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Abstract Background Abnormal body weight, dietary concerns, and unhealthy weight loss behaviors are increasingly being observed in young females in Japan. Our previous research has shown that the irregular lifestyles of female Japanese and Chinese students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we compare the food habits and body shape preferences of female university students in South Korea and Japan to explore body shape perceptions in those populations. Methods A total of 265 female university students aged 19 – 25 years participated in this study. University students in Korea (n = 141) and university students in Japan (n = 124) completed a self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the demographic characteristics of the students and parametric variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Chi-square analyses were conducted for non-parametric variables. Results Comparison of body mass index (BMI) distributions in Japan and Korea showed the highest value in the normal category (74%) together with a very low obesity rate (1.2%). Significant differences were observed between the two countries in terms of eating patterns, with more Japanese eating breakfast daily and with Japanese students eating meals more regularly than Korean students. A difference was also observed in frequency of meals, where Korean students reported eating meals two times per day (59%) and the majority of Japanese students reported eating meals three times per day (81%). Although most subjects belonged to the normal BMI category, their ideal BMI classification was the underweight category (BMI: 18.4 ± 3.4). Conclusion Few studies have compared the health related practices of Japanese and Korean university students. The present results suggest the necessity of nutrition and health promotion programs for university students, especially programs emphasizing weight management.

Abstract Background We have previously shown that irregular lifestyle of young Japanese female students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we examined the nutritional knowledge and food habits of Chinese university students and compared them with those of other Asian populations. Methods A self-reported questionnaire was administered to 540 students, ranging in age from 19-24 years. Medical students from Beijing University (135 men and 150 women) in Northern China and Kunming Medical College in southern China (95 men and 160 women) participated in this study. The parametric variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Chi-square analyses were conducted for non-parametric variables Results Our results showed that 80.5% of students had a normal BMI and 16.6 % of students were underweight with the prevalence of BMI>30 obesity being very low in this study sample. Young Chinese female students had a greater desire to be thinner (62.0%) than males (47.4%). Habits involving regular eating patterns and vegetable intake were reported and represent practices that ought to be encouraged. Conclusions The university and college arenas represent the final opportunity for the health and nutritional education of a large number of students from the educator's perspective. Our findings suggest the need for strategies designed to improve competence in the area of nutrition.

Background: Monoclonal antibodies are essential in life science research and developing antibody drugs and test drugs. Various methods have been developed to obtain monoclonal antibodies, among which hybridoma technology continues to be widely used. However, developing a rapid and efficient method for obtaining conformation-specific antibodies using hybridoma technology remains challenging. We previously developed the membrane-type immunoglobulin-directed hybridoma screening (MIHS) method, which is a flow cytometry-based screening technique based on the interaction between the B-cell receptor expressed on the hybridoma cell surface and the antigen protein, to obtain conformation-specific antibodies., Results: In this study, we proposed a streptavidin-anchored ELISA screening technology (SAST) as a secondary screening method that retains the advantages of the MIHS method. Anti-enhanced green fluorescent protein monoclonal antibodies were generated as a model experiment, and their structural recognition abilities were examined. Examination of the reaction profiles showed that all monoclonal antibodies obtained in this study recognize the conformational epitopes of the protein antigen. Furthermore, these monoclonal antibodies were classified into two groups: those with binding activities against partially denatured proteins and those with complete loss of binding activities. Next, when screening monoclonal antibodies by the MIHS method as the first screening, we found that monoclonal antibodies with stronger binding constants may be selected by double-staining for hybridomas with fluorescently labeled target antigens and fluorescently labeled B cell receptor antibodies., Conclusions: The proposed two-step screening method, which incorporates MIHS and SAST, constitutes a rapid, simple, and effective strategy to obtain conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies generated through hybridoma technology. The novel monoclonal antibody screening strategy reported herein could accelerate the development of antibody drugs and antibody tests., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor which is abundant in the liver, intestine, and kidney. FXR is a pivotal factor in cholesterol/bile acid homeostasis but is involved in the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated whether FXR is also involved in the growth of renal adenocarcinoma cells. The cell growth of renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN was inhibited by FXR knockdown and stimulated by FXR ligand, while that of a normal renal cell-derived cell line, HK-2, was not affected. The carcinoma-specific stimulation of cell growth by FXR was found to arise from down-regulation of p53 and p21/Cip1 mRNA expression. Our study showed that FXR stimulates proliferation of renal adenocarcinoma cells and that FXR knockdown is useful for growth suppression of renal adenocarcinoma without cytotoxicity to normal renal cells.

Indigenous oral bacteria in the tongue coating such as Veillonella have been identified as the main producers of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), one of the major components of oral malodor. However, there is little information on the physiological properties of H2S production by oral Veillonella such as metabolic activity and oral environmental factors which may affect H2S production. Thus, in the present study, the H2S-producing activity of growing cells, resting cells, and cell extracts of oral Veillonella species and the effects of oral environmental factors, including pH and lactate, were investigated. Type strains of Veillonella atypica, Veillonella dispar, and Veillonella parvula were used. These Veillonella species produced H2S during growth in the presence of l-cysteine. Resting cells of these bacteria produced H2S from l-cysteine, and the cell extracts showed enzymatic activity to convert l-cysteine to H2S. H2S production by resting cells was higher at pH 6 to 7 and lower at pH 5. The presence of lactate markedly increased H2S production by resting cells (4.5- to 23.7-fold), while lactate had no effect on enzymatic activity in cell extracts. In addition to H2S, ammonia was produced in cell extracts of all the strains, indicating that H2S was produced by the catalysis of cystathionine γ-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1). Serine was also produced in cell extracts of V. atypica and V. parvula, suggesting the involvement of cystathionine β-synthase lyase (EC 4.2.1.22) in these strains. This study indicates that Veillonella produce H2S from l-cysteine and that their H2S production can be regulated by oral environmental factors, namely, pH and lactate., (Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to examine the thermodynamic properties of methane/water interface using two different water models, the TIP4P/2005 and SPC/E, and two sets of combining rules. The density profiles, interfacial tensions, surface excesses, surface pressures, and coexisting densities are calculated over a wide range of pressure conditions. The TIP4P/2005 water model was used, with an optimized combining rule between water and methane fit to the solubility, to provide good predictions of interfacial properties. The use of the infinite dilution approximation to calculate the surface excesses from the interfacial tensions is examined comparing the surface pressures obtained by different approaches. It is shown that both the change of methane solubilities in pressure and position of maximum methane density profile at the interface are independent of pressure up to about 2 MPa. We have also calculated the adsorption enthalpies and entropies to describe the temperature dependency of the adsorption.

The surface tension, vapor-liquid equilibrium densities, and equilibrium pressure for common water models were calculated using molecular dynamics simulations over temperatures ranging from the melting to the critical points. The TIP4P/2005 and TIP4P-i models produced better values for the surface tension than the other water models. We also examined the correlation of the data to scaling temperatures based on the critical and melting temperatures. The reduced temperature (T/T(c)) gives consistent equilibrium densities and pressure, and the shifted temperature T + (T(c, exp) - T(c, sim)) gives consistent surface tension among all models considered in this study. The modified fixed charge model which has the same Lennard-Jones parameters as the TIP4P-FQ model but uses an adjustable molecular dipole moment is also simulated to find the differences in the vapor-liquid coexistence properties between fixed and fluctuating charge models. The TIP4P-FQ model (2.72 Debye) gives the best estimate of the experimental surface tension. The equilibrium vapor density and pressure are unaffected by changes in the dipole moment as well as the surface tension and liquid density.

Many patients with diabetes mellitus complain of early satiety and postprandial gastric fullness and discomfort. Mosapride citrate, a 5-HT4 receptor agonist, enhances gastric emptying and alleviates gastrointestinal discomfort in patients with diabetic gastroparesis. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of mosapride citrate on feeding behavior in ob/ob obese mice with decreased gastric emptying. Mosapride citrate (1 mg/kg/day) was orally administered for 7 days. Food and water intake and body weight were measured daily. Blood glucose, serum insulin, and fructosamine concentrations were measured after 7 days of treatment. Orally administered mosapride citrate significantly increased food intake in ob/ob obese mice, with a tendency to decrease fasting blood glucose and fructosamine concentrations compared with controls. There were no significant changes in body weight after 7 days of treatment with oral mosapride citrate. These observations suggest that mosapride citrate may be useful in the treatment of appetite loss and improve the quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Abnormal body weight, dietary concerns, and unhealthy weight loss behaviors are increasingly being observed in young females in Japan. Our previous research has shown that the irregular lifestyles of female Japanese and Chinese students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we compare the food habits and body shape preferences of female university students in South Korea and Japan to explore body shape perceptions in those populations., Methods: A total of 265 female university students aged 19-25 years participated in this study. University students in Korea (n = 141) and university students in Japan (n = 124) completed a self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the demographic characteristics of the students and parametric variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Chi-square analyses were conducted for non-parametric variables., Results: Comparison of body mass index (BMI) distributions in Japan and Korea showed the highest value in the normal category (74%) together with a very low obesity rate (1.2%). Significant differences were observed between the two countries in terms of eating patterns, with more Japanese eating breakfast daily and with Japanese students eating meals more regularly than Korean students. A difference was also observed in frequency of meals, where Korean students reported eating meals two times per day (59%) and the majority of Japanese students reported eating meals three times per day (81%). Although most subjects belonged to the normal BMI category, their ideal BMI classification was the underweight category (BMI: 18.4 +/- 3.4)., Conclusion: Few studies have compared the health related practices of Japanese and Korean university students. The present results suggest the necessity of nutrition and health promotion programs for university students, especially programs emphasizing weight management.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is known to be an important regulator for feeding and energy balance. MCH was recently reported to stimulate water intake independent of food intake. The purpose of the present study is to examine the dipsogenic response of MCH with special emphasis on sweetened beverages, the preference for which is well documented in diabetic animals. Our results showed that intracerebroventricular injection of MCH acutely increased food as well as water intake. Human (h)MCH and salmon (s)MCH increased water intake independent of food intake, which was not suppressed by angiotensin antagonists. hMCH and sMCH significantly increased both sucrose solution and food intake; on the other hand, agouti-related protein (AgRP) stimulated food but not sucrose intake when provided simultaneously. MCH-treated rats significantly increased the ingestion of sucrose and glucose solution, but not of saccharin, indicating that MCH-induced dipsogenic response is more related to caloric content than sweet taste per se. Significant correlation was observed between the sucrose intake and the mRNA expression of MCH and MCHR1 in normal rats. These results indicate that MCH may be an important regulator of sugar intake in normal as well as in obese diabetic animals.

Urocortin, a recently identified member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, is implicated in the central control of appetite and energy metabolism. We previously reported that peripherally administered urocortin inhibits gastric emptying in conscious mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricularly administered urocortin on gastric emptying, food intake and body weight in mice. Urocortin decreased food intake and body weight gain more potently than CRF. It significantly decreased gastric emptying of a solid meal; an effect that was inhibited by simultaneous administration of alpha-helical CRF9-41, a CRF antagonist. These results suggest that the potent anorectic properties of urocortin may be partly due to the anti-gastroprokinetic activity of the peptide.

Background: We have previously shown that irregular lifestyle of young Japanese female students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we examined the nutritional knowledge and food habits of Chinese university students and compared them with those of other Asian populations., Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administered to 540 students, ranging in age from 19-24 years. Medical students from Beijing University (135 men and 150 women) in Northern China and Kunming Medical College in southern China (95 men and 160 women) participated in this study. The parametric variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Chi-square analyses were conducted for non-parametric variables., Results: Our results showed that 80.5% of students had a normal BMI and 16.6 % of students were underweight with the prevalence of BMI>30 obesity being very low in this study sample. Young Chinese female students had a greater desire to be thinner (62.0%) than males (47.4%). Habits involving regular eating patterns and vegetable intake were reported and represent practices that ought to be encouraged., Conclusions: The university and college arenas represent the final opportunity for the health and nutritional education of a large number of students from the educator's perspective. Our findings suggest the need for strategies designed to improve competence in the area of nutrition.

Recently we produced pancreatic polypeptide transgenic (PPTG) mice and found that PP was overexpressed in pancreatic islets. The present study examines development of four islet hormones in PPTG mice at embryonic days (ED) 15, 17, and 19, and in adult animals. Adult PPTG mice showed massive aggregation of PP-positive cells and glucagon-positive cells seen at the central area of the islets. Confocal laser microscopic study showed that three islet hormones (insulin, glucagon and PP) were completely overlapped in islets of PPTG mice. Overlapping of somatostatin/glucagon and somatostatin/PP were also increased at the peripheral area of the islets in adult PPTG mice compared to wild-type mice. In prenatal development of pancreatic islets of PPTG mice, somatostatin/glucagon overlapping cells appeared at ED 15, two days earlier than in wild-type mice. Differentiation of these somatostatin/glucagon double-positive cells into single-positive cells was disturbed in the PPTG mice during perinatal to postnatal periods. Differentiation of glucagon/insulin-double positive cells into single-positive cells was disturbed remarkably in postnatal development of the islets of PPTG mice. The present results suggest that early and overexpression of PP may engender the early appearance of somatostatin producing cells; however, that may disturb differentiation of multihormonal immature endocrine cells into single hormonal mature endocrine cells.

The relationship between serum ascorbic acid (AA) and diabetic macroangiopathy was studied. Fifty-six patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were examined, together with 20 healthy controls matched for age against the diabetes patients. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was taken as an index of the severity of atherosclerosis. The level of serum AA in diabetic patients was significantly lower than that of the controls. Among the diabetic groups, those with elevated PWV levels by age demonstrated a significant drop in AA. No significant differences were seen in the level of serum dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) between patients and controls, nor were there any significant differences among patient groups. The concentration of serum AA was inversely related to the risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as body mass index, Apo B/ Apo A-I ratio, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and microalbumin in urine. It was inferred from these findings that the depletion of serum AA was apparent in diabetics with advanced atherosclerosis.

Characteristics of the lipoprotein profile and metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in diabetic hamsters were investigated to assess their suitability as a model for human diabetic hyperlipidemia. Diabetes was induced in the hamsters by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (30 mg/kg) for 3 days and compared with the results in streptozocin-diabetic rats (50 mg/kg intravenously). Similar degrees of hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia were observed 8 to 10 days after the final streptozocin injection in both groups. Fasting plasma lipid concentrations were about 2.5 times greater in hamsters than in rats. Plasma cholesterol was principally associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in both rodents, although the distribution in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly greater in hamsters (44%) than in rats (13%). Diabetes increased the concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, and phospholipid 5.6- to 7.8-fold in hamsters, whereas it increased them only 1.3- to 1.6-fold in rats. Diabetic hamsters have a plasma lipoprotein profile similar to that of diabetic man, ie, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are increased and HDL cholesterol is decreased. The concentration of HDL cholesterol was inversely correlated with the severity of hypertriglyceridemia (r = .76, P < .005). This combination of events does not occur in diabetic rats. Hamsters had a low level of apoprotein B-48-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, although diabetes increased the estimated concentration by fourfold. In rats apoprotein B-48 is the predominant form, but diabetes did not alter the relative proportion of apoprotein B isoforms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We report evidence for the presence of 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ols (cholesterol 7-hydroperoxides, Ch 7 alpha-OOH and Ch 7 beta-OOH, respectively) in human plasma lipoproteins in vivo, which had been reported to be markers of aging in rat skin. A comparative study was carried out focusing on the detection of Ch 7-OOHs in plasma lipoproteins from diabetic patients whose plasma has been suggested to be under high oxidative stress. Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers (control) and diabetics with and without hypercholesterolemia. Ch 7-OOHs were isolated from low and high density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL, respectively) in the plasma of these subjects, identified, and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a chemiluminescence detector. The percent detection of Ch 7-OOHs in LDL from diabetics without hypercholesterolemia was similar to that in the control group. However, it was significantly higher in diabetics with hypercholesterolemia than in those without hypercholesterolemia. The percent detection of Ch 7-OOHs in HDL from diabetics without hypercholesterolemia was higher than both that in LDL from the same group and that in HDL from the control group.