Dietary Cerebroside from Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus): Absorption and Effects on Skin Barrier and Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

Sphingolipids from marine sources have attracted more attention recently because of their distinctive structures and expected functions. In this study, the content and components of cerebroside from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus were analyzed. The absorption of cerebroside from S.

River and fish pollution in Malaysia: A green ergonomics perspective.

Human activities, such as industrial, agricultural, and domestic pursuits, discharge effluents into riverine ecological systems that contains aquatic resources, such as fish, which are also used by humans. We conducted case studies in Malaysia to investigate the impacts of these human activities on water and fish resources, as well as on human well-being from an ergonomics perspective. This research shows that a green ergonomics approach can provide us with useful insights into sustainable relationships between humans and ecology in facilitating human well-being in consideration of the overall performance of the social-ecological system.

Prediction of Advisability of Returning Home Using the Home Care Score.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess whether the home care score (HCS), which was developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan in 1992, is useful for the prediction of advisability of home care. Methods.

Gut Microbial Fatty Acid Metabolites Reduce Triacylglycerol Levels in Hepatocytes.

Hydroxy and oxo fatty acids were recently found to be produced as intermediates during gut microbial fatty acid metabolism. Lactobacillus plantarum produces these fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. In this study, we investigated the effects of these gut microbial fatty acid metabolites on the lipogenesis in liver cells.

Balance function in patients who had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

A previous study reported a 45% incidence of falling among allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) patients during hospitalisation. We investigated balance and physical function in allo-HSCT patients. Thirty patients (18 men and 12 women) who underwent allo-HSCT between February 2013 and September 2014 were included in this study.

A novel objective evaluation method for trunk function.

[Purpose] To investigate whether an objective evaluation method for trunk function, namely the "trunk righting test", is reproducible and reliable by testing on different observers (from experienced to beginners) and by confirming the test-retest reliability. [Subjects] Five healthy subjects were evaluated in this correlation study. [Methods] A handheld dynamometer was used in the assessments.

The green algal carotenoid siphonaxanthin inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the accumulation of lipids in white adipose tissue of KK-Ay mice.

Background: Siphonaxanthin, a xanthophyll present in green algae, has been shown to possess antiangiogenic and apoptosis-inducing activities.

Objective: We evaluated the antiobesity effects of siphonaxanthin by using a 3T3-L1 cell culture system and in diabetic KK-Ay mice.

Methods: 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without 5 μmol/L siphonaxanthin, and lipid accumulation and critical gene expressions for adipogenesis were examined.

Effect of cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation on soleus Ia presynaptic and reciprocal inhibition.

Previously, we reported that cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation (C-TMS) facilitates spinal motoneuronal excitability in resting humans. In this study, we aimed to characterize the descending pathway that is responsible for the C-TMS-associated cerebellar spinal facilitation. We evaluated the effect of C-TMS on ipsilateral soleus Ia presynaptic inhibition (PSI) and reciprocal inhibition (RI) because the vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts project from the cerebellum to mediate spinal motoneurons via interneurons associated with PSI.

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgery: outcomes and patient satisfaction.

We examined the outcomes and levels of patient satisfaction in 202 consecutive cases of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SBPB) in upper limb surgery performed between September 2007 and March 2010. All blocks were performed by orthopaedic surgeons using ultrasound visualisation with a high-frequency linear probe. The probe was placed in the coronal-oblique plane in the supraclavicular fossa, and the puncture was 'in-plane' from lateral to medial.

Percutaneous corrective osteotomy for Kirner's deformity: a case report.

Kirner's deformity is a rare skeletal deformity first described in Germany in 1927. It is characterized by progressive palmar-radial curvature of the distal phalanx of the small finger. Here, we present the case of a 15-year-old boy with Kirner's deformity in both little fingers, who was treated with percutaneous corrective osteotomy.

Effects of changes in skiing posture on the kinetics of the knee joint.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of changes in the skiing posture on mechanical stress across the knee joint. The aim of the present study was to establish a safer form of skiing for the prevention of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (ACL). Ten healthy volunteers were placed on a force plate on an artificial slope, and assumed forward and backward bending postures with a single leg by changing their centre of gravity.