Ocular transient receptor potential channel function in health and disease

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels sense and transduce environmental stimuli into Ca2+ transients that in turn induce responses essential for cell function and adaptation. These non-selective channels with variable Ca2+ selectivity are grouped into seven different subfamilies containing 28 subtypes based on differences in amino acid sequence homology. Many of these subtypes are expressed in the eye on both neuronal and non-neuronal cells where they affect a host of stress-induced regulatory responses essential for normal vision maintenance. This article reviews our current knowledge about the expression, function and regulation of TRPs in different eye tissues. We also describe how under certain conditions TRP activation can induce responses that are maladaptive to ocular function. Furthermore, the possibility of an association between TRP mutations and disease is considered. These findings contribute to evidence suggesting that drug targeting TRP channels may be of therapeutic benefit in a clinical setting. We point out issues that must be more extensively addressed before it will be possible to decide with certainty that this is a realistic endeavor. Another possible upshot of future studies is that disease process progression can be better evaluated by profiling changes in tissue specific functional TRP subtype activity as well as their gene and protein expression

Comparative analysis of right element mutant lox sites on recombination efficiency in embryonic stem cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cre-mediated site-specific integrative recombination in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells is a useful tool for genome engineering, allowing precise and repeated site-specific integration. To promote the integrative reaction, a left element/right element (LE/RE) mutant strategy using a pair of <it>lox </it>sites with mutations in the LE or RE of the <it>lox </it>sequence has previously been developed. Recombination between LE and RE mutant <it>lox </it>produces a wild-type <it>lox</it>P site as well as an LE+RE double mutant <it>lox </it>site, which has mutations in both sides and less affinity to Cre, resulting in stable integration. We previously demonstrated successful integrative recombination using <it>lox</it>71 (an LE mutant) and <it>lox</it>66 (an RE mutant) in ES cells. Recently, other LE/RE mutant <it>lox </it>sites showing higher recombination efficiency in <it>Escherichia coli </it>have been reported. However, their recombination efficiency in mammalian cells remains to be analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using ES cells, we compared six RE mutant <it>lox </it>sites, focusing on their recombination efficiency with <it>lox</it>71. All of the RE mutant <it>lox </it>sites showed similar recombination efficiency. We then analyzed the stability of the recombined product, i.e., the LE+RE double mutant <it>lox </it>site, under continuous and strong Cre activity in ES cells. Two RE mutants, <it>lox</it>JTZ17 and <it>lox</it>KR3, produced more stable LE+RE double mutant <it>lox </it>than did the <it>lox</it>66/71 double mutant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The two mutant RE <it>lox </it>sites, <it>lox</it>JTZ17 and <it>lox</it>KR3, are more suitable than <it>lox</it>66 for Cre-mediated integration or inversion in ES cells.</p

Comparison of Impressions of COVID-19 Vaccination and Influenza Vaccination in Japan by Analyzing Social Media Using Text Mining

The aim of this study was to compare impressions of COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination in Japan by analyzing social media (Twitter®) using a text-mining method. We obtained 10,000 tweets using the keywords “corona vaccine” and “influenza vaccine” on 15 December 2022 and 19 February 2023. We then counted the number of times the words were used and listed frequency of these words by a text-mining method called KH Coder. We also investigated concepts in the data using groups of words that often appeared together or groups of documents that contained the same words using multi-dimensional scaling (MDS). “Death” in relation to corona vaccine and “severe disease” for influenza vaccine were frequently used on 15 December 2022. The number of times the word “death” was used decreased, “after effect” was newly recognized for corona vaccine, and “severe disease” was not used in relation to influenza vaccine. Through this comprehensive analysis of social media data, we observed distinct variations in public perceptions of corona vaccination and influenza vaccination in Japan. These findings provide valuable insights for public health authorities and policymakers to better understand public sentiment and tailor their communication strategies accordingly

都市部女子大学生の栄養摂取状況の推移-半定量的食物摂取頻度調査票を用いた経時的栄養調査の結果-

This paper examines dietary intake over time. Subjects were 6 urban female university students aged 18-19. A diet survey was carried out 12 times between April 2008 and June 2009 at approximately monthly intervals. The subjects\u27 body weight, height were measured and their body mass index(BMI)was calculated each time they filled in Food Frequency Questionnaire Watanabe 65(FFQW65)and recorded all the food they had during the past one month. The researchers processed the data and calculated the estimated energy intakes, the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes. The estimated energy intakes were categorized and analyzed by food groups, total energy intakes per day, and the energy ingested at each meal. The data showed a significant reduction over time in average amounts of estimated total energy intake per day and estimated energy intake per meal. While the estimated energy intakes of grain, sugar, vegetables, sea food, oil and fat and miso declined significantly, estimated energy intakes of fruits and alcohol significantly increased. There was almost no change in the subjects\u27 average BMI during the entire survey. These results suggest that the trend of dietary intake during the survey was toward lower energy intake. In addition, the subjects tended to shift toward more quick-cooking cheaper materials, and yet, within these limited conditions they tried to consume a more balanced diet. For example, they ate more fruit when their intake of vegetables declined

Lemon Polyphenols Suppress Diet-induced Obesity by Up-Regulation of mRNA Levels of the Enzymes Involved in β-Oxidation in Mouse White Adipose Tissue

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary lemon polyphenols on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice, and on the regulation of the expression of the genes involved in lipid metabolism to elucidate the mechanisms. Mice were divided into three groups and fed either a low fat diet (LF) or a high fat diet (HF) or a high fat diet supplemented with 0.5% w/w lemon polyphenols (LP) extracted from lemon peel for 12 weeks. Body weight gain, fat pad accumulation, the development of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance were significantly suppressed by lemon polyphenols. Supplementation with lemon polyphenols also significantly up-regulated the mRNA level of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα) compared to the LF and HF groups in the liver. Furthermore, the mRNA level of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) was up-regulated in the LP group compared to the LF group, but not HF group in the liver, and was also significantly increased in the epididymal white adipose tissue. Thus, feeding with lemon polyphenols suppressed body weight gain and body fat accumulation by increasing peroxisomal β-oxidation through up-regulation of the mRNA level of ACO in the liver and white adipose tissue, which was likely mediated via up-regulation of the mRNA levels of PPARα

Temperature-Sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Corneal Tissue Layers and Cells

We here provide a brief summary of the characteristics of transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) identified in corneal tissue layers and cells. In general, TRPs are nonselective cation channels which are Ca ²⁺ permeable. Most TRPs serve as thermosensitive molecular sensors (thermo-TRPs). Based on their functional importance, the possibilities are described for drug-targeting TRP activity in a clinical setting. TRPs are expressed in various tissues of the eye including both human corneal epithelial and endothelial layers as well as stromal fibroblasts and stromal nerve fibers. TRP vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) heat receptor, also known as capsaicin receptor, along with TRP melastatin type 8 (TRPM8) cold receptor, which is also known as menthol receptor, are prototypes of the thermo-TRP family. The TRPV1 functional channel is the most investigated TRP channel in these tissues, owing to its contribution to maintaining tissue homeostasis as well as eliciting wound healing responses to injury. Other thermo-TRP family members identified in these tissues are TRPV2, 3 and 4. Finally, there is the TRP ankyrin type 1 (TRPA1) cold receptor. All of these thermo-TRPs can be activated within specific temperature ranges and transduce such inputs into chemical and electrical signals. Although several recent studies have begun to unravel complex roles for thermo-TRPs such as TRPV1 in corneal layers and resident cells, additional studies are needed to further elucidate their roles in health and disease

¿Cómo se crece en un contexto multilingüe? Informe de un cuestionario en un instituto de secundaria internacional

In this era of globalization, Japanese teachers as well as teachers in other areas of the world have increasing chances of encountering bilingual students such as returnees and immigrants. It is important to understand the development of these students. The authors conducted a survey about bilingualism on 60 bilingual high school students at an international school in Japan. The survey questions asked about the students’ background and their experiences as a bilingual. Twenty-nine students responded to the survey. The responses were classified according to whether the reported advantages/disadvantages were linguistic, socio-cultural or identity-related. Linguistic disadvantages as well as advantages were experienced by most students. Bilingual influences on identity were mostly favorable, but some difficulties were common. Despite these disadvantages, socio-cultural advantages were prominent. It was reassuring to see that many bilingual high school students felt they were socio-culturally advantaged and mostly felt secure about their identity as a bilingual. However, we should not dismiss linguistic difficulties experienced by many of them and some cases of insecure identity, as these are crucially related to the mental health and creation of self-identity that is typical of adolescence.En la era de la globalización, los maestros y maestras japoneses así como los de otras partes del mundo tienen posibilidades crecientes de encontrarse con estudiantes que crecen en entornos multilingües como el alumnado inmigrante o retornado. Es importante entender el desarrollo de estos estudiantes. Los autores y autoras realizaron un cuestionario sobre la vida multilingüe de 60 estudiantes de secundaria en una escuela internacional de Japón. El cuestionario pregunta sobre el contexto de los estudiantes y sus experiencias de crecimiento en un entorno multilingüe. Veintinueve estudiantes respondieron el cuestionario. Las respuestas fueron clasificadas de acuerdo con las ventajas y desventajas identificadas que fueron lingüísticas, socio-culturales o relacionadas con la identidad. Las desventajas lingüísticas así como las ventajas fueron experimentadas por muchos estudiantes. Las influencias multilingües sobre la identidad fueron mayormente favorables, pero algunas dificultades fueron comunes. Además de estas desventajas, las ventajas socio-culturales fueron prominentes. Se pudo reafirmar que muchos de los estudiantes se sentían aventajados socio-culturalmente y con seguridad sobre su identidad multilingüe. Sin embargo, no tendríamos que desestimar las dificultades lingüísticas que experimentaron muchos de ellos en relación a la inseguridad identitaria que tuvieron típica de la adolescencia y como se encuentran crucialmente relacionada con la salud mental y la construcción de una identidad propia