Profiles of Physarum Microplasmodial Phosphatase Activity Crucial to Cytoplasmic Streaming and Spherule Formation.

This study aimed to investigate for the first time, the profile of Physarum microplasmodial phosphatase (PPH) activity toward the phosphorylated light chain of Physarum myosin II (PLCM) at pH 7.6, the velocity of cytoplasmic streaming, and PPH expression in spherule formation during dark starvation (DS). In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of PPH using polymerase chain reaction, based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme.

Relationship between Alcohol Intake and Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome in Men.

Objective: The precise relationship between alcohol intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still unclear, and the results from previous studies have been inconclusive. Thus, we examined the effect of alcohol intake on the risk of MetS in men in order to gain more information on a potential relationship.

Methods: This study included 22,349 men who were divided into four groups according to their average alcohol intake [non-, light (less than 20 g ethanol/day), heavy (equal or more than 20 g and less than 60 g ethanol/day) and very heavy (equal and greater than 60 g ethanol/day) drinkers].

Prevalence and distribution of coronary calcium in asymptomatic Japanese subjects in lung cancer screening computed tomography.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with a risk of coronary heart disease. The prevalence and distribution of the CAC score have been examined in Western countries, but few studies have been performed in Asia, and especially in Japan. The goal of this study was to investigate CAC scores in an asymptomatic Japanese population.

Significance of oral glucose tolerance tests in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with a fasting plasma glucose level of <126 mg/dL and HbA1c level of ≤ 6.4% in Japan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the indications for oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) subjects with a HbA1c level of ≤6.4%, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of <126 mg/dL and no history of diabetes.

Patients: A total of 569 NAFLD subjects underwent 75-g OGTT.

Prognostic factors for regression from impaired glucose tolerance to normal glucose regulation in Japanese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the predictive factors for the regression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to normal glucose regulation (NGR) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: A total of 164 NAFLD patients who had IGT in the first 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and underwent a repeated OGTT five years later were enrolled. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors predicting the regression from IGT to NGR.

Potential impact of joint association of alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase on insulin resistance in Japan: The Toranomon Hospital Health Management Center Study 19 (TOPICS 19).

Aim: To investigate the potential impact of joint association of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) on insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in healthy Japanese individuals with a normal range of liver enzymes.

Methods: This study included 1010 individuals (545 men and 465 women) aged 20-89 years who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test for health screening. Participants were divided into four groups on the basis of median values for ALT and GGT: (i) both ALT and GGT low (both-low); (ii) ALT high and GGT low (ALT-high); (iii) ALT low and GGT high (GGT-high); and (iv) both ALT and GGT high (both-high).

Efficacy and safety in sitagliptin therapy for diabetes complicated by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: The aim of this case-control study was to assess the efficacy and safety of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Twenty NAFLD patients with T2DM treated by sitagliptin were retrospectively enrolled as the sitagliptin group. These patients were given sitagliptin between January 2010 and July 2011.

Accumulation of noncrystalline cellulose in Physarum microplasmodia.

Physarum plasmodium lives as a slimy mass of protoplast in the dark fragments into small multinucleated microplasmodia (mPL) in a liquid medium. When mPL are exposed to several unfavorable environments, they transform into "spherules" with a cell wall. Using a synchronous spherule-induction system for mPL, we examined the effect of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile on the synthesis of cellulose in mPL, by observing mPL under a fluorescence microscope, and isolated cellulose from mPL to identify them morphologically under scanning electron microscopy.

Difference in malignancies of chronic liver disease due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or hepatitis C in Japanese elderly patients.

Aim:   Malignancies that include hepatocellular carcinoma often occurred in patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of this retrospective match control study was to assess the cumulative development incidence and predictive factors for total malignancies in elderly Japanese patients with non-alcoholic hepatic diseases (NAFLD) or hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods:   A total of 1600 NAFLD patients with age of ≥60 years were enrolled, and 1600 HCV patients with age of ≥60 years were selected as control by matching 1:1 with NAFLD group for age, sex, and follow-up period.

Development rate of chronic kidney disease in hepatitis C virus patients with advanced fibrosis after interferon therapy.

Aim:   The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to assess the development incidence and predictive factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) after the termination of interferon therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive Japanese patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods:   A total of 650 HCV positive, liver cirrhotic patients who were treated with interferon and showed an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) after the termination of interferon therapy were enrolled.

The development of chronic kidney disease in Japanese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is present in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the cumulative development incidence and predictive factors for new onset of CKD in Japanese patients with NAFLD. Methods A total of 5,561 NAFLD patients without CKD were enrolled.

Increased risk of lymph node metastasis in mucosal gastric cancer with extra indication for endoscopic mucosal resection.

Background: Selected cases of clinical mucosal gastric cancer can be treated endoscopically. But mucosal gastric cancer, which has a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, should be treated by gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy is usually indicated for the surgical treatment of mucosal gastric cancer.

[Reconstruction after total gastrectomy].

Reconstruction after total gastrectomy should be assessed based on the simplicity and safety of the procedure and postoperative digestive function. A survey performed by the Japan Gastric Cancer Association showed that the Roux-en-Y and small bowel interposition are the most common reconstructive procedures after total gastrectomy. Laparoscopic total gastrectomy is not yet the standard procedure under the Japanese guidelines for the treatment of gastric cancer.