Amounts and species of probiotic lactic acid bacteria affect stimulation of short-chain fatty acid production in fecal batch culture.

The effects of lactate and probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on intestinal fermentation were analyzed using a fecal batch culture. Lactate was efficiently metabolized to butyrate and propionate by butyrate-utilizing bacteria in fecal fermentation. Probiotic LAB could stimulate butyrate and propionate production through their lactate production in fecal fermentation. It was considered that 109 cfu/g or more of probiotic LAB would be required to stimulate butyrate and propionate production in the large intestine. Due to the low production of lactate, a larger number of heterofermentative LAB than homofermentative LAB would be required for this stimulation.

Relationship between Activities of Daily Living of Home-Based Rehabilitation Users and Caregiver Burden-Induced Depression: A Retrospective Study.

This study was aimed at determining the cutoff values of activities of daily living (ADL) and the combination of related factors associated with high caregiver burden that induces depression among caregivers. The study participants included 50 pairs of home-based rehabilitation users and their primary caregivers. They were classified into two groups: high-burden and low-burden groups according to the short version of the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview score of ≥13 or ≤12, respectively. The cutoff values of ADL and the combination of related factors associated with high caregiver burden were examined using the receiver operating characteristic curve and decision tree analyses. The cutoff value associated with high caregiver burden was 5 points for the controlling bladder item of the Barthel index (BI) (sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 70%). Regarding the decision tree, the controlling bladder item of BI (≤5 or 10 points) was selected as the first layer and the recipient's age (≤78 or ≥79 years) as the second layer. High caregiver burden was identified in 85.7% of the caregivers in whom the score of controlling bladder of BI was ≤5 points and the patient was aged ≤78 years. A score of ≤5 points for the controlling bladder item of BI along with young recipient age was associated with high caregiver burden that induces depression among caregivers. This approach is useful to identify caregivers with high caregiver burden who are at risk for depression.

Temperature Characteristics of Resonance Frequency for Double-Layered Thickness-Shear Resonator.

The effect of the difference in the thickness ratio of the double-layered thickness-shear resonator on the temperature characteristics of the resonance frequency was investigated using a Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 (CTGS) single crystal. Three specimens with thickness ratios of x = 0.25 , 0.33, and 0.50 were prepared using 122° Y - and 171° Y -cut CTGS substrates. For the specimens with x = 0.25 and 0.33, the temperature characteristics varied depending on the order of the resonance mode. For the specimen with x = 0.50 , on the other hand, almost the same temperature characteristics were observed regardless of the order of the resonance mode. To interpret this phenomenon, a new equation for predicting the temperature characteristics of the fundamental mode (first mode) for the double-layered resonator was created using the electric flux density ratio generated in the two substrates. The expected values using this equation were in good agreement with the result of the first mode temperature characteristics.

Functions necessary for gait independence in patients with stroke: A study using decision tree.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the existence and impact of interactions among multiple impairments to gait independence. The purpose of this study is to reveal the interaction of physical functions and its impact on gait independence in stroke patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 108 subacute stroke patients. We conducted a decision tree analysis to examine the existence of interactions in relation to gait independence among the gross motor function of lower limb, knee extension strength, sensory function, and trunk function. Further, we confirmed the existence and impact of interaction detected via the decision tree after adjusting for the effects of confounding factors using logistic regression. RESULTS: The knee extension strength and proprioception on the affected side were selected in the first and second level of the decision tree. In addition, the knee extension strength was selected in the third level. The interaction of the knee extension strength and proprioception on the affected side was significantly associated with gait independence, both before and after adjusting for age, visuospatial perception, and cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the interaction of the knee extension strength and proprioception on the affected side is strongly associated with gait independence in stroke patients.

Analysis of Clostridium cluster XI bacteria in human feces.

Six species and one group of Clostridium cluster XI, Clostridium sordellii, Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium hiranonis, Intestinibacter bartlettii, and Romboutsia lituseburensis and the Terrisporobacter glycolicus group, respectively, in human feces collected from 18 healthy adults were analyzed with real-time PCR. Although individual differences were recognized, the predominant colonization of C. sordellii and I. bartlettii in the human large intestine was identified.

Amount of balance necessary for the independence of transfer and stair-climbing in stroke inpatients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the amount of balance necessary for the independence of transfer and stair-climbing in stroke patients. METHOD: This study included 111 stroke inpatients. Simple and multiple regression analyses were conducted to establish the association between the FIM® instrument scores for transfer or stair-climbing and Berg Balance Scale. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curves were used to elucidate the amount of balance necessary for the independence of transfer and stair-climbing. RESULT: Simple and multiple regression analyses showed that the FIM® instrument scores for transfer and stair-climbing were strongly associated with Berg Balance Scale. On comparison of the independent and supervision-dependent groups, Berg Balance Scale cut-off values for transfer and stair-climbing were 41/40 and 54/53 points, respectively. On comparison of the independent-supervision and dependent groups, the cut-off values for transfer and stair-climbing were 30/29 and 41/40 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The calculated cut-off values indicated the amount of balance necessary for the independence of transfer and stair-climbing, with and without supervision, in stroke patients. Berg Balance Scale has a good discriminatory ability and cut-off values are clinically useful to determine the appropriate independence levels of transfer and stair-climbing in hospital wards. Implications for rehabilitation The Berg Balance Scale's (BBS) strong association with transfer and stair-climbing independence and performance indicates that establishing cut-off values is vitally important for the established use of the BBS clinically. The cut-off values calculated herein accurately demonstrate the level of balance necessary for transfer and stair-climbing independence, with and without supervision, in stroke patients. These criteria should be employed clinically for determining the level of independence for transfer and stair-climbing as well as for setting balance training goals aimed at improving transfer and stair-climbing.

Investigation of Material Constants of CaTiO3 Doped (K,Na)NbO3 Film by MEMS-Based Test Elements.

A CaTiO3-doped (K,Na)NbO3 (KNN-CT) film is a lead-free piezoelectric film that is expected to substitute Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) film in piezoelectric micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). However, the full set of the material constants (elastic constants, piezoelectric constants and dielectric constants) of the KNN-CT film have not been reported yet. In this study, all the material constants of a sputter-deposited blanket KNN-CT film were investigated by the resonance responses of MEMS-based piezoelectric resonators and the phase velocities of leaky Lamb waves on a self-suspended membrane. The phase velocities measured by a line-focus-beam ultrasonic material characterization (LFB-UMC) system at different frequencies were fitted with theoretical ones, which were calculated from the material constants, including fitting parameters. A genetic algorithm was used to find the best-fitting parameters. All the material constants were then calculated. Although some problems arising from the film quality and the nature of deliquescence are observed, all the material constants were obtained exhibiting accuracy within 16 m/s in the phase velocity of leaky Lamb wave.

Detection of antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of young adult Japanese.

Antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of healthy young adult Japanese were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Antibiotic resistance genes against macrolides (ermB, ermF, ermX, and mefA/E), tetracyclines (tetW, tetQ, tetO, and tetX), ß-lactam antibiotics (blaTEM ), and streptomycin (aadE) were detected in more than 50% of subjects. These antibiotic resistance genes are likely widespread in the large intestinal bacteria of young adult Japanese.

Transition of the intestinal microbiota of cats with age.

The transition of intestinal microbiota with age has been well described in humans. However, the age-related changes in intestinal microbiota of cats have not been well studied. In the present study, we investigated the composition of intestinal microbiota of cats in 5 different age groups (pre-weanling, weanling, young, aged, senile) with a culture-based method. For lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, we also quantified with molecular-based method, real-time PCR. The results suggested that the composition of the feline intestinal microbiota changes with age, while the changes were different from those of humans and dogs. Bifidobacteria which are predominant in human intestine or lactobacilli which are predominant in dog intestine, did not appear to be important in cat intestines. Enterococci, instead, seem to be major lactic acid producing bacteria in cats. We also identified lactobacilli and bifidobacteria at the species level based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and found that the species composition of Lactobacillus also changed with age.

The effect of soymilk intake on the fecal microbiota, particularly Bifidobacterium species, and intestinal environment of healthy adults: a pilot study.

The influence of soymilk on the fecal microbiota, particularly Bifidobacterium species, and metabolic activities were investigated in eight healthy adult humans. During the soymilk intake period, the number of bifidobacteria in feces was significantly higher (p<0.05) on day 14 of the soymilk intake period than before the intake period, whereas that of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly lower (p<0.05) on days 7 and 14 of the soymilk intake period than before the intake period. In an investigation of Bifidobacterium at the species or group level, the numbers of all species and groups studied slightly increased during the soymilk intake period. These results show that the intake of soymilk may contribute to improving the intestinal environment.

Partially hydrolysed guar gum ameliorates murine intestinal inflammation in association with modulating luminal microbiota and SCFA.

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), a water-soluble dietary fibre produced by the controlled partial enzymatic hydrolysis of guar gum beans, has various physiological roles. This study aimed to elucidate the beneficial effects of PHGG on colonic mucosal damage in a murine 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model. Acute colitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice with TNBS after 2 weeks of pre-feeding with PHGG (5 %). The colonic mucosal inflammation was evaluated using macroscopic damage scores, and neutrophil infiltration was assessed by measuring tissue-associated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the colonic mucosa. TNF-α expression in the colonic mucosa was measured by ELISA and real-time PCR. Moreover, the intestinal microbiota and production of SCFA were assessed by real-time PCR and HPLC, respectively. Colonic damage due to TNBS administration was significantly ameliorated by PHGG treatment. Furthermore, PHGG significantly inhibited increases in MPO activity and TNF-α protein and mRNA expression in the colonic mucosa in TNBS-induced colitis. On analysis of intestinal microbiota, we found that the concentration of the Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), the Clostridium leptum subgroup (Clostridium cluster IV) and the Bacteroides fragilis group had significantly increased in PHGG-fed mice. On analysis of SCFA, we found that the caecal content of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid had significantly increased in PHGG-fed mice. Together, these results suggest that chronic ingestion of PHGG prevents the development of TNBS-induced colitis in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota and SCFA, which may be significant in the development of therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease.

Evaluation of Acoustic Properties for Ca3Nb(Ga0.75Al0.25)3Si2O14 Single Crystal Using the Ultrasonic Microspectroscopy System.

Acoustically related physical constants were experimentally determined for Ca3Nb(Ga0.75Al0.25)3Si2O14 (CNGAS) single crystal for the first time. Several plate specimens of the X-, Y -, Z -, 40.24 ° Y -, and 144.98 ° Y -cut were prepared from a CNGAS single crystal ingot grown by Czochralski technique. Elastic constants, piezoelectric constants, and their temperature coefficients for CNGAS were determined from longitudinal wave and shear wave velocities at around room temperature, measured by the ultrasonic microspectroscopy system. Dielectric constants, density, and coefficients of thermal expansion were also measured. It was demonstrated that the determined constants could provide calculation accuracy within ±0.12% in leaky surface acoustic wave velocity. The piezoelectric constants for CNGAS were a 7.2% increase in e11 and a 1.7% decrease in e14 due to Al-substitution effect, compared with those of Ca3NbGa3Si2O14. The appropriate cut angle for thickness-shear mode resonator with zero temperature coefficient of velocity was estimated to be around 150 ° Y -cut from calculations using the determined constants of CNGAS exhibiting electromechanical coupling factor k2 of 3.19% and power flow angle of -1.70°.

Crystal Growth of Ca3Nb(Ga1-xAlx)3Si2O14 Piezoelectric Single Crystals with Various Al Concentrations.

Ca3Nb(Ga1-xAlx)3Si2O14 (CNGAS) single crystals with various Al concentrations were grown by a micro-pulling-down (µ-PD) method and their crystal structures, chemical compositions, crystallinities were investigated. CNGAS crystals with x = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 indicated a single phase of langasite-type structure without any secondary phases. In contrast, the crystals with x = 0.8 and 1 included some secondary phases in addition to the langasite-type phase. Lattice parameters, a- and c-axes lengths, of the langasite-type phase systematically decreased with an increase of Al concentration. The results of chemical composition analysis revealed that the actual Al concentrations in as-grown crystals were almost consistent with the nominal compositions. In addition, there was no large segregation of each cation along the growth direction.

Direct observation of unstable reaction intermediates by acid-base complex formation.

The structures of several unstable or metastable reaction intermediates that were photoproduced in crystals were analyzed by using X-ray techniques. The presence of enough void space around the reactive group(s) is an essential factor for the reaction to occur with retention of the single-crystal form. To expand the void space, an acid group (COOH) was substituted onto the reactant molecule and acid-base complex crystals were prepared with several amines, such as dibenzylamine and dicyclohexylamine. Following the formation of such acid-base complexes in crystals, the metastable structures of nitrenes and red species of photochromic salicylideneanilines have been successfully analyzed by using X-ray techniques. Moreover, the structure of a Pt complex anion in the excited state has been analyzed, which formed acid-base complex crystals with various alkylammonium cations. The formation of acid-base complexes will be a powerful tool for directly observing the structure of unstable or metastable reaction intermediates by using X-ray techniques.

Relation between photochromic properties and molecular structures in salicylideneaniline crystals.

The crystal structures of the salicylideneaniline derivatives N-salicylidene-4-tert-butyl-aniline (1), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-3-methoxyaniline (2), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-3-bromoaniline (3), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-3-chloroaniline (4), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-4-bromoaniline (5), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-aniline (6), N-3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylidene-4-carboxyaniline (7) and N-salicylidene-2-chloroaniline (8) were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis at ambient temperature to investigate the relationship between their photochromic properties and molecular structures. A clear correlation between photochromism and the dihedral angle of the two benzene rings in the salicylideneaniline derivatives was observed. Crystals with dihedral angles less than 20° were non-photochromic, whereas those with dihedral angles greater than 30° were photochromic. Crystals with dihedral angles between 20 and 30° could be either photochromic or non-photochromic. Inhibition of the pedal motion by intra- or intermolecular steric hindrance, however, can result in non-photochromic behaviour even if the dihedral angle is larger than 30°.

Effects of non-fermented and fermented soybean milk intake on faecal microbiota and faecal metabolites in humans.

The effects of non-fermented soybean milk (NFSM) and fermented soybean milk (FSM) intake on the faecal microbiota and metabolic activities in 10 healthy volunteers were investigated. Soybean oligosaccharides, raffinose and stachyose were utilized by bifidobacteria except for Bifidobacterium bifidum, but most strains of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens could not use them. During the dietary administration of FSM, the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the faeces increased (p < 0.05), and clostridia decreased (p < 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of faecal sulphide were decreased (p < 0.01) in the intake of FSM. During the dietary administration of NFSM, the number of bifidobacteria tended to increase. These results indicate that the consumption of soybean milk, especially FSM, is related to improvement of the intestinal environment.

Beneficial effects of probiotic bifidobacterium and galacto-oligosaccharide in patients with ulcerative colitis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In previous studies, we described the beneficial effects of bifidobacteria-fermented milk in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we examined the effects of a live Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult, a probiotic contained in bifidobacteria-fermented milk, and galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) as synbiotics in UC patients. METHODS: Forty-one patients with mild to moderate UC were assigned to two groups; one group was treated with the synbiotics and the other was not (control). The treatment group ingested 1 g of the probiotic powder (10(9) CFU/g) three times a day, and 5.5 g of GOS once a day for one year. At the start and the end of this study, colonoscopic index and the amount of myeloperoxidase in a lavage solution were used as disease activity indices. Bacterial counts in the feces at the start and the end of this study were also examined. RESULTS: After a one-year treatment with the synbiotics, the clinical status of the UC patients as assessed by colonoscopy, significantly improved. Furthermore, the amount of myeloperoxidase in the lavage also decreased in these patients after the synbiotic treatment. The synbiotics significantly reduced the fecal counts of Bacteroidaceae and fecal pH. CONCLUSION: Administration of live B. breve strain Yakult and GOS can improve the clinical condition of patients with UC. These results encouraged us to perform a large-scale randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Direct observation of arylnitrene formation in the photoreaction of arylazide crystals.

Seven crystal structures of arylazides, 2-azidobiphenyl (2), 4-(4-azidophenyl)butanoic acid (3), 3-azidobenzoic acid (4), N-(4-azidophenyl)acetamide (5), 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl azide (6), 2,5-dibromophenyl azide (7) and 2,4,6-tribromophenyl azide (8), have been analyzed by X-rays. When the crystals were irradiated with UV light at ≃ 80 K, only 2-azidobiphenyl gradually changed its cell dimensions with the retention of the single-crystal form. The crystal structure after photo-irradiation was analyzed by X-rays under the same conditions as those before photo-irradiation. Approximately 20% of the 2-azidobiphenyl molecule was converted to the triplet 2-biphenylnitrene and dinitrogen molecules. The existence of the triplet nitrene was confirmed by ESR and IR measurements. Although the structure of dinitrogen was clearly determined, the nitrene structure was obscure because the nitrene produced was almost superimposed on the original 2-azidobiphenyl. The other six crystals were non-reactive or easily broken when they were exposed to UV light. The different reactivity between 2-azidobiphenyl and the other compounds was successfully explained by the reaction cavity of the azido group.

Direct observation of various reaction pathways of arylnitrenes in different crystal environments caused by acid-base complex formation.

The structures of reaction intermediates, arylnitrenes and their final products have been successfully analyzed by X-rays using acid-base complex formation. The acid-base complexes of 2-azidobenzoic acid (2a), 3-azidobenzoic acid (3a) and 4-azidobenzoic acid (4a) were made with dibenzylamine (db), N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine (bp) and dicyclohexylamine (dc). For the complex crystals of (3a) and db (3a-db), and (4a) and db (4a-db) two forms of (I) and (II) were obtained. Eight types of complex crystals, (2a-db), (3a-db-I), (3a-db-II), (3a-dc), (4a-db-I), (4a-db-II), (4a-bp) and (4a-dc), suitable for X-ray analysis were obtained. When the crystals were irradiated with UV light at low temperatures, the reactions proceeded keeping the single-crystal form in the five crystals (2a-db), (3a-db-I), (3a-db-II), (3a-dc) and (4a-bp). Less than 25% of each azidobenzoic acids was transformed into an arylnitrene and dinitrogen. In three crystals the arylnitrenes produced gave new final products; 2,1-benzisoxazolone was observed for (2a-db) and trans-azobenzenes (i.e. dimerized nitrenes) were obtained for (3a-db-II) and (4a-bp). For (3a-db-I) and (3a-dc) the intermediate arylnitrenes were observed but did not transform to new products. All the structural changes were directly observed by X-ray analysis because the incomplete reactions occurred with retention crystallinity. The crystal environment, including the hydrogen bonding between the benzoic acid and the amine, places restrictions on the movement of the arylnitrene and influences the reaction pathway followed for conversion of the arylnitrene to its final product.

Colonization of segmented filamentous bacteria and its interaction with the luminal IgA level in conventional mice.

Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) colonize in the ileum. They promote the development of intraepithelial lymphocytes and immunoglobulin A (IgA)-producing cells in the small intestine. In SFB-monoassociated mice, changes in SFB colonization of the small intestine were related to the level of IgA derived from maternal milk during the suckling period and self-produced in the small intestine after weaning. In this study, we investigated whether or not maternal and neonatal IgA influence the colonization of SFB in conventional mice from 18 to 105 days old. The pups were forcedly weaned at 20 days old. SFB could be detected in the distal small intestine after day 22, and their number rapidly reached a maximum on day 28. Thereafter, they gradually declined to one-fourth of the maximum level. The lowest concentrations of IgA in the small intestinal and cecal contents were detected on day 22. Thereafter, they increased as the age of the mice increased. The expression of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor gene in the distal small intestine increased after weaning. These results suggested that the colonization of SFB in the pre-weaning and post-weaning periods might be prevented with IgA derived from maternal milk and self-produced IgA, respectively.