Oji Holdings (Japan)

This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of sweet potato petioles and leaves (PL), which are rich in polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, using a gerbil model of transient cerebral ischaemia. We also evaluated the preventive potential of continuous PL intake against ischaemic brain injury. Custom diets, formulated by adding 1% or 10% PL powder to MF standard diet, were provided ad libitum to gerbils after a 5-min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 7 days (post-ischaemia PL providing group). Diets were also provided from 7 days before to 7 days after the ischaemic episode (pre-ischaemia PL providing group, total 14 days). The number of viable neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was assessed on postoperative Day 7. The number of viable neurons was significantly higher in both post- and pre-10% PL groups compared with that in the MF group (43.90±3.28 in MF, 66.55±6.60 in post 10% PL and 69.56±3.30 in pre 10% PL; p<0.01), although no significant differences were observed in the post- and pre-1% PL groups (55.49±3.19 in post 1% PL 47.27±2.61 in pre 1% PL). Moreover, comparison between the pre- and post-10% PL groups indicated that pre-ischaemic administration resulted in slightly higher number of viable neurons. Continuous intake of sweet potato PL may support the prevention and mitigation of neuronal damage in ischaemic events.

近年，温室効果ガスによる地球温暖化に伴い，再生可能な木質バイオマスの利用が進められている。特にセルロースナノファイバー（CNF）は，再生可能性や生分解性，軽量，高強度などの特性から他材料との複合化が期待されている。CNFは木材パルプを機械処理や化学処理で微細化して製造されるが，当社ではリン酸化エステル化法によりエネルギー削減と完全ナノ化を実現した。

The global pandemic of myopia has become an urgent public health concern in recent years. Although the mechanism remains largely unclear, the importance of outdoor light exposure on myopia prevention is widely recognized. Outdoor light is more intense and has a different spectral composition compared to indoor lighting, which are believed to contribute to the suppression of myopia. However, due to modern lifestyles, even children find it difficult to spend time outdoors. To receive outdoor light efficiently is important, yet previous reports showed inconsistent findings on optimal thresholds for outdoor light exposure. One reason may be the lack of a standardized protocol for measuring light reaching the eye surface. In this study, we developed a novel measurement device using a 3D-printed mannequin head with a light sensor probe embedded at the eye position to mimic the human eye. We assessed the proportion of light that reached the mannequin’s eye surface from different directions at various time points on a sunny day and evaluated the influence of different eyeglasses and lenses.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-16592-3.

Game-based cognitive assessments (GBCAs) have the potential to transform the field of cognitive testing by enabling more effective screening of age-related cognitive decline. However, we lack a strong understanding of the usability and overall user experience of these games. This is a risk because the primary target users for GBCAs, older people, are seldom involved in game design research and development. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the usability, acceptability, and enjoyability of GBCAs for older people. This study followed established practices for undertaking evidence-based systematic reviews. The initial database search returned 15,232 records. After a thorough screening process, 8 studies remained for extraction and analysis. A synthesis of the included papers identified 2 overlapping yet distinct areas of focus: system usability and subjective user experience. Usability scores were mostly positive across the studies included. However, in several of the game studies, older adults and those with cognitive impairment tended to find GBCAs less usable. This trend was observed even when the games were explicitly designed for these populations, and the tasks were simplistic and representative of basic daily activities. In our second focus area, user experience, we identified the importance of perceived challenge in mediating gameplay experience across groups. That is, generating the appropriate level of difficulty for each user is important for positive user experiences, specifically enjoyment. On the basis of these findings, we identified key learnings for researchers interested in designing and developing GBCAs. These include (1) recognizing that validity is essential but not sufficient on its own; (2) clearly defining the intended user; (3) designing games that align with the unique preferences and needs of older people; and (4), whenever possible, providing each user with their optimal level of challenge. PROSPERO CRD42023433298; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023433298.

Background/ObjectivesSoaped palmitic acid (PA) has been reported to be excreted in stool after feeding infant formulas containing low sn-2 palmitate levels, which corresponds to high sn-1 or -3 palmitate levels. While an in vitro study showed that soaped PA inhibits the Bifidobacteria growth, few clinical studies have evaluated effects of soaped PA on intestinal environments of infants. In this study, we aimed to evaluate associations between increased fecal soaped PA levels and inhibition of growth of the intestinal microbiome using clinical data, and to evaluate changes in the intestinal environment with formula-feeding.MethodsThis study was conducted as a secondary analysis to our observational study of Japanese 1-month-old infants (n = 172). Infant formulas were classified into high sn-2 formula (≥ 50%) and low sn-2 formula (< 50%) according to the sn-2 binding ratio of PA. Multiple regression analyses and path analysis were performed as statistical analyses.ResultsIn the multiple regression analysis, the occupancy of Bifidobacteria was negatively correlated with the fecal soaped PA levels (β = −0.15, 95% confidence interval = −0.28– − 0.02). A path analysis suggested that low sn-2 formula feeding led to increased fecal soaped PA levels, decreased Bifidobacteria occupancy, and finally increased fecal pH.ConclusionsOur clinical data showed significant associations between higher fecal soaped PA levels and lower Bifidobacteria occupancy in the newborn gut, which agreed well with the report of the in vitro study. Our study also suggests that feeding infant formula with low sn-2 palmitate causes changes in the intestinal environment through an increase in fecal soaped palmitic acids.

This distinctive single-center survey study aimed to assess the actual awareness of oral care and the understanding of oral health and periodontal disease among patients visiting not a dental clinic, but a community pharmacy. Out of the 225 patients who were given the questionnaire, 150 provided valid responses. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of interest in oral care. The proportion of participants in the interested group who had relatives working in healthcare, visited the dentist frequently, and used oral care products was significantly higher than that of participants in the uninterested group. However, in each group, only a small proportion of participants understood parts of the oral cavity regarding the development of periodontal disease. More patients with diabetes were in the uninterested group. Participants in the uninterested group also tend to show a passive attitude for oral health. Furthermore, a large number of participants were unaware that pregnancy and genetics could be risk factors for periodontal disease. The results indicated that the one of the most important factors in improving oral care awareness is providing accurate information regarding oral hygiene and prevention of periodontal disease. Pharmacies and pharmacists serve as the most accessible healthcare institutions and professionals within the community. Therefore, to prevent periodontal disease and to improve oral health awareness, pharmacists need to provide information regarding oral health and pharmacies should serve as the first point of access for community residents.