Rapid damping of food-entrained circadian rhythm of clock gene expression in clock-defective peripheral tissues under fasting conditions

Restricted feeding-induced free-running oscillation of clock genes in the liver was studied in homozygous Clock-mutant (Clock/Clock) mice. Similar to wild-type mice, Clock/Clock mice showed robust food-anticipatory behavioral activity in accordance with a restricted feeding schedule. Also, the peak of all clock gene mRNAs tested was phase-advanced in the liver of Clock/Clock mice as well as wild-type mice, although the amplitude of clock gene expression was low in Clock/Clock mice. The food-anticipatory behavioral rhythm in Clock/Clock mice maintained a period similar to wild-type mice during 2-day fasting after the cessation of restricted feeding. However, during the fasting days after temporal feeding cues were removed, the oscillation of clock genes in the liver and heart, excluding the suprachiasmatic nuclei, appeared to result in arrhythmicity in Clock/Clock mice. Thus, although the CLOCK-based molecular mechanism is not required for the expression of food-anticipatory activity, intact CLOCK protein might be involved in sustaining several cycles of peripheral circadian oscillations after restricted feeding-induced resetting.

Pathology of early- vs late-onset TTR Met30 familial amyloid polyneuropathy

BACKGROUND

Late-onset type I familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP TTR Met30) cases unrelated to endemic foci in Japan show clinical features setting them apart from early-onset cases in endemic foci.

OBJECTIVE

To compare pathologic features between the early- and late-onset types.

METHODS

Pathologic findings in FAP TTR Met30 with onset before age 50 in relation to endemic foci (11 cases) were compared with those in 11 later-onset cases unrelated to endemic foci.

RESULTS

Sural nerve biopsy specimens showed predominantly small-fiber loss in early-onset cases; variable fiber size distribution, axonal sprouting, and relatively preserved unmyelinated fibers characterized late-onset cases. Autopsy cases representing both groups showed amyloid deposition throughout the length of nerves and in sympathetic and sensory ganglia, but amounts were greater in early-onset cases. Amyloid deposition and neuronal cell loss were greater in sympathetic than dorsal root ganglia in early-onset cases; the opposite was true in late-onset cases. Size assessment of remaining neurons in these ganglia suggested predominant loss of small neurons in early-onset cases but loss of neurons of all sizes in late-onset cases. Transthyretin-positive, Congo red-negative amorphous material was more conspicuous in nerves from late- than early-onset cases. In extraneural sites, amyloid was more conspicuous in thyroid and kidney from early-onset cases and in heart and hypophysis from late-onset cases. In early-onset cases, cardiac amyloid deposition was prominent in the atrium and subendocardium but was conspicuous throughout the myocardium in late-onset cases.

CONCLUSION

The pathology of early- and late-onset FAP TTR Met30 correlated well with differences in clinical findings.

Interactions of amelogenins with octacalcium phosphate crystal faces are dose dependent

Amelogenins, the major protein components of the enamel extracellular matrix, are postulated to be involved in controlling the elongated and oriented growth of enamel carbonated apatite crystals. In order to clarify the functional role of amelogenin during the early stage of enamel biomineralization, octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystals, known to be potent precursors of hydroxyapatite, were grown in 1-10% (w/w) native bovine and two recombinant murine amelogenins. Amelogenins were solution-like at 1% and formed gel at 10%, while 5% amelogenins became gel after reaction and it was inhomogeneous and porous. Morphological changes of OCP crystals were evaluated as the function of amelogenin concentration by analyzing the mean values of length, width, thickness, their reduction ratios (L/Lc, W/Wc, T/Tc) as well as L/W and W/T ratios. Length, width, and thickness decreased in a does-dependent manner. Length decreased almost linearly in 1%-10%, whereas width decreased drastically in 1%-5% while the decrease from 5% to 10% was small. As a result, elongated morphology of OCP crystal was most emphasized in 5% bovine amelogenins and rM166 and 2%-5% rM179. The size reduction was in the order of W/Wc < L/Lc < T/Tc. We therefore concluded that amelogenin interaction with crystal faces was in the order (010) > (001) > (100). At all concentrations, W/ Wc was significantly the smallest. This indicated that the primary role of amelogenin was to decrease the width of OCP by blocking the hydrophobic (010) faces. We suggest that the drastic decrease of crystal width is the result of interaction of the densely packed nanospheres in 5%-10% amelogenin.

Fluorescence detection of a new photosensitizer, PAD-S31, in tumour tissues and its use as a photodynamic treatment for skin tumours in dogs and a cat: a preliminary report

We describe here the detection by fluorescence of a new photosensitizer, PAD-S31, in tumours in dogs and cats and the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) by using PAD-S31 for skin tumours in two dogs and one cat. PAD-S31 is a hydrophilic photosensitizer that has two peaks at absorption wavelengths 406 and 665 nm in distilled water. In a preliminary experiment in mice transplanted with SCCVII and colon 26, PAD-S31 was retained in tumour tissues rather than in other organs. The tumours resected from dogs and cats after intravenous administration of PAD-S31 at a dose of 15 mg/kg emitted strong red fluorescence under light illumination of 402 nm wavelength. Animals given PAD-S31 showed no cutaneous photosensitivity under room light illumination. Irradiation at laser light 670 nm wavelength (fluence rate 150 mW/cm2 and total light dosage 150 J/cm2) on cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs ( n=2 ) and a cutaneous basal cell tumour in a cat induced complete remission. These results suggest PAD-S31 could be a promising photosensitizer for use in a small animal veterinary practice.

Association of verrucous skin lesions and skin ulcers on the feet in patients with diabetic neuropathy

We report the simultaneous or chronological association of verrucous skin lesions and diabetic ulcers on the feet of three diabetic patients. All three patients had poor diabetic control and were suffering from complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy at the time of presentation. In patient 1, verrucous skin lesions on the feet in diabetic neuropathy (VSLDN) and a diabetic skin ulcer developed simultaneously. In patient 2, VSLDN preceded the development of diabetic ulcers, while in patient 3, diabetic ulcers preceded VSLDN. These associations suggest that VSLDN and diabetic ulcers are closely related in their aetiology and pathogenesis. Strategies for the treatment and prevention of VSLDN should include multiple treatment modalities combined with foot care as proposed by the international working group on the diabetic foot.

Assembly of amelogenin proteolytic products and control of octacalcium phosphate crystal morphology

The formation of enamel apatite crystals involves extracellular molecular events among which matrix assembly, interactions with growing crystals, and protein processing and removal are the subject of numerous investigations. Following the description of amelogenin nanospheres and the evidence for their presence in vivo as the principal structural component of developing dental enamel, we have focused our studies on investigating at the molecular level the process of nanosphere assembly and evaluating the effects of amelogenin on crystal growth and morphology. This paper is a short review of our recent studies with a focus on the assembly of amelogenin proteolytic products and their modulating effect on octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystal morphology. In addition, we report that incorporation of amelogenins into 10% gelatin gel does not affect diffusion of calcium. This remarkable finding indicates that the observed modulation effect by amelogenin on OCP crystal morphology is not due to alteration of calcium diffusion into the gels but is the result of direct amelogenin-mineral interactions.

Micro-X-ray diffraction observation of nickel–titanium orthodontic wires in simulated oral environment

A micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) technique has been employed to determine the phases in two superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires that exhibit shape memory in the oral environment and one superelastic nickel-titanium wire that does not exhibit shape memory in vivo. The micro-XRD analyses were performed over the clinically relevant temperature range of 0-55 degrees C, which corresponds to the ingestion of cold and hot liquids, and both straight and bent (135 degrees ) test samples were analyzed. The results showed that for straight (as-received) test samples, the rhombohedral phase (R-phase) was definitely present in one shape memory wire product and perhaps in the other shape memory wire product, but was apparently absent in the superelastic wire product that did not display shape memory. Martensite was observed in all three wire products after bending. Phase transformations occurred with temperature changes simulating the oral environment for straight test samples of the two shape memory wires, but the micro-XRD pattern changed minimally with temperature for straight test samples of the superelastic wire and for bent test samples of all three wire products. The phase transformations revealed by micro-XRD were consistent with results recently found by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry.

Wide range of lineages of cells expressing nerve growth factor mRNA in the nerve lesions of patients with vasculitic neuropathy: An implication of endoneurial macrophage for nerve regeneration

In situ localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA was examined in the nerve lesions of patients with vasculitic neuropathy. Double labeling of in situ hybridization for NGF mRNA and immunohistochemistry for cell markers showed that NGF mRNA was expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells: Schwann cells, infiltrating macrophages, T cells and perivascular cells. Round-shaped macrophages with early-phase features expressed high levels of NGF mRNA, in contrast to late-phase polymorphic macrophages, which expressed low levels of NGF mRNA. NGF mRNA was also expressed universally in T cells with various cell surface markers. Epineurial macrophages surrounding vasculitic lesions and endoneurial T cells expressed high levels of NGF mRNA in the damaged nerves. Moreover, the extent of endoneurial NGF expression level in macrophages was closely related to the degree of axonal regeneration. These results suggest that NGF is expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells but is differentially expressed spatially in vasculitic nerve lesions, and that the expressed NGF, particularly in macrophages, may play an important role in the nerve regeneration process.

Cervical dystonia in dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy

Hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by variable clinical phenotypes. Its characteristic clinical manifestations include ataxia, choreoathetotic movements, seizures, myoclonus and dementia, but cervical dystonia has been rarely reported. Here we report a family with DRPLA who presented with cervical dystonia. The proband was a 66-year-old woman. Cervical dystonia was the initial and the most prominent symptom, and mild cerebellar signs and choreic movements were also observed. DNA analysis revealed expanded trinucleotide repeats within the DRPLA gene. The daughter of the proband, a 29-year-old woman, also had cervical dystonia for 3 years. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed a mild atrophy of the brainstem and the cerebellum in both of these patients. DRPLA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with cervical dystonia.

Differential scanning calorimetric studies of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments after simulated clinical use

Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses have been performed between -130 degrees and 100 degrees C on single-segment specimens obtained from ProFile and Lightspeed nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments in the as-received condition and after one, three, and six periods of simulated clinical use in extracted teeth. The DSC analyses showed that both brands of instruments were always in the superelastic condition, although the enthalpy values for the transformation from martensitic NiTi to austenitic NiTi were much smaller for the Lightspeed instruments. Simulated clinical use had no evident effect upon this transformation for both brands, which is attributed to insufficient mechanical deformation of the instruments. There were substantial differences in the enthalpy change associated with the transformation from martensitic NiTi to austenitic NiTi for test segments from different positions along the shafts of the instruments and for as-received instruments from two different batches that were analyzed in this study and a previous study. These differences are attributed to variations in work hardening along the shaft during instrument fabrication and to processing differences during production of the two batches of each instrument brand.

Differential scanning calorimetric studies of nickel titanium rotary endodontic instruments

Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses were performed between -130 degrees and 100 degrees C on specimens prepared from nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic instruments: ProFile (n = 5), Lightspeed (n = 4), and Quantec (n = 3). The ProFile and Lightspeed instruments were in the as-received condition, whereas the Quantec instruments were randomly selected from a dental clinic and had unknown history. The DSC plots showed that the ProFile and Lightspeed instruments analyzed had the superelastic NiTi property, with an austenite-finish (Af) temperature of approximately 25 degrees C. Differences in DSC plots for the ProFile instruments and the starting wire blanks (n = 2) were attributed to the manufacturing process. The phase transformation behavior when the specimens were heated and cooled between -130 degrees and 100 degrees C, the temperature ranges for the phase transformations, and the resulting enthalpy changes were similar to those previously reported for nickel-titanium orthodontic wires having superelastic characteristics or shape memory behavior in the oral environment. The experiments demonstrated that DSC is a powerful tool for materials characterization of these rotary instruments, providing direct information not readily available from other analytical techniques about the NiTi phases present, which are fundamentally responsible for their clinical behavior.

Micro X-ray diffraction study of superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires at different temperatures and stresses

The phase transformation behavior in three commercial nickel-titanium orthodontic wires having different transformation temperatures was studied by micro X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD). Micro-XRD spectra were obtained at three different included bending angles (135 degrees, 146 degrees and 157 degrees) and three different temperatures (25 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 60 degrees C). The regions analyzed by micro-XRD were within the separate areas of a given wire specimen that experienced only tensile or compressive strain. The intensity ratio (M002/A110) between the 002 peak for martensitic NiTi and the 110 peak for austenitic NiTi was employed as the index to the proportions of the martensite and austenite phases. The ratio of martensite to austenite increased in all three nickel-titanium wires with decreasing included bending angle (greater permanent bending deformation), and was lower within the compression area for all wires at all bending angles than within the tension area. Micro-XRD provides an effective method for quantitative evaluation of the proportions of these two phases in nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, even though considerable preferred crystallographic orientation exists because of the wire drawing process.

Elongated growth of octacalcium phosphate crystals in recombinant amelogenin gels under controlled ionic flow

Amelogenin proteins constitute the primary structural entity of the extracellular protein framework of the developing enamel matrix. Recent data on the interactions of amelogenin with calcium phosphate crystals support the hypothesis that amelogenins control the oriented and elongated growth of enamel carbonate apatite crystals. To exploit further the molecular mechanisms involved in amelogenin-calcium phosphate mineral interactions, we conducted in vitro experiments to examine the effect of amelogenin on synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystals. A 10% (wt/vol) recombinant murine amelogenin (rM179, rM166) gel was constructed with nanospheres of about 10- to 20-nm diameter, as observed by atomic force microscopy. The growth of OCP was modulated uniquely in 10% rM179 and rM166 amelogenin gels, regardless of the presence of the hydrophilic C-terminal residues. Fibrous crystals grew with large length-to-width ratio and small width-to-thickness ratio. Both rM179 and rM166 enhanced the growth of elongated OCP crystals, suggesting a relationship to the initial elongated growth of enamel crystals.

Mechanical behavior at different temperatures and stresses for superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires having different transformation temperatures

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires under controlled stress and temperature.

METHODS

Three different superelastic nickel-titanium wires were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), three-point bending test and micro X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD). The three-point bending test was carried out at constant temperature (23, 37 and 60 degrees C) and stepwise temperature changes (37-60 degrees C and to 37 degrees C) (37-2 degrees C and to 37 degrees C). Five specimens of each wire were tested. Micro-XRD spectra were measured at the tension side of the wire when the temperature changed from 37 to 60 degrees C or 2 degrees C.

RESULTS

The load during the stepwise temperature changes (37-2 degrees C and to 37 degrees C) was consistent with that measured at a corresponding constant temperature. The micro XRD spectrum clearly showed that the austenite phase was transformed to martensite phase when the temperature is decreased from 37 to 2 degrees C. In a stepwise temperature change (37-60 degrees C and to 37 degrees C), the load became higher than the original load at each corresponding constant temperature. However, there was no detectable change in the micro-XRD spectrum when the temperature was increased from 37 to 60 degrees C.

SIGNIFICANCE

The superelastic nickel-titanium wires exhibited complicated and unexpected mechanical properties under stepwise temperature change. This study shows the possibility of qualitative analysis using micro-XRD to understand mechanical properties of these nickel-titanium wires.

Citrin and aralar1 are Ca(2+)-stimulated aspartate/glutamate transporters in mitochondria

The mitochondrial aspartate/glutamate carrier catalyzes an important step in both the urea cycle and the aspartate/malate NADH shuttle. Citrin and aralar1 are homologous proteins belonging to the mitochondrial carrier family with EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding motifs in their N-terminal domains. Both proteins and their C-terminal domains were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, reconstituted into liposomes and shown to catalyze the electrogenic exchange of aspartate for glutamate and a H(+). Overexpression of the carriers in transfected human cells increased the activity of the malate/aspartate NADH shuttle. These results demonstrate that citrin and aralar1 are isoforms of the hitherto unidentified aspartate/glutamate carrier and explain why mutations in citrin cause type II citrullinemia in humans. The activity of citrin and aralar1 as aspartate/glutamate exchangers was stimulated by Ca(2+) on the external side of the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the Ca(2+)-binding domains of these proteins are localized. These results show that the aspartate/glutamate carrier is regulated by Ca(2+) through a mechanism independent of Ca(2+) entry into mitochondria, and suggest a novel mechanism of Ca(2+) regulation of the aspartate/malate shuttle.

Deep rooting in winter wheat: rooting nodes of deep roots in two cultivars with deep and shallow root systems

Deep rooting of wheat has been suggested that it influences the tolerance to various environmental stresses. In this study, the nodes from which the deepest penetrated roots had emerged were examined in winter wheat. The wheat was grown in long tubes with or without mechanical stress and in large root boxes. The length and growth angle of each axile root were examined to analyze the difference in the vertical distribution of the roots between the two wheat cultivars, one with a deep and one with a shallow root system. In Shiroganekomugi, a Japanese winter wheat cultivar with a shallow root system, the rooting depths of the seminal and nodal roots decreased as the rooting nodes advanced acropetally. Six out of nine deepest roots were seminal root in the non-mechanical stress conditions. In Mutsubenkei, a Japanese winter wheat cultivar with a deep root system, grown in root boxes, not only the seminal roots but also the coleoptilar and the first nodal roots penetrated to a depth of more than 1.3 m in the root box, and became the deepest roots. In both cultivars, the seminal roots became the deepest roots under the mechanical stress conditions. There were no clear tendencies in the root growth angles among the rooting nodes in the wheat root system. This indicates that the length of the axile roots can explain the differences in the rooting depths among axile roots in a wheat root system. On the other hand, the axile roots of Mutsubenkei elongated significantly more vertically than those of Shiroganekomugi. This suggests that not only seminal but also nodal roots exhibit strong positive gravitropism and penetrate deeply in a cultivar with a deep root system. In wheat cultivars, it is likely that the extent of its Root Depth Index results partly from the gravitropic responses of both seminal and nodal roots.

Sex differences in children's free drawings: a study on girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Sex differences are recognized in children's free drawings with respect to motifs, colors, figure compositions, and expression. Boys tend to draw mobile objects and mechanical objects with dark or cold colors and often use bird's-eye-view composition when they draw pictures, whereas girls like to draw human motifs (especially girls and women), flowers, and butterflies with light and warm colors and tend to arrange motifs in a row on the ground. Analyses were made on the drawings of girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and unaffected boys and girls, using masculine and feminine indexes. Sex difference in masculine and feminine indexes was clear in the drawings by unaffected boys and girls. Their drawings do not or mostly do not contain characteristics typical of the opposite sex. Compared with those of unaffected girls, the pictures of CAH girls more strongly showed masculine characteristics. The feminine index for the pictures of CAH girls was significantly lower than that for unaffected girls, while the masculine index for CAH girls was significantly higher than that for unaffected girls. Furthermore, the masculine index for CAH girls was not significantly different from that of unaffected boys. These results suggest that androgen exposure during fetal life may contribute to shaping masculine characteristics in children's free drawings.

Photocontact dermatitis to ketoprofen

A case of photocontact dermatitis from ketoprofen is described in a 19-year-old woman with a 3-day history of pruritic lesions on the right forearm. Physical examination revealed a 105 x 46 mm, dark reddish lesion consisting of edematous erythema and papules on the extensor aspect of the right forearm. In photopatch testing, positive reactions to as-is (Mohrus compress [Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co, Inc, Tosu, Japan]), ketorofen 1% in petrolatum (pet.), suprofen 1% pet., and tiaprofenic acid 1% pet. were seen. We must consider the anatomic sites on which nonsteroidal anti-inflammation medicaments are applied, as well as their effects.