No abstract

Background Screening using dipstick urinalysis has long been performed in 3‐year‐old children; however, it is ineffective in detecting congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Measurement of the urinary β2‐microglobulin (β2MG)/creatinine (Cr) ratio may be more effective for this purpose. Analysis of dried urine spots (DUS) on filter paper is suitable for mass screening since operational costs are low and samples are easy to collect and transport. We examined the accuracy of measuring the urinary β2MG/Cr ratio in DUS on filter paper. Methods We collected 2,623 urine samples from 3‐year‐old children. β2MG and Cr levels were measured in DUS on filter paper. We examined the correlation between the β2MG/Cr ratios measured in DUS and using the conventional method in 640 samples using the coefficient of determination test. Children with high β2MG/Cr ratios (>0.6 µg/mg Cr) in DUS samples were further examined to establish a definitive diagnosis. Results There was strong correlation between the two methods for determination of β2MG levels (r2 = 0.68; P < 0.001) and β2MG/Cr ratios (r2 = 0.69; P < 0.001). Of the 2,623 children, 38 (1.45%) had β2MG/Cr ratios >0.6. Thirty‐five children were subsequently examined, resulting in findings of renal hypodysplasia (n = 2, 0.08%), horseshoe kidney (n = 1, 0.04%), renal tubular dysfunction with hepatoblastoma (n = 1, 0.04%), data abnormality (high urine β2MG level, n = 6, 0.23%; high serum Cr level, n = 1, 0.04%), and normal values (n = 24, 0.91%). Conclusions We evaluated a practical method for measuring β2MG/Cr ratios in DUS as a screening method to detect CAKUT in 3‐year‐old children.

This study investigated the mechanism of reducing body fat via whey protein diet. Pregnant mice were fed whey or casein, and their offspring were fed by birth mothers. After weaning at 4 weeks, male pups received the diets administered to their birth mothers (n = 6 per group). At 12 weeks of age, body weight, fat mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (IRI), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol (Cho), triglyceride (TG), the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes in liver tissues and metabolomic data of fat tissues were measured and compared between the groups. The birth weights of pups born were similar in the two groups. Compared to the pups in the casein group, at 12 weeks of age, pups in the whey group weighed less, had significantly lower fat mass, HOMA-IR and TG levels (p < 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively), and significantly higher levels of the antioxidant glutathione and the anti-inflammatory 1-methylnicotinamide in fat tissues (p < 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). No differences were observed in FBG, IRI, Cho levels (p = 0.75, p = 0.07, p = 0.63, respectively) and expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes. Whey protein has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than casein protein, which may be its mechanism for reducing body fat.

Background: Under the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, manifestations in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) are different between the Western and the Eastern countries. Particularly, there has not been a report comparing a series of KD in Japan, where KD was originally discovered and has a large number of registered cases. Methods: We compared patients with KD under the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan with the report from Italy during its reported period by a retrospective, cohort, observational study in a Japanese single center. Results: Thirty-two patients with typical KD were treated during the study period, while the Italian study reported 10 patients with the signs of KD. Concerning the proof of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, none (0%) of our KD cases showed a positive result and one and no patients developed the macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS), respectively; however, eight (80%) patients in the Italian series were confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. MAS and KDSS developed in six and five patients, respectively. Conclusions: Cases reported as COVID-19 pandemic-related KD in Italy showed significantly different clinical characteristics from the typical KD symptoms known in Japan. Although they show KD-like manifestations, we cannot conclude that SARS-CoV-2 has the same etiology of our ‘classic‘ KD at the present stage.

Exfoliated clay nanosheets (CNSs) of synthetic hectorite (s-hectorite) have been used for synthesizing advanced functional materials and gels that exhibit high transparency, high mechanical toughness, and many unprecedented characteristics like optical anisotropy, cell harvesting, instant strong adhesion, and self-healing. Therefore, it is important to determine the rheological properties of aqueous s-hectorite dispersions in terms of the CNS microstructures formed in the dispersion. Herein, viscosity changes in aqueous dispersions of s-hectorite were determined using a vibration viscometer to measure viscosity under agitated and static conditions. Upon varying the pH and salt concentration, aqueous dispersions of s-hectorite exhibited a maximum viscosity accompanied by gelation. Additionally, the aqueous dispersion with maximum viscosity exhibited large and complex time-dependent viscosity changes in the static state after cessation of stirring. The anomalous viscosity dynamics depended on the types of clay, acid (salt), temperature, repetitions, and agitation conditions used. The mechanisms for viscosity dynamics have been discussed in terms of variations in the CNS microstructures. It is inferred that anomalous viscosity dynamics are a general phenomenon in multicomponent dispersion systems containing CNSs.