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Aim: Diabetes patients usually have a low activity level and complain about lack of time. Therefore, we investigated the effect of short time, postprandial moderate-intensity exercise on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: Eleven patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Patients spent the first day of the study without exercise (non-exercise day; NE day). In the second day, they walked at moderate-intensity (40% of the maximum heart rate reserve) for 15 min, 30 min after each meal (exercise day; E day). Glucose homeostasis was estimated by a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). All meals during the study were of standard composition. We compared NE day and E day concerning 24-h glucose homeostasis and 3 h postprandial glucose levels by the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) method. Medications were not changed during the study. Results: The number of patients under basal supported oral therapy, intensive insulin therapy and oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) were 5, 4 and 2, respectively. The blood glucose standard deviation over 24 h and the iAUC for the 24-h glycemic variability (NE day vs. E day; 34,765 [21,424–56,014] vs. 23,205 [15,323–39,779]) were smaller in E day than in NE day. Conclusion: These results suggest that postprandial moderate-intensity walking, easily performable in daily life activities, was effective for improving glucose homeostasis. Further study should be performed to clarify the relationship between postprandial walk and drug therapy (insulin and OHA), including insulin secretory ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs) such as carnosine (CAR), anserine (ANS), and balenine (BAL) are widely distributed in the skeletal muscle of vertebrates. Recently, several studies have revealed that CAR plays an important role in the detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes arising from the peroxide of unsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrate metabolite. Although intensive studies on the detoxification of aldehydes by CAR have been performed, few studies have focused on the effects of detoxification by ANS and BAL. To determine the potential of minor IDPs such as ANS and BAL to react with cytotoxic aldehydes, the present study was established to investigate the consumption of IDP after co-incubation with cytotoxic aldehydes using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the case of unsaturated fatty acid-derived aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (from n-6 fatty acid) and 4-hydroxy-2-trans-hexenal (from n-3 fatty acid), ANS and CAR decreased considerably after co-incubation, but BAL did not. In the case of 3-deoxyglucosone and methylglyoxal as carbohydrate metabolites, no IDPs decreased after co-incubation; however, the absorbance at 336 nm of the CAR and BAL mixtures increased dramatically in a time-dependent manner. In the case of glyceraldehyde, which is also a carbohydrate metabolite, all IDPs, especially BAL, decreased after co-incubation and a new peak, surmised to represent an IDP-glyceraldehyde adduct, appeared on the HPLC chromatogram. These results can help explain the unique function and behavior of ANS and BAL in specific species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the crystalline quality of zinc oxide (ZnO) for further application in solar cells, multi-buffer layers (mBL) were inserted into ZnO thin films and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The characterization of ZnO thin films was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), Hall-effect measurements, atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and DRUV-vis spectra (DRUV-vis). XRD and PL results show that the crystalline quality of ZnO has been successfully improved with inserted mBL, due to the increased crystallinity index of ZnO (002) and the increased near-band-edge (NBE) emission. The transmittance and bandgap of ZnO thin films has been slightly affected with inserted mBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric rolling (ASR) can introduce larger shear strains than symmetric rolling (SR). Therefore, application of ASR to metal-based multiphase alloy containing platelet particles will yield different particle distributions compared with SR. In this study, differences in the fragmentation behavior of Al3Ti platelet particles in Al–Al3Ti multiphase alloy after SR or ASR were investigated in three dimensions. The size of the Al3Ti platelet particles in the ASR-treated multiphase alloy was smaller than that in the SR-treated multiphase alloy. The platelet shape of the Al3Ti particles in the multiphase alloy deformed by rolling was retained because deformation by rolling occurs via plane strain. The results show that both SR and ASR can be used to modify the distribution of Al3Ti platelet particles in Al–Al3Ti multiphase alloy, but that ASR can change it more severely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ificial pancreas technology, involving 'closed-loop' controls with real-time blood glucose monitoring, has been increasing in reliability as its potential for clinical use and application grows. One such device, based on this technology, is the STG-22 (Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) artificial pancreas apparatus. In order to assess the reliability and accuracy of the device for measuring blood glucose, it is important to compare its readings to those obtained using a 'gold standard' method, such as the hexokinase method. Therefore, in the present study, canine blood [glucose] measurements using the STG-22 were compared to those obtained using a previously established commercial reagent, Quickauto-Neo GLU-HK. Furthermore, two different sample types (whole blood versus plasma constituent) were compared to determine which sample type results in more accurate and optimal readings with the STG-22. Given that the STG-22 was not primarily designed for canine blood samples, results for canine blood samples were not accurate. Measurements performed by the STG-22 with whole blood were significantly lower than reference [glucose] counterparts. Alternatively, an opposite trend was observed with plasma measurements that were significantly higher. A conversion format using the following formula, Hexokinase [glucose] = STG-22 [glucose] × 1.407 + 1.532, was observed with canine samples in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate and propose possible reference intervals of plasma biochemical analytes in young dogs (<12 months old) in Japan, using 896 canine plasma samples, collected from an array of veterinary clinics throughout the greater Tokyo metropolis area in Japan. The following biochemical parameters were assessed: albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), glucose, lipase, total cholesterol (T-Cho), and total protein (TP) were evaluated. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that partitioning according to age or gender may be necessary for some plasma analytes. Age appeared to significantly affect ALB, ALT, ALP, BUN, Glucose, Lipase, and Total Protein ( P = <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.013, <0.001, 0.025, and <0.001, respectively). On the other hand, gender significantly influenced ALP, Amylase, Lipase, and T-Cho levels ( P = 0.017, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively) whereas it may be borderline significant with ALT ( P = 0.072). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigestible oligosaccharides have been shown to normalize blood glucose and insulin concentration thereby promoting good health and preventing diseases, such as diabetes. Transglucosidase (TG, α-glucosidase, enzyme code (EC) 3.2.1.20) is an enzyme capable of converting starch to oligosaccharides, such as iso-malto-oligosaccharides from maltose, via the action of amylase. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oral administration of TG with maltose or dextrin is capable of reducing post-prandial serum glucose concentration in experimentally streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic dogs fed on a high-fiber diet. Five healthy and five STZ-induced diabetic dogs were employed in this study. TG supplementation with dextrin or maltose had no detrimental effect in healthy dogs. In fact, TG and dextrin exhibited a flatlined serum glucose pattern, while reducing mean post-prandial serum insulin and glucose concentration as compared to control diet alone. When TG supplementation was tested in STZ-induced diabetic dogs under the context of a high fiber diet, a 13.8% and 23.9% reduction in mean glucose concentration for TG with maltose and dextrin, respectively was observed. Moreover, TG with dextrin resulted in a 13% lower mean post-prandial glucose concentration than TG with maltose, suggesting that dextrin may be a more efficient substrate than maltose when used at the same concentration (1 g/kg). Our results indicate that TG supplementation with diet can lead to lower postprandial glucose levels versus diet alone. However, the efficacy of TG supplementation may depend on the type of diet it is supplemented with. As such, TG administration may be useful for preventing the progression of diabetes mellitus and in its management in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy, representing decreased parasympathetic nerve activity and predominance of sympathetic tone, is often encountered in diabetic patients, and leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular events including arrhythmia. To evaluate the potential cardiovascular risk of diabetics in performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), we compared the autonomic function and cardiovascular parameters during EGD between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The autonomic nervous responses in 86 consecutive outpatients (42 type 2 diabetics and 44 nondiabetics) were determined by power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart-rate variations on an electrocardiogram. PSA data were based on two peaks in the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) ranges. HF power and the ratio of LF power/HF power represented parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve activities, respectively. Diabetic patients showed significantly lower ΔHF power and significantly higher ΔLF power/HF power than nondiabetics, suggesting enhanced predominance of sympathetic activity and marked suppression of parasympathetic function. Significant correlations were found between these autonomic parameters and the diabetic duration. A slightly higher incidence of ventricular premature contractures was observed in diabetics during EGD. However, no significant difference was found in pulse or blood pressure increments during EGD between the two groups. This is the first study demonstrating an imbalance of autonomic function in diabetics during EGD, which may be linked to a slightly higher risk of arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) using an ultrathin endoscope is less stressful to the cardiovascular system with less elevation of systolic blood pressure (BP) than oral procedures. To elucidate the mechanism of such beneficial cardiovascular responses, we performed a prospective patient-centered randomized study in which BP and pulse rate (P), as well as autonomic nervous functions, were estimated during transnasal EGD compared with those in oral procedures using the same ultrathin endoscope. Methods. The study involved 781 patients, among whom 55 and 56 cases were assigned to transnasal and oral EGD groups, respectively. The autonomic nervous responses were determined employing power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart-rate variations on electrocardiogram. PSA data were based on two peaks in lowfrequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) ranges. HF power and the ratio of LF power/HF power represented parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous activities, respectively. Results. Our study confirmed the lesser elevation of BP and P in patients undergoing transnasal EGD than in those undergoing oral procedures. PSA revealed a lower increase in LH power/HF power in transnasal EGD than in oral EGD. However, both endoscopic procedures equally suppressed HF power. Significant correlations were found between the parameters of cardiovascular response (P and BP) and autonomic functions (LF power/HF power ratio and HF power). Conclusions. This is the first study demonstrating less sympathetic stimulation in patients undergoing transnasal EGD, leading to lesser elevation of BP and P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biloma is an infrequent complication of nonsurgical treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including transarterial embolization (TAE), and it is often associated with ischemic injuries of the biliary tract after therapy. We here report on a case featuring successful internal drainage of an extrahepatic biloma into the duodenum by a route via the cholecyst, cholecystic duct, and common bile duct under fluoroscopic control. An extrahepatic biloma developed after urgent TAE for ruptured HCC and became contaminated. Radiography with contrast medium through the percutaneous drainage tube revealed a fistula between the biloma and gallbladder. The drainage catheter was introduced into the gallbladder through the fistula, from where it subsequently reached the duodenum via the cholecystic and common bile ducts. The internal drainage route played a major role in the rapid elimination of the biloma, which did not recur after the tube was withdrawn. To our knowledge, this is the first report of internal drainage of a biloma through the cholecystic and common bile ducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Supplementing Transglucosidase with a High-Fiber Diet for Prevention of Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Dogs."

A letter to the editor is presented involving the differentiation between portal and arterial blood flow, that was published in a previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented about the hepatic pseudotumors mimicking metastatic disease detected on ultrasonography.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic nasal biliary drainage using esophagogastroduodenoscope.