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The larvae of the genus Baylisascaris can cause larva migrans in mammals and birds. This study investigated the larval migration of Baylisascaris potosis, the roundworm of kinkajou (Potos flavus), in chickens and the associated clinical manifestations of the host. Thirty-six 3-week-old chickens divided into 6 groups were orally inoculated with 3,000 B. potosis eggs/chick. Each group of chicken was necropsied at days 1, 2, 3, 7, 30 and 90 PI (post inoculation), and the number of larvae in various organs were counted until day 90 PI. No clinical signs were observed in chickens during the study. Larvae were detected from the liver, lungs or breast-muscles of 13/36 (36.1%) chickens. The mean total number of larvae in the liver, lungs and breast-muscles at days 1, 2, 3, 7, 30 and 90 PI were 0.34, 0.17, 1.66, 1.01, 0.17 and 0, respectively. No larvae were found in the brain, eyes, hid-limb muscles, heart, kidneys and spleen. Although infectivity of larvae in egg-inoculated chickens was low, the present study demonstrated that B. potosis larvae can migrate in chickens tissues up to day 30 PI. The result suggests that chickens can serve as a paratenic host for B. potosis and may underline a public health importance of B. potosis infection as a potential foodborne disease in humans.

Kiyoji Tanaka,1,2 Hiroyuki Sasai,3 Kyohsuke Wakaba,4 Shin Murakami,4,5 Miyuki Ueda,5 Fumio Yamagata,6 Masao Sawada,6 Kazuhiro Takekoshi7 1Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan; 2THF Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Japan; 3Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; 4Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan; 5Life Science Department, FiNC Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 6Genki Plaza Medical Center for Health Care, Tokyo, Japan; 7Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Purpose: To test the effectiveness of professional dietary coaching via group chat using a smartphone application (app) for weight loss.Methods: This study was a 12-week, assessor-blind, parallel-group, waitlist-controlled randomized trial that included a 4-week follow-up period (trial registration, UMIN000025340). Data were collected between October 2016 and May 2017 and were analyzed between July 2017 and January 2018. Participants were 112 overweight, obese, or abdominally obese Japanese adults, aged 20 to 64 years, with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Participants were randomized to the coaching group (n=75) or control group (n=37), with a ratio of 2:1. The coaching group received a commercial weight loss program characterizing dietary coaching by a certified nutrition professional via group chat delivered on a smartphone app. Participants posted photos of every meal into the group chat, and the certified professional gave immediate direct feedback and encouragement. The primary outcome was an 8-week weight change. Secondary outcomes included 8-week changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. The frequency of meal photo uploads was recorded as a measure of adherence.Results: Of the 112 randomized participants, 93 (83.0%) and 81 (72.3%) completed 8-week and 12-week visits, respectively. Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated significantly larger 8-week weight loss in the coaching group (−1.4 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.0, −0.8 kg) than that in the control group (−0.1 kg; 95% CI: −0.6, 0.4 kg). Significantly larger improvements in triglyceride and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels were also obtained in the coaching group. These benefits, except for the triglyceride level, were maintained until week 12. The frequent upload of meal photos was associated with a larger 8-week weight loss in a dose–response fashion (P-value for trend

Masahiro Ueda,1 Eisuke Iwasaki,1 Hidekazu Suzuki2 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2Medical Education Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Abstract: Efficacy of acotiamide for improving symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia was shown by several clinical trials. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative Phase III trial conducted in Japan, 100 mg of acotiamide three times a day for 4 weeks was more effective than a placebo for improving symptoms, and quality of life. Acotiamide was well-tolerated treatment, with no significant adverse events. The aim of this review was to summarize the current evidence of the efficacy of acotiamide in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia. Keywords: functional dyspepsia, acotiamide, acetylcholinesterase, Rome III

Titanium and its alloys have a high specific strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility. Therefore, these alloys are adopted as raw materials for artificial bones and joints. Furthermore, these alloys are used as materials for dental surgery. In the development of alloy design, beta-type titanium alloys that possess a lower Young’s modulus than other types of titanium alloys, e.g., Ti-6Al-4V alpha-beta-type alloys, are being actively investigated worldwide. Based on these studies, titanium-niobium-tantalum and zirconium system alloys were developed. For example, Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy has a low Young’s modulus, excellent biocompatibility, and improved mechanical properties. Many researchers are actively investigating surface modifications and surface treatments. Additive manufacturing, namely 3D printing, wherein metal powders are piled up layer by layer to produce goods without a mold, has attracted attention in many fields, including manufacture of implants, especially porous structural implants with a low Young’s modulus. It is very important that titanium and its alloys be applied to health-care goods, e.g., wheelchairs and prostheses. Therefore, we herein consider four topics: alloy development, coating and surface modification, additive manufacturing, and health care applications.

Akiko Aoki,1 Shin Ishiguro,1 Takashi Watanabe,1 Mikito Ueda,1 Yuki Hayashi,1 Kazufumi Akiyama,2 Kazuko Kato,3 Yoshimasa Inoue,1 Shoko Tsuchimine,4 Norio Yasui-Furukori,4 Kazutaka Shimoda11Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan; 3Sakura La Mental Clinic, Tochigi, Japan; 4Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan Objective: The aims of the present study were to analyze the association between discontinuation of paroxetine (PAX) and the genetic variants of the polymorphism in the serotonin ­transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in Japanese patients with panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods: The 5-HTTLPR genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction method. PAX plasma concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography to confirm adherence.Results: When comparing between the PD and MDD patients with the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, the PD patients had a significant and higher discontinuation rate due to nonadherence than did the MDD patients (13.5% [7/52] versus 0% [0/88], respectively; P

Kazuyoshi Kurashima,1 Toshiko Hoshi,2 Yotaro Takaku,1 Tetsu Kanauchi,2 Keitaro Nakamoto,1 Miyuki Ueda,2 Noboru Takayanagi,1 Thomas V Colby,4 Yutaka Sugita,1 Yoshinori Kawabata3 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, 2Department of Radiology, 3Department of Pathology, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Kumagaya City, Saitama, Japan; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA Background: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the airway lumen and parenchyma in relation to lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with controls. Methods: We studied 70 patients with COPD and 15 normal subjects. Using reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images, we traced the bronchial trees and reconstructed 3 cm circle images around the airways exactly perpendicular to the airway axis at the peripheral, middle, and central zones of the bronchi. We measured the number of airways and vessels, the airway inner diameter, and the area of emphysema in the circles, and analyzed the relationship of these image parameters to lung function. Results: Reduced airway numbers and increased upper lobe emphysema were observed even in early spirometric stages in patients with COPD compared with controls. Other findings included decreased airway inner diameter in advanced spirometric stages. The numbers of peripheral zone bronchi, the extent of the middle zone emphysematous area, and the mean airway inner diameter of the airways were the best predictors of spirometric parameters. A portion of the airways in patients with COPD showed a loss of airway patency at middle or central zone bronchi predominantly in the late spirometric stages. Lumen-obliterated bronchial trees could be traced into emphysematous areas showing air trapping. Conclusion: Compared with controls, our CT observations in patients with COPD showed that airway lumen and lung parenchyma changes along airways differed by spirometric stage, and these changes were associated with decreased lung function. A portion of CT-identified emphysema in patients with COPD appeared to be due to lumen-obliterated airways in the bronchial tree. Keywords: airway dimension, computed tomography, emphysema, pulmonary functions