In Vivo Assessment of Astrocyte Reactivity in Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Objective: Although astrocytic pathology is a pathological hallmark of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), its pathophysiological role remains unclear. This study aimed to assess astrocyte reactivity in vivo in patients with PSP. Furthermore, we investigated alterations in brain lactate levels and their relationship with astrocyte reactivity.

Investigating neural dysfunction with abnormal protein deposition in Alzheimer's disease through magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, plasma biomarkers, and positron emission tomography.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), aggregated abnormal proteins induce neuronal dysfunction. Despite the evidence supporting the association between tau proteins and brain atrophy, further studies are needed to explore their link to neuronal dysfunction in the human brain. To clarify the relationship between neuronal dysfunction and abnormal proteins in AD-affected brains, we conducted magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and assessed the neurofilament light chain plasma levels (NfL).

Association of Tooth Loss with Alzheimer's Disease Tau Pathologies Assessed by Positron Emission Tomography.

Background: Deterioration of the oral environment is one of the risk factors for dementia. A previous study of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mouse suggests that tooth loss induces denervation of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and neuroinflammation, possibly leading to accelerated tau dissemination from the nearby locus coeruleus (LC).

Objective: To elucidate the relevance of oral conditions and amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies in human participants.

Altered Brain Energy Metabolism Related to Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease.

Objective: Increasing evidence suggests that reactive astrocytes are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its underlying pathogenesis remains unknown. Given the role of astrocytes in energy metabolism, reactive astrocytes may contribute to altered brain energy metabolism.

Assessing late-life anxiety in Japanese older adults: psychometric evaluation of the Japanese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale.

Background: This study developed a Japanese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS-J) and its short form (GAS-10-J) to evaluate anxiety in Japanese older adults and assess its psychometric properties using a cross-sectional design.

Methods: A total of 331 community-dwelling older adult participants (208 men, 116 women, seven unknowns; mean age = 73.47 ± 5.

A Machine Learning-Based Approach to Discrimination of Tauopathies Using [ F]PM-PBB3 PET Images.

Background: We recently developed a positron emission tomography (PET) probe, [ F]PM-PBB3, to detect tau lesions in diverse tauopathies, including mixed three-repeat and four-repeat (3R + 4R) tau fibrils in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 4R tau aggregates in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). For wider availability of this technology for clinical settings, bias-free quantitative evaluation of tau images without a priori disease information is needed.

Objective: We aimed to establish tau PET pathology indices to characterize PSP and AD using a machine learning approach and test their validity and tracer capabilities.

Inkjet-Printed Neural Electrodes with Mechanically Gradient Structure.

Flexible materials are important for the development of neural probes in recording stable signals (spikes) . Here, we present inkjet-printed, flexible neural probes for spike recording by using polymeric thin films. The neural probes were constructed from 400 nm-thick poly(d,l-lactic acid) nanofilms, inkjet-printed lines consisting of Au and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate nanoinks, and fluoropolymer layers.

A new device-aided cognitive function test, User eXperience-Trail Making Test (UX-TMT), sensitively detects neuropsychological performance in patients with dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Background: A newer generation neuropsychological tests can take advantage of touch screen and mobile technology. We have developed a new Android application termed "User eXperience-Trail Making Test (UX-TMT)" for neurocognitive assessment and training. This study investigated the utility, including the reliability and the validity, of the UX-TMT as a screening test for cognitive decline in adults.

Vitrectomy using 0.025% povidone-iodine in balanced salt solution plus for the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis.

Purpose: To investigate the bactericidal effect of 0.025% povidone-iodine in Balanced Salt Solution PLUS (0.025% PI-BSS PLUS) and its use in vitrectomy for postoperative endophthalmitis.

Neurobehavioral and hemodynamic evaluation of Stroop and reverse Stroop interference in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Failure of executive function (EF) is a core symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, various results have been reported and sufficient evidence is lacking. In the present study, we evaluated the characteristics of children with ADHD using the Stroop task (ST) and reverse Stroop task (RST) that reflects the inhibition function of EF.

Facial identity recognition in children with autism spectrum disorders revealed by P300 analysis: a preliminary study.

Background: To reveal the neural substrate of communication difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), we investigated the P300 component of event-related potentials (ERPs) as represented by the average of electroencephalography findings time-locked to events and behavior. Because the P300 amplitude influences attentional resource allocation during discrimination, the component elicited during perception of known and unknown faces should indicate familiarity processing.

Methods And Results: Nine typically developing children (TD) and nine children with ASDs participated in this study (Experiment 1).

Developmental change of visuo-spatial working memory in children: quantitative evaluation through an Advanced Trail Making Test.

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the developmental change in Visuo-Spatial Working Memory (VSWM) in typically developed children using a specially designed Advanced Trail Making Test for children (ATMT-C).

Methods: We developed a new method for evaluating VSWM efficiency in children using a modified version ATMT to suit their shorter sustained attention. The ATMT-C consists of two parts; a number-based ATMT and a hiragana (Japanese phonogram)-based ATMT, both employing symbols familiar to young children.

Variations of the ulnar nerve in Guyon's canal: in vivo demonstration using ultrasound and 3 T MRI.

Background: The clinical importance of Guyon's canal is emphasized due to the various branching patterns of the ulnar nerve. So far, the arborization pattern of the ulnar nerve in Guyon's canal has been investigated mostly by cadaveric studies.

Purpose: To demonstrate anatomic variations of the ulnar nerve in Guyon's canal in vivo by using high definition ultrasound (US) and 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Mechanisms of heart development in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.

Vertebrate hearts have evolved from undivided tubular hearts of chordate ancestors. One of the most intriguing issues in heart evolution is the abrupt appearance of multichambered hearts in the agnathan vertebrates. To explore the developmental mechanisms behind the drastic morphological changes that led to complex vertebrate hearts, we examined the developmental patterning of the agnathan lamprey Lethenteron japonicum.

Superconductivity in transparent zinc-doped InO films having low carrier density.

Thin polycrystalline zinc-doped indium oxide (InO-ZnO) films were prepared by post-annealing amorphous films with various weight concentrations of ZnO in the range 0⩽ ⩽0.06. We have studied the dependences of the resistivity ρ and Hall coefficient on temperature and magnetic field in the range 0.

Identification of four Engrailed genes in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.

We have isolated four homologs of Engrailed genes from the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum, an agnathan that occupies a critical phylogenic position between cephalochordates and gnathostomes. We named these four genes LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, LjEngrailedC, and LjEngrailedD. LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, and LjEngrailedD share a major expression domain in the presumptive midbrain-hindbrain boundary region of the central nervous system, although their levels and timing of expression differed.

Possible involvement of SINEs in mammalian-specific brain formation.

Retroposons, such as short interspersed elements (SINEs) and long interspersed elements (LINEs), are the major constituents of higher vertebrate genomes. Although there are many examples of retroposons' acquiring function, none has been implicated in the morphological innovations specific to a certain taxonomic group. We previously characterized a SINE family, AmnSINE1, members of which constitute a part of conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) in mammalian genomes.

Identification and developmental expression of two Tbx1/10-related genes in the agnathan Lethenteron japonicum.

We have identified two Tbx1/10-related genes, LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B, from the Japanese river lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We used in situ hybridization to characterize their expression pattern during embryonic development. LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B shared common expression in the pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle, although their levels and timing of expression differed markedly.

[Cerebral inhibitory functioning in patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. I. Analysis of non-target-P300 component in a visual oddball paradigm].

The present study was organized to evaluate the cerebral inhibitory function in children with developmental disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Target and non-target-P300 event related potential (ERP) in response to stimuli of a visual oddball paradigm was analyzed. Ten children with AD/HD, 10 children with PDD and 10 healthy children were included in the study participants.

Peak effect and dynamic melting of vortex matter in NbSe2 crystals.

We present a mode locking (ML) phenomenon of vortex matter observed around the peak effect regime of 2H-NbSe2 pure single crystals. The ML features allow us not only to trace how the shear rigidity of driven vortices persists on approaching the second critical field, but also to demonstrate a dynamic melting transition of driven vortices at a given velocity. We observe the velocity dependent melting signatures in the peak effect regime, which reveal a crossover between the disorder-induced transition at small velocity and the thermally induced transition at large velocity.

Symptom profile of multiple chemical sensitivity in actual life.

Objective: This study was conducted to confirm the definition of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in actual life: that multiple symptoms are provoked in multiple organs by exposure to, and ameliorated by avoidance of, multiple chemicals at low levels. We used the Ecological Momentary Assessment to monitor everyday symptoms and the active sampling and passive sampling methods to measure environmental chemical exposure.

Methods: Eighteen patients with MCS, diagnosed according to the 1999 consensus criteria, and 12 healthy controls participated in this study.

Dynamic melting of confined vortex matter.

We study dynamic melting of confined vortex matter moving in disordered, mesoscopic channels by mode-locking experiments. The dynamic melting transition, characterized by a collapse of the mode-locking effect, strongly depends on the frequency, i.e.