Possible Involvement of Palmitate in Pathogenesis of Periodontitis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity and higher concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma. Among FFAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate, have been suggested to promote inflammatory responses. Although many epidemiological studies have shown a link between periodontitis and T2D, little is known about the clinical significance of SFAs in periodontitis. In this study, we showed that gingival fibroblasts have cell‐surface expression of CD36, which is also known as FAT/fatty acid translocase. Moreover, CD36 expression was increased in gingival fibroblasts of high‐fat diet‐induced T2D model mice, compared with gingival fibroblasts of mice fed a normal diet. DNA microarray analysis revealed that palmitate increased mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Consistent with these results, we confirmed that palmitate‐induced interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and CXCL1 secretion in HGF, using a cytokine array and ELISA. SFAs, but not an unsaturated fatty acid, oleate, induced IL‐8 production. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is one of the omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, significantly suppressed palmitate‐induced IL‐6 and IL‐8 production. Treatment of HGF with a CD36 inhibitor also inhibited palmitate‐induced pro‐inflammatory responses. Finally, we demonstrated that Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) lipopolysaccharide and heat‐killed P.g. augmented palmitate‐induced chemokine secretion in HGF. These results suggest a potential link between SFAs in plasma and the pathogenesis of periodontitis. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2981–2989, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

     

Cardicola opisthorchis n. sp. (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) from the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844), cultured in Japan

A new aporocotylid blood fluke is described, based on specimens from the ventricle of the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel), cultured in Wakayama and Nagasaki Prefectures, Japan. The new species is morphologically similar to the members of the genus Cardicola Short, 1953, but shows distinct differences in the body form, location of the testis and the orientation of the ootype. The body of the new species is long and slender, whereas other Cardicola species are small and generally lanceolate. The testis is mostly located posterior to the caeca and anterior to the ovary, occupying 31–45% of body length, in contrast to the known Cardicola species, whose testis is typically intercaecal. The ootype is oriented anteriorly, while in most congeners, it is directed posteriorly or horizontally. Phylogenetic analyses of this aporocotylid, together with Cardicola orientalis Ogawa, Tanaka, Sugihara et Takami, 2010 from the same host, were conducted based on DNA sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and the 28S region of ribosomal RNA. The analyses revealed that the new blood fluke belongs to the genus Cardicola despite the marked morphological differences. Thus, this aporocotylid is named Cardicola opisthorchis n. sp. and the generic diagnosis is emended in this paper. In addition, 100% identity among the ITS2 sequences from the present species, Cardicola sp. from T. orientalis in Mexico and Cardicola sp. from the northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus) in Spain suggests that C. opisthorchis n. sp. has a broad geographical distribution and that it infects both the Pacific and northern bluefin tuna.     

Comparative study with two different enrichments in the culture media used in the disinfectant efficacy assay

Recent changes in Brazilian legislation for commercial disinfectants have been published due to the recent epidemic of nosocomial infections caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) in many states of Brazil over the last 8 years. One of these documents requires that all the manufacturers provide evidence of efficacy of sterilizing and disinfectant products, used for semi critical medical devices, against the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Moreau and Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii INCQS 00594 strains by using the Confirmative in vitro Test for Determining Tuberculocidal Activity of Disinfectants recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. These changes have caused additional costs and increased problems for importation of enrichment products at national laboratories where disinfectant efficacy assay service is performed. Middlebrook ADC Enrichment (ADC) is provided by a unique manufacturer and used in the official protocol. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an alternative in house low-cost enrichment composed of fetal bovine serum and glucose (FBSG) with ADC for performance of disinfectant efficacy assay against mycobacteria. After obtaining the growth curves for M. abscessus ATCC 19977, M. abscessus subsp. bolletii INCQS 00594, Mycobacterium chelonae ATCC 35752, and Mycobacterium fortuitum ATCC 6841 by using ADC enrichment and FBSG in Kirchners and 7H9 culture media. Through statistical analysis via the Kruskal-Wallis test on the evaluation of microorganism growth rate, it was observed that there was no inhibition of RGM growth by any of the enrichments used. These results suggest that low-cost enrichment FBSG may be used as a potential substitute of ADC for composition of media for mycobacterial growth, including in disinfectant tests.     

Generation and characterization of a series of monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize [HexA(±2S)-GlcNAc]n epitopes in heparan sulfate

Five monoclonal antibodies AS17, 22, 25, 38 and 48, a single monoclonal antibody ACH55, and three monoclonal antibodies NAH33, 43, 46, that recognize acharan sulfate (IdoA2S-GlcNAc)n, acharan (IdoA-GlcNAc)n and N-acetyl-heparosan (GlcA-GlcNAc)n, respectively, were generated by immunization of mice with keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated polysaccharides. Specificity tests were performed using a panel of biotinylated GAGs that included chemically modified heparins. Each antibody bound avidly to the immunized polysaccharide, but did not bind to chondroitin sulfates, keratan sulfate, chondroitin nor hyaluronic acid. AS antibodies did not bind to heparan sulfate or heparin, but bound to 6-O-desulfated, N-desulfated and re-N-acetylated heparin to varying degrees. ACH55 bound to tri-desulfated and re-N-acetylated heparin but hardly bound to other modified heparins. NAH antibodies did not bind to heparin and modified heparins but bound to heparan sulfate to varying degrees. NAH43 and NAH46 also bound to partially N-de-acetylated N-acetyl-heparosan. Immunohistochemical analysis in rat cerebella was performed with the antibodies. While NAH46 stained endothelia, where heparan sulfate is typically present, neither ACH55 nor AS25 stained endothelia. On the contrary ACH55 and AS25 stained the molecular layer of the rat cerebella. Furthermore, ACH55 specifically stained Purkinje cells. These results suggest that there is unordinary expression of IdoA2S-GlcNAc and IdoA-GlcNAc in specific parts of the nervous system. Suzuki and Yamamoto contributed equally to this study.     

Productivity and grazing impact of Oikopleura dioica (Tunicata, Appendicularia) in Tokyo Bay

To estimate the productivity and grazing impact of a commonappendicularian species Oikopleura dioica in Tokyo Bay, monthlyobservations on its abundance and vertical distribution wereconducted during 2000. The abundance peaked in February andOctober, but was low during summer. Seasonal fluctuations inproductivity were similar to those of the abundance, with maximumvalues of 92, 134 and 508 mg C m^–2 day^–1 for somatic,new house and discarded house productivity in October and 206mg C m^–2 day^–1 for fecal pellet productivity inFebruary, respectively. The averaged biomass of O. dioica wasonly 2.5% of that of copepods; however, the secondary productivityof the former corresponded to 12.4% of the latter. Daily grazingimpact on particulate organic carbon ranged from 0.05% to 5%,which is close to the impact by copepods. These results implythat in Tokyo Bay, where small copepods and jellyfish are abundant,O. dioica is an important component of the ecosystem becauseit bridges between small primary producers and higher consumers.     

Toward the mapping of physiological and agronomic characters on a rice function map: QTL analysis and comparison between QTLs and expressed sequence tags

We have constructed a rice function map by collating the results on quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 23 important physiological and agronomic characters (including 13 newly measured traits) obtained using backcross inbred lines of japonica Nipponbare×indica Kasalath. Using these materials, The Rice Genome project (RGP) has developed a high-density genetic map. QTLs controlling yield did not overlap with those controlling the morphological and physiological traits supposed to relate to yield, such as photosynthetic ability. This result suggests that these traits do not influence yield, at least in this genetic background and environment. QTLs controlling yield also did not overlap with the structural genes controlling carbon metabolism (rbcS, cytosolic or plastidic fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, R-enzyme, and sucrose synthase).The combination of a function map and results from the RGP can be advantageous. The utility of this map is discussed. Received: 1 October 1999 / Accepted: 28 July 2000     

Glucocorticoid enhances Na(+)/K(+) ATPase mRNA expression in rat olfactory mucosa during regeneration: a possible mechanism for recovery from olfactory disturbance.

Systemic or topical application of glucocorticoid is the treatment of choice for olfactory disturbance. Recently, Na(+)/K(+) ATPase and glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in the olfactory mucosa was reported. To elucidate a glucocorticoid action on Na(+)/K(+) ATPase production, an animal model was produced by an intra-nasal application of 5% ZnSO(4) solution to Wistar rats. Dexamethasone was injected i.p. (0.01 mg/100 g) for 14 days after the insult. Histologically, the regeneration process was completed on day 14 in both dexamethasone- and saline-injected control rats. We used a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to evaluate mRNA production of Na(+)/K(+) ATPase and glucocorticoid receptor. In dexamethasone-injected rats, up-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA (95% more than control rats, P = 0.00068, unpaired t-test) and of Na(+)/K(+) ATPase mRNA expression (76% more than control rats, P = 0.0042) was observed on day 14. The increased Na(+)/K(+) ATPase expression in the regenerated olfactory mucosa is thought to be beneficial for an active uptake of K(+), which is released during excitation, around olfactory neurons and for the transepithelial absorption of Na(+) from olfactory mucus. Dexamethasone may thus contribute to the recovery of function after the morphological regeneration in part, at least, through its receptor by regulation of the ionic concentration in the olfactory mucosal microenvironment.