Studies on nitrogen and amino acid metabolism in hemodialysis patients using 15N-labelled compounds

The degree of 15N incorporation into serum albumin studied by 15N-urea administration in dialyzed patients on a 1.3 g/kg/day protein diet was shown to be almost the same as in non-dialyzed uremic patients on low protein diet, while there was no incorporation in a normal subject. 14.1 g of EAA and histidine was intravenously given in dialyzed patients on the high protein diet and improvements in the level of BUN and anemia were observed. The study with 15N-leucine in a patient proved that about 36% of EAA infused during dialysis was transferred into dialysate. AAD was prescribed by giving 15-20 g of EAA, histidine and tyrosine to patients at each dialysis. The AAD enabled us to give a large amount of EAA asymptomatically in a short time, improving anemia and decreasing the BUN level. 15N-glycine administration in a dialyzed patient proved that 15N incorporation into serum albumin was 3 times greater than his non-dialyzed uremic stage on a low protein diet, and that EAA serum concentrations and non-EAA which had not been added into dialysate were elevated.

Studies on protein and nitrogen metabolism in nephrotic syndrome using 15N-labelled glycine and urea

Administering 15N-labelled glycine, 15 N incorporation into serum albumin and its excretion into urine and feces, together with nitrogen balance were investigated in 3 nephrotic and 2 normal adults. Furthermore, 15N-labelled urea was injected into a nephrotic adult and a glomerulonephritic adult, both advanced in azotemia and treated on low protein diet, and a normal subject on a normal diet, to examine the amounts of 15N incorporation into serum albumin. In the 3 nephrotic patients whose nitrogen balance was almost maintained, incorporation of 15N-glycine into serum albumin has been proved greater than in the normal subjects. In any of the above patients, 15N excretion into urine was less than in the normal subjects. Fecal 15N excretion was 2.0--2.5 % of the doses, indicating that approximately 98 % of 15N-glycine was absorbed. In the nephrotic patients, 15N incorporation into serum albumin examined by 15N-labelled urea administration was more accelerated than in the glomerulonephritic patients and was negligible in the control subject on a normal diet.

Fluorescence-detected magnetic field effects on radical pair reactions from femtolitre volumes

We show that the effects of applied magnetic fields on radical pair reactions can be sensitively measured from sample volumes as low as ∼100 femtolitres using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Development of a fluorescence-based microscope method is likely to be a key step in further miniaturisation that will allow detection of magnetic field effects on single molecules.

Stockmanship competence and its relation to productivity and economic profitability: the context of backyard goat production in the Philippines

A stockperson has a significant influence on the productivity and welfare of his animals depending on his stockmanship competence. In this study, stockmanship competence (SC) is defined as the capacity of the stockperson to ensure the welfare of his animals by providing his animals' needs. The study was conducted to evaluate the SC of backyard goat raisers and examine its relationship to goat productivity and economic profitability. There were 101 respondents for this study who have all undertaken farmer livestock school on integrated goat management (FLS-IGM). Interview was conducted in Region I, Philippines on September 3 to 30, 2012 and March 4 to 17, 2013. Data on SC, goat productivity and farmer's income were gathered. Questions regarding SC were formulated based on the Philippine Recommendations for Goat Production and from other scientific literature. Housing, feeding, breeding and health and husbandry management were the indicators used in computing stockmanship competence index score (SCIS). Pearson correlation using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was carried out to analyse the relationship between SCIS, productivity and income. Based from the results of the study, a majority of the respondents raised native and upgraded goats. The computed mean SCIS before and after undergoing FLS-IGM were 38.52% and 75.81% respectively, a percentage difference of 65.23%. Both index scores resulted in significant differences in productivity and income. The median mature weight and mortality rate of goats before FLS-IGM was 14 kg and 30% respectively. After FLS-IGM, median mature weight was 19 kg and mortality rate decreased from 30% to 11.11%. Likewise, fewer goat diseases were observed by farmers who were able to undergo FLS-IGM. With regard to income, there was a 127.34% difference on the median net income derived by farmers. Result implies that improved SC could lead not only to increased productivity and income of backyard goat raisers but also to better animal welfare.

Kinetic Interpretation of the Importance of OATP1B3 and MRP2 in Docetaxel-Induced Hematopoietic Toxicity

Neutropenia is a lethal dose-limiting toxicity of docetaxel. Our previous report indicated that the prevalence of severe docetaxel-induced neutropenia is significantly associated with genetic polymorphisms in solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B3 (SLCO1B3) (encoding organic anion–transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3)) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily C2 (ABCC2) (encoding multidrug-resistant–associated protein 2 (MRP2)). Therefore, we investigated their significance in docetaxel-induced neutropenia. In vitro experiments suggested their possible involvement in the hepatic uptake of docetaxel and its efflux from bone marrow cells. To further characterize a quantitative impact of OATP1B3 and MRP2 on neutropenia, we used an in silico simulation of the neutrophil count in docetaxel-treated subjects with functional changes in OATP1B3 and MRP2 in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. The clinically reported odds ratios for docetaxel-induced neutropenia risk were explained by the decreased function of OATP1B3 and MRP2 to 41 and 32%, respectively. These results suggest that reduced activities of OATP1B3 and MRP2 associated with systemic exposure and local accumulation in bone marrow cells, respectively, account for the docetaxel-induced neutropenia observed clinically.

Characterization of a novel periodontal ligament-specific periostin isoform

Periostin is a mesenchymal cell marker predominantly expressed in collagen-rich fibrous connective tissues, including heart valves, tendons, perichondrium, periosteum, and periodontal ligament (PDL). Knockdown of periostin expression in mice results in early-onset periodontitis and failure of cardiac healing after acute myocardial infarction, suggesting that periostin is essential for connective tissue homeostasis and regeneration. However, its role(s) in periodontal tissues has not yet been fully defined. In this study, we describe a novel human isoform of periostin (PDL-POSTN). Isoform-specific analysis by reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that PDL-POSTN was predominantly expressed in the PDL, with much lower expression in other tissues and organs. A PDL cell line transfected with PDL-POSTN showed enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity and calcified nodule formation, compared with cells transfected with the full-length periostin isoform. A neutralizing antibody against integrin-αv inhibited both ALPase activity and calcified nodule formation in cells transfected with PDL-POSTN. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PDL-POSTN bound to integrin αvβ3 more strongly than the common isoform of periostin, resulting in strong activation of the integrin αvβ3-focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway. These results suggest that PDL-POSTN positively regulates cytodifferentiation and mineralization in PDL cells through integrin αvβ3.

Effects of acivicin on growth, mycotoxin production and virulence of phytopathogenic fungi

Acivicin is an inhibitor of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and glutamine amidotransferase. When grown on a synthetic minimal agar medium, acivicin strongly inhibited the growth of Magnaporthe oryzae and Alternaria brassicicola, and to a lesser extent, Botrytis cinerea. However, only partial or marginal growth inhibition was observed with regard to Fusarium sporotrichioides and Fusarium graminearum. The growth retardation caused by acivicin was significantly alleviated by cultivating the fungus on a nutrient-rich medium. The inhibition of M. oryzae growth caused by 1 μmol l(-1) of acivicin on minimal agar medium was subdued by the addition of specific single amino acids, including His, a branched-chain amino acid (Leu, Ile or Val), an aromatic amino acid (Trp, Tyr or Phe), Met or Gln, at a concentration of 0·4 mmol l(-1). Trichothecene production by F. graminearum in trichothecene-inducing liquid medium was reduced significantly in the presence of acivicin despite its inability to inhibit growth in the trichothecene-inducing liquid medium. Foliar application of conidia in the presence of acivicin reduced the severity of rice blast disease caused by M. oryzae. These results suggest the usefulness of this modified amino acid natural product to mitigate agricultural problems caused by some phytopathogenic fungi. Significance and impact of the study: Fusarium head blight or scab disease and rice blast, caused by Fusarium graminearum and Magnaporthe oryzae, respectively, are major diseases of cereal crops that cause a significant loss of yield and deterioration in the quality of the grain. The present study investigated the effects of acivicin, a glutamine amino acid analog, on the physiology of various phytopathogenic fungi. Application of acivicin to a fungal culture and conidial suspension reduced mycotoxin production by the wheat scab fungus and the severity of rice blast, respectively. These results suggest the possibility that acivicin may serve as a lead compound to develop agricultural chemicals for the control of some plant diseases.