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This paper aims to study the performance of solar collectors of various sizes under different weather conditions in different Japanese cities, i.e., Kofu City, Nagoya City and Yamagata City. The heat generated by the solar collector was used to conduct a biogas dry reforming reactor for producing H2 to feed a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This study revealed that the output temperature of a solar collector Tfb in April and July was higher than that in January and October irrespective of city. The optimum length of the absorber (dx) of the collector was 4 m irrespective of city. It was clarified that the Tfb in Yamagata City in January and October, i.e., winter and autumn, is lower than that in Kofu City and especially Nagoya City, which is strongly influenced by the tendency of solar intensity (I), not the velocity of the surrounding air (ua). On the other hand, the Tfb is almost the same in April and July, i.e., spring and summer, irrespective of city. The amount of produced H2 via the biogas dry reforming reactor and the power generated by the SOFC using H2 in spring and summer were higher compared to the other seasons irrespective of city. This study revealed that the highest available household number per month was 4.7, according to the investigation in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alemtuzumab is used with reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), demonstrating efficacy and feasibility for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) in Western countries; however, the clinical experience in Asian patients with IEI is limited. We retrospectively analyzed patients with IEI who underwent the first allogeneic HCT with alemtuzumab combined with RTC regimens in Japan. A total of 19 patients were included and followed up for a median of 18 months. The donors were haploidentical parents (n = 10), matched siblings (n = 2), and unrelated bone marrow donors (n = 7). Most patients received RTC regimens containing fludarabine and busulfan and were treated with 0.8 mg/kg alemtuzumab with intermediate timing. Eighteen patients survived and achieved stable engraftment, and no grade 3–4 acute graft-versus-host disease was observed. Viral infections were observed in 11 patients (58%) and 6 of them presented symptomatic. The median CD4+ T cell count was low at 6 months (241/µL) but improved at 1 year (577/µL) after HCT. Whole blood cells continued to exhibit > 80% donor type in most cases; however, 3/10 patients exhibited poor donor chimerism only among T cells and also showed undetectable levels of T-cell receptor recombination excision circles (TRECs) at 1 year post-HCT. This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab; however, patients frequently developed viral infections and slow reconstitution or low donor chimerism in T cells, emphasizing the importance of monitoring viral status and T-cell-specific chimerism. (238 < 250 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues how the study of religion in Japan influenced the nation's conduct during the Asia-Pacific War (1931–1945). Specifically, the paper addresses the wartime national indoctrination texts of Katō Totsudō 加藤咄堂 (a.k.a. Katō Yūichirō 加藤熊一郎, 1870–1949). Although Katō was not strictly a religious scholar, analyzing Katō's texts is significant in understanding the influence of religious theory and religious studies discourse on Japanese society during the war. To illustrate this point, this paper introduces previous studies that have discussed the movements of religious scholars during the war. It then clarifies the significance of discussing Katō's texts, followed by an introduction to what has been revealed about Katō so far. The paper then examines Katō's wartime texts that discuss the relationship between war, faith and the readiness to die. The East–West comparison of views of life and death used by Katō was characterized as a wartime application of comparative religion. It was intended to emphasize Japan's superiority over other countries. Such features agitated Japanese readers to proactively enter the fight to the death through spiritual mobilization in a total war system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative therapy for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Here, we conducted a nationwide study to assess the outcome of SCID patients after HCT in Japan. Methods: A cohort of 181 SCID patients undergoing their first allogeneic HCT in 1974–2016 was studied by using the Japanese national database (Transplant Registry Unified Management Program, TRUMP). Results: The 10-year overall survival (OS) of the patients who received HCT in 2006–2016 was 67%. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation was performed in 81 patients (45%). The outcomes of HCT from HLA-matched UCB (n = 21) and matched sibling donors (n = 22) were comparable, including 10-year OS (91% vs. 91%), neutrophil recovery (cumulative incidence at 30 days, 89% vs. 100%), and platelet recovery (cumulative incidence at 60 days, 89% vs. 100%). Multivariate analysis of the patients who received HCT in 2006–2016 demonstrated that the following factors were associated with poor OS: bacterial or fungal infection at HCT (hazard ratio (HR): 3.8, P = 0.006), cytomegalovirus infection prior to HCT (HR: 9.4, P = 0.03), ≥ 4 months of age at HCT (HR: 25.5, P = 0.009), and mismatched UCB (HR: 19.8, P = 0.01). Conclusion: We showed the potential of HLA-matched UCB as a donor source with higher priority for SCID patients. We also demonstrated that early age at HCT without active infection is critical for a better prognosis, highlighting the importance of newborn screening for SCID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) in Japan is high. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine in Japanese patients with MDD. Methods: Japanese patients aged 20–75 years with recurrent MDD and a Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥ 26 were randomized to vortioxetine 10 or 20 mg or placebo in a phase‐3, double‐blind, 8‐week study. The primary end‐point was change in MADRS total score from baseline. Secondary end‐points included MADRS response and remission rates, change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression‐17 item (HAM‐D17) score, and other measures of depressive symptoms, including Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI‐S), Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI‐I), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Cognitive function was assessed using Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) score and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire‐5 item (PDQ‐5) score. Results: Vortioxetine 10 mg (n = 165) and 20 mg (n = 163) reduced MADRS total score by 2.66 and 3.07 points versus placebo (n = 161) after 8 weeks (P < 0.01 for each dose), respectively. MADRS response and remission rates were also significantly greater with vortioxetine than with placebo (P < 0.05 for both doses). Vortioxetine 10 and 20 mg significantly improved HAM‐D17 score, CGI‐I score, and SDS total score after 8 weeks. PDQ‐5 score was significantly improved in subjects administered vortioxetine, while DSST scores showed no significant difference. Vortioxetine was generally well tolerated. Conclusion: Vortioxetine at both the 10‐ and 20‐mg/day doses demonstrated robust antidepressant efficacy in Japanese patients with MDD, and was well tolerated over the 8‐week treatment period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the H 2 and fuel cell road map in Japan, the target operating temperature of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) should be 90 °C from 2020 to 2025. In this study, the impact of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and gas diffusion layer (GDL)'s thickness on heat and mass transfer characteristics as well as power generation performance of PEFC is investigated at operating temperature of 90 °C. The in-plane temperature distributions on anode and cathode separator are also measured using thermograph. As a result, it is observed that the increase in power from 1 W to 5 W at the current density of 0.80 A/cm2 as well as even temperature distribution within 1 °C can be obtained at operating temperature of 90 °C by decrease in GDL's thickness from 190 μm to 110 μm. In addition, the power is increased from 3 W to 4 W at the current density of 0.80 A/cm2 operated at 90 °C by decrease in the PEM's thickness from 127 μm to 25 μm. • The power generation performance is promoted by decreasing GDL's thickness. • The temperature distribution is flat at both anode and cathode side for thinner GDL. • The power generation performance is promoted by decreasing PEM's thickness. • The impact of GDL's thickness is larger than that of PEM's thickness. • The combination of thinner PEM and GDL is effective for higher temperature operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor in development in Japan for Parkinson's disease (PD). This open-label study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of rasagiline in Japanese patients with PD receiving levodopa. Patients were aged 30-79 years and had wearing-off or weakened effect. Patients received rasagiline 1 mg/day for 52 weeks. The primary objective was to evaluate safety. Secondary endpoints included MDS-UPDRS Part II and Part III total scores (ON-state) and change from baseline in mean daily OFF-time. An additional endpoint was the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) Summary Index (SI) score. In total, 222 patients were enrolled; 52.3% had wearing-off phenomena. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mostly mild or moderate and occurred in 83.3% of patients; 63.1% had drug-related TEAEs; and 21.2% had TEAEs resulting in discontinuation. Fall (16.7%), nasopharyngitis (14.0%), and dyskinesia (10.8%) were the most frequent TEAEs. Serious TEAEs were reported in 17.6% of patients, and led to discontinuation in 9.5%. At week 52 (last-observation-carried forward), the mean change from baseline in MDS-UPDRS Part III total score (ON-state) was − 7.6; the mean change from baseline in daily OFF-time was − 0.89 h in patients with wearing-off phenomena at the start of the run-in period. The mean change from baseline in PDQ-39 SI was − 0.64. No major safety issues were observed during this 52-week trial of rasagiline as an adjunct to levodopa in Japanese patients. Mean changes in MDS-UPDRS scores and daily OFF-time suggested that adjunctive rasagiline treatment with levodopa was efficacious, with efficacy maintained for at least 52 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous studies have shown that patients with ulcerative colitis may benefit from treatment with vedolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the α4β7 integrin heterodimer, no data exist in Japanese populations. The aim of this phase 1, open‐label, multicenter study was to assess the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of vedolizumab in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis. Adult patients with confirmed ulcerative colitis received either 150 mg (step 1) or 300 mg (step 2) of intravenous (IV) vedolizumab on days 1, 15, and 43 of the study protocol. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, safety, and efficacy parameters were all assessed through study end (day 239). Nine patients were enrolled in this study (150 mg, n = 3; 300 mg, n = 6). Patients who received vedolizumab IV 300 mg had approximately twice the drug exposure of those receiving vedolizumab IV 150 mg (day 1 AUCday14 744 vs 408 μg·d/mL) and a longer‐lasting maximal saturation of α4β7 integrin (155 vs 99 days). The number of treatment‐emergent adverse events, all of which were mild or moderate in intensity, was similar between the 150‐mg (15 events) and 300‐mg (20 events) groups. The 2 patients (150 mg group) not in clinical remission by partial Mayo score at the start of the study met the criteria for clinical remission on days 15 and 155 of the study, respectively. In conclusion, in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis, vedolizumab showed similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results to those seen in non‐Japanese patients. Vedolizumab was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical activity consistent with previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper asks whether public commemorations in contemporary Japan are post-secular or not. More precisely, it investigates the postwar history of the relationship between such commemorations and the principle of keeping religion and government separate, as embodied in the constitution. Referring to several contemporary cases, I provide an overview of the discourses and actual conditions of the separation of religion and state at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery (Chidorigafuchi Kokuritsu Senbotsusha Boen 千鳥ヶ淵国立戦没者墓苑) and Yasukuni Shrine (Yasukuni Jinja 靖国神社). In conclusion, I point out on one hand that the non-denominational expressions seen in Chidorigafuchi and other facilities show a distinctive kind of religious expression. On the other hand, I underscore that the excessive avoidance of religious participation by government officials derives from the Yasukuni issue and related legal trials. I explain the relationship of those phenomena in terms of two types of secularization: natural secularization and artificial secularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic and biotic factors affecting the recruitment variability of the Japanese Pacific stock ( JPS) of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma) were examined using a bivariate regression and multivariate combined model. Of the abiotic variables around Funka Bay (spawning ground), February sea surface temperature ( SST) and wind direction index showed significant bivariate relationships with recruitment. February SST was positively related to recruitment, suggesting that warmer water temperature in February favors JPS recruitment. On the other hand, the relationship between February wind direction index and recruitment predicts high JPS recruitment under predominant northwest winds in February. For the biotic variables in the Doto area (nursery ground), significant and negative bivariate relationships with recruitment were observed for catch per unit effort of Kamchatka flounder ( Atheresthes evermanni), Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus), and walleye pollock, implying an important impact of predation by these groundfishes on JPS recruitment. The overall model incorporating these abiotic and biotic factors successfully reproduced the variability in JPS recruitment. Temperature and wind conditions around the spawning ground along with predator condition in the nursery ground appear to play a dominant role in the recruitment dynamics of JPS. Based on these results and prior knowledge, we propose a new hypothesis to explain the processes controlling JPS recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Island Tower Sky Club is a super high-rise RC apartment block constructed in Fukuoka City, Japan, which makes inventive use of the most advanced building technologies. The building is 145 m tall with 42 storeys. It is composed of three similar, slender towers with three-fold rotational symmetry. The towers are connected at three different levels by aerial gardens and contain various vibration control devices to assure a high level of safety. The aerial gardens are connected to the towers by vibration control dampers to reduce the overturning effects of the towers caused by seasonal winds and large earthquakes. An elaborate control system can reduce the storey acceleration response by 30 %. At the upper two storeys of each tower, super-plastic zincaluminium alloy dampers are also used. To reduce the storey acceleration response, the base of the building is isolated using a hybrid system of bearing supports and dampers. The validity of the control system implemented is confirmed by human power vibration tests conducted at the aerial gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile walleye pollock of the Japanese Pacific population were collected from the Funka Bay [spawning ground; 16–64 mm fork length (FL)] in spring and the Doto area (nursery ground; 70–146 mm FL) in summer. Hatch dates were estimated by subtracting the number of otolith daily increments from sampling dates, and their early growth was back-calculated using otolith radius–somatic length relationships. Interannual change of the hatching period was observed during 2000–02, and the peaks ranged from mid-February in 2000 to early-April in 2002. In 2000, when a strong year class occurred, early life history of the surviving juveniles could be characterized by early hatching and slower growth in the larval stage (<22 mm length). Higher growth rate in 2001 and 2002 did not always lead to good survival and recruitment success. Even though their growth was slow in 2000, the larvae hatched early in the season had larger body size on a given date than faster-growing larvae hatched in later season in 2001 and 2002. Bigger individuals at a certain moment may have advantage for survival. The delay of hatching period may result in higher size-selective mortality, and as a necessary consequence, back-calculated growth in 2001 and 2002 could shift towards higher growth rate, although abundance of such a year class would be at the lower level. Variability in spawning period, early growth and their interaction might have a strong relation to larval survival through cumulative predation pressure or ontogenetic changes in food availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the growth and development of juvenile walleye pollock in northern Japan. Information on the geographical distribution of pollock; Factors that contributed to the early growth of the pollock; Background on the hatching and nursery stages of the fish.

The movement of juvenile walleye pollock,Theragra chalcogramma, from the Funka Bay spawning ground to the Doto nursery ground along the Pacific coast of Hokkaido was observed during spring through summer of 2000 and 2001. A positive relationship between the size of the juveniles and the position of the eastern front of their distribution indicated a relationship between the hatching period and the timing of the eastward movement of juveniles toward the Doto area. Based on the bathymetric distribution of juvenile pollock on the continental shelf in Hidaka Bay, the coastal current is suggested to play a role in the easterly movement of juveniles. However, further supporting evidence from physical and biological oceanographic studies is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, it is recommended to operate Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) at temperature around 90 °C for stationary applications during the period from 2020 to 2025. However, the present PEFC is using Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and operated within the temperature range from 60 °C to 80 °C. It is important to understand the temperature distribution in a cell of PEFC for improving the performance and to realize the long life span. This study focuses on use of micro porous layer (MPL), which can promote the moisture transfer in order to control the temperature distribution. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of MPL on temperature distribution at reaction surface in single cell of PEFC during the variations of flow rates and relative humidity of supply gases. In the operation, relatively higher temperature 90 °C is maintained and analyzed through the heat transfer model. This study also investigates the impact of PEM thickness on the temperature distribution comparing the conditions with and without MPL. As a result, it is proposed that the combination of thinner PEM and MPL can be effective to manage temperature distribution uniformly, and obtain better PEFC performance at relatively higher temperature operation. ∙ The impact of flow rate of supply gases at the inlet on the temperature distribution is not significant. ∙ It is clarified that the effect of MPL is obtained clearly when using thinner PEM. ∙ When using thin PEM, the temperature distribution is relatively flat under the condition with MPL. ∙ The combination of thinner PEM and MPL is proposed to obtain the good power generation performance. ∙ The combination of thinner PEM and MPL is the suitable selection to operate at higher temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of a meeting held by the Japan Section of the Audio Engineering Society on March 19, 2009. The meeting focused on the Pro Tools plug-in software designed for de-reverberation. Topics discussed include the history and problems of de-reverberation, postproduction processes of audio tracks, and the mechanisms of de-reverberation.

The article offers information on a meeting held by the Japan Section of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) on January 23, 2009. Eiji Asahi of Real Sound Lab talked about the specifications and features of APEQ-2 Pro, an acoustic power equalizer and CONEX software. The software is capable of providing computational power needed to acquire several broadband measurement points, which are behind the Acoustic Power Frequency Response measurement correction algorithms.

Purpose: To evaluate findings of reverse pupillary block after scleral-fixated sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and report a possible association with postoperative complications. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan. Methods: Anterior segment OCT was used to evaluate eyes with reverse pupillary block (ie, deep anterior chamber, concave iris configuration, contact between pupil and IOL) after IOL explantation or cataract extraction combined with vitrectomy and scleral-fixated sutured PC IOL implantation. The PC IOL was implanted using an ab externo method in all cases. After 2 scleral flaps were created 180 degrees apart, a straight needle attached to a 10-0 polypropylene suture for IOL fixation was passed through the bed of half-thickness scleral flaps 2.0 mm posterior to the limbus in a direction parallel to the iris. Results: Four eyes (3 patients) were evaluated. Anterior segment OCT showed a concave iris configuration with an increase in anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber angle in all cases. Two eyes had intermittent pupil capture. Laser iridotomy prevented recurrence of reverse pupillary block and pupil capture. Widening of the gap between the inner and outer flaps of the scleral tunnel during reverse pupillary block was seen on AS-OCT in 2 eyes; the widening was associated with wound leakage in 1 eye. Conclusion: Anterior segment OCT showed that reverse pupillary block can occur in eyes with scleral-fixated sutured PC IOLs and cause postoperative pupil capture and scleral tunnel insufficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor in development in Japan for Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this Phase 3, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rasagiline in Japanese patients with early PD (NCT02337725).Methods: Patients were 30-79 years old with a diagnosis of PD within 5 years. Following a two-week placebo run-in period, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive rasagiline (1 mg/day) or placebo for up to 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in the MDS-UPDRS Part II + III total score (TS). Secondary endpoints included the MDS-UPDRS Parts II + III, III, II, and I TS and safety.Results: In total, 118 patients were randomized to rasagiline and 126 to placebo. Patient characteristics at baseline were similar in both groups. The change from baseline in the MDS-UPDRS Part II + III TS was significantly greater in the rasagiline vs. placebo group (rasagiline-placebo: -6.39, 95% CI: -8.530, -4.250; P < 0.0001). The mean changes from baseline in the MDS-UPDRS Part II + III, Part III and Part II TS were lower at treatment visits between weeks 6 and 26 in the rasagiline vs. placebo groups. The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was 62.4% and 52.4% in the rasagiline and placebo groups, respectively; most frequent TEAE was nasopharyngitis (15.4% and 15.1%).Conclusion: Treatment with oral rasagiline 1 mg/day was effective and well-tolerated in Japanese patients with early PD, with a significantly greater improvement in the MDS-UPDRS Part II + III TS vs. placebo, and a similar safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background For many patients, current treatments do not adequately resolve heartburn in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). Objective To compare vonoprazan and placebo with respect to the frequency and severity of heartburn in patients with NERD. Methods This Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study included patients in Japan aged ≥20 years with Grade N or M NERD and recurrent acid reflux symptoms. Patients were blinded and randomized 1:1:1 to receive placebo or vonoprazan 10 mg or 20 mg. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of days without heartburn measured by patient scores during the 4-week treatment period. Results Eight hundred twenty-seven patients were randomized (placebo: n = 278, vonoprazan 10 mg: n = 278, and vonoprazan 20 mg: n = 271). Median proportion of days without heartburn was 7.4% (placebo), 10.3% (vonoprazan 10 mg), and 12.0% (vonoprazan 20 mg). Proportion of days without heartburn was not statistically significant between the vonoprazan and placebo groups ( P = 0.2310 [10 mg] and P = 0.0504 [20 mg]). Mean severity of heartburn was significantly higher with placebo (median score = 1.070) than with vonoprazan 10 mg (median score = 0.990; P = 0.0440) and 20 mg (median score = 0.960; P = 0.0139). Patients whose symptoms improved at Week 2 experienced significantly increased proportion of days without heartburn and reduced mean severity of heartburn at Week 4 with vonoprazan compared with placebo (proportion of days without heartburn: P = 0.0004 [10 mg] and P = 0.0001 [20 mg] and mean severity: P < 0.0001 [10 mg] and P < 0.0001 [20 mg]). A significant difference in median proportion of days without heartburn was observed for vonoprazan 20 mg compared with placebo in patients with Grade M NERD. Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was 32.7% (placebo), 27.7% (vonoprazan 10 mg), and 28.0% (vonoprazan 20 mg). Conclusions Vonoprazan at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg are not superior to placebo with respect to proportion of days without heartburn, whereas the mean severity of heartburn is lower with vonoprazan compared with placebo in patients with NERD. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01474369. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Descriptive study., Objective: To demonstrate Euro Quality of Life 5-dimensional 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) by severity level at the acute stage and discharge in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)., Setting: Spinal Injuries Center, Fukuoka, Japan., Methods: Patients with traumatic SCI who completed the EQ-5D-5L instrument at the acute stage and discharge were divided into four groups according to severity (severity group G1; C1-C4 ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) A, B, and C, G2; C5-C8 AIS A, B, and C, G3; T1-S5 AIS A, B, and C, G4; all AIS D). All data were extracted from the Japan single-center study for spinal cord injury database (JSSCI-DB)., Results: Data were collected from 139 individuals at the acute stage and 164 individuals at discharge. In the comparison of utility score by severity in acute stage and discharge, G3 was significantly higher in discharge (0.325 versus 0.580). Utility scores by degree of severity were significantly higher in group G4 than those of G1, G2, and G3 at the acute stage. Utility scores at discharge were significantly higher in groups G3 and G4 than in G1, and there was a significant difference between groups G4 and G2., Conclusions: At each stage, the utility scores of group G4 were significantly higher than those of groups G1 and G2. Altogether, the utility scores for hospitalized patients with traumatic SCI that were indicated in this study will serve as basic data that can be used while performing spinal regeneration medical procedures in the future.

Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We recently conducted the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rasagiline in Japanese patients with early PD and now report the results of its open-label extension (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02337751). In the double-blind trial, patients aged 30-79 years with PD diagnosis within 5 years and Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part II + Part III total score ≥ 14 were randomized to placebo or rasagiline 1 mg/day for 26 weeks. Of 210 patients who completed the randomized trial, 198 (95 placebo, 103 rasagiline) entered the extension and received rasagiline 1 mg/day for 26 weeks. Analyses included patients who received rasagiline anytime during double-blind and/or extension periods; mean (standard deviation) treatment duration was 169.6 (39.57) and 316.5 (88.89) days in placebo-rasagiline (n = 95) and rasagiline-rasagiline (n = 117) groups, respectively. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; primary outcome) was 53.7% and 77.8% in the placebo-rasagiline and rasagiline-rasagiline groups, respectively. Drug-related TEAEs occurred in 24.2% and 49.6% of patients and serious TEAEs occurred in four (two drug related) and six (one drug related) patients in the placebo-rasagiline and rasagiline-rasagiline groups, respectively. The mean change in MDS-UPDRS Part II + III total score from baseline (before rasagiline) was - 2.8 points in both the placebo-rasagiline (mean [95% confidence interval] - 2.8 [- 4.05, - 1.59]) and rasagiline-rasagiline (- 2.8 [- 4.57, - 1.01]) groups. In conclusion, up to 52 weeks, rasagiline was well tolerated with sustained motor symptom improvement, supporting its use in Japanese patients with early PD.

Introduction: Rasagiline, a selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, is in development in Japan as adjunctive therapy to levodopa. This Phase 2/3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjunctive rasagiline in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and wearing-off phenomena., Methods: Patients aged 30-79 years with diagnosed PD and stable levodopa use were randomized 1:1:1 to rasagiline (0.5/1 mg/day) or placebo for 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean daily OFF-time during the treatment period., Results: In total, 141, 134, and 129 patients were randomized to placebo, rasagiline 0.5 mg, or rasagiline 1 mg, respectively. Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Least squares (LS) mean differences vs. placebo for change from baseline in mean daily OFF-time were -0.84 h (rasagiline 1 mg/day) and -0.60 h (rasagiline 0.5 mg/day); both differences were statistically significant. LS mean differences vs. placebo for change from baseline in Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part II and Part III total scores (in ON-state) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 Summary Index Score were: -1.27, -1.74, and -2.51 (0.5 mg/day) and -1.27, -2.14, and -3.84 (1 mg/day); all statistically significant. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 50.4/69.9/73.6% of the placebo, 0.5 mg/day, and 1 mg/day groups, respectively (most common TEAEs were nasopharyngitis [9.2/18.0/14.7%] and dyskinesia [7.1/8.3/16.3%])., Conclusions: As an adjunct to levodopa, rasagiline reduced OFF-time and improved PD symptoms/signs (MDS-UPDRS scores) and quality of life in Japanese patients with PD and wearing-off phenomena. No important safety concerns were raised., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Baraitser-Winter syndrome (BaWS) is characterized by iris coloboma, ptosis, hypertelorism, and mental retardation; it is a rare multiple congenital anomaly or a mental-retardation syndrome of unknown etiology. Patients suffering from this syndrome have been also found to show brain anomalies such as pachygyria, subcortical-band heterotopia (SBH), and hippocampal malformations; therefore, these anomalies have been included in the phenotypic spectrum of this syndrome. We report the case of a Japanese boy suffering from BaWS; the patient's brain magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed pachygyria, SBH, and periventricular heterotopia. However, the results of the genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization did not reveal any chromosomal rearrangements., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We first report sisters presenting with clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS)-like features, i.e., mild and reversible neurological manifestations, and MRI finding of a reversible lesion with transiently reduced diffusion in the corpus callosum associated with symmetrical white matter. The distributions of the white matter lesions (more extensive) and Na levels (normal) were different from those reported for sporadic MERS patients (subcortical white matter close to the central sulci, and hyponatremia), which suggested that the pathophysiology of the sisters with MERS-like features might be different from that of sporadic MERS. Some genetic factors might be involved in MERS, especially in some patients with extensive white matter lesions.

Purpose: To investigate the genetic background of familial severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) cases., Methods: We performed mutation analyses of the sodium-channel gene SCN1A in two Japanese brothers with clinical features of SMEI and their parents, who had no history of febrile and epileptic seizures., Results: Each patient showed nucleotide changes (c.[730G>T; 735G>T; 736A>T]) in the coding exon 6 of SCN1A that led to a truncation of the channel protein. Their father showed no mutations, but their mother showed the same mutation in a subpopulation of lymphocytes., Conclusions: The maternal mosaicism explains the identical SCN1A mutations in the two brothers. This highlights the importance of investigating parental mosaicism even in sporadic SMEI cases.