Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run.

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gµ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gµ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gµâ‰²4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA.

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems. The ability to localize the sources is given as a sky-area probability, luminosity distance, and comoving volume. The median sky localization area (90% credible region) is expected to be a few hundreds of square degrees for all types of binary systems during O3 with the Advanced LIGO and Virgo (HLV) network. The median sky localization area will improve to a few tens of square degrees during O4 with the Advanced LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (HLVK) network. During O3, the median localization volume (90% credible region) is expected to be on the order of 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 Mpc 3 for binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems, respectively. The localization volume in O4 is expected to be about a factor two smaller than in O3. We predict a detection count of 1 - 1 + 12 ( 10 - 10 + 52 ) for binary neutron star mergers, of 0 - 0 + 19 ( 1 - 1 + 91 ) for neutron star-black hole mergers, and 17 - 11 + 22 ( 79 - 44 + 89 ) for binary black hole mergers in a one-calendar-year observing run of the HLV network during O3 (HLVK network during O4). We evaluate sensitivity and localization expectations for unmodeled signal searches, including the search for intermediate mass black hole binary mergers.

Role of Multichance Fission in the Description of Fission-Fragment Mass Distributions at High Energies.

Fission-fragment mass distributions were measured for ^{237-240}U, ^{239-242}Np, and ^{241-244}Pu populated in the excitation-energy range from 10 to 60 MeV by multinucleon transfer channels in the reaction ^{18}O+^{238}U at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency tandem facility. Among them, the data for ^{240}U and ^{240,241,242}Np were observed for the first time. It was found that the mass distributions for all the studied nuclides maintain a double-humped shape up to the highest measured energy in contrast to expectations of predominantly symmetric fission due to the washing out of nuclear shell effects. From a comparison with the dynamical calculation based on the fluctuation-dissipation model, this behavior of the mass distributions was unambiguously attributed to the effect of multichance fission.

Reentrant superconductivity driven by quantum tricritical fluctuations in URhGe: evidence from

Our measurements of the ^{59}Co NMR spin-spin relaxation in URh_{0.9}Co_{0.1}Ge reveal a divergence of electronic spin fluctuations in the vicinity of the field-induced quantum critical point at H_{R}≈13 T, around which reentrant superconductivity (RSC) occurs in the ferromagnetic heavy fermion compound URhGe. We map out the strength of spin fluctuations in the (H_{b},H_{c}) plane of magnetic field components and show that critical fluctuations develop in the same limited region near the field H_{R} as that where RSC is observed. This strongly suggests these quantum fluctuations as the pairing glue responsible for the RSC. The fluctuations observed are characteristic of a tricritical point, followed by a phase bifurcation toward quantum critical end points.

Experimental validation of a novel compact focusing scheme for future energy-frontier linear lepton colliders.

A novel scheme for the focusing of high-energy leptons in future linear colliders was proposed in 2001 [P. Raimondi and A. Seryi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3779 (2001)]. This scheme has many advantageous properties over previously studied focusing schemes, including being significantly shorter for a given energy and having a significantly better energy bandwidth. Experimental results from the ATF2 accelerator at KEK are presented that validate the operating principle of such a scheme by demonstrating the demagnification of a 1.3 GeV electron beam down to below 65 nm in height using an energy-scaled version of the compact focusing optics designed for the ILC collider.

Alagille-like syndrome with surprising karyotype: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chromosome 5p partial monosomy (5p-syndrome) and chromosome 6p partial trisomy are chromosomal abnormalities that result in a variety of symptoms, but liver dysfunction is not normally one of them. Alagille syndrome (OMIM #118450) is a multisystem disorder that is defined clinically by hepatic bile duct paucity and cholestasis, in association with cardiac, skeletal, and ophthalmologic manifestations, and characteristic facial features. Alagille syndrome is caused by mutations in JAG1 on chromosome 20 or NOTCH2 on chromosome 1. Here, we report a preterm infant with karyotype 46,XX,der(5)t(5,6)(p15.2;p22.3) and hepatic dysfunction, who was diagnosed as having incomplete Alagille syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: The Japanese infant was diagnosed based on the cardiac abnormalities, ocular abnormalities, characteristic facial features, and liver pathological findings. Analysis of the JAG1 and NOTCH sequences failed to detect any mutations in these genes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, besides the genes that are known to be responsible for Alagille syndrome, other genetic mutations also may cause Alagille syndrome.

Chronic kidney disease categories and renal-cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes without prevalent cardiovascular disease: a prospective cohort study (JDDM25).

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In type 2 diabetic patients at low risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the relationship between the clinical course of nephropathy by stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and onset of CVD remains unclear. Clarification of this relationship is important for clinical decision-making for both low- and high-risk diabetic patients. METHODS: This 4 year prospective study enrolled 2,954 type 2 diabetic patients with no prevalent CVD, and serum creatinine <176.8 µmol/l. The risk for CVD onset (non-fatal and fatal CVD and stroke, and peripheral arterial disease) was assessed according to CKD stage categorised by urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR; mg/mmol) and estimated GFR (eGFR; ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)). Association of progression from 'no CKD' stage (ACR <3.5 mg/mmol and eGFR ≥ 90 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)) with risk for CVD onset was also evaluated. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 3.8 years), 89 CVD events occurred. Compared with patients with 'no CKD' as reference, those with ACR ≥ 35.0 mg/mmol with co-existing eGFR 60-89 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) or <60 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) showed increased risk for CVD onset, whereas those with eGFR ≥ 90 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) did not. Those with ACR <3.5 mg/mmol and eGFR <60 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) did not show any increased risk. Among patients with 'no CKD' stage at baseline, those who progressed to ACR ≥ 3.5 mg/mmol during follow-up showed an increased risk compared with those who did not, whereas those who progressed to eGFR <90 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) did not have increased risk. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The risk for CVD was associated with progression of albuminuria stage rather than eGFR stage in type 2 diabetic patients at relatively low risk for CVD.

Preliminary assessment of the safety and efficacy of tanezumab in Japanese patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of tanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits nerve growth factor, for the treatment of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in Japanese patients. DESIGN: Patients received tanezumab 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 µg/kg, or placebo and were followed for 92 or 120 days. Endpoints included the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and the change from baseline to week 8 in pain intensity and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) subscales. RESULTS: Patients (n = 83) were 69% female, age 44-73 years, with a Kellgren-Lawrence X-ray grade of 2-4. At week 8, compared with placebo, tanezumab 25, 100, and 200 µg/kg improved index knee pain during walking (-18.5, -14.3, and -27.6, respectively), index knee pain in the past 24 h (-19.1, -14.6, and -24.2, respectively), current index knee pain (-16.5, -10.9, and -22.8, respectively), and the WOMAC pain (-11.5, -9.6, and -18.8, respectively), physical function (-8.7, -9.5, and -17.6, respectively), and stiffness (-20.4, -11.2, and -10.2, respectively) subscales. Overall, seven patients reported AEs of abnormal peripheral sensation: allodynia (two in the tanezumab 200 µg/kg group); paresthesia (two in the tanezumab 200 µg/kg group), dysesthesia (one in the tanezumab 200 µg/kg group); thermohypoesthesia (one in the tanezumab 100 µg/kg group), and decreased vibratory sense (one in the placebo group). All of these AEs were mild to moderate in severity and transient in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Tanezumab was safe and generally well tolerated and may improve pain symptoms in Japanese patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00669409.

Transforming growth factor beta induces IgA production and acts additively with interleukin 5 for IgA production.

Effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on IgA production by LPS-stimulated B cells have been studied. TGF-beta itself could augment polyclonal IgA production in concomitant inhibition of polyclonal IgM and IgG1 production. Furthermore, TGF-beta and IL-5 additively augmented IgA production. TGF-beta exerted its activity early in the culture (by 2 d in a 5-d culture) and IL-5 was required late in the culture. Surface IgA- (sIgA-) B cells responded to TGF-beta for the development of IgA-secreting cells. By contrast, sIgA+ B cells, but not sIgA- B cells, responded to IL-5 for IgA production. These results suggest that TGF-beta has a differential role in the induction of IgA production from IL-5 on murine-activated B cells.

Effects of porcine 25 kDa amelogenin and its proteolytic derivatives on bone sialoprotein expression.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Amelogenins are hydrophobic proteins that are the major component of developing enamel. Enamel matrix derivative has been used for periodontal regeneration. Bone sialoprotein is an early phenotypic marker of osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we examined the ability of porcine amelogenins to regulate bone sialoprotein transcription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To determine the molecular basis of the transcriptional regulation of the bone sialoprotein gene by amelogenins, we conducted northern hybridization, transient transfection analyses and gel mobility shift assays using the osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells. RESULTS: Amelogenins (100 ng/mL) up-regulated bone sialoprotein mRNA at 3 h, with maximal mRNA expression occurring at 12 h (25 and 20 kDa) and 6 h (13 and 6 kDa). Amelogenins (100 ng/mL, 12 h) increased luciferase activities in pLUC3 (nucleotides -116 to +60), and 6 kDa amelogenin up-regulated pLUC4 (nucleotides -425 to +60) activity. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor inhibited amelogenin-induced luciferase activities, whereas the protein kinase A inhibitor abolished 25 kDa amelogenin-induced bone sialoprotein transcription. The effects of amelogenins were abrogated by 2-bp mutations in the fibroblast growth factor 2 response element (FRE). Gel-shift assays with radiolabeled FRE, homeodomain-protein binding site (HOX) and transforming growth factor-beta1 activation element (TAE) double-strand oligonucleotides revealed increased binding of nuclear proteins from amelogenin-stimulated ROS 17/2.8 cells at 3 h (25 and 13 kDa) and 6 h (20 and 6 kDa). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that porcine 25 kDa amelogenin and its proteolytic derivatives stimulate bone sialoprotein transcription by targeting FRE, HOX and TAE in the bone sialoprotein gene promoter, and that full-length amelogenin and amelogenin cleavage products are able to regulate bone sialoprotein transcription via different signaling pathways.

Giant placental chorioangioma followed by circulatory failure of the newborn and infantile hemangioma: Case report.

Placental chorioangioma (CA) is a benign placental tumor. No specific treatment is required for asymptomatic cases. We report a female infant born to a mother with giant placental CA. However fetal growth was normal and, fetal hydrops was not detected by ultrasound examination until delivery, she had hydrops, subgaleal hematoma, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, respiratory distress and circulatory failure after birth. She was successfully treated without any neurological sequelae. At 2 months of age, infantile hemangioma appeared in her lower lip. The present case suggested that giant placental CA might cause postnatal problems and be associated with the development of infantile hemangioma.

A survey of the implementation status of selected infection control strategies in neonatal intensive care units in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Infection control strategies are implemented in all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); however, the details of the strategies seem to differ among institutions. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the current implementation status of infection control strategies in NICUs in Japan and to identify and recommend appropriate strategies for the prevention of outbreaks in neonatal units. METHODS: This survey documented the current implementation status and methods of selected infection prevention and control measures (active surveillance cultures and standard precaution) in 453 Japanese NICUs/neonatal units registered with the Japan Society of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, using questionnaires, in May 2018. FINDINGS: The response rate was 48.1% (level I institutions, 25.5%; level II, 55.9%; level III, 64.2%). Surveillance cultures were performed every week and targeted all bacteria in most units. The proportion of level III institutions that experienced outbreaks over the previous five years was significantly higher than that of level II institutions (55% vs 27%, P=0.0003). However, wearing a mask was less frequently recommended in level III institutions (55.7%) than in level II institutions (67.9%). Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most frequently reported bacterial pathogen responsible for NICU outbreaks. CONCLUSION: Infection prevention and control practices regarding active pathogen surveillance cultures and the use of barrier precautions varied widely in Japanese neonatal units. National guidelines and evidence-based recommendations are needed to rationalize and standardize current infection prevention and control practices in neonatal units in Japan.

Long-term effect of modification of dietary protein intake on the progression of diabetic nephropathy: a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend a low-protein diet for type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy. We assessed whether a low-protein diet could prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: This was a multi-site parallel randomised controlled trial for prevention of diabetic nephropathy progression among 112 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy. It was conducted in Japan from 1 December 1997 to 30 April 2006. The participants were randomly assigned using a central computer-generated schedule to either low-protein diet (0.8 g kg(-1) day(-1)) and normal-protein diet (1.2 g kg(-1) day(-1)), and were followed for 5 years. The participants and investigators were not blinded to the assignment. The primary outcomes were the annual change in estimated GFR and creatinine clearance, the incidence of doubling of serum creatinine and the time to doubling of baseline serum creatinine. RESULTS: The study was completed by 47 (84%) of 56 participants in the low-protein diet group and 41 (73%) of 56 participants in the normal-diet group. During the study period, the difference in mean annual change in estimated GFR between the low-protein diet and the normal-protein diet groups was -0.3 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) (95% CI -3.9, 4.4; p = 0.93). The difference in mean annual change in creatinine clearance between the low-protein diet and the normal-protein diet groups was -0.006 ml s(-1) 1.73 m(-2) (95% CI -0.089, 0.112; p = 0.80). A doubling of serum creatinine was reached in 16 patients of the low-protein group (34.0%), compared with 15 in the normal-protein group (36.6%), the difference between groups being -2.6% (95% CI -22.6, 17.5; p = 0.80). The time to doubling of serum creatinine was similar in both groups (p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: It is extremely difficult to get patients to follow a long-term low-protein diet. Although in the low-protein group overall protein intake was slightly (but not significantly) lower, it did not confer renoprotection. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00448526. FUNDING: Research grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Molecular composition of the submicrosomal membrane lipid of rat brain.

Rough-surfaced and light and heavy smooth-surfaced microsomes were isolated from rat brain by means of discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopically, the rough-surfaced microsomes were characterized by vesicles with ribosomes and the light and heavy smooth-surfaced microsomes by fairly homogeneous membrane features without ribosomes. The rough-surfaced microsomal membranes were distinguished by the absence of glycolipids, such as ganglioside, cerebroside, and sulfatide. Cerebroside was exclusively recovered in the light smooth-surfaced microsomal membranes. Ganglioside and Na,K-ATPase were contained in larger amounts in the heavy smooth-surfaced microsomal membranes than in the light smooth-surfaced microsomal membranes in terms of protein content. Among the three submicrosomal membranes, cholesterol and phospholipid were found in the largest amounts in the light smooth-surfaced microsomal membranes, where the molar ratio of cerebroside-cholesterol-phospholipid was about 1:10:10. The membranes of rough- and smooth-surfaced microsomes were very similar in regards to the composition of phospholipid classes, although the fatty acid composition of the former contained a greater proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than that of the latter. When the membrane proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, some differences were observed between the light and heavy smooth-surfaced microsomal membranes.

Nicotine suppresses bone sialoprotein gene expression.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis and osteoporosis. Nicotine is a major component of tobacco, and has been reported to inhibit proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a mineralized tissue-specific protein expressed by differentiated osteoblasts that appears to function in the initial mineralization of bone. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nicotine on bone metabolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used rat osteobast-like UMR106 and ROS 17/2.8 cells and rat stromal bone marrow RBMC-D8 cells. To determine the molecular basis of the transcriptional regulation of the BSP gene by nicotine, we conducted Northern hybridization, transient transfection analyses with chimeric constructs of the BSP gene promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene and gel mobility shift assays. RESULTS: Nicotine (250 microg/mL) decreased the BSP mRNA levels at 12 and 24 h in UMR106 and ROS 17/2.8 cells. From transient transfection assays using various sized BSP promoter-luciferase constructs, nicotine decreased the luciferase activities of the construct, including the promoter sequence nucleotides -116 to +60, in UMR106 and RBMC-D8 cells. Nicotine decreased the nuclear protein binding to the cAMP response element (CRE), fibroblast growth factor 2 response element (FRE) and homeodomain protein-binding site (HOX) at 12 and 24 h. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that nicotine suppresses BSP transcription mediated through CRE, FRE and HOX elements in the proximal promoter of the rat BSP gene.

Stage-specific expression of DNasegamma during B-cell development and its role in B-cell receptor-mediated apoptosis in WEHI-231 cells.

Here, we describe the non-redundant roles of caspase-activated DNase (CAD) and DNasegamma during apoptosis in the immature B-cell line WEHI-231. These cells induce DNA-ladder formation and nuclear fragmentation by activating CAD during cytotoxic drug-induced apoptosis. Moreover, these apoptotic manifestations are accompanied by inhibitor of CAD (ICAD) cleavage and are abrogated by the constitutive expression of a caspase-resistant ICAD mutant. No such nuclear changes occur during oxidative stress-induced necrosis, indicating that neither CAD nor DNasegamma functions under necrotic conditions. Interestingly, the DNA-ladder formation and nuclear fragmentation induced by B-cell receptor ligation occur in the absence of ICAD cleavage and are not significantly affected by the ICAD mutant. Both types of nuclear changes are preceded by the upregulation of DNasegamma expression and are strongly suppressed by 4-(4,6-dichloro-[1, 3, 5]-triazin-2-ylamino)-2-(6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl)-benzoic acid (DR396), which is a specific inhibitor of DNasegamma. Our results suggest that DNasegamma provides an alternative mechanism for inducing nuclear changes when the working apoptotic cascade is unsuitable for CAD activation.

Dependence on O2- generation by xanthine oxidase of pathogenesis of influenza virus infection in mice.

We evaluated various biochemical parameters in influenza virus-infected mice and focused on adenosine catabolism in the supernatant of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (s-BALF), lung tissue, and serum (plasma). The activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO), which generates O2-, were elevated in the s-BALF, lung tissue homogenate, and serum (plasma). The elevations were most remarkable in s-BALF and in lung tissue: We found a 170-fold increase in ADA activity and a 400-fold increase in XO activity as measured per volume of alveolar lavage fluid. The ratio of activity of XO to activity of xanthine dehydrogenase in s-BALF increased from 0.15 +/- 0.05 (control; no infection) to 1.06 +/- 0.13 on day 6 after viral infection. Increased levels of various adenosine catabolites (i.e., inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid) in serum and s-BALF were confirmed. We also identified O2- generation from XO in s-BALF obtained on days 6 and 8 after infection, and the generation of O2- was enhanced remarkably in the presence of adenosine. Lastly, treatment with allopurinol (an inhibitor of XO) and with chemically modified superoxide dismutase (a scavenger of O2-) improved the survival rate of influenza virus-infected mice. These results indicate that generation of oxygen-free radicals by XO, coupled with catabolic supply of hypoxanthine from adenosine catabolism, is a pathogenic principle in influenza virus infection in mice and that a therapeutic approach by elimination of oxygen radicals thus seems possible.

Role of the C-terminal region of smg p25A in its interaction with membranes and the GDP/GTP exchange protein.

smg p25A is a ras p21-like small GTP-binding protein which is implicated in the regulated secretory processes. We have recently found that bovine brain smg p25A is geranylgeranylated at its C-terminal region. In this study, we examined the function(s) of the C-terminal region of smg p25A. Limited proteolysis of bovine brain smg p25A with Achromobacter protease I produced an N-terminal fragment and a C-terminal tail. The Mrs of intact smg p25A, the N-terminal fragment, and the C-terminal tail were estimated to be about 24,000, 20,000, and less than 2,000, respectively, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal fragment contained the consensus amino acid sequences for GDP/GTP-binding and GTPase activities and showed these activities with kinetic properties similar to those of the intact protein but did not bind to plasma membranes or phosphatidylserine-linked Affigel under conditions in which the intact protein bound to them. The C-terminal tail neither contained the consensus amino acid sequences for GDP/GTP-binding and GTPase activities nor bound to plasma membranes or phosphatidylserine-linked Affigel. The GDP/GTP exchange protein specific for smg p25A, named GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), made a complex with the GDP-bound form of the intact smg p25A at a molar ratio of 1:1 and thereby inhibited its GDP/GTP exchange reaction but neither made a complex with the N-terminal fragment or the C-terminal tail nor affected the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of the N-terminal fragment. We expressed smg p25A in Escherichia coli and purified it to near homogeneity. This bacterial protein was not geranylgeranylated. Bacterial smg p25A did not bind to plasma membranes or phosphatidylserine-linked Affigel. smg p25A GDI neither made a complex with bacterial smg p25A nor affected its GDP/GTP exchange reaction. These results suggest that the N-terminal region of smg p25A has GDP/GTP-binding and GTPase activities but lacks the ability to interact with membranes and smg p25A GDI, that the C-terminal region of smg p25A plays important roles in its interaction with membranes and smg p25A GDI, and that some modifications of the C-terminal region, such as geranylgeranylation, which are absent in bacterial smg p25A, are important for these interactions.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel type of regulatory protein (GDI) for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein.

We recently purified to near homogeneity a novel type of regulatory protein for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein, from bovine brain cytosol. This regulatory protein, named smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), regulates the GDP-GTP exchange reaction of smg p25A by inhibiting dissociation of GDP from and subsequent binding of GTP to it. In the present studies, we isolated and sequenced the cDNA of smg p25A GDI from a bovine brain cDNA library by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from the partial amino acid sequence of purified smg p25A GDI. The cDNA has an open reading frame that encodes a protein of 447 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 50,565. This Mr is similar to those of the purified smg p25A GDI estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, which are about 54,000 and 65,000, respectively. The isolated cDNA is expressed in Escherichia coli, and the encoded protein exhibits GDI activity. smg p25A GDI is hydrophilic overall, except for one hydrophobic region near the N terminus. smg p25A GDI shares low amino acid sequence homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25-encoded protein, which has been suggested to serve as a factor that regulates the GDP-GTP exchange reaction of the yeast RAS2-encoded protein, but not with the beta gamma subunits of GTP-binding proteins having an alpha beta gamma subunit structure, such as Gs and Gi. The smg p25A GDI mRNA was present in various tissues, including not only tissues in which smg p25A was detectable but also tissues in which it was not detectable. This fact has raised the possibility that smg p25A GDI interacts with another G protein in tissues in which smg p25A is absent.

Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus: prevalence and risk factors in primary renal diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In patients with primary renal diseases the current knowledge of hyperglycemia associated with corticosteroid therapy is limited. We therefore examined the prevalence and risk factors of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in primary renal diseases. METHODS: Patients were recruited with primary renal diseases who were started on corticosteroids between April 2002 and June 2005. In patients with DM, an impaired fasting glucose level and/or positive urinary glucose analyses before corticosteroids therapy were excluded. RESULTS: During corticosteroid therapy (initial dose: prednisolone 0.75 +/- 0.10 mg/kg/day), DM was newly diagnosed in 17 (40.5%) of 42 patients. All of the 17 patients were diagnosed as having DM by postprandial hyperglycemia at 2 h after lunch, although they had normal fasting blood glucose levels. Age (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.06-1.84) and body mass index (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.03-3.38) were determined as independent risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced DM. CONCLUSION: Over 40% of patients with primary renal disease developed DM during treatment with corticosteroids. A high age and high body mass index are the independent risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced DM. 24-hour urinary glucose analyses and postprandial plasma glucose are useful for detecting glucocorticoid-induced DM.