Status of school health programs in Asia: National policy and implementation.

BACKGROUND: The WHO's Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework is based on an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between health and education, and the need to take a holistic approach to health promotion in schools. We aim to clarify the degree to which the HPS framework is reflected in the national policies of eight target countries and the issues surrounding its successful implementation. METHODS: Date were collected through two expert workshops with participants from eight Asian countries: Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Nepal, the Philippines, and Thailand. In the first workshop, data collected on national policy were mapped against the HPS framework. From this, key issues were identified, and follow-up data collection was conducted in each country for a second workshop. RESULTS: We identified a policy shift toward the HPS framework in six out of the eight countries. Neither Japan nor Korea had changed their national policy frameworks to reflect an HPS approach; however, in the latter, model programs had been introduced at a local level. We identified various barriers to successful implementation, especially in relation to mental health and wellbeing. CONCLUSION: Given the recent shift toward the HPS approach in six out of the eight countries in this study, there is a need to conduct research to assess the impact of this framework on the health and wellbeing of students and school staff. At the same time, we call for more dialog in the context of Japan to explore the possible benefits of introducing the HPS framework into schools.

Royal Jelly Constituents Increase the Expression of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase through Histone Acetylation in Monocytic THP-1 Cells.

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is one of the main SOD isozymes and plays an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases by accelerating the dismutation reaction of superoxide. Royal jelly includes 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10H2DA, 2), which regulates the expression of various types of genes in epigenetics through the effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) antagonism. The expression of EC-SOD was previously reported to be regulated epigenetically through histone acetylation in THP-1 cells. Therefore, we herein evaluated the effects of the royal jelly constituents 10-hydroxydecanoic acid (10HDA, 1), sebacic acid (SA, 3), and 4-hydroperoxy-2-decenoic acid ethyl ester (4-HPO-DAEE, 4), which is a derivative of 2, on the expression of EC-SOD in THP-1 cells. The treatment with 1 mM 1, 2, or 3 or 100 µM 4 increased EC-SOD expression and histone H3 and H4 acetylation levels. Moreover, the enrichment of acetylated histone H4 was observed in the proximal promoter region of EC-SOD and was caused by the partial promotion of ERK phosphorylation (only 4) and inhibition of HDAC activities, but not by the expression of HDACs. Overall, 4 exerted stronger effects than 1, 2, or 3 and has potential as a candidate or lead compound against atherosclerosis.

Identification of Sec14-like 3 as a novel lipid-packing sensor in the lung.

Pulmonary surfactant, a complex composed primarily of lipids and associated proteins, is synthesized in alveolar type II (ATII) cells and secreted into alveoli to prevent collapse during respiration. Although numerous studies have clarified the fundamental roles of pulmonary surfactant, the molecular mechanisms of transport and secretion of pulmonary surfactant remain totally unknown. Thus, we screened candidate genes by comparing genes with the expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries of embryonic and adult lungs by using the digital differential display method in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. We identified Sec14-like 3 (Sec14L3) as a new class of lipid-associated proteins highly expressed in ATII cells. We found that Sec14L3 expression is >100-fold increased during the perinatal period in the lung. Furthermore, Sec14L3 bound to small-sized liposomes (30 nm in diameter), but not to large-sized liposomes (100 nm diameter), through its Sec14 domain. Because of the increased curvature, lipid-packing defects are more likely to occur in small-sized liposomes than in large-sized liposomes. Based on these results, we conclude that Sec14L3 is a new class of lipid-packing sensor. Sec14L3 may play important roles in the lung, such as intracellular lipid transport, surfactant maturation, and endo/exocytosis.

[Comments on routine laboratory data that are of practical use for physicians].

In the reversed clinicopathological conference (R-CPC), we analyzed a patient's pathosis using only the results of routine laboratory tests. R-CPC is one of the most effective training methods to acquire the abil- ity to interpret such data logically and reasonably. At the same time, we can know the limits of laboratory data, even though they can be analyzed in detail. In this R-CPC, three specialists in laboratory medicine discussed routine laboratory data of a patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Then, they and moderators fielded a question-and-answer session with an audience in a hall. It was difficult for us to decide on the correct diagnosis, but we were able to analyze the data logically and reasonably in order to understand the patient's actual condition. It has been revealed that the Department of Laboratory Medicine can support physicians by adding comments to laboratory data that are of practical use to follow a patient.

Isolated rat alveolar type II cells protrude intracellular lamellar bodies by forming bubble-like structures during surfactant secretion.

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized and secreted by pulmonary alveolar type II epithelial cells (type II cells). It passes through the alveolar lining fluid and adsorbs to the air-liquid interface. The process from secretion to adsorption is not yet entirely understood. To acquire a detailed understanding of this process, we used multiple observations of type II cells isolated from rat lungs under electron microscopy (EM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Transmission EM observation demonstrated a loosening process of the intracellular lamellar bodies from the inside to the outside of the cell. Scanning EM observation revealed bubble-like protrusions from the cell surface, and differential interference contrast microscopy illustrated the protrusions expanding with time. CLSM observation with FM 1-43, a fluorescent membrane probe, revealed that the bubble-like protrusions were composed of phospholipids. Thus, we have demonstrated that isolated rat type II cells protrude intracellular lamellar bodies by forming bubble-like structures, possibly enabling them to adsorb to the air-liquid interface directly. These observations suggest a new mechanism for surfactant secretion from type II cells.

Identification of a novel noninflammatory biosynthetic pathway of platelet-activating factor.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent lipid mediator playing various inflammatory and physiological roles. PAF is biosynthesized through two independent pathways called the de novo and remodeling pathways. Lyso-PAF acetyltransferase (lyso-PAF AT) was believed to biosynthesize PAF under inflammatory conditions, through the remodeling pathway. The first isolated lyso-PAF AT (LysoPAFAT/LPCAT2) had consistent properties. However, we show in this study the finding of a second lyso-PAF AT working under noninflammatory conditions. We partially purified a Ca(2+)-independent lyso-PAF AT from mouse lung. Immunoreactivity for lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) was detected in the active fraction. Lpcat1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells exhibited both LPCAT and lyso-PAF AT activities. We confirmed that LPCAT1 transfers acetate from acetyl-CoA to lyso-PAF by the identification of an acetyl-CoA (and other acyl-CoAs) interacting site in LPCAT1. We further showed that LPCAT1 activity and expression are independent of inflammatory signals. Therefore, these results suggest the molecular diversity of lyso-PAF ATs is as follows: one (LysoPAFAT/LPCAT2) is inducible and activated by inflammatory stimulation, and the other (LPCAT1) is constitutively expressed. Each lyso-PAF AT biosynthesizes inflammatory and physiological amounts of PAF, depending on the cell type. These findings provide important knowledge for the understanding of the diverse pathological and physiological roles of PAF.

Three new furoquinoline alkaloids from the leaves of Boninia glabra.

Three novel furoquinoline alkaloid oxogeranyl ethers (1-3) and one known furoquinoline alkaloid (4) were isolated from the leaves of Boninia glabra, an endemic plant of the Bonin Islands. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

Cloning and characterization of mouse lung-type acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1). Expression in alveolar type II cells and possible involvement in surfactant production.

Phosphatidylcholine (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PC), is an important constituent of biological membranes. It is also the major component of serum lipoproteins and pulmonary surfactant. In the remodeling pathway of PC biosynthesis, 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LPC) is converted to PC by acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT, EC 2.3.1.23). Whereas LPCAT activity has been detected in several tissues, the structure and detailed biochemical information on the enzyme have not yet been reported. Here, we present the cloning and characterization of a cDNA for mouse lung-type LPCAT (LPCAT1). The cDNA encodes an enzyme of 60 kDa, with three putative transmembrane domains. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, mouse LPCAT1 exhibited Ca(2+)-independent activity with a pH optimum between 7.4 and 10. LPCAT1 demonstrated a clear preference for saturated fatty acyl-CoAs, and 1-myristoyl- or 1-palmitoyl-LPC as acyl donors and acceptors, respectively. Furthermore, the enzyme was predominantly expressed in the lung, in particular in alveolar type II cells. Thus, the enzyme might synthesize phosphatidylcholine in pulmonary surfactant and play a pivotal role in respiratory physiology.