Reduced Temporal Activation During a Verbal Fluency Task is Associated with Poor Motor Speed in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Tomohiko Kiriyama,Rumi Tanemura,Yoshihiro Nakamura,Chiaki Takemoto,Mariko Hashimoto,Hirohiko Utsumi 대한신경정신의학회 2020 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.17 No.8

Objective Substantial research has revealed cognitive function impairments in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relationship between MDD cognitive function impairment and brain activity is yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to reveal this relationship using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to extensively measure frontotemporal cortex function. Methods We recruited 18 inpatients with MDD and 22 healthy controls. Regional oxygenated hemoglobin changes (oxy-Hb) were measured during a verbal fluency task and its relationship to cognitive function was assessed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients with MDD displayed poorer motor speed, attention and speed of information processing, and executive function. In the bilateral prefrontal and temporal surface regions, regional oxy-Hb changes were significantly lower in patients with MDD than in healthy individuals. Moreover, we observed a correlation between reduced activation in the left temporal region and poor motor speed in patients with MDD. Conclusion We suggest that reduced activation in the left temporal region in patients with MDD could be a biomarker of poor motor speed. Additionally, NIRS may be useful as a noninvasive, clinical measurement tool for assessing motor speed in these patients.

Characteristics of Primary and Metachronous Gastric Cancers Discovered after Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Multicenter Propensity Score- Matched Study

( Yuji Maehata ),( Shotaro Nakamura ),( Motohiro Esaki ),( Fumie Ikeda ),( Tomohiko Moriyama ),( Risa Hida ),( Ema Washio ),( Junji Umeno ),( Minako Hirahashi ),( Takanari Kitazono ),( Takayuki Matsum 대한간학회 2017 Gut and Liver Vol.11 No.5

Background/Aims: Gastric cancers develop even after suc-cessful Helicobacter pylori eradication. We aimed to clarify the characteristics of early gastric cancers discovered after H. pylori eradication. Methods: A total of 1,053 patients with early gastric cancer treated by endoscopic submucosal dis-section were included. After matching the propensity score, we retrospectively investigated the clinicopathological fea-tures of 192 patients, including 96 patients who had under-gone successful H. pylori eradication (Hp-eradicated group) and 96 patients who had active H. pylori infection (Hp-positive group). Results: In the Hp-eradicated group, early gastric cancers were discovered 1 to 15 years (median, 4.1 years) after H. pylori eradication. Compared with Hp-positive pa-tients, Hp-eradicated patients showed a more frequently de-pressed configuration (81% vs 53%, respectively, p<0.0001) and a higher trend toward submucosal invasion (18% vs 8%, respectively, p=0.051). A multivariable analysis revealed the macroscopic depressed type to be characteristics of early gastric cancers after H. pylori eradication. Among patients in the Hp-eradicated group, metachronous cancers showed less frequent depressed lesions (68% vs 84%, respectively, p=0.049) and smaller tumor sizes (median, 11 mm vs 14 mm, respectively, p=0.014) than primary cancers. Conclu-sions: Early gastric cancers after H. pylori eradication are characterized by a depressed configuration. Careful follow- up endoscopies are necessary after H. pylori eradication. (Gut Liver 2017;11:628-634)

Interferon treatment for Japanese patients with favorable-risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy

Tomokazu Sazuka,Naoki Nihei,Kazuyoshi Nakamura,Shinichi Sakamoto,Satoshi Fukasawa,Atsushi Komaru,Takeshi Ueda,Tatsuo Igarashi,Tomohiko Ichikawa 대한비뇨의학회 2015 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.56 No.3

Purpose: Single-agent interferon (IFN) is no longer regarded as a standard option for first-line systemic treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Western countries. However, some patients with favorable-risk RCC may still achieve complete and long-lasting remission in response to IFN treatment. The present study compared favorable-risk Japanese patients with metastatic RCC Japanese patients who had been treated with IFN or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy as a first-line systemic therapy. Materials and Methods: From 1995 to 2014, a total of 48 patients with favorable risk as defined by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center criteria who did not receive adjuvant systemic therapy were retrospectively enrolled in this study. We assessed the tumor response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: The objective response rate for first-line therapy was 29% in the IFN group and 47% in the TKI group, but this difference did not reach the level of statistical significance. Median OS for IFN and TKI was 71 and 47 months, respectively (p=0.014). Median first-line PFS for IFN and TKI was 20 and 16 months, respectively (no significant difference). First-line IFN therapy did not prove inferior to TKI therapy in terms of OS according to metastatic sites. Conclusions: IFN is associated with a survival benefit in Japanese patients with favorable-risk metastatic RCC in the era of targeted therapy. Further prospective study is needed.

Regulation of Cartilage Development and Diseases by Transcription Factors

Riko Nishimura,Kenji Hata,Yoshifumi Takahata,Tomohiko Murakami,Eriko Nakamura,Hiroko Yagi 대한골대사학회 2017 대한골대사학회지 Vol.24 No.3

Genetic studies and molecular cloning approaches have been successfully used to identify several transcription factors that regulate the numerous stages of cartilage development. Sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (Sox9) is an essential transcription factor for the initial stage of cartilage development. Sox5 and Sox6 play an important role in the chondrogenic action of Sox9, presumably by defining its cartilage specificity. Several transcription factors have been identified as transcriptional partners for Sox9 during cartilage development. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Runx3 are necessary for hypertrophy of chondrocytes. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) function as co-activators for Runx2 during hypertrophy of chondrocytes. In addition, myocyte-enhancer factor 2C (Mef2C) is required for initiation of chondrocyte hypertrophy, presumably by functioning upstream of Runx2. Importantly, the pathogenic roles of several transcription factors in osteoarthritis have been demonstrated based on the similarity of pathological phenomena seen in osteoarthritis with chondrocyte hypertrophy. We discuss the importance of investigating cellular and molecular properties of articular chondrocytes and degradation mechanisms in osteoarthritis, one of the most common cartilage diseases.

Clinical and imaging features of multiple system atrophy: Challenges for early and clinically definite diagnosis

Hirohisa Watanabe,Yuichi Riku,Kazuhiro Hara,Kazuya Kawabata,Tomohiko Nakamura,Mizuki Ito,Masaaki Hirayama,Mari Yoshida,Masahisa Katsuno,Gen Sobue 대한파킨슨병및이상운동질환학회 2018 Journal Of Movement Disorders Vol.11 No.3

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult-onset, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Patients with MSA show various phenotypes during the course of their illness, including parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, autonomic failure, and pyramidal signs. Patients with MSA sometimes present with isolated autonomic failure or motor symptoms/ signs. The median duration from onset to the concomitant appearance of motor and autonomic symptoms is approximately 2 years but can range up to 14 years. As the presence of both motor and autonomic symptoms is essential for the current diagnostic criteria, early diagnosis is difficult when patients present with isolated autonomic failure or motor symptoms/signs. In contrast, patients with MSA may show severe autonomic failure and die before the presentation of motor symptoms/signs, which are currently required for the diagnosis of MSA. Recent studies have also revealed that patients with MSA may show nonsupporting features of MSA such as dementia, hallucinations, and vertical gaze palsy. To establish early diagnostic criteria and clinically definitive categorization for the successful development of disease-modifying therapy or symptomatic interventions for MSA, research should focus on the isolated phase and atypical symptoms to develop specific clinical, imaging, and fluid biomarkers that satisfy the requirements for objectivity, for semi- or quantitative measurements, and for uncomplicated, worldwide availability. Several novel techniques, such as automated compartmentalization of the brain into multiple parcels for the quantification of gray and white matter volumes on an individual basis and the visualization of α-synuclein and other candidate serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, may be promising for the early and clinically definitive diagnosis of MSA.

A Recent Dust Ejection from an Inner Mainbelt Asteroid

Masateru Ishiguro,Youngmin JeongAhn,Hee-Jae Lee,Jooyeon Geem,Yuna G. Kwon,Jinguk Seo,Myungshin Im,Myung Gyoon Lee,Jeonghyun Pyo,Young-Jun Choi,Hongu Yang,Tomohiko Sekiguchi,Akiko M. Nakamura,Sunao Has 한국천문학회 2019 天文學會報 Vol.44 No.1