C3H/HeNSlc mouse with low phospholipid transfer protein expression showed dyslipidemia.

High serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase the risk of coronary heart disease in humans. Herein, we first reported that the C3H/HeNSlc (C3H-S) mouse, a C3H/HeN-derived substrain, is a novel model for dyslipidemia. C3H-S showed hypertriglyceridemia and low total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, and phospholipid (PL) concentrations.

Molecular mechanisms of epigenetic variation in plants.

Natural variation is defined as the phenotypic variation caused by spontaneous mutations. In general, mutations are associated with changes of nucleotide sequence, and many mutations in genes that can cause changes in plant development have been identified. Epigenetic change, which does not involve alteration to the nucleotide sequence, can also cause changes in gene activity by changing the structure of chromatin through DNA methylation or histone modifications.

Multiple mechanisms and challenges for the application of allopolyploidy in plants.

An allopolyploid is an individual having two or more complete sets of chromosomes derived from different species. Generation of allopolyploids might be rare because of the need to overcome limitations such as co-existing populations of parental lines, overcoming hybrid incompatibility, gametic non-reduction, and the requirement for chromosome doubling. However, allopolyploids are widely observed among plant species, so allopolyploids have succeeded in overcoming these limitations and may have a selective advantage.

The differential effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers on microalbuminuria in relation to low-grade inflammation in metabolic hypertensive patients.

Background: A dual angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) agonist telmisartan may be more useful for microalbuminuria reduction than ARBs with no PPARgamma agonistic action. We investigated whether there is a difference between the effects of telmisartan and valsartan with respect to microalbuminuria reduction, and the association with improvement of metabolic features or suppression of the inflammatory state.

Methods: Fifty-three patients who had metabolic syndrome and had been taking valsartan were recruited.

[Two cases of classical polyarteritis nodosa associated with MPO-ANCA].

Case 1: An 82 year-old female had a drop-foot, livedo reticularis and paresthesia. MPO-ANCA was positive. Because of developing renal dysfunction, she underwent steroid pulse therapy and dialysis, but died from the complication of congestive heart failure.

[Two autopsy cases of ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis manifested after contrast medium use].

[Case 1]: An 81-year old man was referred to our hospital with dyspnea and bloody sputum. Computed tomography with contrast medium for the evaluation of metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma had been performed 4 months previously. On admission, his serum creatinine and potassium were 15.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis associated with multiple complications: report of 3 cases.

We report 3 patients with alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA). All had a history of excessive intake and abrupt termination of alcohol. They showed tachypnea, tachycardia, abdominal tenderness, and epigastralgia.

Crescentic glomerulonephritis with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody specific for myeloperoxidase associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 41-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with severe uremia, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Emergency hemodialysis with plasmapheresis was started in view of consideration of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which resulted in improvement of renal function and platelet count. Positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody specific for myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA) suggested crescentic glomerulonephritis, which was pathologically evidenced by renal biopsy.