Involvement of autoimmunity to REG, a regeneration factor, in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

The regenerating gene (Reg) was isolated originally as a gene specifically over-expressed in regenerating pancreatic islets and constitute a growth factor family. Reg gene product (Reg) is important in the pathophysiology of various human inflammatory diseases. Recently, the possible involvement of human REG in the regeneration of salivary ductal epithelial cells of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) was reported. However, the expression of the REG family genes in minor salivary glands (MSG) and the occurrence of anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS patients were obscured. In this study, we examined the expression of REG family genes in the MSG of SS and screened anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS. The mRNA levels of REG family genes in MSG were quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and REG Iα expression in the MSG was analysed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA level of REG Iα in the MSG of SS patients was significantly higher than that of control. REG Iα protein was expressed highly in SS ductal epithelial cells. Anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in the sera were found in 11% of SS. All the MSG in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed REG Iα expression, whereas only 40% showed REG Iα expression in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-negative group. The anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed significantly lower saliva secretion and a higher ratio of grade 4 (by Rubin-Holt) in sialography. These data suggest strongly that autoimmunity to REG Iα might play a role in the degeneration of MSG ductal epithelial cells in primary SS.

Retinoic acids up-regulate functional eosinophil-driving receptor CCR3

Eotaxins and their receptor CCR3 have a definitive role for tissue accumulation of eosinophils both under homeostatic and pathologic conditions. However, physiological stimuli that can up-regulate CCR3 in blood-derived human eosinophils have not been recognized. As a prior gene microarray study revealed up-regulation of CCR3 in eosinophils stimulated with retinoic acids (RAs), the expression of functional CCR3 was examined. We found that 9-cis RA and all-trans RA (ATRA) significantly induced surface CCR3 expression regardless of the presence of IL-3 or IL-5. Pharmacological manipulations with receptor-specific agonists and antagonists indicated that retinoic acid receptor-α activation is critical for CCR3 up-regulation. RA-induced CCR3 was associated with its functional capacity, in terms of the calcium mobilization and chemotactic response to eotaxin-1 (CCL11). Our study suggests an important role of vitamin A derivatives in the tissue accumulation of eosinophils.

Life cycle traits of Lethocerus deyrollei (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), in central Japan: possibility of inoculation in extinct areas

The life cycle of Lethocerus deyrollei (Vuillefroy) in Sayo-cho, Hyogo, Japan (35 ° 00' N, 134 ° 21' E), was studied in terms of flight, reproduction, and energy allocation as well as developmental zero (t0) and required heat units (K) for a generation. Counts of bugs attracted to electric lighting showed that L. deyrollei flew most frequently in July, the second half of the mating season. The weight of flight muscle showed no significant yearly change despite a conspicuous difference in the flight activities. Fat content in the abdomen was low during summer, when oviposition activity reached a high level in females. Thereafter, lipid accumulation increased to mid-October when flight to an overwintering site took place. The lipid reservoir in late summer may be critical for surviving winter but no significant decrease was observed during overwintering. The number of eggs in the ovary indicated univoltism because no females had mature eggs late in the year. t0 and K were calculated based on laboratory rearing at different temperatures. Thus, estimated K (635 degree days) and local heat mass suggest a univoltine life cycle in Sayo-cho. The possible areas for successful inoculation of L. deyrollei were examined on the basis of available heat mass and day length in places where the species is extinct or not observed. Based on the estimated K and critical day length for reproductive maturation, Niigata and Tokyo fulfill suitable conditions of the Sayo population to complete a univoltine life cycle.

Evaluations of phase-only double random phase encoding based on key-space analysis

Although initial research shows that double-random phase encoding (DRPE) is vulnerable to known-plaintext attacks that use phase retrieval algorithms, subsequent research has shown that phase-only DRPE, in which the Fourier amplitude component of an image encrypted with classical DRPE remains constant, is resistant to attacks that apply phase retrieval algorithms. Herein, we numerically analyze the key-space of DRPE and investigate the distribution property of decryption keys for classical and phase-only DRPE. We determine the difference in the distribution property of successful decryption keys for these DRPE techniques from the numerical analysis results and then discuss the security offered by them.

Job stress and temperaments in female nurses

BACKGROUND

According to previous studies, temperament predicts a large share of the variance in job stress. It may be necessary for mental health practitioners to offer intervention strategies in accordance with individual temperament.

AIMS

To investigate the relationship between job stress and temperament among nurses in a general hospital and to provide insight into personality traits influencing their mental or physical health.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey of nurses in a general hospital. Work stress was measured using the Japanese version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale. Temperament was assessed by a Japanese version of Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent contribution of temperament to effort-reward ratio and over-commitment.

RESULTS

Response rate was 48% (326/685). Temperament predicted part of the variance of the four ERI ratios (effort-reward ratio 26%; effort-esteem ratio 27%; effort-promotion ratio 26%; and effort-security ratio 18%) and also of over-commitment (38%). Depressive temperament influenced all four ERI ratios and over-commitment. Anxious temperament influenced only over-commitment.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses with depressive or anxious temperaments should be identified, monitored for signs of job stress and offered interventions to prevent adverse physical and mental effects.

Clinical outcome for EML4-ALK-positive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The EML4-ALK fusion oncogene represents a recently identified molecular target in a subset of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Limited data have been available, however, on the outcome of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with EML4-ALK-positive advanced NSCLC who have not been treated with an ALK kinase inhibitor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy was compared between patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC who harbor EML4-ALK and those who harbor EGFR mutations and those with neither molecular abnormality.

RESULTS

Among 200 patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, 18 (9.0%) were positive for EML4-ALK, 31 (15.5%) harbored EGFR mutations, and 151 (75.5%) were wild type for both abnormalities. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy showed similar efficacies in the EML4-ALK, EGFR mutation, and wild-type cohorts in terms of response rate and progression-free survival, and overall survival in the EML4-ALK cohort closely resembled that in the wild-type cohort. Within the EML4-ALK cohort, patients with variants 1 or 3 of the fusion gene were predominant and did not appear to differ in their sensitivity to the platinum-based regimens.

CONCLUSION

Patients with EML4-ALK-positive advanced NSCLC manifest an aggressive clinical course similar to that of those with wild-type tumors if the effective targeted therapy is not instituted.

Expression of autophagy 8 (Atg8) and its role in the midgut and other organs of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, during metamorphic remodelling and under starvation

A 345 base pair cDNA encoding autophagy 8 (Atg8) of Galleria mellonella (GmAtg8) was cloned and sequenced. The deduced protein was estimated to be 118 amino acids long. Structural comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that GmAtg8 belong to the Atg8 family of ubiquitin-like proteins. It is predicted to contain four β-sheets and four α-helices. It also contains a highly conserved glycine residue at the C-terminal, as well as highly conserved Phe77 and Ph79 at a recognition cleavage site of Atg4 and Tyr49, and Leu50 at a site for activation of the lipidated form of Atg8 by Atg7 and Atg3. The developmental expression profile demonstrated that GmAtg8 transcript and its protein products are expressed in such organs as the midgut, ovary, Malpighian tubules, fat body and silk gland. In the midgut and silk gland, GmAtg8 transcript and its protein products increased during metamorphosis and under starvation, but decreased after re-feeding. Expression of autophagy seems to precede apoptosis in the midgut transformation from larva to pupa and pupa to adult during metamorphosis. Some waves overlap with apoptotic waves, particularly at early stages, but others are unique in terms of site and timing.

Dendritic cells in atherogenesis: possible novel targets for prevention of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis has been recognized as an inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, involving innate and adaptive immunity. Effector T cells are differentiated from naïve T cells stimulated by antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) and play critical roles in atherogenesis. Accumulating evidence revealed that several subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit atherosclerotic lesion formation via inhibiting the inflammatory response of effector T cells. In addition, the contribution of DCs to atherogenesis has been demonstrated. DCs have different functions for either stimulating or inhibiting T cell function depending on their origin and maturation stage. In particular, immature DCs, which have potential for inducing Tregs and inhibiting effector T cells, are sometimes called 'tolerogenic DCs' and suppress immune responses. Epidemiological studies have highlighted the increasing prevalence of vitamin D(3) deficiency and its association with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have raised interest in the immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D(3) beyond its well-established role in bone and calcium metabolism. The active form of vitamin D(3) (calcitriol) induces Tregs and tolerogenic DCs, which are both involved in maintaining immunologic tolerance to self and harmless antigens. Interestingly, recent evidence suggested that DCs in the intestinal immune system are involved in inducing Tregs; modulating the function of DCs and Tregs in the intestinal immune system might have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. In this review, we focus on the function of DCs in vascular diseases and discuss vitamin D(3) therapy for the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Nano-pulverization of poorly water soluble compounds with low melting points by a rotation/revolution pulverizer

We report a method for pulverizing poorly water soluble compounds with low melting points to nanoparticles without producing an amorphous phase using a rotation/revolution pulverizer. Fenofibrate, flurbiprofen, and probucol were used as crystalline model compounds. They were suspended in a methylcellulose aqueous solution and pulverized with zirconia balls by the rotation/revolution pulverizer. Beeswax, an amorphous compound, was also examined to investigate whether nano-pulverization of a compound with a low melting point was possible. Beeswax was suspended in ethyl alcohol cooled with liquid nitrogen and pulverized with zirconia balls by the rotation/revolution pulverizer. By optimizing the pulverization parameters, nanoparticles (D50 < 0.15 microm) of the crystalline compounds were obtained with narrow particle size distributions at a rotation/revolution speed of 1000 rpm and a rotation/revolution ratio of 1.0 when the vessel was 0 degrees C. Amorphous fenofibrate and flurbiprofen were not detected by differential scanning calorimetry or powder X-ray diffraction, whereas small amounts of amorphous probucol were detected. Beeswax was pulverized to nanoparticles (D50 = 0.14 microm) with ethyl alcohol cooled with liquid nitrogen. Fine nanoparticles of these poorly water soluble compounds with low melting points were obtained by controlling the rotation/revolution speed and reducing the vessel temperature.

Is location associated with high risk of hypertension? Shimane COHRE Study

BACKGROUND

There is growing evidence that residential environment is associated with hypertension. Recently, interest has also turned toward examining the possible influence of remoteness on hypertension. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of remoteness, the shortest path between the subject location and the population center, on hypertension prevalence in a rural region in Japan.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Shimane COHRE Study conducted from 2006 to 2009 in rural mountainous regions of Japan. After excluding the missing data, we conducted a logistic regression analysis of the data for 1,348 individuals. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used in the network analysis. Network analysis determined the distance between subject's location and population center on road networks, and the distance was divided into tertiles: 0-26,685.8 m = close distance, 26,685.9 m-38,350.6 m = moderate distance, 38,350.7 m-68,070.1 m = far distance.

RESULTS

According to self-reported hypertension, the odds ratios for hypertension (taking antihypertensive medication or under treatment for hypertension without medication) were 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.99) and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.29-2.46) in moderate and far distances, respectively, after adjustment for potential confounders. The odds ratios no longer remained significant after considering the measurement of blood pressure (BP) to define hypertension (taking antihypertensive medication or under treatment for hypertension without medication or BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg for systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP)).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that residential remoteness might be associated with a higher risk of hypertension in a rural region in Japan.