Willingness-to-Pay-Associated Right Prefrontal Activation During a Single, Real Use of Cosmetics as Revealed by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Use of applied neuroscience to complement traditional methods of consumer research is increasing. Previously, fMRI has shown that prefrontal activity contains information relating to willingness-to-pay (WTP). The aim of the present study was to determine if functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can record WTP-related brain activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during a single, real use of cosmetic products. Thirty female participants, were divided into two groups (one low frequency users of foundation and one high frequency users of foundation), asked to apply different foundations to their face and then record how much money they were willing to pay. The oxyhemoglobin time series was analyzed with the GLM and the correlation between the beta scores for the foundations and their respective WTP values conducted for each participant. These subject level correlations were then converted to z scores and averaged for each group. The results revealed a significant mean correlation for the high but not low frequency group. In other words, the brain activity in right hemisphere dorsolateral PFC (RH-DLPFC) during single, real use of foundations correlated with their respective WTP values for the high frequency but not low frequency group. The difference between groups may reflect the importance of learning and automation on activity in RH-DLPFC. Our research provides further evidence supporting the use of fNIRS to complement traditional consumer research in a commercial setting and to extend neuroscience research into more naturalistic environments.

Research ethics consultation: an attempt and 5-year experience in a Japanese University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Research ethics consultation is an advisory activity that differs from ethics committees, and its role is not yet widely known in Japan. Research ethics consultations were started in 2012 by members of the Clinical Trial Center of Tokushima University Hospital, a support section for clinical trials. We analyzed the research ethics consultation records from Tokushima University Hospital during the 5-year period of 2012-2016 to examine the Japanese context of research ethics consultation. RESULTS: During the study period, 125 research ethics consultations were carried out, 115 (91%) before starting studies. All but one request were from investigators at Tokushima University. The main issue was compatibility with guidance and regulations (n = 74, 67.2%), such as ethical handling of human biological specimens and information utilized in research; only 6 (4.8%) requests involved research ethics issues that investigators face in their research. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the consultation function, with a nationwide system of consultant education and data sharing. Moreover, standardization of consultation should be considered.

Postoperative hormonal therapy prevents recovery of neurological damage after surgery in patients with breast cancer.

Cancer survivors are exposed to several risk factors for cognitive dysfunction, such as general anesthesia, surgical trauma, and adjuvant therapies. In our recent study we showed that thalamic volume reduction and attentional dysfunction occurred shortly after surgery. Here, we examined the 6-month prognosis of the 20 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery. Seven patients did not receive any adjuvant therapy after the surgery and 13 patients received a hormonal therapy after the surgery. We assessed their attentional functions, and thalamic volumes shortly after and 6 months after surgery. We found a significant group x time interaction in the attentional functions (p = 0.033) and the right thalamus (p < 0.05, small volume correction), suggesting the thalamic volume reduction and attentional dysfunction recovered in patients without adjuvant therapy. Our findings provide a better understanding of the potential role of hormonal therapy in relation to the cognitive dysfunction of cancer survivors.

Microchemical Pen: An Open Microreactor for Region-Selective Surface Modification.

Various micro surface-modification approaches including photolithography, dip-pen lithography and ink-jet systems have been developed and used to extend the functionalities of solid surfaces. While those approaches work in the "open space", push-pull systems which work in solutions have recently drawn considerable attention. However, the confining flows performed by push-pull systems have realized only the dispense process, while microscale, region-selective chemical reactions have remained unattainable. This study reports a microchemical pen that enables region-selective chemical reactions for the micro surface modification/patterning. The chemical pen is based on the principle of microfluidic laminar flows and the resulting mixing of reagents by the mutual diffusion. The tiny diffusion layer performs as the working region. This report represents the first demonstration of an open microreactor in which two different reagents react on a real solid sample. The multifunctional characteristics of the microchemical pen are confirmed by different types of reactions in many research areas, including inorganic chemistry, polymer science, electrochemistry and biological sample treatment.

Postoperative Structural Brain Changes and Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of the early response to surgery on brain structure and cognitive function in patients with breast cancer. It was hypothesized that the structure of the thalamus would change during the early response after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia and would represent one aspect of an intermediate phenotype of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). METHODS: We examined 32 postmenopausal females with breast cancer and 20 age-matched controls. We assessed their cognitive function (attention, memory, and executive function), and performed brain structural MRI 1.5 ± 0.5 days before and 5.6 ± 1.2 days after surgery. RESULTS: We found a significant interaction between regional grey matter volume (rGMV) in the thalamus (P < 0.05, familywise error (FWE), small volume correction (SVC)) and one attention domain subtest (P = 0.001, Bonferroni correction) after surgery in the patient group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the changes in attention were significantly associated with sevoflurane anesthetic dose (r2 = 0.247, ß = ‒0.471, P = 0.032) and marginally associated with rGMV changes in the thalamus (P = 0.07, FWE, SVC) in the Pt group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that alterations in brain structure, particularly in the thalamus, may occur shortly after surgery and may be associated with attentional dysfunction. This early postoperative response to anesthesia may represent an intermediate phenotype of POCD. It was assumed that patients experiencing other risk factors of POCD, such as the severity of surgery, the occurrence of complications, and pre-existing cognitive impairments, would develop clinical POCD with broad and multiple types of cognitive dysfunction.

Present status of Japanese ethics committees: a survey in Tokushima Prefecture.

Clinical research is important to improve medical quality, and ethics review is essential to conduct clinical research. Since the establishment of the first Japanese ethics committee at the University of Tokushima in 1982, Japanese ethics committees have increased. In this study, we surveyed the status of clinical studies and ethics committees in one Japanese region. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Tokushima Medical Association. A questionnaire was established and mailed to all medical institutions (n=737) registered to the Tokushima Medical Association in 2012. Among 737, 223 (30.3%) questionnaires were returned and 221 were completed and are included in this analysis (respondents). Among respondents, 51 (23.1%) had performed clinical research, and of these, 17 had established ethics committees (though one was omitted from the following analysis due to an unsatisfactory response). Among 16 ethics committees, review of protocol amendments, review of serious adverse events, annual follow-up of approved protocols, and education for committee members were active in 10 (62.5%), 9 (56.3%), 6 (37.5%) and 4 (25.0%), respectively. Research ethics education was active in 4 (25.0%). Based on the results, we attempt to establish an appropriate system for ethical conduct of health-related research in Tokushima Prefecture.

Plasmodium vivax gametocyte protein Pvs230 is a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate.

The malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) aims to interfere the development of malaria parasite in the mosquito and prevent further transmission in the community. So far only two TBV candidates have been identified in Plasmodium vivax; ookinete surface proteins Pvs25 and Pvs28. The pvs230 (PVX_003905) is reported as an ortholog of Pfs230, a gametocyte/gamete stage TBV candidate in Plasmodium falciparum, however its candidacy for TBV has never been tested. Therefore here, we have investigated whether Pvs230 can be a TBV candidate using P. vivax samples obtained from Thailand. The mouse antiserum raised against the plasmid expressing CRDs I-IV of Pvs230 detected Pvs230 protein in the lysate of P. vivax gametocyte in western blot analysis under non-reducing condition. From the localization of Pvs230 on the outer most regions of gametocyte in the immunofluorescence assay, it appears that Pvs230 is localized on the surface of gametes. Importantly, the anti-Pvs230 mouse serum significantly reduced the number of P. vivax oocysts developed in the mosquito midgut. Moreover, the polymorphism in Pvs230 CRDs I-IV is limited suggesting that it may not be an impediment for the utilization of Pvs230 as an effective TBV candidate. In conclusion, our results show that Pvs230 is a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate of P. vivax.

Consultation clinics for complementary and alternative medicine at Japanese university hospitals: An analysis at Tokushima University Hospital.

Here, we report on a Consultation Clinic for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) which we established at Tokushima University Hospital in July of 2007 with the aim of providing person-to-person information on CAM, though not CAM therapy itself. In December of 2008, we received 55 applications for consultation, 37% concerning health foods, 37% Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo), and 26% various other topics. The consultants (nutritionists and pharmacists) communicated individually with 38 applicants; malignancies (26%) and cardiovascular disease (24%) were the main underlying concerns. To promote the quality of consultation, data was collected by means of focus group interviews concerning the perspective of the consultants. Safe and effective use of CAM requires a network of communication linking individuals, consultation teams, physicians, primary care institutions and university hospitals. To advance this goal, we plan to broaden the efforts described herein. Our findings indicate that the specific role of the consultation clinic in promoting the scientific use of CAM merits further study.

Clinical trials for drug approval: a pilot study of the view of doctors at Tokushima University Hospital.

The development of new and useful pharmaceutical drugs is essential in order to improve the quality of drug therapeutics. Clinical trials play a central role in drug development. Over time, the clinical trial infrastructure has improved and is now integrating the contribution of clinical research coordinators (CRC). Nevertheless, the attitude of doctors towards clinical trials still favors conventional/historical methodologies. In the present study, we explored the view of doctors towards clinical trials for drug development, in order to improve communication among participants, sponsors, and investigators.A questionnaire was designed for this pilot study. The questionnaire included general attitudes, difficult points, the benefit of doctors in participating as investigators, special attention requirements, and the expected role of CRC in clinical trials for drug approval. In addition, the appropriate use of the outpatient clinic was examined. The questionnaire was provided to doctors in each department of Tokushima University Hospital in 2000 and 2004. Because of the small number of subjects included in this pilot study, no statistical analysis is presented. A total of 89 (81%) and 62 (56%) doctors among 110 responded to the survey in 2000 and 2004, respectively. Inquiries about the familiarity of the physicians with clinical trials for drug approval revealed that 84% in 2000 and 66% in 2004 were aware of such trials. The attitude towards participating as investigators in the clinical trials was favorable, with a response of 66% in 2000 and 58% in 2004. Patients' refusal and the informed consent process were considered difficult areas by many doctors. Expected roles of CRC included activities based on the nurse's specialty. Although many doctors agreed to take care of the study participants separately from the clinical practice, they lacked the time to do so. In spite of the doctors' workload reduction by introduction of the CRC concept, their views regarding clinical trials for drug approval remain conventional. Further refinement in the support process by CRC should be considered in our hospital, and the views of the doctors should be investigated in a larger study, in order to promote clinical trials for drug approval in Japan.

Diffusion-weighted images of the liver: comparison of tumor detection before and after contrast enhancement with superparamagnetic iron oxide.

PURPOSE: To study the recognition of malignant lesions of the liver on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) can be improved by the administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and post-SPIO mediated DWI of the liver was compared in six patients with suspected malignant liver lesions at 1.5 Tesla using a parallel imaging technique. RESULTS: Post-SPIO DWI showed improved contrast-to-noise ratio between malignant lesions and liver. Furthermore, the spleen signal was decreased on post-SPIO DWI, thus avoiding the overlap of the spleen and left lobe of the liver on maximum intensity projections (MIP). CONCLUSION: Recognition of malignant lesions of the liver was improved by SPIO on DWI. On MIP images of DWI, SPIO helped to decrease the overlap of spleen signal on the liver in some projection angles.

Contralateral and ipsilateral responses in primary somatosensory cortex following electrical median nerve stimulation--an fMRI study.

OBJECTIVE: Ten healthy adult subjects were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate responses in the contralateral and ipsilateral primary somatosensory cortex (SI) following electrical stimulation of the median nerve. METHODS: The right and left median nerves were stimulated alternately at the wrist in the different sessions. First, the location of the response in contralateral SI was identified following median nerve stimulation, and then, a spherical search volume with a 10mm radius centered on the region of the contralateral response was determined. Whether or not fMRI activation occurred within this sphere following ipsilateral stimulation was examined using a 3T MR imager. RESULTS: A response in contralateral SI was observed in 8 of the 10 subjects in right and left hemisphere. Responses in ipsilateral SI were observed in 6 of 8 subjects in right hemisphere, and the region of the response tended to be posterior to the contralateral region. On the other hand, in left hemisphere, the ipsilateral responses were found in three. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, not only contralateral SI but also ipsilateral SI was activated following median nerve. The location of the ipsilateral activation was significantly more posterior than the contralateral one in right hemisphere. SIGNIFICANCE: The region of activation in ipsilateral SI was located in the posterior portion of post central gyrus, corresponding to around BA2 and 5 in human.

Differentiation of noncancerous tissue and cancer lesions by apparent diffusion coefficient values in transition and peripheral zones of the prostate.

PURPOSE: To compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of prostate cancer in both the peripheral zone (PZ) and the transition zone (TZ) with those of benign tissue in the same zone using echo-planar diffusion weighted imaging with a parallel imaging technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 consecutive male patients (mean age 61.3 years, age range 53-88 years) with suspected prostate cancer were referred for MR imaging. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate after MR imaging at 1.5 T, including ADC. For each patient, seven to 10 specimens were obtained from the prostate, and regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the ADC map by referring to the urologist's illustration of TRUS-guided biopsy sites. ADC values of cancerous tissue in both the PZ and TZ were compared to those of noncancerous tissue in the same zone. RESULTS: Out of 29 patients, 23 had cancer tissue. In the 23 patients with cancer, the mean ADC value of all cancer ROIs and that of all noncancer ROIs, respectively, were 1.11 +/- 0.41 x 10(-3) and 1.68 +/- 0.40 x 10(-3) mm(2)/second (values are mean +/- SD) (P < 0.01). The mean ADC value of TZ cancer ROIs and that of TZ noncancer ROIs, respectively, were 1.13 +/- 0.42 x 10(-3) and 1.58 +/- 0.37 x 10(-3) mm(2)/second (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ADC measurement with a parallel imaging technique showed that ADC values of prostate cancer in both the PZ and TZ were significantly lower than those of benign tissue in the PZ and TZ, respectively.

Apparent diffusion coefficient in cervical cancer of the uterus: comparison with the normal uterine cervix.

A relation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and tumor cellular density has been reported. The purpose of this study was to measure the ADC values of cervical cancers in the uterus and compare them with those of normal cervical tissues, and to test whether ADC could differentiate between normal and malignant cervical tissues in the uterus. Twelve consecutive female patients with cervical cancer of the uterus and ten female patients with other pelvic abnormalities were included in this study. ADC was measured at 1.5 T with b-factors of 0, 300 and 600 s/mm2 using single-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging and a parallel imaging technique. The mean ADC value of cervical cancer lesions was 1.09+/-0.20 x 10(-3) mm2/s, and that of normal cervix tissue was 1.79+/-0.24 x 10(-3) mm2/s (P<0.0001). In nine patients treated by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, the mean ADC value of the cervical cancer lesion increased significantly after therapy (P<0.001). The present study showed, with a small number of patients, that ADC measurement has a potential ability to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissue in the uterine cervix. Further study is necessary to determine the accuracy of ADC measurement in monitoring the treatment response.

Serial evaluation of diffusion tensor brain fiber tracking in a patient with severe diffuse axonal injury.

Serial evaluation of diffusion tensor brain fiber tracking was performed in a 27-year-old female patient with diffuse axonal injury after a traffic accident. Although the result of brain fiber tracking was not necessarily parallel to her clinical symptoms, it may have predicted the neurologic prognosis.

MR imaging of gastric cancer in vitro: accuracy of invasion depth diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of grading cancerous invasion of the gastric wall in vitro using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Twelve specimens of gastric carcinoma were examined at 1.5-T using a small, loop surface coil. They were imaged within 2 days of fixation in formalin. The field of view was 30 mm; the matrix size was 256x256, and the section thickness was 2 mm. T1-weighted, T2-weighted and short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) images were obtained. Two radiologists evaluated the MR images independently, and in discrepant cases, consensus was obtained through discussion. Findings on MR images were compared with histopathologic findings. All T1-weighted, T2-weighted and STIR images depicted the normal gastric wall as consisting of six layers. STIR images depicted normal six layers most clearly. Histologically, the cancerous invasion was found to extend into the mucosa in 4 of the 12 specimens, the submucosa in 3, the muscularis propria in 2, the subserosa in 2 and the serosa in 1. The grading by MR imaging matched the histopathologic findings for all 12 tumors. The overall accuracy was 100%. Thus, MR imaging in vitro was sufficiently accurate for grading cancerous invasion of the gastric wall.