antioxidant activity of soya hypocotyl tea in humans

Antioxidative activity of isoflavones has not been shown in humans. Newly-developed isoflavone-rich soya hypocotyl tea contains about 12 mg isoflavones per liter. 15 tea drinkers and 23 control young female students were randomly selected from volunteers, and underwent physical examination, blood chemistry and urinary analysis before and after one month of tea drinking. A three-day dietary record was taken before each physical examination. The tea drinkers showed a lower level of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine hydroperoxide (PEOOH) in the red blood cells and a significant reduction of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (8ohdG) in the urine compared to the controls.

Isolation of two human cDNAs, HLP3 and HLP4, homologous to the neuron-specific calcium-binding protein genes

We have cloned and sequenced two types of human cDNA, HLP3 and HLP4, encoding a protein of 191 amino acid residues with four EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. The HLP3 and HLP4 proteins are homologous to the neuron-specific calcium-binding proteins and are likely human counterparts of the neural visinin-like protein(NVP) 1 and NVP2 identified in the rat brain (Kajimoto et al. 1993), displaying 98% and 99% amino acid identities with these sequences, respectively. The human HLP3 and 4 mRNAs are detected only in the brain and found at high amount in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum by Northern blot analysis.

Site-directed mutagenesis of the response regulator DmsR for the dmsCBA operon expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. Denitrificans: An essential residue of proline-130 in the linker

DmsR protein is a member of the OmpR response regulator subfamily that activates the transcription of the dmsCBA operon in Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans. By site-directed mutagenesis some functional amino acid residues were investigated in DmsR, which consists of the N-terminal regulatory and the C-terminal DNA-binding domains and the linker connecting the two domains. The substitution of P130S in the linker caused decreases of both DNA-binding and transcriptional activator activities. Introducing additional substitutions of R129P or D131P to the DmsR-P130S derivative recovered both activities, demonstrating necessity of proline residue at one of the positions 129-131 in the linker. Substitutions of D12A, D55A, and K104M, at residues conserved in the phosphorylation region, caused no production of DMSO reductase, but retained DNA-binding ability, suggesting that unphosphorylated DmsR also has high affinity to its target nucleotide sequence of DNA. Substitutions in the C-terminal domain suggested the presence of a winged helix-turn-helix structure observed in the DNA-binding domain of the Escherichia coli OmpR.

Physiological effects of water-soluble soybean fiber in rats

Four-week-old rats were fed on diets containing either no dietary fiber (DF) or a DF source (WSSF, ISF or cellulose) for 4 weeks. The DF level was adjusted to 5%. The WSSF diet contained 3% and 2%, respectively, of WSSF and cellulose. No rat in any group experienced diarrhea, and none of the experimental diets suppressed the growth of rats, the apparent absorption of major nutrients being almost 100%. However, the rate of degradation of DF during the digestive process was significantly different (p < 0.05, cellulose, 23.6%; WSSF with cellulose, 64.5% (WSSF degradation only was 91.8%); and ISF, 77.6%). The plasma and liver lipid levels were within normal ranges, although the liver cholesterol level in those rats fed on WSSF and ISF was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in those fed on cellulose. The cecal organic acid contents were in the order of WSSF > ISF > cellulose > DF-free. Furthermore, WSSF was effective in shortening the gastrointestinal transit time. The results indicate that WSSF seems to have favorable effects on the intestinal functions.

Periodically fluctuating protein kinases phosphorylate CLOCK, the putative target in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

We studied nuclear protein phosphorylation in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and found that a nuclear fraction of the SCN contained histone H1 kinase activity that periodically fluctuated with a diurnal rhythm, reaching a maximum at the midpoint of the light phase and a minimum at the midpoint of the dark phase. A p13suc1-bound fraction from the SCN nuclear fraction also exhibited diurnally fluctuating histone H1 kinase activity. Using in situ kinase assay, three histone H1 kinases, p45PFK, p100PFK, and p200PFK (termed periodically fluctuating protein kinases, or PFKs) were found in the p13suc1-bound fractions. p45PFK exhibited the highest level of light/dark cycle phosphorylation activity fluctuation. p45PFK highly phosphorylated the Ser-Pro-rich region of CLOCK, the putative physiological target. These results suggest that PFKs, especially p45PFK, are involved in circadian clock-related signal transduction and gene expression, through the phosphorylation of target proteins such as CLOCK.

Age-related changes in expression of hippocalcin and NVP2 in rat brain

Expression of hippocalcin and neural visinin-like calcium-binding protein 2 (NVP2) in aging rat brain was investigated by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses. In 3-month old rats, hippocalcin and NVP2 were present at high concentrations in hippocampal and cerebral pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells, with hippocalcin protein levels being five to ten times higher than NVP2 levels. Hippocalcin levels in hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased by approximately 20% at 24 months. While the number of hippocalcin-positive cells in CA3, dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex were preserved, staining intensity decreased. In contrast, the number and staining intensity of hippocalcin-positive cells in CA1 were maintained. NVP2 levels in hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased by approximately 30% at 24 months. In cerebral cortex, the number and intensity of NVP2-positive cells decreased. In CA1 through CA3 and in dentate gyrus, NVP2-positive cell numbers were preserved, but staining intensity decreased. In summary, the loss of hippocalcin and NVP2 in aging rat brain may be associated with age-related impairment of postsynaptic functions.

Genomic structure and chromosomal mapping of the human and mouse hippocalcin genes

In an attempt to elucidate the possible relationship of hippocalcin to neurological disorders, we isolated and analyzed the human and mouse hippocalcin genes. The human and mouse hippocalcin genes contain three exons and two introns, and span approximately 7 and 8kb, respectively. The exon/intron splice junctions of the human and mouse genes are all situated in exactly the same position and are not consistently placed with respect to the coding regions of the tandemly repeated EF-hand motifs. The amino acid sequences of human and mouse hippocalcins deduced from the genes are 100% identical. Within the 2-kb 3'-flanking sequences of the human and mouse genes, one conserved polyadenylation signal was identified at positions 762 and 823bp downstream from TAG, respectively. Within the 2.6-kb 5'-flanking sequences of the human and mouse genes, neither a canonical 'TATA' box nor a 'CAAT' box was found. Southern blot analysis of the human and mouse genomic DNAs demonstrated that the positive bands coincide exactly with those expected from the sequence of the cloned genes, indicating that the human and mouse hippocalcin genes are present as a single-copy gene. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization revealed that the human hippocalcin gene is located at chromosome 1 p34.2-35 and the mouse hippocalcin gene at chromosome 4 D2-D3.

Purification and molecular cloning of a novel calcium-binding protein, p26olf, in the frog olfactory epithelium

Olfactory adaptation requires the change of intracellular calcium concentration during stimuli. To contribute in the study of the molecular mechanism of calcium-dependent regulations in olfactory receptor cells, we isolated a novel 26-kDa Ca2+-binding protein named p26olf from the frog olfactory epithelium after four chromatographical steps. Based on the partial amino acid sequences of the proteolysed fragments of p26olf, we obtained a cDNA clone that encodes p26olf. The analysis of its amino acid sequence revealed that p26olf consists of two S-100-like regions aligned sequentially with a calculated molecular mass of 24,493. Northern blot analysis showed that p26olf is expressed in the frog olfactory epithelium and also in other tissues. Immunoreactivity against p26olf was detected in the cilia layer of the olfactory epithelium. These results suggest that p26olf is a dimeric form of S-100 proteins and is involved in the olfactory transduction or adaptation.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, sex steroids, osteocalcin and bone mineral density in male and female rats

Although it has been reported that the rate of weight gain and linear growth increases markedly during puberty in rats, little is known about the relationship between endocrine changes and bone mineral density (BMD) changes upon sexual maturation in these animals. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, sex steroids and osteocalcin, and the changes in BMD in normal aging male and female rats. Male rats exhibited increases in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations before increases in serum testosterone levels. IGF-I and testosterone peaked at 9 weeks of age, and thereafter remained in a steady state, whereas IGFBP-3 reached a peak at 7 weeks of age, and then gradually declined. A strong correlation between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels was found in subjects 3-9 weeks old. A highly significant correlation between serum IGF-I and testosterone levels was also found. In females, serum 17 beta-estradiol, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels increased gradually from 3 to 5 weeks old, peaked at 9 weeks, and then decreased slowly thereafter. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 was highly significant. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and 17 beta-estradiol levels was weak, although it was strongest when the subjects were 3-9 weeks old. Serum osteocalcin is a marker of bone formation; its level remained relatively high from 3 to 9 and from 3 to 7 weeks of age in males and females, respectively, although osteocalcin in both sexes declined gradually with age. As for bone mass, sharp increases in BMD in the tibia, femur and lumbar vertebrae appeared earlier in female than in male rats, and the BMD in females tended to be higher than in males between 5 and 9 weeks old. After 9 weeks of age, BMD in males was higher than that in females, as BMD in males continued to increase whereas females tended to remain in a steady state after this stage. The correlation coefficients between tibial BMD and serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels were highly significant when the subjects were from 3 to 9 weeks old. Taken together, these results suggest that BMD development occurs earlier in female than in male rats. This sex-related difference in changes in the BMD pattern may result from the earlier onset of puberty in females, and from sex-specific differences in concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and sex steroids during maturation.