Intramuscular condition of swallowing-related muscles using shear-wave elastography: A preliminary study in healthy adults.

Background: Assessing the internal condition of swallowing-related muscles and muscle strength and size is important because their deterioration may lead to dysphagia. However, there are few reports on stiffness of swallowing-related muscles measured using shear-wave elastography (SWE) and their qualitative characteristics.

Objectives: We measured stiffness of swallowing-related muscles using SWE to investigate the relationship between muscle stiffness and body composition as well as other relevant variables in healthy adults.

A prospective cohort study on factors related to dental care and continuation of care for older adults receiving home medical care.

Information on the effects of dental treatment must be identified and factors that hinder the continuation of dental treatment must be identified to provide appropriate domiciliary dental care (DDC). This study aimed to clarify the treatment outcomes of DDC for older adults and the factors that impede the continuation of such care. This prospective study was conducted at a Japanese clinic specializing in dental care for older adults.

Oral status of older adults receiving home medical care: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study examined the oral status and the presence of teeth requiring treatment among older adults receiving home medical care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a Japanese dental clinic specializing in geriatric treatment. We recruited older adults receiving home medical care in the community who had begun to receive domiciliary dental care.

Problems experienced when swallowing solid oral dosage forms in older Japanese patients with dysphagia: A cross-sectional study.

Aims: We aimed to assess the difficulty in taking solid oral dosage forms (SODFs) among older people with dysphagia and clarify the relationship between difficulty in swallowing SODFs and swallowing function.

Methods And Results: Outpatients from a dysphagia clinic aged ≥65 years were asked yes-or-no questions about the applicability of eight items regarding difficulty in taking SODFs. Additionally, a videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed to assess their swallowing function.

Co-ingestion of traditional Japanese barley mixed rice (Mugi gohan) with yam paste in healthy Japanese adults decreases postprandial glucose and insulin secretion in a randomized crossover trial.

Background And Objectives: Barley mixed rice, "Mugi gohan," is traditionally eaten with yam paste in Japan. Both ingredients contain dietary fiber and reportedly reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. However, evidence supporting the benefits of combining barley mixed rice with yam paste is limited.

Two case reports using a proposed oral risk assessment tool for older people near the end of life.

Objectives: We developed a prototype technique that expresses the need for intervention and the effectiveness of the treatment when "not being at risk of injury to the oral cavity or to general health" due to the presence of teeth or prostheses is taken as the desired outcome of dental treatment for older people near the end of life. The objective of this study was to use the prototype risk assessment matrix to identify the risk for each patient according to their course and show the effectiveness of treatment.

Material And Methods: We produced a prototype Dental Risk Map (Dental R-map) based on the risk map method of risk management.

COVID-19 Infection-Related Weight Loss Decreases Eating/Swallowing Function in Schizophrenic Patients.

Background: In older people with psychoneurological diseases, COVID-19 infection may be associated with a risk of developing or exacerbating dysphagia. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between eating/swallowing function and COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Subjects were 44 inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 infection being treated for schizophrenia in a psychiatric ward.

Changes in peripheral inflammation-related gene expression by postprandial glycemic response in healthy Japanese men.

Objectives: Continuous postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with the onset of cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes has been shown to be induced by an increase in blood glucose levels. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the expression of inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes in response to an increase in blood glucose from individuals who consumed two kinds of breakfast meals with different glycemic indexes (GIs).

Effect of the 11/19-B1 Strain on Atopic Dermatitis in a Clinical Test and Mouse Model.

Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to improve atopic dermatitis (AD) through the regulation and stimulation of the host immune system. In this study, we found that ingestion of yogurt containing 11/19-B1 strain ( 11/19-B1) daily for 8 weeks significantly improved the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) system score from 38.8 ± 14.

Effect of chest compression with kneeling on the bed in clinical situations.

Aim: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is vital for survival after cardiac arrest, and chest compressions are an important aspect of this. When performing chest compression in a hospital setting, the rescuer often has to kneel on the bed to overcome inconvenient differences in height between the rescuer and the bed. However, as yet no study has evaluated the quality of chest compressions in this position.

Consumption of a meal containing refined barley flour bread is associated with a lower postprandial blood glucose concentration after a second meal compared with one containing refined wheat flour bread in healthy Japanese: A randomized control trial.

Objective: Foods reducing postprandial hyperglycemia could suppress the postprandial blood glucose response after the next meal (a "second-meal" effect). However, the second-meal effect of refined barley flour bread has not been evaluated. The aim of this study is to determine whether consumption of refined barley flour bread reduces postprandial glucose concentrations after this and the subsequent meal.

Effect of food intake on the ventilatory response to increasing core temperature during exercise.

Food intake increases metabolism and body temperature, which may in turn influence ventilatory responses. Our aim was to assess the effect of food intake on ventilatory sensitivity to rising core temperature during exercise. Nine healthy male subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer at 50% of peak oxygen uptake in sessions with and without prior food intake.

[A MULTICENTER STUDY ON CHILDHOOD ALLERGIC RHINITIS TREATMENT IN THE TOHOKU REGION].

Background: We performed a multicenter study in order to clarify the present conditions of the childhood allergic rhinitis treatment in many departments of otorhinolaryngology and pediatrics/internal medicine in the Tohoku region, northern Japan.

Methods: We performed a questionnaire survey about patient backgrounds, nasal symptoms, QOL disturbance, and treatment agents, for childhood allergic rhinitis patients under age 12.

Results: The total number of cases was 814, the mean age of the patients seen in pediatrics/internal medicine departments was significantly lower than that in otorhinolaryngology.

Metabolomics of Salivary Biomarkers in Yusho Patients.

Yusho patients had many symptoms, and mouth dryness was one of the important oral symptoms. Presently, some Yusho patients complain of mouth dryness. In the present study, we measured mouth dryness by using an oral moisture checking device and examined metabolites of saliva by using metabolome analysis.

Practical application of flavonoid-poor menu meals to the study of the bioavailability of bilberry anthocyanins in human subjects.

Practical application of flavonoid-poor menus was evaluated on the bioavailability of anthocyanins as model flavonoids. Detectable amounts of flavonoids were not found in plasma and urine collected from 13 participants, who took the menus. After ingesting bilberry anthocyanins (919 μmol), average plasma AUC0-6h, Cmax, Tmax values and urinary recovery were 386.

Effect of postprandial thermogenesis on the cutaneous vasodilatory response during exercise.

To examine the effect of postprandial thermogenesis on the cutaneous vasodilatory response, 10 healthy male subjects exercised for 30 min on a cycle ergometer at 50% of peak oxygen uptake, with and without food intake. Mean skin temperature, mean body temperature (Tb), heart rate, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide elimination, and respiratory quotient were all significantly higher at baseline in the session with food intake than in the session without food intake. To evaluate the cutaneous vasodilatory response, relative laser Doppler flowmetry values were plotted against esophageal temperature (Tes) and Tb.

Circulating interleukin-1β concentrations are independently-positively associated with γ-glutamyltransferase activity within the normal range in middle-aged apparently healthy Japanese women.

We previously demonstrated that the circulating concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, which is known to induce the development and progression of type 2 diabetes and its complications, were positively associated with γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GTP) activity in middle-aged apparently healthy Japanese men. It was still unknown if the association between IL-1β concentrations and γ-GTP activity is within the normal range in apparently healthy Japanese women. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 824 apparently healthy women aged 40-64 y [mean±standard deviation age, 53.

Self-reported faster eating associated with higher ALT activity in middle-aged, apparently healthy Japanese women.

Objective: Faster eating and elevated circulating activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a marker for liver injury, are risk factors for the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and their complications. The aim of this study was to examine the association between self-reported eating rate and circulating ALT activity in apparently healthy middle-aged Japanese women.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 900 apparently healthy women ages 40 to 64 y (mean ± SD, 53.

A higher rate of eating is associated with higher circulating interluekin-1β concentrations in Japanese men not being treated for metabolic diseases.

Objective: In this study, we examined the relations between the rate of eating and circulating interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels in Japanese men not being treated for metabolic diseases.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 170 men 40 to 59 y old (mean ± standard deviation, 51.4 ± 5.

Salivary gland tumors: use of intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging for assessment of diffusion and perfusion for the differentiation of benign from malignant tumors.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters (microvascular volume fraction, f; pure diffusion coefficient, D; and perfusion-related incoherent microcirculation, D*) for differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

Materials And Methods: All participants in this prospective institutional review board-approved study provided written informed consent. The perfusion and diffusion of 20 (65%) benign (12 pleomorphic adenomas and eight Warthin tumors) and 11 (35%) malignant salivary gland tumors were assessed on the basis of the IVIM theory.

Principal component 1 score calculated from metabolic syndrome diagnostic parameters is a possible marker for the development of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Japanese men without treatment for metabolic diseases.

Purpose: The risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is assessed based on the presence of risk factors that include dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension and obesity. In this study, we assessed the risk of MetS using principle component (PC) analysis of MetS diagnostic parameters and examined whether the resulting eigenvalues are associated with the circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6] and a marker for insulin sensitivity (adiponectin) in middle-aged Japanese men without treatment for metabolic diseases.

Materials: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 308 Japanese men without treatment for metabolic diseases aged 40-69 years who participated in health checkups in Japan.

Associations between markers of liver injury and cytokine markers for insulin sensitivity and inflammation in middle-aged Japanese men not being treated for metabolic diseases.

Elevated circulating alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GTP) activities in healthy and preclinical subjects are associated with increased risk for obesity, diabetes and related complications. In the present study, we examined the associations between these hepatic enzymes and circulating cytokines as markers for insulin sensitivity (adiponectin) and inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6)] in middle-aged Japanese men not being treated for metabolic diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 310 Japanese men aged 40-69 y (mean ± SD, 58.

Circulating interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 concentrations are closely associated with γ-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in middle-aged Japanese men without obvious cardiovascular diseases.

Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 expressions are known to be induced by oxidant stress. In the present study, we examined the relationships between these interleukins and the activity of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GTP), which was recently reported as a source of oxidant stress production, in the circulating blood of middle-aged Japanese men without obvious cardiovascular diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 317 Japanese men without obvious cardiovascular diseases aged 40 to 69 years (mean ± SD, 58.