Corneal Layer Thickness Mapping With Optical Coherence Tomography in Different Stages Reveals Pathologic Processes of Keratoconus.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize the corneal layer thickness profile in different stages of keratoconus (KC).

Methods: Patients with clinical or subclinical KC without a history of contact lens use were retrospectively enrolled. We evaluated 164 eyes, including 69 clinical KC, 32 topographic KC (no clinical signs), 22 very asymmetric ectasia with normal topography and no clinical signs of ectasia (VAE-NT), and 41 control eyes.

Vagal sensory neuron-derived FGF3 controls insulin secretion.

Vagal nerve stimulation has emerged as a promising modality for treating a wide range of chronic conditions, including metabolic disorders. However, the cellular and molecular pathways driving these clinical benefits remain largely obscure. Here, we demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor 3 (Fgf3) mRNA is upregulated in the mouse vagal ganglia under acute metabolic stress.

Assembled Structures and Electrical Conductivities of Salts Comprised of Cationic Sandwich Complexes and Polyoxometalates.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are recognized for their diverse structures and catalytic properties, yet their organometallic salts have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we synthesized salts of a Keggin-type POM with cationic sandwich complexes featuring various substituents, [][SMoO] [ = Ru(CH)(CHR); R = H (), Me (), Bu ()], [Co(CH) (), and Co(CMe) ()]. These salts exhibited similar structural characteristics, with each anion surrounded by 10 cations, forming two-dimensional sheet arrangements through O···O anion-anion contacts, except for the salt of , which exhibited one-dimensional contact owing to the larger cation substituent.

Vgll2 as an integrative regulator of mitochondrial function and contractility specific to skeletal muscle.

During skeletal muscle adaptation to physiological or pathophysiological signals, contractile apparatus and mitochondrial function are coordinated to alter muscle fiber type. Although recent studies have identified various factors involved in modifying contractile proteins and mitochondrial function, the molecular mechanisms coordinating contractile and metabolic functions during muscle fiber transition are not fully understood. Using a gene-deficient mouse approach, our previous studies uncovered that vestigial-like family member 2 (Vgll2), a skeletal muscle-specific transcription cofactor activated by exercise, is essential for fast-to-slow adaptation of skeletal muscle.

Organometallic Ionic Plastic Crystals Incorporating Cationic Half-Sandwich Complexes.

Ionic plastic crystals (IPCs), characterized by nearly spherical molecular ions, exhibit remarkable solid-state characteristics including high ionic conductivity. However, most IPCs are organic onium salts. Incorporating organometallic half-sandwich complexes into IPCs is challenging owing to their low-symmetry structures.

Controlling Ionic Conductivity in Organometallic Ionic Liquids through Light-Induced Coordination Polymer Formation and Thermal Reversion.

Owing to their high ionic conductivity and negligible vapor pressure, ionic liquids (ILs) find applications in various electronic devices. However, fabricating IL-based photocontrollable devices remains a challenge. In this study, we developed organometallic ILs with reversible light- and heat-controlled ionic conductivities for potential use in tunable devices.

Solvent-free transformation of protic ionic liquids into zwitterions.

We synthesized several protic ionic liquids (ILs) composed of onium cations and the (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)(vinylsulfonyl)amide anion. The addition of a base catalytically facilitated their transformation into zwitterions (ZIs) under solvent-free conditions, which is a convenient method for synthesizing ZIs from ILs.

A Comprehensive Wavefront Assessment of Keratoconus Using an Integrated Scheimpflug Corneal Tomographer/Hartmann-Shack Wavefront Aberrometer.

Objectives: To characterize higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in different severities of keratoconus (KC) from the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces and whole eye using an integrated Scheimpflug corneal tomographer/Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometer.

Methods: This study included eyes with clinical KC, topographic KC (no clinical signs), fellow eyes with very asymmetric ectasia with normal topography and no clinical signs (VAE-NT), and control eyes. Corneal and ocular wavefront aberrations were obtained using an integrated Scheimpflug tomographer/Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometer.

Transcriptome and secretome profiling of sensory neurons reveals sex differences in pathways relevant to insulin sensing and insulin secretion.

Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) convey somatosensory and metabolic cues to the central nervous system and release substances from stimulated terminal endings in peripheral organs. Sex-biased variations driven by the sex chromosome complement (XX and XY) have been implicated in the sensory-islet crosstalk. However, the molecular underpinnings of these male-female differences are not known.

Protective Effects of Imeglimin and Metformin Combination Therapy on β-Cells in db/db Male Mice.

Imeglimin and metformin act in metabolic organs, including β-cells, via different mechanisms. In the present study, we investigated the impacts of imeglimin, metformin, or their combination (Imeg + Met) on β-cells, the liver, and adipose tissues in db/db mice. Imeglimin, metformin, or Imeg + Met treatment had no significant effects on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, respiratory exchange ratio, or locomotor activity in db/db mice.

Characterization of γ-glutamyltransferase- and phytochelatin synthase-mediated catabolism of glutathione and glutathione -conjugates in .

Glutathione (GSH, γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) has been implicated in a multitude of cellular functions, such as protection of cells against oxidative stress, detoxification of xenobiotics via degradation of GSH -conjugates, and disease resistance. Glutathione also serves as a precursor of phytochelatins, and thereby plays an essential role in heavy metal detoxification. The genome encodes three functional γ-glutamyltransferase genes () and two phytochelatin synthase genes (, ).

Long-Term Corneal Refractive Power Changes Two Decades After Radial Keratotomy With Microperforations.

We retrospectively examined corneal refractive power in three patients who had been followed up for more than 20 years after radial keratotomy (RK) with microperforations (MPs). All patients underwent RK in both eyes and were referred to our clinic because of postoperative decreased vision. MP was observed in five of the six eyes at the initial visit.

A Disproportionality Analysis of the Adverse Effect Profiles of Methimazole and Propylthiouracil in Patients with Hyperthyroidism Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are frequently used to achieve euthyroidism in patients with hyperthyroidism. ATDs cause characteristic common and rare adverse events; however, comprehensive comparisons between methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) in terms of adverse events are limited. In this study, we thoroughly explored adverse events in association with MMI and PTU use with a disproportionality analysis using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database and evaluated the prevalence of MMI and PTU prescriptions using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups (NDB) Open Data Japan.

Zinc and iron dynamics in human islet amyloid polypeptide-induced diabetes mouse model.

Metal homeostasis is tightly regulated in cells and organisms, and its disturbance is frequently observed in some diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. Previous studies suggest that zinc and iron are necessary for the normal functions of pancreatic β cells. However, the distribution of elements in normal conditions and the pathophysiological significance of dysregulated elements in the islet in diabetic conditions have remained unclear.

Preparation and evaluation of sustained release formulation of PLGA using a new injection system based on ink-jet injection technology.

We developed a method for the preparation of PLGA particles exhibiting long-term sustained-release of entrapped drugs. The fine droplet drying (FDD) technology using a new injection system based on ink-jet injection technology was adapted as the preparation method. PLGA microspheres containing TRITC-dextran, acetaminophen, and albumin as model drugs were prepared by the FDD technology.

Comparison of Ocular Wavefront Aberration Measurements Obtained Using Two Hartmann-Shack Wavefront Aberrometers.

Objectives: To assess agreement between measurements of ocular wavefront aberrations obtained using the Pentacam AXL Wave (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) (Aberrometer A) and KR-1W (Topcon Corp) (Aberrometer B), both of which are based on the Hartmann-Shack principle.

Methods: In this prospective case-control study, ocular wavefront aberrations measurements were obtained using both aberrometers in patients with keratoconus (KC) and control participants. Ocular wavefront aberrations were measured through the natural pupil without dilation using both devices in a dark room.

Protective effects of S100A8 on sepsis mortality: Links to sepsis risk in obesity and diabetes.

Obesity and diabetes are independent risk factors for death during sepsis. S100A8, an alarmin, is related to inflammation, obesity, and diabetes. Here, we examine the role of S100A8 in sepsis of obesity and diabetes models.

Association between circulating SerpinB1 levels and insulin sensitivity in Japanese with type 2 diabetes: A single-center, cross-sectional, observational study.

Plasma and liver SerpinB1 levels are elevated in mice with insulin resistance and promote β-cell proliferation in human islets. We measured serum SerpinB1 levels in Japanese subjects with or without type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We enrolled 12 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 51 T2DM subjects.

E2F1 transcription factor mediates a link between fat and islets to promote β cell proliferation in response to acute insulin resistance.

Prevention or amelioration of declining β cell mass is a potential strategy to cure diabetes. Here, we report the pathways utilized by β cells to robustly replicate in response to acute insulin resistance induced by S961, a pharmacological insulin receptor antagonist. Interestingly, pathways that include CENP-A and the transcription factor E2F1 that are independent of insulin signaling and its substrates appeared to mediate S961-induced β cell multiplication.

Fourier Analysis on Irregular Corneal Astigmatism Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Various Severity Stages of Keratoconus.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic capability of Fourier indices in detecting clinical or subclinical keratoconus (KC).

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study included 126 eyes with clinical KC (50 KC without any corneal scar, 50 KC with anterior corneal scar, and 26 KC with posterior scar having a history of acute corneal hydrops), 50 with topographic KC (without clinical signs), 50 with pre-topographic KC (normal topography without clinical signs), and 50 controls.

Abdominal aortic calcification is associated with Fibrosis-4 index and low body mass index in type 2 diabetes patients: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Aims/introduction: This study aimed to clarify the nature of the relationship between the abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) grade and the presence of cardiovascular diseases, and determine factors related to AAC grade in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 264 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The AAC score and length were measured using the lateral abdominal radiographs.