Firmicutes in Gut Microbiota Correlate with Blood Testosterone Levels in Elderly Men

Matsushita Makoto,Fujita Kazutoshi,Motooka Daisuke,Hatano Koji,Hata Junya,Nishimoto Mitsuhisa,Banno Eri,Takezawa Kentaro,Fukuhara Shinichiro,Kiuchi Hiroshi,Pan Yue,Takao Toshifumi,Tsujimura Akira,Yach 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.3

Purpose: In males, testosterone levels have been implicated in various diseases. Recently, the influence of gut microbialderived compounds on host metabolism has become evident, and it has been suggested that some gut bacteria may be involved in testosterone metabolism. In the present study, we examined the relationship between testosterone levels and gut microbiota in elderly Japanese men. Materials and Methods: We collected samples from Japanese male subjects suspected of having prostate cancer and underwent prostate biopsies and excluded patients with positive biopsies to avoid the effect of prostate cancer on the gut microbiota. In total, 54 Japanese males with negative biopsy results were included in our study. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of bacterial DNA extracted from rectal swabs. Gut microbiota compositions were compared between the two groups according to the level of serum testosterone (above or below 3.5 ng /mL). Results: The median age of the cohort was 71 years, and the quartile range was 67 to 73 years. We observed no significant difference in alpha or beta diversity, but some bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes (Clostridiales, Turicibacter, and Gemella) were increased in the high testosterone group. Serum testosterone levels positively correlated with the relative amount of Firmicutes (rS=0.3323, p=0.0141), and the amount of Firmicutes affected serum testosterone levels independent of host factors (age, body mass index, triglyceride, and total cholesterol; β=0.770, p=0.0396). Conclusions: Some intestinal bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes were associated with testosterone levels in elderly males. Therefore, the gut microbiota could affect testosterone metabolism in elderly males.

Excellent Crystallinity of Ba Ferrite Layers Deposited on Pt(111) Underlayers

Matsushita, Nobuhiro,Feng, Jie,Watanabe, Koh,Ichinose, Makoto,Nakagawa, Shigeki,Naoe, Masahiko The Korean Ceramic Society 2000 The Korean journal of ceramics Vol.6 No.3

A magnetoplumbite type of Ba ferrite(BaM) layers were deposited on Pt(111) and Pt(200) layers, and their c-axis orientation and magnetic characteristics were compared each other. The as-deposited BaM layer on Pt(111) one at the substrate temperature $T_s$ above $500^{\circ}C$ revealed remarkable c-axis orientation. The saturation magnetization 4$\piM_s$ and the perpendicular coercivity $H_{c⊥}$ of the films as-deposited at $T_s$ of $600^{\circ}C$ were 4.0kG and 2.5kOe, respectively. On the other hand, BaM ferrite layer deposited on Pt(200) layer at $T_s$ as relatively low as $500^{\circ}C$ also revealed weak c-axis orientation as well as (107) one and the films as-deposited at $T_s$ of $600^{\circ}C$ exhibited 4$\piMs_{and}$ $H_{c⊥}$ of 2.8kG and 2.5kOe, respectively. It was suggested that although chemical activity of Pt surface was effective for the formation of BaM crystallites, the lattice matching was also important for obtaining BaM layer with good c-axis orientation and large perpendicular anisotropy.sotropy.

Anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin contents, antioxidant activity, and in situ degradability of black and red rice grains

Hosoda, Kenji,Sasahara, Hideki,Matsushita, Kei,Tamura, Yasuaki,Miyaji, Makoto,Matsuyama, Hiroki Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.8

Objective: An experiment was conducted to assess the antioxidant contents and activities of colored rice grains and to evaluate their nutritive characteristics in terms of chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradation. Methods: Ten cultivars of colored rice grains (Oryza sativa L.) collected from several areas of Japan were studied, and control rice without pigment, maize, barley, and wheat grains were used as control grains. Their chemical compositions, pigment, polyphenol contents, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and degradation characteristics were determined. Results: The starch contents of the colored rice grains were in the range of 73.5% to 79.6%, similar to that of the control rice grain. The black and red rice grains contained anthocyanin (maximum: $5,045.6{\mu}g/g$) and proanthocyanidin (maximum: $3,060.6{\mu}g/g$) at high concentrations as their principal pigments, respectively. There were significantly (p<0.05) positive relationships among the pigment contents, polyphenol content, and TAC values in the colored and control rice grains, indicating that the increase in pigment contents also contributed to the increased polyphenol content and TAC values in the colored rice grains. The dry matter and starch degradation characteristics, as represented by c (fractional degradation rate of slowly degradable fraction) and by the effective degradability, of the colored rice grains and the control rice grain were ranked as follows among commonly used grains: wheat>barley${\geq}rice$>maize. The colored rice grains also included the most-digestible starch, since their potential degradable fraction and actual degradability at 48 h incubation were almost 100%. Conclusion: Colored rice grains have high potential to be used as antioxidant sources in addition to starch sources in ruminants.

Solid–liquid interface synthesis of microcrystalline porous coordination networks

Martí,-Rujas, Javier,Matsushita, Yoshitaka,Izumi, Fujio,Fujita, Makoto,Kawano, Masaki Royal Society of Chemistry 2010 Chemical communications Vol.46 No.35

<P>Solid–liquid interface synthesis provided a unique way to selectively and efficiently prepare molecular complexes (ML<SUB>2</SUB>) and metastable porous coordination networks in short crystallization times. In sharp contrast, their solution reactions gave interpenetrated open-framework networks. We succeeded in solving a crystal structure of the metastable network by <I>ab initio</I> powder X-ray analysis.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Solid–liquid interface synthesis provided a unique way to selectively and efficiently generate crystalline monomers and metastable porous coordination networks. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c0cc01141j'> </P>

중자에서 발생한 가스 결함 위치 예측

마쓰시타 마코토,코사카 아키라,카나타니 시게히로,Matsushita, Makoto,Kosaka, Akira,Kanatani, Shigehiro 한국주조공학회 2022 한국주조공학회지 Vol.42 No.1

Hydraulic units are important components of agricultural and construction machinery, and thus require high-quality castings. However, gas defects occurring inside the sand cores of the castings due to the resin used is a problem. This study therefore aimed to develop a casting simulation method that can clarify the gas defect positions. Gas defects are thought to be caused by gas generated after the molten metal fills up the mold cavity. The gas constant is the most effective factor for simulating this gas generated from sand cores. It is calculated by gas generating temperature and analysis of composition in the inert gas atmosphere modified according to the mold filling conditions of molten metal. It is assumed that gases generated from the inside of castings remain if the following formula is established. [Time of occurrence of gas generation] + [Time of occurrence of gas floating] > [Time of occurrence of casting surface solidification] The possibility of gas defects is evaluated by the time of occurrence of gas generation and gas floating calculated using the gas constant. The residual position of generated gases is decided by the closed loops indicating the final solidification location in the casting simulation. The above procedure enables us to suggest suitable casting designs with zero gas defects, without the need to repeat casting tests.

Bermuda Grass Hay or Sorghum Silage with or without Yeast Addition on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Crossbred Young Bulls Finished in Feedlot

Maggioni, Daniele,De Araujo, Jair Marques,Perotto, Daniel,Rotta, Polyana Pizzi,Ducatti, Taciana,Matsushita, Makoto,Silva, Roberio Rodrigues,Prado, Ivanor Nunes do Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.2

This experiment was carried out to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of 40 crossbred young bulls ($Zebu{\times}European$) finished in a feedlot under two roughage sources (Bermuda grass hay or sorghum silage) with or without the addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae). The bulls were 20 months old, their initial average weight was 356 kg and they were allocated into four groups of ten animals. The experimental diets were Bermuda grass, Bermuda grass+yeast, sorghum silage and sorghum silage +yeast. Animal performance and carcass characteristics were not influenced by roughage source or yeast addition. The average daily weight gain was 1.50 kg, dry matter intake (DMI) was 11.1 kg/d, DMI as percentage of liveweight was 2.60% and feed dry matter conversion was 7.70. The mean dressing percentage was 52.0% and hot carcass weight was 268 kg. Carcass conformation was classified between good-minus to good. Carcass length (137 cm), leg length (72.9 cm) and cushion thickness (26.6 cm) were not influenced by treatments. The average fat thickness was 3.80 mm and the Longissimus muscle area was 66.9 $cm^{2}$. The classification of color, texture and marbling were slightly dark red to red, fine and slight-minus to light-typical, respectively. The mean percentage of bone, muscle and fat in the carcass was 15.5%, 62.3% and 22.5%, respectively. Yeast addition increased ${\gamma}$-linolenic fatty acid (0.15 vs. 0.11%) deposition. Bermuda grass hay increased deposition of ${\alpha}$-linolenic (0.49 vs. 0.41%), arachidonic (2.30 vs. 1.57%), eicosapentaenoic (0.41 vs. 0.29%), docosapentaenoic (0.80 vs. 0.62%), docosahexaenoic (0.11 vs. 0.06%) and n-3 fatty acids, and reduced n-6: n-3 ratio in meat, when compared to sorghum silage treatments. The treatments had no effect on saturated fatty acids (49.5%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (11.8%), n-6 fatty acids (9.87%), n-3 (1.61%) and PUFA:SFA ratio (0.24). Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were higher on sorghum silage (40.7 vs. 37.7%). The addition of yeast caused higher n-6: n-3 ratio (7.28 vs. 5.70) than treatments without yeast.

Carcass Characteristics, Chemical Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of the Longissimus Muscle of Bulls (Bos taurus indicus vs. Bos taurus taurus) Finished in Pasture Systems

do Prado, Ivanor Nunes,Aricetti, Juliana Aparecida,Rotta, Polyana Pizzi,do Prado, Rodolpho Martin,Perotto, Daniel,Visentainer, Jesui Vergilio,Matsushita, Makoto Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.10

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus muscle (LM) of three cattle genetic groups (Purunã, PUR, 11; 1/2 Purunã vs. 1/2 British, PUB, 6 and 1/2 Charolais vs. 1/2 Caracu, CHC, 10) finished in pasture systems. The field work took place at the Lapa Research Farm of the Agronomic Institute of Paraná, in the city of Lapa, south Brazil. The animals were fed during the winter with corn silage, cottonseed meal, cracked corn, urea, limestone and mineral salts as sources of protein, as well as an energy supplement, in pasture systems of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. The animal groups were slaughtered at 20 months of age, at 50122.6 kg live weight. CHC bulls had higher (p<0.05) final weight than PUR and PUB bulls. Hot carcass weight was similar (p>0.10) between PUR and PUB. Hot carcass dressing percentage was higher (p<0.05) for PUB bulls than for PUR and CHC bulls. On the other hand, hot carcass dressing percentage was similar (p>0.05) between PUR and CHC bulls. Fat thickness was similar (p>0.10) among all genetic groups. However, the Longissimus area of CHC bulls was greater (p<0.05) than in PUR and PUB genetic groups. The genetic groups did not affect (p>0.10) the marbling of Longissimus. There was no observed difference (p>0.10) in moisture, ash, crude protein and total cholesterol contents among the three genetic groups. On the other hand, the total lipid percentage was higher (p<0.05) for the PUB genetic group in comparison with PUR and CHC. CLA percentage was highest for PUR animals. However, total CLA amounts were not altered by the different genetic groups.

Carcass Characteristics, Chemical Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of Longissimus Muscle of Bulls and Steers Finished in a Pasture System Bulls and Steers Finished in Pasture Systems

Aricetti, Juliana Aparecida,Rotta, Polyana Pizzi,do Prado, Rodolpho Martin,Perotto, Daniel,Moletta, Jose Luiz,Matsushita, Makoto,do Prado, Ivanor Nunes Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.10

This experiment was carried out to study the carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus muscle (LM) of bulls (10) and steers (17) finished in a pasture system. Animals (1/2 Zebu vs. 1/2 Aberdeen Angus) were fed in a pasture system (Hermatria altissima) and with a supplement of soybean meal, cracked corn, urea, limestone and mineral salts, twice a day. Both animal groups were slaughtered at 27 months of age, with an average 508.88 kg of live weight. Final weight, hot carcass weight and texture were similar (p>0.05) between bulls and steers. Carcass dressing, fat thickness, color and marbling were higher (p<0.02) in steers. Conversely, the Longissimus area was greater (p<0.05) in bulls. Moisture levels were higher (p<0.01) in bulls. Ash, crude protein, total lipids and total cholesterol levels were higher (p<0.10) in steers. C14:0, C16:0, C16:1 n-7 and C18:1 n-9 fatty acids percentages were higher (p<0.06) in steers. C16-1 n-10, i 17:0, C19:0, C18:2 n-6, C18:3 n-3, C20:2 n-3 C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3, C22:1 n-7, C22:4 n-6 and C22:5 n-3 fatty acids percentages were higher (p<0.05) in bulls. The percentage of the other fatty acids was similar (p>0.05) in bulls and steers. The levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were higher (p<0.02) in steers while polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3, n-6, PUFA/SFA and n6:n3 ratios, were higher (p<0.05) in bulls. The CLA contents (mg/g lipids) were similar (p>0.10) in bulls and steers.