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Abstract Background The number of football teams in senior categories has increased. As outdoor sports entail players being exposed to sunlight, playing football may contribute to maintaining vitamin D stores and body mineral density while preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine the bone mineral density and vitamin D levels in middle-aged premenopausal female football players. Methods Participants were premenopausal females in their 40s. We evaluated bone mineral density of the second to the fourth lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which is an indicator of vitamin D stores, and body composition. In addition, we administered a questionnaire survey on exercise habits and lifestyle. Ninety-two participants were categorised into three groups: the football group (n = 27), volleyball group (n = 40), and non-exercise group (n = 25). Results Bone mineral density was higher in the football and volleyball groups than in the non-exercise group (P

To reduce the cost of small wind turbines, a prototype of a butterfly wind turbine (6.92 m in diameter), a small vertical-axis type, was developed with many parts made of extruded aluminum suitable for mass production. An overspeed control system with movable arms that operated using centrifugal and aerodynamic forces was installed for further cost reduction. Introducing this mechanism eliminates the need for large active brakes and expands the operating wind speed range of the wind turbine. However, although the mechanism involving the use of only bearings is simple, the violent movement of the movable arms can be a challenge. To address this in the present study, dampers were introduced on the movable arm rotation axes to improve the movement of the movable arms. To predict the behavior of a movable arm and the performance of the wind turbine with the mechanism, a simulation method was developed based on the blade element momentum theory and the equation of motion of the movable arm system. A comparison of experiments and predictions with and without dampers demonstrated qualitative agreement. In the case with dampers, measurements confirmed the predicted increase in the rotor rotational speed when the shorter ailerons installed perpendicularly to the movable arms were used to achieve the inclination. Field experiments of the generated power at a wind speed of 6 m/s (10 min average) showed relative performance improvements of 11.4% by installing dampers, 91.3% by shortening the aileron length, and 57.6% by changing the control target data. The movable arm system with dampers is expected to be a useful device for vertical-axis wind turbines that are difficult to control.

Abstract HCN1 is one of four genes encoding hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. The phenotypic spectrum associated with HCN1 variants ranges from neonatal developmental and epileptic encephalopathy to idiopathic generalized epilepsy. We report a Japanese patient with repetitive focal seizures and super-refractory status epilepticus since early infancy caused by a de novo HCN1 variant, NM_021072.4, c.1195T>C, p.(Ser399Pro). This variant might have a dominant-negative effect on channel function, leading to severe epileptic encephalopathy.

Over the past few decades, the clinical outcomes of patients with cancer have significantly improved mostly owing to the development of effective chemotherapeutic treatments. However, chronic health conditions such as bone mass loss and risk of fragility fractures caused by chemotherapy have also emerged as crucial issues in patients treated for cancer. In this study, we aimed to understand the effect of eribulin mesylate (ERI), a microtubule-targeting agent currently used to treat metastatic breast cancer and certain subtypes of advanced sarcomas, on bone metabolism in mice. The administration of ERI reduced bone mass in mice, mainly by promoting osteoclast activity. Gene expression analysis of skeletal tissues revealed no change in the expression levels of the transcripts for RANK ligand, one of the master regulators of osteoclastogenesis; however, the transcript levels of osteoprotegerin, which neutralizes RANK ligand, were significantly reduced in ERI-treated mice compared with those in vehicle-treated controls, indicating a relative increase in RANK ligand availability after ERI treatment. In line with the increased bone resorption in ERI-treated mice, we found that zoledronate administration effectively suppressed bone loss in these mice. These results reveal a previously unrecognized effect of ERI on bone metabolism and suggest the application of bisphosphonates for patients with cancer undergoing treatment with ERI.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify the recurrence rate of genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and risk factors for recurrence after antiseizure medication (ASM) withdrawal in adolescent patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with GGE who were included in the registry at the Department of Child Neurology, National Hospital Organization Nishiniigata Chuo Hospital from 2000 through 2020. The eligibility criteria were as follows: onset of epileptic seizures at

With the development of laser technology in the 1960s, a technique was developed to inject intradermal vaccines immediately after irradiating the skin with laser light to elicit an adjuvant effect, referred to as “laser adjuvant.” We have been investigating the mechanism of laser adjuvant in influenza mouse models using noninvasive continuous-wave (CW) near-infrared (NIR) light mainly at a wavelength of 1064 nm, and have shown that the production of reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) in the skin and mast cells in the skin tissue plays an important role in the laser adjuvant effect. The new wavelength of 1270 nm NIR light is characterized by its ability to elicit the same vaccine adjuvant effect as other wavelengths at a lower energy, and may be suitable for clinical applications. In this study, we investigated the physiological activity of CW1270 nm NIR light in mast cells, its biological activity on mouse skin, and the durability of the vaccine adjuvant effect in influenza vaccine mouse models. We show that irradiation of mast cells with 1270 nm NIR light produced ROS and ATP, and irradiation of isolated mitochondria also produced ATP. In mouse skin, the relative expression levels of chemokine mRNAs, such as Ccl2 and Ccl20, were increased by irradiation with 1270 and 1064 nm NIR light at minimum safe irradiance. However, the relative expression of Nfkb1 was increased at 1064 nm, but not at 1270 nm. Serum anti-influenza IgG antibody titers increased early after immunization with 1064 nm, whereas with 1270 nm, there was not only an early response of antibody production but also persistence of antibody titers over the medium- to long-term. Thus, to our knowledge, we show for the first time that 1270 nm NIR light induces ROS and ATP production in mitochondria as photoreceptors, initiating a cascade of laser adjuvant effects for intradermal vaccines. Additionally, we demonstrate that there are wavelength-specific variations in the mechanisms and effects of laser adjuvants. In conclusion, CW1270 nm NIR light is expected to be clinically applicable as a novel laser adjuvant that is equivalent or superior to 1064 nm NIR light, because it can be operated at low energy and has a wavelength-specific adjuvant effect with medium- to long-lasting antibody titer.

This study classifies fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) based on the presence or absence of maternal-fetal inflammation in the placenta and clarifies the association of FIRS with neonatal morbidities. Women (330) who delivered at gestational ages of 22w0d-33w6d were enrolled and grouped into four based on FIRS and maternal/fetal inflammatory response (MIR/FIR) statuses: Group A: without FIRS and MIR/FIR (reference group); Group B: MIR/FIR alone; Group C: FIRS and MIR/FIR; and Group D: FIRS without MIR/FIR. The associations between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), adverse neonatal outcomes, extremely low gestational age and Groups B, C, and D were investigated after adjustment for potential confounders. Among patients with FIRS, 29% were in Group D. The risk of BPD was increased in Groups C (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–9.89) and D (aOR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.03–16.9), as was the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes (Group C: aOR: 7.17; 95% CI: 2.56–20.1; Group D: aOR: 6.84; 95% CI: 1.85–25.2). The risk of extremely low gestational age was increased in Group D (aOR: 3.85; 95% CI: 1.56–9.52). Therefore, FIRS without MIR/FIR is not rare and may be associated with neonatal morbidities more than FIRS and MIR/FIR.

Abstract Background The aim of this study, which included a baseline cross-sectional study and a 3-year follow-up prospective study, was to investigate the association between glaucomatous visual field damage and driving cessation in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods A total of 211 POAG subjects divided into 3 groups according to POAG severity (mild, moderate, or severe) in the better eye were enrolled along with 148 control subjects; subjects were asked about changes in their driving status. In the 3-year follow-up study, 185 of the POAG subjects and 80 of the controls annually reported their driving status. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the prevalence and incidence of driving cessation were estimated with a multiple logistic regression model. Results In the original cross-sectional study, 11/148 (7%) members of the control group reported having given up driving over the previous 5 years; the corresponding figures for the mild POAG, moderate POAG, and severe POAG groups were 9/173 (5%), 0/22 (0%), and 5/16 (31%), respectively (p = 0.001, Fisher’s exact test), with severe POAG found to be associated with driving cessation after adjustment for age, gender, systemic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 11.52 [95% CI 2.87-46.35], ref. control, p = 0.001). In the follow-up study, the proportions of subjects who ceased driving were 1/80 (1.3%) in the control group, 8/152 (5.3%) in the mild POAG group, 5/22 (22.7%) in the moderate POAG group, and 2/11 (18.2%) in the severe POAG group (p = 0.001, Fisher’s exact test). Moderate POAG and severe POAG in the better eye were found to be associated with driving cessation after adjustment for age, gender, systemic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (moderate POAG in the better eye: odds ratio 37.7 [95% CI 3.7-383.8], ref. control, p = 0.002, and severe POAG in the better eye: odds ratio 52.8 [95% CI 3.5-797.0], ref. control, p = 0.004). Conclusion Moderate and Severe POAG in the better eye is associated with driving cessation.

Abstract Background To investigate the relationship between clinical risk factors, including visual field (VF) defects and visual acuity, and a fear of falling, among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods All participants answered the following question at a baseline ophthalmic examination: Are you afraid of falling? The same question was then answered every 12 months for 3 years. A binocular integrated visual field was calculated by merging a patient’s monocular Humphrey field analyzer VFs, using the ‘best sensitivity’ method. The means of total deviation values in the whole, superior peripheral, superior central, inferior central, and inferior peripheral VFs were calculated. The relationship between these mean VF measurements, and various clinical factors, against patients’ baseline fear of falling and future fear of falling was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results Among 392 POAG subjects, 342 patients (87.2%) responded to the fear of falling question at least twice in the 3 years study period. The optimal regression model for patients’ baseline fear of falling included age, gender, mean of total deviation values in the inferior peripheral VF and number of previous falls. The optimal regression equation for future fear of falling included age, gender, mean of total deviation values in the inferior peripheral VF and number of previous falls. Conclusion Defects in the inferior peripheral VF area are significantly related to the development of a fear of falling.

Abstract Background The aim of the study is to investigate risk factors for future falls in subject with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods All participants answered the following question at their baseline ophthalmic examination: Have you had any falls in the last year? (Yes/No). All study participants answered the same question every 12 months for 3 years. The means of total deviation values in the whole, superior peripheral, superior central, inferior central, and inferior peripheral visual fields (VF) were calculated. The relationship between these mean VF measurements, and various clinical factors against patients’ future falls was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results Two-hundred ninety four POAG patients answered the baseline and follow-up fall questionnaires over a period of three years. Among 294 subjects, 69 patients experienced a fall during the three-year follow-up. History of falls at baseline (coefficient = 1.22), history of fear of falling at baseline (0.53), best corrected visual acuity in the worse eye (7.37), prevalence of diabetes mellitus (0.60), prevalence of systemic hypertension (0.53) were selected in the optimal model. Conclusions Visual acuity in the worse eye, history of falls, fear of falling, diabetes mellitus, and systemic hypertension are risk factors for falling in subjects with POAG.

PURPOSE:To identify the incidence rate of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in patients with no ocular pathology other than primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and determine the putative risk factors for MVCs in this group of patients. METHODS:We designed a prospective cohort study across three centers utilizing a consecutive sampling method to identify all patients with POAG between the ages of 40 and 80 years old. Patients with glaucoma were consecutively screened for eligibility. All study participants answered a questionnaire about motor vehicle collisions at baseline, and answered the questionnaire again every 12 months (± 1 month) after baseline for three years. A binocular integrated visual field was calculated for each patient by merging a patient's monocular Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) visual fields (VFs), using the 'best sensitivity' method. Patients with incident MVCs were defined as the "MVC+" group and patients without incident MVCs were defined as the "MVC-" group. Adjusted odds ratios for the incidence of MVCs were estimated with a logistic regression model. RESULTS:One hundred and ninety-one Japanese POAG patients were analyzed in this study. The age of the participants was 63.7 ± 10.2 [mean ± standard deviation]. A total of 28 participants experienced a MVC during the follow up period of three years (4.9% per year). Ten patients (5.2%) experienced a MVC in the first year, 13 patients (6.8%) in the second year, and 11 patients (5.8%) in the third year (some patients experienced multiple MVCs over different years). Best corrected visual acuity in the worst eye was significantly worse in the MVC+ group (0.03 ± 0.01, mean ± standard deviation, LogMar) compared with the MVC- group (0.01 ± 0.003, p = 0.01), and was the only variable identified as a significant predictor of future MVCs in the multiple logistic regression model [odds ratio: 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1 to 1.4]. CONCLUSION:Deterioration in visual acuity in the worst eye is a risk factor for future MVCs in patients with POAG.

We report a patient with congenital Chagas disease in Japan. This report reemphasizes the role of neglected and emerging tropical diseases in the era of globalization. It also indicates the need for increased vigilance for detecting Chagas disease in non–disease-endemic countries.

Purpose. This study examined the association between the severity of visual field defects and the prevalence of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods. This is a cross-sectional study. Japanese patients who have had driver’s licence between 40 and 85 years of age were screened for eligibility. Participants answered a questionnaire about MVCs experienced during the previous 5 years. Subjects with POAG were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe visual field defect. We evaluated associations between the severity of POAG and the prevalence of MVCs by logistic regression models. Results. The prevalence of MVCs was significantly associated with the severity of POAG categorized by worse eye MD (control: 30/187 = 16.0%; mild POAG: 17/92 = 18.5%; moderate POAG: 14/60 = 23.3%; severe POAG: 14/47 = 29.8%; P=0.025, Cochran-Armitage trend test). Compared to the control group, the adjusted OR for MVC prevalence in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe POAG in the worse eye was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.55 to 2.10), 1.44 (95% CI: 0.68 to 3.08), and 2.28 (95% CI: 1.07 to 4.88). Conclusions. There is a significant association between the severity of glaucoma in the worse eye MD and the prevalence of MVCs.

PURPOSE: To design a mathematical model that can predict the relationship between the ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and visual field sensitivity (VFS) in glaucoma patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional case series. METHOD: Within 3 months from VFS measurements by the Humphrey field analyzer 10-2 program, 83 eyes underwent macular GCC thickness measurements by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Data were used to construct a multiple logistic model that depicted the relationship between the explanatory variables (GCC thickness, age, sex, and spherical equivalent of refractive errors) determined by a regression analysis and the mean VFS corresponding to the SD-OCT scanned area. Analyses were performed in half or 8 segmented local areas as well as in whole scanned areas. A simple logistic model that included GCC thickness as the single explanatory variable was also constructed. The ability of the logistic models to depict the real GCC thickness/VFS in SAP distribution was analyzed by the χ2 test of goodness-of-fit. The significance of the model effect was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Scatter plots between the GCC thickness and the mean VFS showed sigmoid curves. The χ2 test of goodness-of-fit revealed that the multiple logistic models showed a good fit for the real GCC thickness/VFS distribution in all areas except the nasal-inferior-outer area. ANOVA revealed that all of the multiple logistic models significantly predicted the VFS based on the explanatory variables. Although simple logistic models also exhibited significant VFS predictability based on the GCC thickness, the model effect was less than that observed for the multiple logistic models. CONCLUSIONS: The currently proposed logistic models are useful methods for depicting relationships between the explanatory variables, including the GCC thickness, and the mean VFS in glaucoma patients.

BaCo2Sn4O11 is isotypic with R-ferrite, BaTi2Fe4O11. The Co atoms fully occupy trigonal–bipyramidal sites (overline 6 m2) and are disordered with Sn atoms in octahedral sites (.2/m symmetry), as represented in the formula BaCoSn2(Co0.34Sn0.66)4O11. Ba atoms are situated in a 12-fold coordinated site (=6m2 symmetry).

Malaria starts with the infection of the liver of the host by Plasmodium sporozoites, the parasite form transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Sporozoites migrate through several hepatocytes by breaching their plasma membranes before finally infecting one with the formation of an internalization vacuole. Migration through host cells induces apical regulated exocytosis in sporozoites. Here we show that apical regulated exocytosis is induced by increases in cAMP in sporozoites of rodent (P. yoelii and P. berghei) and human (P. falciparum) Plasmodium species. We have generated P. berghei parasites deficient in adenylyl cyclase alpha (ACalpha), a gene containing regions with high homology to adenylyl cyclases. PbACalpha-deficient sporozoites do not exocytose in response to migration through host cells and present more than 50% impaired hepatocyte infectivity in vivo. These effects are specific to ACalpha, as re-introduction of ACalpha in deficient parasites resulted in complete recovery of exocytosis and infection. Our findings indicate that ACalpha and increases in cAMP levels are required for sporozoite apical regulated exocytosis, which is involved in sporozoite infection of hepatocytes.

The PC12 pheochromocytoma tumor cell line is derived from a rat adrenal medullary tumor and secretes dopamine. We have previously reported that grafted microencapsulated PC12 cells using agarose and poly(styrene sulfonic acid) survived in the xenogeneic brain without immunosuppression. To investigate whether unencapsulated PC12 cells form a tumor and how they provoke immunological reaction, PC12 cell suspension was implanted into the striatum of Sprague-Dawley rat (allogeneic graft) or guinea pig (xenogeneic graft) and histological analysis using Nissl stain and immunocytochemical analysis using antityrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibody were performed 1, 2, and 4 wk after transplantation. Host animals were not immunosuppressed. PC12 cells formed a mass 1 and 2 wk after transplantation both in allogeneic and xenogeneic brain. These grafted PC12 cells were immunoreactive to anti-TH antibody. Four weeks after transplantation, however, grafted PC12 cells in the allogeneic brain were only found within the restricted area near the site of implantation. In the xenogeneic brain, only the trace of grafted PC12 cells were found around the site of implantation 4 wk after transplantation. In both allogeneic and xenogeneic animals, a number of lymphocytes were found in and around the grafts at all period investigated. These findings indicate that PC12 cells could survive in the allogeneic or xenogeneic brain for 2 wk and were ultimately rejected by immunological reaction by 4 wk after transplantation. Implantation of encapsulated PC12 cells in the allogeneic or xenogeneic brain is considered a safe and effective method for delivering dopamine into the brain because PC12 cells will not form a tumor in the long-term even if capsules are damaged in some reason.

With the development of laser technology in the 1960s, a technique was developed to inject intradermal vaccines immediately after irradiating the skin with laser light to elicit an adjuvant effect, referred to as “laser adjuvant.” We have been investigating the mechanism of laser adjuvant in influenza mouse models using noninvasive continuous-wave (CW) near-infrared (NIR) light mainly at a wavelength of 1064 nm, and have shown that the production of reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) in the skin and mast cells in the skin tissue plays an important role in the laser adjuvant effect. The new wavelength of 1270 nm NIR light is characterized by its ability to elicit the same vaccine adjuvant effect as other wavelengths at a lower energy, and may be suitable for clinical applications. In this study, we investigated the physiological activity of CW1270 nm NIR light in mast cells, its biological activity on mouse skin, and the durability of the vaccine adjuvant effect in influenza vaccine mouse models. We show that irradiation of mast cells with 1270 nm NIR light produced ROS and ATP, and irradiation of isolated mitochondria also produced ATP. In mouse skin, the relative expression levels of chemokine mRNAs, such as Ccl2 and Ccl20, were increased by irradiation with 1270 and 1064 nm NIR light at minimum safe irradiance. However, the relative expression of Nfkb1 was increased at 1064 nm, but not at 1270 nm. Serum anti-influenza IgG antibody titers increased early after immunization with 1064 nm, whereas with 1270 nm, there was not only an early response of antibody production but also persistence of antibody titers over the medium- to long-term. Thus, to our knowledge, we show for the first time that 1270 nm NIR light induces ROS and ATP production in mitochondria as photoreceptors, initiating a cascade of laser adjuvant effects for intradermal vaccines. Additionally, we demonstrate that there are wavelength-specific variations in the mechanisms and effects of laser adjuvants. In conclusion, CW1270 nm NIR light is expected to be clinically applicable as a novel laser adjuvant that is equivalent or superior to 1064 nm NIR light, because it can be operated at low energy and has a wavelengthspecific adjuvant effect with medium- to long-lasting antibody titer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims The utilization of long‐term effect of internet of things (IoT) on glycemic control is controversial. This trial aimed to examine the effect of an IoT‐based approach for type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled trial enrolled 1,159 adults aged 20–74 years with type 2 diabetes with a HbA1c of 6.0–8.9% (42–74 mmol/mol), who were using a smartphone on a daily basis were randomly assigned to either the IoT‐based approach group (ITG) or the control group (CTG). The ITG were supervised to utilize an IoT automated system that demonstrates a summary of lifelogging data (weight, blood pressure, and physical activities) and provides feedback messages that promote behavioral changes in both diet and exercise. The primary end point was a HbA1c change over 52 weeks. Results Among the patients, 581 were assigned to the ITG and 578 were in the CTG. The changes in HbA1c from baseline to the final measurement at 52 weeks [mean (standard deviation)] were −0.000 (0.6225)% in ITG and − 0.006 (0.6449)% in CTG, respectively (P = 0.8766). In the per protocol set, including ITG using the IoT system almost daily and CTG, excluding those using the application almost daily, the difference in HbA1c from baseline to 52 weeks were −0.098 (0.579)% and 0.027 (0.571)%, respectively (P = 0.0201). We observed no significant difference in the adverse event profile between the groups. Conclusions The IoT‐based approach did not reduce HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. IoT‐based intervention using data on the daily glycemic control and HbA1c level may be required to improve glycemic control.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant health concern in the working-age population. Since 2008, Japan has mandated health insurers to implement Specific Health Checkups to identify individuals with MS and preliminary groups, making Specific Health Guidance (SHG) compulsory for these groups. People receiving SHG multiple times is increasing as it is conducted as an annual public program. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of a health guidance history on the effectiveness of subsequent guidance. Methods: Using data from 10,191 participants in the 2017 Motivational Health Guidance (a type of SHG involving a single session), this longitudinal study assessed the changes in health checkup findings from 2017 to 2018. Participants were categorized based on their previous year’s (2016) SHG eligibility and participation: Group 1 (n=3,903) met the 2016 SHG criteria and participated, Group 2 (n=2,305) met the criteria but did not participate, and Group 3 (n=3,983) had no MS risk factors and did not need to participate in the 2016 SHG. Results: The entire cohort and Groups 2 and 3 exhibited significant weight loss after 1 year. Group 1 showed a significant negative association, with a 3% (odds ratio [OR] 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.75) and 5% body weight loss (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.54–0.81) than Group 3. Men in Group 1 showed a significant association with new-onset MS (OR 2.56; 95% CI, 1.93–3.40). Conclusions: The findings suggest that participants with a history of health guidance in the previous year may have low rates of achieving weight loss and a high incidence of new-onset MS after 1 year.

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) positivity at baseline is a risk marker for thyroid immune-related adverse events (thyroid-irAEs) in anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody (PD-1-Ab) treatment; however, it is unknown if TgAb and TPOAb titers are associated with clinical characteristics of thyroid-irAEs. Among 586 patients treated with PD-1-Ab at Nagoya University Hospital between 2 November 2015 and 30 September 2021, 57 patients developed thyroid-irAEs (thyrotoxicosis [n = 38]; hypothyroidism without prior thyrotoxicosis {isolated hypothyroidism} [n = 19]) in whom thyroid function, and TgAb and TPOAb titers were determined at baseline and at the onset. The changes in TgAb (median, 54.8 vs. 0.2 IU/mL; p = 0.002) and TPOAb titers (31.6 vs. 0 IU/mL; p = 0.032) from baseline to onset of developing thyroid-irAEs were greater in patients with thyrotoxicosis than patients with isolated hypothyroidism. Higher TgAb and TPOAb titers, and the TgAb titer at baseline were associated with an earlier onset of thyrotoxicosis and higher peak free thyroxine levels, respectively. Twenty-eight patients who developed hypothyroidism after thyrotoxicosis had higher TgAb (54.5 vs. 10.7 IU/mL; p = 0.011) and TPOAb titers at baseline (46.1 vs. 9.0 IU/mL; p < 0.001) and greater changes in TgAb (61.7 vs. 7.8 IU/mL; p = 0.025) and TPOAb titers (52.8 vs. –0.8 IU/mL; p < 0.001) than patients who did not develop hypothyroidism. The TgAb titer at baseline and changes in the TgAb and TPOAb titers were greater in patients with thyrotoxicosis than patients with isolated hypothyroidism, suggesting that the magnitude of the thyroid autoimmune response reflects the clinical types of thyroid-irAEs.

We investigated the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the management of endocrine and metabolic disorders in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire survey targeting board-certified endocrinologists under the auspices of the Japan Endocrine Society. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions and open-ended responses. Out of approximately 2,700 specialists, 528 (19.5%) opted to participate, suggesting a high level of interest in COVID-19 management among endocrinologists. The study found that almost half of participants had encountered cases of endocrine and metabolic disorders following COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Conditions related to thyroid diseases, glucose metabolism disorders/diabetes, and hypothalamic-pituitary disorders were particularly prevalent. Diabetes and obesity were identified as having high rates of severe cases or fatalities due to COVID-19. The study also highlighted challenges in routine diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the potential benefits of combining remote consultations with in-person visits to optimize the frequency of examinations and check-ups during infectious disease outbreak which disrupts access to healthcare providers. The insights obtained from this survey are expected to contribute to ensuring appropriate healthcare provision for patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders by using flexible consultation formats, particularly even in the conditions where medical access may be limited due to future outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases.

This study used an odor sensing system with a 16-channel electrochemical sensor array to measure beef odors, aiming to distinguish odors under different storage days and processing temperatures for quality monitoring. Six storage days ranged from purchase (D0) to eight days (D8), with three temperature conditions: no heat (RT), boiling (100 °C), and frying (180 °C). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that odorants in the beef varied under different conditions. Compounds like acetoin and 1-hexanol changed significantly with the storage days, while pyrazines and furans were more detectable at higher temperatures. The odor sensing system data were visualized using principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP). PCA and unsupervised UMAP clustered beef odors by storage days but struggled with the processing temperatures. Supervised UMAP accurately clustered different temperatures and dates. Machine learning analysis using six classifiers, including support vector machine, achieved 57% accuracy for PCA-reduced data, while unsupervised UMAP reached 49.1% accuracy. Supervised UMAP significantly enhanced the classification accuracy, achieving over 99.5% with the dimensionality reduced to three or above. Results suggest that the odor sensing system can sufficiently enhance non-destructive beef quality and safety monitoring. This research advances electronic nose applications and explores data downscaling techniques, providing valuable insights for future studies.

Taste sensors with an allostery approach have been studied to detect non-charged bitter substances, such as xanthine derivatives, used in foods (e.g., caffeine) or pharmaceuticals (e.g., etofylline). In this study, the authors modified a taste sensor with 3-bromo-2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid and used it in conjunction with sensory tests to assess the bitterness of non-charged pharmaceuticals with xanthine scaffolds (i.e., acefylline and doxofylline), as well as allopurinol, an analogue of hypoxanthine. The results show that the sensor was able to differentiate between different levels of sample bitterness. For instance, when assessing a 30 mM sample solution, the sensor response to acefylline was 34.24 mV, which corresponded to the highest level of bitterness (τ = 3.50), while the response to allopurinol was lowest at 2.72 mV, corresponding to relatively weaker bitterness (τ = 0.50). Additionally, this study extended the application of the sensor to detect pentoxifylline, an active pharmaceutical ingredient in pediatric medicines. These results underscore the taste sensor’s value as an additional tool for early-stage assessment and prediction of bitterness in non-charged pharmaceuticals.