Impact of symptoms by gender and age in Japanese subjects with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C): a large population-based internet survey

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) is a representative psychosomatic disorder. Several pathophysiological factors have been linked to IBS symptoms such as the modulation of gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, genetic and environmental factors, sequelae of infection, and psychosocial disorders. It is likely that biopsychosocial aspects of IBS-C underlie its gender and age effects. However, the influence of each symptom of IBS-C by gender and age is not well understood. We hypothesized that the expression rate of each IBS-C symptom in females and in subjects aged 20–49 years was higher than that of subjects who were male and aged 50–79 years.

Methods

We conducted an internet survey of 30,000 adults from the general Japanese population. IBS-C subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire on the degree of anxiety, thoughts about bowel habits, and their dominant gastrointestinal symptoms together with exacerbation factors. The correlation between gender and age and IBS-C symptoms was analyzed.

Results

When analyzed by gender, the expression rate of abdominal discomfort, abdominal distention, and abdominal fullness was significantly higher in female than male IBS-C subjects (66.5% vs. 58.7%, p?<?0.05; 54.7% vs. 43.6%, p?<?0.01; 18.9% vs. 9.6%, p?<?0.01, respectively). When analyzed by age, the expression rate of abdominal distention and abdominal pain was significantly higher among IBS-C subjects aged 20–49 years than those aged 50–79 years (55.7% vs. 46.8%, p?<?0.05; 36.6% vs. 20.6%, p?<?0.001, respectively). In contrast, there was no gender or age differences with regard to the most common and bothersome symptom (abdominal bloating) among IBS-C subjects.

Conclusions

The expression rate of some IBS-C symptoms was higher among females and those aged 20–49 years than males and those aged 50–79 years, respectively. It is important to understand the impact of symptoms by gender and age to evaluate the pathology of IBS-C from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Trial registration

Although this survey was an anonymous internet survey, we obtained informed consent for the study as an online response. The disclosure of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine (approval number: 2015–1-405).

     

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery stenosis by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina

Background

Evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely related to coronary artery stenosis (CAS). However, sexual dimorphism may be present in adipose tissue, and its influence on CAS between men and women is controversial. We assessed the relationship between EAT and CAS by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina.

Methods

Six hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients (men/women n?=?257/371; mean age = 59.9?±?10.2?years) who had chest pain for angina and underwent coronary angiography were included. CAS was defined as >?50% luminal narrowing of at least one epicardial coronary artery. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

Results

Of the 628 patients, 52.1% (n?=?134) of men and 35.3% (n?=?131) of women had CAS. The mean EAT thickness was not different between men and women and was larger in patients with CAS (8.04?±?2.39 vs 6.58?±?1.88?mm, P?<?0.001). EAT thickness was independently associated with CAS in both sexes (P?<?0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of EAT for the presence of CAS was higher in men (OR?=?1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.69) than in women (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.40). EAT thickness was larger in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (7.59?±?2.25 vs 5.80?±?1.57?mm, P?<?0.001) and was independently related with CAS (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.09–1.41). This was not the case in premenopausal women.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected angina, an increase in EAT thickness was independently related to the presence of CAS in both men and women, with it being stronger in men. According to menopausal status in women, EAT thickness is significantly associated with CAS only in postmenopausal women.

     

Molecular and biochemical characterization of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus resistance in leguminous host <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna mungo</Emphasis>

Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV)—the causal agent of the yellow mosaic disease is responsible for severe damage of crops that are of great economic importance. In the current study, we explored the process of MYMIV infection and its natural resistance by analysing the expression of early and late viral genes at different time points in the leaves of resistant and susceptible Vigna mungo plants. Accordingly, we have periodically evaluated several biochemical parameters commonly associated with oxidative status of resistant and susceptible V. mungo plants during MYMIV infection. Our study revealed that accumulation levels of the early as well as late expressed genes of MYMIV were low and high in the resistant and susceptible plants, respectively; whereas membrane stability index (MSI) exhibited an opposite response. Moreover, a decrease in the malondialdehyde levels along with an increase in the activities/levels of different antioxidant enzymes, total phenol and H₂O₂ was noted during the early stages of infection in the resistant plants. Such observations argue in favour of strong defensive capability of the resistant plants in restricting the accumulation of viral RNA and generation of harmful free radicals within the studied tissue. Collectively, it appears that obstruction of viral invasion in plant cell wall, restriction in viral DNA replication, and early onset of antioxidant defense responses altogether might be responsible for MYMIV natural resistance. Such information is helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of MYMIV infection and its resistance in V. mungo and other economically important crops.     

Landscape correlates of forest plant invasions: A high‐resolution analysis across the eastern United States

Aim

Invasive species occurrence is often related to the anthropogenic context of a given area. Quantifying the effects of roads is of particular interest as roads are a major vector for invasion. Our objective was to further quantify the effects of roads on forest plant invasion through a macroscale, high‐resolution investigation to assist effective invasion control and mitigation.

Location

Eastern United States.

Methods

Using invasive plant data from 23,039 forest inventory plots in 13 ecological provinces, we employed logistic regression to relate the odds of invasion to distance from a road, with adjustments for broadscale differences attributable to ecological provinces, and local scale differences in productivity, forest fragmentation and land use.

Results

The overall proportion (P) of invaded plots was 0.58 (0.65 for plots within 50 m of a road), and the highest odds (P/1 ? P) of invasion were found in relatively more productive, fragmented forest in landscapes with more than 10% agriculture or developed land cover. Wald chi‐square statistics indicated the best predictor of the odds of invasion was ecological province, followed by land use, productivity, forest fragmentation and distance from a road. Depending on the province, the adjusted odds of invasion decreased by up to 23% (typically 4%–10%) per 100 m distance from a road. The adjusted probability of invasion approached zero in only three provinces, for the least productive, least fragmented forest that was at least 2,000 m from a road in landscapes with less than 10% agricultural or developed land cover.

Main conclusions

In the eastern United States, the existence of a nearby road is less important than the landscape context associated with the road. A purely road‐mediated effect has little practical meaning because anthropogenic activities and roads are pervasive and confounded.

     

Caveolin‐1 down‐regulation is required for Wnt5a‐Frizzled 2 signalling in Ha‐RasV12‐induced cell transformation

Caveolin‐1 (Cav1) is down‐regulated during MK4 (MDCK cells harbouring inducible Ha‐Ras^V12 gene) transformation by Ha‐Ras^V12. Cav1 overexpression abrogates the Ha‐Ras^V12‐driven transformation of MK4 cells; however, the targeted down‐regulation of Cav1 is not sufficient to mimic this transformation. Cav1‐silenced cells, including MK4/shCav1 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, showed an increased cell area and discontinuous junction‐related proteins staining. Cellular and mechanical transformations were completed when MDCK/shCav1 cells were treated with medium conditioned by MK4 cells treated with IPTG (MK4+I‐CM) but not with medium conditioned by MK4 cells. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that Ha‐Ras^V12‐inducing MK4 cells increased exosome‐like microvesicles release compared with their normal counterparts. The cellular and mechanical transformation activities of MK4+I‐CM were abolished after heat treatment and exosome depletion and were copied by exosomes derived from MK4+I‐CM (MK4+I‐EXs). Wnt5a, a downstream product of Ha‐Ras^V12, was markedly secreted by MK4+I‐CM and MK4+I‐EXs. Suppression of Wnt5a expression and secretion using the porcupine inhibitor C59 or Wnt5a siRNA inhibited the Ha‐Ras^V12‐ and MK4+I‐CM‐induced transformation of MK4 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, respectively. Cav1 down‐regulation, either by Ha‐Ras^V12 or targeted shRNA, increased frizzled‐2 (Fzd2) protein levels without affecting its mRNA levels, suggesting a novel role of Cav1 in negatively regulating Fzd2 expression. Additionally, silencing Cav1 facilitated the internalization of MK4+I‐EXs in MDCK cells. These data suggest that Cav1‐dependent repression of Fzd2 and exosome uptake is potentially relevant to its antitransformation activity, which hinders the activation of Ha‐Ras^V12‐Wnt5a‐Stat3 pathway. Altogether, these results suggest that both decreasing Cav1 and increasing exosomal Wnt5a must be implemented during Ha‐Ras^V12‐driven cell transformation.     

Environmental analysis of airborne pollen occurrence,pollen source distribution and phenology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus angustifolia</Emphasis>

Narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) is a common polygamous tree growing on the banks of rivers in the western Mediterranean region. Pollination occurs during winter, and the tree’s pollen is among the most abundant during that season. This work aims to relate the phenology of pollen shedding, source tree distribution, meteorology and airborne pollen occurrence for the species. Aerobiological sampling was conducted in Badajoz (south-western Spain) using a Hirst volumetric sampler over 24 years (1993–2016). Trees were geo-localized in a circle 500 m in diameter surrounding the pollen sampler. During the last two periods, pollination phenology was studied in 10 specimens, five in the surroundings of the pollen station and five 3 km apart, at a frequency of 3–4 days on average. Moreover, a detailed analysis of pollen occurrence was conducted for these two periods. Daily data for the whole period and hourly data over the last 2 years were used, including pollen monitoring and meteorology. A comparison was made between pollen occurrence and source distribution. The main pollen season lasted on average 53 (28–75) days. Average values were less than 10 grains m^?3, except for two periods of 23–24 grains m^?3. Daily data and hourly data correlation with meteorology showed different signs in correlation analysis. Hourly analysis showed that the maximum concentration occurred just after noon. Most pollen was recorded at an average temperature of 9 °C. Analysis of pollen sources and pollen occurrence showed a close relationship between predominant wind directions and tree distribution. Peaks of phenology were not coincident with pollen peaks. No trends in pollination were found. Non-homogeneous distribution of pollen sources for Fraxinus angustifolia provided a suitable tool to demonstrate that wind direction plays a relevant role when aerobiological data are interpreted according to source distribution. A limitation in phenology analysis and aerobiological data was noted in the narrow-leafed ash species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter agri</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil

A bacterial isolate was recovered from a soil sample collected in Jeollabuk-do Province, South Korea, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic assessment. Cells of the isolate, designated strain S1-2-1-2-1^T, were observed to be rod-shaped, pink in color, and Gram-stain negative. The strain was able to grow at temperature range from 10 to 30 °C, with an optimum of 25 °C, and growth occurred at pH 6–8. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-1-2-1^T belongs to the genus Hymenobacter, with closely related type strains being Hymenobacter daeguensis 16F3Y-2^T (95.8% similarity), Hymenobacter rubidus DG7B^T (95.8%), Hymenobacter soli PB^T (95.7%), Hymenobacter terrenus MIMtkLc17^T (95.6%), Hymenobacter terrae DG7A^T (95.3%), and Hymenobacter saemangeumensis GSR0100^T (95.2%). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S1-2-1-2-1^T was 63.0 mol%. The main polar lipid of this strain was phosphatidylethanolamine, the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the major fatty acids were C_15:0 iso (27.3%), summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) (16.5%), C_15:0 anteiso (15.3%), and C_16:0 (14.7%), supporting the affiliation of this strain with the genus Hymenobacter. The results of this polyphasic analysis allowed for the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain S1-2-1-2-1^T from recognized Hymenobacter species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties, genotypic distinctiveness, and chemotaxonomic features, strain S1-2-1-2-1^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-1-2-1^T (=KCTC 52739^T?=?JCM 32194^T).     

Molecular and morphological characterization of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyseius largoensis</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae): surprising similarity between an Asian and American populations

The accurate characterization of biological control agents is a key step in control programs. Recently, Amblyseius largoensis from Thailand were introduced in Brazil to evaluate their efficiency for the control of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica. The aim of this study was to confirm their identification and to characterize the population from Thailand, comparing it to populations of the Americas and Indian Ocean islands. In addition, a population of A. largoensis from New Caledonia, Oceania, of which DNA sequences were available, was included in phylogenetic analyses. Morphometric data obtained for the population of A. largoensis from Thailand were compared to those of populations from Reunion Island and the Americas through univariate and multivariate analyses. Two DNA fragments were amplified and sequenced: the nuclear ribosomal region ITSS and the mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Haplotypes (12S rRNA) and genotypes (ITSS) were identified and phylogenetic analyses using both fragments were conducted separately and combined using maximum likelihood and the Bayesian information criterion. The integrative approach reveals morphometric and molecular variabilities among populations of A. largoensis and shows that the population identified as A. largoensis collected in Thailand, as well as that from New Caledonia, are conspecific to the populations of the Americas and Indian Ocean islands. Populations from the Americas and Asia are more related to each other than with that from the Indian Ocean islands. Hypotheses to explain this clustering are proposed. Data on the molecular intraspecific variability of this predatory mite from remote areas will be helpful for the development of molecular diagnosis.