Balance of magnesium positively correlates with that of calcium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In a prior study, we showed no significant relationship between intake and balance of magnesium (Mg). Subsequent further investigation disclosed that intakes of both Ca and P were positively correlated with their respective balances, whereas intake of Mg did not show any significant correlation with Mg balance. In this paper, we show positive correlations between intake of Mg and balances of both Ca and P. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using these correlations, the mean value and upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (from the regression equation between Mg intake and either the balances of Ca or that of P, when each balance is equal to zero) were 4.584 and 4.802 (against Ca balance), 4.554 and 4.785 (against P balance) mg/kg BW/d, respectively. Balances of Mg and Ca correlated with each other.     

Protective effect of S-allyl-L-cysteine,a garlic compound,on amyloid beta-protein-induced cell death in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells

Aged garlic extract (AGE) contains several neuroactive compounds, including S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and allixin. We characterized cell death induced by amyloid beta-protein (Abeta), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), tunicamycin, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stressor, or trophic factor deprivation, and investigated whether and how SAC could prevent this in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, a model of neuronal cells. Exposure of the cells to amyloid beta-protein(1-40) (Abeta(1-40)) decreased the extent of [3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction activity and loss of neuronal integrity, but these effects were not prevented by Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor. Simultaneously applied SAC protected the cells against Abeta-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. It also protected them against tunicamycin-induced neuronal death. In contrast, it afforded no protection against cell death induced by HNE and trophic factor deprivation, which is mediated by a caspase-3-dependent pathway. These results suggest that SAC may selectively protect cell death induced by Abeta and tunicamycin, which may be triggered by ER dysfunction in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.     

Familial 14-Mb deletion at 21q11.2-q21.3 and variable phenotypic expression

We report a familial case with a proximal interstitial deletion of chromosome 21q [del(21q)]. Although the mother in the family was phenotypically normal, her first child was affected with both sensorineural hearing loss and moderate mental retardation, and the second affected child had mild mental retardation but not sensorineural hearing loss. We determined breakpoints of the del(21q) in the mother and her two affected children by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using 45 DNA clones and the molecular analysis using 21 DNA markers. The proximal breakpoint of the del(21q) was located at a region between 0.33 Mb and 0.46 Mb distal to the centromere, and the distal breakpoint was at a region between 14.6 Mb and 14.9 Mb. The finding indicates that the three individuals had an approximate 14-Mb deletion within 21q11.2-q21.3. Molecular analysis showed that both affected children shared the same maternal haplotype of their del(21q), but a crossover was detected in the paternally inherited normal chromosome 21. These data suggest that unmasking of deleterious genes on the paternally derived chromosome 21 of the two children as a result of the deletion may affect the extent of their mental retardation and/or sensorineural hearing loss. Usher syndrome 1E may be a candidate disease locus related to the sensorineural hearing loss of the first child.     

Gaze bias both reflects and influences preference

Emotions operate along the dimension of approach and aversion, and it is reasonable to assume that orienting behavior is intrinsically linked to emotionally involved processes such as preference decisions. Here we describe a gaze 'cascade effect' that was present when human observers were shown pairs of human faces and instructed to decide which face was more attractive. Their gaze was initially distributed evenly between the two stimuli, but then gradually shifted toward the face that they eventually chose. Gaze bias was significantly weaker in a face shape discrimination task. In a second series of experiments, manipulation of gaze duration, but not exposure duration alone, biased observers' preference decisions. We thus conclude that gaze is actively involved in preference formation. The gaze cascade effect was also present when participants compared abstract, unfamiliar shapes for attractiveness, suggesting that orienting and preference for objects in general are intrinsically linked in a positive feedback loop leading to the conscious choice.     

Biological activity of tropolone

Tropolone (1). showed strong insecticidal activity on Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Dermatophagoides farinae. The insecticidal effect of 1 on both insects was stronger than that of hinokitiol (2, 4-isopropyltropolone: major component of Thujopsis dolabrata SIEB. et ZUCC. hondai MAKINO). The insecticidal activity of both compounds was higher than that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), used as a positive control. Compound 1 had potent insecticidal activity against Coptotermes formosanus, although its activity was much lower than that of commercial chloropyrifos. Like 2, 1 showed the inhibitory activity toward metalloproteases such as carboxypeptidase A, collagenase and thermolysin and their inhibitory activities were much higher than that of 1,10-phenanthroline, used as a positive control. The inhibitory activity of 1 on carboxypeptidase A was especially high, its 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) being 2.73 x 10(-6) M. This inhibitory activity was as high as that of 2 (IC(50): 2.76 x 10(-6) M). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of seven kinds of plant-pathogenic fungi and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were in the range of 6.0-50.0 microg/ml. In particular, 1 showed strong antifungal activity on Pythium aphanidermatum IFO-32440 (MIC: 6.0 microg/ml).     

An investigation of the experiences of hearing-impaired people undergoing medical examinations in health-checkups

OBJECTIVE: The end purpose of this research is to ascertain modifications that are needed in order to provide an environment in which hearing-impaired people can receive health-checkups equivalent to those received by people with normal hearing. The problems experienced by hearing-impaired person when undergoing a health consultation was thus investigated and differences in the requirements of deaf people and those with impaired hearing were also examined. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by 250 members of the Tokyo Federation of the Deaf and 100 members of the Tokyo Association for the Hard of Hard of Hearing. Areas investigated included, the person's history of health-checkups, aspects of medical examinations found to be inconvenient, communication that occurred during medical examinations, communication that a hearing-impaired person experts of a hospital, and methods by which hospitals could ensure information was understood. Responses to questionnaires were compared between the members of Tokyo Federation of the Deaf and the members of Tokyo Association for the Hard of Hearing. RESULTS: Of 151 subjects enrolled in the present study, 56 were male and 96 were female (2 did not reveal their gender). Respondents were aged between 21-85 years (mean 54.8 years), with 50.3% receiving an annual health-checkup. The problems described by respondents in the context of a medical examination included; 1) not being able to recognize when their turn to be seen had arrived, even if called by name, 2) not being able to understand medical information and instructions given by healthcare staff. In order to ensure they understood the information given, respondents described measures that they wished to see implemented. These differed between the 2 organizations, with members of the Tokyo Federation of the Deaf wanting information to be provided in both sign language and written form, whereas members of the Tokyo Association for the Hard of Hearing wished only for written information. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to people with normal hearing, relatively few hearing-impaired people receive health checkups. In order to ensure that hearing-impaired people can understand the information given, and therefore receive maximal health benefits, while reducing the risk of potentially harmful mishearing of advice, both sign language and written information are required.     

Hyperthermia enhances tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis of a human gastric cancer cell line

We have investigated the effects of hyperthermia on the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Confluent monolayers of human gastric cancer cell line MKN45 were either treated or untreated with hyperthermia for 1 h. The cells were subsequently stimulated with TNF-alpha. A 24-h incubation with TNF-alpha did not affect cell viabilities; however, pretreatment with hyperthermia significantly enhanced the level of apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha. Pretreating MKN45 cells with hyperthermia (42.0 degrees C) significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced increase in the binding activity of NF-kappaB to DNA. This study suggests that hyperthermia can inhibit the TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation and that hyperthermia renders human gastric cancer cells susceptible to the TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis, possibly via inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway.