Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy

The androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are essential for a variety of systemic functions in mature males. Alteration of these hormones results in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The fruit bodies of fungi of the genus Cordyceps have been regarded as folk medicine or health food with tonic and antifatigue effects. The extract from the fruit body of Cordyceps militaris parasitizing Samia cynthia ricini (CM) was evaluated as a novel-candidate natural product for ameliorating male andropause symptoms. To explore the effects of CM on LOH and BPH, CM was applied to rat models and cultured testicular cells and prostate cells. The concentrations of androgens in the serum and culture media were determined by ELISA. Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and androgen-related genes was evaluated by qPCR, and prostatic cell proliferation was assessed with the cell-viability assay. CM maintained the serum levels of testosterone and DHT, but inhibited testosterone-induced prostate hypertrophy. CM also increased the secretion of testosterone and DHT by primary testicular cells, with no changes in the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes, but decreased the growth of prostatic cell lines. Our data suggest that CM could improve both LOH and BPH in males.     

A digest of the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology -     

A case of small cerebral cyst and pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 that developed schizophrenia-like psychosis

A case of schizophrenia-like psychosis (psychotic disorder not otherwise specified according to the DSM-IV criteria) with pericentric inversion on chromosome 9 [inv.(9) (p11; q13)] is reported. In this case, a minor brain anomaly, a small cyst in the left subcortex, was observed on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. In the clinical course, prominent chronic hallucinations were observed; however, there was no evidence of the disorganization of personality, delusion, and deterioration in level of functioning that are usually seen in schizophrenia. This case and a review of the literature indicate that the pericentric region of chromosome 9 might be a potential areas of interest for the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. The phenotype-karyotype relationship of pericentric inversion on chromosome 9 and its relationship to psychosis are discussed.     

Activated leucocytes express and secrete macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha upon interaction with synovial fibroblasts of rheumatoid arthritis via a beta2-integrin/ICAM-1 mechanism

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression and regulation of chemotactic factor, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from the synovial fluid (SF) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Monocytes or PMN obtained from RA SF were co-cultured with unstimulated semiconfluent RA FLS. Culture supernatants were assayed for MIP-1alpha by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of MIP-1alpha mRNA and protein was also determined by Northern blot analyss and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: Interaction of activated leucocytes with FLS synergistically increased MIP-1alpha expression and secretion via a mechanism mediated by beta2-integrin/ intercellular adhesion molecule 1. CONCLUSION: MIP-1alpha expression within inflamed joints appears to be regulated not only by inflammatory cytokines but also by the physical interaction of activated leucocytes and FLS, and plays a crucial role in the progression and maintenance of RA synovitis.     

MgH2–CoO: a conversion-type composite electrode for LiBH4-based all-solid-state lithium ion batteries

Several studies have demonstrated that MgH₂ is a promising conversion-type anode toward Li. A major obstacle is the reversible capacity during cycling. Electrochemical co-existence of a mixed metal hydride-oxide conversion type anode is demonstrated for lithium ion batteries using a solid-state electrolyte. 75MgH₂·25CoO anodes are obtained from optimized mixing conditions avoiding reactions occurring during high-energy ball-milling. Electrochemical tests are carried out to investigate the cycling capability and reversibility of the on-going conversion reactions. The cycling led to formation of a single-plateau nanocomposite electrode with higher reversibility yield, lowered discharge–charge hysteresis and mitigated kinetic effect at high C-rate compared to MgH₂ anodes. It is believed that reduced diffusion pathways and less polarized electrodes are the origin of the improved properties. The designed composite-electrode shows good preservation and suitability with LiBH₄ solid electrolyte as revealed from electron microscopy analyses and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The findings point to a means of guided formation of MgH₂–CoO conversion-type nanocomposite electrode for all-solid-state Li-ion batteries.     

Comparison of video-recorded laryngeal movements during swallowing by normal young men with piezoelectric sensor and electromyographic signals

The movement of the larynx in five young men during the swallowing of a liquid was examined by simultaneously recording a video-movie, the trajectory of a piezoelectric sensor, and the surface electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscles (SH). The movies revealed swallowing was associated with four characteristic spatial points of laryngeal movement: (1) a slight movement in the superoposterior direction (1.9 ± 1.2 s; mean ± SD of the time elapsed after the command to swallow was issued); (2) the initiation of anterosuperior elevation (2.3 ± 1.3 s); (3) the turn at the highest position (3.2 ± 1.2 s); and (4) the return to the initial position (4.1 ± 1.4 s). The piezoelectric sensor and the SH electromyogram also detected characteristic temporal points that closely corresponded to the characteristic temporal points captured by the video. The advantages of using movies in swallowing research are discussed.     

Annexin 5 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in pituitary gonadotropes is induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and modulates GnRH stimulation of gonadotropin release.

Our previous studies on annexin 5, a member of the annexin family of proteins, have shown its expression in the anterior pituitary gland, its preferential distribution in gonadotropes, and its increase after ovariectomy. In the present study, we examined (1) whether annexin 5 is synthesized in gonadotropes, (2) whether its expression is under the control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and (3) the effect of annexin 5 on gonadotropin release. Large cells, also called castration cells, appeared in anterior pituitary tissue 3 weeks after ovariectomy. These cells have been confirmed to be hyperfunctioning gonadotropes and are easily discriminated from other pituitary cells without immunostaining. Using in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled ribonucleic acid probe, enhanced expression of annexin 5 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in these gonadotropes was clearly demonstrated. Northern blot analysis showed an increase in the level of annexin 5 mRNA expression 3 weeks after ovariectomy. It was lessened 3 h after the injection of Cetrorelix (GnRH antagonist, 10 microg i.v.). Administration of a GnRH analog [GnRHa; Des-Gly 10 (Pro9) GnRH ethylamide, 0.2 ml of 2.5 microg/ml saline ten times intraperitoneally at 30-min intervals] significantly increased pituitary annexin 5 mRNA. In primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells, recombinant rat annexin 5 stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitant administration of annexin 5 (1 microg/ml) and GnRHa augmented the LH and FSH release induced by GnRHa. After a 1-hour incubation, cycloheximide (10 microg/ml) apparently inhibited the LH response to GnRHa, while annexin 5 (2 microg/ml) moderated this inhibition. Further, the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to annexin 5 mRNA blunted the LH response to GnRHa. It is thus concluded that annexin 5 is synthesized in the gonadotropes under the effect of GnRH, and it is suggested that annexin 5 synthesis mediates at least partly GnRH receptor signaling to stimulate gonadotropin secretion.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of ulcerative colitis

Endoscopic findings of ulcerative colitis are classified into three groups according to the degree of inflammation, i.e. mild, moderate and severe. 1)mild: Edema, erythema, yellow spots, fine granular appearance are conspicuous signs of early disease. The mucosal vascular pattern disappears. 2)moderate: Coarse mucosa with mucous, pus, blood are characteristic findings. Erosions or shallow ulcers are scattered. The erythematous mucosa is friable and bleeds easily. 3)severe: There are deep, widespread ulcers. Marked bleeding is seen from granulation tissue of ulcer base. We remind that inflammation often take a turn for the worse due to endoscopic examination. Total colonoscopy is not always necessary in the cases of ulcerative colitis.     

Efficacy of enteral nutrition in patients with Crohn’s disease on maintenance anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy: a meta-analysis

Enteral nutrition (EN) is effective in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on loss of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody therapy; however, the current level of evidence is not sufficient. The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine whether EN in combination anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy is useful in maintaining remission. PubMed was used to identify all relevant studies. A total of nine articles were identified including one randomized control trial, two prospective cohort studies, and six retrospective cohort studies. We performed a meta-analysis on all these articles to assess the remission maintenance effect of EN (n = 857). The remission or response maintenance effect in the EN group was 203/288 (70.5%), which was higher than 306/569 (53.8%) in the non-EN group. The odds ratio for long-term remission or response using fixed effects model and random effects model were 2.23 (95% CI 1.60–3.10) and 2.19 (95% CI 1.49–3.22), respectively. The usefulness of EN was unclear in two prospective studies that were conducted immediately after remission induction with anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy was detected. Differences in the definition of relapse and the observation period among articles were considered to be limitations. This analysis suggests that EN is effective for maintaining remission in patients already in remission or response as a result of anti-TNF-alpha antibody maintenance therapy.

     

Synchronization of masseter activity patterns between the right and left sides during chewing in healthy young males

Masseter activity patterns during chewing, which were quantitatively assessed using T₅₀ values, were compared between the right and left sides of healthy young males. Surface electromyograms were recorded from both masseters, and each participant was asked to chew four different agar samples at his own pace across two separate sessions. The four agar samples, each possessing differing textural properties, consisted of two normal and two distinctive agar varieties. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated for each pair of T₅₀ values to evaluate the degree of synchronization of activity patterns between both masseters. A three-way analysis of variance revealed significant main effects of the ‘participant’ and ‘experimental session’ factors, but not of the ‘test food’. The number of significant coefficients increased stepwise by increasing the number of chews per sequence. These results suggest the importance of the initial stages of chewing sequences in facilitating the synchronization of bilateral masseter activity patterns.