Personality, subjective well-being, and the serotonin 1a receptor gene in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Studies of personality traits in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) indicate that there are five or six constructs—Sociability, Dominance, Neuroticism, Openness, and two related to Conscientiousness. The present study attempted to determine whether our earlier study of laboratory-housed individuals only yielded three—Dominance, Sociability, and Neuroticism—because of a low amount of between-subjects variance. To do so, we increased our sample size from 77 to 128. In addition, we ascertained the reliability and validity of ratings and whether polymorphisms related to the serotonin 1a receptor were associated with personality. We found Sociability, Dominance, and Negative Affect factors that resembled three domains found in previous studies, including ours. We also found an Openness and Impulsiveness factor, the latter of which bore some resemblance to Conscientiousness, and two higher-order factors, Pro-sociality and Boldness. In further analyses, we could not exclude the possibility that Pro-sociality and Boldness represented a higher-level of personality organization. Correlations between personality factors and well-being were consistent with the definitions of the factors. There were no significant associations between personality and genotype. These results suggest that common marmoset personality structure varies as a function of rearing or housing variables that have not yet been investigated systematically

Rapid Efficacy of Low Carbohydrate Diet for Diabetic Patient by Use of FreeStyle Libre

In recent years, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been introduced and used in clinical diabetic research. Authors have investigated research about Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) and Calorie Restriction (CR) and developed medical and social LCD movement through Japan LCD Promotion Association (JLCDPA). In this study, a case with remarkable improving effect for change from CR to LCD is presented using CGM. The case is 41 years-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). She was newly diagnosed as T2DM with HbA1c 11.0%, glucose >400 mg/dL, BMI 26.0, AST 30 IU/mL, Hb 16.3 g/dL. She was given CR meal with 60% carbohydrate on day 1 to 4, and LCD meal with 12% carbohydrate on day 5 to 7. Daily profile of blood glucose showed 200-400 mg/dL in day 1-4, 160-240 mg/dL on day 5 and 110-150 mg/dL on day 7. FreeStyle Libre (Abbott, USA) has been valid and useful medical apparatus for monitoring the the detailed fluctuation of blood glucose. Blood glucose value was immediately decreased just after starting LCD, and the short-term effect of the LCD was found. These results would become basal and reference data and contribute to the development of future research

Expression of Bitter Taste Receptors in the Intestinal Cells of Non-Human Primates

(1) Background: Recent studies have investigated the expression of taste-related genes in the organs of various animals, including humans; however, data for additional taxa are needed to facilitate comparative analyses within and among species. (2) Methods: We investigated the expression of taste-related genes in the intestines of rhesus macaques, the non-human primates most commonly used in experimental models. (3) Results: Based on RNAseq and qRT-PCR, genes encoding bitter taste receptors and the G-protein gustducin were expressed in the gut of rhesus macaques. RNAscope analysis showed that one of the bitter receptors, TAS2R38, was expressed in some cells in the small intestine, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of T2R38-positive cells in the villi of the intestines. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that bitter receptors are expressed in the gut of rhesus macaques, supporting the use of macaques as a model for studies of human taste, including gut analyses

(−)545-fac-Δ-Tris(l-prolinato)cobalt(III) trihydrate

The absolute configuration of the octa­hedral fac-CoN3O3 title complex, [Co(C5H8NO2)3]·3H2O, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. A three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds is observed between the proline carboxyl­ate groups and the three uncoordinated water mol­ecules

Association of predicted pathogenic mutations in mitochondrial ND genes with distant metastasis in NSCLC and colon cancer

Cancer cells have more mutations in their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) than do normal cells, and pathogenic mutations in the genes encoding mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (ND) subunits have been found to enhance the invasive and metastatic ability of various tumour cells in animal experiments. However, it is unknown whether single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the ND genes that decrease complex I activity are involved in distant metastasis in human clinical samples. Here, we demonstrated the enhancement of the distant metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma cells by the ND6 13885insC mutation, which is accompanied by the overexpression of metastasis-related genes, metabolic reprogramming, the enhancement of tumour angiogenesis and the acquisition of resistance to stress-induced cell death. We then sequenced ND genes in primary tumour lesions with or without distant metastases as well as metastatic tumour lesions from 115 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colon cancer, and we subsequently selected 14 SNVs with the potential to decrease complex I activity. Intriguingly, a significant correlation was observed (P < 0.05 by Chi-square test) between the incidence of the selected mutations and distant metastasis. Thus, these results strongly suggest that pathogenic ND gene mutations participate in enhancing distant metastasis in human cancers

Ketone Bodies in the Fetus and Newborn During Gestational Diabetes and Normal Delivery

Background: Authors successfully treated gestational diabetes by a very low carbohydrate diet without insulin and other drugs. Increased ketone bodies seemed to play an essential role in energy metabolism, and the fetus and newborn also showed hyperketosis. It is necessary to clarify how much ketone bodies were present in the placenta and umbilical cord in the fetus and newborn and the pregnant mother with or without gestational diabetes. Subjects and Methods: All cases were patients of Muneta OB/GYN Clinic in Chiba, where about 700 deliveries were done every year, 90% normal and 10% gestational diabetic. Blood of 313 mothers and babies at health check-up postpartum, 192 samples of placenta and cord blood at the delivery, and 122 cases were obtained at the time of miscarriage. Abbott's kit measured βHB, and 101 samples obtained at the post partem health check-up were biochemically analyzed for both βHB and glucose. The IBM-SPSS did the statistical analysis. Results: βHB in Mothers' and newborns' blood at four days postpartum was 0.062 and 0.244 mmole/L (median), respectively, and glucose was 4.55±0.81 mmole/L. βHB was high throughout the pregnancy; In the placenta, βHB in the first-, second-and-third trimester was 1.95±0.9 mmole/L, 2.82±0.49 mmole/L, 1.87±0,65 mM/L, respectively. In the cord blood, it was 2.3±1.13 mmole/L, 1.36±0.76 mmole/L, and 0.69±0.6 mmole/L, respectively. Placental βHB at the delivery was 1.99±0.78 mmole/L, and that of the umbilical cord was 0.75±0.36 mmole/L. In the first trimester miscarriage, βHB in spontaneous abortion was 1.84±0.85 mmole/L, while it was 2.09±0.94 mmole/L in artificial abortion. Aborted cases in the second trimester showed 1.96±0.38 mmole/L βHB and 3.74±0.75 mmole/L glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid. Discussion: Our data showed βHB and glucose concentration in the human fetus and newborn under the normal physiological condition. βHB was present in the placenta and umbilical cord blood throughout fetal life and after birth. Different concentrations between the placenta and umbilical cord blood suggested the fetus's uptake for energy and intrauterine growth. High βHB in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested the effects on neuronal development

Nationwide patient registry for GNE myopathy in Japan

BACKGROUND: GNE myopathy is a slowly progressive autosomal recessive myopathy caused by mutations in the GNE (glucosamine (UDP-N-acetyl)-2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase) gene. This study aimed to (1) develop a nationwide patient registry for GNE myopathy in order to facilitate the planning of clinical trials and recruitment of candidates, and (2) gain further insight into the disease for the purpose of improving therapy and care. METHODS: Medical records of genetically-confirmed patients with GNE myopathy at the National Center Hospital of the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) were retrospectively reviewed in order to obtain data reflecting the severity and progression of the disease. We also referred to items in the datasheet of the nationwide registry of dystrophinopathy patients in the Registry of Muscular Dystrophies (Remudy). Items selected for the registration sheet included age, sex, age at onset, past history and complications, family history, body weight and height, pathological findings of muscle biopsy, grip power, walking ability, respiratory function, cardiac function, willingness to join upcoming clinical trials, and participation in patient associations. A copy of the original genetic analysis report was required of each patient. RESULTS: We successfully established the Remudy-GNE myopathy. Currently, 121 patients are registered nationwide, and 93 physicians from 73 hospitals collaborated to establish the registry. The mean age at onset was 27.7 ± 9.6 years, and 19.8% (24/121) of patients could walk without assistance. Mean presumed durations from onset to use of assistive devices (cane and/or braces) and a wheelchair, and loss of ambulation were 12.4, 15.2, and 21.1 years, respectively. Three patients had a past history and/or complication of idiopathic thrombocytopenia. To share the progress of this study with the community, newsletters were published on a regular basis, and included information regarding new phase I clinical trials for GNE myopathy. The newsletters also served as a medium to bring attention to the importance of respiratory evaluation and care for respiratory insufficiency. CONCLUSION: The Japanese Remudy-GNE myopathy is useful for clarifying the natural history of the disease and recruiting patients with genetically-confirmed GNE myopathy for clinical trials. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13023-014-0150-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Behavioral factors to include in guidelines for lifelong oral healthiness: an observational study in Japanese adults

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine which behavioral factors to include in guidelines for the Japanese public to achieve an acceptable level of oral healthiness. The objective was to determine the relationship between oral health related behaviors and symptoms related to oral disease and tooth loss in a Japanese adult community. METHODS: Oral health status and lifestyle were investigated in 777 people aged 20 years and older (390 men and 387 women). Subjects were asked to complete a postal questionnaire concerning past diet and lifestyle. The completed questionnaires were collected when they had health examinations. The 15 questions included their preference for sweets, how many between-meal snacks they usually had per day, smoking and drinking habits, presence of oral symptoms, and attitudes towards dental visits. Participants were asked about their behaviors at different stages of their life. The oral health examinations included examination of the oral cavity and teeth performed by dentists using WHO criteria. Odds ratios were calculated for all subjects, all 10 year age groups, and for subjects 30 years or older, 40 years or older, 50 years or older, and 60 years or older. RESULTS: Frequency of tooth brushing (OR = 3.98), having your own toothbrush (OR = 2.11), smoking (OR = 2.71) and bleeding gums (OR = 2.03) were significantly associated with number of retained teeth in males. Frequency of between-meal snacks was strongly associated with number of retained teeth in females (OR = 4.67). Having some hobbies (OR = 2.97), having a family dentist (OR = 2.34) and consulting a dentist as soon as symptoms occurred (OR = 1.74) were significantly associated with number of retained teeth in females. Factors that were significantly associated with tooth loss in both males and females included alcohol consumption (OR = 11.96, males, OR = 3.83, females), swollen gums (OR = 1.93, males, OR = 3.04, females) and toothache (OR = 3.39, males, OR = 3.52, females). CONCLUSION: Behavioral factors that were associated with tooth retention were frequency of eating snacks between meals, tooth brushing frequency, having one's own toothbrush, smoking and drinking habits, having hobbies, having a family dentist and when they had dental treatment. Clinical factors included bleeding gums, swollen gums, and toothache