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The crystal structure and magnetic properties of the cubic spinel MgFeMnO4 were studied by using a series of in-house techniques along with large-scale neutron diffraction and muon spin rotation spectroscopy in the temperature range between 1.5 and 500 K. The detailed crystal structure is successfully refined by using a cubic spinel structure described by the space group Fd3̅m. Cations within tetrahedral A and octahedral B sites of the spinel were found to be in a disordered state. The extracted fractional site occupancies confirm the presence of antisite defects, which are of importance for the electrochemical performance of MgFeMnO4 and related battery materials. Neutron diffraction and muon spin spectroscopy reveal a ferrimagnetic order below TC = 394.2 K, having a collinear spin arrangement with antiparallel spins at the A and B sites, respectively. Our findings provide new and improved understanding of the fundamental properties of the ferrispinel materials and of their potential applications within future spintronics and battery devices., MgFeMnO4 crystallizes in the typical cubic spinel with cation disordering between the tetrahedra A and the octahedra B sites. Combining the in-house experiments with neutron (n0) and muon (μ+) techniques, we reveal (i) the accurate crystal structure and site occupancy of MgFeMnO4 at 300 and 500 K, (ii) clear presence of antisite defects that have importance for the compound’s electrochemical performance, and (iii) MgFeMnO4 enters into a collinear ferrimagnetic ordering below TC = 394.2 K.

Background Periodontitis is more common and severe in people with diabetes than the general population. We have reported in the Joslin Medalist Study that people with type 1 diabetes of ≥50 years (Medalists) may have endogenous protective factors against diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of periodontitis according to the Centers for Disease Control/American Academy of Periodontology classification in a subset (n = 170, mean age = 64.6 ± 6.9 years) of the Medalist cohort, and its associations to various criteria of periodontitis and diabetic complications were assessed. Results The prevalence of severe periodontitis in Medalists was only 13.5% which was lower than reported levels in diabetic patients of similar ages. Periodontal parameters, including bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, and demographic traits, including male sex, chronological age, and age at diagnosis were significantly associated with severity of periodontitis, which did not associate with diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index, and lipid profiles. Random serum C-peptide levels inversely associated with severity of periodontitis (P = 0.03), lower probing depth (P = 0.0002), and clinical attachment loss (P = 0.03). Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and systemic inflammatory markers, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum immunoglobulin G titer against Porphyromonas gingivalis positively associated with severity of periodontitis (P = 0.002 and 0.02, respectively). Antibody titer to P. gingivalis correlated positively and significantly with CVD, serum IL-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusions Some Medalists could be protected from severe periodontitis even with hyperglycemia. Endogenous protective factors for periodontitis could possibly be related to residual insulin production and lower levels of chronic inflammation.

Clinical studies have suggested that loss of insulin’s action and excessive IGF-1 levels in the glomeruli elevate the risk for diabetic kidney disease (DKD). To define the potential pathogenic role of IGF-1 and insulin signaling in DKD, we generated mice with selective loss of insulin receptor (IR) or IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the mesangial cells (MCs) by cross breeding IRflox/flox mice with Sm22α-Cre mice (SMIRKO) or IGF-1Rflox/flox mice with Myh11-Cre mice (SMIGF1RKO), and examined urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and mesangial expansion with 6 month duration of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. IGF-1 levels were significantly increased by 1.5 fold in the renal cortex, but not in the plasma of all three types of diabetic mice. Diabetes induced elevation of ACR (2.0 fold), glomerular size and mesangial expansion (2.1 fold), in parallel with increased glomerular expressions of fibrosis-related (Tgfβ1, fibronectin and Col3a) and matrix (Has2) genes by 2-3 fold, significantly, in Wt and SMIRKO mice, but were prevented in diabetic SMIGF1RKO mice. In cultured MCs, IGF-1, at physiological levels, and insulin, only at supra-physiological levels, induced the expressions of Has2 (3.8 fold) and Tgfβ1 (1.7 fold). Deletion of IGF-1R, but not IR, in MCs inhibited both IGF-1 and insulin-induced expressions of Has2. Inhibitor of MAP kinase pathway, but not inhibitor of PI3 kinase reduced insulin or IGF-1-induced expressions of Has2 in MCs. IGF-1-induced phosphorylations of IGF-1R (39 fold), Akt (34 fold) and Erk/MAPK (8 fold) were significantly inhibited in both IR or IGF-1R-deleted MCs. Insulin-induced phosphorylations of IR-β (11 fold) and Akt (27 fold) were also decreased in IR-deleted MCs, but surprisingly increased in IGF-1R-deleted MCs. Thus, MAPK activation by elevated glomerular IGF-1 levels via IGF-1R, but not IR, on MCs, may contribute to the pathogenesis of DKD through induction of Has2 and fibrotic genes. Disclosure A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Group. T. Shinjo: None. H. Yokomizo: None. Y. Maeda: None. K. Park: None. W. Qi: None. R. St-Louis: None. Q. Li: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Increased white rice (WR) with parallel decreased brown rice (BR) consumption has been associated with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). To test whether WR and BR have differential effects on energy and glucose metabolism, C57BL/6 mice were fed 6 different diets: control diet (CD, 10% Fat), high-fat diet (HFD, 46% Fat) with either no rice, WR or BR. BR and, surprisingly, WR activated PGC1α and UCP-1 expressions in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increased energy expenditure as measured by oxygen consumption, CO2 release and heat production, resulting in reduced body weight (36%, 23%) and improvements of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity while on HFD after 18 weeks. To investigate the underlying mechanism, gut microbial analysis was performed. Gut microbiota composition showed clear differences between HFD vs. CD or vs. the addition of BR or WR. Ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was 3.7-fold increased in HFD vs.CD, but decreased by the WR (46%) or BR (59%). Increased alpha diversity was observed by WR and BR on HFD. Heat map binary showed that several genera are different in HFD+BR vs. HFD or HFD+WR vs. HFD. Analysis of family abundance revealed that Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae and Streptococcaceae are 2.5, 1.2 and 2.6-fold increased in HFD, which were reduced by WR or BR. Analysis of genus abundance showed that Lactococcus, Dorea, Peptococcus, Clostridium XIVb, Johnsonella, Anaerovorax are 2.6, 3.7, 2.9, 2.7, 4.7 and 1.7-fold respectively, increased in HFD, which were reduced by WR or BR on HFD. In addition, mice on BR+HFD showed greater reductions than mice on WR+HFD in family and genus levels. Our results demonstrated that supplementation with BR or WR, to a lesser degree, changed HFD-induced gut microbial composition at family and genus levels, in parallel with improved systemic energy and glucose metabolism via activation of BAT and increased energy expenditure, resulting in reduced body weight and improved insulin sensitivity. Disclosure H. Yokomizo: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Group. T. Shinjo: None. K. Park: None. Y. Maeda: None. Q. Li: None. I. Wu: None. M. Matsumoto: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. S. Devkota: None. A. Kostic: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Previous studies have shown that diabetes and obesity increase the severity of periodontal disease—a well-known risk factor for tooth loss. However, the effect of obesity on tooth loss has not yet been fully characterized. Thus, we investigated the association between obesity and residual teeth (number and sites) using a large database of the Japanese population. We used the MinaCare database, composed of data from Japanese health insurance claims and health check-ups in 2015 to select 233,517 subjects from 706,150 based on the availability of BMI, HbA1c, teeth, and smoking information. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥25.0. The number of residual teeth at every age group was correlated with 4 BMI subsets (30.0). The unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for fewer than 24 residual teeth were estimated using logistic regression models. The number of residual teeth decreased with age (p for trend Disclosure M. Hayashi: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. K. Morino: None. K. Harada: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. M. Ishikawa: None. I. Miyazawa: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Group. H. Maegawa: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Sanofi K.K., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

4SEASONS is a direct geometry time-of-flight spectrometer installed in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility, the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. It is used to study atomic and spin dynamics in the energy range of 100 meV to 102 meV. Since more than a decade has crossed after the first inelastic scattering experiment, it is essential to consider upgrading the instrument to improve its flexibility and performance. In this paper, we discuss the possible medium-term upgrades of key components of the instrument like the chopper system, which are achievable with the current technology and at reasonable cost. Herein, we demonstrated that 4SEASONS can improve the energy resolution by a factor of two, remove frame overlap of adjacent incident energies, significantly improve the asymmetry in the pulse shape, and increase the flux by a factor of ∼1.5, without major technical difficulties.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for periodontal disease, independent of age and smoking. However, the relationship between glycaemic control and tooth loss has not been well characterized. We aimed to determine whether the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is associated with the number of teeth remaining. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 233,567 individuals aged 20–74 years in a database comprising health insurance claim and health check-up data that was collected between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. The participants were allocated to five groups according to their HbA1c, and the number of teeth was compared between age-groups. DM was defined by an HbA1c ≥6·5%. Findings: Fifty-two-point-seven percent were women and the mean (SD) age was 47·7 (9·6) years. Higher HbA1c was associated with fewer teeth if >30 years of age ( P for trend 30 years of age ( P

Magnetic excitations and magnetic structure of EuRbFe$_4$As$_4$ were investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS), neutron diffraction, and random phase approximation (RPA) calculations. Below the superconducting transition temperature $T_\text{c}=36.5$~K, the INS spectra exhibit the neutron spin resonances at $Q_\text{res}=1.27(2)$~$\text{\AA}^{-1}$ and $1.79(3)$~$\text{\AA}^{-1}$. They correspond to the $\mathbf{Q}=(0.5,0.5,1)$ and $(0.5,0.5,3)$ nesting wave vectors, showing three dimensional nature of the band structure. The characteristic energy of the neutron spin resonance is $E_\text{res}=17.7(3)$~meV corresponding to $5.7(1)k_\text{B}T_\text{c}$. Observation of the neutron spin resonance mode and our RPA calculations in conjunction with the recent optical conductivity measurements are indicative of the $s_\pm$ superconducting pairing symmetry in EuRbFe$_4$As$_4$. In addition to the neutron spin resonance mode, upon decreasing temperature below the magnetic transition temperature $T_\text{N}=15$~K, the spin wave excitation originating in the long-range magnetic order of the Eu sublattice was observed in the low-energy inelastic channel. Single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements demonstrate that the magnetic propagation vector of the Eu sublattice is $\mathbf{k}=(0, 0, 0.25)$, representing the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order. Linear spin wave calculations assuming the obtained magnetic structure with the intra- and inter-plane nearest neighbor exchange couplings of $J_1/k_\text{B}=-1.31$~K and $J_c/k_\text{B}=0.08$~K can reproduce quantitatively the observed spin wave excitation. Our results show that superconductivity and long-range magnetic order of Eu coexist in EuRbFe$_4$As$_4$ whereas the coupling between them is rather weak., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures

The Joslin Medalist Study characterized people affected with type 1 diabetes for 50 years or longer. More than 35% of these individuals exhibit no to mild diabetic retinopathy (DR), independent of glycemic control, suggesting the presence of endogenous protective factors against DR in a subpopulation of patients. Proteomic analysis of retina and vitreous identified retinol binding protein 3 (RBP3), a retinol transport protein secreted mainly by the photoreceptors, as elevated in Medalist patients protected from advanced DR. Mass spectrometry and protein expression analysis identified an inverse association between vitreous RBP3 concentration and DR severity. Intravitreal injection and photoreceptor-specific overexpression of RBP3 in rodents inhibited the detrimental effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Mechanistically, our results showed that recombinant RBP3 exerted the therapeutic effects by binding and inhibiting VEGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, by binding to glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and decreasing glucose uptake, RBP3 blocked the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia in inducing inflammatory cytokines in retinal endothelial and Müller cells. Elevated expression of photoreceptor-secreted RBP3 may have a role in protection against the progression of DR due to hyperglycemia by inhibiting glucose uptake via GLUT1 and decreasing the expression of inflammatory cytokines and VEGF.

A major cause of poor wound healing and periodontitis in diabetes is defective immune response to infections. Insulin signaling via the PI3K/Akt pathway is selectively inhibited in the gingival and wound fibroblasts of diabetic rodents and patients. To determine how loss of insulin actions in gingival fibroblasts can affect periodontitis development, myofibroblast insulin receptors (IR) were deleted by crossbreeding IRβ-flox/flox mice with SM22-Cre C57BL/6 (SMIRKO) mice, which were fed with regular diet (RD), while wild type (WT) littermates were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. To induce periodontitis, 7-0 silk ligatures were tied around maxillary molars for 4, 7 or 14 days. When mice were sacrificed to assess alveolar bone loss, immune cell populations and inflammatory cytokine expression in the gingiva was assessed. Gingival IRβ expression in SMIRKO and HFD-fed mice was decreased by 70% and 50%, respectively, with comparable reductions in insulin-induced (100nM) phosphorylation of Akt (pAkt). Ligature-induced alveolar bone loss in SMIRKO and HFD-fed mice was greater by 70% and 40%, respectively, as compared to RD-fed WT mice. Post-ligature time course analysis showed that while neutrophil recruitment was delayed significantly, macrophages and lymphocyte numbers were elevated in both SMIRKO and HFD-fed mice. Similarly, neutrophil-recruiting factors CXCL1 and 2 expression were decreased in the gingiva, whereas TNFα and IL-1β expression were elevated. Gingival myofibroblasts from SMIRKO and HFD-fed mice showed dramatic reductions of IRβ expression and insulin-induced pAkt with parallel lowering of E.coli LPS-induced CXCL1 expression via downregulation of TLR2, compared to RD-fed mice. These data provided the first evidence that insulin action is critical for neutrophil recruitment during infection by enabling CXCL1 expression in gingival myofibroblasts, which is inhibited in diabetes. Disclosure T. Shinjo: None. Q. Li: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; SunStar Inc. Employee; Spouse/Partner; SunStar Inc. K. Park: None. R. St-Louis: None. H. Yokomizo: None. J. Fu: None. M. Yu: None. H. Wang: None. H. Hasturk: None. T.E. Van Dyke: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Funding Sunstar Foundation; Iacocca Family Foundation

The Joslin Medalist study reported that after having type 1 diabetes (T1D) for > 50 years, over 35% of Medalists exhibit no to mild diabetic retinopathy (DR) independent of glycemic control, suggesting presence of endogenous protective factors against DR. Proteomic analysis of Medalist retina and vitreous found that Retinol Binding Protein 3 (RBP3), secreted by photoreceptors, is elevated in individuals protected from DR. This finding was confirmed by RBP3 ELISA of replicate vitreous samples from Medalists and other T1D and T2D individuals. In contrast, vitreous VEGF concentrations increased with DR severity. Thus, elevated ratios of intravitreous RBP3/VEGF correlated with lack of progression to advanced DR. Intervention and prevention studies overexpressing RBP3 in retina/photoreceptors of nondiabetic and diabetic animals inhibited VEGF actions and normalized diabetes-induced retinal capillary permeability, neuro-retinal dysfunctions, expressions of VEGF and IL-6, and formation of acellular capillaries. Mechanistically, physiological levels of recombinant RBP3 (10-100nM), but not RBP4 or FGF, inhibited the increased in VEGFR2 tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperglycemia-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (VEGF and IL-6), and migration of retinal endothelial cells and Müller cells. RBP3, but not RBP4, physically bound to VEGFR2 in cross linkage studies. At physiological levels, RBP3 significantly inhibited glucose uptake into retinal endothelial and Müller cells, and subsequently decreased expression of VEGF and IL-6. These results suggest novel actions for RBP3 to slow glucose uptake in retinal cells and inhibit VEGF actions, thereby preventing, delaying and even arresting diabetes-induced neuro- and vascular retinal dysfunction, inflammatory abnormalities and DR pathologies. These findings strongly support therapeutic potential of RBP3 in DR. Disclosure H. Yokomizo: None. K. Park: None. A. Clermont: Consultant; Self; KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Y. Maeda: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Arkray, Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Abbott, Arkray, Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Terumo Medical Corporation. W. Fickweiler: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; SunStar Inc. Employee; Spouse/Partner; SunStar Inc. Q. Li: None. C. Wang: None. D.M. Pober: None. I. Wu: None. H.A. Keenan: Employee; Self; Sanofi Genzyme. L.P. Aiello: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Consultant; Self; Decision Resources Group, KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mingsight, Retinal Solutions. Stock/Shareholder; Self; KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Other Relationship; Self; Optos. J.K. Sun: Research Support; Self; Adaptive Sensory Technology, Boston Micromachines Corporation, Genentech, Inc., KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Optovue, Incorporated. Other Relationship; Self; Genentech, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Funding National Eye Institute; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; JDRF; Thomas J. Beatson, Jr. Foundation Inc.; Dianne Nunnally Hoppes Scholarship Fund

Low-energy incommensurate (IC) magnetic fluctuations in the multiband superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ is investigated by high-resolution inelastic neutron scattering measurements and random phase approximation (RPA) calculations. Below $T_\text{c}$, the substantial spin gap is observed at $\mathbf{Q}_\text{IC}=(0.3, 0.3, L)$ where the quasi-one-dimensional $\alpha$ and $\beta$ sheets consisting of the Fermi surfaces are in good nesting conditions. $L$ modulated intensity of the low-energy IC magnetic fluctuations and our RPA calculations indicate that the superconducting gaps regarding the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ sheets have the horizontal line nodes., Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures

The anti-hypertensive effect of processed rice bran (PRB) was recently reported, for which the novel peptide Leu-Arg-Ala (LRA) was identified as the functional substance. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-hypertensive effects of a rice bran supplement containing PRB in individuals with high-normal blood pressure (systolic blood pressure (SBP): 130&ndash, 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP): 85&ndash, 89 mmHg) or grade 1 hypertension (SBP: 140&ndash, 159 mmHg and/or DBP: 90&ndash, 99 mmHg). One hundred individuals with high-normal blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension were recruited to participate in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly allocated to the placebo group (n = 50) or the test group (n = 50). Each group took four test tablets (43 &mu, g LRA/day) or four placebo tablets daily. The decrease in blood pressure in the test group compared with the placebo group was the primary outcome. Adverse events were recorded and hematological/urinary parameters measured to determine the safety of the supplement, which was the secondary outcome. In total, 87 participants completed the study. The SBP of the test group at 12 weeks was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p = 0.0497). No serious adverse events were observed. Daily consumption of a rice bran supplement containing PRB can safely improve mildly elevated blood pressure.

Molecular based spin-1/2 triangular lattice systems such as LiZn$_2$Mo$_3$O$_8$ have attracted research interest. Distortions, defects, and intersite disorder are suppressed in such molecular-based magnets, and intrinsic geometrical frustration gives rise to unconventional and unexpected ground states. Li$_2$$A$Mo$_3$O$_8$ ($A$ = In or Sc) is such a compound where spin-1/2 Mo$_3$O$_{13}$ clusters in place of Mo ions form the uniform triangular lattice. Their ground states are different according to the $A$ site. Li$_2$InMo$_3$O$_8$ undergoes conventional $120^\circ$ long-range magnetic order below $T_\text{N}=12$~K whereas isomorphic Li$_2$ScMo$_3$O$_8$ exhibits no long-range magnetic order down to 0.5~K. Here, we report exotic magnetisms in Li$_2$InMo$_3$O$_8$ and Li$_2$ScMo$_3$O$_8$ investigated by muon spin rotation ($\mu$SR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopies using polycrystalline samples. Li$_2$InMo$_3$O$_8$ and Li$_2$ScMo$_3$O$_8$ show completely different behaviors observed in both $\mu$SR and INS measurements, representing their different ground states. Li$_2$InMo$_3$O$_8$ exhibits spin wave excitation which is quantitatively described by the nearest neighbor anisotropic Heisenberg model based on the $120^\circ$ spin structure. In contrast, Li$_2$ScMo$_3$O$_8$ undergoes short-range magnetic order below 4~K with quantum-spin-liquid-like magnetic fluctuations down to the base temperature. Origin of the different ground states is discussed in terms of anisotropies of crystal structures and magnetic interactions., Comment: Sci. Rep. 9, 1826 (2019)

We recently identified a novel, potent antihypertensive peptide, Leu-Arg-Ala (LRA; minimum effective dose = 0.25 mg/kg), from rice bran protein. In this study, we found that LRA potently relaxed mesenteric arteries isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (EC50 = 0.1 μM). In contrast, the vasorelaxant activity of each amino acid that constitutes the LRA tripeptide was remarkably attenuated. The LRA-induced vasorelaxant activity was inhibited by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; NO synthase [NOS] inhibitor) but not by an antagonist of bradykinin B2 and Mas receptors or by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor. The antihypertensive effect induced after the oral administration of LRA was inhibited by L-NAME. LRA also induced the phosphorylation of endothelial NOS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Taken together, LRA may exhibit antihypertensive effects via NO-mediated vasorelaxation. LRA is the first example of a NO-dependent vasorelaxant peptide identified from rice bran protein.

The Joslin Medalists study, enrolling people with type 1 diabetes of >50 years, suggested protective factors exist against diabetic retinopathy (DR), even in the presence of hyperglycemia. Proteomic analysis of retina and vitreous suggested that Retinol Binding Protein 3 (RBP3), secreted by photoreceptors, to be elevated in the Medalists without vs. those with advanced DR. This finding was confirmed by ELISA RBP3 assays in replicating vitreous samples of Medalists and other diabetic patients. In contrast, vitreous VEGF levels increased with DR severity; resulting in decreasing RBP3/VEGF with worsening DR. Transgenic mice overexpressing RBP3 targeted to the photoreceptors prevented diabetes induced retinal capillary permeability and formation of acellular capillaries. To determine whether RBP3 can inhibit DR progression, recombinant human RBP3 (rhRBP3) was injected intravitreously (IVT) in rats with VEGF or after 2 months of diabetes. IVT injection of rhRBP3 inhibited VEGF induced increases in retinal vascular permeability both after a few min or 1 day post-VEGF injections (p=0.009 or p=0.01), respectively. After 2 months of diabetes, IVT rhRBP3 reversed capillary permeability to levels of nondiabetic rats (p=0.007), whereas boiled hRBP3 was ineffective. Surprisingly, IVT rhRBP3 also reduced retinal expression of VEGF and IL-6 in diabetic rats and normalized retinal function, as measured by B wave amplitude of electroretinography. Using cultured retinal endothelial cells and Muller cells, the addition of rhRBP3 inhibited VEGF- or high glucose-induced cell migration, possibly by binding to VEGF receptors. Surprisingly, rhRBP3 also inhibited high glucose-induced expression of VEGF and IL-6 mRNA levels (p=0.05) similar to in vivo studies. Thus, IVT application of RBP3 can intervene to delay, stop and reverse diabetes-induced neuro- and vascular-retinal functional and inflammatory abnormalities, strongly supporting a therapeutic potential for the use of RBP3 for DR. Disclosure H. Yokomizo: None. K. Park: None. A. Clermont: Consultant; Self; Kalvista Pharmaceuticals. Y. Maeda: None. W. Fickweiler: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Inc.. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Inc.. Q. Li: None. L.J. Tinsley: None. D.M. Pober: None. I. Wu: None. L.P. Aiello: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi Genzyme. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Kalvista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Kalvista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. H.A. Keenan: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Employee; Self; Sanofi Genzyme. J. Sun: Other Relationship; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Research Support; Self; Genentech, Inc., Optovue, Incorporated, Boston Micromachines Corporation, Adaptive Sensory Technology, Kalvista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Sanofi-Aventis.

Periodontal disease (PD) is more common and severe in people with diabetes than the general population. The presence of severe PD is correlated with decreased survival, since it can potentially affect glycemic control and severity of complications in people with diabetes. We have reported that Medalists (people with T1DM of 50 years or longer duration) may have endogenous protective factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and retinopathy (DR). This study assessed the prevalence of PD in the Medalist cohort and correlated it to the known risk factors of PD and diabetic complications. Severity of PD was defined in a subset (n=170) of Medalists with comparable characteristics of the whole cohort, according to the AAP criteria. The prevalence of severe PD was dramatically decreased in Medalists (13.5%) compared with other studies of people with diabetes of similar age, approximately 33%. Clinical parameters, such as male gender, chronological age, age at diagnosis, and total insulin dose were correlated positively with severity of PD (p=0.04, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively), while duration of disease, hemoglobin A1c, BMI, and lipid profiles did not exhibit any correlation. Interestingly, detectible plasma C-peptide levels correlated inversely with severity of PD (p=0.04). Systemic inflammatory markers, such as plasma IL-6, clearly correlated positively with the severity of PD (p=0.01). Serum antibody titer against Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a known pathogen of PD, trended with severity of PD (p=0.08). Amongst the various complications, only the prevalence of CVD correlated positively with severity of PD (p=0.02). These results suggest that Medalists are protected from severe PD even with hyperglycemia. The endogenous protective factors for PD could be similar to those for CVD, possibly related to endogenously produced insulin to neutralize the chronic inflammation caused by residual infection with Pg in the gingival tissues. Disclosure T. Shinjo: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Inc.. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Inc.. H. Hasturk: None. L.J. Tinsley: None. D.M. Pober: None. I. Wu: None. T.E. Van Dyke: None. R.J. Genco: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Sanofi-Aventis.

Increased consumption of white rice (WR) with parallel decreased use of brown rice (BR) have been associated with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), suggesting WR may elevate the risk of T2DM. To test whether WR or BR have differential effects on glucose metabolism in diet-induced obesity, C57BL/6 mice were fed 6 different diets: control diet (CD, 10%), high fat diet (HFD, 46%) and CD and HFD with either WR or BR. Diets with WR or BR were controlled with comparable carbohydrate and protein contents. After 18 weeks, the median weights of HFD mice were greater (36%) than those on CD. Surprisingly, adding WR or BR to HFD decreased weight gains equally by 53% with parallel reduction of abdominal, visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat vs. HFD. Activity and food intake did not change among mice on HFD. However, HFD decreased heat, VO2, and VCO2 production vs. CD which were normalized by adding WR or BR, per indirect calorimetry with metabolic cages. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test on HFD were improved by either WR or BR, although mice on BR+HFD exhibited greater improvements than mice on WR+HFD (P Disclosure H. Yokomizo: None. A. Ishikado: Employee; Self; Sunstar Inc.. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Sunstar Inc.. T. Shinjo: None. K. Park: None. Y. Maeda: None. I. Wu: None. D.M. Pober: None. S. Devkota: None. M. Matsumoto: Employee; Self; Sunstar Inc.. A. Kostic: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Sanofi-Aventis.