FOXO1 pathway activation by VISTA immune checkpoint restrains pulmonary ILC2 functions.

Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a pivotal role in the development of airway hyperreactivity (AHR). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing ILC2 function remain inadequately explored. This study uncovers V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) as an inhibitory immune checkpoint crucial for modulating ILC2-driven lung inflammation.

Effects of Heat-Treated CP790-Fermented Milk on Gastrointestinal Health in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Probiotic-fermented milk is commonly used to maintain intestinal health. However, the effects of heat-treated fermented milk, which does not contain live microorganisms, on intestinal function are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate whether heat-treated CP790-fermented milk affects fecal microbiota and gut health as a "postbiotic".

CB2 stimulation of adipose resident ILC2s orchestrates immune balance and ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with low-grade chronic type 2 inflammation and disturbance of glucose homeostasis. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a critical role in maintaining adipose homeostasis via the production of type 2 cytokines. Here, we demonstrate that CB, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and member of the endocannabinoid system, is expressed on both visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-derived murine and human ILC2s.

Iron controls the development of airway hyperreactivity by regulating ILC2 metabolism and effector function.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) rapidly induce a type 2 inflammation in the lungs in response to allergens. Here, we focused on the role of iron, a critical nutritional trace element, on ILC2 function and asthma pathogenesis. We found that transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) is rapidly up-regulated and functional during ILC2 activation in the lungs, and blocking transferrin uptake reduces ILC2 expansion and activation.

Piezo1 channels restrain ILC2s and regulate the development of airway hyperreactivity.

Mechanosensitive ion channels sense force and pressure in immune cells to drive the inflammatory response in highly mechanical organs. Here, we report that Piezo1 channels repress group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2)-driven type 2 inflammation in the lungs. Piezo1 is induced on lung ILC2s upon activation, as genetic ablation of Piezo1 in ILC2s increases their function and exacerbates the development of airway hyperreactivity (AHR).

Blocking CD226 regulates type 2 innate lymphoid cell effector function and alleviates airway hyperreactivity.

Background: Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a pivotal role in type 2 asthma. CD226 is a costimulatory molecule involved in various inflammatory diseases.

Objective: We aimed to investigate CD226 expression and function within human and mouse ILC2s, and to assess the impact of targeting CD226 on ILC2-mediated airway hyperreactivity (AHR).

SMARCB1/INI1-deficient intrathoracic neoplasm with rhabdoid/plasmacytoid cytomorphology in a patient with plasma cell myeloma: A case report.

SMARCB1 (INI1) is one of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes whose loss is associated with several tumors. SMARCB1 (INI1)-deficient intrathoracic neoplasms are extremely rare and known to be highly malignant and lethal. This report presents the case of a patient diagnosed with SMARCB1 (INI1)-deficient intrathoracic neoplasm during chemotherapy for plasma cell myeloma.

Effects of Yeast Mannan Which Promotes Beneficial on the Intestinal Environment and Skin Condition: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Yeast mannan (YM) is an indigestible water-soluble polysaccharide of the yeast cell wall. In vitro fecal fermentation studies showed that YM could exhibit a notable prebiotic effect. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the efficacy of YM intake on the intestinal environment and skin condition.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Congenital Heart Disease in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: An Observational Study From the Brazilian Neonatal Network Database.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of congenital heart disease and their outcomes in a Brazilian cohort of very low birth weight preterm infants.

Design: Post hoc analysis of data from the Brazilian Neonatal Network database, complemented by retrospective data from medical charts and a cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Twenty public tertiary-care university hospitals.

Possible benefits of singing to the mental and physical condition of the elderly.

Background: The evaluation and management of stress are important for the prevention of both depression and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the maintenance of the oral condition of the elderly is essential to enable them to stay healthy, especially to prevent aspiration pneumonia and improve mental health in an aging society. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of singing on the oral condition, mental health status, and immunity of the elderly to determine if singing could contribute to the improvement of their physical condition.

The maximum single dose of resistant maltodextrin that does not cause diarrhea in humans.

The objective of the present study was to determine the maximum dose of resistant maltodextrin (Fibersol)-2, a non-viscous water-soluble dietary fiber), that does not induce transitory diarrhea. Ten healthy adult subjects (5 men and 5 women) ingested Fibersol-2 at increasing dose levels of 0.7, 0.

[Two cases of Nocardia farcinica brain abscess].

Brain abscess caused by Nocardia is a relatively rare disease, but its prognosis is poor, with the fatality being 3 times as high as that of other types of brain abscess. Nocardiosis caused by N. farcinica has higher fatality rates than nocardiosis caused by the other bacteria of the genus Nocardia.

Long-term memory of color stimuli in the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos).

Wild-caught jungle crows (n = 20) were trained to discriminate between color stimuli in a two-alternative discrimination task. Next, crows were tested for long-term memory after 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 10-month retention intervals. This preliminary study showed that jungle crows learn the task and reach a discrimination criterion (80% or more correct choices in two consecutive sessions of ten trials) in a few trials, and some even in a single session.

Involvement of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in anoxic elongation of stems in pondweed (Potamogeton distinctus) turions.

• Pondweed (Potamogeton distinctus) turions can elongate in the absence of O(2). Alcoholic fermentation serves to produce energy for anoxic elongation via the breakdown of starch stored in cells. However, the mechanism of cell growth during anoxic elongation is not fully understood.

Establishment of new highly insulin-sensitive cell lines and screening of compounds to facilitate glucose consumption.

To obtain compounds that promote glucose uptake in muscle cells, the novel cell lines A31-IS derived from Balb/c 3T3 A31 and C2C12-IS from mouse myoblast C2C12 were established. In both cell lines, glucose consumption was induced by insulin and suppressed by the addition of Akt-activating kinase inhibitor. The A31-IS cells highly express the insulin receptor beta chains, Glut4, and uncoupling protein-3, as compared to the parent Balb/c 3T3 A31 cells, and C2C12-IS cells highly express the insulin receptor beta chain as compared to its parent cell line.

A new binding assay of von Willebrand factor and glycoprotein Ib using solid-phase biotinylated platelets.

To obtain compounds that inhibit the interaction of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and glycoprotein (GP) Ib, a novel binding assay was established. The binding of fixed platelets to vWF-R497 mutant was quantified by a solid phase assay. In this assay, fixed platelets bound to the vWF-R497 mutant, carrying the deletion of Glu497-Tyr508 and the missense mutation of Arg545 to Ala, without binding modulators such as ristocetin.

Enhanced thyroid carcinogenicity of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a model of type II diabetes mellitus.

Epidemiologic data suggest that diabetes mellitus type II is a risk factor for several types of cancer, including pancreatic, liver, colon and thyroid cancers. In the present study, effects of diabetes/hyperlipidemia on N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced cancer development were examined in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, model animals for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, appropriate controls. Males of both strains were given four subcutaneous injections of BOP (10 mg/kg body wt) or saline on alternative days, starting at 5 weeks of age.

Suppression of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters by pioglitazone, a ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

Fat intake and obesity are positively correlated with pancreatic cancer in humans. N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) induces pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas limited to Syrian golden hamsters, other rodents not being susceptible. In the present study, we found markedly high levels of serum triglycerides (TGs) and total cholesterol (TC) in Syrian golden hamsters, but not C57BL/6 mice, ICR mice, F344 rats and Wistar rats.

Development of communication supporting device controlled by eye movements and voluntary eye blink.

A communication interface controlled by eye movements and voluntary eye blink has been developed for disabled individuals who have motor paralysis and therefore cannot speak. Horizontal and vertical electro-oculograms were measured using two surface electrodes referring to an earlobe electrode. Four directional cursor movements and one selection were realized by logically combining the detected two channel signals.

Suppression of azoxymethane-induced colonic premalignant lesion formation by coenzyme Q10 in rats.

Reactive oxygen species cause damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound with mitochondrial bioenergetic functions. The reduced form of CoQ10 shows antioxidant activity.

Mechanism of oxidative DNA damage induced by capsaicin, a principal ingredient of hot chili pepper.

Although capsaicin exhibits antitumor activity, carcinogenic potential has also been reported. To clarify the mechanism for expression of potential carcinogenicity of capsaicin, we examined DNA damage induced by capsaicin in the presence of metal ion and various kinds of cytochrome P450 (CYP) using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments. Capsaicin induced Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage efficiently in the presence of CYP1A2 and partially in the presence of 2D6.

Inhibition of intestinal carcinogenesis by a new flavone derivative, chafuroside, in oolong tea.

A new flavone derivative, chafuroside, has been isolated as a strong anti-inflammatory compound from oolong tea leaves, and its structure determined to be (2R,3S,4S,4aS,11bS)-3,4,11-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4,4a,11b-tetrahydro-2H,10H-pyrano[2',3':4,5]furo[3,2-g]chromen-10-one. To assess its potential to inhibit intestinal carcinogenesis, 2.5, 5 and 10 p.