Japanese Male Adults Research Articles

The Effect of Thickened Water on Ciprofloxacin Pharmacokinetics: A Comparative Study in Adult Males.

Background/Objectives: The use of food thickeners with ciprofloxacin tablets may result in a gelatinous appearance and experience delayed dissolution, which presents a challenge for the drug's efficacy, creating a healthcare economic issue. However, the pharmacokinetic impact of this compound in humans remains uncertain. Therefore, a comparative pharmacokinetic study of ciprofloxacin was conducted on healthy adult Japanese males. Methods: We compared the effects of administering tablets with water or thickened water and crushed tablets mixed with thickened water. The maximum blood concentration (Cmax) of ciprofloxacin determines the drug's efficacy. Results: There were variations in drug absorption across different administration methods. The group who took the tablets immersed in thickened water exhibited different results in the area under the blood drug concentration-time curve (AUC) and Cmax compared to the group who took the tablets in regular water. Notably, the group that consumed the crushed tablets mixed with thickened water demonstrated equivalent results for both AUC and Cmax. Conclusions: Administering crushed tablets in thickened water may yield pharmacokinetics comparable to those of tablets taken with water. However, the process of crushing tablets may result in the loss of active ingredients and compromise the formulation, necessitating a comprehensive assessment before administration.

Genetic evidence for involvement of β2-adrenergic receptor in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in humans

BackgroundSympathetic activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis can ameliorate obesity and related metabolic abnormalities. However, crucial subtypes of the β-adrenergic receptor (AR), as well as effects of its genetic variants on functions of BAT, remains unclear in humans. We conducted association analyses of genes encoding β-ARs and BAT activity in human adults.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in β1-, β2-, and β3-AR genes (ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3) were tested for the association with BAT activity under mild cold exposure (19 °C, 2 h) in 399 healthy Japanese adults. BAT activity was measured using fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). To validate the results, we assessed the effects of SNPs in the two independent populations comprising 277 healthy East Asian adults using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (NIRTRS) or infrared thermography (IRT). Effects of SNPs on physiological responses to intensive cold exposure were tested in 42 healthy Japanese adult males using an artificial climate chamber.ResultsWe found a significant association between a functional SNP (rs1042718) in ADRB2 and BAT activity assessed with FDG-PET/CT (p < 0.001). This SNP also showed an association with cold-induced thermogenesis in the population subset. Furthermore, the association was replicated in the two other independent populations; BAT activity was evaluated by NIRTRS or IRT (p < 0.05). This SNP did not show associations with oxygen consumption and cold-induced thermogenesis under intensive cold exposure, suggesting the irrelevance of shivering thermogenesis. The SNPs of ADRB1 and ADRB3 were not associated with these BAT-related traits.ConclusionsThe present study supports the importance of β2-AR in the sympathetic regulation of BAT thermogenesis in humans. The present collection of DNA samples is the largest to which information on the donor’s BAT activity has been assigned and can serve as a reference for further in-depth understanding of human BAT function.

Dietary patterns associated with the incidence of hypertension among adult Japanese males: application of machine learning to a cohort study

PurposeThe previous studies that examined the effectiveness of unsupervised machine learning methods versus traditional methods in assessing dietary patterns and their association with incident hypertension showed contradictory results. Consequently, our aim is to explore the correlation between the incidence of hypertension and overall dietary patterns that were extracted using unsupervised machine learning techniques.MethodsData were obtained from Japanese male participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study between August 2008 and August 2010. A final dataset of 447 male participants was used for analysis. Dimension reduction using uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) and subsequent K-means clustering was used to derive dietary patterns. In addition, multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and the incidence of hypertension.ResultsWe identified four dietary patterns: ‘Low-protein/fiber High-sugar,’ ‘Dairy/vegetable-based,’ ‘Meat-based,’ and ‘Seafood and Alcohol.’ Compared with ‘Seafood and Alcohol’ as a reference, the protective dietary patterns for hypertension were ‘Dairy/vegetable-based’ (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19–0.80, P = 0.013) and the ‘Meat-based’ (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16–0.86, P = 0.022) after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including age, body mass index, smoking, education, physical activity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. An age-matched sensitivity analysis confirmed this finding.ConclusionThis study finds that relative to the ‘Seafood and Alcohol’ pattern, the ‘Dairy/vegetable-based’ and ‘Meat-based’ dietary patterns are associated with a lower risk of hypertension among men.

Usefulness of a questionnaire for assessing the relationship between eating behavior and steatotic liver disease among Japanese male young adults

This study aimed to reveal the relationship between eating behavior and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in young adults and suggest a questionnaire for eating behavior assessment. We included 322 male graduate students at Gifu University. Diagnoses of NAFLD and MASLD were based on the presence of hepatic steatosis on ultrasonography. Eating behavior was assessed using the eating behavior questionnaire (EBQ) recommended by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. We assessed the eating behaviors associated with NAFLD and MASLD using logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest analyses. The median age of the participants was 22 years, and 16% and 11% had NAFLD and MASLD, respectively. The EBQ total score was significantly higher in participants with MASLD than in those without MASLD (102 vs. 90 points, P = 0.006) and in those with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD (97 vs. 90 points, P = 0.007). Among eating behavior categories, the decision tree and random forest analyses revealed that “perception of constitution and weight” was the strongest contributor for NAFLD/MASLD. Our study revealed that eating behavior assessed with the EBQ is robustly associated with NAFLD and MASLD in young male adults.

Usefulness of health checkup for screening metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease in Japanese male young adults

We aimed to assess metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) prevalence in young male adults and the role of health checkups in disease screening. We recruited 313 male graduate students at Gifu University in April 2022. With hepatic steatosis diagnosed by ultrasonography, MAFLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were diagnosed based on health checkup data, and ALD was diagnosed with alcohol consumption > 30 g/day. The ability of each variable to identify MAFLD, NAFLD, and ALD was assessed using logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses. Participants’ mean age was 23 (± 4) years, and MAFLD, NAFLD, and ALD prevalence was 11%, 17%, and 1%, respectively. Among Japanese male young adults, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (odds ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.07; P = 0.008) and body mass index (BMI) (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.58–2.58; P < 0.001) were independently associated with MAFLD. Furthermore, only the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) was able to identify ALD (OR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28–1.74; P = 0.001). Our study revealed that health checkups, including measurement of ALT, BMI, and AUDIT, are important for screening MAFLD and ALD in younger generations.

Impact of body fat accumulation on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese male young adults.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are global concerns. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between body composition and NAFLD and MAFLD in male young adults. We recruited 335 male graduate students from Gifu University who underwent a health checkup in April 2022. The diagnosis of NAFLD and MAFLD was based on health checkup data and ultrasonography. Muscle and fat mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis and demonstrated as skeletal muscle mass index and fat mass index (FMI), respectively. We assessed factors associated with NAFLD and MAFLD using the logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest analyses. The median age of the participants was 22years, and 9% were overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25kg/m2 ), 8% had MAFLD, and 16% had NAFLD. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, FMI was independently associated with NAFLD (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-1.75; p<0.001) and MAFLD (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.51-2.46; p<0.001). The decision tree and random forest analyses revealed that the strongest classifier for NAFLD and MAFLD was FMI. Additional analyses among nonobese individuals also showed the strong relationship between FMI, NAFLD, and MAFLD. Our study revealed that fat accumulation plays a key role in the development of NAFLD and MAFLD in male young adults, even in nonobese individuals. The results could shed new light on the pathophysiology of NAFLD and MAFLD in young adults.

Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of V160, a Conditionally Replication-Defective Cytomegalovirus Vaccine, in Healthy Japanese Men in a Randomized, Controlled Phase 1 Study.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause newborn morbidity and mortality; no pharmacological method of reducing CMV infection during pregnancy is currently available. In a phase 1 study in the United States, V160, a conditionally replication-defective CMV vaccine, was immunogenic and well tolerated. This placebo-controlled study (NCT03840174) investigated the safety and immunogenicity of a three-dose V160 vaccine administered over six months. A total of 18 healthy adult Japanese males (9 seronegative and 9 seropositive) were enrolled at a single center and randomized 2:1 to intramuscular V160 or placebo. In vitro, V160 induced high CMV-specific neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers (50% neutralization titer [NT50], 3651; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1688-7895) in the CMV-seronegative per-protocol immunogenicity (PPI) population one month after the third vaccine dose was administered compared with no change in the placebo arm (NT50, <94; 95% CI <94-115). The geometric mean titer ratio in the seronegative population versus baseline was 77.7 (95% CI, 23.9-252.4). CMV NAb titers in the CMV-seropositive PPI population were similar to baseline NAb titers observed in the CMV-seropositive population. V160 was well tolerated, and no vaccine viral DNA shedding was observed. In conclusion, the immunogenicity and safety profile of V160 in Japanese participants was consistent with other populations.

A Genetic Variation in the Y Chromosome Among Modern Japanese Males Related to Several Physiological and Psychological Characteristics.

Previous studies in population genetics have proposed that the Y-chromosomal (Y-DNA) haplogroup D ancestor likely originated from Africa. The haplogroup D branch next started Out-of-Africa migration, rapidly expanded across Eurasia, and later diversified in East Asia. Y-DNA haplogroup D-M55, one of the branches of haplogroup D, is only found in modern Japanese males, suggesting that individuals with Y-DNA haplogroup D migrated from the Eurasian continent. Based on previous observations, Y-DNA haplogroup D is expected to be associated with some male characteristics including personality. Therefore, this study investigated whether the Y-DNA haplogroup D-M55 is associated with several physiological and psychological characteristics, including exploratory motivation and human relationship-related perception. We recruited Japanese young adult males and females and investigated the association between Y-DNA haplogroup D-M55, physiological [body mass index (BMI)], and several psychological parameters [perceived number of close friends, behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS), perceived happiness, and perceived loneliness]. The results indicated that males with haplogroup D-M55 had a higher BMI and more close friends, compared with non-carrier males. Additional multiple regression analyses, which tested the hypothesis that haplogroup D-M55 predicts BMI and perceived number of close friends, confirmed our hypothesis, even after controlling for the potentially confounding variables of age and sex. We also analyzed the gene–gene interaction between haplogroup D-M55 and an autosomal gene polymorphism associated with BMI and human relationships, such as the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2: rs1800497). Results showed gene–gene interactions between haplogroups D-M55 and DRD2 in BMI. Based on these findings, it is demonstrated that Y-DNA haplogroup D is associated with human personality.

Upregulation of cathepsin L gene under mild cold conditions in young Japanese male adults

BackgroundPhysiological thermoregulatory systems in humans have been a key factor for adaptation to local environments after their exodus from Africa, particularly, to cold environments outside Africa. Recent studies using high-throughput sequencing have identified various genes responsible for cold adaptation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying initial thermoregulation in response to acute cold exposure remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated transcriptional profiles of six young Japanese male adults exposed to acute cold stress.MethodsIn a climatic chamber, the air temperature was maintained at 28°C for 65 min and was then gradually decreased to 19°C for 70 min. Saliva samples were obtained from the subjects at 28°C before and after 19°C cold exposure and were used for RNA sequencing.ResultsIn the cold exposure experiment, expression levels of 14 genes were significantly changed [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05] although the degree of transcriptional changes was not high due to experimental conditions or blunted transcriptional reaction in saliva to cold stress. As a result, differential gene expression analyses detected the cathepsin L (CTSL) gene to be significantly upregulated, with FDR < 0.05 and log2 fold change value > 1; thus, this gene was identified as a differentially expressed gene. Given that the cathepsin L protein is related to invasion of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), mild cold stress might alter the susceptibility to coronavirus disease-19 in humans. The gene ontology enrichment analysis for 14 genes with FDR < 0.05 suggested that immune-related molecules could be activated by mild cold stress.ConclusionsThe results obtained from this study indicate that CTSL expression levels can be altered by acute mild cold stress.

Comparison of Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Beraprost Sustained Release in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean Healthy Adult Males.

Beraprost sodium (BPS), an orally administrable prostaglandin I2 derivative, is used for the treatment of chronic arterial occlusion and pulmonary arterial hypertension and has potential efficacy in nephropathy. Beraprost sustained release (beraprost SR) is an oral sustained-release formulation of BPS. To confirm the dose rationale reported in a multi-regional study of nephropathy patients in Asia, this open-label study evaluated ethnic differences in the pharmacokinetic profiles of BPS and its active diastereomer (BPS-314d) after beraprost SR administration among healthy Japanese, Chinese, and Korean adult males. Twelve healthy subjects in each ethnic group were enrolled. Subjects received a single oral dose of 120μg beraprost SR under fasting conditions. The geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval) of the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) of BPS was 1.12 (0.85-1.48) and 1.40 (1.05-1.86) in Chinese, and 1.18 (0.90-1.55) and 1.18 (0.89-1.58) in Korean compared to Japanese subjects. These differences were not clinically relevant. Similarly, differences in the Cmax and AUClast of BPS-314d were also small among the ethnic groups. Urinary excretion of BPS and BPS-314d was limited in all ethnic groups. Together, these findings indicate that the pharmacokinetics of beraprost SR are not affected by ethnic background. There were no clinically meaningful ethnic differences in the pharmacokinetics of BPS and BPS-314d following beraprost SR administration among Japanese, Chinese and Korean populations.

Phase I clinical study of NMB58, a novel positron emission tomography (PET)-myocardial perfusion imaging tracer, conducted to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetics in Japanese healthy adult males.

NMB58 is a novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracer containing flurpiridaz as an active ingredient and available as a myocardial perfusion imaging tracer that targets mitochondrial complex 1. A phase I clinical study of NMB58 was conducted to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Ten healthy Japanese volunteers received bolus injection of NMB58 (111-167MBq) intravenously and underwent imaging studies at rest on day 1. Of these subjects, 5 (day 2 cohort 1; exercise stress) and 5 (day 2 cohort 2; pharmacological stress) similarly underwent stress imaging studies on day 2. The safety of NMB58 was evaluated through monitoring of signs/symptoms, electrocardiography, vital signs, and laboratory examinations at baseline and several time points during 3days. Sequential whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scan data were acquired for up to 5-h post-injection, with venous blood and urine samples collected for up to 8-h post-injection. Based on the results of the biodistribution study, the absorbed radiation dose (Rad) was estimated by the Medical Internal Radiation Dose method. On day 1, the kidneys were shown to have the highest Rad, followed by the myocardium. On day 2, the myocardium was shown to have the highest Rad, followed by the kidneys. The mean effective doses (EDs) per unit activity administered were 0.021, 0.017 and 0.021mSv/MBq for overall subjects (day 1), day 2 cohort 1 and day 2 cohort 2, respectively. The estimated exposure dose of NMB58 was similar to or lower than those of radiotracers currently approved for clinical use, including 18F-Fludeoxyglucose. Biodistribution results indicated that NMB58 distributed to the myocardium exhibited high and sustained retention after administration. The cumulative urinary radioactivity excretion rate was shown to be 6.9, 2.3%, and 8.0% of the injected dose in overall subjects (day 1), day 2 cohort 1 and day 2 cohort 2. There were no drug-related adverse events, and the tracer was well tolerated in all subjects. Based on radiation dosimetry, biodistribution, and safety evaluations, NMB58 was found to be a suitable tracer for clinical use in PET myocardial perfusion imaging during exercise or pharmacological stress.

First-in-human randomised trial and follow-up study of Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage malaria vaccine BK-SE36 with CpG-ODN(K3)

BackgroundBK-SE36 is blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate that is undergoing clinical trials. Here, the safety and immunogenicity of BK-SE36 with a novel adjuvant, CpG-ODN(K3) (thus, BK-SE36/CpG) was assessed in a phase 1a trial in Japan. MethodsAn investigator-initiated, randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study was conducted at Osaka University Hospital with 26 healthy malaria naïve Japanese male adults. The trial was conducted in two stages: Stage/Group 1, half-dose (n = 7 for BK-SE36/CpG and n = 3 for control) and Stage/Group 2, full-dose (n = 11 for BK-SE36/CpG and n = 5 for control). There were two intramuscular vaccinations 21 days apart for both half-dose (0.5 ml: 50 µg SE36 + 500 µg aluminum + 500 µg K3) and full-dose (1.0 ml: 100 µg SE36 + 1000 µg aluminum + 1000 µg K3). A one-year follow-up was done to monitor changes in autoimmune markers and vaccine-induced antibody response. ResultsBK-SE36/CpG was well tolerated. Vaccination site reactions were similar to those observed with BK-SE36. During the trial and follow-up period, no subject had clinical evidence of autoimmune disease. The full-dose group had significantly higher titres than the half-dose group (Student’s t-test, p = 0.002) at 21 days post-second vaccination. Antibody titres remained above baseline values during 12 months of follow-up. The vaccine induced antibody was mostly composed of IgG1 and IgM, and recognised epitopes close to the polyserine region located in the middle of SE36. ConclusionsBK-SE36/CpG has an acceptable safety profile. Use of CpG-ODN(K3) greatly enhanced immunogenicity in malaria naïve Japanese adults when compared to BK-SE36 alone. The utility of BK-SE36/CpG is currently under evaluation in a malaria endemic setting in West Africa.Trial Registration. JMACCT Clinical Trial Registry JMA-IIA00109.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome among physical fitness components: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundMaintaining a good level of physical fitness from engaging in regular exercise is important for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, which components constitutive of physical fitness confer the greatest influence remains controversial. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between MetS and physical fitness components including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and agility and to identify which physical fitness components have the largest influence on MetS.MethodsA total of 168 Japanese adult males aged 25–64 years were allocated into non-MetS, pre-MetS, and MetS groups according to the criteria recommended by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Anthropometric measurement of body composition by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and measures related to MetS, including waist circumference, triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, blood pressure, glucose level, and physical fitness components, were assessed. For evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, agility, and balance, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2AnT), handgrip strength and vertical jumping, trunk extension and flexion, stepping side to side, and single-leg balance task with the eyes closed were assessed, respectively.ResultsA progressive tendency of increasing body weight, body mass index, whole-body lean and fat mass, percentage of whole-body fat mass, trunk lean and fat mass, percentage of trunk fat mass, arm fat mass, waist circumference, triglyceride level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose level from the non-MetS group to the MetS group was significant (P < 0.05). Conversely, the cardiorespiratory endurance parameters VO2peak and VO2AnT and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level showed a progressively decreasing tendency across the groups (P < 0.01). In addition, a VO2peak below 29.84 ml·kg·min−1 (P = 0.028) and VO2AnT below 15.89 ml·kg·min−1 (P = 0.011) were significant risk components for pre-MetS and MetS. However, there was no significant tendency with respect to muscle strength, agility, and flexibility.ConclusionCardiorespiratory fitness is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome among physical fitness components

Single Ascending Dose of ASP3772 Study in Japanese Healthy Male and Female Adults, and Single Ascending Dose Study of ASP3772 in Comparison With PPSV23 in Japanese Elderly Male and Female Subjects

Single Ascending Dose of ASP3772 Study in Japanese Healthy Male and Female Adults, and Single Ascending Dose Study of ASP3772 in Comparison With PPSV23 in Japanese Elderly Male and Female Subjects

Combined Supplementation with Glycine and Tryptophan Reduces Purine-Induced Serum Uric Acid Elevation by Accelerating Urinary Uric Acid Excretion: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.

The authors previously confirmed the serum uric acid-lowering effects of the combination of glycine and tryptophan in subjects with mild hyperuricemia. This study examined whether combined supplementation with glycine and tryptophan suppressed the elevation in serum uric acid levels caused by purine ingestion and accelerated urinary uric acid excretion in subjects with lower urate excretion using a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial design. Healthy Japanese adult males with lower urate excretion ingested water containing purines in addition to dextrin (placebo), tryptophan, glycine, or a glycine and tryptophan mixture. The combined supplementation with glycine and tryptophan significantly reduced the elevated serum uric acid levels after purine ingestion. Glycine alone and in combination with tryptophan significantly increased urinary uric acid excretion and urate clearance compared with the effects of the placebo. Urinary pH increased by the ingestion of the mixture. These results suggested that the improved water solubility of uric acid due to increased urinary pH contributed to the increase of urinary uric acid excretion.

Minimal effective dose of lactic-fermented egg white on visceral fat in Japanese men: a double-blind parallel-armed pilot study

BackgroundWe previously reported that the consumption of 8 g of protein per day in the form of lactic-fermented egg white (LAFEW) improves visceral fat obesity. In this study, we investigated the minimum effective intake of LAFEW for visceral fat reduction in the Japanese males with mild obesity.MethodsTwenty-two Japanese adult males with a Body mass index (BMI) ≥24 and a waist circumference ≥ 85 cm were included in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups, that is, control group, LAFEW 6 g group, and LAFEW 8 g group. The LAFEW 6 and 8 g groups consumed 6 and 8 g, respectively, of egg white protein (EWP) in a drink at breakfast for 8 weeks, whereas the control group consumed a drink containing 8 g of milk whey protein. Body weight, body fat percentage, abdominal circumference, and visceral fat (VF) area around the navel were measured at 0 and 8 weeks after initiating the consumption.ResultsNo changes in body weight or body fat percentage were observed in any of the groups. No significant differences between the pre- and posttreatment measurements were found in the VF area around the navel in the control group and the LAFEW 6 g group. In the LAFEW 8 g group, the VF area had decreased significantly after 8 weeks of consumption, when compared to that before consumption, and the average observed decrease (Δcm2) was 13.2 ± 4.7 cm2. Among the subjects with an initial BMI > 25, the VF area was significantly smaller in the LAFEW 8 group, when compared to the week 0 values and those in the control group. Visceral fat/subcutaneous fat values in the LAFEW 8 group were also significantly smaller than those in the control group or at week 0.ConclusionThe results suggested that the minimum effective intake of EWP in the LAFEW to reduce the VF area in the Japanese men is 8 g.Trial registrationThis clinical trial was retrospectively registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center, (UMIN000031681; registered on 12/03/2018).

Quantification of age-related changes in midsagittal facial profile using Fourier analysis: A longitudinal study on Japanese adult males

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to use Fourier analysis to quantify and study age-related changes in midsagittal facial profile. Materials and methodsMidsagittal facial profiles were extracted as lists of x and y coordinates from 125 pairs of 3D facial scans captured at an average of 10.5 years apart for adult Japanese males aged 23–52 years. These were categorized into three 10-year-long age groups. Files of x and y coordinates underwent Fourier analysis at 30 harmonic levels. Paired t-tests were used to determine statistical significance of differences across corresponding harmonic coefficients. Mean harmonic coefficients were used to construct mean pre and post ageing profiles for each age group for qualitative comparisons. ResultsFull detail of facial profile was described by the first 20 harmonics. With increasing age, there was a trend of longitudinal changes involving more midsagittal shape features with increased magnitudes. However, all changes were lower than 1 mm. ConclusionsFourier analysis is a useful morphometric approach to quantify age-related midsagittal facial changes. The small variations in the study groups prompt for testing Fourier analysis on the elderly and on other parasagittal and transverse facial features.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Mianserin Suppositories in Healthy Older Japanese Male Adults: A Pilot Study

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Mianserin Suppositories in Healthy Older Japanese Male Adults: A Pilot Study

Serum Uric Acid-Lowering Effects of Combined Glycine and Tryptophan Treatments in Subjects with Mild Hyperuricemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.

We determined the serum uric acid-lowering effects of combined daily supplementation of glycine and tryptophan in patients with mild hyperuricemia using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial design. Japanese healthy adult males and females with mild hyperuricemia (fasting serum uric acid of 6.6–7.9 mg/dL) ingested a powder mixture containing 3.0 g of glycine and 0.2 g of tryptophan or a placebo powder once daily at bedtime for 6 weeks. Combined supplementation with glycine and tryptophan significantly decreased serum uric acid levels (from 7.1 mg/dL to 6.7 mg/dL, p = 0.004) before and after the trial. Serum uric acid concentrations significantly decreased in the subjects supplemented with the amino acid mixture compared with those in placebo-treated subjects (p = 0.028). In addition, the combination treatment with glycine and tryptophan decreased serum triglyceride levels (from 119 mg/dL to 86 mg/dL, p = 0.002). Increased solubility of uric acid caused by urinary pH were likely contributors to the serum uric acid-lowering effects of the amino acid mixture.

Higher frequency of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy young Japanese females compared to males and older generations

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in upper gastrointestinal symptoms between generations and genders in relatively healthy Japanese subjects.MethodsAltogether, 4086 healthy Japanese male and female (M/F) adults (M/F: 2244/1842) were analyzed. Among them, 3505 subjects (M/F: 1922/1583) were underwent a routine medical checkup at one of five hospitals in Saga, Japan from January 2013 to December 2013. The others were 581 (M/F: 322/259) healthy young volunteers at the Saga Medical School from April 2007 to March 2013. The participants were asked to complete the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflex disease (FSSG) questionnaire, undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and submit to a rapid urease test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Among the 4086 subjects, the 2414 who had no H. pylori infection and no positive endoscopic findings were enrolled in the study.ResultsSubjects’ average age was 46.9 ± 12.2 years, with males’ and females’ ages being almost equivalent. The total FSSG score were high in females compared to males (P < 0.01) and decreased significantly with aging (P < 0.05). Among the generations, FSSG scores were the highest for those 20–29 years old, and they were significantly decreased with ageing in both males and females (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe FSSG score was significantly higher in healthy Japanese females than in males, and the scores decreased with aging.