Does cardiorespiratory fitness modify the association between birth weight and insulin resistance in adult life?

Objective: Lower birth weight is associated with higher insulin resistance in later life. The aim of this study was to determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the association of birth weight with insulin resistance in adults.

Methods: The subjects were 379 Japanese individuals (137 males, 242 females) aged 20-64 years born after 1943.

Food intake and the risk of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma in Japanese women.

The present study examined the association between food intake and endometrial cancer restricted to endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA) using a case-control study in Japanese women. One hundred sixty-one cases and 380 controls who completed a questionnaire regarding demographic, lifestyle, and food frequency questionnaire were analyzed. Odds ratio (OR) between selected food intakes and EEA were calculated by logistic regression analysis.

Cellular auxin homeostasis under high temperature is regulated through a sorting NEXIN1-dependent endosomal trafficking pathway.

High-temperature-mediated adaptation in plant architecture is linked to the increased synthesis of the phytohormone auxin, which alters cellular auxin homeostasis. The auxin gradient, modulated by cellular auxin homeostasis, plays an important role in regulating the developmental fate of plant organs. Although the signaling mechanism that integrates auxin and high temperature is relatively well understood, the cellular auxin homeostasis mechanism under high temperature is largely unknown.

Long-term biopersistence of tangled oxidized carbon nanotubes inside and outside macrophages in rat subcutaneous tissue.

Because of their mechanical strength, chemical stability, and low molecular weight, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive biological implant materials. Biomaterials are typically implanted into subcutaneous tissue or bone; however, the long-term biopersistence of CNTs in these tissues is unknown. Here, tangled oxidized multi-walled CNTs (t-ox-MWCNTs) were implanted into rat subcutaneous tissues and structural changes in the t-ox-MWCNTs located inside and outside of macrophages were studied for 2 years post-implantation.

Increase in tetrahydrobiopterin concentration with aging in the cerebral cortex of the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 strain caused by abnormal regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis.

6R-L-Erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and is a risk factor for cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Previous studies have shown that the decline in TH activity in the cerebral cortex of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) mice is caused, at least in part, by a decrease in Fe, ferritin, and TH phosphorylation. We determined the concentrations of BH4 and the enzymes GTP cyclohydrolase-1,6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase and sepiapterin reductase (SPR) in the de novo pathway of BH4 biosynthesis.

Acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying (ASOR) anion channels in human epithelial cells are highly sensitive to temperature and independent of ClC-3.

A novel type of anion channel activated by extracellular acidification, called acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying (ASOR) anion channel, was shown to be involved in acidotoxic necrotic death in human epithelial cells. However, its biophysical property and molecular identity have remained elusive. In human epithelial HeLa cells, here, whole-cell currents of ASOR anion channel were found to be augmented by warm temperature, with a threshold temperature of 32 °C.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the Cmr2-Cmr3 subcomplex in the CRISPR-Cas RNA-silencing effector complex.

Clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci, found in prokaryotes, are transcribed to produce CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). The Cmr proteins (Cmr1-6) and crRNA form a ribonucleoprotein complex that degrades target RNAs derived from invading genetic elements. Cmr2dHD, a Cmr2 variant lacking the N-terminal putative HD nuclease domain, and Cmr3 were co-expressed in Escherichia coli cells and co-purified as a complex.

Crystal structure of the Cmr2-Cmr3 subcomplex in the CRISPR-Cas RNA silencing effector complex.

Clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci found in prokaryotes are transcribed to produce CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that, together with CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, target and degrade invading genetic materials. Cmr proteins (Cmr1-6) and crRNA form a sequence-specific RNA silencing effector complex. Here, we report the crystal structures of the Pyrococcus furiosus Cmr2-Cmr3 subcomplex bound with nucleotides (3'-AMP or ATP).

Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) expression in alveolar macrophages in COPD.

Background: Marked accumulation of alveolar macrophages (AM) conferred by apoptosis resistance has been implicated in pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM), has been shown to be produced by mature tissue macrophages and AIM demonstrates anti-apoptotic property against multiple apoptosis-inducing stimuli. Accordingly, we attempt to determine if AIM is expressed in AM and whether AIM is involved in the regulation of apoptosis in the setting of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure.

Targeting TRPs in neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present a significant medical challenge in the modern world. Recent evidence indicates that perturbation of neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative disorders. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are non-selective cation channels that are expressed in various cell types and tissues, and play an important role in regulating Ca2+ signaling in both non-neuronal and neuronal cells.

TRP channels as sensors of oxygen availability.

An ability to adapt to changes in oxygen availability is essential for survival in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Recently, cation channels encoded by the transient receptor potential (trp) gene superfamily have been recognized as multimodal sensors of a wide variety of factors inside the cells and in the extracellular environment and also as transducers of electrical and chemical signals mediated by ions such as Ca(2+). The functional features of TRP channels enable the body to react and adapt to different forms of environmental changes, including oxygen levels.

A novel transition-state analogue for lysozyme, 4-O-β-tri-N-acetylchitotriosyl moranoline, provided evidence supporting the covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate.

4-O-β-Di-N-acetylchitobiosyl moranoline (2) and 4-O-β-tri-N-acetylchitotriosyl moranoline (3) were produced by lysozyme-mediated transglycosylation from the substrates tetra-N-acetylchitotetraose, (GlcNAc)4, and moranoline, and the binding modes of 2 and 3 to hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was examined by inhibition kinetics, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and x-ray crystallography. Compounds 2 and 3 specifically bound to HEWL, acting as competitive inhibitors with Ki values of 2.01 × 10(-5) and 1.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and muscle strength in Japanese men.

Objectives: To investigate the link between cigarette smoking and muscle strength in Japanese men.

Methods: We used data on 4249 Japanese men, aged 43.3±13.

Comprehensive characterization of broadband ultralow reflectance of a porous nickel-phosphorus black surface by numerical simulation.

Porous nickel-phosphorus (NiP) black surfaces exhibit excellent low reflectance in the visible and near-IR regions. Through use of a model of the surface morphology and composition, the reflectance was numerically simulated by a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method to determine the origin of the low reflectance. In agreement with experimental results, the simulations showed a spectrally flat, quite low reflectance of <0.

Reduced BMP signaling results in hindlimb fusion with lethal pelvic/urogenital organ aplasia: a new mouse model of sirenomelia.

Sirenomelia, also known as mermaid syndrome, is a developmental malformation of the caudal body characterized by leg fusion and associated anomalies of pelvic/urogenital organs including bladder, kidney, rectum and external genitalia. Most affected infants are stillborn, and the few born alive rarely survive beyond the neonatal period. Despite the many clinical studies of sirenomelia in humans, little is known about the pathogenic developmental mechanisms that cause the complex array of phenotypes observed.

Insufficient autophagy promotes bronchial epithelial cell senescence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Tobacco smoke-induced accelerated cell senescence has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cell senescence is accompanied by the accumulation of damaged cellular components suggesting that in COPD, inhibition of autophagy may contribute to cell senescence. Here we look at whether autophagy contributes to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) - induced cell senescence of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC), and further evaluate p62 and ubiquitinated protein levels in lung homogenates from COPD patients.

Crystal structure and chitin oligosaccharide-binding mode of a 'loopful' family GH19 chitinase from rye, Secale cereale, seeds.

The substrate-binding mode of a 26-kDa GH19 chitinase from rye, Secale cereale, seeds (RSC-c) was investigated by crystallography, site-directed mutagenesis and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of RSC-c in a complex with an N-acetylglucosamine tetramer, (GlcNAc)(4) , was successfully solved, and revealed the binding mode of the tetramer to be an aglycon-binding site, subsites +1, +2, +3, and +4. These are the first crystallographic data showing the oligosaccharide-binding mode of a family GH19 chitinase.

Deficiency of catecholamine syntheses caused by downregulation of phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the cerebral cortex of the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 strain with aging.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the alteration of catecholamine metabolism and the contribution of catecholamines to the decline of learning and memory in the brain of the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) with aging. Catecholamines and their metabolites in the cerebral cortex were measured by HPLC-ECD. The protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as well as TH phosphorylated at Ser19 or Ser40, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH), and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) were determined by western blot analysis.

Active zone protein Bassoon co-localizes with presynaptic calcium channel, modifies channel function, and recovers from aging related loss by exercise.

The P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) are essential for synaptic transmission at adult mammalian neuromuscular junctions (NMJs); however, the subsynaptic location of VDCCs relative to active zones in rodent NMJs, and the functional modification of VDCCs by the interaction with active zone protein Bassoon remain unknown. Here, we show that P/Q-type VDCCs distribute in a punctate pattern within the NMJ presynaptic terminals and align in three dimensions with Bassoon. This distribution pattern of P/Q-type VDCCs and Bassoon in NMJs is consistent with our previous study demonstrating the binding of VDCCs and Bassoon.

Report on disaster medical operations with acupuncture/massage therapy after the great East Japan earthquake.

The Great East Japan Earthquake inflicted immense damage over a wide area of eastern Japan with the consequent tsunami. Department of Traditional Asian Medicine, Tohoku University, started providing medical assistance to the disaster-stricken regions mainly employing traditional Asian therapies.We visited seven evacuation centers in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture and provided acupuncture/massage therapy.

Role of tryptophan residues in a class V chitinase from Nicotiana tabacum.

Tryptophan residues located in the substrate-binding cleft of a class V chitinase from Nicotiana tabacum (NtChiV) were mutated to alanine and phenylalanine (W190F, W326F, W190F/W326F, W190A, W326A, and W190A/W326A), and the mutant enzymes were characterized to define the role of the tryptophans. The mutations of Trp326 lowered thermal stability by 5-7 °C, while the mutations of Trp190 lowered stability only by 2-4 °C. The Trp326 mutations strongly impaired enzymatic activity, while the effects of the Trp190 mutations were moderate.

Metal cations modulate the bacteriochlorophyll-protein interaction in the light-harvesting 1 core complex from Thermochromatium tepidum.

The light-harvesting 1 reaction center (LH1-RC) complex from Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum exhibits unusual Q(y) absorption by LH1 bacteriochlorophyll-a (BChl-a) molecules at 915nm, and the transition energy is finely modulated by the binding of metal cations to the LH1 polypeptides. Here, we demonstrate the metal-dependent interactions between BChl-a and the polypeptides within the intact LH1-RC complexes by near-infrared Raman spectroscopy.