Dietary Vitamin B1 Intake Influences Gut Microbial Community and the Consequent Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids

The gut microbiota is closely related to good health; thus, there have been extensive efforts dedicated to improving health by controlling the gut microbial environment. Probiotics and prebiotics are being developed to support a healthier intestinal environment. However, much work remains to be performed to provide effective solutions to overcome individual differences in the gut microbial community. This study examined the importance of nutrients, other than dietary fiber, on the survival of gut bacteria in high-health-conscious populations. We found that vitamin B1, which is an essential nutrient for humans, had a significant effect on the survival and competition of bacteria in the symbiotic gut microbiota. In particular, sufficient dietary vitamin B1 intake affects the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae, and these bacteria have proven to require dietary vitamin B1 because they lack the de novo vitamin B1 synthetic pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated that vitamin B1 is involved in the production of butyrate, along with the amount of acetate in the intestinal environment. We established the causality of possible associations and obtained mechanical insight, through in vivo murine experiments and in silico pathway analyses. These findings serve as a reference to support the development of methods to establish optimal intestinal environment conditions for healthy lifestyles.     

Rhabdomyolysis associated with influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection in a pediatric patient

The influenza A/H1N1 2009 epidemic has spread to many countries since 2009, including Japan. We report an immune‐competent child involving rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome associated with influenza A/H1N1 2009. The patient was demonstrated rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria, hyperkalemia, cardiac dysfunction and compartment syndrome that arose during convalescence from influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection. Although RT‐PCR of muscle tissue yielded negative results for influenza A/H1N1 2009 RNA and no viral positive‐antigen cells were detected in the muscle lesions, the clinical picture suggested rhabdomyolysis associated with influenza A/H1N1. Rhabdomyolysis should be considered in the evaluation of muscle symptoms such as myalgia associated with novel influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus infection, particularly in critically ill patients.     

Visualization of the photodegradation of a therapeutic drug by chemometric-assisted fluorescence spectroscopy

The fluorescence spectral fingerprint, also known as the excitation-emission matrix (EEM), is used to assess and visualize therapeutic drug photodegradation in combination with chemometrics. Examination of EEM-parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) data showed that an individual component was easily separated from a mixture of photogenerated products of a heterocyclic pharmacophore, in this case, phenothiazine drugs (PTZs). Detailed investigations of both structure–EEM relationships and kinetics revealed that the components extracted from EEM–PARAFAC could be quantitatively attributed to such photogenerated products as phenothiazine sulfoxide and carbazole derivatives. EEM in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) could be used as a mapping tool to visualize information of the photodegradation process of PTZs. We also assessed the photostability of various types of PTZs containing side chains by using validated EEM–PARAFAC methodology.

Drug quality and assurance changes with time under the influence of a variety of environmental factors, such as light, temperature, and moisture.     

NF-κB-inducing kinase contributes to normal development of cortical thymic epithelial cells: its possible role in shaping a proper T-cell repertoire

Nuclear factor (NF)-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is known to be a critical regulator of multiple aspects of the immune response. Although the role of NIK in the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) has been well documented, the impact of NIK on the differentiation and function of cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) remains ambiguous. To investigate the possible involvement of NIK in cTEC differentiation, we have compared the gene expression and function of cTECs from a NIK-mutant mouse, alymphoplasia (aly/aly) with those of cTECs from wild-type (WT) mice. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that expression levels of MHC class II, but not MHC class I or other TEC markers, were higher in aly/aly cells than in WT cells. Notably, the proportion of MHC class II^hi+ cTECs was elevated in aly/aly mice. We also demonstrated that expression of Ccl5 mRNA in the MHC class II^hi+ subset of aly/aly cTECs was decreased compared with that in WT cells, implying an abnormal pattern of gene expression in aly/aly cTECs. Analyses of bone marrow chimera using aly/aly or aly/+ mice as hosts suggested that Vβ usage and CD5 expression on WT T-cells were altered when they matured in aly/aly thymi. These results collectively indicate that NIK may be involved in controlling the function of cTEC in selecting a proper T-cell repertoire.     

Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a large number of children. For decades, the stimulants have been the mainstay of pharmacological treatment for ADHD. Dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH), the d-isomer of the traditional racemic mixtures of d,l-threo-(R,R)-MPH, was recently introduced as another potential option in the stimulant class of medications. This paper reviews and summarizes the available research literature on d-MPH regarding pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, chemical structure, receptor binding, toxicology, and clinical perspectives. d-MPH potentially may offer some advantages in the realms of absorption and duration of action compared with its racemic counterpart. The differences in pharmacokinetics and clinical implications of the immediate-release and extended-release forms of d-MPH are also compared and contrasted.     

Two probable cases of adult Williams-Campbell syndrome--advocation of Williams-Campbell-type bronchiectasis]

Williams-Campbell syndrome is a unique type of bronchiectasis which shows ballooning during expiration and collapse during inspiration. Its etiology is thought to be a congenital decrease in bronchial cartilage. We experienced two adult cases of Williams-Campbell syndrome. Since the mucociliary transport system was normal in both cases and neither case had chronic sinusitis, these cases differed from sino-bronchial syndrome. Cases of Williams-Campbell syndrome reported in Japan show characteristic bronchography, but a decrease in bronchial cartilage may or may not be present and its congenital nature is very difficult to demonstrate. We therefore advocate referring to such cases of bronchiectasis with these bronchographic characteristics Williams-Campbell-type bronchiectasis, even if a decrease in bronchial cartilage is not observed.     

Ultrasonography Shows Age-related Changes and Related Factors in the Tongue and Suprahyoid Muscles

ObjectivesTo investigate age and other factors related to the deterioration of the muscles used for swallowing, including the tongue and suprahyoid muscles.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and ParticipantsThis study included 146 participants: 47 younger adults (23 men and 24 women; age range 23-44 years) recruited from a dental hospital and 99 community-dwelling older adults (37 men and 62 women, age range 65-86 years).MethodsAge (<65 years or ≥65 years), body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and tooth loss (Eichner classification) were measured. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the tongue, geniohyoid muscle, and anterior belly of the digastric muscle were measured using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The correlation between each muscle's CSA and strength was examined. Multiple regression analyses were performed separately for each sex using each muscle CSA as the dependent variable and age, BMI, SMI, and the Eichner classification as explanatory variables.ResultsOlder men had a significant positive correlation between tongue pressure and CSA (r = 0.35, P = .031). Jaw opening force was positively correlated with geniohyoid muscle CSA (r = 0.41, P = .001) in older women. In the multiple regression analysis, age, BMI, and SMI were significantly associated with tongue CSA in men. Age was significantly and inversely associated with suprahyoid muscle CSA in both men and women. No explanatory variables were significantly associated with geniohyoid muscle CSA except age.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe tongue increased in volume, and the suprahyoid muscles underwent atrophy with age. The study results suggest that interventions to prevent dysphagia associated with aging should be tailored toward specific muscles. Direct muscle training is required for the suprahyoid muscles, whereas the maintenance of tongue muscle mass and function, as well as training for the tongue, requires attention to ensure optimal nutritional status and whole-body skeletal muscle mass.     

Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults,Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. Methods: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. Results: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention’s beneficial effects on cognition. Discussion: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.