Clinical Guides for aHUS

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease characterized by the triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. In 2013, we developed diagnostic criteria to enable early diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate treatment for aHUS. Recent clinical and molecular findings have resulted in several proposed classifications and definitions of thrombotic microangiopathy and aHUS. Based on recent advances in this field and the emerging international consensus to exclude secondary TMAs from the definition of aHUS, we have redefined aHUS and proposed diagnostic algorithms, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies for aHUS

Associations between Optimism and Attentional Biases as Measured by Threat-Avoidance and Positive-Search Tasks

Evidence suggests that optimism has a positive impact on health status. Attentional bias modification (ABM) may be beneficial for enhancing optimism, but its effective application requires a detailed investigation of the association between attentional bias and optimism. This study aimed to determine the association between attentional bias and optimism based on different task types. Eighty-four participants completed the attentional bias measures using the dot-probe task (DPT), emotional visual search task (EVST) paradigms, and psychological assessments. Optimism was assessed using the Life Orientation Test-Revised with subscales for optimism and pessimism. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the association between optimism and attentional bias. Neither the attentional bias derived from DPT nor EVST was significantly correlated with optimism total score or subscales. Regression analysis also showed no association between attentional bias and optimism (DPT, β = 0.12; EVST, β = 0.09), optimism subscales (DPT, β = 0.09; EVST, β = 0.17), or pessimism subscales (DPT, β = −0.10; EVST, β = 0.02). Our findings showed no evidence that attentional biases derived from either the DPT or EVST measures are associated with optimism or pessimism. Further studies are needed to effectively adapt the ABM to enhance optimism

Association between Toe Pressure Strength in the Standing Position and Maximum Walking Speed in Older Adults

Background Considering concerns about conventional toe grip strength, we devised a method to measure toe pressure strength in the standing position, which is close to the actual motion. This study examined the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and walking speed among older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study included 150 community-dwelling older adults (81±8 years, 73% female) who participated in the physical fitness test. We analyzed the correlation between the participants’ maximum walking speed and physical function. Furthermore, we performed regression analysis with the maximum walking speed as the dependent variable to examine the association with toe pressure strength in the standing position. We also examined the association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position by introducing a covariate. Results Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position, with a moderate effect size (r=0.48, p<0.001). Moreover, multiple regression analysis with covariates showed an association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position (standardization factor=0.13, p<0.026). Conclusion Toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with maximum walking speed. This finding clarifies the significance of assessing toe pressure strength in the standing position and suggests that enhanced toe pressure strength in the standing position may increase maximum walking speed

Possible Magnetic Structure with a Tilted Helical Plane in SmBe13 Probed by 9Be-NMR Study

9Be-NMR measurements were performed using single crystalline SmBe13 in order to investigate a magnetic structure of a low-temperature ordering state microscopically. We observed a spectral broadening in the ordered state, and the broadened spectral shape depends on the magnetic field directions. By comparing the experimentally obtained and simulated NMR spectra for magnetic fields along the cubic [001] and [011] directions, we argue a helical structure with a basal plane tilted from the (001) plane in low-field ordering region under the assumption of a helical with a propagation vector of (0, 0, 1/3) found in other RBe13 compounds (R = rare earths). Such a tilted helical structure is explained by a combination of an ellipse helical in the (001) plane and a longitudinal magnetic density wave along the [001] direction. Considering a magnetic easy axis parallel to [001] revealed by the magnetization measurements, the peculiar helical structure in SmBe13 may be built on delicate balance among exchange interactions, dipole-dipole interaction, and single-ion magnetic anisotropy due to the crystalline electric field

Estimating Similarity Judgment Processes Estimating similarity judgment processes based on neural activities measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)

Summary Similarity takes a crucial role in various kinds of cognitive processes. In the present study, we investigated the neural activities during similarity judgments on 1225 pairs of images using the near-infrared spectroscopy. The predictability of similarity judgments were analyzed with a hierarchical Bayesian framework applied on the neural activities. It revealed that the neural activities located in a prefrontal region had a sharp increase prior to onsets of subjects&apos; responses. Given the findings, we discussed about a key process, information integration of various domains, underlying similarity judgments

Estimating Similarity Judgment Processes Based on Neural Activities Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

Similarity takes a crucial role in various kinds of cognitive processes. In the present study, we investigated the neural activities during similarity judgments on 1225 pairs of images using the near-infrared spectroscopy. The predictability of similarity judgments were analyzed with a hierarchical Bayesian framework applied on the neural activities. It revealed that the neural activities located in a prefrontal region had a sharp increase prior to onsets of subjects’ responses. Given the findings, we discussed about a key process, information integration of various domains, underlying similarity judgments.Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics - 201

Prospective epidemiological evaluation of seasonal influenza in all elementary schoolchildren in Matsumoto City, Japan, in 2014/2015

2016 Aug 31. [Epub ahead of print]ArticleJapanese journal of infectious diseases. 70(3):333-339 (2017)journal articl

Prospective Epidemiological Evaluation of Seasonal Influenza in All Elementary Schoolchildren in Matsumoto City, Japan, in 2014/2015

2016 Aug 31. [Epub ahead of print]ArticleJapanese journal of infectious diseases. 70(3):333-339 (2017)journal articl