Exploiting fly models to investigate rare human neurological disorders.

Rare neurological diseases, while individually are rare, collectively impact millions globally, leading to diverse and often severe neurological symptoms. Often attributed to genetic mutations that disrupt protein function or structure, understanding their genetic basis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies. To investigate the underlying pathogenesis of these conditions, researchers often use non-mammalian model organisms, such as Drosophila (fruit flies), which is valued for their genetic manipulability, cost-efficiency, and preservation of genes and biological functions across evolutionary time. Genetic tools available in Drosophila, including CRISPR-Cas9, offer a means to manipulate gene expression, allowing for a deep exploration of the genetic underpinnings of rare neurological diseases. Drosophila boasts a versatile genetic toolkit, rapid generation turnover, and ease of large-scale experimentation, making it an invaluable resource for identifying potential drug candidates. Researchers can expose flies carrying disease-associated mutations to various compounds, rapidly pinpointing promising therapeutic agents for further investigation in mammalian models and, ultimately, clinical trials. In this comprehensive review, we explore rare neurological diseases where fly research has significantly contributed to our understanding of their genetic basis, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic implications. We discuss rare diseases associated with both neuron-expressed and glial-expressed genes. Specific cases include mutations in CDK19 resulting in epilepsy and developmental delay, mutations in TIAM1 leading to a neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and language delay, and mutations in IRF2BPL causing seizures, a neurodevelopmental disorder with regression, loss of speech, and abnormal movements. And we explore mutations in EMC1 related to cerebellar atrophy, visual impairment, psychomotor retardation, and gain-of-function mutations in ACOX1 causing Mitchell syndrome. Loss-of-function mutations in ACOX1 result in ACOX1 deficiency, characterized by very-long-chain fatty acid accumulation and glial degeneration. Notably, this review highlights how modeling these diseases in Drosophila has provided valuable insights into their pathophysiology, offering a platform for the rapid identification of potential therapeutic interventions. Rare neurological diseases involve a wide range of expression systems, and sometimes common phenotypes can be found among different genes that cause abnormalities in neurons or glia. Furthermore, mutations within the same gene may result in varying functional outcomes, such as complete loss of function, partial loss of function, or gain-of-function mutations. The phenotypes observed in patients can differ significantly, underscoring the complexity of these conditions. In conclusion, Drosophila represents an indispensable and cost-effective tool for investigating rare neurological diseases. By facilitating the modeling of these conditions, Drosophila contributes to a deeper understanding of their genetic basis, pathophysiology, and potential therapies. This approach accelerates the discovery of promising drug candidates, ultimately benefiting patients affected by these complex and understudied diseases.

Maternal fermented food intake and infant neurodevelopment: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fermented foods play an important role in establishing intestinal bacterial flora, and the composition of the intestinal bacterial flora might be associated with neurodevelopment. This study investigated the association between maternal intake of fermented foods during pregnancy and early neuro-development in offspring. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Data were analyzed for 73,522 pregnant women participating in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Their intake of four common fermented foods during pregnancy was assessed using a semi-quantitative FFQ. Neurodevelopment in their infants at 1 year of age was estimated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that maternal intake of miso soup and fermented soybeans was each associated with a significantly reduced risk of delay in infant communication skills. Maternal intake of fermented soybeans and cheese was each associated with a significantly reduced risk of delay in fine motor skills in the third and fourth quartiles. For problem-solving, preventive associations were observed with maternal intake of fermented soybeans in the second and third quartiles and with maternal intake of cheese in the third and fourth quartiles. Maternal intake of yogurt was associated with a significantly reduced risk of delay in personal-social skills in the third and fourth quartiles, while that of cheese was associated with a reduced risk in the third quartile. No reductions in risk were observed for gross motor skills. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that fermented food intake during pregnancy may have beneficial associations with several areas of psychomotor development in children.

Population structure and demographic history for year cohort dynamics of landlocked ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in dam reservoir of Japan.

Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis is a valuable osmeroid species for inland fishery in Japan. It is classified into two ecological forms of amphidromous migrating between rivers and sea and landlocked migrating between rivers and lakes or dam reservoirs. The number of dams and their reservoirs has remarkably increased in the twenty-first century under climate change, because of their respective roles in hydropower generation with negligible carbon emissions and in flood control. Dam reservoirs therefore become increasingly important as inland nursery grounds of ayu. In this study, we investigated the reproduction status of landlocked ayu migrating in the Haidzuka Dam reservoir and the Tabusa River in western Japan by molecular phylogenetic analysis based on population structure and demographic history for year cohort dynamics. A total of 849 individuals were collected monthly from October 2018 to September 2021 according to an annual life cycle of ayu. Nucleotide sequences of the partial mitochondrial DNA control region yielded 31 haplotypes, consisting of 4 shared haplotypes among the 2019, 2020 and 2021 cohorts and 27 unique haplotypes. The overall haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were calculated to be relatively low at 0.3503 ± 0.0206 and 0.0077 ± 0.0045, respectively, suggesting a founder event by dominant haplotypes. Star-shaped radiational haplotypes from dominant shared haplotypes on the median-joining network likely support a founder event. Although pairwise ФST values were determined to be very low among the year cohorts, only the 2019 cohort was found to have a significant difference from the 2020 and 2021 cohorts, for both of which Tajima's D values were also statistically significant. For the overall population, multimodal mismatch distribution and negative Tajima's D and Fu's Fs values in the neutrality test suggested population expansion or population subdivision. The native riverine population in the Tabusa River suffered habitat fragmentation and population bottleneck from dam construction, and therefore severe founder effect remained behind the artificially landlocked population with a low level of genetic diversity in the Haidzuka Dam reservoir.

Oral sodium hyaluronate relieves knee discomfort: A 12­week double­blinded, placebo­controlled study.

Sodium hyaluronate (SH) is a high molecular-weight polysaccharide composed of repeating polymeric disaccharides of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. SH is present in every connective tissue and organ, with synovial fluid having the highest concentration of SH in the body. The effectiveness of oral SH on gonarthrosis is known; although, its influence on the knees of healthy individuals is not. However, as severe diseases may require surgery, it is better to take care of healthy knees before the onset of gonarthrosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the functionality of SH on the knee of healthy individuals. The present study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which healthy adults (mean age: Placebo group, 61.50±1.59; SH group, 58.50±1.81), rated as grade ≤1 based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, were administered 111 mg/day SH for 12 weeks. The evaluation of visual analog scales were performed to assess the discomfort in the knees of the participants and were conducted at baseline, and then 6 and 12 weeks after the start of SH ingestion. Additionally, a locomotive syndrome risk test quantifying the mobility of the participants, a one-leg standing time with eyes open test evaluating the strength of the leg muscle as well as the ability to balance by measuring the time to stand on one leg and a blood test (interleukin-10, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and C-reactive protein) were performed at baseline and then 12 weeks after the start of SH ingestion. A significant suppression of knee symptoms were demonstrated in the SH group compared with the placebo group in terms of the total visual analog scale scores for pain, stiffness and discomfort for the 31 healthy adult subjects. Significant suppression of symptoms was also demonstrated in the placebo group in terms of discomfort in the knees when descending stairs and pain in the knees after walking for a longer distance or duration than normal. No significant differences between the two groups were demonstrated in the locomotive syndrome risk test, one-leg standing time with eyes open test and the blood test. The results of the present study suggest the possibility that oral SH may help to maintain a healthy condition of the knees. The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry in advance (registration no. UMIN000045980, November 4, 2021).

Differences in health literacy related to gestational weight gain and children's birth weight according to maternal nativity status in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS): a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We examined literacy related to healthy gestational weight gain (GWG) in immigrant and native Japanese mothers and determined whether it is associated with children's birth weight. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: As the baseline survey in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), mothers completed self-administered questionnaires distributed by hand during pregnancy. The self-administered questionnaires used in this study were distributed by mail 6 months after delivery. Children's birth weight, actual GWG and any complications during delivery were recorded by obstetricians collaborating with JECS. PARTICIPANTS: Of 97 452 mothers who consented to participate in the JECS during pregnancy between January 2011 and March 2014, 67 953 were included in this study after exclusions for multiple births, multiple instances of consent by the same pregnant woman, miscarriages/stillbirths or withdrawal from the study within 3 years after participating. In total, 324 immigrant mothers and 963 native Japanese mothers were selected by propensity score matching for analysis. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected on maternal literacy related to healthy GWG at the baseline survey, and data on actual GWG and children's birth weight were collected by obstetricians. The associations of knowledge about healthy GWG and mothers' actual GWG with maternal nativity status were examined using a χ2 or Student's t-test. RESULTS: More native Japanese mothers than immigrant mothers knew the appropriate GWG and reason the for needing to know this. Actual GWG was significantly higher among the immigrant mothers, but was within the recommended range. The low birthweight (LBW) incidence was significantly higher among the native mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant mothers to Japan had less knowledge about appropriate GWG, but their actual GWG was appropriate and they delivered fewer LBW infants than native Japanese mothers. These findings may indicate the presence of other protective factors for pregnancy or delivery among immigrant mothers.

Isolation of type I collagen homotrimer from human placenta with LC-MS monitoring of the α1(I)/α2(I) chain ratio.

The general molecular form of type I collagen is heterotrimer consisting of two α1(I) chains and one α2(I) chain. However, α111(I) homotrimer is rarely observed in vivo, especially in pathological tissues such as cancer. Here we utilized a previously developed LC-MS method that can accurately and sensitively quantitate α1(I) and α2(I) chains to distinguish type I collagen homotrimer from human placenta. By monitoring with the LC-MS method, the α1(I)/α2(I) chain ratio was found to be high in the supernatant of salt precipitation with >2.8 M NaCl at neutral pH. Type I collagen homotrimer was successfully isolated using optimized sequential salt fractionation and confirmed to show previously reported features of the homotrimer, including high thermal stability and overmodification. These data clearly indicate that placental tissue contains α111(I) homotrimer. Our LC-MS method can sensitively detect the rare form of type I collagen and can help understand its physiological and pathological significance.

Effects of intravaginal administration of prostaglandin F2α on luteolysis and subsequent estrus in Shiba goats (Capra hircus).

This study examined the effects of intravaginal administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α ) on luteolysis and subsequent estrus in cycling goats. Goats with functional corpus lutea received one of five treatments: 2 mg of PG intramuscularly (IM2 × 1; n = 6), 2 mg of PGF2α intravaginally (IVG2 × 1; n = 7), 4 mg of PGF2α intravaginally (IVG4 × 1; n = 7), and 1 or 2 mg of PGF2α intravaginally 8 h apart (IVG1 × 2 group; n = 6 and IVG2 × 2; n = 8). Blood samples were collected at 24-h intervals from 0 to 7 days after PGF2α administration. Estrus was checked twice daily during the experiment. The proportion of goats with complete luteolysis (reduction of progesterone concentrations to <1 ng/mL until 48 h after treatment) in the IVG2 × 1 group (28.6%) was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM2 × 1; 100%, IVG4 × 1; 57.1%, IVG1 × 2; 87.5%, IVG2 × 2; 100%, respectively). For goats completing luteolysis, there was no significant difference in the onset and duration of estrus among the groups. These results suggest that intravaginal administration of PGF2α can be applied as an alternative to intramuscular administration.

Blood biomarkers for estimating energy intake in Japanese male collegiate athletes: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Athletes should be informed of their required energy intake in preparation for sports competitions. However, the environment in which dietary surveys can be conducted to determine the required energy intake for sports competitions is limited, and such survey will require a substantial amount of time and effort from athletes and dietitians. If certain biomarkers for estimating the energy intake can be identified, they may compensate for the shortcomings of these dietary surveys. We aimed to identify the blood biomarkers to estimate the energy intake/basal metabolic rate ratio of male athletes. METHODS: Twenty-six male athletes from a university physical education department were included and underwent measurements of height, weight, and body composition, as well as blood sampling. The dietary assessment included a 3-day dietary recall and collection of meal photographs. The basal metabolic rate was estimated using the lean body mass, while the daily energy intake/basal metabolic rate ratio was used as an index to determine the energy intake. From the 36 selected blood biomarkers, we identified the independent biomarkers for inclusion in the multiple regression analysis by assessing for pairwise correlations and multicollinearity. A formula for estimating the energy intake/basal metabolic rate was then developed using the stepwise method. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Overall, 18 of the 36 blood biomarkers were selected, and multiple regression analysis revealed that triiodothyronine, white blood cell count, and triglyceride level were significant factors that can be used to estimate the energy intake/basal metabolic rate, accounting for 60.4% of the variance. No systematic errors were observed in the estimated values, calculated using the estimation formula and dietary assessment results. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of free triiodothyronine level, white blood cell count, and triglyceride level can be used for estimating the energy intake/basal metabolic rate of male athletes, thus compensating for the shortcomings of dietary surveys.

The spatiotemporal electrogram dispersion ablation targeting rotors is more effective for elderly patients than non-elderly population.

Background: Modulating atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers has been proposed as one of the effective ablation strategies for non-paroxysmal AF (non-PAF). However, the optimal non-PAF ablation strategy is still under debate because the exact mechanisms of AF persistence including focal activity and/or rotational activity, are not well-understood. Recently, spatiotemporal electrogram dispersion (STED) assumed to indicate rotors in the form of rotational activity is proposed as an effective target for non-PAF ablation. We aimed to clarify the effectiveness of STED ablation for modulating AF drivers. Methods: STED ablation plus pulmonary vein isolation was applied in 161 consecutive non-PAF patients not undergoing previous ablation. STED areas within the entire left and right atria were identified and ablated during AF. After the procedures, the STED ablation's acute and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results: (1) Despite a more effective acute outcome of the STED ablation for both AF termination and non-inducibility of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs), Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the 24-month freedom ratio from ATAs was 49%, which resulted from the higher recurrence ratio of atrial tachycardia (AT) rather than AF. (2) A multivariate analysis showed that the determinant of ATA recurrences was only a non-elderly age, not long-standing persistent AF, and an enlarged left atrium, which were conventionally considered as key factors. Conclusions: STED ablation targeting rotors was effective in elderly non-PAF patients. Therefore, the main mechanism of AF persistency and the component of the fibrillatory conduction might vary between elders and non-elders. However, we should be careful about post-ablation ATs following substrate modification.

Ingestion of vegetable salads before rice inhibits the increase in postprandial serum glucose levels in healthy subjects.

This study aims to confirm the "vegetable-first" effect. In addition, because we aimed dietary fiber in vegetable salad, the effect after the ingestion of vegetable salad extract (vegetable salad from which solids have been removed) before carbohydrates on postprandial serum glucose level was also evaluated. A total of 13 healthy men were given meals after one-night of fasting: rice-vegetable salad, vegetable salad-rice, and vegetable salad extract-rice. Blood samples were taken at 0, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after the ingestion of the test meal to measure serum glucose levels. Serum glucose levels were significantly lower after 45 and 60 min in the vegetable salad-rice group compared to the rice-vegetable salad group. No significant difference was found between the vegetable salad extract-rice group and the vegetable salad-rice/rice-vegetable salad group. The result suggested that it might be important to ingest vegetables to obtain the "vegetable-first" effect.

Evaluation of prepartum and postpartum stress by measuring hair cortisol concentrations of Holstein dairy cows and their calves and its relationship to calving conditions and health status.

Periparturient stress can have long-term negative effects on both dairy cows and their calves and may contribute to lower productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine how periparturient stress is related to differences in calving difficulty and health status by measuring hair cortisol concentration in periparturient dairy cows and their calves. Calving environment (calving pen, tie stall, and group paddock), calving difficulty, calving progress, health status, and calf weight were recorded, and tail hair from 25 of the cows and their calves was collected at calving and 1 month after calving to measure hair cortisol concentration. There were no significant correlations between hair cortisol concentration and calving environment, calving difficulty, calf weight gain rate. Hair cortisol concentrations at calving were significantly higher in cows with oversized calves or twin births than in cows with normal-sized singleton calves (4.2 ± 2.2 pg/mg vs. 2.1 ± 1.5 pg/mg, P<0.05). Cows with clinical disease within one month of calving had significantly higher levels of hair cortisol one month after calving compared to healthy cows (3.8 ± 1.1 pg/mg vs. 2.3 ± 1.9 pg/mg, P<0.05). Calves with clinical disease within the first month after birth tended to have higher hair cortisol levels at birth than healthy calves (4.7 ± 2.4 pg/mg vs. 3.2 ± 0.9 pg/mg, P<0.1). These results suggest that calving of oversized calves and twin births and suffering clinical diseases can cause more stress for cows during the periparturient period.

Stock assessment of landlocked ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in Japan through length-based models.

Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis is a key commercially and culturally important freshwater osmeroid in Japan. Its native population is mostly an amphidromous form migrating between rivers and the sea, and not only native but also artificially landlocked forms are found in lakes and dam reservoirs. This study was undertaken to execute population feasibility and maximum sustainable yield (MSY) analysis of an artificially landlocked form of ayu during January 2018 to December 2020 in the Haidzuka reservoir and its connected Tabusa River, western Japan. FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools-II and empirical models were employed to estimate the growth function and population parameters. The estimated asymptotic length was 19.50 cm, and the growth coefficient was 0.73 year-1 with a growth performance index of 2.443. The length at first maturity and length at optimum yield were calculated as 10.77 cm and 12.63 cm, respectively, which were lower than the length at first capture (Lc = 13.15 cm), suggesting the mesh size of fishing gear favoring the sustainability of the reproductive potential of this population. The calculated total, natural, and fishing mortalities were 2.45, 1.19, and 1.26 year-1, respectively. The recruitment pattern was continuous round the year with two pulses where the peak was during July. The current level of exploitation (0.51) was slightly higher than the maximum exploitation rate (0.45), indicating a little overharvesting. The MSY of ayu in the Haidzuka reservoir was estimated to be 211 metric tons if the recommended Lc is maintained. Results of this study illustrate the first information on population characteristics of landlocked ayu and will help the development of suitable management policies for ayu fishery in lakes and dam reservoirs.

Relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on the seventh post-estrus day and plasma progesterone concentration, nutritional metabolic factors, and pregnancy outcome in dairy cows.

To improve the accuracy of ultrasonographic assessment of luteal function, we investigated the relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on Day 7 (Day 1 = ovulation) and plasma progesterone (P4) concentration, nutritional metabolic factors, and pregnancy outcome. A total of 47 spontaneous estrus events were investigated in 38 lactating Holstein cows (artificial insemination, n = 31; embryo transfer, n = 16). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on Days 0 and 7 to measure the pre-ovulatory follicle area on Day 0 and the luteal tissue area (LTA), luteal blood flow area (LBF), relative LBF (rLBF) (= LBF/LTA), and dominant follicle area (DFA) on Day 7. Blood samples were collected on Day 7 to measure plasma P4, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, and metabolites. Plasma P4 concentration was positively correlated with LTA but was not associated with LBF or rLBF. Plasma P4 concentration was positively correlated with blood glucose and IGF-I and negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid, and no significant relationship was found between the ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum (CL) and these blood metabolites. Pregnant cows had smaller DFA than non-pregnant cows. In conclusion, LTA measurement can help predict plasma P4 concentration, but it was difficult to detect variations in plasma P4 concentration in relation to changes in energy status by evaluating the CL ultrasonographically. A combined assessment of CL and first-wave dominant follicle may be important in evaluating fertility.

Effects of short-term dietary supplementation on the number of ovarian follicles, quantity and quality of oocytes, and in vitro embryo production in Japanese Black cows.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that short-term supplementation with a high-energy diet promotes embryo production following ovum pick-up (OPU) in Japanese Black cows. After a period of adaptation to the maintenance diet, a 200% maintenance diet was fed to the high-energy diet group (HD group, n = 6) for four weeks, and a maintenance diet was fed to the other group (MD group, n = 6). OPU-in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures were performed on days 14, 21, and 28; follicles and oocytes were counted and morphologically graded, and cultivable oocytes were cultured for in vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture. The mean plasma insulin concentrations on days 14 and 21 were significantly higher in the HD group than in the MD group (P < 0.05). The number of follicles observed at OPU, recovered oocytes, cultivable (Grades 1 to 4) oocytes, and the rate of degenerated (Grade 6) oocytes in the HD group were significantly higher than those in the MD group (P < 0.05). The proportion of cleaved oocytes was lower in the HD group than in the MD group (P < 0.05); consequently, there was no significant difference in the number of blastocysts obtained between the HD and MD groups. The present findings suggest that high-energy diets can promote follicular growth in parallel with an increase in plasma concentrations of insulin, but have a detrimental effect on the quality of oocytes with the OPU-IVF procedure in Japanese Black cows.

Late-onset, first-ever involuntary movement after successful surgical revascularization for pediatric moyamoya disease - Report of two cases.

Background: A small number of children with Moyamoya disease develop involuntary movements as an initial presentation at the onset, which usually resolves after effective surgical revascularization. However, involuntary movements that did not occur at the onset first occur after surgery in very rare cases. In this report, we describe two pediatric cases that developed involuntary movements during the stable postoperative period after successful surgical revascularization. Case Description: A 10-year-old boy developed an ischemic stroke and successfully underwent combined bypass surgery. However, he developed chorea six months later. Another 8-year-old boy developed a transient ischemic attack and successfully underwent combined bypass surgery. However, he developed chorea three years later. In both cases, temporary use of haloperidol was quite effective in resolving the symptoms, and involuntary movements did not recur without any medication during follow-up periods of up to 10 years. Conclusion: Postoperative first-ever involuntary movement is very rare in pediatric moyamoya disease, and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, but a temporary, reversible imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the basal ganglia may trigger the occurrence of these rare symptoms. Careful follow-up would be mandatory.

Efficacy of Low-Protein Rice for Dietary Protein Restriction in CKD Patients: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Study.

Background: The benefits of dietary protein restriction in CKD remain unclear, largely due to inadequate adherence in most clinical trials. We examined whether low-protein rice (LPR) previously developed to reduce the protein content of rice, a major staple food, would help improve adherence to dietary protein restriction. Methods: This open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of LPR use for reducing dietary protein intake (DPI) in patients with CKD stages G3aA2-G4. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an LPR or control group and were followed up for 24 weeks. Both groups received regular counseling by dietitians to help achieve a target DPI of 0.7 g/kg ideal body weight (IBW) per day. The amount of protein in LPR is about 4% of that in ordinary rice, and the participants in the LPR group were instructed to consume LPR with at least two meals per day. The primary outcome was estimated dietary protein intake (eDPI) determined using the Maroni formula. The secondary outcomes included creatinine clearance (CCr) and urinary protein on the basis of 24-hour urine collection. Results: In total, 51 patients were randomized to either the LPR group or the control group. At baseline, mean age was 62.5 years, 70% were men, mean CCr was 52.0 ml/min, and mean eDPI was 0.99 g/kg IBW per day. At 24 weeks, mean eDPI decreased to 0.80 g/kg IBW per day in the LPR group and to 0.91 g/kg IBW per day in the control group, giving a between-group difference of 0.11 g/kg IBW per day (95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.19 g/kg IBW per day; P=0.006). There was no significant between-group difference in CCr, but urinary protein was lower at 24 weeks in the LPR group than in the control group. Conclusions: LPR is a feasible tool for efficiently reducing DPI in patients with CKD. Clinical Trial registry name and registration number: Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Study for the Efficacy of Low-Protein Rice Diet in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, UMIN000015630.

Copper sulfide nanoribbon growth triggered by carbon nanotube aggregation via dialysis.

The growth of copper sulfide (Cu x S) nanoribbons, a class of Cu x S nanomaterials, was achieved by the aggregation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a dialysis process. The obtained nanoribbon structure and its constituent elements on a film of SWCNT aggregates were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmittance electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The subsequently obtained TEM images and Raman spectra revealed that nucleus synthesis and subsequent growth of Cu x S nanoribbons occurred during the aggregation of SWCNTs. The growth procedure described in this work provides an approach for the wet chemical synthesis of metal sulfide nanomaterials.

No adverse effect of confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and ultrasonography after artificial insemination on formation, development, and function of the corpus luteum and conception rate in cows.

The effect of confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and ultrasonography after artificial insemination (AI) on the development of the corpus luteum (CL) and conception rate was investigated in cows. A total of 90 clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were examined in this study. After AI, the cows were divided into three groups (30 cows per group). In Group I, ovulation was confirmed by rectal palpation at 24 h after AI. In Group II, ovulation was confirmed using transrectal ultrasonography 24 h after AI. In Group III, ovulation was not confirmed after AI. Day 0 was defined as the day when ovulation was confirmed in Groups I and II, and as the day after AI was performed in group III. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on days 3, 5, 7, and 14 to measure the CL diameter, tissue area, and CL blood flow area, and the ratio of CL blood flow area to CL tissue area was calculated. On the day of CL measurement, blood samples were collected to determine the plasma concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17ß (E2). Pregnancy was diagnosed at 28 and 60 days after AI. A high conception rate of approximately 80% was achieved in Groups I and II, in which confirmation of ovulation was conducted. There were no differences in the diameter, tissue area, or blood flow area of the CL between the three groups. These results indicate that the confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasonography did not affect the formation and function of the CL or conception rate.

Changes in the C-reactive protein and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α concentrations of uterine lavage samples after the administration of povidone-iodine in cows.

Changes in the C-reactive protein (CRP) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) concentrations of uterine lavage fluid were examined in cows given an intrauterine povidone-iodine (PI) infusion. The mean polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) ratios (the ratio of PMN to total cells) and CRP concentration of uterine lavage fluid on the day after the treatment were significantly (P<0.05) greater in the PI infusion group (PMN: 53.0 ± 32.7%, CRP: 50.2 ± 32.3 ng/mL) than in the non-treatment control group (PMN: 7.9 ± 21.9%, CRP: 17.2 ± 5.9 ng/mL), whereas there was no significant difference in the mean PGFM concentration between the two groups. The present findings suggest that the uterine CRP level is a useful biomarker of local uterine inflammation in cows.