Simultaneous detection of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in a diet jelly health food product that caused health problems.

The Public Health Center in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, received a consultation from a resident of Chiba Prefecture who consumed a diet jelly health food product and experienced health problems. To investigate the cause of the health problems, we examined the two food products for the presence of pharmaceutical ingredients. A screening analysis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) indicated the presence of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in the food product.

[Pharmaceutical Ingredients Detected in Dietary Supplements Purchased by Chiba Prefecture (Fiscal Years 2014-2021)].

In the pharmaceutical ingredients contamination testing of 702 commercial dietary supplement products, during fiscal years 2014-2021, 14 pharmaceutical ingredients, barrenwort, leaf axils of senna, and small leaf of senna were detected in 28 products. Screening and confirmation of the pharmaceutical ingredients in the products were performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-kingdon trap mass spectrometry, respectively. In particular, leaf axils and small leaf of senna were identified by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Juvenile social isolation immediately affects the synaptic activity and firing property of fast-spiking parvalbumin-expressing interneuron subtype in mouse medial prefrontal cortex.

A lack of juvenile social experience causes various behavioral impairments and brain dysfunction, especially in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our previous studies revealed that juvenile social isolation for 2 weeks immediately after weaning affects the synaptic inputs and intrinsic excitability of fast-spiking parvalbumin-expressing (FSPV) interneurons as well as a specific type of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal cells, which we termed prominent h-current (PH) cells, in the mPFC. However, since these changes were observed at the adult age of postnatal day 65 (P65), the primary cause of these changes to neurons immediately after juvenile social isolation (postnatal day 35) remains unknown.

Developmental dysregulation of excitatory-to-inhibitory GABA-polarity switch may underlie schizophrenia pathology: A monozygotic-twin discordant case analysis in human iPS cell-derived neurons.

Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder, but the molecular mechanisms leading to its initiation or progression remain unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, we used an in vitro neuronal cell culture model involving human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from a monozygotic-twin discordant schizophrenia pair. The cultured neurons differentiated from hiPSCs were composed of a mixture of glutamatergic excitatory neurons and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibitory neurons.

New species of Sargassum-boring Limnoria Leach, 1814 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Limnoriidae) from Japan.

A new marine Sargassum-boring species of Limnoria (Limnoriidae) is described on the basis of specimens obtained at Kamogawa-shi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Limnoria aspera sp. nov.

[The Configuration of Tadalafil and Tadalafil Analogues Found in Dietary Supplements].

This study determined the configuration of the isomers of tadalafil, nortadalafil, and homotadalafil in dietary supplements. The products purchased over the Internet studied included a honey product and a tablet, which contained tadalafil, and a candy, which contained nortadalafil and homotadalafil. Each of the pharmaceutical ingredients isolated from the products was measured with circular dichroism (CD).

First report on Mermithidae (Mermithida) infection in Ligidium sp. (Isopoda, Ligiidae).

Specimens of Ligidium sp. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) collected from Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan were found to be infected with parasitic nematodes. We have obtained two Mermithidae (Nematoda) by dissecting the fresh specimen and from the dead specimen of Ligidium, which marks the second known discovery of a mermithid infection in the order Isopoda.

Maternal Immune Activation Affects Hippocampal Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in Offspring From an Early Developmental Period to Adulthood.

One of the risk factors for schizophrenia is maternal infection. We have previously shown that Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) induced maternal immune activation in mice caused histological changes in the hippocampal CA1 area of offspring during the developmental period and impaired sensorimotor gating in offspring during adulthood, resulting in behavioral changes. However, it remains unclear how maternal immune activation functionally impacts the hippocampal neuronal activity of offspring.

Juvenile Social Isolation Enhances the Activity of Inhibitory Neuronal Circuits in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex.

During brain development, the design of primary neural networks is primarily determined by environmental stimuli after their formation. In particular, the juvenile period is critical, during which neuronal circuits that consist of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons are remodeled by experience. Social isolation during the juvenile period profoundly affects brain development and contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders.

A case report of mania with abnormal cerebral blood flow and cognitive impairment 24 years after head trauma.

Background: Mania usually occurs secondary to organic etiologies such as head trauma within a short time of the primary condition's onset; however, there have been a few cases reported in the literature of long time spans before the manifestation of mania. The orbitofrontal cortex has been reported to be associated with manic states in bipolar disorder and with mania-inducing lesions. Head trauma commonly disrupts various cognitive functions, including attention and information processing.

Description of new species of algal-boring Limnoria (Crustacea, Isopoda, Limnoriidae) from Japan and redescription of Limnoria segnoides Menzies, 1957 and L. nagatai Nunomura, 2012.

Previous research on the mitochondrial COI gene sequences of several populations of Limnoria nagatai Nunomura suggested a cryptic species from the Sea of Japan. A new species of algal-boring limnoriid is here described. Limnoria furca sp.

Genetic structure and dispersal patterns in Limnoria nagatai (Limnoriidae, Isopoda) dwelling in non-buoyant kelps, Eisenia bicyclis and E. arborea, in Japan.

The marine isopod genus Limnoria contains algae-eating species. Previous phylogeographic studies have suggested that Limnoria species feeding on buoyant kelp underwent low genetic differentiation on a large spatial scale because rafting on floating host kelps promotes high levels of gene flow. In this paper, we survey the genetic structure of Limnoria nagatai, which bores into the non-buoyant kelps Eisenia bicyclis and E.

Distinct patterns of blood oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex in clinical phenotypes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are characterized by different clinical symptoms, and have previously been considered as categorically separate. However, several lines of evidence controversially suggest that these two disorders may run on a continuum. While it is therefore important to evaluate the subtle differences between SZ and BD, few studies have investigated the difference of brain functioning between the two by focusing on the common symptoms of cognitive functioning and impulsivity, rather than positive/negative and mood symptoms.

Reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response in adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Aim: Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non-invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. In pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reduced prefrontal hemodynamic responses have been observed with NIRS repeatedly. However, there are few studies of adult ADHD by multi-channel NIRS.

Effects of cross-rearing with social peers on myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex of a mouse model with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, poor communication skills, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. Recent studies have indicated that early rehabilitative intervention can alleviate the symptoms of individuals with ASD. However, it remains unknown whether rehabilitative intervention can restore brain structures such as myelin, which generally shows abnormalities in individuals with ASD.

Effects of the mode of re-socialization after juvenile social isolation on medial prefrontal cortex myelination and function.

Social isolation is an important factor in the development of psychiatric disorders. It is necessary to develop an effective psychological treatment, such as cognitive rehabilitation, for children who have already suffered from social isolation, such as neglect and social rejection. We used socially isolated mice to validate whether elaborate re-socialization after juvenile social isolation can restore hypomyelination in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the attendant functions manifested in socially isolated mice.

A new species of seagrass-boring (Limnoriidae, Isopoda, Crustacea) from Japan.

The marine seagrass-boring isopod, Limnoria rhombipunctata sp. nov. (Limnoriidae) is described from the rhizome of Phyllospadix iwatensis seagrass, in shallow coastal waters off Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Social Isolation During the Critical Period Reduces Synaptic and Intrinsic Excitability of a Subtype of Pyramidal Cell in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex.

Juvenile social experience is crucial for the functional development of forebrain regions, especially the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We previously reported that social isolation for 2 weeks after weaning induces prefrontal cortex dysfunction and hypomyelination. However, the effect of social isolation on physiological properties of PFC neuronal circuit remained unknown.

Microglia-derived neuregulin expression in psychiatric disorders.

Several studies have revealed that neuregulins (NRGs) are involved in brain function and psychiatric disorders. While NRGs have been regarded as neuron- or astrocyte-derived molecules, our research has revealed that microglia also express NRGs, levels of which are markedly increased in activated microglia. Previous studies have indicated that microglia are activated in the brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with early childhood social interaction in autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, poor communication skills, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. Elevated blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been reported in subjects with autism spectrum disorder. On the other hand, early childhood adverse experience also increases blood levels of these cytokines.

Substrate Specificity of Equine and Human Influenza A Virus Sialidase to Molecular Species of Sialic Acid.

Most equine influenza A viruses (IAVs) show strong binding to glycoconjugates containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) as well as N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). Therefore, the progeny of equine IAV is thought to be released from the infected cell surface through removal of sialic acids by the viral sialidase. In the present study, equine IAV sialidases showed significantly lower substrate affinity than that of human IAV sialidases to artificial and natural Neu5Gc-conjugated substrates.

Social isolation impairs remyelination in mice through modulation of IL-6.

Recent studies have revealed that social experience affects myelination. These findings have important implications for disorders that feature abnormal myelination, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), as previous studies have shown that psychosocial stress exacerbates the pathobiology of MS. However, most studies have focused on psychosocial stress during the demyelination phase of MS and have not investigated the effects of social experience on remyelination.

[From Electrical Activity of a Neuron to Psychiatric Disorder].

In clinical practice, electroencephalography (EEG) can remind us that the human execu- tive function is based on neural activity and its oscillation. It is generally considered that each neuron receives electrical inputs from other neurons and produces an action potential to trans- mit signals to the next neuron, leading to the generation of a neural network underlying mental activity. However, these mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Differential patterns of blood oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex between patients with methamphetamine-induced psychosis and schizophrenia.

Despite some slight differences in symptomatology, differential diagnosis of methamphetamine-induced psychosis (MAP) versus schizophrenia can be challenging because both disorders present a large overlap in their clinical symptoms. However, a recent study has shown that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) performed during a cognitive task can be a powerful tool to differentiate between these two disorders. Here, we evaluated verbal fluency task performance during NIRS in 15 patients diagnosed with MAP and 19 with schizophrenia matched for age and sex.