Formulas providing adequate pantothenic acid,vitamin D,manganese, iron and vitamin A for infants fed with mother's milk (aged 6–11 months) according to the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes prepared by the Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare (2005 edition)

Weaning formulas served in hospitals and care facilities in Japan should conform to dietary reference intakes (DRIs). We examined whether the DRI for breastfed infants aged 6–11 months can be satisfied in dietary practice, with a particular focus on the fulfilment rates for vitamins, minerals, trace elements and electrolytes in weaning formulas containing energy and protein at levels either greater than or equal to the DRIs, as well as on the dietary profiles of weaning formulas to achieve the DRI for every nutrient. The results showed that no weaning formulas examined in this study fulfilled the DRI for pantothenic acid (5 mg), vitamin D (4 µg), manganese (1.2 mg) or iron (5.5 mg). Furthermore, their vitamin A content exceeded the DRI (350 µg RE). The discrepancy between the guidelines and actual dietary practice is probably because of the fact that the estimated reference values poorly reflect the actual dietary intake in the target population; for example, the pantothenic acid and manganese DRIs for breastfed infants aged 6–11 months were set based on the breast milk intake of younger infants (0–5 months) in combination with the breast milk contents. Our results suggest that dietary guidance for infants should include information to promote proper intakes of vitamins A and D, and iron by reducing the amount of vitamin A‐rich foods and utilizing dietary vitamin D and iron supplements including government‐approved specified health foods.     

Adenocarcinoma Arising Below an Ileoanal Anastomosis After Restorative Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis: Report of a Case

We report a case of adenocarcinoma developing in remnant rectal mucosa below a hand-sewn ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). To our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported from Japan. A 60-year-old man with a 13-year history of UC underwent proctocolectomy with a hand-sewn IPAA and mucosectomy for anal stenosis and serious tenesmic symptoms. About 7 years later, a follow-up endoscopy showed a flat elevated malignant lesion, 2 cm in diameter, below the ileoanal anastomosis. He was treated by abdominoperineal resection of the pouch and anus with total mesorectal excision. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the presence of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma but there were no metastatic lymph nodes. He recovered uneventfully and remains well without evidence of recurrent disease 2 years and 3 months after his last operation.     

Transduction of the plasmid encoding antiseptic resistance gene qacB in Staphylococcus aureus

The plasmid-borne qacA and qacB genes encode a multidrug efflux protein. The proteins encoded by qacA and qacB mediate efflux of cationic antiseptic agents such as quaternary ammonium compounds. In methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), qacA and qacB are widely prevalent and decrease antiseptic susceptibility. However, it is difficult to find the plasmids encoding qacA or qacB in community-associated MRSA (C-MRSA) isolated from patients with impetigo. Most MRSA, the strains causative of impetigo, carry the plasmid-borne exfoliative toxin-producing gene etb. To find the reason for the paucity of qacA or qacB in MRSA isolated from patients with impetigo, we performed transfer experiments of the plasmid pTZ2162qacB encoding qacB. The pTZ2162qacB was transferred to S. aureus strain RN4220 by transduction, although no pTZ2162qacB was transferred by conjugation. Additionally, pTZ2162qacB was transduced to MRSA carrying etb, and was coexistence with the plasmid encoding etb. Our results showed that pTZ2162qacB was horizontally transferred by transduction and was compatible with the plasmid encoding etb. Consequently, there will be risk of the emergence of C-MRSA with decreased antiseptic susceptibility among patients with impetigo.     

Latinos and HIV/AIDS: Examining Factors Related to Disparity and Identifying Opportunities for Psychosocial Intervention Research

Latinos maintain an AIDS case rate more than 3 times higher than whites, a greater rate of progression to AIDS, and a higher rate of HIV/AIDS-related deaths. Three broad areas are reviewed related to these disparities: (1) relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and socio-cultural factors among Latinos; (2) drug abuse and mental health problems in Latinos relevant to HIV/AIDS outcomes; and (3) opportunities for psychosocial intervention. Latinos living with HIV are a rapidly growing group, are more severely impacted by HIV than whites, and confront unique challenges in coping with HIV/AIDS. A body of research suggests that depression, substance abuse, treatment adherence, health literacy, and access to healthcare may be fruitful targets for intervention research in this population. Though limited, the current literature suggests that psychosocial interventions that target these factors could help reduce HIV/AIDS disparities between Latinos and whites and could have important public health value.

Murine metabolism and absorption of lancemaside A, an active compound in the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata

Lancemaside A, a triterpenoid saponin isolated from the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata, has been reported to ameliorate the reduction of blood testosterone levels induced by immobilization stress in mice. In the present study, we investigated the metabolism and absorption of lancemaside A in mice. After oral administration of lancemaside A at 100 mg/kg body weight, the unmetabolized compound appeared rapidly in plasma (t _max = 0.5 h). Lancemaside A has a low bioavailability (1.1%) because of its metabolism by intestinal bacteria and its poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, we identified four metabolites from the cecum of mice after oral administration of lancemaside A: codonolaside II, echinocystic acid, echinocystic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ester, and echinocystic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ester. Among these metabolites, codonolaside II and echinocystic acid were detected in plasma, and their t _max values were 4 and 8 h, respectively. These findings should be helpful for understanding the mechanism of the biological effect of lancemaside A.     

Lack of ghrelin secretion in response to fasting in cholecystokinin-A (-1), -B (-2) receptor-deficient mice

Cholecystokinin receptors (CCK-Rs) have been classified into two subtypes: CCK-AR (1R) and -BR (2R). We generated CCK-AR(-/-), CCK-BR(-/-), and CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice and found that the gastric emptying of a liquid meal was increased in CCK-BR(-/-) and AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice, compared with wild-type and CCK-AR(-/-) mice. Given that enhanced gastric emptying leads to eating, food intake after overnight fasting was examined, as was the effect of CCK-8S on food intake. Male mice 6-8 months of age were deprived of food for 16 h with free access to water, after which they were injected intraperitoneally (0.1 ml/mouse) with either vehicle or CCK-8 (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 nmol/mouse), and their food intake was monitored for 4 h. CCK-8S inhibited food intake in wild-type and CCK-BR(-/-) mice, but not in CCK-AR(-/-) or AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice. Unexpectedly, we observed a lower food intake in CCK-AR(-/-)BR (-/-) mice treated with vehicle than in mice of the other genotypes. To examine the mechanism of decrease in food intake in CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice, the involvement of ghrelin was determined in wild-type and CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice. Fasting plasma ghrelin levels were significantly lower in CCK-AR (-/-)BR(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice, and no increase in response to fasting was observed in CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice. An administration of acyl-ghrelin produced a small increase in food intake in CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice, but not to the levels of wild-type mice. In conclusion, CCK-AR(-/-)BR(-/-) mice showed lower food intake as well as lower response to exogenous ghrelin, and a lower plasma ghrelin level after fasting, though which receptor is more important is unknown.     

Analysis of basic activity of electroencephalogram in patients with carbon monoxide intoxication for monitoring efficacy of treatment

Electroencephalography (EEG) should be used in carbon monoxide intoxication on the basis of its clinical significance. The aim of this study was to analyze basic activity of EEG in acute carbon monoxide intoxication and clarify its significance for monitoring the efficacy of treatment. Thirty-six cases with acute carbon monoxide intoxication were treated with either hyperbaric or normobaric oxygenation. EEG was performed every 2 weeks for a total of three times in each case. Basic activity in the first EEG revealed slow waves (slow alpha, theta or delta) and normal waves (9-11 Hz) in 11, and 25 cases, respectively. When changes of the basic activity of EEG were analyzed, they were classified into 3 patterns: pattern A (faster over 2 Hz), B (stable) and C (slower over 2 Hz) in 7, 27 and 2 cases, respectively. Three cases with the pattern B turned to be an intermittent type of carbon monoxide intoxication. Two cases of pattern C were related with poor prognosis and death. In conclusion, the patterns in the basic activity change of EEG at the interval of 2 weeks in acute carbon monoxide intoxication are useful in monitoring efficacy of treatment.     

Use of structure-based virtual screening in the investigation of novel human sialidase inhibitors

Recent studies have determined the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological alterations of sialic acid or its conjugates in various human disease states, and the sialic acid modifying enzyme sialidase has been adopted as an attractive therapeutic option for diseases like cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and arteriosclerosis. Isoform human sialidase inhibitors are also a good chemical tool for exploring the differential functions of human sialidases. In the current study, structure-based virtual screening was attempted to identify the compounds containing novel structures for human sialidase inhibition. The best-hit compound, containing a furan core structure with a dicarboxylic acid group, was purchased from Maybridge Chemical Company and was evaluated for its inhibitory activity against all four types of sialidases. This is the first report on the structure-based virtual screening of human sialidases and provides some structural insights for further efforts in this area.