An electron-microscopic study on lipogenesis

With the purpose to elucidate morphologically the site where fat synthesis takes place in the cell, electron-microscopic observation has been conducted on the interscapular brown fat tissue of mice at various periods of carbohydrate introduction after starvation. By starving mice, the depot lipids in the brown fat have been discharged almost completely, and the carbohydrate introduction has caused the biosynthesis of lipids from carbohydrtates in the same tissue. Observations on the tissues proved that the lipogenesis in the brown fat tissue cells takes place in the ground substance keeping the intimate correlation with the endoplasmic reticulum but not in the mitochondria.</p

Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development Associated with Chronic Hepatitis by Anti-Fas Ligand Antibody Therapy

A persistent immune response to hepatitis viruses is a well-recognized risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the molecular and cellular basis for the procarcinogenic potential of the immune response is not well defined. Here, using a unique animal model of chronic hepatitis that induces hepatocellular carcinogenesis, we demonstrate that neutralization of the activity of Fas ligand prevented hepatocyte apoptosis, proliferation, liver inflammation, and the eventual development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The results indicate that Fas ligand is involved not only in direct hepatocyte killing but also in the process of inflammation and hepatocellular carcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis. This is the first demonstration that amelioration of chronic inflammation by some treatment actually caused reduction of cancer development

Biome-specific distribution of Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases

Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (Ni-CODH) plays an important role in the CO/CO₂-based carbon and energy metabolism of microbiomes. Ni-CODH is classified into distinct phylogenetic clades, A–G, with possibly distinct cellular roles. However, the types of Ni-CODH clade used by organisms in different microbiomes are unknown. Here, we conducted a metagenomic survey of a protein database to determine the relationship between the phylogeny and biome distribution of Ni-CODHs. Clustering and phylogenetic analyses showed that the metagenome assembly-derived Ni-CODH sequences were distributed in ~ 60% Ni-CODH clusters and in all Ni-CODH clades. We also identified a novel Ni-CODH clade, clade H. Biome mapping on the Ni-CODH phylogenetic tree revealed that Ni-CODHs of almost all the clades were found in natural aquatic environmental and engineered samples, whereas those of specific subclades were found only in host-associated samples. These results are comparable with our finding that the diversity in the phylum-level taxonomy of host-associated Ni-CODH owners is statistically different from those of the other biomes. Our findings suggest that while Ni-CODH is a ubiquitous enzyme produced across diverse microbiomes, its distribution in each clade is biased and mainly affected by the distinct composition of microbiomes

Evaluation of dental manifestations in X-linked hypophosphatemia using orthopantomography

Okawa R., Takagi M., Nakamoto T., et al. (2024) Evaluation of dental manifestations in X-linked hypophosphatemia using orthopantomography. PLoS ONE 19(7): e0307896. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0307896.Background: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the most common inherited form of rickets. The presence of sequence variations in the phosphate regulating endopeptidase homolog X-linked (PHEX) gene is associated with increased production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). This results in renal phosphate wasting and impaired skeletal mineralization. Spontaneous dental abscesses, caused by endodontic infections resulting from hypomineralization of dentin, are a known dental complication of XLH. There is no objective method to evaluate the severity of dentin dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative method to evaluate dentin dysplasia using orthopantomography that would allow the values in patients with XLH to be compared with the values in healthy participants of the same age. Methods: The severity of dentin dysplasia was analyzed by measuring the pulp cavity area of the tooth using orthopantomographic images. The teeth analyzed were mandibular second primary molars and mandibular first permanent molars with complete root formation. Teeth with dental caries, restorations, or root resorption were excluded. Results: This retrospective observational study included a total of 200 images of healthy participants (aged 2–15 years) divided into five age groups and 42 images of 17 patients with XLH. There was a significant tendency for the pulp cavity area to decrease with increasing age in primary and permanent teeth. The pulp chambers of patients with XLH were larger than those of healthy participants in primary and permanent teeth. Conclusion: We have established a method of using orthopantomography for quantitative assessment of dentin dysplasia in XLH from the primary dentition to the permanent dentition. Evaluating the severity of dentin hypomineralization by this method is useful in the diagnosis of the dental manifestations of XLH. Early diagnosis of XLH enables oral management and leads to prevention of dental abscesses

Biome-specific distribution of Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases

Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (Ni-CODH) plays an important role in the CO/CO₂-based carbon and energy metabolism of microbiomes. Ni-CODH is classified into distinct phylogenetic clades, A–G, with possibly distinct cellular roles. However, the types of Ni-CODH clade used by organisms in different microbiomes are unknown. Here, we conducted a metagenomic survey of a protein database to determine the relationship between the phylogeny and biome distribution of Ni-CODHs. Clustering and phylogenetic analyses showed that the metagenome assembly-derived Ni-CODH sequences were distributed in ~ 60% Ni-CODH clusters and in all Ni-CODH clades. We also identified a novel Ni-CODH clade, clade H. Biome mapping on the Ni-CODH phylogenetic tree revealed that Ni-CODHs of almost all the clades were found in natural aquatic environmental and engineered samples, whereas those of specific subclades were found only in host-associated samples. These results are comparable with our finding that the diversity in the phylum-level taxonomy of host-associated Ni-CODH owners is statistically different from those of the other biomes. Our findings suggest that while Ni-CODH is a ubiquitous enzyme produced across diverse microbiomes, its distribution in each clade is biased and mainly affected by the distinct composition of microbiomes

Verification of Thermal Comfort of Combined Convection-Radiation Air Conditioning System using Building Structure

Combined Convection-Radiation Air Conditioning System using Building Structure combines the advantages of TABS and convection air conditioning. In ordinary TABS, pipes are buried in the frame, but here pipes are laid on the lower (ceiling) surface of the floor slab. Also, jets from a Convection-enhancing Spot fan are sprayed toward the ceiling surface, promoting convection on the frame surface. This airflow promotes timely heat dissipation stored in the frame, and a micro-airflow environment can be formed in the living area. This paper aimed to verify thermal comfort and proper operation. Subjects were given simulated work of low to high metabolic rate, and were asked to report the thermal sensation and comfort in a micro-airflow environment. It was confirmed that comfort could be maintained even at a temperature higher than the general air-conditioning temperature, and an appropriate operating method according to the metabolic rate was elucidated.publishedVersio

Prediction models for differentiating benign from malignant liver lesions based on multiparametric dual-energy non-contrast CT

The version of record of this article, first published in European Radiology, is available online at Publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-024-11024-8.Objectives: To create prediction models (PMs) for distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions using quantitative data from dual-energy CT (DECT) without contrast agents. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included patients with liver lesions who underwent DECT, including non-contrast-enhanced scans. Benign lesions included hepatic hemangioma, whereas malignant lesions included hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. Patients were divided into derivation and validation groups. In the derivation group, two radiologists calculated ten multiparametric data using univariate and multivariate logistic regression to generate PMs. In the validation group, two additional radiologists measured the parameters to assess the diagnostic performance of PMs. Results: The study included 121 consecutive patients (mean age 67.4 ± 13.8 years, 80 males), with 97 in the derivation group (25 benign and 72 malignant) and 24 in the validation group (7 benign and 17 malignant). Oversampling increased the benign lesion sample to 75, equalizing the malignant group for building PMs. All parameters were statistically significant in univariate analysis (all p < 0.05), leading to the creation of five PMs in multivariate analysis. The area under the curve for the five PMs of two observers was as follows: PM1 (slope K, blood) = 0.76, 0.74; PM2 (slope K, fat) = 0.55, 0.51; PM3 (effective-Z difference, blood) = 0.75, 0.72; PM4 (slope K, blood, fat) = 0.82, 0.78; and PM5 (slope K, effective-Z difference, blood) = 0.90, 0.87. PM5 yielded the best diagnostic performance. Conclusion: Multiparametric non-contrast-enhanced DECT is a highly effective method for distinguishing between liver lesions. Clinical relevance statement: The utilization of non-contrast-enhanced DECT is extremely useful for distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions. This approach enables physicians to plan better treatment strategies, alleviating concerns associated with contrast allergy, contrast-induced nephropathy, radiation exposure, and excessive medical expenses

Investigation of abdominal artery delineation by photon-counting detector CT

The version of record of this article, first published in La Radiologia Medica, is available online at Publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-024-01858-z.Objectives: To evaluate the ability of 50-keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) to depict abdominal arteries in abdominal CT angiography (CTA) compared with 70-keV VMI with photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT). Methods: Fifty consecutive patients who underwent multiphase abdominal scans between March and April 2023 were included. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were quantitatively assessed for the abdominal aorta (AA), celiac artery (CeA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), renal artery (RA), and right hepatic artery (RHA) at both 50- and 70-keV VMI. In addition, 3D images from CTA were analyzed to measure arterial lengths and evaluate the visualization of distal branches. Results: Significantly higher SNR and CNR were observed at 50-keV compared to 70-keV VMI for all arteries: AA (36.54 and 48.28 vs. 25.70 and 28.46), CeA (22.39 and 48.38 vs. 19.09 and 29.15), SMA (23.34 and 49.34 vs. 19.67 and 29.71), RA (22.88 and 48.84 vs. 20.15 and 29.41), and RHA (14.38 and 44.41 vs. 13.45 and 27.18), all p < 0.05. Arterial lengths were also significantly longer at 50-keV: RHA (192.6 vs. 180.3 mm), SMA (230.9 vs. 216.5 mm), and RA (95.9 vs. 92.0 mm), all p < 0.001. Conclusion: In abdominal CTA with PCD-CT, 50-keV VMI demonstrated superior quantitative image quality compared to 70-keV VMI. In addition, 50-keV VMI 3D CTA allowed better visualization of abdominal artery branches, highlighting its potential clinical advantage for improved imaging and detailed assessment of abdominal arteries