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Abstract Background Several cognitive functions are related to sex. However, the relationship between auditory attention and sex remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore sex differences in auditory saliency judgments, with a particular focus on bottom-up type auditory attention. Methods Forty-five typical adults (mean age: 21.5 ± 0.64 years) with no known hearing deficits, intelligence abnormalities, or attention deficits were enrolled in this study. They were tasked with annotating attention capturing sounds from five audio clips played in a soundproof room. Each stimulus contained ten salient sounds randomly placed within a 1-min natural soundscape. We conducted a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis using the number of responses to salient sounds as the dependent variable, sex as the between-subjects factor, duration, maximum loudness, and maximum spectrum of each sound as the within-subjects factor, and each sound event and participant as the variable effect. Results No significant differences were found between male and female groups in age, hearing threshold, intellectual function, and attention function (all p > 0.05). Analysis confirmed 77 distinct sound events, with individual response rates of 4.0–100%. In a GLMM analysis, the main effect of sex was not statistically significant (p = 0.458). Duration and spectrum had a significant effect on response rate (p = 0.006 and p

Abstract Determining the content of the nutrient choline in foods and obtaining the required amount from the diet are crucial. One way to measure choline in foods is by converting choline esters to free choline via acid hydrolysis, followed by quantifying the total choline, as adopted by the AOAC method (AOAC-Choline); however, certain choline esters are difficult to hydrolyse. Here, we investigated various acid hydrolysis conditions to establish a reliable method for determining the total choline in foods by detecting free choline using highly sensitive and selective mass spectrometry. Hydrolysis in 0.055 mol/L HCl for 8 h in an autoclave (121 °C) was found to be optimal for the hydrolysis of choline esters in various foods. Twenty-four foods, including grains, seed, vegetables, fruits, mushroom, algae, fish, meats, beverage, processed foods, and egg, were measured. The trends in the total choline content were consistent with previous reports; however, the choline content was 10–20% higher than that measured using AOAC-Choline. Therefore, re-evaluation of the total choline content in foods using our constructed method is recommended. This reassessment will allow for a more reliable determination of choline intake for maintaining health.

Abstract Background Oral semaglutide in older subjects with type 2 diabetes was as effective as in younger subjects, according to phase 3 clinical trials. However, its efficacy can be limited in very aged population, due to the presence of impaired cognitive function and the complex instructions for its use. Here, we investigated its efficacy and safety by further age bracket in older subjects in real-world. Methods We retrospectively studied subjects > 65 years of age with type 2 diabetes who started oral semaglutide treatment. The primary outcome was the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over 6 months. Adverse events and cognitive function were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale-revised (HDS-R). The achievement rate of glycemic targets was evaluated based on the age, health status of subjects and their use of anti-diabetic agents which can cause hypoglycemia, with additional analysis between two subgroups; early (65–74) versus late (≥ 75) older. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationships between their improvements in HbA1c and the baseline characteristics of the subjects, including their cognitive function and insulin secretory capacity. Results We studied the efficacy of the drug in 24 subjects. Their HbA1c and body weight significantly decreased (− 13.1 ± 7.5 mmol/mol and − 3.0 ± 2.4 kg, respectively; P

In this study, a parallel three-scale homogenization analysis simulator that accounts for macro-, meso-, and micro-scale structures was developed for the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) used in high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels manufactured using the filament winding (FW) method. The developed simulator enables detailed analysis that accounts for fiber irregularities in the fiber bundle tapes of FW-CFRP. Because numerical simulations that consider fiber irregularities increase computational time and memory usage, we developed a parallel computation system for three-scale homogenization using the domain decomposition method. Numerical examples using large-scale computers verified that our parallel three-scale homogenization analysis has parallel computing performance close to the ideal acceleration ratio. We then investigated the effects of fiber waviness in fiber bundle tapes on the macro-scale properties of FW–CFRP by considering waviness as an initial irregularity in the carbon fiber arrangement. Our analysis of fiber irregularities revealed that fiber waviness has a significant effect on macroscopic stiffness and stress. Within the scope of this study, the macroscopic stiffness and stress were reduced by 40% and 57%, respectively, compared to the results without irregularities.

Introduction Pembrolizumab administration has become the standard of care for patients with urothelial carcinoma, though a variety of adverse events have been reported. Presented here is a rare case of pancreatitis that occurred as an immune‐related adverse event. Case presentation An 81‐year‐old man undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab for multiple lung metastases from renal pelvic cancer was presented with a fever and diagnosed with pancreatitis based on elevated pancreatic enzyme levels and imaging findings. There was no history of alcohol consumption or findings indicating gallstones, elevated liver enzymes, or abdominal complications. The patient was diagnosed with immune‐related adverse event pancreatitis and treated with Lactate Ringer's solution (3000 mL/day) and steroids, during which his condition improved. Conclusion Although pancreatitis is a rare complication, it should always be considered as a potential immune‐related adverse event in patients treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor such as pembrolizumab.

Phononic crystals based on lattice structures provide important wave dispersion characteristics as band structures, showing excellent compatibility with additive manufacturing. Although the lattice structures have shown the potential for vibration suppression, a design guideline to control the frequency range of the bandgap has not been well established. This paper studies the dispersion characteristics of plane wave propagation in lattice-based mechanical metamaterials to realize effective vibration suppression for potential aerospace applications. Triangular and hexagonal periodic lattice structures are mainly studied in this paper. The influence of different geometric parameters on the bandgap characteristics is investigated. A finite element approach with Floquet–Bloch’s principles is implemented to effectively evaluate the dispersion characteristics of waves in lattice structures, which is validated numerically and experimentally with a 3D-printed lattice plate. Based on numerical studies with the developed analysis framework, the influences of the geometric parameters of lattice plate structures on dispersion characteristics can mainly be categorized into three patterns: change in specific branches related to in-plane or out-of-plane vibrations, upward/downward shift in frequency range, and drastic change in dispersion characteristics. The results obtained from the study provide insight into the design of band structures to realize vibration suppression at specific frequencies for engineering applications.

Novel hybrid laminates consisting of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers and steel plate cold commercial (CFRP-SPCC) have been successfully manufactured and tested in the present study. Four different tests have been made i.e., tensile test, flexural test, double cantilever beam (DCB) or Mode I test, and end notched flexure (ENF) or Mode II test. After being tested, these samples need to be evaluated. Hence, an inappropriate evaluation step while identifying the cause of failure of the failed specimens can create a false conclusion. The present study aims to systematically evaluate the fractured specimens of CFRP-SPCC in different tests (tensile, flexural, DCB, and ENF test) using different tools, i.e., pocket camera, digital microscope, light microscope, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed, in terms of tensile, the highest strength occurred with 1475.4 MPa. In comparison, the highest flexural strength occurred with 1516.1 MPa, while DCB and ENF showed the highest values with 116.4 and 330 J/m2, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that digital and light microscopes are satisfied to evaluate the specimen in tensile test. However, for the flexural test, ENF, and DCB test, besides the light microscope, further analysis using SEM-EDX is recommended to evaluate the specimen after failure.

Background: In patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA), anaphylactic shock occurs frequently, therefore avoidance of wheat products is recommended. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of long-term omalizumab treatment for adult patients with WDEIA. Methods: In this phase 2, multicentre single-arm trial, 20 adult patients with WDEIA were enrolled (UMIN 000019250). All patients were administered 150–600 mg of omalizumab subcutaneously and evaluations (basophil activation and blood examination) were performed at regular intervals during administration period (0–48 weeks) and observation period (48–68 weeks). Primary endpoint was proportion of the patients who achieved a basophil activation rate below 10% with fractionated wheat preparations, and secondary endpoint was proportion of the patients with no allergic reactions after wheat products ingestion. Results: During the omalizumab treatment, more than 80% of the patients achieved the basophil activation rate less than 10% against all fractionated wheat preparations, and 68.8% of the patients who achieved the primary endpoint experienced no allergic reaction. During the observation period, the proportion of the patients who achieved a basophil activation rate below 10% decreased gradually, and the proportion of patients with positive allergic reactions increased gradually thereafter and reached maximum of 46.7%. Severe adverse events were not observed during the study. Conclusions: Long-term omalizumab treatment is safe and effective for adult patients with WDEIA when assessed by basophil activation rate with wheat allergens as well as allergic reactions after lifting of restrictions on wheat intake. However, this is not enough to achieve desensitization.

Abstract Sarcopenia is defined as decreasing in muscle strength and mass, and dynapenia is defined as decreasing in muscle strength and maintained muscle mass. This study elucidated the prevalence and characteristics of sarcopenia and dynapenia and evaluate in elderly spinal disorders patients. 1039 spinal disorders patients aged ≥ 65 years were included. We measured age, grip strength, muscle mass, spinal sagittal alignment parameters, low back pain (LBP) scores and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) scores. Based on the previous reports, patients were categorised into normal group: NG, pre-sarcopenia group: PG, dynapenia group: DG, and sarcopenia group: SG. Pre-sarcopenia, dynapenia, and sarcopenia were found in 101 (9.7%), 249 (19.2%), and 91 (8.8%) patients, respectively. The spinal sagittal alignment parameters, trunk muscle mass, LBP, and HR-QoL scores were significantly worse in DG and SG compared with those in PG and NG. Spinal alignment, trunk muscle mass, and clinical outcomes, including LBP and HR-QoL scores, were maintained in the PG and poor in the DG and SG. Thus, intervention for muscle strength may be a treatment option for changes of spinal sagittal alignment and low back pain.

To evaluate stresses including stress concentration at weld toes for fatigue evaluation of complex shape welded structures such as railway bogie frames, previous studies proposed the stress assessment procedure through measuring strains of actual structures by attaching strain gauges with its edges to be at weld toes. This paper evaluates design fatigue strength in terms of the measured stress from published fatigue data and re-analysis of those fatigue tests. The obtained fatigue strength fell into danger side by 12-29% if compared to the fatigue strength estimated based on the current version of JIS. The result also showed that fatigue strength at 2×106 cycles with 0.13% failure probability had a similar value with that at 1×107 cycles with 2.3% failure probability. The fatigue strength in terms of the aforementioned strain measuring system was comparable with those in terms of structural hot-spot stress approach.

Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are neurotoxins responsible for ciguatera poisoning (CP), which affects more than 50,000 people worldwide annually. The development of analytical methods to prevent CP is a pressing global issue, and the N2a assay is one of the most promising methods for detecting CTXs. CTXs are highly toxic, and an action level of 0.01 μg CTX1B equivalent (eq)/kg in fish has been proposed. It is desirable to further increase the detection sensitivity of CTXs in the N2a assay to detect such low concentrations reliably. The opening of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV channels) and blocking of voltage-gated potassium channels (KV channels) are thought to be involved in the toxicity of CTXs. Therefore, in this study, we developed an assay that could detect CTXs with higher sensitivity than conventional N2a assays, using KV channel inhibitors as sensitizing reagents for N2a cells. The addition of the KV channel inhibitors 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium chloride to N2a cells, in addition to the traditional sensitizing reagents ouabain and veratridine, increased the sensitivity of N2a cells to CTXs by up to approximately 4-fold. This is also the first study to demonstrate the influence of KV channels on the toxicity of CTXs in a cell-based assay.