Effects of Metformin and Rosiglitazone on Peripheral Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Function in Obesity: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study

Metformin and rosiglitazone combination therapy is known to improve insulin resistance and postpone diabetes mellitus development in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. This double-blind, randomized, controlled study assessed this combination therapy for preventing type 2 diabetes in obese subjects with hyperinsulinaemia. Subjects received metformin (500 mg three times daily, orally) plus either rosiglitazone (4 mg once daily, orally; n = 94) or placebo ( n = 95) and were followed for 6 months. Blood pressure, body fat, body mass index (BMI), lipid and insulin levels were recorded pre-and post-treatment. Metformin plus rosiglitazone significantly decreased blood pressure, lipids, BMI, and fasting and postmeal insulin levels. Metformin plus placebo led to a significant decrease in blood pressure, BMI and lipid levels, but fasting and postmeal insulin levels were unchanged. Adverse events were similar between the two groups. The metformin and rosiglitazone combination increased insulin sensitivity and β-cell function recovered. This approach may represent a therapeutic option for preventing development of type 2 diabetes in obese subjects with hyperinsulinaemia.

Surface Morphology and Composition Characterization at the Initial Stages of AlN Crystal Growth

The morphology and composition of AlN crystals on 6H-SiC (0001) at the initial stage of crystal growth by sublimation re-condensation technique were investigated by SEM and SAM. Discontinuous AlN coverage occurred after 15 minutes growth. The AlN nuclei size, and growth rate increased as temperature increased or pressure decreased. The SiC substrate decomposed leaving hexagonal hillocks; simultaneously, the AlN nucleated on these SiC hillocks apparently rotated by 15° to 30°. The chemical composition of the substrate and different AlN crystal facets were characterized by SAM. The bare substrate area was stoichiometric SiC with insignificant conversion to silicon nitride, while Si and C preferentially incorporated in the AlN at the initial stages of growth on specific crystal planes.

Dietary sodium intake among Canadian adults with and without hypertension

Introduction

Almost 30% of hypertension among Canadians may be attributed to excess dietary sodium.

Methods

We examined the average sodium intake of Canadians aged 30 years and over, with and without hypertension, by age, sex and diabetes status using 24-hour recall data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, Nutrition. We compared absolute (crude) average sodium intake levels of those with and without hypertension to the 2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) guidelines and adjusted average sodium intake between those with and without hypertension.

Results

Both those with and without diagnosed hypertension display average sodium intakes well above the 1500 mg/day recommended by the 2009 CHEP guidelines (2950 mg/day and 3175 mg/day, respectively). After confounding adjustment, those with hypertension have significantly higher average sodium intake (p = .0124). Stratified subgroup analyses found the average sodium intake among those with hypertension was higher for men between 30 and 49 years old (p = .0265), women between 50 and 69 years old (p = .0083) and those without diabetes (p = .0071) when compared to their counterparts without hypertension.

Conclusion

Better approaches are needed to reduce sodium intake in hypertension patients, as well as the general population.

Dietary sodium intake among Canadian adults with and without hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Almost 30% of hypertension among Canadians may be attributed to excess dietary sodium.

METHODS

We examined the average sodium intake of Canadians aged 30 years and over, with and without hypertension, by age, sex and diabetes status using 24-hour recall data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, Nutrition. We compared absolute (crude) average sodium intake levels of those with and without hypertension to the 2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) guidelines and adjusted average sodium intake between those with and without hypertension.

RESULTS

Both those with and without diagnosed hypertension display average sodium intakes well above the 1500 mg/day recommended by the 2009 CHEP guidelines (2950 mg/day and 3175 mg/day, respectively). After confounding adjustment, those with hypertension have significantly higher average sodium intake (p = .0124). Stratified subgroup analyses found the average sodium intake among those with hypertension was higher for men between 30 and 49 years old (p = .0265), women between 50 and 69 years old (p = .0083) and those without diabetes (p = .0071) when compared to their counterparts without hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Better approaches are needed to reduce sodium intake in hypertension patients, as well as the general population.

A soluble thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) antagonist, TSLPR-immunoglobulin, reduces the severity of allergic disease by regulating pulmonary dendritic cells

Recent studies show that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a critical role in the upstream phase of the allergic cascade to induce T helper type 2 cell (Th2)-dominant allergic diseases. However, the effect of blocking TSLP signalling with the soluble TSLP receptor (TSLPR), TSLPR-immunoglobulin (Ig), on asthma development needs further investigation. Here, we examined the effects of TSLPR-Ig on asthmatic airway inflammation and dendritic cell (DC) function. TSLPR-Ig (comprising the extracellular domain of murine TSLPR and an IgG2a Fc tail) purified from transfected COS-7 cells reduced the expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 on TSLP-activated DCs in vitro. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying TSLPR-Ig-mediated amelioration of allergic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model. When TSLP signalling was blocked by intratracheal administration of TSLPR-Ig prior to sensitization, allergen-specific serum IgE levels, airway tissue inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration and Th2 cytokine levels in the bronchiolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced significantly. This was because of the TSLP-Ig-mediated down-regulation of co-stimulatory molecule expression on pulmonary DCs. We also transferred bone marrow-derived mature DCs (mDCs) into the airways of asthmatic mice. Intratracheal administration of TSLPR-Ig prior to the transfer of mDCs reduced eosinophilic airway inflammation and Th2 differentiation significantly. Collectively, these data suggest that local use of TSLPR-Ig prevents airway inflammation, at least in part, by regulating DC function, and that blocking TSLP signalling using TSLPR-Ig may be a novel strategy for the treatment of asthma bronchiale.

Processing Induced Strain Relaxation in BaTiO3 Films

The development of integrated electronic devices has resulted in an increased interest in the study of ferroelectric ceramic films on silicon prepared by diverse methods. Some of these studies aim at the development of films whose ferroelectric properties equal or approximate those of the bulk ceramic. It is therefore important to attain a better understanding of the microstructure of these films and the relationship between the microstructure and the different film preparation methods. This study examines the strain field in such a film as a function of annealing time. The technique chosen was grazing incidence x-ray scattering (GIXS), and the material, thin films of BaTiO3 deposited on silicon (111) single crystals by metallo-organic deposition (MOD). The BaTiO3 {110} and {101} reflections were monitored. A substantial relaxation of the d-spacing of planes parallel to the surface was measured after a 64 hour annealing. The d-spacing of planes perpendicular to the surface remained essentially unchanged.

Sol-Gel-Derived Thin Films Incorporating An Organic Second-Order NLO Compound With Large βμ

We have synthesized a new second-order NLO compound containing both the highly active tricyanovinyl electron acceptor group and appropriate funtionality for covalent bonding to an inorganic silica matrix by sol-gel processing. Sub-Micron films of this material can be prepared by spin-coating, and thicker films can be prepared by casting or by spinning multiple layers. After curing at 150 °C, these films exhibit good chemical durability. The chromophores can be aligned by either corona or parallel-plate poling during the curing process. In this paper we will discuss the synthesis of the NLO compounds; sol-gel processing and thin-film preparation; optical, thermal, and chemical properties of the films; and the results of both corona and parallel-plate poling experiments.

Expression and prognostic role of pan-Ras, Raf-1, pMEK1 and pERK1/2 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIMS

Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascades play important roles in the transmission of signals involved in apoptosis. Importantly, components of these pathways are aberrantly expressed in human cancer. However, there is limited data linking clinical outcomes with the aberrant expression of this pathway. The present study analyzed the prognostic values of pan-Ras, Raf-1, phosphorylated MEK1 (pMEK1) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Expression of pan-Ras, Raf-1, pMEK1 and pERK1/2 in 81 HCC patients who underwent curative resection was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Long-term survival after resection of patients according to the expression of pan-Ras, Raf-1, pMEK1 and pERK1/2 was assessed using univariate analysis and multiple Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, patients with Raf-1 or pMEK1 overexpression had shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P<0.05) and poorer overall survival (OS) (P<0.05) than groups with weak-expression of Raf-1 or pMEK1, respectively. Patients with pan-Ras overexpression had poorer overall survival (OS) (P<0.05) than the group with weak-expression of pan-Ras. Importantly, Raf-1 overexpression was a promising prognostic marker for poor survival according to multivariate Cox regression analysis (DFS, Hazard Ratio 1.807, P = 0.035; OS, Hazard Ratio 1.959, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

Raf-1 overexpression could be considered as an independent prognostic biomarker in HCC and may predict early tumor recurrence and death for HCC patients. It can be used to stratify patients at higher risk for poor prognosis and help to select the appropriate therapeutic regime of HCC.

TRPV4 mutations and cytotoxic hypercalcemia in axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies

OBJECTIVE

To improve understanding of TRPV4-associated axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy phenotypes and their debated pathologic mechanism.

METHODS

A total of 17 CMT2C phenotypic families with vocal cord and diaphragmatic involvement and 36 clinically undifferentiated CMT2 subjects underwent sequencing analysis of the coding region of TRPV4. Functional studies of mutant proteins were performed using transiently transfected cells for TRPV4 subcellular localization, basal and stimulated Ca(2+) channel analysis, and cell viability assay with or without channel blockade.

RESULTS

Two TRPV4 mutations R232C and R316H from 17 CMT2C families were identified in the ankyrin repeat domains. The R316H is a novel de novo mutation found in a patient with CMT2C phenotype. The family with R232C mutation had individuals with and without vocal cord and diaphragm involvement. Both mutant TRPV4 proteins had normal subcellular localization in HEK293 and HeLa cells. Cells transfected with R232C and R316H displayed increased intracellular Ca(2+) levels and reversible cell death by the TRPV channel antagonist, ruthenium red.

CONCLUSION

TRPV4 ankyrin domain alterations including a novel de novo mutation cause axonal CMT2. Individuals with the same mutation may have nondistinct CMT2 or have phenotypic CMT2C with vocal cord paresis. Reversible hypercalcemic gain-of-function of mutant TRPV4 instead of loss-of-function appears to be pathologically important. The reversibility of cell death by channel blockade provides an attractive area of investigation in consideration of treatable axonal degeneration.

D-4F, an apoA-1 mimetic, decreases airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and oxidative stress in a murine model of asthma

Asthma is characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation of the airways. Although proinflammatory lipids are involved in asthma, therapies targeting them remain lacking. Ac-DWFKAFYDKVAEKFKEAFNH(2) (4F) is an apolipoprotein (apo)A-I mimetic that has been shown to preferentially bind oxidized lipids and improve HDL function. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of 4F on oxidative stress, inflammation, and airway resistance in an established murine model of asthma. We show here that ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitization increased airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil recruitment, and collagen deposition in lungs of C57BL/6J mice by a mechanism that could be reduced by 4F. OVA sensitization induced marked increases in transforming growth factor (TGF)β-1, fibroblast specific protein (FSP)-1, anti-T15 autoantibody staining, and modest increases in 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) Michael's adducts in lungs of OVA-sensitized mice. 4F decreased TGFβ-1, FSP-1, anti-T15 autoantibody, and 4-HNE adducts in the lungs of the OVA-sensitized mice. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), peripheral eosinophil counts, total IgE, and proinflammatory HDL (p-HDL) were all increased in OVA-sensitized mice. 4F decreased BALF EPO activity, eosinophil counts, total IgE, and p-HDL in these mice. These data indicate that 4F reduces pulmonary inflammation and airway resistance in an experimental murine model of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress.

Mouse mandible contains distinctive mesenchymal stem cells

Although human orofacial bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed differentiation traits distinctly different from those of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from long bone marrow (BMMSCs), mouse MSCs derived from orofacial bone have not been isolated due to technical difficulties, which in turn precludes the use of mouse models to study and cure orofacial diseases. In this study, we developed techniques to isolate and expand mouse orofacial bone/bone-marrow-derived MSCs (OMSCs) from mandibles and verified their MSC characteristics by single-colony formation, multi-lineage differentiation, and in vivo tissue regeneration. Activated T-lymphocytes impaired OMSCs via the Fas/Fas ligand pathway, as occurs in BMMSCs. Furthermore, we found that OMSCs are distinct from BMMSCs with respect to regulating T-lymphocyte survival and proliferation. Analysis of our data suggests that OMSCs are a unique population of MSCs and play an important role in systemic immunity.

ABBREVIATIONS

BMMSC, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell; HA/TCP, hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate; OMSC, orofacial mesenchymal stem cell; OVX, ovariectomized.

The first experimental results from x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer for KSTAR

The x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) for the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research has been first applied for the experimental campaign in 2009. The XICS was designed to provide measurements of the profiles of the ion and electron temperatures from the heliumlike argon (Ar XVII) spectra. The basic functions of the XICS are properly working although some satellites lines are not well matched with the expected theoretical values. The initial experimental results from the XICS are briefly described.

EMX2 is epigenetically silenced and suppresses growth in human lung cancer

Lung cancer is a common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Aberrant activation of WNT signaling is implicated in lung carcinogenesis. EMX2, a human homologue of the Drosophila empty spiracles gene is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor. The function of EMX2 has been linked to the WNT signaling pathway during embryonic patterning in mice. However, little is known about the role of EMX2 in human tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that EMX2 was dramatically downregulated in lung cancer tissue samples and this downregulation was associated with methylation of the EMX2 promoter. Restoration of EMX2 expression in lung cancer cells lacking endogenous EMX2 expression suppressed cell proliferation and invasive phenotypes, inhibited canonical WNT signaling, and sensitized lung cancer cells to the treatment of the chemo cytotoxic drug cisplatin. On the other hand, knockdown of EMX2 expression in lung cancer cells expressing endogenous EMX2 promoted cell proliferation, invasive phenotypes and canonical WNT signaling. Taken together, our study suggests that EMX2 may have important roles as a novel suppressor in human lung cancer.

Frameshift and novel mutations in FUS in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and ALS/dementia

OBJECTIVE

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive paralytic disorder caused by degeneration of motor neurons. Mutations in the FUS gene were identified in patients with familial ALS (FALS) and patients with sporadic ALS (SALS) from a variety of genetic backgrounds. This work further explores the spectrum of FUS mutations in patients with FALS and patients with FALS with features of frontotemporal dementia (FALS/FTD) or parkinsonism and dementia (FALS/PD/DE).

METHODS

All exons of the FUS gene were sequenced in 476 FALS index cases negative for mutations in SOD1 and TARDBP. A total of 561-726 controls were analyzed for genetic variants observed. Clinical data from patients with FUS mutations were compared to those of patients with known SOD1 and TARDBP mutations.

RESULTS

We identified 17 FUS mutations in 22 FALS families, 2 FALS/FTD families, and 1 FALS/PD/DE family from diverse genetic backgrounds; 11 mutations were novel. There were 4 frameshift, 1 nonsense, and 1 possible alternate splicing mutation. Patients with FUS mutations appeared to have earlier symptom onset, a higher rate of bulbar onset, and shorter duration of symptoms than those with SOD1 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

FUS gene mutations are not an uncommon cause in patients with FALS from diverse genetic backgrounds, and have a prevalence of 5.6% in non-SOD1 and non-TARDBP FALS, and approximately 4.79% in all FALS. The pathogenicity of some of these novel mutations awaits further studies. Patients with FUS mutations manifest earlier symptom onset, a higher rate of bulbar onset, and shorter duration of symptoms.