Unveiling the vitamin E profile in rice bran extracellular vesicles: evaluation of extraction and preparation methods.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale entities secreted by various cells, encapsulating various nucleic acids and proteins that play important roles in cellular activities. Although rice bran is known for its richness in phytochemicals such as tocopherol and tocotrienol, the distribution of these compounds within EVs has not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to detect and analyze the presence of vitamin E in EVs extracted from rice bran.

Divergent mechanisms of reduced growth performance in Betula ermanii saplings from high-altitude and low-latitude range edges.

The reduced growth performance of individuals from range edges is a common phenomenon in various taxa, and considered to be an evolutionary factor that limits the species' range. However, most studies did not distinguish between two mechanisms that can lead to this reduction: genetic load and adaptive selection to harsh conditions. To address this lack of understanding, we investigated the climatic and genetic factors underlying the growth performance of Betula ermanii saplings transplanted from 11 populations including high-altitude edge and low-latitude edge population.

Toceranib phosphate (Palladia) reverses type 1 diabetes by preserving islet function in mice.

In recent years, strategies targeting β-cell protection via autoimmune regulation have been suggested as novel and potent immunotherapeutic interventions against type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Here, we investigated the potential of toceranib (TOC), a receptor-type tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor used in veterinary practice, to ameliorate T1D. TOC reversed streptozotocin-induced T1D and improved the abnormalities in muscle and bone metabolism characteristic of T1D.

Anti-CCR4 treatment depletes regulatory T cells and leads to clinical activity in a canine model of advanced prostate cancer.

Background: Targeting regulatory T cell (Treg) infiltration is an emerging strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, its efficacy in advanced prostate cancer remains unclear. Here, we showed the therapeutic efficacy of anti-Treg treatment in a canine model of advanced prostate cancer.

Lapatinib as first-line treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma in dogs.

Epidermal growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (EGFR and HER2) are frequently overexpressed in various malignancies. Lapatinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits both EGFR and HER2. Although a phase III trial failed to show the survival benefits of lapatinib treatment after first-line chemotherapy in patients with EGFR/HER2-positive metastatic urothelial carcinoma, the efficacy of lapatinib for untreated urothelial carcinoma is not well defined.

Dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates following a full masting event reveal a role for stored starch in relation to reproduction in .

Although mature trees have substantial non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) storage that is well documented with respect to its capacity to buffer the asynchrony of supply and demand at the whole-plant level, its role in reproduction remains poorly understood, especially in mast seeding species. In order to elucidate whether masting depletes the whole-tree NSC storage pool, seasonal and inter-annual variations in starch and soluble sugar (SS) concentrations in branchlets, stems and coarse roots of were measured in two stands over 5 years after a full masting event. Full masting reduced individual storage pools to 72% and 49% of the maxima in the two stands; this was observed 2-3 years after full masting.

Expression analysis of protease-activated receptor-2 in cats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common disease in geriatric cats. Despite its high prevalence, the pathogenesis of feline CKD is poorly understood. Recently, there has been increasing evidence for the role of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) in the progression of CKD in humans and rodents.

A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Study of Beraprost Sodium Treatment for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common progressive and irreversible disease in cats. The efficacy and safety of beraprost sodium (BPS) in cats with CKD have not been evaluated.

Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPS in the treatment of cats with CKD, as compared to placebo.

Estimation of the Number of Quantum Dots Immobilized on an Ultra-flat Au Surface.

Quantum dots (QDs) were immobilized on an ultra-flat Au surface by using amide binding between the carboxyl groups on the QDs and the amino groups of the self-assembled monolayer on the surface. The number density of the QDs estimated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) agreed with the quantity of QDs estimated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. QDs were also immobilized on dot patterns fabricated by e-beam lithography.

A Retrospective Study on the Effectiveness of Switching to Oral Methadone for Relieving Severe Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain and Limiting Adjuvant Analgesic Use in Japan.

Background: Cancer-related neuropathic pain is resistant to treatment with multiple medications and results in reduced patient quality of life.

Objective: The aim was to find a new curative to treat neuropathic pain without using adjuvant analgesics.

Design: This was a retrospective study that used the FACES Pain Scale (FPS) to measure pain intensity and pain relief.

A meta-analysis of leaf nitrogen distribution within plant canopies.

Background And Aims: Leaf nitrogen distribution in the plant canopy is an important determinant for canopy photosynthesis. Although the gradient of leaf nitrogen is formed along light gradients in the canopy, its quantitative variations among species and environmental responses remain unknown. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis of leaf nitrogen distribution in plant canopies.

High CO2 concentration increases relative leaf carbon gain under dynamic light in Dipterocarpus sublamellatus seedlings in a tropical rain forest, Malaysia.

Understory plants in tropical forests often experience a low-light environment combined with high CO2 concentration. We hypothesized that the high CO2 concentration may compensate for leaf carbon loss caused by the low light, through increasing light-use efficiency of both steady-state and dynamic photosynthetic properties. To test the hypothesis, we examined CO2 gas exchange in response to an artificial lightfleck in Dipterocarpus sublamellatus Foxw.

Preferential gene transcription of T helper 2 cytokines in peripheral CCR4(+) CD4(+) lymphocytes in dogs.

Background: Previous studies reported the involvement of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)-positive CD4(+) cells in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis. In humans, CCR4 is selectively expressed on type 2 helper T (Th2) cells; however, a subset of canine CCR4(+) helper T cells has not been determined.

Hypothesis/objectives: To characterize the transcription profile of CCR4(+) CD4(+) lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy dogs.

Nitrogen storage dynamics are affected by masting events in Fagus crenata.

It is generally assumed that the production of a large crop of seeds depletes stores of resources and that these take more than 1 year to replenish; this is accepted, theoretically, as the proximate mechanism of mast seeding (resource budget model). However, direct evidence of resource depletion in masting trees is very rare. Here, we trace seasonal and inter-annual variations in nitrogen (N) concentration and estimate the N storage pool of individuals after full masting of Fagus crenata in two stands.

Transcription profile of chemokine receptors, cytokines and cytotoxic markers in peripheral blood of dogs with epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma.

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of canine epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma, which is characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic CD8(+) T cells. Given that multifocal skin lesions are commonly seen in MF, neoplastic lymphocytes may actively migrate into the blood circulation.

Hypothesis/objectives: Cytotoxic T cells with a skin-homing phenotype could be increased in the blood circulation of dogs with MF.

DDX6 post-transcriptionally down-regulates miR-143/145 expression through host gene NCR143/145 in cancer cells.

In various human malignancies, widespread dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression is reported to occur and affects various cell growth programs. Recent studies suggest that the expression levels of miRNAs that act as tumor suppressors are frequently reduced in cancers because of chromosome deletions, epigenetical changes, aberrant transcription, and disturbances in miRNA processing. MiR-143 and -145 are well-recognized miRNAs that are highly expressed in several tissues, but down-regulated in most types of cancers.

Involvement of nuclear factor of activated T cells in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease.

Background: A previous study demonstrated that the cysteine protease of Dermatophagoides farinae induced production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a canine epidermal keratinocyte progenitor cell line (CPEK); however, the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated.

Hypothesis/objectives: Given that the transcription of GM-CSF mRNA in human lymphocytes is mainly regulated by the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), it is hypothesized that NFAT also contributes to GM-CSF production in canine keratinocytes stimulated with a cysteine protease.

Methods: Nuclear translocation of NFAT was evaluated in CPEK cells in the absence or presence of the cysteine protease papain.

Molecular hydrogen attenuates fatty acid uptake and lipid accumulation through downregulating CD36 expression in HepG2 cells.

Background: There is accumulating evidence that obesity is closely associated with an impaired free fatty acid metabolism as well as with insulin resistance and inflammation. Excessive fatty acid uptake mediated by fatty acid translocase CD36 plays an important role in hepatic steatosis. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and improve lipid, glucose and energy metabolism in patients and animal models of hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Hesperetin upregulates ABCA1 expression and promotes cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages.

ABCA1, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, regulates high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and cholesterol transport. Its expression is upregulated mainly by the activation of the liver X receptor (LXR). Since ABCA1 plays a pivotal role in cholesterol and HDL metabolism, identification of a compound capable of increasing its expression may be beneficial for the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis.

Ethanolic extracts of Brazilian red propolis increase ABCA1 expression and promote cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages.

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a membrane transporter that directly contributes to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis by regulating the cellular efflux of cholesterol. Since ABCA1 plays a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis and HDL metabolism, identification of a novel substance that is capable of increasing its expression would be beneficial for the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we studied the effects of ethanolic extracts of Brazilian red propolis (EERP) on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages.