Inter-Organ Communication Involved in Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis.

Brown and beige adipocytes produce heat from substrates such as fatty acids and glucose. Such heat productions occur in response to various stimuli and are called adaptive non-shivering thermogenesis. This review introduces mechanisms known to regulate brown and beige adipocyte thermogenesis.

The role of progranulin in macrophages of a glioblastoma model.

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM), characterized by astrocytic tumorigenesis, remains one of the most prognostically challenging tumor types. Targeting entire GBM microenvironment using novel therapeutic factors is currently desired investigation approach. In this study, we focused on progranulin (PGRN), a regulator of diverse cellular functions.

A Case of Significant Coagulopathy Due to Vitamin K Deficiency Caused by the Administration of Cefazolin and Rifampicin and Hyponutrition After a Postoperative Infection of the Lumbar Spine.

Postoperative surgical site infection in the lumbar spine is one of the serious complications that sometimes results in death. Herein, we describe a case in which a patient was found to have coagulopathy due to vitamin K deficiency when he was transferred to a hospital for treatment for a postoperative infection of the lumbar spine. The coagulation disorder was caused by antimicrobial agents administered to the patient, who was suffering from hyponutrition.

Mapping protein distribution in the canine photoreceptor sensory cilium and calyceal processes by ultrastructure expansion microscopy.

Photoreceptors are highly polarized sensory neurons, possessing a unique ciliary structure known as the photoreceptor sensory cilium (PSC). Vertebrates have two subtypes of photoreceptors: rods, which are responsible for night vision, and cones, which support daylight vision and color perception. Despite identifying functional and morphological differences between these subtypes, ultrastructural analyses of the PSC molecular architecture in rods and cones are still lacking.

An optimized workflow for transcriptomic analysis from archival paraformaldehyde-fixed retinal tissues collected by laser capture microdissection.

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) coupled with laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a powerful tool for transcriptomic analysis in unfixed fresh-frozen tissues. Fixation of ocular tissues for immunohistochemistry commonly involves the use of paraformaldehyde (PFA) followed by embedding in Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) medium for long-term cryopreservation. However, the quality of RNA derived from such archival PFA-fixed/OCT-embedded samples is often compromised, limiting its suitability for transcriptomic studies.

A pathological study on the efficacy of Syk inhibitors in a Candida albicans-induced aortic root vasculitis murine model.

Background: The activation of innate immunity may be involved in the development of Candida albicans-induced murine vasculitis, which resembles Kawasaki disease (KD) vasculitis. This study aimed to histologically clarify the time course of the development of vasculitis in this model in detail and to estimate the potential role of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitors in KD vasculitis.

Methods And Results: DBA/2 male mice were intraperitoneally injected with a vasculitis-inducing substance and treated with a Syk inhibitor (R788 or GS-9973).

Experimental infection of goats with pVAPN-harboring Rhodococcus equi causes latent infection in the lymph nodes.

Rhodococcus equi has recently been identified in various animals, including ruminants. Several studies have highlighted the emergence of pVAPN-harboring strains, isolated from multiple abscesses, in the liver and lungs of ruminants. Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that pVAPN-harboring strains are pathogenic in ruminants.

Autopsy report of a sudden infant death that was strongly suspicious of Kawasaki disease.

We conducted an autopsy on a 3-month-old boy in whom Kawasaki disease (KD) was strongly suspected based on the autopsy findings. The infant had a fever and was brought to a nearby clinic, where he was prescribed antipyretics and kept under observation. However, 15 days after onset of the fever, he suddenly died in bed.

Relationship among the nursing practice environment, occupational career, and work engagement of Chinese nurses employed in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Work engagement is a positive, fulfilling, work-related state of mind characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption, and it affects the quality of care nurses give. Chinese nurses working in Japan experience differences in nursing practice and difficulties in career development. Therefore, the nursing practice environment and occupational career may affect their work engagement.

Amyand's Hernia diagnosed preoperatively via a CT scan: A case report.

Amyand's hernia is a rare type of inguinal hernia characterized by the presence of the vermiform appendix within the hernia sac. It was named after Claudius Amyand who performed the world's first successful appendectomy on an 11-year-old boy with a right inguinal hernia in 1735 and discovered a herniated appendix during surgery. This condition warrants urgent surgical treatment, with the type of surgical intervention depending on the appendix's condition.

Clinical impact of stellate ganglion phototherapy on ventricular tachycardia storm requiring mechanical circulatory support devices: a case report.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ischaemic heart disease. When pharmacologic therapies, catheter ablation (CA), and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are ineffective, stellate ganglion blockade (SGB), sympathectomy, and renal sympathetic denervation are considered. However, they are invasive for patients with high bleeding risk.

[Canine inherited retinal degeneration as model to study disease mechanisms and therapy for ciliopathies].

Humans have a highly developed retina and obtain approximately 80% of their external information from vision. Photoreceptor cells, which are located in the outermost layer of the neuroretina and recognize light signals, are highly specialized sensory cilia that share structural and functional features with primary cilia. Genetic disorders of the retina or photoreceptor cells are termed inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and are caused by variants in one of more than 280 genes identified to date.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1/5 selective agonist alleviates ocular vascular pathologies.

Ocular abnormal angiogenesis and edema are featured in several ocular diseases. S1P signaling via S1P1 likely is part of the negative feedback mechanism necessary to maintain vascular health. In this study, we conducted pharmacological experiments to determine whether ASP4058, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1/5 (S1P1/5) agonist, is useful in abnormal vascular pathology in the eye.

Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Protein Content and Composition in Japonica Rice Grains: Implications for Sake Quality.

The quantity and composition of rice proteins play a crucial role in determining taste quality of sake, Japanese rice wine. However, the spatial distribution of proteins within rice grains, especially in endosperm tissue, and the differences between rice varieties remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the crude protein contents and composition ratios of table (Nipponbare and Koshihikari) and genuine sake rice varieties (Yamadanishiki, Gohyakumangoku, Dewasansan, Dewanosato, and Yumenokaori) to elucidate their spatial distribution within the Japonica rice grain endosperm.

GFN-xTB-Based Computations Provide Comprehensive Insights into Emulsion Radiation-Induced Graft Polymerization.

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Dr. Ryohei Kakuchi and Ms. Kiho Matsubara at Gunma University, Japan, Prof.

Thirty-year overview of Japanese autopsy cases of Takayasu arteritis - Results of analysis of Japanese autopsy reports.

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyse the trends in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in Japan during three recent decades based on autopsy reports.

Methods: We extracted TAK cases from the Japanese Pathological Autopsy Reports published during three decades (1991-2000, 2001-10, and 2011-20) and compared the data for the number of cases, age, gender, malignant tumour complication rate, and cause of death.

Results: 322 TAK cases were reported during the 30 years.

RNA-based controllers for engineering gene and cell therapies.

Engineered RNA-based genetic controllers provide compact, tunable, post-transcriptional gene regulation. As RNA devices are generally small, these devices are portable to DNA and RNA viral vectors. RNA tools have recently expanded to allow reading and editing of endogenous RNAs for profiling and programming of transcriptional states.

Optogenetic stimulation of vagal nerves for enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and β cell proliferation.

The enhancement of insulin secretion and of the proliferation of pancreatic β cells are promising therapeutic options for diabetes. Signals from the vagal nerve regulate both processes, yet the effectiveness of stimulating the nerve is unclear, owing to a lack of techniques for doing it so selectively and prolongedly. Here we report two optogenetic methods for vagal-nerve stimulation that led to enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and to β cell proliferation in mice expressing choline acetyltransferase-channelrhodopsin 2.

Sunflower cake versus soybean meal and alfalfa for nitrogen utilization when crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrate levels are equivalent.

The reported efficiency of N usage by sunflower cake (SFC) was inferior to that of soybean meal (SBM) in a study in which the non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) content was lower in the SFC diet. Here, we adjusted crude protein (CP) and NFC levels to near-equivalence among three diets containing SFC or SBM for four non-lactating Holstein cows. Alfalfa hay was also added to the comparison.

Pituitary gland agouti-related peptide cells: Novel player controlling glucose metabolism.

The liver synthesizes and releases bile acids into the gut. Bile acids, either directly or indirectly, inhibit agouti-related peptide (AGRP)-B cells in the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. AGRP-B cells are assumed to promote pancreatic insulin secretion and/or to improve insulin sensitivities in insulin sensitive organs, resulting in improved glucose tolerance.

Development of monoclonal antibodies against virulence-associated protein N and their application to pathological diagnosis.

can cause infection in ruminants, and its pathogenicity is suggested to be associated with VapN. Despite its wide distribution, no immunological diagnostic method has been developed for VapN-producing . Against this background, we attempted to develop monoclonal antibodies targeting VapN and assess their application in immunostaining.

Phagocytosis by macrophages promotes pancreatic β cell mass reduction after parturition in mice.

Elucidating the mechanism(s) modulating appropriate tissue size is a critical biological issue. Pancreatic β cells increase during pregnancy via cellular proliferation, but how β cells promptly decrease to the original amount after parturition remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate the role and mechanism of macrophage accumulation in this process.

Molecular characterization of MAP9 in the photoreceptor sensory cilia as a modifier in canine -associated cone-rod dystrophy.

Photoreceptors possess a highly specialized primary cilium containing expanded ciliary membrane discs called the outer segment. The photoreceptor cilium is essential for the maintenance of the outer segment, and pathogenic variants in more than 50 cilia-related genes have been identified as causing non-syndromic inherited retinal diseases in patients. The retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator interacting protein 1 (RPGRIP1) is a structural protein localized to the photoreceptor cilium and biallelic variants have been associated with non-syndromic human inherited retinal diseases.