Trade off situation between thymus and growth hormone: age-related decline of growth hormone is a cause of thymic involution but favorable for elongation of lifespan.

High level of growth hormone (GH) is necessary for the activation of thymic function to promote T cell differentiation in the early stage of animal life. In the later stage of the life, administration of GH promotes the development of immune system and rejuvenates declined immune function of elderly people. By contraries, GH deficiency is favorable for the longer lifespan, as hypo-pituitary dwarf mice such as Ames and Snell dwarf mice exhibit longer lifespan than control.

Aromatase knockout mice reveal an impact of estrogen on drug-induced alternation of murine electrocardiography parameters.

Our in vitro characterization showed that physiological concentrations of estrogen partially suppressed the I(Kr) channel current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes and the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel currents in CHO-K1 cells regardless of estrogen receptor signaling and revealed that the partially suppressed hERG currents enhanced the sensitivity to the hERG blocker E-4031. To obtain in vivo proof-of-concept data to support the effects of estrogen on cardiac electrophysiology, we here employed an aromatase knockout mouse as an in vivo estrogen-null model and compared the acute effects of E-4031 on cardiac electrophysiological parameters with those in wild-type mice (C57/BL6J) by recording surface electrocardiogram (ECG). The ablation of circulating estrogens blunted the effects of E-4031 on heart rate and QT interval in mice under a denervation condition.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor/microRNA-212/132 axis in T cells regulates IL-10 production to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a transcription factor, plays a critical role in autoimmune inflammation of the intestine. In addition, microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding oligonucleotides, mediate pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, the precise mechanism and interactions of these molecules in IBD pathogenesis have not yet been investigated.

Monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons influence spicule formation in the early development of sea urchins (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus).

We previously demonstrated that monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs), which are metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), act on calcified tissue and suppress osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the scales of teleost fish. The compounds may possibly influence other calcified tissues. Thus, the present study noted the calcified spicules in sea urchins and examined the effect of both PAHs and OHPAHs on spicule formation during the embryogenesis of sea urchins.

Diabetes detrimental effects on enamel and dentine formation.

Objectives: Understanding morphological changes and mineral content of tooth hard tissues may influence dental treatment. In this study, the effect of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) on tooth structure was examined.

Methods: Experimental T1DM was induced in 3-week old male Wistar rats (n=10) by a single dose of 60mg/kg body weight of Streprozotocin.

Persistent colonization of Candida albicans yeast on the tongue in NOD/SCID.e2f1-/- mice.

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that commonly colonizes as opportunistic pathogens human mucosal surfaces. Our aim was to observe persistent infection of C. albicans on the tongue in NOD/SCID.

The interaction between metabolism, cancer and cardiovascular disease, connected by 27-hydroxycholesterol.

Oxysterols are metabolites of cholesterol that are produced in liver and other peripheral tissues as a means to eliminate cholesterol to bile acid. Recent studies have revealed that the most abundant circulating oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) is the first identified endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator. 27HC levels correlate well with that of cholesterol, and also rise progressively with age.

The deaf utilize phonological representations in visually presented verbal memory tasks.

The phonological abilities of congenitally deaf individuals are inferior to those of people who can hear. However, deaf individuals can acquire spoken languages by utilizing orthography and lip-reading. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show that deaf individuals utilize phonological representations via a mnemonic process.

Pulmonary infections following immunosuppressive treatments during hospitalization worsen the short-term vital prognosis for patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial pneumonia.

Objective: Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial pneumonia (CTD-IP) significantly affects the mortality of patients with CTD. The purpose of the present study is to identify causes and risk factors for death during hospitalization for immunosuppressive treatment of CTD-IP.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted that collected data from patients with CTD who had been hospitalized for commencing or intensifying immunosuppressive treatment of CTD-IP using a standardized case report form.

Derivation of recruitment function from the pressure-volume curve in an acute lung injury model.

Lung volume changes involve the recruitment of collapsed alveoli and the expansion of already opened alveoli. This study aimed to determine the alveolar recruitment function by using a mathematical model from a pressure-volume curve (P-V curve). We assumed a lung model as VL=R(P)V0f(P), where R recruitment function is the fraction of recruited alveoli, V0 is the resting lung volume at FRC of a fully recruited lung, and f(P) corresponds to the normalized compliance function of the lungs open to ventilation.

PTH regulates β2-adrenergic receptor expression in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.

As the aged population is soaring, prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing. However, the molecular basis underlying the regulation of bone mass is still incompletely understood. Sympathetic tone acts via beta2 adrenergic receptors in bone and regulates the mass of bone which is the target organ of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Patterns, timing and risk factors of recurrence of gastric cancer after laparoscopic gastrectomy: reliable results following long-term follow-up.

Background: To clarify the patterns, timing and risk factors of recurrence of gastric cancer after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods: From January 1999 to March 2012, 577 patients underwent laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for curative resection of gastric cancer. Recurrence patterns were classified as locoregional, hematogenous, peritoneal, distant lymph node and mixed.

Ftx is dispensable for imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in preimplantation mouse embryos.

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) equalizes gene expression between the sexes by inactivating one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals. Xist has been considered as a major cis-acting factor that inactivates the paternally derived X chromosome (Xp) in preimplantation mouse embryos (imprinted XCI). Ftx has been proposed as a positive regulator of Xist.

Relationship between peri-operative outcomes and hospital surgical volume of total hip arthroplasty in Japan.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peri-operative complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hospital surgical volume.

Methods: We reviewed discharge administrative data from 8321 patients who underwent primary THA between July and December 2008. Relationships between complications and surgical volume were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression models including age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index.

Asymmetric severe skeletal Class II division 1 patient with temporomandibular joint disorder treated with zygomatic anchorage devices and Ni-Ti alloy wires.

Objective: To describe the orthodontic treatment of a nongrowing 30-year-old woman with asymmetric severe skeletal Class II malocclusions (asymmetric Angle Class II), large overjet (16 mm), large overbite (8 mm), two congenitally missing mandibular incisors (presenting a deciduous anterior tooth), and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Materials And Methods: We used novel improved super-elastic Ni-Ti alloy wires (ISWs) combined with Ni-Ti alloy coil springs, power hooks, and a zygomatic implant as reinforced anchorage to provide a constant and continuous mild force to the dentition.

Results: We successfully distalized maxillary molars, premolars, and retracted anterior teeth and corrected the asymmetric Angle Class II molar relationship using this system of zygomatic anchorage in conjunction with ISWs, Ni-Ti alloy open-coil springs, and crimpable power hook.

BRCA2 phosphorylated by PLK1 moves to the midbody to regulate cytokinesis mediated by nonmuscle myosin IIC.

Cytokinesis is the critical final step in cell division. BRCA2 disruption during cytokinesis is associated with chromosome instability, but mechanistic information is lacking that could be used to prevent cancer cell division. In this study, we report that BRCA2 phosphorylation by the mitotic polo-like kinase (PLK1) governs the localization of BRCA2 to the Flemming body at the central midbody, permitting an interaction with nonmuscle myosin IIC (NM-IIC).

Successful removal of a distally located foreign body using a guide sheath.

This report presents the case of successful removal of a distally located foreign body using a guide sheath (GS). A 78-year-old man was brought for x-ray examination after a dental treatment at a local clinic. A dental instrument, a diamond bur, was missing after the treatment.

Vaccination of healthcare workers to protect patients at increased risk of acute respiratory disease: summary of a systematic review.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens and may transmit infection to vulnerable patients. This study summarises a recent systematic review, which aimed to assess evidence that influenza or pneumococcal vaccination of HCWs provides indirect protection for those patients most at risk of severe or complicated acute respiratory infection. A number of healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were searched using a predefined strategy, and citations screened for eligibility in accordance with specified inclusion criteria.

Activation of liver X receptor suppresses the production of the IL-12 family of cytokines by blocking nuclear translocation of NF-κBp50.

There is now convincing evidence that liver X receptor (LXR) is an important modulator of the inflammatory response; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of LXR on the IL-12 family of cytokines and examined the mechanism by which LXR exerted this effect. We first demonstrated that activation of murine-derived dendritic cells (DC) with a specific agonist to LXR enhanced expression of LXR following activation with LPS, suggesting a role in inflammation.

Wnt11 expression in rat dental pulp and promotional effects of Wnt signaling on odontoblast differentiation.

Congenital anomalies of wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) integration site family (Wnt) are frequently accompanied with tooth and dentin abnormality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Wnt signaling on odontoblast differentiation of mouse dental papilla cells (MDPs). Mouse dental papilla cells were cultured in α-modified minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics.

[Paradigm shift and future perspectives in rheumatoid arthritis].

Introduction of methotrexate (MTX) and biologic agents caused a paradigm shift in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Development of new classification criteria for RA was established in 2010, which makes early diagnosis of RA possible. Treating to target (T2T) by setting treatment goal avoids irreversible joint damage and disability in RA.

Safety and effectiveness of 6 months' etanercept monotherapy and combination therapy in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: effect of concomitant disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Objective: To assess real-world safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of etanercept monotherapy, etanercept plus methotrexate (MTX), or etanercept plus other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite previous treatment with DMARD.

Methods: In this 24-week, all-cases postmarketing surveillance study, adverse events (AE) were coded using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. Effectiveness was assessed every 4 weeks using the 28-joint Disease Activity Score and the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria.

Slower immune system aging in women versus men in the Japanese population.

Background: Gender-related differences in humans are commonly observed in behaviour, physical activity, disease, and lifespan. However, the notion that age-related changes in the immune system differ between men and women remains controversial. To elucidate the relationship between immunological changes and lifespan, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy Japanese subjects (age range: 20-90 years; N = 356) were analysed by using three-colour flow cytometry.

Functional reversibility of temporomandibular joint mechanoreceptors.

Objective: Previous studies have reported that the maturation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mechanoreceptors occurs during the early stages of mastication, and indicated that TMJ mechanoreceptors lose their function when masticatory loading is decreased. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the resumption of proper TMJ loading during the early growth period could restore TMJ mechanoreceptor function.

Designs: Ninety-nine 2-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and fed either pellets [control group (n=33)] or a liquid diet [experimental group (n=66)].