千葉科学大学

The two strands of treatment available for coronary artery disease and associated pathologies are pharmaceutical and physical. However, these treatments are typically only available too late to help tackle the early underlying processes. Better understanding of the underlying processes is key to the development of preventative solutions. One of the key processes understanding coronary problems is atherosclerosis, which is when arteries lose elasticity. Associate Professor Seisuke Mimori, Department of Clinical Medicine, Chiba Institute of Science, Japan, is examining the underlying biochemistry of atherosclerosis. Professor Tetsuto Kanzaki has succeeded in cloning a protein called LTBP-1 and, under his direction, Seisuke has created a mutant of the protein and is analysing it. He intends to produce variants of LTBP-1 in order to investigate the function of various domains of the protein. This will involve firstly producing and isolating the protein and its variants in sufficient quantities. Then, he will test cell migration rates through an assay that he and the team have designed. This will enable the researchers to clarify exactly how LTBP-1 functions. In the future, Seisuke and the team will investigate the exact mechanism of action of the domains involved and explore the impact of LTBP-1 on the relevant organs and cells.

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a naturally occurring amino acid, which plays an important role in the biosynthesis of heme. We investigated its immunomodulatory effect as a potential bioactive feed additive by evaluating the expression of immune-related genes and oxidative status in dairy cows. Using a crossover design, six lactating Holstein cows randomized to control and treatment groups received a total mixed ration (TMR) or TMR plus 10 mg 5-ALA/kg of dry matter for 2 weeks. In vitro, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from untreated dairy cows were incubated with 5-ALA in the presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression significantly decreased in PBMC of dairy cows fed 5-ALA, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) tended to decrease. 5-ALA had no effect on the cluster of differentiation 3, interferon-γ, and Toll-like receptors in PBMC and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, relative superoxide dismutase activity, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the blood, milk, and ruminal fluid of dairy cows. In vitro, TNF-α expression decreased in PBMC treated with 5-ALA (10 μg/mL) in the presence of LPS compared with LPS alone. Thus, 5-ALA may optimize the inflammatory response by controlling the expression of TNF-α in PBMC and eventually improving immunity in dairy cows.

AIM:To identify factors contributing to gender disparities in the receipt of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), we examined patient age group and bystander category. METHODS:We analyzed witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac etiology from a nationwide Japanese registry (2005-2023). Gender differences in receipt of bystander CPR were evaluated across five age groups (≤14, 15-49, 50-64, 65-74, ≥75 years) and five bystander categories. Logistic regression and effect modification analyses were performed to assess the relative contributions and relationships of these factors. RESULTS:Among 453,441 eligible patients, females were more likely than males to receive bystander CPR overall. However, among patients aged 15-49 and 50-64 years, females were less likely to receive CPR, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in those aged ≥75 years. When bystanders were friends, colleagues, or passersby, females were less likely to receive CPR across all adult age groups. Clear interaction was observed between gender and bystander category, but not age group. Risk differences for not receiving CPR in friends compared with family were 4.0% vs 14.3% for females and males, respectively. When bystanders were staff or related personnel, these differences were 31.4% vs 27.7%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for gender was 1.100 (95% CI, 1.084-1.113; female vs male), whereas that for bystander category reached 3.555 (95% CI, 3.500-3.611; staff or related personnel vs family). CONCLUSIONS:Bystander category was more strongly associated with CPR receipt than patient gender.

Background and Aim:Five-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a precursor in heme biosynthesis, has gained attention as a functional feed additive due to its reported benefits on metabolism, redox balance, and immunity. Although supplementation in sows and broilers has demonstrated favorable physiological outcomes, its effects on the gut microbiota and immune-oxidative profiles of weanling piglets remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether 5-ALA supplementation modifies fecal microbiota composition and influences oxidative stress and immune parameters in piglets during the post-weaning period. Materials and Methods:Twelve 28-day-old piglets were randomly allocated to a control or 5-ALA group (20 mg/kg feed) for 56 days. Body weight (BW), fecal samples, and blood samples were collected at 28, 56, and 84 days of age. Fecal microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing (QIIME2). Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in leukocytes (superoxide radical, hypochlorite ion) were quantified using a dual chemiluminescence/fluorescence system. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured to assess systemic oxidative damage and humoral immunity. Statistical analyses included Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance, LEfSe, and Spearman correlations. Results:BW did not differ significantly between groups, although the 5-ALA group tended to be heavier at 56 days. β-diversity differed significantly between groups at 56 and 84 days. Six and eight bacterial genera were differentially abundant at 56 and 84 days, respectively; 5-ALA supplementation enriched short-chain fatty acids-associated genera such as Coprococcus, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, and Phascolarctobacterium. At 84 days, the 5-ALA group showed markedly lower leukocyte superoxide levels (~3.5-fold reduction; p < 0.05) and a tendency toward lower hypochlorite ion production. Plasma IgG concentration was approximately 1.5-fold higher in the 5-ALA group (p < 0.05). Multiple bacterial genera exhibited significant correlations with oxidative and immune markers. Conclusion:Dietary supplementation with 5-ALA altered the fecal microbiota and improved oxidative and immune status in weanling piglets, suggesting functional modulation of the gut-immune axis. Although exploratory and based on a small cohort, the findings warrant further controlled studies to validate dose-response effects and elucidate mechanistic pathways.

Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a lipophilic carotenoid with potent antioxidant activity; however, its extremely low aqueous solubility limits pharmaceutical applications, particularly in injectable formulations. In this study, dicarboxylic acid- and diamino acid-type ASTX ester derivatives were designed and synthesized to improve water solubility while retaining antioxidant activity. All synthesized derivatives exhibited markedly enhanced aqueous solubility compared with native ASTX. N-terminal methyl substitution further increased solubility, whereas the introduction of cyclic moieties reduced solubility. In contrast, radical scavenging activity measured by the DPPH assay showed an opposite structural trend: cyclic substituents enhanced antioxidant activity, while N-methyl substitution decreased it. These findings indicate that the structure of the introduced functional groups critically influences both solubility and antioxidant performance. Metabolic activation studies using human liver and intestinal microsomes revealed minimal enzymatic hydrolysis of selected derivatives, suggesting limited prodrug potential under the tested conditions. Stability studies demonstrated partial conversion to ASTX in aqueous media, indicating possible regeneration of the active parent compound. Collectively, these results provide a rational design strategy for modulating physicochemical and biological properties of ASTX through structural modification and highlight a promising molecular approach for the development of aqueous ASTX formulations.