The anterior pituitary gland is composed of five types of hormone-producing cells plus folliculostellate (FS) cells, which do not produce classical anterior pituitary hormones. FS cells are interconnected by cytoplasmic processes and encircle hormone-producing cells or aggregate homophilically. Using living-cell imaging of primary culture, we recently reported that some FS cells precisely extend their cytoplasmic processes toward other FS cells and form interconnections with them. These phenomena suggest the presence of a chemoattractant factor that facilitates the interconnection. In this study, we attempted to discover the factor that induces interconnection of FS cells and succeeded in identifying chemokine (CXC)-L12 and its receptor CXCR4 as potential candidate molecules. CXCL12 is a chemokine of the CXC subfamily. It exerts its effects via CXCR4, a G protein-coupled receptor. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is a potent chemoattractant for many types of neural cells. First, we revealed that CXCL12 and CXCR4 are expressed by FS cells in rat anterior pituitary gland. Next, to clarify the function of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in FS cells, we observed living anterior pituitary cells in primary culture with specific CXCL12 inhibitor or CXCR4 antagonist and noted that extension of cytoplasmic processes and interconnection of FS cells were inhibited. Finally, we examined FS cell migration and invasion by using Matrigel matrix assays. CXCL12 treatment resulted in markedly increased FS cell migration and invasion. These data suggest that FS cells express chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 and that the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis evokes interconnection of FS cells.

Objectives To measure current Hg, Cd, and Pb exposure in Japanese children, and to estimate dietary intakes of foods responsible for high body burden. Methods Blood, hair, and urine samples were collected from 9 to 10-year-old 229 children in Asahikawa and measured for Hg, Cd, and Pb in these matrices. Diet history questionnaire was used to estimate intake of marine foods and other food items. Hg level was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Cd and Pb levels were determined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Geometric mean (GM) of blood Hg, Cd, and Pb was 4.55 lg/L, 0.34 lg/L, and 0.96 lg/dL, respectively. Urinary Cd level was 0.34 lg/g creatinine (GM) and hair Hg was 1.31 lg/g (GM). Approximately one-third (35 %) of blood samples had Hg level above the U.S. EPA reference dose (RfD; 5.8 lg/L). Hair Hg level exceeded U.S. EPA RfD (1.2 lg/g) in 59 % samples. Children in the upper quartile of blood Hg level had significantly higher intake of large predatory fish species compared to those in the lower quartile of blood Hg. Conclusions Those with high blood Hg level may be explained by more frequent intake of big predatory fish. Cd and Pb exposure is generally low among Japanese children. As no safety margin exists for Pb exposure and high exposure to MeHg is noted in Japanese population; periodic biomonitoring and potential health risk assessment should continue in high-risk populations, notably among children.

Folliculostellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary gland are believed to have multifunctional properties. Using transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) specifically in FS cells in the anterior pituitary gland (S100b-GFP rats), we recently revealed that FS cells in primary culture exhibited marked proliferation in the presence of laminin, an extracellular matrix (ECM) component of the basement membrane. In a process referred to as matricrine action, FS cells receive ECM as a signal through their receptors, which results in morphological and functional changes. In this study, we investigated matricrine signaling in FS cells and observed that the proliferation of FS cells is mediated by integrin b1, which is involved in various signaling pathways for cell migration and proliferation in response to ECM. Then, we analyzed downstream events of the integrin b1 signaling pathway in the proliferation of FS cells and identified caveolin 3 as a potential candidate molecule. Caveolin 3 is a membrane protein that binds cholesterol and a number of signaling molecules that interact with integrin b1. Using specific small interfering RNA of caveolin 3, the proliferation of FS cells was inhibited. Furthermore, caveolin 3 drove activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades, which resulted in upregulation of cyclin D1 in FS cells. These findings suggest that matricrine signaling in the proliferation of FS cells was transduced by a caveolin 3-mediated integrin b1 signaling pathway and subsequent activation of the MAPK pathway.

Objective: Currently, there are many efforts to find functional nutrients for obesity management, and the green coffee extract is a potential candidate. This study aimed to examine the effect of low dose administration of green coffee extract on body weight, serum lipids, and TNF-α level in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Results: Administration of green coffee extract to high-fat diet-induced obese male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) reduced body weight, total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride at the dose of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg BW/day; lowered serum LDL-cholesterol at the treatment dose of 20 mg/kg BW/day (p < 0.05). The effective dose to decrease serum TNF-α level was 40 mg/kg BW/day, while the effective dose to improve the lipid profile was 10 mg/kg BW/day. These results support the potential use of green coffee extract as a functional nutrient in the management of obesity.

Folliculostellate (FS) cells of the anterior pituitary gland express a variety of regulatory molecules. Using transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein specifically in FS cells, we recently demonstrated that FS cells in vitro showed marked changes in motility, proliferation, and that formation of cellular interconnections in the presence of laminin, a component of the extracellular matrix, closely resembled those observed in vivo. These findings suggested that FS cells express matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which assists their function on laminin. In the present study, we investigate MMP-9 expression in rat anterior pituitary gland and examine its role in motility and proliferation of FS cells on laminin. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and gelatin zymography were performed to assess MMP-9 expression in the anterior pituitary gland and cultured FS cells. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify MMP-9 expression in cultured FS cells under different conditions and treatments. MMP-9 expression was inhibited by pharmacological inhibitor or downregulated by siRNA and time-lapse images were acquired. A 5-bromo-2 0 -deoxyuridine assay was performed to analyze the proliferation of FS cells. Our results showed that MMP-9 was expressed in FS cells, that this expression was upregulated by laminin, and that laminin induced MMP-9 secretion by FS cells. MMP-9 inhibition and downregulation did not impair FS motility; however, it did impair the capacity of FS cells to form interconnections and it significantly inhibited proliferation of FS cells on laminin. We conclude that MMP-9 is necessary in FS cell interconnection and proliferation in the presence of laminin.

BackgroundThe application of oviposition traps (ovitraps) is one of the currently available rational methods used in mosquito control campaigns because it eliminates the larval stage. However, the use of current larvicides is hampered by their cost and applicability. Therefore, a more economical and practical alternative is urgently needed. We previously reported that copper in liquid form is a promising candidate due to its potent larvicide properties in a laboratory setting, affordability, and availability.MethodsIn the present study, a field test was performed by randomly placing copper-filled plastic pots with a concentration of 10 ppm in 21 local houses in Painan City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Three of these pots including a control were placed inside, while another two were placed outside each of the houses.ResultsAfter 14 days, a large number of dead first and second instar larvae of Aedes spp. were observed in the copper-filled pots. Larvae in the control pots were all viable and thriving. Unhatched eggs and pupae were detected in several pots in the copper-treated group but were excluded from the analysis.ConclusionsOur field data confirmed that copper is a potential larvicide for ovitraps, particularly in under-resourced areas.

Tinjauan sistematis dan metanalisis melaporkan bahwa defisiensi vitamin D berhubungan dengan gangguan tidur yang lebih tinggi. Reseptor vitamin D terdapat pada area batang otak yang dikenal sebagai pacemaker cells yang berperan dalam tahap pertama tidur (latensi tidur). Studi epidemiologi menyatakan bahwa perempuan lebih berisiko mengalami kualitas tidur buruk dibandingkan laki-laki. Kondisi kesehatan generasi mendatang bergantung pada keadaan kesehatan perempuan mulai dari masa pranikah. Berdasarkan data statistik menunjukkan perkawinan sering terjadi pada usia 19-24 tahun yang tergolong pada kelompok usia remaja akhir. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menentukan hubungan kadar 25-Hidroksivitamin D (25(OH)D) serum dengan latensi tidur pada perempuan remaja akhir. Penelitian dilakukan dengan desain cross-sectional pada mahasiswa Program Studi Kedokteran Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Andalas. Sepertiga (32,6%) subjek penelitian memasuki fase tidur lebih dari 15 menit. Lebih dari separuh (65%) pernah mengalami sulit tidur yaitu tidak memasuki fase tidur dalam waktu 30 menit sebanyak kurang dari 1 kali sampai dengan 3 kali dalam seminggu. Lebih dari separuh (60%) subjek penelitian mengalami defisiensi vitamin D (<11 ng/ml). Terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara kadar 25(OH)D serum dengan latensi tidur (p<0,001; r=-0,437) pada perempuan remaja akhir. Simpulan studi ini ialah semakin rendah kadar vitamin D maka akan semakin buruk latensi tidur individu tersebut.

ABSTRAK: Paparan terhadap zat tambahan pada plastik (plasticizers) berdampak luas terhadap kesehatan, khususnya pada janin dan anak. Plastik digunakan secara luas sebagai kemasan makanan dan minuman. Mengetahui bagaimana memilih dan menggunakan jenis plastik yang tepat yang akan berkontak dengan makanan penting untuk menghindari risiko paparan bahan kimia berbahaya pada plastik. Program pengabdian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan diseminasi temuan ilmiah terkini mengenai dampak plasticizers terhadap kesehatan melalui program edukasi masyarakat yang ditargetkan pada pemuka masyarakat di Kecamatan Bungus Teluk Kabung, Padang. Edukasi disampaikan dalam bahasa lokal dan diikuti dengan diskusi bebas dengan peserta. Dampak program dinilai menggunakan kuesioner pra- dan pasca-intervensi. Analisis respon pra-intervensi menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar peserta tidak mengetahui cara menggunakan plastik yang benar sebagai kemasan makanan dan minuman dan tidak mengetahui klasifikasi plastik. Namun, sebagian besar setuju bahwa penggunaan plastik harus dibatasi dalam pemrosesan makanan dan usia anak rentan terhadap bahaya plasticizers. Analisis pasca-intervensi menunjukkan terjadinya perubahan respon peserta. Disimpulkan bahwa program edukasi ini secara efektif memodifikasi sikap dan pengetahuan peserta mengenai risiko penggunaan plastik dalam pemrosesan dan kemasan produk makanan dan minuman.Kata Kunci: edukasi, kesehatan, makanan, minuman, plastik ABSTRACT: Environmental exposure to plasticizers has a wide health impact, particularly to the fetus and children. Plastics are widely used as food wrapping and beverage container. Knowing how to choose and to use the right kind of plastics for contact with foods and drinks is important to safeguard against the health-risks imposed by chemicals in plastics. Our objective was to disseminate scientific findings on the health impact of plasticizers through a community education program targeting key persons in the District of Bungus Teluk Kabung, Padang. Educational material was presented in local language, followed by a free-flow discussion with participants. We assessed the impact of the program by using pre- and post-intervention questionnaire. Analysis of pre-intervention responses showed that most participants did not know how to correctly use plastics as foods and drinks container and had no knowledge on the classification of plastics. However, most agreed that the use of plastics for food processing should be limited and that children are susceptible to the harmful effects of plasticizers. Post-intervention analysis showed a shift in participants’ responses. In conclusion, our program effectively modifies participants’ knowledge on the health risk imposed by using plastics in processing and keeping consumable products.Keywords: education, health, food, drink, plastics