Associations between the orexin (hypocretin) receptor 2 gene polymorphism Val308Ile and nicotine dependence in genome-wide and subsequent association studies

Impact of the HCRTR2 gene risk variant on schizotypal personality traits (mean ± SD). (DOC 54 kb

Novel 3-D action video game mechanics reveal differentiable cognitive constructs in young players, but not in old

3Dアクションゲームで認知機能の測定に成功 --ゲームデザインを応用し、複雑な認知的作業の研究に貢献--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-07-22.Gamers can have their cake and eat it too. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-09-09.Video game research predominantly uses a “one game-one function” approach—researchers deploy a constellation of task-like minigames to span multiple domains or consider a complex video game to essentially represent one cognitive construct. To profile cognitive functioning in a more ecologically valid setting, we developed a novel 3-D action shooter video game explicitly designed to engage multiple cognitive domains. We compared gameplay data with results from a web-based cognitive battery (WebCNP) for 158 participants (aged 18–74). There were significant negative main effects on game performance from age and gender, even when controlling for prior video game exposure. Among younger players, game mechanics displayed significant and unique correlations to cognitive constructs such as aim accuracy with attention and stealth with abstract thinking within the same session. Among older players the relation between game components and cognitive domains was unclear. Findings suggest that while game mechanics within a single game can be deconstructed to correspond to existing cognitive metrics, how game mechanics are understood and utilized likely differs between the young and old. We argue that while complex games can be utilized to measure distinct cognitive functions, the translation scheme of gameplay to cognitive function should not be one-size-fits-all across all demographics

Transscleral drainage to treat peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy caused by retinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage

Purpose: To report a case of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy with hemorrhagic retinal detachment and subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage treated with transscleral subretinal fluid drainage. Observations: The patient was a 70-year-old man with a 15-year history of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. During follow-up, he developed a sudden decrease in visual acuity in the left eye. Corrected visual acuity was 20/32 in the right eye and 20/800 in the left eye, and hemorrhagic retinal detachment and subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage were observed in the left eye. Pars plana vitrectomy and transscleral drainage of the subretinal hemorrhage and subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage were performed. We initially attempted to displace the subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage, but the subretinal hemorrhage was also displaced via a retinal pigment epithelial tear located in the temporal macula. The retina was completely reattached, although visual acuity in the left eye remained at 20/400. Conclusions and Importance: This report describes a surgical technique for hemorrhagic retinal detachment and subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage due to peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy. We believe that transscleral subretinal fluid drainage without intentional retinal tear is a useful and safe method for patients with extensive hemorrhagic retinal detachment

Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Deteriorating sleep quality and physical or mental fatigue in older adults leads to decreased quality of life and increased mortality rates. This study investigated the effects of the time-dependent intake of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance in older adults. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated 108 participants divided into four groups (NMN_AM; antemeridian, NMN_PM; post meridian, Placebo_AM, Placebo_PM). NMN (250 mg) or placebo was administered once a day for 12 weeks. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Fatigue was evaluated using the “Jikaku-sho shirabe” questionnaire. Grip strength, 5-times sit-to-stand (5-STS), timed up and go, and 5-m habitual walk were evaluated to assess the physical performance. Significant interactions were observed between 5-STS and drowsiness. 5-STS of all groups on post-intervention and drowsiness of the NMN_PM and Placebo_PM groups on mid- and post-intervention showed significant improvement compared with those in pre-intervention. The NMN_PM group demonstrated the largest effect size for 5-STS (d = 0.72) and drowsiness (d = 0.64). Overall, NMN intake in the afternoon effectively improved lower limb function and reduced drowsiness in older adults. These findings suggest the potential of NMN in preventing loss of physical performance and improving fatigue in older adults

Expressed sequence tags from rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

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Changes in the Ki‐67 labeling index between primary breast cancer and metachronous metastatic axillary lymph node: A retrospective observational study

Background The Ki‐67 labeling index (LI) is a well‐known prognostic factor for primary breast cancer, but its clinical significance for metachronous axillary lymph node (ALN) recurrence has not been well documented. Methods Ki‐67 expression in primary tumors (PTs) and ALN metastases (ALNMs) was evaluated in 21 patients and quantified to investigate the relationship between Ki‐67 LIs in PTs and metachronous ALNMs. Results The median Ki‐67 LIs in the PTs and ALNMs were 25.2% (range: 2.3–80.2%) and 70% (range: 10.4–97.4%), respectively. A majority of patients had higher Ki‐67 LIs in ALNMs than in PTs (76.2%, 16/21). Disease‐specific survival was significantly better in patients with a lower‐than‐median ALNM Ki‐67 LI (P = 0.019, log‐rank test). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed a PT Ki‐67 LI of 62.8% as the optimal cutoff value and an ALNM Ki‐67 LI of 65.1%. Accordingly, we divided the patients into four groups: PT Ki‐67 LI lower than 62.8%/ALNM Ki‐67 LI lower than 65.1%, PT Ki‐67 LI lower/ALNM Ki‐67 LI higher, PT Ki‐67 LI higher/ALNM Ki‐67 LI higher, and PT Ki‐67 LI higher/ALNM Ki‐67 LI lower. Disease‐specific survival was significantly better in patients with Ki‐67 LI lower/ALNM Ki‐67 LI lower than in the other groups. Conclusion This is the first study to show that the Ki‐67 LI in metachronous ALNM is a prognostic factor for patients with metachronous ALN recurrence of breast cancer