Regressed three-dimensional capillary network and inhibited angiogenic factors in the soleus muscle of non-obese rats with type 2 diabetes

Based on findings obtained using two-dimensional capillary analyses on tissue cross-sections, diabetes has been shown to be associated with a high risk for microangiopathy and capillary regression in skeletal muscles. We visualized the three-dimensional architecture of the capillary networks in the soleus muscle of non-obese Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with type 2 diabetes and compared them with those of control Wistar rats to provide novel information, e.g., capillary volume, on the capillary networks. In addition, we examined pro- and anti-angiogenic gene expression levels in the soleus muscle of GK rats using TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR. As expected, plasma glucose levels were higher and insulin levels lower in GK than control rats. The three-dimensional architecture of the capillary networks was regressed and capillary volume was smaller in the soleus muscle of GK compared to control rats. The mRNA expression levels of the pro-angiogenic factors HIF-1α, KDR, Flt-1, ANG-1, and Tie-2 were lower, whereas the level of the anti-angiogenic factor TSP-1 was higher in GK than control rats. These data suggest that a decrease in pro-angiogenic and increase in anti-angiogenic factors may play an important role in type 2 diabetes-induced muscle circulatory complications

In situ photoacoustic analysis of near-infrared absorption of rhodium-doped strontium titanate photocatalyst powder

Near-infrared absorption of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) doped with rhodium (Rh) was investigated by photoacoustic (PA) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In the absence of an electron acceptor and the presence of a hole scavenger, the largest absorption change in the Rh valence state from tetravalent to trivalent was observed in Rh-doped SrTiO3 prepared at 1473 K, which showed the highest activity for hydrogen evolution. PA measurements revealed the effective redox cycle mechanism between tetravalent and trivalent Rh ions in Rh-doped SrTiO3

Mechanism of the ferroelectric phase transitions in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3

金沢大学理学部The temperature dependences of the nuclear-electric-quadrupole frequency vQ of 117In doped in LiTaO3 (TC5938 K) and Li12xInx/3TaO3 with x50.2 (TC5818 K) show that the order-disorder of the Li ions is not the driving mechanism for the ferroelectric instability in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 systems, and imply that the oxygen order-disorder is the driving mechanism. The significantly different temperature dependences of vQ of 111Cd in these materials compared, to those of 117In, demonstrate that this order-disorder is of dynamic character

Intracellular localization and binding partners of death associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing protein kinase 1

Death associated protein kinase (DAPK)-related apoptosis-inducing protein kinase (DRAK)-1 is a positive apoptosis regulator. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the DRAK1-mediated apoptotic pathway remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the intracellular localization and binding partners of DRAK1. In human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS cells, DRAK1 was mainly localized in the nucleus and translocated outside the nucleus through Ser395 phosphorylation by protein kinase C. In the nucleus, DRAK1 associated with tumor suppressor p53 and positively regulated p53 transcriptional activity in response to DNA-damaging agent cisplatin. On the other hand, DRAK1 interacted with the mitochondrial inner-membrane protein, adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT)-2, an anti-apoptotic oncoprotein, outside the nucleus. These findings suggest that DRAK1 translocates in response to stimuli and induces apoptosis through its interaction with specific binding partners, p53 and/or ANT2

University Students’ Knowledge about Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities: A Questionnaire Analysis of Faculty of Education Students

This study explores the results of a questionnaire concerning faculty of education university students’ understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities and considered how a class may change the students’ image and consciousness of disabilities. Thirty-six firstyear Faculty of Education students majoring in a special education program completed a questionnaire before and after a class to identify their image and understanding of disabilities. The results showed no change before and after the class focusing on the students’ image and understanding of disabilities. Concerning the students’ image of disabilities, the responses rated the ideas “we can live together” and “should live together” highly, which was a similar result to the preliminary research. Concerning the students’ understanding, they showed a understanding of disabilities similar to their image, and scored highly in their response to their “will to understand and interact with people with disabilities.” Therefore, the respondent’s specialty was inferred to affect their image and understanding of disabilities

Different Crystal Chemistries of the 117Cd→117In and 111mCd→111Cd Probes in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 Studied by Time-Differential Perturbed-Angular-Correlation Technique

金沢大学理学部The temperature dependences of the nuclear-electric-quadrupole frequency vQ of 117In doped in LiTaO3 (TC5938 K) and Li12xInx/3TaO3 with x50.2 (TC5818 K) show that the order-disorder of the Li ions is not the driving mechanism for the ferroelectric instability in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 systems, and imply that the oxygen order-disorder is the driving mechanism. The significantly different temperature dependences of vQ of 111Cd in these materials compared, to those of 117In, demonstrate that this order-disorder is of dynamic character

Efficacy and Safety of Esaxerenone in Hypertensive Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective Study

Introduction Clinical data of esaxerenone in hypertensive patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are lacking. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in patients with DKD and an inadequate response to blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment. Methods In this multicenter, open-label, prospective study, patients were divided into urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio subcohorts (UACR  Results In total, 113 patients were enrolled. Morning home SBP/DBP significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (− 11.6/− 5.2 mmHg, both p  Conclusion Esaxerenone demonstrated a BP-lowering effect and improved albuminuria. The effects were consistent regardless of the severity of albuminuria without clinically relevant serum potassium elevation and eGFR reduction