Transgenic mice overexpressing nesfatin/nucleobindin-2 are susceptible to high-fat diet-induced obesity

BACKGROUND

Nesfatin/Nucleobindin-2 (Nesf/NUCB2), a precursor of nesfatin-1, an anorexigenic protein, is ubiquitously expressed in peripheral tissues in addition to the hypothalamus. However, the role of intracellular Nesf/NUCB2 has not been established in the periphery.

METHODS

Nesf/NUCB2-transgenic (Tg) mice were generated, and chronological changes of body weight and daily food intake were measured in Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed normal laboratory chow or 45% high-fat diet (HFD). In addition, changes of metabolic markers were evaluated in those mice.

RESULTS

No differences were observed in daily food intake and body weight between Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice (n=11) and their non-Tg littermates (n=11) fed normal chow. Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice showed increased mRNA expression of oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone and decreased mRNA expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-related transcript in the hypothalamus. Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed 45% HFD (n=6) showed significantly higher increase in body weight than their non-Tg littermates fed the same diet (n=8); however, no difference was observed in daily food intake between these two groups. Further, Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed 45% HFD showed a significant increase in the weight of the liver, subcutaneous fat, and brown adipose tissue and decrease in the expression of uncoupling protein-1 in the subcutaneous fat. Blood glucose levels of Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed 45% HFD were not different from those of their non-Tg littermates fed the same diet. Insulin levels of these Tg mice were significantly higher than those of their non-Tg littermates. Histological analysis showed marked fat deposition in the hepatocytes surrounding the hepatic central veins in Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed 45% HFD.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of Nesf/NUCB2 did not change food intake, but increased body weight only in Nesf/NUCB2-Tg mice fed HFD. The results of this study indicate that Nesf/NUCB2 was involved in the development of insulin resistance and fat deposition in the liver, independent of the modulation of energy intake.

Variation of radiocesium concentrations in cedar pollen in the Okutama area since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Due to releases of radionuclides in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, radiocesium ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) has been incorporated into large varieties of plant species and soil types. There is a possibility that radiocesium taken into plants is being diffused by pollen. Radiocesium concentrations in cedar pollen have been measured in Ome City, located in the Okutama area of metropolitan Tokyo, for the past 3 y. In this research, the variation of radiocesium concentrations was analysed by comparing data from 2011 to 2014. Air dose rates at 1 m above the ground surface in Ome City from 2011 to 2014 showed no significant difference. Concentration of (137)Cs contained in the cedar pollen in 2012 was about half that in 2011. Between 2012 and 2014, the concentration decreased by approximately one-fifth, which was similar to the result of a press release distributed by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Prevalence of resistant hypertension and associated factors in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of treatment resistant hypertension (RH) depends on methods used for blood pressure (BP) measurements, goals of BP, and therapeutic efforts in terms of medication and adherence. We focused on diabetic subjects and explored the prevalence of RH in primary care practice.

METHODS

In 1737 subjects with type 2 diabetes who continued regular visits, office BP was evaluated by multiple measurements over one year. RH was defined as using more than four antihypertensive drugs or failure to achieve the goal with three antihypertensive drugs from different classes. The RH prevalence was investigated with BP goals <130/80 and 140/90 mmHg.

RESULTS

The percentage of subjects who achieved BP goals <130/80 and 140/90 were 70.5% and 93.8% with adherence to medication ≥95%, and the corresponding prevalence rates of RH in treated subjects were 28.4% and 21.8%, respectively. Factors independently associated with RH were age (odds ratio 1.02 [95% CI 1.01-1.04]), body mass index (1.10 [1.06-1.13]), variability in systolic BP (1.06 [1.02-1.09]), triglycerides (2.86 [1.34-6.11]), macroalbuminuria (3.33 [2.03-5.48]), estimated glomerular filtration rate (0.98 [0.97-0.99]), retinopathy (1.91 [1.39-2.61]), and family history of hypertension (1.85 [1.23-2.21]). Worsening albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate enhanced the prevalence of RH in a graded manner.

CONCLUSION

Careful estimation of office BP values over one year with a high achievement of BP goals and adequate adherence revealed that the prevalence of RH in type 2 diabetes is high. RH was characterized by accumulation of cardiovascular genetic and environmental risks.

Concomitant neoplasms in the skin and stomach unveil the role of type IV collagen and E-cadherin in mucin core protein 5AC expression in vivo

Mucin core protein (MUC) 5AC is a gel-forming glycoprotein that is expressed in different types of tumour cells. MUC5AC expression in cultured cells is regulated through the extracellular matrix and through remodelling by other membranous proteins such as type IV collagen (COL4) and E-cadherin. However, it has not been elucidated whether COL4 and E-cadherin affect MUC5AC expression in tumours in vivo. Here, by analysing a single individual with concomitant neoplasms in the skin [extramammary Paget disease (EMPD)] and the stomach (gastric cancer), we show that MUC5AC expression is reduced in COL4 and membranous E-cadherin-expressing EMPD specimens whereas MUC5AC is not abolished in gastric cancer with COL4 negativity and E-cadherin cytoplasmic localization. As the EMPD and gastric cancer specimens were derived from a single patient, each specimen had the same genetic background. These in vivo results support previous in vitro studies which showed that COL4 and E-cadherin downregulated MUC5AC expression. Our study suggests that concomitant neoplasms in different organs of the same individual can serve as a strong tool for uncovering functional diversity in tumour markers in distinct cancer cells.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography can be useful in the early detection of metastases in primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin on the head and neck

Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin (PMCS) is a rare cutaneous malignant neoplasm; its regional node metastasis is also rare. Currently, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is known to be a useful tool to search for early metastatic lesions in various carcinomas. However, PET-CT is not always specific for head and neck lesions because of physiological uptake in the brain, palatine tonsil, salivary gland, thyroid etc. Herein we present two cases of head and neck PMCS in which metastasis was diagnosed accurately by PET-CT. In these cases, nodal uptake of fluorodeoxy-d-glucose (FDG) histopathologically proved PMCS metastasis, verifying the utility of PET-CT in detail. A surgeon was involved in the verification to compare the histopathological manifestations with the imaging results. Histopathologically, two of 13 nodes were positive in case 1, and one of 41 nodes was positive in case 2. These positive nodes were completely in accordance with the FDG uptake findings with no false negative findings. In treating PMCS on head and neck lesions, PET-CT may be useful in the preoperative assessment when planning the extent of resection.

Genetic analyses of GII.17 norovirus strains in diarrheal disease outbreaks from December 2014 to March 2015 in Japan reveal a novel polymerase sequence and amino acid substitutions in the capsid region

A novel GII.P17-GII.17 variant norovirus emerged as a major cause of norovirus outbreaks from December 2014 to March 2015 in Japan. Named Hu/GII/JP/2014/GII.P17-GII.17, this variant has a newly identified GII.P17 type RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, while the capsid sequence displays amino acid substitutions around histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) binding sites. Several variants caused by mutations in the capsid region have previously been observed in the GII.4 genotype. Monitoring the GII.17 variant's geographical spread and evolution is important.

Detection of zeptomole quantities of nonfluorescent molecules in a 10(1) nm nanochannel by thermal lens microscopy

Nanofluidics in 10(1) nm space, whose scale is comparable to the electric double layer (EDL) and the size of biomolecules, promises novel functional analytical devices. However, the detection, which is indispensable to the integrated chemical system, is still challenging in such an ultra-small space. Previously, we reported a differential interference contrast thermal lens microscope (DIC-TLM) based on the photothermal interferometry principle and succeeded in detection of nonfluorescent molecules in 10(2) nm spaces. However, the thermal diffusion into substrates becomes a problem for detection in 10(1) nm spaces. The DIC-TLM signals are significantly cancelled out in spaces much smaller than the confocal length (∼10(2) nm), which makes DIC-TLM detection in 10(1) nm space quite difficult. To overcome this problem, we propose a new channel structure that benefits the thermal diffusion and sensitivity enhancement in DIC-TLM by employing TiO2 as a substrate material for compensating the signal cancellation effect. As a result, DIC-TLM detection of nonfluorescent molecules (800 molecules) was successfully demonstrated in a nanochannel with a depth of 50 nm. The developed detection method will contribute to the functional nanofluidic devices utilizing 10(1) nm spaces.

Demonstration of the stabilization technique for nonplanar optical resonant cavities utilizing polarization

Based on our previously developed scheme to stabilize nonplanar optical resonant cavities utilizing polarization caused by a geometric phase in electromagnetic waves traveling along a twisted path, we report an application of the technique for a cavity installed in the Accelerator Test Facility, a 1.3-GeV electron beam accelerator at KEK, in which photons are generated by laser-Compton scattering. We successfully achieved a power enhancement of 1200 with 1.4% fluctuation, which means that the optical path length of the cavity has been controlled with a precision of 14 pm under an accelerator environment. In addition, polarization switching utilizing a geometric phase of the nonplanar cavity was demonstrated.

MMP13 can be a useful differentiating marker between squamous cell carcinoma and benign hyperkeratotic lesions in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe hereditary mechanobullous disease resulting from mutations in the COL7A1 gene, coding for type VII collagen. Patients with RDEB tend to develop squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) at sites of chronic ulceration or scarring on the whole body. Distinguishing SCC from benign hyperkeratotic lesions is often difficult, not only clinically but also histologically in patients with RDEB. We investigated several matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) subtypes by comparing the DNA amplification microarray findings between evident SCCs and benign hyperkeratotic lesions in the same patient with RDEB. We report that MMP13 was found to be strongly positive in SCCs but negative in benign hyperkeratotic lesions. We found that there is an evident difference in the transitional area between SCCs and benign hyperkeratotic lesions. We propose that MMP13 may be a useful differentiating marker between SCC and benign hyperkeratotic lesions in RDEB.

Highly prevalent SERPINB7 founder mutation causes pseudodominant inheritance pattern in Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis

BACKGROUND

Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis (NPPK) is a distinct autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by diffuse transgressive palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). Very recently, putative loss-of-function mutations in SERPINB7, which encodes a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily and is abundantly expressed in the epidermis, have been identified as a cause of NPPK.

OBJECTIVES

To confirm further the role of SERPINB7 mutations in the pathogenesis of NPPK.

METHODS

We analysed 10 Japanese families with NPPK using Sanger and/or whole-exome sequencing.

RESULTS

We identified one novel and three recurrent null mutations in SERPINB7. In all the families, the NPPK trait was inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; in one of the families, there was pseudodominant inheritance, which had not been described in NPPK.

CONCLUSIONS

These data clearly provide further evidence that NPPK is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SERPINB7.

A supported liquid extraction-LC-MS/MS method for determination of GDC-0980 (Apitolisib), a dual small-molecule inhibitor of class 1A phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin, in human plasma

A liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of GDC-0980 (Apitolisib) concentrations in human plasma has been developed and validated to support clinical development. Supported liquid extraction (SLE) was used to extract plasma samples (80μL) and the resulting samples were analyzed using reverse-phase chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled with a turbo-ionspray interface. The mass analysis of GDC-0980 was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions in positive ionization mode. The method was validated over the calibration curve range 0.0500-25.0ng/mL using linear regression and 1/x(2) weighting. Within-run relative standard deviation (%RSD) ranged from 0.4 to 3.9%, while the between-run %RSD varied from 1.1 to 1.5% for QCs. The accuracy ranged from 96.1% to 106.7% of nominal for within-run and 96.7-106.7% of nominal for between-run at all concentrations including the LLOQ quality control at 0.0500ng/mL. Extraction recovery of GDC-0980 was between 72.4% and 75.5%. Stability of GDC-0980 was established in human plasma for 547 days at -20°C and -70°C and established in reconstituted sample extracts for 146h when stored at 2-8°C. Stable-labeled internal standard was used to minimize matrix effects. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters determined using this method for the day 1 control group in a phase I trial were: Cmax=11.1ng/mL, AUC0-inf=108ngh/mL, and T1/2=13.1h.

Nesfatin/Nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) and Glucose Homeostasis

Anorexigenic protein, nesfatin/nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) is ubiquitously expressed in peripheral tissues including white adipose tissue. Nesfatin/NUCB2 is selectively expressed in pancreatic β-cell, but not β-cells, β-cells, PP-cells.Starvation significantly increased circulating nesfatin-1 concentrations, and refeeding restores the increase by starvation. There is an obvious dissociation in changes between nesfatin-1 releases from pancreatic β-cells and circulating nesfatin-1, and an increase of nesfatin-1 from pancreatic islets may not be reflected to circulating concentrations of nesfatin-1.Nesfatin-1 may be a novel insulinotropic peptide, since endogenous pancreatic islet NUCB2/nesfatin is altered in diabetes and diet-induced obesity. Nesfatin-1 may also contribute to the improvement of insulin sensitivity in hyperglycemic state. An increase of circulating nesfatin-1may shift glucose uptake to peripheral organs from skeletal muscles to adipocytes. Nesfatin-1 may involve the feedback system from adipocytes to the hypothalamus via general circulation, and from the hypothalamus to adipocytes via sympathetic nervous system. The details of those molecular mechanisms should be clarified by future studies including the analysis of gene targeted animals.

Lessons from 28 cases of reconstruction by lenticular island pedicle flap at a single institution

BACKGROUND

Lenticular island pedicle flap (LIPF) has been reported to be one of the most useful techniques for reconstructing middle cheek skin defects. LIPF may have been used all over the world on a daily basis; however, no reports have examined a large number of LIPF cases at a single institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 28 cases of reconstruction by LIPF at the Hokkaido University Hospital from 2005 to 2013 were analysed. We examined the tumour type, location, area of defect and presence/absence of antithrombotic treatment and complications, including transient circulatory impairment, damage to facial nerves and eyelid ectropion.

RESULTS

We found that nine patients had transiently impaired circulation. This complication was statistically more frequent in the patients without antithrombotic treatment than in the patients with antithrombotic treatment (0/8 vs. 10/20, P = 0.0292; Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSION

We revelled that LIPF have been safely performed even under antithrombotic treatment, so, when patients are taking antithrombotic agents, we should choose LIPF rather than conventional flap including cheek flap, island pedicle flap and so on.