Association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and blood pressure in smokers.

Objective The expression level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is increased in atherosclerotic regions, inducing monocyte migration to the blood vessel wall. Although the serum MCP-1 concentration is higher in patients with than without cardiovascular disease, the precise correlations between the serum MCP-1 concentration and factors associated with smoking and atherosclerosis are unknown. Methods The serum MCP-1 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 207 consecutive smokers who visited our smoking cessation clinic.

Smoking cessation reduces the lectin-like low-density lipoprotein receptor index, an independent cardiovascular risk marker of vascular inflammation.

Vessel wall inflammation promotes the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1) expressed by vascular cells and monocytes. LOX index is calculated by multiplying LOX-1 ligand containing apolipoprotein B level with the soluble LOX-1.

Time-dependent Changes of Atherosclerotic LDL Complexes after Smoking Cessation.

Aim: The α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein complex (AT-LDL) and serum amyloid A-LDL complex (SAA-LDL) are oxidatively modified LDL complexes that promote atherosclerosis. The serum levels of AT-LDL and SAA-LDL are suggested to be increased by obesity and smoking. We have previously demonstrated that larger weight gain after smoking cessation (SC) perturbs a decrease in the serum level of AT-LDL at 3 months after SC.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of 1-ethylpyrazole-3-carboxamide compounds as novel hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 inhibitors.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is well known as a promising target for cancer chemotherapy. By screening an in-house chemical library using a hypoxia-responsive luciferase reporter gene assay, we identified CLB-016 (1) containing 1-ethylpyrazole-3-carboxamide as a HIF-1 inhibitor (IC50=19.1μM).

Pharmacokinetics of QMF149 in Japanese versus Caucasian subjects: an open-label, randomized phase I study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate influence of ethnic factors on the pharmacokinetics of orally inhaled QMF149, a novel combination of an approved longacting β2-agonist, indacaterol (Onbrez® Breezhaler® for COPD), and an approved inhaled corticosteroid, mometasone furoate (MF), (Asmanex® Twisthaler® for asthma), following multiple dose administration of QMF149 (indacaterol acetate/MF) 150/80 μg and 150/320 μg via the Breezhaler® device in healthy Japanese and Caucasian subjects.

Methods: This was a single-center, openlabel, multiple-dose, two-period, complete crossover study that randomized healthy Japanese and, age and weight matched Caucasian subjects to QMF149 150/80 μg or 150/320 μg once daily (o.d.

The effects of weight gain after smoking cessation on atherogenic α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein.

Although cardiovascular risks decrease after quitting smoking, body weight often increases in the early period after smoking cessation. We have previously reported that the serum level of the α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein complex (AT-LDL)-an oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein that accelerates atherosclerosis-is high in current smokers, and that the level rapidly decreases after smoking cessation. However, the effects of weight gain after smoking cessation on this cardiovascular marker are unknown.

Effects of meal timing relative to dosing on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vildagliptin in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To assess the effects of meal timing on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor vildagliptin in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this open-label, single-center crossover study, 12 Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomized to twice-daily vildagliptin 50 mg, administered 30 min before or immediately before breakfast and dinner for 7 days. After a 7-day washout period, patients received the other regimen.

Development of a 16S rRNA gene primer and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for rapid detection of members of the genus Megasphaera and species-level identification.

The genus Megasphaera is relevant to the environment, human health and food, and renewable energy for the future. In this study, a primer set was designed for PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses to detect and identify the members of Megasphaera. Direct detection and identification were achieved for environmental samples and isolates.

High blood viscosity is closely associated with cigarette smoking and markedly reduced by smoking cessation.

Background: Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. To date, a useful and convenient method of predicting such events in smokers has not been established. The rheological properties of blood assessed by the microchannel method reflect the blood's viscosity and the state of microthrombus formation, which may predict cardiovascular thrombotic events.

Unfavorable blood rheology is closely associated with arterial stiffness in obese patients.

Little information on the relationship between blood rheology and atherosclerosis indicators in obese patients is available. We examined blood rheology as assessed by the blood passage time (BPT) with the microchannel method in 109 obese patients. BPT was correlated well with the extent of each metabolic syndrome component.

Homeobox B3, FoxA1 and FoxA2 interactions in epithelial lung cell differentiation of the multipotent M3E3/C3 cell line.

HOM/C homeobox (Hox) and forkhead box (Fox) factors are reported to be expressed in the foregut endoderm and are subsequently detected in a spatio-temporal pattern during lung development. Some of these factors were reported to influence the expression of lung marker proteins or to modulate lung development. To clarify the molecular mechanisms for generating functional lung cells from progenitor cell populations, we introduced the forkhead box factors, FoxA1 and FoxA2, and the homeobox factor, HoxB3, into the differentiation process in a multipotent hamster lung epithelial M3E3/C3 cell line.