Highly sensitive visual restoration and protection via ectopic expression of chimeric rhodopsin in mice.

Photoreception requires amplification by mammalian rhodopsin through G protein activation, which requires a visual cycle. To achieve this in retinal gene therapy, we incorporated human rhodopsin cytoplasmic loops into rhodopsin, thereby generating and human chimeric rhodopsin (GHCR). In a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, we induced retinal GHCR expression by intravitreal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector.

Starburst amacrine cells amplify optogenetic visual restoration through gap junctions.

Ectopic induction of optogenetic actuators, such as channelrhodopsin, is a promising approach to restoring vision in the degenerating retina. However, the cell type-specific response of ectopic photoreception has not been well understood. There are limits to obtaining efficient gene expression in a specifically targeted cell population by a transgenic approach.

Changes in homocysteine and non-mercaptoalbumin levels after acute exercise: a crossover study.

Background: Acute exercise is one factor that increases blood homocysteine levels, and elevated homocysteine levels cause oxidative stress. Albumin, which is abundant in blood, is an antioxidant, and the redox state of albumin is used as an index of oxidative stress in blood. This study aimed to assess the effect of acute exercise on plasma homocysteine levels and the blood non-mercaptoalbumin/mercaptoalbumin ratio as an oxidative stress marker.

Scleral PERK and ATF6 as targets of myopic axial elongation of mouse eyes.

Axial length is the primary determinant of eye size, and it is elongated in myopia. However, the underlying mechanism of the onset and progression of axial elongation remain unclear. Here, we show that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in sclera is an essential regulator of axial elongation in myopia development through activation of both PERK and ATF6 axis followed by scleral collagen remodeling.

Retinal Degeneration in a Murine Model of Retinal Ischemia by Unilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion.

Retinal degeneration is a progressive retinal damage in ocular vascular diseases. There are several reasons for this, such as occlusion of arteries or veins, diabetic retinopathy, or hereditary retinal diseases. To study pathological mechanisms of retinal degeneration, it is required to develop experimentally reproducible and clinically relevant models.

Salt Restriction Affects the Excretions of Minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P and Zn) in the Second Voided Fasting Early Morning Urine.

The plasma concentrations of mineral (sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn)) are kept within narrow ranges to maintain homeostasis; hence, it is difficult to use them as indicators of nutritional status. We selected the excretion of these minerals in the second voided fasting early morning urine (EMU) as potential indicators of nutritional status. We previously reported that Na restriction caused a negative balance of Ca and Mg.

Dietary Salt (Sodium Chloride) Requirement and Adverse Effects of Salt Restriction in Humans.

Inevitable sodium loss under sodium restriction must not be construed as evidence for the estimated average requirement (EAR) for sodium (Na) in humans. We conducted human mineral balance studies to determine the EAR for some minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn). Na concentration in arm sweat was low while those of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were high, during relatively heavy bicycle-ergometer exercise under relatively low Na intake (100 mmol/d).