Fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors could be controlled by prudent dietary modification with polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Background: The pathophysiology of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), the leading unmet psychological need of cancer survivors, may involve the dysfunctional processing of fear memory. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have beneficial effects on psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, and are involved in fear memory processing. We hypothesized that n-3 PUFA composition is associated with FCR in cancer survivors.

Increasing Trend in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Asia: More Cancers in Men and More Rectal Cancers.

Background: The incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is reported to be increasing in the Western world. There are no population-based studies assessing the trend across Asia.

Methods: We performed a multinational cohort study involving four Asian countries/regions, namely Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Reference values of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and characteristics of deterioration of QOL: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis Support Tool: DISTO project.

Background: The reference values of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are still unknown. This multicenter cross-sectional survey was performed to determine the reference values and disease-specific characteristics of deterioration of QOL caused by LSS itself, not by aging, through comparison of patients with and without LSS who had an outpatient visit for low back pain by age and sex groups.

Methods: The present study was performed at 564 medical centers and clinics.

An ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight reference for Japanese twin pregnancies.

Purpose: The purpose was to establish an estimated fetal weight (EFW) reference for twin pregnancies in Japan and to compare the growth of twins with singletons.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated Japanese women who delivered live-born twins at our center during the period from 2010 to 2016. The main exclusion criteria were monoamniotic twins, fetal reduction, maternal complications, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal congenital anomalies, and patients with their first visit after 16 weeks' gestation.

Separation of Synephrine Enantiomers in Citrus Fruits by a Reversed Phase HPLC after Chiral Precolumn Derivatization.

Racemic synephrine, which was transformed into diastereomers by derivatization with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosil isothiocyanate, was resolved by a reversed phase HPLC with UV detection at 254 nm. The total contents of synephrine enantiomers in citrus fruit samples were exocarp > mesocarp > endocarp > sarcocarp, suggesting that synephrine content of outer side of citrus fruits was higher than that of the inner side. (R)-Synephrine was detected in exocarp of eleven fresh citrus fruits, except for lemon, lime, and grapefruit samples.

Perturbed expression pattern of the immediate early gene Arc in the dentate gyrus of GluA1 C-terminal palmitoylation-deficient mice.

Background: AMPA receptors predominantly mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain. Post-translational protein S-palmitoylation of AMPA receptor GluA subunits at their C-termini reversibly controls the receptors trafficking to and from excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Excitatory inputs to neurons induce the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), including Arc, with particular spatial patterns.

Association between blood polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

In contrast to the cumulative evidence suggesting the inverse association of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with depression, few studies have examined the association of n-6 PUFAs with depression. In particular, no study has examined the relationship between n-6 PUFAs and depression in cancer patients. Thus, we conducted this cross-sectional study to comprehensively examine the association of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs with depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

Association Between the Discrepancy in Self-Reported and Performance-Based Physical Functioning Levels and Risk of Future Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcomes in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS).

Objectives: A discrepancy in self-reported and performance-based physical functioning levels is often observed among older adults. We investigated the association of discrepancy in self-reported and performance-based physical functioning levels with risk of future falls among community-dwelling older adults.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Thermotaxis in Chlamydomonas is brought about by membrane excitation and controlled by redox conditions.

Temperature is physiologically critical for all living organisms, which cope with temperature stress using metabolic and behavioral responses. In unicellular and some multicellular organisms, thermotaxis is a behavioral response to avoid stressful thermal environments and promote accumulation in an optimal thermal environment. In this study, we examined whether Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, demonstrated thermotaxis.

Dynamics of an ultra-discrete SIR epidemic model with time delay.

We propose an ultra-discretization for an SIR epidemic model with time delay. It is proven that the ultra-discrete model has a threshold property concerning global attractivity of equilibria as shown in differential and difference equation models. We also study an interesting convergence pattern of the solution, which is illustrated in a two-dimensional lattice.

Deficiency of AMPAR-Palmitoylation Aggravates Seizure Susceptibility.

Synaptic AMPAR expression controls the strength of excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity. An excess of synaptic AMPARs leads to epilepsy in response to seizure-inducible stimulation. The appropriate regulation of AMPARs plays a crucial role in the maintenance of the excitatory/inhibitory synaptic balance; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying epilepsy remain unclear.

Avian Filariasis in Backyard Chickens in Japan.

In May 2017, a hen in a backyard chicken flock in Japan exhibited mild clinical signs, and the bird was examined for diagnosis. Unexpectedly, many microfilariae were observed in the lung by histologic examination, although no adult worms were detected within the body. In a blood test performed in July, microfilaremia was confirmed in a few clinically normal chickens of the same flock.

Antibacterial effects of nano-imprinted moth-eye film in practical settings.

Background: Recent studies report that surfaces displaying micrometer- or nanometer-sized undulating structures exhibit antibacterial effects. In previous work, we described the use of an advanced nanofabrication technique to generate an artificial biomimetic Moth-eye film by coating a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with nanoscale moth-eye protrusions made from a hydrophilic resin. This moth-eye film exhibited enhanced antibacterial effects in in vitro experiments.

Japanese orthopaedic association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire (JOACMEQ): Part 5. Determination of responsiveness.

Background: In 1999, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association decided to develop a new Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ). The final version of the JOACMEQ, comprising 24 questions and five domains (cervical spine function (CF); upper extremity function (UF); lower extremity function (LF); bladder function (BF); and quality of life (QOL)), was established after three nationwide investigations. The fourth investigation, reported in this paper, was performed to confirm the responsiveness of the questionnaire.

The CCHamide1 Neuropeptide Expressed in the Anterior Dorsal Neuron 1 Conveys a Circadian Signal to the Ventral Lateral Neurons in .

The fruit fly possesses approximately 150 brain clock neurons that control circadian behavioral rhythms. Even though individual clock neurons have self-sustaining oscillators, they interact and synchronize with each other through a network. However, little is known regarding the factors responsible for these network interactions.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of postpolypectomy colonoscopy surveillance using Japanese data.

Objective: Recommendations vary on postpolypectomy surveillance, and no consensus has been reached even regarding the necessity of risk stratification based on polyp characteristics for surveillance. We examined an optimal postpolypectomy surveillance program by performing a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Methods: We performed a Markov model analysis using parameters based on Japanese data and evaluated four postpolypectomy surveillance programs with respect to their effectiveness in terms of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), cost-effectiveness and required number of colonoscopies.

Introduction of pathogenic mutations into the mouse Psen1 gene by Base Editor and Target-AID.

Base Editor (BE) and Target-AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) are engineered genome-editing proteins composed of Cas9 and cytidine deaminases. These base-editing tools convert C:G base pairs to T:A at target sites. Here, we inject either BE or Target-AID mRNA together with identical single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) into mouse zygotes, and compare the base-editing efficiencies of the two distinct tools in vivo.

Temporal and Spatial Changes of μ-Opioid Receptors in the Brain, Spinal Cord and Dorsal Root Ganglion in a Rat Lumbar Disc Herniation Model.

Study Design: Controlled, interventional, animal study.

Objective: To investigate the spatial and temporal changes of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) expression in a rat lumbar disc herniation (LDH) model.

Summary Of Background Data: MORs widely express in the peripheral and central nervous systems, and opioid drugs produce an analgesic effect through their activation.

TRPC6 in simulated microgravity of intervertebral disc cells.

Purpose: Prolonged bed rest and microgravity in space cause intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are implicated in mechanosensing of several tissues, but are poorly explored in IVDs.

Percutaneous fixation of avulsion fracture at the plantar lateral base of the first metatarsal using ZipTight Fixation System: A case report.

Isolated avulsion fracture of the peroneus longus tendon insertion at the base of the first metatarsal without injury of the tarsometatarsal joint is very rare. Similar to most avulsion fractures, this type of injury is caused by strong tension exerted by the peroneus longus tendon. The mechanism leading to this lesion and treatment options are not clearly defined.

Specific binding of PCBP1 to heavily oxidized RNA to induce cell death.

In aerobically growing cells, the guanine base of RNA is oxidized to 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), which induces alteration in their gene expression. We previously demonstrated that the human AUF1 protein binds to 8-oxoG in RNA to induce the selective degradation of oxidized messenger RNA. We herein report that the poly(C)-binding protein PCBP1 binds to more severely oxidized RNA to activate apoptosis-related reactions.

Predictive factors for structural remission using abatacept: Results from the ABROAD study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of abatacept (ABA) on preventing joint destruction in biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD)-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in real-world clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: RA patients were collected from the ABROAD (ABatacept Research Outcomes as a First-line Biological Agent in the Real WorlD) study cohort. They had moderate or high disease activity and were treated with ABA as a first-line bDMARD.