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Yu Kawasaki,1 Eri Kitamura,1 Takatoshi Kasai2– 5 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 3Sleep and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Center, Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 4Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Cardiovascular Management and Remote Monitoring, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Takatoshi Kasai, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Tel +81-3-6873-2869, Fax +81-3-6873-2869, Email kasai-t@mx6.nisiq.netAbstract: Sleep is involved in many physiological processes and is essential for both physical and mental health. Obesity and sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders are major public health issues. Their incidence is increasing, and they have a wide range of adverse health-related consequences, including life-threatening cardiovascular disease. The impact of sleep on obesity and body composition is well-known, and many studies have shown an association between insufficient or excessive sleep duration and obesity, body fat percentage, and weight gain. However, there is growing evidence of the effects of body composition on sleep and sleep disorders (particularly sleep disordered breathing) through anatomical and physiological mechanisms (nocturnal fluid shift, core body temperature, or diet). Although some research has been conducted on the bidirectional effects of sleep-disordered breathing and body composition, the specific effects of obesity and body composition on sleep and the underlying mechanisms that explain these effects remain unclear. Therefore, this review summarizes the findings on the effects of body composition on sleep and draws conclusions and proposals for future research in this field.Keywords: body composition, sleep, sleep disorder, weight gain

Yu Kawasaki,1 Takatoshi Kasai,2– 5 Yuko Sakurama,6 Akiko Sekiguchi,6 Eri Kitamura,1 Itsuki Midorikawa,7 Nanako Shiroshita,4 Fusae Kawana,3 Etsuko Ogasawara,6,8 Mari Kitade,1,6 Natsue Koikawa,6,8 Takao Matsuda9 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 3Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 4Department of Cardiovascular Management and Remote Monitoring, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 5Sleep and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Center, Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 6Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan; 7Akita Northern Happinets, Akita, Japan; 8School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan; 9Department of Gynecology, National Hospital Organization Nishi-Beppu National Hospital, Oita, JapanCorrespondence: Takatoshi Kasai, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Tel/fax +81 3-6873-2869, Email kasai-t@mx6.nisiq.netPurpose: Sleep is an essential factor for athletes, and it is important to intervene in sleep to manage it. We need a device that can evaluate sleep easily and constantly. Consumer wearable devices can be useful tools for athletes. In order to use consumer wearable devices in clinical research, it is essential to conduct a validation study. Thus, we conducted a validation study to assess the Fitbit Alta HRTM (FBA)- a consumer wearable device with an accelerometer and a heart rate monitor to detect sleep stages and quality against electroencephalographic (EEG) studies in athletes.Patients and Methods: Forty college athletes participated in the study. EEG was applied to participants simultaneously while wearing FBA.Results: Regarding sleep parameters, there was a strong correlation between the total sleep time (TST)-EEG and the TST-Fitbit (r = 0.83; p < 0.001). Regarding the sleep stages, there was a modest correlation between the N3 sleep-EEG and the N3 sleep-Fitbit (r = 0.68; p < 0.001). In addition, there was a strong correlation between the percentage of N3 sleep in between sleep onset and initial rapid eye movement sleep-EEG and those on Fitbit (r = 0.73; p < 0.001).Conclusion: These results demonstrate that FBA facilitates sleep monitoring and exhibits acceptable agreement with EEG. Therefore, FBA is a useful tool in athletes’ sleep management.Keywords: athletes, wearable technology, sleep monitoring, electroencephalogram

This article, titled "EP06.25: Fetal ultrasound predictors for early postnatal intervention in congenital pulmonary airway malformations," examines predictive factors on fetal ultrasound in cases of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) that require surgery in the early postnatal period. The study analyzed fetal ultrasound data from 43 cases diagnosed with CPAM and found that a bigger ipsilateral pulmonary artery (PA) diameter and a high volume/estimated body weight ratio (vol/EFBW) at diagnosis, as well as a higher CPAM volume ratio (CVR) before birth, were risk parameters for requiring early postnatal surgery. These findings provide valuable information for predicting the need for intervention in CPAM cases. [Extracted from the article]

PURPOSE: A 3-dimensional finite element analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of implant type and length, as well as that of bone quality, on the stress/strain in bone and implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types (screw and cylinder) and 4 lengths (9.2, 10.8, 12.4, and 14.0 mm) of titanium implants were buried in 4 types of bone modeled by varying the elastic modulus for cancellous bone. Axial and buccolingual forces were applied to the occlusal node at the center of the abutment. RESULTS: Regardless of load direction, maximum equivalent stress/strain in bone increased with a decrease in cancellous bone density. Under axial load, especially in the low-density bone models, maximum equivalent strain in cancellous bone was lower with the screw-type implant than with the cylinder-type implant. It was also lower with the longer implants than with the shorter implants. Under buccolingual load, equivalent stress/strain was influenced mainly by bone density. DISCUSSION: This study confirms the importance of bone quality and its presurgical diagnosis for implant long-term prognosis. Implant length and type can also influence bone strain, especially in low-density bone. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that cancellous bone of higher rather than lower density might ensure a better biomechanical environment for implants. Moreover, longer screw-type implants could be a better choice in a jaw with cancellous bone of low density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we give an overview of some applications of combinatorics and permutations in music through the centuries. The concepts of permutation and tonnetz (spatial representation of voice leading and modulation) can be joined together in a physical device, the CubeHarmonic, a musical version of the Rubik's cube. We finally describe a prototype of the CubeHarmonic that uses the magnetic tracking technology developed at the Tohoku University.

A total of 105 patients participated in this study, including 10 with chronic glomerulonephritis with normal renal function (CGN patients), 36 uraemic patients (CRF patients), 19 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients (CAPD) without peritonitis, three CAPD patients with peritonitis, 37 patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis (HD) divided into short-term HD, 15 patients; medium-term HD, 12 patients; and long-term HD, 10 patients. IL-8 and two other proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNFαwere tested using a specific immunoassay. IL-8, IL-6, and TNFc serum levels were significantly increased in patients with chronic renal failure compared to their levels in normal individuals (<0.000l, <0.05 and <0.000l respectively). The most pronounced incre ment in IL-8, IL-6 and TNFα serum levels was observed in CAPD patients (<0.000l). CAPD patients without peritonitis showed relatively low levels of IL-8 or IL-6 in peritoneal dialysate effluents (PDE), whereas PDE-TNFα were not detectable in almost all patients tested. Patients with peritonitis showed very high serum and PDE levels of IL-8, IL-6 and TNFα. The clinical recovery from peritonitis was characterized by a rapid fall in IL-8, IL-6 and TNFα in serum and dialysate. HD patients showed a significant increase in serum levels of IL-8 and also IL-6 and TNFαcompared to normal individuals (<0.05, <0.05 and <0.01 respectively). HD duration influenced serum levels of IL-8 and TNFα since they were significantly higher in short-term HD patients than medium- or long-term HD patients (respectively <0.05, <0.00l for IL-8, and <0.01, <0.001 for TNFα Pre-HD IL-6 levels were not influenced by HD duration. No major modification of IL-8 serum levels could be evinced after and before HD sessions in the short-term group, but concentrations of this cytokine were significantly higher after HD in medium- and long-term HD patients (<0.05, <0.0l respectively). In contrast, HD session did not influence IL-6 and TNFα levels. We conclude that the cytokine profile is perturbed in uraemia and during dialysis, and that this should be considered as an inflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract Background Cyanobacteria possess several cytochrome P450s, but very little is known about their catalytic functions. CYP110 genes unique to cyanaobacteria are widely distributed in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria including nitrogen-fixing genera Nostoc and Anabaena. We screened the biocatalytic functions of all P450s from three cyanobacterial strains of genus Nostoc or Anabaena using a series of small molecules that contain flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, low-molecular-weight drugs, and other aromatic compounds. Results Escherichia coli cells carrying each P450 gene that was inserted into the pRED vector, containing the RhFRed reductase domain sequence from Rhodococcus sp. NCIMB 9784 P450RhF (CYP116B2), were co-cultured with substrates and products were identified when bioconversion reactions proceeded. Consequently, CYP110E1 of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120, located in close proximity to the first branch point in the phylogenetic tree of the CYP110 family, was found to be promiscuous for the substrate range mediating the biotransformation of various small molecules. Naringenin and (hydroxyl) flavanones were respectively converted to apigenin and (hydroxyl) flavones, by functioning as a flavone synthase. Such an activity is reported for the first time in prokaryotic P450s. Additionally, CYP110E1 biotransformed the notable sesquiterpene zerumbone, anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and flurbiprofen (methylester forms), and some aryl compounds such as 1-methoxy and 1-ethoxy naphthalene to produce hydroxylated compounds that are difficult to synthesize chemically, including novel compounds. Conclusion We elucidated that the CYP110E1 gene, C-terminally fused to the P450RhF RhFRed reductase domain sequence, is functionally expressed in E. coli to synthesize a robust monooxygenase, which shows promiscuous substrate specificity (affinity) for various small molecules, allowing the biosynthesis of not only flavones (from flavanones) but also a variety of hydroxyl-small molecules that may span pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of loading test type on the results of failure resistance investigations of teeth restored with post and cores. Methods: Two experimental set-ups were used to compare the failure resistance and failure mode of teeth restored with glass fiber posts and resin core (fiber specimens) with those of teeth restored with cast post and core (cast specimens). In the first experimental set-up, 10 fiber and 10 cast specimens underwent a fatigue test: 2-kg load was buccolingually applied for 900,000 cycles in a wet environment, using a lever-type device. Since specimens did not fail, an additional quasi-static bending test (static test) was performed until failure of the post-tooth complex. In the second experimental set-up, the same number of teeth was identically prepared and restored, but they were submitted to the static test only. Results: Failure resistance and failure mode were separately investigated by the two testing methods. While post type was found to significantly affect failure resistance by both testing methods (t-test, p < 0.05), post type significantly influenced failure mode only in the fatigue test (Fisher's exact probability test, p < 0.05). Conclusions: If failure resistance is the outcome of interest, testing of teeth restored with posts and cores by a quasi-static bending test alone might be sufficient to predict fracture behavior of restored teeth after an estimated period of 3-4 years of simulated oral function. Conversely, to investigate the influence of dental material aging on failure mode of post-restored teeth, testing under dynamic conditions in wet environment is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversifying the chaplain workforce in hospital spiritual care departments and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs is essential for meeting the needs of a religiously diverse population in the USA. We interviewed seven total participants, including two Somali Muslim chaplain students and their Muslim and Christian chaplain educators in one CPE program. Participants described their personal journeys and motivations for pursuing careers in healthcare chaplaincy, their impact on hospitalized patients, and the role of expanding perspectives for those with little prior exposure to Somali Muslim faith leaders. Representation and linguistic diversity were viewed as positive attributes despite challenges of racial and religious discrimination. Recommendations include adjusting educational requirements for entry into the field to consider professional equivalencies; engaging community chaplains; and collaborating with local communities. These findings have important implications on creating pathways for spiritual care providers from underrepresented faith traditions to meet local community needs., Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interest The authors do not have any financial interests or benefits to disclose. Ethical Approval The formal determination by the Allina Health Institutional Review Board (IRB) was in the category of Non-Human Subjects Research and thus exempt from full IRB review. Consent to Participate Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants of the study., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder, particularly among individuals aged 20-50 years, with significant social and economic impacts. Despite its high prevalence, the pathogenesis of migraine remains unclear. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of cortical spreading depolarization/depression (CSD) and its close association with migraine aura, focusing on its role in understanding migraine pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions. We discuss historical studies that have demonstrated the role of CSD in the visual phenomenon of migraine aura, along with modern imaging techniques confirming its propagation across the occipital cortex. Animal studies are examined to indicate that CSD is not exclusive to migraines; it also occurs in other neurological conditions. At the cellular level, we review how CSD is characterized by ionic changes and excitotoxicity, leading to neuronal and glial responses. We explore how CSD activates the trigeminal nervous system and upregulates the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), thereby contributing to migraine pain. Factors such as genetics, obesity, and environmental conditions that influence the CSD threshold are discussed, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. Current treatments for migraine, including prophylactic agents and CGRP-targeting drugs, are evaluated in the context of their expected effects on suppressing CSD activity. Additionally, we highlight emerging therapies such as intranasal insulin-like growth factor 1 and vagus nerve stimulation, which have shown promise in reducing CSD susceptibility and frequency. By elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CSD, this review aims to enhance the understanding of migraine pathogenesis and support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.