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The STH conversion efficiency of Z-scheme system for OWS as illustrated here is the highest among photocatalyst ones and is still short for practical use. We studied the electronic structure of the system on solid state physics and proposed several new subjects to be solved.

This study investigated the effect of morin, a flavonoid, on dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in C57BL/6J female mice. Dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days significantly reduced body weight, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle mass, and muscle protein in mice. Dexamethasone significantly upregulated muscle atrophy-associated ubiquitin ligases, including atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, and the upstream transcription factors FoxO3a and Klf15. Additionally, dexamethasone significantly induced the expression of oxidative stress-sensitive ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b and the accumulation of the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde and advanced protein oxidation products in both the plasma and skeletal muscle samples. Intriguingly, morin treatment (20 mg/kg body weight) for 17 days effectively attenuated the loss of muscle mass and muscle protein and suppressed the expression of ubiquitin ligases while reducing the expression of upstream transcriptional factors. Therefore, morin might act as a potential therapeutic agent to attenuate muscle atrophy by modulating atrophy-inducing genes and preventing oxidative stress.

Two novel reagents, N-myristoylated Cbl-b inhibitory peptide (C14-Cblin) and celastrol, a quinone methide triterpene, are reported to be effective in preventing myotube atrophy. The combined effects of C14-Cblin and celastrol on rat L6 myotubes atrophy induced by 3D-clinorotation, a simulated microgravity model, was investigated in the present study. We first examined their effects on expression in atrogenes. Increase in MAFbx1/atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 by 3D-clinorotation was significantly suppressed by treatment with C14-Cblin or celastrol, but there was no additive effect of simultaneous treatment. However, celastrol significantly suppressed the upregulation of Cbl-b and HSP70 by 3D-clinorotation. Whereas 3D-clinorotation decreased the protein level of IRS-1 in L6 myotubes, C14-Cblin and celastrol inhibited the degradation of IRS-1. C14-Cblin and celastrol promoted the phosphorylation of FOXO3a even in microgravity condition. Simultaneous administration of C14-Cblin and celastrol had shown little additive effect in reversing the impairment of IGF-1 signaling by 3D-clinorotation. While 3D-clinorotation-induced marked oxidative stress in L6 myotubes, celastrol suppressed 3D-clinorotation-induced ROS production. Finally, the C14-Cblin and celastrol-treated groups were inhibited decrease in L6 myotube diameter and increased the protein content of slow-twitch MyHC cultured under 3D-clinorotation. The simultaneous treatment of C14-Cblin and celastrol additively prevented 3D-clinorotation-induced myotube atrophy than single treatment. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 127-134, February, 2022.

Various dietary protein supplements are used by the elderly and bedridden to maintain their skeletal muscle mass and functions. High-quality proteins act as an anabolic driver and help to improve muscle strength and performance. Previously, we reported that soy protein significantly attenuates denervation-induced loss of muscle mass and myofiber cross sectional area in mice with inhibition of ubiquitination and degradation of IRS-1 in tibialis anterior muscle. It also increased muscle volume and strength in bedridden patients. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary soybean supplementation on muscle functions in taxi drivers lacking vigorous physical exercise. We conducted a case-control study on 25 healthy, male taxi drivers between the ages of 36 and 71 y performing minimal physical exercise. They were divided into two dietary groups: the soybean diet group (n=13) who ate daily meals (dinner) supplemented with 50 g of steamed soybean for 30 d and the control diet group (n=12) who received no soybean supplement. Next, we measured the muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle strength and function in both the groups before and after 30 d of soybean intake. The body weights of both diet groups did not differ significantly over time. However, after 30 d of soybean supplementation, the soybean-fed group developed significantly higher muscle CSA and grip strength compared to the control groups. In conclusion, dietary soybean supplementation improved muscle function in taxi drivers who lacked exercise.

Recent studies show that muscle mass and metabolic function are interlinked. Muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) is a critical muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase associated with muscle atrophy. Yet, the molecular target of MuRF1 in atrophy and aging remains unclear. We examined the role of MuRF1 in aging, using MuRF1-deficient (MuRF1-/- ) mice in vivo, and MuRF1-overexpressing cell in vitro. MuRF1 deficiency partially prevents age-induced skeletal muscle loss in mice. Interestingly, body weight and fat mass of >7-month-old MuRF1-/- mice were lower than in MuRF1+/+ mice. Serum and muscle metabolic parameters and results of indirect calorimetry suggest significantly higher energy expenditure and enhanced lipid metabolism in 3-month-old MuRF1-/- mice than in MuRF1+/+ mice, resulting in suppressed adipose tissue gain during aging. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) is crucial for a switch from glucose to lipid metabolism, and the interaction between MuRF1 and PDK4 was examined. PDK4 protein levels were elevated in mitochondria from the skeletal muscle in MuRF1-/- mice. In vitro, MuRF1 interacted with PDK4 but did not induce degradation through ubiquitination. Instead, SUMOylation of PDK4 was detected in MuRF1-overexpressing cells, in contrast to cells without the RING domain of MuRF1. MuRF1 deficiency enhances lipid metabolism possibly by upregulating PDK4 localization into mitochondrial through prevention of SUMOylation. Inhibition of MuRF1-mediated PDK4 SUMOylation is a potential therapeutic target for age-related dysfunction of lipid metabolism and muscle atrophy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the most reliable therapeutic device for preventing sudden cardiac death in patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). Regarding its effectiveness, targeted VT is defined based on the tachyarrhythmia cycle length. However, variations in RR interval variability of VTs may occur. Few studies have reported on VT characteristics and effects of ICD therapy according to the RR interval variability. We aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of VTs and ICD therapy effects according to the RR interval variability. Methods We analyzed 821 VT episodes in 69 patients with ICDs or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. VTs were classified as irregular when the difference between two successive beats was >20 ms in at least one of 10 RR intervals; otherwise, they were classified as regular. We evaluated successful termination using anti‐tachycardia pacing (ATP)/shock therapy, spontaneous termination, and acceleration between regular and irregular VTs. The RR interval variability reproducibility rates were evaluated. Results Regular VT was significantly more successfully terminated than irregular VT by ATP. No significant difference was found in shock therapy or VT acceleration between the regular and irregular VTs. Spontaneous termination occurred significantly more often in irregular than in regular VT cases. The reproducibility rates of RR interval variability in each episode and in all episodes were 89% and 73%, respectively. Conclusions ATP therapy showed greater effectiveness for regular than for irregular VT. Spontaneous termination was more common in irregular than in regular VT. RR interval variability of VTs seems to be reproducible., ATP therapy showed higher effectiveness for regular than for irregular VT. Spontaneous termination of VTs was more common in irregular than in regular VT. RR interval variability of VTs is reproducible.

A high-irradiance illumination system with normal-incidence multilayer mirrors is developed. The system consists of two concave Mo/Si multilayer mirrors with aspherical substrates that provide critical illumination by imaging a laser-produced plasma (LPP) light source at a wavelength of 13.6 nm with a magnification of almost unity. By effectively correcting spherical aberration, a raytracing computation indicates that the irradiance on the sample can be increased by about four times compared to that for a conventional system with spherical mirrors. We experimentally confirmed the enhancement by combining a LPP light source with aspherical mirrors fabricated by magneto rheological finishing.

Introduction: The prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is higher than that in healthy controls. To date, studies on the association between cognitive function and cerebral oxygenation in these patients are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to cross-sectionally investigate the association between cognitive assessment scores and clinical factors, including cerebral oxygenation, in patients undergoing HD. Methods: In this observational study, 193 HD patients were included. Cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) was monitored using an INVOS 5,100c oxygen saturation monitor. Poor cognition was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≤23. We analyzed the association between MMSE score and clinical factors, including cerebral rSO2. Results: MMSE score in HD patients included in this study was 26.8 ± 3.3. There were 164 patients (85%) with MMSE score ≥24 and 29 patients (15%) with an MMSE score ≤23. In the patients with MMSE score ≥24, cerebral rSO2 (53.8% ± 8.3%) was significantly higher than that in patients with MMSE score ≤23 (49.5% ± 9.8%; p = 0.013). Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed using the following confounding factors: age, mean blood pressure, cerebral rSO2, HD duration, ultrafiltration rate, hemoglobin, serum Cr, serum calcium, serum phosphate, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, serum albumin, presence of diabetes mellitus or chronic glomerulonephritis, history of comorbid cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors or vitamin D analogs. MMSE score was independently and significantly associated with age (standardized coefficient: −0.244) and cerebral rSO2 (standardized coefficient: 0.180). Conclusions: MMSE score was independently associated with age (negative effect) and cerebral rSO2 (positive effect) in this cross-sectional study. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether maintaining cerebral oxygenation prevents the deterioration of cognitive function in patients undergoing HD.

Background It has been difficult to sufficiently achieve body-fluid management using blood volume (BV) monitor during hemodialysis (HD) with constant ultrafiltration (UF) rate. Recently, a relative BV change-guided UF control (BV-UFC) system was developed by combining the concepts of an automatic feedback system that could control the UF rate and profile with real- time monitoring of relative changes in BV (%ΔBV). However, this system has limited application in the clinical setting. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to perform the crossover study on HD with BV-UFC compared to standard HD in terms of hemodynamic stability during HD. Methods Forty-eight patients entered an 8-week crossover period of standard HD or HD with BV-UFC. Prevalence of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) as a primary outcome and changes in blood pressure (BP), differences in %ΔBV, and achievement of the target ultrafiltration volume as secondary outcomes were compared. IDH was defined as a reduction in systolic BP ≥20 mmHg from the baseline value at 10 min after HD initiation. Results No significant differences were found in the prevalence of IDH, frequency of intervention for symptomatic IDH, and achievement of the target ultrafiltration volume between the groups. The %ΔBV was significantly fewer (-12.1 ± 4.8% vs. -14.4 ± 5.2%, p Conclusions HD with BV-UFC did not reduce the prevalence of IDH compared with standard HD. The relief of a relative BV reduction at the end of HD may be beneficial in patients undergoing HD with BV-UFC. Trial Registration UMIN, UMIN000024670. Registered on December 1, 2016.

Background Limited data is available on the use of a polyester graft limb with a helical stent configuration deployed in the external iliac artery (EIA) during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), so we prospectively analyzed the efficacy of the Zenith Spiral-Z limb deployed in the EIA.Methods and Results:Patients undergoing EVAR using a Zenith stent-graft and Spiral-Z limb deployed in the EIA were prospectively registered in 24 Japanese institutions from June 2017 to November 2017. In total, 65 patients (74 limbs) (mean age: 77.1±8.0 years, 87.7% men, mean abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter: 51.9±7.2 mm, mean iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) diameter: 38.3±10.0 mm) were registered and followed up. The most common reason for deployment in the EIA was a common IAA (43 limbs, 58.1%), and 8 limbs (10.8%) had a bare nitinol stent placed at the Spiral-Z limb. A total of 61 patients (70 limbs) completed a 24-month follow-up. There were 2 Spiral-Z limb stenoses and 1 occlusion, leading to a primary patency of 95.5% and a secondary patency of 100%, at 24 months. Buttock claudication occurred in 24.3% of the limbs treated at 1 month but decreased to 4.3% at 24 months. Conclusions Our multicenter prospective study showed that Spiral-Z limb deployed in the EIA was associated with satisfactory results and seems to be a durable option, even in the era of iliac branch devices.

Introduction: Near-infrared spectroscopy has been used to measure the regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of the brain, and decreases in cerebral rSO2 have been reported to lead to cognitive impairment in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, reports about the association between changes in cerebral oxygenation and clinical parameters at hemodialysis initiation, including hemoglobin level, are lacking. Methods: This study included 33 patients at the hemodialysis initiation phase. Cerebral rSO2 was monitored using an INVOS 5100C. Included patients were assessed twice (at hemodialysis initiation and 42.7 ± 20.8 days after the first measurement), and changes in cerebral rSO2 were compared with changes in clinical parameters. Results: Cerebral rSO2 at the second measurement significantly increased compared with that at hemodialysis initiation (57.2 ± 6.8% vs 54.4 ± 8.8%, p Conclusion: Cerebral rSO2 was low in the presence of low hemoglobin levels at hemodialysis initiation and improved in response to hemoglobin increase in addition to changes in serum albumin levels. Attention should be paid to changes in hemoglobin levels even at hemodialysis initiation to prevent the deterioration of cerebral oxygenation, and this might contribute to the maintenance of cognitive function in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with mortality and poor prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, underlying mechanism by which CKD causes muscle atrophy has not been completely understood. The quality of lipids (lipoquality), which is defined as the functional features of diverse lipid species, has recently been recognized as the pathology of various diseases. In this study, we investigated the roles of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), which catalyzes the conversion of saturated fatty acids into monounsaturated fatty acids, in skeletal muscle on muscle atrophy in CKD model animals. In comparison to control rats, CKD rats decreased the SCD activity and its gene expression in atrophic gastrocnemius muscle. Next, oleic acid blocked the reduction of the thickness of C2C12 myotubes and the increase of the endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by SCD inhibitor. Furthermore, endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor ameliorated CKD-induced muscle atrophy (the weakness of grip strength and the decrease of muscle fiber size of gastrocnemius muscle) in mice and the reduction of the thickness of C2C12 myotubes by SCD inhibitor. These results suggest that the repression of SCD activity causes muscle atrophy through excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress in CKD.

A 46-year-old obese woman undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder presented with acute shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations. She was tachypnoea and tachycardia, but blood pressure was stable. Computed tomography angiogram revealed bilateral pulmonary embolism. Echocardiogram revealed thrombus-in-transit. She underwent surgical embolectomy only for thrombus-in-transit and closure of the patent foramen ovale. However, pulmonary hypertension worsened, haemodynamical instability prolonged and hepatic congestion progressed. After veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion, we performed thrombectomy by catheter and anticoagulation therapy. One month later, the patient was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation.

Gold nanoparticles with a uniform particle size were easily immobilized on the transparent electrode by an electrochemical deposition. The polypyrrole film on the obtained nano-structured electrode exhibited anomalous permeation, indicating that this electrode functions as a metasurface.

A 71-year-old man undergoing hemodialysis (HD) was admitted to our hospital with congestive heart failure (CHF) and pneumonia. After admission, ultrafiltration with HD was urgently performed because of a lack of respiratory improvement despite the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. During HD, cerebral regional saturation of oxygen (rSO2) was monitored by INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor (Covidien Japan, Japan) to evaluate changes in tissue oxygenation. At HD initiation, cerebral rSO2 was very low at 34% under the fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) of 0.4. Ultrafiltration was performed at the rate of 0.5 L/h thereafter, cerebral rSO2 gradually improved even as inhaling oxygen concentration decreased. At the end of HD, cerebral rSO2 improved at 40% under a FiO2 of 0.28 as excess body fluid was removed. After pneumonia and CHF improved, he was discharged. Reports of the association between cerebral oxygenation and acute CHF status in patients undergoing HD are limited; therefore, in our experience with this case, cerebral oxygenation deteriorated with the CHF status but was improved by adequate body-fluid management during HD.

Exercise has beneficial effects on human health and is affected by two different pathways, motoneuron and endocrine. For the advancement of exercise research, in vitro exercise models are essential. We established two in vitro exercise models using C2C12 myotubes, EPS (electrical pulse stimulation) for a motoneuron model and clenbuterol, a specific β2 adrenergic receptor agonist, treatment for an endocrine model. For clenbuterol treatment, we found that Ppargc1a was induced only in low glucose media (1 mg/mL) using a 1-h treatment of 30 ng/mL clenbuterol. Global transcriptional changes of clenbuterol treatment were analyzed by RNA-seq and gene ontology analyses and indicated that mitogenesis and the PI3K-Akt pathway were enhanced, which is consistent with the effects of exercise. Cxcl1 and Cxcl5 were identified as candidate myokines induced by adrenaline. As for the EPS model, we compared 1 Hz of 1-pulse EPS and 1 Hz of 10-pulse EPS for 24 h and determined Myh gene expressions. Ten-pulse EPS induced higher Myh2 and Myh7 expression. Global transcriptional changes of 10-pulse EPS were also analyzed using RNA-seq, and gene ontology analyses indicated that CaMK signaling and hypertrophy pathways were enhanced, which is also consistent with the effects of exercise. In this paper, we provided two transcriptome results of in vitro exercise models and these databases will contribute to advances in exercise research.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increases the sensitivity to unfolded protein response (UPR) in differentiating leukemic blasts. The downstream transcriptional factors of PERK, a major arm of UPR, regulates muscle differentiation. However, the role of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34), one of the downstream factors of PERK, and the effects of ATRA on GADD34 expression in muscle remain unclear. In this study, we identified ATRA increased the GADD34 expression independent of the PERK signal in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice. ATRA up-regulated GADD34 expression through the transcriptional activation of it via inhibiting the interaction of homeobox Six1 and transcription co-repressor TLE3 with the MEF3-binding site on the GADD34 gene promoter in myoblasts. ATRA also inhibited the interaction of TTP, which induces mRNA degradation, with AU-rich element on GADD34 mRNA via p38 MAPK, resulting in the instability of GADD34 mRNA. Overexpressed GADD34 in myoblasts changes the type of myosin heavy chain in myotubes. These results suggest ATRA increases GADD34 expression via transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation in myoblasts, which changes muscle fiber type in myotubes.

Background:Although cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) is significantly lower in hemodialysis (HD) patients than that in healthy controls, investigations on cerebral oxygenation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are limited. We aimed to confirm the cerebral oxygenation status and identify the factors affecting cerebral rSO2in PD patients.Methods:Thirty-six PD patients (21 men and 15 women; mean age, 62.8 ± 12.7 years) were recruited. In addition, 27 healthy volunteers (17 men and 10 women; mean age, 43.5 ± 18.8 years) were recruited as a control group. Cerebral rSO2was monitored at the forehead using an INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor.Results:Cerebral rSO2was significantly lower in PD patients than that in healthy controls (57.0 ± 7.3% vs 68.9 ± 8.6%, p 2was significantly correlated with natural logarithm (Ln)-PD duration ( r = −0.389, p = 0.019) and serum albumin concentration ( r = 0.370, p = 0.026) in a simple linear regression analysis. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed using variables that showed a significant correlation and p 2. Cerebral rSO2was independently associated with Ln-PD duration (standardized coefficient: −0.339) and serum albumin concentration (standardized coefficient: 0.316).Conclusions:Cerebral rSO2was significantly affected by the PD duration and serum albumin concentration. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether preventing a decrease in serum albumin concentration leads to the maintenance of cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing PD.

Background Endotoxin contamination of dialysate has serious adverse effects on patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, endotoxin activity in dialysate is closely monitored. Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) has been used as a reagent to measure endotoxin activity. Here, we investigated the efficacy of an automatic LAL kinetic turbidimetric test (Toxinometer ET-mini) for screening endotoxin activity in dialysate. Methods In total, endotoxin activity was measured in 110 dialysate samples obtained from several sites within hemodialysis circuits between June 2012 and March 2018. The results were compared with those from a conventional chromogenic substrate LAL test conducted by a clinical examination laboratory. Results Both the automatic LAL test and the chromogenic substrate LAL test had a minimum detection level of 0.001 endotoxin units (EU)/mL. Endotoxin activity levels measured via the automatic LAL test showed a strongly positive correlation (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.9933; 95% CI: 0.9902-0.9954) and good agreement (mean difference: 0.00±0.01 EU/mL) with those obtained using the chromogenic substrate LAL test. Conclusion The results suggest that the automatic LAL test may be useful for endotoxin activity screening in hemodialysis facilities.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently experience severe anemia, requiring intradialytic blood transfusion. Severe anemia leads to deterioration of systemic tissue oxygenation. However, few reports have examined the effect of intradialytic blood transfusion on tissue oxygenation changes. This study aimed to (i) monitor the differences in tissue oxygenation in the brain and liver during intradialytic blood transfusion, and (ii) elucidate the clinical factors affecting cerebral and hepatic oxygenation. Thirty-eight HD patients with severe anemia requiring intradialytic blood transfusion were included (27 men, 11 women; mean age, 70.2 ± 1.6 years). Cerebral and hepatic regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) values were monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor). Cerebral and hepatic rSO2 were significantly higher after than before blood transfusion (p

Many condition monitoring systems use data analytics processes such as anomaly detection to understand machine conditions. Such data analytics processes have been designed by data scientists. However, domain knowledge is indispensable for designing the process, and data scientists have difficulty in acquiring such knowledge from domain engineers. This paper proposes a design method of data analytics processes and an engineering tool. In this method, data scientists propose hypotheses about each step of the process to domain engineers. Then, data scientists update the process on the basis of feedback from domain engineers. The engineering tool helps data scientists to interact with domain engineers.

Background Unlike Escherichia coli bacteremia, which is common, E. coli endocarditis is uncommon, particularly in patients with native valve, leading to its delayed diagnosis. Case presentation We present a case of infective endocarditis caused by E. coli in a 78-year-old Japanese man with type 2 diabetes, involving persistent bacteremia and vegetation on the mitral valve (measuring 18 × 4.2 mm in diameter). He presented with recurrent fever after antimicrobial treatment for pyelonephritis. He received antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks and required surgical removal of a calcified amorphous tumor and vegetation with mitral valvuloplasty 7 days after admission. Despite an episode of multiple cerebral infarctions, he recovered fully from the infection. Conclusions Follow-up blood cultures should be performed for Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia among patients with unknown focus and an atypical clinical course after treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention are paramount to achieving good clinical outcomes.

In this study, the radiation efficiency of a monopole antenna using a transparent conductive film with respect to the film thickness and conductivity is investigated. It is found that when the conductivity of the material is low and the film thickness becomes thin, not only the radiation efficiency decreases due to the increase in the material loss, but also the reflection characteristics of the antenna deteriorate due to impedance mismatch, resulting in being difficult in efficient feeding and steeply decreasing in antenna gain.

Astaxanthin (AX) is a carotenoid that exerts potent antioxidant activity and acts in the lipid bilayer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AX on muscle-atrophy-mediated disturbance of mitochondria, which have a lipid bilayer. Tail suspension was used to establish a muscle-atrophied mouse model. AX diet fed to tail-suspension mice prevented loss of muscle weight, inhibited the decrease of myofiber size, and restrained the increase of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the soleus muscle. Additionally, AX improved downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III in the soleus muscle after tail suspension. Meanwhile, AX promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by upregulating the expressions of adenosine 5&prime, monophosphate&ndash, activated protein kinase (AMPK) &alpha, 1, peroxisome proliferator&ndash, activated receptor (PPAR)-&gamma, and creatine kinase in mitochondrial (Ckmt) 2 in the soleus muscle of tail-suspension mice. To confirm the AX phenotype in the soleus muscle, we examined its effects on mitochondria using Sol8 myotubes derived from the soleus muscle. We found that AX was preferentially detected in the mitochondrial fraction, it significantly suppressed mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Sol8 myotubes. Moreover, AX inhibited the activation of caspase 3 via inhibiting the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol in antimycin A&ndash, treated Sol8 myotubes. These results suggested that AX protected the functional stability of mitochondria, alleviated mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, and thus, prevented muscle atrophy.

Near-infrared spectroscopy has been used to measure regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), and intradialytic tissue rSO2 measurements have been playing an important role in evaluating changes in tissue oxygenation in various clinical settings of hemodialysis (HD) therapy.However, few reports have described changes in hepatic oxygenation associated with body fluid management in overhydrated HD patients. We herein report an HD patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) that had improved systemic and tissue oxygenation, including in the brain and liver, during HD with ultrafiltration. A 73-year-old man undergoing HD was admitted to our hospital with CHF. After admission, HD with ultrafiltration was performed to adequately manage his body fluid excess. Because of deterioration of systemic oxygenation on admission, we monitored his percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) using a pulse oximeter and regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) in the brain and liver using an INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor during HD. At HD initiation, his cerebral and hepatic rSO2 levels were relatively low, at 43.2% and 34.1%, respectively, in addition to the SpO2 of 88%. During HD with ultrafiltration, systemic oxygenation evaluated by SpO2 and tissue oxygenation by cerebral and hepatic rSO2 improved. Interestingly, the hepatic rSO2 ratio, defined as the ratio of rSO2 values at t (min) during HD and the initial rSO2 value before HD, increased larger than the cerebral rSO2 ratio during HD. After the adjustment of body fluid condition under the maintained SpO2 values, we confirmed the hepatic and cerebral SO2 ratio again during HD, and these two values changed nearly in the same manner. Throughout our experience, in this case, we confirmed a remarkable increase in hepatic rSO2 ratio relative to cerebral rSO2 ratio under a CHF status during HD, and these differences disappeared after the adjustment of the body fluid status.