A Decellularized Uterine Endometrial Scaffold Enhances Regeneration of the Endometrium in Rats.

Partial or whole regeneration of the uterine endometrium using extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffolds is a therapeutic strategy for uterine infertility due to functional and/or structural endometrial defects. Here, we examined whether the entire endometrium can be regenerated circumferentially using an acellular ECM scaffold (decellularized endometrial scaffold, DES) prepared from rat endometrium. We placed a silicone tube alone to prevent adhesions or a DES loaded with a silicone tube into a recipient uterus in which the endometrium had been surgically removed circumferentially.

A mediator complex subunit 12 gain-of-function mutation induces partial leiomyoma cell properties in human uterine smooth muscle cells.

Objective: To clarify whether a mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gain-of-function mutation induces leiomyoma cell properties in human uterine smooth muscle cells (USMCs).

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Academic research laboratory.

Bioengineering of the Uterus.

Impairment of uterine structure and function causes infertility, pregnancy loss, and perinatal complications in humans. Some types of uterine impairments such as Asherman's syndrome, also known as uterine synechiae, can be treated medically and surgically in a standard clinical setting, but absolute defects of uterine function or structure cannot be cured by conventional approaches. To overcome such hurdles, partial or whole regeneration and reconstruction of the uterus have recently emerged as new therapeutic strategies.

The orientation of a decellularized uterine scaffold determines the tissue topology and architecture of the regenerated uterus in rats†.

A decellularized uterine scaffold (DUS) prepared from rats permits recellularization and regeneration of uterine tissues when placed onto a partially excised uterus and supports pregnancy in a fashion comparable to the intact uterus. The underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) together with an acellular, perfusable vascular architecture preserved in DUS is thought to be responsible for appropriate regeneration of the uterus. To investigate this concept, we examined the effect of the orientation of the DUS-preserving ECM and the vascular architecture on uterine regeneration through placement of a DUS onto a partially defective uterine area in the reversed orientation such that the luminal face of the DUS was outside and the serosal face was inside.

Impact of borderline-subclinical hypothyroidism on subsequent pregnancy outcome in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

Aim: Because subclinical hypothyroidism (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] > 4.5 IU/mL) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, including early pregnancy loss, TSH is recommended to be titrated to ≤2.5 mIU/L in levothyroxine-treated women before pregnancy.

How to Create an Embryo Penetration Route.

Numerous past investigations into human implantation have tended to pay attention to the mechanism of embryo adhesion to endometrial cells or embryo invasion into endometrial stromal tissue. For successful pregnancy, however, embryo penetration through the endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) sheet is also absolutely required. To improve the performance of assisted reproductive technology, implantation studies should also focus on EEC dynamics, in particular, the action of EECs during embryo penetration.

A Self-Assembled Spherical Complex Displaying a Gangliosidic Glycan Cluster Capable of Interacting with Amyloidogenic Proteins.

Physiological and pathological functions of glycans are promoted through their clustering effects as exemplified by a series of gangliosides, sialylated glycosphingolipids, which serve as acceptors for bacterial toxins and viruses. Furthermore, ganglioside GM1 clusters on neuronal cell membranes specifically interact with amyloidogenic proteins, triggering their conformational transitions and leading to neurodegeneration. Here we develop a self-assembled spherical complex that displays a cluster of the GM1 pentasaccharide, and successfully demonstrate its ability to interact with amyloid β and α-synuclein.

Atheroma Progression in Obese Early-stage Diabetic Japanese Patients in Response to Glycemic Control: Sub-analysis from the DIANA Study.

Aim: Diabetes is accompanied by abdominal obesity, which produces various metabolic abnormalities. While metabolic factors have been considered to promote the development of coronary atherosclerosis in the early-stage of diabetes, it remains unknown whether the presence of obesity in early-stage diabetics affects the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis. We herein investigated the characteristics of the disease substrate in obese early-stage diabetics.

Clinical predictors of atheroma progression despite optimal glycemic control in early-stage diabetic patients with coronary artery disease: Insight from the DIANA study.

Aim: In the DIANA(DIAbetes and diffuse coronary NArrowing) study, which evaluated the impact of glucose-lowering therapy in early-stage diabetics with coronary artery disease(CAD), optimal glycemic control resulted in reduced disease progression on angiography. However, despite having a favorable glycemic status, some patients continued to exhibit disease progression. Factors associated with disease progression despite optimal glucose control remain to be elucidated.

Effects of voglibose and nateglinide on glycemic status and coronary atherosclerosis in early-stage diabetic patients.

Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia have been considered as important determinants for the development of atherosclerosis. However, it remains to be elucidated whether correction of the postprandial glycemic status prevents atherosclerotic changes.

Methods And Results: The DIANA (DIAbetes and diffuse coronary NArrowing) study is a prospective randomized open-label multicenter trial.

The combined impact of blood pressure category and glucose abnormality on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in a Japanese urban cohort: the Suita Study.

Few prospective studies have examined the combined impact of blood pressure (BP) categories and glucose abnormalities on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general Asian population. This study aimed to examine the effect of the combined risks of these factors on the incidence of CVD in a general Japanese population. We studied 5321 Japanese individuals (aged 30-79 years), without CVD at baseline, who received follow-up for an average of 11.

Impact of statin treatment on the clinical fate of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Aim: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients are at particular risk for premature coronary artery disease (CAD) caused by high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Administration of statins enabled us to reduce LDL-C levels in heterozygous FH patients. To evaluate the impact of statins on the clinical fate of heterozygous FH, a retrospective study was performed.

Association of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels with obesity in a general urban Japanese population: the Suita Study.

The inverse association between plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and body mass index (BMI) has been reported in Western populations. Here we analyzed the relationship between plasma BNP and obesity in a general urban Japanese population. We recruited 1,759 subjects without atrial fibrillation or history of ischemic heart disease aged 38-95 years (mean age +/- standard deviation 64.

Effect of exercise intervention on endothelial function and incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: The effects of exercise intervention and to assess its long-term efficacy in preventing subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes were little known on randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty-eight type 2 diabetic patients (21 men and 17 women) were assigned to either the exercise group (n=21) or the control group without exercise training (n=17) by simple randomization. The exercise training group was scheduled for aerobic and resistance exercise programs for 3 months.

Visceral fat is negatively associated with B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes.

Aims: The association between BMI and low levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of heart failure, has been demonstrated in a large population-based cohort. We examined the effects of obesity on BNP levels in patients with diabetes that are often associated with obesity and a higher risk for heart failure.

Methods: Plasma BNP levels, BMI, and cardiac function parameters were measured in 608 patients with type 2 diabetes.

A novel Thr56Met mutation of the autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia gene associated with hypercholesterolemia.

Aim: The autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) gene is located on chromosome 1p35 and encodes a 308-amino acid protein containing a phosphotyrosine-binding domain. Several researchers have identified mutations of ARH that cause autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia; however, it remains unknown whether this gene is involved in common hypercholesterolemia.

Methods And Results: We searched for polymorphisms of the ARH gene by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing.

Triglycerides and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in an urban Japanese cohort: the Suita study.

Objective: The impact of elevated triglycerides (TG) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) on the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) has not been well evaluated in Asian populations such as in Japan, which have a lower incidence of myocardial infarction, but a higher risk of stroke than Western populations.

Methods: The authors conducted an 11.7-year prospective study ending in 2005 of 5098 Japanese aged 30-79 living in an urban population, initially free of stroke or MI.

Association study of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome in urban Japanese cohort.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1), one of the isoforms of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes, acts as an oxo-reductase to reactivate cortisone to cortisol, plays a critical role in tissue-specific corticosteroid reactions, and is therefore a key molecule associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. We investigated whether variations in the 11beta-HSD1 gene correlated with metabolic syndrome. We performed case-control study using a population-based urban Japanese cohort.

Relationship between blood pressure category and incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction in an urban Japanese population with and without chronic kidney disease: the Suita Study.

Background And Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between blood pressure (BP) category and these diseases in subjects with and without CKD.

Methods: We studied 5494 Japanese individuals (ages 30 to 79, without stroke or MI at baseline) who completed a baseline survey and received follow-up through December 2005.

Isocaloric high-protein diet ameliorates systolic blood pressure increase and cardiac remodeling caused by maternal caloric restriction in adult mouse offspring.

Epidemiologic studies have shown that in utero malnutrition is a risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, we reported a mouse animal model of 30% maternal caloric reduction, in which offspring showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) as well as in cardiac remodeling-associated morphological parameters such as cardiac enlargement and coronary perivascular fibrosis in adulthood. Using a similar animal model, we here demonstrated that an increased level of protein consumption during an undernourished pregnancy (high-protein diet; HPD) corrected for the development of CVD risk factors found in fetal undernourishment with less protein consumption (standard-protein diet; SPD).

Resistin gene variations are associated with the metabolic syndrome in Japanese men.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is intimately related to insulin resistance. Resistin, a hormone secreted by adipocytes, may play an important role in communication between adiposity and insulin resistance. We investigated whether variations in the resistin gene associated with metabolic syndrome in a Japanese population.

Decreased circulating CD34+ cells are associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Aims: Circulating progenitor cells such as CD34+ cells play a key role in maintenance of vascular endothelial function and neovascularization, and a decrease in the number of CD34+ cells is associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the contribution of circulating progenitor cells to microvascular disease, such as diabetic nephropathy, is unclear. This study was therefore designed to clarify the association between diabetic nephropathy and circulating CD34+ cells.