Role of serum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the development of acute coronary syndromes

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background and Aims

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have an inhibitory effect against the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, whether n-6 PUFAs, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) play a role in the development of CAD remains unclear. This study investigated the association between PUFAs and the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using the lipid and PUFAs data of patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for either non-emergent conditions (staged group) or ACS (ACS group).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 433 patients who underwent PCI between 2014 and 2021. The patients were divided into the ACS group (n = 18) and the staged group (n = 132). The lipid and PUFAs values of each patient between the two groups were compared. Moreover, to investigate the correlation between n-6 PUFAs levels and ACS, the effects of confounding factors such as use of strong statins and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were adjusted.

Results

The ACS group had higher n-6 PUFAs levels than the staged group (DGLA: 36.8 ug/mL vs. 29.6 ug/mL; AA: 203.3 ug/mL vs. 145.8 ug/mL). Furthermore, the analysis of covariance adjusted for LDL-C levels showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of DGLA and AA levels.

Conclusions

The n-3 PUFAs levels did not significantly differ between the staged and ACS groups. Moreover, the ACS group had higher DGLA and AA levels and lower n-3 PUFAs/AA ratios than the staged group. Therefore, excess n-6 PUFAs may be a risk factor for ACS.

P–358 Characteristics of patients with inherited thrombophilia and anticoagulant treatment in repeated implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)

Study question

Do patients with inherited thrombophilia associated to RIF and RPL benefit from anticoagulant therapy?

Summary answer

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with medium and high risk of hereditary thrombophilia, associated with RIF could improve the reproductive prognosis.

What is known already

Thrombophilia is a condition that can be acquired and/or inherited genetically, that is characterized by the predisposition of patients to form venous and arterial thromboembolic events. Inherited thrombophilia has been associated with different complications during pregnancy, such as RPL. Genetic variants linked to hereditary thrombophilia can be classified by the thromboembolic risk: low (F12, F13A1, FGB), medium (MTHFR, PROCR, PROS1, SERPINC1, SERPINC1 PAI–1) and high (F2, F5, GP1BA), according to Martinez - Zamora. RPL rate may reduce with anticoagulant therapy. However, there is no conclusive evidence that prophylactic treatment improves the pregnancy rate in infertile women during IVF.

Study design, size, duration

We performed a prospective observational study which included patients referred to Ceras Clinic between March 2018 and March 2020, due to RPL (n = 38) and RIF (n = 40). All patients underwent genetic analysis for hereditary thrombophilia(F13, F2, F5, FGB, GP1BA, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, PAI1,, PROCR, SERPIN1 CM910058, SERPIN 1 CM920113 ,F12, PROS1) by Sanger sequencing. The characteristics of anticoagulant therapy with clinical pregnancy rate and LBR were analyzed, using chi-squared test with STATA version 16.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Patients have been included in the study according to their past medical history (stroke or myocardial infarction, personal or familiar history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, smoking, hormone replacement therapy), and reproductive history. Two groups were formed, the first group (n = 40) corresponds to RIF, and the second (n = 38), RPL. Genetic study of hereditary thrombophilia (11 genes) was performed to examine the genetic risk and assess the administration of anticoagulant therapy.

Main results and the role of chance

The prevalence of pathological antecedents in patients with RIF and RPL was not statistically significant (p > 0,05), indicating that the factors that contribute to poor reproductive outcomes in these two groups of patients could be similar. Patients with RIF had a medium risk of thrombophilia in 65%, followed by low risk in 32.5% and high risk in 2.5%. RPL group presented 78.95%, 15.79% and 5.26%, respectively. All patients with medium and high risk for trombophilia received anticoagulation. Clinical pregnancy rate (69.7%) and live birth rate (63.64%) were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in RPL with anticoagulant therapy, compared to RPL group who did not received treatment (clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in 60%). Therefore, it is proposed that there may be other factors associated with abortions that require investigation. However, clinical pregnancy rate (77.14%) and live birth rate (74.29%) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in RIF with anticoagulant therapy, compared to RIF group that did not received treatment (clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in 20%). This suggests that there could be a beneficial factor due to anticoagulation. Further studies are needed to assess that anticoagulant treatment could improve obstetric outcomes in patients with RIF and RPL.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The small number of patients assessed is the main limitation of this work. Larger studies must be designed to accurately determine participation of each mutation associated with recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss. The role of anticoagulant therapy should be evaluated in randomized clinical trials.

Wider implications of the findings: Establishing a stronger evidence base implies that future studies should include large population groups. It is primordial to assess whether it is cost-effective to determine the risk of inherited thrombophilia in RIL and RPL, to increase the live birth rate by anticoagulant therapy. The information is controversial to this day.

Trial registration number

‘not applicable’

Body Weight Loss After Orthognathic Surgery: Comparison Between Postoperative Intermaxillary Fixation with Metal Wire and Elastic Traction, Factors Related to Body Weight Loss

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to compare body weight loss between postoperative intermaxillary fixation with metal wire and elastic traction and to investigate factors related to body weight loss after orthognathic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were 59 patients with dentofacial deformity, comprising 31 patients treated with intermaxillary fixation (IMF) and 28 patients treated with elastic traction without IMF (ELT) just after surgery. Body weight loss was measured at 1 week (T1) and 2 weeks (T2) after surgery. Body weight loss was compared between IMF and ELT, and factors related to body weight loss were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Body weight loss ratio was significantly increased in IMF (2.6%) rather than in ELT (1.4%) at T1, but only tended to be increased in both groups at T2, showing no statistical difference. Body weight loss ratio was significantly increased at T2 compared to T1 in both groups. Body weight loss was significantly greater at T2 than at T1.

CONCLUSION

Both IMF and ELT cause body weight loss after orthognathic surgery, but IMF causes body weight loss earlier than ELT and increased early body weight loss increases continuous body weight loss after orthognathic surgery.

Relations between anterior disc displacement and maxillomandibular morphology in skeletal anterior open bite with changes to the mandibular condyle

In this study we investigated the relation between anterior disc displacement (ADD) and maxillomandibular morphology in skeletal anterior open bite with changes to the mandibular condyle. Thirty female patients (60 joints) with both conditions were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was used to diagnose both ADD and changes to the mandibular condyle (erosion, osteophyte, and deformity). The relations among ADD, changes to the mandibular condyle, and maxillomandibular morphology were examined statistically. Changes to the mandibular condyle had a higher score than sym anterior open bite, the deviated side in asymmetric anterior open bite, and the non-deviated side. The score for disc displacement on the non-deviated side was lower than both the sym side and the deviated side. Unilateral changes to the mandibular condyle and unilateral disc displacement were not apparent in sym anterior open bite, but a unilateral non-displaced disc was seen only on the asymmetric side. Mandibular condylar changes were significantly more common on the deviated, than on the non-deviated, side. The SNB angle was significantly smaller, and the ANB, GZN, and SN-mandibular plane angles were significantly larger in sym anterior open bite. Overjet, ANB angle, GZN angle, and SN-MP angle were significantly larger, and the SNB angle was significantly smaller, in the presence of ADD without reduction and mandibular condylar deformity. We conclude that the prevalence of ADD without reduction and changes to the mandibular condyle were related to mandibular asymmetry and mandibular morphology in anterior open bite. This retrospective study suggests that ADD without reduction and mandibular condylar bone changes may be related to the progression of skeletal class II open bite and mandibular asymmetry in cases of skeletal open bite.

Development of an Guideline-Based Decision Support System for Effective Diagnostic Workflow for Oncologic Pathologists

Accurate and rapid differential diagnosis are required for personalized cancer treatment. However, owing to the numerous molecular tests used for establishing a diagnosis, pathologists need time to investigate and confirm necessary test items. We present a guideline-based decision support system for effective workflow with regards to the molecular tests for pathological differential diagnosis.

Observation of wet specimens sensitive to evaporation using scanning electron microscopy

Wet specimens are notoriously difficult to image in scanning electron microscopes (SEM) owing to evaporation from the required vacuum of the specimen chamber. Traditionally, this issue has been addressed by increasing the specimen chamber pressure. Unfortunately, observation under high specimen chamber pressure cannot prevent the initial evaporation effects. The wet cover method, where the original surface water is retained (and, therefore, considered wet), provides a way to introduce and subsequently image specimens that are sensitive to evaporation within a SEM, while preventing evaporation-related damage, and to observe interesting specimen-water interactions.

The number of biopsied trophectoderm cells may affect pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To study if the number of trophectoderm (TE) biopsied cells has an impact on implantation rates.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study in a single-center study.

SETTING

In vitro fertilization center.

PATIENTS

Patients who underwent PGT-A from January 2013 to March 2016. In total, 482 vitrified/warmed single embryo transfers were included.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical pregnancies rate, implantation rate.

RESULTS

Overall, clinical pregnancies per embryo transfer were higher when a regular TE were biopsied compared to larger size biopsy cells (66% (175/267) vs 53% (115/215) (p < 0.005) respectively). Pregnancy rates were also analyzed according to embryo morphology at the moment of embryo biopsy, when a good-quality embryo was transferred the clinical outcome was 75% (81/108) in group 1 and 61% (60/99) in group 2 (p < 0.05). Data was also stratified by age in patients ≤ 35 years and > 35 years. The clinical pregnancy was 67% (51/76) in women ≤ 35 years and 65% (124/191) in women > 35 years when a regular size biopsy was performed. These results significantly reduced when a larger size biopsy was performed 54% (49/91) and 53% (66/124), respectively (p < 0.05). Further investigation indicated that miscarriage rate was similar between these groups (4% (7/182) in group 1 and 5% (6/121) in group 2).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore that when a large amount of TE cells are biopsied, it may negatively affect implantation rates, but once implanted, the embryos have the same chance to miscarry or reach term.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor anagliptin ameliorates hypercholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemic mice through inhibition of intestinal cholesterol transport

Aims/Introduction

Recent data showed that dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors exert a lipid‐lowering effect in diabetes patients. However, the mechanism of action is not yet clearly understood. We investigated the effect of anagliptin on cholesterol metabolism and transport in the small intestine using non‐diabetic hyperlipidemic animals, to clarify the mechanisms underlying the cholesterol‐lowering action.

Materials and Methods

Male apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‐deficient mice were orally administered anagliptin in the normal chow. Serum cholesterol levels and lipoprotein profiles were measured, and cholesterol transport was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in the tissues after oral loading of ¹⁴C‐labeled cholesterol (¹⁴C‐Chol). In additional experiments, effects of exendin‐4 in mice and of anagliptin in DPP‐4‐deficient rats were assessed. Effects on target gene expressions in the intestine were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in normal mice.

Results

The serum total and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased after anagliptin treatment in the ApoE‐deficient mice. The cholesterol‐lowering effect was predominantly observed in the chylomicron fraction. The plasma ¹⁴C‐Chol radioactivity was significantly decreased by 26% at 2 h after cholesterol loading, and the fecal ¹⁴C‐Chol excretion was significantly increased by 38% at 72 h. The aforementioned effects on cholesterol transport were abrogated in rats lacking DPP‐4 activity, and exendin‐4 had no effect on the ¹⁴C‐Chol transport in ApoE‐deficient mice. Furthermore, significant decreases of the intestinal cholesterol transport‐related microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2, ApoA2 and ApoC2 messenger ribonucleic acid expressions were observed in the mice treated with repeated doses of anagliptin.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that anagliptin might exert a cholesterol‐lowering action through DPP‐4‐dependent and glucagon‐like peptide 1‐independent suppression of intestinal cholesterol transport.

Plasma Collection Using Nafamostat Mesilate and Dipyridamole as an Anticoagulant

Nafamostat mesilate (FUT-175) is a strong protease inhibitor and is used as an anticoagulant in extracorporeal circulation. In the present study, we administered FUT and dipyridamole as anticoagulants during donor plasmapheresis, and the additional effect of dipyridamole was examined. In dogs weighing about 15 Kg, donor plasmapheresis was performed using a cellulose triacetate membrane plasmaseparator (PEX-15, Nipro), and 300 ml of filtrated plasma was obtained within 30 minutes. These dogs were divided into two groups, 50 mg/h of FUT alone was infused (group A, n=10), and the same dose of FUT and 25 mg/h of dipyridamole were infused (group B, n=5) during plasmapheresis. Changes of the coagulation system, blood cell counts and complement system were investigated. In clinical cases, an artificial liver support therapy using FUT as an anticoagulant was performed on 8 patients with acute liver failure, and blood compatibility was examined.

In dogs, RBC counts and hematocrits were almost stable, but WBC counts were decreased to about 70% of the previous value. Platelets counts were about 60% and 80% of the previous value, in group A and group B, respectively, at the end of the plasmapheresis (P<0.01). Clotting factor VIII was diminished to about 20% and 35% of the previous value in group A and B, respectively. In clinical cases, all patients received the plasma exchange combined with hemodialysis using FUT as an anticoagulant, and no distinct side effect was observed during plasma exchange.

Effect of Oral Adsorbent on Blood Metabolites in Hepatic Failure Dogs

AST-120 is a specially synthesized carbonaceous adsorbent for oral use. It mainly adsorbs low to middle molecules in the alimentary tract. In the present study, AST-120 was administered to hepatic failure dogs, and blood metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Thirty adult mongrel dogs underwent posta-cavae (P-C) shunts with 40% and 70% hepatectomies. They were divided into two groups, the AST group (n= 19) and control group (n=11). The AST group received about 0.5 g/kg of the adsorbent intermittently with diet after the operation. The control group was fed the ordinary diet. Body weight, blood ammonia, plasma bile acids were measured, and blood metabolites were analyzed by the multi-column HPLC system.

P-C shunt dogs with 70% hepatotectomies died within three months showing about 40–50% body weight loss. HPLC analysis of their plasma showed some specific peaks for middle molecules, about 3000–5000 daltons. After administration of the adsorbent, these peaks were not detected, so it was considered that these substances had been adsorbed.

Incidence of anterior disc displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint in patients with dentofacial deformity

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with dentofacial deformity. Eighty-eight female patients (176 joints) with skeletal class III malocclusion and 33 female patients (66 joints) with skeletal class II malocclusion, with or without anterior open bite and asymmetry, were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ was used to diagnose ADDwoR. A statistical analysis was performed to examine the relationship between ADDwoR and skeletal structure. ADDwoR was present in 37 of the 66 joints (56.1%) in class II compared to 34 of the 176 joints (19.3%) in class III (P<0.05). In class III, ADDwoR was significantly more common in joints with mandibular asymmetry (24/74; 32.4%) than in joints with open bite (9/62; 14.5%) and joints with open bite and without mandibular asymmetry (1/38; 2.6%). In class II, ADDwoR was significantly less common in joints with mandibular asymmetry and without open bite (1/8; 12.5%). ADDwoR was only observed on the deviated side in both class III and class II with mandibular asymmetry. The prevalence of ADDwoR differed according to the dentofacial morphology.

Increasing compositional backscattered electron contrast in scanning electron microscopy

A method for increasing compositional or material contrast of a standard semiconductor BSE detector in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) by compensation of the topographic contrast component is proposed. Compensation is based on the physical properties of backscattered electron emission and topography information of the specimen's surface. Three analytical and semi-empirical compensation algorithms employing different physical models and approximations are implemented and compared to conventional BSE signals to show the effectivity of the proposed compensation approach.

Monozygotic twins discordant for primary aldosteronism: a case report

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2017.41.

Characteristic elevation of soluble TNF receptor II : I ratio in macrophage activation syndrome with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

To investigate the clinical significance of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNF-R) II/I ratio as an indicator of the diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA), we measured the serum sTNF-RI and II levels in 117 patients with s-JIA, including 29 patients with MAS, 15 with Epstein-Barr virus-induced haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH), 15 with Kawasaki disease (KD) and 28 healthy controls (HCs). We determined their correlation with measurements of disease activity and severity. Furthermore, we measured serum interleukin (IL)-18 levels in patients with EBV-HLH and compared these in levels in patients with MAS. The sTNF-RII/I ratio was elevated significantly in MAS and EBV-HLH patients compared with those in the acute phase of s-JIA and KD patients, whereas there were no significant differences between HCs and those in the acute phase of s-JIA. The sTNF-RII/I ratio increased profoundly as MAS developed and correlated positively with disease activity. Serum IL-18 levels were elevated significantly in MAS patients compared with EBV-HLH patients. The monitoring of serum IL-18 and sTNF-RII/I might be useful for the diagnosis of MAS and the differentiation between MAS and EBV-HLH.

Enhancement of the luteinising hormone surge by male olfactory signals is associated with anteroventral periventricular Kiss1 cell activation in female rats

Olfactory stimuli play an important role in regulating reproductive functions in mammals. The present study investigated the effect of olfactory signals derived from male rats on kisspeptin neuronal activity and luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in female rats. Wistar-Imamichi strain female rats were ovariectomised (OVX) and implanted with preovulatory levels of 17β-oestradiol (E₂ ). OVX+E₂ rats were killed 1 hour after exposure to either: clean bedding, female-soiled bedding or male-soiled bedding. Dual staining for Kiss1 mRNA in situ hybridisation and c-Fos immunohistochemistry revealed that the numbers of Kiss1-expressing cells and c-Fos-immunopositive Kiss1-expressing cells in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) were significantly higher in OVX+E₂ rats exposed to male-soiled bedding than those of the other groups. No significant difference was found with respect to the number of c-Fos-immunopositive Kiss1-expressing cells in the arcuate nucleus and c-Fos-immunopositive Gnrh1-expressing cells between the groups. The number of c-Fos-immunopositive cells was also significantly higher in the limbic system consisting of several nuclei, such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the cortical amygdala and the medial amygdala, in OVX+E₂ rats exposed to male-soiled bedding than the other groups. OVX+E₂ rats exposed to male-soiled bedding showed apparent LH surges, and the peak of the LH surge and area under the curve of LH concentrations in the OVX+E₂ group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups. These results suggest that olfactory signals derived from male rats activate AVPV kisspeptin neurones, likely via the limbic system, resulting in enhancement of the peak of the LH surge in female rats. Taken together, the results of the present study suggests that AVPV kisspeptin neurones are a target of olfactory signals to modulate LH release in female rats.

Evidence of involvement of neurone-glia/neurone-neurone communications via gap junctions in synchronised activity of KNDy neurones

Pulsatile secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinising hormone is indispensable for the onset of puberty and reproductive activities at adulthood in mammalian species. A cohort of neurones expressing three neuropeptides, namely kisspeptin, encoded by the Kiss1 gene, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin A, localised in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), so-called KNDy neurones, comprises a putative intrinsic source of the GnRH pulse generator. Synchronous activity among KNDy neurones is considered to be required for pulsatile GnRH secretion. It has been reported that gap junctions play a key role in synchronising electrical activity in the central nervous system. Thus, we hypothesised that gap junctions are involved in the synchronised activities of KNDy neurones, which is induced by NKB-NK3R signalling. We determined the role of NKB-NK3R signalling in Ca²⁺ oscillation (an indicator of neuronal activities) of KNDy neurones and its synchronisation mechanism among KNDy neurones. Senktide, a selective agonist for NK3R, increased the frequency of Ca²⁺ oscillations in cultured Kiss1-GFP cells collected from the mediobasal hypothalamus of the foetal Kiss1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice. The senktide-induced Ca²⁺ oscillations were synchronised in the Kiss1-GFP and neighbouring glial cells. Confocal microscopy analysis of these cells, which have shown synchronised Ca²⁺ oscillations, revealed close contacts between Kiss1-GFP cells, as well as between Kiss1-GFP cells and glial cells. Dye coupling experiments suggest cell-to-cell communication through gap junctions between Kiss1-GFP cells and neighbouring glial cells. Connexin-26 and -37 mRNA were found in isolated ARC Kiss1 cells taken from adult female Kiss1-GFP transgenic mice. Furthermore, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acids and mefloquine, which are gap junction inhibitors, attenuated senktide-induced Ca²⁺ oscillations in Kiss1-GFP cells. Taken together, these results suggest that NKB-NK3R signalling enhances synchronised activities among neighbouring KNDy neurones, and that both neurone-neurone and neurone-glia communications via gap junctions possibly contribute to synchronised activities among KNDy neurones.

Low absolute peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell count predicts poor prognosis in R-CHOP-treated patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte count at diagnosis is known to be a strong prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP), but it remains unclear as to which peripheral blood lymphocyte population is reflective of DLBCL prognosis. In this cohort, 355 patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP from 2006 to 2013 were analyzed. The low absolute CD4+ T-cell count (ACD4C) at diagnosis negatively correlated with the overall response rate and the complete response rate significantly (P<0.00001). An ACD4C<343 × 106/l had a significant negative impact on the 5-year progression-free survival and the overall survival as compared with an ACD4C⩾343 × 106/l (73.7% (95% confidence interval (CI)=66.7-79.5) versus 50.3% (95% CI=39.0-60.6), P<0.00001 and 83.3% (95% CI=77.1-88.0) versus 59.0% (95% CI=47.9-68.5), P<0.00000001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the ACD4C was an independent prognostic marker (hazard ratio=2.2 (95% CI=1.3-3.7), P<0.01). In conclusion, a low ACD4C at diagnosis served as an independent poor prognostic marker in patients with DLBCL.

Mechanism of lipid-lowering action of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, anagliptin, in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice

Aims/Introduction

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors are used for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition to glycemic control, these agents showed beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in clinical trials. However, the mechanism underlying the lipid‐lowering effect of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors remains unclear. Here, we investigated the lipid‐lowering efficacy of anagliptin in a hyperlipidemic animal model, and examined the mechanism of action.

Materials and Methods

Male low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient mice were administered 0.3% anagliptin in their diet. Plasma lipid levels were assayed and lipoprotein profile was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Hepatic gene expression was examined by deoxyribonucleic acid microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Sterol regulatory element‐binding protein transactivation assay was carried out in vitro.

Results

Anagliptin treatment significantly decreased the plasma total cholesterol (14% reduction, P < 0.01) and triglyceride levels (27% reduction, P < 0.01). Both low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were also decreased significantly by anagliptin treatment. Sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression level was significantly decreased at night in anagliptin‐treated mice (15% reduction, P < 0.05). Anagliptin significantly suppressed sterol regulatory element‐binding protein activity in HepG2 cells (21% decrease, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results presented here showed that the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, anagliptin, exhibited a lipid‐lowering effect in a hyperlipidemic animal model, and suggested that the downregulation of hepatic lipid synthesis was involved in the effect. Anagliptin might have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in addition to a glucose‐lowering effect.

PARP9 and PARP14 cross-regulate macrophage activation via STAT1 ADP-ribosylation

Despite the global impact of macrophage activation in vascular disease, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here we show, with global proteomic analysis of macrophage cell lines treated with either IFNγ or IL-4, that PARP9 and PARP14 regulate macrophage activation. In primary macrophages, PARP9 and PARP14 have opposing roles in macrophage activation. PARP14 silencing induces pro-inflammatory genes and STAT1 phosphorylation in M(IFNγ) cells, whereas it suppresses anti-inflammatory gene expression and STAT6 phosphorylation in M(IL-4) cells. PARP9 silencing suppresses pro-inflammatory genes and STAT1 phosphorylation in M(IFNγ) cells. PARP14 induces ADP-ribosylation of STAT1, which is suppressed by PARP9. Mutations at these ADP-ribosylation sites lead to increased phosphorylation. Network analysis links PARP9-PARP14 with human coronary artery disease. PARP14 deficiency in haematopoietic cells accelerates the development and inflammatory burden of acute and chronic arterial lesions in mice. These findings suggest that PARP9 and PARP14 cross-regulate macrophage activation.

Lack of pulse and surge modes and glutamatergic stimulation of luteinising hormone release in Kiss1 knockout rats

Kisspeptin, encoded by the Kiss1 gene, has attracted attention as a key candidate neuropeptide in controlling puberty and reproduction via regulation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in mammals. Pioneer studies with Kiss1 or its cognate receptor Gpr54 knockout (KO) mice showed the indispensable role of kisspeptin-GPR54 signalling in the control of animal reproduction, although detailed analyses of gonadotrophin secretion, especially pulsatile and surge-mode of luteinising hormone (LH) secretion, were limited. Thus, in the present study, we have generated Kiss1 KO rats aiming to evaluate a key role of kisspeptin in governing reproduction via pulse and surge modes of GnRH/LH secretion. Kiss1 KO male and female rats showed a complete suppression of pulsatile LH secretion, which is responsible for folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis, and an absence of puberty and atrophic gonads. Kiss1 KO female rats showed no spontaneous LH/follicle-stimulating hormone surge and an oestrogen-induced LH surge, suggesting that the GnRH surge generation system, which is responsible for ovulation, does not function without kisspeptin. Furthermore, challenge of major stimulatory neurotransmitters, such as monosodium glutamate, NMDA and norepinephrine, failed to stimulate LH secretion in Kiss1 KO rats, albeit they stimulated LH release in wild-type controls. Taken together, the results of the present study confirm that kisspeptin plays an indispensable role in generating two modes (pulse and surge) of GnRH/gonadotrophin secretion to regulate puberty onset and normal reproductive performance. In addition, the present study suggests that kisspeptin neurones play a critical role as a hub integrating major stimulatory neural inputs to GnRH neurones, using newly established Kiss1 KO rats, which serve as a useful model for detailed analysis of hormonal profiles.

The luteinising hormone surge-generating system is functional in male goats as in females: involvement of kisspeptin neurones in the medial preoptic area

A luteinising hormone (LH) surge is fundamental to the induction of ovulation in mammalian females. The administration of a preovulatory level of oestrogen evokes an LH surge in ovariectomised females, whereas the response to oestrogen in castrated males differs among species; namely, the LH surge-generating system is sexually differentiated in some species (e.g. rodents and sheep) but not in others (e.g. primates). In the present study, we aimed to determine whether there is a functional LH surge-generating system in male goats, and whether hypothalamic kisspeptin neurones in male goats are involved in the regulation of surge-like LH secretion. By i.v. infusion of oestradiol (E2; 6 μg/h) for 16 h, a surge-like LH increase occurred in both castrated male and ovariectomised female goats, although the mean peak LH concentration was lower and the mean peak of the LH surge was later in males compared to females. Dual staining with KISS1 in situ hybridisation and c-Fos immunohistochemistry revealed that E2 treatment significantly increased c-Fos expression in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) KISS1 cells in castrated males, as well as ovariectomised females. By contrast, dual-labelled cells were scarcely detected in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) after E2 treatment in both sexes. These data suggest that kisspeptin neurones in the mPOA, but not those in the ARC, are involved in the induction of surge-like LH secretion in both male and female goats. In summary, our data show that the mechanism that initiates the LH surge in response to oestrogen, the mPOA kisspeptin neurones, is functional in male goats. Thus, sexual differentiation of the LH surge-generating system would not be applicable to goats.

Oestrogen-induced activation of preoptic kisspeptin neurones may be involved in the luteinising hormone surge in male and female Japanese monkeys

The oestrogen-induced luteinising hormone (LH) surge is evident in male primates, including humans, whereas male rodents never show the LH surge, even when treated with a preovulatory level of oestrogen. This suggests that the central mechanism governing reproductive hormones in primates is different from that in rodents. The present study aimed to investigate whether male Japanese monkeys conserve a brain mechanism mediating the oestrogen-induced LH surge via activation of kisspeptin neurones. Adult male and female Japanese monkeys were gonadectomised and then were treated with oestradiol-17β for 2 weeks followed by a bolus injection of oestradiol benzoate. Both male and female monkeys showed an oestrogen-induced LH surge. In gonadectomised monkeys sacrificed just before the anticipated time of the LH surge, oestrogen treatment significantly increased the number of KISS1-expressing cells in the preoptic area (POA) and enhanced the expression of c-fos in POA KISS1-positive cells of males and females. The oestrogen treatment failed to induce c-fos expression in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) kisspeptin neurones in both sexes just prior to LH surge onset. Thus, kisspeptin neurones in the POA but not in the ARC might be involved in the positive-feedback action of oestrogen that induces LH surge in male Japanese monkeys, as well as female monkeys. The present results indicate that oestrogen-induced activation of POA kisspeptin neurones may contribute to the LH surge generation in both sexes. The conservation of the LH surge generating system found in adult male primates, unlike rodents, could be a result of the capability of oestrogen to induce POA kisspeptin expression and activation.

Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in precursor-microRNA (miR)-125a and the expression of mature miR-125a with the development and prognosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases

It is important to search the biomarker to predict the development and prognosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) such as Hashimoto's disease (HD) and Graves' disease (GD). MicroRNA (miR) bind directly to the 3' untranslated region of specific target mRNAs to suppress the expression of proteins, promote the degradation of target mRNAs and regulate immune response. miR-125a is known to be a negative regulator of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin (IL)-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β; however, its association with AITDs remains unknown. To clarify the association between AITDs and miR-125a, we genotyped the rs12976445 C/T, rs10404453 A/G and rs12975333 G/T polymorphisms in the MIR125A gene, which encodes miR-125a, using direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods in 155 patients with GD, 151 patients with HD and 118 healthy volunteers. We also examined the expression of miR-125a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 55 patients with GD, 79 patients with HD and 38 healthy volunteers using quantitative real-time PCR methods. We determined that the CC genotype and C allele of the rs12976445 C/T polymorphism were significantly more frequent in patients with HD compared with control subjects (P < 0·05) and in intractable GD compared with GD in remission (P < 0·05). The expression of miR-125a was correlated negatively with age (P = 0·0010) and down-regulated in patients with GD compared with control subjects (P = 0.0249). In conclusion, miR-125a expression in PBMCs and the rs12976445 C/T polymorphism were associated with AITD development and prognosis.

The functional polymorphisms of VDR, GC and CYP2R1 are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases

Vitamin D is a multi-functional immune regulator, and a low serum concentration of vitamin D promotes autoimmune inflammation. In this study, we evaluate the association between the prognosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and the functional polymorphisms of genes that regulate vitamin D metabolism. For 139 Graves' disease (GD) patients, 116 Hashimoto's disease (HD) patients and 76 control subjects, we genotyped the following polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP): vitamin D receptor (VDR): rs731236, rs7975232, rs2228570 and rs1544410; group-specific component (GC): rs7041 and rs4588; and CYP2R1: rs10741657. The frequency of the TT genotype for the rs731236 polymorphism was higher in GD patients than in HD patients (P = 0·0147). The frequency of the C allele for the rs7975232 polymorphism was higher in GD patients than in control subjects (P = 0·0349). The proportion of GD patients whose anti-thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb) level was >51% was higher in those with the CC genotype than in those with the CA+AA genotypes (P = 0·0065). The frequency of the CC genotype for the rs2228570 polymorphism was higher in HD patients than in control subjects (P = 0·0174) and GD patients (P = 0·0149). The frequency of the Gc1Gc1 genotype for the GC polymorphism and the AG genotype for the CYP2R1 polymorphism were lower in intractable GD than in GD in remission (P = 0·0093 and 0·0268, respectively). In conclusion, genetic differences in the VDR gene may be involved in the development of AITD and the activity of GD, whereas the genetic differences in the GC and CYP2R1 genes may be involved with the intractability of GD.

Substitution Effects of Gd and Mg on Cubic Structure of Barium Titanate

Barium titanate BaTiO3 is a ferroelectric oxide with low dielectric loss and high permittivity, which makes it a good insulator for industrial uses. However, the pure barium titanate is not always used for electronic devices. Gd- and Mg-doping in barium titanate is effective for the dielectrics in multilayer ceramic capacitors MLCCs, for example, to attain the uniform temperature-variation of dielectric constants in the wide temperature-range where MLCCs are practically used, while the Curie temperature is significantly decreased [1]. In this study, the structural characteristics of Gd- and Mg-substituted barium titanate (Ba,Gd)(Ti,Mg)O3 (BGTM) in the cubic phase were investigated to clarify the effects of Gd- and Mg-substitution on the crystal structure and the chemical bonding. Synchrotron radiation x-ray powder diffraction measurements were carried out using the BGTM samples with the Mg content of x = 0 ~ 0.1. Lattice parameters, substitution sites of the Gd and Mg ions, thermal parameters, and electron charge density distributions in the crystals were analyzed by using the maximum entropy method (MEM)/Rietveld method. The Curie temperature decreased with increasing x. The phase transition did not take place in BGTM with x > 0.05. The Gd ion was confirmed to be substituted for the Ba ion with larger thermal vibration amplitude than that of the Ba ion. The amplitude was almost independent of the Gd content. It was revealed that the Gd ion occupied the off-centered positions slightly form the Ba-site along the <100> directions at lower temperatures. Difference in thermal behaviors of the Gd and Ba ions can be attributed to the size difference between the smaller Gd ion and the larger Ba ion. The Mg ion was observed on the Ti-site. The substitution of the Mg ion for the Ti ion suppresses the ferroactivity of the Ti ion, which causes the lowering of the Curie temperature.

Completion phenomenon in transcortical sensory aphasia

We investigated completion phenomenon for proverbs in cases demonstrating transcortical sensory aphasia due to a variety of diseases. Lack of this completion was exclusively observed in patients with focal atrophy. These patients showed a selective and consistent impairment in word comprehension without phonemic cue effects in naming. The completion phenomenon was present in patients demonstrating transcortical sensory aphasia due to other cerebral diseases. In these patients, comprehension deficits were not selective for words, or words not comprehended were inconsistent and some phonemic cue effects were observed. In a previous study, we reported that completion phenomena for multiplication tables, serial numbers and names of days were frequently noted in patients with focal atrophy. Together with the present findings, these results suggest that lack of proverb completion may be attributed to a selective, systematic and complete loss of the meaning representations for language units such as words and proverbs. In addition, pathological processes of focal atrophy with temporal predominance might selectively affect the semantic memory for language as a unit.

Insertable pulse cleaning module with a saturable absorber pair and a compensating amplifier for high-intensity ultrashort-pulse lasers

We demonstrate the performance of an efficient insertable pulse cleaning module (IPCM) that uses a saturable absorber (SA) pair with a compensating multi-pass amplifier. IPCM consists of a first SA, a grating compressor, a second SA, a stretcher and a compensating Ti:sapphire amplifier. It is implemented with a conventional chirped pulse amplification (CPA) Ti:sapphire laser system, resulting in a double CPA system architecture, and suppresses the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) level of the pulse pedestal by about three orders of magnitude while preserving the output pulse energy and repetition-rate of the overall laser system. The duration of recompressed cleaned pulses is comparable to that obtained without the cleaning module. The effectiveness of the cleaning module is confirmed in laser-driven proton acceleration experiments. At the 10(9) W/cm2 pedestal level, the surface structure and electrical resistivity of an insulator target (100 nm silicon nitride) are preserved prior to the arrival of the intense ultrashort pulse.