Nucleotide sequence of the genes, encoding the pentaheme cytochrome (dmsC) and the transmembrane protein (dmsB) involved in dimethyl sulfoxide respiration from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans

AbstractThe nucleotide sequence of the genes encoding a pentaheme cytochrome (dmsC) and a transmembrane protein (dmsB) were determined upstream of the dmsA gene encoding dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans. dmsC and dmsB encode proteins of 404 and 226 amino acid residues, which show 40% and 26% identity to the pentaheme cytochrome TorC and the transmembrane protein TorD, respectively, of the trimethylamine N-oxide reduction system in Escherichia coli

Relationship between risk information on total colonoscopy and patient preferences for colorectal cancer screening options: Analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is the preferred program for colorectal cancer screening in Japan, many medical institutions have recently begun to provide total colonoscopy (TCS) as an initial screening program. However, there are a number of severe risks associated with TCS, such as colorectal bleeding and perforation. The justification for performing such a procedure on healthy patients remains unclear. We used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to investigate whether risk information on TCS affects patient preferences for colorectal cancer screening.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a questionnaire survey using an AHP decision-making model, targeting 285 people aged 40–59 years. We randomly assigned the subjects into Groups A (n = 146) and B (n = 139). Both groups were provided with information on the effectiveness, cost and disadvantages of the two screening programs. Group A was provided with additional information regarding the risks of TCS. Individual priorities were calculated with pair-wise comparisons between the two alternatives in each selection criteria. The influence of the risk information was analyzed using a logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The aggregated priorities in Group A for 'effectiveness', 'costs', and 'risks' were 0.603, 0.147, and 0.250, respectively, while those in Group B were 0.652, 0.149, and 0.199, respectively. A logistic regression analysis showed that the provision of risk information significantly reduced the subjects' priorities for TCS (p = 0.036).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The lack of risk information was related to the differences in priorities assigned to effectiveness and risks of the two procedures. Patients must be well informed before making decisions concerning their preferred colorectal cancer screening procedure.</p

High Index Values of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for BP180 at Baseline Predict Relapse in Patients With Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) presenting with erythema plaques and tense blisters is the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease. Immunologically, BP is characterized by the presence of circulating anti-epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies. The autoantigens in BMZs targeted by patient's antibodies are mainly BP180 (type XVII collagen) and BP230. Previous reports have indicated that IgG to the immunodominant region of BP180 in BP, 16th non-collagenous domain (NC16A), and anti-BP180NC16A IgE are related to disease activity. In the cytokine profile, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-15, and CCL18 were associated with the severity or activity of the disease. Blood eosinophilia is seen frequently, especially in severe cases. These biomarkers are helpful to evaluate efficacy of treatment and disease severity. Due to the high frequency of disease relapse, prediction of relapse at initiation of treatment (baseline) must be beneficial for clinicians. Therefore, we evaluated biomarkers anti-BP180 IgG (BP180 ELISA), anti-BP230 IgG (BP230 ELISA), peripheral eosinophils, and serum IgE at baseline between BP patients with (n = 16) and without (n = 31) relapse. We found significantly higher index values of BP180 ELISA in the relapse group, whereas no significant difference was found in BP230 ELISA, peripheral eosinophils, and serum IgE. This study indicated that a high index value of BP180 ELISA (cutoff value, 53.09 U/mL; sensitivity, 81.3%; specificity, 48.4%) at baseline may predict relapse in patients with BP. This may help clinicians treating BP patients in decision-making regarding duration and intensity of treatment

Relationship between White Matter Lesions and Progression of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: This study examined the relationship between baseline white matter lesions (WMLs) and the progression of cognitive decline in patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Fifty-six patients with AD were included in the study (23 men, 33 women; mean age, 77.8 years). All subjects were treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and followed up for approximately 1 year. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was assessed at least twice to evaluate the progressive cognitive impairment. All subjects underwent brain MRI at baseline and were divided into WMLs(-), mild WMLs(+), and moderate WMLs(+) groups based on WML severity. Changes in MMSE scores between baseline and follow-up were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: MMSE scores at baseline did not differ significantly among the three groups (p = 0.1658), whereas MMSE scores at the follow-up evaluation were significantly lower in the moderate WMLs(+) group than in the WMLs(-) group (p = 0.0257). The mean MMSE scores remained above baseline values during the approximately 1-year follow-up in the WMLs(-) group, whereas they were decreased in the mild and moderate WMLs(+) groups. Moreover, the frequency of improvement in patients from the WMLs(-) group tended to be higher than that in patients from the WMLs(+) groups. Conclusion: Baseline WMLs may be associated with the heterogeneous progression of cognitive decline in patients with AD

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Antibody Titers and Neutralizing Antibodies in Vaccinated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A serological test is used to assess the efficacy of vaccination. It has been reported that anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and neutralizing antibody (Ab) levels are lower following vaccination in patients with rheumatic disease. Here, we investigated anti-SARS-CoV-2 S and neutralizing Abs in vaccinated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Japan. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S and neutralizing Abs were quantified in 101 RA patients and 117 controls. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Ab levels were lower in RA patients than both earlier after vaccination in controls (mean RA 324.1 &plusmn; 591.8 SDM vs. control 1216.6 &plusmn; 854.4 [U/mL], p &lt; 0.0001) and later after vaccination (324.1 &plusmn; 591.8 vs. 582.0 &plusmn; 415.6 [U/mL], p = 0.0002). The interval between vaccination of the RA patients and serum collection was longer than for controls early after vaccination (142.1 &plusmn; 31.6 vs. 98.3 &plusmn; 11.2 [days], p &lt; 0.0001), but shorter than the later sample from the controls (142.1 &plusmn; 31.6 vs. 257.3 &plusmn; 11.2 [days], p &lt; 0.0001). Importantly, anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab titers in RA patients were higher than in either early or later control samples (10.7 &plusmn; 4.9 vs. 8.6 &plusmn; 6.6 [%], p = 0.0072, and 10.7 &plusmn; 4.9 vs. 3.1 &plusmn; 3.7 [%], p &lt; 0.0001, respectively). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Ab titers in vaccinated RA patients were lower than in controls, but they were influenced by other clinical manifestations. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab levels were independently increased in RA