Studies of interaction of homo-dimeric ferredoxin-NAD(P)+ oxidoreductases of Bacillus subtilis and Rhodopseudomonas palustris, that are closely related to thioredoxin reductases in amino acid sequence, with ferredoxins and pyridine nucleotide coenzymes

金沢大学理工研究域物質化学系Ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductases (FNRs) of Bacillus subtilis (YumC) and Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 (RPA3954) belong to a novel homo-dimeric type of FNR with high amino acid sequence homology to NADPH-thioredoxin reductases. These FNRs were purified from expression constructs in Escherichia coli cells, and their steady-state reactions with [2Fe-2S] type ferredoxins (Fds) from spinach and R. palustris, [4Fe-4S] type Fd from B. subtilis, NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H and ferricyanide were studied. From the Km and kcat values for the diaphorase activity with ferricyanide, it is demonstrated that both FNRs are far more specific for NADPH than for NADH. The UV-visible spectral changes induced by NADP+ and B. subtilis Fd indicated that both FNRs form a ternary complex with NADP+ and Fd, and that each of the two ligands decreases the affinities of the others. The steady-state kinetics of NADPH-cytochrome c reduction activity of YumC is consistent with formation of a ternary complex of NADPH and Fd during catalysis. These results indicate that despite their low sequence homology to other FNRs, these enzymes possess high FNR activity but with measurable differences in affinity for different types of Fds as compared to other more conventional FNRs. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Association of Pain History and Current Pain With Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Muscle Stiffness and Muscle Mass of the Back Muscles in Middle-aged and Elderly Women

[Study Design] A cross-sectional study. [Objective] To investigate the association of low back pain history (LBPH) and LBP with sagittal spinal alignment, stiffness assessed using ultrasonic shear wave elastography, and mass of the back muscle in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly women. [Summary of Background Data] The association of LBPH and LBP with sagittal spinal alignment, stiffness, and mass of the back muscles remains unclear in middle-aged and elderly women. [Participants and Methods] The study comprised 19 asymptomatic middle-aged and elderly women [control (CTR) group], 16 middle-aged and elderly women with LBPH (LBPH group), and 23 middle-aged and elderly women with LBP (LBP group). Sagittal spinal alignment in the standing and prone positions (kyphosis angle in the thoracic spine, lordosis angle in the lumbar spine, and anterior inclination angle in the sacrum) was measured using a Spinal Mouse. The stiffness of the back muscles (lumbar erector spinae and multifidus) in the prone position was measured using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. The mass of the back muscles (thoracic and lumbar erector spinae, lumbar multifidus, and quadratus lumborum) was also measured. [Results] Multiple logistic regression analysis with a forward selection method showed that the stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle was a significant and independent factor of LBPH. The stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle was significantly higher in the LBPH group than in the CTR group. Multiple logistic regression analysis also indicated that lumbar lordosis angle in the standing position was a significant and independent factor of LBP. The lumbar lordosis angle was significantly smaller in the LBP group than in the CTR group. [Conclusions] Our results suggest that LBPH is associated with increased stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle in the prone position, and that LBP is associated with the decreased lumbar lordosis in the standing position in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly women

Immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with myasthenic symptoms and echocardiographic features of dilated cardiomyopathy

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Myasthenic symptoms and the echocardiographic findings of dilated cardiomyopathy are very rare in primary AL amyloidosis. We report a 59yearold man with dyspnea on effort and weakness after exercise. His electrocardiogram showed ischemic heart disease and echocardiography indicated dilated cardiomyopathy. Muscle biopsy revealed amyloidosis with deposits of lambda light chainderived amyloid within the vessel wall. Treatment with PGE1 resulted in improvement of the myasthenic symptoms. This patient indicates that myasthenic symptoms and dilated cardiomyopathy would be a unique syndrome associated with systemic AL amyloidosis involving mainly the small vessels, i.e., AL amyloid angiopathy, in the skeletal muscles and myocardium vessels

Association of low back pain with muscle stiffness and muscle mass of the lumbar back muscles, and sagittal spinal alignment in young and middle-aged medical workers

Background: Muscle stiffness of the lumbar back muscles in low back pain (LBP) patients has not been clearly elucidated because quantitative assessment of the stiffness of individual muscles was conventionally difficult. This study aimed to examine the association of LBP with muscle stiffness assessed using ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) and muscle mass of the lumbar back muscle, and spinal alignment in young and middle-aged medical workers. Methods: The study comprised 23 asymptomatic medical workers [control (CTR) group] and 9 medical workers with LBP (LBP group). Muscle stiffness and mass of the lumbar back muscles (lumbar erector spinae, multifidus, and quadratus lumborum) in the prone position were measured using ultrasonic SWE. Sagittal spinal alignment in the standing and prone positions was measured using a Spinal Mouse. The association with LBP was investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis with a forward selection method. The analysis was conducted using the shear elastic modulus and muscle thickness of the lumbar back muscles, and spinal alignment, age, body height, body weight, and sex as independent variables. Findings: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that muscle stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle and body height were significant and independent determinants of LBP, but that muscle mass and spinal alignment were not. Muscle stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle in the LBP group was significantly higher than that in the CTR group. Interpretation: The results of this study suggest that LBP is associated with muscle stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle in young and middle-aged medical workers

Effect of Cognitive and Aerobic Training Intervention on Older Adults with Mild or No Cognitive Impairment: A Derivative Study of the Nakajima Project

Background: An increasing elderly population in Japan requires effective cognitive intervention programs for dementia. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of such programs for older adults. Methods: The participants were local community-dwelling non-demented older adults and adults with mild cognitive impairment who underwent executive function and group aerobic training. In addition, a non-intervention group participated in activity sessions involving handicraft, Skutt ball matches, and cooking. The four criteria for assessment were cognitive function, instrumental activities of daily living, human relationships, and physical function. Results: The participants in both intervention groups showed a significant improvement in their memory function compared with the non-intervention group. Conclusion: Early rehabilitation intervention using executive function and aerobic training programs may improve memory