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Objective Previous reports have demonstrated the association of serum bilirubin levels with the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The objective of this study is to assess the association of basal bilirubin levels with progressive renal decline (PRD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Methods A total of 298 patients with diabetes who visited Kyushu University Hospital (Japan) were recruited and followed up for 10 years. PRD was defined as a negative change in estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) >3.7%/year, 2.5th percentile. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of total bilirubin levels with PRD and its cut-off point was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox hazard regression analysis were used to evaluate the predictive ability of its cut-off point for ESKD. Results Logistic regression model showed that total bilirubin levels were significantly associated with PRD, and ROC analysis showed that its cut-off point was 0.5 mg/dL. Kaplan-Meier method showed that the percent of patients who reached two endpoints, composite endpoint (ESKD or doubling of creatinine level) or 30% eGFR decline, was significantly higher in the low bilirubin group than in the high bilirubin group (18.5% vs 11.0%, P = 0.045; 49.1% vs 42.1%, P = 0.045, respectively, log-rank test). Cox hazard regression models confirmed the independence of the predictive ability of its cut-off point. Conclusions Serum total bilirubin levels were negatively associated with PRD in diabetic nephropathy and its cut-off point was 0.5 mg/dL. It may be clinically useful for identifying patients at high risk of ESKD.

Perforin-2 is constitutively expressed in macrophages that are required for bacterial control. In this study, we found that perforin-2 is expressed in human macrophages with two isoforms: full-length perforin-2a and a splice variant, perforin-2b. Two isoforms show different subcellular distributions. Perforin-2a was predominantly localized to the membrane of endosome-like vesicles by a C-terminal transmembrane domain. In contrast, the short isoform perforin-2b lacking the transmembrane domain failed to localize to the membrane of vesicles. Furthermore, we determined that the pro-inflammatory stimuli LPS and TNF-α induced perforin-2a expression via the NF-κB pathway and triggered perforin-2a vesicles fusion with lysosomes. On the other hand, we detected the secretion of perforin-2b in response to LPS stimulation. Taken together, our data provide the evidence that membrane-bound and secretory isoforms of perforin-2 are present in human macrophages and may play important roles in immune defense.

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity induces neuronal death by altering various intracellular signaling pathways and is implicated as a common pathogenic pathway in many neurodegenerative diseases. In the case of motor neuron disease, there is significant evidence to suggest that the overactivation of AMPA receptors due to deficiencies in the expression and function of glial glutamate transporters GLT1 and GLAST plays an important role in the mechanisms of neuronal death. However, a causal role for glial glutamate transporter dysfunction in motor neuron death remains unknown. Here, we developed a new animal model of excitotoxicity by conditionally deleting astroglial glutamate transporters GLT1 and GLAST in the spinal cords of mice (GLAST(+/−)/GLT1-cKO). GLAST(+/−)/GLT1-cKO mice (both sexes) exhibited nuclear irregularity and calpain-mediated degradation of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which are responsible for nucleocytoplasmic transport. These abnormalities were associated with progressive motor neuron loss, severe paralysis, and shortened lifespan. The nuclear export inhibitor KPT-350 slowed but did not prevent motor neuron death, whereas long-term treatment of the AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel and the calpain inhibitor SNJ-1945 had more persistent beneficial effects. Thus, NPC degradation contributes to AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxic motor neuronal death, and preventing NPC degradation has robust protective effects. Normalization of NPC function could be a novel therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders in which AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity is a contributory factor. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite glial glutamate transporter dysfunction leading to excitotoxicity has been documented in many neurological diseases, it remains unclear whether its dysfunction is a primary cause or secondary outcome of neuronal death at disease state. Here we show the combined loss of glial glutamate transporters GLT1 and GLAST in spinal cord caused motor neuronal death and hindlimb paralysis. Further, our novel mutant exhibits the nuclear irregularities and calpain-mediated progressive nuclear pore complex degradation. Our study reveals that glial glutamate transporter dysfunction is sufficient to cause motor neuronal death in vivo.

The Japan Fracture Observational Study (JFOS), a prospective observational study, investigated the real-world effectiveness of daily teriparatide to reduce clinical fracture risk in osteoporotic patients.In routine clinical practice, Japanese patients initiated on teriparatide 20 μg/day by subcutaneous injection were enrolled. The primary end-point was the rate of clinical fractures at 6-month intervals over 24 months. Bone mineral density (BMD), procollagen type 1 aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP), back pain, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) information was collected.Of 1,996 patients at baseline, 90.1% were female, and mean age was 76.9 years. Teriparatide persistence at 12 and 24 months was 68.0% and 51.6%, respectively. Compared to the first 6-month treatment interval, the odds ratio of fractures decreased by 56.4% during 6-12 months, 51.6% during 12-18 months, and 58.8% during 18-24 months (all p .01). After 24 months, BMD increased by 17.2% (lumbar spine) and 7.9% (total hip). After 6 months, P1NP levels increased by 259.3%. A reduction in back pain (100 mm visual analog scale) of 16.1 mm at 3 months was maintained through 24 months. HRQoL (pain, daily living activities, general health) improved by ≥10% at each post-baseline time point. Of 279 (14.6%) patients with ≥1 adverse event (AE), 71 (3.7%) experienced ≥1 drug-related AE (investigator assessed), including nausea (0.7%), dizziness (0.4%), and decreased appetite (0.3%). Osteosarcoma was not reported; there were no new safety signals.JFOS demonstrated effectiveness of teriparatide 20 μg/day to reduce the risk of clinical fractures in Japanese patients in a real-world setting.

Objectives We investigated the effect of saturated fatty acids on chronic pancreatitis pathogenesis by elucidating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which are major effector cells in pancreatic fibrosis. Methods Wistar Bonn/Kobori rats were fed either control diet or high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, cultured rat PSCs were stimulated with thapsigargin, an ER stress inducer, or palmitic acid (PA). Pancreatic fibrosis, expressions of fibrosis-related and ER stress-related proteins and mRNA, cell viability, and apoptosis were examined. Results The HFD reduced fibrosis and α-smooth muscle actin expression (ie, activated PSCs) but upregulated ER stress-related mRNA expression in the pancreas of young HFD-fed Wistar Bonn/Kobori rats. Induction of ER stress response in PSCs with thapsigargin or PA induced apoptosis, activated the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway, inhibited cell viability, and downregulated fibrosis-related protein and mRNA expression. The PERK inhibitor negated PA-induced ER stress response. Conclusions Saturated fatty acids can inhibit but may not promote the fibrogenesis of chronic pancreatitis, at least in the early stage, via an ER stress response (ie, the PERK pathway) in PSCs. Moreover, induction of an apoptotic ER stress response in PSCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for pancreatic fibrosis.

Oxidative stress contributes to the development of diabetic complications. Increasing epidemiologic evidence suggests that diabetes mellitus is associated with dementia and cognitive decline. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We have evaluated brain redox status and its association of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic animal models by dynamic nuclear polarization-magnetic resonance imaging (DNP-MRI) and other oxidative stress markers. In this review, we discuss the role of oxidative stress in the development of diabetes-related dementia and clinical regulation of the redox state in new approaches to augmenting diabetes-related dementia.

Background and aim Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) affect coordinated esophageal contractility. Recent developments in high-resolution manometry have improved diagnosis of EMDs; however, the etiology of EMDs remains to be determined. This study aimed to determine which clinical characteristics are associated with esophageal motility. Methods From May 2013 to July 2014, 97 patients (54 women, 43 men; age, 16-89 years) with suspected EMDs were assessed by high-resolution manometry in Kyushu University Hospital. Esophageal motility was evaluated by measuring the distal contractile integral (DCI), basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP). Data on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Brinkman Index, and blood tests were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results Fifty patients were diagnosed as normal, nine with achalasia, twelve with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, four with distal esophageal spasm, one with jackhammer esophagus, six with absent peristalsis, ten with frequent failed peristalsis, and five with weak peristalsis. The median DCI was 1229.0 mmHg-s-cm, the median basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure was 25.3 mmHg, and the median IRP was 9.6 mmHg. Patients with major motility disorders were excluded from analysis. By multivariate regression analysis, BMI (P = 0.029) and total cholesterol (P = 0.023) were negatively associated with DCI, while BMI (P = 0.007) was negatively associated with IRP and glucose (P = 0.044) was positively associated with IRP. Conclusions Both BMI and total cholesterol could be highly predictive factors for esophageal body contractility, while BMI and glucose could be predictive factors for lower esophageal sphincter contractile function.

Aims Recently various dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have emerged because of their high effectiveness and safety. In spite of their common effect of DPP-4 inhibition, the chemical structures are diverse. Here we show that the structure of teneligliptin, a novel DPP-4 inhibitor, has a scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical (·OH). Methods ·OH and superoxide (O2−) were detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. ·OH and O2− were generated in vitro by the Fenton reaction and a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, respectively. The level of free radicals was estimated from the ESR signal intensity. The product via teneligliptin and ·OH reaction was identified by thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis. In vivo effect was also evaluated using DPP-4 deficient rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Results ESR spectroscopy analysis showed that teneligliptin did not scavenge O2−, but scavenged ·OH in a dose dependent manner. Its activity was greater than that of glutathione. The reaction product appeared to have an oxygen-atom added structure to that of teneligliptin, which was identical to the most abundant metabolite of teneligliptin in human plasma. Furthermore, using DPP-4 deficient rat, teneligliptin did not affect plasma glucose levels or body weight, but normalized increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine in urine, kidney and aorta of diabetic rats, supporting that teneligliptin may have a ·OH scavenging activity in vivo independently of DPP-4 inhibition. Conclusions Teneligliptin is not only effective as DPP-4 inhibitor, but may also be beneficial as ·OH scavenger, which may be useful in the prevention of diabetic complications.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular events than essential hypertension. Although adrenalectomy has been reported to reduce carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with PA, the effects of the selective aldosterone blocker, eplerenone, on vascular damage in these patients remains unclear. To evaluate the effects of eplerenone on vascular status in PA patients, we sequentially measured carotid IMT (using computer software to calculate an average IMT for accurate and reproducible evaluation) in 22 patients including 8 patients treated by unilateral adrenalectomy and 14 patients treated with eplerenone for 12 months. Patients who underwent adrenalectomy showed significant reductions in aldosterone concentration (from 345 ± 176 pg/mL to 67 ± 34 pg/mL; P

To further clarify the molecular features of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), we immunohistochemically examined tumor samples from 25 NECs, including 9 small cell NECs (SCNECs) and 16 large cell NECs (LCNECs), 20 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and 21 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (PDCs) for the expression of several biomarkers (p53, β-catenin, Bcl-2, Rb, p16, p21, cyclin D1, and cyclin E) and used sequencing analysis to identify gene alterations of TP53, APC, CTNNB1, KRAS, and BRAF. The frequencies of aberrant p53 expression (88%), β-catenin nuclear expression (48%), and high expression of cyclin E (84%) were significantly higher in NECs than in NETs (0%, 5%, and 5%, P < .01, respectively). The immunohistochemical results of NECs and PDCs were similar. TP53, APC, KRAS, and BRAF gene mutations were variously detected in NECs and PDCs but not in any NETs. The frequencies of decreased expression of Rb (56%) and high expression of p16 (56%) and Bcl-2 (64%) were significantly higher in NECs than in PDCs (5%, 19%, and 5%, P < .05, respectively) or NETs (10%, 5%, and 5%, P < .01, respectively). Such immunohistochemical characteristics of NECs were more evident in SCNECs than in large cell NECs (P < .01). In conclusion, the molecular features of colorectal NECs are similar to those of adenocarcinomas and not to those of NETs. Decreased expression of Rb and high expression of p16 and Bcl-2 are characteristics of NECs, suggesting that Rb-p16 pathway disruption may contribute to the promotion of proliferative activity in colorectal NECs. SCNECs may be a prototype of NECs.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) exerts a wide variety of therapeutic effects against medical disorders, such as diabetes and obesity. However, the molecular basis of DHEA action remains to be clarified. Previously, we reported that DHEA-enhanced dual specificity protein phosphatase, designated DDSP, is one of the target molecules of DHEA. To examine the role of DDSP in DHEA signaling, we generated mice that carry a DDSP transgene in which expression is driven by the CAG promoter (DDSP-Tg). DDSP-Tg mice weighed significantly less than wild-type (WT) control mice when a high fat diet was supplied (p

Aim Combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) (cHCC-CC) is a rare biphasic liver cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that cHCC-CC originates from hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs). Spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) is a marker for a progenitor subclass of HCC with an aggressive phenotype. However, little has been revealed about SALL4 expression in cHCC-CC. The aims of this study were to report SALL4 immunopositivity and the results of clinicopathological analysis in cHCC-CC, and to examine the two different nuclear immunostaining patterns for SALL4. Methods and results We defined the diffuse finely granular nuclear immunostaining pattern as immunopositive for SALL4; this was observed in eight (8.9%) of 90 cHCC-CCs. SALL4 immunopositivity was significantly associated with immunopositivity for α-fetoprotein, glypican 3, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). There was no relationship between SALL4 immunopositivity and prognosis. We confirmed SALL4 mRNA expression in samples with a punctuate/clumped immunostaining pattern, which showed a significantly lower rate of immunopositivity for EpCAM than those with a diffuse finely granular pattern. Conclusions SALL4 immunopositivity is not a prognostic factor in cHCC-CC; however, it is associated with α-fetoprotein, glypican 3 and EpCAM immunopositivity, indicating the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Further study is necessary to interpret the immunostaining pattern for SALL4.

Accumlating evidence have suggested that diabetes mellitus links dementia, notably of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several studies have shown oxidative stress (OS) to be one of the major factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Here we show OS involvement in brain damage in a diabetic animal model that is at least partially mediated through an AD-pathology-independent mechanism apart from amyloid-β accumulation. We investigated the contribution of the p66Shc signaling pathway to diabetes-related cognitive decline using p66Shc knockout (−/−) mice. p66Shc (−/−) mice have less OS in the brain and are resistant to diabetes-induced brain damage. Moreover, p66Shc (−/−) diabetic mice show significantly less cognitive dysfunction and decreased levels of OS and the numbers of microglia. This study postulates a p66Shc-mediated inflammatory cascade leading to OS as a causative pathogenic mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive impairment that is at least partially mediated through an AD-pathology-independent mechanism.

Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the colorectum is known as a rare variant with favorable prognosis despite its poorly differentiated morphology. The mechanism of its favorable behavior has been unclear. Here, we compared the expressions of adhesion molecules and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in the central portion and invasive front between 43 MCs and 30 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (PDAs). The expressions of membranous E-cadherin (P < .0001), β-catenin (P < .0001) and claudin 1 (P = .0036) were significantly preserved in the invasive front of the MCs compared to those in the invasive front of the PDAs. E-cadherin membranous expression was also significantly preserved in the central portion of the MCs (P = .0178). Nuclear β-catenin expression in both the central portion (P = .0463) and invasive front (P = .0346) of the MCs was significantly less frequent compared to that in the PDAs. Snail (P = .0035) and Twist1 (P = .0463) expressions in the invasive front of the MCs were significantly less frequent compared to the PDAs, suggesting that the EMT phenomenon may occur rarely in colorectal MC. Reduced membranous E-cadherin expression in the MC central portion was significantly correlated with poor clinical outcome (P = .0086). Our immunohistochemical results indicate that preserved adhesion molecule protein and less frequent expression of EMT-related transcription factors in the invasive front contribute to the favorable prognosis of colorectal MCs. We suggest that a reduced expression of E-cadherin in the central portion might be a good biomarker for an unfavorable prognosis in cases of MC.

Mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) physically interact by close structural juxtaposition, via the mitochondria-associated ER membrane. Inter-organelle communication between the ER and mitochondria has been shown to regulate energy metabolism and to be central to the modulation of various key processes such as ER stress. We aimed to clarify the role of mitochondrial fission in this communication. We generated mice lacking the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in the liver (Drp1LiKO mice). Drp1LiKO mice showed decreased fat mass and were protected from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Analysis of liver gene expression profiles demonstrated marked elevation of ER stress markers. In addition, we observed increased expression of the fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) gene through induction of activating transcription factor 4, master regulator of the integrated stress response. Disruption of mitochondrial fission in the liver provoked ER stress, while inducing the expression of FGF21 to increase energy expenditure and protect against HFD-induced obesity.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) although rare is the most lethal form of thyroid cancer. The mortality rate for ATC is very high, with a median survival time of only 5 months; the survival rate at 1 year after diagnosis is

A 64-year-old woman had suffered from painful livedo reticularis for 2 years and was referred to us due to fever, anasarca and paresthesia of the lower limbs. Serum proteinase-3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was positive. Abnormal lymphocytes were found in the cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow. Skin biopsy revealed large atypical lymphoid cells with CD20 positivity lodged in the small vessels and neutrophilic infiltration into the arterial vascular wall with fibrinoid degeneration. A diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma complicated by ANCA-associated vasculitis was made, and rituximab-containing chemotherapy followed by prednisolone was quite effective for both lymphoma and ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Recent observational studies have suggested a positive association of white rice and protective associations of green tea and coffee with the risk of diabetes. However, none have examined the interaction between these dietary factors on the risk of diabetes. We prospectively investigated the effect modification of green tea and coffee on the association between rice and incident diabetes in elderly Japanese men and women.Among subjects who participated in the baseline survey (2004-2007), 11717 (91 %) subjects responded to the follow-up survey (2010-2012). By using multiple logistic regression analysis, ORs of incident diabetes were calculated according to categories of cereal food, green tea, and coffee intakes, examining also the effect modification of green tea and coffee.464 new cases of diabetes were identified. Women, but not men, showed a positive association of rice intake (trend p=0.008) and an inverse association of green tea intake (trend p=0.02) with incident diabetes. Coffee showed no association with incident diabetes either in men or women. In the analysis stratified by green tea intake, the association between rice and diabetes disappeared among women with an intake of=7 cups/d of green tea (interaction p=0.08).Rice intake was associated with an increased risk of diabetes only in women, and women with a higher intake of green tea had a lower risk of diabetes. A high intake of green tea may be protective against increased risk of diabetes with a higher intake of rice in women.

Glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) is used as a measure of glycemic control and also as a diagnostic criterion for diabetes. To discover novel loci harboring common variants associated with HbA1cin East Asians, we conducted a meta-analysis of 13 genome-wide association studies (GWAS; N = 21,026). We replicated our findings in three additional studies comprising 11,576 individuals of East Asian ancestry. Ten variants showed associations that reached genome-wide significance in the discovery data set, of which nine (four novel variants at TMEM79 [ P value = 1.3 × 10-23], HBS1L/MYB [8.5 × 10-15], MYO9B [9.0 × 10-12], and CYBA [1.1 × 10-8] as well as five variants at loci that had been previously identified [CDKAL1, G6PC2/ ABCB11, GCK, ANK1, and FN3KI]) showed consistent evidence of association in replication data sets. These variants explained 1.76% of the variance in HbA1c. Several of these variants (TMEM79, HBS1L/MYB, CYBA, MYO9B, ANK1, and FN3K) showed no association with either blood glucose or type 2 diabetes. Among individuals with nondiabetic levels of fasting glucose (

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes mellitus are significant risk factors for all-cause death or cardiovascular death. PAD occurs more frequently in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients. However, the association of ankle-brachial index (ABI), especially borderline ABI, with clinical outcomes has not been fully elucidated in diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of ABI with mortality and the incidence of PAD in Japanese diabetic patients.This observational study included 3981 diabetic patients (61.0 ± 11.8 years of age, 59.4% men), registered in the Kyushu Prevention Study for Atherosclerosis. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the value of ABI at baseline: ABI ≤0.90 (abnormal ABI:354 patients), 0.91 ≤ ABI ≤ 0.99 (borderline ABI:333 patients), and 1.00 ≤ ABI ≤ 1.40 (normal ABI:3294 patients).Cumulative incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in patients with abnormal and borderline ABI than in those with normal ABI (34.4% vs. 13.5%, P0.0001 and 26.1% vs. 13.5%, P0.0001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the risks for all-cause death in patients with abnormal ABI (HR:2.16; 95%CI:1.46-3.14; P = 0.0002) and borderline ABI (HR:1.78; 95%CI:1.14-2.70; P = 0.01) were significantly higher than in those with normal ABI. The incidence of PAD was remarkably higher in patients with borderline ABI than in those with normal ABI (32.2% vs.9.6%, P0.0001). After adjustment, the risk for PAD was significantly higher in patients with borderline ABI than in those with normal ABI (HR:3.10; 95%CI:1.90-4.95; P0.0001).Borderline ABI in diabetic patients was associated with significantly higher risks for mortality and PAD compared with normal ABI.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the page To further understanding of the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) susceptibility, we aggregated published meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including 26,488 cases and 83,964 controls of European, east Asian, south Asian and Mexican and Mexican American ancestry. We observed a significant excess in the directional consistency of T2D risk alleles across ancestry groups, even at SNPs demonstrating only weak evidence of association. By following up the strongest signals of association from the trans-ethnic meta-analysis in an additional 21,491 cases and 55,647 controls of European ancestry, we identified seven new T2D susceptibility loci. Furthermore, we observed considerable improvements in the fine-mapping resolution of common variant association signals at several T2D susceptibility loci. These observations highlight the benefits of trans-ethnic GWAS for the discovery and characterization of complex trait loci and emphasize an exciting opportunity to extend insight into the genetic architecture and pathogenesis of human diseases across populations of diverse ancestry. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Medical Research Council UK G0601261 Mexico Convocatoria SSA/IMMS/ISSSTE-CONACYT 2012-2 clave 150352 IMSS R-2011-785-018 CONACYT Salud-2007-C01-71068 US National Institutes of Health DK062370 HG000376 DK085584 DK085545 DK073541 DK085501 Wellcome Trust WT098017 WT090532 WT090367 WT098381 WT081682 WT085475 info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/201413

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis compared with other solid pancreatic tumors. Diagnosis of PDAC in the earliest possible stage is important to improve the prognosis. Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been the gold-standard modality for diagnosing pancreatic lesions, its diagnostic yield is not satisfactory for pancreatic tumors smaller than 20 mm. The purpose of this study was to determine the EUS findings that are useful for differentiating PDAC from other solid pancreatic tumors when the lesions are smaller than 20 mm. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We performed a retrospective review of 126 patients with pancreatic tumors smaller than 20 mm who had undergone EUS. According to the final pathological diagnoses, they were categorized into either the PDAC or non-PDAC group. We, then, compared the EUS findings between the two groups. RESULTS. Among the 126 patients, we diagnosed PDAC in 75 patients and non-PDAC in the remaining patients, including neuroendocrine tumor in 43 patients, intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma in 3 patients, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm in 2 patients, and inflammatory pseudotumor in 3 patients. Of all EUS findings, three factors were significantly indicative of PDAC: an irregular tumor edge, main pancreatic duct dilation, and tumor location in the pancreatic head. The predicted probability for PDAC was 80%, 92.6%, and 74.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. EUS could be a useful modality for differentiating PDAC from other solid pancreatic tumors, when the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA is unsatisfactory, even for lesions smaller than 20 mm.

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) is characterized by subtle autonomous cortisol secretion from adrenal tumors without specific signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism. Patients with SCS have a high prevalence of "lifestyle-related diseases," such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis. Long-term follow-up of SCS patients is reportedly indispensable for establishing indications for surgical treatment of SCS. We performed a follow-up survey of 27 patients with SCS (median: 5.3 years) and compared those who had undergone surgical treatment (n=15) with those who had not (n=12). The mean diameter of tumors was 31 mm; 16 (59%) patients had unilateral lesions and 11 (41%) carried bilateral ones. In 67% and 60% of the treatment group, respectively, hypertension and diabetes mellitus improved. We also noticed that eight of 11 (73%) SCS patients with bilateral adrenal tumors had extra-adrenal malignancies in various tissues. Interestingly, among nine SCS patients who had malignancies, eight showed bilateral adrenal uptake in ¹³¹I-aldosterol scintigraphy. The results imply that surgical treatment can reduce cardiovascular risks in SCS patients. Screening for malignancy may be necessary in patients with bilateral adrenal tumors suspected of autonomous hypersecretion of cortisol from both sides.

Objective Metformin and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) prevent diabetic cardiovascular complications and atherosclerosis. However, the direct effects on hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells are not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effects of metformin and a GLP-1 analog, liraglutide on high glucose-induced oxidative stress. Methods Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and NAD(P)H oxidase, and changes in signaling molecules in response to high glucose exposure were evaluated in human aortic endothelial cells with and without treatment of metformin and liraglutide, alone or in combination. PKC-NAD(P)H oxidase pathway was assessed by translocation of GFP-fused PKCβ2 isoform and GFP-fused p47phox, a regulatory subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase, in addition to endogenous PKC phosphorylation and NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Results High glucose-induced ROS overproduction was blunted by metformin or liraglutide treatment, with a further decrease by a combination of these drugs. Exposure to high glucose caused PKCβ2 translocation and a time-dependent phosphorylation of endogenous PKC but failed to induce its translocation and phosphorylation in the cells treated with metformin and liraglutide. Furthermore, both drugs inhibited p47phox translocation and NAD(P)H oxidase activation, and prevented the high glucose-induced changes in intracellulalr diacylglycerol (DAG) level and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). A combination of these drugs further enhanced all of these effects. Conclusions Metformin and liraglutide ameliorate high glucose-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting PKC-NAD(P)H oxidase pathway. A combination of these two drugs provides augmented protective effects, suggesting the clinical usefulness in prevention of diabetic vascular complications.

Surgical treatment of pheochromocytoma is associated with a high risk of hemodynamic instability. To reduce the risk of perioperative complications, adequate medical treatment to normalize blood pressure and restore blood volume is required. Accurate evaluation of the circulating blood volume (CBV) in perioperative patients with pheochromocytoma is clinically important. In the present study, we adopted whole-body bioimpedance monitoring technique using the Non-Invasive Cardiac System (NICaS), which can non-invasively measure cardiac output (CO) values. NICaS-derived CO values were evaluated in eight preoperative patients with pheochromocytoma and were compared with simultaneous CBV values measured by a conventional indicator dilution method using (131)I-labeled human serum albumin. In these patients with pheochromocytoma, the NICaS-derived CO values were significantly correlated with the CBV values measured by (131)I-labeled human serum albumin (4.86 ± 1.05 L/min vs 4.79 ± 1.02 L; r = 0.906; P = 0.002). Sequential NICaS-derived CO values confirmed that CBV increased after preoperative treatment with an α-blocker, with or without volume loading. The results of this study indicate that NICaS can be used to accurately and non-invasively evaluate the hemodynamic status. By sequential monitoring of NICaS-derived CO values, we are able to confirm whether adequate CBV in a patient with pheochromocytoma is obtained by preoperative medical treatment with α-blockers or volume loading, to avoid perioperative complications.

Objective Several clinical studies have shown the beneficial effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonists on diabetic nephropathy. However, the molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here we show that K-877, a novel selective PPARα modulator, ameliorates nephropathy in db/db mice via inhibition of renal lipid content and oxidative stress. Methods and results K-877 (0.5mg/kg/day) was administered to db/db mice for 2 or 12weeks. Short-term treatment did not affect body weight or plasma glucose levels in db/db mice, but attenuated albuminuria, along with improvement of plasma lipid profiles, lipid content including total diacylglycerol (DAG) levels, protein kinase C (PKC) activity, NAD(P)H oxidase-4 expression, and oxidative stress markers, all of which were significantly increased in diabetic kidneys. It increased phosphorylation of 5′-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and expression of several genes mediating fatty acid β-oxidation. In addition, long-term treatment ameliorated renal mesangial expansion in db/db mice and improved glycemic control. Conclusions K-877 administration ameliorates diabetic nephropathy, at least in part, via inhibition of renal lipid content and oxidative stress. The underlying mechanism may be mediated by modulating the renal AMPK-ACC pathway, subsequent acceleration of fatty acid β-oxidation and inhibition of fatty acid synthesis, and thus inhibition of the DAG-PKC-NAD(P)H oxidase pathway, in addition to its systemic effect including improvement of the plasma lipid profile and glycemic control.

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) was recently identified as a rate-limiting triglyceride (TG) lipase and its activity is stimulated by comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58). Mutations in the ATGL or CGI-58 genes are associated with neutral lipid storage diseases characterized by the accumulation of TG in multiple tissues. The cardiac phenotype, known as triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy, is characterized by TG accumulation in coronary atherosclerotic lesions and in the myocardium. Recent reports showed that myocardial TG accumulation is significantly higher in patients with diabetes and is associated with impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Therefore, we investigated the roles of ATGL and CGI-58 in the development of myocardial steatosis in the diabetic state. Histological examination with oil red O staining showed marked lipid deposition in the hearts of diabetic fatty db/db mice. Cardiac triglyceride and diglyceride contents were greater in db/db mice than in db/+ control mice. Next, we determined the expression of genes and proteins that affect lipid metabolism, and found that ATGL and CGI-58 expression levels were decreased in the hearts of db/db mice. We also found increased expression of genes regulating triglyceride synthesis (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, monoacylglycerol acyltransferases, and diacylglycerol acyltransferases) in db/db mice. Regarding key modulators of apoptosis, PKC activity, and oxidative stress, we found that Bcl-2 levels were lower and that phosphorylated PKC and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were higher in db/db hearts. These results suggest that reduced ATGL and CGI-58 expression and increased TG synthesis may exacerbate myocardial steatosis and oxidative stress, thereby promoting cardiac apoptosis in diabetic mice.

SummarySuccessful chemotaxis requires not only increased motility but also sustained directionality. Here, we show that, during neutrophil chemotaxis via receptors coupled with the Gi family of heterotrimeric G proteins, directional movement is regulated by mInsc, a mammalian protein distantly related to the Drosophila polarity-organizer Inscuteable. The GDP-bound, Gβγ-free Gαi subunit accumulates at the front of chemotaxing neutrophils to recruit mInsc—complexed with the Par3-aPKC evolutionarily conserved polarity complex—via LGN/AGS3 that simultaneously binds to Gαi-GDP and mInsc. Both mInsc-deficient and aPKC-blocked neutrophils exhibit a normal motile activity but migrate in an undirected manner. mInsc deficiency prevents neutrophils from efficiently stabilizing pseudopods at the leading edge; the stability is restored by wild-type mInsc, but not by a mutant protein defective in binding to LGN/AGS3. Thus, mInsc controls directional migration via noncanonical G protein signaling, in which Gβγ-free Gαi-GDP, a product from Gαi-GTP released after receptor activation, plays a central role.

Endoscopic necrosectomy (EN) for walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is less invasive than surgical treatment and has become the first choice for pancreatic abscess. EN is usually carried out with several devices including snares, baskets, and grasping forceps. Occasionally, we have encountered cases in which EN has not been satisfactorily carried out, and there is pressure for further innovation in EN. Here, we describe a case of a large area of WOPN that was successfully treated by EN with endoscopic submucosal dissection and associated techniques, which facilitated removal of necrotic tissues. A 60-year-old man was referred to our hospital for WOPN as a complication of necrotizing pancreatitis. As a result of his complicating conditions including ischemic heart disease, uncontrollable arrhythmia, chronic renal failure, and persistent pleural effusion, he was deemed a poor surgical candidate. Although EN with conventional devices was carried out for five sessions, we could not remove the dense and massive necrotic tissues. At the sixth EN session, the Clutch Cutter device (Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) was used to remove the necrotic tissues, without major complications. This is believed to be the first report of EN using the Clutch Cutter for successful treatment of WOPN.

Background and aim Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is now accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). To our knowledge, however, the functional effects of ESD have not been determined in patients with EGC. We therefore investigated whether gastric motility was affected by ESD. Methods Using the (13) C-octanoic acid breath test, gastric emptying of solid test meals was examined in 26 EGC patients and 18 healthy controls, with EGC patients assayed before and about 2 months after ESD. Based on (13) CO2 breath-excretion curves, the lag-phase time (T(lag) ), half-emptying time (T(1/2) ), and gastric emptying coefficient (GEC) were calculated as indices of gastric emptying. Results In healthy controls, the mean T(lag), T(1/2), and GEC were 85.5 ± 4.9 min, 148.5 ± 8.0 min, and 3.01 ± 0.09 h, respectively. Before ESD, the mean T(lag) , T(1/2), and GEC in the EGC patients were 90.1 ± 5.5 min, 174.7 ± 10.4 min, 2.64 ± 0.08 h, respectively. GEC, but not T(lag) or T(1/2), differed significantly in the two groups, with gastric emptying slower in EGC patients than in controls. Relative to before ESD, the mean T(lag), T(1/2), and GEC in EGC patients after ESD were 109.2% ± 7.8%, 107.9% ± 9.6%, 108.4% ± 4.7%, respectively, indicating that ESD did not significantly affect any of these gastric emptying parameters in EGC patients. Conclusion ESD is an effective treatment for EGC both in preserving organs and gastric motility.

We and other investigators have reported that bilirubin and its precursor biliverdin may have beneficial effects on diabetic vascular complications, including nephropathy, via its antioxidant effects. Here, we investigated whether phycocyanin derived from Spirulina platensis, a blue-green algae, and its chromophore phycocyanobilin, which has a chemical structure similar to that of biliverdin, protect against oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in db/db mice, a rodent model for Type 2 diabetes. Oral administration of phycocyanin (300 mg/kg) for 10 wk protected against albuminuria and renal mesangial expansion in db/db mice, and normalized tumor growth factor-β and fibronectin expression. Phycocyanin also normalized urinary and renal oxidative stress markers and the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase components. Similar antioxidant effects were observed following oral administration of phycocyanobilin (15 mg/kg) for 2 wk. Phycocyanobilin, bilirubin, and biliverdin also inhibited NADPH dependent superoxide production in cultured renal mesangial cells. In conclusion, oral administration of phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin may offer a novel and feasible therapeutic approach for preventing diabetic nephropathy.

AIM: Using general Japanese populations, we performed a replication study of genetic loci previously identified in European-descent populations as being associated with uric acid and gout. The relative contribution of non-genetic and genetic factors to the variances in serum uric acid concentration was then evaluated. METHODS: Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped from 7 candidate loci robustly confirmed in Europeans. Genotyping was performed in up to 17,226 individuals, from which 237 hyperuricemia cases and 3,218 controls were chosen for a case-control study. For 6 SNPs showing a replication of uric acid association in 17,076 general population samples, we further tested the associations with other metabolic traits (n≤5,745) and with type 2 diabetes (931 cases and 1404 controls) and coronary artery disease (806 cases and 1337 controls). RESULTS: Significant uric acid associations (one-tailed p

The clinical course of chronic pancreatitis (CP) worsens with drinking, and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic CP. Chemokines recruit inflammatory cells, resulting in chronic pancreatic inflammation. Although serum levels of fractalkine (CX3CL1) are significantly elevated in patients with alcoholic CP, the mechanism of this elevation remains unclear. This study aims to determine the effects of cytokines, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and ethanol and its metabolites on CX3CL1 secretion by PSCs. Male Wistar/Bonn Kobori (WBN/Kob) rats aged 15 to 20 weeks were used as rodent models of CP in vivo. PSCs were isolated from 6-week-old male Wistar rats. The effects of cytokines, PAMPs, and ethanol and its metabolites on chemokine production and activation of signaling pathways in PSCs in vitro were examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of CX3CL1 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 was increased in the pancreas of WBN/Kob rats. The rat PSCs expressed CX3CL1, MMP-2, and a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain (ADAM) 17. Cytokines and PAMPs induced CX3CL1 release and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), MMP-9, and ADAM17. CX3CL1 release was suppressed by specific inhibitors of ERK, MMP, and ADAM, and ERK was associated with CX3CL1 transcription. Ethanol and phorbol myristate acetate synergistically increased CX3CL1 release. Real-time PCR and western blotting confirmed the synergistic activation of ERK and ADAM17. Ethanol synergistically increased CX3CL1 release via ERK and ADAM17 activation in PSCs. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that ethanol synergistically increased CX3CL1 release from PSCs at least in part through activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase and ADAM17. This might be one of the mechanisms of serum CX3CL1 elevation and disease progression in patients with alcoholic CP.

Accumulating evidence has implicated that GLP-1 may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular and renal diseases but the mechanism is not fully understood. Here we show that GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, inhibits oxidative stress and albuminuria in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus rats, via a protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated inhibition of renal NAD(P)H oxidases. Diabetic rats were randomly treated with subcutaneous injections of liraglutide (0.3 mg/kg/12 h) for 4 weeks. Oxidative stress markers (urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and renal dihydroethidium staining), expression of renal NAD(P)H oxidase components, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), fibronectin and urinary albumin excretion were measured. In vitro effect of liraglutide was evaluated using cultured renal mesangial cells. Administration of liraglutide did not affect plasma glucose levels or body weights in STZ diabetic rats, but normalized oxidative stress markers, expression of NAD(P)H oxidase components, TGF-β, fibronectin in renal tissues and urinary albumin excretion, all of which were significantly increased in diabetic rats. In addition, in cultured renal mesangial cells, incubation with liraglutide for 48 h inhibited NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide production evaluated by lucigenin chemiluminescence in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was reversed by both PKA inhibitor H89 and adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536, but not by Epac2 inhibition via its small interfering RNA. Liraglutide may have a direct beneficial effect on oxidative stress and diabetic nephropathy via a PKA-mediated inhibition of renal NAD(P)H oxidase, independently of a glucose-lowering effect.

Aim The purpose of this study was to assess 5-year changes in physical function and factors associated with improvement among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice, focusing on the effect of treatments, including biologic agents, in the early stage of disease course. Methods The National Database of Rheumatic Diseases by iR-net in Japan (NinJa) was searched for patients with disease duration ≤ 2 years and modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ) > 0 between 2004 and 2007, so that 510 patients were included in the final analysis. Multivariate-logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of 5-year mHAQ disability score improvement. Results Median mHAQ score was 0.40 at baseline and decreased to a median 0.17 after 5 years. Seventy-four percent of the patients were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and 25% with biologic agents, with early use of biologic agents (within 2 years of RA onset) increasing over time. Multivariate analyses identified higher baseline Disease Activity Score of 28 joints – C-reactive protein and early use of MTX (within 1 year of RA onset) and of biologic agents (within 2 years) as significantly associated with improved mHAQ; odds ratios of the early treatment were 1.83 (P = 0.01) for MTX and 2.23 (P = 0.04) for biologic agents, respectively. Conclusion Five-year mHAQ improved in early RA patients in the NinJa database. In daily clinical management of RA, likewise in clinical trials, early administration of MTX or biologic agents is able to improve physical function outcome.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard procedure for the resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, the feasibility of ESD for very elderly patients, aged ≥ 80 years, has not been determined.The study population included 67 non-elderly (NE) patients aged ≤ 65 years (80 lesions) and 22 very elderly (VE) patients ≥ 80 years (26 lesions) with EGC who underwent ESD and met the criteria for absolute or expanded indications. Eighteen patients (18 lesions) who underwent ESD but did not meet the criteria for absolute and expanded indications were defined as the outside the indications (OI) group.En bloc and complete resection rates were excellent in both the VE and NE groups, without differing significantly. Although the rates of ischemic heart disease and antithrombotic agent use were higher in the VE than in the NE group, procedure-related complication rates did not differ significantly. Of the seven very elderly patients in the OI group, two underwent additional gastrectomy, and the other five were followed-up without surgery. No patient in any group experienced local recurrence, metastasis or disease-specific death.Short- and long-term outcomes of ESD for VE patients with EGC were favorable and did not differ significantly from outcomes in NE patients. ESD may therefore be a good therapeutic option for both VE and NE patients with EGC.

Background/Aims Colonic diverticular bleeding can stop spontaneously or be stopped by endoscopic hemostasis. We analyzed the clinical and colonoscopic features of patients with colonic diverticular bleeding to establish the predictive factors for rebleeding. Methods A total of 111 patients (median age, 72 years) with colonic diverticular bleeding in Aso Iizuka Hospital between April 2007 and July 2010 were enrolled. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, medication, location of bleeding, colonoscopic findings and hemostatic methods were analyzed retrospectively from the hospital records. Results The most common sites of bleeding were the ascending (39.6%) and sigmoid (29.7%) colon. Overt rebleeding occurred in 30 patients (27.0%). Spontaneous hemostasis was seen in 81 patients (73.0%), and endoscopic hemostatic treatment was performed in 30 patients. The BMI in the patients with colonic diverticular rebleeding was significantly higher than in patients without rebleeding. Colonoscopic findings of actively bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels in the responsible diverticula were more frequent in the group with rebleeding. Conclusions A higher BMI and colonoscopic findings of actively bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels can be used as predictive factors for colonic diverticular rebleeding. Patients with such findings should be carefully followed up after hemostasis of the initial colonic diverticular bleeding.

Daikenchuto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, suppresses bacterial translocation by improvement of gastrointestinal motility and blood flow. As Daikenchuto reportedly reduces gastrointestinal inflammatory activity by these mechanisms, we analyzed whether Daikenchuto suppresses experimental colitis and reduces inflammatory cytokine expression in a mouse model.Colitis was induced by transfer of naive CD4(+) T cells of BALB/c mice into SCID mice, and mice were given either control or 2.7 % Daikenchuto-containing feed. We investigated body weight, clinical symptoms, histological changes, and Th1- and Th17-cytokine expression. Cytokine mRNA expression was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. The ratio of IL-17(+) and IFN-γ(+) CD4(+) T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Daikenchuto delayed the development of colitis and significantly reduced the histological inflammation scores. Analyses of cytokine mRNA revealed that Th17 cytokines were significantly decreased in colons of mice that received Daikenchuto. Absolute numbers of IL-17(+) or IFN-γ(+) CD4(+) T cells per colon were less in mice receiving Daikenchuto than in mice that received control feed, as both groups received naive CD4(+) T cells to induce colitis.We demonstrated that feeding administration of Daikenchuto suppresses colitis induced by naive CD4(+) T cell transfer into SCID mice. Daikenchuto may show clinical benefit in the treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease and further studies are warranted.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of involved organs or regions and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels. METHODS: The number of pancreatic and/or extrapancreatic lesions and serum IgG and IgG4 levels were examined by groups in 46 patients with IgG4-related diseases at diagnosis prior to the initiation of steroid treatment: group A (one region involved, n = 7), group B (two regions involved, n = 11), group C (three regions involved, n = 12), group D (four regions involved, n = 9) and group E (five to seven regions involved, n = 7). RESULTS: Both serum IgG and IgG4 levels increased with the number of inflamed regions. Mean serum IgG levels were 15.11, 18.65, 20.92, 23.29 and 30.98 g/L while the mean IgG4 levels were 3.99, 4.70, 4.70, 9.86 and 16.49 g/L in group A, B, C, D and E, respectively. Regression analysis also suggested that IgG4 was positively correlated with the number of regions involved. Additionally, serum IgG4 was higher in patients with multiple lesions when accompanied by sclerosing sialadenitis. CONCLUSION: Patients having IgG4-related disease with high serum IgG and IgG4 levels should be systematically examined for involved lesions.

To obtain evidence for blood pressure (BP) trait association, we conducted an association study of selected candidate gene variants. In Japan, a total of 19,426 individuals underwent testing for genetic associations with systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) and 9271 individuals (3460 cases and 5811 controls) underwent testing for genetic associations with dichotomous hypertension. Association with seven notable candidate genes was tested, namely, ACE, ADD1, ADRB2, AGT, CYP11B2, GNB3 and NOS3, followed by a joint meta-analysis involving previously reported multi-study populations, including20,000 individuals (for SBP/DBP) and17,000 individuals (for hypertension). BP trait associations at two loci (AGT rs699 and CYP11B2 rs1799998) were consistently replicated in the Japanese association study and joint meta-analysis involving the populations described above. Hypertension association reached genome-wide significance for the two variants, specifically, P=7.3 × 10(-10) for AGT rs699 and P=3.9 × 10(-8) for CYP11B2 rs1799998. In our study panels, the most significant association was found for CYP11B2 rs1799998 with all three BP traits: P=1.5 × 10(-5) for SBP, P=1.8 × 10(-5) for DBP and P=2.3 × 10(-5) for hypertension. A suggestive association with SBP (P=0.042), DBP (P=0.01) and hypertension (P=1.4 × 10(-5)) was also detected for ACE rs4340 (a proxy for ACE D/I polymorphism) in the joint meta-analysis. Our data provide evidence for true BP trait associations with two candidate gene variants. These variants were not identified in the previous genome-wide association studies, presumably because they did not reach a given threshold in the discovery stage. Thus, certain variants in genes with clinical and physiological relevance are likely to account for a portion of BP variance in the general population and are worth following up via a target gene approach.

Although CD30 has long been recognized as an important marker in many lymphomas of diverse origin, and as an activation molecule on B and T cells, its primary function has remained obscure. Soluble CD30 (sCD30) is released from CD30 on the cell membrane by enzymatic cleavage. This study investigated the role of CD30 ligand (CD30L)/CD30 signals in intestinal mucosal damage.Serum sCD30 in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and healthy individuals was assessed. A model of enteritis induced by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody injection was studied in wild-type mice and in CD30L knockout mice.Increased sCD30 was observed in UC and CD patients, and the level was correlated with disease activity in both conditions. In a murine model of enteritis, histological intestinal damage was significantly reduced in CD30L knockout mice with decreased Th1 and Th17 cytokine levels. Moreover, blocking of CD30L/CD30 signals by CD30-immunoglobulin (CD30-Ig) resulted in reduced inflammation.Increased sCD30 expression correlating with disease activity suggested that CD30L/CD30 signals play an important role in pathogenesis of UC and CD. CD30L/CD30 pathway acts as an accelerator of enteritis in a murine disease model. Successful blockade of enteritis by CD30-Ig suggests a potential tool for future therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Aims/Introduction: Diabetic cardiomyopathy entails the cardiac injury induced by diabetes, independent of vascular disease or hypertension. Despite numerous experimental studies and clinical trials, the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy remains elusive. Here, we report that chymase, an immediate angiotensin II (AngII)-forming enzyme in humans and hamsters, and NOX4-induced oxidative stress have pathogenic roles in myocardial fibrosis in diabetic hamsters. Materials and Methods: Expression of chymase was evaluated in the hearts of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic hamsters. The impact of chymase-specific inhibitors, TEI-E00548 and TEI-F00806, on myocardial fibrosis, and increased levels of intracardiac AngII, accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (an oxidative stress marker in urine and heart tissue) and expression of heart NOX4 in diabetic hamsters were investigated. Results: Myocardial chymase expression was markedly upregulated in STZ hamsters in a glucose-dependent manner. A total of 8 weeks after STZ administration, the diabetic hamsters showed enhanced oxidative stress and NOX4 expression in the heart, in parallel with increased myocardial AngII production. Oral administration of chymase-specific inhibitors, TEI-F00806 and TEI-E00548, normalized heart AngII levels, and completely reversed NOX4-induced oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis in STZ-induced diabetic hamsters, although they did not affect the activity of the systemic renin–angiotensin system or systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Chymase inhibition might prevent oxidative stress and diabetic cardiomyopathy at an early stage by reducing local AngII production. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2012.00202.x, 2012)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects CD4(+) lymphocytes, leading to a development of malignant lymphomas, such as HIV-associated Hodgkin Lymphoma (HIV-HL). This study aimed to assess the differences in cellular composition of the inflammatory reactive background of HIV-HLs. We examined infiltrating T lymphocytes, specifically regulatory T cells, cytotoxic cells, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related antigens and HIV-receptor CCR5. In all HIV-HL cases, Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells showed EBER1 expression, LMP-1 staining positivity and EBNA-2 staining negativity, except for one case which showed LMP-1 staining negativity. Our histological findings indicate the percentage of CD8(+) , TIA-1(+) lymphocytes was significantly higher in HIV-HL than in non-HIV-HL cases (P

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequently associated with extraintestinal manifestations such as hepatopancreatobiliary manifestations (HPBMs), which include primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), pancreatitis, and cholelithiasis. PSC is correlated with IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC); 70-80% of PSC patients in Western countries and 20-30% in Japan have comorbid UC. Therefore, patients diagnosed with PSC should be screened for UC by total colonoscopy. While symptoms of PSC-associated UC are usually milder than PSC-negative UC, these patients have a higher risk of colorectal cancer, particularly in the proximal colon. Therefore, regular colonoscopy surveillance is required regardless of UC symptoms. Administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid may prevent colorectal cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. While PSC is diagnosed by diffuse multifocal strictures on cholangiography, it must be carefully differentiated from immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-associated cholangitis, which shows a similar cholangiogram but requires different treatment. When PSC is suspected despite a normal cholangiogram, the patient may have small-duct PSC, which requires a liver biopsy. IBD patients have a high incidence of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Most cases are induced by cholelithiasis or medication, although some patients may have autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), most commonly type 2 without elevation of serum IgG4. AIP should be accurately identified based on characteristic image findings, because AIP responds well to corticosteroids. Crohn's disease is frequently associated with gallstones, and several risk factors are indicated. HPBMs may influence the management of IBD, therefore, accurate diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic strategy are important, as treatment depends upon the type of HPBM.

Objective. Observational studies have shown a protective association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus whereas caffeine or caffeinated coffee acutely deteriorates glucose tolerance. We investigated the effects of chronic drinking of instant coffee on glucose and insulin concentrations during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test.Methods. Overweight men with a mild-to-moderate elevation of fasting plasma glucose were randomly allocated to a 16-week intervention of consuming 5 cups of caffeinated (n=17) or decaffeinated (n=15) instant coffee per day or no coffee (n=13).Results. The caffeinated coffee group showed statistically significant decreases in the 2-hour concentrations and the area under the curve of glucose while neither decaffeinated coffee nor coffee group showed such a change. Waist circumstance decreased in the caffeinated coffee group, increased in the decaffeinated coffee group, and did not change in the noncoffee group (P=0.002). With adjustment for the change in waist circumference, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption were associated with a modest decrease in the postload glucose levels.Conclusion. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may be protective against deterioration of glucose tolerance.