Relationship between interleukin-1β gene expression in epicardial adipose tissue and coronary atherosclerosis based on computed tomographic analysis

BackgroundAnti-inflammatory therapy targeting interleukin (IL)-1β reduced cardiovascular events in a randomized trial. We evaluated the relationship between IL-1β mRNA expression in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and clinically-assessed coronary atherosclerosis on computed tomography (CT).MethodsWe studied 45 patients before cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], n ?= ?18; non-CABG, n ?= ?27). EAT volume, the coronary calcium score (CCS), and the presence of non- and/or partially-calcified coronary plaques (NCPs) and high-risk coronary plaques (HRPs; minimum CT density <30 Hounsfield units and vascular remodeling index >1.1) on CT angiography were assessed. EAT samples were obtained during cardiac surgery. IL-1β mRNA expression in EAT was measured using quantitative real-time PCR and normalized to that of β-actin in each patient.ResultsThere was no difference in IL-1β mRNA levels between patients who were scheduled for CABG and non-CABG surgery or among subgroups based on the CCS. However, patients with NCPs (median [interquartile range], 4.1[2.0-11.6]E-4 versus 1.8[0.6-4.5]E-4, p ?= ?0.024) and HRP (7.6[3.0-20.4]E-4 versus 1.9[0.7-4.3]E-4, p ?= ?0.0023) had higher IL-1β mRNA levels than those without these plaques. On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, coronary risk factors, statin therapy, CCS, and EAT volume, the presence of HRPs was significantly correlated with elevated IL-1β mRNA levels in EAT (β ?= ?0.39, p ?= ?0.047).ConclusionOur data suggest a contribution of EAT to coronary atherosclerosis through molecular behavior, such as IL-1β gene expression, which may be a new therapeutic target.     

Retraction: A reduction state potentiates the glucocorticoid response through receptor protein stabilization

Retraction: The above article in Genes to Cells (doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2443.2007.01131.x ), published online on 2 November 2007 in Wiley Online Library ( http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ ), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Mitsuhiro Yanagida, and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. The retraction has been agreed to due to lack of the gel images for the lanes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 10 of ‘GR’ and lanes 1, 2, 9 and 10 of ‘Brg‐1’ in Figure 3(D) and the multiple usage of the gel images in Figure 3(B) and (C).     

Preoperative oral rehydration therapy with 2.5 % carbohydrate beverage alleviates insulin action in volunteers

Preoperative carbohydrate loading enhances insulin action by approximately 50 %. In some Japanese hospitals, preoperative oral rehydration therapy is performed for preventing dehydration during surgery. We hypothesized that preoperative oral rehydration therapy with a 2.5 % carbohydrate beverage that is widely used in Japan can enhance insulin action. Therefore, we investigated the effect of this 2.5 % carbohydrate beverage on insulin action in volunteers. Six healthy volunteers participated in this crossover randomized study. The participants were segregated into 2 groups: an oral rehydration therapy with 2.5 % carbohydrate beverage group (group A) and a control group (group B). Subjects in group B were allowed to drink only water from 9 pm the day before the test; conversely, group A fasted from 9 pm onward and drank 500 ml of the beverage containing 2.5 % carbohydrate (OS-1; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Tokushima, Japan) between 9 and 12 pm and again at 6.30 am. At 8.30 am, a hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamp was initiated using an artificial pancreas STG-22 (Nikkiso, Tokyo, Japan). Insulin action was evaluated in both groups using the glucose infusion rate. Blood glucose levels at the initiation of the clamp procedure were similar. However, the glucose infusion rate for group A was significantly higher than that of group B (8.6 ± 1.5 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0 mg/kg/min, p = 0.009). In conclusion, the hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamp using an artificial pancreas showed that the administration of a 2.5 % carbohydrate oral rehydration solution for preoperative oral rehydration therapy improves insulin action in volunteers.     

Genetic analysis of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from UTI patients in Indonesia

IntroductionExtended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is a serious concern for nosocomial infection and the emergence rate in Indonesia is higher than that in developed countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic characteristics of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolated from UTI patients in Indonesia.Materials and methodsWe collected K. pneumoniae resistant to ceftazidime or cefotaxime isolated from UTI patients in Dr. Soetomo's Academic Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia in 2015. Ninety-four strains were identified as ESBL-producing bacteria by confirmation tests. The isolates were investigated by antimicrobial susceptibility testing with 20 drugs and ESBL gene detection, plasmid replicon typing and virulence genes as hypermucoviscous (HMV) strains were tested by the string test.ResultsHigh rates of resistance to ciprofloxacin (86.2%), tetracycline (80.9%) and nalidixic acid (78.7%) were observed. CTX-M-15 was the most common ESBL gene (89.4%), 33 of which also carried SHV-type ESBL. IncF was the most prevalent plasmid replicon typing (47.6%). Sixteen (17.0%) strains were judged as HMV, all of which had rmpA and more than half of which had fimH, uge, and wab. IncL/M was the most common replicon plasmid in the HMV strains, and the difference in the positive rate was statistically significant (p = 0.0024).ConclusionThis study showed the high prevalence of multiple-drug resistant and predominately CTX-M-15-positive ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in Indonesia. There was a correlation between IncL/M and the HMV phenotype in this study. As such hypervirulent strains continue to emerge, studying their dissemination with resistance determinants is an urgent priority.     

Low-dose levodopa therapy in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and the rate of adverse events of chronic low-dose levodopa-carbidopa therapy in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 92 Japanese PD patients treated with low doses of levodopa from the outset were studied. Both disease-specific motor disabilities and quality of life (QOL) in the patients were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Parkinson's Disease 39 Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ39), respectively. RESULTS: In the overall patient group, the mean duration of treatment, the mean daily dose of levodopa, the disability scores and the motor scores of UPDRS were 6.2 years, 186.4 mg, 8.0 and 19.2, respectively. The rates of motor fluctuations, dyskinesias and hallucinations were 8.7%, 6.5% and 14.1%, respectively. The mean summary index of PDQ39 scores was 23.1. Patients with motor fluctuations showed a significantly earlier disease onset. Dose of levodopa, age at onset, and treatment duration were not associated with the occurrence of dyskinesias. Patients with hallucination had higher doses of levodopa and dopamine agonist. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that chronic administration of a low-dose levodopa preparation can provide satisfactory benefit with a low incidence of motor complications, and can result in good QOL in Japanese patients with PD. The concomitant use of a small amount of dopamine agonist and amantadine from the outset has partly contributed to a reduced dose of levodopa and the lesser occurrence of motor complications.     

Loss of Apc heterozygosity and abnormal tissue building in nascent intestinal polyps in mice carrying a truncated Apc gene.

Mutations in the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene appear to be responsible for not only familial adenomatous polyposis but also many sporadic cases of gastrointestinal cancers. Using homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells, we constructed mice that contained a mutant gene encoding a product truncated at a 716 (Apc delta 716). Mendelian transmission of the gene caused most homozygous mice to die in utero before day 8 of gestation. The heterozygotes developed multiple polyps throughout the intestinal tract, mostly in the small intestine. The earliest polyps arose multifocally during the third week after birth, and new polyps continued to appear thereafter. Surprisingly, every nascent polyp consisted of a microadenoma covered with a layer of the normal villous epithelium. These microadenomas originated from single crypts by forming abnormal outpockets into the inner (lacteal) side of the neighboring villi. We carefully dissected such microadenomas from nascent polyps by peeling off the normal epithelium and determined their genotype by PCR: all microadenomas had already lost the wild-type Apc allele, whereas the mutant allele remained unchanged. These results indicate that loss of heterozygosity followed by formation of intravillous microadenomas is responsible for polyposis in Apc delta 716 intestinal mucosa. It is therefore unlikely that the truncated product interacts directly with the wild-type protein and causes the microadenomas by a dominant negative mechanism.     

Mumps encephalitis with akinesia and mutism

Measles‐rubella‐mumps vaccination is routine in many countries, but the mumps vaccine remains voluntary and is not covered by insurance in Japan. A 5‐year‐old Japanese boy who had not received the mumps vaccine was affected by mumps parotitis. Several days later, he presented with various neurological abnormalities, including akinesia, mutism, dysphagia, and uncontrolled respiratory disorder. Mumps encephalitis was diagnosed. Despite steroid pulse and immunoglobulin treatment, the disease progressed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed necrotic changes in bilateral basal ganglia, midbrain, and hypothalamus. At 1 year follow up, he was bedridden and required enteral feeding through a gastric fistula and tracheostomy. Mumps vaccination should be made routine as soon as possible in Japan, because mumps encephalitis carries the risk of severe sequelae.