Silica-based materials have found many applications in various fields. Alkoxysilanes have been most widely used as precursors. Fine structural control of silica-based materials has become ...increasingly important for tuning their properties and for developing new functions. In this perspective, utilization of alkoxysilyl groups has been reviewed from the viewpoint of designing siloxane-based nanomaterials. Alkoxy groups have generally been used only as eliminating groups in the sol–gel processing; however, recent research has shown that they are useful for molecular assembly, for generating pores, for linking nanobuiliding blocks, and for selective synthesis of new oligosiloxane compounds.
To assess the current genetic status of a useful coastal plant
Glehnia littoralis
F. Schmidt ex Miq. in Japan, the genetic diversity within and among natural populations was investigated. A total of ...601 individuals from 32 local populations were genotyped using inter-primer binding site (iPBS) markers. In addition, most likelihood inference of the outcrossing rate was determined based on genotyping of maternal families from two populations using newly developed microsatellite markers. A total of 34 polymorphic bands were detected with seven iPBS primers. All populations showed genetic variation, with Shannon’s
I
ranging from 0.577 to 0.107. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), neighbor-joining analysis, and Bayesian cluster analysis revealed that the populations were differentiated into a group on the Sea of Japan coast and another on the Pacific Ocean coast. Furthermore, populations in geographic proximity were genetically more similar to each other. These results suggested that long-distance gene flow among local populations is limited. Nonetheless, a high within-population component of genetic diversity after AMOVA (77.4%) and high population’s Q values (an average of 0.781) indicated that the level of genetic differentiation among populations is moderate. Outcrossing rate estimates based on eight microsatellite loci were 0.88 to 0.80 for two different populations, showing the mostly panmictic nature of the species. Substantial level of genetic variation within and among populations implicates that genetic improvement on desirable traits is possible via artificial selection. On the other hand, the present study showed that maintenance of population size is critical to avoid fitness decline in natural populations via inbreeding depression and fixation of deleterious alleles by genetic drift.
Few studies have investigated the host-microbe metabolic axis in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to determine and compare the nutrient intakes and metabolic markers and ...to elucidate the relationships among these factors in Japanese T2DM patients and control individuals. Fifty-nine Japanese T2DM patients and 59 matched healthy control individuals participated in this study. We examined the differences regarding the participants’ dietary habits, microbiota, and fecal short-chain fatty acids, and analyzed the relationships between the gut microbiota and blood metabolic markers in the T2DM patients and the control subjects. The T2DM patients consumed more carbohydrates, and had lower fecal propionate and butyrate concentrations, larger fecal populations of Bifidobacterium spp. and bacteria of the order Lactobacillales, and smaller fecal Bacteroides spp. populations than the control individuals. In the T2DM patients, the level of Bifidobacterium spp. correlated negatively with the carbohydrate intake and the level of bacteria of the order Lactobacillales correlated negatively with the protein intake. T2DM patients have gut dysbiosis that may contribute to disease onset and influence its prognosis. Furthermore, homeostatic disturbances in the gut-related metabolism may underlie the pathogenesis of T2DM.
Background
In Japan, the prevalence of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and functional constipation (FC) diagnosed by the Rome III criteria is unclear, as are the demographic ...profile, quality of life (QOL), and habits of persons with IBS-C or FC.
Methods
We performed an internet survey of constipation. After extracting 3000 persons fitting the composition of the general Japanese population, we investigated demographic factors, lifestyle, defecation, and laxatives. IBS-C and FC were diagnosed by Rome III criteria. Respondents also completed the Japanese IBS severity index (IBS-SI-J), Japanese IBS QOL scale (IBS-QOL-J), SF-8, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Japanese Health Practice Index (JHPI).
Results
There were 262 respondents with FC (8.73%) 73 men and 189 women; mean age: 49.8 ± 13.1 years; mean body mass index (BMI): 21.0 ± 3.3 g/m
2
and 149 respondents with IBS-C (4.97%) (76 men and 73 women; mean age; 41.6 ± 13.7 years; mean BMI: 20.8 ± 3.0 kg/m
2
). Total IBS-QOL-J score were significantly lower in the IBS-C group than the FC group. With regard to SF-8, score of mental component summary (MCS) was significantly lower in the IBS-C group. The total IBS-SI-J score and item scores, except for satisfactory defecation, were significantly higher in the IBS-C group than the FC group. HADS showed a significant increase of anxiety and depression in both the groups, and the JHPI revealed insufficient sleep.
Conclusions
In Japan, among the population of under 70 years old, the prevalence of IBS-C and FC (Rome III criteria) was 4.97% and 8.76%, respectively. IBS-C caused more severe symptoms than FC, resulting in impairment of QOL.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber by intestinal microbiota, may positively influence immune responses and protect against gut inflammation. ...SCFAs bind to G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43). Here, we show that SCFA-GPR43 interactions profoundly affect the gut inflammatory response.
Colitis was induced by adding dextran sulfate sodium to the drinking water of GPR43 knockout (-/-) and wild-type mice.
Dextran sulfate sodium-treated GPR43 mice exhibited weight loss, increased disease activity index (a combined measure of weight loss, rectal bleeding, and stool consistency), decreased hematocrit, and colon shortening, resulting in significantly worse colonic inflammation than in wild-type mice. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 17 protein levels in the colonic mucosa of GPR43 mice were significantly higher than in wild-type mice. Treatment of wild-type mice with 150 mM acetate in their drinking water markedly improved these disease indices, with an increase in colon length and decrease in the disease activity index; however, it had no effect on GPR43 mice. Mononuclear cell production of tumor necrosis factor alpha after lipopolysaccharide stimulation was suppressed by acetate. This effect was inhibited by anti-GPR43 antibody.
SCFA-GPR43 interactions modulate colitis by regulating inflammatory cytokine production in mononuclear cells.
The concept of protecting groups and leaving groups in organic synthesis was applied to the synthesis of siloxane‐based molecules. Alkoxy‐functionalized siloxane oligomers composed of SiO4, RSiO3, or ...R2SiO2 units were chosen as targets (R: functional groups, such as Me and Ph). Herein we describe a novel synthesis of alkoxysiloxane oligomers based on the substitution reaction of trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups with alkoxysilyl groups. Oligosiloxanes possessing TMS groups were reacted with alkoxychlorosilane in the presence of BiCl3 as a catalyst. TMS groups were substituted with alkoxysilyl groups, leading to the synthesis of alkoxysiloxane oligomers. Siloxane oligomers composed of RSiO3 and R2SiO2 units were synthesized more efficiently than those composed of SiO4 units, suggesting that the steric hindrance around the TMS groups of the oligosiloxanes makes a difference in the degree of substitution. This reaction uses TMS groups as both protecting and leaving groups for SiOH/SiO− groups.
The concept of protecting groups in organic synthesis is applied to the synthesis of siloxane oligomers with alkoxy groups. Several alkoxysiloxane oligomers were successfully synthesized by substitution of trimethysilyl groups with alkoxysilyl groups.
We experienced marked efficacy with steroid treatment of three patients with jackhammer esophagus (JHE). An esophageal biopsy revealed eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in two patients. One of the ...patients without EoE had eosinophilia and an increased serum immunoglobulin E level, and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed thickening of the esophageal muscularis propria. Esophageal manometry was used to diagnose all cases of JHE. Treatment consisted of steroid administration, which improved the symptoms and resolved the esophageal muscularis propria thickening in all patients. The esophageal manometry findings also normalized following treatment. Allergic diseases, including EoE, were assumed to have caused JHE.
To investigate the pathophysiology of functional heartburn (FH) in Japanese patients.
A total of 111 patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease ...underwent intraesophageal pressure testing and 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (24MII-pH) testing. The patients also completed several questionnaires while they were receiving the PPI treatment, including the questionnaire for the diagnosis of reflux disease (QUEST), the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG), the gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS), SF-36, and the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). The subjects were classified into FH and endoscopy-negative reflux disease (ENRD) groups based on the Rome III criteria.
Thirty-three patients with esophageal motility disorder were excluded from this study, while 22 patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure time (pH-POS) and 34 with hypersensitive esophagus (HE) were included in the ENRD group. The FH group included 22 patients with no reflux involvement. Sex, age, and body mass index did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean SF-36 values were < 50 (normal) for all scales in these groups, with no significant differences. The GSRS scores in these groups were not different and showed overlap with other gastrointestinal symptoms. The QUEST and the FSSG scores did not differ significantly between the groups. Neuroticism was diagnosed using the CMI questionnaire in 17 of the 78 included subjects within the pH-POS (n = 4), HE (n = 8), and FH (n = 5) groups, with no significant differences.
Clinical characteristics of the FH and PPI-refractory ENRD groups were similar. Therefore, esophageal function should be examined via manometry and 24MII-pH testing to differentiate between them.
Functional constipation (FC), a functional bowel disorder with symptoms of constipation, has considerable impact on quality of life. As data regarding its prevalence and epidemiology are lacking, ...this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, population composition, lifestyle, quality of life, and clinical characteristics of these individuals by comparing people with and without FC. These parameters were also compared among individuals with strong and weak awareness of constipation.
An internet survey was conducted among 10,000 individuals aged 20-69 years from the general Japanese population; they were registered with an internet survey company. The following data were obtained: age, sex, educational history, occupation, residence, history of other diseases, lifestyle (including smoking/drinking habits using the Japanese Health Practice Index, medication use, symptoms of constipation according to the Rome III criteria, stool types according to the Bristol stool scale, and use of laxatives, including the place of purchase and cost per month or acceptable cost per month. The 8-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire was also used; FC was diagnosed based on Rome III criteria. All respondents were classified according to their awareness of constipation (i.e. strong or weak), and their characteristic features were compared.
The data of 3000 respondents were evaluated; 262 (8.7%) had FC, which was common among older adults, women, and homemakers. FC was associated with changes in the frequency of bowel movement, sensation of incomplete or scanty evacuation, and the use of manual maneuvers; these are consequential clinical symptoms of FC. These individuals frequently skipped breakfast, had insufficient sleep, had more severe constipation, and had purchased laxatives in pharmacies or online more often than those without FC. A strong awareness of constipation was significantly more prevalent among women and homemakers. A history of anemia and cardiovascular disease was significantly more frequent in the strong awareness group, whereas a history of hypertension was more frequent in the weak awareness group.
Appropriate and comprehensive management should be provided for FC, based on the understanding of its characteristic features and considering the symptoms and lifestyle.
Herein, we describe a case of olmesartan‐related sprue‐like enteropathy in which improvement in villous atrophy was confirmed by small‐bowel capsule endoscopy (CE). We successfully treated a ...66‐year‐old man with a chief complaint of loose diarrhea. The patient had persistent watery diarrhea 10 times a day and experienced a weight loss of 9 kg in 3 months. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed fluid retention in the small intestine. Blood test results revealed no inflammatory reaction. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy detected villous atrophy in the stomach and duodenum. Moreover, small‐bowel CE showed villous atrophy in about two‐thirds of the small intestine. Based on other examinations, hyperthyroidism, intestinal tuberculosis, intestinal amyloidosis, and intestinal malignant lymphoma were ruled out. Therefore, the patient was suspected of having an olmesartan‐related sprue‐like disease. Early after discontinuation of medication, diarrhea symptoms improved, and a repeat CE indicated improvements in small intestinal villous atrophy. Since the patient had been administered olmesartan for a long time and CE showed villous atrophy throughout the small bowel, we suspected him of having the olmesartan‐associated sprue‐like disease. The findings of gastric mucosa atrophy on esophagogastroduodenoscopy may lead to an early diagnosis of this disease. Olmesartan‐related sprue‐like enteropathy should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with chronic severe watery diarrhea.
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