Objectives: One aspect of the effects of isoflavones against fat deposition might be at least associated with the mechanism by which Wnt/β‐catenin signalling inhibits adipocyte differentiation. ...However, it remains completely unknown as to whether isoflavones might influence Wnt signalling during commitment of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to adipose lineages. In the present study, we have investigated the mechanisms underlying effects of genistein and daidzein, the major soy isoflavones, on anti‐adipogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signalling.
Materials and methods: Adipose tissue‐derived (AD) MSCs were exposed continuously to genistein and daidzein (0.01–100 μm) during adipogenic differentiation (21 days). An oestrogen antagonist, ICI 182,780, was used to determine whether or not the isoflavones activated Wnt signalling via oestrogen receptors (ERs).
Results: Genistein and daidzein suppressed adipogenic differentiation of AD‐MSCs in a dose‐dependent manner and inhibited expression of adipogenic markers, PPARγ, SREBP‐1c and Glut 4, from mid‐phase differentiation. Microarrays showed that anti‐adipogenic effects of genistein were principally attributable to activation of Wnt signalling via ERs‐dependent pathway, such as Erk/JNK signalling and LEF/TCF4 co‐activators. These findings were supported by evidence that the effects of genistein were offset by ICI182,780. Unlike genistein, daidzein inhibited adipogenesis through stimulation of lipolysis, with for example, PKA‐mediated hormone sensitive lipase. This is consistent with the increase in glycerol released from AD‐MSCs. In conclusion, understanding that different sets of mechanisms of the two isoflavones on adipogenesis will help the design of novel strategies to prevent observed current epidemic levels of obesity, using isoflavones.
Far ultraviolet (FUV) spectral images of the Spica H II region are first presented here for the Si II* {lambda}1533.4 and Al II {lambda}1670.8 lines and then compared with the optical H{alpha} image. ...The H{alpha} and Si II* images show enhanced emissions in the southern part of the H II region where H I density increases outward. This high density region, which we identify as part of the 'interaction ring' of the Loop I superbubble and the Local Bubble, seems to bound the southern H II region. On the other hand, the observed profile of Al II shows a broad central peak, without much difference between the northern and southern parts, which we suspect results from multiple resonant scattering. The extended tails seen in the radial profiles of the FUV intensities suggest that the nebula may be embedded in a warm ionized gas. Simulation with a spectral synthesis code yields values of the Lyman continuum luminosity and the effective temperature of the central star similar to previous estimates with 10{sup 46.2} photons s{sup -1} and 26,000 K, respectively, but the density of the northern H II region, 0.22 cm{sup -3}, is much smaller than previous estimates for the H{alpha} brightest region.
ABSTRACT
In this study, we compared the effectiveness of 2 types of Bolton broths and 3 selective media for isolating Campylobacter spp. from naturally contaminated whole-chicken carcass-rinse ...samples. One hundred chickens were rinsed with buffered peptone water, and the rinses were added to 2× Bolton broth (with or without blood supplementation). The samples were incubated and then streaked onto Preston agar, modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA), and Campy-Cefex agar, which was followed by incubation under microaerobic conditions. No statistical differences were observed (P > 0.05) in isolation rate and selectivity between the 2 types of Bolton broths. Among the 3 selective agars, Preston agar yielded a significantly (P < 0.05) better isolation rate and selectivity. The Campy-Cefex agar, which is recommended by many food authorities for its high quantitative detection ability, showed extensive contamination with competing microorganisms and exhibited the lowest isolation rate and selectivity.
While progress is evident in gender and ethnic representation in the workplace, this disparity remains prevalent in academic positions.
We examined gender and Asian ethnic representation in editorial ...boards of cardiology journals.
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly available data on Cardiology and Cardiovascular medicine journals in the first quartile of the 2020 Scimago Journal & Country Rank indicator. The proportions of female and Asian editorial board members, associate editors and editors-in-chief were assessed. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the journal's geographical origin, subspecialty and demographic of the editor-in-chief.
Seventy-six cardiology journals, involving 8915 editorial board members, were included. Only 19.6% of editorial board members were female, 20.8% Asians and 4.0% Asian females. There were less female representation amongst editors-in-chief (9.9%) compared to associate editors (22.3%). European (18.1%) and North American-based journals (21.1%) had higher female representation compared to Asian-based journals (8.7%). There was lower Asian representation in European (18.1%) and North American-based journals (19.9%) compared to Asian-based journals (72.3%). Females were underrepresented in interventional (14.5%) journals, while Asians were underrepresented in general cardiology (18.3%) and heart failure (18.3%) journals. Journals led by female editors-in-chief had significantly higher female representation compared to male-led ones, while journals with Asian editors-in-chief had greater Asian representation compared to non-Asian led ones.
This study highlights the female and Asian ethnic underrepresentation in academic roles in cardiology journal editorial boards. Further analysis is needed for other ethnicities, while the community pushes towards gender-balanced and ethnic diversity across editorial boards.
Mutation of SLC26A4 is the most common cause of prelingual hearing loss in East Asia. Patients with SLC26A4 mutations have variable phenotypes ranging from non‐syndromic hearing loss to Pendred ...syndrome. Here, we analyzed the correlation between genotype and various inner ear phenotypes and found a possible underlying mechanism. This study included 111 patients with bi‐allelic SLC26A4 mutations who had bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) and hearing loss. p.H723R (61%), c.919‐2A>G (24%), and p.T410M (4%) were the most common mutations in Korean patients with EVAs. Residual hearing in patients with c.919‐2A>G or p.T410M mutations was better than that of patients with p.H723R homozygous mutations. Interestingly, quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed normal pendrin transcript (6–17% of normal levels) was produced from patients with c.919‐2A>G homozygous mutations. Surface expression ratio of pendrin and residual anion exchange activity were higher in cells transfected with p.T410M in comparison to cells transfected with p.H723R. These results suggest that there is a correlation between degree of residual hearing and the SLC26A4 genotype commonly found in the East Asian population.
To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria with or without the use of cone-beam computed ...tomography (CBCT).
Patients with HCC within the Milan criteria who underwent conventional angiography-guided TACE (Angio-TACE group: 58 patients from January 2010 to December 2011) were compared with those who underwent CBCT-guided TACE (CBCT-TACE group: 55 patients from January 2013 to December 2014). Local progression-free survival (LPFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared. Adverse events after TACE were also investigated.
Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. LPFS was significantly longer in the CBCT-TACE group than in the Angio-TACE group (median: not reached for 36 versus 19.2 months, respectively; Log-rank p=0.029). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, CBCT guidance had a significantly lower risk of local progression or death (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.585; 95% confidence interval, 0.344–0.995; p=0.048); however, there was no significant difference in PFS (3-year PFS: 15.9% versus 26.8%, respectively; p=0.122) or OS (3-year OS: 85% versus 88.2%, respectively; p=0.761) between the Angio-TACE and CBCT-TACE groups. Post-embolisation syndrome occurred significantly less frequently in the CBCT-TACE group (p=0.002).
CBCT-guided TACE could improve local tumour control for HCC within Milan criteria and showed fewer cases of post-embolisation syndrome.
•Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are widely used for early-stage Hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria in the real world.•Conebeam-CT guided TACE could improve local tumour control for Hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria.•Conebeam-CT guided TACE could decrease the incidence of postembolization syndrome.
Abstract
We present H
i
gas kinematics and star formation activities of NGC 6822, a dwarf galaxy located in the Local Group at a distance of ∼490 kpc. We perform profile decomposition of ...line-of-sight velocity profiles of the H
i
data cube (42.4″ × 12.0″ spatial, corresponding to ∼100 pc; 1.6 km s
−1
spectral) taken with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. For this, we use a new tool, the so-called
baygaud
, which is based on Bayesian analysis techniques, allowing us to decompose a line-of-sight velocity profile into an optimal number of Gaussian components in a quantitative manner. We classify the decomposed H
i
gas components of NGC 6822 into cool-bulk, warm-bulk, cool-non-bulk, and warm-non-bulk motions with respect to their centroid velocities and velocity dispersions. We correlate their gas surface densities with corresponding star formation rate densities derived using both the GALEX far-ultraviolet and WISE 22
μ
m data to examine the resolved Kennicutt–Schmidt (K-S) law for NGC 6822. Of the decomposed H
i
gas components, the cool-bulk component is likely to better follow the linear extension of the K-S law for molecular hydrogen (H
2
) at low gas surface densities where H
i
is not saturated.
Pathologic gambling is an impulse control disorder previously reported to complicate dopamine agonist therapy in patients with Parkinson disease. It has not been described in association with ...dopamine agonist therapy of other conditions. We report three patients treated in our sleep disorders center who developed pathologic gambling while receiving treatment with dopamine agonists for restless legs syndrome.
Background
Hutchinson’s nail sign (HS) is among the diagnostic criteria for subungual melanoma (SUM). However, there is minimal evidence supporting the overall clinical significance of HS in SUM.
...Objectives
To identify clinicopathological features of SUM according to the extent of HS.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study was performed with consecutive SUM patients at a single centre from January 2006 to December 2017. The extent of HS was defined by the number of affected nail folds (range 0–4). Comparison groups were organized as follows: patients with HS (affecting ≥1 nail folds) vs. without HS; patients with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds vs. HS affecting <2 nail folds; patients with HS affecting ≥3 nail folds vs. HS affecting <3 nail folds. Clinicopathological characteristics of SUM were compared between the groups.
Results
Sixty‐one SUM patients were included. Forty‐six (75.4%) exhibited HS; 22 (47.8%) on a toe and 24 (52.2%) on a finger. In multivariate analysis, nail destruction hazard ratio (HR), 10.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.61–38.30; P = 0.001 was significantly associated with the presence of HS and amputation was significantly associated with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds (HR, 4.75; 95% CI, 1.36–16.61; P = 0.015). High T stage (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20–2.85; P = 0.005, Fig. 2) was significantly associated with HS appearing in ≥3 nail folds.
Conclusion
Besides its value of detecting SUM, HS provides useful clinical information. The number of nail folds exhibiting HS could be a useful clinical clue for planning therapeutic strategies for SUM.
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