Rapid Efficacy of Low Carbohydrate Diet for Diabetic Patient by Use of FreeStyle Libre

In recent years, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been introduced and used in clinical diabetic research. Authors have investigated research about Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) and Calorie Restriction (CR) and developed medical and social LCD movement through Japan LCD Promotion Association (JLCDPA). In this study, a case with remarkable improving effect for change from CR to LCD is presented using CGM. The case is 41 years-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). She was newly diagnosed as T2DM with HbA1c 11.0%, glucose >400 mg/dL, BMI 26.0, AST 30 IU/mL, Hb 16.3 g/dL. She was given CR meal with 60% carbohydrate on day 1 to 4, and LCD meal with 12% carbohydrate on day 5 to 7. Daily profile of blood glucose showed 200-400 mg/dL in day 1-4, 160-240 mg/dL on day 5 and 110-150 mg/dL on day 7. FreeStyle Libre (Abbott, USA) has been valid and useful medical apparatus for monitoring the the detailed fluctuation of blood glucose. Blood glucose value was immediately decreased just after starting LCD, and the short-term effect of the LCD was found. These results would become basal and reference data and contribute to the development of future research

Evaluation of host effects on ectomycorrhizal fungal community compositions in a forested landscape in northern Japan

Electronic supplementary material is available online at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4853145.Community compositions of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are similar within the same host taxa. However, careful interpretation is required to determine whether the combination of ECM fungi and plants is explained by the host preference for ECM fungi, or by the influence of neighbouring heterospecific hosts. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of host species on the ECM community compositions in a forested landscape (approx. 10 km) where monodominant forest stands of six ECM host species belonging to three families were patchily distributed. A total of 180 ECM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected with DNA metabarcoding. Quantitative multivariate analyses revealed that the ECM community compositions were primarily structured by host species and families, regardless of the soil environments and spatial arrangements of the sampling plots. In addition, 38 ECM OTUs were only detected from particular host tree species. Furthermore, the neighbouring plots harboured similar fungal compositions, although the host species were different. The relative effect of the spatial factors on the ECM compositions was weaker than that of host species. Our results suggest that the host preference for ECM fungi is the primary determinant of ECM fungal compositions in the forested landscape

Clinical effect for diabetic pregnant female by Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

In the diabetic medical practice, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been recently used with beneficial efficacy. Authors have continued women’s medical care and research on Calorie Restriction (CR) and Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD), and developed medical and social LCD movement by Japan LCD Promotion Association (JLCDPA). In this study, a diabetic female case with remarkable improving effect is shown using CGM and LCD. The case is 27 years-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). She has been pregnant and on multiple daily insulin injection (MDI) with insulin 48 units/day in the university hospital. She was on this treatment until 28th weeks with no preeclampsia symptoms, and hoped to change the treatment of LCD. She came to our women’s clinic with the current data of weight 101kg, BMI 37.1 and HbA1c 7.0%. By application of FreeStyle Libre (Abbott, USA), her glucose variability showed around 160mg/dL with some episodes of hyperglycemia. The meal was changed from CR to LCD after 29th week, then insulin administration could be discontinued in 10 days. This glucose variability showed remarkable efficacy for combination of LCD and CGM. These results would become basal and reference data and contribute to the development of future research

Ketone Bodies Elevation in Placenta, Umbilical Cord, Newborn and Mother

Background: Low carbohydrate diets (LCD) have been recently prevalent in the medical and health field, especially in diabetes mellitus. We have applied LCD on thousands of patients with metabolic diseases and reported the clinical effect of LCD so far. Through our experience and research concerning LCD, the physiological role of glucose and ketone bodies during the pre- and post-partum period was investigated in this study. Subjects and methods: Subjects were 60 normal pregnant woman who had a normal delivery in full-term, without an abnormal glucose intolerance. Methods included the measurement of the value of ketone bodies in the umbilical cord blood, placental tissue fluid and maternal blood, associated with the value of blood glucose. As ketone bodies, the value of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-OHBA, beta-hydroxybutyric acid) was measured. 3-OHBA and glucose values were measured by the electrode method using Precision Exceed Kit (Abbott) and the conventional enzymatic cycling method, with comparison investigation of the data from two kits. Results: The average 3-OHBA levels were as follows: 2,235.0 μmol/L in the placenta, 779.2 μmol/L in the umbilical cord blood, in which the former is significantly higher than the latter (p < 0.001), 240.4μmol/L in the newborn after four days, and 366.7μmol/L after 30 days. The standard 3-OHBA level in a healthy man is less than 85 μmol/L. Glucose levels in the umbilical cord and placenta were 78.6 mg/dL vs 74.9 mg/dL, with no significant difference, and was the same as that of the pregnant woman. Accuracy management of the two kits revealed a significant correlation (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). 3-OHBA values of the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood were extremely elevated from the standard level, with a mutual significant correlation (r = 0.724, p < 0.001, n = 416). Conclusion: This clinical study concerning ketone bodies during pre- and post-partum period was investigated, and revealed that 1) a clinically rapid useful kit for ketone bodies had high reliability and validity compared with conventional kit, 2) elevated values of 3-OHBA were shown in the placental tissue fluid, umbilical cord, newborn and maternal blood, 3) 3-OHBA would be a physiologically indispensable element in nutrition metabolism for fetus and newborn at least until 30 days, with further development of investigation for ketone bodies

Evaluation of the effects of a combination of Japanese honey and hydrocolloid dressing on cutaneous wound healing in male mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the combined use of Japanese honey and hydrocolloid dressing (HCD) on cutaneous wound healing. Mice were divided into four groups: the Acacia (Japan) + HCD, Manuka (New Zealand) + HCD, Chinese milk vetch (Japan) + HCD, and HCD (control) groups. The mice received two full-thickness wounds. The wounds of the HCD group were covered with HCD, whereas those of the other groups were treated with 0.1 mL of the relevant type of honey, before being covered with HCD. Wound area was significantly smaller in the HCD group than in the Acacia + HCD and Manuka + HCD groups on day 13 and days 8-14, respectively. Moreover, compared with the HCD group, reepithelialization was delayed in the Acacia + HCD group and reepithelialization and collagen deposition were delayed in the Chinese milk vetch + HCD and Manuka + HCD groups. These results indicate that the combined use of Japanese honey and HCD does not promote cutaneous wound healing compared with the use of HCD alone. Thus, this method is probably not useful for promoting healing. © 2015 Kanae Mukai et al

CD146 is a potential immunotarget for neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood, is thought to arise from neural crest-derived immature cells. The prognosis of patients with high-risk or recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma remains quite poor despite intensive multimodality therapy; therefore, novel therapeutic interventions are required. We examined the expression of a cell adhesion molecule CD146 (melanoma cell adhesion molecule [MCAM]) by neuroblastoma cell lines and in clinical samples and investigated the anti-tumor effects of CD146-targeting treatment for neuroblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. CD146 is expressed by 4 cell lines and by most of primary tumors at any stage. Short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of CD146, or treatment with an anti-CD146 polyclonal antibody, effectively inhibited growth of neuroblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo, principally due to increased apoptosis via the focal adhesion kinase and/or nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. Furthermore, the anti-CD146 polyclonal antibody markedly inhibited tumor growth in immunodeficient mice inoculated with primary neuroblastoma cells. In conclusion, CD146 represents a promising therapeutic target for neuroblastoma

Resting energy expenditure depends on energy intake during weight loss in people with obesity: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective: Resting energy expenditure (REE) decreases if there is reduced energy intake and body weight (BW). The decrease in REE could make it difficult for patients with obesity to maintain decreased BW. This study aimed to investigate the correlation among changes in REE, energy intake, and BW during the weight loss process in patients with obesity. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for the treatment of obesity in Japan. Patients received fully controlled diet during hospitalization and performed exercises if able. REE was measured once a week using a hand-held indirect calorimetry. Energy intake was determined by actual dietary intake. Results: Of 44 inpatients with obesity, 17 were included in the analysis. Their BW decreased significantly after 1 week (−4.7 ± 2.0 kg, P < 0.001) and 2 weeks (−5.7 ± 2.2 kg, P < 0.001). The change in REE after 1 and 2 weeks was positively correlated with the energy intake/energy expenditure ratio (r = 0.66, P = 0.004 at 1 week, r = 0.71, P = 0.002 at 2 weeks). Using a regression equation (y = 0.5257x – 43.579), if the energy intake/energy expenditure ratio within the second week was 82.9%, the REE after 2 weeks was similar to the baseline level. There was no significant correlation between the change in REE and BW. Conclusions: Our data suggest that changes in REE depend on energy intake/energy expenditure ratio and that the decrease in REE can be minimized by matching energy intake to energy expenditure, even during the weight loss process

イギリスの初等教育 : 1988年から2011年の文化的文脈における教育政策と教育実践

What can we learn from policy change? What can we learn about primary schools and primary teaching by understanding the dynamics of recent change? This lecture will present an account and an analysis of changes in policy and practice over the last twenty years in Britain. It will also discuss the continuing process of change and current policy trends following a recent change of government. The session will encourage students to reflect on comparisons between Japan and Britain as a way of understanding the social, economic and political factors that inform primary education. The session will be arranged in three sections: 1. Curriculum - national curriculum and the needs of primary children - citizenship, health and welfare - assessment and testing 2. Teachers - teacher qualification and professional development - teacher autonomy and teaching methods - teachers and other adults in the classroom 3. School governance - variety of types of primary school - local accountability - national accountabilit

子どもたちの生活の向上 : 1997年から2011年の政策と施行

The incoming ‘New Labour’ government in Britain in 1997 promoted educational attainment as its top policy priority. But by 2003 this priority had a wider focus on improving outcomes for all children – in terms of their health, safety and general well-being, as well as education and training for work. The lecture will describe the wide programme of policy initiatives introduced by the Labour government to improve children’s lives, and the changes made by the Coalition Government from May 2010. It will examine how these have impacted on local authorities, schools and other services for children. The session will also encourage students to relate the above to social policy in Japan. How do policies shape the way that services are provided to children and families? The session will be arranged in three sections: 1. Integrating children’s services - national policy - role and experience of Local Authorities (LAs) - influencing practice of professionals working with children 2. Childcare, parenting and provision - expansion of childcare through legislation - children’s centres - extended schools 3. Child protection and vulnerable children - child abuse - vulnerable groups - children in poverty - children in care - disabled children - children in trouble with the la