Regulatory T (Treg) cells are necessary for immune system homeostasis and the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Foxp3 is specifically expressed in Treg cells and plays a key role in their differentiation and function. Foxp3 1 Treg cells are consisted of naturally occurring, thymus-derived Treg (nTreg) and peripheral-induced Treg (iTreg) cells that may have different functional characteristics or synergistic roles. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA), a vitamin A metabolite, regulates a wide range of biological processes, including cell differentiation and proliferation. Recent studies demonstrated that atRA also regulates the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells and Treg cells. Moreover, atRA also sustains nTreg stability under inflammatory conditions. In this review, we summarize the significant progress of our understanding of the role(s) and mechanisms of atRA in Treg biology.

The new GLP-1RAs may have the benefit of requiring less frequent subcutaneous dosing or being active by oral administration. However, cardiovascular outcome trials have shown that DPP4 inhibitors are neutral for cardiovascular events and the first cardiovascular outcome trial with lixisenatide reported similar results, whereas the trial with the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin showed a reduction in cardiovascular events. These findings in patients with high cardiovascular risk may favor the use of SGLT2 inhibitors as a second line treatment after metformin but there should still be an important role for novel GLP-1RAs, especially when weight reduction is required.

KUROKAWA, NAOYUKI, KUNIHIKO NAKAI, SATOMI KAMEO, ZHONG-MIN LIU, AND HIROSHI SATOH. Association of BMI with the ␤3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Japanese: meta-analysis. Obes Res. 2001;9: 741-745. Objective: To assess the effect of the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the ␤3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) on body mass index (BMI) in the Japanese population. Research Methods and Procedures:We selected studies that evaluated the association between BMI and ADRB3 polymorphism among Japanese, using MEDLINE and PubMed. After data collection, an extension of ANOVA was performed to assess the differences according to the genotype. Results: In a total of 35 subgroups including 2316 subjects with the Trp64Arg variant and 4266 subjects without this variant, the weighted mean difference in BMI was 0.26 kg/m 2 (95% confidence interval: 0.18 to 0.42; p Ͻ 0.01), indicating that variant carriers exhibited higher BMI than did normal homozygous subjects. Discussion: Although it is known that the allele frequency of the ADRB3 polymorphism differs among races, this study focuses on the Japanese population, which has a high allele frequency of ADRB3 polymorphism. We assumed that statistical errors would be prevented due to the sufficient number of subjects. In conclusion, the results support the hypothesis that ADRB3 gene polymorphism is associated with BMI.

Elucidating the origin of and dynamic interrelationship between intratumoral cell subpopulations has clear clinical significance in helping understand the cellular basis of treatment response, therapeutic resistance, and tumor relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSC), together with clonal evolution driven by genetic alterations, generate cancer cell heterogeneity commonly observed in clinical samples. The 2013 Shanghai International Symposium on Cancer Stem Cells# brought together leaders in the field to highlight the most recent progress in phenotyping, characterizing, and targeting CSC and in elucidating the relationship between the cell-of-origin of cancer versus CSC. Discussions from the symposium emphasize the urgent need in developing novel therapeutics to target the constantly evolving CSC.

Under the concept of meridian channels that belongs to traditional Chinese medicine, BIOCERAMIC Resonance (BR) has already been applied to many clinical medical research projects with functions mimicking of traditional acupuncture. Forty-five patients were recruited with chronic sleep disorders; 36 patients were given, applied to the device with BIOCERAMIC material and sound rhythm on chest skin surface; 9 patients were included as controls. All study participants completed a sleep pattern and quality of life questionnaire (assessment on psychological and physical causes of sleep disturbances), which was repeated before, during and after treatment. Electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings were analyzed before, during and after treatment. Functional MRI (fMRI) was also used for demonstration of BR effect for another 8 candidates. During the first 3 days of treatment, sleep quality improved in all 36 patients especially to psychological reasons; in 91.7% (33/36) treatment was associated with an elevation in the beta spectrum of the EEG (at 15–27 Hz). The result of fMRI found corresponding cerebral and cerebellar areas of activation and deactivation. BIOCERAMIC Resonance can improve sleep disorder due to psychological causes, with transient alter brain wave activity and functional activation on specific locations of brain.