Development of an Oropharyngeal Scope with an Integrated Tongue Depressor: NTOP2013 Study

The oropharynx is examined with a light source such as an electric light, a penlight, or a forehead mirror based on an acquired visual field using a tongue depressor. However, it is extremely difficult to obtain objective and reproducible images of tissue within the pharynx required in recent years with these methods, and insufficient progress in the examination tools has been made. There is an increasing need to develop a method for display during oropharyngeal examination. We conducted the present study to develop a novel oropharyngeal endoscope as an objective observation method

A multi-ethnic meta-analysis identifies novel genes, including ACSL5, associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating progressive motor neuron disease that affects people of all ethnicities. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic and thought to have multifactorial pathogenesis. To understand the genetics of sporadic ALS, we conducted a genome-wide association study using 1,173 sporadic ALS cases and 8,925 controls in a Japanese population. A combined meta-analysis of our Japanese cohort with individuals of European ancestry revealed a significant association at the ACSL5 locus (top SNP p = 2.97 × 10−8). We validated the association with ACSL5 in a replication study with a Chinese population and an independent Japanese population (1941 ALS cases, 3821 controls; top SNP p = 1.82 × 10−4). In the combined meta-analysis, the intronic ACSL5 SNP rs3736947 showed the strongest association (p = 7.81 × 10−11). Using a gene-based analysis of the full multi-ethnic dataset, we uncovered additional genes significantly associated with ALS: ERGIC1, RAPGEF5, FNBP1, and ATXN3. These results advance our understanding of the genetic basis of sporadic ALS

Delphi consensus on bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy:An evolutionary cul-de-sac or the birth pangs of a new technical framework?

Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a serious iatrogenic surgical complication. BDI most often occurs as a result of misidentification of the anatomy; however, clinical evidence on its precise mechanism and surgeons' perceptions is scarce. Surgeons from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA, etc. (n=614) participated in a questionnaire regarding their BDI experience and near-misses; and perceptions on landmarks, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques. Respondents voted for a Delphi process and graded each item on a five-point scale. The consensus was built when 80% of overall responses were 4 or 5. Response rates for the first- and second-round Delphi were 60.6% and 74.9%, respectively. Misidentification of local anatomy accounted for 76.2% of BDI. Final consensus was reached on: (1) Effective retraction of the gallbladder, (2) Always obtaining critical view of safety, and (3) Avoiding excessive use of electrocautery/clipping as vital procedures; and (4) Calot's triangle area and (5) Critical view of safety as important landmarks. For (6) Impacted gallstone and (7) Severe fibrosis/scarring in Calot's triangle, bail-out procedures may be indicated. A consensus was reached among expert surgeons on relevant landmarks and intraoperative findings and appropriate surgical techniques to avoid BD

In-bulk and surface structuring of sapphire by femtosecond pulses

The actual space–time dependent intensity distribution of a tightly focused (numerical aperture NA = 1.35) Gaussian femtosecond pulse is modeled inside dielectric material. Such focusing is typically used for recording with sub-wavelength resolution inside dielectrics. The multi-pulse structuring inside the bulk and on the surface of sapphire are demonstrated. Formation of nano-cracks and nano-crystals is revealed inside the crystalline sapphire. Ripple formation on the surface is discussed in terms of the efficacy map calculated by theory given in ref. [J.E. Sipe, J.F. Young, J.S. Preston, H.M. van Driel, Laser-induced periodic surface structure. I. Theory, Phys. Rev. B 27 (2) (1983) 1141–1154.]

Rice bran triterpenoids improve postprandial hyperglycemia in healthy male adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Background: Compared to white rice, brown rice induces a lower glycemic response in healthy and diabetic humans. This effect is partly attributed to the higher amounts of water- or oil-soluble bran components and dietary fiber in brown rice. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation with oil-soluble rice bran triterpenoids (RBTs; triterpene alcohol and sterol prepared from rice bran) might reduce the incidence of postprandial hyperglycemia in healthy humans. Objective: We examined the acute effects of a single RBT-supplemented meal on the postprandial blood glucose responses of healthy male adults in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Design: Nineteen subjects consumed a test meal containing either placebo- or RBT-supplemented olive oil. Blood biomarkers were evaluated in a fasting state and up to 240 min postprandially. Results: Compared to the placebo-supplemented meal, the RBT-supplemented meal significantly suppressed the increase in postprandial blood glucose level. A subclass analysis revealed that RBT-supplemented oil significantly reduced blood glucose increases in subjects with higher postprandial blood glucose elevations. Postprandial increases in blood insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that RBT consumption improves postprandial hyperglycemia in healthy humans, especially those with higher postprandial glucose increases

In-bulk and surface structuring of sapphire by femtosecond pulses

The actual space-time dependent intensity distribution of a tightly focused (numerical aperture NA = 1.35) Gaussian femtosecond pulse is modeled inside dielectric material. Such focusing is typically used for recording with sub-wavelength resolution inside dielectrics. The multi-pulse structuring inside the bulk and on the surface of sapphire are demonstrated. Formation of nano-cracks and nano-crystals is revealed inside the crystalline sapphire. Ripple formation on the surface is discussed in terms of the efficacy map calculated by theory given in ref. [J.E. Sipe, J.F. Young, J.S. Preston, H.M. van Driel, Laser-induced periodic surface structure. I. Theory, Phys. Rev. B 27 (2) (1983) 1141-1154.]

Three-dimensional laser structuring of materials at tight focusing

Three-dimensional (3D) laser microfabrication using femtosecond laser pulses has found an increasing number of applications in different fields: bit-like, holographic and photo refractive optical memories, nano-/microfluidics, photonic crystals, waveguide recording, glass welding, nano-structuring of surfaces, and cutting and drilling. Spatial resolution of 3D structuring with feature size of tens-of-molecules has been demonstrated by direct laser writing and holographic recording. The high-precision control over temporal and spatial light-intensity distribution is the key to fabrication with feature size smaller than 100 nm. In this paper, we demonstrate that the pulse tilt and spherical aberration strongly affects the axial light localization and plays an important role in 3D structuring of materials by dielectric breakdown. Also, it is shown that control of relative phase of two co-axially introduced pulses provides an additional parameter which changes conditions of an in-bulk dielectric breakdown of dielectrics as demonstrated in the case of sapphire

5-Caffeoylquinic Acid Ameliorates Cognitive Decline and Reduces Aβ Deposition by Modulating Aβ Clearance Pathways in APP/PS2 Transgenic Mice

The accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain is a major pathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In our previous study, we demonstrated that coffee polyphenols (CPP) prevent cognitive dysfunction and Aβ deposition in the brain of an APP/PS2 transgenic mouse AD model. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of the chronic administration of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), the most abundant component of CPP, on cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS2 mice to identify the role of CPP in Aβ elimination. Relative to the untreated controls, the mice fed a 5-CQA-supplemented diet showed significant improvements in their cognitive function assessed by Y-maze and novel object recognition tests. Histochemical analysis revealed that 5-CQA substantially reduced Aβ plaque formation and neuronal loss in the hippocampi. Moreover, 5-CQA upregulated the gene encoding low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, an Aβ efflux receptor, and normalized the perivascular localization of aquaporin 4, which facilitates Aβ clearance along the paravascular pathway. These results suggest that 5-CQA reduces Aβ deposition in the brain by modulating the Aβ clearance pathways and ameliorating cognitive decline and neuronal loss in APP/PS2 mice. Thus, 5-CQA may be effective in preventing cognitive dysfunction in AD