Compensation Method for Missing and Misidentified Skeletons in Nursing Care Action Assessment by Improving Spatial Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks.

With the increasing aging population, nursing care providers have been facing a substantial risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Visual-based pose estimation methods, like OpenPose, are commonly used for ergonomic posture risk assessment. However, these methods face difficulty when identifying overlapping and interactive nursing tasks, resulting in missing and misidentified skeletons. To address this, we propose a skeleton compensation method using improved spatial temporal graph convolutional networks (ST-GCN), which integrates kinematic chain and action features to assess skeleton integrity and compensate for it. The results verified the effectiveness of our approach in optimizing skeletal loss and misidentification in nursing care tasks, leading to improved accuracy in calculating both skeleton joint angles and REBA scores. Moreover, comparative analysis against other skeleton compensation methods demonstrated the superior performance of our approach, achieving an 87.34% REBA accuracy score. Collectively, our method might hold promising potential for optimizing the skeleton loss and misidentification in nursing care tasks.

A reliable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determining of sesame proteins in raw food ingredients and in processed foods.

Sesame is a frequent cause of adverse food reactions in allergic patients. We developed a novel sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two monoclonal antibodies and a unique extraction buffer for the detection and quantification of sesame proteins in processed foods and in raw food ingredients to clarify the validity of sesame labeling and for precautionary allergen labeling. The developed sandwich ELISA method is highly specific for sesame proteins. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) are 0.013 µg/g and 0.025 µg/g, respectively. The recoveries for incurred food samples, such as dressing, breads, sauce and pudding, ranged from 67 % to 81 %, while the repeatability and reproducibility coefficients of variation were less than 4.7 % and 4.5 %, respectively. The developed method has applicability for food products and is a reliable tool for the detection of hidden sesame proteins in raw food ingredients and in processed foods.

Passion fruit seed extract protects beta-amyloid-induced neuronal cell death in a differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with accompanying perceptive disorder. We previously reported that decreasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoted beta-amyloid (Aß)-induced neuronal cell death in neuron-like differentiated SH-SY5Y (ndSH-SY5Y) human neuroblastoma cells in an AD mimic cell model. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of passion fruit seed extract (PFSE) and one of the main stilbene compounds, piceatannol, in an AD cell model using ndSH-SY5Y cells. Both PFSE and piceatannol were found to protect Aß-induced neurite fragmentation in the cell model (protection efficacy; 34% in PFSE and 36% in piceatannol). In addition, both PFSE and piceatannol suppress Aß-induced neuronal cell death in the cell model (inhibitory effect; 27% in PFSE and 32% in piceatannol). Our study is the first to report that piceatannol-rich PFSE can repress Aß-induced neuronal cell death by protecting against neurite fragmentation in the AD human cell model. These findings suggest that piceatannol-rich PFSE can be considered a potentially neuroprotective functional food for both prevention and treatment of AD.

Effect of Sucrose on Amino Acid Absorption of Whey: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Protein intake has been reported to secrete insulin and lower glucose levels, but the effect of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion on amino acid absorption has not been well documented. A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded, crossover trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of sucrose on blood amino acid levels. Eleven volunteers (both sexes aged 20-60 years with body mass index 21.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2) randomly received one of four test solutions: water (P-group), 10 g sucrose (S-group), 10 g whey protein (W-group), or 10 g whey protein + 10 g sucrose (W-S-group), and blood amino acid concentration, glucose levels, and insulin levels were monitored over 180 min. Following the wash-out period, randomized treatment and blood parameter monitoring were repeated. Consequently, amino acid concentration was significantly lower in the S-group than in the P-group, showing that single ingestion of sucrose decreased blood amino acid levels in a fasted state. However, there was no significant difference between blood amino acid levels of the W- and W-S-groups, suggesting that co-ingestion of sucrose does not affect blood amino acid concentration. Insulin levels were significantly higher in the W-S than in the S-group, and glucose levels were significantly lower in the W-S- than in the S-group, suggesting positive impact on glycotoxicity by reducing blood glucose levels. Therefore, whey protein co-ingestion with sucrose suppresses glucose levels and increases insulin levels as opposed to the sucrose ingestion, but does not affect amino acid absorption of whey protein, indicating that this co-ingestion may not be a problem for protein supplementation.

Advances in Endovascular Intervention Using Biomaterials: Study on Heat Efficiency of Scissor-Type Ultrasonic Catheter Device.

To improve the performance of the ultrasonic device during the endovascular operation, a scissor-type ultrasonic catheter device with compound vibration was developed. The heat generated by friction between the target and the device affects its coagulation mechanism while the actuator contacts the tissue. The scissor-type ultrasonic catheter device proposed in this study is expected to improve heat generation performance because it has the action of rubbing the object when it is pushed by combined vibration. In addition, since it is constructed by simple notch processing, it can be miniaturized and can be expected to be introduced into catheters. However, the observation of ultrasonic vibration during frictional heating is difficult, which is an issue for device design. In this paper, a thermal-structure coupling analysis was done using the finite element method to calculate the heat generation efficiency and evaluate its coagulation performance.

Effect of antioxidant supplementation on skeletal muscle and metabolic profile in aging mice.

Aging induces drastic changes in muscle mass and function (sarcopenia); however, the detailed mechanisms underlying sarcopenia remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggested that age-related increases in oxidative stress induce muscle atrophy. In this study, we investigated the effect of 6-month supplementation of antioxidants, specifically piceatannol (PIC) and enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), on age-related physiological changes, including skeletal muscle weight and quality, in 25-month-old (OLD) mice, compared to in 4-month-old (young, YNG) C57BL/6J mice. Muscle weight corrected by body weight significantly declined in OLD mice, compared to in YNG mice. The control OLD mice also showed changes in the expression of genes related to muscle fiber type, reduced locomotor activity, and increased oxidative stress markers in blood. Consistent with the muscle weight and quality changes, whole-body fat oxidation during sedentary conditions and exercise periods in control OLD mice was significantly lower than that in YNG mice. Interestingly, compared to the control OLD mice, the PIC- or EMIQ-fed OLD mice showed higher fat oxidation. Furthermore, EMIQ, but not PIC, increased locomotor activity, the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, and suppressed the carbonylated protein in the skeletal muscle of OLD mice. These results suggested that chronic antioxidant intake could alleviate aging-related muscle function changes.

Amazake made from sake cake and rice koji suppresses sebum content in differentiated hamster sebocytes and improves skin properties in humans.

Amazake is a traditional Japanese health drink. Here, we examined the effects of amazake on skin in cells and humans. Treatment with sake cake or rice koji suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in differentiated hamster sebocytes, likely through the reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) mRNA. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, seventeen Japanese women ingested either amazake or placebo for 4 weeks. Ingestion of the amazake decreased the sebum content compared to the placebo. The questionnaires showed improvements in "face color," "dark circles under the eyes," "glossy hair," and "waking up well", only in the amazake. In accordance with the questionnaires, additional analysis revealed the change in the L* values under the eyes was statistically increased in the amazake compared to the placebo. These results indicate that amazake may decrease sebum content in cells and humans and increase the L* values under the eyes, with some additional beneficial effects in humans.

Intake of a Mixture of Sake Cake and Rice Malt Increases Mucin Levels and Changes in Intestinal Microbiota in Mice.

Amazake is a traditional Japanese beverage. Its main ingredients are sake cake and rice malt. In this study, we examined the effect of sake cake and rice malt on the intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota. BALB/c mice were fed a control diet or a diet containing a mixture of sake cake and rice malt powder (SRP) for four weeks. Fecal IgA values did not change between groups, but the fecal mucin level was significantly greater in the SRP-fed group. Gene expression analysis in the ileum by real-time PCR demonstrated Muc2 expression did not change, while the Muc3 expression was upregulated in the SRP-fed group. Furthermore, microbiota analysis demonstrated a change by SRP intake at the family level, and the proportion of Lactobacillaceae significantly increased in the SRP-fed group. At the genus level, the proportion of Lactobacillus also significantly increased in the SRP-fed group. These results suggest that the intake of a mixture of sake cake and rice malt improves intestinal barrier function by increasing mucin levels and inducing changes in intestinal microbiota.

Correction to: Effects of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition: a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind trial.

The original article [1] contained a typesetting error in Table 3 which was mistakenly introduced by the production team handling this article; this error has now been corrected.

Suppressive effects of whey protein hydrolysate on sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms.

Silkworms are useful for evaluating substances that suppress postprandial hyperglycemia by oral administration. In this study, orally administered whey protein hydrolysate (WPH), obtained by enzymatic treatment of whey protein, suppressed sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms in a dose-dependent manner. WPH also inhibited glucose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. These findings suggest that WPH contains a bioactive peptide that inhibits glucose uptake from the intestinal tract and thereby suppresses sucrose-induced hyperglycemia.

Effect of piceatannol-rich passion fruit seed extract on human glyoxalase I-mediated cancer cell growth.

Passion fruit seed extract (PFSE), a product rich in stilbenes such as piceatannol and scirpusin B, has various physiological effects. It is unclear whether PFSE and its stilbene derivatives inhibit cancer cell proliferation via human glyoxalase I (GLO I), the rate-limiting enzyme for detoxification of methylglyoxal. We examined the anticancer effects of PFSE in two types of human cancer cell lines with different GLO I expression levels, NCI-H522 cells (highly-expressed GLO I) and HCT116 cells (lowly-expressed GLO I). PFSE and its stilbenes inhibited GLO I activity. In addition, PFSE and its stilbenes supressed the cancer cell proliferation of NCI-H522 cells more than HCT116 cells. These observations suggest that PFSE can provide a novel anticancer strategy for prevention and treatment.

Effects of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a water-soluble quercetin, has been shown to intensify muscle hypertrophy in mice. We investigated the effect of EMIQ in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition. METHODS: Forty Japanese males who played American football (age: 19.8 ± 1.4 years; body height: 174.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass: 75.5 ± 10.7 kg) were assigned to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of parallel group. Participants received either EMIQ in whey protein (EW, n = 19) or contrast whey protein (W, n = 20) 6 days per week over 4 months. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Markers of oxidative stress, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP), were assessed using a free radical analytical system. Data were analyzed using a univariate and repeated measures general model statistics. RESULTS: After 4 months, changes in lower limb fat-free mass and muscle mass were significantly greater in the EW group than in the W group (mean change ±95% CI; W: 324.1 ± 284.3, EW: 950.3 ± 473.2, p = 0.031, W: 255.7 ± 288.6, EW: 930.9 ± 471.5, p = 0.021, respectively). Moreover, the EW group exhibited a significantly higher BAP/d-ROMs ratio, antioxidation index, than the W group after 4 months (mean change ± SD; W: 8.8 ± 1.1, EW: 10.3 ± 2.8; p = 0.028). No significant differences in body mass, lean body mass, fat mass, or lower limb fat mass were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of EMIQ in supplementary protein powder for 4 months exerts antioxidant effects and increases muscle mass among American football players. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, UMIN000036036 . Retrospectively registered in 2019.

Piceatannol markedly upregulates heme oxygenase-1 expression and alleviates oxidative stress in skeletal muscle cells.

Piceatannol (PIC), a phytochemical, is abundant in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds. In this study, we investigated the effects of PIC on the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and compared its effects with those of PIC analogues and polyphenols. We also evaluated its effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with PIC led to dose-dependent upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (Sod1) mRNA expression in C2C12 myotubes. PIC was the most potent inducer of Ho-1 among the PIC analogues and major polyphenols tested. In addition, treatment with PIC suppressed the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Our results suggest that PIC protects skeletal muscles from oxidative stress by activating antioxidant enzymes such as HO-1 and SOD1 and can therefore help prevent oxidative stress-induced muscle dysfunction such as muscle fatigue and sarcopenia.

Integrated System for Monitoring Muscular States during Elbow Flexor Resistance Training in Bedridden Patients.

To improve or maintain the physical function of bedridden patients, appropriate and effective exercises are required during the patient's bed rest. Resistance training (RT) is an effective exercise for improving the physical function of bedridden patients, and the improvement of the physical function is caused by mechanical stimuli associated with RT. Currently, the measured mechanical stimuli are external variables which represent the synthetic effect of multiple muscles and body movements. Important features of stimuli experienced by muscles are of crucial importance in explaining muscular strength and power adaptation. This study describes an integrated system for assessing muscular states during elbow flexor resistance training in bedridden patients, and some experiments were carried out to test and evaluate this system. The integrated system incorporates an elbow joint angle estimation model (EJAEM), a musculoskeletal model (MSM), and a muscle-tendon model. The EJAEM enables real-time interaction between patient and MSM. The MSM is a three-dimensional model of the upper extremity, including major muscles that make up the elbow flexor and extensor, and was built based on public data. One set of concentric and eccentric contraction was performed by a healthy subject, and the results of the calculations were analyzed to show important features of mechanical stimuli experienced by muscles during the training. The integrated system provides a considerable method to monitor the body-level and muscle-level mechanical stimuli during elbow flexor resistance training in bedridden patients.

Effect of Passion Fruit Seed Extract Rich in Piceatannol on the Skin of Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial.

Piceatannol has been reported to have a wide variety of effects on the skin, including promoting collagen production, inhibiting melanin synthesis, inducing the antioxidant glutathione, and eliminating reactive oxygen species. In this study, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted to clinically evaluate the effects of piceatannol-rich passion fruit seed extract on the skin of healthy Japanese women (age, 35-54 y). Thirty-two women with dry skin received either passion fruit seed extract (5 mg piceatannol) or a placebo (dextrin) for 8 wk. Skin hydration and other parameters on the face were assessed at 0, 4, and 8 wk by using specialized equipment. Furthermore, questionnaire interviews were conducted regarding the physical condition of subjects at 0, 4, and 8 wk. The results showed that consumption of passion fruit seed extract led to significant increases in the moisture content of human skin after 4 and 8 wk compared with that before the trial. The amount of transepidermal water loss decreased over time, although the differences were not significant. Moreover, a stratified analysis of subjects with moisture values of ≤200 µS revealed increased moisture content in the passion fruit seed extract group as compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the results of questionnaires showed significant reductions in "perspiration" and "fatigue" in the passion fruit seed extract group as compared with the placebo group. These results indicate that oral intake of passion fruit seed extract that is rich in piceatannol could improve the moisture of dry skin and reduce fatigue.

Immune Milk Suppresses Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1.

Immune milk has been developed as a substitute for colostrum and contains a high concentration of IgG antibodies specific to the immunized pathogens. Meanwhile, bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) naturally infects cattle worldwide, and its antibody is found in milk. Moreover, BHV-1 glycoprotein K, the major antigen, exhibits substantial homology with human herpes virus simplex 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein K. On the basis of this evidence, we hypothesized BHV-1 antibody exists in immune milk and suppresses HSV-1 activity. This study investigated whether immune milk IgG recognizes HSV-1 and suppresses HSV-1 activity. IgG in immune milk was purified by affinity Protein A columns, and HSV-1-reactive IgG in immune milk IgG was detected and quantified by ELISA. The efficacy of the IgG against HSV-1 was analyzed using a reduction assay based on the cytopathic effect due to HSV-1 in the presence of macrophages. We detected a high concentration of HSV-1-reactive IgG in immune milk. Furthermore, IgG suppressed HSV-1 pathogenicity in the presence of macrophages. These results indicate immune milk has protective activity against HSV-1 by opsonic activity owing to its high concentration of HSV-1-reactive IgG, which is likely the BHV-1 antibody. HSV-1 is currently a refractory infection with a worldwide distribution. Primary infection occurs via the oral cavity, but there is no effective precaution at this time. However, the present results suggest that taking oral immune milk may be an effective measure to prevent primary HSV-1 infection in the oral cavity.

Fluorescent labeling of a carboxyl group of sialic acid for MALDI-MS analysis of sialyloligosaccharides and ganglioside.

We developed a modified method enabling stable MALDI-MS analysis and fluorescent detection of sialyl-compounds. The modification involved the amidation of sialic acid (Neu5Ac) at the position of the carboxyl group using the fluorescent reagent, 2-(2-pyridilamino)ethylamine (PAEA). In this study the following sialyl-compounds were amidated, 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL), and ganglioside GM3. Yields of PAEA-3'-SL, PAEA-6'-SL, and PAEA-GM3 were 45%, 60%, and 30%, respectively. The PAEA-amidation enabled fluorescence detection of structural isomers using HPLC and TLC at sensitivity levels as low as pmol. In MALDI-TOF-MS and/or MS/MS analysis in positive ion mode, PAEA-amidation provided the following advantages: suppression of preferential cleavage of Neu5Ac; enhancement of molecular-related ion intensities; simplification of MS spectra; and finally, since PAEA-amidation did not cleave the linkage between sugar and aglycon of sialylglycoconjugate, MALDI-TOF-MS and MS/MS analyses revealed the complete structure of the molecule.

Heavy metal removal from contaminated scallop waste for feed and fertilizer application.

The present work elucidates environmental friendly removal process of heavy metals by using biomass waste and natural product. The process consists of the following three steps: (1) leaching of all metals including heavy metals by dilute sulfuric acid, (2) removal of turbid organic materials from the leach liquor by means of coagulation using astringent persimmon extract enriched with persimmon tannin leaving all heavy metal ions in the leach liquor and (3) adsorptive removal of heavy metals by means of adsorption onto the gel prepared from apple waste. The operational conditions at these three steps were discussed in detail, among which the pH adjustment is the key factor; i.e. the lower the pHs the higher the efficiency of the leaching, while reverse was the case for the adsorption.

Inhibition of influenza-virus-induced cytopathy by sialylglycoconjugates.

The anti-viral activity of gangliosides such as SPG (sialylparagloboside), GD1a, GM3, and GM4 was assessed by inhibition of the cytopathy of MDCK cells due to infection with the influenza virus A/PR/8/34. The inhibitory effect was in the following sequence: SPG>GD1a>GM3>GM4. The IC50 of SPG and GD1a was 7 and 70 microM, respectively, indicating that they are more effective than the representative inhibitor amantadine. Although 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 3'-sialyllactosamine (3'-SLN), which are identical to the terminal trisaccharides of GM3 and SPG, respectively, did not show any inhibitory effect, introduction of an amino group to the reducing end of 3'-SL following amidation with lauroyl chloride gave the inhibitory potency, which was comparable to that of GM3. These results suggest that the viral hemagglutinin recognizes exogenous sialyloligosaccharides rather than inherent sialyloligosaccharides expressed on MDCK cells, since introduction of the hydrophobic moiety to oligosaccharides might cause micelle formation.