DNA-daunorubicin complexes specifically suppress in vitro spontaneous anti-DNA antibody production in lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Elevated production of anti-DNA antibody in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a central problem in the pathogenesis of tissue injury. In the present study, we attempted to manipulate anti-DNA antibody production through the antigen-cytotoxic drug conjugates, DNA-daunorubicin complexes. The effect of DNA-daunorubicin complexes was determined by examining SLE lymphocytes for spontaneous in vitro production of anti-DNA antibody. These complexes, at 2 μg/ml, suppressed anti-DNA antibody production, but not total IgG production, which suggests that specific suppression of anti-DNA antibody production was achieved at this concentration. We believe that the DNA-daunorubicin complexes affected mainly B cells, since such suppression was obtained by treating B cells, as well as B plus T cells. Furthermore, the complexes had no effect on the proliferative responses of SLE T cells to DNA, phytohemagglutinin, or concanavalin A. These results indicate that DNA-daunorubicin complexes may have the potential for selectively suppressing anti-DNA antibody production in patients with SLE.     

Do anorexics and schizophrenics look alike on the MMPI?—A critique

MMPI data presented by Small, Madero, Gross, Teagno, Leib, and Ebert (1981), contrary to the authors' conclusion, show distinct differences, consistent with the clinical diagnosis in the case of the schizophrenic patients, and suggestive of an affective disorder in the anorexic patients.     

Ketogenic Effects of Multiple Doses of a Medium Chain Triglycerides Enriched Ketogenic Formula in Healthy Men under the Ketogenic Diet: A Randomized,Double-Blinded,Placebo-Controlled Study

Ketogenic diets, which are carbohydrate-restricted high-fat diets, may have therapeutic effects on various diseases, including cancer. However, ketogenic diets are often not standardized and, therefore, results are difficult to interpret. We previously investigated the usefulness of ketogenic diets in cancer therapy, where ketogenic formulas (KF) were used as supplements to enhance blood ketone bodies; however, the amount of KF was determined empirically with reference to blood ketone bodies levels. Here, to determine a standardized optimal amount of KF, we investigated temporal changes in blood ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid (AcAc), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)) and safety in 20 healthy individuals when KF was taken repeatedly under the conditions of a ketogenic diet (UMIN000034216). The diurnal variation in total ketone bodies, and AcAc and BHB levels significantly increased after lunch and after dinner, on the 4th day of KF administration. There were no significant safety issues related to KF in the context of anthropometric, metabolic, nutritional, urological and gastrointestinal parameters. In addition, ketogenic diets lead to changes in gut microbiota. KF showed a decrease in phylum Firmicutes. Our study provides baseline data of the usefulness of KF in a ketogenic diet.     

Role of VIP1/PACAP receptors in postoperative ileus in rats

1. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the enteric nervous system. We investigated the role of VIP₁/PACAP receptors in postoperative ileus in rats.
2. Different degrees of inhibition of the gastrointestinal transit, measured by the migration of Evans blue, were achieved by skin incision, laparotomy or laparotomy plus mechanical stimulation of the gut.
3. The transit after skin incision or laparotomy was not altered by the VIP₁/PACAP receptor antagonist Ac-Hisl,D-Phe², K¹⁵, R¹⁶, VIP(3–7), GRF(8–27)-NH₂ nor by the VIP₁/PACAP receptor agonist K¹⁵, R¹⁶, VIP(1–7), GRF(8–27)-NH₂ and the VIP₂/PACAP receptor agonist RO 25-1553 (5 μg kg⁻¹).
4. However, the transit after laparotomy plus mechanical stimulation was significantly enhanced by the VIP₁/PACAP receptor antagonist, whereas it was further inhibited by the VIP₁/PACAP receptor agonist. The combination of the VIP₁/PACAP receptor agonist and antagonist counteracted the effect of both drugs alone. The VIP₂/PACAP receptor agonist did not alter the effect of the VIP₁/PACAP receptor antagonist.
5. The combination of the VIP₁/PACAP receptor antagonist plus the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-nitroarginine had no effect on the transit after laparotomy plus mechanical stimulation, while the transit after skin incision was significantly decreased.
6. These findings suggest the involvement of VIP₁/PACAP receptors, next to NO, in the pathogenesis of postoperative ileus. However, the combination of the VIP₁/PACAP antagonist and the NO synthase inhibitor abolished the beneficial effect of each drug alone, suggesting the need for one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters to enable normal gastrointestinal transit.

     

Reconstruction of #7 facial cleft with distraction-assisted in situ osteogenesis (DISO): role of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with Helistat-activated collagen implant

A case involving concomitant presentation of a #7 lateral facial cleft with a complete cleft of the ipsilateral lip, alveolus, and palate is presented. The mandibular defect was Pruzansky III with a foreshortened body, absent ramus and absent masseter. Taking advantage of developmental field theory, reconstruction of the osseous defect was undertaken using the autogenous periosteum as a source of mesenchymal stem cells. Expansion of the periosteum was followed by implantation of Helistat (Integra Life Sciences, Plainsboro, NJ) collagen sponge saturated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. Stimulation of this distraction-induced envelope by rhBMP-2 resulted in abundant production of bicortical membranous bone in situ within 12 weeks. The neoramus was subsequently suspended from the cranial base, and a temporalis muscle transfer was used to provide motor control of the jaw. Synthesis of bone in this manner is termed DISO (distraction-assisted in situ osteogenesis). The biologic rationale and clinical implications of DISO are discussed.     

Self-reports of eating quickly are related to a decreased number of chews until first swallow, total number of chews, and total duration of chewing in young people

ObjectiveThe validity of a self-questionnaire about eating quickly remains unclear. If a significant relationship between subjective and objective methods to evaluate eating quickly can be confirmed, then the subjective method can be widely and reliably used in many fields. This study investigated relationships between subjective and objective methods to evaluate eating quickly and also numerically characterized the kinesis of eating quickly in young people.DesignOne hundred and thirteen students (44 males and 69 females; mean age 22.8 ± 2.0 years) were selected. All subjects completed written questionnaires, and number of chews until first swallow, total duration of chewing, number of chews, chewing rate and bite size were measured using test products (a Japanese cracker and rice ball).ResultsBoth male and female subjects who reported eating quickly showed a significantly lower number of chews until first swallow (Japanese cracker), a lower number of chews overall (rice ball), and a shorter total duration of chewing (rice ball) than other subjects. There was no difference in chewing rate between subjects who ate quickly or not.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that using test products, self-reports of eating quickly are related to a decreased number of chews until first swallow, total number of chews, and total duration of chewing, but not chewing rate, and that a self-reported questionnaire to evaluate eating rate is valid in young people.     

Prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria in aggressive periodontitis patients in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is considered a major etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis. Other periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis are also suspected of participating in aggressive periodontitis, although the evidence is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria and to clarify the microbiological features of aggressive periodontitis in Japanese patients. METHODS: Subgingival plaque was collected from 50 aggressive periodontitis (AgP) patients (localized 10, generalized 40). Samples from 35 generalized chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and 18 healthy subjects were examined as controls. Plaque samples were examined using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS: The prevalence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was relatively low in the localized (20%) and generalized (17.5%) AgP patients, with no significant difference observed in detection frequencies between AgP and the control groups (CP 8.6%, healthy 0%). On the other hand, Tannerella forsythensis (formerly Bacteroides forsythus), Campylobacter rectus, P. gingivalis, and Treponema denticola were frequently detected in localized as well as generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. The prevalence and proportion of P. gingivalis correlated with severity of clinical attachment loss in both localized and generalized aggressive periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: T. forsythensis, C. rectus, P. gingivalis, and T. denticola were the predominant periodontopathic bacteria of aggressive periodontitis patients in Japan. Although A. actinomycetem- comitans was also detected in AgP patients, the prevalence of this bacterium was much lower than that of P. gingivalis.