Changes in brain proteasome dynamics associated with aging.

In the nervous system, proteasomes are important for proteolysis and cellular homeostasis of neurons and glial cells and for brain health. Proteasome function declines with age in many tissues, including the nervous system, and this decline affects many of the nervous system processes important to brain health and may be related to age-related cognitive decline. Therefore, we analyzed the factors that contribute to this decline in function using the brain of mice from different months of life.

Acquired curved hair is caused by fusion of multiple hair matrix cells.

Background: "Curved hair" caused by acquired factors is considered to have adverse cosmetic effects, but the detailed mechanism behind curved hair remains obscure.

Objective: We attempted to clarify the causes of curved hair that appeared to have occurred via acquired factors.

Methods: Outer root sheath cells (ORSC) isolated from plucked human hair follicles were used to evaluate the expression of type IV collagen.

A Greater Increase in Complement C5a Receptor 1 Level at Onset and a Smaller Decrease in Immunoglobulin G Level after Recovery in Severer Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A New Analysis of Existing Data with a New Two-Tailed -Test.

(1) Background: It is our purpose to identify the differences in the changes in Complement C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) levels showing the degree of inflammation at onset and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels showing the extent of survival of the virus fragments after recovery between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pneumonia coronavirus disease (non-COVID-19) for saving patients' lives. (2) Methods: First, the studies showing these markers' levels in individual patients before and after the passage of time were selected from the PubMed Central databases with the keywords (((COVID-19) AND individual) NOT review) AND C5a/IgG. Then, no changes in these markers' levels with conventional analyses were selected from the studies.

Knowledge and practices of preconception care among rural Japanese women: findings from a mixed methods investigation.

Background: Preconception care is not widespread in Japan and there is a pressing need to improve the practice. The present study assessed the knowledge and behavior of preconception care among women to seek effective intervention. Our research questions were: 1) How much do women know about preconception care? 2) How much are they practicing preconception care and what are the information sources of their behavior? 3) Do the women's preconception care behavior associated with accurate knowledge?

Methods: The research was conducted in a rural town in central Japan.

Factors Encouraging Internal Medicine Specialists in Japan to Move towards Certification as General Practitioners.

In Japan, a new medical specialist system started in 2018 and has established the "Comprehensive Medical Specialist" program. The Japan Medical Agency allows specially-appointed supervisors, such as specialists in particular branches of internal medicine, to transfer to the "general practitioner" program. These specialists are often considered as reserve general practitioners.