Exposure to PM2.5 and Lung Function Growth in Pre- and Early-Adolescent Schoolchildren: A Longitudinal Study Involving Repeated Lung Function Measurements in Japan.

Rationale: Epidemiological evidence indicates that ambient exposure to particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) has adverse effects on lung function growth in children, but it is not actually clear whether exposure to low-level PM2.5 results in long-term decrements in lung function growth in pre- to early-adolescent schoolchildren. Objectives: To examine long-term effects of PM2.5 within the 4-year average concentration range of 10-19 μg/m3 on lung function growth with repeated measurements of lung function tests. Methods: Longitudinal analysis of 6,233 lung function measurements in 1,466 participants aged 8-12 years from 16 school communities in 10 cities around Japan, covering a broad area of the country to represent concentration ranges of PM2.5, was done with a multilevel linear regression model. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximal expiratory flow at 50% of FVC were used as lung function indicators to examine the effects of 10-μg/m3 increases in the PM2.5 concentration on relative growth per each 10-cm increase in height. Results: The overall annual mean PM2.5 level was 13.5 μg/m3 (range, 10.4-19.0 μg/m3). We found no association between any of the lung function growth indicators and increases in PM2.5 levels in children of either sex, even after controlling for potential confounders. Analysis with two-pollutant models with O3 or NO2 did not change the null results. Conclusions: This nationwide longitudinal study suggests that concurrent, long-term exposure to PM2.5 at concentrations ranging from 10.4 to 19.0 μg/m3 has little effect on lung function growth in preadolescent boys or pre- to early-adolescent girls

Stereocontrolled synthesis of carbocyclic compounds with a quaternary carbon atom based on SN2 ' alkylation of γ,δ-epoxy-α,β-unsaturated ketones

We developed a new method for stereoselective construction of an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center on a carbocyclic ring based on regio- and stereoselective SN2' alkylation reactions of γ,δ-epoxy-α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketones. Treatment of the ketones, which were readily prepared in enantiomerically pure form by means of aldol condensations between 3-ethoxy-2-cycloalkenones and α,β-epoxy aldehydes, with a R2Zn-CuCN reagent afforded anti-SN2' products stereoselectively. Conversely, the corresponding syn-SN2' products were stereoselectively obtained through two-step transformations of the same γ,δ-epoxy-α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketones: (1) conversion of the epoxide moiety to a chlorohydrin by treatment with MgCl2 and (2) subsequent SN2' substitution of the chlorohydrin with a R2Zn-CuCN reagent. These substitution products with their chiral trans-allylic alcohol moieties are promising precursors for complex molecules. For example, Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement of one of the substitution products resulted in stereoselective formation of a keto amide having contiguous quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers

Utility of the Teslar Facial Massager for Skin Elasticity and the Mechanism of its Effects

The Teslar is a facial massager that emits a weak electric current, where users have reported a beneficial effect on skin elasticity with continued use. Accordingly, we conducted a clinical utility study and a comprehensive gene analysis, with cultured human fibroblasts to investigate the utility and mechanism of this treatment. In this clinical utility study, we found significant improvement in skin elasticity in Teslar treatments, compared to controls after two weeks of treatment. In cell experiments, we found that adenosine triphosphate synthesis and collagen contraction were promoted in fibroblasts cultured in type I collagen gel, following Teslar treatment. We considered that Teslar treatment exerted a structurally regenerative effect on the dermal matrix, based on the results of GeneChip® Expression Analysis. In particular, we demonstrated that Teslar treatment promotes type I collagen mRNA expression and fibulin-5/DANCE (Developmental arteries and neural crest EGF (epidermal growth factor)-like) mRNA expression and protein levels, which are reduced with aging. We also found increases in LTBP-3 (Latent TGF-β binding protein-3) and CSPG4 (Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4) mRNA expression levels. Based on these results, we considered that Teslar treatment promoted dermal regeneration and recovery of skin elasticity

Quantitative evaluation of blinking in blepharospasm using electrooculogram-integrated smart eyeglasses

Abstract Smart eyeglasses with an integrated electrooculogram (EOG) device (JINS MEME ES_R®, JINS Inc.) were evaluated as a quantitative diagnostic tool for blepharospasm. Participants without blepharospasm (n = 21) and patients with blepharospasm (n = 19) undertook two voluntary blinking tests (light and fast) while wearing the smart eyeglasses. Vertical (Vv) and horizontal (Vh) components were extracted from time-series voltage waveforms recorded during 30 s of the blinking tests. Two parameters, the ratio between the maximum and minimum values in the power spectrum (peak-bottom ratio, Fourier transform analysis) and the mean amplitude of the EOG waveform (peak amplitude analysis) were calculated. The mean amplitude of Vh from light and fast blinking was significantly higher in the blepharospasm group than in the control group (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.05). Similarly, the peak-bottom ratio of Vv from light and fast blinking was significantly lower in the blepharospasm group than in the control group (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.05). The mean amplitude of Vh and peak-bottom ratio of Vv correlated with the scores determined using the Jankovic rating scale (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.01). Therefore, these parameters are sufficiently accurate for objective blepharospasm classification and diagnosis

Cytochrome c1 as a favorable prognostic marker in estrogen receptor-positive breast carcinoma

Background. Cytochrome c1 (CYC1) is a heme-containing subunit of mitochondria complex III and is mainly involved in cellular energy production. A recent study has demonstrated that CYC1 was overexpressed in breast carcinoma tissues and induced proliferation, migration and invasion of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical significance of CYC1 protein remains largely unclear in invasive breast carcinoma, and biological functions of CYC1 have not been reported in ER- positive breast carcinoma cells. Materials and methods. We immunolocalized CYC1 in 172 invasive breast carcinomas and evaluated its clinical significance according to the ER-status. Subsequently, we examined the effects of CYC1 on proliferation, glycolysis and chemosensitivity to paclitaxel, which is one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer, in ER-positive breast carcinoma cells (MCF7 and T47D). Results. CYC1 immunoreactivity was detected in 47% of ER-positive cases and 30% of ER-negative cases. Immunohistochemical CYC1 status was inversely associated with Ki67 in ER-positive cases, and it was a significantly favorable prognostic factor for both disease-free and breast cancer-specific survival of the patients. On the other hand, no significant association was detected between CYC1 status and clinico- pathological factors in ER-negative cases. In in vitro experiments, MCF7 and T47D cells transfected specific siRNA for CYC1 significantly increased cell proliferation activity, L-lactate production and cell viability after paclitaxel treatment. Conclusion. These results suggest that CYC1 inhibits cell proliferation, glycolytic activity and increases chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in ER-positive breast carcinoma cells and that CYC1 status is a potent favorable prognostic factor in ER-positive breast cancer patient