This study aimed to evaluate the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) via MRI in the early diagnosis of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 173 individuals (68 males and 105 females) who visited our memory clinic or underwent brain screening between August and December 2024 were enrolled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values were measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal regions, and comparisons were made across four groups: cognitively normal (n = 19), SCI (n = 15), MCI (n = 47), and dementia (n = 78). As a result, a positive age correlation was found for prefrontal MD values and a negative age correlation for frontal MD values in the healthy brain group. Significant differences were found among the four groups in the prefrontal cortex, especially in the MCI group, which differed significantly from the healthy and dementia groups. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in FA values. These findings suggest that MD values in the prefrontal cortex may serve as potential imaging biomarkers for the early detection of SCI and MCI. Additionally, visualization of white matter tracts using tractography proved helpful as a supplementary tool in illustrating structural changes associated with disease progression. Future large-scale longitudinal studies are warranted to further explore the clinical application of DTI in the early diagnosis and prevention of dementia.

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Elite athletes often travel across time zones, and overcoming jet lag is an unavoidable challenge for achieving peak performance in competitions. Current jet lag prevention methods include measures taken prior to departure, measures taken during travel, or measures taken after arrival. Unfortunately, the best method remains unresolved. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, is secreted only at night in response to the circadian clock, making it virtually the only indicator that functions as a clock hand. Early-morning urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6SMEL) reflects the total amount of melatonin secreted during the night, and measuring this amount can serve as an indicator of the degree of adaptation to time zone differences. In this study, we measured early-morning urinary 6SMEL over time in developmental athletes experiencing actual time zone differences during tours to the UK and Germany, while also measuring their physical performance. The purpose of this study was to clarify which factors are important in preventing jet lag in athletes' performance. Results showed that early-morning urine 6SMEL levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than pre-travel levels on the day after travel for both the UK and Germany tours, and gradually recovered on days 3 and 5. However, on the UK tour, early-morning urine 6SMEL levels did not return to pre-travel levels at any time after travel, whereas on the Germany tour, 6SMEL levels recovered to pre-travel levels by day 3 and were significantly higher than pre-travel levels by day 5. This suggests that one factor contributing to this difference between the two tours may be the length of time spent in sunlight (outdoor activities) after arrival. Next, on day 3 of the UK tour, when there was significant individual variation in the level of change of direction (COD15m), a significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between urinary 6SMEL and COD15m, indicating that athletes with higher 6SMEL levels had better COD15m values. This suggests that athletes who adapt more quickly to the new environment perform better.

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Objective: This study was conducted under a comprehensive partnership agreement with Minamiminowa Village in Nagano Prefecture. Its objective was to examine the effects of processed brown rice intake during pregnancy on both maternal and neonatal health, with a particular focus on neonatal birth weight. Methods: Participants were asked to complete a self-administered symptom questionnaire at two time points: during pregnancy (upon application) and after childbirth. The questionnaires included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Anti-Aging QOL Common Questionnaire. Processed brown rice was provided continuously throughout pregnancy based on individual participant requests to ensure uninterrupted intake. A total of 22 cases were analyzed, accounting for approximately one-sixth of the average annual births in Minamiminowa Village. Results: Among pregnant participants, improvements were observed in physical symptoms such as skin condition and Early satiety. Notably, significant improvements were also seen in psychological symptoms, including reductions in “Scared”, “Mentally irritated”, “Short-tempered”, “Unhappiness”, “Not livable” and “Anxious without reasons”. Furthermore, a trend was noted in which participants who felt they consumed a larger amount of processed brown rice tended to give birth to infants with higher birth weights. Although a certain number of low birth weight infants (<2,500g) were observed, there were no cases of very low birth weight (<2,000g). Conclusion: Consumption of processed brown rice may have a positive effect on the mental health of pregnant women. There was a trend toward increased newborn birth weight in participants who felt they consumed a larger quantity of processed brown rice. Participation in the first year of the study was limited, so efforts will be made to increase participation in the next year.

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Objective: Glycation in the body is initially caused by the formation of carbohydrate-derived aldehydes secondary to postprandial hyperglycemia, enhanced by fatty acid-derived aldehydes, which convert tissue proteins into AGEs (advanced glycation end products), eventually deteriorating protein function. In this study, we examined the anti-glycation and antioxidant effects of representative water-soluble vitamins with the aim of systematically organizing the functions of vitamins. Method: Seven types of water-soluble vitamins were used as samples. Anti-glycation effects were evaluated using a human serum albumin-glucose glycation reaction model to assess the inhibition rates of the formation of fluorescent AGEs, pentosidine, 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), glyoxal (GO), and methylglyoxal (MGO). Aldehyde trap and antioxidation effects were also evaluated. Results: Formation of fluorescent AGEs, pentosidine, GO, and MGO were inhibited by L(+)-ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, and D-biotin. Inhibition effects on 3DG formation were not observed in any of the vitamins tested. DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed only in L(+)-ascorbic acid. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the mechanism of action of the anti-glycation effects of water-soluble vitamins may differ depending on the type.

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