Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopic Analysis toward Characterization of the Hydration State and Bioprotective Superiority of Trehalose.

Alteration of the hydrogen-bond (H-bond) network by trehalose is acknowledged as a bioprotective agent. However, most studies exploring the hydration superiority of the trehalose structure are limited structure are limited by the computational cost or a narrow-range spectrum. In the present study, the structural and dynamical behaviors of the H-bond network of trehalose and maltose solutions were observed and compared with a broadband dielectric spectrum (100 MHz-18 THz) to investigate the influence of the trehalose structure on the bioprotective function. From the relaxation time, the reorientation cooperativity, resonant frequency, and damping constant of water-water vibration, the symmetric structure of trehalose allowed a more significant H-bond strengthening effect and homogeneous aqueous environment. In contrast, the difference in the hydration number between trehalose and maltose was negligible. Thus, the enhanced H-bond strengthening effect and homogeneous aqueous environment owing to the symmetric structure are the essential factors that contribute to the remarkable bioprotective effect of trehalose.

Clinical significance of serum complement factor 3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Although serum complement factor 3 (C3) is an acute phase reactant mainly synthesized in the liver, several recent studies have shown high C3 gene expression in adipose tissue (AT). However, the relationship between C3 and AT levels has not been fully clarified in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: A total of 164 T2DM patients (109men and 55 women) participated in this cross-sectional study. A computed tomography scan was performed to measure visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT. The correlation between these factors and C3 levels was examined using Pearson's correlation analysis. A multivariate regression model was used to assess an independent determinant associated with C3 levels after adjusting the explanatory variables (i.e., all ATs [visceral, subcutaneous, and total], and clinical features [sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase levels, alanine aminotransferase levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, log(triglyceride levels), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and log(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels)]). RESULTS: Serum C3 levels were correlated with visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT among both men (r=0.505, p<0.001; r=0.545, p<0.001; r=0.617, p<0.001, respectively) and women (r=0.396, p=0.003; r=0.517, p<0.001; r=0.548, p<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate regression model, the association between total AT and C3 levels remained significantly positive (ß=0.490, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum C3 levels are associated with visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT in T2DM patients. Furthermore, C3 levels seem to be a marker for overall adiposity rather than regional adiposity.

Expression and distribution of human telomerase catalytic component, hTERT, in human breast tissues.

BACKGROUND: Activation of telomerase is essential in a variety of malignant tumors. However, the regulation of its activation and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are not fully understood in breast tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to clarify this point, the telomerase activity was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and quantified by hybridization protection assay (HPA) and, moreover, the expressions of hTERT mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: Telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT mRNA were detected in 41(75%) and 37(67%) cases among 55 breast carcinomas, respectively. However, the telomerase ZV activity was detected in only 14(40%) among 35 benign breast tumors. Strong correlation was observed between telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression, as described previously. Moreover, the strong expression of hTERT protein in the nucleus of the cell was detected in 30 (57%) cases among 53 breast carcinomas and weak expression of the protein was also detected in 11 (35%) cases among 31 benign breast tumors by immunohistochemistry. There were 12 breast carcinomas which had no telomerase activity. Three of them had hTERT mRNA and protein and in 3 other cases, only hTERT protein was detected. Five cases had the expression of mRNA but not the protein and it was only one case which had no activity and expression of hTERT mRNA and protein. However, in benign tumors, 14 (87.5%) cases among 16 TRAP-negative tumors had no mRNA and protein expression. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that complicated regulation might be involved in the regulation of telomerase activity and also the activation of the gene may be important in the carcinogenesis of human breast carcinomas.