Functional gastrointestinal disorders in adolescents and quality of school life.

Background And Aim: The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) in adolescents and their relationship to quality of school life (QOSL) are not fully understood. This study investigated the relationship between FGID and QOSL.

Methods: Adolescents (10-17 years) were recruited from 40 schools.

Imaging of acquired cystic disease-associated renal cell carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with perflubutane microbubbles and positron emission tomography-computed tomography.

The preoperative assessment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) complicated with acquired renal cystic disease in a 63-year-old male patient on long-term hemodialysis (30 years and 8 months) that was difficult because of no or poor contrast enhancement by dynamic CT scan is reported. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with perflubutane microbubbles and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) in addition to dynamic CT were effective and useful for preoperative assessment of this patient. The pathological subtype of RCC in this patient was acquired cystic disease-associated RCC (ACD-associated RCC), which has been newly defined by Tickoo et al.

Long-term natural history of acquired cystic disease of the kidney.

Patients with acquired cystic disease of the kidney (ACDK) were followed longitudinally over an average of 21.7 +/- 5.4 years to determine the natural history of the disease; that is, how big the kidneys become, when the kidney size reaches a plateau, and when the size regresses.

[Crohn's disease complicating psoas abscess treated by drainage and infliximab administration].

A 19-year old man was admitted for treatment of a right psoas abscess. He was first diagnosed as Crohn's disease with ileocolitis and fistula, which caused the abscess. Following the drainage of the abscess and conservative treatment including administration of antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition and medication, his symptoms were temporarily improved.

Identification of marker genes for differential diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a clinically defined condition characterized by long-lasting disabling fatigue. Because of the unknown mechanism underlying this syndrome, there still is no specific biomarker for objective assessment of the pathological fatigue. We have compared gene expression profiles in peripheral blood between 11 drug-free patients with CFS and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects using a custom microarray carrying complementary DNA probes for 1,467 stress-responsive genes.

FKBP5, SERT and COMT mRNA expressions in the peripheral leukocytes during menstruation cycle in healthy reproductive females.

There have been several evidences that the mRNA expressions in the peripheral leukocytes may indicate not only physical but also psychological states. The purpose of this study is whether the mRNA expressional changes in the leukocytes are related to the mental states across the menstrual cycle in reproductive healthy female subjects. Thirty-eight female subjects (22.

Physical exercise-associated gene expression signatures in peripheral blood.

Objective: To assess response to physical stress, gene expression profiles in peripheral blood cells were analyzed using an original microarray carrying 1467 stress-responsive complementary DNA probes.

Design: Gene expression was analyzed at 4, 24, and 48 hours after exercising on a cycle ergometer at 60% VO2 max for 1 hour (aerobic exercise) or until exhausted (exhaustive exercise).

Setting: Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School.

Gene expression signature in peripheral blood cells from medical students exposed to chronic psychological stress.

To assess response to chronic psychological stress, gene expression profiles in peripheral blood from 18 medical students confronting license examination were analyzed using an original microarray. Total RNA was collected from each subject 9 months before the examination and mixed to be used as a universal control. At that time, most students had normal scores on the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI).

Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study.

Background: Soft drink consumption may have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD), but studies have shown mixed results. In addition to displacing healthier beverages, colas contain caffeine and phosphoric acid (H3PO4), which may adversely affect bone.

Objective: We hypothesized that consumption of cola is associated with lower BMD.

Immobilization decreases duodenal calcium absorption through a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-dependent pathway.

Immobilization induces significant and progressive bone loss, with an increase in urinary excretion and a decrease in intestinal absorption of calcium. These actions lead to negative calcium balance and the development of disuse osteoporosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of decreased intestinal calcium absorption and to determine the effect of dietary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] and a high-calcium diet on bone loss due to immobilization.

Gene expression and association analysis of LIM (PDLIM5) in major depression.

LIM (PDLIM5) is a small protein that interacts with protein kinase C-epsilon and the N-type calcium channel alpha-1B subunit and modulates neuronal calcium signaling. Recently, the LIM mRNA expression in postmortem brains and immortalized lymphoblastoid cells from mood disorder patients was reported to be changed and seems to be involved in its pathophysiology. We hypothesized that the expression of the LIM mRNA in the native peripheral leukocytes may be a good candidate for the biological marker for mood disorders.

Alternative promoters and renal cell-specific regulation of the mouse type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter gene.

The type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NPT2a) expressed in renal proximal tubules represents an important determinant in maintaining inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis. In the present study, we identified two variant transcripts of the mouse NPT2a gene, Npt2a-v1 and Npt2a-v2, characterized by the presence of alternative first exons (either exon 1A or exon 1B). The chromosomal structure analysis revealed that the Npt2a gene comprises of two promoters (promoters 1 and 2) and 14 exons, and spans approximately 17 kb.

Microarray analysis of stress-related gene expression in patients with Ménière's disease.

We developed an original microarray carrying 1,467 cDNAs of stress-related genes for the assessment of stress responses. In this study, we used microarray analysis to assess the stress-related gene expression profiles in peripheral leukocytes in 2 patients with definite Ménière's disease. In the attack and active phases, mRNA expression levels of 57 genes and 163 genes were either up-regulated more than twofold or down-regulated by less than half in patient 1 and patient 2, respectively.

Assessment of human stress and depression by DNA microarray analysis.

Precise assessment of stress is an imminent issue to deal with stress-related social, medical and psychological problems. Psychological stress is known to stimulate the neuroendocrine, sympathetic nervous, and immune systems. By analyzing mRNA expression levels in leukocytes, which express receptors for hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, cytokines, and other stress related signals, levels of stress may be adequately measured.

Approach to novel functional foods for stress control 2. Microarray assessment of exercise in healthy volunteers.

DNA microarray was used to measure stress response by exercise in peripheral blood leukocytes. Aerobic exercise did not alter mRNA pattern or urinary secretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Strenuous exercise increased urinary secretion of 8-OHdG and altered mRNA pattern in microarray.

Gene expression profiling in peripheral blood leukocytes as a new approach for assessment of human stress response.

Stress is the coordinated physiological processes to maintain a dynamic equilibrium under stressful conditions. The equilibrium is threatened by certain physiological and psychological stressors. Stressors trigger physiological, behavioural, and metabolic responses that are aimed at reinstating homeostasis.

Interferon-gamma activates transcription of NADPH oxidase 1 gene and upregulates production of superoxide anion by human large intestinal epithelial cells.

NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1), a homolog of gp91(phox), is dominantly expressed in large intestinal epithelium, and reactive oxygen species derived from Nox1 are suggested to serve a role in host defense. We report that interferon (IFN)-gamma, a crucial transactivator of the gp91(phox) gene, also stimulates expression of Nox1 mRNA and protein in large intestinal epithelium (T84 cells), leading to fourfold upregulation of superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) generation. Introduction of small interfering Nox1 RNA completely blocked this priming.

Serotonin transporter mRNA expression in peripheral leukocytes of patients with major depression before and after treatment with paroxetine.

Serotonin transporter (5HTT) is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression and the target of antidepressants. We hypothesized that 5HTT mRNA levels in peripheral leukocytes may be associated with depressive states and the therapeutic response to antidepressant treatments. Fifteen patients with major depression and age-, sex-matched control subjects were studied.

Expression analysis of psychological stress-associated genes in peripheral blood leukocytes.

In this study, we have developed a microarray including 1467 cDNAs that were selected to specifically measure stress response in peripheral blood leukocytes. Venous blood was collected from 10 graduate students 2 h before and 2 or 24 h after an open presentation for their Ph.D.

Ecabet sodium inhibits Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NADPH oxidase 1 or apoptosis of guinea pig gastric mucosal cells.

Helicobacter pylori LPS activates a homolog of gp91(phox), NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1), in guinea pig gastric mucosal cells cultured in 10% FBS-containing medium. RT-PCR and Northern hybridization demonstrated that H. pylori LPS stimulated expression of Nox1 and a novel p47(phox) homolog (Noxo1) mRNAs with a peak at 4 h, followed by upregulation of superoxide anion (O2-) generation.

Colestimide can be used as a phosphate binder to treat uraemia in end-stage renal disease patients.

Colestimide is a potent therapeutic compound used widely for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia, and it was discovered coincidentally that it can be used to lower the serum phosphate concentration in cases of secondary hyperparathyroidism with refractory hyperphosphataemia. Colestimide is useful for treating hyperphosphataemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing haemodialysis. Twenty-eight patients who were being treated for hyperphosphataemia with 3.