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Oral administration of a water-soluble iodine contrast agent (gastrografin) was reported to assist in the appropriate contouring of the small intestine on computed tomography (CT)-based radiotherapy (RT) planning. The efficacy and optimal dose of gastrografin in CT-based image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) for cervical cancer remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of pretreatment oral administration of gastrografin at a small dose of 50 ml in CT-based IGBT for cervical cancer. A total of 422 sessions in 137 patients who underwent CT-based IGBT with 50 ml of oral gastrografin (concentration, 3% or 4%) were analyzed. Preparation of gastrografin was judged as effective when the small intestine was contrast-enhanced at the area where the small intestine was in contact with the uterus/adnexa. About 287 out of 422 sessions (68%) were judged as effective with gastrografin preparation. The 135 ineffective sessions were considered as follows: (i) the contrast enhancement of the small intestine was not confirmed (n = 36), (ii) the small intestine was not in contact with the uterus/adnexa despite the confirmation of the contrast enhancement of the small intestine (n = 34), and (iii) gastrografin was absent in the small intestine at the area in contact with the uterus/adnexa, even when gastrografin was observed in the small intestine at the area not in contact with the uterus/adnexa (n = 65). In conclusion, pretreatment oral administration of a small dose gastrografin achieved moderate efficacy for accurate contouring of the small intestine close to the uterus/adnexa in CT-based IGBT for cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and efficient synthesis of 8H‐benzo[e]phenanthro[1,10‐bc]silines from 2‐((2‐(arylethynyl)aryl)silyl)aryl triflates under palladium catalysis has been developed. The reaction mechanism was experimentally investigated and a catalytic cycle involving C−H/C−H coupling through a new mode of 1,4‐palladium migration with concomitant alkene stereoisomerization is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of lunches with different dietary energy densities on food preferences between genders.DesignRandomized crossover study. Participants were administered the following packed test meals once weekly on a specified day during six sessions: control (150 g of rice with a sautéed beef entrée containing 40 g of raw beef and 240 g of vegetables), high-meat/low-rice, low-vegetable, medium-fat/low-vegetable, high-fat and high-fat/low-vegetable meals. Subjective levels of sensory properties were assessed over time using visual analogue scales.SettingUniversity of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.SubjectsSixty-five men and sixty-five women matched by age and BMI.ResultsMen showed significantly stronger desires for salty and fatty foods after meals (P<0·05). Women showed a significantly stronger desire for sweetness from 2 h after the low-vegetable meal, and increasing fat content under high-vegetable conditions caused a significant stimulated sweetness desire in women more than in men (P<0·05). Moreover, after a high-meat/low-rice meal with 100 g of rice, sweetness desire was stronger in women (P=0·024), whereas no significant differences in sweetness desire were shown between genders after another low-energy-density control meal with 150 g of rice.ConclusionsMen had significantly stronger desires for salty and fatty foods, whereas women preferred sweet food after meals. The sweetness desire in women was stimulated by increasing fat content, even with a high vegetable intake. Low rice intake in a low-energy-density diet also caused a relative stimulation of sweetness desire in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, hyperuricemia is on the rise. The guideline for the management of hyperuricemia and gout recommends lifestyle changes before beginning drug therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary counseling following the guideline. Thirty-three subjects (24 men and 9 women) with asymptomatic hyperuricemia underwent dietary counseling for 6 months based on the following recommendations : (1) prevent excessive purine intake, (2) prevent excessive fructose intake, (3) limit alcohol drinking, and (4) drink sufficient water. Obese subjects were counseled on adequate energy intake. Blood sampling, anthropometric measurements, dietary surveys, and 24-h urine collection were performed at baseline and at 6 months. Serum uric acid (S-UA) levels were significantly lower at 6 months compared to baseline. Water intake and urine volume were considerably higher at 6 months than at baseline. When compared to baseline, urine UA (U-UA) levels were significantly lower, and renal fractional excretion of UA (FEUA) was significantly higher at 6 months. Changes in renal function (serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and FEUA) were significantly associated with ?S-UA level. In this study, S-UA level was significantly decreased by dietary counseling in line with the guideline. This study illustrates the effectiveness of dietary counseling for asymptomatic hyperuricemia. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 34-40, February, 2023.

During the treatment of hyperuricemia, attention should be paid to purine intake as part of the diet. Additionally, many patients with obese hyperuricemic expect early weight loss through glucose restriction. However, the amounts of purine in the diet are unknown. This study aimed to compare the purine content and potential renal acid load (PRAL) of a hospital diet and a low carbohydrate (LC). We calculated the nutritional values in the menus of the normal hospital (NH), energy-control (EC) diets served at several Shizuoka general hospitals, and the menus of LC diets. The amount of purine and PRAL was determined based on the nutritional values. The average daily purine content and energy were NH 349.0 mg, 1,808 kcal, EC 340.4 mg, 1,681 kcal, and LC 697.6 mg, 1,454 kcal, respectively. LC consumed more purine than the recommended daily intake of 400 mg. The PRAL score for NH was 4.5 mEq/d, EC 3.8 mEq/d, and LC 19.0 mEq/d, with LC representing diets with a higher acid load. In terms of both purine intake and uric acid excretion, the hospital diet is preferred over the low-carbohydrate diet for patients. Dietitians should exercise caution when recommending a low-carbohydrate diet for patients with hyperuricemia.

With the western influence in our diets, food consumption has changed, and our magnesium (Mg) intake is no longer optimal. Serum Mg (S-Mg) level is currently used as an indicator of Mg deficiency and is strictly regulated via compensatory mechanisms. It is believed that a 24-h urine collection can be used to evaluate potential Mg deficiency. This study aimed to assess whether Mg deficiency state as found in urine Mg (U-Mg) excretion and improving such deficiency with a diet that meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of Mg for 15 d. Healthy Japanese women were recruited for Study 1 (n=22) and Study 2 (n=10). Study 1 was 1-d balance test, where fasting blood and 24-h urine samples were collected. Study 2 was 15-d diet load test, where fasting blood (days 1, 7, and 15) and 24-h urine (odd days) were collected. All test meals were made certain to have met the RDA for Mg for women in their 20s. In Studies 1 and 2, S-Mg was within the normal range. In Study 1, U-Mg excretion was 67.7±17.0 mg/d, with a large dispersion. In Study 2, U-Mg excretion on days 7 and 15 was significantly higher than on day 1, but have no significant differences in U-Mg excretion between days 7-15. U-Mg excretion can be a valuable indicator to evaluate Mg state. In young women, improvements in Mg deficient state were observed after 7-15 d of taking meals that met the RDAs of Mg.

Fructose is associated with hyperuricemia and gout development. Focusing on fructose and fructose-containing disaccharides, we investigated the effects of three different types of carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, and isomaltulose) on uric acid metabolism and gene expression profiling in peripheral white blood cells. In a randomized crossover study, ten healthy participants ingested test drinks of fructose, sucrose, and isomaltulose, each containing 25 g of fructose. Plasma glucose, serum and urine uric acid, and xanthine/hypoxanthine concentrations were measured. Microarray analysis in peripheral white blood cells and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were examined at 0 and 120 in after the intake of test drinks. Serum uric acid concentrations for group fructose were significantly higher than group sucrose at 30-120 min and were significantly higher than those for group isomaltulose at 30-240 min. Several genes involved in the "nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway" were markedly changed in group fructose. No significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18 were noted. This study indicated that fructose intake (monosaccharide) elevated serum uric acid concentrations compared with disaccharide intake. Differences in the quality of carbohydrates might reduce the rapid increase of postprandial serum uric acid concentrations., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed., (Copyright © 2023 JCBN.)

A new and efficient synthesis of 8H-benzo[e]phenanthro[1,10-bc]silines from 2-((2-(arylethynyl)aryl)silyl)aryl triflates under palladium catalysis has been developed. The reaction mechanism was experimentally investigated and a catalytic cycle involving C-H/C-H coupling through a new mode of 1,4-palladium migration with concomitant alkene stereoisomerization is proposed., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Reducing dietary calorie density (CD) is useful in body weight management. This study investigates the association between dietary habits and preferences for different CDs. We conducted a randomized crossover study of 232 healthy subjects who consumed packed lunch boxes containing a control, high-meat and low-rice, low-vegetable, medium-fat and low-vegetable, high-fat, and high-fat and low-vegetable meals over six sessions. The subjective levels of sensory properties were assessed over time using a visual analog scale and the area under the curve. Subjects were assessed for dietary habits using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and were divided into two groups based on a daily fat energy ratio ≥ 25% (high fat [HF], n=116) and < 25% (normal, n=116) that was matched for age, body mass index, and sex ratio. Our findings indicate that the desire for sweetness was higher in the HF group than in the normal group, regardless of the meals consumed. Particularly, among the 500-kcal low-CD meals, a high-protein meal provided greater fullness and satisfaction and lower prospective consumption in the HF group than in the normal group. Therefore, our study demonstrates that postprandial appetite sensation is associated with dietary habits of fat intake. J. Med. Invest. 63: 241-247, August, 2016.

Background: The effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on cardiovascular risk factors considerably vary between published reports. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 12-week supplementation with flaxseed oil (FO), which is a rich source of ALA, on cardiovascular risk factors such as serum small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) concentrations., Methods: In a randomized, double blind, crossover study, 15 subjects ingested 10 g of FO or corn oil (CO), containing 5.49 g and 0.09 g of ALA, respectively, once daily with dinner. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4 and 12 weeks, and were used for analysis of serum lipid, lipid-related proteins, serum fatty acids and serum sd-LDL cholesterol. Differences during the test period were identified using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for within-group effects. Group differences were identified using paired t-test at each blood sampling time point., Results: ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the FO period at 4 and 12 weeks than in the CO period. No significant differences in docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were observed between two periods, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein and apolipoprotein B concentrations were significantly lower in the FO period than in the CO period at 12 weeks. FO supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in sd-LDL concentrations at 4 and 12 weeks, and CO supplementation had no effect. Moreover, sd-LDL concentrations were significantly lower in the FO period than in the CO period at 4 weeks. Among subjects with triglyceride (TG) concentrations of >100 mg/dl, FO supplementation markedly reduced sd-LDL concentrations at 4 and 12 weeks compared with baseline. Sd-LDL concentrations significantly differed between the periods at both 4 and 12 weeks., Conclusion: This study indicates that the FO, which is a rich source of ALA, leads to lower sd-LDL cholesterol concentrations.