A Novel Cross-Immune Antigen Vaccine Platform for Influenza Virus Type A.

We have developed a novel cross-immune antigen vaccine platform for influenza A virus. The vaccine antigen is a fusion protein of headless hemagglutinin (HA) and matrix protein 1 (M1), which possess B-cell and T-cell epitopes, respectively, that are conserved among subgroup A viruses. The single molecule of headless HA and M1 fusion protein forms an oligomer by self-assembly of M1.

Plasma Oxidative State Induced by Exercise in Young Heat-Not-Burn Cigarette Users.

Introduction: Oxidative state, a risk factor for several diseases, is increased by habitual conventional cigarette (CC) smoking. Reports have demonstrated that heat-not-burn cigarettes (HNBCs), which have recently become popular among smokers, generate less oxidative state than CC in smokers with a long smoking history. However, no previous study has examined oxidative state in young HNBC users.

Cough sound-based estimation of vital capacity via cough peak flow using artificial neural network analysis.

This study presents a novel approach for estimating vital capacity using cough sounds and proposes a neural network-based model that utilizes the reference vital capacity computed using the lambda-mu-sigma method, a conventional approach, and the cough peak flow computed based on the cough sound pressure level as inputs. Additionally, a simplified cough sound input model is developed, with the cough sound pressure level used directly as the input instead of the computed cough peak flow. A total of 56 samples of cough sounds and vital capacities were collected from 31 young and 25 elderly participants.

Ventral hernia repair with enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal technique after a massive weight loss by laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) for obese patients is often associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and hernia recurrences. Achieving preoperative weight loss is ideal before VHR; however, it is difficult to attain with medical treatment. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) offers the most effective and durable treatment for obesity.

Hochuekkito Combined with Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Apathetic Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

The main treatment goals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the reduction of its symptoms and future risks. The addition of the traditional herbal medicine Hochuekkito (TJ-41) treatment to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been reported to improve dyspnea and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with COPD. However, the reason for this improvement is not sufficiently understood.

Effects of L-arginine on impaired blood fluidity after high-intensity exercise: An in vitro evaluation.

Background: Exercise-induced impairment of blood fluidity is considered to be associated with thrombosis development. However, the effects of L-arginine on blood fluidity after exercise remain unclear.

Objective: We investigated the mechanisms of impaired blood fluidity after high-intensity exercise, and examined whether L-arginine improves exercise-induced blood fluidity impairment in vitro.

Oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic versus open multivisceral resection for local advanced colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis.

Laparoscopic (lap) colectomies for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) often require resection of other organs. We systematically reviewed currently available literature on lap multi-visceral resection for CRC, with regard to short- and long-term oncological outcomes, and compared them with open procedures. We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and PubMed from inception to November 30, 2020.

Initial entry via the left upper quadrant with an optical trocar in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Introduction: Laparoscopic bariatric surgery (BS) is not readily performed in Japan. To facilitate safe initial access to the abdominal cavity, we insert an optical viewing trocar at a unique site in the left upper quadrant (LUQ). Herein, we describe the technique, its advantages, and outcomes.

Improvement of production yield and extraction efficacy of recombinant protein by high endosperm-specific expression along with simultaneous suppression of major seed storage proteins.

Human transforming growth factor-β1 (hTGF-β1)　was produced in transgenic rice seeds. To boost its production yield and to extract it simply, it was expressed under the control of seed-specific promoters along with the simultaneous suppression of endogenous seed storage proteins　(SSPs)　through RNA interference (RNAi). When driven by the 26 kDa α-globulin endosperm-specific promoter, it accumulated up to the markedly high level of 452 μg/grain.

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for assisting in the discharge instruction on activities of daily living: a case report.

[Purpose] Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) often develop remarkable exercise-induced hypoxemia and are hospitalized for management. The pre-discharge management of activities of daily living (ADL) should determine the amount of exercise-induced hypoxemia permitted during daily activities and inform concrete instructions based on these results. This clinical report aimed to promote 24-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in a patient with IPF to guide the pre-discharge management of ADL.

Effect of the use of passive body trunk exercise equipment on oxygen consumption and self-efficacy for carrying out exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims/introduction: Considering the difficulty in inculcating the habit of exercise among patients with type 2 diabetes, devising an easily maintained means of exercise is preferable. Passive body trunk exercise equipment (PBTE) developed for home use might solve several problems related to exercise therapy, both for patients and clinical staff involved in diabetes treatment; however, its efficacy as a therapeutic exercise device for patients with diabetes has not been ascertained. The purpose of this study was to measure the exercise intensity and self-efficacy of PBTE, and to determine whether PBTE is a useful tool for exercise therapy.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty for recurrent obturator hernia: A case report.

Reports of recurrence after obturator hernia repair are few. We describe the case of an 89-year-old woman who presented to us with a thrice recurrent obturator hernia. She had undergone open non-mesh repair twice and then laparoscopic non-mesh repair.

Evaluation of Yanagihara facial nerve grading system based on a muscle fiber analysis of human facial muscles.

Purpose: We morphometrically analyzed human facial muscles, and evaluated the Yanagihara facial nerve grading system using our data.

Methods: We used 15 types of human facial muscle, 2 types of masticatory muscle and 2 types of skeletal muscle. The materials were obtained from 11 Japanese male cadavers aged 43-86 years.

L-cysteine improves blood fluidity impaired by acetaldehyde: In vitro evaluation.

Blood fluidity is reportedly influenced by the volume and function of blood cells and plasma and is a predictor of primary cardiovascular events in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Heavy alcohol consumption was shown to be associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. Acetaldehyde (ACD), an oxidizing substance formed from ethanol, reportedly stimulates monocyte adhesion, causes abnormalities in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane, and decreases RBC deformability.

Effects of Hochuekkito combined with pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has significant systemic effects, such as weight loss, which affects exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and survival. The traditional herbal medicine, Hochuekkito (TJ-41), improves the nutritional status and decreases systemic inflammation in patients with COPD. However, to date, the additive effect of TJ-41 on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with COPD has not been researched comprehensively.

Posture and firmness changes in a pressure-relieving air mattress affect cough strength in elderly people with dysphagia.

Dysphagia is the major pathophysiologic mechanism leading to aspiration pneumonia in the elderly. Elderly people with dysphagia who show low levels of the cough peak flow (CPF) are at greater risk for aspiration pneumonia. It has been reported that CPF values were significantly lower in the "soft" versus "hard" mode of a pressure-relieving air mattress in healthy volunteers in a supine position.

Self-expanding metal stent restenosis in obstructive colon diverticulitis mimicking colon cancer: A case report.

Introduction: The self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) has been used in malignant colorectal obstruction as a bridge to surgery or for palliative treatment. We report a case of obstructive descending colon diverticulitis in-stent restenosis, which is difficult to distinguish from colon cancer.

Presentation Of Case: A 48-year-old man presented with abdominal pain.

A Mobile Cough Strength Evaluation Device Using Cough Sounds.

Although cough peak flow (CPF) is an important measurement for evaluating the risk of cough dysfunction, some patients cannot use conventional measurement instruments, such as spirometers, because of the configurational burden of the instruments. Therefore, we previously developed a cough strength estimation method using cough sounds based on a simple acoustic and aerodynamic model. However, the previous model did not consider age or have a user interface for practical application.

Estimation of Cough Peak Flow Using Cough Sounds.

Cough peak flow (CPF) is a measurement for evaluating the risk of cough dysfunction and can be measured using various devices, such as spirometers. However, complex device setup and the face mask required to be firmly attached to the mouth impose burdens on both patients and their caregivers. Therefore, this study develops a novel cough strength evaluation method using cough sounds.

Effect of body weight support on predicted locomotive physical activity.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the effect of body weight support with an assistive device on predicted locomotive physical activity measured using triaxial accelerometers in healthy young subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen healthy subjects aged 21.9 ± 1.

Combined laparoscopic abdomino-endoscopic perineal total mesorectal excision for anorectal malignant melanoma: A case report.

Introduction: This report presents a case of anorectal malignant melanoma treated with combined laparoscopic abdomino-endoscopic perineal total mesorectal excision.

Presentation Of Case: An 82-year-old female presented with hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed a 5-cm tumor in the anorectal junction, and biopsy specimen showed malignant melanoma.

Association between aerobic capacity and the improvement in glycemic control after the exercise training in type 2 diabetes.

Background: We investigated the influence of aerobic capacity on the improvement in glycemic control achieved by long-term aerobic exercise in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Fifty-three male patients with type 2 diabetes, recruited from outpatient clinics, wore multiple-memory accelerometers and were instructed to exercise at moderate intensity for ≥30 min on ≥3 days per week over 12 months. Peak oxygen uptake (peak [Formula: see text]) and serum glycated albumin (GA) were measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 12 months.

Expression and Purification of Recombinant Mouse Interleukin-4 and -6 from Transgenic Rice Seeds.

Transgenic rice seed can be utilized as a bioreactor to produce high-value recombinant proteins. Mouse interleukin 4 (mIL-4) and mIL-6 were specifically expressed as secretory proteins in rice endosperm by ligating the N-terminal glutelin B-1 (GluB-1) signal peptide and the C-terminal KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal under control of the endosperm-specific GluB-1 promoter. In the transgenic rice seed, mIL-4 and mIL-6 accumulated in levels up to 0.

Effect of Different Levels of Pressure Relieving Air-Mattress Firmness on Cough Strength.

Cough is an important host-defense mechanism. The elderly and patients who are severely ill cannot cough effectively when lying in the supine position. Furthermore, pressure relieving air-mattresses are recommended for preventing the development of pressure ulcers.

Cardiac parasympathetic outflow during dynamic exercise in humans estimated from power spectral analysis of P-P interval variability.

What is the central question of this study? Should we use the high-frequency (HF) component of P-P interval as an index of cardiac parasympathetic nerve activity during moderate exercise? What is the main finding and its importance? The HF component of P-P interval variability remained even at a heart rate of 120-140 beats min(-1) and was further reduced by atropine, indicating incomplete cardiac vagal withdrawal during moderate exercise. The HF component of R-R interval is invalid as an estimate of cardiac parasympathetic outflow during moderate exercise; instead, the HF component of P-P interval variability should be used. The high-frequency (HF) component of R-R interval variability has been widely used as an indirect estimate of cardiac parasympathetic (vagal) outflow to the sino-atrial node of the heart.