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Goreisan suppresses cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in a new mouse model with diabetic cardiomyopathy
Get PDFBackground: The global increase in diabetes, driven by aging populations and lifestyle changes, has led to an increase in the incidence of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is characterized by metabolic abnormalities, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Goreisan (GRS), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, is commonly used to treat fluid control such as edema, due to its diuretic effect. In this study, we examined the effects of GRS on DCM.
Methods: We first established a new mouse model of DCM and then evaluated the effects of GRS on DCM using a recently developed model.
Results: The DCM mouse model developed cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction by nine weeks, which was ameliorated by GRS administration. GRS suppressed apoptosis and protein degradation by inhibiting Akt dephosphorylation and oxidative stress in DCM mice. In contrast, no differences in inflammatory cytokine levels were observed, regardless of GRS administration.
Conclusion: GRS has potential efficacy in preventing DCM onset and development.journal articl
Development of an Application for Smartphone to Detect Chattering Vibration in Single-Purpose Lathe
No full textThis paper proposes a novel chattering vibration detection application (CVDA) for smartphones. The main target machine is a single-purpose lathe. The CVDA uses sound signals between 10 kHz and 20 kHz, and acceleration sensor signals. In general, when evaluating chattering vibration detection methods using sound signals, it is necessary to consider that the operating sound of the target lathe includes environmental and other machine tool operating noise. The environmental noise includes human voices, the sound of rain, and factory broadcasts. The frequencies of these sounds are often less than 10 kHz. However, the operating sound of machine tools contains sound signals between 10 kHz and 20 kHz. In this study, a method to detect chattering vibrations was employed using sound signals between 10 kHz and 20 kHz to remove environmental sounds, and acceleration sensor data to remove the operating sounds of machine tools. The basic device of the proposed analyzer is a smartphone. The advantages of using a smartphone include compactness, convenience, and applicability to many factories.journal articl
Development of a Novel Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons Reagent for the Facile Preparation of Mixed Phosphonoacetates
No full textA novel Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reagent, methyl 2-[bis(3,4,5-trifluorophenoxy)phosphoryl]acetate, was synthesized by the reaction of methyl 2-(dichlorophosphoryl)acetate and 3,4,5-trifluorophenol. Sequential alcoholysis of this HWE reagent with isopropyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol on the phosphorus atom afforded the mixed phosphonoacetate, methyl 2-[(benzyloxy)(isopropoxy)phosphoryl]acetate, in 89% yield for the two steps.journal articl
産後２～３か月の母親がインターネット上の育児情報掲示板を通してポジティブな感情を抱いた経験
No full textObjective : This study aimed to clarify the experiences of feeling positive emotions in online parenting forums among 2-3 months postpartum mothers.
Methods : Qualitative descriptive research with semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with 14 postpartum mothers who were physically and mentally healthy and had given birth at full term at The Perinatal and Child Medical Center in a regional city.
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tokushima University Hospital.
Results : Three categories were revealed : (1) ‘the anxiety and concerns about the child’s well-being were alleviated’, (2) ‘casually stumbled upon posts provided a sense of ease in parenting.’, and (3) ‘finding encouragements while grappling with the uncertainties of postpartum life’.
Conclusions : The results indicated that 2-3 months postpartum mothers obtained various pieces of information from online parenting forums and experienced positive emotions. On the other hand, since the reliability of information on online parenting forums is not guaranteed, it is important to encourage the use of information provided by professionals. And, it is desirable to build a nationwide network of child-rearing support information led by public institutions.journal articl
コロナウイルスの宿主細胞内ウイルス複製を抑制する天然由来化合物の探索
No full textBackground : Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) had emerged in late 2019 and spread rapidly in worldwide. To prevent severe diseases after the viral infection, remdesivir and molnupiravir are widely administrated as anti-viral medicines, however these have some side effects or polypharmacy. In this study, we explored natural compound that suppressed coronavirus replication. Natural compounds have many chemical structures and many functions, for ex. antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-bacterial effects. Some compounds have been presumed to act as anti-coronavirus in silico analyses, however these were rarely evaluated by infected cells or animals yet. The aim of this study was to identify natural compounds that could inhibit coronavirus replication in the host cell.
Methods : We infected to the host cells with human coronavirus OC43（HCoV-OC43), who belongs the same genus (betacoronavirus) as SARS-CoV-2. At 2 hour post infection (hpi), the cells were washed for removal of residual virus, and treated with each compound at the 10 µM concentration. The cells and culture supernatants were collected at 24 hpi. We extracted viral RNA from these and ran strain-specific RT-qPCR to measure relative viral copy numbers.
Results and discussion : Treatment with 10 µM nobiletin (3’, 4’, 5, 6, 7, 8-hexamethoxyflavone, NOB) suppressed intracellular and extracellular viral copy numbers of HCoV-OC43. NOB is a polymethoxyflavone and contains mainly in the peel of citrus fruits. NOB may contribute to prevent coronavirus infection and the related severe diseases if detail mechanism of the antiviral effect is revealed.journal articl
Correlation between pierced earrings and the prevalence of metal allergies at Tokushima university hospital : a 15-year retrospective analysis
Get PDFIn Japan, metal allergies are becoming increasingly prevalent, raising concerns for public health. This study examined metal allergy characteristics, patient histories, and clinical signs associated with patch test results over a 15-year period at the Dental Metal Allergy Clinic of Tokushima University Hospital. A retrospective analysis of 1085 patients revealed that 65.4% tested positive for at least one metal allergen, with palladium chloride, nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, and cobalt chloride identified as the most common allergens. Female patients were disproportionately affected, accounting for 78.4% of the study population. Notably, there was a substantial increase in patients reporting inflammation due to pierced earrings, increasing from 5.0% in 2005 to 43.2% in 2020, particularly among females. Patients with a history of inflammation from earrings had an 81.3% prevalence of metal allergies, which was significantly higher than the 60.4% reported in those without such a history (chi-square test, p < 0.001). These findings suggest a strong link between earrings and metal allergies, underscoring the need for improved education, early detection, and preventive strategies to address the growing impact of metal allergies on public health.journal articl
Elucidating the Capacity and Mechanism of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Synthesizing Essential Amino Acids from Non-Essential Amino Acids in a Novel Severely Deficient Medium
Get PDFThe gut microbiota plays a vital role in human physiology and nutrient metabolism. However, its capacity to synthesize essential amino acids (EAAs) as a nutrient source remains insufficiently characterized, with genomic evidence suggesting this potential but lacking direct in vitro validation. To address this, we developed an artificial medium comprising 78 components, enabling Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (ATCC 8014) to achieve growth comparable to that in conventional MRS broth. Through systematic depletion of individual and multiple EAAs, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine were identified as critical for the survival and proliferation of this strain. Subsequent analysis revealed that lysine and threonine were synthesized and secreted into the medium after 48 h of culturing in medium lacking these EAAs, using aspartic acid as a major precursor. Notably, in response to methionine deficiency, cysteine seemed to be converted to methionine via the transsulfuration pathway, with vitamin B6 serving as an essential cofactor. Collectively, our findings demonstrated the ability of L. plantarum to synthesize and provide lysine and threonine in these EAA-restricted conditions. This ability to serve EAAs to the environment provides a basis for future studies to further investigate the role of intestinal microbiota as a potential source of EAAs in host animals.doctoral thesi