Short-term intake of delta-tocotrienol on lipid profiles in healthy subjects.

Delta-tocotrienol (δ-T3) are beneficial for lipid metabolism. However, there are almost no reports on the specific numerical values of changes in blood tocotrienol levels when Japanese people consume tocotrienol. To observe the effect on blood δ-T3 and lipid concentrations after taking δ-T3, a crossover test was conducted with a control group, alpha-tocopherol (α-TP) group (264 ‍mg/day), and δ-T3 group (250 ‍mg/day).

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Changes in Calf Venous Volume during Postural Change and Skeletal Muscle Pump Activity in Healthy Young Adults.

Dietary nitrate (NO) supplementation is known to enhance nitric oxide (NO) activity and acts as a vasodilator. In this randomized crossover study, we investigated the effect of inorganic NO supplementation on the changes in calf venous volume during postural change and subsequent skeletal muscle pump activity. Fifteen healthy young adults were assigned to receive beetroot juice (BRJ) or a NO-depleted control beverage (prune juice: CON).

Headache Education by E-Learning Through Social Networking Services (Social Media).

Introduction: Headache is a common public health problem, but its burden could be avoided by raising headache awareness and the appropriate use of acute medication and prophylactic medication. Few reports on raising headache awareness in the general public have been reported, and there are no reports on headache awareness campaigns through social networking services (SNS), or social media, in Japan. We prospectively performed a headache awareness campaign from March 2022 through 2 SNS, targeting nurse and wind instrumental musicians, because they are with high headache prevalence.

Regulation of Osteoblast to Osteocyte Differentiation by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-1.

Osteocytes have recently been identified as a new regulator of bone remodeling, but the detailed mechanism of their differentiation from osteoblasts remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify cell cycle regulators involved in the differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes and determine their physiological significance. The study uses IDG-SW3 cells as a model for the differentiation from osteoblasts to osteocytes.

Changes in homocysteine and non-mercaptoalbumin levels after acute exercise: a crossover study.

Background: Acute exercise is one factor that increases blood homocysteine levels, and elevated homocysteine levels cause oxidative stress. Albumin, which is abundant in blood, is an antioxidant, and the redox state of albumin is used as an index of oxidative stress in blood. This study aimed to assess the effect of acute exercise on plasma homocysteine levels and the blood non-mercaptoalbumin/mercaptoalbumin ratio as an oxidative stress marker.

Headache education by leaflet distribution during COVID-19 vaccination and school-based on-demand e-learning: Itoigawa Geopark Headache Awareness Campaign.

Objective: We prospectively performed the Itoigawa Headache Awareness Campaign from August 2021 to June 2022, with two main interventions, and evaluated its effectiveness.

Background: Headache is a common public health problem, but its burden could be reduced by raising awareness about headache and the appropriate use of acute and prophylactic medication. However, few studies on raising headache awareness in the general public have been reported.

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Venous Vascular Response to Static Exercise in Healthy Young Adults.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute intake of inorganic nitrate (NO3−) via supplementation would attenuate the venoconstriction and pressor response to exercise. Sixteen healthy young adults were assigned in a randomized crossover design to receive beetroot juice (BRJ) or an NO3−-depleted control beverage (prune juice: CON). Two hours after consuming the allocated beverage, participants rested in the supine position.

A probiotic blend improves defecation, mental health, and productivity in healthy Japanese volunteers under stressful situations.

We investigated whether a blend of probiotics (KABP-021, KABP-022, and KABP-023) improved diarrhea-related problems in healthy Japanese adults who routinely lived under stressful conditions. Twenty-six females and 34 males were divided randomly into the probiotic and placebo groups in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study. All participants ingested 1 capsule of probiotics or placebo per day for 4 weeks.

CHEMORESISTANCE RELATED TO HYPOXIA ADAPTATION IN MESOTHELIOMA CELLS FROM TUMOR SPHEROIDS.

Background: Hypoxia has been noted as a key factor for induction and maintenance of cancer stemness thereby leading to therapy resistance. Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid models demonstrate a heterogeneity of hypoxic regions replicating the in vivo situation within tumors. Utilizing an established 3D spheroid model, we investigated whether extrinsic hypoxia reinforced chemoresistance in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) spheroids.

Acute dietary nitrate supplementation does not change venous volume and compliance in healthy young adults.

In this crossover study, we investigated the influence of inorganic nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation on venous volume and compliance in the resting forearm and calf. Twenty healthy young adults were assigned to receive an [Formula: see text]-rich beverage [beetroot juice (BRJ): 140 mL; ∼8 mmol [Formula: see text]] or an [Formula: see text]-depleted control beverage [prune juice (CON): 166 mL; < 0.01 mmol [Formula: see text]).

A Redox-Silent Analogue of Tocotrienol May Break the Homeostasis of Proteasomes in Human Malignant Mesothelioma Cells by Inhibiting STAT3 and NRF1.

6--Carboxypropyl-alpha-tocotrienol (α-T3E) is a multi-target redox-silent analogue of tocotrienol that exhibits cytotoxicity against many cancer cells, including malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. α-T3E has several molecular targets to effectively induce cytotoxicity against MM cells; however, the mechanisms underlying this cytotoxicity remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the α-T3E-dependent disruption of the homeostasis of proteasomes strongly induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which resulted in effective cytotoxicity against MM cells.

Gene expression of neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complex components in the olfactory organ and brain during seaward and homeward migration by pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha).

The expression of synaptic vesicle exocytosis-regulator SNARE complex component genes (snap25, stx1 and vamp2) was examined in the olfactory nervous system during seaward and homeward migration by pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). The expression levels of snares in the olfactory organ were higher in seaward fry than in feeding and homeward adults, reflecting the development of the olfactory nervous system. The expression of snap25a, b and stx1a was upregulated or stable in the adult olfactory bulb and telencephalon.

Mothers' intentions and behaviours regarding providing risk communication to their daughters about their possibility of being haemophilia carriers: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Prophylactic replacement therapy has enabled improvements in the quality of life of patients with haemophilia. However, these patients and their families continue to report psychosocial problems regarding pregnancy and childbirth. In a situation where there is little medical support for haemophilia carriers (HCs), parents must inform their children regarding their possibility of being HCs.

The effects of a 120-minute nap on sleepiness, fatigue, and performance during 16-hour night shifts: A pilot study.

Objective: To investigate sleepiness, fatigue, and performance following a 120-minute nap during simulated 16-hour night shifts based on subjective and objective assessments.

Methods: Fourteen females participated in this crossover comparative study. Three experimental nap conditions were used: naps from 22:00 to 00:00 (22-NAP), 00:00 to 02:00 (00-NAP), and 02:00 to 04:00 (02-NAP), respectively.

How elevated CO2 affects our nutrition in rice, and how we can deal with it.

Increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2 are predicted to reduce the content of essential elements such as protein, zinc, and iron in C3 grains and legumes, threatening the nutrition of billions of people in the next 50 years. However, this prediction has mostly been limited to grain crops, and moreover, we have little information about either the underlying mechanism or an effective intervention to mitigate these reductions. Here, we present a broader picture of the reductions in elemental content among crops grown under elevated CO2 concentration.

Evaluation of growth status using endocrine growth indices, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein-1b, in out-migrating juvenile chum salmon.

This study aimed to utilize circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1b as a negative index of growth to evaluate the growth status of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the ocean. First, rearing experiments using PIT-tagged juveniles were conducted to examine the relationship of circulating IGFBP-1b with growth rate of the fish in May and in June. The serum IGFBP-1b level negatively correlated with fish growth rate in both months, suggesting its utility as a negative index of growth.

Effect of Ubiquinol Intake on Defecation Frequency and Stool Form: A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Control Study.

Bowel habits affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. This study evaluated the effects of reduced form coenzyme Q 10 (ubiquinol) intake on defecation frequency and stool form in patients with daily abdominal symptoms. This was a single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized control study.

A randomized controlled trial of comprehensive early intervention care in patients with first-episode psychosis in Japan: 1.5-year outcomes from the J-CAP study.

The first episode of psychosis represents a critical period wherein comprehensive early intervention in psychosis (EIP) may alter the course of illness. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials that have examined the impact of comprehensive EIP care on clinical and functional recovery assessed by independent blinded raters is limited. The objective of this study was to conduct a single-blinded multicenter trial comparing comprehensive EIP care and standard care in young patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) in Japan (J-CAP Study).

The effects of nighttime napping on sleep, sleep inertia, and performance during simulated 16 h night work: a pilot study.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of two naps taken at night on morning waking state and performance.

Methods: The participants were 12 women. The experiment was performed in a laboratory over 2 days (16:00-09:00).

Effects of seawater transfer and fasting on the endocrine and biochemical growth indices in juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta).

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and RNA/DNA ratio are endocrine and biochemical parameters used as growth indices in fish, however, they are subjected to environmental modulation. Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) migrate from freshwater (FW) to seawater (SW) at fry/juvenile stage weighing around 1g and suffer growth-dependent mortality during the early phase of their marine life. In order to reveal environmental modulation of the IGF/IGFBP system and establish a reliable growth index for juvenile chum salmon, we examined effects of SW transfer and fasting on IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and RNA/DNA ratio, and correlated them to individual growth rate.

Circulating insulin-like growth factor I in juvenile chum salmon: relationship with growth rate and changes during downstream and coastal migration in northeastern Hokkaido, Japan.

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) migrate to the ocean in their first spring, and growth during early marine life is critical for survival. We examined the validity of circulating IGF-I and muscle RNA/DNA ratio as indices of growth rate using individually tagged juvenile chum salmon fed or fasted for 10 days. Serum IGF-I level was highly, positively correlated with individual growth rate.

Improvement of serum zinc levels in young Japanese women by provision of food information.

We investigated whether or not an intervention of providing food information improves serum Zn levels in ninety-two 18-20-year-old Japanese women. The mean serum Zn level of the participants was 73.09 ± 10.

Positive appraisal of in-home family caregivers of dementia patients as an influence on the continuation of caregiving.

Background: We attempted to determine the factors that influence the continuation of in-home caregiving for patients with dementia.

Methods: The participants were family caregivers of dementia patients who received home care services. Data were collected via a questionnaire completed by caregivers and then returned in the mail.

Effects of two 15-min naps on the subjective sleepiness, fatigue and heart rate variability of night shift nurses.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two 15-min naps on nurses who work at night in a three-shift system. Of the 15 nurses who were included as study subjects on a night shift, eight took two short naps (the Nap condition), and seven worked without taking a nap (the No-nap condition) during the night shift. We measured sublingual temperature and the bispectral index (BIS), obtained heart rate and heart rate variability measures from an electrocardiogram (ECG), and evaluated sleepiness and fatigue levels every hour using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).