Combined Exercise and Education Program: Effect of Smaller Group Size and Longer Duration on Physical Function and Social Engagement among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Exercise, education, and social engagement are critical interventions for older adults for a healthy life expectancy and to improve their physical function. Objective: To conduct a combined exercise and education (CEE) program for improved social engagement and physical function of older adults. Design: Based on a short-term program we conducted in our previous study, in this study, the program was conducted for half the number of participants of the earlier study but for a longer duration. Setting: A community of older adults in Ami, Japan, was the setting of the study. Participants: 23 healthy older adults >65 years living in the community were the participants in the study. Interventions: Five 80-minute sessions conducted once in two weeks comprised 60-min exercise instruction and 20-min educational lectures per session on health. We examined the improvement in physical and social engagement before and after participation. Physical function and health-related questionnaire data were collected before and after the program. Results: Data analysis from 15 participants showed improved physical performance but no effect on social engagement. Conclusions: A higher program frequency, rather than program duration, may be vital to improving exercise performance and social engagement and maximizing the effects of high group cohesion in small groups. Further studies are needed to develop more effective interventions to extend healthy life expectancy.

Atomic resolution electron microscopy in a magnetic field free environment.

Atomic-resolution electron microscopes utilize high-power magnetic lenses to produce magnified images of the atomic details of matter. Doing so involves placing samples inside the magnetic objective lens, where magnetic fields of up to a few tesla are always exerted. This can largely alter, or even destroy, the magnetic and physical structures of interest. Here, we describe a newly developed magnetic objective lens system that realizes a magnetic field free environment at the sample position. Combined with a higher-order aberration corrector, we achieve direct, atom-resolved imaging with sub-Å spatial resolution with a residual magnetic field of less than 0.2 mT at the sample position. This capability enables direct atom-resolved imaging of magnetic materials such as silicon steels. Removing the need to subject samples to high magnetic field environments enables a new stage in atomic resolution electron microscopy that realizes direct, atomic-level observation of samples without unwanted high magnetic field effects.

An interpretation of the neonatal period definition obtained with echocardiographic examination by using change point regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: We had reported on the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) in normal children from the premature/neonatal period to the adolescence period by using two-dimensional echocardiography, and formulated equations to evaluate normal LVDd values by using body height as an index. There was an inflection point at around birth that seemed relevant to the fetal and neonatal periods for the relation of LVDd and body height. METHODS: We aimed to reveal the true inflection point and its meaning by using change point regression analysis. The study group consisted of 421 neonates and infants. The ages at examination ranged from 24 weeks' gestation to 1 year after birth. The subjects' body heights at examination were between 31 and 75 cm. RESULTS: The analysis showed no definite inflection point in height, and a flat bottom was observed between body heights of 48 and 55 cm. The inflection range seemed to mean the duration of the neonatal period, which connects the fetal and infantile periods. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that neonates reach the infantile period slower than usually imagined, and the end of the neonatal period may be at the age when the body height is around 55 cm- in other words, at 2 months after birth. This manuscript might be the first one to consider the definition of the neonatal period using cardiovascular methods.

Enhanced light element imaging in atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy.

We show that an imaging mode based on taking the difference between signals recorded from the bright field (forward scattering region) in atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy provides an enhancement of the detectability of light elements over existing techniques. In some instances this is an enhancement of the visibility of the light element columns relative to heavy element columns. In all cases explored it is an enhancement in the signal-to-noise ratio of the image at the light column site. The image formation mechanisms are explained and the technique is compared with earlier approaches. Experimental data, supported by simulation, are presented for imaging the oxygen columns in LaAlO3. Case studies looking at imaging hydrogen columns in YH2 and lithium columns in Al3Li are also explored through simulation, particularly with respect to the dependence on defocus, probe-forming aperture angle and detector collection aperture angles.

Functional variants in the thromboxane A2 receptor gene are associated with lung function in childhood-onset asthma.

BACKGROUND: The thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) gene is associated with asthma, but no functional genetic variations are known to associate with the disease or its related phenotypes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of TBXA2R polymorphisms with asthma susceptibility and related phenotypes and to identify functionally relevant polymorphisms. METHODS: We performed comprehensive sequencing of the TBXA2R gene in 48 Japanese control subjects and found a set of variants (SNP1 G>T rs2238634, SNP2 T>G rs2238633, SNP3 C>T rs2238632 and SNP4 G>A rs2238631) in intron 1 in linkage disequilibrium with c.795 T>C rs1131882, which was previously reported to be associated with asthma and related phenotypes. To investigate the effect of four common haplotypes (H1, H2, H3 and H4) on transcriptional activity, we performed a luciferase assay in primary bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) and human airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). We also studied the haplotype association with lung function, TBXA2R mRNA levels, and eosinophil fraction/count in peripheral blood in childhood-onset asthma patients and/or controls. RESULTS: H2 and H4, containing minor alleles of SNP2 and SNP3, had significantly higher transcriptional activities than H1 consisting of major alleles (P < 0.001 in BSMCs and BEAS-2B). Homozygotes for redefined haplotype h2 corresponding to minor alleles of SNP2 and SNP3 were associated with lower lung function in childhood-onset asthma patients compared to other zygotes (baseline Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/ Forced vital capacity (FVC) and Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC (%FEF(25-75%)): P = 0.00201 and 0.0128, respectively, and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC and %FEF(25-75%): P = 0.00224 and 0.0393 respectively). Haplotype h2 was also associated with higher mRNA levels in control peripheral blood cells and higher blood eosinophil fractions and counts in female controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Genetic variants were identified in the TBXA2R gene that influenced transcriptional activity and were associated with asthma-related phenotypes. Thromboxane pathways may therefore play important roles in airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma patients.

Lin28a is a putative factor in regulating cancer stem cell-like properties in side population cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are among the target cells of cancer therapy because they are uniquely involved in both cancer progression and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. We identified side population (SP) cells, which are known to be an enriched population of CSC, in five oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (SCC9, SCC25, TOSCC7, TOSCC17, and TOSCC23). The percentages of SP cells ranged from 0% to 3.3%, with TOSCC23 cells showing the highest percentages of SP cells (3.3% of the total cell population). The SP cells isolated from TOSCC23 cells also showed greater cell proliferation and invasion compared to non-SP (MP) cells. Therefore, our initial findings suggested that SP cells were enriched for CSC-like cells. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of cell proliferation-related and anti-apoptotic genes was greater in SP cells compared to MP cells. We focused on Lin28a, which showed the highest expression (approximately 22-fold) among the upregulated genes. The overexpression of Lin28a in TOSCC23 cells increased their proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. These findings suggest that Lin28a is an appropriate CSC target molecule for OSCC treatment.

Usefulness of an anesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa™) in sevoflurane anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The anesthetic conserving device (AnaConDaTM) is a disposable vaporizer that can save consumption of inhalational anesthetic used in low sevoflurane concentration. This study was performed to investigate whether AnaConDa when used at high sevoflurane concentration (1.5% to 2.0%) could save sevoflurane consumption and hasten emergence from anesthesia without any adverse effects. METHODS: Thirty patients for ear surgery were equally divided into AnaConDa and control groups. Anesthesia was induced with intravenous anesthetics. After intubation sevoflurane inhalation started by infusion at 25 mL/h in the AnaConDa group and by inhalation of 2.0% (conventional vaporizer setting) in the control group. During anesthesia, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was kept between 1.5 and 2.0% in both groups. The time to first detection of end-tidal sevoflurane, the time to sevoflurane concentration reached 1.5%, sevoflurane consumption, and emergence time were compared between the two groups. Adverse effects were checked. RESULTS: Sevoflurane consumption was smaller, time to first detection of end-tidal sevoflurane was longer, time to sevoflurane concentration reached 1.5% was longer, emergence time was shorter, and decrease of end-tidal sevoflurane concentration after stop of administration was faster in the AnaConDa group significantly. Clear Water accumulation with no smell in the filter was observed in 12 of 15 patients in the AnaConDa group. CONCLUSION: In general anesthesia with sevoflurane 1.5% to 2.0%, AnaConDa could save sevoflurane consumption and fasten emergence from anesthesia compared to conventional vaporizer, while water accumulation in the filter should be cautioned.

Incidence of childhood pneumonia and serotype and sequence-type distribution in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Japan.

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is reported to decrease the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. To determine the annual incidence of CAP before the introduction of PCV7, we counted the number of children hospitalized with CAP between 2008 and 2009 in Chiba City, Japan. We investigated serotype and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in CAP cases. The annual incidence of hospitalized CAP in children aged <5 years was 17.6 episodes/1000 child-years. In 626 episodes, S. pneumoniae was dominant in 14.7% and 0.8% of sputum and blood samples, respectively. The most common serotypes were 6B, 23F and 19F. The coverage rates of PCV7 were 66.7% and 80% in sputum samples and blood samples, respectively. MLST analysis revealed 37 sequence types. Furthermore, 54.1% of the sputum isolates and 40% of the blood isolate were related to international multidrug-resistant clones.

Prevalence and impact of rhinitis in asthma. SACRA, a cross-sectional nation-wide study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and rhinitis are common co-morbidities everywhere in the world but nation-wide studies assessing rhinitis in asthmatics using questionnaires based on guidelines are not available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, classification, and severity of rhinitis using the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) criteria in Japanese patients with diagnosed and treated asthma. METHODS: The study was performed from March to August 2009. Patients in physicians' waiting rooms, or physicians themselves, filled out questionnaires on rhinitis and asthma based on ARIA and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) diagnostic guides. The patients answered questions on the severity of the diseases and a Visual Analog Scale. Their physicians made the diagnosis of rhinitis. RESULTS: In this study, 1910 physicians enrolled 29,518 asthmatics; 15,051 (51.0%) questionnaires were administered by physician, and 26,680 (90.4%) patients were evaluable. Self- and physician-administered questionnaires gave similar results. Rhinitis was diagnosed in 68.5% of patients with self-administered questionnaires and 66.2% with physician-administered questionnaires. In this study, 994 (7.6%) patients with self-administered and 561 (5.2%) patients with physician-administered questionnaires indicated rhinitis symptoms on the questionnaires without a physician's diagnosis of rhinitis. Most patients with the physician's diagnosis of rhinitis had moderate/severe rhinitis. Asthma control was significantly impaired in patients with a physician's diagnosis of rhinitis for all GINA clinical criteria except exacerbations. There were significantly more patients with uncontrolled asthma as defined by GINA in those with a physician's diagnosis of rhinitis (25.4% and 29.7%) by comparison with those without rhinitis (18.0% and 22.8%). CONCLUSION: Rhinitis is common in asthma and impairs asthma control.

Bmi1 is a MYCN target gene that regulates tumorigenesis through repression of KIF1Bbeta and TSLC1 in neuroblastoma.

Recent advances in neuroblastoma (NB) research addressed that epigenetic alterations such as hypermethylation of promoter sequences, with consequent silencing of tumor-suppressor genes, can have significant roles in the tumorigenesis of NB. However, the exact role of epigenetic alterations, except for DNA hypermethylation, remains to be elucidated in NB research. In this paper, we clarified the direct binding of MYCN to Bmi1 promoter and upregulation of Bmi1 transcription by MYCN. Mutation introduction into an MYCN binding site in the Bmi1 promoter suggests that MYCN has more important roles in the transcription of Bmi1 than E2F-related Bmi1 regulation. A correlation between MYCN and polycomb protein Bmi1 expression was observed in primary NB tumors. Expression of Bmi1 resulted in the acceleration of proliferation and colony formation in NB cells. Bmi1-related inhibition of NB cell differentiation was confirmed by neurite extension assay and analysis of differentiation marker molecules. Intriguingly, the above-mentioned Bmi1-related regulation of the NB cell phenotype seems not to be mediated only by p14ARF/p16INK4a in NB cells. Expression profiling analysis using a tumor-specific cDNA microarray addressed the Bmi1-dependent repression of KIF1Bbeta and TSLC1, which have important roles in predicting the prognosis of NB. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that KIF1Bbeta and TSLC1 are direct targets of Bmi1 in NB cells. These findings suggest that MYCN induces Bmi1 expression, resulting in the repression of tumor suppressors through Polycomb group gene-mediated epigenetic chromosome modification. NB cell proliferation and differentiation seem to be partially dependent on the MYCN/Bmi1/tumor-suppressor pathways.

Artifact reduction of susceptibility-weighted imaging using a short-echo phase mask.

BACKGROUND: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is utilized in magnetic resonance (MR) venography and other applications, but can include artifacts caused by the phase-masking process. PURPOSE: To demonstrate risks of filter processes used in making phase masks for SWI, and to propose a simple method for reducing artifacts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phase linearity related to echo time (TE) was evaluated for the original phase and high-pass-filtered phase using a CuSO(4)-doped water phantom. Effect of filter size of the Hanning window and background homogeneity were also evaluated in a phantom study. Use of a phase mask generated by data with differing magnitudes of TE was attempted in a human study. Shorter TE was used for making the phase mask, and the number of multiplications was increased. As short and long TEs were necessary simultaneously for phase mask and T2* contrast, a dual-echo technique was used. RESULTS: Linearity of TE and phase value collapsed, and an unexpected negative phase appeared in the high-pass-filtered phase. Using a short-TE phase mask, phase-aliasing artifacts were reduced and visibility of deep veins was equivalent to that under conventional methods with an increased number of multiplications. CONCLUSION: Use of a short-echo phase mask in SWI is useful for reducing artifacts.

Differential ozone sensitivity of rice cultivars as indicated by visible injury and grain yield.

Surface ozone pollution may cause reductions in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield. Ozone sensitivity in rice cultivars is often evaluated based on visible leaf injury at an early growth stage. However, it is not clear whether reduction in grain yield is related to visible injury. Therefore, visible damage and grain yield reduction were examined in Japanese and Asian rice cultivars exposed to ozone. In experiment 1, 3-week-old rice seedlings were exposed to ozone (min.: 20 nl.l(-1), max.:120 nl.l(-1)) for 12 h in open-top chambers (OTCs). Visible leaf injury was quantified according to a leaf bronzing score. In experiment 2, rice plants were exposed to ozone in OTCs throughout the cropping season until grain harvest. Daily mean ozone concentrations were maintained at 2, 23, 28, 42, and 57 nl.l(-1) with a regular diurnal pattern of exposure. After harvest, grain yield was determined. Based on visible injury to the uppermost fully expanded leaf, the indica cultivar 'Kasalath' was most tolerant, and the japonica cultivar 'Kirara 397' was most sensitive to ozone. However, grain yields for both 'Kasalath' and 'Kirara 397' were significantly decreased after ozone exposure. The indica cultivar 'Jothi' suffered severe injury after ozone exposure but had no reduction in grain yield. Therefore, ozone sensitivity of rice cultivars evaluated by visible injury did not coincide with that evaluated by the reductions in grain yield. These results suggest that mechanisms that induce acute leaf injury do not relate to chronic ozone toxicity that reduces yield.

PGE2 signal via EP2 receptors evoked by a selective agonist enhances regeneration of injured articular cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signal through prostaglandin E receptor 2 (EP2) receptors on the repair of injured articular cartilage was investigated using a selective agonist for EP2. METHODS: Chondral and osteochondral defects were prepared on the rabbit femoral concave in both knee joints, and gelatin containing polylactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres conjugated with or without the EP2 agonist was placed nearby. Animals were sacrificed at 4 or 12 weeks post-operation, and regenerated cartilage tissues and subchondral structure remodeling were evaluated by histological scoring. The quality of regenerated tissues was also evaluated by the immunohistochemical staining of EP2, type II collagen, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). As an evaluation of side effects, the inflammatory reaction of the synovial membrane was analyzed based on histology and the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase3 (MMP3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Also, the activity of MMP3 and the amount of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein in joint fluid were measured. RESULTS: In both models, the EP2 agonist enhanced the regeneration of the type II collagen-positive tissues containing EP2- and PCNA-positive chondrocytes, and the histological scale of regenerated tissue and subchondral bone was better than that of on the control side, particularly at 12 weeks post-operation. No inflammatory reaction in the synovial membrane was observed, and no induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines was found in joint fluid. CONCLUSION: Selective stimulation of the PGE2 signal through EP2 receptors by a specific agonist promoted regeneration of cartilage tissues with a physiological osteochondral boundary, suggesting the potential usefulness of this small molecule for the treatment of injured articular cartilages.

Telephone counseling of athletes abusing anabolic-androgenic steroids.

AIM: Drug abuse, most notably anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use, in athletes is widespread. As a result, athletes and exercise enthusiasts who abuse these drugs are troubled by the side effects of these illicit drugs, especially AAS. In an attempt to improve this situation, since 1993, we have counseled athletes who abuse drugs and others with questions about AAS via telephone and tabulated the results. METHODS: Counseling sessions took place by telephone every Monday between 19:00-23:00 h. The number of cases was tabulated each year and the specific items discussed during each consultation were categorized by key words. Cases consisted of both drug abusers and athletes who did not abuse drugs and were concerned about the side effects or other various problems surrounding the use of AAS. RESULTS: From 1993 to 1996, there were about 50 cases yearly; thereafter, the number of consultations dropped to about 30 to 40 cases each year. In 2002, consultations with drug abusers accounted for 52.2% of all consultations, compared with 46% of all consultations from 1993 to 2002. CONCLUSION: We have found that abusers of endocrine agents exist in Japan, as well as elsewhere. We hope these results will demonstrate the necessity of employing public institutional counseling systems for athletes who are drug abusers in Japan, similar to the successful system instituted by the Swedish National Service.

Differences in the composition of intestinal Bifidobacterium species and the development of allergic diseases in infants in rural Japan.

BACKGROUND: Bifidobacterium is a dominant genus in the intestinal microbiota of infants and comprises many different species. A series of studies performed in northern Europe showed differences in the composition of Bifidobacterium species between allergic infants and healthy controls. Additional studies are needed to confirm this observation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the composition of fecal Bifidobacterium species in allergic infants and healthy controls in Japan, using molecular methods. METHODS: Full-term born babies were followed up to 6 months of age at a local hospital in rural Japan. The presence or absence of allergy was determined based on allergic symptoms and skin prick tests. Fecal Bifidobacterium species in allergic infants (n=10), and healthy controls (n=16) were evaluated using nine Bifidobacterium species-specific or group-specific primers based on 16S rDNA sequences at 1, 3, and 6 months of age. RESULTS: The number of the infants in whom no Bifidobacterium species could be found was four (15.4%) at 1 month, two (7.7%) at 3 months, and one (3.3%) at 6 months of age, all of whom were healthy controls. At 1 month of age, allergic infants had a higher prevalence f the Bifidobacterium catenulatum group than healthy controls (60.0% vs. 6.3%, P<0.01). At 6 months of age, allergic infants had a higher prevalence of B. bifidum than healthy controls (70.0% vs. 12.5%, P<0.01). These differences were not related to feeding method. CONCLUSIONS: Our results in infants in rural Japan support the hypothesis that a compositional difference in intestinal Bifidobacterium species may be associated with the development of allergy in early infancy, although the responsible species might vary among countries or races.

Central tegmental tract involvement in an infant with 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthetase deficiency.

We report the case of an asymptomatic 2-month-old infant with 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthetase deficiency detected through a neonatal phenylketonuria screening program. MR imaging revealed symmetrical lesions in the central tegmental tract with reduced diffusion, which resolved after treatment. A possible explanation for these lesions is intramyelinic edema resulting from brain insults in utero.