Association of increased plasma adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein with coronary artery disease in non-elderly men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been reported to play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether an increased in plasma A-FABP level can be independently associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred eleven consecutive male patients (mean age: 66 years, range: 33-87 years) were enrolled from inpatients who underwent coronary angiography. Age-matched male subjects (n = 211) having no evidence of CAD served as controls. Plasma A-FABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma A-FABP levels in CAD patients were significantly higher than in control subjects (median [IQR], 20.6 [15.7-27.8] ng/mL vs. 15.1 [11.7-19.9] ng/mL, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an increased plasma A-FABP level was independently associated with the presence of CAD in all subjects (adjusted odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 2.70, p = 0.01). Furthermore, sub-analysis based on age showed that this association remained significant in subjects aged < 65 years (adjusted odds ratio: 3.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.34 to 6.98, p < 0.01), but not in subjects aged ≥65 years.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increased plasma A-FABP in non-elderly men had a significant association with the presence of CAD, independent of established CAD risk factors.</p

Influence of mechanical grinding on lithium insertion and extraction properties of iron silicide/silicon composites

We prepared composite electrodes of iron silicide/Si by using mechanical grinding for mixtures of ferrosilicon and Si followed by gas-deposition, and investigated their electrochemical properties as Li-ion battery anode. With increasing the mechanical grinding time, the phase transformation from FeSi to FeSi2 took place more significantly, and the composite electrode showed better cycle stabilities. There was no remarkable difference in mechanical properties and electronic conductivity between FeSi and FeSi2. On the other hand, the FeSi2 exhibited about three times larger capacities in comparison with the FeSi electrode. In addition, a result of our first principle calculation indicates that Li ion can diffuse more easily in FeSi2 lattice than in FeSi lattice. It is suggested that the better cyclability of the composite electrodes was attributed to the moderate reactivity of FeSi2 with Li and the smooth Li-ion diffusion in it

Protein-protein interactions of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3

BACKGROUND: Although 2,061 proteins of Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, have been predicted from the recently completed genome sequence, the majority of proteins show no similarity to those from other organisms and are thus hypothetical proteins of unknown function. Because most proteins operate as parts of complexes to regulate biological processes, we systematically analyzed protein-protein interactions in Pyrococcus using the mammalian two-hybrid system to determine the function of the hypothetical proteins. RESULTS: We examined 960 soluble proteins from Pyrococcus and selected 107 interactions based on luciferase reporter activity, which was then evaluated using a computational approach to assess the reliability of the interactions. We also analyzed the expression of the assay samples by western blot, and a few interactions by in vitro pull-down assays. We identified 11 hetero-interactions that we considered to be located at the same operon, as observed in Helicobacter pylori. We annotated and classified proteins in the selected interactions according to their orthologous proteins. Many enzyme proteins showed self-interactions, similar to those seen in other organisms. CONCLUSION: We found 13 unannotated proteins that interacted with annotated proteins; this information is useful for predicting the functions of the hypothetical Pyrococcus proteins from the annotations of their interacting partners. Among the heterogeneous interactions, proteins were more likely to interact with proteins within the same ortholog class than with proteins of different classes. The analysis described here can provide global insights into the biological features of the protein-protein interactions in P. horikoshii

One-Step Detection of the 2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Virus by the RT-SmartAmp Assay and Its Clinical Validation

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>In 2009, a pandemic (pdm) influenza A(H1N1) virus infection quickly circulated globally resulting in about 18,000 deaths around the world. In Japan, infected patients accounted for 16% of the total population. The possibility of human-to-human transmission of highly pathogenic novel influenza viruses is becoming a fear for human health and society.</p> <h3>Methodology</h3><p>To address the clinical need for rapid diagnosis, we have developed a new method, the “RT-SmartAmp assay”, to rapidly detect the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus from patient swab samples. The RT-SmartAmp assay comprises both reverse transcriptase (RT) and isothermal DNA amplification reactions in one step, where RNA extraction and PCR reaction are not required. We used an exciton-controlled hybridization-sensitive fluorescent primer to specifically detect the HA segment of the 2009 pdm influenza A(H1N1) virus within 40 minutes without cross-reacting with the seasonal A(H1N1), A(H3N2), or B-type (Victoria) viruses.</p> <h3>Results and Conclusions</h3><p>We evaluated the RT-SmartAmp method in clinical research carried out in Japan during a pandemic period of October 2009 to January 2010. A total of 255 swab samples were collected from outpatients with influenza-like illness at three hospitals and eleven clinics located in the Tokyo and Chiba areas in Japan. The 2009 pdm influenza A(H1N1) virus was detected by the RT-SmartAmp assay, and the detection results were subsequently compared with data of current influenza diagnostic tests (lateral flow immuno-chromatographic tests) and viral genome sequence analysis. In conclusion, by the RT-SmartAmp assay we could detect the 2009 pdm influenza A(H1N1) virus in patients' swab samples even in early stages after the initial onset of influenza symptoms. Thus, the RT-SmartAmp assay is considered to provide a simple and practical tool to rapidly detect the 2009 pdm influenza A(H1N1) virus.</p> </div

Countervailing Forces Affecting Japanese Telework Behavior

A literature review of Japanese and American research reveals several countervailing forces affecting Japanese telework behavior. Cultural characteristics such as collectivism, power distance, long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and the need for face-to-face contact appear to negatively impact the amount of telework in Japan. Other negative influences include job design and legal limitations. New forces such as technology, commuting time, environmental needs, safety concerns, energy consumption, efficiency, productivity, societal changes, generational effects, supportive associations, company strategy, and governmental initiatives appear to increase Japanese telework. Though Japan had been slow in establishing telework in the 1990\u27s, telework growth might be fast in the 2010\u27s due to the new forces. Implications for future research are included