Animal studies have demonstrated lower levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 in a type 2 diabetes model compared with controls (1). Alterations in circulating vitamin D3 metabolites, such as decreased 1␣-hydroxylase activity and enhanced renal 25-hydroxylase activity, have been found in both experimental and human diabetes. These alterations in vitamin D metabolism may be associated with the deranged mineral homeostasis and skeletal morphology observed in rats and people with chronic insulin deficiency (2). Experimentally, vitamin D deficiency progressively reduces insulin secretion, and this reduction soon becomes irreversible (3). It was also shown that insulin deficiency may be associated with lower vitamin D-binding protein and 1,25(OH)2D3 serum levels in rats. These decreases are somewhat dependent on androgen concentration, but they are counteracted by estrogens (4).Several studies have demonstrated abnormalities in calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D metabolism in diabetic patients. In particular, Pietschmann et al. (5) evaluated 25(OH)D levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients and found no difference in 25(OH)D levels between type 1 diabetic patients and control subjects, whereas 25(OH)D levels were significantly decreased in type 2 diabetic patients (5).We conducted an observational study in 799 ambulatory postmenopausal Italian women in order to assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and dietary calcium insufficiency. In all patients, the levels of 25(OH)D3 (obtained by radioimmunoassay method with double antibody provided by DiaSorin), calcium intake (obtained by a questionnaire filled in by a general practitioner), and several Activity Daily Living (ADL) criteria were assessed. The samples were collected in February and March 2000.We identified 66 type 2 diabetic patients based on medical history. Female patients and control subjects were comparable for age and years since menopause, but BMI was significantly higher in diabetic patients. The ADL score was significantly worse in diabetic patients than in control subjects (P Ͻ 0.01). The 25(OH)D levels (means Ϯ SD) were significantly lower in diabetic patients than in control subjects (11 Ϯ 9.8 vs. 9 Ϯ 11.3 ng/ml, P Ͻ 0.008), and the prevalence of 25(OH) deficiency (Ͻ5 ng/ml) was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (39 vs. 25%). Dietary calcium intake was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in control subjects (792.9 Ϯ 400.9 vs. 679 Ϯ 316.9 mg/day, P Ͻ 0.020). The significance of these findings remains unclear. The general recommendation for overweight diabetic patients to lower fat dairy product consumption may explain the lower calcium intake. We have no data that might explain the higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among diabetic patients. We believe our results will lead to additional studies on the hypothetical circular relationship among diabetes, vitamin D repletion, and calcium intake and absorption. We believe this relationship leads to both a worsening of diabetes and an increased risk of fractures (6), d...

Background: Gram-positive anaerobic (GPA) bacteria inhabit different parts of the human body as commensals but can also cause bacteremia. In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed GPA bacteremia pathogens before (2013-2015) and after (2016-2018) the introduction of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Method: We conducted a retrospective observational study by searching the microbiology database to identify all positive GPA blood cultures of patients with GPA bacteremia diagnosed using the new technique, MALDI-TOF MS,

Rhizopus oryzae produces lactic acid from glucose but not efficiently from sucrose, while Amylomyces rouxii, a species closely related to R. oryzae, ferments these sugars equally. The properties of two sucrose-hydrolyzing enzymes purified from culture filtrates of R. oryzae NBRC 4785 and A. rouxii CBS 438.76 were compared to assess lactic acid fermentation by the two fungi. The substrate specificity of the enzymes showed that the enzymes from strains NBRC 4785 and CBS 438.76 are to be classified as glucoamylase and invertase respectively. The entity of the enzyme from strain NBRC 4785 might be a glucoamylase, because eight residues of the N-terminal amino acid sequence coincided with those of the deduced protein from the amyB gene of R. oryzae. The enzyme from NBRC 4785 was more unstable than that from strain CBS 438.76 under conditions of lower pH and higher temperature. These observations mean that the culture conditions of R. oryzae for lactic acid production from sucrose should be strictly controlled to prevent inactivation of the glucoamylase hydrolyzing sucrose.

Abstract. Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 2 molecules on the thyroid follicular cells in human autoimmune thyroid diseases has been reported, and is suggested to play a role in the initiation of the autoimmune responses. Interferon γ is known to induce MHC class 2 molecules on cultured thyrocytes. Therefore, we administered recombinant interferon γ to mice to induce MHC class 2 molecule expression in vivo, and investigated the thyroidal changes following MHC class 2 molecule expression. Recombinant interferon γ3 × 105 U, was administered daily, to mice. MHC class 2 molecules, studied by indirect immunohistochemistry, were expressed on the follicular cells on the 2nd to 4th day after the first interferon γ administration and continued thereafter. Serum T4 and T3 concentrations decreased and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-microsomal antibodies were detected. Lymphocyte infiltrations were observed in the thyroid glands obtained at 28 days, but they were mild. These results suggest that MHC class 2 molecule expression on thyroid follicular cells induces anti-thyroid antibodies and plays an important role in the initiation of autoimmune thyroiditis. However, the progression of the immune response to thyroiditis with lymphocyte infiltration may require some other factor. This new model of autoimmune thyroid disease in mice might be useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of human autoimmune thyroid diseases.

BackgroundPeriodontal disease, including periodontitis, has been reported to be a rare cause of septic pulmonary embolism (SPE). It is however extremely difficult to isolate the causative pathogen of periodontal disease-associated SPE from blood cultures of these patients.Case presentationIn this study, an 85-year-old Japanese man was admitted with fever and worsening malaise. He was later noted to have multiple bilateral subpleural pulmonary nodules on chest computed tomography scan. After admission, Parvimonas micra (P. micra) was isolated from his blood culture. This was followed by a meticulous search for the primary source of SPE, focusing on the head and neck areas. Consequently, apical periodontitis and infratemporal fossa abscess were identified as the primary sources of SPE. Although P. micra is one of the most frequently detected bacteria in the infected root canals of teeth with chronic apical periodontitis, it has rarely been proven as a causative pathogen of periodontal disease-associated SPE.ConclusionsThis case study demonstrated that periodontal disease is an important primary source of SPE and P. micra could be a causative pathogen of SPE.