Oral pioglitazone administration increases food intake through ghrelin-independent pathway in Zucker fatty rat

The recent development of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) as insulin sensitizers presents a new line of therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In animal studies, TZDs increase body weight largely due to increased fat pad mass and alterations in adipocyte size and numbers. Accumulating evidence indicates that ghrelin plays a role in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. We examined whether oral pioglitazone administration regulates plasma ghrelin concentration and body weights using Zucker fatty rats (ZFR). ZFRs were administered pioglitazone orally (20mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Food consumption in the pioglitazone-treated group (ZFR/PIO (+)) was significantly greater than that of the control group (ZFR/PIO (-)). Body weight of the ZFR/PIO (+) was also significantly greater than that of the ZFR/PIO (-). The ZFR/PIO (+) exhibited a significant increase in whole body energy expenditure. Fasting plasma ghrelin concentration in the ZFR/PIO (+) was significantly lower than that in the ZFR/PIO (-). These findings indicate that increase in food consumption by pioglitazone is not associated with fasting plasma ghrelin and that ghrelin secretion is down-regulated under positive energy balance in rats.     

Severe Pneumonia with Leptotrichia sp. Detected Predominantly in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid by Use of 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analysis

We present the first case of severe pneumonia possibly caused by Leptotrichia species with oral bacteria. This was found in a healthy but elderly subject whose bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The combination of this method and microscopic observation provided useful information for diagnosis and treatment.     

Rapid regrowth of an atypical choroid plexus papilloma located in the cerebellopontine angle

Choroid plexus papilloma usually occurs in the lateral or the fourth ventricle. Primary choroid plexus papilloma of the cerebellopontine angle, as described here, is an uncommon lesion. A 42-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of dysphagia and gait unsteadiness. CT scans and MRI showed a large extra-axial tumor in the right cerebellopontine angle. Pathological study revealed that the lesion was choroid plexus papilloma. Repeat imaging conducted 1 year after the operation showed that the tumor had recurred with distinct cystic features. Pathological examination again revealed increased mitotic activity and supported a diagnosis of atypical choroid plexus papilloma.     

A case of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction successfully treated with chemoradiation therapy

The patient was an 80-year-old female with chief complaint of anemia. She was diagnosed as a type 3 gastric cancer (por/tub2) of the esophagogastric junction by gastrointestinal endoscopy in November 2010. CT scan revealed no distant metastasis and we diagnosed as c-stage II B (T4aN0M0). However, severe COPD was detected by the respiratory function test. Considering her age and respiratory function, we decided that total gastrectomy under general anesthesia was difficult. She was treated with radiation( 50.4 Gy/28 Fr) and the combination chemotherapy of S-1( 80 mg/m2, day 1-21) plus low-dose CDDP (6 mg/m2, day 1-5, 8-12, 15-19) during her hospitalization, and treated with S-1 mono-therapy as an outpatient. The tumor was reduced and the hemorrhage was not seen though the response was SD. Moreover, she did not experience any adverse event of grade 3 or more. The chemoradiation therapy appears to be effective for patients of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.     

Gene therapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma with IAI.3B promoter-driven oncolytic adenovirus-infected carrier cells

Although replication-competent oncolytic viral vectors have been developed to improve antitumor activity, the generation of high titers of neutralizing antibodies inhibits repetitive viral infection. Many studies have reported that oncolytic virus-infected carrier cells can overcome this viral induced immunogenicity. However, the effects of oncolytic virus-infected carrier cells in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not yet been examined. In the present study, simulating the clinical trial, we examined the antitumor activity of carrier cells infected with oncolytic adenovirus AdE3-IAI.3B in human OSCC. IAI.3B was highly activated in OSCC cells but not in normal cells. AdE3-IAI.3B killed OSCC cells in vitro but not normal cells. AdE3-IAI.3B-infected A549 carrier cells eradicated OSCC GFP-SAS tumors in nude mice. Anti-adenovirus neutralizing antibodies completely blocked the antitumor effect of AdE3-IAI.3B but did not block that of carrier cells. After the induction of anti-adenoviral CTL responses by immunization of adenovirus, administration of carrier cells induced complete regression of murine squamous cell carcinoma SCC7 tumors. Adenovirus-GM-CSF augmented the antitumor effect of carrier cells. The IAI.3B-driven oncolytic adenovirus-infected carrier cell system might prove useful in the treatment of OSCC and clinical trials of it should be conducted in the near future.     

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Health Education Combining Lifestyle Education and Hot Spa Bathing for Male White-Collar Employees: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 1-Year Follow-Up

Background

Physical activity is known to prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly people; however, the effectiveness of a comprehensive health education program for male white-collar employees is uncertain.

Methods

Forty-three men volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The intervention group participated in a 2-hour program comprising comprehensive health education and hot spa bathing, offered once every 2 weeks, in addition to individualized programs once a week, for 24 weeks. The control group received only general health guidance. We compared their lifestyle characteristics and physical and mental health criteria at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 year after the end of the intervention.

Results

Rates of adherence to individualized programs were 60.0 ± 27.2% and 30.5 ± 29.6% at the end of the intervention and at 1 year after the end of the intervention, respectively. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction of criteria was observed for cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) cells and the ratio of cluster of differentiation 4+ to 8+ (CD4/8) cells, which were used to represent the participants'' immunological function. We divided the intervention group into 2 subgroups on the basis of their attendance. Among the resulting 3 groups, significant interaction of criteria was observed for CD4+ and CD4/8 cells. In addition, the high attendance group had the highest CD4+ count and CD4/8 ratio.

Conclusions

Participants who attended classes and/or performed the supplementary individualized programs tended to maintain their immunological function and to experience a decrease in body fat percentage. However, few effects were noted in participants with poor adherence, even in the intervention group.Key words: male, white-collar-employees, randomized controlled trial, lifestyle education, hot spa, and exercise     

Oxalate nephropathy with a granulomatous lesion due to excessive intake of peanuts

A 65-year-old Japanese male developed renal dysfunction, showing proteinuria and marked urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin. He had consumed approximately 100-200 g peanuts and 750-1,000 ml beer every day for two or three months. He had previously been treated for hypertension with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril. He then visited his primary-care doctor with mild fever, and renal dysfunction with mild diabetes mellitus were diagnosed. He was referred to our hospital, and because no diabetic retinopathy was observed by ophthalmological tests, renal biopsy examination was performed to clarify renal dysfunction. Renal biopsy specimens showed intimal thickening in the small arteries and interstitial nephritis with a granulomatous lesion, accompanied by oxalate crystals under polarized light. Glomeruli were unremarkable without any immunoglobulin deposition, and nodular lesions. Because he daily consumed a large amount of peanuts, oxalate nephropathy due to excessive intake of peanuts was strongly suspected. This case revealed that unusual food habits, including nuts, can cause oxalate nephropathy, and that close examination by renal biopsy was useful for clarifying the etiology of the unknown renal damage.