Publications by authors named "Okada J"

We compared the force-velocity (F-V) characteristics between jump squat (JS) and weightlifting (hang clean [HC] and HC pull [HCP]) to determine lower limb F-V portions targeted by weightlifting exercises. Ten weightlifters performed JS at 0% (body weight only) to 70% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) for back squat, and HC and HCP at 30‒90% and 30‒110% of their 1RM for HC, respectively. Force and velocity values at each relative load were plotted to determine the F-V features of JS, HC, and HCP.

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Muscle fatigue is inevitable during resistance exercises, making its monitoring essential for maintaining athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and velocity loss have been reported as reliable indicators of muscle fatigue during explosive resistance exercises. However, their validity has been assessed only indirectly.

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Aims: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) enhance GABAergic transmission via the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/GLP-1 receptor pathway. Oral γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration reduces body temperature in humans; thus, DPP4i may reduce body temperature in humans. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of DPP4i administration on the body temperature of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

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Hepatic lipid metabolism is regulated by the autonomic nervous system of the liver, with the sympathetic innervation being extensively studied, while the parasympathetic efferent innervation is less understood despite its potential importance. In this study, we investigate the consequences of disrupted brain-liver communication on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice exposed to obesogenic conditions. We found that a subset of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes are innervated by parasympathetic nerve terminals originating from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

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Purpose: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronic inflammation and dryness accompanied by severe itching. The combined use of moisturizers and topical anti-inflammatory drugs is essential for alleviating atopic dermatitis. We have developed a topical anti-inflammatory drug with a steroid and a moisturizer with heparinoid, both in lamellar structure-based formulations containing synthetic pseudo-ceramides.

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Introduction/aims: Many people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) report restrictions in their day-to-day communication (communicative participation). However, little is known about which speech features contribute to these restrictions. This study evaluated the effects of common speech symptoms in PALS (reduced overall speaking rate, slowed articulation rate, and increased pausing) on communicative participation restrictions.

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The liver acts as a master regulator of metabolic homeostasis in part by performing gluconeogenesis. This process is dysregulated in type 2 diabetes, leading to elevated hepatic glucose output. The parenchymal cells of the liver (hepatocytes) are heterogeneous, existing on an axis between the portal triad and the central vein, and perform distinct functions depending on location in the lobule.

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The visceral organ-brain axis, mediated by vagal sensory neurons, is essential for maintaining various physiological functions. Here, we investigate the impact of liver-projecting vagal sensory neurons on energy balance, hepatic steatosis, and anxiety-like behavior in mice under obesogenic conditions. A small subset of vagal sensory neurons in both the left and right ganglia innervate the liver and project centrally to the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, area postrema, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and peripherally to the periportal areas in the liver.

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Hepatic lipid metabolism is regulated by the autonomic nervous system of the liver, with the sympathetic innervation being extensively studied, while the parasympathetic efferent innervation is less understood despite its potential importance. In this study, we investigate the consequences of disrupted brain-liver communication on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice exposed to obesogenic conditions. We found that a subset of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes are innervated by parasympathetic nerve terminals originating from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

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Article Synopsis
  • Understanding disordered structures in materials is challenging due to limited experimental data, but this study combines diffraction and simulations to analyze oxygen packing and network topology in various MgO-SiO systems.
  • The research reveals that oxygen packing is larger in glass forms than in liquid forms, and suggests that the similarity in topology between certain crystalline and glass forms indicates low glass-forming ability (GFA), whereas unique topologies correspond to high GFA.
  • It concludes that the GFA of MgO-SiO is primarily influenced by atomic structure and network topology, rather than electronic structure.
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Semaglutide is a well-designed drug with a special coating that allows for oral administration to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, patients taking oral semaglutide complain of its bitter taste. We therefore considered suggesting that patients take oral semaglutide with hot water.

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Imeglimin has not been well studied as an oral agent for the treatment of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). We treated 2 cases of LADA with imeglimin. The case 1 patient was originally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at age 50 years and was treated with sulfonylurea, biguanide, canagliflozin, imeglimin, and dulaglutide.

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Background: Atrial anti-tachycardia pacing (aATP) has been shown to be effective for the termination of atrial tachyarrhythmias, but its success rate is still not high enough.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of atrial flutter (AFL) termination by aATP and the transition from AFL to atrial fibrillation (AF) during aATP.

Methods: We developed a multi-scale model of the human atrium based on magnetic resonance images and examined the atrial electrophysiology of AFL during aATP with a ramp protocol.

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Background: Current implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) require electric conduction with high voltage and high energy, which can impair cardiac function and induce another malignant arrhythmia. As a result, there has been a demand for an ICD that can effectively operate with lower energy to mitigate the risks of a strong electric shock.

Methods: A pair of sheet-shaped electrodes covering the heart were analyzed in three configurations (top-bottom, left-right, and front-back) using a heart simulator.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to explore the differences in muscle synergy during power clean exercises between skilled and unskilled participants under various loads (60-90% 1RM).
  • Nineteen participants (ten skilled, nine unskilled) were evaluated, revealing that both groups exhibited three similar muscle synergies related to different phases of the lift, but notable differences emerged at heavier loads.
  • At 90% 1RM, only the skilled group showed significant activity in specific muscles during the double-knee bend phase, suggesting they have better joint control and may achieve better performance compared to unskilled individuals.
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Aims: Sodium load increases endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in humans. Therefore, patients with an increased amount of dietary sodium intake are supposed to have higher endogenous GLP-1 levels compared to those with less dietary sodium intake. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with more dietary sodium intake show better dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) effect on glycemic control because of the expected higher GLP-1 level.

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Both iron excess and deficiency are deleterious to cellular and organ homeostasis. Serum ferritin levels serve as a biomarker of iron storage; however, their distribution and determinants in sick newborn infants remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the reference range and independent variables of serum ferritin in hospitalized newborn infants.

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Nishioka, T and Okada, J. Ballistic exercise versus heavy resistance exercise protocols: which resistance priming is more effective for improving neuromuscular performance on the following day? J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 1939-1946, 2023-This study aimed to determine whether ballistic exercise priming (BEP) or heavy resistance priming (HRP) is more effective for improving ballistic performance after 24 hours. Ten resistance-trained men performed BEP and HRP conditions 72-144 hours apart in a randomized and counterbalanced order.

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The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale has been found to reflect physiological responses, and this study aimed to assess the validity of using the Borg CR-10 scale and velocity loss to evaluate muscle fatigue quantified by surface electromyography during back squat (BS) exercise. A total of 15 collegiate male athletes underwent three non-explosive BS tasks comprising low, medium, and high volumes at 65% of their one-repetition maximum. RPEs, spectral fatigue index (SFI), and velocity loss during BS exercise were assessed throughout the trials.

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Case: A 14-year-old adolescent girl sustained an open fracture of the foot after jumping off a building. Initial radiographs revealed large bone defect in the distal metaphysis of the comminuted tibia. The comminuted distal tibia was reconstructed by external fixation and internal fixation with bridge plating, followed by the Masquelet technique.

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Background And Aims: Triiodothyronine reduces sodium glucose cotransporter 2 expression in the kidney and increased glucose excretion in urine of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Free thyroxine is also negatively associated with islet beta-cell function in euthyroid subjects. However, the influence of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor on thyroid function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has not been established.

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Understanding the properties associated with the vertical force-velocity (F-v) profiles is important for maximizing jump performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations of maximum and reactive strength indicators with the F-v profiles obtained from squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). On the first day, 20 resistance-trained men underwent measurements for half squat (HSQ) one-repetition maximum (1RM).

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Background: Previously, AF-956, which contains S356 of FAM83G and an N-terminal antenna peptide for entry into colon cancer cells, is markedly antiproliferative compared to a control peptide (AF-859), which lacks the N-terminal antenna peptide, by inducing apoptosis via the inhibition of HSP27 phosphorylation at residues S15 and S82.

Objective: Because FAM83G-derived peptides are promising lead compounds for colon cancer treatment, we reanalyzed the effect of AG-066, which contains S356 of FAM83G and an N-terminal antenna peptide for entry into the liver cancer cells.

Methods: HepG2 liver cancer cells were incubated with either AF-859 or AG-066 at a concentration of 54 μM at 37 °C for 24, 48, and 72 h.

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