ITIH4 and Gpx3 are potential biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is difficult due to lack of definitive biomarkers. Our aim was to identify characteristic serum protein patterns that could provide candidate biomarkers for ALS. We divided mutant superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1)^H46R rats into three groups based on disease progression: pre-symptom (90 days), onset, and end-stage. After separation of serum proteins using two-dimensional electrophoresis, we selected clear protein spots and identified two candidate proteins—inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) and glutathione peroxidase 3 (Gpx3). The 120 kDa ITIH4 increased at the onset of the disease and the 85 kDa ITIH4, a cleaved form, at the end-stage in the sera of the SOD1^H46R rats. Expression of the 85 kDa ITIH4 was substantial in ALS compared with controls or patients with muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer diseases, or Parkinson diseases. The Gpx3 protein levels in the sera of SOD1^H46R rats were upregulated pre-symptom and gradually decreased as the disease progressed. The Gpx3 protein levels were lower in the sera of the patients with ALS than in other diseases. These results indicate that ITIH4 and Gpx3 are potential biomarkers for ALS.     

Effects of life away from home and physical exercise on nutrient intake and blood/serum parameters among girl students in Japan

This study was initiated to examine if the life away from home and participation in sport activities affect nutritional health among girl university students. For this purpose, anthropometric data, peripheral blood and spot urine samples, 24-hour food duplicate samples, and answers to questionnaires were collected from 71 girl students at 19 to 23 years of ages who provided informed consent to participate in the study. Of the 71 participants, 29 and 42 participants lived in their homes or outside, respectively, and 23 subjects participated in sport activities whereas 48 subjects did not. Hematology, serum biochemistry and nutrient intakes were evaluated in comparison with the life conditions (home vs. dormitory, boarding house, etc.) and participation in sport activities. The population studied had insufficient intake of energy, protein, and minerals such as Ca and Fe. Those who lived in home or participated in sport activities took more energy and protein (although not the two minerals) than others. Skipping of breakfast was more common among those who lived away from home and had no sport activity. Thus, two social factors of life in home and participation in sport clubs contribute favorably for better food habits, but not necessarily improved intakes of Ca and Fe.     

RELATION OF CHROMOSOME 4 (LINKAGE GROUP VIII) TO MURINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS-ASSOCIATED ANTIGENS OF AKR MICE

Genes specifying or controlling the expression of G_IX (cell surface), GCSA (cell surface), and gs (internal viral) antigens are located in chromosome 4 (linkage group [LG] VIII) of the AKR mouse. All three antigens may exhibit mendelian inheritance, mice being antigen positive or antigen negative, but each may also appear in leukemic cells of mice whose inherited genotype was antigen negative. The G_IX-determining gene in LG VIII of AKR mice apparently is equivalent to Gv-1, which determines expression of the same antigen in 129 strain mice, but which in the latter strain is located in LG IX. As the estimated distance of Gv-1 from H-2 in 129 mice is considerable (37 units) further tests are now indicated to assess the possibility of pseudolinkage in this case. The Fv-1 locus, also located in LG VIII, influences the mouse's titer of MuLV, and might thereby be thought to regulate the G_IX and gs phenotypes of AKR backcross segregants. But the data indicate a discrete LG VIII locus for G_IX, since expression of this antigen is mendelian and independent of infectious virus titer. Since the G_IX and GCSA phenotypes of AKR backcross segregants were invariably concordant, these two antigens must be specified or controlled by closely linked genes, and the latter also is presumably independent of virus titer. The question as to what extent expression of gs antigen in the segregants is secondary to virus production is undecided.     

Hydroxyapatite Affects the Physicochemical Properties of Contemporary One-Step Self-Etch Adhesives

The study aimed to evaluate the influence of the manipulation surfaces on the physical properties of one-step self-etch adhesives (1-SEAs). Scotchbond Universal (SBU), Clearfil Universal Bond Quick ER (UBQ), and an experimental adhesive (UBQ_exp) were manipulated on different surfaces: manufacturer’s Teflon-based dispensing dish (TD) or hydroxyapatite plate (HA). After manipulation of the adhesives, the pH of each 1-SEA was measured. Samples of each adhesive/manipulation surface were prepared and subjected to water sorption (WS)/solubility (SL) and flexural strength tests. The modulus of elasticity (E) was measured in dry and wet conditions before and after 24 h water storage, and the percentage of variation of E (ΔE) was calculated. Results were analyzed using the t-test with Bonferroni corrections (α = 0.05). When adhesives were manipulated on the HA plate, there was a significant increase in the adhesives’ pH. WS and SL of all 1-SEAs decreased when the HA was used. Only SBU showed higher flexural strength when manipulated on the HA compared to the manipulation on TD under dry and wet conditions. For each 1-SEA, the use of HA resulted in significantly higher E in dry and wet conditions. ΔE of all adhesives was smaller with the manipulation on HA than on TD. It was concluded that the manipulation of 1-SEA on a hydroxyapatite plate considerably affected the adhesives’ properties.     

Reduction of Cardiovascular Events and Related Healthcare Expenditures through Achieving Population-Level Targets of Dietary Salt Intake in Japan: A Simulation Model Based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey

Reducing population dietary salt intake is expected to help prevent cardiovascular disease and thus constrain increasing national healthcare expenditures in Japan’s super-aged society. We aimed to estimate the impact of achieving global and national salt-reduction targets (8, <6, and <5 grams/day) on cardiovascular events and national healthcare spending in Japan. Using published data including mean salt intake and systolic blood pressure from the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Survey, we developed a Markov model of a closed cohort of adults aged 40–79 years in 2019 (n = 66,955,000) transitioning among six health states based on the disease course of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. If mean salt intake were to remain at 2019 levels over 10 years, cumulative incident cases in the cohort would be approximately 2.0 million for IHD and 2.6 million for stroke, costing USD 61.6 billion for IHD and USD 104.6 billion for stroke. Compared with the status quo, reducing mean salt intake towards the targets over 10 years would avert 1–3% of IHD and stroke events and save up to 2% of related national healthcare costs. Attaining dietary salt-reduction goals among adults would yield moderate health economic benefits in Japan.