Incidence and growth pattern of simple cysts of the kidney in patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria

BACKGROUND: We examined the incidence and natural history of simple renal cysts found by ultrasonography (US) in patients referred for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. METHODS: Among the 906 patients aged 18-78 years, 743 patients who had undergone US were included in the present study. The natural history of simple renal cysts was investigated in 55 patients who underwent periodical US examinations for more than 3 years. RESULTS: The incidence of simple renal cysts was 4.3% for ages 29 years or younger, 15.3% for ages 30-39, 21.8% for ages 40-49, 23.3% for ages 50-59 and 32.6% for ages 60 years or older; thus the incidence increased in older age groups (P = 0.0005 for men, P = 0.0020 for women). Men tended to have a higher incidence than women. The degree of hematuria did not influence the incidence of renal cysts (P = 0.9044). The annual growth rate of the mean maximum diameter was 4.2% during a 3-year follow-up period in 55 patients and 5.1% during a 6-year follow-up in 31 patients. CONCLUSION: Since the diameter of a renal cyst may increase by 5% annually, the diameter of the cyst may increase by 1.6 times in 10 years. The scheduling of follow-up examinations depends on the size at the time of disclosure, the effects on calyceal systems, or the suspicion of a concurrent malignant disease. However, the most simple renal cysts may be followed-up at an interval of more than 10 years, once a diagnosis has been established.     

Ingestion of High β-Glucan Barley Flour Enhances the Intestinal Immune System of Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Prebiotic Effects

The prebiotic effect of high β-glucan barley (HGB) flour on the innate immune system of high-fat model mice was investigated. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with HGB flour for 90 days. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the cecum and serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in the ileum as well as the composition of the microbiota in the cecum. Concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organic acids were analyzed by GC/MS. Concentrations of sIgA in the cecum and serum were increased in the HGB group compared to the control. Gene expression levels of IL-10 and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) significantly increased in the HGB group. HGB intake increased the bacterial count of microbiota, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Concentrations of propionate and lactate in the cecum were increased in the HGB group, and a positive correlation was found between these organic acids and the IL-10 expression level. Our findings showed that HGB flour enhanced immune function such as IgA secretion and IL-10 expression, even when the immune system was deteriorated by a high-fat diet. Moreover, we found that HGB flour modulated the gut microbiota, which increased the concentration of SCFAs, thereby stimulating the immune system.     

Strain difference in transgene-induced tumorigenesis and suppressive effect of ionizing radiation

Transgenic expression in medaka of the Xiphophorus oncogene xmrk, under a pigment cell specific mitf promoter, induces hyperpigmentation and pigment cell tumors. In this study, we crossed the Hd-rR and HNI inbred strains because complete genome information is readily available for molecular and genetic analysis. We prepared an Hd-rR (p53^+/−, p53^−/−) and Hd-rR HNI hybrid (p53^+/−) fish-based xmrk model system to study the progression of pigment cells from hyperpigmentation to malignant tumors on different genetic backgrounds. In all strains examined, most of the initial hyperpigmentation occurred in the posterior region. On the Hd-rR background, mitf:xmrk-induced tumorigenesis was less frequent in p53^+/− fish than in p53^−/− fish. The incidence of hyperpigmentation was more frequent in Hd-rR/HNI hybrids than in Hd-rR homozygotes; however, the frequency of malignant tumors was low, which suggested the presence of a tumor suppressor in HNI genetic background fish. The effects on tumorigenesis in xmrk-transgenic immature medaka of a single 1.3 Gy irradiation was assessed by quantifying tumor progression over 4 consecutive months. The results demonstrate that irradiation has a different level of suppressive effect on the frequency of hyperpigmentation in purebred Hd-rR compared with hybrids.     

CD98 regulates the phosphorylation of HER2 and a bispecific anti-HER2/CD98 antibody inhibits the growth signal of human breast cancer cells

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family proteins are currently major targets of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against various epithelial cancers. However, the resistance of cancer cells to HER family-targeted therapies, which may be caused by cancer heterogeneity and persistent HER phosphorylation, often reduces overall therapeutic effects. We herein showed that a newly discovered molecular complex between CD98 and HER2 affected HER function and cancer cell growth. The immunoprecipitation of the HER2 or HER3 protein from lysates of SKBR3 breast cancer (BrCa) cells revealed the HER2-CD98 or HER3-CD98 complex. The knockdown of CD98 by small interfering RNAs inhibited the phosphorylation of HER2 in SKBR3 cells. A bispecific antibody (BsAb) that recognized the HER2 and CD98 proteins was constructed from a humanized anti-HER2 (SER4) IgG and an anti-CD98 (HBJ127) single chain variable fragment, and this BsAb significantly inhibited the cell growth of SKBR3 cells. Prior to the inhibition of AKT phosphorylation, BsAb inhibited the phosphorylation of HER2, however, significant inhibition of HER2 phosphorylation was not observed in anti-HER2 pertuzumab, trastuzumab, SER4 or anti-CD98 HBJ127 in SKBR3 cells. The dual targeting of HER2 and CD98 has potential as a new therapeutic strategy for BrCa.     

Relevant factors for arm choice in reaching movement: a scoping review

[Purpose] Arm choice is an unconscious action selection performed in daily life. Even if hemiparetic stroke patients can use their paretic arm, they compensate for their movements with their non-paretic arm, leading to decreased function of their paretic arm. Therefore, we need to encourage stroke patients to actively use their paretic arm. For this purpose, it is imperative to understand the process of selection of the left or right hand by patients. Here, we conducted a scoping review to summarize the findings of previous studies on factors and brain regions related to choice of arm. [Methods] We used PubMed/Medline, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library to obtain research literature according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. [Results] Twenty-five of the 81 articles obtained from the search met the defined criteria. Cost, success, and dominance were investigated as relevant factors for arm choice. We also extracted articles examining the relationship between the posterior parietal and premotor cortex activity and arm choice. [Conclusion] From these results, we considered ways to facilitate the use of the paretic arm, such as the use of virtual reality systems or exoskeletal robots to modulate the reaching cost and success rates, or non-invasive brain stimulation methods to modulate brain activity.     

Dietary Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Induces Satiation by Enhancing the Postprandial Activation of Vagal Afferent Nerves

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is present in the mammalian brain as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and in foods. It is widely used as a supplement that regulates brain function through stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing effects. However, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, as it is reportedly unable to cross the blood–brain barrier. Here, we explored whether a single peroral administration of GABA affects feeding behavior as an evaluation of brain function and the involvement of vagal afferent nerves. Peroral GABA at 20 and 200 mg/kg immediately before refeeding suppressed short-term food intake without aversive behaviors in mice. However, GABA administration 30 min before refeeding demonstrated no effects. A rise in circulating GABA concentrations by the peroral administration of 200 mg/kg GABA was similar to that by the intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg GABA, which did not alter feeding. The feeding suppression by peroral GABA was blunted by the denervation of vagal afferents. Unexpectedly, peroral GABA alone did not alter vagal afferent activities histologically. The coadministration of a liquid diet and GABA potentiated the postprandial activation of vagal afferents, thereby enhancing postprandial satiation. In conclusion, dietary GABA activates vagal afferents in collaboration with meals or meal-evoked factors and regulates brain function including feeding behavior.     

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in individuals with airflow obstruction in a Japanese general population: The Yamagata-Takahata Study

Background

Diabetes has been reported as a comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Western countries, but it has not been demonstrated in epidemiological reports in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the relationship between airflow obstruction and diabetes can be confirmed in a Japanese general population.