Anomalous spin precession systematic effects in the search for a muon EDM using the frozen-spin technique

At the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), we are developing a high-precision apparatus with the aim of searching for the muon electric dipole moment (EDM) with unprecedented sensitivity. The underpinning principle of this experiment is the frozen-spin technique, a method that suppresses the spin precession due to the anomalous magnetic moment, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio for EDM signals. This increased sensitivity enables measurements that would be difficult to achieve with conventional g - 2 muon storage rings. Given the availability of the 125 MeV / c muon beam at PSI, the anticipated statistical sensitivity for the EDM after a year of data collection is 6 × 10 - 23 e · cm . To achieve this goal, it is imperative to do a detailed analysis of any potential spurious effects that could mimic EDM signals. In this study, we present a quantitative methodology to evaluate the systematic effects that might arise in the context of the frozen-spin technique utilised within a compact storage ring. Our approach involves the analytical derivation of equations governing the motion of the muon spin in the electromagnetic (EM) fields intrinsic to the experimental setup, validated through numerical simulations. We also illustrate a method to calculate the cumulative geometric (Berry's) phase. This work complements ongoing experimental efforts to detect a muon EDM at PSI and contributes to a broader understanding of spin-precession systematic effects.

Life expectancy associated with different ages at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in high-income countries: 23 million person-years of observation

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly, particularly among younger age groups. Estimates suggest that people with diabetes die, on average, 6 years earlier than people without diabetes. We aimed to provide reliable estimates of the associations between age at diagnosis of diabetes and all-cause mortality, cause-specific mortality, and reductions in life expectancy.

METHODS

For this observational study, we conducted a combined analysis of individual-participant data from 19 high-income countries using two large-scale data sources: the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration (96 cohorts, median baseline years 1961-2007, median latest follow-up years 1980-2013) and the UK Biobank (median baseline year 2006, median latest follow-up year 2020). We calculated age-adjusted and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality according to age at diagnosis of diabetes using data from 1 515 718 participants, in whom deaths were recorded during 23·1 million person-years of follow-up. We estimated cumulative survival by applying age-specific HRs to age-specific death rates from 2015 for the USA and the EU.

FINDINGS

For participants with diabetes, we observed a linear dose-response association between earlier age at diagnosis and higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with participants without diabetes. HRs were 2·69 (95% CI 2·43-2·97) when diagnosed at 30-39 years, 2·26 (2·08-2·45) at 40-49 years, 1·84 (1·72-1·97) at 50-59 years, 1·57 (1·47-1·67) at 60-69 years, and 1·39 (1·29-1·51) at 70 years and older. HRs per decade of earlier diagnosis were similar for men and women. Using death rates from the USA, a 50-year-old individual with diabetes died on average 14 years earlier when diagnosed aged 30 years, 10 years earlier when diagnosed aged 40 years, or 6 years earlier when diagnosed aged 50 years than an individual without diabetes. Using EU death rates, the corresponding estimates were 13, 9, or 5 years earlier.

INTERPRETATION

Every decade of earlier diagnosis of diabetes was associated with about 3-4 years of lower life expectancy, highlighting the need to develop and implement interventions that prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and to intensify the treatment of risk factors among young adults diagnosed with diabetes.

FUNDING

British Heart Foundation, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research, and Health Data Research UK.

Collegiate baseball pitchers demonstrate a relationship between ball velocity and elbow varus torque, both within and across pitchers

High elbow varus torque during baseball pitching has been identified as a potential cause of ulnar collateral ligament injury in baseball pitchers. In general, elbow varus torque increases as ball velocity increases across pitchers. However, studies incorporating within-subject analyses report that not all professional pitchers have a positive relationship between elbow varus torque and ball velocity (T-V relationship). It remains unknown whether collegiate pitchers show the same trend as professionals in their T-V relationships. The current study investigated the T-V relationship of collegiate pitchers focusing on both across and within pitchers. Division 1 collegiate pitchers (n = 81) were assessed for elbow torque and ball velocity during pitching. Both across- and within-pitcher T-V relationships were significant (p < 0.05) using linear regression. However, more variance in elbow varus torque was explained using the within-pitcher relationship (R2 = 0.29) than the across-pitcher relationship (R2 = 0.05). Of the 81 pitchers, nearly half (n = 39) had significant T-V relationships, while the other half (n = 42) did not. Our findings indicate that the T-V relationship should be assessed on an individual basis as T-V is pitcher-specific.

Impact of Proteinuria and Low eGFR on Lifetime Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Death: A Pooled Analysis of Data From the Evidence for Cardiovascular Prevention From Observational Cohorts in Japan Study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): H20–Junkankitou [Seishuu]–Ippan–013; H23–Junkankitou [Seishuu]–Ippan–005; H26-Junkankitou [Seisaku]-Ippan-001; H29–Junkankitou–Ippan–003 and 20FA1002

OnBehalf

EPOCH-JAPAN

Introduction

Absolute risk of Lifetime risk (LTR) is useful estimate for risk communication compared with short term risk or relative risk especially for young people. Proteinuria is leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although nonproteinuric renal disease is global burden of ESKD, it has been poorly focused. To date, there have been no reports of impact of proteinuria and low eGFR on LTR with the outcome of CVD death in Asian population.

Purpose

We aimed to estimate LTR of CVD death stratified by the status of proteinuria and low eGFR.

Methods

We used modified Kaplan-Meier approach to estimate the remaining lifetime risk of cardiovascular death based on EPOCH-JAPAN(Evidence for Cardiovascular Prevention From Observational Cohorts in Japan) database. LTR was estimated at each index age starting from 40 years for those with proteinuria and without proteinuria stratified by low eGFR, which is defined as eGFR &lt;60 ml/min/1.73 m². Participants were classified into three groups, which were those with proteinuria (Proteinuria (+)), those without proteinuria with low eGFR (Proteinuria (-)/Low eGFR (+)), those without proteinuria without low eGFR (Proteinuria (-)/Low eGFR (-)).

Results

A total of 47,292 participants from 9 cohorts was included in the analysis. Mean follow-up period was 14.6 years with 690,463 person years and total CVD death was 1,075 in men and 1,193 in women. The LTRs at the index age of 40 years were as follows: 17.7% (95% confidence interval: 15.4 – 19.0%) in Proteinuria (-)/Low eGFR (-) group, 26.2% (20.2 – 31.1%) in Proteinuria (-)/low eGFR (+) group, 24.5% (15.1 – 29.3%) in Proteinuria (+) group for men; 15.3%(13.7 – 16.5%), 29.9%(14.7 – 46.8%) , 28.3%(19.4 – 34.7%) for women.

Conclusions

We observed that those without proteinuria with low eGFR have equivalently high LTR with those with proteinuria. These results indicate that even in the absence of proteinuria, low eGFR has high impact on LTR. Lifestyle modification from young age is necessary to prevent from renal dysfunction.

Expression of Stem Cell Factor in Feline Mast Cell Tumour

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a ligand of the molecule Kit, which is expressed in mast cells and is important for mast cell proliferation, migration and survival. Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are associated with mutations of c-kit, a proto-oncogene encoding the Kit protein. In this study, we examined SCF expression in 23 samples of feline MCTs. SCF expression was detected in 10 cutaneous MCTs and a case of splenic mastocytosis. In the cutaneous MCTs, SCF-positive tumour cells were located at the margins. Kit was expressed in eight of the 10 cutaneous cases of SCF-expressing MCTs. In these cases, Kit-positive cells were located near to SCF-positive cells, and SCF/Kit double-positive tumour cells were found. Ki67-positive tumour cells were not found near to SCF-positive cells. These results suggest that SCF autocrine/paracrine mechanisms are involved in the expansion of cutaneous MCTs, but not in tumour proliferation.

Alternative splicing in the C-terminal tail of Cav2.1 is essential for preventing a neurological disease in mice

Alternative splicing (AS) that occurs at the final coding exon (exon 47) of the Cav2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) gene produces two major isoforms in the brain, MPI and MPc. These isoforms differ in their splice acceptor sites; human MPI is translated into a polyglutamine tract associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), whereas MPc splices to an immediate stop codon, resulting in a shorter cytoplasmic tail. To gain insight into the functional role of the AS in vivo and whether modulating the splice patterns at this locus can be a potential therapeutic strategy for SCA6, here we created knockin mice that exclusively express MPc by inserting the splice-site mutation. The resultant Cacna1aCtmKO/CtmKO mice developed non-progressive neurological phenotypes, featuring early-onset ataxia and absence seizure without significant alterations in the basic properties of the channel. Interactions of Cav2.1 with Cavβ4 and Rimbp2 were significantly reduced while those with GABAB2 were enhanced in the cerebellum of Cacna1aCtmKO/CtmKO mice. Treatment with the GABAB antagonist CGP35348 partially rescued the motor impairments seen in Cacna1aCtmKO/CtmKO mice. These results suggest that the carboxyl-terminal domain of Cav2.1 is not essential for maintaining the basic properties of the channel in the cerebellar Purkinje neurons but is involved in multiple interactions of Cav2.1 with other proteins, and plays an essential role in preventing a complex neurological disease.

Oncolytic reovirus therapy: Pilot study in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumours

Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel treatment involving replication-competent virus in the elimination of cancer. We have previously reported the oncolytic effects of reovirus in various canine cancer cell lines. This study aims to establish the safety profile of reovirus in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumours and to determine a recommended dosing regimen. Nineteen dogs with various tumours, mostly of advanced stages, were treated with reovirus, ranging from 1.0 × 10⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁹ TCID₅₀ given as intratumour injection (IT) or intravenous infusion (IV) daily for up to 5 consecutive days in 1 or multiple treatment cycles. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group- Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE) v1.1 guidelines. Viral shedding, neutralizing anti-reovirus antibody (NARA) production and immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of reovirus protein in the tumours were also assessed. AE was not observed in most dogs and events were limited to Grade I or II fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and inflammation of the injected tumour. No infectious virus was shed and all dogs had elevated NARA levels post-treatment. Although IHC results were only available in 6 dogs, 4 were detected positive for reovirus protein. In conclusion, reovirus is well-tolerated and can be given safely to tumour-bearing dogs according to the dosing regimen used in this study without significant concerns of viral shedding. Reovirus is also potentially effective in various types of canine tumours.

Digital gene atlas of neonate common marmoset brain

Interest in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) as a primate model animal has grown recently, in part due to the successful demonstration of transgenic marmosets. However, there is some debate as to the suitability of marmosets, compared to more widely used animal models, such as the macaque monkey and mouse. Especially, the usage of marmoset for animal models of human cognition and mental disorders, is still yet to be fully explored. To examine the prospects of the marmoset model for neuroscience research, the Marmoset Gene Atlas (https://gene-atlas.bminds.brain.riken.jp/) provides a whole brain gene expression atlas in the common marmoset. We employ in situ hybridization (ISH) to systematically analyze gene expression in neonate marmoset brains, which allows us to compare expression with other model animals such as mouse. We anticipate that these data will provide sufficient information to develop tools that enable us to reveal marmoset brain structure, function, cellular and molecular organization for primate brain research.

Nosocomial BK Polyomavirus Infection Causing Hemorrhagic Cystitis Among Patients With Hematological Malignancies After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is recognized as a pathogen that causes diseases such as hemorrhagic cystitis and nephritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or renal transplantation. BKPyV-associated disease is thought to occur through reactivation under immunosuppression. However, the possibility of its nosocomial transmission and the clinical significance of such transmission have not been elucidated. During a 6-month period, nine adult patients (median age: 47 years) who had hematological disorders and who were treated with HSCT (n = 7) or chemotherapy (n = 2) in a single hematology department developed hemorrhagic cystitis due to BKPyV infection. The polymerase chain reaction products of BKPyV DNA obtained from each patient were sequenced. Of the nine patients, six had subtype I, 2 had subtype IV, and 1 had subtype II or III. In the alignment of sequences, four and two of the six subtype I strains were completely homologous (100%). These results strongly suggest that BKPyV has the potential to cause nosocomial infection within a medical facility, especially among recipients of HSCT. Further studies are clearly warranted to elucidate the route(s) of BKPyV transmission in order to establish optimal infection control.

CXorf48 is a potential therapeutic target for achieving treatment-free remission in CML patients

Although the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has improved overall survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), about half of the patients eventually relapse after cessation of TKIs. In contrast, the remainder of the patients maintain molecular remission without TKIs, indicating that the patients' immune system could control proliferation of TKI-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs). However, the precise mechanism of immunity against CML-LSCs is not fully understood. We have identified a novel immune target, CXorf48, expressed in LSCs of CML patients. Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) induced by the epitope peptide derived from CXorf48 recognized CD34⁺CD38^- cells obtained from the bone marrow of CML patients. We detected CXorf48-specific CTLs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CML patients who have discontinued imatinib after maintaining complete molecular remission for more than 2 years. Significantly, the relapse rate of CXorf48-specific CTL-negative patients was 63.6%, compared to 0% in CXorf48-specific CTL-positive patients. These results indicate that CXorf48 could be a promising therapeutic target of LSCs for immunotherapy to obtain durable treatment-free remission in CML patients.

Lip b 1 is a novel allergenic protein isolated from the booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila

BACKGROUND

Booklice, belonging to the order Psocoptera, are small household insect pests that are distributed worldwide. Liposcelis bostrychophila, a common home-inhabiting species of booklouse, infests old books, sheets of paper, and stored food. Recent entomological and serological studies demonstrated that L. bostrychophila accounted for the majority of detectable insects in house dust and could be a potent inducer of respiratory allergy. Our recent proteomic analysis identified a potent allergenic protein from L. bostrychophila, designated Lip b 1, and determined its partial amino acid sequences.

METHODS

Cloning of cDNAs for Lip b 1 was performed by large-scale transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) and subsequent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The full-length amino acid sequences deduced from Lip b 1 cDNAs were bioinformatically analyzed. The recombinant proteins of glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused Lip b 1 were analyzed by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Lip b 1 cDNAs encoding two types of 254-amino acid proteins were cloned. The clones shared 87% identity, and the deduced molecular weights and isoelectric points were consistent with those determined in our previous study. The two types of Lip b 1 proteins in the GST-fused form were similarly reactive with sera from allergic patients sensitized with L. bostrychophila.

CONCLUSIONS

Lip b 1 is a novel protein possibly causing booklouse allergy.

Skipping breakfast and 5-year changes in body mass index and waist circumference in Japanese men and women

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the relationship between frequency of skipping breakfast and annual changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).

METHODS

The participants were 4,430 factory employees. BMI and WC were measured repeatedly at annual medical examinations over a 5-year period. The association between frequency of skipping breakfast at the baseline examination and annual changes in anthropometric indices was evaluated using the generalized estimating equation method.

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) BMI was 23.3 (3.0) kg m^-2 for men and 21.9 (3.6) kg m^-2 for women; and the mean WC was 82.6 (8.7) cm for men and 77.8 (9.8) cm for women. During the follow-up period, mean BMI increased by 0.2 kg m^-2 for men and women, and mean WC increased by 1.1 cm for men and 1.0 cm for women. The annual change in the BMI of men who skipped breakfast four to six times per week was 0.061 kg m^-2 higher, and that of those who skipped breakfast seven times per week was 0.046 kg m^-2 higher, compared with those who did not skip breakfast. Annual changes in the WC of male participants who skipped breakfast seven times per week was 0.248 cm higher than that of those who did not skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast was not associated with changes in BMI or WC in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Skipping breakfast was closely associated with annual changes in BMI and WC among men, and eating breakfast more than four times per week may prevent the excessive body weight gain associated with skipping breakfast.

Angiomyolipoma of the Liver

Angiomyolipoma, a rare benign liver tumor, was observed in a 50-year-old woman examined with US, CT, MR imaging and angiography. Dynamic studies using CT and MR imaging were valuable in differentiating the disease from hepatocellular carcinoma with fat deposits.

Pathogenesis of Renal Lesions in Chickens After Experimental Infection With 9a5b Newcastle Disease Virus Mutant Isolate

In this study, we investigated the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in the chicken kidney. Twenty-six 32-day-old specific pathogen-free chickens were intranasally inoculated with the 9a5b NDV mutant isolate. Kidney tissue samples, collected at 6 and 12 hours postinoculation (hpi) and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 days postinoculation (dpi), were analyzed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus titration. Histopathologically, tubulointerstitial nephritis was detected in the renal cortex and predominantly in the medulla. Nephrotropism of 9a5b NDV was confirmed by IHC, RT-PCR, and virus isolation. Massive degenerative changes and infiltration of CD3-immunopositive cells accompanied replication of the 9a5b NDV isolate in chicken kidneys. In conclusion, pathological changes that were caused by NDV in chicken kidneys were similar to those caused by avian influenza virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and avian nephritis virus, and this highlights the importance of including NDV in the differential diagnosis of kidney disease in chickens.

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

Eleven patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenotic lesions underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Seven patients had stenosis in M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), two in the cavernous internal carotid artery, one in M2 segment of the MCA and one in the P2 segment of the posterior cerebral artery. Initial successful dilatation (less than 50% residual stenosis) was obtained in nine patients (81.8%). Permanent neurological deficit related to PTA was seen in one patient and transient symptoms were observed in two. Re-stenosis was revealed in two cases (18.2%) in the early follow-up period. All patients with successful dilatation and without re-stenosis never had TIA or stroke after PTA. Intracranial PTA is an effective procedure, but several problems remain to be solved.

Loss of MyD88 alters neuroinflammatory response and attenuates early Purkinje cell loss in a spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 mouse model

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease, caused by an expansion of CAG repeat encoding a polyglutamine (PolyQ) tract in the Cav2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel. Its key pathological features include selective degeneration of the cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), a common target for PolyQ-induced toxicity in various SCAs. Mutant Cav2.1 confers toxicity primarily through a toxic gain-of-function mechanism; however, its molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we studied the cerebellar gene expression patterns of young Sca6-MPI(118Q/118Q) knockin (KI) mice, which expressed mutant Cav2.1 from an endogenous locus and recapitulated many phenotypic features of human SCA6. Transcriptional signatures in the MPI(118Q/118Q) mice were distinct from those in the Sca1(154Q/2Q) mice, a faithful SCA1 KI mouse model. Temporal expression profiles of the candidate genes revealed that the up-regulation of genes associated with microglial activation was initiated before PC degeneration and was augmented as the disease progressed. Histological analysis of the MPI(118Q/118Q) cerebellum showed the predominance of M1-like pro-inflammatory microglia and it was concomitant with elevated expression levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 7. Genetic ablation of MyD88, a major adaptor protein conveying TLR signaling, altered expression patterns of M1/M2 microglial phenotypic markers in the MPI(118Q/118Q) cerebellum. More importantly, it ameliorated PC loss and partially rescued motor impairments in the early disease phase. These results suggest that early neuroinflammatory response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCA6 and its modulation could pave the way for slowing the disease progression during the early stage of the disease.

Congenital multifocal increase of Purkinje fibres in a calf with cardiac conduction delay

A female 4-month-old Holstein-Friesian calf was presented in heart failure. Microscopical examination of samples of the cardiac wall taken at necropsy examination revealed numerous aggregates of Purkinje fibres, particularly in the perivascular areas. Some Purkinje fibres were stained strongly with phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin and immunohistochemically were shown to express alpha smooth muscle actin, indicating an embryonic-like Purkinje fibre phenotype. A diagnosis of congenital multifocal increase of Purkinje fibres was made. The histological features of this case resemble multifocal cardiac Purkinje cell tumour of the heart in man.

A clinical variance in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a point mutation in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene

We report here a novel point mutation in exon 5 of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene resulting in an amino acid substitution of valine(148) by isoleucine (V148I) in a Japanese family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). In this family, the age at onset was young (28.0 ± 3.8 years old, mean ± SD, n = 4) and the disease progression was rapid (22.0 ± 5.9 months, n = 3) with low Cu/Zn SOD activity (56.3 and 59.0% of the controls, n = 2). It is interesting that the clinical features of ALS varied very much among the affected members. One case had weakness of the lower extremities at first, and died without bulbar paresis. The second case first noticed wasting of the upper limbs with bulbar symptoms, but the third had weakness of upper extremities without developing dysarthria nor dysphagia until death. The living remainder first developed fasciculation of the tongue without weakness of extremities. The valine(148) is conserved among different species, and V148I mutation might destabilize dimer formation with another SOD subunit, leading to decrease enzymatic activity. These results suggested that there could be considerable clinical variance among the patients of FALS within one family, carrying the same Cu/Zn SOD mutation such as V148I.

Loss of PTEN expression is an independent predictor of favourable survival in endometrial carcinomas

Background:

We and others previously reported the prognostic significance of PTEN mutational status on favourable survival in endometrial carcinomas. Here, we demonstrate that loss of PTEN expression in immunohistochemistry is an independent prognostic marker for favourable survival in endometrial carcinomas.

Methods:

We conducted immunohistochemical analyses of PTEN, PIK3CA, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and p27 in primary endometrial carcinomas from 221 patients. Mutation of PTEN was analysed further.

Results:

Expression of PTEN was lost in 56 patients (25%), and PIK3CA was overexpressed in 159 patients (72%). Overexpression of PIK3CA was associated with p-Akt overexpression (P<0.001), which was in turn associated with loss of nuclear p27 expression (P=0.028). Loss of PTEN expression was found to be associated with endometrioid histology (P=0.03), and was inversely associated with the presence of lymphovascular space invasion (P=0.03). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses revealed that factors of PTEN loss, age <70, histological grade 1, early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and absence of lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic indicators for better overall survival (P=0.03, 0.04, 0.01, <0.001, and 0.03, respectively). The subset analysis showed a stronger tendency of PTEN loss towards favourable survival in advanced-stage (III and IV) disease than in early-stage (I and II) disease (P=0.05 vs 0.14). Moreover, our mutational analysis demonstrated that PTEN expression loss was associated with PTEN-truncating mutations (P=0.03).

Conclusion:

The current observations further support the prognostic significance of PTEN aberration on favourable outcome in endometrial carcinomas, providing useful implications for the individualised management of the disease.

A genetically female brain is required for a regular reproductive cycle in chicken brain chimeras

Sexual differentiation leads to structural and behavioural differences between males and females. Here we investigate the intrinsic sex identity of the brain by constructing chicken chimeras in which the brain primordium is switched between male and female identities before gonadal development. We find that the female chimeras with male brains display delayed sexual maturation and irregular oviposition cycles, although their behaviour, plasma concentrations of sex steroids and luteinizing hormone levels are normal. The male chimeras with female brains show phenotypes similar to typical cocks. In the perinatal period, oestrogen concentrations in the genetically male brain are higher than those in the genetically female brain. Our study demonstrates that male brain cells retain male sex identity and do not differentiate into female cells to drive the normal oestrous cycle, even when situated in the female hormonal milieu. This is clear evidence for a sex-specific feature that develops independent of gonadal steroids.

Sugar-sweetened beverage and diet soda consumption and the 7-year risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men

PURPOSE

This cohort study investigated the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and diet soda consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese men.

METHODS

The participants were 2,037 employees of a factory in Japan. We measured consumption of SSB and diet soda using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations over a 7-year period. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for diabetes were estimated after adjusting for age, body mass index, family history, and dietary and other lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

During the study, 170 participants developed diabetes. The crude incidence rates (/1,000 person-years) across participants who were rare/never SSB consumers, <1 serving/week, ≥ 1 serving/week and <1 serving/day, and ≥ 1 serving/day were 15.5, 12.7, 14.9, and 17.4, respectively. The multivariate-adjusted HR compared to rare/never SSB consumers was 1.35 (95 % CI 0.80-2.27) for participants who consumed ≥ 1 serving/day SSB. Diet soda consumption was significantly associated with the incident risk of diabetes (P for trend = 0.013), and multivariate-adjusted HRs compared to rare/never diet soda consumers were 1.05 (0.62-1.78) and 1.70 (1.13-2.55), respectively, for participants who consumed <1 serving/week and ≥ 1 serving/week.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of diet soda was significantly associated with an increased risk for diabetes in Japanese men. Diet soda is not always effective at preventing type 2 diabetes even though it is a zero-calorie drink.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and the risk of hyperuricemia: a 6-year prospective study in Japanese men

We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate whether increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase independently predicts subsequent development of hyperuricemia. The study participants included 3,310 Japanese men without hyperuricemia, aged 20-54 years. The participants had annual heath examinations for 6 years to assess incident hyperuricemia (defined as serum uric acid>416.4 μmol/l and/or taking medication for hyperuricemia). The risk of incident hyperuricemia was compared in participants grouped according to their baseline serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level. During follow-up, there were 529 incident cases of hyperuricemia. A positive, dose-response relationship was observed between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and the risk of incident hyperuricemia. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hyperuricemia, compared with a serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level ≤19 U/l, were 1.32 (1.05-1.67) for 20-39 U/l, 1.28 (0.90-1.83) for 40-59 U/l, 1.56 (0.98-2.47) for 60-79 U/l, and 1.57 (1.02-2.41) for ≥80 U/l after adjustment for baseline serum uric acid, creatinine, total cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin levels, ln(serum alanine aminotransferase), age, systolic blood pressure, medications for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes, body mass index, and smoking and exercise habits. A similar positive relationship was observed regardless of the presence or absence of alcohol drinking, obesity, metabolic disorders (any combination of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and/or diabetes), or clinically high serum aminotransferases, without evidence of a significant interaction between increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and risk factors for incident hyperuricemia. These findings indicate that increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase is an independent predictor of subsequent development of hyperuricemia.

Alcohol intake and the risk of hyperuricaemia: a 6-year prospective study in Japanese men

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Since there is little information derived from prospective studies on the amount of alcohol drinking required to induce hyperuricaemia, we attempted to address this issue in a Japanese population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 3310 Japanese men aged 20-54 years that were free of hyperuricaemia were classified according to their alcohol intake per week at baseline. Incident hyperuricaemia, defined as >7.0 mg/dl and/or taking medication for hyperuricaemia, was assessed through annual heath examinations for 6 years after the baseline examination. During follow-up, 529 incident cases of hyperuricaemia occurred. There was a positive, dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of incident hyperuricaemia. The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for hyperuricaemia in drinkers compared with non-drinkers was 1.10 (0.85-1.42) for <10.0 drinks/week, 1.40 (1.07-1.84) for 10.0-19.9 drinks/week, 1.64 (1.23-2.21) for 20.0-29.9 drinks/week and 1.98 (1.40-2.80) for ≥30.0 drinks/week (one drink contained 11.5 g of ethanol) after adjusting for age, baseline serum uric acid, body mass index, smoking habits, exercise habits, serum creatinine, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and blood glucose. The fraction of hyperuricaemia in the population attributable to alcohol intake was 21.6%. A clear dose-response pattern was observed for both beer and sake, when the consumption of these two beverages was analysed separately.

CONCLUSION

Habitual alcohol intake significantly contributed to the development of hyperuricaemia in Japanese men, regardless of type of alcoholic beverage consumed. Therefore, it is essential to reduce excessive alcohol intake to prevent and manage hyperuricaemia.

Design and development of a novel nuclear magnetic resonance detection for the gas phase ions by magnetic resonance acceleration technique

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique is a well-established powerful tool to study the physical and chemical properties of a wide range of materials. However, presently, NMR applications are essentially limited to materials in the condensed phase. Although magnetic resonance was originally demonstrated in gas phase molecular beam experiments, no application to gas phase molecular ions has yet been demonstrated. Here, we present a novel principle of NMR detection for gas phase ions based on a "magnetic resonance acceleration" technique and describe the design and construction of an apparatus which we are developing. We also present an experimental technique and some results on the formation and manipulation of cold ion packets in a strong magnetic field, which are the key innovations to detect NMR signal using the present method. We expect this novel method to lead new realm for the study of mass-selected gas-phase ions with interesting applications in both fundamental and applied sciences.

Solid State Amorphization of a Ni-B Alloy by Mechanical Alloying

The main purpose of this work was to investigate the possibility of solid state amorphization of Ni-B crystal powder. A Ni-B alloy powder was obtained by mechanical alloying of Ni and B powder using a conventional ball milling machine. X-ray diffraction and EXAFS measurements were made for the mechanically alloyed samples as a function of milling time. An amorphization reaction was observed in Ni64B36 at 400 h of milling time. The long range order of the crystalline Ni phase diminished with an increase of solution of B into the Ni matrix. This suggests that the solution of B atoms into the Ni crystalline phase, forced by mechanical alloying, plays an important role in the crystalamorphous transformation.

Antigen retrieval using sodium hydroxide for prion immunohistochemistry in bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie

Formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections are usually used for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses in prion diseases in animals and man. However, formalin fixation cross-links proteins, reducing disease-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) immunolabelling. To detect PrP(Sc) in animals naturally affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie, we applied minimal pretreatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This simple pretreatment, combined with enzymatic digestion using proteinase K (PK), was equally effective in the detection of PrP(Sc) in FFPE tissue, and superior in terms of speed, compared with the usual autoclaving method. The most effective results, without any section loss, were obtained with 10 μg/ml PK in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1% Triton-X at room temperature for 10 min and 150 mM NaOH at 60 °C for 10 min. By this simple procedure, PrP(Sc) was visualized in the brain of animals with BSE and scrapie using a range of anti-PrP primary antibodies.

Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and the risk of cardiovascular events in middle-aged non-diabetic Japanese men

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Little is known about the relationship between the HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the risk of cardiovascular events in Asian populations, which have lower levels of HOMA-IR than Western populations. Accordingly, we determined the predictive value of HOMA-IR for cardiovascular risk in a Japanese population that was apparently free of diabetes, addressing whether insulin resistance itself increases cardiovascular risk independently of other relevant metabolic disorders.

METHODS

We followed 2,548 non-diabetic men aged 35 to 59 years for 11 years. The hazard ratios for the incidence of cardiovascular events due to increased HOMA-IR were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model that was adjusted for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for cardiovascular events compared with the first quartile of HOMA-IR (<or=0.66) was 1.07 (95% CI 0.44-2.64) for the second (HOMA-IR 0.67-1.01), 1.36 (0.56-3.28) for the third (HOMA-IR 1.02-1.51) and 2.50 (1.02-6.10) for the fourth quartile (HOMA-IR >or=1.52). The hazard ratio associated with a one SD (0.61) increment in log-transformed HOMA-IR was 1.51 (1.13-2.02). A similar positive relationship was observed for coronary events and stroke. In addition, the relationship between HOMA-IR and cardiovascular risk was broadly similar in participants with and without hypertension, dyslipidaemia (elevated triacylglycerol and/or reduced HDL-cholesterol), abdominal obesity and current smoking.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Increased HOMA-IR predicted subsequent cardiovascular events in non-diabetic Japanese men. The association was independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and other relevant metabolic disorders.

Branched-chain amino acid supplementation attenuates muscle soreness, muscle damage and inflammation during an intensive training program

AIM

The aim of this paper was to assess the effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on muscle soreness, muscle damage and inflammation during an intensive training program.

METHODS

Twelve long-distance runners (20 + or - 1 year-old) participated in a double-blinded crossover designed study conducted during two intensive training periods (three-day). The subjects were provided either a drink containing BCAA (0.8% BCAA in a 3.5% carbohydrate solution; 2,500 mL/day) or an isocaloric placebo drink during each training period. All subjects completed the same training program (total running distance: males: 86 km, females: 64 km), and ate the same meals during the training period. Whole body muscle soreness and fatigue sensation were measured in the morning before and during the training period by Visual Analogue Scale method. Plasma creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and granulocyte elastase (GEL) levels were measured as indicators of muscle damage and inflammation before and after the training period.

RESULTS

Muscle soreness and fatigue sensation during the training period in the BCAA trial were lower than those in the placebo trial (-32% and -24%, respectively; P<0.05). The plasma CK, LDH, and GEL levels after the training program in the BCAA trial were lower than those in the placebo trial (-21%, -6%, and -15%, respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that BCAA supplementation during an intensive training program effectively reduces the muscle soreness and fatigue sensation, and that the perceived changes could be attributed to the attenuation of muscle damage and inflammation.

J-shaped relationship between waist circumference and subsequent risk for Type 2 diabetes: an 8-year follow-up of relatively lean Japanese individuals

AIMS

This study investigated the relationship between waist circumference and the subsequent incidence of Type 2 diabetes and the association with insulin resistance and pancreatic B-cell function in relatively lean Japanese individuals.

METHODS

The study participants were 3992 employees (2533 men and 1459 women, aged 35-55 years) of a metal-products factory in Japan. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations during an 8-year follow-up. We calculated age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) according to the sex-specific quintile of waist circumference at baseline. Differences in baseline insulin resistance [homeostatis model assessment (HOMA)-IR] and pancreatic B-cell function (HOMA-B) were compared between participants who developed diabetes and those who did not.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 218 participants developed diabetes. Age- and sex-adjusted HRs across the quintiles of waist circumference were 1.78, 1.00 (reference), 1.59, 3.11 and 3.30, respectively (P for trend, < 0.0001). The HR for the lowest quintile was significantly higher than that for the second quintile. Among participants with waist circumference of the lowest quintile, HOMA-B was lower in those who developed diabetes than in those who did not [33.1 (24.1-45.0) vs. 54.3 (37.9-74.6) median (interquartile range), P < 0.0001], but HOMA-IR did not differ between these groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a J-shaped relationship between waist circumference and subsequent risk for Type 2 diabetes in relatively lean Japanese individuals; lower pancreatic B-cell function may also increase the risk of diabetes in very lean Japanese people. Diabet. Med. 26, 753-759 (2009).

Electrical properties of individual ZnO nanowires

The electrical properties of individual ZnO nanowires were investigated for two methods of fabricating nanowire-electrode junctions. The number of carriers in the nanowires was increased by electrostatically doping them by applying a gate voltage. The nanowires were chemically doped by introducing impurities during growth. The Ga-doped nanowires had a linear current-voltage relationship over a wide voltage region. The nanowire-electrode junctions were formed either by using lithography to form electrodes on the nanowire or by using an AFM probe to move a nanowire onto prepared electrodes. With both methods, electrodes made of Ga-doped ZnO were found to make better electrical contact with the nanowire than those made of Ti/Au.

Multicenter phase II study of a frozen glove to prevent docetaxel-induced onycholysis and cutaneous toxicity for the breast cancer patients (Kinki Multidisciplinary Breast Oncology Group: KMBOG-0605)

Abstract #4093

Background: We have learned from the questionnaire survey of description and hearing type that the onycholysis and skin toxicity occur in approximately 90% of patients(pts) treated with docetaxel (DTX) on hands and 65% on feet. Besides neurotoxicity and edema, these adverse events cause the worse quality of life (QOL) assessment because of the exposure, public noticed site. According to the report that the Elasto-Gel frozen glove (FG) was effective for the prevention of DTX-induced onycholysis and skin toxicity (Scotte F, JCO 23, 4424-29, 2005), we have planned to reanalyze the efficacy and safety of FG for Japanese breast cancer pts by the multicenter, prospective phase II study.&#x2028; Patients and Methods: Patients receiving DTX 75 mg/m2 alone or in combination chemotherapy more than 4 cycles were eligible for this case-control study. Each patient on case group wore an FG for a total of 90 minutes on the both hands. Her feet were not protected. The control data was obtained by the questionnaire survey from the pts who had not used FG during the chemotherapy. Onycholysis and skin toxicity were assessed at each cycle by National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria and documented by photography. This study had accomplished by multidisciplinary approach by nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. Wilcoxon matched-pairs rank test was used.&#x2028; Results: Between March 2006 and May 2007, 70 pts on case and 52 pts on control were evaluated. Median age were similar for each group, 52 [29-74 years] on case and 51 [25-73 years] on control. Onycholysis and skin toxicity were significantly lower in the FG-protected hands compared with the control hands (P = .0001). Onycholysis was grade (G) 0 in 41% v 8%, G1 in 54% v 74%, and G2 to 3 in 4.3% v 18% for the FG-protected hands and the control hands, respectively. For the feet, there was no difference in frequency between pts on case and on control. Skin toxicity was G0 in 76.6% v 44%, G1 in 13.6% v 42%, and G2 to 3 in 4.4% v 14% for the FG-protected hands and the control, respectively. 32 pts (46%) had experienced the deterioration of pigmentation on hands and/or feet, the FG had seemed not to be able to prevent these unfavorable events. Median time to nail and skin toxicity occurrence was not significantly different between the FG-protected and the control hands of feet, respectively. Although one pt (1.4%) experienced discomfort due to cold intolerance, there were no serious adverse events caused by FG.&#x2028; Conclusion: FG significantly reduces the nail and skin toxicity associated with DTX and is a safety tool on supportive care management. This should be provided in general practice widely to improve a patient's QOL.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4093.