64 research outputs found
Breadand Effervescent Beverage Productions with Local Microbes for the Local Revitalization
Local microbes such as yeasts fungi and bacilli, were isolated and used to apply for the food processing (bread making) and the production of an effervescent beverage (fruits kvass) for promotion of the local revitalization. Our yeast isolates could contribute to make the breads that can sell in alocal bakery shop. Furthermore, the same yeasts could be used for making the fruit kvass (a Russian effervescent beverage which was fermented by yeast) with local fruit products (lemon, dry grape, mandarin orange and apple that were produced in Hiroshima prefecture in Japan). Development of merchandise having the local brand, which was made with only products of Hiroshima prefecture was attempted. Results of these activities demonstrate that the search of local microbes can help to establish the regional brand product related to its local area. They also showed that the local microbes have the potential ability to lead the local revitalization and the local brand product
Integrin α5 regulates motility of human monocyte-derived Langerhans cells during immune response
Guo Z., Murakami M., Saito K., et al. Integrin α5 regulates motility of human monocyte-derived Langerhans cells during immune response. Experimental Dermatology 33, e15021 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.15021.Langerhans cells (LCs) are mainly present in the epidermis and mucosa, and have important roles during skin infection. Migration of LCs to lymph nodes is essential for antigen presentation. However, due to the difficulties in isolating and culturing human LCs, it is not fully understood how LCs move and interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) through their adhesion molecules such as integrin, during the immune responses. In this study, we aimed to investigate LC motility, cell shape and the role of integrin under inflammatory conditions using monocyte-derived Langerhans cells (moLCs) as a model. As a result, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increased adhesion on fibronectin coated substrate and integrin α5 expression in moLCs. Time-lapse imaging of moLCs revealed that stimulation with LPS elongated cell shape, whilst decreasing their motility. Additionally, this decrease in motility was not observed when pre-treated with a neutralising antibody targeting integrin α5. Together, our data suggested that activation of LCs decreases their motility by promoting integrin α5 expression to enhance their affinity to the fibronectin, which may contribute to their migration during inflammation
Gender-Dependent Characteristics of Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D/25-Hydroxyvitamin D Ratio for the Assessment of Bone Metabolism
Y Objectives Vitamin D deficiency, which is common worldwide, increases the risks of falls and fractures and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. However, the clinical utility and relevance of vitamin D activation remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical usefulness of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D)/25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) ratio for assessment of the extent of bone metabolism. Methods We retrospectively screened data for 87 patients whose serum 1,25D and 25D levels were measured. Eight patients who were taking vitamin D preparations were excluded, and data for 79 patients (33 males and 46 females) were analyzed. Since menopausal status can be associated with serum vitamin D level, we divided the patients by gender and divided the female patients into two groups at the age of 50 years. Results The median serum 1,25D/25D ratio was significantly lower in males than in females, with the most considerable difference in all males [4.1 (interquartile range: 2.3-5.8) x 10(-3)] versus elderly females (aged >= 50 years) [7.9 (3.3-10.1) x 10(-3)). Main disorders were endocrine (30.6%), inflammatory (18.5%), and bone related (16.7%) disorders. The ratios of serum 1,25D/25D had significant negative correlations with femoral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry % young adult mean (DEXA %YAM) (R=-0.35) and lumbar DEXA %YAM (R=-0.32). Significant correlations were found between the 1,25D/25D ratio and serum levels of inorganic phosphate (iP), parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The 1,25D/25D ratio had gender specific characteristics: the ratio was significantly correlated with age in males (R=-0.49), while it was significantly correlated with BMI in females (R=0.34). Conclusions The results of this study suggested that vitamin D activity is negatively correlated with bone mineral density, being reduced in aged males but enhanced in obese females
Isorhamnetin Promotes 53BP1 Recruitment through the Enhancement of ATM Phosphorylation and Protects Mice from Radiation Gastrointestinal Syndrome
Flavonoids are a subclass of polyphenols which are attractive, due to possessing various physiological activities, including a radioprotective effect. Tumor suppressor p53 is a primary regulator in the radiation response and is involved in the pathogenesis of radiation injuries. In this study, we revealed that isorhamnetin inhibited radiation cell death, and investigated its action mechanism focusing on DNA damage response. Although isorhamnetin moderated p53 activity, it promoted phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and enhanced 53BP1 recruitment in irradiated cells. The radioprotective effect of isorhamnetin was not observed in the presence of ATM inhibitor, indicating that its protective effect was dependent on ATM. Furthermore, isorhamnetin-treated mice survived gastrointestinal death caused by a lethal dose of abdominal irradiation. These findings suggested that isorhamnetin enhances the ATM-dependent DNA repair process, which is presumably associated with the suppressive effect against GI syndrome
Characteristics of Persistent Symptoms Manifested after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Specialized Clinic for Vaccination-Related Adverse Events
Background: Although many adverse reactions after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported, there have been few comprehensive studies on persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with various persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed for patients who visited a specialized clinic established at Okayama University Hospital to evaluate adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during the period from April 2021 to March 2023. Results: Descriptive analysis was performed for 121 of 127 patients who visited the clinic during the study period, and separate analysis was performed for the other 6 patients who had serious complications, who required treatment with prednisolone, and who had persistent symptoms. The median [interquartile range] age of the patients was 48 years [31-64 years], and the patients included 44 males (36.4%) and 77 females (63.6%). The most frequent symptoms were sensory impairment (34 patients, 28.1%), general fatigue (30 patients, 24.8%), fever/low-grade fever (21 patients, 17.4%), and headache (21 patients, 17.4%). Serious complications included myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), sarcoidosis, aseptic meningitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs), tendon adhesions, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: Although causal relationships were not determined, 15 persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were characterized. All of the symptoms had onset from 12 hours to one week after vaccination, with 10 symptoms persisting for 6 months or longer. The most frequent symptom was sensory impairment
Roles of TRPM4 in immune responses in keratinocytes and identification of a novel TRPM4-activating agent
The skin is a protective interface between the internal organs and environment and functions not only as a physical barrier but also as an immune organ. However, the immune system in the skin is not fully understood. A member of the thermo-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family, TRPM4, which acts as a regulatory receptor in immune cells, was recently reported to be expressed in human skin and keratinocytes. However, the function of TRPM4 in immune responses in keratinocytes has not been investigated. In this study, we found that treatment with BTP2, a known TRPM4 agonist, reduced cytokine production induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and in immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). This cytokine-reducing effect was not observed in TRPM4-deficient HaCaT cells, indicating that TRPM4 contributed to the control of cytokine production in keratinocytes. Furthermore, we identified aluminum potassium sulfate, as a new TRPM4 activating agent. Aluminum potassium sulfate reduced Ca2+ influx by store-operated Ca2+ entry in human TRPM4-expressing HEK293T cells. We further confirmed that aluminum potassium sulfate evoked TRPM4-mediated currents, showing direct evidence for TRPM4 activation. Moreover, treatment with aluminum potassium sulfate reduced cytokine expression induced by TNFα in HaCaT cells. Taken together, our data suggested that TRPM4 may serve as a new target for the treatment of skin inflammatory reactions by suppressing the cytokine production in keratinocytes, and aluminum potassium sulfate is a useful ingredient to prevent undesirable skin inflammation through TRPM4 activation
ALMA CO Observations of a Giant Molecular Cloud in M33: Evidence for High-Mass Star Formation Triggered by Cloud-Cloud Collisions
We report the first evidence for high-mass star formation triggered by
collisions of molecular clouds in M33. Using the Atacama Large
Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we spatially resolved filamentary structures of
giant molecular cloud 37 in M33 using CO( = 2-1), CO( =
2-1), and CO( = 2-1) line emission at a spatial resolution of 2
pc. There are two individual molecular clouds with a systematic velocity
difference of 6 km s. Three continuum sources representing up to
10 high-mass stars with the spectral types of B0V-O7.5V are embedded
within the densest parts of molecular clouds bright in the CO( = 2-1)
line emission. The two molecular clouds show a complementary spatial
distribution with a spatial displacement of 6.2 pc, and show a V-shaped
structure in the position-velocity diagram. These observational features traced
by CO and its isotopes are consistent with those in high-mass star-forming
regions created by cloud-cloud collisions in the Galactic and Magellanic Cloud
HII regions. Our new finding in M33 indicates that the cloud-cloud collision is
a promising process to trigger high-mass star formation in the Local Group.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in PAS
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