Sex Differences in Intestinal Microbiota and Their Association with Some Diseases in a Japanese Population Observed by Analysis Using a Large Dataset.

In recent years, many studies have focused on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and human health, but the impact of sex has not yet been sufficiently investigated. In this study, sex differences in the intestinal microbiota of a Japanese population were investigated by age group, using a large dataset constructed for a cross-sectional study. α-diversity analysis indicated that the impact of sex differences varied among the 20s-50s age groups but tended to be smaller among the 60s-70s age groups.

Characteristics of the Gut Microbiota in Japanese Patients with Premenstrual Syndrome.

Purpose: The present study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota of individuals with premenstrual syndrome.

Patients And Methods: The gut microbiota of 24 Japanese women with PMS (PMS group) and 144 healthy Japanese women (control group) were compared. Analysis of the α- and β-diversities and the gut microbial composition at the genus level were performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence data obtained from stool samples.

Fluctuations in Intestinal Microbiota Following Ingestion of Natto Powder Containing SONOMONO Spores: Considerations Using a Large-Scale Intestinal Microflora Database.

Improving the intestinal microbiota using probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics has attracted attention as a method of disease prevention and treatment. This is the first study to discuss the effects of food intake on the intestinal microbiota using a large Japanese intestinal microbiota database. Here, as a case study, we determined changes in the intestinal microbiota caused by ingestion of a processed natto food containing SONOMONO spores, SONOMONO NATTO POWDER CAPSULES, by analyzing 16S rRNA sequence data generated using next-generation sequencing techniques.

The first-round results of a population-based cohort study of HPV testing in Japanese cervical cancer screening: baseline characteristics, screening results, and referral rate.

Objective: In 2013, a cohort study aimed to clarify the positive and negative effects of introducing the human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for population-based cervical cancer screening has been launched in Japan. This study included four screenings during the subsequent 7-year follow-up period. We aim to describe the results of the first round of this study on cervical cancer screening here.

Population-based cohort study assessing the efficacy of cervical cytology (Pap smear) and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as modalities for cervical cancer screening.

In cervical cancer screening, several trials have shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) testing or combined HPV testing and cytology leads to earlier detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) compared with cytology alone. However, the availability of similar evidence in our country remains limited. In 2013, 34 local governments were selected to administer a cervical cancer screening program utilizing either cytology alone or in combination with HPV testing.

4-Hydroxynonenal induces persistent insolubilization of TDP-43 and alters its intracellular localization.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. TDP-43 has been found to be a major component of ubiquitin-positive inclusions in ALS. Aberrant TDP-43, which is found in inclusions, is phosphorylated and is re-distributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Inhibition of RHO-ROCK signaling enhances ICM and suppresses TE characteristics through activation of Hippo signaling in the mouse blastocyst.

Specification of the trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) lineages in the mouse blastocyst correlates with cell position, as TE derives from outer cells whereas ICM from inner cells. Differences in position are reflected by cell polarization and Hippo signaling. Only in outer cells, the apical-basal cell polarity is established, and Hippo signaling is inhibited in such a manner that LATS1 and 2 (LATS1/2) kinases are prevented from phosphorylating YAP, a key transcriptional co-activator of the TE-specifying gene Cdx2.