Lumbar motor control & perceptual awareness

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in lumbar spine and hip joint motor control ability (MCA) in prone hip extension (PHE) between individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). It also aimed to determine the relationship between lumbar spine and hip joint MCA and lumbar perceptual awareness in individuals with LBP. Methods : In total, 78 university students (20 with LBP and 58 without) were included in the study. The MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joint in PHE and perceptual awareness were evaluated. The MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joint was measured using a wearable sensor. Subsequently, a comparison of the MCA of the lumbar spine and hip joints of the participants and the relationship between MCA and lumbar perceptual awareness were examined. Results : The MCA of the LBP group was higher than that of the non-LBP group in motion on the sagittal plane. In addition, perceptual awareness was negatively correlated with MCA in the sagittal plane in the lumbar spine. Conclusion : People with LBP had higher lumbar spine and hip joint MCA than those without LBP. Perceptual awareness was associated with lumbar spine and hip joint MCA in people with LBP

Dual inhibition of TMPRSS2 and Cathepsin B prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in iPS cells

TMPRSS2とカテプシンBを標的とした新型コロナウイルスの感染阻害. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-10-21.A drug cocktail stops SARS-CoV-2 infection of stem cells. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-10-21.It has been reported that many receptors and proteases are required for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2) is the most important of these receptors, little is known about the contribution of other genes. In this study, we examined the roles of neuropilin-1, basigin, transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSSs), and cathepsins (CTSs) in SARS-CoV-2 infection using the CRISPR interference system and ACE2-expressing human iPS cells. Double-knockdown of TMPRSS2 and CTSB reduced the viral load to 0.036±0.021%. Consistently, the combination of the CTPB inhibitor CA-074 methyl ester and the TMPRSS2 inhibitor Camostat reduced the viral load to 0.0078±0.0057%. This result was confirmed using four SARS-CoV-2 variants (B.1.3, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and B.1.1.248). The simultaneous use of these two drugs reduced viral load to less than 0.01% in both female and male iPS cells. These findings suggest that compounds targeting TMPRSS2 and CTSB exhibit highly efficient antiviral effects independent of gender and SARS-CoV-2 variant

Modeling SARS-CoV-2 infection and its individual differences with ACE2-expressing human iPS cells

ACE発現ヒトiPS細胞を用いたSARS-CoV-2感染の個人差再現と原因究明. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-04-19.Stem cells show gender differences in COVID-19 risk. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-04-19.Genetic differences are a primary reason for differences in the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. As induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells maintain the genetic information of the donor, they can be used to model individual differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. We found that human iPS cells expressing the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (ACE2-iPS cells) can be infected w SARS-CoV-2. In infected ACE2-iPS cells, the expression of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, budding of viral particles, and production of progeny virus, double membrane spherules, and double-membrane vesicles were confirmed. We performed SARS-CoV-2 infection experiments on ACE2-iPS/ embryonic stem (ES) cells from eight individuals. Male iPS/ES cells were more capable of producing the virus compared with female iPS/ES cells. These findings suggest that ACE2-iPS cells can not only reproduce individual differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro but also are a useful resource to clarify the causes of individual differences in COVID-19 due to genetic differences

Complementary and alternative medicine use by visitors to rural Japanese family medicine clinics: results from the international complementary and alternative medicine survey

Abstract Background There is growing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) throughout the world, however previous research done in Japan has focused primarily on CAM use in major cities. The purpose of this study was to develop and distribute a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) to assess the use of CAM among people who visit rural Japanese family medicine clinics. Methods Using a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), a cross-sectional survey was conducted in three rural family medicine clinics. All patients and those accompanying patients who met inclusion criteria were eligible to participate. Data were entered into SPSS Statistics and analyzed for use by age, gender, and location. Results Of the 519 respondents who participated in the project, 415 participants reported CAM use in the past 12 months (80.0%). When prayer is excluded, the prevalence of CAM use drops to 77.3% in the past year, or 403 respondents. The most common forms of CAM used by respondents were pain relief pads (n = 170, 32.8%), herbal medicines/supplements (n = 167, 32.2%), and massage by self or family (n = 166, 32.0%). Female respondents, individuals with higher levels of education, and those with poorer overall health status were more likely to use CAM than respondents without these characteristics. Only 22.8% of CAM therapies used were reported to physicians by survey participants. Conclusions These data indicate that CAM use in rural Japan is common. The results are consistent with previous studies that show that Japanese individuals are more interested in forms of CAM such as pain relief pads and massage, than in mind-body forms of CAM like relaxation and meditation. Due to the high utilization of certain CAM practices, and given that most CAM users do not disclose their CAM use to their doctors, we conclude that physicians in rural Japan would benefit by asking about CAM use during patient interviews, and by familiarizing themselves with the potential benefits and risks of commonly used CAM modalities.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109545/1/12906_2013_Article_1938.pd

Damage characteristics of platinum/carbon multilayers under X-ray free-electron laser irradiation

Jangwoo Kim, Takahisa Koyama, Hirokatsu Yumoto, Ayaka Nagahira, Satoshi Matsuyama, Yasuhisa Sano, Makina Yabashi, Haruhiko Ohashi, Tetsuya Ishikawa, and Kazuto Yamauchi "Damage characteristics of platinum/carbon multilayers under x-ray free-electron laser irradiation", Proc. SPIE 8848, Advances in X-Ray/EUV Optics and Components VIII, 88480S (27 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2022735

Salicylate-Induced Suppression of Electrically Driven Activity in Brain Slices from the Auditory Cortex of Aging Mice

The prevalence of tinnitus is known to increase with age. The age-dependent mechanisms of tinnitus may have important implications for the development of new therapeutic treatments. High doses of salicylate can be used experimentally to induce transient tinnitus and hearing loss. Although accumulating evidence indicates that salicylate induces tinnitus by directly targeting neurons in the peripheral and central auditory systems, the precise effect of salicylate on neural networks in the auditory cortex (AC) is unknown. Here, we examined salicylate-induced changes in stimulus-driven laminar responses of AC slices with salicylate superfusion in young and aged senescence-accelerated-prone (SAMP) and -resistant (SAMR) mice. Of the two strains, SAMP1 is known to be a more suitable model of presbycusis. We recorded stimulus-driven laminar local field potential (LFP) responses at multi sites in AC slice preparations. We found that for all AC slices in the two strains, salicylate always reduced stimulus-driven LFP responses in all layers. However, for the amplitudes of the LFP responses, the two senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) strains showed different laminar properties between the pre- and post-salicylate conditions, reflecting strain-related differences in local circuits. As for the relationships between auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and the LFP amplitude ratios in the pre- vs. post-salicylate condition, we found negative correlations in layers 2/3 and 4 for both older strains, and in layer 5 (L5) in older SAMR1. In contrast, the GABAergic agonist muscimol (MSC) led to positive correlations between ABR thresholds and LFP amplitude ratios in the pre- vs. post-MSC condition in younger SAM mice from both strains. Further, in younger mice, salicylate decreased the firing rate in AC L4 pyramidal neurons. Thus, salicylate can directly reduce neural excitability of L4 pyramidal neurons and thereby influence AC neural circuit activity. That we observed age-dependent effects of salicylate and varied GABAergic sensitivity in the AC among mouse strains with hearing loss implies that potential therapeutic mechanisms for tinnitus may operate differently in young vs. aged subjects. Therefore, scientists developing new therapeutic modalities for tinnitus treatment should consider using both aged and young animals

Intra-operative challenges encountered using the zepto nano-pulse precision capsulotomy device

Purpose: The Zepto nano-pulse precision capsulotomy is a novel device for capsulorhexis formation during cataract surgery. Few complications or challenges have been reported while using this device. The purpose of this paper is to highlight two intra-operative challenges that were encountered while using the Zepto device. Observations: CASE 1 – A 65-year-old with advanced primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and an in situ Ahmed Glaucoma Valve located in the anterior chamber. During a planned phacoemulsification procedure, the tube became trapped between the suction cup of the Zepto device and the lens, resulting in a sudden complete collapse of the anterior chamber. The procedure was completed after appropriate interventions. On post-operative day 1 Descemet folds were visible, and corneal endothelial cell density was reduced from 2101 cells/cm2 preoperatively to 1355 cells/cm2 at 19 months postoperatively. CASE 2 – A 66-year-old female with secondary cataract from chronic inflammation post trabeculectomy for advanced POAG. During a planned phacoemulsification procedure, despite synechialysis for the 360° posterior synechiae, the iris tissue was sucked into the suction cup of the Zepto device and became incarcerated over the lens. The procedure was completed after a successful intervention. Conclusions and importance: Although not previously reported and possibly rare, intra-operative complications may be encountered while using the Zepto device, particularly in complex cataract cases. For the patient's safety and satisfactory post-operative and refractive outcomes, caution must be applied

Efficient Upconversion by Highly Water-Soluble Cationic Sensitizer and Emitter in Aqueous Solutions with DNA

Highly water-soluble cationic palladium porphyrin as a sensitizer and 9,10-bis­(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)­anthracene as an emitter were newly synthesized. They were shown to be bound and immobilized in DNA double helix assembly from absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and circular dichroism spectra. Upon excitation at 532 nm in deaerated aqueous solutions, they showed weak blue upconversion fluorescence, the efficiency of which increased dramatically in the presence of DNA. The threshold power density between the second-order and first-order power dependence of upconversion fluorescence decreased to less than a half upon addition of DNA. The emitter triplet lifetime estimated from time dependences of upconversion fluorescence at low power ns pulsed laser was found to considerably increase in the presence of DNA. From these results, DNA was concluded to work effectively in concentrating both sensitizer and emitter and in migrating excited triplet states, resulting in efficient upconversion