高公司

In vivo application of dynamic optical coherence tomography (DOCT) is hindered by bulk motion of the sample. We demonstrate DOCT imaging of in vivo human skin by adopting a sample-fixation attachment to suppress bulk motion and a subsequent software motion correction to further reduce the effect of sample motion. The performance of the motion-correction method was assessed by DOCT image observation, statistical analysis of the mean DOCT values, and subjective image grading. Both the mean DOCT value analysis and subjective grading showed statistically significant improvement of the DOCT image quality. In addition, a previously unobserved high DOCT layer was identified though image observation, which may represent the stratum basale with high keratinocyte proliferation.

Background: Green tea catechins and inulin may improve metabolic health and modulate the gut microbiota; however, double-blind trials evaluating visceral fat, insulin resistance, and microbiota concurrently are limited. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Japanese adults aged 20-75 years with visceral fat area (VFA) ≥ 80 cm2 and BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 (trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT), jRCTs021230004 (registered 16 May 2023)). Participants were randomized to a catechin + inulin beverage (catechins 400 mg/day; inulin 2.3 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in VFA (bioelectrical impedance). Secondary outcomes included HOMA-IR, metabolic markers, liver fat assessed by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and genus-level gut microbiota. Results: Ninety-six participants were randomized (catechin + inulin, n = 49; placebo, n = 47); 47 and 44, respectively, were included in the full analysis set for the primary outcome. The 12-week change in VFA did not differ between groups (mean change: +0.91 vs. +4.61 cm2; p = 0.243). HOMA-IR decreased in the catechin + inulin group and increased in the placebo group, yielding a significant between-group difference (mean change: -0.32 vs. +0.18; p = 0.020). No other secondary outcomes showed significant between-group differences. In exploratory microbiota analyses, no genus remained significant after false discovery rate correction; however, Coprococcus and Bifidobacterium showed nominal between-group differences (unadjusted p < 0.05). Changes in Coprococcus were inversely correlated with changes in HOMA-IR (r = -0.28; p = 0.010). Conclusions: Catechin plus inulin for 12 weeks did not reduce visceral fat but was associated with improved insulin resistance. Exploratory analyses suggest a potential association between increased Coprococcus and improved HOMA-IR, warranting further investigation.

The objective of this study is to comprehensively investigate associations between cognitive function and lifestyle factors. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of Japanese adults that included approximately 1,800 variables (e.g., physical characteristics, body composition, and lifestyle habits) and cognitive function assessed using CNS Vital Signs. For participants aged 40 years or older (n = 710), we performed partial correlation analysis and analysis of covariance adjusted for sex, age, and years of education. Given the large number of variables, we controlled the false discovery rate within predefined data types (real, positive, ordered categorical, categorical) using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. We adjusted p-values to q-values and identified variables with q < 0.1 for exploratory purposes. In total, 28 variables met this criterion, with particularly prominent associations for gait characteristics, vascular function, grip strength, and oral conditions, whereas blood components and other general biomarkers did not meet the threshold. These exploratory findings identify candidate correlates of cognitive function in this relatively healthy, primarily urban Japanese cohort and require confirmation in independent longitudinal studies.

Type I interferon (IFN-I: IFNα/β) production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is critical for controlling viral infections. Visceral fat obesity is associated with severe outcomes in viral infections, but its effect on pDC-mediated IFN-I production in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. This cross-sectional study evaluated cytokine production by blood pDCs in response to TLR7/8 stimulation and analyzed its association with visceral fat area (VFA). IFN-I production was exclusively observed in pDCs following TLR7/8 stimulation. The proportion of IFNα-positive pDCs (pDC-IFNα) was significantly lower in individuals with high VFA (above the median) and negatively correlated with VFA (r = -0.27, P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that high VFA or low pDC-IFNα levels (below the median) were independently associated with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, individuals with both high VFA and low pDC-IFNα levels had significantly higher odds of infection compared to those with low VFA and high pDC-IFNα levels. These findings suggest a potential relationship between VFA and impaired pDC function, which may influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Managing VFA and enhancing pDC responses might represent strategies to reduce infection risk in individuals with visceral fat obesity.