Experimental effect of retinoic acids on apoptosis during the development of diabetic retinopathy

Nami Nishikiori1,2, Makoto Osanai2, Hideki Chiba2, Takashi Kojima2, Shuichiro Inatomi1,2, Hiroshi Ohguro1, Norimasa Sawada2Departments of 1Ophthalmology and 2Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of MedicinePurpose: This study was conducted to investigate whether retinoic acids (RAs) had any effect on apoptosis during the development of diabetic retinopathy.Methods: To investigate whether RAs had any effect on apoptosis during the development of diabetic retinopathy, we housed 32 C57BL/6 male mice and induced diabetes in 24 by intra peritoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ; Sigma, St Louis, MO) and treated 16 of the diabetic mice with the RAs, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) (seven mice) and 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carboxamido] benzoic acid (Am580) (nine mice). The other eight mice were used as diabetic controls. We then measured apoptosis in the retina by TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling assay.Results: RAs inhibited the apoptosis of retinal cells in diabetic retinopathy. Many apoptotic cells were observed in retinas of the eight diabetic control mice (mean value and SD: 37.8 ± 6.9), whereas when diabetic mice were treated with RAs, the number of apoptotic cells significantly decreased (mean value and SD: 9.9 ± 6.4 for the seven ATRA-treated diabetic mice and 9.8 ± 5.9 for the nine Am580-treated diabetic mice) (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Treatment with RAs decreases apoptosis during the development of diabetic retinopathy.Keywords: retinoic acids, apoptosis, diabetic retinopathy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic facto

南部鉄器の事業ｼｽﾃﾑに関する一考察

本稿は､伝統産業の一つである南部鉄器の盛岡産地を分析対象とし､産地の形成､技能の継承と人材育成､競争行動と競争の制御から､南部鉄器の伝統的事業ｼｽﾃﾑを明らかにすることを目的とする｡そのため､盛岡産地の南部鉄器の製造業者および南部鉄器協同組合に聞き取り調査を行った｡調査の結果､以下のことが明らかになった｡盛岡産地は､南部盛岡藩の保護を受けて発展してきた｡現在､伝統的な南部鉄器の生産の技能は､OJT により継承されている｡盛岡産地では職人や企業が協力し合う関係にあり､お互いの強みをよく知ることができる｡そのため､各社が棲み分けを行っており､販路の選択において競争を制御する不文律が存在していることがわかった｡This study investigates the business system of the industry of the Nambu cast ironware, which is the one of the popular traditional industries in Japan. We focus on the formation of the industry, skill acquisition and development of human resources, competitive behavior and control of the competition of the industry. We conducted an interview with an owner of the company producing Nambu cast ironware and the Nambu Tekki Kyodo Kumiai(Nambu Tekki Association). The results of this research are below. The Nambu cast ironware in Morioka had developed under the protection of the Nambu Morioka Domain. The skill acquisition as craftwork also has been developed mainly by on-the-job training. The industry in Morioka has cooperative relationships and they understand each other\u27s strengths. Therefore, they focus on developing their strengths and avoid invading other companies\u27territory. So, there is an unwritten rule of their competition in the choice of their sales channel

Molecular characterization of a flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene from citrus fruit reveals its crucial roles in anthocyanin accumulation

Abstract Background Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), a key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, plays an important role in the regulation of flavonols and anthocyanidins accumulation. Citrus fruit is a rich source of flavonoids with varied flavonoid compositions among different varieties. To date, the study on F3H is limited in citrus, and its roles in regulating flavonoid accumulation in citrus fruit are still unclear. Results In this study, we isolated a CitF3H from three different citrus varieties, Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.), Ponkan mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco) and blood orange ‘Moro’ (C. sinensis Osbeck). Functional analysis showed that CitF3H encoded a functional flavanone 3-hydroxylase. It catalyzed the hydroxylation of naringenin to yield dihydrokaempferol, which was a precursor of anthocyanins in flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. In the juice sacs, CitF3H was differentially expressed among the three citrus varieties, and its expression level was positively correlated with the accumulation of anthocyanins during the ripening process. In the juice sacs of Satsuma mandarin and Ponkan mandarin the expression of CitF3H kept constant at an extremely low level, and no anthocyanin was accumulated during the ripening process. In contrast, the expression of CitF3H increased rapidly along with the accumulation of anthocyanin in the juice sacs of blood orange ‘Moro’ during the ripening process. In addition, we found that blue light irradiation was effective to up-regulate the expression of CitF3H and improve anthocyanin accumulation in the juice sacs of blood orange ‘Moro’ in vitro. Conclusion CitF3H was a key gene regulating anthocyanin accumulation in the juice sacs of citrus fruit. The results presented in this study will contribute to elucidating anthocyanin biosynthesis in citrus fruit, and provide new strategies to improve the nutritional and commercial values of citrus fruit

Exogenous gibberellin induced regreening through the regulation of chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism in Valencia oranges

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Heart failure as a strong independent predictor of delirium after pacemaker operations

Background: Postoperative delirium is a common and serious condition in the clinical setting that has been linked to increased mortality and worse outcomes. Some patients after pacemaker operations may suffer from delirium; however, this condition has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of delirium after pacemaker operations such as initial permanent pacemaker implantation or pacemaker generator replacement. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 192 consecutive patients who underwent pacemaker operations. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria, patients were divided into two groups: patients with delirium and patients without delirium after pacemaker operation. The two groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, clinical settings, and environmental factors. Results: Forty patients (20.8%) suffered from delirium after pacemaker operations and were significantly older than patients without delirium (85.3 ± 6.4 years vs. 80.8 ± 8.4 years, p = 0.0014). Temporary pacing before permanent pacemaker implantation (30% vs. 11%, p = 0.0019) and intensive care unit admission (28% vs. 12%, p = 0.014) were more common in patients with delirium. Moreover, patients with delirium had more frequent heart failure than patients without delirium (78% vs. 41%, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression models showed heart failure as an independent predictor of delirium after pacemaker implantation. Conclusions: Delirium after pacemaker operations was not uncommon and heart failure was a strong independent predictor of such a condition