Inference of Regulatory System for TAG Biosynthesis in Lipomyces starkeyi

Improving the bioproduction ability of efficient host microorganisms is a central aim in bioengineering. To control biosynthesis in living cells, the regulatory system of the whole biosynthetic pathway should be clearly understood. In this study, we applied our network modeling method to infer the regulatory system for triacylglyceride (TAG) biosynthesis in Lipomyces starkeyi, using factor analyses and structural equation modeling to construct a regulatory network model. By factor analysis, we classified 89 TAG biosynthesis-related genes into nine groups, which were considered different regulatory sub-systems. We constructed two different types of regulatory models. One is the regulatory model for oil productivity, and the other is the whole regulatory model for TAG biosynthesis. From the inferred oil productivity regulatory model, the well characterized genes DGA1 and ACL1 were detected as regulatory factors. Furthermore, we also found unknown feedback controls in oil productivity regulation. These regulation models suggest that the regulatory factor induction targets should be selected carefully. Within the whole regulatory model of TAG biosynthesis, some genes were detected as not related to TAG biosynthesis regulation. Using network modeling, we reveal that the regulatory system is helpful for the new era of bioengineering.

Impact of east Japan earthquake disaster with massive tsunami for prevalence of Takotsubo syndrome – a multicenter regional registry before and after east Japan earthquake disaster

Background

Previous studies demonstrated Takotsubo syndrome (TS) was easy provoked by earthquake disaster. However, a previous other regional report demonstrated TS was not increased after 2011 east Japan earthquake disaster. The purpose of this study was to clarify incidence of TS after the earthquake disaster in Iwate prefecture during long term period.

Method

Consecutive hospitalized TS patients were registered during 8 years between 2009 and 2016 in our medical university and five Iwate prefecture hospitals. Moreover, patients were divided into two groups, i.e., those with the inland and those with tsunami-stricken area groups. Prevalence of TS were calculated by standard incidence ratio (SIR) before and after the earthquake disaster. Moreover, long-term prognosis in the both groups was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 112 TS (male 25 and female 87) were registered from acute coronary syndrome registry in each hospital (n=4,163). Averaged age was 75.3 year-old. A total number of TS just after the two months of the earthquake (March and April 2011) was nine and significance monthly variation was observed comparing with the other months (p=0.029). SIR before and after the disaster is as following Figure. There were no significant differences for long-term prognosis between the two groups (p=0.20).

Conclusion

Incidence of TS was increased in acute phase after east Japan earthquake disaster. However, significance increases were maintained during long-term period, although number of TS was decreased after acute phase. TS is increased not only acute but also chronic phase after the serious earthquake disaster.

Standard incidence ratio

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

0001 Activation of Nociceptin/Orphanin-FQ Peptide (NOP) Receptors Produces an Increase in Non-REM Sleep in Rats and Constitutes a Novel and Attractive Target for the Treatment of Insomnia

Introduction

Treatments for insomnia have targeted GABA, histamine, serotonin, melatonin and orexin receptors. The nociceptin/orphanin-FQ peptide (NOP) receptor is widely expressed in the nervous system. High doses of NOP agonists administered systemically or locally into the CNS can result in sedation, however, the utility of targeting this receptor to treat insomnia has not been fully described.

Methods

V117957 is a recently described investigational oral, potent and selective NOP receptor partial agonist. We determined the brain Kp in whole brain and multiple sub-regions (50mg/kg) and receptor occupancy in the hypothalamus (30, 300mg/kg) via in vivo displacement using [3H]-NOP-1A. EEG/EMG were determined in rats chronically implanted with electrodes (cortex and dorsal neck muscle) and recorded via telemetry following dosing (3, 30, 300mg/kg); sleep stage was determined from visual analysis of EEG level. Sleep parameters were also assessed in NOP receptor knock-out rats (300mg/kg). The side-effect profile for V117957 was determined by functional observation battery, whole-body plethysmography, Morris water maze (MWM) (up to 600mg/kg) and conditioned place preference (CPP) assay (up to 300mg/kg).

Results

V117957 displayed limited distribution into the CNS but achieved a high level of receptor occupancy (75% at 30mg/kg). Administration of V117957 produced dose-dependent and statistically significant increases in non-REM sleep with a minimally efficacious dose of 30mg/kg; a coincident dose-dependent and statistically significant decrease in wakefulness and a non-dose-dependent effect on REM sleep occurred. These changes were not seen in knock-out animals demonstrating effects are via NOP receptors. At doses higher than those that increased non-REM sleep, V117957 had no effects in a functional observational battery, did not affect escape latency in MWM or produce CPP; additionally, V117957 did not affect respiratory parameters.

Conclusion

We conclude that activation of NOP receptors decreases wakefulness and increases non-REM sleep in rats with an improved preclinical profile compared to historical profiles of current treatments and, therefore, may represent a novel and attractive target for the treatment of insomnia.

Support

Funded by Shionogi and Imbrium Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Purdue Pharma L.P.

P3615The number of coronary risk factors and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction from Japanese nation-wide real-world database

Background

Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and smoking are so-called coronary risk factors for coronary heart disease, which were established by extensive epidemiological research. However, in Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the impact of number of coronary risk factors on in-hospital morality has not been elucidated.

Methods

The Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR) is a nationwide real-world database integrated form 10 regional registries. We examined the association between number of coronary risk factors and in-hospital mortality from this JAMIR registry.

Results

The data were obtained from total of 20462 AMI patients (mean age, 68.8±13.3 years old; 15281 men, 5181 women). Figure 1 shows the prevalence of each coronary risk factors stratified by sex and decade. The prevalence of hypertension became higher with the advanced age while the prevalence of smoking became lower with the advanced age. Prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia were highest in middle age. Majority (76.9%) of the patients with AMI had at least 1 of these coronary risk factors and, 23.1% had none of them. Overall, except women under 50, number of coronary risk factor was relatively less in older age (Figure 2). In-hospital mortality by sex and decades was shown in figure 3. In-hospital mortality rates were 10.7%, 10.5%, 7.2%, 5.0% and 4.5% with 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 risk factors, respectively (Figure 4A). After adjusting age and sex, there was an inverse association between the number of coronary risk factors and in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [1.68; 95% CI, 1.20–2.35] among individuals with 0 vs. 4 risk factors, Figure 4B).

Conclusion

In the present study of Japanese patients with AMI, who received modern medical treatment, in-hospital mortality was inversely related to the number of coronary risk factors.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

Low body mass index is a risk factor for hyperkalaemia associated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers treatments

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) represent the cornerstones of hypertension and congestive heart failure treatment. Risk factors for hyperkalaemia associated with ACEI and ARB are chronic kidney disease and concomitant medications which increase serum potassium level. Body mass index (BMI) also affects pharmacokinetics of ACEI and ARB and potassium disposition. We evaluated the relationship between BMI and hyperkalaemia associated with ACEI and ARB treatments.

METHODS

Study design is a retrospective case-control analysis. Patients who had been prescribed ACEI or ARB between June 2015 and June 2017 at Tokyo Women's Medical University, Medical Center East, were included. Patient clinical background was collected from medical records. Hyperkalaemia was defined as serum potassium above 5.5 meq/L. The concomitant use of ACEI and ARB, aldosterone antagonists, direct renin inhibitor, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was regarded as hyperkalaemia-inducing medications. The relationship between BMI and hyperkalaemia associated with ACEI and ARB treatments was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The study included 2987 patients aged 70.1 ± 12.9 years, 61.0% were men, and BMI was 23.8 ± 4.4 kg/m² . The incidence of hyperkalaemia was 7.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age >65 years, low BMI, diabetes, history of treatment for hyperkalaemia, serum sodium <135 meq/L, eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m² and the concomitant use of hyperkalaemia-inducing medications were independent risk factors for hyperkalaemia associated with ACEI and ARB.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that BMI provides useful information for the identification of potential risk for hyperkalaemia associated with ACEI and ARB treatments.

Veno-Right Ventricle Bypass as a Lung Support System during Pulmonary Surgery without Ventilation

A special lung support technique is required during carina! or tracheal surgery. Veno venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an accepted techinique for temporary lung support. Therefore, the purpose of our experiments was to evaluate the effect of veno venous ECMO (veno-right ventricle bypass) without ventilatory support. In five mongrel dogs, two venous drainage cannula were inserted into the superior vena cava through the right jugular vein and the inferior vena cava through the right femoral vein. In addition, a venous return cannula was inserted into the right ventricle (RV) through the right jugular vein. The veno-right ventricle (veno-RV) bypass system was composed of a centrifugal pump and membrane oxygenator; pump flow was maintained at 88 ± 14 ml/kg/min. Excellent hemodynamics and good oxygenation were obtained. On the basis of these results, we conclude that veno-RV bypass may be used as lung support during pulmonary surgery even though the native lung is not ventilated during the veno-RV bypass procedure.

Effects of the ether oxygen atom in alkyl side chains on the physical properties of piperidinium ionic liquids

Various types of piperidinium ionic liquids equipped with an oxygen atom-containing alkyl side chain on the positively charged nitrogen atom were systematically synthesized and their physical properties investigated.

PRR11 immunoreactivity is a weak prognostic factor in non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung

INTRODUCTION

Proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) functions in the progression of cell cycle, and silencing the PRR11 gene in lung cancer cells results in the inhibition of cellular proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, invasion and colony formation. PRR11 may therefore be a therapeutic target in lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarrays of surgical specimens of non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung, from 346 subjects that were not given preoperative therapy, were autoimmunostained with PRR11 and, except for trace and pseudo-positivity, assessed as "positive" at any proportion and intensity.

RESULTS

PRR11 immunoreactivity demonstrated a tendency to associate with an aggressive phenotype (tumor size, vascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy) and some effect on overall survival (Hazard ratio 1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

PRR11 may be a weak prognostic indicator of overall survival of patients with non-mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Role of S-100 Immunostain as An Auxiliary Diagnostic Aid in Leprosy

INTRODUCTION

Histopathologic diagnosis of leprosy is difficult when Bacillary Index (BI) is zero and neural involvement are not easily identifiable on routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. This study was undertaken to study the role of S-100 immunostaining in demonstrating different patterns of nerve involvement in various types of leprosy.

METHODS

Thirty one skin biopsies with clinico-histopathologic diagnoses of leprosy over a period of two years were included in the study. Ten cases of non-lepromatous granulomatous dermatoses (including eight cases of lupus vulgaris and two cases of erythema nodosum) were used as controls. Tissue sections from all cases and controls were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain, Fite stain and S-100 immunostain. The H&E stained slides were used to study the histopathological features, Fite stained slides for Bacillary Index and S-100 for nerve changes.

RESULTS

Neural changes could be demonstrated in the entire spectrum of leprosy using S-100 immunostaining. The most common pattern of nerve destruction in the tuberculoid spectrum was fragmented and infiltrated whereas lepromatous spectrum showed mostly fragmented nerve twigs. Intact nerves were not detected in any of the leprosy cases.

CONCLUSIONS

S-100 immunostain is a useful auxiliary aid to the routine H&E stain in the diagnosis of leprosy especially tuberculoid spectrum and intermediate leprosy.

Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (HS) was diagnosed on post-mortem examination of a 1.5-year-old African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) that was presented in poor physical condition and with diarrhoea. Leucocytosis and a hypoechoic abdominal mass were noted on haematological and ultrasonographical examinations. Gross pathological, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evaluation of the mass supported a diagnosis of disseminated HS. To our knowledge, this report represents the first documentation of disseminated HS in this species.

2016 Comprehensive Update of the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology: Introduction of Antibody-Mediated Rejection

The Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology reviewed and discussed literature evidence regarding antibody-mediated liver allograft rejection at the 11th (Paris, France, June 5-10, 2011), 12th (Comandatuba, Brazil, August 19-23, 2013), and 13th (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 5-10, 2015) meetings of the Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology. Discussion continued online. The primary goal was to introduce guidelines and consensus criteria for the diagnosis of liver allograft antibody-mediated rejection and provide a comprehensive update of all Banff Schema recommendations. Included are new recommendations for complement component 4d tissue staining and interpretation, staging liver allograft fibrosis, and findings related to immunosuppression minimization. In an effort to create a single reference document, previous unchanged criteria are also included.

Application of silica gel-sintered plate to thin layer lipid chromatographic analysis

The merits and disadvantages of using the silica gel-sintered plate for lipid chromatographic analysis were investigated in detail. The commercially available sintered plate could be used repeatedly, employing the reconditioning procedure which involved chromic-sulfuric acid treatment and subsequent activation. The reconditioned sintered plate has now been used successfully 20 times, for lipid analysis without any deterioration of the excellent resolution power for complex lipid mixtures for all the solvent systems. Since the sintered plate is sturdy, the chromatogplate could be immersed directly in the liquid reaction mixture, so that spots on the chromatogram could be seen and impregnated plates prepared simply. The sintered plate was found to be much more economical than the silica gel-coated plate.

Quantitative analysis of the effect of pulsatile flow on vascular resistance

'Pulsatile flow' has been reported to reduce vascular resistance. In this study, the effect of pulsatile flow was assessed quantitatively, using perfusion of canine hindlimb. The perfusion circuit consisted of roller-type pulsatile pump (Cobe Inc., Stockert pump) and bubble oxygenator (Shiley Inc., S-070/s). Each flow curve was quantified with the mean flow rate (F) and pulse power index (PPI). PPI is derived by Fourier transformation of the flow curve and represents the degree of 'pulsation'. Vascular resistance was determined during perfusion with varied flow rate and PPI. The regression formula between vascular resistance (VR) and two parameters was obtained as follows:

VR(F,PPI) = 41600x(F-1.37) -0.95+913 - PPIx{(3.99x(F-1.33)-040_0.69}

where VR is measured in mmHg. min-1.kg.ml-1; F represents ml.min-1.kg -1 (range from 2.8 to 17.1); and PPI is dimensionless (range from 2.8 to 215.7).

Using this formula, vascular resistance at a fixed flow rate and wave form can be predicted. When the flow rate is 6.27 ml.min-1.kg-1 and the PPI is 1466, (measured values under perfusion with own beating heart) the vascular resistance perfused by own beating heart is obtained. The results indicate that the pulsation of own beating heart contributes to a reduction in vascular resistance to 80%. It is also shown that the value of PPI which is necessary to reduce the vascular resistance to 80% is more than 1300 under the normal flow rate range.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Kampo: A Review from the Distant past for the Future

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing that developed in China about 3000 years ago, and includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage, etc. In recent decades the use of TCM has become more popular in China and throughout the world. Traditional Japanese medicine has been used for 1500 years and includes Kampo-yaku (herbal medicine), acupuncture and acupressure. Kampo is now widely practised in Japan and is fully integrated into the modern health-care system. Kampo is based on TCM but has been adapted to Japanese culture. In this paper we review the history and characteristics of TCM and traditional Japanese medicine, i.e. the selection of traditional Chinese herbal medicine treatments based on differential diagnosis, and treatment formulations specific for the ‘Sho’ (the patient's symptoms at a given moment) of Japanese Kampo - and look at the prospects for these forms of medicine.