Hydroxyprolyl-Glycine in 24 H Urine Shows Higher Correlation with Meat Consumption than Prolyl-Hydroxyproline, a Major Collagen Peptide in Urine and Blood.

Urinary collagen peptides, the breakdown products of endogenous collagen, have been used as biomarkers for various diseases. These non-invasive biomarkers are easily measured via mass spectrometry, aiding in diagnostics and therapy effectiveness. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of consuming collagen-containing meat on collagen peptide composition in human blood and urine.

Potential tactics with certain gut microbiota for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes an extremely malignant form of primary liver cancer. Intricate connections linking to the immune system might be associated with the pathogenesis of HCC. Meanwhile, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has been established to be a favorable therapeutic possibility for advanced HCC.

Potential tactics with vitamin D and certain phytochemicals for enhancing the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint blockade therapies.

Immunotherapy strategies targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) are revolutionizing oncology. However, its effectiveness is limited in part due to the loss of effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Interestingly, supplementation of vitamin D could abolish the repressive effect of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CD8 T cells, which might prevent the lymphocytopenia.

The Tryptophan and Kynurenine Pathway Involved in the Development of Immune-Related Diseases.

The tryptophan and kynurenine pathway is well-known to play an important role in nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, as well as in the development of inflammatory diseases. It has been documented that some kynurenine metabolites are considered to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and/or neuroprotective properties. Importantly, many of these kynurenine metabolites may possess immune-regulatory properties that could alleviate the inflammation response.

Tactics with Prebiotics for the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease via the Improvement of Mitophagy.

Mitophagy/autophagy plays a protective role in various forms of liver damage, by renovating cellular metabolism linking to sustain liver homeostasis. A characterized pathway for mitophagy is the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-dependent signaling pathway. In particular, PINK1-mediated mitophagy could play an indispensable role in improving the metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) which could precede to steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Encouraging Tactics with Genetically Modified Probiotics to Improve Immunity for the Prevention of Immune-Related Diseases including Cardio-Metabolic Disorders.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes mellitus, as well as metabolic syndromes, which could also be risk factors for cardio-metabolic disorders. Consistently, it has been shown that beneficial effects may be convoyed by the modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway against the development of these diseases. Importantly, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway can be modulated by probiotics.

Individual readiness for transplantation medicine of laypersons and the number of deceased organ donors: a cross-sectional online survey in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Objectives: The gap between the numbers of organ donors and recipients is a common problem worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the importance of 'individual readiness', a here introduced novel concept in transplantation medicine and a measure of positive attitudes towards organ donation and transplantation.

Design: A cross-sectional online survey was used to collect the research data.

Association between choriocapillaris flow deficit and choroidal neovascularization activity in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Although choriocapillaris flow deficit (CFD) around choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is less associated with CNV activity in myopic eyes, no reports are investigating its size as an indicator of CNV activity. We investigated the relationship between CFD and high myopia-related CNV. In this retrospective, observational study, patients underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography for diagnosing pathological myopic CNV (mCNV); CFD features around CNV margins were evaluated.

Impact of School Closures due to COVID-19 on Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Japan.

In March 2020, many schools were closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Japan, and it is predicted that many children, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), will be affected emotionally and behaviorally. Here, we examined the impact of school closures due to COVID-19 on school-aged children with NDDs using the Child Behavior Checklist. Totally, data on 121 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and/or intellectual disorder were analyzed and it was found that externalizing and aggressive behavior increased in all NDDs, regardless of the type of diagnosis.

Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Non-syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder in Clinical Settings.

Although genetic factors are involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the significance of genetic analysis in clinical settings is unclear. Forty-nine subjects diagnosed with non-syndromic ASD were analyzed by microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis, whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis, and panel sequencing analysis for 52 common causative genes of ASD to detect inherited rare variants. Genetic analysis by microarray CGH and WES analyses showed conclusive results in about 10% of patients, however, many inherited variants detected by panel sequencing analysis were difficult to interpret and apply in clinical practice in the majority of patients.

Collagen-Derived Di-Peptide, Prolylhydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp): A New Low Molecular Weight Growth-Initiating Factor for Specific Fibroblasts Associated With Wound Healing.

Many cells and soluble factors are involved in the wound healing process, which can be divided into inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases. Fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, especially during the proliferative phase, and show heterogeneity depending on lineage, tissue distribution, and extent of differentiation. Fibroblasts from tissue stem cells rather than from healthy tissues infiltrate wounds and proliferate.

Effect of peripapillary tilt direction and magnitude on central visual field defects in primary open-angle glaucoma with high myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between peripapillary tilt and visual field (VF) defects in glaucomatous eyes with axial myopia.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Patients And Methods: One hundred four eyes of 104 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with myopia were included (52 eyes with high myopia [HM], 26.

Dynamic Scheimpflug Ocular Biomechanical Parameters in Untreated Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Eyes.

Purpose: To characterize the corneal biomechanical properties of glaucoma eyes by comparing the dynamic Scheimpflug biomechanical parameters between untreated glaucoma and control eyes.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational data of dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST) examinations were retrospectively collected from 35 eyes of 35 consecutive patients with untreated normal tension glaucoma and 35 eyes of 35 healthy patients matched on age and IOP. Ten biomechanical parameters were compared between the two groups using multivariable models adjusting for IOP, central corneal thickness, age, and axial length.

Food-Derived Collagen Peptides, Prolyl-Hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp), and Hydroxyprolyl-Glycine (Hyp-Gly) Enhance Growth of Primary Cultured Mouse Skin Fibroblast Using Fetal Bovine Serum Free from Hydroxyprolyl Peptide.

Prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) and hydroxyprolyl-glycine (Hyp-Gly) appear in human blood after ingestion of collagen hydrolysate and trigger growth of fibroblasts attached on collagen gel, which has been associated with beneficial effects upon ingestion of collagen hydrolysate, such as improvement of skin and joint conditions. In the present study, inconsistent results were obtained by using different lots of fetal bovine serum (FBS). Fibroblasts proliferated in collagen gel without adding Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly and did not respond to addition of Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly, which raises doubts about conclusions from prior research.

Dynamic Scheimpflug Ocular Biomechanical Parameters in Healthy and Medically Controlled Glaucoma Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between biomechanical parameters measured with a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer and glaucoma.

Patients And Methods: Cross-sectional observational data of 47 eyes of 47 consecutive subjects with medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma and 75 eyes of 75 healthy subjects examined with a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST) were retrospectively investigated. Eight biomechanical parameters were compared between eyes with and without glaucoma using multivariable models adjusting for intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness, age, and axial length.

Amount of Collagen in the Meat Contained in Japanese Daily Dishes and the Collagen Peptide Content in Human Blood after Ingestion of Cooked Fish Meat.

Objectives of the present study were to evaluate amounts of collagen in Japanese daily dishes and contents of food-derived collagen peptides in human blood. The meat in one serving of most Japanese daily dishes contains 0.2-2.

En Face Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Beta and Gamma Parapapillary Atrophy in High Myopia.

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that OCT-based classification of parapapillary atrophy (PPA) may be helpful in distinguishing glaucomatous from myopic optic disc changes. However, the pathologic implications of PPA may be different in highly myopic eyes that exhibit optic disc deformations distinct from low-to-moderate myopia. Therefore, we conducted the current study to investigate factors associated with OCT-defined PPA zones measured in en face reconstructed swept-source OCT (SS OCT) images in highly myopic eyes.

Evaluation of corneal biomechanics in patients with keratectasia following LASIK using dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer.

Purpose: To investigate the corneal biomechanics in eyes with keratectasia following LASIK using a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer.

Design: Case-Control study.

Method: The subjects in the study included 12 eyes with keratectasia after LASIK (KE), 24 eyes with keratoconus (KC), 17 eyes without keratectasia after LASIK (LASIK), and 34 eyes with normal corneas (Normal).

Measurement repeatability of the dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer.

Purpose: To evaluate the repeatability of corneal deformation parameters measured using a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer and the impact of baseline clinical factors on the repeatability of each parameter.

Study Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Methods: Forty-eight eyes (48 healthy subjects; mean age, 49.

Measurements of the parapapillary atrophy zones in en face optical coherence tomography images.

Objective: To measure the parapapillary atrophy (PPA) area in en face images obtained with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), and to evaluate its relationship to glaucoma, myopia, and age in non-highly myopic subjects.

Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Participants: Fifty eyes of 30 subjects with open-angle glaucoma (G group) and forty-three eyes of 26 healthy control subjects (C group).

Factors Associated With Corneal Deformation Responses Measured With a Dynamic Scheimpflug Analyzer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify correlations between corneal deformation parameters measured with a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer and baseline factors such as axial length, intraocular pressure (IOP), age, central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal curvature.

Methods: Ninety-six eyes of 96 healthy subjects (mean 55.2 ± 16.

Analysis of Peripapillary Geometric Characters in High Myopia Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: We measured the three-dimensional geometric profile around the optic nerve head (ONH) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in highly myopic eyes.

Methods: We studied 114 highly myopic eyes (<-6.0 diopters [D]) of 114 patients without glaucoma.

Defects of the Lamina Cribrosa in High Myopia and Glaucoma.

Purpose: We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of the defects of the lamina cribrosa (LC) in high myopia and glaucoma, and compared them with control eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods: One hundred fifty-nine eyes of 108 participants were divided into four subgroups; high myopia with glaucoma (MG, 67 eyes of 46 subjects), glaucoma without high myopia (G, 22 eyes of 13 subjects), high myopia without glaucoma (M, 35 eyes of 29 subjects), and a control group with neither glaucoma nor high myopia (C, 35 eyes of 20 subjects). The LC defects were identified and located using a standardized protocol in serial horizontal OCT scans.

Concordance of DSM-5 and DSM-IV-TR classifications for autism spectrum disorder.

Background: The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published in May 2013. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been structured for the three subtypes of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), but the number of impairment in social and communication dimension is not stated.

Methods: The subjects were 68 children who visited the Department of Psychology and Development at Nagoya City University Hospital for the first time between the ages of 6 and 15 years old.

The long-term effects of red light-emitting diode irradiation on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) affects various biological processes, and it is said that the non-coherent light of the light-emitting diode (LED) has a similar action. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of LED light on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts-like MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium (ODM) over the long term. Cells were irradiated with red LED light of 630 nm at three doses; 0.