Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) through inhibiting interaction with prohibitins.

5'-Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a potential therapeutic target for various medical conditions. We here identify a small-molecule compound (RX-375) that activates AMPK and inhibits fatty acid synthesis in cultured human hepatocytes. RX-375 does not bind to AMPK but interacts with prohibitins (PHB1 and PHB2), which were found to form a complex with AMPK.

Patient-Centered Care Could Improve Quality of Life and Survival of Dialysis Patients: Dialysis Prescription and Daily Practice.

We now face a paradigm shift in clinical practice and research of dialysis from evidence-based medicine outcomes to patient-reported outcomes (PROs). It is imperative to establish a daily practice pattern based on the PROs, namely "patient-centered dialysis care." In 2005, we introduced the concept of "patient-oriented dialysis," which includes two fundamental components; adjustment of the dialysis prescription according to the PROs and nutritional intervention based on the global nutritional assessment.

Clinical impact of patient-centered care for hemodialysis patients using routine assessment of symptom burden.

The study aimed to verify the impact of our clinical strategy, which emphasizes patient-centered care, based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) results in hemodialysis patients. We developed our original PROM (comprising 20 items) to assess patients' symptom burden. To confirm the validity of our clinical pattern, we performed various analyses using PROM data.

Development of a rice herbicide, fenoxasulfone.

Fenoxasulfone is a novel rice herbicide that was discovered and developed by Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. It displays excellent herbicidal activity against spp.

Metabolic switching of sake yeast by kimoto lactic acid bacteria through the [GAR] non-genetic element.

In traditional kimoto-type sake production, cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae sake yeast are grown in a starter mash generated by lactate fermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus sakei. However, the microbial interactions between sake yeast and kimoto LAB have not been well analyzed. Since the formation of a prion-like element (designated [GAR]) in yeast cells is promoted by bacteria, we here examined the associated phenotype (i.

Emu Oil Reduces LPS-Induced Production of Nitric Oxide and TNF-α but not Phagocytosis in RAW 264 Macrophages.

Emu is the second-largest extant bird native to Australia. Emu oil, obtained from the emu's fat deposits, is used as an ingredient in cosmetic skincare products. Emu oil has been reported to improve several inflammatory symptoms; however, the mechanisms of these anti-inflammatory effects are largely unknown.

Bimetallic M/N/C catalysts prepared from π-expanded metal salen precursors toward an efficient oxygen reduction reaction.

Nonprecious metal electrocatalysts are being explored as alternatives to platinum-group metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) which is required for cathode materials in fuel cells. Herein, we describe a new method for preparing bimetallic nitrogen-containing carbon catalysts with high ORR activity using π-expanded M(salen) precursors. The M/N/C and bimetallic FeM/N/C ORR catalysts were obtained by pyrolysis of a mixture of a carbon support (Vulcan XC-72R) and the metal complex as a precursor.

Safety data on single application of emu and macadamia nut oil on human skin.

This data article provides the results of skin sensitization testing for emu and macadamia nut oil on 20 participants (ages 22-59 years old), including 3 men and 17 women. The test was carried out by performing a standard patch test using a Finn Chamber on Scanpor tape. The oils were applied to the participant's back using the tape and left in place for 24 h.

Ecological distribution of extremely thermophilic bacteria belonging to the genus Calditerricola using the novel enrichment MPN-PCR method.

A unique compost called Satsuma soil is produced from sewage sludge by a hyperthermal composting process in Kagoshima City, Japan. The composting process is carried out at a controlled temperature of at least 80°C and the resulting compost might be useful for recycling sustainable agricultural products. The extremely thermophilic bacterial genus Calditerricola was initially isolated from the high-temperature compost.

Data on melanin production in B16F1 melanoma cells in the presence of emu oil.

Here, we present data on the effects of emu oil, obtained from emu () fat deposits, on melanogenesis in B16F1 murine melanoma cells. The cells were cultured in media containing different concentrations of emu oil, and the melanin content of these cells was measured using a microplate reader. Next, melanin content was measured for cells cultured with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of 3-{[(hetero)aryl]methanesulfonyl}-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole derivative; Discovery of the novel pre-emergence herbicide pyroxasulfone.

Thiocarbamate sulfoxides, which are the active forms of thiocarbamate herbicides, are quickly conjugated with glutathione and decomposed in soil. To achieve more potent and stable herbicidal activity, we previously developed a 5-{[(2,6-difluorophenyl)methoxy]methyl}-5-methyl derivative, which has a 4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole ring in place of the thiocarbamate to prevent conjugation and decomposition. Although the derivative showed pre-emergence herbicidal activity under flooded conditions, it displayed no herbicidal activity under upland conditions.

Data describing inhibitory profiles of sugars against hemagglutination by the botulinum toxin complex of serotypes C and D.

Serotype C and D of produce botulinum toxin complex (TC), which is comprised of botulinum neurotoxin, nontoxic nonhemagglutinin, and hemagglutinins (HAs). The TC is capable of aggregating equine erythrocytes via interaction between one of the HAs, namely HA-33, and sugar chains on the cell surface. This hemagglutination is inhibited by specific sugars.

Chronic hemodialysis patients without marked elevation of intact parathyroid hormone are also good candidates for early intervention with cinacalcet.

Management of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism is crucial in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Cinacalcet is usually used for chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) patients with elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. However, a certain number of CKD-MBD patients have normal iPTH levels and are not subjected to cinacalcet therapy.

A novel JNK2/SREBP-1c pathway involved in insulin-induced fatty acid synthesis in human adipocytes.

Insulin plays important roles in apoptosis and lipid droplet (LD) formation, and it is one of the determinants involved in increasing fat mass. However, the mechanisms underlying insulin-induced enlargement of fat mass remain unclear. Our previous study suggested that insulin-induced increases in LDs are related to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)2-mediated upregulation of cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector (CIDE)C in human adipocytes.

A founder haplotype of APOE-Sendai mutation associated with lipoprotein glomerulopathy.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a hereditary disease characterized by lipoprotein thrombi in the glomerulus, hyperlipoproteinemia, and a marked increase in serum apolipoprotein E (APOE). More than 12 APOE mutations have been identified as causes of LPG, and APOE-Sendai (Arg145Pro) mutation was frequently detected in patients from the eastern part of Japan including Yamagata prefecture. Recently, effective therapy with intensive lipid-lowering agents was established, and epidemiologic data are required for early diagnosis.

Comparison of Mortality between Japanese Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients: A 5-Year Multicenter Follow-Up Study.

To examine the relationship between dialysis modality and prognosis in Japanese patients, we conducted a prospective multicenter observational study. We recruited 83 background-matched peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 83 hemodialysis (HD) patients (average age, 64.9 years; men, 53.

Suppression of FoxO1/cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor α-like effector A (Cidea) axis protects mouse β-cells against palmitic acid-induced apoptosis.

Chronic exposure to free fatty acid (FFA) induces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis, which may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor α-like effector (CIDE) family is involved in type 2 diabetes with obesity. In the present study, we found that only apoptosis-inducing FFA upregulated Cidea, and both apoptosis and Cidea were upregulated most strongly by palmitic acid, suggesting that the expression of Cidea is positively correlated with apoptosis.

Differential regulation of CIDEA and CIDEC expression by insulin via Akt1/2- and JNK2-dependent pathways in human adipocytes.

Both insulin and the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector (CIDE) family play important roles in apoptosis and lipid droplet formation. Previously, we reported that CIDEA and CIDEC are differentially regulated by insulin and contribute separately to insulin-induced anti-apoptosis and lipid droplet formation in human adipocytes. However, the upstream signals of CIDE proteins remain unclear.

Unsaturated FAs prevent palmitate-induced LOX-1 induction via inhibition of ER stress in macrophages.

Palmitic acid (PA) upregulates oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), a scavenger receptor responsible for uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and enhances oxLDL uptake in macrophages. However, the precise underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. PA is known to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in various cell types.

Differential roles of CIDEA and CIDEC in insulin-induced anti-apoptosis and lipid droplet formation in human adipocytes.

Both insulin and the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-alpha-like effector (CIDE) family play important roles in apoptosis and lipid droplet formation. However, regulation of the CIDE family by insulin and the contribution of the CIDE family to insulin actions remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether insulin regulates expression of the CIDE family and which subtypes contribute to insulin-induced anti-apoptosis and lipid droplet formation in human adipocytes.

Anti-apoptotic action of Wnt5a in dermal fibroblasts is mediated by the PKA signaling pathways.

Wnts are secreted glycoproteins that control diverse biological processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We here found that Wnt5a inhibited apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in primary-cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Anti-apoptotic activity of Wnt5a was not inhibited by a dickkopf-1 (DKK), which blocks the canonical Wnt pathway.

Antidepressant-like effect of Cordyceps sinensis in the mouse tail suspension test.

Cordyceps sinensis (CS) has been known as a component of traditional medicines that elicit various biological effects such as anti-fatigue, immunomodulatory, and hypoglycemic actions. Since it has been well-established that fatigue is closely related to depression, we used the tail suspension test (TST) in mice to examine the antidepressant-like effects of hot water extract (HWCS) and supercritical fluid extract (SCCS) of CS. Immobility time in the TST was reduced by administration of SCCS (2.

Wnt5a promotes adhesion of human dermal fibroblasts by triggering a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt signal.

Frizzled-3 (Fzd3), highly expressed in both the central nervous system (CNS) and skin, plays essential roles in axonal growth and guidance during the CNS development and may be involved in maintenance of skin integrity, although its ligand remains undetermined. In this study, we demonstrate that Wnt5a specifically binds to Fzd3 in vitro and triggers phosphorylation of Akt mediated by phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), but not that of ERK or protein kinase C, in human primary-cultured dermal fibroblasts. We have further found that such Wnt5a/Fzd3-triggered activation of the PI3K/Akt signal promotes integrin-mediated adhesion of human dermal fibroblasts to collagen I-coated dishes.

Chronic vitamin D3 treatment protects against neurotoxicity by glutamate in association with upregulation of vitamin D receptor mRNA expression in cultured rat cortical neurons.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is believed to mediate different biologic actions of vitamin D3, an active metabolite of vitamin D, through regulation of gene expression after binding to specific DNA-response element (VDRE) on target genes. To further understand roles of both vitamin D3 and VDR in the central nervous system, we examined VDRE binding in nuclear extracts prepared from discrete rat brain regions and cultured rat cortical neurons by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The highest activity of VDRE binding was found in the cerebellum among other brain regions examined, but sequence specific by taking into consideration the efficient competition with excess unlabeled VDRE but not with mutated VDRE.

[In vitro susceptibilites to levofloxacin and various antibacterial agents of 11,475 clinical isolates obtained from 52 centers in 2002].

The susceptibilities of bacteria to fluoroquinolones (FQs), especially levofloxacin, and other antimicrobial agents were investigated using 11,475 clinical isolates collected in Japan during 2002. Methicillin susceptible staphylococci, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, the family of Enterobactericeae, Haemophilus influenzae and Acinetobacter spp. exhibited stable and high susceptibilities to FQs.