Laughter up-regulates the genes related to NK cell activity in diabetes

To elucidate the sustainable effects of laughter on gene expression, we recruited type 2 diabetic patients who were in-patient for receiving self-management education and examined time-dependent regulation for gene expression by laughter. Two-day experiment was performed. On one day, the patients watched comic video and laughed together with hospital staffs. On the other day, they participated in an inpatient diabetes educational program. Blood samples were collected before and 1.5, 4 h after watching comic video or spending lecture time, and changes in gene expression were comprehensively analyzed by microarray technique. Of the 41,000 genes analyzed, the laughter relatively up-regulated 39 genes, among which, 27 genes were relatively increased in the expression for all the observation period after watching comic video. By functional classification of these genes, 14 genes were found to be related to natural killer cell activity. No genes were included that are directly involved in blood glucose regulation, though successive suppression of postprandial blood glucose levels was observed. These results suggest that the laughter influences the expression of many genes classified into immune responses, and may contribute to amelioration of postprandial blood glucose elevation through a modulation of NK cell activity caused by up-regulation of relating genes.     

Predicting sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin using a novel highly sensitive Real-time detection PCR assay

The Abbott Real Time HCV assay (lower limit of detection 12 IU/ml) was developed as a highly sensitive HCV RNA quantitative assay using real-time detection PCR(RTD-PCR). We assessed whether the new assay more effectively predicts sustained virological response (SVR) than conventional PCR (PCR) in 38 chronic hepatitis patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and treated with pegylated interferon alpha2b plus ribavirin. Sixteen patients reached SVR, 10 patients relapsed, 9 patients did not respond, 3 patients discontinued treatment. Positive predictive value (PPV) for SVR of undetectable HCV RNA at W4, 8, 12 by RTD-PCR and PCR was (100% vs. 100% at W4), (100% vs. 100% at W8), (83.3% vs. 72.7% at W12). HCV RNA undetectable at W12 had a higher PPV for SVR when measured by RTD-PCR than by conventional PCR.     

Cloning and characterization of a TNF-like protein of Plecoglossus altivelis (ayu fish)

Ayu TNF cDNA contains an open reading frame of 708bp encoding 235 amino acids. Poly adeniration (A) signal and eight AU-rich sequences were present in 858bp 3' UTR. Southern blot analysis indicated that ayu TNF is single-copy gene. The genomic DNA sequence of ayu TNF, consisting of four exons and three introns, was shown to be conserved well throughout evolution from fish to mammals. The amino acid sequence of ayu TNF was shown to have 32-41% of amino acid identity to other known fish TNF, and about 30% of amino acid identity to mammalian TNFs. A phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence of TNF indicated that ayu has a distinctive evolutionary path. Also, two residues of cysteine important for the formation of the three-dimensional structure were conserved in ayu TNF. For the functional analysis, ayu TNF was inserted into expression vector pCold/TF, transferred into Chaperone Competent Cells BL21 (pKJE7); this produced soluble mature ayu recombinant TNF. Ayu recombinant TNF was shown to induce respiratory burst activity from ayu kidney. The above results indicate that ayu TNF plays an important role in phylaxis, as it does in mammals.     

Insecticide resistance in potential vector mosquitoes for West Nile virus in Japan

Culex pipiens complex is the significant vector mosquito of West Nile virus. To take stock of the current situation of insecticide susceptibilities and design an ideal mosquito control strategy, we collected Culex pipiens pallens Coquillet, Culex pipiens form molestus Forskal, and Culex quinquefasciatus Say from fields in Japan and conducted bioassays for five larvicides (fenitrothion, temephos, etofenprox, diflubenzuron, and pyriproxyfen) by using a larval dipping method. Among five insecticides tested, obvious reduced susceptibilities were observed for etofenprox, which is the only pyrethroid compound registered as a larvicide in Japan. Twenty-two of 56 colonies exhibited a >10% survival rate at the etofenprox concentration of 5.7 microg/ml, which is a 10 times higher concentration of the working solution. The LC50 of a colony collected from Fukuoka prefecture for etofenprox exceeded 60 microg/ml (resistance ratio >2,307), and this colony also exhibited cross-resistance to other pyrethroids, permethrin (299-fold) and phenothrin (1,200-fold). The insect growth regulators diflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen were found to be sufficiently effective enough to control Culex larvae present, but decreased sensitivities to these insecticides were slightly detected in some colonies of Cx. p. form molestus collected from urban areas. Several etofenprox-resistant colonies of Cx. p. form molestus exhibited simultaneously decreased susceptibilities to other insecticides, including temephos, diflubenzuron, and pyriproxyfen.     

Cloning of B cell-specific membrane tetraspanning molecule BTS possessing B cell proliferation-inhibitory function

Lymphocyte proliferation is regulated by signals through antigen receptors, co-stimulatory receptors, and other positive and negative modulators. Several membrane tetraspanning molecules are also involved in the regulation of lymphocyte growth and death. We cloned a new B cell-specific tetraspanning (BTS) membrane molecule, which is similar to CD20 in terms of expression, structure and function. BTS is specifically expressed in the B cell line and its expression is increased after the pre-B cell stage. BTS is expressed in intracellular granules and on the cell surface. Overexpression of BTS in immature B cell lines induces growth retardation through inhibition of cell cycle progression and cell size increase without inducing apoptosis. This inhibitory function is mediated predominantly by the N terminus of BTS. The development of mature B cells is inhibited in transgenic mice expressing BTS, suggesting that BTS is involved in the in vivo regulation of B cells. These results indicate that BTS plays a role in the regulation of cell division and B cell growth.     

Neutrophil activation and arteritis induced by C. albicans water-soluble mannoprotein-beta-glucan complex (CAWS)

We have established a mouse model which shows the symptoms of coronary arteritis after consecutive injections of CAWS, which is released from Candida albicans. In this study, we examined neutrophil activation in the initial period after CAWS injection intraperitoneally. During 10 min to 16 h after the injection, blood profiles and neutrophil functions were determined. At the same time, levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in plasma were measured. Furthermore, level of ICAM-1 as a marker of lesion in arterial endothelial cells was measured. Counts of the peripheral leukocytes increased immediately after CAWS injection, especially involving neutrophil. In vitro sensitivity of neutrophils to stimuli was enhanced. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-12 and IL-6) increased in plasma initially followed by an increase in IL-10, G-CSF, MIP-2 and soluble ICAM-1. Locally, ICAM-1 message in arterial walls was significantly increased 16 h after CAWS injection. A decrease in C3 levels was observed in plasma, suggesting complement activation and consumption. In summary, neutrophil activation occurred after CAWS injection, followed by complement activation, and production of proinflammatory cytokines chemokines and G-CSF which may be involved in development of coronary arteritis.     

PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG ADULT JAPANESE PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

Background

A large number of studies have reported the high prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) among adolescents and students (13-50%)¹, and PIU has been associated with many psychiatric symptoms². In contrast, only a few studies have investigated its prevalence among the adult population. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies investigating the prevalence and comorbidity of PIU in a psychiatric population although psychiatric symptoms might either induce PIU in patients with psychiatric illnesses, or PIU might induce or aggravate psychiatric symptoms. The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence of PIU and psychiatric co-morbidity among adult psychiatric patients.