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Objective: Structured lipids containing medium-chain fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish oil (EPA/MCT) and it improve overall endurance. However, their effects on local muscle endurance remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EPA/MCT intake on muscle endurance during leg extension exercises and subsequent muscle fatigue., Methods: This 8-week, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind parallel-group trial involved 20 healthy young men. Subjects were randomly assigned to an EPA/MCT group (10 subjects) and a placebo group (PL group, 10 subjects). They consumed 4560 mg of the test food daily for 8 wk before an exercise intervention. The EPA/MCT supplement contained 600 mg of EPA, 260 mg of DHA, and 1890 mg of MCT (1110 mg of octanoic acid and 780 mg of decanoic acid). After the 8-week intervention, the subjects performed four sets of leg extension exercises at 40% of their body weight until exhaustion. The number of repetitions per set and the total repetitions across the four sets served as indicators of muscle endurance. Isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), range of motion, circumference, muscle thickness, echo intensity, and muscle stiffness were measured before and after exercise to assess muscle fatigue., Results: There was no difference between the groups in the number of repetitions for sets 1-4 or in the total number of repetitions during the leg extension exercise. In the EPA/MCT group, a significant negative correlation was observed between the increase in the blood EPA/AA ratio and the rate of decrease in the number of repetitions. Additionally, the decrease in MVC after exercise was significantly smaller in the EPA/MCT group than in the PL group., Conclusion: Our study results suggest that an 8-week intake of EPA/MCT can increase the blood EPA/AA ratio and improve muscle endurance performance. Additionally, EPA/MCT intake reduces muscle fatigue after exercise.

Escherichia albertii is an emerging enteropathogen. Although E. albertii-specific detection and isolation methods have been developed, their efficiency on food samples have not yet been systematically studied. To establish a series of effective methods for detecting E. albertii in food, an interlaboratory study was conducted in 11 laboratories using enrichment with modified E. coli broth supplemented with cefixime and tellurite (CT-mEC), real-time PCR assay, and plating on four kinds of selective agars. This study focused on the detection efficiency of an E. albertii-specific real-time PCR assay (EA-rtPCR) and plating on deoxycholate hydrogen sulfide lactose agar (DHL), MacConkey agar (MAC), DHL supplemented with rhamnose and xylose (RX-DHL), and MAC supplemented with rhamnose and xylose (RX-MAC). Chicken and bean sprout samples were inoculated with E. albertii either at 17.7 CFU/25 g (low inoculation level) or 88.5 CFU/25 g (high inoculation level), and uninoculated samples were used as controls. The sensitivity of EA-rtPCR was 1.000 for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with E. albertii at low and high inoculation levels. The Ct values of bean sprout samples were higher than those of the chicken samples. Analysis of microbial distribution by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in enriched cultures of bean sprout samples showed that approximately >96 % of the population comprised unidentified genus of family Enterobacteriaceae and genus Acinetobacter in samples which E. albertii was not isolated. The sensitivity of the plating methods for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with a high inoculation level of E. albertii was 1.000 and 0.848-0.970, respectively. The sensitivity of the plating methods for chicken and bean sprout samples inoculated with a low inoculation level of E. albertii was 0.939-1.000 and 0.515-0.727, respectively. The E. albertii-positive rate in all colonies isolated in this study was 89-90 % in RX-DHL and RX-MAC, and 64 and 44 % in DHL and MAC, respectively. Therefore, the sensitivity of RX-supplemented agar was higher than that of the agars without these sugars. Using a combination of enrichment in CT-mEC and E. albertii isolation on selective agars supplemented with RX, E. albertii at an inoculation level of over 17.5 CFU/25 g of food was detected with a sensitivity of 1.000 and 0.667-0.727 in chicken and bean sprouts, respectively. Therefore, screening for E. albertii-specific genes using EA-rtPCR followed by isolation with RX-DHL or RX-MAC is an efficient method for E. albertii detection in food., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mitochondrial DNA m.3243A > G mutation causes mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and its associated multi-organ disorders, including diabetes. To clarify associations between m.3243A > G organ heteroplasmy and clinical phenotypes, including the age at death, we combined genetic and pathological examinations from seven unreported and 36 literature cases of autopsied subjects. Clinical characteristics of subjects were as follows: male, 13; female, 28; unknown, 2; the age at death, 36.9 ± 20.2 [4-82] years; BMI, 16.0 ± 2.9 [13.0-22.3]; diabetes, N = 21 (49%), diabetes onset age 38.6 ± 14.2 years; deafness, N = 27 (63%); stroke-like episodes (StLEp), N = 25 (58%); congestive heart failure (CHF), N = 15 (35%); CHF onset age, 51.3 ± 14.5 years. Causes of death (N = 32) were as follows: cardiac, N = 13 (41%); infection, N = 8 (25%); StLEp, N = 4 (13%); gastrointestinal, N = 4 (13%); renal, N = 2 (6%); hepatic, N = 1 (2%). High and low heteroplasmies were confirmed in non-regenerative and regenerative organs, respectively. Heteroplasmy of the liver, spleen, leukocytes, and kidney for all subjects was significantly associated with the age at death. Furthermore, the age at death was related to juvenile-onset (any m.3243A > G-related symptoms appeared before 20) and stroke-like episodes. Multiple linear regression analysis with the age at death as an objective variable showed the significant contribution of liver heteroplasty and juvenile-onset to the age at death. m.3243A > G organ heteroplasmy levels, particularly hepatic heteroplasmy, are significantly associated with the age at death in deceased cases., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to disclose except Daisuke Chujo, who received honoraria from Eli Lilly Japan K.K., research funding from Sanofi and Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., and subsides or donations from Novo Nordisk Pharm Ltd., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The effects of intake of STGs containing esterified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) on cardiorespiratory endurance have not yet been reported. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of interesterified structured lipids EPA and MCTs on cardiorespiratory endurance., Methods: This 8-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study involved 19 healthy men. The participants were randomly assigned to a group that received interesterified structured lipids EPA and MCTs (STG group, 9 participants) or a group receiving a PM of EPA and MCTs (PM group, 10 participants). The outcome measures were time to exhaustion (TTE) and time to reach the anaerobic threshold in the peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak) test, VO 2 peak, and anaerobic threshold., Results: The increase in TTE in the VO 2 peak test after the intervention period compared with before the intervention period was significantly greater in the STG group (53 ± 53 s) than in the PM group (-10 ± 63 s; p < 0.05). Similarly, the increase in time to reach the anaerobic threshold was significantly greater in the STG group (82 ± 55 s) than in the PM group (-26 ± 52 s; p < 0.001)., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the consumption of interesterified structured lipids EPA and MCTs improved endurance in humans.

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is an n -6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in mice and cell study. To date, however, no human intervention study has examined the effects of DGLA. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DGLA on pollen-induced allergic symptoms in healthy adults. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study comprising healthy Japanese men and women. Each subject received four 250 mg capsules providing 314 mg DGLA/day (DGLA group, n = 18) or olive oil (placebo group, n = 15) for 15 weeks. The primary outcomes, classification of the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms (CSARS), and the Japanese Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ) served as symptom scores during the pollen season. In the DGLA group, the cedar pollen associated symptoms of sneezing and a blocked nose in the CSARS were significantly lower than those in the placebo group ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Significant trends were observed the symptoms of runny nose in the CSARS and total symptom score (TSS) in the JRQLQ for cedar pollen ( p < 0.1). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effects of DGLA in humans, and the results suggest that DGLA is effective in reducing allergic symptoms caused by pollen.

We describe a 79-year-old female with a prior history of two times of mitral valve surgery and pacemaker implantation. She was transferred to our hospital presenting bloody sputum with dyspnea. Chest enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a large anterior mediastinal mass of 64×52 mm in size. She underwent surgery for the mediastinal tumor through third time median sternotomy approach. As the tumor was suspected of infiltrating to the lung, combined resection of right upper lobe was additionally performed. Histological examination revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasizing anterior mediastinal lymph node with extra-nodal invasion to the lung. After surgery, echography detected primary lesion in the left lobe of thyroid gland, and the patient was finally diagnosed as papillary thyroid cancer metastasizing mediastinal lymph node. Two months later, she underwent total thyroidectomy.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease that involves asymptomatic progressive expansion of the abdominal aorta. Aneurysm rupture is associated with a high mortality rate. Dietary conditions may be associated with the development and rupture of AAA. However, the relationship between nutrition and AAA is not completely understood. In this study, a nutrition survey was conducted using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) to evaluate the relationship between AAA and dietary habits. One-hundred and twenty-six Japanese people participated in the nutrition survey. Food intake status was analyzed in four groups: the analyzed group-1 (all men), analyzed group-2 (men with smoking history), analyzed group-3 (all women) and analyzed group-4 (women without smoking history). In group-2 and group-3, the intake of citrus fruits was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. In group-2, the intake of soybean and soybean products was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. In analyzed group-3, the intake of other vegetables (vegetables except for green and yellow vegetables and soybeans) and seafood was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. This study suggests that AAA onset may be associated with low intake of fruits, soybeans, vegetables, and seafood.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-omega-3 fatty acids with various functions-influence sleep in children and young adults. However, only limited studies on their effects on sleep in middle- and old-aged adults have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DHA and EPA on sleep quality in subjects aged ≥ 45 years. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-grouped study, in which we randomly assigned 66 healthy Japanese males and females. Each individual received six 480 mg capsules containing 576 mg DHA and 284 mg EPA per day (DHA/EPA group, n = 33), or corn oil (placebo group, n = 33), for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory MA version (OSA-MA) and the sleep state test were conducted. In the DHA/EPA group, factor III (frequent dreaming) scores among the OSA-MA scores were significantly improved compared to the placebo group. Additionally, sleep state tests revealed that sleep efficiency improved in the DHA/EPA group. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that DHA/EPA improves sleep quality in middle- and old-aged individuals, even at doses lower than those administered in previous studies.

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a thorough examination of a suspected cardiac tumor on transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a 9.4×8.1 mm mobile stalk-like mass in the left ventricular outflow tract. A preoperative electrocardiogram revealed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Tumor resection and pulmonary vein isolation were performed to prevent embolism and confirm the diagnosis. The tumor was resected using an endoscope because it was difficult to evaluate the tumor under direct view from the aortic valve. Pathological diagnosis was cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. Postoperative echocardiography showed no residual tumor or aortic regurgitation. One year and eight months passed since the surgery, and no recurrence of the tumor was detected. In cases like this one, where direct observation of the tumor is difficult, we suggest that the use of an endoscope may be effective because it has the advantage of sharing information with other surgeons.

Background: This study investigated the combined effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and fish oil (FO) on muscle damage caused by eccentric contractions (ECCs) of the elbow flexors, with a special focus on muscular function., Methods: Twenty-nine untrained male participants were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. The participants were randomly assigned to the placebo (PL) group (n = 9), BCAA supplement group (n = 10), and BCAA+FO supplement group (n = 10). The BCAA+FO group consumed eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 600 mg and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 260 mg per day for 8 weeks, while the BCAA and BCAA+FO groups consumed 9.6 g per day for 3 days prior to and until 5 days after ECCs. Participants performed six sets of 10 ECCs at 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using dumbbells. Changes in MVC torque, range of motion (ROM), muscle soreness using visual analog scales, upper circumference, muscle thickness, echo intensity, and serum creatine kinase (CK) were assessed before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after ECCs., Results: The MVC torque was significantly higher in the BCAA+FO group than in the PL group immediately after ECCs (p < 0.05) but not in the BCAA group. Both BCAA and BCAA+FO groups showed greater ROM and lower muscle soreness than the PL group (p < 0.05). CK was significantly lower in the BCAA group than in the PL group at 5 days after ECCs (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: This study reveals that supplementation with BCAA and FO may favorably impact immediate recovery of peak torque production. Alternatively, in comparison to PL group, BCAA supplementation favorably reduces creatine kinase., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by progressive dilation of the aorta which is reportedly associated with inflammation. Previous studies suggested that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has suppressive effects on AAA development via anti-inflammatory activities. However, relationships between the anti-inflammatory effects and the cells in the AAA wall are poorly understood. In this study, we visualized the distribution of EPA-containing phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) in the AAA wall. EPA-PC was not ubiquitously distributed in both animal (hypoperfusion-induced AAA model) and human AAA walls, suggesting the preferential incorporation of EPA into certain cells. In the EPA-PC-high region of both animal and human AAAs, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) marker positive areas were significantly higher than those in the EPA-PC-low region. Matrix metalloproteinase-positive MSCs were significantly lower in the AAA wall of the animal model which was administered EPA-rich fish oil. These data suggest that EPA is associated with the attenuation of MSC dysfunctions, which result in the suppression of AAA development.

Background: This study examines the effect of the supplements on the redox reaction in menstrual cycle. Participants took eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich fish oil supplements over two menstrual cycles., Materials and Methods: For this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 21 female members of a university basketball team were selected. Participants were allocated into the EPA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) group (EG, n  = 11) and control group (CG, n  = 10) through stratified randomization. The EG and CG took 3600 mg fish oil (containing 900 mg EPA and 403 mg DHA) and 3600 mg corn oil (without EPA and DHA), respectively, every day for two menstrual cycles. The redox reaction was measured four times: the menstrual and follicular phases in two menstrual cycles., Results: There was a significant difference in reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and potential antioxidant capacity during the menstrual phase by the main effect of time (before and after intake) in EG and CG ( p  < 0.01). In a subsequent test, d-ROMs were significantly lower after intake in EG and CG ( p  < 0.05); however, no significant difference in potential antioxidant capacity was found. A significant difference was noted in d-ROMs and potential antioxidant capacity during the follicular phase by the effect of time (before and after intake) only in EG ( p  < 0.01). Significant decreases in d-ROMs and increases in potential antioxidant capacities were observed after intake ( p  < 0.05)., Conclusion: EPA-rich fish oil supplementation over two menstrual cycles demonstrated active involvement in the antioxidant function during menstrual and follicular phases.The protocol was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (registration no. UMIN000028795)., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (© Yoshihiko Mano et al., 2022; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)

We report a case of a 53-year-old man with superior vena cava( SVC) syndrome due to large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) in the mediastinum. His chief complaint was general fatigue. On physical examination, both jugular veins were distended and his face and bilateral upper limbs were swollen. Enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a heterogenous tumor of approximately 50 mm in diameter in the middle mediastinum, which infiltrated into the SVC and right atrium, and caused SVC syndrome. Since SVC syndrome developed rapidly, the tumor was resected and the occluded SVC was replaced with a ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft under cardiopulmonary bypass. After surgery, SVC obstruction was resolved with improvement of the initial symptoms. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged from our hospital. The tumor was diagnosed as LCNEC histologically. He received postoperative adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, he died of extensive brain and bone metastasis 10 months after the operation. However, we believe that surgical relief from SVC syndrome improved quality of the rest of his life.

Clostridium perfringens is classified into types A to G, and all types produce alpha-toxins; however, C. perfringens type F that is negative for phospholipase C (PLC) activity of alpha-toxin has been isolated from the environment and cases of humans afflicted by food poisoning. This study aimed to elucidate the distribution of PLC-negative C. perfringens type F in sewage influents and effluents. Influents and effluents of two wastewater treatment plants were collected monthly between July 2016 and January 2020 and between August 2018 and January 2020, respectively. Isolation rates of PLC-negative C. perfringens type F from sewage influents and effluents were 38% (33/86) and 22% (8/36), and the numbers of isolates were 43 and 13, respectively. The locus of the enterotoxin gene of all isolates was determined to be in a plasmid with an IS 1151 sequence, and multilocus sequence typing revealed that all 17 representative isolates were assigned as sequence type 186. Sequencing of the plc gene of these representative isolates showed that nonsense mutation (p.W98*) causing alpha-toxin deficiency should be responsible for a loss of PLC enzymatic activity. These results suggest that alpha toxin-deficient C. perfringens type F is distributed in living and water environments since sewage influents contain community wastewater, and effluents contaminate the environment. Detection of C. perfringens type F, independent of PLC activity, should be carried out on human and environmental samples. IMPORTANCE Understanding the diversity of biochemical characteristics that may affect the identification of bacteria is essential. C. perfringens is a ubiquitous bacterium found in the environment, humans, and animals and is responsible for infectious disease in the intestine. Although the alpha-toxin of C. perfringens may be used for its detection, variants of the alpha-toxin lacking its activity have been isolated from soil and humans experiencing symptoms of diarrhea. It is valuable to disclose the prevalence of the alpha-toxin variant in the sewage of wastewater treatment plants, as it may reflect the hygienic condition of the community, as it would be a pollution source for the environment. This study shows the persistent existence and genetic characteristics of the alpha-toxin variant in sewage and reveals a lacking mechanism of the alpha-toxin activity and proposes the detection method of C. perfringens, independent of the alpha-toxin activity.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an aortic disease in which the aortic diameter is ≥3.0 cm; if left untreated, the aortic wall continues to weaken, resulting in progressive dilatation. Effective therapeutic drugs for AAA patients have not been discovered. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reportedly attenuates the development of AAA in experimental AAA animal models. However, the underlying mechanism of action is still not totally clear. To understand the mechanism, we visualized the distribution of EPA-containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the AAA wall by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging. EPA-containing PC was characteristically distributed in the AAA wall, and the positive area for the M2 macrophage marker was significantly higher in the region where EPA-containing PC was highly detected (region 2) than in the region where EPA-containing PC was poorly detected (region 1). The M1 macrophage marker levels were not different between regions 1 and 2. A comparative observation showed a similar distribution of the M2 macrophage marker and EPA-containing PC. These data suggest the preferential incorporation of EPA into M2 macrophages. Positive areas for matrix metalloproteinase 2 and malondialdehyde in region 2 were significantly lower than those in region 1. The reported suppressive effect of EPA on the development of AAA may be partly attributed to the increased anti-inflammatory property of M2 macrophages.

Introduction: USA300 is the most common community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. Sequence type (ST) 764 MRSA is a new local variant of the ST 5 lineage. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of USA300 and ST 764 infections among outpatients in Japan., Methods: We obtained MRSA isolates from 132 outpatients who visited our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 and compared USA300 infection group to ST 764 infection group. Molecular analysis, including that of various toxins and other virulence factors, of the MRSA isolates were performed. In particular, we investigated the relationships among PCR-based open reading frame typing (POT) scores, MRSA clones, and virulence factors., Results: Twenty-seven USA300 isolates (20.5%) and 16 ST 764 isolates (12.1%) were identified. Although USA300 and ST 764 had lower rates of risk factors, their infection rates were higher. USA300-infected patients had higher rates of deep skin and soft tissue infections compared with the non-USA300 CA-MRSA-infected patients. Notably, the USA300 and ST 764 isolates had unique POT scores., Conclusions: Our results indicated that USA300 MRSA was spreading in an area 120 km west of Tokyo, Japan. We observed multiple cases of ST 764 MRSA infection, raising concerns about the antimicrobial resistance of ST 764, as it limits the choices of antibiotics to treat infection. The POT score can predict the presence of toxins and virulence factors, as well as the clone identity of MRSA with high accuracy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2020 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: We previously showed 8-week of fish oil supplementation attenuated muscle damage. However, the effect of a shorter period of fish oil supplementation is unclear. The present study investigated the effect of fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for 4 weeks on muscular damage caused by eccentric contractions (ECCs) of the elbow flexors., Methods: Twenty-two untrained men were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study and the subjects were randomly assigned to the EPA and DHA group (EPA and DHA, n = 11) and placebo group (PL, n = 11). They consumed either EPA 600 mg and DHA 260 mg per day or placebo supplement for 4 weeks prior to exercise. Subjects performed 60 ECCs at 100 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using a dumbbell. Changes in MVC torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, echo intensity, muscle thickness, serum creatine kinase (CK), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed before exercise; immediately after exercise; and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after exercise., Results: ROM was significantly higher in the EPA and DHA group than in the PL group immediately after performing ECCs (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were observed in terms of MVC torque, upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, echo intensity, and thickness. A significant difference was observed in serum CK 3 days after ECCs (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: We concluded that shorter period EPA and DHA supplementation benefits joint flexibility and protection of muscle fiber following ECCs.

Background: Although the ingestion of total omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3) is positively related with muscular strength in older persons, little is known about the effect of omega-3 plasma levels on muscular function before and after exercise in young men. Moreover, omega-3 supplementation has a positive role in exercise-induced acute muscle damage. This study investigated the relationship between plasma omega-3 in the blood and promotion and preservation of muscle strength after eccentric contractions (ECCs) in young men., Methods: Thirty-two healthy young men participated in this study. We assessed plasma omega-3 level and the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Twenty-six out of them exercised 60 ECCs at 100% MVC. We measured the MVC torque, flexibility before and immediately after exercise, 1-5 days post exercise., Results: The levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and EPA/arachidonic acid were positively associated with muscle strength ( p < 0.05). Higher levels of omega-3 EPA and docosahexaenoic acid prevented the reduction in the MVC and limited joint flexibility after ECCs., Conclusions: The present study reveals that higher levels of EPA are important to promote muscle strength and preserve the strength loss after exercise.

Clostridium perfringens is an important pathogen that is responsible for gastroenteritis; the causative agent for the symptoms is C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), which is mainly produced by type F C. perfringens . Since shellfishes may gather C . perfringens in the water environment, this study estimated the potential circulation of type F C. perfringens among humans, sewage, and Ruditapes philippinarum (asari clams) as a result of sewage pollution. A comparison of the characteristics among the isolates from 86 sewage influents, 36 effluents, 76 asari clams, and 37 humans was conducted. Serotyping, cpe genotyping, and toxin genotyping showed that C . perfringens with a plasmid IS 1151 sequence downstream of cpe was predominant among sewage influents, effluents, humans, and asari clams. Multilocus sequence typing suggested that some isolates from a human, sewage influents, effluents, and asari clams were linked to each other. These results demonstrated that asari clams are the necessary infection sources of C. perfringens responsible for carriers and foodborne diseases, and that these pathogens from humans infected by asari clams can pollute the water environment. It is useful to assess bacteria such as C. perfringens isolates from sewage to estimate the trend of those from the community.

Salmonella enterica is a major cause of gastroenteritis usually caused by animal-based contaminated foods. Since the current passive surveillance is not sufficient to detect all infections and infection sources, we determined the prevalence of Salmonella isolated from sewage influent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and compared the characteristics of human and food isolates to identify the infection sources. Sewage influent samples were collected monthly from two WWTPs located in the Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, for three years. Serotypes, antimicrobial resistances, isolation periods, isolated areas, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of six isolates belonging to five serotypes were consistent with those of the isolates from patients. Real-time PCR for Salmonella indicated that sewage influents reflect cases of patients infected with Salmonella , including unreported cases. Serovars Schwarzengrund and Anatum were predominant in sewage, but not in humans, and their characteristics were closely related or identical to those isolated from poultry heart and liver, respectively. These results suggest that sewage influent contains Salmonella isolates from humans and that some originated from unreported human cases infected by poultry-associated products. Therefore, it is necessary to take countermeasures against Salmonella infection based on the unreported cases, which would be disclosed by analysis of sewage influent.

Our previous studies found that a dominant serovar of Salmonella enterica isolates from three farms raising broilers in 2014 and 2015 was serovar Agona and the number of Infantis isolates decreased (the serovar shift). In this study, 52 S. Agona strains which isolated between 1993 and 2008, were compared to the serovar shift clone by molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses, using pulsed field gel electrophoresis and whole genome sequence analyses. Of the 52 strains, one strain isolated from a human case in 1995 was genetically identical to the serovar shift clone, even though it was isolated prior to the serovar shift. These results suggested that the S. Agona serovar shift clone had existed in a source other than chicken penetrated chicken population.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation of fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the damage of the biceps brachii after eccentric contractions (ECCs) of the elbow flexors, particularly focusing on muscle stiffness., Methods: Sixteen men were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study and the participants were randomly assigned to the EPA and DHA supplement group (EPA, n = 8) and placebo group (PL, n = 8). They consumed either EPA 600 mg and DHA 260 mg per day or placebo supplement for 8 weeks prior to exercise. Moreover, they performed six sets of 10 ECCs at 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using a dumbbell. Changes in MVC torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, muscle echo intensity, and muscle stiffness were assessed before exercise; immediately after exercise; and 1, 2, and 5 days after exercise., Results: MVC torque and ROM were significantly higher in the EPA group than in the PL group after ECCs (p < 0.05). Muscle soreness, upper arm circumference, and muscle echo intensity were significantly higher in the PL group than in the EPA group after ECCs (p < 0.05). In addition, muscle stiffness at 150° was significantly higher in the PL group than in the EPA group immediately after ECCs (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The present study showed that EPA and DHA supplementation has a positive role in inhibiting muscle stiffness after ECCs., Trial Registration: This trial (UMIN000028165) was registered on 10th/July/2017.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that 8-week eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation improves peripheral muscle performance by concentric contractions (CONs) of elbow flexors in humans., Methods: Sixteen healthy men were randomly administered with EPA and DHA supplement (EPA, n = 8) or placebo (PL, n = 8) by a double-blind method. The EPA group was administered EPA-rich fish oil, containing 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 5 sets of 6 maximal CONs of elbow flexors. The work output and peak torque were assessed during exercise. Changes in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle fatigue by rating of perceived exertion, transverse relaxation time, cross-sectional area (CSA), and lactate in blood were also assessed before, immediately after, and 1 day after exercise., Results: The work output during CONs in the EPA group was greater than that in the placebo group at the fifth set (EPA group; 94.0 ± 11.7%, placebo group; 82.5 ± 11.7%, p < 0.05). In addition, ROM in the EPA group was significantly greater than that in the placebo group immediately after exercise (p < 0.05). The increase of CSA in the EPA group was significantly smaller than that in the placebo group immediately after exercise (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The present study suggests that the reduction of muscle work output caused by 30 CONs can be attenuated by an 8-week EPA and DHA supplementation. In addition, EPA and DHA supplementation can cause inhibition for reduction of ROM and increase of CSA after CONs.

Salmonella enterica serovar Agona strains isolated from human cases were compared to strains that were derived from a clone caused a serovar shift in broilers. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis with XbaI or BlnI digestion showed that three of seven strains from human case strains and most of the 81 strains from broilers were clustered in single complex in a minimum spanning tree (MST) reconstructed from the PFGE data. All the strains from human cases and 22 randomly selected strains from broilers were also analyzed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the S. Agona core genes showed that four strains from human cases and all the strains from broilers were clustered in a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree (ML tree) and an MST. These results indicated that the strains derived from the clone caused the serovar shift had already spread to humans. PFGE analysis with XbaI showed that four strains from broilers did not cluster with the other strains in an MST, though all those strains clustered in an ML tree and an MST reconstructed from SNP data. Moreover, three strains from broilers did not cluster in an MST reconstructed from PFGE with BlnI digestion, though those strains clustered in an ML tree and an MST reconstructed from SNP data. Therefore, it was suggested that S. Agona strains derived from a particular clone could not be traced by PFGE analysis but can be investigated by WGS analysis., (Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The patient was a 42-year-old man who presented with dysphagia.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a protruding lesion in the lower thoracic esophagus.Pathological analysis of the lesion showed squamous cell carcinoma.Laboratory data showed leukocytosis(21,200/mL)despite no evidence of infection, and the serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimu- lating factor(G-CSF)were elevated to 283 pg/mL.We diagnosed him with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(Lt, type 1, cT4N4M0, cStage IV a).After administering 2 courses of docetaxel plus cisplatin plus S-1(DCS)as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the patient underwent surgery.The pathological diagnosis was pType 2, T2, N4, M0, pStage IV a. G-CSF immunostaining was positive in tumor cells.After the surgery, the number of leukocytes and serum G-CSF levels decreased to within normal limits.Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered.

A 20-year-old man presented with consciousness disturbance and hemiparesis, and computed tomography demonstrated subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage. Angiography on admission demonstrated a slight irregularity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) branch. Angiography on the 12th day showed a suspicious lesion at M3 of the left MCA. Angiography performed 24 days after the onset disclosed an aneurysm at M3. The aneurysm was trapped and resected after superficial temporal artery-MCA bypass. Pathological examinations revealed that this distal aneurysm was a pseudoaneurysm without vascular components in its dome. Although a lesion that may cause subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage was not detected on the initial angiography, repeated examinations revealed the atypical vascular lesion in distal MCA.

Nature creates beautiful structural colors, and some of these colors are produced by nanostructural arrays of melanin. Polydopamine (PDA), an artificial black polymer produced by self-oxidative polymerization of dopamine, has attracted extensive attention because of its unique properties. PDA is a melanin-like material, and recent studies have reported that photonic materials based on PDA particles showed structural colors by enhancing color saturation through the absorption of scattered light. Herein, we describe the preparation of three-dimensional (3D) colloidal photonic materials, such as structural color balls and fibers, from biomimetic core-shell particles with melanin-like PDA shell layers. Structural color balls were prepared through the combined use of membrane emulsion and heating. We also demonstrated the use of microfluidic emulsification and solvent diffusion for the fabrication of structural color fibers. The obtained 3D colloidal materials, i.e., balls and fibers, exhibited angle-independent structural colors due to the amorphous assembly of PDA-containing particles. These findings provide new insight for the development of dye-free technology for the coloration of various 3D colloidal architectures.

Primary bladder amyloidosis is a rare disease, with approximately 200 cases documented in the literature. We herein present a 85-year-old Japanese man who has undergone a transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT) and has regularly been followed up after surgery. Since cystoscopy revealed mucosal irregularity, he has got a TURBT again for a suspicion of recurrence. There were no malignant findings in pathological diagnosis and we diagnosed as amyloidosis because it showed positive by Congo-red staining. We added immunohistological diagnosis to diagnose as localized AL amyloidosis of the bladder finally.

Background and Objective  Superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass is a procedure to reconstruct cerebral blood flow in the MCA territory. In some cases, the STA wall is thickened and the size discrepancy between STA and MCA is apparent. In such a situation, STA-MCA bypass is challenging. We present two patients who underwent STA-MCA bypass using STA in which a thickened intima was removed. We discuss the usefulness of this rescue technique. Patients and Results  A patient with an atherosclerotic MCA occlusion and another with an occluded internal carotid artery are included. Endarterectomy of STA was performed before or during anastomosis, and the intima-resected STA was anastomosed to MCA. In both cases, the STA was thick and hard, and it was difficult to anastomose the STA as it was to the MCA. Patency of the bypass was confirmed by postoperative angiography. Conclusion  Endarterectomy of a thickened STA might be an effective rescue technique in cases with severely atherosclerotic STA in STA-MCA bypass., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)