Our data indicate that soluble α-Klotho levels are significantly decreased in stage 2 CKD compared to stage 1, and not only in the advanced stages of the disease. Soluble α-Klotho may thus represent a new biomarker for the diagnosis of CKD, especially in the early stage.

The thermal conductivity κ and diffusivity α of high-strength and high-modulus crystalline polymer fibers (polybenzobisoxazole (Zylon\circR) and polyethylene (Dyneema\circR)) and their fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) were measured in directions parallel and perpendicular to the molecular chain axis of the fibers. The main contribution to thermal conductivity was from phonon conduction along the molecular chains in both fibers and the phonon conduction was limited by boundary-like scattering over the temperature range of 10–260 K. From the analyses using a phenomenological model, the thermal conductivity anisotropy ratio (κ// fiber/κ⊥ fiber) of Zylon fiber was estimated to be 80 at 100 K, which was about two or three times larger than that of Dyneema fiber.

The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor gamma chain is indispensable for IL-2- , IL-4-, IL-7-, IL-9-, and IL-15-mediated signaling. Mutations of the human gamma chain cause the X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID), showing that T and natural killer cells absolutely require the gamma chain for their development in humans. To elucidate the roles of the gamma chain in hematopoiesis, we have generated mice, by gene targeting, that express a form of the gamma chain lacking the cytoplasmic region. Male mice carrying the truncated gamma-chain mutant, which mimics mutations in patients with XSCID, showed a decrease in the number of lymphocytes and an increase in monocytes; the number of T cells was profoundly reduced and no natural killer cells were detected, which is similar to the characteristic of human XSCID. Unlike human XSCID, the levels of B cells were also reduced. In spite of the severe decrease in CD45R+/sIgM+ B cells, the level of IgM in serum of the 8-week-old mutant mice was higher than that of control littermates. Interestingly, the stem cell population with surface phenotypes of CD34, c-kit, and Sca-1 was significantly increased. Furthermore, the colony-forming assay showed that the mutant mice had 15-fold higher numbers of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the spleen as compared with that of controls. These results indicate that functional loss of the gamma chain causes significant effects on the immunological system in mice.

Serum levels of soluble (P)RR correlated with the stage of CKD. Our findings suggest that soluble (P)RR may be involved in renal injury and influence the progression of CKD.

The intrarenal localization and role of the V1a vasopressin receptor in body fluid homeostasis are unclear. We investigated the intranephron localization of V1a receptor mRNA and protein using reverse transcription (RT)-competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry with a specific polyclonal antibody. To determine whether the V1a receptor is involved in the regulation of acid-base balance, we also examined the effects of acute and chronic metabolic acidosis and dehydration on V1a receptor expression. V1a mRNA was expressed most abundantly in the cortical collecting ducts (CCD) and decreased in the deeper CD. Expression in the glomeruli and thick ascending limbs was low. The immunohistochemical study revealed the presence of the V1a receptor in the glomeruli, the thick ascending limbs and the CD. Dehydration decreased V1a mRNA expression in the CD. Chronic metabolic acidosis increased V1a receptor mRNA expression in the CD but decreased V2 receptor mRNA expression. Western blot analysis revealed up-regulation of the V1a receptor protein in chronic metabolic acidosis. Incubation of microdissected CCD or outer medullary CD (OMCD) in a low-pH (or or low-HCO3-) medium increased the levels of V1a receptor mRNA but decreased V2 receptor mRNA expression. Incubating OMCD with arginine vasopressin (AVP) and the V1a receptor antagonist (OPC21268) increased V2 receptor mRNA expression compared with incubation with AVP alone. These data suggest that V1a receptors are present primarily in the principal and intercalated cells in the CD and that these receptors are involved in the regulation of water and acid-base balance.