Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a marker for renal outcome of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) (U-CARE study 3)

Introduction ACE cleaves angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II (Ang II) inducing vasoconstriction via Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor, while ACE2 cleaves Ang II to Ang (1-7) causing vasodilatation by acting on the Mas receptor. In diabetic kidney disease (DKD), it is still unclear whether plasma or urine ACE2 levels predict renal outcomes or not. Research design and methods Among 777 participants with diabetes enrolled in the Urinary biomarker for Continuous And Rapid progression of diabetic nEphropathy study, the 296 patients followed up for 9 years were investigated. Plasma and urinary ACE2 levels were measured by the ELISA. The primary end point was a composite of a decrease of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by at least 30% from baseline or initiation of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The secondary end points were a 30% increase or a 30% decrease in albumin-to-creatinine ratio from baseline to 1 year. Results The cumulative incidence of the renal composite outcome was significantly higher in group 1 with lowest tertile of plasma ACE2 (p=0.040). Group 2 with middle and highest tertile was associated with better renal outcomes in the crude Cox regression model adjusted by age and sex (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.99, p=0.047). Plasma ACE2 levels demonstrated a significant association with 30% decrease in ACR (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.044 to 2.035, p=0.027) after adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and eGFR. Conclusions Higher baseline plasma ACE2 levels in DKD were protective for development and progression of albuminuria and associated with fewer renal end points, suggesting plasma ACE2 may be used as a prognosis marker of DKD.Trial registration number UMIN000011525

Antioxidant capacity of wheat bran fermented with gut indigenous Bifidobacterium and its antagonistic effect on food‐related pathogens in vitro

Abstract Wheat bran (WB) has several health‐promoting effects. This study aimed to identify gut bacteria that increase after WB consumption and assess their functionality. Human stool samples obtained from healthy volunteers were inoculated into culture broth with or without 2% (w/v) WB and incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 h. The microbiota in the cultures was analysed using 16S rRNA (V4) gene amplicon sequencing. The addition of WB decreased the pH from 6.9 to 5.9 (p < 0.05) and increased the acetate level by 1.6 times. Although the microbiota differed across individuals, butyrate‐producing genera (Faecalibacterium and Roseburia), Blautia, and Bifidobacterium spp. were abundant in cultures supplemented with WB. Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and B. adolescentis, isolated as WB‐responsible gut indigenous bacteria (WB‐RIBs), were found to ferment WB. The WB‐RIBs increased the 1,1‐diphenyl‐picrylhydrazyl and superoxide anion radical‐scavenging capacities of WB‐supplemented cultures. Further, these WB‐RIBs suppressed the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus in WB‐supplemented brain heart infusion broth. These results suggest that compounds present in WB, along with WB‐RIBs, affect the gut environment. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the interactions between WB and WB‐RIBs

Improving water dispersibility and bioavailability of luteolin using microemulsion system

Abstract We have studied the physiological effects and health functions of luteolin, especially focusing on its absorption and metabolism. Recent studies have reported the advantages of microemulsion to improve the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble compounds, including luteolin. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the absorption and metabolic profile of luteolin delivered in microemulsion system via oral intake. First, we prepared water-dispersed luteolin (WD-L) using a microemulsion-based delivery system and confirmed that WD-L has superior water dispersibility compared to free luteolin (CO-L) based on their particle size distributions. Following administration of WD-L and CO-L to rats, we detected high level of luteolin-3'-O-β-glucuronide and lower levels of luteolin, luteolin-4'-O-β-glucuronide, and luteolin-7-O-β-glucuronide in plasma from both CO-L and WD-L groups, indicating that the metabolic profile of luteolin was similar for both groups. On top of that, we found a 2.2-fold increase in the plasma area under the curve (AUC) of luteolin-3'-O-β-glucuronide (main luteolin metabolite) in WD-L group (vs. CO-L). Altogether, our results suggested that delivering luteolin by microemulsion system improve its oral bioavailability without affecting its metabolite profile. This evidence thereby provides a solid basis for future application of microemulsion system for optimal delivery of luteolin

Environmental DNA as a ‘Snapshot’ of Fish Distribution: A Case Study of Japanese Jack Mackerel in Maizuru Bay, Sea of Japan

Recent studies in streams and ponds have demonstrated that the distribution and biomass of aquatic organisms can be estimated by detection and quantification of environmental DNA (eDNA). In more open systems such as seas, it is not evident whether eDNA can represent the distribution and biomass of aquatic organisms because various environmental factors (e.g., water flow) are expected to affect eDNA distribution and concentration. To test the relationships between the distribution of fish and eDNA, we conducted a grid survey in Maizuru Bay, Sea of Japan, and sampled surface and bottom waters while monitoring biomass of the Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) using echo sounder technology. A linear model showed a high R2 value (0.665) without outlier data points, and the association between estimated eDNA concentrations from the surface water samples and echo intensity was significantly positive, suggesting that the estimated spatial variation in eDNA concentration can reflect the local biomass of the jack mackerel. We also found that a bestfit model included echo intensity obtained within 10–150 m from water sampling sites, indicating that the estimated eDNA concentration most likely reflects fish biomass within 150 min the bay. Although eDNA from a wholesale fish market partially affected eDNA concentration, we conclude that eDNA generally provides a ‘snapshot’ of fish distribution and biomass in a large area. Further studies in which dynamics of eDNA under field conditions (e.g., patterns of release, degradation, and diffusion of eDNA) are taken into account will provide a better estimate of fish distribution and biomass based on eDNA

「withitness」を踏まえたインクルーシブな学級経営の創出（２） : 小学校教師による教室での状況認識の実際

The purpose of this study was to identify the specifics of situational awareness in the classroom by elementary school teachers. In the lower grades, based on their approach to children's growth, they emphasized the accumulation of diverse experiences by each child and the sharing of diverse experiences by the whole class. In the middle grades, based on the close relationship with the children's growth, emphasis was placed on the promotion of awareness of the existence of oneself and others. In the upper grades, they emphasized awareness of the speaker and listener during presentations, awareness as a member of the class, and learning from each other. In the special-needs classes, the teachers took into consideration the characteristics of each child, created an original environment, and emphasized the further development of interests