Overexpressed ApoE restored the impaired VLDL-TAG metabolism in PNPLA7-knockdown primary hepatocytes. Conclusion PNPLA7 plays a critical role in regulating hepatic VLDL secretion by modulating ApoE stability through its interaction with ApoE. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.KEY POINTS Alternaria aeroallergens induce the release of ATP from human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells by activating a conductive pathway involving VDAC-1 and by exocytosis of ATP localized within membrane vesicles. Inhibition of VDAC-1 blocked Alternaria-evoked Ca2+ uptake across the plasma membrane of HBE cells and IL-33 release into the extracellular media. Reducing cholesterol content with a cholesterol scavenger (b-methylcyclodextrin) or statin compound (simvastatin) blocked ATP and IL-33 release by lowering the expression of VDAC-1 in the plasma membrane. Pretreatment with simvastatin for 24 hours also inhibited the increase in tight junction macromolecule permeability that occurs following Alternaria exposure. These results establish a novel role for VDAC-1 as a mechanism underlying ATP release induced by fungal allergens and suggests a possible therapeutic use for cholesterol lowering compounds in reducing Alternaria-stimulated allergic inflammation. ABSTRACT Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells  secretion by decreasing the level of VDAC-1 expression in the plasma membrane. In addition, simvastatin inhibited the increase in tight junction macromolecule permeability that was previously observed after Alternaria exposure. These results demonstrate a novel function for VDAC-1 as the conductive mechanism responsible for Alternaria-induced ATP release, an essential early step in the processing, mobilization and secretion of IL-33 by the airway epithelium. Furthermore, the simvastatin-evoked reduction of VDAC-1 expression in the plasma membrane, suggests the possibility that cholesterol lowering compounds may be beneficial in alleviating allergic airway inflammation induced by fungal allergens. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Belnacasan order This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has recently been introduced to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping because of the benefits of the SLN biopsy, such as providing real-time and high-resolution optical guidance. Methylene blue is available and less expensive as an SLN mapping tracer. Our study aims to identify SLN through the NIR fluorescence imaging system mediated by blue dye. METHODS Early-stage breast cancer patients were prospectively enrolled. All participants received a subareolar or peritumoral injection of 1 mL methylene blue (MB) before surgery. The MB fluorescence system was set immediately after injection. SLNs were searched and removed under the guidance of fluorescence and blue dye. RESULTS We identified SLN adequately with the help of real-time lymphography and blue dye. Symbolic lymphatic drainage patterns were also observed. CONCLUSION NIR fluorescence imaging mediated by blue dye has benefits on the identification of lymph vessels, the location of SLN, and the patterns of breast lymphatic flow. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for neurocognitive impairments. While disease-modifying treatment, such as hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea), may decrease this risk, it has not been systematically investigated in children with SCD. We screened neurocognitive functioning in 103 adolescents with SCD (16-17 years, 50% female) and compared outcomes between patients with a history of exposure to hydroxycarbamide (n = 12 HbSC/HbSβ+ thalassaemia; n = 52 HbSS/HbSβ0 thalassaemia) and those never treated with hydroxycarbamide (n = 31 HbSC/HbSβ+ thalassaemia; n = 8 HbSS/HbSβ0 thalassaemia). Demographic distributions were similar between the groups. After adjusting for socioeconomic status, the hydroxycarbamide group had significantly higher scores on nonverbal IQ (HbSC/HbSβ thalassaemia P = 0·036, effect size [d] = 0·65), reaction speed (HbSS/HbSβ0 thalassaemia P = 0·002, d = 1·70), sustained attention (HbSS/HbSβ0 thalassaemia P = 0·014, d = 1·30), working memory (HbSC/HbSβ+ thalassaemia P = 0·034, d = 0·71) and verbal memory (HbSC/HbSβ+ thalassaemia P = 0·038, d = 0·84) when compared to those who did not receive hydroxycarbamide. In patients with HbSS/HbSβ0 thalassaemia, longer treatment duration with hydroxycarbamide was associated with better verbal memory (P = 0·009) and reading (P = 0·002). Markers of hydroxycarbamide effect, including higher fetal haemoglobin (HbF), higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lower white blood cell count (WBC), were associated with better verbal fluency (HbF P = 0·014, MCV P = 0·006, WBC P = 0·047) and reading (MCV P = 0·021, WBC P = 0·037). Cognitive impairment may be mitigated by exposure to hydroxycarbamide in adolescents with SCD. © 2020 British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.BACKGROUND Although diabetes mellitus is reported to be related to tooth loss, there is limited population-based evidence for this relationship. We investigated the actual situation of tooth loss by performing a population-based survey using information obtained from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups (NDB) in Japan. METHODS Medical, dental and pharmacy claims data generated between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 were obtained and analysed. Patients with medical and pharmacy claims of diabetes mellitus were allocated to the diabetes mellitus group. Patients with medical claims of acute upper respiratory inflammation, but without claims of diabetes mellitus, were allocated to the control group. The number of claims involving tooth loss, treatment of periodontal disease and visits to medical and dental institutions were obtained from the NDB. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the nature of tooth loss between patients with diabetes mellitus and the control groups. RESULTS There were 5,248,405 patients in the control group and 1,570,082 patients in the diabetes mellitus group. Patients in the diabetes mellitus group showed a higher level of tooth loss than patients in the control group, among both sexes. Patients with diabetes mellitus tended to lose their posterior teeth at an earlier age than patients in the control group. Moreover, patients in the diabetes mellitus group showed greater tooth loss, regardless of whether or not periodontal disease was treated. CONCLUSION Patients with diabetes mellitus show a higher level of tooth loss than those without diabetes mellitus, based on the results of a population-based survey. © 2020 FDI World Dental Federation.