Improvement of beta-cell function in conjunction with glycemic control after medical nutrition therapy in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The current study aimed to reveal the correlation of beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity with glycemic control and weight control before and after medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive 68 patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who started MNT without antihyperglycemic medications and underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after the therapy. Beta-cell function was evaluated by the OGTT-derived disposition index, whereas insulin sensitivity was evaluated by Matsuda's insulin sensitivity index.

Screening for a Decreased Masticatory Function by a Color-changeable Chewing Gum Test in Patients with Metabolic Disease.

Objective This study aimed to reveal the screening performance of a color-changeable chewing gum test for a decreased masticatory function in the assessment of oral hypofunction in patients with metabolic diseases. Methods We analyzed 1,000 patients with metabolic diseases, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. A decreased masticatory function was diagnosed by a gummy jelly test.

Lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan.

Aims/introduction: This study aimed to reveal lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,402 outpatients with diabetes at a clinic in Osaka, Japan, who responded to an interview sheet regarding lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic between 28 March and 30 May 2020. The association of lifestyle changes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes from February to May 2020 was investigated using the linear regression model.

Association of obesity, diabetes, and physical frailty with dental and tongue-lip motor dysfunctions in patients with metabolic disease.

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the clinical features associated with decreased dental (or shearing/crushing) and tongue-lip motor functions in patients with metabolic diseases.

Methods: One thousand patients with metabolic diseases including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were recruited. Dental function was assessed with a gummy jelly test, wherein glucose elution from a chewed gummy jelly was measured.

Investigation of the Effect of Canagliflozin on the Disposition Index, a Marker of Pancreatic Beta Cell Function, in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the effects of add-on canagliflozin with glimepiride dose adjustment or glimepiride dose adjustment on pancreatic beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and inadequate glycemic control despite stable triple therapy (metformin, teneligliptin, and glimepiride) plus diet/exercise therapy.

Methods: Forty patients on stable triple therapy were randomized to glimepiride dose adjustment without (glimepiride group) or with add-on canagliflozin 100 mg (canagliflozin group) for 24 weeks. The glimepiride dose was adjusted every 4 weeks based on continuous glucose monitoring over the previous 2 weeks according to a prespecified algorithm.

Different daily glycemic profiles after switching from once-daily alogliptin plus twice-daily metformin to their once-daily fixed-dose combination in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether daily glycemic profiles and treatment satisfaction would be changed after switching from once-daily 25-mg alogliptin plus twice-daily 250-mg metformin to the fixed-dose combination of 25-mg alogliptin and 500-mg metformin once daily in type 2 diabetic patients. Twenty adult Japanese type 2 diabetic patients in whom once-daily 25-mg alogliptin plus twice-daily 250-mg metformin were switched to the fixed-dose combination of 25-mg alogliptin and 500-mg metformin once daily participated. Before and one month after the switch, participants were asked to perform one day of seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), to wear a sensor of flash glucose monitoring for up to 14 days, and to respond to a questionnaire for treatment satisfaction.

Measurements of ionic concentrations along with endocochlear potential in wild-type and claudin 14 knockout mice.

Objective: To examine whether the changes in endolymphatic ion concentrations were involved in hair cells degeneration in claudin-14 knockout (KO) mice (Cldn14), we measured the endocochlear potential (EP) along with concentrations of K, Na, H, or Ca ([K], [Na], pH, [Ca]) in Cldn14, in which hair cells were selectively damaged, and compared with measurements in wild type mice (Wt).

Methods: We used the Cldn14 from 3 weeks of age, in which the auditory brain responses (ABR) was severely diminished. Using double-barreled ion-selective microelectrodes, we measured [K], [Na], pH, and [Ca] in both Wt and Cldn14 at 8-10 weeks of age.

Multifunctional role of His159in the catalytic reaction of serine palmitoyltransferase.

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) belongs to the fold type I family of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme and forms 3-ketodihydrosphingosine (KDS) from l-serine and palmitoyl-CoA. Like other alpha-oxamine synthase subfamily enzymes, SPT is different from most of the fold type I enzymes in that its re face of the PLP-Lys aldimine is occupied by a His residue (His(159)) instead of an aromatic amino acid residue. His(159) was changed into alanine or aromatic amino acid residues to examine its role during catalysis.

Acceleration of the substrate Calpha deprotonation by an analogue of the second substrate palmitoyl-CoA in Serine Palmitoyltransferase.

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) is a key enzyme of sphingolipid biosynthesis and catalyzes the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent decarboxylative condensation reaction of l-serine with palmitoyl-CoA to generate 3-ketodihydrosphingosine. The binding of l-serine alone to SPT leads to the formation of the external aldimine but does not produce a detectable amount of the quinonoid intermediate. However, the further addition of S-(2-oxoheptadecyl)-CoA, a nonreactive analogue of palmitoyl-CoA, caused the apparent accumulation of the quinonoid.