Search for η

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2 nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Induced expression of Toll-like receptor 9 in peritubular capillary endothelium correlates with the progression of tubulointerstitial lesions in autoimmune disease-prone mice.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor (Tlr) 9 is capable of recognizing exogenous and/or endogenous nucleic acids and plays a crucial role in innate and adaptive immunity. Recently, we showed that Tlr9 is overexpressed in podocytes, a component of the blood-urine barrier (BUB), in glomeruli of autoimmune glomerulonephritis (AGN) model mice. This study investigated the activation of peritubular capillary (PTC) endothelial cells (ECs), a component of the BUB in the tubulointerstitium, through overexpressing Tlr9, and the subsequent development of tubulointerstitial lesions (TILs) in AGN model mice. METHODS: Lupus-prone BXSB/MpJ-Yaa (Yaa) and BXSB/MpJ (BXSB) mice were used as an AGN model and control, respectively. In addition to histopathological and ultrastructural techniques, protein and mRNA levels were also evaluated. The relationship between Tlr9 and TIL indices was analyzed by statistical correlation analysis. RESULTS: Yaa mice developed TILs and showed strong Tlr9 mRNA expression in PTC ECs at 24 weeks (wks) of age. However, BXSB mice showed no TIL but faint expression of Tlr9 mRNA at 8 and 24 wks of age. Tlr9 protein localization on PTC was almost absent in BXSB mice at both ages but intense expression was found in Yaa mice only at 24 wks of age. Relative mRNA expression of Tlr9 and its putative downstream cytokines, including interleukin 1 beta ( Il1b), Il6, interferon gamma ( Ifng), and tumor necrosis factor alpha ( Tnf) was markedly increased in isolated tubulointerstitium from Yaa mice at 24 wks of age. Furthermore, electron microscopy examination revealed PTC injury and TIL in Yaa mice at 24 wks. The expression level of Tlr9 in the tubulointerstitium was correlated with inflammatory cells in TILs, injured PTC, Ilb and Tnf expression, and damaged tubules ( P < 0.05 and 0.01). CONCLUSION: Induced expression of Tlr9 in ECs correlates with PTC injury and the development of TILs in lupus-prone AGN model mice.

Differential Cross Section and Photon-Beam Asymmetry for the γ[over →]p → π

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7

Autoimmune abnormality affects ovulation and oocyte-pick-up in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice.

Ovulation and oocyte-pick-up are essential processes in fertilization. Herein, we found associations between autoimmune disease and the aforementioned processes in mice. At three and six months, along with the evaluation of autoimmune disease indices, the ovary, mesosalpinx, and oviducts were histologically examined in C57BL/6, MRL/MpJ, and MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice as healthy control, mild and severe models of autoimmune disease, respectively. In superovulated mice, the number of "oocyte cumulus complexes" found in the ampulla was macroscopically counted, and that of "ovulated oocytes" was histologically evaluated, as indicated by ruptured follicles or corpora hemorrhagica in ovaries. Finally, the oocyte-pick-up rate was calculated. In MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice, the oocyte-pick-up rate decreased with disease-related deterioration, unlike in other mouse strains. Further, more ovulated oocytes were found in MRL/MpJ mice than in C57BL/6 mice, and this number significantly decreased with aging in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice. Numerous T-cells infiltrated into the infundibulum or a part of the mesosalpinx in aged MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice, and their infundibulum showed swelling and fewer ciliated epithelial cells compared to that of C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the progression of severe autoimmune disease affected the oocyte-pick-up process through histopathological changes in the infundibulum. These results provide important insights into female infertility associated with autoimmune disease.

Non-traumatic hemorrhage is controlled with REBOA in acute phase then mortality increases gradually by non-hemorrhagic causes: DIRECT-IABO registry in Japan.

PURPOSE: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is now a feasible and less invasive resuscitation procedure. This study aimed to compare the clinical course of trauma and non-trauma patients undergoing REBOA. METHODS: Patient demographics, etiology, bleeding sites, hemodynamic response, length of critical care, and cause of death were recorded. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between non-trauma and trauma patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was then conducted. RESULTS: Between August 2011 and December 2015, 142 (36 non-trauma; 106 trauma) cases were analyzed. Non-traumatic etiologies included gastrointestinal bleeding, obstetrics and gynecology-derived events, visceral aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and post-abdominal surgery. The abdomen was a common bleeding site (69%), followed by the pelvis or extra-pelvic retroperitoneum. None of the non-trauma patients had multiple bleeding sites, whereas 45% of trauma patients did (P < 0.001). No non-trauma patients required resuscitative thoracotomy compared with 28% of the trauma patients (P < 0.001). Non-trauma patients presented a lower 24-h mortality than trauma patients (19 vs. 51%, P = 0.001). The non-trauma cases demonstrated a gradual but prolonged increased mortality, whereas survival in trauma cases rapidly declined (P = 0.009) with similar hospital mortality (68 vs. 64%). Non-trauma patients who survived for 24 h had 0 ventilator-free days and 0 ICU-free days vs. a median of 19 and 12, respectively, for trauma patients (P = 0.33 and 0.39, respectively). Non-hemorrhagic death was more common in non-trauma vs. trauma patients (83 vs. 33%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock often resulted from a single bleeding site, and resulted in better 24-h survival than traumatic hemorrhage among Japanese patients who underwent REBOA. However, hospital mortality increased steadily in non-trauma patients affected by non-hemorrhagic causes after a longer period of critical care.

The use of aortic balloon occlusion in traumatic shock: first report from the ABO trauma registry.

PURPOSE: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a technique for temporary stabilization of patients with non-compressible torso hemorrhage. This technique has been increasingly used worldwide during the past decade. Despite the good outcomes of translational studies, clinical studies are divided. The aim of this multicenter-international study was to capture REBOA-specific data and outcomes. METHODS: REBOA practicing centers were invited to join this online register, which was established in September 2014. REBOA cases were reported, both retrospective and prospective. Demographics, injury patterns, hemodynamic variables, REBOA-specific data, complications and 30-days mortality were reported. RESULTS: Ninety-six cases from 6 different countries were reported between 2011 and 2016. Mean age was 52 ± 22 years and 88% of the cases were blunt trauma with a median injury severity score (ISS) of 41 (IQR 29-50). In the majority of the cases, Zone I REBOA was used. Median systolic blood pressure before balloon inflation was 60 mmHg (IQR 40-80), which increased to 100 mmHg (IQR 80-128) after inflation. Continuous occlusion was applied in 52% of the patients, and 48% received non-continuous occlusion. Occlusion time longer than 60 min was reported as 38 and 14% in the non-continuous and continuous groups, respectively. Complications, such as extremity compartment syndrome (n = 3), were only noted in the continuous occlusion group. The 30-day mortality for non-continuous REBOA was 48%, and 64% for continuous occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: This observational multicenter study presents results regarding continuous and non-continuous REBOA with favorable outcomes. However, further prospective studies are needed to be able to draw conclusions on morbidity and mortality.

Gamma radiation-induced thermoluminescence, trace element and paramagnetic defect of quartz from the Sambagawa metamorphic belt, Central Shikoku, Japan.

This study analyzes the Thermoluminescence (TL) emissions for five emission bands, trace element concentrations and defects in quartz grains extracted from metamorphic rocks and quartz veins in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt, central Shikoku. An emission of 500nm with 195, 245, and 320-325°C glow peaks are observed through the lowest to highest grade samples. A 450nm emission band with intense 195 and 245°C glow peaks and a 320-325°C shoulder peak is found in the higher grade samples. A 570nm emission band with a 170°C glow peak is observed in the samples derived from the lower grade zones. These characteristics of TL emissions of quartz suggest that they can be an indicator for the identification of rock derived from different metamorphic grades. The higher metamorphic grade samples with 450nm emission bands in particular show higher intensities of the E1' center. This relation indicates that the activation of the E1' center in higher metamorphic conditions possibly contributed to the 450nm emission band. Also, the 500nm emission band is generally observed in the samples with the signal intensities of the Aluminum hole center, suggesting that the center is the source of this emission band. We also observed that the lower metamorphic grade samples contain lower signal intensities of the Aluminum hole center, despite higher aluminum concentrations. This inconsistency indicates that the formation of interstitial aluminum ions cause local lattice distortion regions, where self-trapped excitons can be formed and presumably provide the 570nm emissions.

Interference Effect between ϕ and Λ(1520) Production Channels in the γp→K

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1 GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

Genetic factors derived from the MRL/MpJ mouse function to maintain the integrity of spermatogenesis after heat exposure.

MRL/MpJ mice possess highly heat-shock-resistant spermatocytes (HRS) in comparison with C57BL/6 mice. This resistance depends on the MRL/MpJ-type loci at the 81 cM region of Chromosome (Chr) 1 and the 40 cM region of Chr 11. To evaluate the functions of these loci in detail, we examined the histopathological changes resulting from experimental cryptorchidism or transient scrotal heat stress (SHS) in the testes of C57BL/6-based congenic strains (B6.MRLc1, B6.MRLc11, and B6.MRLc1c11) carrying the MRL/MpJ-derived loci responsible for HRS. Among cryptorchid testes from congenic strains, those in B6.MRLc1c11 mice showed the highest heat resistance, indicating that the genetic interactions between MRL/MpJ-derived HRS loci on Chrs 1 and 11 may be important for maintaining spermatogenesis under continuous testicular hyperthermia. In contrast, immediately after SHS induction, germ cell loss via apoptosis was inhibited in B6.MRLc11 and B6.MRLc1c11 mice, similar to that in MRL/MpJ mice. However, this HRS phenotype was not observed in C57BL/6 or B6.MRLc1 mice after SHS induction. Furthermore, testicular calcification owing to long-term damage by SHS induction was inhibited in all congenic strains in comparison with that in C57BL/6 mice, indicating that each MRL/MpJ-derived locus on Chrs 1 and 11 acted independently to facilitate the recovery of heat-induced testicular damage by inhibiting calcification. B6.MRLc11 and B6.MRLc1c11 mice showed greater recovery in spermatogenesis than B6.MRLc1 mice 60 days after SHS induction. Therefore, the MRL/MpJ-derived HRS locus on Chr 11 might play an important role in recovery from heat stress damage. On the basis of these results, we concluded that MRL/MpJ-derived loci on Chrs 1 and 11 cooperatively or independently regulate testicular heat sensitivity depending on the various heat stresses.

Pathogenetic role of an autoimmune susceptibility locus derived from MRL/MpJ strain chromosome 1 in chronic pancreas inflammation.

We examined the role of Mag, an autoimmune susceptibility locus encoded by the telomeric region of MRL/MpJ mouse chromosome 1, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune exocrinopathy. At nine to 12 months of age, strain-specific differences were observed in the pancreas of the animals. B- and T-cell-containing periductal/perivascular cell infiltrations in the pancreases of MRL/MpJ and B6.MRLc1 congenic C57BL/6-background Mag-carrying strains were more severe than were those of C57BL/6. Pancreatic periductal/perivascular cell infiltration was observed frequently in A/J, AKR/N, B6.MRLc1, C57BL/6, and MRL/MpJ, moderately in DBA/1 and DBA/2, and rarely in BALB/c and C3H/He strains. Females tended to have greater pancreatic periductal/perivascular cell infiltration than males. C57BL/6 mice possessed defined borders between cell infiltrations and acini, but borders were indistinct in MRL/MpJ and B6.MRLc1 mice. We attributed this to the invasion of inflammatory cells between each acinus and the disruption of acinar cells around cell infiltrations in the latter strains. No strain-specific differences were observed in the appearance of fibrotic lesions and high endothelial venules in the cell infiltrates. The levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and amylase, and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and Fc gamma receptor III (encoded on Mag) in the pancreases, were elevated in MRL/MpJ- and B6.MRLc1-strain mice relative to C57BL/6. These results emphasized the crucial roles of Mag in the molecular and genetic pathogenesis of autoimmune-mediated pancreatitis.

BXSB-type genome causes murine autoimmune glomerulonephritis: pathological correlation between telomeric region of chromosome 1 and Yaa.

The autoimmune-prone BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mouse is a model of membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Severe MPGN has been reported only in male BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice because of the Y-linked autoimmune accelerator (Yaa) locus. However, we show that female BXSB/MpJ mice develop age-related MPGN without Yaa. Female BXSB/MpJ mice clearly developed MPGN characterized by increased mesangial cells, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), double contouring and spike formation of GBM with T-cell infiltrations and podocyte injuries corresponding with increased autoantibody production and albuminuria. Analysis of the renal levels of the Fc gamma receptor (Fcgr) and interferon-activated gene 200 (Ifi200) family genes, which are MPGN candidate genes localized to the telomeric region of chromosome 1 (Chr.1), showed that Fcgr2b levels decreased, whereas Fcgr3 and Ifi202b levels increased in female BXSB/MpJ mice compared with healthy C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, in isolated glomeruli, microarray analysis revealed that Fcgr3, Fcgr4 and Ifi202b expression was higher in male BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice than in male BXSB/MpJ mice. These findings indicate that the BXSB/MpJ-type genome causes age-related MPGN with significant contribution from the telomeric region of Chr.1, and Yaa enhances the expression of genes localizing to this locus, thereby leading to severe MPGN in male mice.

Structural changes of goat parotid salivary gland: pre- and post-weaning periods.

Previously, the structure of the adult goat parotid salivary glands (PGs) was studied. However, little information was elucidated of the juvenile ones. This study aimed to clarify the correlations between the structure of goats' PGs and the nature of food intake among milk-suckling kids (MSKs) and diet-fed goats (DFGs). The secretory endpieces of the goats' PGs are of the pure serous type. The serous cells in MSKs showed apical accumulation of numerous secretory granules (SGs) of smaller size and of more intense positive periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Ultrastructurally, most of the SGs in the DFGs contained peripherally located inclusions that showed dense reaction products for acid phosphatase. In MSKs, the PGs showed less-developed basal infoldings, sparseness of the inter-cellular inter-digitations, fewer inter-cellular canaliculi and microvilli and also less-developed myoepithelial cells with fewer and shorter cytoplasmic processes. In conclusion, the less-developed membrane specializations and myoepithelial cells, as well as the accumulated SGs in the PGs of MSKs, suggest that it secretes less saliva with a little secretory activity than that of DFGs, which may be correlated with the reduced masticatory activity.

Two-hour post-load plasma glucose levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with normal glucose tolerance.

AIMS: Elevated post-load plasma glucose levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even when they are within the normoglycaemic range. We examined the association of carotid artery intima-media thickness, a marker of early atherosclerosis, with glycaemic variables, including post-load plasma glucose levels, in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. METHODS: The study participants were 663 Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance (565 men, mean age 47 ± 9 years) who underwent both a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement by B-mode ultrasonography during a health examination. Associations between maximal common carotid artery intima-media thickness and fasting plasma glucose, 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c were examined. RESULTS: The carotid artery intima-media thickness gradually increased across the tertiles of 1-h plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1c . In multiple linear regression analysis, 2-h plasma glucose (ß = 0.09, P = 0.012), as well as age, male gender, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and current smoking were independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. In contrast, other glycaemic variables were not independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. The carotid artery intima-media thickness in hypertensive subjects with the highest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76) mm] was significantly greater than in normotensive subjects, with the lowest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.60 (95% CI 0.58-0.63) mm, P = 0.037], even after adjusting for the multiple potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test was positively and independently associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. In particular, the combination of elevated 2-h plasma glucose and hypertension may contribute to an increased carotid artery intima-media thickness.

Predominant prevalence of arterial thrombosis in Japanese patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and immunological manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the Japanese population by a single-centre registration. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 141 consecutive patients with APS, fulfilling the Sydney revised Sapporo criteria for definite APS, who visited our autoimmune clinic from 1988 to 2010, were recruited and followed up. All the patients were interviewed and underwent a general physical examination by qualified rheumatologists on the day of blood sampling. RESULTS: The population comprised 119 woman and 22 men with a mean age at diagnosis of 44 years (range 9-79 years). Seventy patients (49.6%) had primary APS, and 71 (50.4%) had systemic lupus erythematosus. The prevalence of thrombosis was 85.8 per cent, arterial thrombosis was found in 93 patients (66.0%) and venous thrombosis was found in 46 patients (32.6%). The most common thrombosis was cerebral infarction [86/141 (61.0%)] followed by deep vein thrombosis [33/141 (23.4%)]. Among 70 pregnant women, 45 (64.3%) had obstetric complications. Lupus anticoagulant was detected in 116 patients (82.3%), anticardiolipin antibodies in 83 (58.9%), anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies in 73 (51.8%) and phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies in 98 (69.5%). CONCLUSION: High prevalence of arterial thrombosis was noted in Japanese patients with APS. The profile of heterogeneous and complex clinical manifestations was substantiated in Japanese patients with APS.

Spin-density matrix elements for γp→K*0Σ+ at Eγ=1.85-3.0 GeV with evidence for the κ(800) meson exchange.

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

Pathological correlations between podocyte injuries and renal functions in canine and feline chronic kidney diseases.

Podocytes cover the glomerulus and their adjacent foot processes form a principal barrier called the slit diaphragm. Podocyte dysfunctions, including podocyte loss and slit diaphragm disruptions, induce chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we analyzed the correlations between podocyte injuries and renal dysfunctions in domestic carnivores. Dogs and cats were divided into normal and CKD groups according to renal histopathology and plasma creatinine values. Immunostaining results showed that linear reactions of slit diaphragm molecules, e.g., nephrin, podocin, and ACTN4, were parallel to glomerular capillaries in all animals. However, in dogs, reactions of nephrin and ACTN4 were changed to a granular pattern in the CKD group, and their intensities significantly decreased with the number of podocytes in the glomerulus. Moreover, the expression of nephrin and ACTN4 negatively correlated with creatinine. Real-time PCR analysis showed that nephrin mRNA expression in the kidneys of CKD dogs was significantly lower than that in normal animals, and negatively correlated with creatinine. Although no significant correlation between renal dysfunction and podocyte injury was detected in cats, histoplanimetric scores of tubulointerstitial lesions in CKD cats were higher than those in both normal cats and diseased dogs. Furthermore, mRNAs of WT1 and SD molecules were detected in urine from CKD animals. In conclusion, podocyte injuries such as podocytopenia and decreased expression of nephrin and ACTN4 in the glomerulus were more strongly correlated with renal dysfunction in dogs than in cats. These findings suggest that the CKD pathogenesis, especially susceptibilities to podocyte injuries, differed between dogs and cats.

Overexpression of interferon-activated gene 202 (Ifi202) correlates with the progression of autoimmune glomerulonephritis associated with the MRL chromosome 1.

B6.MRLc1(82-100) congenic mice carrying the telomeric region of lupus-prone MRL chromosome 1 develop autoimmune glomerulonephritis (GN). The GN susceptibility locus of B6.MRLc1(82-100) contains the interferon activated gene 200 (Ifi200) family, which consists of Ifi202, 203, 204, and 205. Recently, Ifi202 was suggested as a candidate gene for murine lupus. In this study, we assessed the association between Ifi200 family and GN in several disease models. We compared the expression of Ifi200 family members in 24 organs between the C57BL/6 and B6.MRLc1(82-100). The expressions of Ifi200 family members differed between strains, and the most dramatic differences appeared in Ifi202 expression. Briefly, in the blood, immune organs, lungs, and testes mRNA expression was higher in B6.MRLc1(82-100) mice. In the kidney and immune organs, only Ifi202 expression increased with the development of GN in B6.MRLc1(82-100), and significant differences from C57BL/6 were observed even before disease onset. Ifi202 expression in the kidneys of BXSB, NZB/WF1, and MRL/lpr was also significantly high in the early- and late-disease stages. Furthermore, laser microdissection-reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the high Ifi202 expression in all areas of B6.MRLc1(82-100) kidneys. In conclusion, in the Ifi200 family, Ifi202 expressions in the kidney and immune organs significantly increased with GN progression.

Microarray analysis of multiple candidate genes and associated plasma proteins for nephropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes among Chinese individuals.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Evolving research suggests that common and rare alleles jointly constitute the genetic landscape of complex disease. We studied the association between 43 pathway-related candidate genes with 'intermediate phenotype' (i.e. corresponding plasma protein) and diabetic nephropathy in a customised microarray of 1,536 SNPs. METHODS: In this case-control study of type 2 diabetic Chinese individuals with and without diabetic nephropathy, cases (n = 545) were defined on the basis of a spot urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) > 113 mg/mmol; the value for controls (n = 503) was ACR < 3.3 mg/mmol. Genotyping was performed using Illumina GoldenGate assay. RESULTS: No single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) remained significant in single locus analysis after correction for multiple testing. Therefore, we explored the best approximately 1% SNPs. Of these 13 SNPs, four clustered to a 5' end NADPH oxidase homologue 4 (NOX4) haplotype (GGCC frequency = 0.776) with estimated OR for diabetic nephropathy of 2.05 (95% CI 1.04-4.06) (heterozygous) and 2.48 (1.27-4.83) (homozygous) (p = 0.0055). The haplotype was correlated with plasma Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, suggesting increased oxidative burden. Endothelin-1 SNP (rs1476046G>A, frequency = 0.252) was correlated with plasma C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 concentrations with an estimated OR for diabetic nephropathy of (heterozygous) 1.26 (0.96-1.66) and (homozygous) 1.87 (1.13-3.12) (p = 0.0072). Nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) 5' haplotype (TGTC frequency = 0.38) also revealed a suggestive association with diabetic nephropathy: heterozygous 1.26 (0.95-1.67), homozygous 1.57 (1.04-2.35) (p = 0.0073). A rare NADPH oxidase homologue 1 (NOX1)-coding non-synonymous SNP (Arg315His, frequency = 0.006) was found exclusively among cases. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our preliminary observations suggest that common haplotypes from NOX4 and endothelin-1 SNP correlated with plasma Cu/Zn SOD and C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 concentrations, respectively, and might have conferred diabetic nephropathy susceptibility. Common NOS1 and rare NOX1 variants also revealed a suggestive association with diabetic nephropathy. Future studies to validate our observation are needed.

Onset of autoimmune glomerulonephritis derived from the telomeric region of MRL-chromosome 1 is associated with the male sex hormone in mice.

Female B6.MRLc1(82-100) congenic mice develop more severe autoimmune glomerulonephritis (AGN) than males. We assessed the effects of gonadectomy on the pathogenesis of AGN in these mice. One-month-old male and female mice were divided into sham-operated group (SG) and gonadectomized group (GG), and the pathological changes were investigated at 8 months. SG females showed higher spleen and thymus weights, serum total IgG and autoantibody levels, glomerular damage scores and percent IgG- and CD3-positive glomeruli as compared with SG males. Gonadectomy showed more remarkable effects in males than in females. Spleen and thymus weights, urinary albumin excretion, glomerular damage scores, percent IgG- and CD3-positive glomeruli, and CD3-positive areas in the spleen were significantly higher in GG males than in SG males. CD3-positive cells were observed in both the thymic cortex and medulla in all animals except SG males. The expression ratio of active Fc gamma receptor (Fcgr) 3 to inhibitory Fcgr2b in the kidneys, which we have previously demonstrated to have a great impact on pathogenesis in B6.MRLc1(82-100), was significantly higher in GG males than in SG males. These results suggested that the differences in the pathogenesis of AGN are primarily because of the inhibitory roles of the male sex hormones.

Effect of carbohydrates on the ability of bull sperm to bind to bovine oviduct epithelial cells.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of various carbohydrates on the ability of bovine spermatozoa to bind to the bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OECs). We also examined the fertilization competence and motility of spermatozoa that bind to OECs in the presence of carbohydrates. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated with OECs, with and without various carbohydrates. The sperms were then divided into two fractions: OEC-binding sperms (B-sperm) and non-OEC binding sperms (NB-sperm). The fertilization rate, ability to bind the zona pellucida, and membrane integrity of the spermatozoa as determined using a hypo-osmotic-swelling test (HOST) were lower in NB-sperm than in the unseparated spermatozoa (control). The motility of the B-sperm was maintained for a longer time than that of the control spermatozoa. The addition of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc, 5 mm) to the sperm-OEC mixture increased the number of B-sperm. D-mannose (5 mm) and D-fucose (5 mm) had no effect on the number of B-sperm. The motility of B-sperm, which bound to OECs in the presence of GlcNAc, however, was not maintained. When either OECs or the spermatozoa were treated with GlcNAc prior to sperm-OEC co-incubation, only sperm-side treatment enhanced sperm-OEC binding, but B-sperm motility was not maintained. The motility of spermatozoa incubated with GlcNAc was lower than that of controls. These results indicate that GlcNAc enhances sperm binding to OECs, probably via sperm surface modification, but does not promote increased sperm survival.