A case of vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumor (VIPoma) arising from MEN1 inactivation which recurred 15 years after the initial resection.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) are extremely rare functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (p-NENs) characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria. Here, we report the case of a 51-year-old female patient with VIPoma that recurred after a long-term disease-free interval. This patient had been asymptomatic for approximately 15 years after the initial curative surgery for pancreatic VIPoma, with no metastasis. The patient underwent a second curative surgery for the locally recurrent VIPoma. Whole-exome sequencing of the resected tumor revealed a somatic mutation in MEN1, which is reportedly responsible not only for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome but also sporadic p-NENs. Symptoms were controlled with lanreotide before and after surgery. The patient is alive with no relapse following 14 months after surgery. This case demonstrates the importance of long-term observation of patients with VIPoma.

Esterification of 4ß-hydroxycholesterol and other oxysterols in human plasma occurs independently of LCAT.

The acyltransferase LCAT mediates FA esterification of plasma cholesterol. In vitro studies have shown that LCAT also FA-esterifies several oxysterols, but in vivo evidence is lacking. Here, we measured both free and FA-esterified forms of sterols in 206 healthy volunteers and 8 individuals with genetic LCAT deficiency, including familial LCAT deficiency (FLD) and fish-eye disease (FED). In the healthy volunteers, the mean values of the ester-to-total molar ratios of the following sterols varied: 4ß-hydroxycholesterol (4ßHC), 0.38; 5,6α-epoxycholesterol (5,6αEC), 0.46; 5,6ß-epoxycholesterol (5,6ßEC), 0.51; cholesterol, 0.70; cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol (CT), 0.70; 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 0.75; 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24SHC), 0.80; 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), 0.81; 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), 0.86; and 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7αHC), 0.89. In the individuals with LCAT deficiency, the plasma levels of the FA-esterified forms of cholesterol, 5,6αEC, 5,6ßEC, CT, 7αHC, 7KC, 24SHC, 25HC, and 27HC, were significantly lower than those in the healthy volunteers. The individuals with FLD had significantly lower FA-esterified forms of 7αHC, 24SHC, and 27HC than those with FED. It is of note that, even in the three FLD individuals with negligible plasma cholesteryl ester, substantial amounts of the FA-esterified forms of 4ßHC, 5,6αEC, 7αHC, 7KC, and 27HC were present. We conclude that LCAT has a major role in the FA esterification of many plasma oxysterols but contributes little to the FA esterification of 4ßHC. Substantial FA esterification of 4ßHC, 5,6αEC, 7αHC, 7KC, and 27HC is independent of LCAT.

Twenty-Four-Hour Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor in Patients With Diabetes and Uncontrolled Nocturnal Hypertension: Results From the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled SACRA Study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in salt-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus and uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension is high. The SACRA (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker [ARB] Combination Therapy in Patients With Diabetes and Uncontrolled Nocturnal Hypertension) study investigated changes in blood pressure (BP) with empagliflozin plus existing antihypertensive therapy. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, parallel study was conducted in Japan. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension receiving stable antihypertensive therapy including angiotensin receptor blockers were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo. Clinic BP was measured at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12; 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed at baseline and week 12; and morning home BP was determined for 5 days before each visit. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in nighttime BP (ambulatory BP monitoring). RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two nonobese, older patients with well-controlled blood glucose were randomized (mean age 70 years, mean body mass index 26 kg/m2). Empagliflozin, but not placebo, significantly reduced nighttime systolic BP versus baseline (-6.3 mm Hg; P=0.004); between-group difference in change from baseline was -4.3 mm Hg (P=0.159). Reductions in daytime, 24-hour, morning home, and clinic systolic BP at 12 weeks with empagliflozin were significantly greater than with placebo (-9.5, -7.7, -7.5, and -8.6 mm Hg, respectively; all P≤0.002). Between-group differences in body weight and glycosylated hemoglobin reductions were significant, but small (-1.3 kg and -0.33%; both P<0.001). At 4 weeks, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were reduced to a greater extent in the empagliflozin versus placebo group (-12.1%; P=0.013); atrial natriuretic peptide levels decreased with empagliflozin versus placebo at weeks 4 and 12 (-8.2% [P=0.008] and -9.7% [P=0.019]). Changes in antihypertensive medication during the study did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nonseverely obese older diabetes patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension showed significant BP reductions without marked reductions in glucose with the addition of empagliflozin to existing antihypertensive and antidiabetic therapy. Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in specific groups (eg, those with nocturnal hypertension, diabetes, and high salt sensitivity) could help reduce the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov. Unique identifier: NCT03050229.

Predictors of response to ipragliflozin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin treatment on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We recruited 44 patients with T2DM, treated them with 50 mg/day of ipragliflozin for 12 weeks, and assessed several diabetic variables before and after treatment. We used stepwise multiple regression analysis to evaluate response to ipragliflozin in terms of changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels after therapy. RESULTS: Treatment with ipragliflozin for 12 weeks significantly decreased fasting glucose, HbA1c, and blood pressure levels without severe adverse events. The baseline HbA1c (ß = -0.52, p < 0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (ß = -0.29, p = 0.03) were independently and significantly related to a decrease in HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM, ipragliflozin treatment improved glycemic control, and baseline HbA1c and ALT levels appeared to predict treatment response.

Takayasu's arteritis associated with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab.

A 23-year-old woman presented with fever, diarrhea, bloody stools, and arthralgia that did not improve despite previous treatments and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Remission was achieved after the introduction of infliximab, nutritional therapy, and 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment. However, the patient's blood sedimentation rate remained elevated without symptom recurrence, except for abdominal pain in the following year. Aortic wall thickening in the thoracic descending aorta was also observed on computed tomography. Accumulation in the thoracic descending aorta and abdominal aorta was confirmed using positron emission tomography-computed tomography. The patient was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis. The patient's abdominal symptoms resolved, and her blood sedimentation rate normalized after steroid administration.

Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction with Repeated Pancreatitis Due to Protein Plugs in a Short Period.

A 70-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital 1 month prior to presentation with acute pancreatitis due to pancreaticobiliary maljunction. After discharge, she was referred for elevated hepatobiliary enzyme levels. She was diagnosed with an acute pancreatitis flare-up. Computed tomography revealed dilation of the common duct compared to the previous admission. Considering the protein plug formation as the cause, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed after improvement. ERCP revealed a defect in the duct, suspected to be caused by protein plugs, which were removed using a balloon after endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation. An analysis revealed that this component was a protein. No recurrence of pancreatitis was observed after the treatment.

Macrophage lipoprotein lipase modulates the development of atherosclerosis but not adiposity.

The role of macrophage lipoprotein lipase (LpL) in the development of atherosclerosis and adiposity was examined in macrophage LpL knockout (MLpLKO) mice. MLpLKO mice were generated using cre-loxP gene targeting. Loss of LpL in macrophages did not alter plasma LpL activity or lipoprotein levels. Incubation of apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient ß-VLDL with peritoneal macrophages from ApoE knockout mice lacking macrophage LpL (MLpLKO/ApoEKO) led to less cholesteryl ester formation than that found with ApoEKO macrophages. MLpLKO/ApoEKO macrophages had reduced intracellular triglyceride levels, with decreased CD36 and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 mRNA levels compared with ApoEKO macrophages, when incubated with VLDL. Although both MLpLKO/ApoEKO and ApoEKO mice developed comparable hypercholesterolemia in response to feeding with a Western-type diet for 12 weeks, atherosclerosis was less in MLpLKO/ApoEKO mice. Epididymal fat mass and gene expression levels associated with inflammation did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, macrophage LpL plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis but not adiposity.

Liver-specific deletion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase causes hepatic steatosis and death.

OBJECTIVE: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis and has proven to be an effective target of lipid-lowering drugs, statins. The aim of this study was to understand the role of hepatic HMGCR in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: To disrupt the HMGCR gene in liver, we generated mice homozygous for a floxed HMGCR allele and heterozygous for a transgene encoding Cre recombinase under the control of the albumin promoter (liver-specific HMGCR knockout mice). Ninety-six percent of male and 71% of female mice died by 6 weeks of age, probably as a result of liver failure or hypoglycemia. At 5 weeks of age, liver-specific HMGCR knockout mice showed severe hepatic steatosis with apoptotic cells, hypercholesterolemia, and hypoglycemia. The hepatic steatosis and death were completely reversed by providing the animals with mevalonate, indicating its essential role in normal liver function. There was a modest decrease in hepatic cholesterol synthesis in liver-specific HMGCR knockout mice. Instead, they showed a robust increase in the fatty acid synthesis, independent of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocyte HMGCR is essential for the survival of mice, and its abrogation elicits hepatic steatosis with jaundice and hypoglycemia.

Effects of miglitol versus sitagliptin on postprandial glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Postprandial hyperglycemia and/or hyperlipidemia can contribute to development of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of miglitol and sitagliptin on postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM. Thirty-five patients with T2DM were randomized to 2 groups receiving miglitol (150 mg/day) or sitagliptin (50 mg/day). Serum variables related to glucose and lipid metabolism were measured before and after treatment for 10 weeks and at 0, 60, and 120 min using a cookie-loading test (CLT). After 10 weeks of treatment, miglitol (n = 16) and sitagliptin (n = 18) caused a similarly significant decrease in hemoglobin A1c (mean: 7.6% to 7.3% versus 8.0% to 7.6%) and a significant increase in fasting insulin levels, with a greater increase observed in the miglitol group than in the sitagliptin group (p=0.03). In addition, a significant decrease in the change in glucose levels after the CLT was observed in both groups, with a greater decrease observed in the miglitol group than in the sitagliptin group (p=0.02). The miglitol group also showed a greater decrease in the change in insulin levels after the CLT than the sitagliptin group (p<0.01). The lipid and lipoprotein levels did not show any significant differences between the groups after the CLT. Our results suggested that miglitol and sitagliptin treatment resulted in similar glycemic control but that a greater decrease in postprandial glucose and insulin levels was observed with miglitol compared with sitagliptin in patients with T2DM.

Mesalazine-Induced Diffuse Lung Injury in a Patient Without Respiratory Signs and Symptoms.

Mesalazine is a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and is known to rarely cause lung injury. We show herein a unique case who developed this drug-induced injury. A 17-year-old boy presented with fever and anorexia after administration of mesalazine. Computed tomography showed extensive ground-glass opacities with peripheral distribution in both lungs. He had general weakness, but had no respiratory symptoms such as cough and dyspnea. With prednisolone, which is primarily aimed at controlling ulcerative colitis, the extensive opacity in both lungs were improved. All patients with this drug-induced lung injury reported to date have had respiratory symptoms, but this patient had no subjective respiratory symptoms and had no abnormalities in respiratory rate and oxyhaemoglobin saturation. Although very rare, we do believe that this clinical course will provide some suggestive information on treatment for patients with similar course in the future.

A Novel Missense MEN1 Mutation in a Sporadic Case of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Complicated with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare genetic disorder, resulting from MEN1 gene abnormalities, which causes tumors mainly in the endocrine glands. We experienced a sporadic case of MEN1 complicated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and found a novel missense mutation in the patient's MEN1 gene. Her older sister, who showed no typical symptom of MEN1, had a history of PTC, suggesting the presence of another genetic factor involved in PTC development. This case suggests the importance of an individual's genetic background in the development of MEN1 complications.

Association of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibroblastic growth factor 21 in 3 groups of type 2 diabetes: Without overweight/obesity, free of insulin resistance, and without hepatosteatosis.

The physiological effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), leading to beneficial metabolic outcomes, have been extensively revealed in recent decades. Significantly elevated serum levels of FGF21 in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are referred to as FGF21 resistance. However, Asian population tend to develop metabolic disorders at a lesser degree of obesity than those of Western. This study aimed to explore factors potentially related to serum FGF21 according to the severity of metabolic disorders in patients with T2DM. This cross-sectional study included 176 T2DM patients. The patients were categorized according to whether they had hepatic steatosis (fatty liver index [FLI] ≥ 60), insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-R] ≥ median), and/or overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25.0 kg/m2). Independent predictors of serum FGF21 were determined using multiple linear regression analysis in these 3 groups of T2DM patients. Circulating FGF21 levels were correlated positively with BMI, abdominal fat areas, leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). After adjustment for potential confounders, multiple linear regression analysis identified leptin as a factor strongly associated with serum FGF21 levels in all patients. Moreover, PAI-1 was a significant predictor of FGF21 in those with FLI < 60, BMI < 25.0 kg/m2, and HOMA-R < median, while leptin was the only independent factor in each of their counterparts. The factors related to serum FGF21 differ according to the severity of metabolic disorders. FGF21 appears to be independently associated with PAI-1 in T2DM patients: without overweight/obesity, those free of insulin resistance, and those without hepatic steatosis.

Serum 25-hydroxycholesterol levels are increased in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), produced by cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) in macrophages, has been reported to inhibit the replication of viral pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Also, CH25H expression in macrophages is robustly induced by interferons (IFNs). OBJECTIVE: To better understand the serum level increase of 25HC in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it relates to the clinical picture. METHODS: We measured the serum levels of 25HC and five other oxysterols in 17 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: On admission, 25HC and 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) serum levels were elevated; however, 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) levels were lower in patients with COVID-19 than in the healthy controls. There was no significant correlation between 25HC serum levels and disease severity markers, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 6. Dexamethasone effectively suppressed cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine leukemia macrophage cell line, with or without lipopolysaccharide or IFNs; therefore, it might mitigate the increasing effects of COVID-19 on the serum levels of 25HC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlighted that 25HC could be used as a unique biomarker in severe COVID-19 and a potential therapeutic candidate for detecting the severity of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Ezetimibe, an inhibitor of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein, decreases cholesteryl ester transfer protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To address the effects of ezetimibe on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism, the HDL subclasses, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) were measured in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-three hypercholesterolemic patients with T2DM were treated with 10 mg of ezetimibe daily for 12 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (C), HDL-C, HDL(2)-C, HDL(3)-C, CETP mass, and LCAT activity were measured. HDL-C and HDL(2)-C increased by 5% (p<0.05) and 12% (p<0.01), respectively, in response to ezetimibe. Of the 23 patients, 21 had decreased CETP mass, which led to an average reduction of 20% (p<0.0001). LCAT activity also decreased by 6% (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found in the changes from baseline between HDL(2)-C and CETP mass, whereas a significant inverse relationship was observed between HDL(3)-C and CETP mass. Furthermore, the change in HDL-C was positively correlated with the change in LCAT activity. In conclusion, ezetimibe may affect HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport, especially CETP, in T2DM. These observations may provide some insights into how ezetimibe prevents atherosclerosis.

Serotonin-positive neuroendocrine neoplasm with pancreatic ductal dilation in which cytological immunostaining contributed to the diagnosis.

A 52-year-old man was transported via an ambulance because of syncope and the passage of tarry stools, which had been noted the previous day. He was diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a gastric ulcer and underwent endoscopic hemostasis. Prior to endoscopy, abdominal computerized tomography performed for gastrointestinal bleeding revealed pancreatic duct dilation. After discharge, abdominal imaging revealed a strongly enhancing tumor (5 mm) with caudal pancreatic duct dilation. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed that the main pancreatic duct was interrupted at the body. Pancreatic juice cytology was class III, and additional immunostaining were positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and serotonin, suggesting a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). Distal pancreatectomy was performed and a yellowish-white solid lesion was found in the pancreatic duct. Pathological examination revealed narrowing of the pancreatic duct, extensive stromal fibrosis, and proliferation of tumor cells with small round nuclei and eosinophilic vesicles. Furthermore, the immunostaining findings of the resected specimen corresponded with those of the cytology. A diagnosis of NEN G1 (WHO classification) with Ki-67 index < 1% was made. Imaging of the pancreatic duct tend to be normal or show no involvement of the duct in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms; however, there have been a few reports of stenosis due to fibrosis around the pancreatic duct. Serotonin positivity was previously documented to be significantly higher in patients with fibrosis. In lesions with pancreatic ductal stenosis, the addition of immunostaining to pancreatic juice cytology was thought to be useful in differentiating pancreatic cancer from pNEN.

Comparison of the effects of frequent versus conventional nutritional interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, controlled trial.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine whether frequent nutritional education improves the clinical parameters associated with the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease were randomly assigned to the intensive intervention group that received nutritional education at every outpatient visit, and the usual intervention group that received nutritional education once a year. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, blood chemistry, albuminuria, protein and salt intake, and prescribed medications of 87 patients who completed the 2-year follow up were analyzed. RESULTS: In the intensive intervention group, body mass index and salt intake significantly decreased over the study period. Hemoglobin A1c levels and body fat percentage were significantly lower in the intensive intervention group than in the usual intervention group. At the end of the 2-year intervention period, the intensive intervention group had significantly lower salt intake (8.1 vs 9.4 g/day) than the usual intervention group. A significant positive correlation was found between salt intake and albuminuria in the overall group and intensive intervention group (r = 0.26, P = 0.02, and r = 0.36, P = 0.02, respectively). The intensive intervention group had a significantly lower insulin use rate than the usual intervention group after the 2-year intervention period (18% vs 42%). No differences were found in estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria. CONCLUSION: Intensive nutritional education is useful for alleviating the risk factors associated with the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Sex-specific Association of Primary Aldosteronism With Visceral Adiposity.

Context: The association between primary aldosteronism and obesity, especially its sex difference, remains unknown. Objective: To assess the association for each subtype of primary aldosteronism with obesity parameters including visceral adipose tissue and differences between sexes. Methods: In this case-control study, 4 normotensive controls were selected for each case with primary aldosteronism. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between each type of primary aldosteronism and obesity indicators. We used a random forest to identify which visceral or subcutaneous tissue areas had a closer association with disease status. Results: The study subjects included 42 aldosterone-producing adenoma cases (22 women) and 68 idiopathic hyperaldosteronism cases (42 women). In multivariable conditional logistic regressions, aldosterone-producing adenoma was significantly associated with body mass index only in men (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI)], 4.62 [1.98-10.80] per 2.89 kg/m2) but not in women (OR [95% CI], 1.09 [0.69-1.72] per 3.93 kg/m2) compared with the matched controls, whereas idiopathic hyperaldosteronism was associated with body mass index in both men (OR [95% CI], 3.96 [2.03-7.73] per 3.75 kg/m2) and women (OR [95% CI], 2.65 [1.77-3.96] per 3.85 kg/m2) compared with the matched controls. In random forests, visceral adipose tissue areas were the better predictor of both aldosterone-producing adenoma and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Conclusions: Aldosterone-producing adenoma cases were obese among men, but not among women. Idiopathic hyperaldosteronism cases were obese among both men and women. Visceral adipose tissue may contribute to the pathophysiology of primary aldosteronism.

Dietitian-supported dietary intervention leads to favorable dietary changes in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: It remains to be fully elucidated whether nutrition education by dietitians can lead to specific positive changes in the food choices of patients with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease were randomly assigned to the intensive intervention group that received nutritional education at every outpatient visit and the control group that received nutritional education once a year. The total energy intake, energy-providing nutrients and 18 food groups were analyzed at baseline, and 1 and 2 years after the intervention in 87 patients. Furthermore, the relationship between the changes in hemoglobin A1c, body composition and changes in the total energy or energy-producing nutrient intake was analyzed in 48 patients who did not use or change hypoglycemic agents during the study period. RESULTS: The total energy intake, carbohydrates, cereals, confections, nuts and seeds, and seasonings significantly decreased, and fish and shellfish intake significantly increased during the study period in the intensive intervention group, whereas these changes were not observed in the control group. The decrease in the total energy intake and carbohydrates after 2 years was significantly greater in the intensive intervention group than in the control group. The change in the total energy and carbohydrate intake showed a significant positive correlation with that in muscle mass. The multivariate analysis showed that the decrease in total energy intake was independently associated with that in muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Dietitian-supported intensive dietary intervention helps improve the diet of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Crack- and Shrinkage-Free Ethylene-Bridged Polysilsesquioxane Film Prepared by a Hydrosilylation Reaction.

With the aim of developing an improved strategy for the preparation of ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes as thermal insulator materials, this paper describes the synthesis of a crack- and shrinkage-free ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane film by the hydrosilylation reaction of hydrodimethyl-silylated oligomethylsilsesquioxane (MSQ-SiH) and dimethylvinyl-silylated oligomethylsilsesquioxane (MSQ-SiVi) in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst. Polysilsesquioxane precursors were prepared by the sol-gel reaction of triethoxymethylsilane and the successive capping reaction with chlorodimethylsilane and chlorodimethylvinylsilane. The obtained ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane film showed lower density and thermal diffusivity (1.13 g/cm3 and 1.15 × 10-7 m2/s, respectively) than a polymethylsilsesquioxane film (1.34 g/cm3 and 1.36 × 10-7 m2/s, respectively). As a result of the introduction of the SiCCSi ethylene bridge, the thermal insulation property of the polysilsesquioxane film was enhanced.

Ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane/hollow silica particle hybrid film for thermal insulation material.

Ethylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane (EBPSQ) was prepared by the sol-gel reaction of bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane. The whitish slurry was prepared by mixing EBPSQ and hollow silica particles (HSPs) with a median diameter of 18-65 µm at 80 °C, and it formed a hybrid film by heating at 80 and 120 °C for 1 h at each temperature, then at 200 °C for 20 min. The surface temperatures of EBPSQ films containing 10 wt% and 20 wt% of HSPs (90.2 °C-90.5 °C) were lower than those of EBPSQ films (93.6 °C), when the films on the duralumin plate were heated at 100 °C for 10 min from the bottom of the duralumin plate. The thermal conductivity/heat flux (k/q) obtained from the temperature difference between the surface temperature and bottom temperature of the films and the film thickness also decreased with adding the HSPs. EBPSQ film without HSPs exhibited T 5 d of 258 °C and T 10 d of 275 °C. However, EBPSQ film containing 20 wt% of HSPs exhibited high thermal stability, and T 5 d and T 10 d were 299 °C and 315 °C, respectively. Interestingly, T 5 d and T 10 d of the hybrid films increased with an increase in the number of HSPs. Overall, it was shown that HSPs could improve the thermal insulation properties and thermal stability.