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The gut microbiota differs between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy controls; however, it currently remains unclear whether these differences exist prior to the onset of CAD. We herein investigated the gut microbiota associated with subclinical coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a Japanese population. A total of 663 Japanese men were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Computed tomography and gut microbiology tests were performed, and CAC scores were calculated using the Agatston method. Participants were categorized into 4 groups based on their CAC scores: CAC = 0, 0

Custard has been used worldwide in various confectionery and other food due to its characteristic viscoelasticity. However, the main ingredients of custard are wheat flour, egg, and milk. These ingredients contain allergens, and demands are increasing to substitute these ingredients in custard with non-allergenic alternatives. Therefore, in this study, we prepared several standard custards comprising commercial ingredients and model custards constituted using elementary compounds according to a general recipe for custard. We then investigated the effect of the various ingredients and heating on the rheological properties of these custards. Polysaccharides, e.g., starch, and disaccharides, e.g., sucrose and lactose, synergistically enhanced the rheological property like the consistency index. The disaccharides not only sweetened the custard but were also responsible for the texture of custard following heating, based on our analysis of the custards' thixotropic properties. We anticipate these findings will be useful for producing a novel custard with potentially allergenic ingredients substituted by non-allergenic ingredients in the future. • The important contribution starch made to the rheology of custard was indicated. • Polysaccharide and disaccharide exhibited synergistic effect on the custard rheology. • Disaccharides contributed to the thixotropic property of the custard with heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyphenols have health-promoting effects, such as improving insulin resistance. Isoxanthohumol (IX), a prenylated flavonoid found in beer hops, has been suggested to reduce obesity and insulin resistance; however, the mechanism remains unknown. High-fat diet-fed mice were administered IX. We analyzed glucose metabolism, gene expression profiles and histology of liver, epididymal adipose tissue and colon. Lipase activity, fecal lipid profiles and plasma metabolomic analysis were assessed. Fecal 16s rRNA sequencing was obtained and selected bacterial species were used for in vitro studies. Fecal microbiota transplantation and monocolonization were conducted to antibiotic-treated or germ-free (GF) mice. The administration of IX lowered weight gain, decreased steatohepatitis and improved glucose metabolism. Mechanistically, IX inhibited pancreatic lipase activity and lipid absorption by decreasing the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 in the small intestine, which was confirmed by increased lipid excretion in feces. IX administration increased markers of intestinal barrier function, including thickening the mucin layer and increasing caludin-1, a tight-junction related protein in the colon. In contrast, the effects of IX were nullified by antibiotics. As revealed using 16S rRNA sequencing, the microbial community structure changed with a significant increase in the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the IX-treated group. An anaerobic chamber study showed that IX selectively promoted the growth of A. muciniphila while exhibiting antimicrobial activity against some Bacteroides and Clostridium species. To further explore the direct effect of A. muciniphila on lipid and glucose metabolism, we monocolonized either A. muciniphila or Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to GF mice. A. muciniphila monocolonization decreased CD36 expression in the jejunum and improved glucose metabolism, with decreased levels of multiple classes of fatty acids determined using plasma metabolomic analysis. Our study demonstrated that IX prevents obesity and enhances glucose metabolism by inhibiting dietary fat absorption. This mechanism is linked to suppressing pancreatic lipase activity and shifts in microbial composition, notably an increase in A. muciniphila. These highlight new treatment strategies for preventing metabolic syndrome by boosting the gut microbiota with food components. [Display omitted] • Isoxanthohumol (IX), lowered weight gain, decreased steatohepatitis and improved glucose metabolism. • IX inhibited lipase activity and lipid absorption via downregulation of CD36 in the jejunum. • The effects of IX were associated with a selective promotion of A. muciniphila growth. • Monocolonization of A.muciniphila to GF mice downregulated intestinal CD36 and decreased multiple classes of fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactulose was produced from lactose using subcritical phosphate or carbonate buffer solution. Phosphate buffer with an initial pH of 8.0 accomplished the maximum yield of 29% at 120 °C. A long reaction time and high pH led to the rapid decomposition of lactulose and a large color change of the reaction solution. The formation of some monosaccharides, such as glucose, galactose, fructose, tagatose, talose, allulose, and sorbose, occurred due to the hydrolysis and isomerization reactions in the production of lactulose. These monosaccharides could be classified into two groups based on their time to arise and the reaction mechanism. The coloration of lactose was less than that of glucose and galactose, which are the constituents of lactose, due to degradants formed during their reaction in the subcritical phosphate buffer. Therefore, the application of a subcritical buffer solution would be suitable for the production of lactulose because of a small burden on the purification process. [Display omitted] • Lactose was converted to lactulose in subcritical phosphate buffer solution. • Buffer with an initial pH of 8.0 accomplished the maximum yield at 120 °C. • The maximum yield of 29% was obtained at 10 min as a reaction time. • The coloration of lactose was less than that of glucose and galactose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to establish an animal model for thoracic duct lymphangiography using ethiodized oil. Thoracic duct lymphangiography was performed via the testes in 21 Japanese white rabbits. The testicular parenchyma was punctured by palpation using a 30-gauge, 0.5-inch needle. Ethiodized oil was injected at a rate of 11.41 mL/h until the testicular efferent lymphatic vessels were delineated and then at a rate of 2.85 mL/h until the entire thoracic duct was delineated. Thoracic duct delineation was 100% successful and showed good depiction based on visual scores. The mean ethiodized oil dose administered was 4.59 mL ± 1.41, and the mean time to visualize the entire thoracic duct was 43.7 minutes ± 14.1. The presented model may serve as a method for future preclinical investigation of the thoracic duct anatomy and for thoracic duct interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ganglionated plexi ablation during atrial fibrillation surgery is not technically standardized for precise ganglionated plexi locations or ablation sequence. We aimed to identify precise active ganglionated plexi locations in patients with structural heart disease and explore the feasibility of anatomic ganglionated plexi ablation without prior mapping in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods Thirty patients with valvular disease-associated atrial fibrillation underwent ganglionated plexi ablation and a modified maze procedure. In 20 patients, ganglionated plexi mapping was performed to identify active plexi. According to mapping results, anatomically determined plexi were ablated without mapping in the final 10 patients. Ganglionated plexi ablation outcomes with and without prior mapping were compared between perioperative and early postoperative periods. Results Active ganglionated plexi common to more than 20% of patients were identified in the superior and inferior right pulmonary veins, superior left pulmonary vein, interatrial groove, and inferior left atrium. Inferior left atrial plexi ablation resulted in maximum vagal modulation. Compared with ablation using mapping, anatomic ablation yielded more vagal modulation in heart rate variability and decreased the requisite cardiopulmonary bypass time. Conclusions The sequential pacing and ablation technique identified an optimal ablation sequence that best ensured vagal reflex elimination from all ganglionated plexi. Anatomic ablation using a predetermined ganglionated plexi map may be a viable alternative to individual plexus mapping before ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Only bipolar clamps create reliable transmural lesions on the beating heart. This study evaluated the performance of a new radiofrequency (RF) device on the beating heart in an acute porcine model. Description: Six domestic pigs were ablated with a novel bipolar RF linear device on the beating heart (ablation time of 40 s, 3 each on right and left atria and 1 each on superior and inferior vena cavae). The heart was stained with 2, 3, 5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride, and each lesion was cross-sectioned for lesion depth and transmurality. Evaluation: Transmurality was documented in 89% of the cross-sections. Sixty-three percent of lesions were transmural along the entire lesion length. Overall, 85% of the nontransmural cross-sections were located on the right atrium, and half of the nontransmural sections were in the superior or inferior vena cavae lesions. Conclusions: This novel device was able to create transmural lesions on the beating heart, more effectively in the left atrium than in the right atrium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A cemental tear is a pathologic condition in which a complete or incomplete separation of the cementum occurs along the root surface and is usually accompanied by a deep periodontal pocket. Past articles report that the incidence of cemental tears has usually been limited to 1 tooth per individual. We encountered a clinical case with cemental tears involving 14 teeth in 1 individual. Multiple cemental tears in 1 individual have not been previously described in the dental literature. We present the clinical and pathologic features of this rare case and suggest that the probable cause of multiple cemental tears is structural weakness of the cementum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to clarify formation kinetics of self-interstitial atoms (SIA) clusters in cubic silicon carbide (β-SiC) during irradiation, the nucleation and growth process of SIA-clusters have been investigated by a kinetic Monte-Carlo (KMC) simulation technique. It has been found from the KMC simulations that the formation kinetics of SIA-clusters in β-SiC during irradiation is classified into the following two types, depending on temperature. At relatively high temperatures, the thermal stability of an SIA-cluster is crucial for the nucleation and growth of the cluster, in which the composition of the cluster is almost stoichiometric. In contrast, at relatively low temperatures where the cluster thermal stability is no longer crucial, even an SIA-cluster far from stoichiometric composition is formed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rice is a staple food in Japan and provides 43% of carbohydrate and 29% of energy intake in the Japanese population. In a prospective study encompassing 83,752 Japanese men and women aged 40-79 y, rice intake was determined by self- administered FF0. Median follow-up time was 14.1 y from 1988-1990 to the end of 2003, and HR and 95% Cl of mortality were calculated according to quintiles of energy-adjusted rice intake. A total of 3514 cardiovascular deaths 11640 strokes, 707 coronary heart disease ICHDI, and 560 heart failure] were documented. There was a gender difference on the effect of rice intake on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Overall, rice intake wasinversely associated with CHD, heart failure, and total CVD in men but not in women. Rice intake was not associated with risk of stroke in either gender. The multivariable HR (95% CII for the extreme quintiles of rice intake in men were 0.70 [(0.49-0.991; P-trend = 0.02] for CHD, 0.70 [10.46-1.051; P-trend = 0.051 for heart failure, and 0.82 1(0.70-0.97); P-trend = 0.006] for total CVD For women, rice was not associated with reduced risk of mortality from CVD after adjusting for lifestyle and dietary variables. In conclusion, the consumption of steamed rice was associated with reduced risk of mortality from CVD in Japanese men but not women. This finding necessitates further investigations on the mechanisms leading to this gender difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The bran collected at each of the five steps of milling yields (98–100%, 96–98%, 94–96%, 92–94% and 90–92%) was defatted. Defatted rice bran (DRB) was added to methyl linoleate (ML) under various conditions, and its suppressive effect on lipid oxidation was kinetically evaluated to investigate the effective use of surplus rice bran. The rate constant, k, empirically evaluated by the Weibull equation for the oxidation of ML with DRB, was lower than that without DRB and decreased with increasing the maximum milling yield of added DRB. The oxidation of ML strongly depended on the added amount of DRB, but the k value was almost constant for a specific amount of DBR added to ML. The dependency of the k value on relative humidity was weak, regardless of the addition of DRB. The difference between the k values for oxidation processes of ML, with and without DRB, increased with increasing temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dietary fiber protects against coronary heart disease (CHD), but evidence in Asia is limited. We examined the association between dietary fiber intake and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a Japanese population in a prospective study of 58,730 Japanese men and women aged 40-79 y in which dietary fiber intake was determined by a self-administered FFQ. The participants were followed up from 1988-1990 to the end of 2003. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI of mortality were calculated per quintile of fiber intake. During the 14-y follow-up, a total of 2080 CVD deaths (983 strokes, 422 CHD, and 675 other CVD) were documented. Total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber intakes were inversely associated with risk of mortality from CHD and total CVD for both men and women. For men, the multivariable HR (95% CI) for CHD in the highest vs. the lowest quintiles were 0.81 [(95% CI, 0.61-1.09); P-trend = 0.02], 0.48 [(95% CI, 0.27-0.84); P-trend < 0.001], and 0.71 [(95% CI, 0.41-0.97); P-trend = 0.04] for total, insoluble, and soluble fiber, respectively. The respective HR (95% CI) for women were 0.80 [(95% CI, 0.57-0.97); P-trend = 0.01], 0.49 [(95% CI, 0.27-0.86); P-trend = 0.004], and 0.72 [(95% CI, 0.34-0.99); P-trend = 0.03], respectively. For fiber sources, intakes of fruit and cereal fibers but not vegetable fiber were inversely associated with risk of mortality from CHD. In conclusion, dietary intakes of fiber, both insoluble and soluble fibers, and especially fruit and cereal fibers, may reduce risk of mortality from CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Aberrant DNA methylation is an early and frequent process in gastric carcinogenesis and could be useful for detection of gastric neoplasia. We hypothesized that methylation analysis of DNA recovered from gastric washes could be used to detect gastric cancer. Methods: We studied 51 candidate genes in 7 gastric cancer cell lines and 24 samples (training set) and identified 6 for further studies. We examined the methylation status of these genes in a test set consisting of 131 gastric neoplasias at various stages. Finally, we validated the 6 candidate genes in a different population of 40 primary gastric cancer samples and 113 nonneoplastic gastric mucosa samples. Results: Six genes (MINT25, RORA, GDNF, ADAM23, PRDM5, MLF1) showed frequent differential methylation between gastric cancer and normal mucosa in the training, test, and validation sets. GDNF and MINT25 were most sensitive molecular markers of early stage gastric cancer, whereas PRDM5 and MLF1 were markers of a field defect. There was a close correlation (r = 0.5–0.9, P = .03–.001) between methylation levels in tumor biopsy and gastric washes. MINT25 methylation had the best sensitivity (90%), specificity (96%), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.961) in terms of tumor detection in gastric washes. Conclusions: These findings suggest MINT25 is a sensitive and specific marker for screening in gastric cancer. Additionally, we have developed a new method for gastric cancer detection by DNA methylation in gastric washes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Expansion of adipose tissue during obesity through the recruitment of newly generated adipocytes (hyperplasia) is metabolically healthy, whereas that through the enlargement of pre-existing adipocytes (hypertrophy) leads to metabolic complications. Accumulating evidence from genetic fate mapping studies suggests that in animal models receiving a high-fat diet (HFD), only adipocyte progenitors (APs) in gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) have proliferative potential. However, the proliferative potential and differentiating capacity of APs in the inguinal WAT (iWAT) of male mice remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the proliferative and adipogenic potential of APs in the iWAT of HFD-fed male mice. We generated PDGFRα-GFP-Cre-ERT2/tdTomato (KI/td) mice and traced PDGFRα-positive APs in male mice fed HFD for 8 weeks. We performed a comprehensive phenotypic analysis, including the histology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and gene expression analysis, of KI/td mice fed HFD. Contrary to the findings of others, we found an increased number of newly generated tdTomato+ adipocytes in the iWAT of male mice, which was smaller than that observed in the gWAT. We found that in male mice, the iWAT has more proliferating tdTomato+ APs than the gWAT. We also found that tdTomato+ APs showed a higher expression of Dpp4 and Pi16 than tdTomato− APs, and the expression of these genes was significantly higher in the iWAT than in the gWAT of mice fed HFD for 8 weeks. Collectively, our results reveal that HFD feeding induces the proliferation of tdTomato+ APs in the iWAT of male mice. In male mice, compared with gWAT, iWAT undergoes hyperplasia in response to 8 weeks of HFD feeding through the recruitment of newly generated adipocytes due to an abundance of APs with a high potential for proliferation and differentiation. [Display omitted] • High-fat diet (HFD) increases proliferative APs in iWAT of male mice. • HFD promotes the recruitment of smaller adipocytes in the iWAT of male mice. • iWAT expands by recruiting newly-generated adipocytes (hyperplasia) in male mice. • gWAT expands by enlargement of pre-existing adipocytes (hypertrophy) in male mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: While gene polymorphism for angiotensinogen (AGT) is reported to contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and salt sensitivity, its effect on the risk of ischemic stroke remains controversial. We hypothesized that polymorphism of the AGT gene could be a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Major clinical risk factors and the AGT gene M235T polymorphism were examined in 147 consecutive stroke patients and 133 healthy age-matched controls. All patients were categorized into four stroke types (single lacuna, multiple lacunae, large-artery atherosclerosis and branch atheromatous disease in brainstem) and two vasuclar groups (large and perforating arterial lesions). The AGT gene M allele significantly increased the risk of single lacuna, multiple lacunae and small arterial lesions, in male patients (p =0.029, 0.031 and 0.026, respectively). Synergistic effects of the AGT gene polymorphism and clinical risks were not observed. In conclusion, AGT M allele may present a risk of lacunar infarctions in Japanese men, independent of hypertension. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The universe of antigens recognized by αβ T cells has recently been expanded to include not only major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-presented protein antigens but also CD1-presented lipid antigens. The significance of lipid-reactive T cells in host defense has been appreciated, using the guinea pig model of human tuberculosis. Here, we show that immunization with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the commonly used anti-tuberculosis vaccine, induces activation of guinea pig cytotoxic T cells recognizing BCG lipids in the context of CD1 molecules. Further, BCG-immunized, but not mock-immunized, guinea pigs mount IgG antibody responses directed against lipoarabinomannnan, an essential cell wall lipid component of mycobacteria. These observations emphasize the ability of BCG to activate the host adaptive immunity to mycobacteria-derived lipids, which could potentially contribute to protection against tuberculosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oil-in-water emulsions, the oil phases of which were soybean oil, were prepared using acyl l-ascorbates with even acyl carbon numbers of 8–16. The median diameters of oil droplets in the emulsions and the stability of the emulsions were examined. Caproyl and lauroyl l-ascorbates were adequate for the preparation of fine and stable emulsions. The emulsions were more stable at higher concentrations of the emulsifiers. The emulsions were prepared using citrate buffers with various pH values as an aqueous phase. The stability of the emulsions was higher at higher pH values of the aqueous phase. The high stability was ascribed to the largely negative surface-charge of oil droplets in the emulsions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective The impact of prolonged episodes of atrial fibrillation on atrial and ventricular function has been incompletely characterized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of atrial fibrillation on left atrial and ventricular function in a rapid paced porcine model of atrial fibrillation. Methods A control group of pigs (group 1, n = 8) underwent left atrial and left ventricular conductance catheter studies and fibrosis analysis. A second group (group 2, n = 8) received a baseline cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to characterize left atrial and left ventricular function. The atria were rapidly paced into atrial fibrillation for 6 weeks followed by cardioversion and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results After 6 weeks of atrial fibrillation, left atrial contractility defined by atrial end-systolic pressure-volume relationship slope was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (1.1 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 1.0; P = .041), whereas compliance from the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship was unchanged (1.5 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.3; P = .733). Compared with baseline, atrial fibrillation resulted in a significantly higher contribution of left atrial reservoir volume to stroke volume (32% vs 17%; P = .005) and lower left atrial booster pump volume contribution to stroke volume (19% vs 28%; P = .029). Atrial fibrillation also significantly increased maximum left atrial volume (206 ± 41 mL vs 90 ± 21 mL; P < .001). Left atrial fibrosis in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 1. Atrial fibrillation decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (29% ± 9% vs 58 ± 8%; P < .001), but left ventricular stroke volume was unchanged. Conclusions In a chronic model of atrial fibrillation, the left atrium demonstrated significant structural remodeling and decreased contractility. These data suggest that early intervention in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation might mitigate against adverse atrial and ventricular structural remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]