Improving Operator Depth Vision in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Pilot Study of a New Three-dimensional Imaging System.

Background And Aims: Traditional two-dimensional (2D) gastrointestinal endoscopy lacks depth perception, leading to potential diagnostic errors. This study evaluates a novel software-based three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy system that converts 2D images into 3D, compatible with existing endoscopes.

Methods: A randomized comparative study was conducted with 32 endoscopists at NTT Medical Center.

Crystallization and initial X-ray crystallographic analysis of a de novo-designed protein with left-handed βαβ units.

A newly designed protein featuring a rare left-handed βαβ motif has successfully been crystallized and characterized by preliminary X-ray diffraction. The computational design was conducted using a combination of Rosetta BluePrintBDR, ProteinMPNN and AlphaFold2, generating eight candidates based on predicted stability and folding accuracy. The final construct was expressed, purified and crystallized in space group P2.

Exploring hydrophilic sequence space to search for uncharted foldable proteins by AlphaFold2.

Proteins typically fold into unique three-dimensional structures largely driven by interactions between hydrophobic amino acids. This understanding has helped improve our knowledge of protein folding. However, recent research has shown an exception to this idea, demonstrating that specific threonine-rich peptides have a strong tendency to form β-hairpin structures, even in the highly hydrophilic amino acid sequences.

Combining plasma Aβ and p-tau217 improves detection of brain amyloid in non-demented elderly.

Background: Maximizing the efficiency to screen amyloid-positive individuals in asymptomatic and non-demented aged population using blood-based biomarkers is essential for future success of clinical trials in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we elucidate the utility of combination of plasma amyloid-β (Aβ)-related biomarkers and tau phosphorylated at threonine 217 (p-tau217) to predict abnormal Aβ-positron emission tomography (PET) in the preclinical and prodromal AD.

Methods: We designed the cross-sectional study including two ethnically distinct cohorts, the Japanese trial-ready cohort for preclinica and prodromal AD (J-TRC) and the Swedish BioFINDER study.

Association between Gray and White Matter Lesions and Its Involvement in Clinical Symptoms of Alzheimer's-Type Dementia.

Background: Not only gray matter lesions (GMLs) but also white matter lesions (WMLs) can play important roles in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The progression of cognitive impairment (CI) and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) might be caused by a concerted effect of both GML and WML.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between GML and WML and how they are involved in the symptoms of CI and BPSD in dementia patients by means of imaging technology.

Impact of hs-CRP concentration on brain structure alterations and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Present study was to investigate hs-CRP concentration, brain structural alterations, and cognitive function in the context of AD [Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD].

Methods: We retrospectively included 313 patients (Mean age = 76.40 years, 59 SCD, 101 MCI, 153 AD) in a cross-sectional analysis and 91 patients (Mean age = 75.

Detecting Comparative Features of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Linkage: A Web-Based Survey.

Multidimensional assessments are important in evaluating the overall health of older adults. The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a representative framework; however, the burden associated with the CGA has led to the development of simplified multidimensional tools. Comparing these tools to the CGA can help utilize them effectively.

Evolutionary process toward avian-like cephalic thermoregulation system in Theropoda elucidated based on nasal structures.

It has long been discussed whether non-avian dinosaurs were physiologically closer to ectotherms or endotherms, with the internal nasal structure called the respiratory turbinate present in extant endotherms having been regarded as an important clue for this conundrum. However, the physiological function and relevance of this structure for dinosaur physiology are still controversial. Here, we found that the size of the nasal cavity relative to the head size of extant endotherms is larger than those of extant ectotherms, with that of the dromaeosaurid being below the extant endotherms level.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on the cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a strong risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) independent of ischemic stroke. However, the clinicopathological impact of AF on the severity of AD has not been well elucidated. We aimed to investigate the clinical differences between dementia patients with AF and those without AF by means of imaging data.

Impact of constipation on progression of Alzheimer's disease: A retrospective study.

Background And Purpose: In terms of the gut-brain axis, constipation has been considered to be an important factor of neurodegenerative diseases, although the exact mechanism is still controversial. Herein, we aimed to investigate the contribution of constipation to the progression of dementia in a retrospective study.

Methods: Patients of Alzheimer's disease(AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment were consecutively screened between January 2015 and December 2020, and those of whom brain MRI and neuropsychological tests were performed twice were enrolled in this study.

Perceived social isolation is correlated with brain structure and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer's disease.

Both objective and perceived social isolations were associated with future cognitive decline and increase risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the impacts of perceived social isolation depending on different clinical stages of AD have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived social isolation or loneliness on brain structure and future cognitive trajectories in patients who are living with or are at risk for AD.

Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Use of MCT Oil and a Ketogenic Diet.

Recently, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been reported to be strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is partly due to insulin resistance in the brain. Insulin signaling and the number of insulin receptors may decline in the brain of T2DM patients, resulting in impaired synaptic formation, neuronal plasticity, and mitochondrial metabolism.

Mapping marine debris encountered by albatrosses tracked over oceanic waters.

Anthropogenic marine debris is a threat to marine organisms. Understanding how this debris spatially distributes at sea and may become associated with marine wildlife are key steps to tackle this current issue. Using bird-borne GPS- and video-loggers on 13 black-footed albatrosses Phoebastria nigripes breeding in Torishima, Japan, we examined the distribution of large floating debris in the Kuroshio Current area, western North Pacific.

Host-parasite relationships between seabirds and the haemadipsid leech (Annelida: Clitellata) inhabiting oceanic islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The duognathous haemadipsid leeches of the genus Chtonobdella show a trans-oceanic distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Although passive long-distance dispersal (LDD) of Chtonobdella leeches by birds has been suggested, little is known about the host-parasite relationships between avian hosts and Chtonobdella leeches. In the current study, we investigated Chtonobdella leech infestations of the eyes and other mucus membranes of migratory procellariiform seabirds, Pterodroma hypoleuca and Oceanodroma tristrami, captured at six locations in the Bonin Islands, Honshu and Okinawa Island, Japan.

Kampo Medicine for Various Aging-Related Symptoms: A Review of Geriatric Syndrome.

With the continued growth of the aging population in Japan, geriatric syndrome (GS), which is associated with aging-related symptoms, has become a social problem. GS is caused by physiological and pathological aging and may manifest various symptoms. Physicians use multidisciplinary approaches to provide treatment for individual GS symptoms.

YAP-dependent necrosis occurs in early stages of Alzheimer's disease and regulates mouse model pathology.

The timing and characteristics of neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain largely unknown. Here we examine AD mouse models with an original marker, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate phosphorylated at serine 46 (pSer46-MARCKS), and reveal an increase of neuronal necrosis during pre-symptomatic phase and a subsequent decrease during symptomatic phase. Postmortem brains of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) rather than symptomatic AD patients reveal a remarkable increase of necrosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and cognitive function in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of cognitive impairment and reversibility in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with special reference to cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Methods And Results: We examined 15 elderly patients with severe AS (mean age 83.2±4.

Risk factors for adverse drug reactions in older inpatients of geriatric wards at admission: Multicenter study.

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and their risk factors among very old patients in five geriatric wards in Japan.

Methods: A retrospective observational multicenter study was carried out to investigate factors related to ADR in older inpatients from geriatric wards of five university hospitals in Japan. Data including drugs profile and short-form comprehensive geriatric assessment were obtained from medical charts.

Development of geriatric syndromes after taking countermeasures for polypharmacy: an overlooked issue of quitting semiregular single-dose medicine.

We report a case of an elderly woman on polypharmacy who developed appetite loss, general fatigue and muscle weakness mainly from secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by quitting one semiregular single-dose medicine. Because the degree of insufficiency was mild, her symptoms were eliminated after some time without additional treatment. The present case includes important lessons related to medication management in elderly patients.

Effects of sex, educational background, and chronic kidney disease grading on longitudinal cognitive and functional decline in patients in the Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether sex or education level affects the longitudinal rate of cognitive decline in Japanese patients in the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative study with defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: We accessed the entire Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set of 537 individuals, among whom 234 had MCI and 149 had Alzheimer's disease. We classified participants into three categories of educational history: (1) low, 0 to 9 years; (2) moderate, 10 to 15 years; and (3) high ≥16 years.

Could problem lists summarize comprehensive geriatric assessments? A nationwide cross-sectional survey on geriatricians' attitudes towards problem lists.

Aim: The use of problem lists is encouraged to overcome the inconsistency in reporting comprehensive geriatric assessment results. The present study aimed to identify the latent variables influencing the use of geriatrician problem lists.

Methods: Surveys were sent to all geriatricians registered with the Japan Geriatrics Society (n = 1439) as of November 2015, and responses (n = 204) were analyzed with univariate and exploratory factor analyses.

Neuroimaging-pathological correlations of [F]THK5351 PET in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Recent positron emission tomography (PET) studies have demonstrated the accumulation of tau PET tracer in the affected region of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) cases. To confirm the binding target of radiotracer in PSP, we performed an imaging-pathology correlation study in two autopsy-confirmed PSP patients who underwent [F]THK5351 PET before death. One patient with PSP Richardson syndrome showed elevated tracer retention in the globus pallidus and midbrain.