A program of exercise, brain training, and lecture to prevent cognitive decline.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the benefits of a community-based program combining physical exercise, cognitive training, and education on dementia and lifestyle habits. METHODS: This crossover open-label trial included 141 community-dwelling elderly people with suspected mild cognitive decline (MCD). Subjects were assigned to a 6-month intervention-first/6-month observation-second (INT-OBS) group or an OBS-INT group. The 6-month intervention consisted of 2 h of physical exercise, cognitive training, and classroom study or rest once weekly. Primary outcome was change in Touch Panel-type Dementia Assessment Scale (TDAS) score. RESULTS: TDAS score improved significantly during the intervention period compared with the observation period for all subjects (P < 0.05). Some physical functions also improved significantly during the intervention period compared with the observation period in the OBS-INT group (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: This community-based program improved both cognitive and physical function in elderly people with suspected MCD.

Recombinant human lactoferrin-Fc fusion with an improved plasma half-life.

Lactoferrin (LF), an 80-kDa iron-binding glycoprotein found in mammalian exocrine secretions, has potential therapeutic efficacy due to its extensive health-promoting effects. However, LF is rapidly cleared from the circulation (∼12.6min half-life for recombinant human LF [rhLF] in rats), which limits its therapeutic potential. Therefore, to improve plasma stability, we developed a recombinant human LF (hLF)-immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) fragment crystallizable domain (Fc) fusion (hLF-hinge-CH2-CH3) expressed in a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell (CHO) expression system and evaluated the in vitro bioactivities and pharmacokinetic properties of the purified fusion. CHO DG44 cells were transfected with an expression vector coding for recombinant hLF-hinge-CH2-CH3. Iron binding, Caco-2 uptake, and thermal stability were investigated in vitro, and pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in vivo. hLF-hinge-CH2-CH3 was significantly expressed in CHO cells (∼100mg/l culture), was readily purified, and exhibited 98.3% of the non-fused rhLF iron-binding activity. Caco-2 uptake and thermal stability were improved for hLF-Fc fusion relative to rhLF. Moreover, hLF-hinge-CH2-CH3 demonstrated a plasma half-life that was 9.1-fold longer than that of rhLF as well as longer than that of the PEGylated bovine LFs that we previously developed. Thus, CHO-derived hLF-hinge-CH2-CH3, with enhanced pharmacokinetic properties, is a promising candidate drug for potential parenteral administration.

Sexual dimorphism of acoustic signals in the oriental white stork: non-invasive identification of sex in birds.

Identification of the sex of birds is important for captive breeding of endangered species. In the oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana), an endangered species, both sexes produce an acoustic signal called "clatter" by rattling their mandibles together to generate sounds. We examined the structure of male and female clatter to determine whether clatter is sexually dimorphic. The acoustic structure of the clatter of the two sexes proved to be dimorphic with respect to the fundamental frequency; female clatter had higher fundamental frequencies. The fundamental frequency correlated significantly and positively with bill length, suggesting that bill morphology contributes to the sexual dimorphism of clatter. Sexing can be done by acoustic signals without capturing birds, and thus is useful as a non-invasive sexing method for ecological and conservation studies of birds.

Design and synthesis of potent vitamin D receptor antagonists with A-ring modifications: remarkable effects of 2alpha-methyl introduction on antagonistic activity.

Novel A-ring analogues of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) antagonist (3a), ZK-159222, and its 24-epimer (3b) were convergently synthesized. Preparation of the CD-ring portions with the side chains of 3a,b, followed by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with the A-ring enyne precursors (15a,b), (3S,4S,5R)- and (3S,4S,5S)-bis[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-4-methyloct-1-en-7-yne, afforded the 2alpha-methyl-introduced analogues (4a,b) and their 3-epimers (5a,b). The biological profiles of the hybrid analogues were assessed in terms of affinity for VDR, and antagonistic activity to inhibit HL-60 cell differentiation induced by the natural hormone, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). The analogue 4a showed an approximately fivefold higher antagonistic activity compared with 3a. The 2alpha-methyl introduction into 3a increased the receptor affinity, thereby enhancing VDR antagonism. This approach to design potent antagonists based on hybridization of structural motifs in the A-ring and in the side chain may prove to be valuable.