A Novel Animal Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): Hypoxemia Enhances the Development of NASH

Recent reports described a high incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Accordingly, we hypothesized that recurrent and intermittent hypoxemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NASH. Our objective was construction of a practical and accurate experimental model to reproduce the key features of NASH in humans. Chemical hypoxemia through methemoglobinemia was induced by daily intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitrite (40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks in rats with fatty liver. The later was induced by 4-week feeding a choline-deficient high-fat diet (CDHF). Besides, the normal chow diets feeding groups were prepared with in the same manner except for CDHF feeding. The animal experiment was performed in four groups; Normal control, Hypoxemia, CDHF, and CDHF + hypoxemia. Nitrite was given for the later 4 weeks to each rat of Hypoxemia and CDHF + hypoxemia. CDHF + hypoxemia rats were confirmed to develop histological changes that resemble those of patients with NASH, together with biochemical liver dysfunction, while CDHF group was limited in mild steatosis, and Hypoxemia group liver was normal. Present study established a reproducible and useful NASH model resembling the main features of NASH in humans, and showed first that recurrent and intermittent hypoxemia aggravate fatty liver to steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis

Improvement of extraction method of coagulation active components from Moringa oleifera seed

A new method for the extraction of the active coagulation component from Moringa oleifera seeds was developed and compared with the ordinary water extraction method (MOC–DW). In the new method, 1.0 mol l-1 solution of sodium chloride (MOC–SC) and other salts were used for extraction of the active coagulation component. Batch coagulation experiments were conducted using 500 ml of low turbid water (50 NTU). Coagulation efficiencies were evaluated based on the dosage required to remove kaolinite turbidity in water. MOC–SC showed better coagulation activity with dosages 7.4 times lower than that using MOC–DW for the removal of kaolinite turbidity. MOC–SC could effectively coagulate more than 950f the 50 NTU initial kaolin turbidity using only 4 ml l-1, while 32 ml l-1 of MOC–DW could only remove about 781023440400f the same kaolin turbidity. The improvement of coagulation efficiency by NaCl is apparently due to the salting-in mechanism in proteins wherein a salt increases protein–protein dissociations, leading to increasing protein solubility as the salt ionic strength increases. There was no difference in the coagulation efficiency observed for extracts using any of four 1:1 salts (NaCl, KNO3, KCl and NaNO3) in our study. Purification and isolation of the active component confirmed that the active component of MOC–SC was mainly protein

Coagulation mechanism of salt solution-extracted active component in Moringa oleifera seeds

This study focuses on the coagulation mechanism by the purified coagulant solution (MOC-SC-PC) with the coagulation active component extracted from M. oleifera seeds using salt solution. The addition of MOC-SC-PC into tap water formed insoluble matters. The formation was responsible for kaolin coagulation. On the other hand, insoluble matters were not formed when the MOC-SC-PC was added into distilled water. The formation was affected by Ca2+ or other bivalent cations which may connect each molecule of the coagulation active component in MOC-SC-PC and form netlike structure. The coagulation mechanism of MOC-SC-PC seemed to be an enmeshment by the insoluble matters with netlike structure. In case of Ca2+ ion (bivalent cations), at least 0.2mM was necessary for coagulation at 0.3 mg-C l-1 dose of MOC-SC-PC. Other coagulation mechanisms like compression of double layer, interparticle bridging or charge neutralization were not responsible for the coagulation by MOC-SC-PC

Chemical Stabilization of Bottom Ash from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration and Prediction of DOC Leaching in Landfill Sites

It is well known that it takes long time to stabilize landfill and meet the standard for leachate after landfilling is stopped. Moreover, the time required to meet the standard is not predicted. In this research, the rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) was applied and was found to predict the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash in a simulated landfill site. Acid washing with hydrochloric acid remarkably reduced the DOC leaching from bottom ash. According to the RSCCT, it was estimated that the acid washing would reduce the time for DOC stabilization of bottom ash by about 80% in a simulated landfill situation.It is well known that it takes long time to stabilize landfill and meet the standard for leachate after landfilling is stopped. Moreover, the time required to meet the standard is not predicted. In this research, the rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) was applied and was found to predict the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash in a simulated landfill site. Acid washing with hydrochloric acid remarkably reduced the DOC leaching from bottom ash. According to the RSCCT, it was estimated that the acid washing would reduce the time for DOC stabilization of bottom ash by about 80% in a simulated landfill situation

Isolation and characterization of coagulant extracted from moringa oleifera seed by salt solution

It is known that M. oleifera contains a natural coagulant in the seeds. In our previous research, the method using salt water to extract the active coagulation component from M. oleifera seeds was developed and compared with the conventional method using water. In this research, the active coagulation component was purified from a NaCl solution crude extract of Moringa oleifera seeds. The active component was isolated and purified from the crude extract through a sequence of steps that included salting-out by dialysis, removal of lipids and carbohydrates by homogenization with acetone, and anion exchange. Specific coagulation activity of the active material increased up to 34 times more than the crude extract after the ion exchange. The active component was not the same as that of water extract. The molecular weight was about 3000 Da. The Lowry method and the phenol-sulfuric acid method indicated that the active component was neither protein nor polysaccharide. The optimum pH of the purified active component for coagulation of turbidity was pH 8 and above. Different from the conventional water extracts, the active component can be used for waters with low turbidity without increase in the dissolved organic carbon concentration

ポリシリカ鉄凝集剤を用いた凝集沈澱-急速ろ過処理の特性

本研究では水道用湖沼原水を対象にした一年間のパイロットプラントを用いた実証試験で、ポリシリカ鉄凝集剤(PSI)の凝集沈澱処理能力をポリ塩化アルミニウム(PAC)および塩化鉄と比較、評価した。PSIの濁度除去能は同じ鉄系凝集剤である塩化鉄と比べて水温の影響を受けにくく、水質変動に対してもPACと同様に安定した処理能力を示した。PSIの藻類除去能はPAC、塩化鉄より高いと考えられた。これはPSIが鉄系凝集剤であることに起因していることと、重合ケイ酸の効果により低水温期でも塩化鉄のように処理能力が悪化することが無かった為と考えられた。ろ過水の残留濁度および全藻類数はPSI、塩化鉄、PACの3つの凝集剤による違いはほとんどなかったが、PSIを使用した場合にはアンスラサイト層で特異的な損失の増加が起こり、PACや塩化鉄を使用した場合に比べてろ過塔の総損失水頭が高くなった。この損失の増加の原因としては、凝集沈殿処理水に残留したPSI由来の溶存の重合ケイ酸が、アンスラサイト表面に吸着して蓄積することにより、アンスラサイト層の空隙を閉塞することが考えられた。The objective of this study is to evaluate polysilicate-iron (PSI) coagulant in comparison with polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and ferric chloride coagulants on turbidity and algae removal. The evaluation was carried out using a pilot scale plant for a lake water in a year. Turbidity removal by PSI was not affected by water temperature, whereas that by ferric chloride deteriorated in winter. PSI showed higher removal efficiency for algae than PAC in all seasons and ferric chloride in winter. This higher removal efficiency by PSI might be explained by the fact that PSI was a ferric coagulant and contained polysilicate. The water quality of filtrated water with rapid filtration, was almost the same. The total head loss of rapid filtration in PSI was developed quicker than that in PAC and ferric chloride due to high head loss in the anthracite layer. The adsorption and accumulation of dissolved polysilicate remaining from the water coagulated by PSI onto the anthracite would cause the high head loss development

Beneficial effects of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat leaves on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a rat model

Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (Yamabudo) is used as a health juice and wine based on the abundant polyphenols and anthocyanins in its fruit. However, it is not known whether the leaves of this plant confer similar benefits. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous extracts from Vitis coignetiae Pulliat leaves (VCPL) in an animal model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Rats were fed a choline-deficient high-fat diet for four weeks to generate fatty livers. NASH was induced by oxidative stress loading. Ten weeks later, blood and liver samples were collected from anesthetized animals and assessed biochemically, histologically, and histochemically to determine the extent of oxidative stress injury and the overall effects of VCPL. Six-week VCPL extract supplementation reduced serum levels of liver enzymes, decreased CYP2E1 induction, increased plasma antioxidant activities and delayed the progression of liver fibrosis. The findings suggested that VCPL has strong radical-scavenging activity and may be beneficial in preventing NASH progression.</p

Clinical Study in 11 Cases of Endobronchial Foreign Body

We report 11 cases of endobronchial foreign body. From January 1982 through December 1994, a total of 11 cases were diagnosed roentogenographically and bronchoscopically at our hospital. These patients consisted of 10 men and 1 woman with a mean age of 58.5 years (range 33 to 77 years). Symptoms on presenting were usually cough, sputum, or chest pain. The foreign bodies were inorganic in 10 cases and of organic origin in 1 case. Three patients were not aware that they had aspirated a foreign body. In 9 patients, the endobronchial foreign bodies were successfully removed endoscopically. One patient spontaneously expectorated the foreign body before bronchoscopy. One patient underwent thoracotomy because the foreign body could not be removed bronchoscopically. There were no severe complications during or after the endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies, but in one patient extraction of the foreign body caused pneumonia after bronchoscopy. In conclusion, flexible bronchoscopy is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of endobronchial foreign bodies

Which Side-Bending X-ray Position is Better to Evaluate the Preoperative Curve Flexibility in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients, Supine or Prone?

Study Design Prospective cohort study. Purpose The present study aimed to evaluate the difference in the preoperative curve flexibility between the supine and prone positions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Overview of Literature In AIS, a side-bending view is necessary to differentiate a structural curve from a nonstructural curve using the Lenke classification system. However, there are no published studies about which position, supine or prone, is more effective when evaluating preoperative curve flexibility using side-bending X-ray images in AIS patients. Methods Radiographs were analyzed for 32 AIS patients (26 females, six males) who underwent posterior correction and fusion of their main thoracic (MT) curves. Cobb angles of MT, proximal thoracic (PT), and thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves were measured preoperatively using upright, supine (anteroposterior and side-bending), and prone (posteroanterior and side-bending) X-rays. Results The average Cobb angles of PT, MT, and TL/L curves on preoperative upright/supine/prone X-rays were 29.1°/26.7°/26.6°, 60.7°/48.5°/48.2°, and 41.0°/32.6°/33.1°, respectively. The average Cobb angles of PT, MT, and TL/L curves on supine/prone sidebending X-rays were 19.2°/20.3°, 36.3°/36.4°, and 13.9°/15.7°, respectively. The flexibility rates of PT, MT, and TL/L curves in supine/prone positions were 35.3%/32.5%, 40.6%/40.2%, and 71.7%/68.2%, respectively. Comparing flexibility rates in the prone position with those in the supine position in each case, the average ratios of PT, MT, and TL/L curves were found to be 1.0, 1.0, and 0.9, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between supine and prone side-bending X-ray measurements. However, the Lenke classification in six of 32 patients (18.8%) differed between supine and prone positions because the TL/L curve in the supine position was slightly more flexible than in the prone position. Conclusions Supine side-bending films may be suitable for the evaluation of preoperative curve flexibility in AIS, especially for lumbar modifier C

Dietary fiber intake and risk of incident disabling dementia: the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study

OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesized that dietary fiber intake has a beneficial impact on prevention of dementia, but the epidemiological evidence is scant. We sought to examine whether dietary fiber intake is inversely associated with risk of dementia requiring care under the national insurance (disabling dementia). METHODS: The study setting was the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study, involving 3739 Japanese individuals aged 40-64 years at the dietary surveys (1985-99). Dietary fiber intake was estimated using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Incident disabling dementia was followed up from 1999 through 2020. Disabling dementia was further classified into that with or without a history of stroke. Hazard ratios of disabling dementia according to quartiles of total, soluble, and insoluble fiber intake were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: During a median 19.7-year follow-up, a total of 670 cases of disabling dementia developed. Dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with risk of dementia: the multivariate hazards ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.83 (0.67-1.04), 0.81 (0.65-1.02), and 0.74 (0.57-0.96) for individuals with the second, third, and highest quartiles of dietary fiber intake, respectively, as compared with the lowest quartile (P for trend = 0.03). The inverse association was more evident for soluble fiber intake and was confined to dementia without a history of stroke. As for fiber-containing foods, potatoes, but not vegetables or fruits, showed a similar association. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary fiber intake, especially soluble fiber, was inversely associated with risk of disabling dementia in a general Japanese population