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Abstract The influence of pulmonary dysfunction on postoperative outcomes in older patients with gastric cancer was assessed. In this retrospective study, 352 older patients (age ≥ 75 years) with gastric cancer who underwent preoperative spirometry and curative gastrectomy were enrolled. Of these patients, 200 underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy. Restrictive and obstructive pulmonary dysfunction were defined as percentage of vital capacity (%VC)

ABSTRACT 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis is used to investigate bacterial communities; however, the estimated bacterial composition can differ from the original due to experimental and analytical biases. Therefore, this study determines the optimal conditions to minimize the potential biases in 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis using different DNA samples, trimming lengths, primers, and databases. The results of the mock1 community with 250 and 300 bp paired-end (PE), comprising 15 bacteria from various environments, showed the highest similarity between the theoretical value and the data using the Greengenes2 and the V3 region at the genus level and V5–V6 at the species level. In the 300 bp PE sequencing analysis of the mock2 community, comprising six major oral bacteria, the data using the V3–V4, V4, and V5–V6 regions with the SILVA, Greengenes2, and the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD) showed the highest similarity to the theoretical values at the genus level. At the species level, the data using the V3–V4 and V4 regions with Greengenes2 and the data using the V1–V2 with HOMD exhibited the highest alignment with the theoretical values. In the species analysis of the dental calculus samples with 300 bp PE, the Shannon index value was higher with the V1–V2 region and HOMD than with others. Our results suggest that the optimal conditions for oral microbiome analysis are the combinations of 300 bp PE and the V3–V4 or V4 region with the Greengenes2 and the V1–V2 with HOMD.IMPORTANCEThe 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis is frequently used in oral microbiome research. However, this method can have biases that distort the experimental data, which depend on the methodological steps, including sequencing length, trimming length, selected amplification regions, and referenced databases. In this study, a combination of 300 bp PE and the primer targeting the V3–V4 or V4 regions with the Greengenes2 and the V1–V2 region with the HOMD was the most bias-minimizing condition for oral microbiota analysis. In addition, this is the first report of such analyses in modern Japanese dental calculus. The methods used in this study will aid in setting appropriate conditions for sequence analysis of microbiota obtained not only from the oral cavity but also from any environment.

Abstract Background Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men worldwide that has a very poor prognosis, especially when it progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Therefore, novel therapeutic agents for mCRPC are urgently required. Because prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in mCRPC, targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for PSMA is a promising treatment for mCRPC. Astatine-211 (211At) is a versatile α-emitting radionuclide that can be produced using a cyclotron. Therefore, 211At-labeled PSMA compounds could be useful for TAT; however, 211At-labeled compounds are unstable against deastatination in vivo. In this study, to develop in vivo stable 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives, we designed and synthesized 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives using a neopentyl glycol (NpG) structure that can stably retain 211At in vivo. We also evaluated their biodistribution in normal and tumor-bearing mice. Results We designed and synthesized 211At-labeled PSMA derivatives containing two glutamic acid (Glu) linkers between the NpG structure and asymmetric urea (NpG-L-PSMA ((L-Glu)2 linker used) and NpG-D-PSMA ((D-Glu)2 linker used)). First, we evaluated the characteristics of 125I-labeled NpG derivatives because 125I was readily available. [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA and [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA showed low accumulation in the stomach and thyroid, indicating their high in vivo stability against deiodination. [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA was excreted in urine as hydrophilic radiometabolites in addition to the intact form. Meanwhile, [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA was excreted in urine in an intact form. In both cases, no radioactivity was observed in the free iodine fraction. [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA showed higher tumor accumulation than [125I]I-NpG-L-PSMA. We then developed 211At-labeled PSMA using the NpG-D-PSMA structure. [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed low accumulation in the stomach and thyroid in normal mice, indicating its high stability against deastatination in vivo. Moreover, [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed high accumulation in tumor similar to that of [125I]I-NpG-D-PSMA. Conclusions [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA showed high in vivo stability against deastatination and high tumor accumulation. [211At]At-NpG-D-PSMA should be considered as a potential new TAT for mCRPC.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia often involves persecutory delusions, which cause psychological distress. Some patients use online gaming as a coping tool. However, excessive online gaming has raised concerns about internet gaming disorders (IGD), while any soothing effects of online gaming on psychological distress remain unclear. Herein, we report changes in anxiety and IGD severity, measured using rating scales, in a patient with schizophrenia who used online gaming as a coping strategy for psychological distress. Case Presentation A 43‐year‐old woman diagnosed with schizophrenia had worsening persecutory delusions, including that of being targeted by snipers, and had difficulty going out because of anxiety. She coped with her psychological distress using online shooting games. We assessed her state and trait anxiety, social anxiety, avoidance behavior when alone, and IGD severity. There was a notable reduction in the state anxiety score after the introduction of online gaming. The scores for trait anxiety, social anxiety, and avoidance behavior when alone decreased noticeably after the acquisition of coping strategies. This case demonstrates the presence of IGD only during the acquisition of coping strategies. Conclusion This case highlights the potential of online gaming as a coping strategy for schizophrenia‐related anxiety. However, excessive gaming can lead to IGD and thus necessitates caution. Further research should explore the applicability and potential risks of using online gaming to cope with psychological distress among patients with schizophrenia.

Hardening of arterial walls associated with elevated postprandial blood glucose levels increases the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the impact of intermittent aerobic training on reducing arterial stiffness is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the chronic effects of intermittent aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness during hyperglycemia in middle-aged adults: 30 healthy middle-aged adults were randomly assigned to an 8-week intermittent aerobic training group (n = 15, jogging or running, 30 min/run, 3 times/week, 65% reserve heart rate) and a control group (n = 15, no training). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) of carotid-femoral (cf) and brachial-ankle (ba), heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose was measured before a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 30, 60, and 90 min after the test, before the exercise intervention, and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention. The baPWV and blood glucose levels before the intervention were elevated at 30, 60, and 90 min in both groups compared to levels before the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01). The baPWV and blood glucose levels after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention were unchanged in the training group compared to that before the 75 g OGTT, but increased at 30, 60, and 90 min in the control group compared to that before the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01). The baPWV and blood glucose levels at 30 and 60 min after the 75 g OGTT after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention were lower in the training group than in the control group (p < 0.01). These results indicate that intermittent aerobic exercise training may reduce the acute increase in arterial stiffness after hyperglycemia.

Objective Identifying factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with delirium is important for predicting prognosis. This retrospective study developed an easy and objective cognitive function measurement scale that can predict the prognosis and mortality related to delirium. Methods Fifty‐five patients aged ≥65 years and diagnosed with delirium were included. Objective data regarding attention and orientation related to time and place were extracted from their medical records during the first consultation, and in total, six points were evaluated. The patients were categorized into high and low cognitive function (LCF) groups. The severity at the first visit and 1‐week post‐treatment was evaluated using the Clinical Global Impressions‐Severity scale. Outcomes (survival or death) at 6 months from the initial visit were evaluated by reviewing medical records. Results Although the Clinical Global Impressions‐Severity score at the first visit was not significantly different between the two groups, 1 week after treatment, it was significantly lower in the high cognitive function (HCF) group than in the LCF group. Regarding the outcome (survival or death) after 6 months, the LCF group had significantly higher mortality than the HCF group. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the same result (OR = 17.049, 95% CI = 2.415–120.373, p = 0.004). Conclusion A simple cognitive assessment of attention and orientation may help predict unfavorable outcomes, including mortality, in patients with delirium.

Many conditions, including cancer, trauma, and congenital anomalies, can damage the oral mucosa. Multiple cultures of oral mucosal cells have been used for biocompatibility tests and oral biology studies. In recent decades, the clinical translation of tissue-engineered products has progressed significantly in developing tangible therapies and inspiring advancements in medical science. However, the reconstruction of an intraoral mucosa defect remains a significant challenge. Despite the drawbacks of donor-site morbidity and limited tissue supply, the use of autologous oral mucosa remains the gold standard for oral mucosa reconstruction and repair. Tissue engineering offers a promising solution for repairing and reconstructing oral mucosa tissues. Cell- and scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches have been employed to treat various soft tissue defects, suggesting the potential clinical use of tissue-engineered oral mucosa (TEOMs). In this review, we first cover the recent trends in the reconstruction and regeneration of extra-/intra-oral wounds using TEOMs. Next, we describe the current status and challenges of TEOMs. Finally, future strategic approaches and potential technologies to support the advancement of TEOMs for clinical use are discussed.

We previously reported that the cell and colony motion of oral keratinocytes are correlated with proliferative capacity, and speculated that this may be a specific index for monitoring cell quality. However, how cell motility and proliferation are regulated by signaling pathways remains unelucidated. Here, we found that the regulation of cell motility and proliferative capacity of oral keratinocytes can be attributed to the epidermal growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF/EGFR) axis. The EGFR downstream cascade involving the Src/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway showed a major effect on cell motility and proliferative capacity in oral keratinocytes. Furthermore, both EGFR and Src attenuated E‐cadherin expression. Taken together, these findings provide a potential basis for future quality control of cells for therapeutic use.

Abstract Background To date, only a few reports of anti‐LGI1 encephalitis with isolated psychiatric symptoms in the initial phase have been reported. We present a relatively rare case of antileucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis that developed only psychiatric symptoms at the onset. Case Presentation The patient was a male in his 40s who developed anxiety and panic symptoms and was started on antidepressants after being diagnosed with panic disorder by a psychiatrist. He visited our hospital 2 months later presenting with hallucinations, delusions, mild cognitive decline, and faciobrachial dystonic seizures in the left upper extremity and face. Fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging revealed swelling and hyperintensities in the right caudate nucleus and putamen. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not show increased protein levels or cell counts and revealed positive oligoclonal bands. Subsequently, positive results for anti‐LGI1 antibodies were observed in the cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with anti‐LGI1 encephalitis. Conclusion This case highlights the need to consider anti‐LGI1 encephalitis therapy in patients with acute‐onset psychiatric symptoms.

Recoverin is a neuron-specific calcium-binding protein that is mainly located in the retina and pineal gland. Few reports have described patients with anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis, and no cases of psychosis associated with this encephalitis have been reported. We report a patient with anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis with Cotard and Capgras delusions who was successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patient was a 25-year-old woman. She exhibited disorientation, executive function deficits, tremors in the upper limbs, generalized athetoid-like involuntary movements, hallucinations, incontinence, and fever, which led to her admission to our hospital. Upon admission, she complained of Cotard delusions. Various diagnostic tests, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, antibody screening, and brain imaging, were unremarkable, except for positivity for serum anti-recoverin antibodies, non-specific general slowing on electroencephalography and decreased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the frontal and occipital lobes, and increased rCBF in the basal ganglia and pons on single-photon emission computed tomography. She was eventually diagnosed with encephalitis positive for anti-recoverin antibodies and treated with immunoglobulins and steroids. Her neurological symptoms improved temporarily, but three months later, psychiatric symptoms, i.e., suicidal thoughts and Cotard and Capgras delusions, were exaggerated. After ECT, her condition significantly improved. In conclusion, the present report suggests that pineal gland dysfunction due to anti-recoverin antibody or its cross-reactivity with neuron-specific calcium-binding proteins may contribute to the neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis and that ECT can be a viable treatment option if immunotherapy proves ineffective. Additionally, decreased rCBF in the prefrontal cortex may be associated with the clinical features of Capgras and Cotard delusions.

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) area mask correction reduces the influence of low [123I]-N-fluoropropyl-2b-carbomethoxy-3b-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (123I-FP-CIT) accumulation in the volume of interest (VOI) by CSF area dilatation on the specific binding ratio (SBR) calculated using the Southampton method. We assessed the effect of CSF area mask correction on the SBR for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) characterized by CSF area dilatation. Methods We enrolled 25 patients with iNPH who were assessed using 123I-FP-CIT single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before shunt surgery or the tap test. The SBRs with and without CSF area mask correction were calculated, and changes in quantitative values were verified. Additionally, the number of voxels in the striatal and background (BG) VOI before and after CSF area mask correction were extracted. The number of voxels after correction was subtracted from that before correction, and the volume removed by the CSF area mask correction was calculated. The volumes removed from each VOI were compared to verify their effect on SBR. Results The images of 20 and 5 patients with SBRs that were decreased and increased, respectively, by CSF area mask correction showed that the volumes removed from the BG region VOI were higher and lower, respectively than those in the striatal region. Conclusions The SBR before and after CSF area mask correction was associated with the ratio of the volume removed from the striatal and BG VOIs, and the SBR was high or low according to the ratio. The results suggest that CSF area mask correction is effective in patients with iNPH. Trial registration This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) as UMIN study ID: UMIN000044826. 11/07/2021.

Abstract Rhythmic activity is ubiquitous in biological systems from the cellular to organism level. Reconstructing the instantaneous phase is the first step in analyzing the essential mechanism leading to a synchronization state from the observed signals. A popular method of phase reconstruction is based on the Hilbert transform, which can only reconstruct the interpretable phase from a limited class of signals, e.g., narrow band signals. To address this issue, we propose an extended Hilbert transform method that accurately reconstructs the phase from various oscillatory signals. The proposed method is developed by analyzing the reconstruction error of the Hilbert transform method with the aid of Bedrosian’s theorem. We validate the proposed method using synthetic data and show its systematically improved performance compared with the conventional Hilbert transform method with respect to accurately reconstructing the phase. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed method is potentially useful for detecting the phase shift in an observed signal. The proposed method is expected to facilitate the study of synchronization phenomena from experimental data.

Abstract Background Variants in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene were identified as one of the causes for inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget disease of the bone and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Previously identified pathogenic variants in VCP are associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP) pathologically, but p.Asp395Gly VCP was recently reported to cause familial FTD with tauopathy characterized by neurofibrillary tau tangles (NFT) and not FTLD-TDP. We describe the clinical and genetic findings of a patient with p.Asp395Gly valosin-containing protein (VCP), who was diagnosed with FTD without a family history and in the absence of muscle or bone disease comorbidity. Case presentation The patient was a 62-year-old man, who developed atypical depression at the age of 37 years. Subsequently, he presented with self-centered behavior at the age of 45 years. The self-centered behavior intensified from around the age of 50 years, which was accompanied by the development of executive dysfunction; therefore, he visited our hospital at 52 years of age. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral frontal lobe atrophy. Brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography revealed bilateral frontal lobe hypoperfusion. The patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for behavioral variant of FTD. Ten years after the diagnosis, computed tomography of the trunk and limbs, muscle biopsy, and bone scintigraphy revealed the absence of concomitant muscle and bone disease. The concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total tau and phosphorylated tau proteins were 389 pg/mL and 53.2 pg/mL (cut-off: 50 pg/mL), respectively. Genetic analyses were performed using the whole-exome and Sanger sequencing methods. We identified p.Asp395Gly VCP in this patient with pure FTD. Conclusions p.Asp395Gly VCP was identified in a patient with likely sporadic FTD without concomitant muscle and bone disease. The CSF analysis suggested that our patient may have FTD due to NFT accumulation similar to the familial FTD patients with p.Asp395Gly VCP recently reported. Our findings suggest that a genetic search for the pathogenic variants of VCP should be considered not only for familial FTD, but also for patients with sporadic FTD, even in the absence of comorbid muscle or bone disease.

APbX _3 -type [A = CH _3 NH _3 ^+ (MA ^+ ), NH _2 CH=NH _2 ^+ (FA ^+ ), X = Cl ^– , Br ^– , I ^– ] organic–inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) have superior optical properties, such as emission with a narrow full width at half maximum and emission color tunability over the entire visible range. However, blue-emitting PeNCs [APb(Br/Cl) _3 ] exhibit low photoluminescence quantum yields owing to Cl defects, hindering their practical applications. The Cl defects induce nonradiative recombination caused by the trap levels formed deep in the band gap. Herein, we report the preparation of blue-emitting PeNCs that exhibit excellent optical properties by using NaBH _4 to decrease the number of Cl defects.

Peri-implant diseases, such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, are induced by dysbiotic microbiota resulting in the inflammatory destruction of peri-implant tissue. Nonetheless, there has yet to be an established protocol for the treatment of these diseases in a predictable manner, although many clinicians and researchers have proposed various treatment modalities for their management. With the increase in the number of reports evaluating the efficacy of various treatment modalities and new materials, the use of multiple decontamination methods to clean infected implant surfaces is recommended; moreover, the use of hard tissue laser and/or air abrasion techniques may prove advantageous in the future. Limited evidence supports additional effects on clinical improvement in antimicrobial administration for treating peri-implantitis. Implantoplasty may be justified for decontaminating the implant surfaces in the supracrestal area. Surgical treatment is employed for advanced peri-implantitis, and appropriate surgical methods, such as resection therapy or combination therapy, should be selected based on bone defect configuration. This review presents recent clinical advances in debridement methods for contaminated implant surfaces and regenerative materials for treating peri-implant bone defects. It also proposes a new flowchart to guide the treatment decisions for peri-implant disease.

Abstract Objective The transition from school to the workforce is important for concrete future planning. During this period, people are more likely to experience psychological health problems, such as anxiety and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. In particular, job hunting in individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) leads to various impulsive behaviors and physical and psychological problems due to a scarcity of economic and time resources. There is a lack of research examining career education and intervention approaches that consider the backgrounds of those experiencing adversities and difficulties due to low SES. Considering these situations, we examined whether shift-and-persist coping strategies (S-P) could buffer the career choice anxiety of individuals with low SES and improve career exploration. Results The results from 311 students who preparing/doing for job hunting showed a negative association between S-P and career choice anxiety and a positive association with career exploration. There are no significant effects of the direct link between SES to career exploration and the indirect link between SES and career exploration via career choice anxiety. There was also no buffering effect of S-P use on the above mediating process.

Abstract Background A fetal-onset cervical mass may cause postnatal airway obstruction, and ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) to secure the airway while maintaining fetal-placental circulation may be life-saving. Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT) are highly aggressive tumors, and when they develop in utero, the prognosis is even worse, with almost no reports of survival beyond the neonatal period. Herein, we report a case of a primary cervical MRT and describe our treatment using EXIT for securing the airway, wherein the infant’s life was saved. Case presentation A 40-year-old Japanese woman with no relevant medical or surgical history was diagnosed with a fetal left cervical mass and polyhydramnios during the third trimester. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging indicated the possibility of postnatal airway obstruction, and delivery using EXIT was planned. The infant was delivered by a planned cesarean section at 39 weeks and 5 days gestation, and tracheostomy was performed using EXIT. Postnatal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed suspected metastatic lesions in the subcutaneous tissue, lungs, and thymus, in addition to the mass in the left cervical region. MRT was diagnosed by biopsy of a subcutaneous mass in the left thigh, and chemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and etoposide was initiated. The tumors regressed, and the infant was successfully weaned from artificial ventilation. After discharge from the hospital, she had a recurrent cervical mass and intracranial metastasis, and radiotherapy was initiated. Conclusions In our case, fetal diagnosis enabled advance planning of delivery using EXIT, thus saving the infant’s life. The use of chemotherapy for MRT, which has a poor prognosis, allowed tumor regression and enabled the infant to survive beyond the neonatal period.

We present 2 cases that both developed infective endocarditis and underwent mitral valve replacement. In addition to positive blood culture and echocardiographic findings, such as vegetation or mitral valve perforation, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequence approach used was helpful for disease diagnosis. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

Abstract Background Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare but potentially life‐threatening adverse reaction to treatment with antipsychotic drugs, is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, impaired consciousness, and autonomic disturbances. Some reports have described rapidly progressing cases of NMS resulting in death within several days. This report describes a clinical course of fatal and fulminant NMS in a patient with schizoaffective disorder. Case Presentation A 67‐year‐old man had long been in a stable condition under antipsychotic pharmacotherapy. At 3 days before admission to our hospital, he complained of diarrhea, fatigue, and reduced appetite. On admission to our hospital, he showed fever, mild muscle rigidity at the four extremities, elevated heart rate, hypertension, excessive diaphoresis, and decreased percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2). He was diagnosed as having NMS. Within 3 days after the onset of NMS, he displayed severe hyperthermia up to 41.4°C and severe autonomic disturbances, including elevated heart rate and hypertension. Despite treatments with dantrolene and bromocriptine, he went into shock and died on the fourth day after admission. Conclusion The present case suggests that severe hyperthermia and severe autonomic disturbances at the early stage of the onset might be signs of fatal and fulminant NMS. It may be recommended that clinicians consider electro‐convulsive therapy when treating fulminant NMS with these symptoms.

BackgroundVaccines are promising tools to control the spread of COVID-19. An effective vaccination campaign requires government policies and community engagement, sharing experiences for social support, and voicing concerns about vaccine safety and efficiency. The increasing use of online social platforms allows us to trace large-scale communication and infer public opinion in real time. ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the main themes in COVID-19 vaccine-related discussions on Twitter in Japan and track how the popularity of the tweeted themes evolved during the vaccination campaign. Furthermore, we aimed to understand the impact of critical social events on the popularity of the themes. MethodsWe collected more than 100 million vaccine-related tweets written in Japanese and posted by 8 million users (approximately 6.4% of the Japanese population) from January 1 to October 31, 2021. We used Latent Dirichlet Allocation to perform automated topic modeling of tweet text during the vaccination campaign. In addition, we performed an interrupted time series regression analysis to evaluate the impact of 4 critical social events on public opinion. ResultsWe identified 15 topics grouped into the following 4 themes: (1) personal issue, (2) breaking news, (3) politics, and (4) conspiracy and humor. The evolution of the popularity of themes revealed a shift in public opinion, with initial sharing of attention over personal issues (individual aspect), collecting information from news (knowledge acquisition), and government criticism to focusing on personal issues. Our analysis showed that the Tokyo Olympic Games affected public opinion more than other critical events but not the course of vaccination. Public opinion about politics was significantly affected by various social events, positively shifting attention in the early stages of the vaccination campaign and negatively shifting attention later. ConclusionsThis study showed a striking shift in public interest in Japan, with users splitting their attention over various themes early in the vaccination campaign and then focusing only on personal issues, as trust in vaccines and policies increased. An interrupted time series regression analysis showed that the vaccination rollout to the general population (under 65 years) increased the popularity of tweets about practical advice and personal vaccination experience, and the Tokyo Olympic Games disrupted public opinion but not the course of the vaccination campaign. The methodology developed here allowed us to monitor the evolution of public opinion and evaluate the impact of social events on public opinion, using large-scale Twitter data.

The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a self-report scale measuring the use of nine types of cognitive emotion regulation strategies. The present study aimed to develop a revised version of the Japanese translated CERQ (CERQ-RJ). Specifically, we revised translations of the original Japanese version CERQ (CERQ-J), and examined its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across gender. We conducted two surveys 8 weeks apart; participants were recruited from a single Internet survey company in Japan. Results indicated that the CERQ-RJ showed better fit for the predicted nine-factor model than the CERQ-J, and acceptable reliability and validity; it also showed acceptable fit for both gender groups. Results also revealed scalar invariance of the CERQ-RJ across gender groups. Lastly, most strategies showed predicted associations with mental health outcomes in concurrent analyses. The newly translated scale may prove useful in future examinations of emotion regulation among Japanese participants.

Abstract Background Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes, autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities. This syndrome results from various medications that engender serotonergic overactivity. Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Two case reports have described serotonin syndrome induced by the combination of atomoxetine with venlafaxine or methylphenidate, but no report describes this syndrome induced by atomoxetine alone. This report describes serotonin syndrome induced solely by an overdose of atomoxetine in a patient with ADHD. Case Presentation The patient in this case was a 21‐year‐old man who had been treated with atomoxetine for ADHD. He was transported to our hospital 1 h after intentional ingestion of 1200 mg of atomoxetine in a suicide attempt. On admission, he showed profuse diaphoresis, marked agitation, somnolence, slight fever, tachycardia, prolonged QT interval, myoclonus, tremor, and hyperreflexia. He was diagnosed as having serotonin syndrome and was treated with administration of activated charcoal and massive infusion. Three days later, his serotonin syndrome symptoms had disappeared completely. Conclusion Findings in this case suggest that atomoxetine alone can cause serotonin syndrome presumably via its effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition. Clinicians should consider this syndrome induced by atomoxetine overdose.

Research conducted in the recent past have proposed total conviction as a factor associated with cognitive reappraisal that may produce changes in emotion and behavior. However, the factors that influence total conviction are not yet clearly identified. In this study, we focused on daily emotion regulation strategies and examined the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and total conviction. A total of 42 undergraduate and graduate students participated in this study. They measured their tendency toward daily emotion regulation strategies and then engaged in the cold pressor task (CPT) which is a distress tolerance task. Participants were then presented with information that encouraged them to engage in the task while enduring distress, creating a context for cognitive reappraisal of the task. Thereafter, they engaged in a second CPT. Finally, the degree of total conviction to the information that prompted reappraisal was measured. The results showed that total conviction in the experimental situation predicted behavior change. We found that the tendency to use routine cognitive reappraisal was not associated with total conviction, while the tendency to use expressive suppression would have a negative effect on total conviction. Furthermore, the expressive suppression tendency was found to moderate the relationship between total conviction and behavior change. These results indicate that the occurrence of total conviction in cognitive reappraisal leads to behavior change, though the tendency toward daily cognitive reappraisal is not related to the occurrence of total conviction in the experimental setting. The results also suggest that daily expressive suppression inhibits total conviction, particularly in situations where cognitive reappraisal is required.

Abstract The recent increase in reliable, simultaneous high channel count extracellular recordings is exciting for physiologists and theoreticians because it offers the possibility of reconstructing the underlying neuronal circuits. We recently presented a method of inferring this circuit connectivity from neuronal spike trains by applying the generalized linear model to cross-correlograms. Although the algorithm can do a good job of circuit reconstruction, the parameters need to be carefully tuned for each individual dataset. Here we present another method using a Convolutional Neural Network for Estimating synaptic Connectivity from spike trains. After adaptation to huge amounts of simulated data, this method robustly captures the specific feature of monosynaptic impact in a noisy cross-correlogram. There are no user-adjustable parameters. With this new method, we have constructed diagrams of neuronal circuits recorded in several cortical areas of monkeys.

Abstract Cells/colony motion determined by non-invasive, quantitative measurements using the optical flow (OF) algorithm can indicate the oral keratinocyte proliferative capacity in early-phase primary cultures. This study aimed to determine a threshold for the cells/colony motion index to detect substandard cell populations in a subsequent subculture before manufacturing a tissue-engineered oral mucosa graft and to investigate the correlation with the epithelial regenerative capacity. The distinctive proliferating pattern of first-passage [passage 1 (p1)] cells reveals the motion of p1 cells/colonies, which can be measured in a non-invasive, quantitative manner using OF with fewer full-screen imaging analyses and cell segmentations. Our results demonstrate that the motion index lower than 40 μm/h reflects cellular damages by experimental metabolic challenges although this value shall only apply in case of our culture system. Nonetheless, the motion index can be used as the threshold to determine the quality of cultured cells while it may be affected by any different culture conditions. Because the p1 cells/colony motion index is correlated with epithelial regenerative capacity, it is a reliable index for quality control of oral keratinocytes.

Abstract Background Maximal aerobic capacity, e.g. maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), is not constant, and it has a time-dependent variation based on the condition of individual. On the other hand, arterial properties play an important role in determining aerobic performance, and lower arterial stiffness is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels. This study examined whether individual variations in maximal aerobic performance are associated with arterial stiffness. Methods Twenty-four (mean age, 19.8 ± 0.2 y) and 10 (mean age, 21.2 ± 0.2 y) recreationally active young men and women participated in Experiment 1 (Ex1) and in Experiment 2 (Ex2), respectively. Aerobic performance was assessed using a graded power test (Ex1) or a 1500-m time trial (Ex2). Simultaneously, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness in both Ex1 and Ex2 before the exercise trials. In both experiments, subjects returned for measurement of baPWV and V̇O2max or 1500-m time trial at 1 month after first measurements. Results No significant differences in mean baPWV, V̇O2max or 1500-m run time were seen between first and second visits. Mean baPWV was significantly lower on days when participants showed higher V̇O2max or better 1500-m run time (P = 0.001 each) than on days when participants showed lower V̇O2max or worse 1500-m run time. In addition, a significant relationship was seen between individual changes in baPWV from first to second visits and changes in V̇O2max (P=0.0001) or 1500-m run time (P=0.04). Conclusion These findings suggest that individual day-to-day variations in maximal aerobic performance are associated with variations in arterial stiffness.

Abstract The long-range temporal correlation (LRTC) in resting-state intrinsic brain activity is known to be associated with temporal behavioral patterns, including decision making based on internal criteria such as self-knowledge. However, the association between the neuronal LRTC and the subjective sense of identity remains to be explored; in other words, whether our subjective sense of consistent self across time relates to the temporal consistency of neural activity. The present study examined the relationship between the LRTC of resting-state scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and a subjective sense of identity measured by the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (EPSI). Consistent with our prediction based on previous studies of neuronal-behavioral relationships, the frontocentral alpha LRTC correlated negatively with identity confusion. Moreover, from the descriptive analyses, centroparietal beta LRTC showed negative correlations with identity confusion, and frontal theta LRTC showed positive relationships with identity synthesis. These results suggest that more temporal consistency (reversely, less random noise) in intrinsic brain activity is associated with less confused and better-synthesized identity. Our data provide further evidence that the LRTC of intrinsic brain activity might serve as a noise suppression mechanism at the psychological level.

Purpose Blackcurrant extract mainly contains anthocyanins. Several reports suggest that anthocyanins have beneficial effect for cardiovascular functions. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 7-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on arterial functions, e.g. arterial stiffness, and serum lipids. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study with a washout period of 28 days was conducted. Fourteen older adults participated in this study (age 73.3 ± 1.7 years). Participants took either a 7-day course of placebo or two capsules of NZBC extract (each 300 mg capsule contains 35% blackcurrant extract). Participants took one of the two trials first and then took the other after a washout period. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity, an index of central arterial stiffness, and central blood pressure were measured at baseline and again at the end of the 7-day study period. Results Compared to baseline, carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (P = .03) and central blood pressure (P = .02) decreased significantly after the 7-day study period with NZBC intake. In addition, carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (P = .04) and central blood pressure (P = .001) in the NZBC intake trial decreased significantly more than in the placebo intake trial. No effects were observed on serum lipids. Conclusion These results suggest that short-term NZBC intake reduces central arterial stiffness and central blood pressure in older adults. Therefore, anthocyanin-rich blackcurrants might be beneficial for maintaining or improving cardiovascular health as an alternative to pharmaceutical medications. Abbreviations Aix: augmentation index; BP: blood pressure; cfPWV: carotid–femoral pulse-wave velocity; CVD: cardiovascular diseases; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; faPWV: femoral-ankle pulse-wave velocity; FG: fasting glucose; HDL: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; MBP: mean blood pressure; NZBC: New Zealand blackcurrant; PP: pulse pressure; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TG: triglycerides.

Abstract Social media users post content on various topics. A defining feature of social media is that other users can provide feedback—called community feedback—to their content in the form of comments, replies, and retweets. We hypothesize that the amount of received feedback influences the choice of topics on which a social media user posts. However, it is challenging to test this hypothesis as user heterogeneity and external confounders complicate measuring the feedback effect. Here, we investigate this hypothesis with a predictive approach based on an interpretable model of an author’s decision to continue the topic of their previous post. We explore the confounding factors, including author’s topic preferences and unobserved external factors such as news and social events, by optimizing the predictive accuracy. This approach enables us to identify which users are susceptible to community feedback. Overall, we find that 33% and 14% of active users in Reddit and Twitter, respectively, are influenced by community feedback. The model suggests that this feedback alters the probability of topic continuation up to 14%, depending on the user and the amount of feedback.

Background: Easy Z-score imaging system (eZIS)-assisted SPECT accurately detects decreases in cerebral blood flow in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), precuneus, and parietal lobe, the cerebral regions deeply implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Several studies suggested onset age-dependent decreases in cerebral blood flow in these regions in AD, but these studies did not screen for amyloid accumulation, suggesting inclusion of non-AD patients in their subjects. Objective: By applying eZIS-SPECT to patients with amyloid deposition, it was the aim of this study to clarify onset age-dependent decreases in cerebral blood flow in the regions critical to AD. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed eZIS-SPECT data on 34 AD patients with amyloid retention confirmed by 11C-Pittsburgh compound B-PET. The subjects were divided into an early-onset group (n = 16) and a late-onset group (n = 18). The three indicators of the eZIS that had discriminated between AD patients and normal controls in previous studies were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean values for the respective indicators were significantly higher in the early-onset group than in the late-onset group. Also, the proportion of patients with abnormalities in all indicators was significantly higher in the early-onset group (93.8%) than in the late-onset group (50.0%). Conclusions: The present study, applying eZIS-SPECT to amyloid-positive AD patients, suggests that reduced cerebral blood flow in the PCC, precuneus, and parietal lobe is more pronounced in the early-onset type than in the late-onset type of the disease.

Apathy and depression are frequently observed as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, respectively, and are important for ensuring adequate care. This study aims to explore effective non-pharmacological interventions for apathy and depression with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Five search engines including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were used to extract relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were studies that involved participants who were diagnosed with MCI or dementia, included quantitative assessments of each symptom, and employed randomized controlled trials. Twenty studies were extracted, with interventions have been conducted in care facilities, the community, and hospitals. Participants in many studies had MCI or mild-to-moderate dementia but were not diagnosed with the subtypes of dementia. Few studies had set apathy and depression as the primary outcomes of non-pharmacological interventions. The findings suggested that emotional and stimulation-oriented approaches to apathy and depression would be useful for people with MCI or mild-to-moderate dementia. It would be helpful for therapists to assess the clinical features of the target symptoms for selecting suitable interventions. Additionally, increasing the number of randomized controlled trials focusing on apathy or depression as primary outcomes would offer a more definite conclusion for future systematic reviews.

IntroductionFrontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a clinical syndrome with pathological heterogeneity, including Pick’s disease and trans-activating response region (TAR) DNA-binding protein with a molecular mass of 43 kDa (TDP-43) proteinopathy (FTLD-TDP). A previous study reported abnormal findings on dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging in 30% of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in FTLD. However, the previous study did not consider the pathological heterogeneity of FTD regarding the pathomechanism leading to abnormal DAT findings. Recently, abnormal DAT findings were reported in two patients with FTLD with motor neuron disease (MND), of which FTLD-TDP type B was the most common pathological presentation. This study investigated the DAT findings of patients with a final diagnosis of FTLD-MND to determine the frequency of occurrence of DAT abnormalities in FTLD-MND.MethodsTwenty patients with FTLD who underwent DAT single photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT) were screened, and six patients with a final diagnosis of FTLD-MND were ultimately included. The patients’ DAT-SPECT findings were analyzed visually and quantitatively. Neuronal loss and astrogliosis in brain regions (substantia nigra, caudate, and putamen) that could possibly affect DAT findings were evaluated in the three pathologically confirmed cases.ResultAll six patients with FTLD-MND showed abnormal visual DAT-SPECT findings. In addition, in a quantitative assessment, the specific binding ratio in the striatum calculated by the Southampton method was below the lower limit of the 95% prediction interval of the healthy controls by age in all the present cases. Interestingly, three of the six patients showed abnormal findings on DAT-SPECT more than half a year before the onset of MND. Neuronal loss and astrogliosis in brain regions that may affect DAT findings were observed in three pathologically confirmed cases.ConclusionDopamine transporter single photon emission computed tomography revealed abnormal findings in patients with FTLD-MND, which may manifest even before the onset of MND symptoms. We believe that the possibility of future development of MND should be considered if DAT-SPECT shows abnormal findings in FTLD.

Akathisia, which characterized by subjective restlessness and objective hyperactivity, is induced mostly by antipsychotics and antidepressants. Chronic akathisia is defined as persistence of symptoms for more than 3 months. The pathophysiology of chronic akathisia remains unclear. This report describes a depressed patient, a 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, with chronic akathisia. Her regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before and after the treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). She had experienced akathisia-like symptoms three times prior because of risperidone, escitalopram, and clomipramine administration, accompanied by major depression. After levomepromazine was added to quetiapine to treat insomnia, she developed akathisia symptoms such as a sense of restlessness and inability to sit in one place for a few minutes. These antipsychotics were withdrawn. Propranolol was administered, leading to no apparent improvement for 8 months. After she was diagnosed as having major depressive disorder and chronic akathisia, she received 10 sessions of bilateral ECT. Her depressive symptoms improved greatly. Akathisia disappeared completely after ECT. SPECT revealed that rCBF was decreased in the middle frontal gyrus and parietal lobe, that it was increased in the thalamus, fusiform gyrus, and cerebellum before ECT, and that these abnormalities in rCBF were approaching normal levels after ECT. Findings presented in this report suggest ECT as a beneficial treatment for chronic akathisia. Altered rCBF in the middle frontal gyrus, parietal lobe, thalamus, fusiform gyrus, and cerebellum, and especially decreased rCBF in the parietal lobe, may be related to the pathophysiology of chronic akathisia.

Current techniques have enabled the simultaneous collection of spike train data from large numbers of neurons. Here, the authors report a method to infer the underlying neural circuit connectivity diagram based on a generalized linear model applied to spike cross-correlations between neurons.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute repeated bouts of aerobic exercise decrease leg arterial stiffness. However, the influence of repeated bouts of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion is unknown. The present study investigates the acute effects of repeated bouts of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Ten healthy young men (age, 23.2 ± 0.9 years) performed repeated bouts of aerobic exercise trial (RE, 65% peak oxygen uptake; two 15 min bouts of cycling performed 20 min apart) and control trial (CON, seated and resting in a quiet room) at 80 min before the 75-g OGTT on separate days in a randomized, controlled crossover fashion. Carotid-femoral (aortic) and femoral-ankle (leg) pulse wave velocity, carotid augmentation index, brachial and ankle blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose and insulin levels were measured before (baseline) and 30, 60 and 120 min after the 75-g OGTT. Leg pulse wave velocity, ankle systolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels increased from baseline after the 75-g OGTT in the CON trial, but not in the RE trial. The present findings indicate that acute repeated bouts of aerobic exercise before glucose ingestion suppress increases in leg arterial stiffness following glucose ingestion. Abbreviations: RE trial repeated bouts of aerobic exercise trial; CON trial control trial; BG blood glucose; VO2peak peak oxygen uptake; PWV Pulse wave velocity; AIx carotid augmentation index; BP blood pressure; HR heart rate; CVs coefficients of variation; RPE Ratings of perceived exertion; SE standard error

In this study, we compared the differences in brain activation associated with the different types of objects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-six participants in their 20s underwent fMRI while grasping four different types of objects. After the experiment, all of the participants completed a questionnaire based on the Likert Scale, which asked them about the sensations they experienced while grasping each object (comfort, hardness, pain, ease in grasping). We investigated the relationship between brain activity and the results of the survey; characteristic brain activity for each object was correlated with the results of the questionnaire, indicating that each object produced a different sensation response in the participants. Additionally, we observed brain activity in the primary somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus), the primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus), and the cerebellum exterior during the gripping task. Our study shows that gripping different objects produces activity in specific and distinct brain regions and suggests an “action appraisal” mechanism, which is considered to be the act of integrating multiple different sensory information and connecting it to actual action. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to observe brain activity in response to tactile stimuli and motor activity simultaneously.

Fake news can have a significant negative impact on society because of the growing use of mobile devices and the worldwide increase in Internet access. It is therefore essential to develop a simple mathematical model to understand the online dissemination of fake news. In this study, we propose a point process model of the spread of fake news on Twitter. The proposed model describes the spread of a fake news item as a two-stage process: initially, fake news spreads as a piece of ordinary news; then, when most users start recognizing the falsity of the news item, that itself spreads as another news story. We validate this model using two datasets of fake news items spread on Twitter. We show that the proposed model is superior to the current state-of-the-art methods in accurately predicting the evolution of the spread of a fake news item. Moreover, a text analysis suggests that our model appropriately infers the correction time, i.e., the moment when Twitter users start realizing the falsity of the news item. The proposed model contributes to understanding the dynamics of the spread of fake news on social media. Its ability to extract a compact representation of the spreading pattern could be useful in the detection and mitigation of fake news.

In the 3/4-filled band system θ-(BEDT-TTF)2X with a two-dimensional triangular lattice, charge ordering (CO) often occurs due to strong inter-site Coulomb repulsion. However, the strong geometrical frustration of the triangular lattice can prohibit long-range CO, resulting in a charge-glass state in which the charge configurations are randomly distributed. Here, we investigate the charge-glass states of orthorhombic and monoclinic θ-type BEDT-TTF salts by measuring the electrical resistivity and optical conductivity spectra. We find a substantial difference between the charge-glass states of the orthorhombic and monoclinic systems. The charge-glass state in the orthorhombic system with an isotropic triangular lattice exhibits larger low-energy excitations than that in the monoclinic one with an anisotropic triangular lattice and becomes more metallic as the isotropy of the triangular lattice increases. These results can be understood by the different charge-glass formation mechanisms in the two systems: in the orthorhombic system, the charge-glass state originates from geometric frustration due to the equilateral triangular lattice, leading to metallic 3-fold COs, whereas in the monoclinic system, the charge-glass formation originates from geometric frustration of the isosceles triangular lattice, in which the charge-glass state is described by the superposition of insulating 2-fold stripe COs.

In recent years, studies on the fundamental principle of thrust vectoring using jets have been conducted to realize next-generation aircraft applications. Various methods for vector control of jet flow have been proposed, such as methods that achieve control via steady, continuous jets under the Coanda effect, steady suction flows near the Coanda surface, and synthetic jets from a neighbor slot as secondary jets. However, there are no studies on the flow direction control of jets using the secondary synthetic Coanda jet. In this study, the influence of synthetic jets near a circular cylinder on the flow characteristics of a primary jet was experimentally investigated. The main results obtained in the study were that the direction of the primary jet flow can be controlled using the secondary synthetic jet, and the degree of jet deflection depends on the frequency of the velocity oscillation for the secondary synthetic jet under an identical momentum ratio. Furthermore, when using the synthetic jet as the secondary flow, a controllable region larger than that obtained when using a steady and continuous injection or suction flow is expected. This is because secondary flow is generated using the ratio of the momentum between the primary jet and the secondary flow at the slot exit in conjunction with the dimensionless frequency of the synthetic jet based on the velocity of the primary flow at the slot exit.

Previous studies have suggested that cognitive reappraisal, which is an effective emotion regulation strategy, enhances decentering. On the other hand, other studies have implied the reverse in regard to this relationship: that decentering supports cognitive reappraisal. However, these possibilities have not yet been examined empirically. In the present study, we investigated the causal relationship between decentering and cognitive reappraisal by conducting two wave cross-lagged analysis. One hundred and thirty-eight Japanese university students responded to a questionnaire comprising measures of decentering and cognitive reappraisal tendency; the questionnaire was administered on two occasions, with an interval of 1 month. Cross-lagged analysis indicated the positive effect of cognitive reappraisal on decentering; however, the reverse possibility, that decentering influences cognitive reappraisal, was not significant. These results suggested that habitual use of cognitive reappraisal fosters decentering.

Abstract Introduction Lutein is a dietary constituent known to inhibit inflammation; however, its effect on nociceptive neuron-associated hyperalgesia remains to be determined. The present study therefore investigated under in vivo conditions whether administration of lutein attenuates the inflammation-induced hyperexcitability of trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) neurons that is associated with mechanical hyperalgesia. Results Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) was injected into the whisker pads of rats to induce inflammation, and then mechanical stimulation was applied to the orofacial area to assess the threshold of escape. The mechanical threshold was significantly lower in inflamed rats compared to uninjected naïve rats, and this lowered threshold was returned to control levels by 3 days after administration of lutein (10 mg/Kg, i.p.) Also the lutein administration, inflammation-induced thickness of edema was returned to control levels. The mean increased number of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2)-immunoreactive cells in the whisker pads of inflamed rats was also returned to control levels by administration with lutein. The mean discharge frequency of SpVc wide-dynamic range (WDR) neurons to both nonnoxious and noxious mechanical stimuli in inflamed rats was significantly decreased after lutein administration. In addition, the increased mean spontaneous discharge of SpVc WDR in inflamed rats was significantly decreased after lutein administration. Similarly, lutein significantly diminished noxious pinch-evoked mean after discharge frequency and occurrence in inflamed rats. Finally, lutein restored the expanded mean size of the receptive field in inflamed rats to control levels. Conclusion These results together suggest that administration of lutein attenuates inflammatory hyperalgesia associated with hyperexcitability of nociceptive SpVc WDR neurons via inhibition of the peripheral Cox-2 signaling cascade. These findings support the proposed potential of lutein as a therapeutic agent in complementary alternative medicine strategies for preventing inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia.

Abstract Background Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) is a subtype of primary progressive aphasia characterized by two-way anomia and disturbance in word comprehension, with focal atrophy in the left temporal lobe. [18F]THK-5351 was originally developed to trace tau protein. However, it has recently been suggested that [18F]THK-5351 binds to monoamine oxidase B in astrocytes, which reflects gliosis. Herein, the authors present two cases involving patients with early-stage svPPA who underwent [18F]THK-5351 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and examined whether [18F]THK-5351 PET imaging is more sensitive to neurodegenerative lesions than conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebral blood flow (CBF)-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Case presentation Two patients, 64- and 79-year-old men, without notable medical or family history, exhibited disturbances in word comprehension and mild anomia with fluent speech and spared repetition. In both cases, surface dyslexia was observed but prosopagnosia was absent. Although mild depression was detected in 1 of the 2 patients, no behavioral disorders were present in either case. In both cases, MRI revealed atrophy in the anterior and inferior portions of the left temporal lobe. Technetium-99-ethyl cysteinate dimer ([99mTc]ECD) SPECT revealed hypoperfusion in the left temporal lobe. Alzheimer’s disease was ruled out by [11C]Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB) PET scan. Both patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for svPPA. Because of mild language deficits and lack of right temporal atrophy, they were considered to be at an early stage of the disease. In both cases, [18F]THK-5351 retention was observed in bilateral temporal lobes, predominantly on the left side. Comparison of different imaging modalities suggested that [18F]THK-5351 was more sensitive in detecting neurodegenerative change in the right temporal lobe than MRI and [99mTc]ECD SPECT. Conclusions [18F]THK-5351 retention was clearly demonstrated at an early stage of svPPA. Results of the present study suggest that [18F]THK-5351 PET imaging may facilitate very early diagnosis of the disease.

Introduction: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) often exhibits REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) at its prodromal stage. Meanwhile, DLB is often comorbid with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type pathology. In typical AD, amyloid-β deposition begins considerably before the onset of dementia and has already reached a plateau at the stage of mild cognitive impairment. However, it is not known when amyloid accumulation starts in DLB with AD-type pathology. In the present study, we examined amyloid deposition in patients with RBD as a prodromal symptom of DLB using [11C]-Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (PiB-PET).Methods: The subjects were 12 patients with probable RBD as diagnosed by the Japanese RBD screening questionnaire. They also showed abnormality in 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy, a biomarker for DLB. For comparison, 11 patients with probable DLB were included. Applying PMOD software to the PiB-PET images, the global cortical distribution volume ratio was calculated and a ratio >1.3 was regarded as PiB-positive.Results: Two of the RBD patients (16.7%) and eight of the DLB patients (72.7%) were PiB-positive. The amyloid-positive rate was significantly lower in the RBD group than in the DLB group (P = 0.012).Conclusion: The prevalence of amyloid deposition in RBD as a prodromal symptom of DLB was significantly lower than that in DLB, suggesting that amyloid accumulation does not always begin at the early stage of DLB.

Presbyopia is characterized by a decline in the ability to accommodate the lens. The most commonly accepted theory for the onset of presbyopia is an age-related increase in the stiffness of the lens. However, the cause of lens sclerosis remains unclear. With age, water microcirculation in the lens could change because of an increase in intracellular pressure. In the lens, the intracellular pressure is controlled by the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) 1 and TRPV4 feedback pathways. In this study, we tried to elucidate that administration of α-glucosyl-hesperidin (G-Hsd), previously reported to prevent nuclear cataract formation, affects lens elasticity and the distribution of TRPV channels and Aquaporin (AQP) channels to meet the requirement of intracellular pressure. As a result, the mouse control lens was significantly toughened compared to both the 1% and 2% G-Hsd mouse lens treatments. The anti-oxidant levels in the lens and plasma decreased with age; however, this decrease could be nullified with either 1% or 2% G-Hsd treatment in a concentration- and exposure time-dependent manner. Moreover, G-Hsd treatment affected the TRPV4 distribution, but not TRPV1, AQP0, and AQP5, in the peripheral area and could maintain intracellular pressure. These findings suggest that G-Hsd has great potential as a compound to prevent presbyopia and/or cataract formation.

This study quantitatively analyzed the effects of 3 h of constant sitting on skeletal muscle oxygenation in the lower extremities, using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (NIRTRS). The effects of compression stockings were also evaluated. Eleven healthy men (age, 30.0 ± 6.7 years) maintained their knee joints at 90° flexion during 3 h of constant sitting and wore a compression stocking on either the right or left leg. The side the stocking was worn was chosen randomly. Subsequently, leg circumference and extracellular water were measured. After 3 h of sitting, both factors increased significantly in uncompressed limbs. Furthermore, intracellular water and muscle oxygenation had significantly decreased. In contrast, extracellular water had not increased in the limbs wearing compression stockings. Furthermore, the increased circumference of compressed limbs was significantly smaller than that of uncompressed limbs. Decreases in oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin were significantly smaller in compressed limbs than in uncompressed limbs (oxy-Hb; p = 0.021, total-Hb; p = 0.013). Three hours of sitting resulted in decreased intracellular water and increased extracellular water in the lower extremities, leading to reduced blood volume and oxygenation levels in skeletal muscle. Compression stockings successfully suppressed these negative effects.

Information is transmitted in the brain through various kinds of neurons that respond differently to the same signal. Full characteristics including cognitive functions of the brain should ultimately be comprehended by building simulators capable of precisely mirroring spike responses of a variety of neurons. Neuronal modeling that had remained on a qualitative level has recently advanced to a quantitative level, but is still incapable of accurately predicting biological data and requires high computational cost. In this study, we devised a simple, fast computational model that can be tailored to any cortical neuron not only for reproducing but also for predicting a variety of spike responses to greatly fluctuating currents. The key features of this model are a multi-time scale adaptive threshold predictor and a nonresetting leaky integrator. This model is capable of reproducing a rich variety of neuronal spike responses, including regular spiking, intrinsic bursting, fast spiking, and chattering, by adjusting only three adaptive threshold parameters. This model can express a continuous variety of the firing characteristics in a three-dimensional parameter space rather than just those identified in the conventional discrete categorization. Both high flexibility and low computational cost would help to model the real brain function faithfully and examine how network properties may be influenced by the distributed characteristics of component neurons. Ryota Kobayashi and Yasuhiro Tsubo contributed equally to this work.