Azuki bean polyphenols intake during lactation upregulate AMPK in male rat offspring exposed to fetal malnutrition

ObjectiveFetal malnutrition is an early-life inducer of dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. The aim of this study was to examine whether maternal azuki bean (Vigna angularis) polyphenol (AP) intake during lactation affects the adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and lipid metabolism in offspring exposed to fetal malnutrition.MethodsPregnant Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control diet offered during gestation and lactation (CC), a low-protein diet during gestation and a control diet during lactation (LPC); and a low-protein diet during gestation and a 1.0% AP-containing control diet during lactation (LPAP). Male pups were randomly selected for the study; half the pups were sacrificed at 3 wk of age and the other half were fed a standard diet and sacrificed at 23 wk. Hepatic triacylglycerol levels, phosphorylation levels of AMPK and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), and mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) were evaluated.ResultsSignificant decreases in body weights and hepatic triacylglycerol levels were found in the LPAP compared with the LPC group. Plasma adiponectin levels in the LPAP group were higher than those in the LPC group. AMPK phosphorylation was upregulated in the livers and skeletal muscles in young and adult LPAP compared with LPC rats. ACC phosphorylation was upregulated in skeletal muscles of LPAP rats. SREBP-1c mRNA expression was decreased in the livers of LPAP rats.ConclusionOur results suggest that maternal AP intake during lactation upregulates AMPK phosphorylation not only in young but also in adult offspring exposed to fetal malnutrition and may lead to decreased hepatic lipid accumulation by ACC phosphorylation and downregulation of SREBP-1c expression.     

Multiple primary syphilis on the lip,nipple–areola and penis: An immunohistochemical examination of Treponema pallidum localization using an anti‐T. pallidum antibody

Primary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum usually develops after sexual contact as an initial solitary sclerosis or hard chancre in the genital region. We describe a case of primary syphilis at three sites in genital and extragenital regions of a man who had sex with men. A 29‐year‐old man visited our hospital for skin lesions on his lower lip, nipple–areola and penis. A positive syphilis serological test for rapid plasma reagin had a titer of 1:16; the patient also tested positive for specific antibodies against T. pallidum, with a cut‐off index of 39.0. Histopathological examination of a nipple–areola biopsy specimen revealed a thickened epidermis and dense infiltration of inflammatory cells extending from the upper dermal layers to the deep dermis. The inflammatory cells were composed of abundant lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes and neutrophils. Immunohistochemical staining for T. pallidum using an anti‐T. pallidum antibody showed numerous spirochetes in the lower portion of the epidermis, scattered inside inflammatory cell infiltrate and perivascular sites throughout the dermis. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with primary syphilis. Treatment with oral amoxicillin hydrate was started. Five days after starting treatment, a diffuse maculopapular rash (syphilitic roseola) occurred on his trunk and extremities. Perivascular cuffing due to T. pallidum was present throughout the dermis in the biopsy specimen of a localized lesion of primary syphilis. Moreover, syphilitic roseola, which indicates generalized dissemination of T. pallidum, developed during the course of treatment for primary syphilis. Therefore, we considered perivascular cuffing to be indicative of the dissemination phase.     

A Case of an Aortic Abscess around the Elephant Trunk

A 52-year-old male patient with a history of total arch replacement using the elephant trunk technique for acute aortic dissection 4 years before visited our hospital with the chief complaint of persistent fever. Chest computed tomography (CT) suggested prosthetic vascular graft infection, which was treated surgically after chemotherapy. The first surgery consisted of debridement of an abscess around the vascular graft and in the aorta around the elephant trunk, and thoracic descending aorta replacement and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in view of the risk of bleeding from the peripheral region of the elephant trunk. One week later, omental filling was performed as the second step. This is a very rare case of aortic abscess around the elephant trunk that could successfully be managed by graft-conserving treatment.     

Association of an HDL Apolipoproteomic Score With Coronary Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Death

Background

Concentrations of circulating apolipoproteins are strongly linked to risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). The relative importance of the additional knowledge of apolipoprotein concentrations within specific lipoprotein species for CAD risk prediction is limited.

The clinical outcomes and the ability to sit straight in the Japanese style following high tibial osteotomy combined with osteochondral autologous transfer for osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle

Background

There have been some reports of high tibial osteotomy combined with osteochondral autograft transfer for osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle of the knee. However, few of them have focused on the deep knee flexion needed to sit straight in the Japanese style.