Effect of Impaired T Cell Receptor Signaling on the Gut Microbiota in a Mouse Model of Systemic Autoimmunity.

Objective: T cell receptor (TCR) signaling abnormalities and gut dysbiosis are thought to be involved in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it is not known whether these mechanisms are interrelated. This study was undertaken to explore the impact of defective TCR signaling on microbiota-driven immune responses and the consequent triggering of systemic autoimmunity.

3D-QSAR predictions for bovine serum albumin-water partition coefficients of organic anions using quantum mechanically based descriptors.

Ionic organic chemicals are a class of chemicals that is released in the environment in a large amount from anthropogenic sources. Among various chemical and biological processes, binding to serum albumin is particularly relevant for the toxicokinetic behavior of ionic chemicals. Several experimental studies showed that steric effects have a crucial influence on the sorption to bovine serum albumin (BSA).

Articular cartilage endurance and resistance to osteoarthritic changes require transcription factor Erg.

Objective: To determine whether and how the transcription factor Erg participates in the genesis, establishment, and maintenance of articular cartilage.

Methods: Floxed Erg mice were mated with Gdf5-Cre mice to generate conditional mutants lacking Erg in their joints. Joints of mutant and control mice were subjected to morphologic and molecular characterization and also to experimental surgically induced osteoarthritis (OA).

Antialbuminuric advantage of cilnidipine compared with L-type calcium channel blockers in type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria and microalbuminuria.

We evaluated the antialbuminuric advantage of cilnidipine, an N/L-type calcium channel blocker (CCB), compared with L-type CCBs in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria and microalbuminuria. The study was a multicenter, non-randomized crossover trial. Participants were 90 type 2 diabetic patients exhibiting either normo- or microalbuminuria, and undergoing CCB treatment for ≥6 months prior to study entry.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for upper gastric cancer.

Background: The technique and results of laparoscopic gastrectomy in 110 patients with gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach are presented.

Methods: Proximal gastrectomy was performed for lesions in the upper third of the stomach, and total gastrectomy for those that spread over both the upper and middle third. D1 and D2 lymph node dissection was undertaken in patients with T1 or T2 lesions.

The relationship between green tea and total caffeine intake and risk for self-reported type 2 diabetes among Japanese adults.

Background: In western populations, coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes; however, the effect of green, black, and oolong teas is unclear.

Objective: To examine the relationship between consumption of these beverages and risk for diabetes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic Lich-Gregoir antireflux plasty for primary vesicoureteral reflux.

We performed laparoscopic Lich-Gregoir antireflux plasty on 4 patients with primary vesicoureteral reflux. All procedures were conducted using the extraperitoneal approach. The average surgical time was 230 min.