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[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effect of age on the mechanical properties, muscle size, and muscle quality in the upper and lower limb and trunk muscles. [Methods] We evaluated the shear modulus (G), muscle thickness (MT), and echo intensity (EI) of the upper and lower limb and trunk muscles of 83 healthy women (21–83-year-old). The G values of some limb muscles were measured in relaxed and stretched positions. [Results] Regarding the effect of age on G at the distinct positions, the G of the upper limb muscles were not significantly correlated with age in the relaxed and stretched positions. In contrast, the G of the iliacus showed a significant negative correlation in both positions. Additionally, the G of the rectus femoris had a significant negative correlation only in the relaxed position. Regarding differences among body parts, the G of the lower limb and oblique abdominal muscles showed a significant negative correlation, but no correlation in the upper limb, rectus abdominis, and back muscles. Moreover, MT showed a significant negative correlation with age in the lower limb, abdominal, and erector spinae muscles, but no correlation was detected in the upper limb and lumbar multifidus muscles. EI had a significant positive correlation in all the muscles. [Conclusion] The effect of age on G depended on body parts, and the G of the lower limb and oblique abdominal muscles negatively associated with age. Additionally, G in the relaxed position may be more susceptible to aging than G in the stretched position.

Background The human tracking algorithm called OpenPose can detect joint points and measure segment and joint angles. However, the validity of gait analysis using OpenPose has not been examined yet. Research question What is the validity of OpenPose-based gait analysis? Methods Twenty-four healthy young people participated in this study. The participants were assessed during walking and running. Pelvic segment angles, and hip, knee, and ankle joint angles during treadmill walking and running were measured using VICON. Simultaneously, images were captured using digital cameras from the right and back sides. After processing with OpenPose, the corresponding angles were measured from the estimated joint points. To validate these estimations, linear regression analysis was performed, and intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs (2, 1)] between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON were calculated. Furthermore, the agreement between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis. Results For most ranges of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane, the hip, knee, and ankle joints had large coefficients of determination, without proportional biases. For most peak angles in the sagittal plane, the knee and ankle joints had large coefficients of determination without proportional biases, although the hip joint had nonsignificant coefficients of determination and proportional biases. In particular, for the hip flexion-extension ROM and peak knee flexion angle during running and the knee ROM during slow walking, the ICCs showed good to excellent agreement. However, for the parameters of the pelvis and hip joint in the frontal plane, there were nonsignificant coefficients of determination and poor ICCs with fixed and proportional biases. Significance The lower limb ROM in the sagittal plane during gait can be measured by the OpenPose-based motion analysis system. The markerless systems have the advantage of being more economical and convenient than conventional methods.

BackgroundMovement of target subjects can be calculated using the frame subtraction method. However, the validity of this evaluation method of dynamic postural stability has not been clarified yet. This study aimed to verify the validity of the evaluation method for jump landing using the frame subtraction score based on the ground reaction force (GRF). MethodsTwenty subjects performed single leg jump landing, and their dynamic postural stability index (DPSI), medial-lateral stability index (MLSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI), and vertical stability index (VSI) were calculated from the GRF. Simultaneously, motion images were taken using digital video cameras in the sagittal and frontal planes. After the motion images were analyzed using the frame subtraction method, the frame subtraction scores on the frontal, sagittal, and combined planes were calculated. To confirm its validity, the relationship between the frame subtraction scores with GRF parameters was investigated using Pearson's correlation analysis. ResultsThe frame subtraction scores on the frontal and combined planes were significantly correlated with DPSI, MLSI and VSI (r = 0.46–0.75, P < 0.05). ConclusionsTherefore, the frame subtraction method could be applied to the evaluation of dynamic postural stability. Markerless or sensorless systems are deemed to be useful in clinical practice.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the age-related changes in muscle thickness and muscle echo intensity of trunk in subjects including wide range of age groups. Methods: The subjects were 112 healthy women (age range 20–60s). The rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and lumbar multifidus muscles were examined. To confirm the differences among the age groups, the linear mixed effect models were performed. Results: There were significant decreases in muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles in the 50s and 60s age groups compared to those in the 20s age group, and a significant decrease in muscle thickness of the erector spinae muscle in the 60s age group compared to those in the 20s age group. However, there was no significant difference among the age groups in muscle thickness of other trunk muscles. There were significant increases in echo intensity of the abdominal muscles in other age groups compared to those in the 20s age group, and significant increases in echo intensity of the back muscles in the age groups over 40 compared to those in the 20s group. Conclusion: Our study revealed that muscle quality may be more affected by age than muscle quantity and the effects of aging differ among muscles.

Mesenchymal stem cells are an ideal source for regenerative medicine. For clinical use, cell culture should be done at stable conditions, thus the use of serum should be avoided because of the batch-to-batch variations of serum. Although several kinds of serum-free media are available, a method to confirm whether they contain serum has not been established yet. During studies on effect of adipocyte mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) on pain using a human pain gene array, we noticed that BDKRB1 gene was constantly upregulated when serum was used in the culture medium. In this study, we attempted to establish further the potential of this gene as a new marker indicative of the presence of serum in media. Using a real-time quantitative PCR gene array screening containing 84 functional genes, we verified BDKRB1 as a specific gene upregulated in the presence of serum. The expression of BDKRB1 in Ad-MSCs was induced not only by bovine serum but also by human serum. The BDKRB1 expression was induced even when Ad-MSCs was cultured with 0.1% serum in the medium. We concluded that BDKRB1 is a valuable marker to detect traces of both human and animal serum in Ad-MSCs cultures. Our study provides a new method to confirm the absence of serum in media and ensure a stable cell culture condition.

It is important to quantify the postural stability. The frame subtraction method can calculate the motions of a subject, and might be easier to implement, with lower costs. However, validity of the evaluation of postural stability using this method have not been validated yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to verify criterion-related validity of the frame subtraction scores and the center of pressure (COP) parameters during maintenance of single leg standing. Twenty two healthy young subjects participated in this study. Motion tasks comprised right leg standing with eyes open and closed. The total length of COP displacements (LNG), Root mean square (RMS) area, anterior - posterior (AP) range, medial - lateral (ML) range were recorded using the force plate. Simultaneously, the motion images were acquired with digital video cameras from the front and right sides. After the motion images were analyzed using the frame subtraction method, the frame subtraction scores (maximum, sum of the frame subtraction score on each plane, the frontal and sagittal planes) were measured. To confirm the validity, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the frame subtraction scores and the COP parameters was calculated. The sum of the frame subtraction score on the frontal plane was significantly correlated with all COP displacements in the single leg standing. The result of this study indicated that the frame subtraction method could be applied to the evaluation of balance task with postural sway such as maintenance of single leg standing. The frame subtraction method is low cost and easy owing to its marker-less systems.

Background The human tracking algorithm called OpenPose can detect joint points and calculate joint angles. However, the reliability and validity of OpenPose have not been clarified yet. Research question: Are there the enough reliability and validity of OpenPose based motion analysis? Methods 20 healthy young subjects participated in this study. The motion task was a bilateral squat. The joint angles of the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle were calculated using OpenPose and VICON. Kinematic measurements by three-dimensional motion analysis devices were recorded using VICON. Simultaneously, the images were taken with a digital camera from the right side. After the images were processed with OpenPose, joint angles were calculated from estimated joint points. To confirm the test-retest reliability within device, intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC (1, 3)] were calculated. To confirm the validity, linear regression analysis and ICC (2, 1) between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON were calculated. Furthermore, the agreement between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. Results ICCs (1, 3) of the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON were almost perfect. There were significant associations between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON. ICCs (2, 1) between the data obtained by OpenPose and VICON were almost perfect or substantial for trunk, knee and ankle joints, and fair on the hip joint. There were fixed biases on knee and ankle joints, and proportional biases on trunk and hip joint. Significance OpenPose based motion analysis is reliable and has the advantage of being low cost and easier to operate than conventional methods. In future, to consider the clinical utility of OpenPose, it is necessary to identify the error between the true values indicating actual joint movement and data obtained by OpenPose with its correction for fixed and proportional biases. (295 words)

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), which belongs to the betaherpesvirus subfamily, mainly replicates in T lymphocytes. Here, we show that MHC class I molecules are incorporated into HHV-6 viral particles and released into the extracellular environment. In addition, HHV-6A/B-infected T cells showed reduced surface and intracellular expression of MHC class I molecules. The cellular machinery responsible for molecular transport appears to be modified upon HHV-6 infection, causing MHC class I molecules to be transported to virion assembly sites.

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Oka vaccine strain (vOka) is a highly immunogenic and safe live vaccine that has long been used worldwide. Because its genome is large, making it suitable for inserting foreign genes, vOka is considered a candidate vector for novel polyvalent vaccines. Previously, a recombinant vOka, rvOka-HN, that expresses mumps virus (MuV) hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) was generated by the present team. rvOka-HN induces production of neutralizing antibodies against MuV in guinea pigs. MuV also expresses fusion (F) protein, which is important for inducing neutralizing antibodies, in its viral envelope. To induce a more robust immune response against MuV than that obtained with rvOka-HN, here an rvOka expressing both HN and F (rvOka-HN-F) was generated. However, co-expression of HN and F caused the infected cells to form syncytia, which reduced virus titers. To reduce the amount of cell fusion, an rvOka expressing HN and a mutant F, F(S195Y) were generated. Almost no syncytia formed among the rvOka-HN-F(S195Y)-infected cells and the growth of rvOka-HN-F(S195Y) was similar to that of the original vOka clone. Moreover, replacement of serine 195 with tyrosine had no effect on the immunogenicity of F in mice and guinea pigs. Although obvious augmentation of neutralizing antibody production was not observed after adding F protein to vOka-HN, the anti-F antibodies did have neutralizing activity. These data suggest that F protein contributes to induction of immune protection against MuV. Therefore this recombinant virus is a promising candidate vaccine for polyvalent protection against both VZV and MuV.

Topological lightwave technologies are expected to be applied in a wide range of emerging optical fields such as q-plates, one of the most attractive devices in this research area, prepared by controlling the high-resolution alignment patterning of liquid crystals. Here, we present a simple and direct fabrication technique of a q-plate that is able to oscillate a vector beam, by employing our newly developed photoalignment concept termed scanning wave photopolymerization (SWaP). SWaP generates precise arbitrary molecular alignment patterns concurrent with irradiated light patterns, successfully fabricating a polymer film with a radial molecular alignment arranged in an array pattern in a single step. This array patterned alignment structure was able to simultaneously generate a vector beam, indicating that SWaP can be utilized for producing such topological lightwave applications.

[Purpose] It has been reported that chronic low-back pain (CLBP) patients exhibit asymmetric atrophy of the lumbar multifidus muscle. However, studies focusing on the abdominal muscles have not yet been conducted. The purpose of this study was to determine abdominal muscle thickness and symmetry in CLBP patients and healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Data were obtained from 50 healthy subjects (30.2 ± 6.1 years) and 50 CLBP patients (31.5 ± 8.7 years). The thicknesses of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transversus abdominis (TrA) were measured by ultrasonography. We calculated the mean thicknesses of both sides. In addition, we calculated the asymmetry ratio as a percentage of the difference between the sides. The differences in muscle thickness between the CLBP patients and healthy subjects were analyzed using the t-test. [Results] We found that the TrA thickness was significantly smaller in CLBP patients (3.7 ± 0.8 mm) than in healthy subjects (4.2 ± 1.2 mm). Similarly, the TrA asymmetry ratio was significantly different between the healthy subjects (8.4 ± 7.5%) and CLBP patients (16.4 ± 12.1%). [Conclusion] The TrA muscle of CLBP patients was thinner and more asymmetric than that of healthy subjects.

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Oka vaccine strain (vOka) differs from the parental strain (pOka) at several amino acid positions, but the mutations responsible for the attenuation of vOka have not been clearly defined. The ORF0 of vOka carries some of the mutations. Although we found that the ORF0 of both strains was incorporated into virus particles, the C-terminal region of vOka ORF0 was presented on the virion surface and was N-glycosylated, suggesting that the mutation in vOka ORF0 changes it into a novel envelope glycoprotein. In a mutant virus in which pOka ORF0 was replaced by vOka ORF0, the molecular weight of ORF0 was altered, but the plaque size was not. In addition, a pOka recombinant virus lacking the hydrophobic domain of ORF0 grew equally well as the wild-type virus, indicating that the mutation in ORF0 is not by itself sufficient for the attenuation of the vOka virus.

［目的］歩行障害を有する整形外科疾患患者に対し，体重免荷トレッドミル歩行トレーニング（Body Weight Support Treadmill Training：以下BWSTT）を施行し，その即時効果を明らかにすることを目的とした。［対象］歩行障害を有する整形外科疾患患者20名を対象とした。［方法］BWSTTを施行し，その前後の平地歩行における10 m歩行速度，歩幅，歩行中の歩きにくさ・重だるさ・疼痛の程度を比較した。［結果］BWSTT後では，10 m歩行速度の増大および歩幅の拡大がみとめられ，さらに歩行中の歩きにくさ・重だるさ・疼痛の程度はいずれの項目においても有意に低下していた。［結語］本研究により整形外科疾患患者を対象としたBWSTTでは即時効果があることが示唆された。

It has been shown that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Several clinical trials have shown the ability of AMSCs to regenerate these differentiated cell types. Age-associated dysregulation of the gastrointestinal (GI) immune system has been well documented. Our previous studies showed that impaired mucosal immunity in the GI tract occurs earlier during agingthan is seen in the systemic compartment. In this study, we examined the potential of AMSCs to restore the GI mucosal immune system in aged mice. Aged (>18 mo old) mice were adoptively transferred with AMSCs. Two weeks later, mice were orally immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) plus cholera toxin (CT) three times at weekly intervals. Seven days after the final immunization, when fecal extract samples and plasma were subjected to OVA- and CT-B-specific ELISA, elevated levels of mucosal secretory IgA (SIgA) and plasma IgG antibody (Ab) responses were noted in aged mouse recipients. Similar results were also seen aged mice which received AMSCs at one year of age. When cytokine production was examined, OVA-stimulated Peyer's patch CD4+ T cells produced increased levels of IL-4. Further, CD4+ T cells from the lamina propria revealed elevated levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ production. In contrast, aged mice without AMSC transfer showed essentially no OVA- or CT-B-specific mucosal SIgA or plasma IgG Ab or cytokine responses. Of importance, fecal extracts from AMSC transferred aged mice showed neutralization activity to CT intoxication. These results suggest that AMSCs can restore impaired mucosal immunity in the GI tract of aged mice.

[Purpose] Therapeutic exercise for chronic low back pain is one of the most important conservative treatments. Recently, lumbar stabilization exercise focused on deep trunk muscles has attracted considerable attention. This study investigated the effectiveness of lumbar stabilization exercises for treating CLBP. [Subjects] The subjects were 18 patients with CLBP. CLBP was defined as pain that persisted for more than 3 months. [Methods] The therapeutic exercises involved the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (hereafter referred to as "drawing-in") and prone kneeling (hereafter referred to as "hand-knee"). The exercises were performed during a 3-month intervention period. Pain was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (hereafter referred to as "VAS"), while quality-of-life (hereafter referred to as "QOL") was estimated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Examination Questionnaire (hereafter referred to as "JOABPEQ"). Pain and QOL were assessed prior to the intervention (T0), and at one (T1), three (T3), and six months (T6) after the intervention. The Steel-Dwass test was used to investigate differences between values prior to and after performance of the therapeutic exercise regime. Significance was defined as p

Human herpesvirus-6B (HHV-6B) is a T lymphotropic β-herpesvirus that is clearly distinct from human herpesvirus-6A (HHV-6A) according to molecular biological features. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses recently classified HHV-6B as a separate species. The primary HHV-6B infection causes exanthem subitum and is sometimes associated with severe encephalopathy. More than 90% of the general population is infected with HHV-6B during childhood, and the virus remains throughout life as a latent infection. HHV-6B reactivation causes encephalitis in immunosuppressed patients. The cellular receptor for HHV-6A entry was identified as human CD46, but the receptor for HHV-6B has not been clear. Here we found that CD134, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, functions as a specific entry receptor for HHV-6B. A T-cell line that is normally nonpermissive for HHV-6B infection became highly susceptible to infection when CD134 was overexpressed. CD134 was down-regulated in HHV-6B–infected T cells. Soluble CD134 interacted with the HHV-6B glycoprotein complex that serves as a viral ligand for cellular receptor, which inhibited HHV-6B but not HHV-6A infection in target cells. The identification of CD134 as an HHV-6B specific entry receptor provides important insight into understanding HHV-6B entry and its pathogenesis.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a T-cell-tropic betaherpesvirus. HHV-6 can be classified into two variants, HHV-6 variant A (HHV-6A) and HHV-6B, based on genetic, antigenic, and cell tropisms, although the homology of their entire genomic sequences is nearly 90%. The HHV-6A glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 is a viral ligand that binds to the cellular receptor human CD46. Because gH has 94.3% amino acid identity between the variants, here we examined whether gH from one variant could complement its loss in the other. Recently, we successfully reconstituted HHV-6A from its cloned genome in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) (rHHV-6ABAC). Using this system, we constructed HHV-6ABAC DNA containing the HHV-6B gH (BgH) gene instead of the HHV-6A gH (AgH) gene in Escherichia coli . Recombinant HHV-6ABAC expressing BgH (rHHV-6ABAC-BgH) was successfully reconstituted. In addition, a monoclonal antibody that blocks HHV-6B but not HHV-6A infection neutralized rHHV-6ABAC-BgH but not rHHV-6ABAC. These results indicate that HHV-6B gH can complement the function of HHV-6A gH in the viral infectious cycle.