Chair-Stand Exercise Improves Sarcopenia in Rehabilitation Patients after Stroke

Currently, there is a lack of evidence to show that exercise therapy improves sarcopenia in older patients in clinical practice. We therefore conducted a retrospective cohort study to clarify the effects of chair-stand exercise on improving sarcopenia among patients diagnosed with sarcopenia undergoing convalescent rehabilitation after stroke. According to the latest Asian criteria, sarcopenia was diagnosed when both skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip strength (HGS) were low. Patients were asked to perform a repeated chair-stand exercise as whole-body resistance training, in addition to the rehabilitation program. Outcomes included sarcopenia rates, SMI, HGS, and physical function at hospital discharge. Multivariate analyses were used to examine whether the frequency of daily chair-stand exercise was independently associated with the outcomes after adjustment for potential confounders. After enrollment, 302 patients with sarcopenia (mean age: 78.6 years; 46.4% male) were analyzed. Overall, sarcopenia prevalence decreased by 21.9%, from 100% at admission to 78.1% at discharge. Multivariate analyses showed that the frequency of the exercise was significantly associated with the presence of sarcopenia (odds ratio: 0.986, p = 0.010), SMI (β = 0.181, p < 0.001), and HGS (β = 0.101, p = 0.032) at discharge, respectively. The chair-standing exercise was effective in improving sarcopenia in these patients.     

Elucidation of the reaction mechanism on dry reforming of methane in an electric field by in situ DRIFTs

With increasing expectations for carbon neutrality, dry reforming is anticipated for direct conversion of methane and carbon dioxide: the main components of biogas. We have found that dry reforming of methane in an electric field using a Pt/CeO₂ catalyst proceeds with sufficient rapidity even at a low temperature of about 473 K. The effect of the electric field (EF) on dry reforming was investigated using kinetic analysis, in situ DRIFTs, XPS, and DFT calculation. In situ DRIFTs and XPS measurements indicated that the amount of carbonate, which is an adsorbed species of CO₂, increased with the application of EF. XPS measurements also confirmed the reduction of CeO₂ by the reaction of surface oxygen and CH₄. The reaction between CH₄ molecules and surface oxygen was promoted at the interface between Pt and CeO₂.

In the dry reforming of methane in an electric field, the reaction between CH₄ molecules and surface oxygen was promoted at the interface between Pt and CeO₂.     

Multipeptide precursor structure of acaloleptin A isoforms,antibacterial peptides from the Udo longicorn beetle,Acalolepta luxuriosa

We previously purified acaloleptin A1, A2, and A3, antibacterial peptides that are produced in the larval hemolymph of Acalolepta luxuriosa (Udo longicorn beetle). In this study, we performed cDNA cloning. The cDNA sequence showed a predicted acaloleptin A precursor that consisted of five acaloleptin A isoforms. Four (isoforms 1, 2, 3 and 4) of the five isoforms of the acaloleptin A precursor had high-level sequence identities with each other, but the N-terminal region of isoform 5 differed from those of the other acaloleptin A isoforms. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that acaloleptin A isoforms were mass-produced soon after bacterial inoculation. Finally, we purified isoform 5 from hemolymph of the immunized larvae. Isoform 5, unlike acaloleptin A1, A2 and A3, showed antimicrobial activities against a Gram-positive bacterium, Micrococcus luteus and a fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. These results suggest that the multipeptide structure of the acaloleptin A precursor allows A. luxuriosa high-level production of antibacterial peptides and resistance to a wide range of microorganisms.     

Glucocorticoid hormone regulates the circadian coordination of micro-opioid receptor expression in mouse brainstem

The 24-h variation in glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal cortex is observed not only in nocturnally active rodents but also in diurnally active humans. Although the cyclic change in circulating glucocorticoid levels is thought to influence the efficacy and/or toxicity of many drugs, the mechanism underlying the influence remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the 24-h variation in circulating glucocorticoid levels modulates the analgesic effect of morphine by regulating the expression of the mu-opioid receptor. Significant time-dependent variations in the mRNA levels of the mu-opioid receptor and its binding capacity were observed in mouse brainstem. The analgesic effect of morphine was enhanced by administering the drug when mu-opioid receptor levels were increased. However, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)-deficient mice, disrupting the 24-h rhythm of glucocorticoid secretion, showed no significant time-dependent variation in the expression of the mu-opioid receptor. As a consequence, there was no significant dosing time-dependent difference in the analgesic effect of morphine in CRH-deficient mice. A single administration of corticosterone significantly induced the expression of the mu-opioid receptor in the CRH-deficient mouse brainstem and also enhanced the analgesic effect of morphine. These findings suggest a mechanism underlying the time-dependent variation in mu-opioid receptor function and provide clues to select the most appropriate time of day for administration of morphine.     

In vivo gene transfection via intravitreal injection of cationic liposome/plasmid DNA complexes in rabbits

To optimize the in vivo ocular transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA (pDNA)/cationic liposome complexes, N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA)/dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (1:1 molar ratio) liposomes and DOTMA/cholesterol (Chol) (1:1 molar ratio) liposomes were prepared with varying amounts of pDNA. pDNA/cationic liposome complexes were intravitreally injected (100 microL) in rabbits, and luciferase activity in the cornea, aqueous humor, iris-ciliary body, lens, vitreous body, and retina was measured. Transfection efficiency of pDNA alone did not change with pDNA ranging from 40 to 85 mg. In contrast, transfection efficiency of pDNA complexed with DOTMA/Chol liposomes significantly increased with the amount of pDNA ranging from 40 to 85 microg (P < 0.05). pDNA complexed with DOTMA/DOPE liposomes could not be prepared with pDNA greater than 60 microg. Among these experiments, pDNA (85 microg) complexed with DOTMA/Chol liposomes (pDNA:cationic liposome charge ratio (- : +) = 1.0:2.0) showed the highest transfection efficiency in the ocular tissue and its transfection-mediated luciferase activity peaked at 3 days. Among the ocular tissues, the highest gene expression was observed in the aqueous humor.     

A case of successful management of maternal septic shock with multiple organ failure following amniocentesis at midgestation

Maternal sepsis is an unusual but catastrophic complication of amniocentesis. We report a case of successful treatment of maternal septic shock and multiple organ failure following amniocentesis at midgestation, possibly due to needle puncture of the sigmoid colon, which was tightly adherent to the anterior surface of the pregnant uterus.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of uraemic indoxyl sulphate in rats

The purpose of the present study was to examine the pharmacokinetic properties of indoxyl sulphate, a harmful uraemic toxin that accumulates during chronic renal failure. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of indoxyl sulphate were examined in normal and 5/6 nephrectomized (CRF) rats. The uptake process of indoxyl sulphate by rat renal cortical slices in vitro was also investigated. Endogenous indoxyl sulphate was found to be mainly distributed in the kidney. The rate of elimination of indoxyl sulphate from plasma was lower in CRF rats compared with sham-operated rats. The majority of intact indoxyl sulphate was excreted in the urine. In renal cortical slice experiments, uptake of indoxyl sulphate was a saturable process with a K(m) of 43.0 microm. Furthermore, sulphate conjugates, such as oestrone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, inhibited the uptake of indoxyl sulphate to a greater extent than PAH. Thus, indoxyl sulphate is primarily eliminated from the plasma via the kidney by active tubular secretion, and renal uptake of indoxyl sulphate appears to be mediated by an organic anion transport system with a high affinity for oestrone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate.     

Removal of Toxin (Tetrodotoxin) from Puffer Ovary by Traditional Fermentation

The amounts of puffer toxin (tetrodotoxin, TTX) extracted from the fresh and the traditional Japanese salted and fermented “Nukazuke” and “Kasuzuke” ovaries of Takifugu stictonotus (T. stictonotus) were quantitatively analyzed in the voltage-dependent sodium current (I_Na) recorded from mechanically dissociated single rat hippocampal CA1 neurons. The amount of TTX contained in “Nukazuke” and “Kasuzuke” ovaries decreased to 1/50–1/90 times of that of fresh ovary during a salted and successive fermented period over a few years. The final toxin concentration after fermentation was almost close to the TTX level extracted from T. Rubripes” fresh muscle that is normally eaten. It was concluded that the fermented “Nukazuke” and “Kasuzuke” ovaries of puffer fish T. Stictonotus are safe and harmless as food.