High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of topological textures in nanoscale single-diamond networks

Topological defects-extended lattice deformations that are robust against local defects and annealing-have been exploited to engineer novel properties in both hard and soft materials. Yet, their formation kinetics and nanoscale three-dimensional structure are poorly understood, impeding their benefits for nanofabrication. We describe the fabrication of a pair of topological defects in the volume of a single-diamond network (space group Fd3 ¯ m) templated into gold from a triblock terpolymer crystal. Using X-ray nanotomography, we resolve the three-dimensional structure of nearly 70,000 individual single-diamond unit cells with a spatial resolution of 11.2 nm, allowing analysis of the long-range order of the network. The defects observed morphologically resemble the comet and trefoil patterns of equal and opposite half-integer topological charges observed in liquid crystals. Yet our analysis of strain in the network suggests typical hard matter behaviour. Our analysis approach does not require a priori knowledge of the expected positions of the nodes in three-dimensional nanostructured systems, allowing the identification of distorted morphologies and defects in large samples.

Detraining after short-term exercise induces hyperphagia and obesity with fatty liver and brown adipose tissue whitening in young male OLETF rats

This study examined the effects of exercise and detraining at a young age on fat accumulation in various organs. Four-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were assigned to either the non-exercise sedentary (OLETF Sed) or exercise groups. The exercise group was subdivided into two groups: exercise between 4 and 12 weeks of age (OLETF Ex) and exercise between 4 and 6 weeks of age followed by non-exercise between 6 and 12 weeks of age (OLETF DT). Body weight was significantly lower in the OLETF Ex group than in the OLETF Sed group at 12 weeks of age. Fat accumulation in the epididymal white adipose tissue, liver, and brown adipose tissue was suppressed in the OLETF Ex group. During the exercise period, body weight and food intake in the OLETF DT group were significantly lower than those in the OLETF Sed group. However, food intake was significantly higher in the OLETF DT group than in the OLETF Sed group after exercise cessation, resulting in extreme obesity with fatty liver and brown adipose tissue whitening. Detraining after early-onset exercise promotes hyperphagia, causing extreme obesity. Overeating should be avoided during detraining periods in cases of exercise cessation at a young age.

Clinical Features of Tachycardia-induced Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Objective Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cause of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). However, which patients with AF are prone to developing TIC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of AF patients with TIC. Methods This single-center study included 722 patients with AF (average age, 63.1±10.2 years old; 191 women) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. We defined TIC as an initial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <40% and a >20% recovery of the LVEF after successful AF ablation and compared the clinical characteristics between the TIC and control groups. Results The proportions of type 2 diabetes (30.5% vs. 14.7%), renal dysfunction (34.2% vs. 23.8%), hypertension (67.1% vs. 54.8%), and persistent AF (62.2% vs. 32.2%) were significantly higher in the TIC group (n=82) than in the control group (n=640). The atrioventricular nodal effective refractory period (AVNERP) (303±72 ms vs. 332±86 ms; p=0.017) was significantly shorter in the TIC group than in the control group. A multivariable analysis found that persistent AF [odds ratio (OR), 3.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.94-5.24], renal dysfunction (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.06-3.32), and type 2 diabetes (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.31-4.05) were significantly associated with TIC. Conclusion Comorbid renal dysfunction and type 2 diabetes were clinical features of AF patients with TIC. Persistent AF, and short AVNERP may be involved in the development of TIC.

Immunoprecipitation with an Anti-Epitope Tag Affinity Gel to Study Protein-Protein Interactions

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a pivotal role in biological phenomena, such as cellular organization, intracellular signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, understanding PPIs is an important starting point for further investigation of the function of the target protein. In this study, we propose a simple method to determine the binding of two target proteins by introducing mammalian expression vectors into HEK-293 cells using the polyethylenimine method, lysing the cells in homemade protein lysis buffer, and pulling down the target proteins on an epitope tag affinity gel. In addition, the PPI between the various epitope tag fused proteins can be confirmed by using affinity antibodies against each tag instead of the epitope tag affinity gel. This protocol could also be used to verify various PPIs, including nuclear extracts, from other cell lines. Therefore, it can be used as a basic method in a variety of PPI experiments. Proteins degrade by extended time course and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, cell lysis, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting should be performed as seamlessly as possible.

NFIA in adipocytes reciprocally regulates mitochondrial and inflammatory gene program to improve glucose homeostasis

Adipose tissue is central to regulation of energy homeostasis. Adaptive thermogenesis, which relies on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos), dissipates energy to counteract obesity. On the other hand, chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity. Here, we show that nuclear factor I-A (NFIA), a transcriptional regulator of brown and beige adipocytes, improves glucose homeostasis by upregulation of Ox-Phos and reciprocal downregulation of inflammation. Mice with transgenic expression of NFIA in adipocytes exhibited improved glucose tolerance and limited weight gain. NFIA up-regulates Ox-Phos and brown-fat-specific genes by enhancer activation that involves facilitated genomic binding of PPARγ. In contrast, NFIA in adipocytes, but not in macrophages, down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine genes to ameliorate adipose tissue inflammation. NFIA binds to regulatory region of the Ccl2 gene, which encodes proinflammatory cytokine MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), to down-regulate its transcription. CCL2 expression was negatively correlated with NFIA expression in human adipose tissue. These results reveal the beneficial effect of NFIA on glucose and body weight homeostasis and also highlight previously unappreciated role of NFIA in suppressing adipose tissue inflammation.

Selective activation of PPARα maintains thermogenic capacity of beige adipocytes

Beige adipocytes are inducible thermogenic adipocytes used for anti-obesity treatment. Beige adipocytes rapidly lose their thermogenic capacity once external cues are removed. However, long-term administration of stimulants, such as PPARγ and β-adrenergic receptor agonists, is unsuitable due to various side effects. Here, we reported that PPARα pharmacological activation was the preferred target for maintaining induced beige adipocytes. Pemafibrate used in clinical practice for dyslipidemia was developed as a selective PPARα modulator (SPPARMα). Pemafibrate administration regulated the thermogenic capacity of induced beige adipocytes, repressed body weight gain, and ameliorated impaired glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mouse models. The transcriptome analysis revealed that the E-twenty-six transcription factor ELK1 acted as a cofactor of PPARα. ELK1 was mobilized to the Ucp1 transcription regulatory region with PPARα and modulated its expression by pemafibrate. These results suggest that selective activation of PPARα by pemafibrate is advantageous to maintain the function of beige adipocytes.

Protective effect of the tunneling nanotube-TNFAIP2/M-sec system on podocyte autophagy in diabetic nephropathy

Podocyte injury leading to albuminuria is a characteristic feature of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are major determinants of DN. However, the underlying mechanisms of podocyte injury remain poorly understood. The cytosolic protein TNFAIP2/M-Sec is required for tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) formation, which are membrane channels that transiently connect cells, allowing organelle transfer. Podocytes express TNFAIP2 and form TNTs, but the potential relevance of the TNFAIP2-TNT system in DN is unknown. We studied TNFAIP2 expression in both human and experimental DN and the renal effect of tnfaip2 deletion in streptozotocin-induced DN. Moreover, we explored the role of the TNFAIP2-TNT system in podocytes exposed to diabetes-related insults. TNFAIP2 was overexpressed by podocytes in both human and experimental DN and exposre of podocytes to high glucose and AGEs induced the TNFAIP2-TNT system. In diabetic mice, tnfaip2 deletion exacerbated albuminuria, renal function loss, podocyte injury, and mesangial expansion. Moreover, blockade of the autophagic flux due to lysosomal dysfunction was observed in diabetes-injured podocytes both in vitro and in vivo and exacerbated by tnfaip2 deletion. TNTs allowed autophagosome and lysosome exchange between podocytes, thereby ameliorating AGE-induced lysosomal dysfunction and apoptosis. This protective effect was abolished by tnfaip2 deletion, TNT inhibition, and donor cell lysosome damage. By contrast, Tnfaip2 overexpression enhanced TNT-mediated transfer and prevented AGE-induced autophagy and lysosome dysfunction and apoptosis. In conclusion, TNFAIP2 plays an important protective role in podocytes in the context of DN by allowing TNT-mediated autophagosome and lysosome exchange and may represent a novel druggable target.Abbreviations: AGEs: advanced glycation end products; AKT1: AKT serine/threonine kinase 1; AO: acridine orange; ALs: autolysosomes; APs: autophagosomes; BM: bone marrow; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CTSD: cathepsin D; DIC: differential interference contrast; DN: diabetic nephropathy; FSGS: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; HG: high glucose; KO: knockout; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LMP: lysosomal membrane permeabilization; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; STZ: streptozotocin; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; TNFAIP2: tumor necrosis factor, alpha-induced protein 2; TNTs: tunneling nanotubes; WT: wild type.

Influence of using history of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for neutropenia caused by combination therapy of ramucirumab and docetaxel

Recently, pretreatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been shown to enhance the therapeutic effects of the combination therapy of ramucirumab (RAM) and docetaxel (DTX); however, its influence on the drug's side effects remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of pretreatment with ICIs on the incidence of neutropenia caused by RAM + DTX therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with NSCLC who received RAM + DTX therapy at Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center between April 2016 and December 2020 were enrolled. Retrospective data regarding age, sex, performance status and detailed treatment history, among others, at treatment initiation were collected from the patients' electronic medical records. Additionally, data on the course number of RAM + DTX therapy, supportive therapy and blood biochemical parameters, including leukocyte and neutrocyte counts, during the treatment period were collected. We identified 41 patients receiving RAM + DTX therapy. Among the more than grade 3 adverse events caused by this therapy, neutropenia was the most common (78.1%). Despite the fact that all previous risk factors influencing this incidence rate had corresponded, the only factor influencing the incidence rate of neutropenia more than grade 3 was ICI treatment history. A difference in the incidence of neutropenia more than grade 3 in the Kaplan-Meier curve was observed between patients with and without ICI pretreatment history (p = 0.037). The pretreatment history of ICI therapy affects the incidence of neutropenia caused by RAM + DTX therapy in patients with NSCLC.

NFIA determines the cis-effect of genetic variation on Ucp1 expression in murinethermogenic adipocytes

Thermogenic brown and beige adipocytes counteract obesity by enhancing energy dissipation via uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1). However, the effect of genetic variation on these cells, a major source of disease susceptibility, has been less well studied. Here we examined beige adipocytes from obesity-prone C57BL/6J (B6) and obesity-resistant 129X1/SvJ (129) mouse strains and identified a cis-regulatory variant rs47238345 that is responsible for differential Ucp1 expression. The alternative T allele of rs47238345 at the Ucp1 -12kb enhancer in 129 facilitates the allele-specific binding of nuclear factor I-A (NFIA) to mediate allele-specific enhancer-promoter interaction and Ucp1 transcription. Furthermore, CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1-mediated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) editing of rs47238345 resulted in increased Ucp1 expression. We also identified Lim homeobox protein 8 (Lhx8), whose expression is higher in 129 than in B6, as a trans-acting regulator of Ucp1 in mice and humans. These results demonstrate the cis- and trans-acting effects of genetic variation on Ucp1 expression that underlie phenotypic diversity.

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NFIA in adipocytes determines Ucp1 expression between obesity-prone and -resistant mouse strains

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Allele-specific binding of NFIA at the Ucp1 -12kb enhancer mediates differential Ucp1 expression

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Editing of a SNP at the Ucp1 -12kb enhancer is sufficient to increase Ucp1 in obesity-prone strain

Association of DNA methylation with steroidogenic enzymes in Cushing's adenoma

DNA methylation and demethylation regulate the transcription of genes. DNA methylation-associated gene expression of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes may regulate cortisol production in cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA). We aimed to determine the DNA methylation levels of all genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes involved in CPA. Additionally, the aims were to clarify the DNA methylation-associated gene expression and evaluate the difference of CPA genotype from others using DNA methylation data. Twenty-five adrenal CPA and six nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma (NFA) samples were analyzed. RNA sequencing and DNA methylation array were performed. The methylation levels at 118 methylation sites of the genes were investigated, and their methylation and mRNA levels were subsequently integrated. Among all the steroidogenic enzyme genes studied, CYP17A1 gene was mainly found to be hypomethylated in CPA compared to that in NFA, and the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure demonstrated that methylation levels at two sites in the CYP17A1 gene body were statistically significant. PRKACA mutant CPAs predominantly exhibited hypomethylation of CYP17A1 gene compared with the GNAS mutant CPAs. Inverse associations between CYP17A1 methylation in three regions of the gene body and its mRNA levels were observed in the NFAs and CPAs. In applying clustering analysis using CYP17A1 methylation and mRNA levels, CPAs with PRKACA mutation were differentiated from NFAs and CPAs with a GNAS mutation. We demonstrated that CPAs exhibited hypomethylation of the CYP17A1 gene body in CPA, especially in the PRKACA mutant CPAs. Methylation of CYP17A1 gene may influence its transcription levels.

Effects of long-term childhood exercise and detraining on lipid accumulation in metabolic-related organs

The preventive effects of regular exercise on obesity-related health problems are carried over to the non-exercise detraining period, even when physical activity decreases with aging. However, it remains unknown whether regular childhood exercises can be carried over to adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term childhood exercise and detraining on lipid accumulation in organs to prevent obesity in adulthood. Four-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were used as obese animals. OLETF rats were allocated into sedentary and exercise groups: exercise from 4- to 12-week-old and detraining from 12- to 20-week-old. At 12-week-old immediately after the exercise period, regular exercise completely inhibited hyperphagia, obesity, enlarged pancreatic islets, lipid accumulation and lobular inflammation in the liver, hypertrophied adipocytes in the white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT) whitening in OLETF rats. Additionally, exercise attenuated the decrease in the ratio of muscle wet weight to body weight associated with obesity. Decreased food consumption was maintained during the detraining period, which inhibited obesity and diabetes at 20-week-old after the detraining period. Histologically, childhood exercise inhibited the enlargement of pancreatic islets after the detraining period. In addition, inhibition of lipid accumulation was completely maintained in the WAT and BAT after the detraining period. However, the effectiveness was only partially successful in lipid accumulation and inflammation in the liver. The ratio of muscle wet weight to body weight was maintained after detraining. In conclusion, early long-term regular exercise effectively prevents obesity and diabetes in childhood, and its effectiveness can be tracked later in life. The present study suggests the importance of exercise during childhood and adolescence to inhibit hyperphagia-induced lipid accumulation in metabolic-related organs in adulthood despite exercise cessation.

Masticatory dysfunction in patients with diabetic neuropathy: A cross-sectional study

Introduction

Chewing well is essential for successful diet therapy and control of blood glucose level in patients with diabetes. In addition, long-term hyperglycemia is a risk factor for microvascular complications, which are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Hence, it is plausible that masticatory disorder may be relevant to diabetic microvascular complications which is caused by long-term hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether masticatory disorders are relevant to diabetic microvascular complications.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 172 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent educational hospitalization in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetic Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, from April 2016 to March 2020. Masticatory efficiency was determined quantitatively by using the GLUCO SENSOR GS-Ⅱ. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to examine which factors were related to masticatory efficiency. Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided p value of < 0.05.

Results

According to the bivariable analysis, masticatory efficiency was significantly correlated with duration of diabetes (p = 0. 049), number of remaining teeth (p < 0.0001), the number of moving teeth (p = 0.007) and condition of diabetic neuropathy (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the number of remaining teeth (p < 0.0001) and diabetic neuropathy (p = 0.007) remained significantly correlated with masticatory efficiency in the multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

For the first time, we demonstrated that patients with type 2 diabetes who developed diabetic neuropathy had significantly reduced masticatory efficiency. Effective mastication is an important factor in successful diet therapy for diabetes. To prevent the progression of diabetic complications, especially in patients with diabetic neuropathy, it may be necessary to combine individualized therapies from dentists and nutritionists with consideration for the level of masticatory dysfunction.

Hypomethylation associated vitamin D receptor expression in ATP1A1 mutant aldosterone-producing adenoma

DNA methylation alteration is tissue-specific and play a pivotal role in regulating gene transcription during cell proliferation and survival. We aimed to detect genes regulated by DNA methylation, and then investigated whether the gene influenced cell proliferation or survival in adrenal cells. DNA methylation and qPCR analyses were performed in nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma (NFA, n = 12) and aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA, n = 35) samples. The VDR gene promoter was markedly hypomethylated in APA with ATP1A1 mutation, and the promoter methylation levels showed a significant inverse association with the transcripts in APA. ATP1A1 mutation led to VDR transcription in HAC15 cells, and VDR suppression abrogated ATP1A1 mutation-mediated cell proliferation in HAC15 cells. We demonstrated that APA with ATP1A1 mutation showed entire hypomethylation in the VDR promoter and abundant VDR mRNA and protein expression. VDR suppression abrogated ATP1A1 mutation-mediated cell proliferation in HAC15 cells. Abundant VDR expression would be essential for ATP1A1 mutation-mediated cell proliferation.

Dietary Vitamins A, C, and Potassium Intake Is Associated With Narrower Retinal Venular Caliber

Introduction

The retinal vasculature, a surrogate for the systemic microvasculature, can be observed non-invasively, providing an opportunity to examine the effects of modifiable factors, such as nutrient intake, on microcirculation. We aimed to investigate the possible associations of dietary nutrient intake with the retinal vessel caliber.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 584 participants in a medical survey of Japanese descendants living in Los Angeles in 2015 underwent a dietary assessment, fundus photographic examination, and comprehensive physical and blood examinations. Retinal vessel caliber was measured using fundus photographs with a semi-automated computer system and summarized as central retinal artery and vein equivalents (CRAE and CRVE). The association between dietary nutrient intake and retinal vessel caliber was analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model adjusted for two models including potential confounders. The first model was adjusted for age and sex. The second model was adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, history of coronary heart disease, and history of stroke.

Results

After adjustment of potential confounders, compared to the quartile with the lowest intake, the difference in CRVE for the highest quartile was −5.33 μm [95% confidence interval (CI): −9.91 to −0.76, P for trend = 0.02] for vitamin A, −4.93 μm (95% CI: −9.54 to −0.32, P for trend = 0.02) for vitamin C and −3.90 μm (95% CI: −8.48 to 0.69, P for trend = 0.04) for potassium.

Conclusions

A significant association was observed between higher vitamins A, C and potassium intakes and narrower retinal venular caliber.

Genotype-specific cortisol production associated with Cushing's syndrome adenoma with PRKACA mutations

The intracellular molecular mechanisms underlying the genotype of cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) have not been fully determined. We analyzed gene expressions in CPA and the human adrenocortical cell line (HAC15 cells) with PRKACA mutation. Clustering analysis using a gene set associated with responses to cAMP revealed the possible differences between PRKACA mutant CPAs and GNAS and CTNNB1 mutant CPAs. The levels of STAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP21A2, and FDX1 transcripts and cortisol levels per unit area in PRKACA mutant CPAs were significantly higher than those in GNAS mutant CPAs. PRKACA mutations led to an increase in steroidogenic enzyme expression and cortisol production in HAC15 cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed differences between PRKACA mutant CPAs and GNAS and CTNNB1 mutant CPAs. Cortisol production in PRKACA mutant CPAs is increased by the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway-mediated upregulation of steroidogenic enzymes transcription. The intracellular molecular mechanisms underlying these processes would be notably important in PRKACA mutant CPAs.

Nanosecond Random Telegraph Noise in In-Plane Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

We study the timescale of random telegraph noise (RTN) of nanomagnets in stochastic magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). From analytical and numerical calculations based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert and the Fokker-Planck equations, we reveal mechanisms governing the relaxation time of perpendicular easy-axis MTJs (p-MTJs) and in-plane easy-axis MTJs (i-MTJs), showing that i-MTJs can be made to have faster RTN. Superparamagnetic i-MTJs with small in-plane anisotropy and sizable perpendicular effective anisotropy show relaxation times down to 8 ns at negligible bias current, which is more than 5 orders of magnitude shorter than that of typical stochastic p-MTJs and about 100 times faster than the shortest time of i-MTJs reported so far. The findings give a new insight and foundation in developing stochastic MTJs for high-performance probabilistic computers.

Variation in plasma glucagon levels according to obesity status in Japanese Americans with normal glucose tolerance

Japanese Americans living in the United States are genetically identical to Japanese people, but have undergone a rapid and intense westernization of their lifestyle. This study investigated variability in glucagon secretion after glucose loading among Japanese Americans with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) according to obesity status. The 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for 138 Japanese Americans (aged 40-75 years) living in Los Angeles. Plasma glucagon levels measured using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared according to body mass index (BMI) categories among 119 individuals with NGT. The individuals were classified into three categories according to their BMI values: <22 kg/m² (n = 37), 22-24.9 kg/m² (n = 46), and ≥25 kg/m² (n = 36). Fasting plasma glucagon levels and glucagon-area under the curve levels during the OGTT were the highest in the BMI ≥25 kg/m² group. Fasting glucagon levels were correlated with BMI (r = 0.399, p < 0.001), fasting insulin levels (r = 0.275, p = 0.003) and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (r = 0.262, p = 0.004). In conclusion, our findings suggest that fasting hyperglucagonemia is associated with obesity and insulin resistance even during the NGT stage in the Japanese American population.

Spin-orbit torque switching of an antiferromagnetic metallic heterostructure

The ability to represent information using an antiferromagnetic material is attractive for future antiferromagnetic spintronic devices. Previous studies have focussed on the utilization of antiferromagnetic materials with biaxial magnetic anisotropy for electrical manipulation. A practical realization of these antiferromagnetic devices is limited by the requirement of material-specific constraints. Here, we demonstrate current-induced switching in a polycrystalline PtMn/Pt metallic heterostructure. A comparison of electrical transport measurements in PtMn with and without the Pt layer, corroborated by x-ray imaging, reveals reversible switching of the thermally-stable antiferromagnetic Néel vector by spin-orbit torques. The presented results demonstrate the potential of polycrystalline metals for antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression is not induced by the renin-angiotensin system in the lung

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has developed into a pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to invade lung epithelium via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor using its glycosylated cell surface spike protein [1]. ACE2 expression in the heart and kidney is regulated by the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), especially angiotensin II (A-II), which is catalysed from angiotensin I (A-I) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) [2]. In a cohort study in the early period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan in China, hypertension was found in 30% of the patients and was identified as the most common comorbidity [3]. It has recently been reported that RAS inhibitors are not associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a meta-analysis that included nine studies comprising 3936 patients with hypertension and COVID-19 [4]. The most serious concerns for the use of RAS inhibitors may be related to their role in development of or exacerbation of COVID-19, as suggested in a recent review by Ingrahamet al. [5]. However, the alteration in ACE2 expression in pulmonary cells has not been studied.

Pulmonary expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, which is a receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is not regulated by angiotensin II or renin–angiotensin system inhibitors #COVID19https://bit.ly/3fkopuO

Effect of the use of passive body trunk exercise equipment on oxygen consumption and self-efficacy for carrying out exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Considering the difficulty in inculcating the habit of exercise among patients with type 2 diabetes, devising an easily maintained means of exercise is preferable. Passive body trunk exercise equipment (PBTE) developed for home use might solve several problems related to exercise therapy, both for patients and clinical staff involved in diabetes treatment; however, its efficacy as a therapeutic exercise device for patients with diabetes has not been ascertained. The purpose of this study was to measure the exercise intensity and self-efficacy of PBTE, and to determine whether PBTE is a useful tool for exercise therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The participants were 20 patients with type 2 diabetes, and the duration of exercise using the PBTE was set to 10 min. Oxygen consumption during exercise was measured, and self-efficacy for continuing to exercise using the PBTE and for walking was evaluated after completion of the study.

RESULTS

The average exercise intensity using the PBTE was 1.7 metabolic equivalents, whereas the maximum exercise intensity was an average of 2.0 metabolic equivalents; the reported self-efficacy for continuing to exercise using the PBTE was significantly higher than for walking.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise intensity using the PBTE is similar to low-intensity walking, and thus, it might be a useful therapeutic exercise device for patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it could be an effective exercise device for diabetes patients who do not have regular exercise habits, especially with reduced motor function or lower leg muscle strength.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone Calmegin Is Upregulated in Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma and Associates With Aldosterone Production

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a pivotal role in syntheses of proteins and steroid hormones and regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ level. We aimed to investigate ER-associated genes in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) and clarify their effect on aldosterone production. Microarray analysis targeting 288 ER-associated genes was conducted using nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas (n=5) and APAs (n=19). Immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed with 13 nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma and 48 APA samples. Functional studies were performed with human adrenocortical carcinoma (HAC15) cells, some of which were genetically modified using lentiviruses. The ER chaperone calmegin (CLGN) was the most highly expressed ER-associated gene in APAs relative to nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas. Analysis with quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed CLGN to be 9.5-fold upregulated in APAs relative to nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas. There were no differences among different APA genotypes affecting aldosterone production. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that CLGN was strongly expressed in APAs and aldosterone-producing cell clusters. Angiotensin II stimulation or KCNJ5 T158A overexpression in HAC15 cells did not affect CLGN mRNA levels. CLGN overexpression in HAC15 cells increased aldosterone levels but did not stimulate CYP11B2 mRNA levels. Pathway and gene ontology analyses using RNA sequencing results showed that tRNA aminoacyl metabolism was the most enriched pathway in CLGN-overexpressing cells. CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) and HSD3B2 (3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5->4-isomerase type 2) protein expression were more abundant in CLGN-overexpressing cells. CLGN knockdown using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9) method in HAC15 cells that carry the KCNJ5 mutation did not affect aldosterone production. To summarize, CLGN was upregulated and associated with aldosterone production via translational regulation of CYP11B2 in APAs.

Associations of nutrient intakes with glaucoma among Japanese Americans

The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations of nutrient intake on glaucoma in subjects of Japanese descent living in Los Angeles, CA.In this cross-sectional study, 581 Japanese American participants in Los Angeles underwent an interview, fundus photography, comprehensive physical, and blood examinations, along with determining the body mass index status and any confounding factors. CDSketch was used to measure the cup-disc ratio and rim width of each fundus in the retinal photographs. A multivariate logistic regression test with adjustment for confounding factors was used to assess the association between glaucoma and nutrient intake.A total of 61 of 581 participants were diagnosed with glaucoma in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high intake of iron (odds ratio [OR]: 1.303, P = .004), low intake of vitamin A (OR: 0.365, P = .019), and vegetable fat (OR: 0.957, P = .004) were associated with an increased risk of glaucoma.Current findings showed that high iron intake and low vitamin A and vegetable fat intake appeared to be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma in subjects of Japanese descent living in the Los Angeles populations.

Alteration of gut microbiota by a Westernized lifestyle and its correlation with insulin resistance in non-diabetic Japanese men

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The severity of insulin resistance is higher in Japanese-American people with American lifestyles than in native Japanese people with Japanese lifestyles. Recently, the role of gut microbiota in the control of host metabolic homeostasis and organ physiology has been recognized. In addition, gut microbiota alterations have been suggested to contribute to pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The principle aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a Westernized lifestyle on the gut microbiota of Japanese-Americans versus native Japanese, and its correlation with insulin resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 14 native Japanese men living in Hiroshima, Japan, and 14 Japanese-American men living in Los Angeles, USA, were included. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out for all participants to assess their glucose tolerance, and normal glucose tolerance was observed. We compared the insulin response with oral glucose load, the Matsuda Index, and the composition of the gut microbiota between the native Japanese and Japanese-American men.

RESULTS

Japanese-American men showed higher area under the curve values for serum insulin concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test and lower Matsuda Index than native Japanese men. Gut microbiota composition of the Japanese-American men was different; in particular, they showed a relatively lower abundance of Odoribacter than native Japanese men. The ratio between relative abundance of Odoribacter and Matsuda Index was positively correlated between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that Westernized lifestyles alter gut microbiota, and its alteration might induce insulin resistance in non-diabetic Japanese men.

Associations of nutrient intakes with obesity and diabetes mellitus in the longitudinal medical surveys of Japanese Americans

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Our previous survey of two Japanese populations, with different lifestyles but identical genetic dispositions, showed that Japanese Americans had different dietary intakes and higher prevalences of obesity and diabetes mellitus, compared with the native Japanese population. The present study examined whether Westernized dietary habits could affect the development of obesity or diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 765 individuals with normal glucose tolerance at baseline medical examinations (1986 or 1989 in Los Angeles and in 1988 or 1992 in Hawaii) who subsequently completed follow-up medical examinations several years later. The participants were categorized at baseline as "lean" (576 individuals, body mass index of <25 kg/m2 ) or "obese" (189 individuals, body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 ). Nutrient intakes were analyzed for associations with the development of obesity or diabetes using Cox's proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

A total of 41 lean participants developed diabetes, which was not associated with any nutrient intakes (mean follow up 10.8 ± 6.6 years). A total of 36 obese participants developed diabetes, which was positively associated with intakes of animal protein, animal fat and saturated fatty acid (mean follow up 10.7 ± 6.3 years). A total of 85 lean participants became obese, which was positively associated with intakes of simple carbohydrates, sugar and fructose, as well as inversely associated with intakes of vegetable protein and complex carbohydrates (mean follow up 10.4 ± 6.5 years).

CONCLUSIONS

In the Japanese Americans, different nutrient intakes affected the development of obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, the associations of nutrient intakes with diabetes development varied according to the presence or absence of obesity.