Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Philippine native pigs highlight five priority populations for conservation.

The Philippine native pig (PhNP) is a unique genetic resource composed of multiple domesticated lineages and interspecific hybrids. No prior study has determined the population structure and genetic diversity of PhNPs on multiple islands and provinces, which is essential for establishing conservation priorities. In this study, we explore the population structure and genetic diversity of various PhNP populations in Luzon and the Visayas, Philippines, to identify conservation priorities.

CD163+ M2 Macrophages Promote Fibrosis in IgG4-Related Disease Via Toll-like Receptor 7/Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 4/NF-κB Signaling.

Objective: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibro-inflammatory condition that can affect multiple organs. We previously demonstrated that TLR7-transgenic C57BL/6 mice showed elevated serum IgG1 levels and inflammation with fibrosis in the salivary glands (SGs), lungs, and pancreas. Moreover, we observed extensive Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7)-positive CD163+ M2 macrophage infiltration in SGs from IgG4-RD patients.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration in Healthy Older Japanese Volunteers.

The concentration of cerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) is important for the diagnosis of neurological emergencies. Recently, some Western studies have shown that the current upper reference limit of CSF-TP is quite low for older patients. However, little is reported about the concentration of CSF-TP in the older Asian population.

Dinuclear Triple-Stranded Helicates Composed of Tetradentate Ligands with Aluminum(III) Chromophores: Optical Resolution and Multi-color Circularly Polarized Luminescence Properties.

New chiroptical chromophores, dinuclear triple-stranded helicates, composed of tetradentate ligands with aluminum(III) ions, are described. These are synthesized in two steps using inexpensive pyrrole derivatives, hydrazine, and aluminum chloride. These molecular architectures (ALPHY) show multi-color (cyan, yellow, and orange) photoluminescence in solution and in the solid-state, which depends on the substituents of the ligands.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of maxacalcitol in healthy Taiwanese and Japanese subjects.

Pharmacokinetic studies of maxacalcitol in healthy Taiwanese subjects have been conducted. This study to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of maxacalcitol in healthy Taiwanese and Japanese subjects. Healthy male Taiwanese subjects (n = 24) and healthy male Japanese subjects (n = 24) were enrolled in separate single-center and received a single intravenous dose of 1.

Remission Effects of Dietary Soybean Isoflavones on DSS-Induced Murine Colitis and an LPS-Activated Macrophage Cell Line.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, although the exact causes of IBD remain unknown. Present treatments for IBDs have poor tolerability and insufficient therapeutic efficacy, thus, alternative therapeutic approaches are required. Soybean-derived isoflavones have multiple bioactivities such as anti-inflammation.

Activated M2 Macrophages Contribute to the Pathogenesis of IgG4-Related Disease via Toll-like Receptor 7/Interleukin-33 Signaling.

Objective: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a unique inflammatory disorder in which Th2 cytokines promote IgG4 production. In addition, recent studies have implicated the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway. This study was undertaken to examine the expression of TLRs in salivary glands (SGs) from patients with IgG4-RD.

Cytidine deaminase enables Toll-like receptor 8 activation by cytidine or its analogs.

Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), a sensor for pathogen-derived single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), binds to uridine (Uri) and ssRNA to induce defense responses. We here show that cytidine (Cyd) with ssRNA also activated TLR8 in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and a myeloid cell line U937, but not in an embryonic kidney cell line 293T. Cyd deaminase (CDA), an enzyme highly expressed in leukocytes, deaminates Cyd to Uri.

Vestibular Impairment in Frontotemporal Dementia Syndrome.

Background: No studies to date have attempted to evaluate frontotemporal lobar degeneration from the perspective of the vestibular system.

Objective: The present study examined vestibular function in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) clinical syndrome and evaluated whether vestibular disorders are involved in the clinical symptoms due to FTD.

Methods: Fourteen patients with FTD syndrome, as well as healthy elderly controls without dementia, were included in the present study.

Galactorrhea in a Patient With Aquaporin-4 Antibody-positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

This is the first report of a case of galactorrhea in a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) diagnosed on the basis of antiaquaporin-4 antibody seropositivity. The hypothalamus is becoming known as an area highly expressing aquaporin-4 and frequently involved in intracranial lesions of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We reviewed cases of hypothalamic endocrinopathy among patients with NMO, NMOSD, and the Japanese opticospinal form of MS.

Potential role for S100A4 in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier in collagen-induced arthritic mice, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of the joints. RA has been shown to increase the morbidity of and mortality due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We recently reported that cerebrovascular permeability was increased in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of RA.

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier in collagen-induced arthritic mice.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at higher risk of developing pathological cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events than non-RA subjects. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is involved in the induction of cardiovascular events and this process is also observed in patients with RA. Endothelial dysfunction impairs the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB); this phenomenon also underlies brain damage in cerebrovascular diseases.

Surveys on the prevalence of pediatric bronchial asthma in Japan: a comparison between the 1982, 1992, and 2002 surveys conducted in the same region using the same methodology.

Background: We conducted and reported the first (1982; 55,388 subjects), and second (1992; 45,674 subjects), epidemiological surveys conducted on bronchial asthma in elementary students across 11 prefectures in western Japan. The 2 surveys were conducted in the same regions using the same methodology employing a modified Japanese version of the American Thoracic Society-Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) Epidemiology Questionnaire. We conducted the third survey in 2002, and compared the findings to those of previous studies.

Internet survey of childhood asthma and use of inhaled therapy in the home in Japan.

Background: The aim of the present study is to undertake a survey of childhood asthma and details of the use of inhaled therapy from mothers with asthmatic children
Methods: This study was done on a nationwide scale in Japan during the latter half of July 2001.

Results: Responses were obtained from 748 mothers.

Ectoine alters subcellular localization of inclusions and reduces apoptotic cell death induced by the truncated Machado-Joseph disease gene product with an expanded polyglutamine stretch.

Protein misfolding is considered a key event in the pathogenesis of polyglutamine disease such as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). Overexpression of chaperone proteins and the application of chemical chaperones are reported to suppress polyglutamine induced cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. The effects of compatible solutes, which are osmoprotectants in bacteria and possess the action in stabilizing proteins under stress, have not, to our knowledge, been studied.

Early vestibular dysfunction in Machado-Joseph disease detected by caloric test.

The selective vulnerability of distinct neuronal structures is a major feature of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3). Vestibular dysfunction is known to be a symptom of MJD, but little is known about precisely when the vestibular system becomes impaired. Using a caloric test, we evaluated vestibular function in 2 MJD patients.

A survey on awareness and utilization of new asthma management guidelines in Japan.

The present questionnaire survey, designed to interview Japanese internists and pediatricians who were specialists or nonspecialists in allergy or asthma, was conducted to determine the acceptance of "Asthma Prevention and Management Guidelines 1998" 1 year after release. The surveyor visited each physician and used the questionnaire form at the interview. Replies were obtained from a total of 5,963 physicians.

[A case of sensory perineuritis with Bowen disease].

A 60-year-old man was admitted because of subacutely progressive sensory disturbance characterized by fluctuating dysesthesia and light pain on the skin of his hands and feet. He exhibited mononeuritis multiplex, and a plaque with sloughing was observed on the left side of his back. Sural nerve biopsy revealed marked thickening of the perineurium with vascularization, and no necrotizing vasculitis.

The combination of nebulized sodium cromoglycate and salbutamol in the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in children.

The aim of this multi-centre prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the combination of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) and salbutamol (administered as a nebulized solution), compared to SCG alone and salbutamol alone, in the management of severe, intractable asthma in childhood. The study was an open, randomized, cross-over trial of 12 weeks' duration in children with moderate-to-severe intractable asthma. All treatments were administered twice daily by powered nebulizer.