Effects of calcium channel blockers on glucose tolerance, inflammatory state, and circulating progenitor cells in non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension: a comparative study between Azelnidipine and amlodipine on glucose tolerance and endothelial function - a crossover trial (AGENT)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypertension is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Medical treatment that interferes with various steps in the renin-angiotensin system improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. However, it remains unclear if long-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs) such as azelnidipine and amlodipine affect glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in clinical practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension who had controlled blood pressure levels using amlodipine (5 mg/day) were enrolled in this study. After randomization, either azelnidipine (16 mg/day) or amlodipine (5 mg/day) was administered in a crossover design for 12-weeks. At baseline and the end of each CCB therapy, samples of blood and urine were collected and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. In addition, hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) were measured at each point by flow cytometry and endothelial functions were measured by fingertip pulse amplitude tonometry using EndoPAT.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although blood pressure levels were identical after each CCB treatment, the heart rate significantly decreased after azelnidipine administration than that after amlodipine administration (<it>P </it>< 0.005). Compared with amlodipine administration, azelnidipine significantly decreased levels of glucose and insulin 120 min after the 75 g OGTT (both <it>P </it>< 0.05). Serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (<it>P </it>= 0.067) and interleukin-6 (<it>P </it>= 0.035) were decreased. Although endothelial functions were not different between the two medication groups, the number of circulating HPCs was significantly increased after azelnidipine administration (<it>P </it>= 0.016).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that azelnidipine treatment may have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, the inflammatory state, and number of circulating progenitor cells in non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension.</p

Antibacterial Activity of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Fiber on Food Hygienic Bacteria

The antibacterial activity of sweetpotato fiber against pathogenic Escherichia coli (O157:H7), Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated using microcalorimetry. The fiber enzymatically prepared from three varieties of sweetpotato storage roots (Koganesengan, Shiroyutaka, and Kyushu No. 124) exhibited bacteriostatic activity against pathogenic E. coli, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus; however, commercial fiber (Satsumaimo fiber) after citric acid fermentation of sweetpotato starch waste did not exhibit antibacterial activity against these bacteria. All sweetpotato fiber, including Satsumaimo fiber, used in this experiment exhibited no antibacterial activity against S. cerevisiae. Chitin exhibited no activity against pathogenic E. coli; however, clear activity of pectin, calcium alginate, and Kyushu No. 124 was observed, in that order. The yield of boiled-water extract from enzymatically prepared fiber was three times greater than that from Satsumaimo fiber. Chemical analysis of the boiled-water-soluble fraction suggested that its main component is pectin. The acid sugar content of sweetpotato fiber was much higher than that of Satsumaimo fiber. The boiled-water-insoluble fraction exhibited bacteriostatic activities, but the boiled-water-soluble fraction did not. Bacteriostatic activity of sweetpotato fiber was suggested to be due to the synergistic effect of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin of the fiber

サツマイモβ-アミラーゼに及ぼすポリフェノール類の影響

b-Amylase [EC 3.2.1.1] is an important enzyme for the industrial production of maltose as sweetener and as protective of starch degradation in food processing. Effects of polyphenolics, anthocyanin dyes and caffeic aid-derivatives prepared from sweetpotato on sweetpotato b-amylase were investigated for its industrial utilization. Crude extract of anthocyanin dyes did not inhibit b-amylase activity at a concentration of 2.0 mg/ml reaction mixture. In caffeoyl acid-derivatives, 3,4-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid had no inhibitory effect at a concentration of 2.0 mg/ml. Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid showed the inhibitory activity of about 20% against b-amylase at the same concentration

Clinical responses to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor retreatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients who benefited from prior effective gefitinib therapy: a retrospective analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gefitinib was the first epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few treatment options are available for NSCLC patients who have responded to gefitinib treatment and demonstrated tumor progression. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the 2^ndEGFR-TKI administration.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively analyzed 11 patients who had obtained a partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) with gefitinib treatment and were re-treated with EGFR-TKI after failure of the initial gefitinib treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three patients (27%) were treated with gefitinib as the 2^ndEGFR-TKI, and 8 patients (73%) received erlotinib. Only one patient (9%) showed PR, 7 (64%) achieved SD, and 3 (27%) had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 73% (95% CI, 43% - 91%) and the median progression-free survival was 3.4 months (95% CI, 2 - 5.2). The median overall survival from the beginning of the 2^ndEGFR-TKI and from diagnosis were 7.3 months (95% CI, 2.7 - 13) and 36.7 months (95% CI, 23.6 - 43.9), respectively. No statistical differences in PFS or OS were observed between gefitinib and erlotinib as the 2^ndEGFR-TKI (PFS, P = 0.23 and OS, P = 0.052). The toxicities associated with the 2^ndEGFR-TKI were generally acceptable and comparable to those observed for the initial gefitinib therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that a 2^ndEGFR-TKI treatment can be an effective treatment option for gefitinib responders.</p

Clinical responses to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor retreatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients who benefited from prior effective gefitinib therapy: a retrospective analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gefitinib was the first epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few treatment options are available for NSCLC patients who have responded to gefitinib treatment and demonstrated tumor progression. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the 2^ndEGFR-TKI administration.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively analyzed 11 patients who had obtained a partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) with gefitinib treatment and were re-treated with EGFR-TKI after failure of the initial gefitinib treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three patients (27%) were treated with gefitinib as the 2^ndEGFR-TKI, and 8 patients (73%) received erlotinib. Only one patient (9%) showed PR, 7 (64%) achieved SD, and 3 (27%) had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 73% (95% CI, 43% - 91%) and the median progression-free survival was 3.4 months (95% CI, 2 - 5.2). The median overall survival from the beginning of the 2^ndEGFR-TKI and from diagnosis were 7.3 months (95% CI, 2.7 - 13) and 36.7 months (95% CI, 23.6 - 43.9), respectively. No statistical differences in PFS or OS were observed between gefitinib and erlotinib as the 2^ndEGFR-TKI (PFS, P = 0.23 and OS, P = 0.052). The toxicities associated with the 2^ndEGFR-TKI were generally acceptable and comparable to those observed for the initial gefitinib therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that a 2^ndEGFR-TKI treatment can be an effective treatment option for gefitinib responders.</p

サトウキビ廃糖蜜の焙煎によるDPPHラジカル消去能の増加と抗変異原性(自然科学編)

The potential chemopreventive properties of the molasses from sugarcane were examined to promote the demand of this residue from the sugarcane industry. Roast of the molasses at temperature between 140 and 180℃ for 20 min enhanced remarkably the DPPH-radical scavenging activity in comparison with non-roast one. The molasses roasted at 160℃ showed the maximum DPPH-radical scavenging activity at temperature between 100℃ and 200℃ for 20 min. Extract from roasted molasses at 160℃ for 20 min showed stronger antimutagenicity than one from non-roast one at 10 mg additional content. The increase and decrease in DPPH-radical scavenging activity and polyphenolic contents were similar to the browning pattern by the roast, suggesting that the antioxidative components may be the polyphenolic-related one. These results indicate that the roasted molasses from sugarcane is available for the material with physiological functions

Basic concept of JA DEMO fuel cycle

In the JA DEMO, the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel will be supplied by a combination of gas puff, pellet injection and neutral beam injection. Since the combustion rate of fuel in the JA DEMO is approximately 1.7%, it is necessary to establish the closed deuterium-tritium fuel cycle in the facility for fuel recycling. The fuel cycle for DEMO inevitably differs from that for ITER. Compared to the ITER fuel cycle, which requires high flexibility for fuel supply based on the requirements of plasma experiments, the flexibility required for the fuel cycle decreases in the DEMO reactor. The flow in the fuel cycle becomes steadier. Therefore, the fuel cycle of the DEMO shifts to the continuous processing system. In addition, considering the tritium breeding in the blanket, the fuel cycle must be established so that tritium in the DEMO facility can be balanced. The process components of the fuel cycle that process a large amount of tritium-containing gas are provided with multiple barriers that confine tritium, and the detritiation system processes the confined tritium. The confinement of tritium in the DEMO facility according to nuclear safety regulations is an important safety issue. As a result, the fuel cycle becomes a complex chemical plant. Assuming safety requirements, it is necessary to consider the reduction of the tritium inventory as much as possible at the design stage of the DEMO fuel cycle. The tritium inventory in the fuel cycle is closely related to the requirements to pellet manufacturing and hydrogen isotope separation, and the reduction of the requirements to the hydrogen isotope separation is the major issue in the fuel cycle. For this purpose, it is necessary to minimize the D/T separation based on the concept of direct fuel cycle with the D/T mixture. For the possible shortage in the preparation of the initial loading tritium for the DEMO reactor, it is necessary to design the fuel cycle through dynamic numerical simulation so that the fuel cycle can be started with the minimum initial loading tritium. In the system design of the fuel cycle, it is necessary to support various operation modes from the startup of DT operation to steady operation. The requirements to design the JA DEMO fuel cycle are being investigated in the JA DEMO design activity

Importance of Simultaneous Combustion of Tritium and Hydrocarbons by Detritiation System in a Fire Event at Nuclear Fusion Facility

A detritiation system (DS) is required to remove tritium from the atmosphere of a nuclear contain-ment in any extraordinary situations. Realization of a DS that does not require heating of a catalyst reactor for tritium oxidation and frequent switching operation of adsorption columns for tritiated vapor collection will greatly contribute to the improvement of fusion safety. Concerning the catalyst reactor, it has been demonstrated that tritium can be oxidized at room temperature without any heating by the developed hydrophobic catalyst. To achieve a high tritium conversion efficiency for detritiation, it has already been revealed that suppression of production of tritiated hydrocarbons by hydrogenation reactions as side reactions of tritium oxidation in a catalyst reactor is the key issue to be solved. We have to pay special attention to ethylene among hydrocarbons because ethylene is easily tritiated by reaction of hydrogenation. In this study, complete combustion of ethylene at room temperature in the catalyst reactor is proposed as a measure to suppress the formation of tritiated hydrocarbons. Catalytic combustion characteristics of hydrocarbons were obtained, and the change in the ignition temperature by a change in each design parameter of the catalyst was demonstrated. Concerning noble metal species, platinum is superior to palladium due to less susceptibility to water vapor. The smaller the particle size of noble metal is, the higher the activity is, but because it is more susceptible to water vapor, the particle size of noble metal can be optimized. It was suggested that there is an optimum value for the pore size of the catalytic support