A study of the effect of an extremely low oxygen concentration on the development of human embryos in assisted reproductive technology

Purpose  

To determine whether embryos cultured with a low oxygen level (2%) brought about beneficial effects on the outcome of ART.     

Prevalence of pathological and maladaptive Internet use and the association with depression and health-related quality of life in Japanese elementary and junior high school-aged children

Purpose

Pathological Internet use has been predominantly studied in junior high/middle school-aged or older children; data from elementary/primary school-aged children, however, are scarce. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of problematic Internet use, including pathological and maladaptive Internet use, in elementary and junior high school-aged children and the relationships between problematic Internet use and mental health problems and health-related quality of life.

Methods

The survey was conducted among children who attend national and public elementary and junior high schools in a medium-sized city in Japan; data were received from 3845 elementary school-aged and 4364 junior high school-aged children.

Results

Based on the Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire score, the prevalence of pathological and maladaptive Internet use was 3.6% and 9.4% and 7.1% and 15.8% in elementary and junior high school-aged children, respectively. The prevalence of problematic Internet use, including pathological and maladaptive Internet use, consistently increased from the 4th grade to the 8th grade. In addition, the prevalence sharply increased between the 7th grade and the 8th grade. Our study revealed that children with pathological and maladaptive Internet use exhibited more severe depression and decreased health-related quality of life than those with adaptive Internet use.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that pathological Internet use is not uncommon even in elementary school-aged children and that those with pathological and maladaptive Internet use have severe mental health problems and decreased health-related quality of life, supporting the importance of providing these children with educational and preventive interventions against problematic Internet use and associated risk factors.

     

Proteomics Approach Identifies Factors Associated With the Response to Low‐Density Lipoprotein Apheresis Therapy in Patients With Steroid‐Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

Low‐density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL‐A) has been shown to reduce proteinuria in a subgroup of nephrotic syndrome patients refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Factors influencing the efficacy of LDL‐A in nephrotic syndrome are completely unknown. Using a proteomics approach, we aimed to identify biological markers that predict the response to LDL‐A in patients with steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Identification of plasma proteins bound to the dextran‐sulfate column at the first session of LDL‐A was determined by mass spectrometry. To investigate biological factors associated with the response to LDL‐A, we compared profiles of column‐bound proteins between responders (defined by more than 50% reduction of proteinuria after the treatment) and non‐responders by 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) coupled to mass spectrometry in seven patients with SRNS. Evaluation of proteins adsorbed to LDL‐A column in patients with SRNS revealed the identity of 62 proteins, which included apolipoproteins, complement components, and serum amyloid P‐component (SAP). Comparative analysis of the column‐bound proteins between responders and non‐responders by 2‐DE demonstrated that apolipoprotein E (APOE) and SAP levels were increased in non‐responders as compared with responders. These results were confirmed by western blotting. Moreover, serum levels of APOE and SAP were significantly higher in the non‐responder group than in the responder group by ELISA. Our data provide comprehensive analysis of proteins adsorbed by LDL‐A in SRNS, and demonstrate that the serum levels of APOE and SAP may be used to predict the response to LDL‐A in these patients.     

Comparison of α2-Macroglobulin Synthesis by Juvenile vs. Mature Rats after Identical Inflammatory Stimulation

Synthesis of α₂-macoglobulin (α2M) by 3-week-old juvenile rats was compared to that of mature 7- and 11-week-old rats. Serum concentrations of α2M, interleukin (IL)-6- and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC) for α2M was significantly different among the three groups. The synthesis of α2M increased in an age-dependent manner. No significant difference was observed for the AUC of IL-6, but that of CINC-1 in 3-week-old rats was significantly lower than that in 7- or 11-week-old rats. These results suggest that synthesis of α2M was increased in mature compared to juvenile rats, possibly due to differences in liver function. The maximum concentration of CINC-1 in 3-week-old rats was observed 6 h after turpentine oil injection. The serum concentrations of IL-6 and CINC-1 increased more quickly in juvenile rats than in mature rats after inflammatory stimulation.