Association between sarcopenia and urinary dysfunction in patients with dysphagia.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to determine the relationship between sarcopenia and urinary dysfunction in patients with dysphagia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 460 Japanese Sarcopenic Dysphagia Database participants. Urinary dysfunction was defined as either urinary incontinence or urethral catheter use. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed the association between urinary dysfunction and sarcopenia, calf circumference (CC), handgrip strength (HGS), and Barthel Index (BI). Logistic regression analysis was performed for urinary dysfunction adjusted for age, sex, setting, and CCI in addition to BI and HGS or CC or sarcopenia (model 1) or FILS and BI (model 2). RESULTS: The mean age was 80.8 ± 10.5 years and urinary dysfunction in 137 participants. Urinary dysfunction was not associated with sarcopenia (123 versus 281, p = 0.440) but was associated with CC (27.4 ± 4.2 versus 28.5 ± 3.9, p = 0.009), HGS (9.7 ± 7.9 versus 14.4 ± 9.3, p < 0.001), and BI (19.9 ± 0.3 versus 20.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed urinary dysfunction was associated with HGS (OR: 0.968, CI: 0.938, 0.998) and BI (OR: 0.955, CI: 0.943, 0.966). The cutoff was 19 kg for men (sensitivity 0.786, specificity 0.56, Area Under Curve (AUC) 0.689) and 6.1 kg for women (sensitivity 0.493, specificity 0.774, AUC 0.639) in HGS and 27.5 points in BI (sensitivity 0.781, specificity 0.604, AUC 0.740). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia was not associated with urinary dysfunction. However, HGS and BI were related to urinary dysfunction.

Deciphering social traits and pathophysiological conditions from natural behaviors in common marmosets.

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are indispensable animal models by virtue of the continuity of behavioral repertoires across primates, including humans. However, behavioral assessment at the laboratory level has so far been limited. Employing the application of three-dimensional (3D) pose estimation and the optimal integration of subsequent analytic methodologies, we demonstrate that our artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach has successfully deciphered the ethological, cognitive, and pathological traits of common marmosets from their natural behaviors. By applying multiple deep neural networks trained with large-scale datasets, we established an evaluation system that could reconstruct and estimate the 3D poses of the marmosets, a small NHP that is suitable for analyzing complex natural behaviors in laboratory setups. We further developed downstream analytic methodologies to quantify a variety of behavioral parameters beyond motion kinematics. We revealed the distinct parental roles of male and female marmosets through automated detections of food-sharing behaviors using a spatial-temporal filter on 3D poses. Employing a recurrent neural network to analyze 3D pose time series data during social interactions, we additionally discovered that marmosets adjusted their behaviors based on others' internal state, which is not directly observable but can be inferred from the sequence of others' actions. Moreover, a fully unsupervised approach enabled us to detect progressively appearing symptomatic behaviors over a year in a Parkinson's disease model. The high-throughput and versatile nature of an AI-driven approach to analyze natural behaviors will open a new avenue for neuroscience research dealing with big-data analyses of social and pathophysiological behaviors in NHPs.

[Evaluation of the Usefulness of Pharmaceutical Outpatient Clinic for Gastric Cancer Patients Receiving Capecitabine plus Oxaliplatin as Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy].

Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin(CapeOX)is widely used as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer. The CapeOX regimen often causes digestive symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting under postoperative conditions, and oxaliplatin- induced neurological symptoms, for which supportive intervention is needed. The pharmaceutical outpatient clinic of Jichi Medical University provides pharmaceutical intervention for cancer patients. This study evaluated the usefulness of the pharmaceutical outpatient clinic for gastric cancer patients receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was defined as the effect of the number of outpatient pharmacist interventions on the relative dose intensity of the CapeOX regimen. The secondary endpoint was the correlation between the number of outpatient pharmacist interventions and the worst grade of each side effect. It was observed that patients who received at least 5 outpatient pharmacist interventions had significantly higher dose intensities(p=0.019). Outpatient pharmaceutical interventions were associated with the reduction of side effect symptoms that could be managed with preventive and supportive care. These results showed that continuous intervention by outpatient pharmacists contribute to the optimization of dose intensity and reduction of side effects in gastric cancer patients receiving CapeOX as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Retrograde Transgene Expression via Neuron-Specific Lentiviral Vector Depends on Both Species and Input Projections.

For achieving retrograde gene transfer, we have so far developed two types of lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with fusion envelope glycoprotein, termed HiRet vector and NeuRet vector, consisting of distinct combinations of rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoproteins. In the present study, we compared the patterns of retrograde transgene expression for the HiRet vs. NeuRet vectors by testing the cortical input system. These vectors were injected into the motor cortex in rats, marmosets, and macaques, and the distributions of retrograde labels were investigated in the cortex and thalamus. Our histological analysis revealed that the NeuRet vector generally exhibits a higher efficiency of retrograde gene transfer than the HiRet vector, though its capacity of retrograde transgene expression in the macaque brain is unexpectedly low, especially in terms of the intracortical connections, as compared to the rat and marmoset brains. It was also demonstrated that the NeuRet but not the HiRet vector displays sufficiently high neuron specificity and causes no marked inflammatory/immune responses at the vector injection sites in the primate (marmoset and macaque) brains. The present results indicate that the retrograde transgene efficiency of the NeuRet vector varies depending not only on the species but also on the input projections.

Threshold dose of cow's milk in sensitization to casein higher than those of casein and ß-lactoglobulin in children with cow's milk allergy.

BACKGROUND: Recent treatment for food allergies involves the intake of allergy-causing foods at doses lower than the threshold dose determined by the oral food challenge (OFC). For a more successful treatment, it is necessary to identify a biomarker to establish safer doses of allergens in foods consumed at home. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to investigate whether the pattern of sensitization to cow's milk (CM) is related to the threshold dose of CM. METHODS: Fifty patients with sensitization to casein (casein-specific IgE titer ≥ 0.7 UA/ml) and who have undergone the CM OFC test from July 2013 to July 2015 were enrolled. They were examined for the presence or absence of sensitization to ß-lactoglobulin (BLG) (BLG-specific IgE ≥ 0.7 UA/ml). They were divided into two groups, namely, the only-casein-specific IgE-positive (C) group, and both casein- and BLG-specific IgE-positive (C + B) group. RESULTS: The C group had 26 patients and the C + B group had 24. Both the CM- and casein-specific IgE titers were higher in the C + B group than in the C group. The positivity rates determined from OFC test results were 53.8 and 87.5%, and the threshold doses of CM were 88.7 and 31.1 ml in the C and C + B groups, respectively. In patients with low casein-specific IgE titers (≤ 10 UA/ml), the C + B group showed a significantly lower threshold dose of CM than the C group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that children with CM allergy sensitized to casein alone have a higher threshold dose than those sensitized to both casein and BLG.

Relationship between plasma protein S levels and apolipoprotein C-II in Japanese middle-aged obese women and young nonobese women.

: Protein S, a nonenzymatic cofactor to activated protein C, presents in two forms in plasma, free form and in a complex with C4b-binding protein. The aim of this study was to determine the association of plasma protein S levels with the variables related to cardiovascular disease risk. The relationships between plasma protein S levels with lipids, inflammation markers, and adiposity were first examined on middle-aged obese women (n = 62), then on young nonobese women (n = 160) to verify the findings in the obese women. Total and free protein S antigen levels in middle-aged obese women, approximately half being in a postmenopausal state and suffered from dyslipidemia, correlated negatively with estradiol and positively with triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apoA-II, apoB, apoC-II, apoC-III, apoE, hemoglobin A1c, and protein C, whereas there was no correlation with HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, BMI, visceral fat area, blood pressure, or factor VII activity. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that protein C, apoC-II, and fibrinogen were significant predictors of total protein S antigen levels, accounting for 51.9% of variance, and apoC-II as a singular significant predictor for free protein S antigen levels (12.3% of variance). In young nonobese women, most being normolipidemic, apoC-II was also selected as a significant predictor of total protein S antigen levels, but not of free protein S antigen levels. The positive relationship between plasma protein S levels and apoC-II, a key regulator of triglycerides hydrolysis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of increased concentrations of plasma protein S.

Strong expression of steroid sulfatase in human cumulus cells in patients with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the localization and expression of steroid sulfatase (STS) in cumulus cells obtained from subjects with and without endometriosis. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: In vitro fertilization program at the Showa University School of Medicine. PATIENT(S): Cumulus cells (142 samples) were obtained from 49 patients for whom IVF was indicated. Some of these samples were taken from cases complicated by endometriosis (35 samples), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; 16 samples), or latent hyperprolactinemia (16 samples). INTERVENTION(S): Immunohistochemical staining for STS. Measurement of STS mRNA expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of STS mRNA and localization of STS. RESULT(S): Steroid sulfatase was localized in the cytoplasm of the cumulus cells, and expression of STS mRNA was observed. The expression level of STS mRNA from patients with endometriosis was significantly higher (11.8-fold) than that of patients without endometriosis. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest a local steroidal regulation mechanism in cumulus cells. Although the physiological role of STS in cumulus cells remains unclear, STS may be involved in the quality of eggs in patients with endometriosis.

Reduction of progesterone receptor expression in human cumulus cells at the time of oocyte collection during IVF is associated with good embryo quality.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the progesterone receptor (PR) level is transiently increased within the follicle by LH stimulation and controls cumulus cells in follicles and oocyte maturation. The purpose of this study was to predict developmental competence of human oocytes during IVF via analysis of PR in cumulus cells surrounding mature oocytes. METHODS: Prior to oocyte retrieval, the follicular diameter was measured and follicular fluid was collected from each mature follicle. Cumulus cells were manually separated from the oocyte-cumulus complex under a microscope. PR and PR mRNA were assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) measurement in human cumulus cells. RESULTS: Immunoreactive PR-A was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and PR-B was localized in the nuclei. There was no significant relationship between PR expression and follicular diameter, follicular fluid concentration of steroids, or LH. There was no significant relationship between expression of PRs and fertilization or cleavage rate. However, PR expression was lower in the good morphology group (blastomeres > or =7 cells with fragmentation > or =5% on day 3) when compared to the other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that follicular LH or steroids do not affect PR expression, and full reduction of total PR expression on cumulus cells at the time of oocyte collection is associated with good morphology in human oocytes.

Localization and gene expression of steroid sulfatase by RT-PCR in cumulus cells and relationship to serum FSH levels observed during in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to localize the expression of steroid sulfatase (STS) in cumulus cells and to determine the relationship between STS mRNA expression and the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and progesterone. METHODS: The subject group included 49 women (29 to 44 years old) for whom in vitro fertilization treatment was indicated. All subjects gave informed consent. One hundred fourteen samples of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) were obtained under microscopic observation. Part of the COC was stained by STS antibody. RNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform method and real-time PCR was performed. Serum of each patient was collected and was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Some of the cumulus samples were stained by STS antibody. The expression of STS mRNA in all samples was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Although there was no significant correlation between the level of STS mRNA and the serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and LH, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of STS mRNA expression and the serum level of FSH (n = 105, p = 0.018, r = -0.22). CONCLUSION: These results have demonstrated for the first time the expression of STS in cumulus cells by immunohistological stainings and real-time RT-PCR. STS expression in cumulus cells may be related to the control of the local steroidal environment in the oocyte. Serum FSH may control STS mRNA expression from the results of RT-PCR, although the correlation was low.

Differences in gene expression in the proliferative human endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To use microdissection and DNA microarray technology to demonstrate differences in gene expression between epithelial and stromal areas in the proliferative human endometrium. DESIGN: Pilot study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Patients with normal menstrual cycles and at least one previous intrauterine pregnancy. INTERVENTION(S): Uterine endometrial biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Gene expression. RESULT(S): From a total of 1,200 genes, 14 were strongly expressed in epithelial areas and 12 were strongly expressed in stromal areas. Among the genes strongly expressed in the stroma, expressions of decorin and discoidin domain receptor were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Decorin was localized in the stromal areas by immunohistochemical staining. To confirm the effects of estrogen on gene expression, stromal cells were cultured. When E(2) was added to the culture media, expression of decorin mRNA was increased. CONCLUSION(S): The data demonstrated in this study help to understand the physiology of human endometrium. Decorin was strongly expressed in the stromal areas and was regulated by estrogen, and therefore it may be involved in restoration of the endometrium.

Comparison in gene expression of secretory human endometrium using laser microdissection.

BACKGROUND: The endometrium prepares for implantation under the control of steroid hormones. It has been suggested that there are complicated interactions between the epithelium and stroma in the endometrium during menstrual cycle. In this study, we demonstrate a difference in gene expression between the epithelial and stromal areas of the secretory human endometrium using microdissection and macroarray technique. METHODS: The epithelial and stromal areas were microdissected from the human endometrium during the secretory phase. RNA was extracted and amplified by PCR. Macroarray analysis of nearly 1000 human genes was carried out in this study. Some genes identified by macroarray analysis were verified using real-time PCR. RESULTS: In this study, changes in expression <2.5-fold in three samples were excluded. A total of 28 genes displayed changes in expression from array data. Fifteen genes were strongly expressed in the epithelial areas, while 13 genes were strongly expressed in the stromal areas. The strongly expressed genes in the epithelial areas with a changes >5-fold were WAP four-disulfide core domain 2 (44.1 fold), matrix metalloproteinase 7 (40.1 fold), homeo box B5 (19.8 fold), msh homeo box homolog (18.8 fold), homeo box B7 (12.7 fold) and protein kinase C, theta (6.4 fold). On the other hand, decorin (55.6 fold), discoidin domain receptor member 2 (17.3 fold), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (9 fold), ribosomal protein S3A (6.3 fold), and tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains (5.2 fold) were strongly expressed in the stromal areas. WAP four-disulfide core domain 2 (19.4 fold), matrix metalloproteinase 7 (9.7-fold), decorin (16.3-fold) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (7.2-fold) were verified by real-time PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the genes we identified with differential expression are related to the immune system. These results are telling us the new information for understanding the secretory human endometrium.