Correction: Ingestion of taxifolin-rich foods affects brain activity, mental fatigue, and the whole blood transcriptome in healthy young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Correction for 'Ingestion of taxifolin-rich foods affects brain activity, mental fatigue, and the whole blood transcriptome in healthy young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study' by Fumika Shinozaki et al., Food Funct., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2fo03151e.

Ingestion of taxifolin-rich foods affects brain activity, mental fatigue, and the whole blood transcriptome in healthy young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

The antioxidant properties of polyphenols, which are found in most plants, have been shown to be useful for maintaining health, including enhancing brain function and alleviating stress. We aimed to investigate the effect of a single intake of taxifolin-containing foods on cognitive task performance and whole blood gene expression in healthy young adults. This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial in which healthy young adults were administered a single dose of either a placebo or food containing taxifolin. Cognitive tests (serial 3s, serial 7s, and rapid visual information processing) to examine brain activity and visual analog scale questionnaires to analyze mental fatigue were applied. The set of tests was repeated four times. The findings showed that taxifolin intake improved calculation abilities and reduced mental fatigue. An analysis of whole blood gene expression before and after the test revealed that the expression of foreign substance removal-related genes increased following the ingestion of taxifolin and that most differentially expressed genes were enriched in granulocytes. Taxifolin intake was shown to affect the brain activity of healthy young adults and demonstrated an antifatigue effect, thereby reducing subjective fatigue. A single intake of taxifolin may enhance the removal of foreign substances by strengthening the innate immune system and suppressing the occurrence of injury.

Status and prognostic value of immunological biomarkers of breast cancer.

The immune response to cancer serves an important role in disease progression and patient prognosis. For triple-negative breast cancer showing aggressive behavior, immunotherapy has a good efficacy because of the potent immunogenicity of this type of cancer. However, the dominant subtype, luminal human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, is less immunogenic. To determine whether luminal HER2-negative cancer reacts to the anticancer immune response, the present study analyzed the status and prognostic value of the principal immunological biomarkers of breast cancer, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8+ T lymphocytes, the major histocompatibility complex and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). The biomarkers were compared between patients with luminal HER2-negative breast cancer and those with immunogenic subtypes including triple-negative and HER2-overexpressed breast cancer. A total of 71 patients with primary breast cancer were classified into the immunogenic non-luminal (n=23) and less immunogenic luminal HER2-negative groups (n=48) based on immunogenicity. In the luminal HER2-negative group, compared with patients with low TIL levels, those with high TIL levels were at an advanced stage of cancer (P=0.024) and showed worse relapse-free survival (P=0.057); however, the remaining biomarkers exhibited no association with cancer progression or prognosis. In the non-luminal group, patients with high TIL levels showed significantly better RFS than those with low TIL levels (P=0.014). Compared with non-luminal patients negative for PD-L1, those positive for PD-L1 exhibited better overall survival (P=0.064). Notably, TIL status was found to exhibit contrasting prognostic predictions based on immunogenicity. In conclusion, TILs are a strong candidate for prognostic prediction in breast cancer, regardless of the subtype. PD-L1 is a potential candidate for prognostic prediction in immunogenic breast cancers, but not in the luminal HER2-negative subtype.

Drug-induced interstitial pneumonia during perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Drug-induced interstitial pneumonia (DIP) that occurs during chemotherapy for breast cancer is a rare but a serious adverse event. Treatments of DIP requires interruption of breast cancer treatment, which may affect the patient's prognosis. However, there are few reports which discuss DIP during breast cancer treatments. Purpose of this report is to make clear how DIP occurred and influenced breast cancer treatment in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 74 patients who started perioperative chemotherapy in Tokushima Municipal Hospital for breast cancer from January 2019 to December 2020 were evaluated for DIP. Patients' and tumors' characteristics, and regimens which caused DIP were investigated. The clinical courses of the DIP patients were also followed up. RESULTS: Twelve of the 74 patients developed DIP. All 12 patients had histories of cyclophosphamide administration;however, the causative drug could not be determined. Ten of the 12 patients were treated with steroids, and all the patients recovered ultimately from the interstitial pneumonia. While chemotherapy was administered in six patients after mild DIP, no relapse of pneumonia was observed. CONCLUSION: DIP during perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer was resolved with appropriate treatment. Patients were able to resume breast cancer treatment with minimal interruption. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 107-111, February, 2022.

How Prescribed Music and Preferred Music Influence Sleep Quality in University Students.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of listening to music on sleep quality in university students and to explore the influence of preferred music on this effect. METHODS: University students identified by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as 'poor' sleepers (global score > 5) were assigned to three groups (a prescribed music group, preferred music group, and no-music group). During the period of intervention, the prescribed music group and preferred music group listened to their assigned type of music at home every day at bedtime. RESULTS: Global PSQI scores after the intervention were significantly lower in the prescribed music group and preferred music group, but there was no significant reduction in the no-music group. Between the designated sedative music group and the each subject's preferred music group, both the PSQI score showed significant differences in several items, but variations were found in the results. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that listening to music improves sleep quality, even among university students in Japan. Sleep quality was improved in both prescribed and preferred music groups, although the groups gave different responses to specific PSQI components, which suggests that sleep is potentially affected by music type.

Phase II Study of S-1 Combined With Low-Dose Docetaxel as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Operable Breast Cancer Patients (N-1 Study).

BACKGROUND: To improve the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, we devised new neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Efficacy and safety of the oral fluoropyrimidine derivative S-1 (Taiho Pharmaceutical Co, Tokyo, Japan) combined with low-dose docetaxel (S-1+DOC) were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with docetaxel (40 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1) and S-1 (40 mg/m2 orally twice per day on days 1-14) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. In accord with the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1 criteria, the patients who showed a complete response (CR) underwent surgery, and those who achieved a partial response (PR) underwent 4 more cycles of S-1+DOC. Patients who achieved stable disease (SD) or progressive disease (PD) received EC (epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) or HT (trastuzumab and paclitaxel) according to their HER2 status. The primary end point was the pCR rate. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients entered the study. After 4 cycles of S-1+DOC, CR was noted in 5 patients, PR in 57, SD in 18, and PD in 3. Of the patients who achieved SD and PD, 12 received EC, and 9 received HT. Among the 83 assessable patients, the pCR rate was 34.9%, and the response rate was 80.7%. The pCR rates were 19.5% in the luminal type group, 53.8% in the luminal HER2 group, 46.1% in the HER2 group, and 50.0% in the triple-negative group. CONCLUSION: The S-1+DOC regimen in this study could be well tolerated and a new candidate neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer patients. It is also expected to be effective even in patients with luminal type disease. However, further randomized control trials are needed to ascertain whether pCR can contribute to favorable outcomes.

[Effects of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia on sleep and usage of hypnotics among community-dwelling older adults: Randomized controlled trial].

Objectives　Chronic insomnia is common in late adulthood. A non-pharmacological approach should take priority in the treatment of insomnia for the elderly. Many studies have shown the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) for elderly diagnosed with insomnia. However the effect of CBT-I on mild insomnia among older adults in community settings has not been ascertained. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief CBT-I delivered by nurses, which is feasible in community settings, to improve sleep quality and decrease the dose of hypnotics use for older adults.Methods　Participants aged 60 years and over were enrolled in this study. The participants in the intervention group were administrated the brief CBT-I consisting of a group session (60 min) and an individual session (30 min). The primary outcomes were the score differences in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The secondary outcomes were the change in the proportion of people diagnosed with insomnia and the dose of hypnotics used. The follow-up period was 3 months.Results　The score on PSQI in the intervention group (n=41) significantly decreased compared to the control group (n=38). The effect size (Cohen's d) was 0.56 (95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 1.05). The score on ISI also decreased significantly and Cohen's d was 0.77 (95%CI, 0.27 to 1.26). According to subgroup analysis, Number Needed to Treat (NNT) for improvement of insomnia was 2.8 (95%CI, 1.5-17.2) and NNT for decreasing of dose of hypnotics use was 2.8 (95%CI, 1.5-45.1).Conclusion　The present results have demonstrated that the brief CBT-I significantly improved subjective evaluation of sleep quality and insomnia symptoms among the elderly. In addition, the brief CBT-I decreased the usage of hypnotics. Further studies are needed in terms of the procedure and the effects of brief CBT-I for older adults living in a community.

Mesh-Airtight-Preperitoneum: a simple method for confirming mesh placement in transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia.

We devised a method for confirming the position of mesh placed during transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) of an inguinal hernia. The preperitoneum is sufficiently detached, and the mesh is fixed in place as usual. Before completely closing the peritoneum, pressure is applied from outside the body and inside the abdominal cavity to remove as much air as possible from the detached preperitoneum; the peritoneum is then sutured using a V-Loc(TM) closure device so that it does not constrict. By releasing the pressure all at once, the airtightness of the preperitoneum is maintained, and the position of the mesh can be observed through the translucent peritoneum. This method, called Mesh-Airtight-Preperitoneum (MAPP), could become widely used as a simple technique for confirming mesh position in TAPP. J. Med. Invest. 63: 270-273, August, 2016.

Survey of Attitudes of Japanese Women Toward Genetic/Genomic Research.

Previous surveys have suggested that elderly Japanese women have the lowest scientific interest and literacy within the Japanese population and among populations across Western countries. Because recent tremendous advances in genome analysis are likely to be incorporated into standard biomedical assessments throughout the world, we conducted surveys to investigate the attitudes toward genetic/genomic research of Japanese women aged between 55 and 65 years. Current surveys indicate that obtaining adequate informed consent from elderly Japanese women is complicated. The limitation is especially relevant to participants' literacy in genetics and genomic studies. Results of the surveys also indicate that even after the informed consent is obtained, researchers must continue to supply updated study information to the study subjects, which enables them to obtain additional information on the use of their samples and genetic/genomic information. Failure to consider these obligations may lead to a loss of the public's trust and thus affect research progress on medical genomics.

Suppressive effects of Anoectochilus formosanus extract on osteoclast formation in vitro and bone resorption in vivo.

Anoectochilus formosanus, a plant native to Taiwan, is used as a folk medicine. It was found that oral administration of A. formosanus extract (AFE) (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks suppressed bone weight loss and trabecular bone loss in ovariectomized mice, an experimental model of osteoporosis. Although AFE at 12.5 and 25 mug/ml inhibited osteoclast formation in co-culture of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, AFE did not inhibit the formation of osteoclast progenitor cells and preosteoclast cells in bone marrow cells and RAW264 cells. However, AFE (at 12.5 and 25 microg/ml) decreased RANKL expression. These results suggested that AFE might suppress the bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency through suppression of RANKL expression required for osteoclast formation.

Effects of astaxanthin in obese mice fed a high-fat diet.

Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant carotenoid that occurs in a wide variety of living organisms. We investigated the effects of astaxanthin supplementation in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Astaxanthin inhibited the increases in body weight and weight of adipose tissue that result from feeding a high-fat diet. In addition, astaxanthin reduced liver weight, liver triglyceride, plasma triglyceride, and total cholesterol. These results suggest that astaxanthin might be of value in reducing the likelihood of obesity and metabolic syndrome in affluent societies.

Effects of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum greaecum) extract on endurance capacity in mice.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of fenugreek seed extract (FG) on endurance capacity in male mice aged 4 wk. Mice were given orally either vehicle or FG (150, 300 mg/kg body weight) by stomach intubation for 4 wk. The 300 mg/ kg FG group showed a significant increase in swimming time to exhaustion as compared to the control group. In the FG groups, blood lactate concentration was significantly lower than in the control group. In the control group, plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and plasma glucose were decreased by swimming exercise. But in the FG group, NEFA and plasma glucose were significantly increased by swimming. FG treatment also significantly decreased fat accumulation. These results suggest that improvement in swimming endurance by the administration of FG is caused by the increase in utilization of fatty acids as an energy source.

Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on exercise-induced fatigue in mice.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of astaxanthin on endurance capacity in male mice aged 4 weeks. Mice were given orally either vehicle or astaxanthin (1.2, 6, or 30 mg/kg body weight) by stomach intubation for 5 weeks. The astaxanthin group showed a significant increase in swimming time to exhaustion as compared to the control group. Blood lactate concentration in the astaxanthin groups was significantly lower than in the control group. In the control group, plasma non-esterfied fatty acid (NEFA) and plasma glucose were decreased by swimming exercise, but in the astaxanthin group, NEFA and plasma glucose were significantly higher than in the control group. Astaxanthin treatment also significantly decreased fat accumulation. These results suggest that improvement in swimming endurance by the administration of astaxanthin is caused by an increase in utilization of fatty acids as an energy source.

Effects of Anoectochilus formosanus on endurance capacity in mice.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of Anoectochilus formosanus exract (AFE) on endurance capacity in mice. Four wk-old male mice were given either a vehicle (distilled water) or AFE (500, 1,000 mg/kg) through stomach intubations for 4 wk. Mice were made to perform swimming exercises with weights attached to their tails corresponding to 10% of their body weight. Endurance capacity was evaluated by swimming time to exhaustion. The group treated with 1,000 mg/kg AFE showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in endurance performance time. The mice were made to swim for 15 min with loads corresponding to 5% of their body weight. In the 1,000 mg/kg body weight of AFE administration group, blood lactate concentration was significantly lower than in the control group. In the AFE administration group, the plasma non-esterfied fatty acid (NEFA) was significantly increased by swimming exercise. AFE treatment also significantly decreased fat accumulation. Liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen after 15 min of swimming remained at significantly higher levels in the mice fed 1,000 mg/kg of AFE as compared to the control group. These results suggest that AFE activated utilization of lipid more than glucose as the energy source for performance.