Effects of free weight and body mass-based resistance training on thigh muscle size, strength and intramuscular fat in healthy young and middle-aged individuals.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? How do free weight resistance training (RT) and body mass-based RT for 8 weeks compare for isometric muscular strength, muscle size and intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the quadriceps femoris? What is the main finding and its importance? Free weight and body mass-based RTs could induce muscle hypertrophy; however, decreased IMF content was observed following the body mass-based RT alone. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of free weight and body mass-based resistance training (RT) on muscle size and thigh intramuscular fat (IMF) in young and middle-aged individuals. Healthy individuals (aged 30-64 years) were assigned to either a free weight RT group (n = 21) or a body mass-based RT group (n = 16). Both groups performed whole-body resistance exercise twice a week for 8 weeks. Free weight resistance exercises (squats, bench press, deadlift, dumbbell rows and back range) involved 70% one repetition maximum, with three sets of 8-12 repetitions per exercise. The nine body mass-based resistance exercises (leg raise, squats, rear raise, overhead shoulder mobility exercise, rowing, dips, lunge, single-leg Romanian deadlifts and push-ups) included the maximum possible repetitions per session, which were performed in one or two sets. Mid-thigh magnetic resonance images using the two-point Dixon method were taken pre- and post-training. The muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and IMF content in the quadriceps femoris were measured from the images. Both the groups showed significantly increased muscle CSA post-training (free weight RT group, P = 0.001; body mass-based RT group, P = 0.002). IMF content in the body mass-based RT group significantly decreased (P = 0.036) but did not significantly change in the free weight RT group (P = 0.076). These results suggest that the free weight and body mass-based RTs could induce muscle hypertrophy; however, in healthy young and middle-aged individuals, decreased IMF content was induced following the body mass-based RT alone.

The Association between ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism and Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The R577X polymorphism in the α-actinin-3 gene (ACTN3) is associated with muscle strength and power; there is an association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and range of motion (ROM). We examined the effect of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on ROM through meta-analysis and systematic review. Relevant studies published before April 14, 2022 were identified from the PubMed database using the following keywords and Boolean operators: ("flexibility" or "Joint Range of Motion" or "Joint Flexibility" or "Range of motion") and ("ACTN3" or "alpha-actinin 3"). Studies that met the following criteria were included: (1) published in English, (2) included human subjects, (3) provided ROM measurements, and (4) analyzed the ACTN3 R577X genotype. A total of 2908 participants from seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The additive genetic model was assessed using a meta-regression model, and dominant and recessive models were analyzed using a random effects model. The ROM in the XX+RX genotype was significantly higher than that in the RR genotype (recessive model: p<0.001), and it increased additively in the order XX>RX>RR (additive model: p=0.029). However, no significant association was observed in the dominant model. These findings further elucidate the association between flexibility and the ACTN3 R577X genotype.

Body Composition, Anthropometric Parameters, and Strength-Endurance Characteristics of Sport Climbers: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Ginszt, M, Saito, M, Zieba, E, Majcher, P, and Kikuchi, N. Body composition, anthropometric parameters, and strength-endurance characteristics of sport climbers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1339-1348, 2023-Sport climbing was selected to be part of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021 with 3 subdisciplines: lead climbing, speed climbing, and bouldering. The nature of physical effort while speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering performance is different. This literature review aimed to describe differences between body composition, anthropometric parameters, and upper-limb strength-endurance variables between sport climbers with different ability levels and nonclimbers. The following databases were searched: PubMed and Scopus. The following keywords were used: "sport climbing," "rock climbing," "lead climbing," and "bouldering." Articles were considered from January 2000 to October 2021 if they concerned at least one of the following parameters: body composition (mass, body mass index, body fat, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density), anthropometric parameters (height, ape index), muscle strength (MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength), and muscle endurance (force time integral, pull-ups). A review shows that body mass and body fat content were lower in the sport climbers compared with controls and in elite sport climbers compared with those less advanced. Sport climbers presented higher values of MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength, and force time integral parameter than control subjects. Significantly higher MVC values in half-crimp grip were observed in elite sport climbers than in advanced athletes. None of the analyzed work showed differences between sport climber groups in the ape index. The abovementioned parameters may be a key factor in elite sport climbing performance.

The Effect of Online Low-intensity Exercise Training on Fitness and Cardiovascular Parameters.

Online exercise is undoubtedly useful and important; however, chronic adaptations to online exercise, particularly strength gain, muscle hypertrophy, and cardiovascular parameters, remain unclear. We investigated the effect of online exercise training using Zoom on fitness parameters compared with the same exercises supervised directly. In the present study, 34 subjects (age: 42.9±14.4 years) were included. Twenty-three subjects performed 8 weeks of body mass-based exercise training online using Zoom, and eleven subjects performed the same exercise supervised directly as the control group. The subjects performed low-load resistance exercises twice a week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. The sessions included 9 exercises: leg raises, squats, rear raises, shoulder presses, rowing, dips, lunges, Romanian dead lifts, and push-ups. Chair-stand, push-up, and sit-and-reach tests were performed on all subjects. Overall, the home exercise program effectively increased strength and muscle mass and decreased blood pressure and arterial stiffness, but there were no differences between the groups. Changes in chair-stand and sit-and-reach test results were higher in the control group than in the online group. Our results show that there is a similar training response to body mass-based training in both groups, even with virtual experiences using Zoom.

Genetic profile of sports climbing athletes from three different ethnicities.

This study aimed to investigate the ACTN3 R577X, ACE I/D, CKM rs8111989, and TRHR rs7832552 genotypes in climbers and controls in three ethnicities. The study consisted of 258 climbers (Japanese, n = 100; Polish, n = 128; Russian, n = 30) and 1151 controls (Japanese: n = 332, Polish: n = 635, Russian: n = 184). Genotyping results were analyzed using the TaqMan approach in Japanese and Polish subjects and HumanOmni1-Quad Bead Chips in Russian subjects. There were no significant differences in ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D polymorphism distribution between climbers and controls in any ethnic cohort or model. The frequencies of the C allele in the CKM polymorphism and the T allele in the TRHR polymorphism were higher in climbers than in controls only in the Russian cohort (p = 0.045 and p = 0.039, respectively). The results of the meta-analysis on three cohorts showed that the frequency of XX + RX genotypes in the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was significantly higher in climbers than that in the controls (p = 0.01). The X allele of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was associated with sport climbing status, as assessed using a meta-analysis of climbers across three different ethnicities.

Effects of Transplacental Dexamethasone Therapy on Fetal Immune-Mediated Complete Heart Block.

INTRODUCTION: Antibody-mediated complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is considered irreversible. We sought to examine the effects of transplacental steroids on fetal AV conduction. METHODS: Fifty-nine fetuses diagnosed with CAVB at our center from 1996 to 2018 were reviewed. Routine dexamethasone administration to birth was used to limit cardiac inflammatory damage. Restoration of fetal AV conduction was classified as "unexpected" treatment response. RESULTS: CAVB resolved in 5/29 (17%) fetuses first treated ≤24-week gestation with 8 mg/day of dexamethasone, when compared with 0/30 (0%) when treatment was initiated later and/or at a starting dose of 4 mg/day (odds ratio 13.69; 95% confidence interval 0.72-260.13; p = 0.024). Treatment response was also associated with a faster ventricular rate at diagnosis (median [range]: 80 [60-97] beats per minute [bpm] vs. 58 [38-92] bpm; p = 0.0036). CAVB reappeared in all 5 responders either prenatally (n = 1) or postnatally before (n = 3) or after (n = 1) the first year of life. When compared with infants with treatment-resistant CAVB (median follow-up 10.3 years), responders (median follow-up 12.3 years) required postnatal pacing less frequent (2/5 [40%] vs. 45/49 [92%]; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In a subgroup of CAVB fetuses, dexamethasone transiently restored AV conduction. This was associated with a lower rate of postnatal pacing when compared with nonresponders.

Association between MCT1 T1470A polymorphism and climbing status in Polish and Japanese climbers.

Sport climbing will become an official event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; it is a popular wilderness sport among athletes and amateurs. Our previous study suggested that the T1470A polymorphism (rs1049434) of the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) gene is associated with athletic performance and physiological phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of MCT1 T1470A polymorphism in Polish and Japanese climbers using a case-control study. Our sample consisted of 226 climbers (Japanese: n = 100, 64 male and 36 female; Polish: n = 126, 97 male and 29 female) and 1028 non-athletic controls (Japanese, n = 407; Polish = 621) who were genotyped for the MCT1 T1470A polymorphism (rs1049434) using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay or restriction enzyme. The frequency of the TT genotype and T allele was significantly higher in climbers than in controls among the Polish subjects (genotype: p = 0.030, allele: p = 0.010); however, there were no significant differences in the genotype and allelic frequencies between the Japanese climbers and controls (genotype: p = 0.968; allele: p = 0.803). Our results suggested that the frequency of the T allele (TT+TA genotype) in the MCT1 T1470A polymorphism is over-represented in Polish climbers but not in Japanese climbers. In addition, the frequency of the T allele and TT genotype in Polish lead climbers is higher than that in controls.

[A case of a synchronous double cancer patient with pancreatic cancer, found during a full body examination and triggered by acinar cell carcinoma of the upper lip].

Acinar cell carcinoma is a tumor characterized by the proliferation of cells that resemble serous acinar cells. It accounts for 1% of all salivary gland tumors, with 90% or more of these tumors frequently occurring in the parotid gland and rarely occurring in the small salivary glands. This time, we experienced a patient suffering from synchronous double cancer, found during a full body examination and triggered by acinar cell carcinoma of the upper lip. The case involved a 76-year-old woman, with a chief complaint of swelling of her right upper lip. She became aware of the swelling of her right upper lip in May 2017, and due to a gradual increase in the size thereof, she visited our department in December. Eight days after her initial consultation, a total biopsy was performed under local anesthesia, upon which the patient was diagnosed with acinar cell carcinoma. In January 2018, we asked our otolaryngologist to conduct a close examination of the parotid gland. Although computed tomography indicated no problems with the parotid gland, pancreatic head cancer was suspected. She visited the Department of Gastroenterology at our hospital in February and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (stage IVb) by an endoscopic biopsy in March. Chemotherapy was initiated the same month, but she died in January 2020.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor rs41274853 Polymorphism Is Associated With Weightlifting Performance in Japanese Weightlifters.

Homma, H, Kobatake, N, Sekimoto, Y, Saito, M, Mochizuki, Y, Okamoto, T, Nakazato, K, Nishiyama, T, and Kikuchi, N. Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor rs41274853 polymorphism is associated with weightlifting performance in Japanese weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3037-3041, 2020-At least 69 genetic markers are associated with power athlete status. In the present study, we investigated the genotype frequency of the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) rs41274853 polymorphism and the association between specific CNTFR genotype and weightlifting performance in Japanese weightlifters. One hundred sixty-five Japanese weightlifters (103 men and 62 women) and 338 controls (122 men and 216 women) participated in the present case-control study. Saliva samples were collected using the Oragene DNA self-collection kit and genotyping for the CNTFR (rs41274853) polymorphism was performed using the TaqMan assay. A questionnaire, noting each subject's best record in an official weightlifting competition, was used to obtain the weightlifting performance. The frequencies of the CNTFR genotypes CC, CT, and TT were 56, 32, 12% in the weightlifters, and 53, 40, and 7% in the controls, respectively. There was no significant difference in CNTFR genotype frequencies between the weightlifters and controls. However, the frequency of the CT + TT genotype was significantly higher in international-level weightlifters than in the national-level weightlifters. The relative value per body weight of snatch, clean, and jerk, and total record were significantly higher in the athletes with CT + TT genotype than in the athletes with CC genotype (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the CNTFR rs41274853 CT + TT genotype is associated with weightlifting performance in Japanese weightlifters. The CNTFR rs41274853 polymorphism may enable coaches to develop tailor-made training programs for individual athletes. In addition, strength and conditioning coaches could benefit from genetic information when assessing potential athletic talents and creating strength training programs for their athletes.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the "Fra" gene results in fractured starch granules in barley.

KEY MESSAGE: We report here that the mutation causing fractured starch granules in the barley line "Franubet" results from a point mutation in the barley gene corresponding to the rice FLO6 gene. The "fra" mutation in barley, which was originally isolated and characterized over 30 years ago, results in fractured starch granules and an opaque phenotype. This mutation has been used in breeding programs, since it appears to be useful in the production of pearled barley for human consumption. However, selection for this phenotype is difficult, since wild-type and heterozygous kernels cannot be distinguished phenotypically, and until now, the gene involved in this mutation has not been determined. Here, we used a map-based cloning approach using nanopore sequencing to obtain long reads from a BAC clone carrying markers on either side of the fra locus. By fine mapping followed by aligning RNA-seq reads to four genes within the mapped region, we were able to determine that the fra mutation is caused by the introduction of a stop codon in the barley homologue of the rice FLOURY ENDOSPERM 6 (FLO6) gene. This gene has a CBM48 domain that binds to starch, and may act through interactions with isoamylase1 (ISA1), assisting in the binding of ISA1 to starch granules. Perfect markers able to distinguish all genotypes were designed and tested in several large populations; in all cases, the markers were able to distinguish wild-type, heterozygous, and mutant genotypes.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Amiodarone Therapy for Tachyarrhythmia in Congenital Heart Disease.

Amiodarone (AMD) is a class III anti-arrhythmic drug that is highly effective for tachyarrhythmia treatment. AMD is widely used in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD); however, higher doses of AMD (> 200 mg/day) can cause various non-cardiac side effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and adverse events of low-dose AMD (≤ 200 mg/day) for tachyarrhythmia in patients with CHD. We retrospectively studied 80 patients with CHD and tachyarrhythmia who received oral low-dose AMD (≤ 200 mg/day) from January 2004 to March 2016. Low-dose AMD therapy was used to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in 51 patients and ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 29 patients. After a mean follow-up of 2.9 years for SVT and 3.2 years for VT, 36% and 65% of the patients with SVT and VT, respectively, were free from a first tachyarrhythmia recurrence for 3 years. The incidence of AMD-induced side effects was 23%, and all these cases consisted of thyroid dysfunction. Low-dose AMD was effective for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia in patients with CHD and had a relatively low incidence of side effects. These findings suggest that low-dose AMD is useful and effective for decreasing the frequency of tachyarrhythmia in patients with CHD and has a low incidence of side effects.

[The oral examination and dental treatment before cord blood transplantation in aged patients and the development of oral mucositis after transplantation].

AIM: In this study, we performed intraoral examinations and dental treatment before umbilical cord blood transplantation for elderly people and investigated the development of oral mucositis after transplantation. The results of this study are reported herein. METHODS: Study period: January 2009 to December 2016. SUBJECTS: 106 patients who requested oral examinations at our department prior to cord blood transplantation. METHODS: We examined the following information from charts and nursing records: (1) blood disease; (2) history of dental treatment and the details thereof; (3) the relationship between the average number of days from the initial dental visit until transplantation and the history of dental treatment and the details thereof; (4) the relationship between the occurrence of oral mucositis after transplantation and the details of treatment; and (5) the dates of the occurrence and disappearance of oral mucositis after transplantation, along with a comparison of the levels of granulocytes and platelets between the occurrence date and the disappearance date. RESULTS: For patients who had undergone "periodontal therapy" and "tooth extraction," the average number of days from the initial dental visit to transplantation was longer than in patients not undergoing "periodontal therapy" and "tooth extraction." The levels of granulocytes and platelets at the onset of oral mucositis after transplant were lower than those at the disappearance of oral mucositis. In particular, the level of granulocytes was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: For transplant patients, a rapid intraoral examination is necessary, and it is important to start and end dental treatment at an early stage.

A novel compensating wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum Robertsonian translocation line with a positive effect on flour quality.

Wheat flours are used to produce bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, and biscuits; the various properties of these end-products are attributed to the gluten content, produced as seed storage proteins in the wheat endosperm. Thus, genes encoding gluten protein are major targets of wheat breeders aiming to improve the various properties of wheat flour. Here, we describe a novel compensating wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum Robertsonian translocation (T1AS.1EL) line involving the short arm of wheat chromosome 1A (1AS) and the long arm of Th. elongatum chromosome 1E (1EL); we developed this line through centric breakage-fusion. Compared to the common wheat cultivars Chinese Spring and Norin 61, we detected two additional 1EL-derived high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) in the T1AS.1EL plants. Based on the results of an SDS-sedimentation volume to estimate the gluten strength of T1AS.1EL-derived flour, we predict that T1AS.1EL-derived flour is better suited to bread-making than Chinese Spring- and Norin 61-derived flour and that this is because of its greater gluten diversity. Also, we were able to assign 33 of 121 wheat PCR-based Landmark Unique Gene markers to chromosome 1E of Th. elongatum. These markers can now be used for further chromosome engineering of the Th. elongatum segment of T1AS.1EL.

Errata: Developing a scale to measure "attachment to the local community" in late middle aged individuals.

Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi(JAPANESE JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH), Vol. 63 (2016) No. 11 p. 664-674: p668(Table 2).

Engineering analysis of the high-density heterotrophic cultivation of mung bean sprouts.

This study investigated the heterotrophic growth behavior of mung beans cultivated in an individual bed under water supply. The fresh weight of mung beans in the bed was estimated, and changes in temperature, and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations were recorded during the cultivation period. The specific growth rate, oxygen uptake rate, and carbon dioxide evolution rate, based on the fresh weight in the bed, were calculated. Growth under heterotrophic cultivation can be classified into the following three stages. Reductions in specific oxygen uptake rate, specific carbon dioxide evolution rate, and specific energy production rate corresponded to that of specific growth rate. Indicators of biological activity related to oxygen and carbon dioxide were evaluated quantitatively for beds under high-density heterotrophic cultivation. Moreover, the results obtained from this study successfully demonstrate that there is a relationship between the growth of mung beans and indicators of biological activity.

Glucocorticoids and erythropoietin in chronic lung disease of prematurity: Proliferative potential in lung fibroblast and epithelial cells exposed to tracheal aspirates.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of glucocorticoids, erythropoietin (EPO) and spironolactone (SPL) n human fetal lung fibroblasts and human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF) from extremely premature infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), characterized by fibrosis and changes in the alveolar epithelium. METHODS: Fibroblasts and epithelial cells (FHs 738Lu and A549, respectively) were treated with different concentrations of hydrocortisone (HDC), dexamethasone (DEX), betamethasone (BET), SPL, and EPO in the absence or presence of TAF from infants with CLD (gestational age, 25.3 ± 0.8 weeks; birthweight, 658 ± 77 g; postnatal age, 0-28 days) and assayed for proliferation. RESULTS: Exposure to TAF resulted in a concentration-dependent proliferation of fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Proliferation of TAF-exposed fibroblasts was suppressed most significantly by 100 µmol/L DEX (21%, P = 0.046) and 300 mIU/mL EPO (18%, P = 0.02) and promoted most significantly by 0.4 µmol/L HDC (10%, P = 0.04). Epithelial proliferation was promoted by 4 µmol/L HDC (15%, P = 0.04), 10 µmol/L DEX (53%, P < 0.01), 0.2 µmol/L BET (56%, P < 0.01), and 300 mIU/mL EPO (35%, P < 0.01) in the presence of TAF. Treatment with glucocorticoids alone did not significantly affect fibroblast proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoids and EPO reduced fibroproliferation while promoting epithelial cell growth in vitro within certain dose ranges. Appropriate doses of glucocorticoids and EPO may be useful in the prevention and resolution of CLD in extremely premature infants.

Developing a scale to measure "attachment to the local community" in late middle aged individuals.

Objectives This study was conducted to develop a scale for measuring "attachment to the local community" for its use in health services. The scale is also intended to nurture new social relationships in late middle-aged individuals.Methods Thirty items were initially planned to be included in the scale to measure "attachment to the local community", according to a previous study that identified the concept. The study subjects were late middle-aged residents of City B in Prefecture A, located in Tokyo suburbs. From the basic resident register data, 1,000 individuals (local residents in the 50-69 year age group) were selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique, on the basis of their residential area, age, and sex (while maintaining the male to female ratio). An unsigned self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the subjects, and the responses were collected by postal mail. The collected data was analyzed using psychometric study of scale.Results Valid responses were obtained from 583 subjects, and the response rate was 58.3%. In an item analysis, none of the items were rejected. In a subsequent factor analysis, 7 items were eliminated. These items included 2 items with a factor loading of <0.40, 3 items loading on multiple factors and showing a factor loading of ≥0.40, and 2 items with a low factor correlation (0.04-0.16). These items included factors that related to only these 2 items. Consequently, 23 items in the following 4-factor structure were selected as the scale items: "Source of vitality to live life," "Intention to cherish ties with people," "Place where one can be oneself," and "Pride of being a resident." Cronbach's coefficient α for the entire scale of "attachment to the local community" was 0.95, demonstrating internal consistency. We then examined the correlation with an existing scale to measure social support; the results revealed a statistically significant correlation and confirmed criterion-related validity (P<0.001). In addition, the fit indices in a covariance structure analysis showed adequate values.Conclusions The developed scale was considered reliable and appropriate for measuring "attachment to the local community."

A high-resolution physical map integrating an anchored chromosome with the BAC physical maps of wheat chromosome 6B.

BACKGROUND: A complete genome sequence is an essential tool for the genetic improvement of wheat. Because the wheat genome is large, highly repetitive and complex due to its allohexaploid nature, the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) chose a strategy that involves constructing bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based physical maps of individual chromosomes and performing BAC-by-BAC sequencing. Here, we report the construction of a physical map of chromosome 6B with the goal of revealing the structural features of the third largest chromosome in wheat. RESULTS: We assembled 689 informative BAC contigs (hereafter reffered to as contigs) representing 91% of the entire physical length of wheat chromosome 6B. The contigs were integrated into a radiation hybrid (RH) map of chromosome 6B, with one linkage group consisting of 448 loci with 653 markers. The order and direction of 480 contigs, corresponding to 87% of the total length of 6B, were determined. We also characterized the contigs that contained a part of the nucleolus organizer region or centromere based on their positions on the RH map and the assembled BAC clone sequences. Analysis of the virtual gene order along 6B using the information collected for the integrated map revealed the presence of several chromosomal rearrangements, indicating evolutionary events that occurred on chromosome 6B. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed a reliable physical map of chromosome 6B, enabling us to analyze its genomic structure and evolutionary progression. More importantly, the physical map should provide a high-quality and map-based reference sequence that will serve as a resource for wheat chromosome 6B.

Zymosan Induces Immune Responses Comparable with Those of Adults in Monocytes, Dendritic Cells, and Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells from Cord Blood.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated immune responses between human neonates and adults, focusing on the cytokine profiles of monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) in cord and adult blood. STUDY DESIGN: Purified monocytes, DCs, and MoDCs were stimulated with the following TLR ligands: lipopolysaccharide (TLR4), Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2), flagellin (TLR5), zymosan (TLR2), polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (TLR3), imiquimod (TLR7), and CpG (TLR9). Interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, IL-1ß, and IL-10 concentrations were analyzed in culture supernatants. RESULTS: Compared with the effects in adult blood, lipopolysaccharide-, Pam3CSK4-, flagellin-, and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid-stimulated inflammatory cytokine production in cord blood was generally weak in monocytes, comparable in DCs, and elevated in MoDCs. CpG- and imiquimod-stimulated cytokine production in DCs was comparable in cord blood and adult blood, but cytokine production was almost absent in monocytes and MoDCs in both cord blood and adult blood. In contrast, zymosan stimulation produced comparable inflammatory cytokine profiles in the monocytes, DCs, and MoDCs of cord blood and adult blood. CONCLUSION: The immaturity of TLR-mediated innate immunity in neonates depends on monocytes rather than on DCs. Our results indicate that zymosan-mediated TLR2 signaling may be useful for developing a neonatal vaccine adjuvant.