Alteration of sweet taste receptor expression in circumvallate papillae of mice with decreased sweet taste preference induced by social defeat stress.

Anhedonia is a key diagnostic symptom and central feature of depression symptomatology, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated whether the decrease of sweet taste preference, anhedonia-like behavior in experimental animals, was accompanied by alteration of sweet taste receptor expression in circumvallate papillae (CP) of social defeat stress (SDS)-subjected mice. By subjecting to 10-d SDS, male BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice with decreased sociability in a social interaction test were defined as SDS-susceptible ones, and they exhibited a depressive-like behavior in a forced swim test. In SDS-susceptible BALB/c mice, a two-bottle choice test with a sucrose solution revealed a reduction of sweet taste preference, while expression of sweet taste receptors, T1R2 and T1R3, in their CP was elevated, and the morphology of taste buds and numbers of type II-taste cells were not changed. In CP of SDS-susceptible C57BL/6J mice without a decrease of sweet taste preference, in contrast, there was no alteration of sweet taste receptor expression. Together with the finding that the body weight gain of SDS-susceptible BALB/c mice was apparently less than that of control ones, differing from the case of SDS-susceptible C57BL/6J ones, it is suggested that expression of sweet taste receptors in CP of SDS-susceptible BALB/c mice with decreased sweet taste preference might be upregulated to compensate for the stress-induced increase of energy expenditure.

Reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice exposed to chronic social defeat stress with a modified sensory contact protocol.

AIMS: C57BL/6J mice are well-known to exhibit resilience to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) for induction of depressive-like behavior. Establishment of protocols for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice would be useful to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms using target gene-knock-in and -out mice whose background is generally C57BL/6J. Here, we developed a modified CSDS protocol for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice, and compared the profile of their gut microbiota with that with the standard CSDS protocol. MAIN METHODS: To prevent acclimation of defeated C57BL/6J mice to aggressive ICR mice, the sensory contact following a daily 10 min-defeat episode was performed by housing an individual defeated mouse in a cage set next to a cage for the aggressor one. KEY FINDINGS: The number of attacks by ICR mice on C57BL/6J ones was significantly increased with the modified CSDS protocol, and the susceptible mice exhibited greater hippocampal inflammation and an increased immobility time in the forced swim test, compared in the case of the standard CSDS protocol, and the reproducibility was confirmed in another set of experiments. Both the standard and modified CSDS protocols changed the diversity and relative composition of gut microbiota in the susceptible mice, but there was no apparent difference in them between the standard and modified CSDS-susceptible mice. SIGNIFICANCE: We established a CSDS protocol for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice, and the features of the gut microbiota were similar in the susceptible mice with and without the depressive-like behavior.

Potential of pure cellulose nanofibers as a denture base material.

A study was conducted to evaluate the basic mechanical properties of a pure cellulose nanofiber (CNF) material in comparison with a commercial denture base material (polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] acrylic resin). The working hypothesis was that CNFs have potential for use as denture base materials. Pure CNF specimens fabricated under various conditions were examined. The flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) of the specimens were measured using the three-point bending test, and the morphologies of the fractured surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Addition of tricalcium phosphate to dehydrate the CNFs did not improve their FS or FM. Conversely, substitution with methanol effectively improved the dehydration process and significantly affected the mechanical properties of the CNFs. As the degree of CNF defibration increased, the physical properties of the specimens improved significantly. However, addition of CNFs to PMMA liquid to create CNF-reinforced PMMA did not improve the mechanical properties. Pure CNF specimens fabricated under particular conditions had higher FS and FM values than the control, suggesting that CNFs have potential as a "petroleum-free" alternative to acrylic resin denture base materials. Pure CNF would be potentially useful as a denture base material, and presumably applicable to computer-aided design/manufacture (CAD/CAM).

Distribution of small intestinal mucosal injuries as a result of NSAID administration.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce small intestinal mucosal injuries. The concentrations of NSAIDs, bile acids and intestinal flora may differ in the proximal and distal parts of the small intestine. This study aimed to analyse types and distributions of NSAID-induced small intestinal injuries. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total 55 healthy male volunteers were examined using baseline capsule endoscopy (CE). Subjects then undertook a 14-day regimen of NSAID medication (diclofenac sodium, 75 mg day(-1)) with proton-pump inhibitors (omeprazole 20 mg day(-1)) as gastroprotection. After 14 days, subjects underwent post-treatment CE and were assessed for three types of small intestinal injuries: denuded areas, erosions and ulcers. The proximal and distal parts of the small intestine were arbitrarily classified according to CE transit time from the duodenal bulb. RESULTS: Baseline CE revealed six mucosal lesions in 6 of 55 subjects (11%), consisting of three denuded areas and three erosions. Post-treatment CE identified 636 lesions in 32 of 53 subjects (60%); including 115 denuded areas in 16 subjects, 498 erosions in 22 subjects and 23 ulcers in 8 subjects. The distribution of small intestinal injuries differed according to type; denuded areas (90%: 103/115) were predominantly located in the proximal part, erosions throughout the small intestine and all ulcers in the distal part. The location of ulcers and denuded areas differed statistically (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of short-term NSAID medication on the small intestine differed according to intestinal site, with most denuded areas identified in the proximal part and all ulcers in the distal part.

Sustainable and practical degradation of intact chicken feathers by cultivating a newly isolated thermophilic Meiothermus ruber H328.

The sustainable and practical degradation of intact chicken feathers by a newly isolated thermophilic bacterium Meiothermus ruber H328 was presented with extensive data. Aerobic cultivation with moderately thermophilic strain H328 at 55 degrees C for 6 days led to the apparently complete decay of the truly intact feathers and provided 1.89 mmol free amino acids and 7.32 mmol acid-hydrolyzed amino acids from 50 ml of culture containing 3% (w/v) intact chicken feathers. The amino acid components in the soluble fraction of the culture conspicuously agreed with those calculated from the intact feathers. This demonstrated that more than 55% of total keratin proteins were solubilized from the intact chicken feathers into the culture in the forms of free amino acid and/or soluble oligopeptide, and most of them are directly derived from the intact feathers by proteolytic digestion. Feather degradation by strain H328 surpasses that by any other microorganisms with regard to degradation efficiency, absence of requirement for pretreatment of the feathers, and product fidelity in the amino acid component. Furthermore, the culture containing the degradative products from the intact feathers was subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry-time-of-flight analysis, and it was revealed that the molecular masses of the solubilized products, oligopeptides, were less than 1,000. This result allows us to investigate the bioactivities of oligopeptides derived from the degradation of chicken feathers by cultivation with strain H328 as well as the production of amino acids for feedstuffs.

[Gastrointestinal manifestations in Henoch-Schönlein purpura].

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic, generalized vasculitis. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms occur in about 80% of patients. GI symptoms precede other manifestations in 14% of patients. Delay of diagnosis may lead to severe problems such as intestinal perforation. Therefore we need to know the characteristics of HSP in case of GI involvement. Although the second part of duodenum has been reported to be affected predominantly, our data demonstrate that total sites of small intestine are affected and the endoscopic findings of small intestine do not differ from other GI tract. Double balloon endoscopy (DBE) and capsule endoscopy (CE) have enabled to observe total sites of small intestine. We expect that DBE and CE will elucidate the endoscopic characteristics of GI tract in HSP in the future.

Diagnostic yield of double-balloon endoscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new method that allows visualization, tissue sampling, and therapeutic intervention of a variety of pathologies throughout the small-intestinal tract. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic yield of DBE and its impact on the final diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcome of patients with obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). DESIGN AND SETTING: A hospital-based cross-sectional, follow-up study. PATIENTS: We studied 108 consecutive patients (66 men and 42 women) referred to our hospital from July 2003 to February 2007 for the evaluation of OGIB: 13 patients with overt-ongoing bleeding, 76 with overt-previous bleeding, and 19 with occult OGIB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Diagnostic yield, a final diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcome were all analyzed in each group. RESULTS: DBE diagnostic rates for patients with overt-ongoing, overt-previous, and occult bleeding were 100.0%, 48.4% and 42.1%, respectively. The difference in diagnostic yields between the overt-ongoing group and the 2 other groups was statistically significant (P < .005). The most common sources of bleeding were ulcers and tumor lesions. Small-intestinal lesions were identified in 52 of 108 patients; of which 36 patients (69.2%) were biopsied and 49 patients (94.2%) received treatment. Eight patients (7.4%) had recurrent bleeding during the mean follow-up period of 28.5 months. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of DBE in the diagnoses of small-intestinal lesions in patients with OGIB were 92.7%, 96.4%, 98.1%, and 87.1%, respectively. No serious complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: DBE was proven to be a very useful diagnostic tool and had a therapeutic impact in the majority of patients with OGIB. The best candidates for the procedure were patients with overt-ongoing bleeding.

A new synthesis of 2-sulfanyl allylic alcohols and alpha-sulfanyl ketones from carbonyl compounds and 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with carbon-carbon bond-formation.

Reaction of lithium alpha-sulfinyl carbanions of 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with ketones or aldehydes at low temperature gave adducts in almost quantitative yields. Treatment of the adducts derived from ketones with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) in the presence of NaI in acetone gave alpha-sulfanyl allylic alcohols in good to quantitative yields. On the other hand, treatment of the adducts derived from aldehydes with TFAA and NaI resulted in the formation of alpha-sulfanyl ketones and/or alpha-sulfanyl allylic alcohols. These reactions offer a good method for the synthesis of the above-mentioned compounds from ketones and aldehydes with carbon-carbon bond-formation in two steps and in good yields.

Comparative study of diagnostic value of cytologic sampling by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and that by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography for the management of pancreatic mass without biliary stricture.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can now provide a cytopathological diagnosis of underlying pancreatic malignancy with higher success rates than endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). To determine the significance of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of pancreatic mass without biliary stricture, the value of cytopathological diagnosis obtained by EUS-FNA was retrospectively compared with that by ERP, and the complications associated with these procedures evaluated. METHODS: Eighty-three patients who were suspected to have a pancreatic mass (excluding a cystic mass), without biliary stricture on conventional ultrasound and/or computed tomography were enrolled. The EUS-FNA biopsy was performed in 53 patients and cytology utilizing ERP was performed in 30 patients. RESULTS: The sampling rate of adequate specimen was 100% in both groups. In the EUS-FNA group, the overall results for the available samples were sensitivity 92.9% and accuracy 94.3%. In contrast, in the ERCP group, the overall results were sensitivity 33.3% and accuracy 46.7%. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). With regard to complications, there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in the frequency of post-procedure pancreatitis between the EUS-FNA group and ERP group (0%, 0/53 vs 33.3%, 10/30, respectively). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration is safer and more accurate for the cytopathological diagnosis of suspected pancreatic masses without a biliary stricture as compared with cytology during ERP. Endoscopic ultrasonography with FNA should be considered a preferred test (prior to attempting endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) when a cytological diagnosis of a pancreatic mass is required, especially when there is no biliary obstruction, or when emergent decompression of an obstructed biliary tree is not considered clinically necessary due to lack of signs and symptoms of cholangitis.

[Difference between alcohol dependence and nicotine dependence in cognitive dysfunction].

The extent of cognitive dysfunction in the nicotine and/or alcohol dependent subjects has been evaluated with Digit Span, Number Connection Test and Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test. Samples were divided into 4 groups, 8 subjects with alcohol and nicotine dependence, 9 subjects with alcohol dependence, 10 subjects with nicotine dependence and 31 subjects without the dependences who met ICD-10 criteria for dependence syndrome. The performance times of Number Connection Test were prolonged in the alcohol dependence and the presence of the nicotine dependence did not influence the performance times of Number Connection Test. The performances on the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test were impaired by the alcohol dependence and the presence of the nicotine dependence did not influence the performances on the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test.