Distant recurrence in the cerebellar dentate nucleus through the dentato-rubro-thalamo-cortical pathway in supratentorial glioma cases.

BACKGROUND: Distant recurrence can occur by infiltration along white matter tracts or dissemination through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study aimed to clarify the clinical features and mechanisms of recurrence in the dentate nucleus (DN) in patients with supratentorial gliomas. Based on the review of our patients, we verified the hypothesis that distant DN recurrence from a supratentorial lesion occurs through the dentato-rubro-thalamo-cortical (DRTC) pathway. METHODS: A total of 380 patients with supratentorial astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant (astrocytoma), oligodendroglioma, IDH mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted (oligodendroglioma), glioblastoma, IDH-wild type (GB), and thalamic diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered (DMG), who underwent tumor resection at our department from 2009 to 2022 were included in this study. Recurrence patterns were reviewed. Additionally, clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging findings before treatment, at the appearance of an abnormal signal, and at further progression due to delayed diagnosis or after salvage treatment of cases with recurrence in the DN were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 380 patients, 8 (2.1%) had first recurrence in the DN, 3 were asymptomatic when abnormal signals appeared, and 5 were diagnosed within one month after the onset of symptoms. Recurrence in the DN developed in 8 (7.4%) of 108 cases of astrocytoma, GB, or DMG at the frontal lobe or thalamus, whereas no other histological types or sites showed recurrence in the DN. At the time of the appearance of abnormal signals, a diffuse lesion developed at the hilus of the DN. The patterns of further progression showed that the lesions extended to the superior cerebellar peduncle, tectum, tegmentum, red nucleus, thalamus, and internal capsule along the DRTC pathway. CONCLUSION: Distant recurrence along the DRTC pathway is not rare in astrocytomas, GB, or DMG at the frontal lobe or thalamus. Recurrence in the DN developed as a result of the infiltration of tumor cells through the DRTC pathway, not dissemination through the CSF.

Decreased ß-hydroxybutyrate and ketogenic amino acid levels in depressed human adults.

ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a major ketone body synthesized mainly in the liver mitochondria and is associated with stress and severity of depression in humans. It is known to alleviate depressive-like behaviors in mouse models of depression. In this study, plasma BHB, ketogenic and glucogenic amino acids selected from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Community-Based Cohort Study were analysed and measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was utilized to select adult participants with depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16; n = 5722) and control participants (CES-D < 16; n = 18,150). We observed significantly reduced plasma BHB, leucine, and tryptophan levels in participants with depressive symptoms. Using social defeat stress (SDS) mice models, we found that BHB levels in mice sera increased after acute SDS, but showed no change after chronic SDS, which differed from human plasma results. Furthermore, acute SDS increased mitochondrial BHB levels in the prefrontal cortex at 6 h. In contrast, chronic SDS significantly increased the amount of food intake but reduced hepatic mitochondrial BHB levels in mice. Moreover, gene transcriptions of voltage-dependent anion-selective channel 1 (Vdac1) and monocarboxylic acid transporter 1 (Mct1), major molecules relevant to mitochondrial biogenesis and BHB transporter, significantly decreased in the liver and PFC after chronic SDS exposure. These results provide evidence that hepatic and prefrontal mitochondrial biogenesis plays an important role in BHB synthesis under chronic stress and in humans with depressive symptoms.

Blood data trends of children in Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Fukushima health management survey.

BACKGROUND: After the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 and the subsequent accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company-operated Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Fukushima Prefecture government initiated the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS) to assess the long-term health effects of the disaster on Fukushima residents. The blood tests of children aged ≤15 years between 2011 and 2012 did not reveal any changes regarding peripheral blood data; however, long-term monitoring is still necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term health status of children aged ≤15 years who had evacuated the Fukushima Prefecture. METHODS: From 2011 to 2018, 71,250 evacuees aged 15 years or younger participated in the FMHS and were subjected to blood tests. By analyzing the data of the comprehensive health check survey managed by the FHMS, we examined the changes in hemoglobin (Hb) levels, white blood cell (WBC) counts, including fractions, and platelet (PLT) counts among children from 2011 to 2018. RESULTS: Minor fluctuations in Hb levels, PLT counts, and WBC counts were observed during the study period, but the central 95% intervals of distribution of the laboratory values were generally within previously reported reference intervals. In particular, there was no increase in the proportions of patients with anemia, polycythemia, or deviating WBC counts. CONCLUSION: From 2011 to 2018, there was no increase in the percentages of children with anemia, polycythemia, or deviating WBC counts among the Fukushima Prefecture evacuees.

ß-Resorcylic Acid Derivatives, with Their Phytotoxic Activities, from the Endophytic Fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae in the Mangrove Plant Xylocarpus granatum.

Nine new ß-resorcylic acid derivatives, (15S)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (1), (13S,15S)-13-hydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (2), (14S,15S)-14-hydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (3), (13R,14S,15S)-13,14-dihydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (4), ethyl (S)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-(8-hydroxynonyl)benzoate (5), ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(8-hydroxyheptyl)benzoate (6), ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(4-methoxycarbonylbutyl)benzoate (7), 3-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (8), and isobutyl (S)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-(8-hydroxynonyl)benzoate (9), together with a known ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(8-oxononyl)benzoate (10) were obtained from Lasiodiplodia theobromae GC-22. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 3, and 6 showed growth inhibitory effects against Digitaria ciliaris. Conversely, treatment with compounds 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 stimulated elongation activity toward the root of Lactuca sativa. These data expand the repertoire of new ß-resorcylic acid derivatives that may function as lead compounds in the synthesis of new agrochemical agents.

Diagnostic yield of seizure recordings and neuroimaging in patients with focal epilepsy without interictal epileptiform discharges.

OBJECTIVE: Repeated routine electroencephalography (EEG) or even long-term video-EEG monitoring (VEM) does not always record interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in some patients with epilepsy. The present study investigated whether focal seizures detected by VEM and focal abnormalities on neuroimaging are useful for the diagnosis of patients with focal epilepsy without IEDs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 409 consecutive patients with focal epilepsy (207 men, aged 9 to 76 years) who underwent 4- or 5-day VEM, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for diagnosis to identify patients without IEDs. The occurrence of focal seizures during VEM and the presence of focal abnormalities on neuroimaging were investigated in those patients. The occurrence rate of seizures during VEM was investigated in patients with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly seizure frequency based on history-taking. RESULTS: Ninety-five (23.2%) of 409 patients with focal epilepsy did not have IEDs. Fifty-five (57.9%) of the 95 patients had focal seizures during VEM. Fifty-four patients (56.8%) showed focal abnormalities compatible with seizure semiology on neuroimaging investigations. Neither seizure recordings nor neuroimaging abnormalities were seen in 16 (16.8%) of the 95 patients. The occurrence rate of seizures during VEM depended on the seizure frequency at history-taking. However, 28 (45.9%) of 61 patients with monthly and yearly seizure frequency had focal seizures during 4- or 5-day VEM with seizure induction. CONCLUSIONS: Video-EEG monitoring can detect focal seizures in patients with focal epilepsy but no IEDs. Comprehensive assessment including VEM and neuroimaging study is important for the diagnosis.

Atrophy of the ipsilateral mammillary body in unilateral hippocampal sclerosis shown by thin-slice-reconstructed volumetric analysis.

PURPOSE: Conventional volumetric analysis could not detect ipsilateral atrophy of the mammillary body in patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis. By using thin-slice-reconstructed volumetric analysis, we investigated whether the mammillary body volume is smaller on the hippocampal sclerosis side than in healthy subjects or the non-hippocampal sclerosis side. METHODS: This retrospective study included 45 patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis and 30 healthy subjects. Three-dimensional T1WI of 1 mm thicknesses were oversampled to a thickness of 0.2 mm (thin-slice-reconstructed images), and the mammillary bodies were segmented manually to determine mammillary body volume on each side. Mammillary body volumes on the hippocampal sclerosis side were compared with those in healthy subjects or the non-hippocampal sclerosis side. RESULTS: In patients with right hippocampal sclerosis, right mammillary body volume was both significantly smaller than that in healthy subjects (30.3 ± 10.3 vs. 43.3 ± 8.07 mm3, P < 0.001) and significantly smaller than the left mammillary body volume in each patient (30.3 ± 10.3 vs. 41.4 ± 10.1 mm3, P < 0.001). Similarly, in patients with left hippocampal sclerosis, left mammillary body volume was both significantly smaller than that in healthy subjects (37.7 ± 11.2 vs. 47.0 ± 8.65 mm3, P < 0.001) and significantly smaller than right mammillary body volume in each patient (37.7 ± 11.2 vs. 42.5 ± 7.78 mm3, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, thin-slice-reconstructed volumetric analysis showed that, in patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis, mammillary body volume on the hippocampal sclerosis side is smaller than that in healthy subjects and the non-hippocampal sclerosis side.

Lentinula edodes Genome Survey and Postharvest Transcriptome Analysis.

Lentinula edodes is a popular, cultivated edible and medicinal mushroom. Lentinula edodes is susceptible to postharvest problems, such as gill browning, fruiting body softening, and lentinan degradation. We constructed a de novo assembly draft genome sequence and performed gene prediction for Lentinula edodesDe novo assembly was carried out using short reads from paired-end and mate-paired libraries and by using long reads by PacBio, resulting in a contig number of 1,951 and an N50 of 1 Mb. Furthermore, we predicted genes by Augustus using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data from the whole life cycle of Lentinula edodes, resulting in 12,959 predicted genes. This analysis revealed that Lentinula edodes lacks lignin peroxidase. To reveal genes involved in the loss of quality of Lentinula edodes postharvest fruiting bodies, transcriptome analysis was carried out using serial analysis of gene expression (SuperSAGE). This analysis revealed that many cell wall-related enzymes are upregulated after harvest, such as ß-1,3-1,6-glucan-degrading enzymes in glycoside hydrolase (GH) families GH5, GH16, GH30, GH55, and GH128, and thaumatin-like proteins. In addition, we found that several chitin-related genes are upregulated, such as putative chitinases in GH family 18, exochitinases in GH20, and a putative chitosanase in GH family 75. The results suggest that cell wall-degrading enzymes synergistically cooperate for rapid fruiting body autolysis. Many putative transcription factor genes were upregulated postharvest, such as genes containing high-mobility-group (HMG) domains and zinc finger domains. Several cell death-related proteins were also upregulated postharvest.IMPORTANCE Our data collectively suggest that there is a rapid fruiting body autolysis system in Lentinula edodes The genes for the loss of postharvest quality newly found in this research will be targets for the future breeding of strains that keep fresh longer than present strains. De novoLentinula edodes genome assembly data will be used for the construction of a complete Lentinula edodes chromosome map for future breeding.

Ischemic White Matter Lesions Associated With Medullary Arteries: Classification of MRI Findings Based on the Anatomic Arterial Distributions.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this article are to describe the important role of the medullary arteries in the pathogenesis of cerebral vascular disease and to present a classification of MRI findings of ischemic white matter lesions for use in elucidating pathogenesis. CONCLUSION: From the viewpoint of the anatomy of the medullary arteries, the pattern of medullary artery-related ischemic changes and infarcts can be classified into four types: 1, ischemic leukoaraiosis; 2, infarcts involving individual medullary arteries; 3, watershed infarcts; and 4, territorial infarcts.

Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging optic nerve parameters to optical coherence tomography and the visual field in glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To determine the viability of using magnetic resonance imaging measurement of optic nerve morphology as an objective analysis of glaucomatous damage. DESIGN: Retrospective study conducted at Tohoku University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 19 patients with open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Patients were scanned with T2-weighted and 3-T diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, and parameters of the optic nerve, including fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient and cross-sectional area, were determined. Conventional parameters of glaucomatous damage, including circumpapillary and macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and mean deviation and average total deviation of the central 16 test points from the Humphrey Field Analyzer, were then compared with the magnetic resonance imaging-derived parameters. Spearman's coefficient of correlation was calculated to determine the significance of the correlation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Correlation coefficient between the magnetic resonance imaging parameters and the parameters of glaucomatous damage. RESULTS: Mean deviation was significantly correlated with all magnetic resonance imaging parameters (fractional anisotropy: r = 0.53, apparent diffusion coefficient: r = -0.44, cross-sectional area: r = 0.70). Circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was significantly correlated with fractional anisotropy (r = 0.60) and cross-sectional area (r = 0.47), but not apparent diffusion coefficient (r = -0.29). Central macular function and macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness were also significantly correlated with magnetic resonance imaging parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Optic nerve magnetic resonance imaging parameters were significantly correlated to glaucomatous damage. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the optic nerve may, thus, have value as an objective instrument to assess glaucomatous degeneration, including the function of the macula.

The exp2 gene, which encodes a protein with two zinc finger domains, regulates cap expansion and autolysis in Coprinopsis cinerea.

Cap expansion in agaricoid mushroom species is an important event for sexual reproduction because meiosis occurs in basidia under the cap, and basidiospores can be released by opening the cap. However, molecular mechanisms underlying cap expansion in basidiomycetes remain poorly understood. We aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cap expansion in basidiomycetes by analyzing the unique cap-expansionless UV mutant #13 (exp2-1) in Coprinopsis cinerea. Linkage analysis and consequent genome sequence analysis revealed that the gene responsible for the mutant phenotypes encodes a putative transcription factor with two C2H2 zinc finger motifs. The mutant that was genome-edited to lack exp2 exhibited an expansionless phenotype. Some of the genes encoding cell wall degradation-related enzymes showed decreased expression during cap expansion and autolysis in the exp2 UV and genome-edited mutant. The exp2 gene is widely conserved in Agaricomycetes, suggesting that Exp2 homologs regulate fruiting body maturation in Agaricomycetes, especially cap expansion in Agaricoid-type mushroom-forming fungi. Therefore, exp2 homologs could be a target for mushroom breeding to maintain shape after harvest for some cultivating mushrooms, presenting a promising avenue for further research in breeding techniques.

Quercetin stimulates trophoblast fusion via the mitochondrial function.

The fusion of mononuclear trophoblasts into multinucleate syncytiotrophoblasts is the critical event in the process of syncytialization, and its dysregulation can lead to pregnancy complications, notably hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Oxidative stress may disrupt trophoblast syncytialization in HDP. Specifically, placentas with HDP exhibit impaired mitochondria, giving rise to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative stress. Quercetin, a bioflavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-aging properties, has the potential to mitigate oxidative stress during trophoblast syncytialization. However, the precise mechanism underlying the action of quercetin in these processes remains to be elucidated. To explore the impact of quercetin on syncytialization, mitochondrial function, and ROS generation, cyclic AMP-stimulated BeWo cells were treated with quercetin. The expression of markers associated with cell fusion, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress was determined using qPCR and western blotting. Additionally, morphological syncytialization and mitophagy (mitochondrial degradation) were assessed by immunofluorescence analysis. Our results revealed that quercetin increased the expression of syncytialization markers and promoted cell fusion. Furthermore, this compound also upregulated markers associated with mitophagy and mitochondrial fusion, which are corroborated by visual evidence of mitophagy through the fluorescence microscope. Cell fusion naturally stimulated ROS generation, which was attenuated by quercetin. Quercetin downregulated the expression of NRF2 and HO-1 during syncytialization, while increasing the expression of sirtuin1/3/6, which are known to play essential roles in antioxidant responses. In conclusion, quercetin effectively regulates mitochondrial function through its antioxidant properties and the suppression of ROS generation, ultimately promoting trophoblast fusion, suggesting that the flavonoid has the potential to ameliorate pregnancy-related disorder stemming from placental dysplasia.

Problems experienced when swallowing solid oral dosage forms in older Japanese patients with dysphagia: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the difficulty in taking solid oral dosage forms (SODFs) among older people with dysphagia and clarify the relationship between difficulty in swallowing SODFs and swallowing function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Outpatients from a dysphagia clinic aged ≥65 years were asked yes-or-no questions about the applicability of eight items regarding difficulty in taking SODFs. Additionally, a videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed to assess their swallowing function. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used to analyze the relationship between difficulty in taking SODFs and swallowing function. RESULTS: Among the 93 participants, the average number of SODFs consumed was 5.8 ± 3.1. In the questionnaire, the average number of "yes" answers was 2.2 ± 2.2, and 65 patients (71.0%) answered "yes" to at least one question. Additionally, no significant relationship was observed between the perceived difficulty in swallowing SODFs and VFSS findings. CONCLUSION: Approximately 70% of participants reported subjective difficulty in taking SODFs, showing that patients uniformly reported perceived difficulty in taking SODFs regardless of actual swallowing function. The results of this study suggest that patients must be questioned thoroughly about their SODFs use, regardless of the objective severity of their dysphagia.

"Caterpillar sign" in corpus callosum associated with curvilinear pericallosal lipoma in MRI: A case report.

Lipoma of the corpus callosum, also known as pericallosal lipoma, is a rare congenital brain abnormality associated with corpus callosum dysgenesis or agenesis. Two morphological types are described: tubulonodular and curvilinear, with the latter being mostly asymptomatic. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with epilepsy, whose magnetic resonance imaging revealed a "caterpillar sign" in the corpus callosum associated with a curvilinear pericallosal lipoma. The "caterpillar sign" in the corpus callosum showed low signal intensity on magnetization prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo, high signal on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and low on susceptibility-weighted imaging, possibly indicating abnormal blood vessels penetrating from the ventricle to the posterior callosal vein. We need to be conscious of this unusual finding, particularly when considering surgical intervention in the corpus callosum in cases of pericallosal lipoma, to avoid vascular complications.

Impact of Changes in Lifestyle and Psychological Factors on the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Follow-up of the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

AIM: The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused lifestyle changes and psychological distress in residents living near the plant. This study clarified the associations between changes in residents' lifestyles and psychological factors with the onset of metabolic syndrome (METs) after the accident. METHODS: This longitudinal study included 10,373 residents who underwent the Comprehensive Health Check and Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. Follow-up surveys were conducted between FY 2014 and FY 2017. Lifestyle changes and the METs incidence were evaluated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: METs developed in 14.0% of subjects. In addition to metabolic factors, such as the body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, there were differences in physical activity, fast walking, eating fast, eating habits before bedtime, skipping breakfast, current smoking, and alcohol intake between subjects with and without new-onset METs. Eating fast, current smoking, and drinking alcohol were positively associated with new-onset METs, whereas starting physical activity and fast walking were inversely associated with new-onset METs. CONCLUSIONS: Disaster-related lifestyle changes, such as eating fast, starting to smoke, and continued alcohol intake, were risk factors for new-onset METs after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Successful cultivation of black morel, Morchella sp. in Japan.

True morels (Morchella spp.) are economically important edible fungi cultivated mainly in China. Japan is one of the top importers of morels, but there are no reports on the distribution of major cultivated species. To investigate the possibility of black morel cultivation in Japan, phylogenetic analysis, mating-type analysis, and field cultivation tests were conducted using domestically collected strains. A total of 172 strains were isolated from the spores of wild ascomata collected from 15 locations. Mating-type analysis for 118 strains revealed 28 strains had only MAT1-1-1, 40 strains had only MAT1-2-1, and 48 strains had both MAT genes. Seven strains were inoculated in March 2020 at the field cultivation test site. Mycelial growth and conidial layer formation were observed within a month. Ascomata were observed in April 2021 for one of the tested strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both the observed ascomata and fruited strains were Morchella sp. Mel-21, which is one of the cultivated species in China. Moreover, no antagonism was observed in the somatic incompatibility test between strains isolated from observed ascomata and spawn strain. These results suggest that the ascomata originated in the inoculated spawn, a finding that will contribute to commercial morel cultivation in Japan.

Integracide derivatives produced by endophyte Fusarium armeniacum M-3 isolated from Digitaria ciliaris.

Two new integracides, dedimethyl integracide B (1) and integracide K (2), were isolated from rice cultures of Fusarium armeniacum M-3, an endophyte isolated from Digitaria ciliaris, together with the known terpenoids, integracide B (3) and 2-deoxy-integracide B (4). Assignment of the signals in the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 1 and 2 was achieved using DEPT, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa cells.

A Case of Haemorrhagic-Onset Glioblastoma With Delayed Diagnosis.

Glioblastoma sometimes develops with acute onset due to intracerebral hemorrhage. Although it is sometimes difficult to diagnose patients with hemorrhagic-onset glioblastoma at the acute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the progressive enlargement of perifocal edema or the development of contrast-enhanced lesion triggers the diagnosis of glioblastoma within six months. Herein, we present a rare case of glioblastoma in which the diagnosis was delayed as long as 17 months after ICH. A 62-year-old man presented with a headache and aphasia. Computed tomography revealed ICH in the left temporal lobe. Magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed that the hematoma had a mix of isointense and surrounding hypointense lesions on T1-weighted MR images and gadolinium-enhanced lesions at the wall and the septum of the hematoma. An endoscopic evacuation of the hematoma was performed. No causative lesions were found during intraoperative and histological examinations. After seven months, abnormal signals were completely resolved on MR images, except for the small and stable enhanced lesion on three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging (3D Gd-T1WI) at the base of the hematoma, which did not change in size for seven months. However, a large gadolinium-enhanced lesion at the left temporal lobe developed 17 months after ICH. He underwent total resection of the lesion and was diagnosed with glioblastoma. He received radiation therapy and temozolomide but died of disseminated recurrence 31 months after ICH. In conclusion, this report presents a didactic case of glioblastoma in which the diagnosis of glioblastoma was delayed 17 months after ICH whereas hemorrhagic-onset glioblastoma was previously considered ruled out in cases in which six months or more have passed after ICH. In order not to overlook these cases, follow-up with 3D Gd-T1WI is essential in the case of suspected tumor-related ICH and close follow-up is recommended when the enhanced lesion does not resolve after a long period even if it does not grow.

Impact of Lifestyle and Psychosocial Factors on the Incidence of Hepatobiliary Enzyme Abnormalities After the Great East Japan Earthquake: Seven-Year Follow-up of the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Residents who lived near the Fukushima Power Plant accident were forced to change their lifestyle after the 2011 accident. This study aimed to elucidate the association of resident lifestyle and psychological factors with onset of hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities (HEA) after the accident. METHODS: This longitudinal study included 15705 residents who underwent a comprehensive health check, as well as a mental health and lifestyle survey between June 2011 and March 2012. Follow-up surveys were conducted between June, 2012 and March 2018. Risk factors for new HEA onset were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model, moreover, population attributable risks for new HEA onset were calculated. RESULTS: HEA developed in 29.7% of subjects. In addition to metabolic factors such as overweight, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia; there were differences in alcohol intake, evacuation, unemployment, educational background, and psychological distress between subjects with and without HEA onset. After we adjusted for potential confounding factors, an association of being overweight, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, as well as alcohol consumption, evacuation, and psychological distress with increased risk of HEA onset was realized. Among these identified risk factors, evacuation accounted for the greatest share. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic characteristics and disaster-related lifestyle aspects, including mental status, were risk factors for HAE onset after the Fukushima Power Plant accident.

Identification of upregulated genes in Tricholoma matsutake mycorrhiza.

Many plant roots associate with fungi to form mycorrhizae; tree roots especially associate with ectomycorrhizal fungi, such as Tricholoma species. Tricholoma matsutake is an economically important fungus in Asian countries and usually inhabits forests primarily composed of Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine). In this study, to understand the mycorrhizal association between T. matsutake and P. densiflora, genes specifically expressed in mycorrhiza compared with those expressed in mycelia and fruiting bodies were identified by RNA-seq. This revealed that genes for chromatin, proteasomes, signal transduction, pheromones, cell surface receptors, cytoskeleton, RNA processing and transporters from T. matsutake were highly expressed in mycorrhiza. It also identified 35 mycorrhiza-induced small secreted proteins (MiSSPs) that were highly expressed in mycorrhiza. Meanwhile, genes for proteases, defence-related proteins, cell-wall degradation, signal transduction, pinene synthesis, plant hormones and transporters from P. densiflora were highly expressed in mycorrhiza. These genes may be involved in mycorrhizal formation and maintenance. A MiSSP, 1460819, was highly expressed in mycorrhiza, and this expression was maintained for 24 months. These results provide insight into the mycorrhizal association between T. matsutake and P. densiflora.

Two case reports using a proposed oral risk assessment tool for older people near the end of life.

OBJECTIVES: We developed a prototype technique that expresses the need for intervention and the effectiveness of the treatment when "not being at risk of injury to the oral cavity or to general health" due to the presence of teeth or prostheses is taken as the desired outcome of dental treatment for older people near the end of life. The objective of this study was to use the prototype risk assessment matrix to identify the risk for each patient according to their course and show the effectiveness of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We produced a prototype Dental Risk Map (Dental R-map) based on the risk map method of risk management. Risk is classified into three levels according to the level of tolerability: (A) Risk for which watchful waiting should be included among measures to be considered; (B) risk for which intervention should be considered; or (C) risk requiring urgent intervention. RESULTS: We report the application of this technique to two men in their 80s. Both were assessed as risk tolerability Level C, requiring immediate intervention. Dental treatment eliminated this risk in one and reduced it to Level B in the other. CONCLUSIONS: We developed the prototype Dental R-map to identify oral risks and indicate the need for intervention to address these risks and the effectiveness of treatment for older people near the end of life. We used the Dental R-map for two patients and successfully avoided oral risks that might cause physical injury in both cases until their deaths.