Abnormal lipid metabolism associated with various renal diseases has been known for a long time. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the characteristic features of nephotic syndrome, and hypertriglyceridemia is often observed in chronic renal failure (CRF). The role of lipid abnormalities in the pathogenesis of renal diseases has been variously discussed. However, direct evidence only recently became possible when more sophisticated analyses of renal histopathology as well as an application of molecular biology were introduced in the field of clinical nephrology. The recent identification of lipoprotein nephropathy (LPG), reported most often by Japanese authors since 1989, is particularly noteworthy. The detailed analysis of lipid profiles and renal histology has been instrumental in clarifying the relationship between lipids and the kidney not only in LPG but also in other disease entities such as familial-type dyslipidemias, CRF, focal glomerulosclerosis, and diabetic nephropathy. Dyslipidemias common to these diseases, together with the presence of hypertension, cause systemic atherosclerotic lesions (including lesions in the kidney) and terminal renal failure.
seconds ; Kidney Diseases ; lipid metabolism ; Abnormal ; Lipids

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship between the open water swimming (OW) performance and the swimming speed at 2, 3, and 4 mmol/l of blood lactate concentration (SSLA2, SSLA3, and SSLA4) or the critical swimming speed (CSS). Six male collegiate swimmers performed the 10 kilometers of OW, as well as the multi-stage graded swimming test, in order to determine the SSLA2, SSLA3, SSLA4. Furthermore, the CSS was calculated based on the personal best records for 50 to 1500 meters of free-style indoor swimming. As a result, the SSLA2, SSLA3, SSLA4, and CSS corresponded to 102±6%, 106±6%, 110±7%, and 106±5% of the average swimming speed of the OW, respectively. Thereafter, the SSLA2 did not differ significantly in comparison to the average swimming speed of the OW, whereas the SSLA3, SSLA4, and CSS differed significantly with the average swimming speed of the OW (p＜0.05). Furthermore, the average swimming speed during the OW significantly correlated with the SSLA2, SSLA3, SSLA4, and CSS, respectively (p＜0.05). These results suggest that the OW performance significantly correlated with the swimming speed at 2 to 3 mmol/l of the blood lactate concentrations and CSS. Furthermore, regarding these parameters, the SSLA2 may accurately reflect the average swimming speed of OW.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the usefulness of the stepping rate for assessing the time spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). In the present investigation, 11 young men wore two pedometers (LIFECORDER EX ; KZ, Walking Style ; WS) during controlled walking and jogging, as well as during free-living conditions for 3 days. In addition to the number of steps, the KZ determined the time spent in physical activity based on the intensity of the physical activity (light intensity physical activity (LPA); below 3 METs, and MVPA ; above 3 METs), and the stepping rate (≧60, ≧80, or ≧100 steps·min^-1). In contrast, the WS was defined as the physical activity for a stepping rate of 60 steps·min^-1 or more, continuously for longer than 10 min as the time spent in physical activity. Regarding the results, under continuous walking/jogging, the KZ-assessed LPA and MVPA well reflected the intensity of the physical activity. On the other hand, the WS accumulated the time spent in physical activity for longer than 90% of the actual exercise duration, regardless of the walking speed. Furthermore, the stepping rate corresponding to 3 METs was 102 steps·min^-1. Under free-living conditions, however, the KZ-detected MVPA differed significantly in comparison to the time of the physical activity as determined by the other algorithms, except for the time spent in a stepping rate of 80 or higher steps·min^-1. In conclusion, these results indicate that 100 steps·min^-1 is a useful stepping rate for the assessment of MVPA. However, under free living conditions, the stepping rate should be determined at a higher frequency than a one minute interval length in order to improve the accuracy of the MVPA assessment.

At the Niigata University School of Medicine, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) were performed for the first time in 2001 for 92 fourth-year medical students. The average evaluation scores students received from instructors were summarized, and the differences between scores given by different instructors were examined. We found that practice methods for the medical interview and physical examination before OSCE and the question topics and evaluation methods of OSCE were appropriate, but scores on some items were extremely low. The standardization and objectivity of the evaluation were satisfactory, perhaps because one explanatory conference and two training conferences were held for instructors before OSCE. However, some questions tended to produce differences between instructors, as did some topics, especially in the medical interview. The scores with standardized patients and those by teachers were strongly correlated, but those with the former were lower than those by the latter.

Although influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness of global importance, little is known about the disease in tropical countries. An influenza survey was conducted in three sentinel sites in Yangon, Myanmar from September 2003 to December 2004. Throat or nasal swabs were collected from 616 patients with influenza-like symptoms and tested using rapid diagnostic test kits and virus isolation. Influenza B virus was detected in 6 patients from September to October, 2003. Influenza A viruses were detected in 133 patients from June to September, 2004, and the 51 influenza A viruses isolated from 72 specimens were all A⁄H3N2. Influenza virus infections occurred mainly in the rainy season in Yangon, Myanmar, but continuous ongoing influenza surveillance is needed.

In order to determine the precise mechanism of the interactions between different types of cells, which are common phenomena in tissues and organs, the importance of coculture techniques are becoming increasingly important. In the area of cardiology, artificial arteries have been developed, based on the understanding of physiological communication of the arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), endothelial cells (EC), and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the study of atherosclerosis, the modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which result in the recruitment and accumulation of white blood cells, especially, monocytes/macrophages, and foam cell formation, are hypothesized. Although there are well known animal models, an in vitro model of atherogenesis with a precisely known atherogenesis mechanism has not yet been developed. In this paper, an arterial wall reconstruction model using rabbit primary cultivated aortic SMCs and ECs, was shown. In addition, human peripheral monocytes were used and the transmigration of monocytes was observed by scanning electron and laser confocal microscopy. Monocyte differentiation into macrophages was shown by immunohistochemistry and comprehensive gene expression analysis. With the modified form of LDL, the macrophages were observed to accumulate lipids with a foamy appearance and differentiate into the foam cells in the ECM between the ECs and SMCs in the area of our coculture model.
Animal ; Aorta/physiology* ; Aorta/cytology* ; Arteriosclerosis/etiology* ; Cell Differentiation/physiology ; Cell Movement ; Coculture ; Endothelium, Vascular/physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular/cytology ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism ; Foam Cells/ultrastructure ; Foam Cells/cytology ; Macrophages/physiology* ; Macrophages/cytology ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Monocytes/ultrastructure ; Monocytes/physiology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology ; Myosin/metabolism ; Protein Isoforms/metabolism ; Rabbits

Dendritic cells (DC) are now recognized as the most potent professional antigen presenting cells (APC). Several studies on cancer immunotherapy using different approaches to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vivo recognizing tumor-associated antigens have been reported. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy in vivo may be limited by the local or systemic suppression of CTL generation or function. To explore the ability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated human monocyte-derived DC involved in activity of autologous CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, HLA-A2 restricted p53(264 - 272) peptide was used as tumor antigen, DC generated with LPS (DC-LPS(+)) or without LPS (DC-LPS(-)) were co-cultured with autologous T cells respectively. The results showed that CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell population in the DC-LPS(+) activated T cells was lower than that in the DC-LPS(-) activated T cells. This finding suggest that the relationship between DC-LPS(+) and population of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells exists and this property may contribute to regulation of T cell responses to tumor-associated antigens.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Monocytes ; cytology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology

Background/Aims: Several studies have assessed the effect of cool temperature on colonic peristalsis. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature-sensitive ion channel activated by mild cooling expressed in the colon. We examined the antispasmodic effect of cool temperature on colonic peristalsis in a prospective, randomized, single-blind trial and based on the video imaging and intraluminal pressure of the proximal colon in rats and TRPM8-deficient mice. Methods: In the clinical trial, we randomly assigned a total of 94 patients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy to 2 groups: the mildly cool water (n = 47) and control (n = 47) groups. We used 20 mL of 15°C water for the mildly cool water. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with improved peristalsis after treatment. In the rodent proximal colon, we evaluated the intraluminal pressure and performed video imaging of the rodent proximal colon with cool water administration into the colonic lumen. Clinical trial registry website (Trial No. UMIN-CTR; UMIN000030725). Results: In the randomized controlled trial, after treatment, the proportion of subjects with no peristalsis with cool water was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (44.7% vs 23.4%; P < 0.05). In the rodent colon model, cool temperature water was associated with a significant decrease in colonic peristalsis through its suppression of the ratio of peak frequency (P < 0.05). Cool temperaturetreated TRPM8-deficient mice did not show a reduction in colonic peristalsis compared with wild-type mice. Conclusion For the first time, this study demonstrates that cool temperature-dependent suppression of colonic peristalsis may be associated with TRPM8 activation.