Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Cohort Study.

Aim: Recent studies have suggested that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may be a good marker of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and non-HDL-C.

Methods: We evaluated CRF and the incidence of high level of non-HDL-C in 4,067 Japanese men without dyslipidemia.

Physical Fitness Tests and Type 2 Diabetes Among Japanese: A Longitudinal Study From the Niigata Wellness Study.

Background: Simple physical fitness test can be a useful potential predictor of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We examined the association between performances on simple physical fitness tests and the incidence of T2DM.

Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in 21,802 nondiabetic Japanese (6,649 women) aged 20 to 92 years, who underwent all physical fitness tests at baseline (April 2001 to March 2002).

Restoration from polyglutamine toxicity after free electron laser irradiation of neuron-like cells.

Proteins containing an expanded polyglutamine tract tend to aggregate, leading to the neuronal damage observed in polyglutamine diseases. We recently reported that free electron laser (FEL) irradiation markedly dissociates naked polyglutamine aggregates as well as the aggregate in the 293 T cells. In the present study, we investigated whether FEL irradiation of neuron-like cells with polyglutamine aggregates would restore the cellular damage and dysfunction.

Crossroads of metabolism and CKD.

Sensitive and useful biomarkers for predicting chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its prognosis are urgently needed. Using a nontargeted metabolomic approach, Hu et al. explored an established CKD cohort, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, as well as a validation cohort, African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension.

Association between trunk pain and lower extremity pain among youth soccer players: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Soccer is a high-intensity sport with a high injury rate. Among youth soccer players, lower extremity pain is a major problem that could be associated with trunk function. This study investigated the association between lower extremity pain and trunk pain among youth soccer players.

Pax6-dependent regulation of the rat Fabp7 promoter activity.

Fabp7 gene encodes a brain-specific fatty acid-binding protein that is widely used as a marker for neural stem cells. Here, we report that the activity of rat Fabp7 promoter was regulated directly by a transcription factor, Pax6. Deletion analyses identified an essential region (-837 to -64 from transcription start site) in the rat Fabp7 promoter.

Low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound increases cardiac parasympathetic neural activity and decreases clinic hypertension in elderly hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The aims of the present study were to determine the effects of an ultrasound irradiation on clinic hypertension and the heart rate variability in elderly hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We examined the effects of ultrasound (800 kHz, 25 mW/cm) applied to the forearm for 10 min on the autonomic nerve activity and the difference between BP at home and at a clinic visit in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Results: In 108 subjects who displayed systolic BP (SBP) >140 mm Hg at a clinic visit, 75 subjects (69%) had a mean SBP <135 mm Hg at home and 33 subjects (31%) had a mean SBP >135 mm Hg at home in the morning for 14 days.

Effect of Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on a Child with Involuntary Movement after Hypoxic Encephalopathy.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation to the supplementary motor area to inhibit involuntary movements of a child. An 8-year-old boy who developed hypoxic encephalopathy after asphyxia at the age of 2 had difficulty in remaining standing without support because of involuntary movements. He was instructed to remain standing with his plastic ankle-foot orthosis for 10 s at three time points by leaning forward with his forearms on a desk.

High Tomato and Tomato Product Consumption is Protective Against the Decline in Handgrip Strength Among Japanese Adults: The Oroshisho Study.

Background: There is scarce epidemiological evidence regarding the relationships of the consumption of different types of vegetables or fruits with change in skeletal muscle strength. We prospectively examined the relationships among Japanese adults, using handgrip strength to assess skeletal muscle strength.

Methods: A 3-year study was carried out with 259 Japanese adults who were 22-68 years of age.

Low frequency of cervicocranial artery involvement in Japanese with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia compared with that of Caucasians.

Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), which usually affects the renal artery, also affects the carotid, vertebral, and intracranial arteries. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of concomitant renal artery and cervicocranial lesions in FMD patients. However, the analyzed subjects were mostly Caucasians in Western countries.

Renovascular hypertension associated with JAK2 V617F positive myeloproliferative neoplasms treated with angioplasty: 2 cases and literature review.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation are associated with a high risk for occlusive vascular diseases. We report 2 cases of renovascular hypertension associated with JAK2 V617F mutation-positive MPNs and provide a literature review. In Case 1, a 63-year-old woman had resistant hypertension, massive proteinuria, and erythrocytosis.

The Characteristics of Coaches that Verbally or Physically Abuse Young Athletes.

Verbal or physical abuse from coaches has a negative impact on young athletes. To prevent abuse against young athletes, it is important to know the characteristics of abusive coaches. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of coaches who commit verbal or physical abuse in youth sports teams.

Effects of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound for Preventing Joint Stiffness in Immobilized Knee Model in Rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in preventing joint stiffness. Unilateral knee joints were immobilized in two groups of rats (n = 6/period/group). Under general anesthesia, the immobilized knee joints were exposed to LIPUS for 20 min/d, 5 d/wk, using an existing LIPUS device (LIPUS group, 1.

Roles of IL-1α/β in regeneration of cardiotoxin-injured muscle and satellite cell function.

Skeletal muscle regeneration after injury is a complex process involving interactions between inflammatory microenvironments and satellite cells. Interleukin (IL)-1 is a key mediator of inflammatory responses and exerts pleiotropic impacts on various cell types. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-1 during skeletal muscle regeneration.

Liraglutide, a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, Which Decreases Hypothalamic 5-HT2A Receptor Expression, Reduces Appetite and Body Weight Independently of Serotonin Synthesis in Mice.

A recent report suggested that brain-derived serotonin (5-HT) is critical for maintaining weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor activation in rats and that 5-HT2A receptors mediate the feeding suppression and weight loss induced by GLP-1 receptor activation. Here, we show that changes in daily food intake and body weight induced by intraperitoneal administration of liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, over 4 days did not differ between mice treated with the tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph) inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) for 3 days and mice without PCPA treatment. Treatment with PCPA did not affect hypothalamic 5-HT2A receptor expression.

Stress-induced tRNA cleavage and tiRNA generation in rat neuronal PC12 cells.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a role in stress response programs involved in various pathological conditions including neurological diseases. Under cell stress conditions, intracellular tRNA is cleaved by a specific ribonuclease, angiogenin, generating tRNA-derived fragments or tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNA). Generated tiRNA contributes to the cell stress response and has potential cell protective effects.

Efficacy of Octacalcium Phosphate Collagen Composite for Titanium Dental Implants in Dogs.

Background: Previous studies showed that octacalcium (OCP) collagen composite (OCP/Col) can be used to repair human jaw bone defects without any associated abnormalities. The present study investigated whether OCP/Col could be applied to dental implant treatment using a dog tooth extraction socket model.

Methods: The premolars of dogs were extracted; each extraction socket was extended, and titanium dental implants were placed in each socket.

Involvement of neutrophils and interleukin-18 in nociception in a mouse model of muscle pain.

Muscle pain is a common condition that relates to various pathologies. Muscle overuse induces muscle pain, and neutrophils are key players in pain production. Neutrophils also play a central role in chronic pain by secreting interleukin (IL)-18.

Factors associated with sports-related dental injuries among young athletes: a cross-sectional study in Miyagi prefecture.

Background: Sports-related dental injuries, such as tooth fracture, loosening, and avulsion, are a major concern among young athletes because they directly impair oral function. Although the preventive efficacy of mouthguards has been well established, the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries remains high among young athletes. The aim of this study is to identify the variables contributing to the risk of sports-related dental injuries by conducting a survey on large population of young athletes in Miyagi prefecture.

Impact of the Oral Adsorbent AST-120 on Organ-Specific Accumulation of Uremic Toxins: LC-MS/MS and MS Imaging Techniques.

Elevated circulating uremic toxins are associated with a variety of symptoms and organ dysfunction observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and -cresyl sulfate (PCS) are representative uremic toxins that exert various harmful effects. We recently showed that IS induces metabolic alteration in skeletal muscle and causes sarcopenia in mice.

Excessive game playing is associated with musculoskeletal pain among youth athletes: a cross-sectional study in Miyagi prefecture.

Youth athletes are known to be at high risk of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. Children in developed countries are increasingly adopting a sedentary lifestyle. Although some risk factors related to sports activities have been reported, the effect of lifestyle (i.

Long-term Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Type 2 Diabetes Incidence: A Cohort Study of Japanese Men.

Background: We sought to examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and incidence of type 2 diabetes considering the follow-up period in a cohort of Japanese men with a maximum follow-up period of 23 years.

Methods: This study enrolled 7,804 male workers free of diabetes in 1986. CRF was measured using a cycle ergometer, and maximal oxygen uptake was estimated.

Neuronal signals regulate obesity induced β-cell proliferation by FoxM1 dependent mechanism.

Under insulin-resistant conditions such as obesity, pancreatic β-cells proliferate to prevent blood glucose elevations. A liver-brain-pancreas neuronal relay plays an important role in this process. Here, we show the molecular mechanism underlying this compensatory β-cell proliferation.

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Associated with Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia and Mitochondrial DNA A3243G Mutation.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is caused by various etiologies, with mitochondrial dysfunction being one of the causes. FSGS is known to be associated with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), which is a subclass of mitochondrial disease. However, it has rarely been reported in other mitochondrial disease subclasses.

Importance of Achieving a "Fit" Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level for Several Years on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Japanese Cohort Study.

Background: The "Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion 2013" provides "fit" reference values for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) for good health. The importance of achieving a fit CRF level for several years on the subsequent prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains to be clarified.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in 2,235 nondiabetic males aged 21 to 59 years, enrolled in April 1986 through March 1987.