Mechanical Characterization of Individual Needles in Microneedle Arrays: Factors Affecting Compression Test Results.

This study aims to investigate the impact of test conditions on the results of the compression testing of microneedle arrays (MNAs). Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on polyglycolic acid-fabricated biodegradable MNAs. Load-displacement curves were obtained for varying conditions, including the number of microneedles (MNs) compressed simultaneously, compression speeds, and compression angles.

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 is a hepatokine regulated by ghrelin, nutrients, and body weight.

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a peptide that counteracts the hunger hormone ghrelin-induced functions. Recently, we showed that vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) did not alter the serum LEAP2 concentration in individuals with obesity. Here, we investigated the effects of VSG in both chow diet (CD)-fed and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.

Usefulness of Mirogabalin in Central Neuropathic Pain After Stroke: Post Hoc Analysis of a Phase 3 Study by Stroke Type and Location.

Introduction: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a common type of central neuropathic pain (CNeP) that can occur following the onset of stroke. The oral gabapentinoid mirogabalin besylate (mirogabalin) is a selective αδ ligand that is effective for the treatment of CNeP, including CPSP. However, it is unknown whether the analgesic effect of mirogabalin on CPSP varies in patients with different background factors.

Sensitivity, robustness, and reproducibility of U-shaped delamination test for evaluation of candidate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials for joint replacements.

The delamination of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in artificial joints is a major cause limiting the long-term clinical results of arthroplasty. However, the conventional test method using simple reciprocation to evaluate the delamination resistance of UHMWPE materials has insufficient detection sensitivity. To reproduce delamination, the unconformity contact must be maintained throughout the test so that the maximum stress is generated below the surface.

Trk-fused gene plays a critical role in diet-induced adipose tissue expansion and is also involved in thyroid hormone action.

Mutations in the Trk-fused gene (TFG) cause hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement, which reportedly has high co-incidences with diabetes and dyslipidemia, suggesting critical roles of the TFG in metabolism as well. We found that TFG expression levels in white adipose tissues (WATs) were elevated in both genetically and diet-induced obese mice and that TFG deletion in preadipocytes from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) markedly inhibited adipogenesis. To investigate its role in vivo, we generated tamoxifen-inducible adipocyte-specific TFG knockout (AiTFG KO) mice.

Mechanical Characterization of Dissolving Microneedles: Factors Affecting Physical Strength of Needles.

Dissolving microneedles (MNs) are novel transdermal drug delivery systems that can be painlessly self-administered. This study investigated the effects of experimental conditions on the mechanical characterization of dissolving MNs for quality evaluation. Micromolding was used to fabricate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based dissolving MN patches with eight different cone-shaped geometries.

Comprehensive Epitope Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies Binding to Hen Egg Ovalbumin Using a Peptide Array.

Food allergies are a significant health issue worldwide. In many countries, labeling of primary allergens in food products has been made mandatory to ensure consumer safety. In food manufacturing settings, the lateral flow immunoassay (LFI)-based on antigen-antibody reactions-is a rapid and accurate method for allergen testing and is widely used.

Lipid index to quantify the absorbed lipids in retrieved UHMWPE components of joint arthroplasty.

Background: The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) component of artificial joints is one of the most important factors affecting the clinical outcomes of joint arthroplasty. Although the possibility of in vivo UHMWPE degradation caused by absorbed lipids has been reported, a quantitative evaluation of this phenomenon has not yet been performed.

Objective: This study aimed to establish the lipid index (LI) as a quantitative indicator of the amount of absorbed lipids and the first step to quantify their effects on UHMWPE.

The NERP-4-SNAT2 axis regulates pancreatic β-cell maintenance and function.

Insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells is regulated by multiple stimuli, including nutrients, hormones, neuronal inputs, and local signalling. Amino acids modulate insulin secretion via amino acid transporters expressed on β cells. The granin protein VGF has dual roles in β cells: regulating secretory granule formation and functioning as a multiple peptide precursor.

Auraptene Enhances AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation and Thereby Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration and Expression of Androgen Receptors and Prostate-Specific Antigens in Prostate Cancer Cells.

extract reportedly activates AMPK. Because this extract contains an abundance of auraptene, we investigated whether pure auraptene activates AMPK and inhibits proliferation using prostate cancer cell lines. Indeed, auraptene inhibited the proliferation and migration of LNCaP cells and induced phosphorylation of AMPK or its downstream ACC in LNCaP, PC3, and HEK-293 cells, but not in DU145 cells not expressing LKB1.

Impact of the lipase inhibitor orlistat on the human gut microbiota.

Orlistat, an anti-obesity agent, inhibits the metabolism and absorption of dietary fat by inactivating pancreatic lipase in the gut. The effect of orlistat on the gut microbiota of Japanese individuals with obesity is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of orlistat on the gut microbiota and fatty acid metabolism of Japanese individuals with obesity.

Hepatic Pin1 Expression, Particularly in Nuclei, Is Increased in NASH Patients in Accordance with Evidence of the Role of Pin1 in Lipid Accumulation Shown in Hepatoma Cell Lines.

Our previous studies using rodent models have suggested an essential role for Pin1 in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In addition, interestingly, serum Pin1 elevation has been reported in NASH patients. However, no studies have as yet examined the Pin1 expression level in human NASH livers.

Practice and Safety of Static Balloon Atrial Septostomy Based on a Nationwide Registry Data.

Background: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is an essential catheterization procedure for congenital heart lesions. Recently, a balloon catheter for static BAS was approved for the first time in Japan as an alternative to the conventional pull-through BAS. Despite the expected increase in the use of static BAS, reports on its safety are scarce worldwide.

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice.

Ghrelin is a gastric-derived peptide that stimulates feeding, blood glucose elevation, body temperature reduction, and growth hormone (GH) secretion. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous antagonist of the ghrelin receptor, also called growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). We studied the effects of LEAP2 administration on feeding, body weight, glycemia, body temperature, and inflammation-related genes in the liver in C57BL/6 J mice and Ghsr-knockout (Ghsr-KO) mice.

Involvement of neuronal and muscular Trk-fused gene (TFG) defects in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Trk-fused gene (TFG) mutations have been identified in patients with several neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we attempted to clarify the effects of TFG deletions in motor neurons and in muscle fibers, using tissue-specific TFG knockout (vMNTFG KO and MUSTFG KO) mice. vMNTFG KO, generated by crossing TFG floxed with VAChT-Cre, showed deterioration of motor function and muscle atrophy especially in slow-twitch soleus muscle, in line with the predominant Cre expression in slow-twitch fatigue-resistant (S) and fast-twitch fatigue-resistant (FR) motor neurons.

Current status of diabetes treatment in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan: Results of a questionnaire survey conducted in 2016 and 2020.

Aims/introduction: The Japanese diabetes treatment guidelines do not specify the first choice of hypoglycemic agents, unlike those of Western countries. Furthermore, the current situation in diabetes treatment is that the choice of hypoglycemic agents is determined by each physician. Therefore, we aimed to determine the current situation in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, in this context.

In Vitro Measurement of Contact Pressure Applied to a Model Vessel Wall during Balloon Dilation by Using a Film-Type Sensor.

Objective: As an important evaluation index of vascular damage, the study aims to clarify the value of contact pressure applied to blood vessels and how it changes with respect to balloon pressure during balloon dilation.

Methods: The contact pressure was evaluated through an in vitro measurement system using a model tube with almost the same elastic modulus as the blood vessel wall and our film-type pressure sensor. A poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel tube with almost the same elastic modulus was fabricated as the model vessel.

Impact of Plasma Xanthine Oxidoreductase Activity on the Mechanisms of Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy Development in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

To unravel associations between plasma xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and diabetic vascular complications, especially distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP), we investigated plasma XOR activities using a novel assay. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with available nerve conduction study (NCS) data were analyzed. None were currently taking XOR inhibitors.

In vitro evaluation of delamination resistance of PEEK and CFR-PEEK.

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and carbon fiber reinforced PEEK as orthopedic implant materials exhibit excellent material properties. Although delamination of PEEK materials has been reported in knee joint wear research, the delamination resistance behavior remains unclear. In this study, the delamination resistance of PEEK materials was investigated; these materials were compared to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Pathological Role of Pin1 in the Development of DSS-Induced Colitis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are serious disorders of which the etiologies are not, as yet, fully understood. In this study, Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) protein was shown to be dramatically upregulated in the colons of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis model mice. Interestingly, knockout (KO) mice exhibited significant attenuation of DSS-induced colitis compared to wild-type (WT) mice, based on various parameters, including body weight, colon length, microscopic observation of the intestinal mucosa, inflammatory cytokine expression, and cleaved caspase-3.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of the Southeast Asian freshwater pufferfishes, (Roberts, 1998) and (Sontirat and Soonthornsatit, 1985) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) and an insight into the taxonomic status of species.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of the Southeast Asian freshwater pufferfishes, and , were reconstructed using the MGISEQ platform. The genomes were 16,448 bp and 16,449 bp in length, each made up of 37 mitochondrial genes (13 CDSs, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs) and putative control region. It is suggested that an accumulation of complete mitochondrial genome sequences can contribute to resolve the taxonomic status of species.

Carnosic Acid and Carnosol Activate AMPK, Suppress Expressions of Gluconeogenic and Lipogenic Genes, and Inhibit Proliferation of HepG2 Cells.

Carnosic acid (CA), carnosol (CL) and rosmarinic acid (RA), components of the herb rosemary, reportedly exert favorable metabolic actions. This study showed that both CA and CL, but not RA, induce significant phosphorylation of AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) and its downstream acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) in HepG2 hepatoma cells. Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), rate-limiting enzymes of hepatic gluconeogenesis, are upregulated by forskolin stimulation, and this upregulation was suppressed when incubated with CA or CL.

Neuromedin U uses Gαi2 and Gαo to suppress glucose-stimulated Ca2+ signaling and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.

Neuromedin U (NMU), a highly conserved peptide in mammals, is involved in a wide variety of physiological processes, including impairment of pancreatic β-cell function via induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ultimately suppressing insulin secretion. NMU has two receptors, NMU receptor 1 (NMUR1) and NMUR2, both of which are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Only NMUR1 is expressed in mouse islets and β cell-derived MIN6-K8 cells.