Search

Carrot (Daucus carota) is cultivated in temperate regions for its taproot. Eastern and Western types have been differentiated. In Japan, the former type is categorized into Kintoki, Takinogawa oonaga, and Toso, with a few local cultivars. However, their genetic relationships are unclear because of the paucity of reports. We classified the Japanese Eastern and selected Western types based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Field traits, including root weight, length, diameter, and skin color, were also examined. Our field tests showed clear differences between the Kintoki and Western-type cultivars, confirming their differentiation. A phylogram based on nine SSRs classified 24 cultivars into groups I and II. Group I included all Eastern-type carrots examined (Kintoki and Toso groups, plus two local and two foreign cultivars), with the exception of an Indian cultivar ('Pusa rudhira red'). Among them, red carrots including Kintoki were clustered into two subgroups. Western-type, Eastern-Western hybrid, and 'Pusa rudhira red' were included in group II. A population structure analysis revealed the split between the Eastern and the other types. This study elucidates the genetic characteristics of the Eastern type of carrot, which will be valuable information for carrot breeding, especially when using the Eastern type as a source.

Background:Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) causes heart failure with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the general population., Objective: To examine the relationships between the LVDD grades of the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) recommendations and several arteriosclerotic parameters and major cardiovascular events (MACE) in hemodialysis patients with preserved LVEF., Method: Sixty-three prevalent hemodialysis patients (median age [interquartile range], 69 [64-75] years, 31.7% female) with normal systolic function (LVEF > 50%) were enrolled. LVDD evaluated by echocardiography at baseline was divided into three groups according to ASE/EACVI recommendations (normal diastolic function [ND], n = 24; intermediate, n = 19; diastolic dysfunction [DD], n = 20). All patients underwent analyses of several arteriosclerotic parameters (carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT], plaque score [PS], ankle brachial index [ABI], and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV]). The presence or absence of postdialysis orthostatic hypotension was assessed in each dialysis session. MACE during the 1-year follow-up period was obtained from medical records. Kaplan-Meier and Cox's regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between LVDD grades and MACE., Results: Postdialysis orthostatic hypotension and PS, but not CIMT, ABI, or baPWV, increased proportionally with LVDD grades. Eleven patients developed MACE, including 2 cardiovascular deaths. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that MACE frequently occurred in the DD grade (p = 0.002 by the log-rank test). Cox's regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index) revealed that the DD grade was associated with MACE when the ND grade was set as a reference., Conclusions: In maintenance hemodialysis patients with normal ventricular systolic function, a classification of LVDD by the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations may be a useful tool for predicting cardiovascular events.

Absrtact Aim To assess changes in circulating incretin levels and body fat compositions with initial combination therapy with α-glucosidase inhibitor and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods In this multicenter open-label 24-week trial, Japanese over-weight (BMI≥25kg/m 2 ) patients with T2D not taking medication or taking metformin and/or sulfonylurea were randomly assigned to receive either 50mg of miglitol three times a day (M, n =14), 50mg of sitagliptin once a day (S, n =14), or a combination of both (M+S, n =13). Changes in plasma incretin levels during a meal tolerance test (MTT) and body fat composition with impedance method were evaluated. Results During MTT, postprandial plasma glucose levels decreased more after M+S than after M or S, and postprandial serum insulin levels decreased significantly after M and M+S whereas they increased after S. After M, active gastric inhibitory polypeptide (aGIP) decreased significantly at 30min despite a significant increase at 120min. After S, aGIP levels increased significantly throughout the MTT. After M+S, aGIP increased significantly at 0 and 120min despite of significant decrease at 30min. M+S further enhanced postprandial active glucagon-like peptide-1 levels during MTT than S did. Total body fat mass decreased significantly after M and M+S. Visceral fat mass decreased significantly only after M+S. Serum adiponectin increased significantly only after M+S. Conclusions In over-weight patients with T2D, M+S may have a beneficial effect on adiposity with relation to these different effects on two incretins.

Aim To reveal the site of immunoglobulin (Ig)M production in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) we performed immunohistochemical analysis on spleens collected from patients with PBC. Methods Splenic tissue samples were collected at the time of the autopsy from patients with hepatic failure. Immunostaining for IgM, CD21 and CXCL13 were performed using the splenic tissue samples. Results The samples from five out of eight cases with PBC but not in eight cases of chronic hepatitis C virus infection showed accumulation of IgM positive cells in CD21 positive lymph follicles. The CXCL13 positive cells also accumulated in the center of the lymph follicles where the IgM positive cells accumulated. Conclusion The present results suggest that excess IgM is produced from the spleen of PBC. Furthermore, it was suggested that CXCL13 positive follicular dendritic cells possibly contribute to this process.

QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes were observed in a 44-year-old woman who had adrenal insufficiency caused by isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. Although she had several risk factors for QT prolongation, we concluded that the adrenal insufficiency contributed to the QT prolongation, because the electrocardiographic changes were improved after steroid replacement therapy. It is known that the QT interval in a patient with adrenal insufficiency tends to be extended. However, reports on adrenal insufficiency in which the QT interval was sufficiently prolonged to cause Torsades de Pointes are rare. Clinicians should consider the possibility of adrenal insufficiency in patients with QT prolongation.

The title reaction allows the direct amination of a variety of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids with primary and secondary amines.

Primary alkylboronic acids such as methylboronic acid and butylboronic acid are highly active catalysts for the dehydrative amide condensation of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids. The catalytic activities of these primary alkylboronic acids are much higher than those of the previously reported arylboronic acids. The present method was easily applied to a large-scale synthesis, and 14 g of an amide was obtained in a single reaction.

To reveal the site of immunoglobulin (Ig)M production in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) we performed immunohistochemical analysis on spleens collected from patients with PBC.Splenic tissue samples were collected at the time of the autopsy from patients with hepatic failure. Immunostaining for IgM, CD21 and CXCL13 were performed using the splenic tissue samples.The samples from five out of eight cases with PBC but not in eight cases of chronic hepatitis C virus infection showed accumulation of IgM positive cells in CD21 positive lymph follicles. The CXCL13 positive cells also accumulated in the center of the lymph follicles where the IgM positive cells accumulated.The present results suggest that excess IgM is produced from the spleen of PBC. Furthermore, it was suggested that CXCL13 positive follicular dendritic cells possibly contribute to this process.

Bronsted base-assisted boronic acid catalysis for the dehydrative self-condensation of carboxylic acids is described. Arylboronic acid bearing bulky (N,N-dialkylamino)methyl groups at the 2,6-positions can catalyze the intramolecular dehydrative condensation of di- and tetracarboxylic acids. This is the first successful method for the catalytic dehydrative self-condensation of carboxylic acids.

Bifunctional Brønsted base-assisted boronic acid catalysts, arylboronic acids bearing two sterically bulky (N,N-dialkylamino)methyl groups at the 2,6-positions, exhibit remarkable activities for the dehydrative intramolecular condensation of dicarboxylic acids. The steric bulkiness of the (N,N-dialkylamino)methyl groups of 1, which prevents the formation of less active species such as the N→B chelated species and triarylboroxines 3, is crucial for the high catalytic activity. This is the first successful method for the catalytic dehydrative self-condensation of di- and tetracarboxylic acids.