Maruishi Pharmaceutical (Japan)

Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can affect athletes' health and performance. However, the epidemiology and associated risk factors remain unclear. Forty-three elite female athletics athletes (20.2±1.9 years) were included. A survey regarding the training schedule and Eating Attitudes Test-26, body composition, bone mineral density, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and ferritin levels were assessed. Mean serum 25(OH)D and ferritin levels were 25.2±5.5 ng/mL and 29.0±13.2 ng/mL, respectively, and 83.7% and 41.9% of athletes had vitamin D and ferritin insufficiency, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D level was negatively correlated with the number of rest days per week (Coefficient,-6.19; 95% confidence interval [CI],-9.82--2.57; p=0.002), and serum ferritin level was negatively correlated with body mass index (Coefficient,-3.87; 95% CI,-7.57--0.16; p=0.041). Performance levels were positively correlated with serum vitamin D levels (Coefficients, 7.25; 95% CI, 0.25-14.25; p=0.043) and negatively correlated with EAT-26 scores (Coefficient,-7.30; 95% CI,-12.61--1.98; p=0.009) and body fat percentage (Coefficient,-13.26; 95% CI,-24.66--1.86; p=0.025). Vitamin D and ferritin insufficiencies are prevalent among Japanese female athletics athletes. Serum vitamin D level was related to performance level.

We compared the results of Legionella pneumophila detection in cooling tower water samples using Legiolert and the conventional plate culture method. Both 1 mL and 10 mL volumes of cooling tower water samples were analyzed using Legiolert. The concordance rate of the Legiolert-1 mL test and the plate culture method was 86.7%. The Legiolert-10 mL test and the plate culture method showed 85.0% concordance. Legiolert would be effective for hygiene control in cooling towers because it can easily detect viable L. pneumophila in cooling tower water and produces results comparable to the conventional plate culture method.

Abstract A sulfated cellulose pulp (SCP) exhibiting ultra-high water retention properties, has been developed and its water retention mechanisms have been analyzed based on its molecular structure determined by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Cellulose pulp (CP) wood-derived was sulfated using sulfamic acid and urea reaction system with varying concentrations of sulfamic acid. SCP has 1.31–1.91 mmol/g of sulfate groups and exhibits a high water retention value (WRV) of 16000%, which is approximately 100 times greater than that of CP. After the sulfate reaction, a new peak at 69 ppm was observed in the solid-state 13C NMR spectrum, which was assigned to the sulfated C6. Quantitative analysis indicated that approximately 18% of C6 in CP was converted to sulfated C6. WRV increased almost linearly with the amount of sulfated C6, which played an important role in the water retention capacity. SCP was proven very promising as a novel functional material, owing to the molecular mechanisms involved.

This study explored the feasibility of mineral element content and ratios of nitrogen isotopes to discriminate the cultivation mode of Dendrobium nobile in order to provide theoretical support for the discrimination of the cultivation mode of D. nobile. The content of 11 mineral elements(N, K, Ca, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B) and nitrogen isotope ratios in D. nobile and its substrate samples in three cultivation methods(greenhouse cultivation, tree-attached cultivation, and stone-attached cultivation) were determined. According to the analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and stepwise discriminant analysis, the samples of different cultivation types were classified. The results showed that the nitrogen isotope ratios and the content of elements except for Zn were significantly different among different cultivation types of D. nobile(P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the nitrogen isotope ratios, mineral element content, and effective component content in D. nobile were correlated with the nitrogen isotope ratio and mineral element content in the corresponding substrate samples to varying degrees. Principal component analysis can preliminarily classify the samples of D. nobile, but some samples overlapped. Through stepwise discriminant analysis, six indicators, including δ~(15)N, K, Cu, P, Na, and Ca, were screened out, which could be used to establish the discriminant model of D. nobile cultivation methods, and the overall correct discrimination rates after back-substitution test, cross-check, and external validation were all 100%. Therefore, nitrogen isotope ratios and mineral element fingerprints combined with multivariate statistical analysis could effectively discriminate the cultivation types of D. nobile. The results of this study provide a new method for the identification of the cultivation type and production area of D. nobile and an experimental basis for the quality evaluation and quality control of D. nobile.

Diagnosing overtraining syndrome is challenging and it is often correlated with other diseases, especially those related to low energy availability. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms and correlative factors in 389 female and 572 male national-level high school track and field athletes. They were asked to complete a survey regarding their history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms, injuries, and diseases. The survey results revealed that 13.4% (52/389) of female and 13.3% (76/572) of male athletes had a history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed that training hours per day (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.71) was an associated factor in female athletes, while rest days per week (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.00), skipping meals (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-9.29), and having snacks/light meals on a regular basis (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.83) were the associated factors in male athletes. In conclusion, athletes with overtraining syndrome-like symptoms may be prone to injuries and diseases. Hence, although overtraining syndrome is difficult to diagnose, further attention should be paid to minimize overtraining syndrome-related risks.

Patients with pruritus receiving hemodialysis frequently experience oppressive physical and psychiatric symptoms that directly affect their quality of life and increase mortality. However, treatment options are limited. To determine the clinically recommended dose of difelikefalin, a κ-opioid receptor agonist, based on the efficacy, dose response, safety, and pharmacokinetics. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-arm phase 2 trial was conducted from February 1, 2019, to October 22, 2019, at 94 sites in Japan. Patients with moderate to severe pruritus receiving hemodialysis were enrolled. Difelikefalin (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μg/kg) and placebo were intravenously administered 3 times a week at the end of each hemodialysis session for 8 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the weekly mean Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score at week 8. Secondary outcomes measured changes in itch-related quality-of-life score using the Skindex-16 and 5-D itch scale. Safety was assessed according to adverse events, laboratory tests, vital signs, body weight, and 12-lead electrocardiogram. A total of 247 Japanese patients (186 male [75%]; mean [SD] age, 64.5 [11.7] years) were randomized to placebo (n = 63), 0.25 μg/kg of difelikefalin (n = 61), 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin (n = 61), or 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin (n = 62). The changes from baseline in the adjusted mean (SE) of the 24-hour Worst Itching Intensity NRS score at week 8 were -2.86 (0.29) in the placebo group, -2.97 (0.29) in the 0.25 μg/kg of difelikefalin group, -3.65 (0.30) in the 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin group, and -3.64 (0.30) in the 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin group. Significant differences were found in the 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin group (adjusted mean difference, -0.80; 95% CI, -1.55 to -0.04; P = .04) and the 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin group (adjusted mean difference, -0.78; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.03; P = .04) compared with placebo. The Skindex-16 overall score and 5-D itch scale total score indicated an improvement with treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin (adjusted weekly mean [SE] Skindex-16 overall score at week 8, -27.79 [2.05]; 95% CI, -31.83 to -23.74 for 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin and -22.69 [2.04]; 95% CI, -26.71 to -18.68 for 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin; adjusted weekly mean [SE] 5-D itch scale total score at week 8, -6.5 [0.4]; 95% CI, -7.2 to -5.8 for 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin and -6.8 [0.3]; 95% CI, -7.5 to -6.2 for 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin). The incidence of adverse events was 67% (42 of 63 patients) in the placebo group, 72% (44 of 61 patients) in the 0.25 μg/kg of difelikefalin group, 77% (47 of 61 patients) in the 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin group, and 85% (53 of 62 patients) in the 1.0 μg/kg of difelikefalin group. No dependency was reported. The findings of this phase 2 randomized clinical trial of difelikefalin suggest that 0.5 μg/kg of difelikefalin should be the clinically recommended dose as a new option for treating moderate to severe pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis because of its efficacy, acceptable tolerability, and manageable safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03802617.

Calcium phosphates are key biomaterials in dental treatment and bone regeneration. Biomaterials must exhibit antibacterial properties to prevent microbial infection in implantation frameworks. Previously, we developed various types of calcium phosphate powders (amorphous calcium phosphate, octacalcium phosphate (OCP), dicalcium phosphate anhydrate, and hydroxyapatite) with adsorbed protamine (which is a protein with antibacterial property) and confirmed their antibacterial property. In this study, as foundational research for the development of novel oral care materials, we synthesized calcium phosphate composite powders from three starting materials: i) OCP, which intercalates organic compounds, ii) protamine, which has antibacterial properties, and iii) F– ion, which promotes the formation of apatite crystals. Through investigating the preparation concentration of the F– ions and their loading into OCP, it was found that more F– ion could be loaded at higher concentrations regardless of the loading method. It was also observed that the higher the preparation concentration, the more the OCP converted to fluorapatite. The synthesized calcium phosphate composite powders were evaluated for biocompatibility through proliferation of MG-63 cells, with none of the powders exhibiting any growth inhibition. Antimicrobial tests showed that the calcium phosphate composite powders synthesized with protamine and F– ion by precipitation had enhanced antimicrobial properties than those synthesized by protamine adsorption. Thus, the calcium phosphate composite powder prepared from OCP, protamine, and F– ion forms the basis for promising antimicrobial biomaterials.Graphical abstract

To evaluate the metastasis rate, survival time, and prognostic factors associated with appendicular or scapular osteosarcoma treated by limb amputation in cats. 67 cats with histologically confirmed appendicular or scapular osteosarcoma treated by limb amputation. This retrospective cohort study included cats with histologically confirmed appendicular or scapular osteosarcoma between January 1997 and December 2018. A questionnaire survey was conducted at veterinary clinics where limb amputation was performed. Distant metastasis, local recurrence, and lymph node metastasis rates and survival time were determined. Factors associated with distant metastasis and survival were investigated. The distant metastasis rate after limb amputation was 41.9% (26/62). The overall distant metastasis rate was 46.3% (31/67), including 5 cats with distant metastasis at the time of amputation. Osteosarcoma of the humerus resulted in distant metastasis in 6 of 7 cases. Osteosarcoma of the humerus was significantly associated with distant metastasis in univariate and multivariate analyses (adjusted OR, 9.56). The rate of lymph node metastasis after limb amputation was 3.0% (2/66), and the local recurrence rate was 9.0% (6/67). The median survival time was 527 days. Age and tumor location were not significantly associated with survival time. Distant metastasis occurs in approximately 40% of cats with appendicular or scapular osteosarcoma after limb amputation. In addition, osteosarcoma of the humerus has a particularly high incidence of distant metastasis. Detailed follow-up is therefore necessary, even after limb amputation, especially in cases of osteosarcoma of the humerus.

The effect of Ta addition on the pitting corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steels was investigated in both cases without and with deoxidization/desulfurization by the addition of Al and Ca. The pitting corrosion resistance was improved by the addition of Ta with two proposed mechanisms. For steels without Al and Ca, the MnS inclusions which act as initiation sites of the pitting corrosion are modified to the electrochemically-stable (Ta,Mn) oxysulfides. For steels with Al and Ca, the pitting initiation sites (CaS and (Al,Ca)oxides) are coated with the stable Ta-containing nitrides resulting in the suppression of pitting corrosion propagation.