Antiferromagnetic topological insulator with selectively gapped Dirac cones

Antiferromagnetic (AF) topological materials offer a fertile ground to explore a variety of quantum phenomena such as axion magnetoelectric dynamics and chiral Majorana fermions. To realize such intriguing states, it is essential to establish a direct link between electronic states and topology in the AF phase, whereas this has been challenging because of the lack of a suitable materials platform. Here we report the experimental realization of the AF topological-insulator phase in NdBi. By using micro-focused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we discovered contrasting surface electronic states for two types of AF domains; the surface having the out-of-plane component in the AF-ordering vector displays Dirac-cone states with a gigantic energy gap, whereas the surface parallel to the AF-ordering vector hosts gapless Dirac states despite the time-reversal-symmetry breaking. The present results establish an essential role of combined symmetry to protect massless Dirac fermions under the presence of AF order and widen opportunities to realize exotic phenomena utilizing AF topological materials.

Determination of Lycopene Concentration in Fresh Tomatoes by Spectrophotometry: A Collaborative Study

BACKGROUND

Lycopene has been the object of considerable research attention recently, and the effects of the intake of lycopene, or of tomato products, have been studied in various ways. In Japan, interest in the health-promoting function of food components has increased.

OBJECTIVE

Developing a method to determine lycopene contents in tomato that meets the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).

METHOD

In the proposed JAS method, the test sample consists of fresh tomatoes; a hexane-acetone mixture is utilized as the extraction solvent. A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the interlaboratory performance of the method.

RESULTS

Ten laboratories participated and analyzed six test materials characterized by a lycopene content between 39 and 170 mg/kg as blind duplicates. After removing statistical outliers, RSDr ranged from 1.2 to 3.0% and RSDR ranged from 2.4 to 4.2%. The HorRat values were calculated and found to be in the 0.26-0.49 range.

CONCLUSIONS

The method for determining the lycopene content in tomato was evaluated by means of a collaborative study, and the reproducibility of this method was found to be acceptable.

HIGHLIGHTS

Intended for standardization in Japan, a method to determine lycopene content in tomato has been developed and shown to have acceptable precision in a collaborative study.

Relation of Poor Nutritional Status to Mild Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES

Nutritional status affects cerebral circulation and cognitive function. More attention needs to be paid to nutritional status in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, yet the relation between nutritional status or dietary intake (DI) and cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in CAD patients remain unclear. Thus, we examined the following relations: 1) that between nutritional status and cognitive function, and MCI and 2) that between DI and cognitive function, and MCI.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 208 patients with CAD but without dementia.

MEASUREMENTS

MCI was estimated with the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Nutritional status was assessed by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and DI was assessed by total energy intake per day. We investigated the relation between nutritional status or DI and cognitive function by Pearson correlation analysis, and that between nutritional status or DI and MCI by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The GNRI and DI were positively associated with the MoCA-J score (r = 0.23, p < 0.001, and r = 0.24, p < 0.001, respectively), and both were independently associated with MCI in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; p = 0.045, and odds ratio, 0.998; p = 0.020, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor nutritional status and low DI were found to be significantly associated with cognitive function and MCI in CAD patients. Our findings regarding nutritional status and DI might be useful for clinicians to prevent or intervene in the early cognitive decline of inpatients with CAD.

P6491Predictive effect of mitral annular size on persistent mitral valve dysfunction after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for functional mitral regurgitation

Background

In patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), deformation of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus leads to deteriorating coaptation of both leaflets. The MV geometry is essential to predict procedural success of using the MitraClip™ for FMR patients. Persistent such mitral regurgitation (MR) and post-procedural mitral stenosis (MS) are parameters for an increasing mortality rate after MitraClip implantation. The anterior-to-posterior mitral annulus diameter (MAD) is simple to evaluate with a high reproducibility rate. However, the predictive effect has not been determined to date.

Purpose

We evaluated the predictive effect of baseline anterior-to-posterior MAD on persistent MV dysfunctions after MitraClip™ implantation.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence of procedural failure (MR at discharge > grade 2+) and post-procedural MS (mean transmitral gradient (mTMG) at discharge ≥6 mmHg) in a patient cohort with FMR (n=190), who underwent MitraClip™ implantation. We measured the MV apparatus geometry on mid-systole using transoesophageal echocardiography before the index procedure. The MAD was stratified by interquartile ranges (IQR) in the comparison. (≤34 mm, 35 to 37 mm, 38 to 40 mm, and ≥41 mm, respectively)

Results

The mean age was 75±9 years, and 63 patients (33%) were female. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 34±14%. Moderate-to-severe (3+) or severe MR (4+) were documented in all patients before the procedure. Transthoracic echocardiography at discharge revealed residual MR (>2+) in 10 patients (5%) and post-procedural MS in 13 patients (7%), in which one patient presented with both residual MR and MS.

After stratification by the IQRs of MAD, there were significant differences in body weight (p<0.001), height (p<0.001), and body surface area (p<0.001), but no significant differences in the other baseline characteristics. Notably, significant differences in the prevalence of procedural failure (p=0.004) and post-procedural MS (p=0.022) were observed among the groups. (Figure) Specifically, in the cohort with the 4th IQR (MAD ≥41 mm, n=44), procedural failure was observed in 7 patients (16%), although the prevalence was only 2% in the other IQR groups. Moreover, the cohorts with the 1st and 2nd IQR presented with higher prevalence of post-procedural MS (6 of 46 patients (13%) in the 1st IQR group, and 6 of 51 (12%) in the 2nd IQR group) than those with the 3rd and 4th IQRs. (1 of 49 patients (2%) in the 3rd IQR, and none of 44 patients in the 4th IQR)

Figure 1

Conclusion

In this analysis we showed that the mitral annulus size affected MV dysfunction after MitraClip™. Anterior-to-posterior MAD was useful to predict the procedural result. For FMR candidates with dilated mitral annulus larger than 40 mm, new-generation MitraClip-XTR™ system or other therapeutic concept such as annuloplasty may be reasonable to obtain satisfactory MV function.

Complete renal response at 12 months after induction therapy is associated with renal relapse-free rate in lupus nephritis: a single-center, retrospective cohort study

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major risk factor for overall morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cases of proliferative and membranous LN patients who underwent a renal biopsy at our hospital in 1993–2016. We analyzed the association between complete renal response (CR) rates at 12 months after induction therapy and predictive factors for CR and their association with renal flares.

Results

Of the 95 cases analyzed, we were able to track the therapeutic responses of 81 patients at 12 months after their induction therapy. The median follow-up duration after renal biopsy was 51 months (interquartile range: 16.5–154.5 months). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that, compared to not attaining CR at 12 months, the attainment of CR at 12 months was correlated with being free from renal flares. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the predictive factors for CR at 12 months were the anti-La/SSB antibodies (U/ml) (odds ratio (OR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.63, p = 0.0220), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.44–0.90, p = 0.00048) and serum β2 microglobulin (MG) (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06–0.74, p = 0.00098) levels.

Conclusions

Among LN patients, being free from renal flares was associated with attaining CR at 12 months after induction therapy. Anti-La/SSB antibodies were a positive predictive factor, and BUN and serum β2MG levels were negative predictive factors of CR at 12 months.

Factors predictive of long-term mortality in lupus nephritis: a multicenter retrospective study of a Japanese cohort

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major determinant of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here we evaluated the association between complete renal response (CR) and mortality in LN.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 172 of 201 patients with LN for whom data on the therapeutic response at 6 and 12 months after induction therapy were available. The patients underwent a renal biopsy at Nagasaki University Hospital and community hospitals in Nagasaki between the years 1990 and 2016. We determined the CR rates at 6 and 12 months after induction therapy initiation and evaluated the predictive factors for CR and their relationship with mortality. We performed univariate and multivariable competing risks regression analyses to determine the factors predictive of CR. The patients' survival data were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test.

Results

The median follow-up duration after renal biopsy was 120 months (interquartile range: 60.3–191.8 months). The 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year survival rates of our cohort were 99.3, 94.6, 92.0 and 85.4%, respectively. During follow-up, nine patients (5.2%) died from cardiovascular events, infection, malignancy and other causes. The multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors were predictive of CR. At 6 months: male gender (odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.65, p = 0.0028), proteinuria (g/gCr) (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.97, p = 0.0098) and index of activity (0–24) (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.99, p = 0.0382). At 12 months: male gender (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09–0.67, p = 0.0043) and index of activity (0–24) (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.98, p = 0.0236). The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that compared to not achieving CR at 12 months, achieving CR at 12 months was significantly correlated with the survival rate (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.92, p = 0.0339).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the survival rate of patients with LN is associated with the achievement of CR at 12 months after induction therapy, and that male gender and a higher index of activity (0–24) are the common predictive factors for failure to achieve CR at 6 and 12 months.

Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase 3 Enhances Cytodifferentiation of Periodontal Ligament Cells

Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 ( Smpd3), which encodes neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2), is a key molecule for skeletal development as well as for the cytodifferentiation of odontoblasts and alveolar bone. However, the effects of nSMase2 on the cytodifferentiation of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are still unclear. In this study, the authors analyzed the effects of Smpd3 on the cytodifferentiation of human PDL (HPDL) cells. The authors found that Smpd3 increases the mRNA expression of calcification-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), type I collagen, osteopontin, Osterix (Osx), and runt-related transcription factor (Runx)-2 in HPDL cells. In contrast, GW4869, an inhibitor of nSMase2, clearly decreased the mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin in HPDL cells, suggesting that Smpd3 enhances HPDL cytodifferentiation. Next, the authors used exome sequencing to evaluate the genetic variants of Smpd3 in a Japanese population with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Among 44 unrelated subjects, the authors identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs145616324, in Smpd3 as a putative genetic variant for AgP among Japanese people. Moreover, Smpd3 harboring this SNP did not increase the sphingomyelinase activity or mRNA expression of ALPase, type I collagen, osteopontin, Osx, or Runx2, suggesting that this SNP inhibits Smpd3 such that it has no effect on the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. These data suggest that Smpd3 plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of PDL tissue.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Number of Teeth in Japan

The 2004 Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey collected data on several measures, including self-reported dental health. In addition, this was the first nationwide survey to focus on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Japan. Therefore, the authors used this nationwide data set to assess the relationship between number of teeth present and MetS. Anonymized data were available with permission from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Data from 3,195 men and women aged 35 to 99 y were examined, and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between number of teeth and MetS. Moreover, the authors performed an analysis of covariance to compare the mean number of teeth between those with and those without MetS, after adjusting for confounders. In comparison with those having ≥28 teeth, those with fewer remaining teeth demonstrated significantly higher odds of having MetS. Specifically, those having 1 to 9 teeth had higher odds of having MetS than those with more teeth and were more than twice as likely to be affected than those with ≥28 teeth. Furthermore, individuals with MetS in the age groups of 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65 to 74 y had significantly fewer teeth than those without MetS in the same age groups. These results suggest that the number of teeth present is associated with the prevalence of MetS in the Japanese population. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians when they examine patients with periodontal disease or extensive tooth loss to refer for a general medical examination.

High glucose-induced oxidative stress increases IL-8 production in human gingival epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is often associated with increased prevalence and severity of periodontal disease. We hypothesized that gingival epithelial cells modify periodontal disease progression and predicted that hyperglycemia would activate an inflammatory response in human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We tested our hypothesis in immortalized HGECs (epi 4 cells) isolated from periodontal tissue and transfected with the simian virus 40 T antigen. The epi 4 cells were cultured in high (25 mM, HG) and normal (6 mM, NG) glucose conditions.

RESULTS

The epi 4 cells showed increased interleukin-8 (IL-8) protein secretion and mRNA expression when cultured in HG, compared with in NG. These effects were not associated with increased cell proliferation and were not observed in a hyperosmolar control group (normal glucose with 19 mM mannitol). Increased IL-8 secretion in HG was inhibited by pretreatment with an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, or a protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro31-8220. Hyperglycemia did not affect IL-8 secretion by gingival fibroblasts or periodontal ligament cells. In epi 4 cells, hyperglycemia also induced expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) but not TLR4.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a potential participation of epithelial cells in periodontal disease during diabetes by evoking an excessive host inflammatory response.

PLAP-1/Asporin Positively Regulates FGF-2 Activity

PLAP-1 is an extracellular matrix protein that is predominantly expressed in the periodontal ligament within periodontal tissue. It was previously revealed that PLAP-1 negatively regulates bone morphogenetic protein 2 and transforming growth factor β activity through direct interactions. However, the interaction between PLAP-1 and other growth factors has not been defined. Here, we revealed that PLAP-1 positively regulates the activity of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), a critical growth factor in tissue homeostasis and repair. In this study, we isolated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Plap-1(-/-) mice generated in our laboratory. Interestingly, Plap-1(-/-) MEFs exhibited enhanced responses to bone morphogenetic protein 2 but defective responses to FGF-2, and Plap-1 transfection into Plap-1(-/-) MEFs rescued these defective responses. In addition, binding assays revealed that PLAP-1 promotes FGF-2-FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) complex formation by direct binding to FGF-2. Immunocytochemistry analyses revealed colocalization of PLAP-1 and FGF-2 in wild-type MEFs and reduced colocalization of FGF-2 and FGFR1 in Plap-1(-/-) MEFs compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, PLAP-1 positively regulates FGF-2 activity through a direct interaction. Extracellular matrix-growth factor interactions have considerable effects; thus, this approach may be useful in several regenerative medicine applications.

Necrosis-induced TLR3 Activation Promotes TLR2 Expression in Gingival Cells

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), endogenous molecules released from injured or dying cells, evoke sterile inflammation that is not induced by microbial pathogens. Periodontal diseases are infectious diseases caused by oral microorganisms; however, in some circumstances, DAMPs might initiate inflammatory responses before host cells recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Here, we showed that the necrotic cell supernatant (NCS) functioned as an endogenous danger signal when released from necrotic epithelial cells exposed to repeat freeze thawing. The NCS contained RNA and stimulated the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 from gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts. Targeted knockdown of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in these cells significantly suppressed the ability of the NCS to induce IL-6 and IL-8 production. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts recognized the NCS from heterologous cells. Interestingly, the activation of TLR3, rather than other TLRs, induced TLR2 mRNA expression and proteins in gingival epithelial cells, and pretreatment with the NCS or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), a strong TLR3 activator, enhanced inflammatory cytokine production induced by subsequent stimulation with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide, a TLR2 agonist. Moreover, the NCS reduced the expression of epithelial tight junction molecules zona occludens 1 and occludin and increased the permeability of epithelial tight junctions. These findings suggest that endogenous danger signal molecules such as self-RNA released from necrotic cells are recognized by TLR3 and that a subsequent increase of TLR2 expression in periodontal compartments such as gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts may enhance the inflammatory response to periodontopathic microbes recognized by TLR2 such as P. gingivalis, which also disrupts epithelial barrier functions. Thus, DAMPs may be involved in the development and prolongation of periodontal disease.

Catalytic dehydrogenative N-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)carbonyl (Tsoc) protection of amines using iPr3SiH and CO2

Heterogeneous Pd/C efficiently catalyzes the dehydrogenative N-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)carbonyl (Tsoc) protection of amines using iPr₃SiH and CO₂ without the liberation of any salts.

Effects of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, on cytodifferentiation and mineralization of periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, is known to induce osteoblastic differentiation in a number of cell lines, such as mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblastic precursor cells. As periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are multipotent, we examined whether bortezomib may induce the differentiation of PDL cells into hard-tissue-forming cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A mouse PDL clone cell line, MPDL22 cells, was cultured in mineralization medium in the presence or absence of bortezomib. Expression of calcification-related genes and calcified-nodule formation were evaluated by real-time PCR and Alizarin Red staining, respectively.

RESULTS

Bortezomib increased the expression of calcification-related mRNAs, such as tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (ALPase), bone sialoprotein (Bsp), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteopontin, and calcified-nodule formation in MPDL22 cells. These effects were induced, in part, by increasing the cytosolic accumulation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, leading to an increase in expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)-2, -4 and -6 mRNAs. In addition, bortezomib enhanced BMP-2-induced expression of Bsp and osteopontin mRNAs and increased calcified-nodule formation in MPDL22 cells.

CONCLUSION

Bortezomib induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells by enhancing the accumulation of β-catenin within the cytosol and the nucleus and increasing the expression of Bmp-2, -4 and -6 mRNAs. Moreover, bortezomib enhanced the BMP-2-induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells, suggesting that bortezomib may be efficacious for use in periodontal regeneration therapy.

Cooperative effects of FGF-2 and VEGF-A in periodontal ligament cells

We previously demonstrated that topical application of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 enhanced periodontal tissue regeneration. Although angiogenesis is a crucial event for tissue regeneration, the mechanism(s) by which topically applied FGF-2 induces angiogenesis in periodontal tissues has not been fully clarified. In this study, we investigated whether FGF-2 could induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and whether cell-to-cell interactions between PDL cells and endothelial cells could stimulate angiogenesis. FGF-2 induced VEGF-A secretion from MPDL22 cells (mouse periodontal ligament cell line) in a dose-dependent manner. Transwell and wound-healing assays revealed that co-stimulation with FGF-2 plus VEGF-A synergistically stimulated the migration of MPDL22 cells. Interestingly, co-culture of MPDL22 cells with bEnd5 cells (mouse endothelial cell line) also stimulated VEGF-A production from MPDL22 cells and tube formation by bEnd5 cells. Furthermore, time-lapse analysis revealed that MPDL22 cells migrated close to the tube-forming bEnd5 cells, mimicking pericytes. Thus, FGF-2 induces VEGF-A expression in PDL cells and induces angiogenesis in combination with VEGF-A. Cell-to-cell interactions with PDL cells also facilitate angiogenesis.

Oxidative stress and antibody levels to periodontal bacteria in adults: the Nagasaki Islands study

OBJECTIVE

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues supporting the teeth and is caused by subgingival plaque. Systemic increases in reactive oxygen species are involved in pathogenesis of periodontitis. This study addressed the relationship between levels of serum oxidative stress and antibodies against putative periodontopathic bacteria and their association with periodontal conditions, in a community-based study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Serum samples were measured for reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) levels and anti-oxidant capacity. The serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), and Eikenella corrodens (Ec) were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

The participants with greater clinical attachment loss had higher serum ROM levels and IgG antibody titers to Pg. Serum ROM levels were positively correlated with antibody titers to Pg, Pi, and Ec. When the participants with greater probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were used as the dependent variables, high ROM levels showed a statistically significant associations in multivariate logistic analyses; the adjusted odds ratios were 2.9 (95% confidence interval = 1.0-8.5) and 6.0 (95% confidence interval = 2.0-17.6), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that an increased oxidative stress may be detrimental to periodontitis in Japanese community-dwelling adults.

Cordycepin as a sensitizer to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced apoptosis through eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)- and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-mediated inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-κB

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is one of the major bioactive substances produced by Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom. Cordycepin possesses several biological activities, including both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic properties. In the present report, we investigated an effect of cordycepin on the survival of cells exposed to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We found that subtoxic doses of cordycepin increased susceptibility of cells to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. It was associated with suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a major prosurvival component involved in TNF-α signalling. The adenosine transporter and A₃ adenosine receptor, but not A₁ and A₂ adenosine receptors, mediated both anti-NF-κB and pro-apoptotic effects. We found that cordycepin had the potential to phosphorylate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and that activation of eIF2α mimicked the suppressive effect of cordycepin on the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, activation of eIF2α sensitized cells to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. To identify molecular events downstream of eIF2α, the role of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) was examined. Selective activation of ₃eIF2α, as well as treatment with cordycepin, caused phosphorylation of mTORC1. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1, significantly reversed the suppressive effects of eIF2α on NF-κB. These results suggest that cordycepin sensitizes cells to TNF-α-induced apoptosis, at least in part, via induction of the eIF2α-mTORC1 pathway and consequent suppression of NF-κB.

Adiponectin regulates functions of gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Adiponectin is a cytokine constitutively produced by adipocytes and exhibits multiple biological functions by targeting various cell types. However, the effects of adiponectin on primary gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells are still unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of adiponectin on gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The expression of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), mouse gingival fibroblasts (MGFs) and human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells was examined using RT-PCR and western blotting. HGFs and MGFs were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β in the presence or absence of adiponectin, and the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at both mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Furthermore, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in MGFs were used to knock down the expression of mouse AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The effects of adiponectin on the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. Mineralized nodule formation of adiponectin-treated HPDL cells was revealed by Alizarin Red staining.

RESULTS

AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were expressed constitutively in HGFs, MGFs and HPDL cells. Adiponectin decreased the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in IL-1β-stimulated HGFs and MGFs. AdipoR1 siRNA in MGFs revealed that the effect of adiponectin on reduction of IL-6 expression was potentially mediated via AdipoR1. Adiponectin-treated HPDL cells promoted the expression of ALP and Runx2 mRNAs and up-regulated ALP activity. Furthermore, adiponectin enhanced mineralized nodule formation of HPDL cells.

CONCLUSION

Our observations demonstrate that adiponectin exerts anti-inflammatory effects on HGFs and MGFs, and promotes the activities of osteoblastogenesis of HPDL cells. We conclude that adiponectin has potent beneficial functions to maintain the homeostasis of periodontal health, improve periodontal lesions, and contribute to wound healing and tissue regeneration.

mTORC1 serves ER stress-triggered apoptosis via selective activation of the IRE1-JNK pathway

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has a key role in the regulation of an array of cellular function. We found that rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), attenuated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Among three major branches of the unfolded protein response, rapamycin selectively suppressed the IRE1-JNK signaling without affecting PERK and ATF6 pathways. ER stress rapidly induced activation of mTORC1, which was responsible for induction of the IRE1-JNK pathway and apoptosis. Activation of mTORC1 reduced Akt phosphorylation, which was an event upstream of IRE-JNK signaling and consequent apoptosis. In vivo, administration with rapamycin significantly suppressed renal tubular injury and apoptosis in tunicamycin-treated mice. It was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and suppression of JNK activity in the kidney. These results disclosed that, under ER stress conditions, mTORC1 causes apoptosis through suppression of Akt and consequent induction of the IRE1-JNK pathway.

Pediatrician-recommended use of sports drinks and dental caries in 3-year-old children

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether children advised by a pediatrician to take sports drinks consume them more frequently than do other children and whether these children have an increased risk of dental caries.

METHODS

The subjects were 522 mother/child pairs who attended a dental checkup for 3-year-olds at one of ten community health centers in Nagasaki, Japan. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of children with or without dental caries according to child-related variables. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between the presence of dental caries and child-related variables taken from a dental checkup and a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A high frequency of sports drink consumption was strongly associated with dental caries in children. The highest proportion of mothers answered that they were advised by a pediatrician to give sports drinks to their children. However, these children consumed sports drinks significantly less frequently than did children who did so for reasons other than pediatrician recommendations. In addition, these children were significantly less likely to have dental caries than were children who consumed sports drinks for otherreasons.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatrician-recommended consumption of sports drinks does not lead to more frequent consumption of these beverages or to dental caries in 3-year-old children.

FGF-2 stimulates periodontal regeneration: results of a multi-center randomized clinical trial

The efficacy of the local application of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in periodontal regeneration has been investigated. In this study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 253 adult patients with periodontitis. Modified Widman periodontal surgery was performed, during which 200 µL of the investigational formulation containing 0% (vehicle alone), 0.2%, 0.3%, or 0.4% FGF-2 was administered to 2- or 3-walled vertical bone defects. Each dose of FGF-2 showed significant superiority over vehicle alone (p < 0.01) for the percentage of bone fill at 36 wks after administration, and the percentage peaked in the 0.3% FGF-2 group. No significant differences among groups were observed in clinical attachment regained, scoring approximately 2 mm. No clinical safety problems, including an abnormal increase in alveolar bone or ankylosis, were identified. These results strongly suggest that topical application of FGF-2 can be efficacious in the regeneration of human periodontal tissue that has been destroyed by periodontitis.

Visuospatial dysfunction may be a key in the differentiation between Alzheimer's disease and subcortical cognitive impairment in moderate to severe stages

AIMS

Recent studies have suggested that subcortical cognitive impairment (SubCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be differentiated by visuospatial tasks. We addressed at what severity stage these differences become apparent and what components in visuospatial processes are subject to impairment.

METHODS

Sixty patients with AD, 22 with vascular cognitive impairment and 63 with extrapyramidal diseases with cognitive impairment were assessed using the revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDSR), clock drawing/reading/matching tests (CDT, CRT, CMT), figure copying (FIG) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Patients were categorized according to the HDSR scores in order to control for the severity of global cognitive impairment. Raw scores were converted to Z-scores for comparisons.

RESULTS

In the mild stage, results of all measures were comparable between AD and SubCI. In the moderate-severe stage, scores of CDT, CRT, CMT, FIG and FAB were significantly lower in SubCI. The results suggest that (given that global cognition is controlled for) visuo-perception, visuo-construction and semantic-numerical analyses of visual information may be more impaired in SubCI than AD.

CONCLUSIONS

AD and SubCI may be difficult to be differentiated in the mild stages, and the visuospatial cognitive system may be extensively defective in SubCI.