ABO Blood Type and Clinical Characteristics Among Japanese Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background The ABO blood type has been associated with several digestive diseases. Some evidence has shown an association between ABO blood type and clinical outcomes among Asian patients with Crohn's disease. However, there are no reports about the association between ABO blood type and clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between ABO blood type and clinical characteristics among patients with UC. Methodology The study subjects consisted of 277 Japanese patients with UC. Information on clinical characteristics and ABO blood type data was collected using medical records and a self-reported questionnaire. The information on clinical remission was collected using medical records. The definition of mucosal healing (MH) and partial MH was Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0 or 0-1, respectively. Results Of the enrolled patients, 39.4% (109/277), 18.4% (51/277), 29.2% (81/277), and 13.0% (36/277) had blood types A, B, O, and AB, respectively. The mean current age, age at onset of UC, and body mass index were 51.3 years, 42.1 years, and 22.7 kg/m2, and the proportion of male patients was 59.2% (164/277). The proportion of patients with clinical remission, MH, partial MH, and prednisolone use were 58.1% (161/277), 25.6% (71/277), 63.2% (175/277), and 21.3% (59/277), respectively. Conclusions None of the blood types were associated with any of the variables in this study. Among Japanese patients with UC, ABO blood type might not be associated with clinical characteristics.

Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Erectile Dysfunction in Japanese Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Socioeconomic status is a risk factor for poor disease prognosis. No studies of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have investigated the association between socioeconomic status and erectile dysfunction (ED), although UC is independently positively associated with ED. Therefore, the purpose of this survey to evaluate this issue in Japanese patients with UC. The study enrolled 165 patients with UC. Education status (low, middle, high) and household income (low, middle, high) were classified in three groups using self-administered surveys. The information regarding the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The definition of mild to moderate or severe ED and severe ED was SHIM score <17 and SHIM score <8, respectively. The prevalence of mild to moderate or severe ED and severe ED was 64.9% and 47.9%, respectively. In crude analysis, household income was inversely associated with mild to moderate or severe ED and severe ED. After adjustment for age, current drinking, current smoking, exercise habit, body mass index, mucosal healing, and duration of UC, high household income was independently and inversely associated with mild to moderate or severe ED (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.05, 0.93], p for trend = .038) and severe ED (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI [0.07, 0.85], p for trend = .024). In contrast, no association between education status and ED was found. In conclusion, household income was independently and inversely associated with ED in Japanese UC patients.

No Association Between Allergic Diseases and Constipation in Japanese Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common gastrointestinal symptom in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Several studies on the general population have demonstrated a link between allergic diseases and constipation. However, evidence regarding the association between allergic diseases and constipation in UC is limited. This study aims to evaluate this issue in Japanese patients with UC. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited consecutive 387 patients with UC. We used a self-administered questionnaire to estimate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic diseases. The definition of constipation was based on Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. RESULTS: The prevalence of constipation was 12.5%. The prevalence rates of asthma, atopic dermatitis, pollen allergy, food allergy, and drug allergy were 11.8%, 9.0%, 36.3%, 6.2%, and 8.3%, respectively. Allergic diseases were not associated with constipation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] with asthma (adjusted OR 0.98 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-2.80]), atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.10-2.56]), pollen allergy (adjusted OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.41-1.97]), food allergy (adjusted OR 0.76 [95% CI 0.11-2.95]), and drug allergy (adjusted OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.28-3.24]). Additionally, the number of allergic diseases was not associated with the prevalence of constipation. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese UC patients, no association between allergic diseases and constipation was found.

Combined effect of histological findings and diabetes mellitus on liver-related events in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

AIM: Advanced fibrosis has a strong influence on the occurrence of liver-related events in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), while diabetes mellitus (DM), which is often complicated by MASLD, is associated with the progression of MASLD. We stratified patients with MASLD according to the severity of liver pathological findings and the presence of DM, aiming to examine whether these indices could be used to accurately assess the risk of developing liver-related events. METHODS: A total of 282 patients with liver biopsy-proven MASLD were included. Liver-related events were defined as the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and complications of liver cirrhosis, such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, Child-Pugh class B and C, as well as treatment-eligible esophageal and gastric varices. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, hemoglobin A1c, smoking habits, dyslipidemia, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS), or fibrosis stage showed that advanced fibrosis with or without DM was a risk factor for liver-related events. The combined effect of DM and advanced fibrosis increased the risk of HCC onset. However, DM alone or in combination with NAS did not affect the development of liver-related events, including the occurrence of HCC and complications of liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: While the assessment of fibrosis in patients with MASLD is important for evaluating the risk of developing liver-related events, combining the assessment of DM may be possible to stratify groups at higher risk of developing HCC.

Multimorbidity of Allergic Diseases Is Associated With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in a Young Japanese Population.

Background/Aims: Although certain allergic diseases have been reported to be associated with the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is unclear whether the presence of multiple allergic diseases further increases the prevalence of FD and IBS. The aim of this study is to determine this issue in young people. Methods: A cohort of 8923 Japanese university students was enrolled and diagnoses of FD and IBS were confirmed using Rome III criteria. Allergic disorders diagnosed at medical institutions were obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of FD, IBS, and their overlap was found to be 1.9%, 6.5%, and 1.1%, respectively. Pollen allergy was independently positively correlated with FD, IBS, and overlap of FD and IBS. Allergic rhinitis was positively linked to IBS. Drug allergy was positively associated with FD. The presence of multiple allergic diseases was positively correlated with FD and IBS (FD: adjusted OR for 2 allergic diseases: 1.95 [95% CI, 1.24-2.98], P for trend = 0.003; and IBS: adjusted OR for 1 allergic disease: 1.40 [95% CI, 1.15-1.69], 2 allergic diseases 1.47 [95% CI, 1.12-1.91], and 3 or more allergic diseases: 2.22 [95% CI, 1.45-3.28], P for trend = 0.001). Additionally, the concomitant existence of multiple allergic diseases was also demonstrated to have a trend that correlated with the overlap of FD and IBS (P for trend = 0.018). Conclusion: Allergic disease multimorbidity is positively correlated with the prevalence of FD and IBS in a young population.

Association between bowel movement frequency and erectile dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study.

The association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been previously reported. Numerous previous studies have also reported an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and ED. Constipation and diarrhea are common in patients with UC. However, the specific association between bowel movement frequency and ED remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between bowel movement frequency and ED in 164 patients with UC. The definition of ED, moderate to severe ED, and severe ED was the Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12, and <8, respectively. Bowel movement frequency was divided into three categories: (1) high (More than once a day), (2) normal (once a day, reference), and low (less than one time/day). The definition of constipation was based on the Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. The prevalence of constipation and ED was 10.4% and 86.0%, respectively. The rate of high, normal, and low bowel movement frequency was 56.1%, 25.0%, and 18.9%, respectively. High bowel movement frequency was independently and positively associated with ED and moderate to severe ED (ED: adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-15.98; moderate to severe: adjusted OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.22-7.61). Low bowel movement frequency was independently and positively associated with moderate to severe ED and severe ED (moderate to severe: adjusted OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.27-13.08; severe: adjusted OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.08-9.86). No association between constipation and ED was found. In conclusion, in Japanese patients with UC, both high and low bowel movement frequency were independently and positively associated with ED.

An Atypical Case of Spondylitis Due to Nontyphoidal Salmonella in an Adult Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella commonly induces intestinal infections; however, spondylitis arising from this bacterium is exceedingly rare. A comprehensive review of the clinical attributes of nontyphoidal Salmonella-induced spondylitis in adult populations is lacking in the literature. We report a case of an 83-year-old female who presented with a fever lasting three days, accompanied by anorexia and pervasive malaise. A month prior, she had been prescribed celecoxib and had received a trigger point injection. The patient was initially diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis and treated with an antimicrobial regimen. However, a week later, although her fever persisted, there was no complaint of back pain. The discontinuation of celecoxib led to back pain. Subsequent urine and blood cultures, coupled with MRI findings, confirmed the diagnosis of pyogenic spondylitis attributable to the Salmonella O7 group. The patient's fever abated with the administration of antimicrobial agents, and her back pain subsided. The antimicrobial regimen was continued for 12 weeks, with no resurgence of fever or back pain following treatment. Local pain and fever are important indicators for the diagnosis of spondylitis caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella. It is critical to take an accurate history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use, such as celecoxib, since NSAIDs can obscure the symptoms. Blood cultures are equally important, given their propensity to yield positive results in these patients.

Active site tuning based on pseudo-binary alloys for low-temperature acetylene semihydrogenation.

The development of an efficient catalytic system for low-temperature acetylene semihydrogenation using nonnoble metals is important for the cost-effective production of polymer-grade pure ethylene. However, it remains challenging owing to the intrinsic low activity. Herein, we report a flexibly tunable catalyst design concept based on a pseudo-binary alloy, which enabled a remarkable enhancement in the catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability of a Ni-based material. A series of (Ni1-xCux)3Ga/TiO2 catalysts exhibiting L12-type pseudo-binary alloy structures with various Cu contents (x = 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.75) were prepared for active site tuning. The optimal catalyst, (Ni0.8Cu0.2)3Ga/TiO2, exhibited outstandingly high catalytic activity among reported 3d transition metal-based systems and excellent ethylene selectivity (96%) and long-term stability (100 h) with near full conversion even at 150 °C. A mechanistic study revealed that Ni2Cu hollow sites on the (111) surface weakened the strong adsorption of acetylene and vinyl adsorbate, which significantly accelerated the hydrogenation process and inhibited undesired ethane formation.

Glycemic Control Is Associated with Histological Findings of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGRUOUND: Poor lifestyle habits may worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. This study investigated the association between glycemic control status and hepatic histological findings to elucidate the effect of glycemic control on NAFLD. METHODS: This observational study included 331 patients diagnosed with NAFLD by liver biopsy. Effects of the glycemic control status on histological findings of NAFLD were evaluated by comparing the following four glycemic status groups defined by the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level at the time of NAFLD diagnosis: ≤5.4%, 5.5%-6.4%, 6.5%-7.4%, and ≥7.5%. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest HbA1c group (≤5.4%), the higher HbA1c groups (5.5%-6.4%, 6.5%-7.4%, and ≥7.5%) were associated with advanced liver fibrosis and high NAFLD activity score (NAS). On multivariate analysis, an HbA1c level of 6.5%- 7.4% group was significantly associated with advanced fibrosis compared with the lowest HbA1c group after adjusting for age, sex, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine levels. When further controlling for body mass index and uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, the higher HbA1c groups were significantly associated with advanced fibrosis compared with the lowest HbA1c group. On the other hand, compared with the lowest HbA1c group, the higher HbA1c groups were also associated with a high NAS in both multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Glycemic control is associated with NAFLD exacerbation, with even a mild deterioration in glycemic control, especially a HbA1c level of 6.5%-7.4%, contributing to NAFLD progression.

Coffee and caffeine intake reduces risk of ulcerative colitis: a case-control study in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although diet is one of the potential environmental factors affecting ulcerative colitis (UC), evidence is not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. This Japanese case-control study examined the association between the consumption of coffee, other caffeine-containing beverages and food, and total caffeine and the risk of UC. METHODS: The study involved 384 UC cases and 665 control subjects. Intake of coffee, decaffeinated coffee, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, carbonated soft drinks, and chocolate snacks was measured with a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Adjustments were made for sex, age, pack-years of smoking, alcohol consumption, history of appendicitis, family history of UC, education level, body mass index, and intake of vitamin C, retinol, and total energy. RESULTS: Higher consumption of coffee and carbonated soft drinks was associated with a reduced risk of UC with a significant dose-response relationship (P for trend for coffee and carbonated soft drinks were <0.0001 and 0.01, respectively), whereas higher consumption of chocolate snacks was significantly associated with an increased risk of UC. No association was observed between consumption of decaffeinated coffee, black tea, green tea, or oolong tea and the risk of UC. Total caffeine intake was inversely associated with the risk of UC; the adjusted odds ratio between extreme quartiles was 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.67; P for trend <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that intake of coffee and caffeine is also associated with a reduced risk of UC in Japan where people consume relatively low quantities of coffee compared with Western countries.

Serum albumin levels as a useful complementary marker for erectile dysfunction in ulcerative colitis: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a close association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) was reported. An inverse relationship between serum albumin and ED is found in patients with chronic disease. However, the association between serum albumin levels and ED in patients with UC is unclear. This study aims to investigate this issue in Japanese patients with UC. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six Japanese male UC patients were enrolled in this study. Information on serum albumin levels and medications for UC from medical records, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score information from self-administered questionnaires and information on the severity of UC from physician reports were obtained from medical records, self-administered questionnaires, and reports from physicians. The participants were divided into tertiles based on the total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and C-reactive protein levels. The definition of ED and severe ED was SHIM score < 22 and SHIM score < 8, respectively. The association between these serum markers and ED was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe ED in the low, moderate, and high albumin groups was 66.0%, 51.0%, and 28.3%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the low albumin group was independently and positively associated with severe ED (adjusted odds ratio: 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-7.48, p for trend =0.044). No association between other marker and ED was found. CONCLUSION: Serum albumin was independently inversely associated with severe ED in Japanese patients with UC. Hypoalbuminemia might be a useful complementary marker for assessing the prevalence and severity of ED in UC patients.

Characteristics of glucose change in diabetes mellitus generalized through continuous wavelet transform processing: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system has become a popular evaluation tool for glucose fluctuation, providing a detailed description of glucose change patterns. We hypothesized that glucose fluctuations may contain specific information on differences in glucose change between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), despite similarities in change patterns, because of different etiologies. Unlike Fourier transform, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is able to simultaneously analyze the time and fre-quency domains of oscillating data. AIM: To investigate whether CWT can detect glucose fluctuations in T1DM. METHODS: The 60-d and 296-d glucose fluctuation data of patients with T1DM (n = 5) and T2DM (n = 25) were evaluated respectively. Glucose data obtained every 15 min for 356 d were analyzed. Data were assessed by CWT with Morlet form (n = 7) as the mother wavelet. This methodology was employed to search for limited frequency glucose fluctuation in the daily glucose change. The frequency and enclosed area (0.02625 scalogram value) of 18 emerged signals were compared. The specificity for T1DM was evaluated through multiple regression analysis using items that demonstrated significant differences between them as explanatory variables. RESULTS: The high frequency at midnight (median: 75 Hz, cycle time: 19 min) and middle frequency at noon (median: 45.5 Hz, cycle time: 32 min) were higher in T1DM vs T2DM (median: 73 and 44 Hz; P = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). The area of the > 100 Hz zone at midnight to forenoon was more frequent and larger in T1DM vs T2DM. In a day, the lower frequency zone (15-35 Hz) was more frequent and the area was larger in T2DM than in T1DM. The three-dimensional scatter diagrams, which consist of the time of day, frequency, and area of each signal after CWT, revealed that high frequency signals belonging to T1DM at midnight had a loose distribution of wave cycles that were 17-24 min. Multivariate analysis revealed that the high frequency signal at midnight could characterize T1DM (odds ratio: 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.62; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: CWT might be a novel tool for differentiate glucose fluctuation of each type of diabetes mellitus using CGM data.

Aging is Associated With Constipation in Japanese Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Post Hoc Analysis.

Aim: Age is a risk factor for constipation. Constipation is common in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and has been positively associated with disease activity, but evidence is limited. This study aimed to assess the association between disease activity and constipation in patients with UC. Methods: The study subjects consisted of 290 Japanese UC patients. The definition of constipation was based on Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. Information on and lifestyle habits was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore 0. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as both the absence of rectal bleeding and no abnormally high stool frequency (<3 times per day). Results: The prevalence of constipation is not associated with MH, CR, duration of UC and disease extent of UC. The prevalence of constipation among age groups, <40, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, and >70 years was 10.0%, 5.8%, 15.7%, 11.8%, and 25.6%, respectively. >70 years was independently and positively associated with the prevalence of constipation (adjusted odds ratio 3.64 [95% confidence interval 1.26, 10.95], p for trend: .001). Conclusions: Aging was independently and positively associated with the prevalence of constipation in UC.

Co2 FeGe Heusler Alloy Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propyne Hydrogenation and Ammonia Decomposition.

Heusler alloys (X2 YZ) can be a candidate for new catalysts as well as other intermetallic compounds. We previously found good catalytic properties of Co2 FeGe for selective hydrogenation of alkynes and developed nanoparticles of Co2 FeGe supported on SiO2 . However, the average diameter of the nanoparticles was 23 nm, which is not small enough compared to those of state-of-the-art nanoparticle catalysts. In this study, we developed SiO2 -supported Co2 FeGe nanoparticles of <10 nm in diameter. A catalytic test for selective hydrogenation of propyne indicated a partial formation of sites with low selectivity including excess Co atoms. For ammonia decomposition, enhancement of turnover frequency was achieved by reducing the particle size.

Menstrual Status Is Associated with the Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Japanese Young Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence regarding the association between dysmenorrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although it is lacking in the Asian population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between menstrual status and IBS in a young Japanese. METHODS: Overall, 4,693 female college students were included in the analysis of this study. Information regarding lifestyle habits, menstrual status (irregularity, pain severity, and medication), and IBS (Rome III criteria) was obtained using a self-reported questionnaire. Age, body mass index, exercise habits, smoking, drinking habits, and anemia were analyzed as potential confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS was 6.1%. Moderate {adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.91)} and heavy (adjusted OR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.42-3.45]) menstrual pain were independently positively associated with IBS (p for trend = 0.001). Using medication sometimes (adjusted OR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.09-1.84]) and often (adjusted OR: 1.60 [95% CI: 1.13-2.24]) was independently positively associated with IBS. There was no association between menstrual cycle and IBS. In subjects without functional dyspepsia, irregular menstrual cycle was independently positively associated with IBS. CONCLUSION: In the young Japanese population, menstrual pain and medications for menstrual pain may have a significant positive association with IBS.

Severity of Nocturia and Constipation in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between nocturia and constipation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Constipation has recently been recognized as an important symptom in patients with UC. Although nocturia has been associated with constipation in the general population, the association between nocturia and constipation in UC patients is uncertain. METHODS: Consecutive series of 290 Japanese patients with UC, Information on constipation, nocturia, and lifestyle habits was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The definition of constipation was based on Rome I criteria and/or current medication for constipation. Patients were divided into three groups based on nighttime urination: (1) no nocturia, (2) mild nocturia (nocturnal urination - one), and (3) serious nocturia (nocturnal urination - two or more). Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between nocturia and constipation. RESULTS: Among all of the UC patients, the prevalence of mild nocturia, serious nocturia, and constipation was 35.2%, 26.9%, and 12.4%, respectively. The prevalence of constipation in the none, mild, and serious nocturia groups was 8.2%, 10.8%, and 20.5%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders such as age, sex, current drinking, current smoking, body mass index, and steroid use, nocturia severity was independently and positively associated with constipation (adjusted odds ratio for mild nocturia: 1.55 [95% confidence interval: 0.57-4.28], serious nocturia: 3.19 [95% confidence interval: 1.09-9.81], P for trend=.035). CONCLUSION: The severity of nocturia is positively associated with constipation, and physicians should consider the interrelationships between nocturia and constipation in managing UC patients.

Disease activity and erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: The association between disease activity and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is inconsistent, although IBD, including ulcerative colitis (UC), is reported as a risk factor for ED. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore this association in Japanese patients with UC. Methods: In this study, we enrolled 165 Japanese male patients with UC. Information regarding the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score, medication, and severity of UC was obtained from medical records, self-administered questionnaires, and reports from physicians. The definition of ED and severe ED is a SHIM score <17 and <8, respectively. Outcomes: No association between severity of UC and ED was found in Japanese patients. Aging is independently positively associated with ED in patients with UC. Results: The prevalence of severe ED and ED was 47.9% and 64.9%, respectively. In this study, mucosal healing, clinical remission, duration of UC, disease extent, and medication were not associated with the prevalence of ED. Older age (≥63 years of age) was independently positively associated with ED (adjusted odds ratio, 12.93; 95% CI: 4.51-43.00) and severe ED (adjusted odds ratio, 9.02; 95% CI: 3.66-23.91). Clinical Implications: Disease severity of UC might not be associated with the prevalence of ED in patients with UC. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to investigate the association between several factors regarding UC activity and ED. The limitation of this study is the definition of ED based on SHIM scores. Conclusion: No association between severity of UC and ED was found in Japanese patients. As expected, aging may be independently positively associated with ED in patients with UC.

Association of abnormal glucose tolerance with liver-related disease and cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

AIM: Hepatitis C complicated by diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a risk factor for the progression of fibrosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cardiovascular diseases. However, several studies may have lacked appropriate diagnosis of glucose intolerance. We aimed to examine the risk associated with abnormal glucose intolerance in the development of liver-related diseases, including HCC and complications of liver cirrhosis, such as ascites, esophageal and gastric varices, and hepatic encephalopathy, and cardiovascular diseases in patients with hepatitis C accurately diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: This longitudinal retrospective study included 365 patients with chronic hepatitis C admitted to Ehime University Hospital for anti-hepatitis C therapy between September 1991 and January 2015. Patients were classified into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes, and DM groups based on 75-g oral glucose tolerance test results. RESULTS: Both univariate and multivariate (adjusted for potential confounders) analyses revealed a significantly higher risk of developing HCC and cardiovascular events in the DM group than in the NGT group. However, in multivariate analysis, liver-related events, particularly liver cirrhosis complications, revealed no significant association. In addition, the prediabetes group had no significant risk of any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hepatitis C complicated by DM, compared with patients with hepatitis C with NGT or complicated with prediabetes, have a higher risk of HCC and cardiovascular disease events, but not liver-related events, particularly in not developing liver cirrhosis complications. Therefore, appropriate follow-up is required for patients with hepatitis C based on their glucose tolerance status.

Exercise habits that include exercise partners and irritable bowel syndrome in a young Japanese population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence regarding the association between exercise habits and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains scarce in a young population. It is also unknown whether the existence of an exercise partner affects this issue. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between exercise habits that include an exercise partner and IBS in a young Japanese population. METHODS: This study enrolled 8923 Japanese university students and examined exercise frequency and intensity, and exercise partners using self-administered questionnaires. IBS and functional dyspepsia were defined according to the Rome III criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS in this survey was 6.5%. Moderate frequency exercise was inversely related with IBS [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.65 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.51-0.83), P for trend = 0.005]. Moderate and high exercise intensities were independently and inversely related with IBS, respectively [aORs were moderate: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61-0.95) and high: 0.62 (95% CI: 0.48-0.78), P for trend = 0.001]. Exercising with a group or with friends instead of alone was independently inversely related with IBS [aOR with groups: 0.53 (95% CI: 0.40-0.70) and with friends: aOR 0.71 (95% CI: 0.54-0.93)]. After excluding subjects with overlapping IBS and functional dyspepsia, an inverse association between high intensity of exercise or exercise in a group and IBS remained significant. CONCLUSION: The frequency and intensity of exercise may be independently inversely related with IBS in a young Japanese population. Also, exercise with others may be important for preventing IBS.

Surface Engineering of Titania Boosts Electroassisted Propane Dehydrogenation at Low Temperature.

Electric field catalysis using surface proton conduction, in which proton hopping and collision on the reactant are promoted by external electricity, is a promising approach to break the thermodynamic equilibrium limitation in endothermic propane dehydrogenation (PDH). This study proposes a catalyst design concept for more efficient electroassisted PDH at low temperature. Sm was doped into the anatase TiO2 surface to increase surface proton density by charge compensation. Pt-In alloy was deposited on the Sm-doped TiO2 for more favorable proton collision and selective propylene formation. The catalytic activity in electroassisted PDH drastically increased by doping an appropriate amount of Sm (1 mol % to Ti) where the highest propylene yield of 19.3 % was obtained at 300 °C where the thermodynamic equilibrium yield was only 0.5 %. Results show that surface proton enrichment boosts alkane dehydrogenation at low temperature.