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Objective: Asthma is an airway inflammatory disease caused by activation of numerous immune cells including macrophages. Bakuchicin (BKC) is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and type 2 T helper (Th2) regulation, but has not been investigated for airway inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of BKC on airway inflammation and demonstrate the mechanisms of macrophage polarization. Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects were determined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. The ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of BKC on airway inflammation and Th2 responses. Moreover, the effect of BKC on macrophage polarization was confirmed in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) differentiation. Results: BKC suppressed nitric oxide production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In an OVA-induced asthma model, BKC treatment alleviated histological changes and mast cell infiltration and reduced the levels of eosinophil peroxidase, β-hexosaminidase, and immunoglobulin levels. In addition, BKC alleviated Th2 responses and M2 macrophage populations in bronchoalveolar fluid. In BMDMs, BKC suppressed IL-4-induced M2 macrophage polarization and the expression of M2 markers such as arginase-1 and Fizz-1 through inhibiting sirtuin 2 levels. Conclusion: BKC could be a drug candidate for the treatment of allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce the groupwise-pivotal referral (GPR) mechanism for auctions where buyers can participate through referrals. Each buyer's type consists of a valuation and referable buyers. Unlike the second-price auction (SPA), the Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) mechanism provides referral incentives. However, VCG is not budget-feasible. In contrast, under complete information, GPR is core-selecting, implying efficiency and budget feasibility. Under incomplete information, bidders refer truthfully and have no incentive to underbid in GPR. Furthermore, GPR's ex-post revenue outperforms both VCG and SPA, not just in equilibrium but also when bidders do not use weakly dominated strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical microscopy suffers from a loss of resolving power when imaging targets are embedded in thick scattering media because of the dominance of strong multiple-scattered waves over waves scattered only a single time by the targets. Here, we present an approach that maintains full optical resolution when imaging deep within scattering media. We use both time-gated detection and spatial input-output correlation to identify those reflected waves that conserve in-plane momentum, which is a property of single-scattered waves. By implementing a superradiance-like collective accumulation of the single-scattered waves, we enhance the ratio of the single scattering signal to the multiple scattering background by more than three orders of magnitude. An imaging depth of 11.5 times the scattering mean free path is achieved with a near-diffraction-limited resolution of 1.5 μm. Our method of distinguishing single- from multiple-scattered waves will open new routes to deep-tissue imaging and studying the physics of the interaction of light with complex media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the differences in the prognosis of older patients who received home care or hospitalized care to treat acute fever in Japan. Methods: This prospective case–control study screened 192 registered acutely pyrexic older patients who received home care at 10 medical institutions in Japan, and enrolled 15 and 30 patients who were treated in the hospital (hospitalized group) and at home (home‐care group), respectively, matched for fever and the physical conditions before fever onset. Intergroup differences in the 90‐day mortality from fever onset and changes in patients' disability and dementia from the pre‐fever to 90 days post‐fever onset were determined. Results: No significant intergroup difference in the 90‐day mortality rate was detected (26.7% vs 13.3% for hospitalized and home‐care groups, respectively, P = 0.41). Disability tended to worsen in the hospitalized group compared with the home‐care group (54.5% vs 23.1%, respectively, P = 0.06), whereas dementia significantly worsened in the hospitalized group compared with the home‐care group (45.5% vs 3.8%, respectively, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Home care confers a better prognosis for treating acute fever in older people whose daily functions have deteriorated enough to necessitate regular home care. This study assists those people in making informed choices about where to receive treatment for acute fever. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 355–361. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last three decades, Japan has become one of the world's top countries for longevity, and the increase in average life expectancy is accompanied by a sharp rise in older population 65 years of age and above to ∼28%. This study aimed to examine the changes in major health-related measures, including a physical constitution, physical function, and functional capacity of community-dwelling Japanese older people in the last decade. From the data of 13 longitudinal cohort studies on aging conducted in Japan with a total of 13,441 older subjects, this study analyzed the changes in six indices that are related to health and functioning of the older people; height, weight, body mass index, walking speed, grip strength, and instrumental activity of daily living, between 2007 (±2 years) and 2017 (±2 years). Comparison of data for the two periods between subjects matched for age group and gender evidently showed better health status and a slower decline in most of the health-related measures in 2017 compared to a decade ago. The results of this study indicate that the phenomenon of "rejuvenation" is occurring among the new generation of Japanese older adults, and the importance of this older population as a social resource in the super-aged society should be reacknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine whether the outcomes of fever treatment through home care differ from those through hospitalized care for older people who regularly receive home care in Japan. Methods: A retrospective survey of medical record‐based data for 679 older people who regularly received home care provided by a clinic in Japan. From these data, 61 fever cases (21 cases treated in the hospital and 40 treated at home and assigned to the hospitalized and home‐care groups, respectively) were selected for analysis through a matching process. We compared the two groups in terms of mortality rate at 90 days after fever onset, and concerning changes in respective ranks for "Degree of Independent Living for the Elderly with Disability" and "Degree of Independent Living for the Elderly with Dementia" from immediately before fever onset to 90 days after fever onset. Results: The mortality rate tended to be higher in the hospitalized group than in the home‐care group (33% vs. 13%, respectively, P = 0.05). The hospitalized group also had a higher proportion of patients whose disability had worsened (43% vs. 23%, respectively, P = 0.16) and a significantly higher proportion of patients whose dementia had worsened (29% vs. 6%, respectively, P = 0.03). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that home care is more effective than hospitalized care for treating fever in older people who regularly receive home care in Japan, as it leads to lower mortality and better maintenance of activities of daily living capabilities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 482–487. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examined temporal trends in cognitive function among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. • The data source for this study was Integrated Longitudinal Studies on Aging in Japan (ILSA-J). • The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of cognitive impairment decreased, while the prevalence of intact cognition increased. • Thus, the cognitive function of community-dwelling Japanese older adults has improved in recent years. • Future studies need to identify factors associated with the improvement. As the population ages, it is important to consider whether older adults tend to have healthier lives. This study examined temporal trends in cognitive function among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. The data source for this study was Integrated Longitudinal Studies on Aging in Japan (ILSA-J). We collected representative values for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score obtained in 2010 and 2017; mean, standard deviation, and prevalence of ≤23 as cognitive impairment and ≥28 as intact cognitive function. Six cohorts (n=8,575) in 2010 and seven cohorts (n=6,089) in 2017 were included (age range 65-89). One-group meta-analyses were conducted to calculate pooled means of MMSE scores, the pooled prevalence of MMSE scores ≤23 and ≥28, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The mean MMSE score was higher in 2017 than in 2010 for all age groups in both men and women. The prevalence of MMSE ≤23 was lower in 2017 than in 2010 for all age groups for men and was lower in 2017 than in 2010 for all age groups other than for women aged 75–79 years. The prevalence of MMSE ≥28 was higher in 2017 than in 2010 for all age groups in both men and women. In addition, the pooled means of years of education was lower in 2010 than in 2017, which might be an explanatory factor. This study suggests that the cognitive function of community-dwelling Japanese older adults has improved in recent years. Future studies need to identify factors associated with the improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many complex physical phenomena such as wave propagation in scattering media, the process of interest often cannot be easily distinguished from other processes because only the total combined process is accessible. This makes it difficult to extract the precise knowledge of each subprocess. Here, we derive an analytic expression describing the way the eigenchannel coupling of the total process distributes its energy to the individual subprocesses, with only partial information on each subprocess such as the average eigenvalue 〈τ〉 and enhancement factor η. We found that the ratio of (η − 1)〈τ〉 between two subprocesses is a critical parameter determining the preferable subprocess in the energy coupling. This work provides a new analytic framework for understanding the effect of wavefront shaping in the control of wave propagation in disordered media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We examine three behaviors of older pedestrians at 30 pedestrian crossings. • They have a shorter start-up delay time than younger pedestrians. • Older pedestrians crossing streets turn their heads less frequently. • They provide less reliable estimates of the distance of an approaching vehicle. • Safety technologies, campaigns and environmental designs should target these behaviors. Abstract This paper aims to explore three walking behaviors of older pedestrians that may increase their crash risks when crossing urban streets. Older and younger pedestrians' start-up delay in initiating a crossing and number of head turns during street crossing are observed at 30 pedestrian crossings in Seoul, South Korea, using video recorders. In addition, their estimation of the safe crossing distance to an approaching vehicle is collected in a survey. Our study shows that older pedestrians have a shorter start-up delay time than younger pedestrians, older pedestrians crossing streets turn their heads less frequently, and older pedestrians provide less reliable estimates about the distance of an approaching vehicle. Safety technologies, campaigns and environmental designs should target these behaviors to improve the safety of older pedestrians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effects of branched‐chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital‐based rehabilitation. Methods: We carried out an 8‐week, multicenter, randomized, controlled, blinded outcome, two‐cohort parallel group intervention trial of sarcopenic older adults undergoing in‐hospital rehabilitation. The eligibility criteria included older adults (aged ≥65 years) with low muscle strength (handgrip strength) and low muscle mass (calf circumference) according to the cut‐off values for older Asians. The intervention group received branched‐chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation, whereas the control group did not. Both groups underwent low‐intensity resistance training in addition to the post‐acute rehabilitation program. The primary outcome of physical function (Functional Independence Measure‐motor scores), and the secondary outcomes of muscle strength (handgrip strength), muscle mass (calf circumference) and nutritional status (body mass index) were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results: Finally, a total of 68 patients were analyzed (intention‐to‐treat analysis): 35 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Functional Independence Measure‐motor scores increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05). However, no treatment‐by‐time effects were observed (median estimated difference 2.4, 95% confidence interval −1.2 to 7.1). Handgrip strength, calf circumference and body mass index increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the intervention group (P = 0.041, 0.033 and 0.035, respectively). Conclusions: We showed that an 8‐week intervention of branched‐chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low‐intensity resistance training improves muscle‐related outcomes in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital‐based rehabilitation (UMIN000006238). Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 12–17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageing drivers experience a higher risk of intersection crashes because of their decrease in driving efficiency, including the decline in cognitive ability, head and neck flexibility, and visual acuity. Although several studies have been conducted to examine the factors associated with ageing driver crashes at intersections, little research has been conducted to examine the differences in the factors related to ageing drivers’ turning paths and intersection geometric features. This study aims to improve the safety of ageing drivers at intersections by identifying the maneuvers that are risky for them and tracking their turning movements at selected intersections. We find that ageing drivers experience more crashes at intersections than younger drivers, especially crashes involving turning movements. Furthermore, ageing drivers experience more crashes at unchannelized intersections compared to channelized intersections. In addition, this study finds that ageing drivers exhibit greater and more inconsistent offsets during turning movements compared to those of younger drivers at both channelized and unchannelized intersections. Ageing drivers also tend to make relatively sharper or tighter turns than younger drivers. Hence, transportation engineers and road safety professionals should consider appropriate countermeasures to reduce the risks of crashes involving ageing drivers at intersections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential benefits of additional training in patients admitted to recovery phase rehabilitation ward using the data bank of post-stroke patient registry. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 2507 inpatients admitted to recovery phase rehabilitation wards between November 2004 and November 2010. Participants were retrospectively divided into four groups based upon chart review; patients who received no additional rehabilitation, patients who were added with self-initiated off hours training, patients who were added with off hours training by ward staff, patients who received both self-initiated training and training by ward staff. Parameters for assessing outcomes included length of stay, motor/cognitive subscales of functional independent measures (FIM) and motor benefit of FIM calculated by subtracting the score at admission from that at discharge. Results: Participants were stratified into three groups depending on the motor FIM at admission (≦28, 29∼56, 57≦) for comparison. Regarding outcome variables, significant inter-group differences were observed in all items examined within the subgroup who scored 28 or less and between 29 and 56. Meanwhile no such trends were observed in the group who scored 57 or more compared with those who scored less. In a decision tree created based upon Exhaustive Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection method, variables chosen were the motor FIM at admission (the first node) additional training (the second node), the cognitive FIM at admission(the third node). Conclusions: Overall the results suggest that additional training can compensate for the shortage of regular rehabilitation implemented in recovery phase rehabilitation ward, thus may contribute to improved outcomes assessed by motor FIM at discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have reported that the predictive ability of self-rated health (SRH) for mortality varies by sex/gender and socioeconomic group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate this relationship in Japan and explore the potential reasons for differences between the groups. Methodology/Principal Findings: The analyses in the study were based on the Aichi Gerontological Evaluation Study's (AGES) 2003 Cohort Study in Chita Peninsula, Japan, which followed the four-year survival status of 14,668 communitydwelling people who were at least 65 years old at the start of the study. We first examined sex/gender and education-level differences in association with fair/poor SRH. We then estimated the sex/gender- and education-specific hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality associated with lower SRH using Cox models. Control variables, including health behaviors (smoking and drinking), symptoms of depression, and chronic co-morbid conditions, were added to sequential regression models. The results showed men and women reported a similar prevalence of lower SRH. However, lower SRH was a stronger predictor of mortality in men (HR = 2.44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.14-2.80]) than in women (HR = 1.88 [95% CI: 1.44-2.47]; p for sex/gender interaction = 0.018). The sex/gender difference in the predictive ability of SRH was progressively attenuated with the additional introduction of other co-morbid conditions. The predictive ability among individuals with high school education (HR = 2.39 [95% CI: 1.74-3.30]) was similar to that among individuals with less than a high school education (HR = 2.14 [95% CI: 1.83-2.50]; p for education interaction = 0.549). Conclusions: The sex/gender difference in the predictive ability of SRH for mortality among this elderly Japanese population may be explained by male/female differences in what goes into an individual's assessment of their SRH, with males apparently weighting depressive symptoms more than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]