Public support for development aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global pandemics are a serious concern for developing countries, perhaps particularly when the same pandemic also affects donors of development aid. During crises at home, donors often cut aid, which would have grave ramifications for developing countries with poor public health capacity during a time of increased demand for health care. Because the major donors are democracies, whether they renege on promises would depend intimately on how donor citizens respond to the specific crisis. We conduct two survey experiments with 887 U.S. residents to examine how the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic influences their attitudes toward aid. We demonstrate that people's concern about the impact of COVID-19 on their country's financial situation reduces their support for aid. If they think that aid can help curb the next wave of the disease at home by first alleviating its impact in developing countries, people become substantially more supportive of giving aid. In contrast, merely stressing how COVID-19 might ravage developing countries barely changes their aid attitudes. Our findings have implications for what to expect from donors during global pandemics as well as how advocates may prevent aid from being cut.

Effects of Mathematical Analysis of Test Injection on the CT Value Estimation of the Aorta.

The circulation time and the mechanical acceleration time (MA time) of an automatic injector were simulated using pharmacokinetic analysis. The addition method and transfer-function method, which are mathematical techniques used for analyzing the test bolus method in multi-detector computed tomography, were used to verify the accuracy of estimation of the time-enhancement curve (TEC) of the main bolus. The TEC estimated using the addition method, and the TEC of the main bolus matched completely only if the MA time of the automatic injector was set to 0 seconds. Moreover, the estimation accuracy of the TEC deteriorated when the MA time was set according to the TEC estimated by the addition method. In contrast, the TEC estimated using the transfer-function method, except when the MA time of the automatic injector was 0 seconds, had higher accuracy than the TEC estimated using the addition method. In this study, the addition method, a number of additions of TEC, and MA time of the automatic injector were found to have a negative effect on the estimation accuracy of the main bolus. The use of the transfer-function method for determining the TEC and the MA time has a positive effect on the estimation accuracy of the main bolus.

[Isotropic Evaluation of Streak Artifact Using Extreme Value Statistical Analysis].

Previous studies have shown that extreme value statistics are useful for quantitative evaluations of streak artifacts on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). However, we hypothesized that the scanning direction of the extreme value would affect the quantitative value obtained using the conventional method. In this study, we developed the region of interest rotation method and calculating the extreme value, and we investigated the usefulness of this method in comparison with the conventional approach. For our examination, the high absorber was placed around a water phantom and a head and chest phantom. In the new method, linearity was confirmed in the Gumbel plot of all the phantoms. On the other hand, the value of the location parameter was significantly different according to the scanning direction with the conventional method. In conclusion, compared to the conventional method, the isotropic method of evaluation does not depend on the direction of streak artifact occurrence in the new method.

Which foreign vaccine should the government purchase in a pandemic? Evidence from a survey experiment in the United States.

BACKGROUND: For many countries confronting a future pandemic, the initial vaccines available will come from abroad. Public hesitancy to receive these foreign vaccines is important, as it may create an incentive for governments to forego procuring them for public use. We investigate the influence of the vaccine's country of origin on public support for government procurement during the early stages of a pandemic and examine whether endorsements from the WHO can mitigate such biases. METHODS: In the summer of 2023, we carried out a survey experiment of 1,110 U.S. residents where we asked respondents to rate their support for vaccine purchasing policies for 20 hypothetical vaccines (13,320 evaluations). We varied the vaccine's country of origin and its endorsement status from the WHO, while also randomizing other vaccine attributes. RESULTS: Compared to foreign vaccines from countries Americans see favorable (e.g., Germany, the United Kingdom), those originating from less favorable countries (e.g., China, Russia), garnered lower support for government procurement. Our causal mediation analysis indicates that this country-of-origin effect is primarily driven by participants' sentiments toward the vaccine. Surprisingly, WHO endorsement does little to mitigate the effect of the vaccine's country of origin. These findings are consistent across various sample subsets and considerations of vaccine quality. CONCLUSION: Our study advances previous work on vaccine country-of-origin effects by assessing its impact on policy preferences for procuring initial vaccines from overseas (as opposed to uptake intentions), identifying a mechanism by which vaccine favoritism occurs, and documenting that neither personal disease susceptibility nor vaccine quality fully mitigates country of origin effects. We conclude by discussing why the study of "vaccine diplomacy" ought to not only include interstate dynamics governing vaccine purchasing and availability but also consider vaccine-producing countries' more general reputations.

Benzofuran derivatives inhibit 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity in rat adipose tissue.

Excess glucocorticoids promote visceral obesity and insulin resistance. The main regulator of intracellular glucocorticoid levels are 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1), which converts inactive glucocorticoid into bioactive glucocorticoid such as cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents; therefore, the inhibition of 11ß-HSD1 has considerable therapeutic potential for metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes. Benzofuran is a key structure in many biologically active compounds such as benzbromarone, malibatol A and (+)-liphagal. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of benzofuran derivatives on 11ß-HSD1 in mesenteric adipose tissue from rodents. 11ß-HSD1 activity was determined by incubation of rat mesenteric adipose tissue microsomes in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) with and without benzofuran derivatives (Compounds 1-14). The corticosterone produced was measured by HPLC. More than 40% of 11ß-HSD1 inhibition was observed in Compounds 1, 5, 7 and 8. Moreover, Compounds 7 and 8 inhibited the 11ß-HSD1 activity in adipose microsomes dose- and time-dependently, as well as in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Compounds 7 and 8 did not inhibit 11ß-HSD type 2 (11ß-HSD2), whereas Compounds 1 and 5 inhibited 11ß-HSD2 by 18.7% and 56.3%, respectively. Further, a kinetic study revealed that Compounds 7 and 8 acted as non-competitive inhibitors of 11ß-HSD1. Ki (nmol/h/mg protein) values of Compounds 7 and 8 were 17.5 and 24.0, respectively, with IC50 (µM) of 10.2 and 25.6, respectively. These data indicate that Compounds 7 and 8 are convincing candidates for seed compounds as specific inhibitors of 11ß-HSD1 and have the potential to be developed as anti-obesity drugs.

Investigating how historical legacies of militarized violence can motivate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Evidence from global dyadic survey.

BACKGROUND: In almost all countries, COVID-19 vaccines available for public use are produced outside of that country. Consistent with recent social science research, we hypothesize that legacies of violent conflict from vaccine-producing against vaccine-consuming countries may motivate vaccine hesitancy among people in targeted countries that purchase vaccines produced by the erstwhile aggressor. METHODS: Our analyses draw on data from the Correlates of War project and a large, representative survey of 18,291 adults that asked respondents in 16 countries to self-report their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines originating from 12 potential vaccine-producing countries in December 2020 (184 country-pairs, 208,422 ratings). For the main analysis, we used random-effect linear probability models and turned to Bayesian Model Averaging to probe the robustness of the main findings. RESULTS: We demonstrate that elevated levels of historical violence between vaccine-producing and vaccine-consuming countries are associated with increased negative feelings toward a COVID-19 vaccine produced by the vaccine producer. CONCLUSION: Global vaccine hesitancy may result, at least in part, from public perceptions of historical conflict between vaccine-producing and vaccine-consuming countries. These results can help public health practitioners better preempt and adjust for cross-national vaccine resistance.

Vaccine hesitancy, state bias, and Covid-19: Evidence from a survey experiment using Phase-3 results announcement by BioNTech and Pfizer.

BACKGROUND: Past survey studies document that people strongly prefer Covid-19 vaccines developed domestically over those developed abroad. Available evidence suggests that this preference for domestic vaccines over foreign ones may stem from prejudice against foreign countries, but identifying prejudice-based vaccine preferences is difficult because people also draw inferences about the quality of vaccines based on country of origin. We exploit a unique opportunity provided by the announcement of a viable vaccine by a bi-national venture, BioNTech and Pfizer, to examine the effect of such prejudice on vaccination intentions while controlling for beliefs about the vaccine quality. METHODS: We implemented a survey experiment in Germany and the United States (n = 582, 661 respectively) a few days after the BioNTech/Pfizer announcement of a viable vaccine. We randomized the identified company (and country) responsible for the vaccine development between BioNTech (Germany) and Pfizer (U.S.) and asked respondents when they would take said vaccine. RESULTS: In either the German and U.S. samples, we find little evidence that a country of origin of the vaccine makes a difference in when respondents intend to get vaccinated. We also see no evidence that those with a general animus toward the other foreign country would be more biased against a foreign vaccine. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that prejudice against foreign countries may be less of a concern for vaccine hesitancy and that its effect may be highly context specific.

Magnification Effect of Foveal Avascular Zone Measurement Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of healthy subjects and examine the magnification effect. METHODS: A total of 33 healthy volunteers were enrolled and all subjects were eligible for analysis. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) examination scanned 3 × 3 mm of the macular area. The FAZ area was measured on the superficial OCTA en face image with and without correction by axial length. The relationship between changes in the FAZ area after correction with the axial length was examined. RESULTS: The mean age was 21.9 ± 0.6 years. The mean axial length was 24.87 ± 1.17 mm and mean spherical equivalent (SE) value was -3.64 ± 2.83 diopters (D). The FAZ area was 0.26 ± 0.10 mm2 before the axial length correction and 0.27 ± 0.10 mm2 after the correction. In the eyes that had an axial length longer than or equal to 26 mm or SE less than or equal to -6 D, the FAZ area after correction was significantly larger than that before correction (p < 0.01). The change of FAZ area after correction with axial length was significantly correlated with the axial length (R 2 = 0.88, p < 0.01) or SE value (R 2 = 0.55, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: FAZ areas were comparable to previous reports. In high myopic cases, the magnification effect needs to be considered when evaluating the FAZ area.

Cortisol production in preterm infants with or without late-onset adrenal insufficiency of prematurity: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Immature adrenocortical function in preterm infants may cause inadequate production of cortisol under stress, resulting in adrenal insufficiency of prematurity (AOP). The objective of this study is to compare cortisol production in preterm infants with and without late-onset AOP. METHODS: Of 27 preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation, cortisol production was analyzed in those who did (patients, group P) and did not (controls, group C) eventually develop late-onset AOP. Blood samples were prospectively collected every two weeks after birth, and steroid hormone concentrations in the pathway to cortisol production were measured retrospectively. RESULTS: We restricted the initial subjects to infants with gestation less than 29 weeks to adjust for confounding factors, culminating in matched infants in groups P (n = 8) and C (n = 11). The cortisol concentrations did not differ between the groups before AOP onset (P = 0.20), but the total concentrations of precursors for cortisol were higher in group P (P < 0.0001). The total concentrations of precursors in group C were inversely correlated with postmenstrual age (ρ = -0.38, P < 0.01). The pattern of changes in total concentrations of precursors differed between the groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adrenal cortex maturity in preterm infants develops in parallel with postmenstrual age. Infants with late-onset AOP have undeveloped maturation of adrenocortical function after birth. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000022453.

Mouse strain differences in immobility and sensitivity to fluvoxamine and desipramine in the forced swimming test: analysis of serotonin and noradrenaline transporter binding.

Strain differences in immobility time in the forced swimming test were investigated in five strains of mice, namely, ICR, ddY, C57BL/6, DBA/2 and BALB/c mice. There were significant strain differences. The immobility times of ICR, ddY and C57BL/6 mice were longer than those of DBA/2 and BALB/c mice. Immobility times were not significantly related to locomotor activity in these strains. There were also differences in sensitivity to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine. In ICR, ddY and C57BL/6 mice, fluvoxamine did not affect immobility time, while it reduced the immobility time of DBA/2 and BALB/c mice dose-dependently. The noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor desipramine decreased immobility time in all strains of mice. Serotonin (5-HT) transporter binding in the brains of all five strains of mice was also investigated. Analysis of 5-HT transporter binding revealed significant strain differences, being lower in DBA/2 and BALB/c mice than in other strains of mice. The amount of 5-HT transporter binding was correlated to baseline immobility time. However, there was no significant relation between noradrenaline transporter binding and immobility time. These results suggest that the duration of baseline immobility depends on the levels of 5-HT transporter binding, leading to apparent strain differences in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Furthermore, differences in 5-HT transporter binding may cause variations in responses to fluvoxamine.

[Controlled release of prednisolone from suppository prepared using powder of pulverized tablet].

Prednisolone suppositories have been used successfully for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in hospital settings. However, the raw material of prednisolone suppository, JP prednisolone powder (JP Powder), was recently removed from the market. Therefore we studied the effects of raw material and suppository base on the release of prednisolone suppository for the purpose of designing a new suppository with similar effects to those of suppository prepared using JP powder (old suppository). New suppositories consisting of the powder of pulverized tablet as raw material and Witepsol H-15 and Witepsol E-75 as suppository base were prepared according to the fusion method. Suppository release test was performed by reciprocating dialysis tube method with tapping (RDT method) and dialysis tubing method (DT method). Both RDT method and DT method were performed using a suppository dissolution apparatus (modified JP disintegration apparatus) and a JP15 paddle apparatus, respectively. The test fluid was 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) maintained at 37+/-0.5 degrees C. The results of release test by RDT method were similar to those of DT method. Release rate of prednisolone from the new suppository was much faster than that of old suppository. The addition of Witepsol E-75 to new suppository base markedly delayed the release of prednisolone from the new suppository. Release rate of prednisolone from the new suppository, consisting of pulverized tablet and Witepsol H-15 and Witepsol E-75 (76:24), corresponded well with that of the old suppository. It was suggested that this suppository could be used as incoming preparation of suppository prepared using JP powder.

[Quality evaluation of magnesium oxide tablets using acid neutralization test and dissolution test].

For the purpose of quality evaluation of commercially available magnesium oxide (MgO) tablets, we studied their acid neutralization and dissolution behaviors. The dissolution test was carried out by the paddle method in 1st fluid (pH 1.2). The dissolution amount of MgO from tablets was determined by chelatometric titration. The medium pH was periodically measured. The neutralization reaction in 750 ml of 1st fluid was markedly different between two kinds of commercial tablets. The pH of medium including Magmit tablet reached 8.9 and the dissolution rate of MgO was 81.1% after 20 min. Contrariwise, the final pH of medium including Maglax tablet was 2.5 and the dissolution rate of MgO was 77.1% after 60 min. These results indicate that the dissolution rate of MgO from tablets should be >81.1% to obtain significant acid neutralization action.

Developmental changes of serum steroids produced by cytochrome P450c17 in rat.

Serum levels of 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione were measured during the postnatal development of rats 1-14 weeks of age. A significant decrease in the serum levels of these steroids with increasing age was observed, using multiple regression analysis: 17-hydroxypregnenolone (beta= -1.56, S.E.= 0.25, P < 0.00001), dehydroepiandrosterone (beta= -0.43, S.E.= 0.07, P < 0.00001), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (beta= -2.51, S.E.= 0.45, P < 0.00001), and androstenedione (beta= -1.63, S.E.= 0.33, P < 0.00001). A sex-related difference was not found. The observed decline in the serum levels of the steroids was directly proportional to the previously reported decrease in mRNA expression and enzyme activity of cytochrome P450c17 in the rat liver. Yet, despite this decrease to undetectable levels in liver after 7-8 weeks, significant amounts of 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione were still observed in the rat serum. This may partly be due to the mRNA expression of cytochrome P450c17 in tissues other than the liver, such as the testis and/or duodenum, after 4 weeks of age. Serum levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, and corticosterone in the developing rats were also examined.

Strain differences of neurosteroid levels in mouse brain.

Neurosteroids, pregnenolone (Preg), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and their sulfates (PregS and DHEAS) are reported to exert their modulatory effects of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity via amino acid receptors, which affect and regulate the learning and memory process, mood, and depression. Although the brain levels of these steroids have been reported in rodents, the strain differences of the levels of these steroids have not been demonstrated. We examined the concentrations of Preg, 17-OH-Preg, DHEA, androstenediol (ADIOL) and their sulfates in whole brains from DBA/2, C57BL/6, BALB/c, ddY and ICR mice, the genetic backgrounds of which are different. No differences in the brain levels of Preg and DHEA were found among the strains. In contrast, PregS levels in DBA/2 were significantly lower than in the others, while DHEAS concentrations in DBA/2 were significantly higher than those in other strains. Strain differences were found in 17-OH-Preg, ADIOL and 17-OH-PregS but not in ADIOLS levels. The ranges of Preg and PregS levels were the highest among the steroids studied. Further, we measured serum these steroid levels. Although strain differences were also found in serum steroids, correlation study between brain and serum levels revealed that brain neurosteroids studied may not come from peripheral circulation. In conclusion, this is the first report of demonstrating mammalian brain levels of 17-OH-Preg, ADIOL, 17-OH-PregS and ADIOLS and the strain differences in neurosteroid levels in mice brains. The differences in levels may involve the strain differences in their behavior, e.g. aggression, adaptation to stress or learning, in mice.

Genistein inhibits glucocorticoid amplification in adipose tissue by suppression of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1.

Excess glucocorticoids promote visceral obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. The main regulator of intracellular glucocorticoid levels is 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1), which converts inactive glucocorticoids into bioactive forms such as cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD), which is colocalized with 11ß-HSD1 in the intralumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, supplies a crucial coenzyme, NADPH, for full reductase activity of 11ß-HSD1. Therefore, it is possible that inhibition of 11ß-HSD1 will become a considerable medical treatment for metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes. Genistein, a soy isoflavone, has received attention for its therapeutic potential for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has been proposed as a promising compound for the treatment of metabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic anti-obesity effects of genistein have not been fully clarified. Here, we demonstrate that genistein was able to inhibit 11ß-HSD1 and H6PD activities within 10 or 20min, in dose- and time-dependent manners. Inhibition of 11ß-HSD2 activity was not observed in rat kidney microsomes. The inhibition was not reversed by two estrogen receptor antagonists, tamoxifen and ICI182,780. A kinetic study revealed that genistein acted as a non-competitive inhibitor of 11ß-HSD1, and its apparent Km value for 11-dehydrocorticosterone was 0.5µM. Genistein also acted as a non-competitive inhibitor of H6PD, and its apparent Km values for G6P and NADP were 0.9 and 3.3µM, respectively. These results suggest that genistein may exert its inhibitory effect by interacting with these enzymes.

Serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and their relation to cytokine production during and after normal pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Since dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) have been suggested to have immunoregulatory effects, changes in the levels of these substances during and after pregnancy might affect the maternal immune system. We examined serum concentrations of DHEA and DHEAS, and cytokine production during pregnancy and after delivery. METHODS: The subjects were 73 normal pregnant, 76 normal postpartum and 30 normal non-pregnant women. Whole-blood was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DHEA and DHEAS were measured using ELISA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. RESULTS: The serum DHEA levels increased in the first and in the second trimesters and decreased after delivery until 11 months postpartum. DHEAS levels were decreased in the second and in the third trimesters and returned to non-pregnant levels after pregnancy. All measured cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10) were decreased during pregnancy and subsequently increased postpartum. We found significant negative correlations between DHEA and cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increase of serum DHEA in the first and the second trimesters may suppress immune reaction during pregnancy, while a decrease of DHEA after delivery may induce postpartum enhancement of the maternal immune system. DHEA may be involved in modifying the maternal immune responses during and after pregnancy.

Serum concentrations of androstenediol and androstenediol sulfate, and their relation to cytokine production during and after normal pregnancy.

Since it is known that androstenediol (ADIOL) has potent immunoregulatory effects, changes in ADIOL levels during and after pregnancy might affect the maternal immune system. We examined serum concentrations of ADIOL and androstenediol 3-sulfate (ADIOLS) together with IFN-gamma and IL-4 production levels during pregnancy and after delivery up to 10-11 months postpartum. The subjects were 73 normal pregnant, 76 normal postpartum, and 28 normal non-pregnant women. ADIOL and ADIOLS were measured using EIA and GC/MS, respectively. The cytokine levels in the supernatant of whole-blood cultures stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin were measured using ELISA. ADIOL levels significantly decreased compared to non-pregnant levels in the first trimester (P < 0.05) and were reversed in the third trimester (P < 0.05). After pregnancy, ADIOL levels gradually declined, and a significant decrease was observed at 10-11 months postpartum (P < 0.05). ADIOLS levels were significantly lower in the third trimester (P < 0.05) and significantly higher at the first month postpartum (P < 0.001) compared to non-pregnant women. IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels decreased during pregnancy and subsequently increased postpartum. On the other hand, we found significant negative correlations between ADIOL concentrations and production levels of IFN-gamma (P < 0.05) or IL-4 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that ADIOL may be involved in modifying the maternal immune response during and after pregnancy.

[A case of pseudotumor cerebri with improvement of vision after lumboperitoneal shunt].

BACKGROUND: Patients with pseudotumor cerebri, also called benign intracranial hypertension, generally have a favorable prognosis. However, this disorder can cause permanent, severe visual loss. To our knowledge, no reports have described in detail retinal damage resulting from pseudotumor cerebri. CASE: We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with serious bilateral visual impairment, severe papilledema, and retinal edema in a wide area. She was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri. Because of her progressive visual loss and failed medical control, she underwent a lumboperitoneal shunt. After the operation, her visual acuity and visual field improved in her left eye and the retinal edema resolved, but residual pigment epithelial damage was observed. In the first-order component of multifocal electroretinogram, the amplitudes were reduced, and peak implicit times were prolonged in the nasal retina. CONCLUSION: Retinal damage caused by severe and long-standing retinal edema may contribute to the pathological mechanisms for visual loss as well as optic nerve damage. The course of visual function in our case was important for diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. Because a poor visual outcome may result from pseudotumor cerebri, an ophthalmologist should closely monitor visual loss and visual function.

[The changes over time in areas of abnormal choroidal staining in central serous chorioretinopathy].

PURPOSE: We discuss the permeability of the choroid in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients with active CSC and their fellow eyes were studied with indocyanine green angiography (IA). Abnormal choroidal stainings in the late phase were fed in to a computer and hyperfluorescent areas were summated. The hyperfluorescent area at the initial examination was compared with that at the second examination. The values obtained were compared with the clinical characteristics shown by ophthalmoscopic, fluorescein angiographic (FA), and IA findings. RESULTS: The abnormal choroidal staining during IA was observed in 90% of the affected eyes and 67% of the fellow eyes. The average abnormal staining area was larger in the affected eyes than in the fellow eyes and decreased over time in both affected and fellow eyes, but the decrease rate of the abnormal staining was higher in the affected eyes. In FA abnormal staining areas of the smokestack type were significantly smaller than those of the round-diffusion type. The range of abnormal choroidal staining was significantly smaller in the affected eyes treated with laser photocoagulation than in the eyes not treated without laser coagulation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the range of abnormal choroidal staining is consistent with changes of activity in the course of CSC, that the malfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal hyperpermeability mutually influence CSC and that the disappearance of serous detachment in the clinical course plays an important role in the improvement of choroidal permeability and the retinal pigment epithelium function.

Resveratrol inhibits 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity in rat adipose microsomes.

It has been suggested that resveratrol, a polyphenol in wine, can regulate adiposity because it decreases adipose deposition in mice and rats; however, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been fully clarified. In humans and rodents, 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) is expressed in liver and adipose tissue. 11ß-HSD1 converts inactive glucocorticoid into active glucocorticoid in adipocytes. Activated glucocorticoid plays an important role in the pathogenesis of central obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on 11ß-HSD1 activity in rodent adipose tissue. 11ß-HSD1 activity in microsomes from rat mesenteric adipose depots and 3T3-L1 adipocytes was determined in the presence of 11-dehydrocorticosterone with or without varying concentrations of resveratrol. Significant inhibition of 11ß-HSD1 by resveratrol was observed in rat adipose microsomes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes within 10 min. Time- and dose-dependent effects were also observed. The 11ß-HSD1 activity by resveratrol was also inhibited in rat epididymal adipose tissue, and this inhibition was not recovered by estrogen receptor blockers. The kinetic study revealed that resveratrol acted as a non-competitive inhibitor of 11ß-HSD1. Ki and IC50 values of resveratrol were 39.6 and 35.2 µM respectively. Further, resveratrol did not affect the activities of 11ß-HSD2 and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. These results suggest that the most likely mechanism of 11ß-HSD1 inhibition by resveratrol is via interaction between resveratrol and 11ß-HSD1 enzyme, rather than via a transcriptional pathway. We demonstrated that the antiobesity effects of resveratrol may partially be attributed to the inhibition of 11ß-HSD1 activity in adipocytes.