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Saitoh T, Koba H, Shijubo N, Tanaka H, Sugaya F. Lobar distribution of emphysema in computed tomographic densitometric analysis. Invest Radiol 2000;35235–243.

2019 SEP 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Current study results on Musculoskeletal Diseases and Conditions - Osteonecrosis have been [...]

2019 SEP 14 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- New research on Peptide Proteins - Parathyroid Hormone is the subject of [...]

2018 MAY 12 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Researchers detail new data in Bone Marrow. According to news reporting originating [...]

2018 APR 14 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Investigators discuss new findings in Musculoskeletal Diseases and Conditions - Knee Osteoarthritis. [...]

OBJECTIVE--Glomerular mesangial expansion and podocyte loss are important early features of diabetic nephropathy, whereas tubulointerstitial injury and fibrosis are critical for progression of diabetic nephropathy to kidney failure. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of genes in glomeruli and tubulointerstitium in kidney biopsies from diabetic nephropathy patients to identify pathways that may be activated in humans but not in murine models of diabetic nephropathy that fail to progress to glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and kidney failure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Kidney biopsies were obtained from 74 patients (control subjects, early and progressive type 2 diabetic nephropathy). Glomerular and tubulointerstitial mRNAs were microarrayed, followed by bioinformatics analyses. Gene expression changes were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistological staining. Samples from db/db C57BLKS and streptozotocin-induced DBA/2J mice, commonly studied murine models of diabetic nephropathy, were analyzed. RESULTS--In human glomeruli and tubulointerstitial samples, the Janus kinase (Jak)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) pathway was highly and significantly regulated. Jak-1, -2, and -3 as well as Stat-1 and -3 were expressed at higher levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy than in control subjects. The estimated glomerular filtration rate significantly correlated with tubulointerstitial Jak-1, -2, and -3 and Stat-1 expression ([R.sup.2] = 0.30-0.44). Immunohistochemistry found strong Jak-2 staining in glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments in diabetic nephropathy compared with control subjects. In contrast, there was little or no increase in expression of Jak/Stat genes in the db/db C57BLKS or diabetic DBA/2J mice. CONCLUSIONS--These data suggest a direct relationship between tubulointerstitial Jak/Stat expression and progression of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and distinguish progressive human diabetic nephropathy from nonprogressive murine diabetic nephropathy., Early clinical diabetic nephropathy is characterized by progressive increases in albuminuria that are associated with the development of characteristic histopathologic features including thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and mesangial [...]

2018 FEB 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Investigators publish new report on Stem Cell Research - Mesenchymal Stem Cells. [...]

OBJECTIVE--Many of the effects of angiotensin (Ang) II are mediated through specific plasma membrane receptors. However, Ang II also elicits biological effects from the interior of the cell (intracrine), some of which are not inhibited by Ang receptor blockers (ARBs). Recent in vitro studies have identified high glucose as a potent stimulus for the intracellular synthesis of Ang II, the production of which is mainly chymase dependent. In the present study, we determined whether hyperglycemia activates the cardiac intracellular renin-Ang system (RAS) in vivo and whether ARBs, ACE, or renin inhibitors block synthesis and effects of intracellular Ang II (iAng II). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Diabetes was induced in adult male rats by streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with insulin, candesartan (ARB), benazepril (ACE inhibitor), or aliskiren (renin inhibitor). RESULTS--One week of diabetes significantly increased iAng II levels in cardiac myocytes, which were not normalized by candesartan, suggesting that Ang II was synthesized intracellularly, not internalized through [AT.sub.1] receptor. Increased intracellular levels of Ang II, angiotensinogen, and renin were observed by confocal microscopy, iAng II synthesis was blocked by aliskiren but not by benazepril. Diabetes-induced superoxide production and cardiac fibrosis were partially inhibited by candesartan and benazepril, whereas aliskiren produced complete inhibition. Myocyte apoptosis was partially inhibited by all three agents. CONCLUSIONS--Diabetes activates the cardiac intracellular RAS, which increases oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis. Renin inhibition has a more pronounced effect than ARBs and ACE inhibitors on these diabetes complications and may be clinically more efficacious., Involvement of the renin-angiotensin (Ang) system (RAS) in human pathophysiology has expanded to include several diseases beyond a traditional role in saltwater homeostasis (1). In diabetes, there is significant overactivity [...]

2017 NOV 25 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Fresh data on Stem Cell Research - Mesenchymal Stem Cells are presented [...]

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an important role in the endocrine pancreas. Although angiotensin II has significant effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis, the contribution of the RAS to changes in islet structure and function associated with type 2 diabetes is yet to be defined. This study examined the specific effects of RAS blockade on islet structure and function in diabetes. Thirty-six male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, 10 weeks of age, were randomized to receive the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril (8 mg/l in drinking water; n = 12), irbesartan (15 mg/kg via gavage; n = 12), or no treatment (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Results were compared with lean littermates (ZL) (n = 12) studied concurrently. ZDF rats had increased intra-islet expression of components of the RAS correlating with increased intraislet fibrosis, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Disordered islet architecture, seen in ZDF rats, was attenuated after treatment with perindopril or irbesartan. Islet fibrogenesis was also diminished, as measured by picrosirius staining and expression of collagens I and IV. Gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1 was increased in the ZDF pancreas (ZL, 1.0 ± 0.1; ZDF, 2.0 ± 0.3; P < 0.05) and reduced after blockade of the RAS (ZDF + P, 1.3 ± 0.2; ZDF + I, 1.5 ± 0.1; vs. ZDF, both P < 0.05). Improvements in structural parameters were also associated with functional improvements in first-phase insulin secretion. These findings provide a possible mechanism for the reduced incidence of new-onset diabetes that has been observed in clinical trials of RAS blockade., Activity of the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important determinant of structure and function in a range of organs, including the heart, kidneys, adrenals, and gonads (1). An intrinsic [...]

Byline: JON MARK HANCOCK Principal Engineer AC-DC Applications Infineon Technologies, Inc. The decade-long evolution of super-junction MOSFETs has seen the silicon limit broken, the ongoing reduction of area specific RDS[ON] [...]

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs worldwide but its prevalence varies in different parts of the world. The main objectives of this study were to determine the spectrum of GERD and risk factors associated with it in Nigerians. Methods: Patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were administered Carlsson-Dent questionnaire to diagnose GERD. This was followed by standard upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Results: Using the CD questionnaire GERD was diagnosed in 156 patients, but after upper endoscopy, only 40 patients (25.6%) had varying degrees of esophagitis. Body mass index correlated positively with GERD symptom score. Conclusion: Non erosive reflux disease is the predominant form of GERD seen in Nigerians. A symptom-driven patient-centered approach to the diagnosis of GERD is the best strategy that captures most cases. Body mass index has positive correlation with GERD. Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux | esophagitis | Nigerians, Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract with an incidence of 10-38% of adults in the Western population (1,2). Previously it was thought [...]