Racial Differences in Age-Related Changes in Left Ventricular Structural and Functional Echocardiographic Measurements Among Healthy Japanese and American Participants　- A Subanalysis of the World Alliance Society of Echocardiography Normal Values Study.

BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function lower the threshold for the onset of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LV parameters change also with race; however, the racial differences in age-related changes in LV parameters with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) remain unclear.Methods and Results: We performed a subanalysis of the World Alliance Society of Echocardiography Normal Values Study, an international cross-sectional study that examined normal echocardiographic values in 15 countries. The age-related changes in 2-dimensional echocardiographic derived parameters including LV size, systolic function, and mass, were compared between healthy Japanese (n=227) and healthy White (n=98) and Black (n=69) American participants. In men, age-related changes in all parameters did not differ significantly among races. However, compared with Japanese women, White American women had a smaller body surface area (BSA)-indexed LV volume, BSA-indexed LV internal dimension at end-systole, BSA-indexed LV stroke volume, and LV mass index to BSA, and a larger LV ejection fraction with age, even after adjusting for BMI, HR, and BP. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related changes in LV structure and function, which are important for the pathophysiology of HFpEF, may differ by race. Therefore, future studies examining echocardiographic reference values for each age group in each race are needed.

Lifestyle and fertility-specific quality of life affect reproductive outcomes in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Objective: A Mediterranean dietary pattern, sleeping habits, physical activity, and lifestyle appear to affect reproductive health. There are few reports about whether fertility-specific quality of life (QOL) is linked to infertility treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate when lifestyle factors and fertility-specific QOL are comprehensively considered, which factors influence assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort includes 291 women undergoing a first ART treatment at multiple centers in Japan and was designed to evaluate the influence of diet, physical activity, sleeping pattern, computer use duration, and fertility-specific quality of life tool (FertiQoL) score on ART treatment outcomes using a questionnaire. The primary endpoint was the good-quality blastocyst rate per oocyte retrieval and the secondary endpoints were a positive pregnancy test and gestational sac (GS) detection. Results: The good-quality blastocyst rate per oocyte retrieval tended to be negatively associated with frequent fish consumption. After all embryo transfer (ET) cycles, a positive pregnancy test tended to be positively associated with longer sleep and longer computer use (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.9-2.7 and OR = 1.7, CI = 1.0-2.8, respectively) and negatively associated with a smoking partner (OR = 0.6, CI = 0.3-1.0). GS detection was positively and significantly associated with frequent olive oil intake and longer computer use (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.0-3.0 and OR = 1.7, CI = 1.0-3.0, respectively). After ET cycles with a single blastocyst, a positive pregnancy test was positively and significantly associated with longer computer use (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.1-3.7), while GS detection was significantly more likely in women with longer computer use (OR = 2.1, CI = 1.1-3.8) and tended to be more likely in women with a higher FertiQoL Total scaled treatment score (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.0-3.3). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant and 0.05 ≤ p <0.01 as tendency. Conclusions: Olive oil may be an important factor in dietary habits. Fertility-specific QOL and smoking cessation guidance for partners are important for infertile couples.

The development and analysis of a Japanese modern comprehensive clinical data management training program.

Background: Clinical data management (CDM) collects, integrates, and makes data available. It plays a vital role in clinical research. However, there are few opportunities for Japanese clinical data managers to learn about its systematic framework, particularly in academic research organizations. While Japanese-language CDM training exists, its effectiveness in a Japanese context requires clarification. Objectives: We aimed to develop an advanced program of instruction for professionals to understand CDM and to determine the effectiveness of the training program. Methods and results: We developed an advanced program including risk-based monitoring and the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium on a trial basis for clinical data managers to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of CDM. Fifty-two people attended the program and reported that they were highly satisfied with it. Conclusions: To provide comprehensive CDM training in Japan, it is imperative to continue improving the content and develop an advanced program. Due to the recent tightening of clinical research regulations and the development and dissemination of various systems for conducting clinical research, the competency-based educational program requires further development.

The effectiveness of exercise programs accessible from home on children's and adolescents' emotional well-being: Systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the evidence base to date for exercise interventions/interventions that aim to increase physical activity using a modality that can be accessed from home (i.e., online or video-based programs), and its effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. Methods: A broad search was conducted using six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ERIC and Scopus) on February 23, 2022. Studies with children or adolescents between the ages 5 and 18 years were included. Of the 2527 records that were identified, nine studies met the full-inclusion criteria. Their quality was assessed by two independent researchers using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group. Meta analyses were conducted for studies that specifically assessed anxiety and depression. Results: The overall results indicated that there is some evidence suggesting the positive effects of exercise interventions delivered online in reducing children's and adolescents' anxiety (d = -0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12 to -0.86). Meanwhile, there seems to be insufficient evidence for its efficacy in reducing low mood (d = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.84 to 0.01). Motivational and coaching based interventions to increase levels of physical activity may be limited in their efficacy, whilst having children exercise along with a video or live sessions online appears promising. Conclusion: The current preliminary review revealed potential benefits of at-home interventions that had children and adolescents exercise along with a video in improving anxiety.