Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 1 2026 Liquid–liquid phase separation by caged coacervating peptides 10464 EN Akinari Bando Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Mizuki Kitamatsu Department of Applied Chemistry, Kindai University Yuuki Kanazaki Department of Applied Chemistry, Kindai University Rika Tojo Department of Applied Chemistry, Kindai University Kazunori Watanabe Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Takashi Ohtsuki Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Liquid–liquid phase separation is an important biomolecular process in the formation of membraneless intracellular organelles that has inspired the development of artificial droplet systems. We developed caged coacervating peptides (CCPs) based on a histidine-rich squid beak protein sequence. The peptides were caged with a photodeprotectable (7-diethylaminocoumarin-4-yl)methoxycarbonyl group. The CCPs formed coacervates in the caged state and were partially dispersed upon blue-light irradiation. Photo-uncaging occurred rapidly, inducing coacervate dispersion. A mutant CCP with reduced π–π interactions exhibited efficient photo-dependent disassembly and enabled the encapsulation and release of a fluorescently labeled adenosine 5′-triphosphate (Bodipy-ATP) upon irradiation. These CCPs offer an efficient light-controlled approach for biomolecular encapsulation within coacervates and targeted drug delivery. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1472-6831 26 1 2026 Evaluation of contact-active antibacterial properties of cetylpyridinium chloride–graphene oxide coatings on dental restorative and titanium surfaces: an in vitro study 558 EN Keisuke Okubo Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Field of Medical Development, Okayama University Gen Kano Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masato Komoda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Hideyuki Kamata Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shin Nakamura Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Shinoda-Ito Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiro Omori Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Shogo Takashiba Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Objective Biofilm formation on dental restorative materials and implant surfaces plays a central role in the development of dental caries, periodontal disease, and peri-implantitis. Durable antimicrobial surface treatments that inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation remain a significant unmet need in restorative and implant dentistry. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a composite coating combining cetylpyridinium chloride and graphene oxide, and to evaluate its durable antibacterial surface modification under in vitro conditions.<br> Methods A composite coating consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride and graphene oxide was prepared and applied to composite resin and titanium surfaces. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis was evaluated using adenosine triphosphate assays and fluorescence-based live/dead staining. Coating retention after washing and air-drying was assessed by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.<br> Results Cetylpyridinium chloride-graphene oxide-coated surfaces showed a significant reduction in bacterial viability compared with phosphate-buffered saline, ethanol, and cetylpyridinium chloride-only controls. Antibacterial effects were maintained after rinsing and air-drying on both composite resin and titanium surfaces. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the persistence of characteristic graphene oxide bands after washing, indicating stable retention of the coating on the material surfaces.<br> Conclusions Cetylpyridinium chloride–graphene oxide coatings demonstrate sustained surface-associated antibacterial activity against key cariogenic and periodontal pathogens and remain stably adhered to common dental restorative and implant materials after washing. These findings suggest that cetylpyridinium chloride–graphene oxide coatings may serve as a durable contact-active surface modification strategy to reduce biofilm formation associated with dental caries and peri-implantitis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1470-1626 171 2 2026 Rho kinase and RND3 regulate the direct effect of estradiol-17β on oviductal tonus xaag004 EN Sayaka Kubota Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Risa Okawara School of Agriculture, Okayama University Kohei Kawano Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Koji Kimura Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ensuring the timely transport of gametes and embryos within the oviduct is essential for the successful establishment of pregnancy. This study investigated the direct effect of estradiol-17β (E2) on bovine oviductal contractility and the differences in responsiveness to E2 during the estrous cycle. Bovine isthmic tissues from four estrous stages were analyzed using the Magnus method to assess contractile responses to E2 and related reagents. Protein expression of G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) and components of the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway were also evaluated. E2 and a GPER1 agonist significantly increased oviductal tonus at 1–4 days after ovulation. This effect was significantly suppressed by treatment with a GPER1 antagonist and a ROCK inhibitor. At 1–4 days after ovulation, both ROCK II expression and ROCK activity were elevated. E2 also enhanced phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC), key downstream targets of ROCK. Before ovulation, when endogenous E2 levels peak, the expression of RND3—a ROCK inhibitor—was upregulated. The application of an RND inhibitor restored E2 responsiveness in oviductal tonus, ROCK activity, and the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC in oviductal tissues before ovulation. These findings suggest that E2 directly increases oviductal tonus via GPER1 and ROCK/MYPT1/MLC activation at 1–4 days after ovulation. Differences in oviductal responsiveness to E2 during the estrous cycle appear to be mediated by the expression of ROCK and RND3. This mechanism can enable sperm transport within the oviduct at an appropriate time. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0143-4160 135 2026 Regulation of brain-specific kinases 1 and 2 (BRSK1/2) by Ca2+/calmodulin 103134 EN Naoyuki Washida Moe Kataoka Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University Anna R. Brun Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Uryu Takezaki Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Ko Hijikawa Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University Haruki Yamauchi Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Satomi Ohtsuka Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Masaki Magari Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Ryo Morishita CellFree Sciences Co., Ltd. Hiroshi Tokumitsu Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University We conducted a genome-wide calmodulin (CaM) interaction screening of 462 GST-fused human protein kinases to identify novel CaM-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs). In addition to known CaMKs, including myosin light chain kinases, CaMK2γ, and death-associated kinase 2, we identified the brain-specific protein kinase 2 (BRSK2, also known as SAD-A) as a novel CaM interactant. Proximity biotinylation and CaM–sepharose chromatography assays revealed that rat BRSK isoforms (BRSK1/2) interact with CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner in vitro. We found that CaM suppresses the activation-loop phosphorylation of BRSK1 (at Thr189) and BRSK2 (at Thr175) by liver kinase B1 (LKB1), an activating kinase, in a Ca2+-dependent manner (IC50 of ∼7 µM), thereby inhibiting BRSK activation. LKB1-catalyzed phosphorylation of the catalytic domain mutant of BRSK1 (residues 1–294) at Thr189 was suppressed by the addition of Ca2+/CaM, consistent with direct CaM binding of the kinase domain, as well as wild-type BRSK1. We confirmed that the LKB1 activity was not directly suppressed by Ca2+/CaM, supporting the hypothesis that the direct interaction of Ca2+/CaM with the kinase domain blocks the phosphorylation/activation of BRSK1/2 by LKB1. The kinase activity and PP2Cα-catalyzed dephosphorylation of LKB1-phosphorylated BRSK1 were not altered by Ca2+/CaM, although it was demonstrated to bind to Ca2+/CaM like that of unphosphorylated BRSK1. This unrecognized mechanism of BRSK1/2 regulation, involving the direct role of Ca2+/CaM binding, which inhibits phosphorylation/activation by LKB1, may open a new Ca2+ signal transduction pathway in neurons. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2410-387X 9 4 2025 Role-Based Efficient Proactive Secret Sharing with User Revocation 80 EN Yixuan He Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuta Kodera Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasuyuki Nogami Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Samsul Huda Interdisciplinary Education and Research Field, Okayama University Proactive secret sharing (PSS), an extension of secret-sharing schemes, safeguards sensitive data in dynamic distributed networks by periodically refreshing shares to counter adversarial attacks. In our previous work, we constructed a non-interactive proactive secret scheme by integrating threshold homomorphic encryption (ThHE) while reducing the communication complexity to 𝑂(𝑛). Not only is refreshing shares important but revoking the shares of users who have left the system is also essential in practical dynamic membership scenarios. However, the previous work was insufficient for supporting explicit user revocation. This study strengthens the description of roles for authorized users and proposes a scheme to achieve non-interactive share refresh and dynamic user management. In each epoch, authorized users are classified into three roles: retain, newly join, and rejoin, and they receive a broadcast of the compact ciphertext encoding both the refresh information and the revocation instructions from the trusted center (dealer). Authorized users independently derive new shares through homomorphic computations, whereas revoked users are unable to generate new shares. Hash functions are used to bind revocation parameters to the cryptographic hashes of valid users in order to guarantee integrity during revocation, allowing for effective verification without compromising non-interactivity. Our new scheme not only extends the revocation structure but also preserves the 𝑂(𝑛) communication complexity. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1424-8220 25 21 2025 Integrated Authentication Server Design for Efficient Kerberos–Blockchain VANET Authentication 6651 EN Maya Rahayu Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Md. Biplob Hossain Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Samsul Huda Interdisciplinary Education and Research Field, Okayama University Yasuyuki Nogami Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) is a fundamental component of the intelligent transportation systems (ITS), providing critical road information to users. However, the volatility of VANETs creates significant vulnerabilities from malicious actors. Thus, verifying joining entities is crucial to maintaining the VANET’s communication security. Authentication delays must stay below 100 ms to meet VANET requirements, posing a major challenge for security. Our previous research introduced a Kerberos–Blockchain (KBC) authentication system that contains two main components separately: Authentication Server (AS) and Ticket Granting Server (TGS). However, this KBC architecture required an additional server to accommodate increasing vehicle volumes in urban environments, leading to higher infrastructure costs. This paper presents an integrated authentication server that merges AS and TGS into a Combined Server (CBS) while retaining blockchain security. We evaluate it using OMNeT++ with SUMO for traffic simulation and Ganache for blockchain implementation. Results show that CBS removes the need for an extra server while keeping authentication delays under 100 ms. It also improves throughput by 104% and reduces signaling overhead by 45% compared to KBC. By optimizing authentication without compromising security, the integrated server greatly enhances the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of VANET systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学大学院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科 Acta Medica Okayama 2436-3227 6 2026 The effects of cold compresses on itching in patients with atopic dermatitis: A cross-over controlled pilot trial 1 6 EN Yuki HIRAMI Former Department of Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Nahoko HARADA Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Miho ONO Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Kagawa Prefectural University of Health Sciences Masahide KODA Co-learning Community Healthcare Re-innovation Office, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kiyoko FUKAI Professor Emeritus, Okayama University, Graduate School of Nursing, The Jikei University School of Medicine 10.18926/interdisciplinary/70325 This cross-over controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two types of cold compresses (towels and ice packs) in alleviating itching among patients with atopic dermatitis. The study recruited 19 participants diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and suffering from chronic itching for over 6 months. Each participant received both types of cold compress interventions. Itching sensations were assessed repeatedly using a visual analogue scale before and after the application of the cold compress. The mean and standard deviation of itching scores for the towel intervention were 16.9 ± 19.1 (baseline) and 11.4 ± 16.1 (post-application). For the ice pack intervention, the scores were 13.6 ± 14.7 (baseline) and 6.2 ± 9.8 (post-application). Although there was a reduction in mean itching scores following the application of cold compresses, the differences were not statistically significant for either intervention. Despite the lack of statistical significance, this study suggests that cold compresses, which are user-friendly and inexpensive, may safely reduce subjective itching in patients with atopic dermatitis without causing pain or discomfort. However, further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Asian Agricultural and Biological Engineering Association Acta Medica Okayama 1881-8366 19 1 2026 Biosensing method of growth diagnosis in the forced culture of strawberries ―Development of crop-identification algorithms― 42 50 EN Shogo TSUBOTA Institute of Agricultural Machinery, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Kazuhiko NAMBA Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shota KASEI Institute of Agricultural Machinery, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Tokihiro FUKATSU Institute of Agricultural Machinery, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization An image-processing algorithm for identifying individual crops is developed for labor-savings and time-series biological information collection. Information including the leaf development frequency are diagnostic indicators of strawberry growth. The algorithm is designed for drones in greenhouses that cannot acquire location information using the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Drones fly over crop rows and sequentially assign identification numbers (IDs) to crops. Object-detection artificial intelligence (AI) is used to estimate the crop zone, and the ID is based on the crops number difference between frames. The previous misdetection rate was 1.06 %, failing to identify crops, which decreases to 0.31 % using the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, because there are no failures in consecutive frames, IDs are assigned to all crops correctly. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2470-1343 11 9 2026 Water-Resistant Antibacterial Coatings Using Cetylpyridinium Chloride - Graphene Oxide Composites 14570 14577 EN Keisuke Okubo Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Field of Medical Development, Okayama University Gen Kano Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masato Komoda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Kazuhiro Omori Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Shogo Takashiba Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital-acquired infections remain a persistent threat in healthcare settings, especially with the increasing number of elderly and immunocompromised patients. In situations where the use of disposable materials is difficult, durable antibacterial surface coatings are essential. In this study, we report the structural characterization of cetylpyridinium chloride-graphene oxide (CPC–GO) hybrid materials and the sustainability of their antibacterial effects, aiming at washable antibacterial coatings for medical applications. Graphene oxide (GO) has a large surface area and numerous functional groups, while cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is a quaternary ammonium compound with well-documented antibacterial activity. We hypothesized that the stable incorporation of CPC through the functional groups of GO could improve surface retention and provide long-term antibacterial performance. The structural properties of the CPC–GO composites were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. These analyses confirmed the formation of a complex through ionic bonds and the maintenance of a planar composite structure. The antibacterial performance of the CPC–GO coatings was examined using representative bacteria. Notably, the CPC–GO coatings maintained their antibacterial activity significantly better than the negative controls even after multiple washings. The excellent surface retention of the CPC–GO composite suggests its potential as a next-generation antibacterial coating for areas where disinfection and sterilization are impossible, such as the interior of complex medical devices. This study suggests a strategy to extend the efficacy of existing antibacterial agents through the application of nanomaterials. Future studies will focus on the controlled release, long-term stability, and biocompatibility of CPC to realize clinical applications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1046-1310 45 6 2026 Adolescent screen use in the pre-internet era and subsequent health and well-being: an outcome-wide longitudinal study 657 EN Pedro Antonio de la Rosa Fernández-Pacheco Youth in Transition, Institute for Culture and Society, Universidad de Navarra Renae Wilkinson Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University Richard G. Cowden Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University Ying Chen Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University Brendan Case Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University Etsuji Suzuki Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tyler J. VanderWeele Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University This study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health, N = 11,054) to assess whether increases in screen-based leisure during adolescence (Wave II, from 1996) predicted adult well-being (Wave IV, from 2008-09), adjusting for a wide range of covariates (Wave I, from 1995). Using an outcome-wide analytic approach, we examined associations between screen time and 38 adult outcomes, adjusting for prior screen time, values of most outcomes, and confounders. Most associations were null. Modest evidence was found for links between screen time (continuous) and reduced sense of control, illicit drug use, and allostatic load. High screen time (14 h/week) or more also showed weak associations with lower depression and preventive care use. Because the data predate widespread internet use, the findings help establish a baseline for the long-term effects of non-internet screen activities, which appeared to behave had limited impact on adult health and well-being. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Company of Biologists Acta Medica Okayama 1754-8403 19 2 2026 A genetic model of congenital intestinal atresia implicates Mypt1 in epithelial organisation dmm052605 EN Daisuke Kobayashi Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Akihiro Urasaki Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Tetsuaki Kimura Medical Genome Center, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Satoshi Ansai Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University Kazuhiko Matsuo Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Hayato Yokoi Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University Shigeo Takashima Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE)/Life Science Research Centre, Gifu University Tadao Kitagawa Program in Environmental Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kindai University Takahiro Kage Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Takanori Narita Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University Tomoko Jindo Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Masato Kinoshita Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kiyoshi Naruse Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology Yoshiro Nakajima Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Masaki Shigeta Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Shinichiro Sakaki Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Satoshi Inoue Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Rie Saba Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Kei Yamada Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Takahiko Yokoyama Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Yuji Ishikawa Research Centre for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences Kazuo Araki Research Center for Aquatic Breeding, National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency Yumiko Saga Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Hiroyuki Takeda Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Kenta Yashiro Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Congenital intestinal atresia (IA) is a birth defect characterised by the absence or closure of part of the intestine. Although genetic factors are implicated, mechanistic understanding has been hindered by the lack of suitable animal models. Here, we describe a medaka (Oryzias latipes) mutant, generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis, that develops IA during embryogenesis. Positional cloning identified a nonsense mutation in mypt1, encoding myosin phosphatase target subunit 1. Mutant embryos exhibited ectopic accumulation of F-actin and phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (Mrlc) in the intestinal epithelium, consistent with disrupted actomyosin regulation. These cytoskeletal abnormalities were accompanied by epithelial disorganisation, without notable alterations in cell proliferation, motility or apoptosis. Inhibition of myh11a, encoding smooth muscle (SM) myosin heavy chain, ameliorated the IA phenotype, whereas blebbistatin treatment completely rescued the defect, suggesting a non-contractile role prior to SM maturation. Together, these findings demonstrate that mypt1 loss disrupts intestinal morphogenesis through actomyosin dysregulation. Given the recent clinical identification of IA associated with MYPT1 variants, this medaka model offers a valuable platform to investigate the developmental and molecular basis of MYPT1-associated IA in humans. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2211-7156 18 2025 Development of FTase inhibitors inspired by the structures of andrastins 102828 EN Fumino Kitamura Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Masaru Tanioka Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Ayano Kosaka Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Nao Matsuzawa Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Takayuki Obita Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Yuko Sakajiri Tomokazu Shibata Department of Complex Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University Ryusuke Sawada Department of Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takeshi Yokoyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Aki Kohyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Tsuyoshi Yamada Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Yoshihiro Yamanishi Department of Complex Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University Mineyuki Mizuguchi Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama Yuji Matsuya Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama We designed and synthesized structurally simple farnesyl transferase (FTase) inhibitors (1a–1d) by leveraging andrastin, a natural product with FTase inhibitory activity. 1a–1d possess a cyclopentane-1,3-dione core, which is critical for FTase recognition; a farnesyl moiety, which is a simplified motif of A to C rings of andrastin; and a carboxylic acid or methoxycarbonyl group, which enables multipoint hydrogen bonding interactions with FTase. Competitive inhibition experiments revealed that 1d has the most potent FTase inhibitory activity. Docking simulation analysis of 1a–1d with FTase suggested that the multipoint hydrogen bonding interactions between the cyclopentane-1,3-dione moiety and the carboxyl group play an important role in FTase recognition. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学経済学会 Acta Medica Okayama 2433-4146 57 3 2026 地域間での情報交流に関するネットワーク分析：高梁川流域圏での調査による 11 40 EN Ryohei Nakamura Natsumi Yokota 10.18926/OER/70262 　本稿では，岡山県の「高梁川流域連携中枢都市圏」で2014年から開催されている「高梁川流域経済成長戦略会議」における参加主体間の情報交流についてのネットワーク分析を行った。高梁川流域連携中枢都市圏（高梁川流域圏）とは，岡山県高梁川周辺に位置する現在の新見市，高梁市，総社市，早島町，倉敷市，矢掛町，井原市，浅口市，里庄町，笠岡市の10自治体が参加している連携中枢都市圏である。高梁川流域圏におけるネットワーク分析に際しては，同圏域内で展開されている事業を８つに分類し，それぞれの事業に関する参加主体間の情報交流についてアンケート調査を行った。ネットワーク指標については事業ごとに次数中心性と媒介中心性の中心性指標を，また事業別に密度，推移性，相互性を算出した。事業別にみると，観光事業についての情報交流が最も密なネットワーク構造をしており，ネットワークの視点では観光事業が高梁川流域圏内で最も勢力的に行われている事業といえる。また全事業において特定の行政主体や商工会議所をはじめとする地域経済団体等の中心性指標が全体的に大きな値をとっており，ネットワークにおいて情報交流のハブや情報の集中・分散主体として機能していることが明らかになった。分析結果を踏まえ，ネットワークの視点から高梁川流域圏の今度の地域振興について２点提言した。１つは事業によって情報交流のハブや情報の集中・分散主体を主体間で分担することによって，すべての事業で密なネットワークを築くことを目指すことである。もう１つは高梁川流域圏の情報交流ネットワークに全く参加していない主体をなくすことで，全体的に密なネットワークを目指すことである。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1478-811X 24 1 2026 MMP-3 cleavage of Lamin A induces pro-migratory nuclear deformity, nucleophagy, and their autophagic secretion with extracellular vesicles in metastatic cancer 146 EN Takanori Eguchi Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Eman A. Taha Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University Keisuke Nakano Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Vikas Tiwari Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Toxicological Research Katsuki Takebe Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiro Inoue Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Lizi Xing Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Chiharu Sogawa Department of Food and Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Institute of Technology Kuniaki Okamoto Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Stuart K. Calderwood Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteinases that cleave a plethora of substrates, including components of the extracellular matrix and cell-surface-associated proteins, as well as intracellular targets. MMPs have also been found in extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes. MMP-3 promotes tumor growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, genome instability, migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells, and nuclear MMP-3 controls gene transcription. Intranuclear proteolysis by MMPs may significantly alter cancer progression. However, the nuclear substrates of MMP-3 have not been well investigated. In this study, we performed proteomic analyses to identify the nuclear substrates and EV proteins regulated by MMP-3. While rabidly metastatic colon cancer (LuM1) three-dimensionally cultured tumoroids secreted EVs containing 30 protein types, including Lamin A (LMNA), MMP-3, fibronectin (FN1), HSPA8 (Hsc70), β-actin (ACTB), and vimentin (VIM), CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout of MMP-3 reduced the secretion of these proteins in EVs. Notably, EV-bound cleaved Lamin secretion was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Also, MMP-3 formed proteolytic dimers via its hemopexin-like repeat domains in nuclei. Many nuclear MMP-3-binding proteins, including Lamin A/C, histones, topoisomerases, and hnRNPs, were screened by co-immunoprecipitation followed by proteomics. Proteolytic MMP-3 overexpression generated a C-terminal 30-kDa fragment of Lamin A, whose cleavage site was defined via structural analysis. MMP-3 digestion of Lamin A induced nuclear deformity (atypia) required for cell migration in confined space. The cleaved Lamin A and MMP-3 were transported with autophagosomes (LC3B+), nucleophagosomes, and amphisomes (CD63 + LC3B+) and co-secreted with EVs. Proteolytic MMP-3 also induced nuclear speckles of Lamin A, suggesting their roles in transcription and splicing. Clinical analysis revealed that high expressions of MMP3 and LMNA were significantly seen in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) than in the other 16 cancer types, and predicted poor prognosis of patients suffering from HNSC, pancreatic, rectum and lung adenocarcinomas at specific stages. Immunohistochemistry revealed that nuclear MMP-3 and cleaved Lamin were significantly higher expressed in stage IV metastatic HNSC cases than in stage I non-metastatic cases. Taken together, MMP3-cleavage of Lamin A induces nuclear deformity, nucleophagy, and their autophagic co-secretion with EVs in metastatic cancer. Also, high expression of MMP-3 and secretion of Lamin A can predict poor prognosis in multiple cancer types at specific stages. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2168-8184 17 6 2025 Severe Anemia Caused by a Colorectal Lipoma With Central Erosions: A Case Report e85768 EN Yusuke Yoshida Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryohei Shoji Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Matsumi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Ko Watanabe Department of Pathology, Okayama University Hospital Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Colorectal lipomas are benign tumors that are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. In most cases, they can be managed conservatively with observation. We report the case of a man in his 70s with a colorectal lipoma located in the cecum. An investigation into his severe anemia led to the suspicion that the cecal lipoma was the underlying cause. An ileocecal resection was performed. Erosions were observed at the center of the lipoma. Although small colorectal lipomas are generally asymptomatic and rarely cause anemia, periodic endoscopic examinations are recommended. These lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1613-6810 21 50 2025 Collagen Signaling via DDR1 Exacerbates Barriers to Macromolecular Drug Delivery in a 3D Model of Pancreatic Cancer Fibrosis e06926 EN Mayu Ohira Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Moe Kitamura Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroyo Iwasaki Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Haruko Ohta‐Okano Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiyori Tsujii Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Reika Nakamura Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takuya Nakazawa Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Akihiro Nishiguchi Biomaterials Field, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science Masaya Yamamoto Department of Materials Processing, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University Kensuke Osada Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST) Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Horacio Cabral Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Atsushi Masamune Division of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University Mitsunobu R. Kano Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Hiroyoshi Y. Tanaka Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Fibrosis is a significant barrier to drug delivery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and contributes to its dismal prognosis. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) drive fibrosis by excessively secreting extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen I. Collagen I is thought to physically obstruct the delivery of macromolecules, such as albumin, antibodies, and nanomedicines. Apart from its structural role, collagen signals through dedicated cell surface receptors, such as the discoidin domain receptors (DDR) 1/2. However, whether and how collagen signaling contributes to fibrotic barrier generation remains uncharacterized. Here, a 3D culture model of PDAC fibrosis constructed from patient PSCs is used to assess the contribution of DDR1/2-mediated collagen signaling. DDR1/2 inhibition diminishes collagen I expression in PSCs to enhance macromolecular delivery. Moreover, MEK inhibitors exacerbate the fibrotic barrier by up-regulating collagen I, an effect reversed by inhibiting DDR1/2. Through isoform-specific targeting, inhibiting DDR1, but not DDR2, is shown to be effective. Downstream of DDR, the involvement of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is demonstrated, particularly alternative mTOR complexes involving MEAK7 and GIT1. Altogether, the results show in vitro that DDR1-mediated collagen signaling exacerbates the fibrotic barrier and may be targeted to enhance macromolecular drug delivery in PDAC. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Medical Association (AMA) Acta Medica Okayama 2574-3805 8 11 2025 Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for ERBB2-Mutant Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer With or Without Brain Metastases: A Secondary Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials e2543107 EN Pasi A. Jänne Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute David Planchard Department of Medical Oncology, Thoracic Cancer Group, Gustave Roussy, Medical Oncology Koichi Goto Department of Thoracic Oncology, Nation Cancer Center Hospital East Egbert F. Smit Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center Adrianus Johannes de Langen Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute Yasushi Goto Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital Kiichiro Ninomiya Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Toshio Kubo Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital Maurice Pérol Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard Enriqueta Felip Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology Hidetoshi Hayashi Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine Kazuhiko Nakagawa Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine Junichi Shimizu Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Misako Nagasaka Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine Kaline Pereira Daiichi Sankyo Inc Ayumi Taguchi Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd Ahmed Ali Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH Maha Karnoub Daiichi Sankyo Inc Rie Yonemochi Daiichi Sankyo Inc David Leung Daiichi Sankyo Inc Bob T. Li Thoracic Oncology and Early Drug Development Service, Global Research Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Importance Brain metastases reduce overall survival rates of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); patients with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2 [formerly HER2])–mutant NSCLC are more likely to have baseline brain metastases. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is an approved ERBB2-directed treatment for previously treated unresectable or metastatic ERBB2-mutant NSCLC.<br> Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of T-DXd 5.4 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg doses in patients with previously treated ERBB2-mutant metastatic NSCLC with or without untreated or previously treated stable brain metastases.<br> Design, Setting, and Participants This post hoc secondary analysis pooled patients from the DESTINY-Lung01 (data cutoff date: December 3, 2021) and DESTINY-Lung02 (data cutoff date: December 23, 2022) clinical trials by T-DXd dose (5.4 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg). DESTINY-Lung01 was a multicenter, open-label, 2-cohort, nonrandomized phase 2 study, while DESTINY-Lung02 was a dose-blinded, multicenter, 2-cohort, randomized phase 2 study. Participants had a previously treated ERBB2-mutant metastatic NSCLC with or without untreated or previously treated stable brain metastases at baseline. All statistical analyses were performed from April 2023 to October 2024.<br> Intervention Patients received a T-DXd dose of either 5.4 mg/kg or 6.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks.<br> Main Outcome and Measure Systemic and intracranial effectiveness by blinded independent central review using RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) version 1.1, sites of progression, and safety.<br> Results This analysis included 102 patients in the T-DXd 5.4-mg/kg dose group (65 females [64%]; median [range] age, 57.5 [37.0-83.0] years and 59.5 [30.0-79.0] years in patients with and without brain metastases, respectively) and 141 patients in the T-DXd 6.4-mg/kg dose group (94 females [67%]; median [range] age, 62.5 [29.0-88.0] years and 59.0 [27.0-83.0] years in patients with and without brain metastases, respectively). In each group, 31% (32 of 102) and 38% (54 of 141) of patients, respectively, had baseline brain metastases and 53% (17 of 32) and 44% (24 of 54), respectively, received prior brain metastasis treatment. In patients with and without brain metastases, systemic confirmed objective response rates (ORRs) were 47% (15 of 32; 95% CI, 29%-65%) and 50% (35 of 70; 95% CI, 38%-62%), respectively, with the T-DXd 5.4-mg/kg dose, and 50% (27 of 54; 95% CI, 36%-64%) and 59% (51 of 87; 95% CI, 48%-69%) with the T-DXd 6.4-mg/kg dose. Median progression-free survival was 7.1 (95% CI, 5.5-9.7) months in the T-DXd 5.4-mg/kg dose group and 7.1 (95% CI, 4.5-9.6) months in the T-DXd 6.4-mg/kg dose group of patients with baseline brain metastases. Among patients with measurable baseline brain metastases, intracranial confirmed ORRs were 50% (7 of 14; 95% CI, 23%-77%) with the T-DXd 5.4-mg/kg dose and 30% (9 of 30; 95% CI, 15%-49%) with the T-DXd 6.4-mg/kg dose. At both doses, the safety profile of T-DXd was generally manageable, regardless of baseline brain metastases, favoring the T-DXd 5.4 mg/kg dose.<br> Conclusions and Relevance In this secondary analysis, T-DXd at the approved dose of 5.4 mg/kg showed antitumor activity in patients with previously treated ERBB2-mutant metastatic NSCLC with or without brain metastases. This finding supports T-DXd 5.4 mg/kg use in this population. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Acta Medica Okayama 2187-9745 12 5 2025 Examining OpenFOAM-based LES analysis in terms of inviscid energy conservation and viscous turbulence decay 25-00095 EN Hiroki SUZUKI Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kento TANAKA Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Toshinori KOUCHI Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University The present study examines an OpenFOAM-based LES analysis from the viewpoints of inviscid energy conservation and viscous turbulence decay. The Smagorinsky model is employed as the sub-grid scale (SGS) model, and a two-dimensional periodic analytical solution and a three-dimensional periodic Taylor-Green vortex (TGV) are employed to represent inviscid flows. The analytical relationship for the kinetic energy K, dK/dt = 0, with t as the dimensionless time, is utilized to validate the OpenFOAM results. For the viscous flow case, the TGV flow in a three-dimensional periodic cubic domain is adopted, and its turbulence kinetic energy distribution is compared with that obtained by a spectral method to examine the analysis. The OpenFOAM-based analysis exhibits energy conservation error in flows that should ideally conserve energy. For the two-dimensional flow, this error decreases with increasing grid resolution N. However, in the three-dimensional flow, the error does not improve even with higher N. In the three-dimensional TGV flow, the turbulence kinetic energy predicted by OpenFOAM exhibits a strong agreement with that from the spectral method when a standard constant value of the Smagorinsky model is employed and the mesh is sufficiently refined. Conversely, for a condition of relatively coarse mesh, the decay characteristics of turbulent kinetic energy deviate from those of the spectral method, and a higher constant value of the Smagorinsky model than the default value becomes necessary to reproduce comparable results. These results suggests that even in LES simulations where highly accurate conservation laws are not satisfied, adjusting the model constants so that the predicted values match experimental or numerical reference data can improve the apparent reliability of the turbulent kinetic energy in the decaying turbulence. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0956-7135 183 2026 Monitoring postharvest water loss in eggplants (Solanum melongena L.) using UV-induced fluorescence imaging and multivariate analysis 111902 EN Vincent Rotich Laboratory of Biosensing Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Tianqi Gao Laboratory of Biosensing Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Panintorn Prempree Laboratory of Biosensing Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Takahiro Hayashi Laboratory of Biosensing Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kazuhiko Namba Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mitsuji Monta Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Motomi Nishimoto Technology and Innovation Center, Daikin Industries, Ltd. Naoshi Kondo Laboratory of Biosensing Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is susceptible to significant postharvest losses primarily due to water loss during storage, which affects market quality by causing texture and glossiness degradation. We investigated whether UV-induced fluorescence imaging and EEM (Excitation-Emission Matrix) fluorescence spectroscopy can non-destructively monitor WL under four storage regimes (10 °C/95 % RH, 20 °C/95 % RH, 20 °C/75 % RH, 10 °C/75 % RH). EEMs exhibited three regions; a 365/420 nm blue emission increased most under warm, low-humidity storage and is consistent with phenolic/lignin-related fluorescence. Side-view fluorescence (FL) images showed progressive blue-white emission and surface textural changes that tracked gravimetric water loss (WL). A PLSR model using combined color and texture features from FL and reflectance (CL) images achieved R2CV = 0.88 (RMSECV = 3.47 %) with only six features. To test a minimal predictor, we fit an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) using Day-1 FL MeanBlue as a covariate and storage category as a factor with Leave One Out Cross-validation (LOOCV); this forecasted cumulative WL with R2LOOCV = 0.92 and MAE = 1.88 %. Importantly, this ANCOVA model using Day-1 blue-band fluorescence as a covariate was predictive only under 20 °C/75 % RH; under the other conditions, its contribution was weak. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models achieved accuracies of 94.4 % and 85.2 %, respectively, in differentiating storage conditions. These results support low-cost FL imaging as a practical tool to monitor WL and storage stress. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 2752-6542 5 1 2025 Chloroplast heat shock protein cpHsc70-1 interacts with thylakoid membrane remodeling protein VIPP1 C-terminal tail and controls VIPP1 oligomer assembly pgaf393 EN Di Li Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sarah Wanjiru Gachie Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Shin-ichiro Ozawa Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Martin Scholz Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster Michael Hippler Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Wataru Sakamoto Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms depend on the thylakoid membranes (TMs) for light-driven energy conversion. Recent studies on TM homeostasis (thylakostasis) have highlighted the essential role of the TM remodeling protein vesicle-inducing protein in plastid 1 (VIPP1). As a member of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport-III (ESCRT-III)/phage shock protein A (PspA)/VIPP1 superfamily, VIPP1 forms large ring- and filament-like homo-oligomeric structures that exhibit a membrane remodeling activity. The oligomerization status was proposed to be modulated by the intrinsically disordered C-terminal tail (Vc), whereas its functional role remained unclear. Notably, this Vc region is conserved not only in photosynthetic VIPP1 but also in the PspA proteins of extremophilic species, implicating its role in membrane stress responses. To investigate the role of the Vc region in VIPP1 assembly, we performed coimmunoprecipitation assays in Arabidopsis chloroplasts and identified chloroplast-localized HSP70 proteins (cpHsc70) as major interactors. Among the two isoforms, cpHsc70-1 was found to be specifically required for modulating VIPP1 oligomeric assembly and dynamics in response to heat stress. Genetic analyses revealed that cpHsc70-1 facilitates the disassembly of VIPP1 oligomers, similarly to Vps4 ATPase in ESCRT-III; loss of either the Vc region or cpHsc70-1-impaired VIPP1 disassembly, resulting in more static oligomeric structures. Furthermore, cpHsc70-1 exhibited a broader role in chloroplast proteostasis, as the cphsc70-1 mutant showed impaired accumulation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins. Together, our findings uncover a crucial crosstalk between proteostasis and thylakostasis in chloroplasts, coordinated by cpHsc70-1 and VIPP1 in response to membrane stress. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 1 2026 Calcium ions play a critical role in calcification of Corynebacterium matruchotii 4591 EN Naoko Ohara Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Midori Ogawa Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Katsuki Takebe Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ikue Tosa Department of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Serina Ono Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mitsumasa Saito Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Naoya Ohara Department of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Dental calculus is a hardened deposit composed of calcium phosphate precipitated within dental plaque. While the involvement of dental calculus in the progression of periodontal disease is well established, many aspects of its formation process remain poorly understood. In this study, we focused on Corynebacterium matruchotii, a key bacterium involved in dental calculus formation, and investigated the role of calcium ions in calcification, as well as the associated internal and external changes in the bacterium through long-term observation. In the absence of calcium ions, no intracellular calcification was observed, and the lipid bilayer with the formation of holes in bacterial body was evident. In contrast, in the presence of calcium ions, lipid bilayer remained intact, and intracellular needle- and plate- like crystals were formed. Furthermore, calcified C. matruchotii showed increased flocculation compared to non-calcified C. matruchotii. These results indicate that the influx of calcium ions is essential for intracellular calcification. Calcium ions entry appears to reinforce the integrity of the lipid bilayer, providing a stable intracellular environment conductive to calcification. Moreover, calcified C. matruchotii may contribute to the nucleation of dental calculus by forming aggregates composed of both bacterial components and calcified material. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1746-6148 22 1 2026 Genetic and phenotypic identities of Staphylococcus coagulans isolated from pustules of dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis 98 EN Takafumi Osumi Animal Medical Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Yuuki Shinomiya Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Thamonwan Wanganuttara Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ichiro Imanishi Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Yotaro Shimazaki Animal Medical Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Keita Iyori 1sec Co. Ltd. Yoichi Toyoda 1sec Co. Ltd. Kaori Ide Animal Medical Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Jumpei Uchiyama Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Koji Nishifuji Animal Medical Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Background Staphylococcus coagulans, formerly called Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans is the second most common isolate from skin lesions of dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF). However, the clinical significance of S. coagulans in pustules of canine SBF remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotypic and phenotypic diversity of S. coagulans isolated from pustules in two dogs with SBF.<br> Results Two dogs with SBF were included in this study. S. schleiferi/coagulans was isolated as the sole organism from three pustules in case #1, whereas it coexisted with S. pseudintermedius in two of seven pustules in case #2. S. pseudintermedius was the sole organism in the remaining five pustules in case #2. Whole genome sequences revealed that all isolates tested were annotated as S. coagulans. The isolates from the same pustules exhibited identical genotypic and phenotypic profiles, indicating clonal multiplication. S. coagulans isolated from different pustules exhibited similar yet distinct genotypic and phenotypic profiles.<br> Conclusions S. coagulans with identical genetic and phenotypic profiles can be identified as the sole pathogen or coexist with S. pseudintermedius in the pustules of the same dogs with SBF. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1422-0067 27 5 2026 Fgf10 Gene Dosage from a Single Allele Is Insufficient for Forming Multilayered Epithelial Cells in the Murine Lacrimal Gland 2113 EN Shiori Ikeda Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Keita Sato Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Tajika Department of Radiological Technology, Gumma Prefectural College of Health Sciences Hirofumi Fujita Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tetsuya Bando Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tsutomu Nohno Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Satoru Miyaishi Department of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hideyo Ohuchi Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) gene in humans cause aplasia of the lacrimal and salivary glands (ALSG). In patients with ALSG, heterozygous loss-of-function mutations are found, and FGF10 haploinsufficiency results in the absence of these secretory organs. Lacrimal glands (LGs) are formed through epithelial thickening, budding, and branching morphogenesis. To compare the variable phenotypes of the Fgf10+/− Harderian glands (HGs) previously reported, we examined the development of LGs in wild-type (WT), Fgf10+/−, and Fgf10-null mice. Pax6 immunostaining was performed to visualize the LG primordia from embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) onwards. In situ hybridization of the genes encoding the epithelial receptor of FGF10, FGFR2b, and its other ligands was performed to determine their potential involvement in LG development. LG primordia were not observed in Fgf10+/− mice bilaterally at E16.5 or later stages. At E15.5, budding from the developing conjunctival epithelium (CE) was observed in a small fraction of the Fgf10+/− LG primordia. In contrast, the Fgf10-null CE failed to promote budding. Among Fgf1, Fgf3, Fgf7, Fgf10, and Fgf22, Fgf10 was expressed in the mesenchyme surrounding developing LG epithelial cells, whereas Fgf1 was expressed in the LG epithelium of WT mice. Fgf7 was initially expressed in the mesenchyme surrounding the nascent LG epithelium, but its expression subsequently became diffused. Thus, we conclude that among the FGFR2b ligands, initial LG formation is dependent on the mesenchymal factors FGF10 and FGF7, and FGF1 is likely to function as an epithelial factor in the LG primordia. A single allele of Fgf10 was found to be insufficient to support the budding process during LG morphogenesis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1757-2215 19 1 2025 Pan-cancer profiling links C1orf50 to DNA repair and immune modulation in ovarian cancer 13 EN Anna Rogachevskaya Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Yusuke Otani Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Akira Ohtsu Harvard Medical School Vanessa D. Chin UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center Tirso Peña Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Seiji Arai Department of Urology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Atsushi Fujimura Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagawa University Atsushi Tanaka Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Background C1orf50 encodes a small, evolutionarily conserved protein, the function of which remains unclear. Its significance across various human cancers, particularly its specific role in ovarian cancer within an immunogenomic context, is not yet fully understood. Utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) public datasets, we conducted a comprehensive profiling of C1orf50 across multiple cancer types, with a particular focus on ovarian cancer, to investigate its associations with copy-number status, genomic instability, tumor programs, and the immune microenvironment.<br> Results Across cancer types, copy-number gain or amplification of C1orf50 was most frequent in ovarian cancer and closely tracked with higher messenger RNA levels. Higher C1orf50 expression was associated with a greater tumor mutational burden and homologous recombination deficiency, as indicated by gene-set patterns that suggested heightened cell-cycle and cellular stress responses accompanied by reduced oxidative phosphorylation, enrichment of regulatory T cells, and depletion of resting memory CD4 T cells. In ovarian cancer, focal events at chromosome 1p34.2 were accompanied by stepwise increases in C1orf50 expression by clinical stage and were linked to higher tumor mutational burden, homologous recombination deficiency, and greater loss of heterozygosity, together with more frequent gene alterations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Immune composition clustered into profiles consistent with an immunosuppressive context in tumors with higher C1orf50 expression. The scRNA-seq data further revealed that cancer cells enhanced immune-suppressive interactions with various immune cell populations and diminished antigen-presentation signals. Analyses of genomic instability in ovarian cancer suggested mutational processes compatible with base-substitution patterns associated with cytidine deaminase activity and with insertion-deletion patterns characteristic of homologous recombination failure, while transcript-level patterns pointed to a broad downshift of canonical DNA repair activity with apparent compensatory adjustments in related pathways rather than a uniform change in any single pathway.<br> Conclusions The overexpression of C1orf50 characterizes an aggressive immunogenomic phenotype in ovarian cancer, distinguished by genomic instability, impaired DNA repair mechanisms, and extensive immunosuppression. These findings indicate that C1orf50 warrants consideration as a potential biomarker and a prospective target for therapeutic investigation. Furthermore, they advocate for the progression to prospective validation and functional studies to ascertain its clinical significance. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 2041-6520 17 9 2026 Gaseous CO2 electrolysis: latest advances in electrode and electrolyzer technologies toward abating CO2 emissions 4363 EN Kazuhide Kamiya Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Sora Nakasone Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Ryo Kurihara Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Asato Inoue Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Hazuki Irie Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Shoko Nakahata Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Satoshi Taniguchi Research Institute for Chemical Process Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 Thuy T. H. Nguyen Research Institute for Chemical Process Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 Sho Kataoka Research Institute for Chemical Process Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 The conversion of CO2 into multicarbon (C2+) products via electrochemical reduction is considered a key technology for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. The performance of high-rate gaseous CO2 electrolysis is governed by interrelated factors such as the electrocatalysts, electrodes, electrolytes, and cell architectures. Despite the intensive focus on catalyst research, systematic studies addressing the other components remain scarce, leaving critical gaps in our understanding toward achieving higher performance in CO2 electrolysis systems. The nanoscale design of catalyst surface electronic structures and the macroscale design of electrodes and electrolyzer architectures both influence the overall activity of the electrochemical system. In designing macroscale components, it is necessary to establish benchmarks based on a comprehensive evaluation of CO2 emissions for the entire electrolysis process, because these parameters are directly linked to output metrics such as current density and cell voltage under practical operating conditions. This review summarizes recent advances in electrodes and electrolyzers, and through life-cycle assessment (LCA), evaluates key performance indicators (KPIs) for achieving negative emissions and assesses the current technology readiness of CO2 electrolysis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1865-1380 19 1 2026 Association of Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature with heat-related illness hospitalizations in Japan: a time-stratified, case-crossover study 11 EN Yuka Yamamura Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Hongo Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumiya Sasai Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kohei Tokioka Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tsuyoshi Nojima Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun Kanda Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital Shoji Yokobori Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background Heat-related illnesses are a serious public health concern and are exacerbated by global warming. Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is widely used as a heat stress indicator, but its clinical impact remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between hourly variations in WBGT and the incidence of hospitalizations for heat-related illness in Japan using a nationwide database. By incorporating individual-level clinical data and performing stratified analyses, we sought to provide a more granular understanding of how heat exposure affects the risk of heat-related illness requiring hospitalization.<br> Methods We conducted a time-stratified, case-crossover study using data collected from July to September in 2020 and 2021 in the Heatstroke STUDY registry. The inclusion criteria were patients registered in the Heatstroke STUDY registry, specifically hospitalized patients with heat-related illness who were transported to participating hospitals during the study period. Hourly WBGT values were assigned based on the nearest monitoring station to each hospital. Conditional logistic regression and distributed lag models were used to estimate associations between WBGT and the risk of hospitalization.<br> Results A total of 1,653 heat-related illness hospitalizations were analyzed. The mean patient age was 67.9 years; 67.6% were male. Each 1 °C increase in WBGT at onset (hospital arrival) was associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05–1.15). The cumulative effect over the prior six hours was also significant (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.50–1.62). Compared with WBGT < 25 °C, adjusted ORs were 3.39 (25–27 °C), 8.81 (28–30 °C), and 22.10 (≥ 31 °C). Stratified analyses suggested stronger associations among several subgroups; however, only patients with mental disorders showed statistically significant effect modification, whereas elevated WBGT posed a risk across all groups.<br> Conclusions Higher WBGT levels were associated with an increased risk of heat-related hospitalization. Although the effect appeared greater in some subgroups, only patients with mental disorders demonstrated statistically significant effect modification, suggesting elevated WBGT confers risk broadly. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2078-2489 17 1 2026 An SQL Query Description Problem with AI Assistance for an SQL Programming Learning Assistant System 65 EN Ni Wayan Wardani Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nobuo Funabiki Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Htoo Htoo Sandi Kyaw Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Zihao Zhu Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University I Nyoman Darma Kotama Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Putu Sugiartawan Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University I Nyoman Agus Suarya Putra Faculty of Business and Creative Design, Indonesian Institute of Business and Technology Today, relational databases are widely used in information systems. SQL (structured query language) is taught extensively in universities and professional schools across the globe as a programming language for its data management and accesses. Previously, we have studied a web-based programming learning assistant system (PLAS) to help novice students learn popular programming languages by themselves through solving various types of exercises. For SQL programming, we have implemented the grammar-concept understanding problem (GUP) and the comment insertion problem (CIP) for its initial studies. In this paper, we propose an SQL Query Description Problem (SDP) as a new exercise type for describing the SQL query to a specified request in a MySQL database system. To reduce teachers’ preparation workloads, we integrate a generative AI-assisted SQL query generator to automatically generate a new SDP instance with a given dataset. An SDP instance consists of a table, a set of questions and corresponding queries. Answer correctness is determined by enhanced string matching against an answer module that includes multiple semantically equivalent canonical queries. For evaluation, we generated 11 SDP instances on basic topics using the generator, where we found that Gemini 3.0 Pro exhibited higher pedagogical consistency compared to ChatGPT-5.0, achieving perfect scores in Sensibleness, Topicality, and Readiness metrics. Then, we assigned the generated instances to 32 undergraduate students at the Indonesian Institute of Business and Technology (INSTIKI). The results showed an average correct answer rate of 95.2% and a mean SUS score of 78, which demonstrates strong initial student performance and system acceptance. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1757-4749 18 1 2026 Sodium butyrate augments the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae 9 EN Sushmita Kundu Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Sourin Alu Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Abhishek Singh Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Animesh Gope Division of General Medicine, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Ranjan Kumar Nandy Division of Bacteriology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Shin-ichi Miyoshi Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Nabendu Sekhar Chatterjee Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Sushmita Bhattacharya Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Background Antibiotic resistance poses a major challenge in treating Vibrio cholerae infections. One promising method to counter resistance is the co-administration of antibiotics with non-antibiotic adjuvants to enhance their efficacy. This study investigated the combined action of sodium butyrate (SB) and tetracycline on tetracycline-resistant V. cholerae strains.<br> Results The combined activity of SB and antibiotics was assessed on eight V. cholerae clinical isolates using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI), with SB-Tetracycline showing strong synergy (FICI: 0.09–0.5). Functional and mechanistic studies, including time-kill kinetics, live/dead staining, SEM-based morphological analysis, and fluorometric assays, demonstrated a synergistic antibacterial effect of SB and Tetracycline. This effect was associated with increased membrane permeability, disruption of membrane integrity, dissipation of the proton motive force, and suppression of efflux activity. These changes collectively led to membrane damage, enhanced intracellular accumulation of Tetracycline, decreased intracellular ATP levels, and ultimately, bacterial cell death. Moreover, GM1-CT ELISA and fluorescence microscopy revealed the synergistic anti-virulence activity of the SB- Tetracycline combination. Finally, the combination of SB and Tetracycline showed enhanced efficacy in animal models compared with monotherapy.<br> Conclusion: The observed SB-Tetracycline synergy provides a promising therapeutic approach to overcome tetracycline resistance in V. cholerae, offering a potential adjunct strategy for the management of antibiotic-resistant cholera infections. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1862-4065 2026 Does Human Depopulation Reduce Resource Consumption? Evidence from Anthropocene Japan EN Anass Barrahmoune Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics, Okayama University Peter Matanle School of East Asian Studies, The University of Sheffield Jiyoung Kim Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics, Okayama University Humanity’s deepening strain on Earth systems has sparked widespread discussion of an “Anthropocene crisis,” often attributed to overpopulation. This raises the question: if overpopulation underpins the crisis, does its resolution lie in depopulation? Here, we examine the effects of Japan’s ongoing depopulation on the nexus of population, economy, cropland use, food, water, and energy. We take a systematic Bayesian approach to examine changes in the strength and direction of causality among these variables and explore plausible future pathways under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. We find that, while depopulation has led to reductions in resource demand, notably for water and energy, impacts on the food system are more complex due to interdependencies with economic and other factors beyond population change. In conclusion, we argue that it will take longer than predicted for depopulation dividends to materialize at a scale that could meaningfully contribute to addressing the crisis, and that proactive efforts to reshape consumption patterns and restructure economic systems, from a model predicated on perpetual growth to one oriented toward sufficiency, are necessary to capitalize on the potential dividends offered by this demographic shift. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0041-1132 2026 Pediatric autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection without heparin using a highly concentrated sodium citrate anticoagulant: A retrospective comparison with standard ACD-A EN Keiko Fujii Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Wataru Kitamura Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Kana Washio Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Kazuhiro Ikeuchi Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Joji Shimono Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Hiroyuki Murakami Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Fumio Otsuka Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital Yoshinobu Maeda Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Nobuharu Fujii Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Background: Heparin combined with sodium citrate has been used in leukocytapheresis for pediatric patients. Since 2022, we have performed leukocytapheresis using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution (HSC, 5.32%) instead of acid citrate dextrose solution A (ACD-A). We conducted this study to determine whether HSC use reduces run time and the total amount of anticoagulant solution in children.<br> Study Design and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive autologous peripheral blood stem cell harvests (auto-PBSCHs) between June 2012 and May 2025, including patient characteristics, mobilization methods, protocol used, anticoagulant type, run time, total anticoagulant solution volume, and collection efficiency.<br> Results: Auto-PBSCH was performed using the mononuclear cell collection (MNC) protocol in 28 procedures and the continuous MNC protocol in 20 procedures. ACD-A was used in 35 procedures and HSC in 13. The run time was significantly shorter (204 [range, 117–302] vs. 157 min [range, 103–227], p = .02) in the HSC group and also confirmed in multivariable regression analysis (coefficient, −55.6; 95% confidence interval, −106.2 to −5.04; p = .03). In a subgroup analysis of cMNC procedures, CD34+ collection efficiency showed a strong negative correlation with the proportion of run time devoted to establishing the initial interface (r = −.73, p = .0003).<br> Conclusion: Delays in establishing the initial interface can reduce the duration of the effective MNC collection phase and may negatively affect collection efficiency. Careful attention to the initial interface phase is therefore warranted when using HSC. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Tribologists Acta Medica Okayama 1881-2198 20 4 2025 Tribological Properties of Amorphous-SiC-Based Coatings on Al2O3 Substrates in Normal Saline 212 219 EN Tadashi Shiota Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daiki Taniya Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuma Shimazaki Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Chiyu Nakano Department of Comprehensive Technical Solutions, Okayama University Yuya Omiya Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masahiro Fujii Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Amorphous SiC (a-SiC)-based coatings containing not only Si–C bonds but also C–Si–O, C–C, and Si–O2 bonds were deposited on Al2O3 substrates via pulsed laser deposition. Sliding tests using SiC ceramic balls in normal saline revealed that the coating exhibited a low friction coefficient of 0.05-0.06 at a shorter running-in process than SiC bulk ceramic plates. The specific wear rate of the coating was also lower than that of the SiC plate. Reactive molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the C–Si–O bonds in the coating facilitated the generation of Si–O units, which contained Si–O bonds but no Si-C bonds, through tribochemical reactions with water, resulting in superior tribological properties in normal saline compared to those of SiC plates. These findings demonstrate that a-SiC-based coatings containing C–Si–O bonds are promising as low-friction and low-wear coatings for biomedical implants such as ceramic joint prostheses. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2590-1230 29 2026 Unified 2D polygon-based CAM framework integrating tool path generation, machinability evaluation, and cutting-force simulation 108948 EN Kazuki Kaneko Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroto Takayasu Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University Atsuya Suzuki Mechanical Systems Engineering Program, Okayama University Hiroyuki Kodama Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University This study proposes a unified two-dimensional (2D) polygon-based computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) framework that enables tool path generation, machinability evaluation, material removal simulation, and cutting-force prediction within a single computational environment. The proposed method represents three-dimensional geometries as aggregates of orthogonal 2D polygon sets, obtained by slicing the model in the xy-, yz-, and zx-parallel planes and superposing the three polygonal datasets. A novel convolutional offsetting algorithm is developed to perform three-dimensional inflation and shrinkage by incorporating adjacent cross-sectional relationships, thereby achieving accurate 3D offsets independent of the slicing orientation. The inflated 2D polygons are directly utilized to generate contour and scanning tool paths, and sequential inflation–shrinkage analysis enables visualization of unmachinable regions for tool accessibility evaluation. Furthermore, the framework integrates an instantaneous cutting force model that accurately predicts the cutting force waveform by detecting intersections between the cutting edge points and 2D polygon aggregations. The system is experimentally validated via ball-end milling. The results demonstrate that tool paths can be generated in under one minute using only a CPU. Furthermore, the simulated cutting forces closely align with experimental measurements. These findings demonstrate that the proposed 2D polygon-based framework provides an efficient and extensible foundation for integrating mechanical simulation and tool-path generation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Acta Medica Okayama 2375-2548 11 44 2025 Structural insights into the divergent evolution of a photosystem I supercomplex in Euglena gracilis eaea6241 EN Koji Kato Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yoshiki Nakajima Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Runa Sakamoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Minoru Kumazawa Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University Kentaro Ifuku Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Takahiro Ishikawa Institute of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Academic Assembly, Shimane University Jian-Ren Shen Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Atsushi Takabayashi Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University Ryo Nagao Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University Photosystem I (PSI) forms supercomplexes with light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) to perform oxygenic photosynthesis. Here, we report a 2.82-angstrom cryo–electron microscopy structure of the PSI-LHCI supercomplex from Euglena gracilis, a eukaryotic alga with secondary green alga-derived plastids. The structure reveals a PSI monomer core with eight subunits and 13 asymmetrically arranged LHCI proteins. Euglena LHCIs bind diadinoxanthin, which is one of the carotenoids typically associated with red-lineage LHCs and is not present in the canonical LHCI belt found in green-lineage PSI-LHCI structures. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the Euglena LHCIs originated from LHCII-related clades rather than from the green-lineage LHCI group and that the nuclear-encoded PSI subunit PsaD likely originated from cyanobacteria via horizontal gene transfer. These observations indicate a mosaic origin of the Euglena PSI-LHCI. Our findings uncover a noncanonical light-harvesting architecture and highlight the structural and evolutionary plasticity of photosynthetic systems, illustrating how endosymbiotic acquisition and lineage-specific adaptation shape divergent light-harvesting strategies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMJ Acta Medica Okayama 0143-005X 80 2 2025 Exposure-induced mediator–outcome confounders in causal mediation: implications and visualisation 129 130 EN Etsuji Suzuki Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiro Shinozaki Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the University of Tokyo Eiji Yamamoto Okayama University of Science No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2575-6265 6 5 2025 Seaweed Extracts Improve Salinity Tolerance in Cereal Crops—A Meta‐Analysis e70094 EN Md. Nuruzzaman Department of Plant Resources, College of Industrial Sciences, Kongju National University Md. Tahjib‐Ul‐Arif Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Md. Abdul Hannan Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Yoshiyuki Murata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University M. Afzal Hossain Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Seaweeds are considered an essential component of the blue economy. Because seaweed extracts are rich in bioactive compounds that enhance plant stress resilience, exploiting this resource could offer a sustainable solution for crop production. Salinity is a major abiotic challenge that significantly impacts crop yield and food security. Through meta-analysis, we explored whether the exogenous application of seaweed extracts improves the salt tolerance of cereal crops. All the studies chosen for this study utilized aqueous seaweed extracts as foliar sprays. A multi-level meta-analysis with a mixed effects model was performed to determine the effect size. This meta-analysis demonstrated that applying aqueous seaweed extracts enhanced the shoot and root biomass under normal and salinity stress conditions, suggesting that seaweed extract can help improve crop stress tolerance. The seaweeds studied belonged to three classes: Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyta, and Chlorophyta, with extracts from Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae significantly enhancing biomass production under salinity conditions. Applying aqueous seaweed extracts effectively improved salinity tolerance at both 34.2–100 mM and 101–400 mM NaCl equivalent salinity stress. Moreover, exogenous foliar application of ≤ 25% aqueous seaweed extracts was most effective for improving salinity tolerance in cereals. The impact of seaweed extracts on cereal crop yields has not been extensively reported; therefore, further studies should focus on this aspect. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0040-8166 93 2025 Detection of the nuclear translocation of androgen receptor using quantitative and automatic cell imaging analysis 102631 EN Lanlan Bai Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Tao Wu Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Mizuki Fukasawa Neuro-AI Integration Science Laboratory, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sayo Kashiwagi Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Basic Research Development Division Haruka Tate Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Taku Ozaki Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Eriko Sugano Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Hiroshi Tomita Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Tsuyoshi Ishii Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Basic Research Development Division Takuya Akashi Neuro-AI Integration Science Laboratory, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tomokazu Fukuda Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Testosterone signaling mediates diseases such as androgenetic alopecia and prostate cancer and is controlled by the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and nuclear translocation of the ligand-receptor complex. This study established an immortalized dermal papilla cell line that stably expresses the AR labeled with a monomeric green fluorescence marker. The cells expressed the histone H2B protein as visualized using a red fluorescence marker, enabling the Detection of nuclear translocation under live cell conditions using image analysis. The AR was observed to be translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells after stimulation with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The signal intensity of the nuclear/cytoplasm ratio was analyzed using automatic image analysis and a newly developed algorithm. The quantitation method to detect nuclear translocation revealed that the AR nuclear signal plateaued approximately 20 min after DHT exposure. Our developed method has the potential to save human labor by the automatic process of the image. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Laser Institute of America Acta Medica Okayama 1042-346X 37 1 2025 High-quality welding of copper and aluminum by angled laser irradiation and insert metals 012041 EN Yasuhiro Okamoto Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuki Yamada Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akira Okada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masaki Miyake Kataoka Corporation Takeshi Yamamura Kataoka Corporation Katsutoshi Nagasaki Kataoka Corporation Norio Nishi Kataoka Corporation Copper is an important material in order to use electricity effectively, and aluminum is also an attractive material to perform lightweight construction. Laser welding of copper and aluminum is required, and there are some reports to weld copper and aluminum firmly by laser irradiation from the aluminum side. On the other hand, laser irradiation from the copper side requires high power density to generate a keyhole, which causes the strong convection of molten aluminum into copper. Thus, brittle intermetallic compounds with rich aluminum result in the deterioration of joining strength. Angled laser irradiation enables mild heat input to the aluminum side, and the combination of angled and superposed irradiation of blue and near-infrared (NIR) lasers achieved a remarkable increase of breaking strength. However, the breaking strength is still lower than the base materials. Therefore, insert materials between copper and aluminum plates were investigated by the angled irradiation of blue and NIR lasers from the copper side. The breaking strength with insert materials showed higher values in the order of titanium mesh, nickel foil, and nickel mesh, and its value with the nickel mesh was close to the tensile strength of aluminum in a cross tensile test. Further improvement of breaking strength is possible by inserting the nickel mesh between copper and aluminum plates in the case of angled irradiation of blue and NIR lasers even from the copper side. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Breeding Acta Medica Okayama 1344-7610 75 3 2025 Polyphyletic domestication and inter-lineage hybridization magnified genetic diversity of cultivated melon, Cucumis melo L. 168 178 EN Katsunori Tanaka Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Gentaro Shigita Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Tran Phuong Dung Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Phan Thi Phuong Nhi University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Mami Takahashi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yuki Monden Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidetaka Nishida Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ryuji Ishikawa Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Kenji Kato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Melon accessions with diverse geographical origins were classified into large and small seed-types by length of seed at the boundary of 9 mm, and into five populations based on polymorphisms in the nuclear genome. They were further divided into three maternal lineages, Ia, Ib, and Ic, by polymorphisms in the chloroplast genome. By combining these three classifications, the Europe/US subsp. melo and the East Asian subsp. agrestis were characterized as [large seed, Ib, PopA1 or A2] and [small seed, Ia, PopB1 or B2], respectively, indicating nearly perfect divergence. In South Asia, in addition to the Europe/US and East Asian types, recombinant types between the two types were detected and accounted for 34.8% of South Asian melon. The finding of such an intermixed structure of genetic variation supported the Indian origin of Ia and Ib types. As to Momordica popular in South Asia, seed length was intermediate between the large and small seed-types, and chloroplast type was a mixture of Ia and Ib, suggesting its origin from the recombinant type. In Africa, three lineages of melon were distributed allopatrically and showed distinct divergence. Subsp. agrestis of the Ic type proved to be endemic to Africa, indicating its African origin. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Iron and Steel Institute of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 0915-1559 65 13 2025 Heat Transfer Enhancement by Forming Bridges among Reactive Particles in a Packed Bed Reactor of a Solid-gas Chemical Heat Storage System 2097 2104 EN Koichi Nakaso Faculty of Environmental, Life Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kenji Shimada Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasushi Mino Faculty of Environmental, Life Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kuniaki Gotoh Faculty of Environmental, Life Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University In this study, the enhancement of the thermal output of solid-gas chemical heat storage systems was investigated. Bridges made of high-thermal conductivity materials were formed among reactive particles by drying a slurry which contained graphite powder as a thermal additive and dispersant in a packed-bed reactor. First, the effect of the volume ratio of the dispersant on effective thermal conductivity was investigated. The optimum volume ratio of dispersant to graphite powder was determined. Furthermore, repetitive bridge formation increased the effective thermal conductivity. Based on these results, we investigated the thermal response of the energy-discharge process. Consequently, the temperature distribution in the radial direction of the reactor decreased owing to the formation of bridges. In addition, the thermal energy generated by the adsorption of water vapor onto the adsorbent was effectively transferred to the reactor wall. The thermal output was estimated based on the experimental results. The thermal output was increased by the formation of bridges. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0718-9508 2025 Suppression of Na+ Uptake Via Apoplastic Flow by Chitosan in Rice EN Maoxiang Zhao Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Md. Asadulla Al Galib Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Toshiyuki Nakamura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshimasa Nakamura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshihiko Hirai Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshitaka Nakashima Shintaro Munemasa Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Izumi C. Mori Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Yoshiyuki Murata Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Purpose: Chitosan enhances tolerance to salinity in rice. Apoplastic flow plays a crucial role in the accumulation of sodium (Na+) in rice under salinity. This study investigated the effects of exogenous chitosan on apoplastic flow and Na+ uptake in NaCl-treated rice seedlings. Methods: We employed an apoplastic tracer, trisodium salt of 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulphonic acid (PTS), in order to evaluate apoplastic flow in rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Nipponbare) seedlings that were hydroponically grown in the solution containing NaCl (0 and 25 mM), and chitosan (0 mg L− 1, 10 mg L− 1, and 50 mg L− 1). Results: Application of 25 mM NaCl significantly increased PTS uptake and Na+ content in shoots but did not affect K+ content, resulting in a lower K+/Na+ ratio although 25 mM NaCl did not affect the seedling growth. The application of chitosan suppressed Na+-enhanced PTS uptake and Na+ accumulation in shoots without affecting the K+ content, which led to a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Moreover, chitosan did not affect the reducing sugar content or electrical conductivity in the solution containing NaCl. Conclusions: These results suggest that application of chitosan suppressed Na+-enhanced apoplastic flow to reduce Na+ uptake in rice seedlings. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2405-8440 11 11 2025 Suppression of defect in plated film on AMed metal products by electron beam polishing e43440 EN Togo Shinonaga Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuki Matsuda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akira Okada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Additively manufactured (AMed) metal products with high shape accuracy can be produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). However, the AMed metal products have large surface roughness due to the arrangement of bead shape. Surface irregularities such as spatter and small cavity are also generated on the surface. Furthermore, elemental composition of AMed metal products may be changed from that of original metal powder due to oxidation of surface. On the other hand, electroless plating has been applied to improvement of surface functions. However, defect is often generated in the plated film due to surface irregularities and oxidation of base material. Therefore, surface smoothing methods are required for suppression of defect in plated film.<br> In this study, surface smoothing and surface repairing of AMed aluminum (Al) alloy were performed by electron beam (EB) polishing with large-area EB. After the EB polishing, electroless plating was conducted on the AMed Al alloy, and suppression of defect in plated film was proposed. Experimental results show that surface smoothing, surface repairing and removal of oxidization layer of AMed Al alloy can be done simultaneously by the EB polishing. Furthermore, the plated film without defect can be successfully formed on the EB polished Al alloy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0167-5273 445 2026 Cardiac characteristics of Fabry disease from baseline enrolment data in a nationwide prospective Japanese registry 134071 EN Toru Kubo Department of Cardiology and Geriatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University Yuichiro Maekawa Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Kenichi Hongo Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine Saori Yamamoto Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine Yasuhiro Izumiya Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Graduate School of Medicine Hiroyuki Yamakawa Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine Toshiyuki Yano Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine Koji Higuchi Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Hypertension, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University Yuki Kuramoto Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine Naoki Nakagawa Division of Cardiology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University Masashi Amano Department of Heart Failure and Transplantation, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Yu Yamada Department of Cardiology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba Masayoshi Oikawa Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University Yuichiro Iida Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine Kenichi Tsujita Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University Yuya Matsue Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine Hideo Izawa Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University Atsushi Suzuki Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yuji Nagatomo Department of Cardiology, National Defense Medical College Toshiyuki Nagai Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University Keisuke Kida Department of Pharmacology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine Kazuto Nakamura Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine Kazufumi Nakamura Center for Advanced Heart Failure, Okayama University Hospital Hiroki Ikenaga Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Takahiro Kanda Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Hamamatsu Red Cross Hospital Yoshiharu Kinugasa Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University Hiromasa Ito Department of Cardiology, Mie University Hospital Kenji Onoue Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nara Medical University Hiromitsu Kanamori Department of Cardiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Hiroaki Kitaoka Department of Cardiology and Geriatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an important disease in the cardiovascular field because a significant proportion of patients with FD die from cardiac lesions.<br> Methods: A multicenter prospective registration study of patients with FD throughout Japan was designed. The baseline clinical characteristics of 175 patients are presented here.<br> Results: The mean ages at enrolment and at diagnosis were 52 ± 16 and 43 ± 18 years, respectively, with men accounting for 38 % of the patients. In the cohort, 24 % of the patients had the classical hemizygote male type, whereas 14 % had the late-onset male type, and 62 % had the heterozygote female type. On electrocardiography data at enrolment in 92 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (maximum LV wall thickness > 12 mm), 12 % showed a short PQ interval (< 120 msec), and 33 % had a short PendQ interval (≤ 40 msec). The Sokolow-Lyon voltage was high (6.1 ± 13.1 mv). Regarding the distribution of LVH patterns, 77 % of the patients showed concentric diffuse LVH, 16 % of the patients had asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and 1 % of the patients had hypertrophy confined to the LV apex. With regard to implantation of cardiac devices, permanent pacemakers had been implanted in 5 % of the patients and defibrillators had been implanted in 12 patients (7 %), for primary prevention in nine patients and for secondary prevention in three patients.<br> Conclusion: As the first large-scale prospective registry of FD patients in Japan, this study has provided valuable baseline data for the cardiac features and management of FD. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0969-806X 237 2025 Impact of different X-ray tube positions on actual dose measurements during CT examinations -An effect of patient physique- 113001 EN Hiroaki Hayashi College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University Tatsuya Maeda Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Kazuki Takegami Department of Radiological Technology, Yamaguchi University Hospital Sota Goto Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe Tokiwa University Takashi Asahara Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Natsumi Kimoto Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University Rina Nishigami Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Daiki Kobayashi Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Yuki Kanazawa Faculty of Life Science, Kumamoto University Kazuta Yamashita Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Tokushima University Takeshi Konishi MEDITEC JAPAN Co., Ltd. Motochika Maki MEDITEC JAPAN Co., Ltd. Dose management of patients is very important during X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) examinations, but because the patient's surface dose is inhomogeneous, it is difficult to measure the most probable value using a small passive-type dosimeter, lent to the patient. To solve this problem, our research group developed a precise dose analysis procedure in which a systematic uncertainty related to the X-ray incident direction (θin) is reduced. θin information was analyzed from CT images. However, the applicability of our procedure to actual patients with various physiques has not been examined. This study aims to propose a dose analysis procedure that can be applied to patients with various physiques, and to show its impact on dose measurement. Clinical data of 198 patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) values between 15 and 40 kg/m2 (mean value: 23.1 ± 3.8 kg/m2) who underwent chest CT scans were analyzed after dividing them into three groups based on BMI values. The absorbed dose was measured with a small-type Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dosimeter. To derive correction factors related to θin, the dependence of the actually-measured dose values of various patients on θin was analyzed. The correction coefficients were determined independently for the three groups classified by BMI values. By correcting the effect of θin, the systematic uncertainty element could be reduced, resulting in 30 % reduction of the uncertainty. Furthermore, it was found that our analysis procedure makes it possible to visualize outliers. In comparison with the expected dose values based on Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) values, most of the data fell within the range of ±1.34 mGy (=1σ). However, 7 % of the data showed large deviations larger than 2σ. In conclusion, our research group has developed a procedure for measuring patient surface doses that can be applied to patients having various physiques, in which the effects of X-ray incident direction were accurately corrected. The procedure could be one solution to the problems with actual dose measurements during CT examinations, and will be useful for dose management based on the small-type dosimeter. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0169-555X 493 2026 Coast uplifted by nearby shore-parallel active submarine faults during the 2024 Mw 7.5 Noto Peninsula earthquake 110069 EN Hideaki Goto Hiroshima University Tomoru Yamanaka Natural History Museum and Institute Chiba Tomohiro Makita Hiroshima University Yoshiya Iwasa University of Teacher Education Fukuoka Takuro Ogura Hyogo University of Teacher Education Kyoko Kagohara Yamaguchi University Yasuhiro Kumahara Hiroshima University Yasuhiro Suzuki Nagoya University Nobuhisa Matta Okayama University Tatsuto Aoki Kanazawa University Wataru Mori Hiroshima University Kenta Haranishi Hiroshima University Takashi Nakata Hiroshima University An Mw 7.5 earthquake occurred at 16:10 JST on January 1, 2024 at a depth of 16 km on the Noto Peninsula, central Japan. This earthquake was the second-largest intraplate earthquake recorded in Japan during 120 years of seismic observation, and it caused approximately 100 km of coastal seafloor emergence along the peninsula's northern coast. Herein, we mapped the emergence of this coastal seafloor and measured the uplift along the coast. The movement of the coastline led to the emergence of approximately 4.4 km2 of seafloor, which is continuous and probably the longest in the world. We determined the uplift distribution along the coast using the white remains of a reddish seaweed called Corallina pilulifera. Its upper limit exhibited a distinct horizontal line, effectively representing the uplift amount throughout the peninsula. Two large, uplifted regions were identified, around Cape Saruyama (5.21 m) in the west and Cape Kurasaki (2.70 m) in the north. Although active offshore submarine faults have been extensively researched, the fault traces remain poorly defined because they are primarily interpreted from seismic reflection profiles. We identified the distribution of active submarine faults using anaglyph-type stereoscopic images, confirming the subsurface deformation structure seen through the seismic reflection profiles. The main fault trace is primarily straight and contiguous with the nearby north coast. The uplift amount is greater near the active fault traces on the north side and diminishes sharply with increasing distance from these faults, indicating a southward tilt of surface uplift related to the active submarine faults. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0169-555X 468 2025 Surface exposure ages of middle–late Pleistocene marine and fluvial terraces along the northern and southern Sanriku coasts, Northeast Japan 109497 EN Sachi Wakasa Institute of Regional Innovation, Hirosaki University Tatsuya Ishiyama Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo Daisuke Hirouchi Faculty of Education, Shinshu University Nobuhisa Matta Faculty of Education, Okayama University Natsuko Fujita Tono Geoscience center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency Tomoo Echigo Kankyo Chisitsu, Co. To estimate long-term rates of coastal uplift along the northern Pacific coast of Northeast Japan, we determined the surface exposure ages of marine and fluvial terraces based on terrestrial in situ cosmogenic radionuclide dating of exposed bedrock surfaces. Based on reinterpretation of marine and fluvial terraces, we collected samples from the northern and southern Sanriku coast. The surface exposure ages from 10Be concentrations in quartz calculated from the measured 10Be/9Be ratios commonly suggest MIS 5 and MIS 7 for the marine and fluvial terraces and averaged coastal uplift rates of ca. 0.25 ± 0.15 and 0.4 mm/yr along the northern and southern Sanriku coast at intermediate timescales. The results may demonstrate different styles of crustal strain accommodation in the northern Northeast Japan arc above the subducting Pacific plate. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0010-9452 194 2026 Increasing visual uncertainty modulates multisensory decision-making 50 62 EN Xiangfu Yang Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Weiping Yang Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Hubei University Yinghua Yu Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yoshimichi Ejima Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Jiajia Yang Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University The brain integrates and transforms information from multiple senses to make optimal decisions, a process that is critical for navigating complex environments with perceptual uncertainty. Despite a growing consensus that individuals adapt flexibly to uncertain sensory input, whether increasing visual uncertainty influences the decision process itself or other, non-decision sensory processes during multisensory decision-making are unclear. Here, an audiovisual categorization task was used to examine the responses of human participants (N = 30) to visual and audiovisual stimuli under low-, medium-, and high-uncertainty conditions. Modeling the behavioral data using a drift‒diffusion model indicated that increased visual uncertainty in the audiovisual context decreased the evidence accumulation rate but had no effect on non-decision processes. Electrophysiological recordings confirmed and expanded upon these results: increased visual uncertainty in the audiovisual context reduced the amplitude during the late decision-making stage (300–380 msec) but had no effect on the amplitude during the early sensory encoding stage (140–220 msec). More importantly, electroencephalography analyses revealed that audiovisual integration in the early sensory encoding stage occurred robustly across all visual uncertainty conditions, whereas audiovisual integration in the late stage occurred only under medium and high visual uncertainty conditions. This study demonstrated that increased visual uncertainty modulates the decision process itself rather than early sensory encoding during multisensory decision-making. Moreover, multisensory integration strategies dynamically adapt to increasing visual uncertainty by engaging different mechanisms to maintain effective decision-making. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2772-4271 21 2026 Assessing water resources availability and crop performance under climate change in Kenya's Bura irrigation scheme using SWAT and AquaCrop 100624 EN Daniel Mwendwa Wambua Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hiroaki Somura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Toshitsugu Moroizumi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Morihiro Maeda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University The current study focused on Tana River Basin in Kenya, home to the Bura irrigation scheme (BIS). The BIS faces water supply shortages during critical months of crop development. This study aimed to evaluate the available water resources and crop performance using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and AquaCrop, respectively, under historical and future shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) at the BIS. SWAT estimated the total available flows (TAF) at the BIS intake, whereas AquaCrop estimated crop water requirements (CWR), yields, and water productivity (Wpet) of rice and maize at various carbon (IV) oxide (CO2) levels. The study suggested that the TAF will remain relatively low during the early critical crop development stages in the main cropping season, August-October. Maize yields remained steady over the two cropping seasons under both constant and elevated CO2 levels in the historical and future periods, as opposed to those of rice. Elevated CO2 levels led to diminishing CWR. Moreover, rice showed a stronger response to elevated CO2 than maize. As a result, maize which is less affected by variations in CO2 and temperatures and has less crop water requirements will be better suited than rice for cultivation in the BIS under climate change. To ensure a sustainable water supply in the scheme, the government should increase rainwater harvesting during periods of high TAF. Moreover, there should be a focus on introducing crops that are tolerant to water and temperature stresses and that can reap the most from the elevated CO2 levels. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2772-5022 5 2 2025 Amelioration of Cd-induced bone deterioration by orally administered calcium phosphate 101482 EN Ping-chin Sung Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ahmad Bikharudin Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Okada Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Randa Musa Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kenta Uchida Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akihisa Otaka Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tadaaki Matsusaka Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Aira Matsugaki Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Takayoshi Nakano Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Takuya Matsumoto Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that accumulates in the body, primarily through daily grain intake, and has a high affinity for bone, leading to skeletal diseases such as osteomalacia and fractures. Hydroxyapatite (HAp), a major bone mineral component, is highly pH-sensitive and is known to incorporate Cd, as observed in studies of Itai-itai disease. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that HAp could serve as an effective oral detoxification material for heavy metals. This study investigated the efficacy of orally administered HAp in inhibiting Cd-induced changes in bone physical and chemical properties, comparing its effects to those of activated charcoal (AC), a common detoxifying agent. Six-week-old male ICR mice were exposed to cadmium via drinking water containing CdCl2 and subsequently given diets containing either HAp or AC for four weeks. Three-point bending tests, micro-CT analysis, and histological observations of the femurs demonstrated that mice receiving HAp exhibited improved mechanical strength and enhanced bone quality protection compared to the control and other Cd-treated groups. Activated charcoal also contributed to bone quality improvement at low concentrations, but its effect diminished at high concentrations. These results suggest that the oral administration of HAp may be a promising therapeutic strategy for suppressing cadmium-induced osteomalacia. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2076-3921 14 9 2025 Clinical Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Long COVID During the Omicron Phase in Japan 1068 EN Osamu Mese Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasue Sakurada Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuki Tokumasu Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiaki Soejima Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Morita Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuhiro Nakano Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroyuki Honda Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Akiko Eguchi Biobank Center, Mie University Hospital Sanae Fukuda Department of Health Welfare Sciences, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences Junzo Nojima Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yamaguchi University Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences To characterize changes in markers of oxidative stress for the clinical evaluation of patients with long COVID, we assessed oxidative stress and antioxidant activity based on serum samples from patients who visited our clinic between May and November 2024. Seventy-seven patients with long COVID (41 [53%] females and 36 [47%] males; median age, 44 years) were included. Median [interquartile range] serum levels of diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM; CARR Unit), biological antioxidant potential (BAP; μmol/L), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were 533.8 [454.9–627.6], 2385.8 [2169.2–2558.1] and 2.0 [1.7–2.5], respectively. Levels of d-ROMs (579.8 vs. 462.2) and OSI (2.3 vs. 1.8), but not BAP (2403.4 vs. 2352.6), were significantly higher in females than in males. OSI levels positively correlated with age and body mass index, whereas BAP levels negatively correlated with these parameters. d-ROM and OSI levels were significantly associated with inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, whereas BAP levels were inversely correlated with CRP and ferritin levels. Notably, serum free thyroxine levels were negatively correlated with d-ROMs and OSI, whereas cortisol levels were positively correlated with d-ROMs. Among long COVID symptoms, patients reporting brain fog exhibited significantly higher OSI levels (2.2 vs. 1.8), particularly among females (d-ROMs: 625.6 vs. 513.0; OSI: 2.4 vs. 2.0). The optimal OSI cut-off values were determined to be 1.32 for distinguishing long COVID from healthy controls and 1.92 for identifying brain fog among patients with long COVID. These findings suggest that oxidative stress markers may serve as indicators for the presence or prediction of psycho-neurological symptoms associated with long COVID in a gender-dependent manner. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 0009-2363 73 12 2025 Sequence-Selective 2′-O-Acetyl Modification of RNA Mediated by Duplex Formation with a Reactive Oligonucleotide Probe Incorporating 4-Thio-dT 1122 1125 EN Hirotaka Murase Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University Mio Eto Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University Jeongsu Lee Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University Yosuke Taniguchi Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shuhei Imoto Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University Shigeki Sasaki Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University We designed and synthesized an oligonucleotide acetylating reagent (Ac-probe) that selectively acetylates the 2′-OH groups of RNA upon forming a duplex with the target RNA. The Ac-probe can be readily prepared via a post-synthetic modification method using an oligodeoxynucleotide probe containing 4-thio-dT. During the acetylation reaction, 4-thio-dT is regenerated as the reaction proceeds. Notably, an efficient modification was observed when the complementary base of RNA to 4-thio-dT was cytosine or uracil, indicating the selectivity for the pyrimidine base. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2468-2942 45 2025 Neoadjuvant FOLFOXIRI for locally advanced rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis focusing on long-term anal preservation 101049 EN Ryohei Shoji Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fuminori Teraishi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Matsumi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yusuke Yoshida Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nobuhiko Kanaya Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kunitoshi Shigeyasu Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshitaka Kondo Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiko Mori Department of Digestive Tract and General Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University Shunsuke Kagawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences To investigate the safety and efficacy of FOLFOXIRI as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The outcomes of preoperative and perioperative treatments, as well as long-term outcomes, were retrospectively compared between 26 patients who underwent FOLFOXIRI as NAC for LARC with cT3–4 and/or N+ at our institute between 2015 and 2022, and 31 patients with LARC who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CAPOX-RT) at our institute between 2011 and 2022. Grade 3 or higher adverse events due to neoadjuvant treatment were significantly more common in the FOLFOXIRI group (11 cases, 42.3 %) than in the CAPOX-RT group (3 cases, 9.7 %), and most of these were neutropenia. Based on the postoperative pathological findings, the complete response rate was significantly lower in the FOLFOXIRI group (1 case, 3.8 %) than in the CAPOX-RT group (7 cases, 22.6 %), but there were no significant differences in the R0 resection rate, survival rate, or relapse-free survival rate. In the CAPOX-RT group, 17 patients (54.8 %) had anal preservation, and during the observation period, 4 patients required stoma construction due to loss of anal function in the late stage. In contrast, in the FOLFOXIRI group, there were no cases of loss of anal function among the 20 patients (76.9 %) who had anal preservation. FOLFOXIRI as NAC requires caution regarding hematological toxicity, but it can be an effective treatment option for patients with LARC who wish to preserve their anus. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1433-7851 64 13 2025 Conduction Band and Defect Engineering for the Prominent Visible‐Light Responsive Photocatalysts e202419624 EN Akira Yamakata Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kosaku Kato Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takafumi Ogawa Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center Kanta Ogawa Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Makoto Ogawa Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Daichi Kato Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Chengchao Zhong Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Akihide Kuwabara Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center Ryu Abe Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Hiroshi Kageyama Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Controlling trap depth is crucial to improve photocatalytic activity, but designing such crystal structures has been challenging. In this study, we discovered that in 2D materials like BiOCl and Bi4NbO8Cl, composed of interleaved [Bi2O2]2+ and Cl- slabs, the trap depth can be controlled by manipulating the slab stacking structure. In BiOCl, oxygen vacancies (VO) create deep electron traps, while chlorine vacancies (VCl) produce shallow traps. The depth is determined by the coordination around anion vacancies: VO forms strong σ bonds with Bi-6p dangling bonds below the conduction band minimum (CBM), while those around Cl are parallel, forming weak π-bonding. The strong re-hybridization makes the trap depth deeper. In Bi4NbO8Cl, VCl also creates shallow traps, but VO does not produce deep traps although Bi-6p orbitals are also forming strong σ bonding. This difference is attributed to the difference of the energy level of CBM. In both cases, the CBM consists of Bi-6p orbitals extending into the Cl layers. However, these orbitals are isolated in BiOCl, but those in Bi4NbO8Cl are bonded with each other between neighboring [Bi2O2]2+ layers. This unique bonding-based CBM prevents the formation of deep electron traps, and significantly enhances H2 evolution activity by prolonging the lifetime of highly reactive free electrons. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1424-3903 25 7 2025 Efficacy of diagnosing intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with mural nodules by contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound using time–intensity curve analysis with a new support program: A multicenter retrospective study (with video) 1103 1108 EN Kazuya Miyamoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Uchida Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuyuki Matsumoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Yosuke Saragai Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital Tsuneyoshi Ogawa Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital Toru Ueki Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital Kei Harada Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Nao Hattori Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Taisuke Obata Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Ryosuke Sato Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Akihiro Matsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Hiroyuki Terasawa Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Fujii Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Shigeru Horiguchi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Koichiro Tsutsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Soichiro Uemoto Business Strategy Division, Ryobi Systems Co., Ltd. Takayoshi Tanimoto Business Strategy Division, Ryobi Systems Co., Ltd. Akimitsu Ohto Business Strategy Division, Ryobi Systems Co., Ltd. Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Background/objectives: Preoperative diagnosis of the pathological grade of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS) using time–intensity curve (TIC) analysis with a newly developed support program to differentiate between low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/invasive carcinoma (IC) in IPMN.<br> Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who underwent CE-EUS using the support program for TIC analysis and IPMN resection (LGD: 17, HGD/IC: 15) at two medical centers. The TIC parameters of mural nodules (MN) were compared between the LGD and HGD/IC groups, and the diagnostic accuracies of the TIC parameters were evaluated.<br> Results: The MN/pancreatic parenchyma contrast ratio was significantly higher in the HGD/IC group than in the LGD group (1.53 vs. 0.99; P < 0.0001), and the diagnostic abilities of the contrast ratio were as follows: sensitivity, 67 %; specificity, 100 %; and accuracy, 84 %. There were no differences in the echo intensity reduction rate of the MNs between the two groups (HGD/IC, 61.6 vs. 61.2, 0.99; P = 0.421), and the diagnostic abilities of the reduction rate were as follows: sensitivity, 93 %; specificity, 41 %; and accuracy, 66 %.<br> Conclusions: The contrast ratio calculated using TIC analysis with the support program is potentially useful for differentiating between IPMNs with LGD and those with HGD/IC. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Informa UK Limited Acta Medica Okayama 1949-0976 17 1 2025 Asiatic acid, a novel ciprofloxacin adjuvant inhibits Shigella flexneri infection 2586329 EN Priyanka Maitra Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Samhati Bhukta Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Animesh Gope Division of Clinical Medicine, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Pratanu Kayet Division of Bioinformatics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Surajit Basak Division of Bioinformatics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Shin-Ichi Miyoshi Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kei Kitahara Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Shanta Dutta Department of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Sushmita Bhattacharya Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Bacterial infection caused by intracellular pathogens such as Shigella flexneri is a rapidly increasing global health concern that requires urgent and necessary action. The dearth of licensed vaccines against shigellosis and the decline in susceptibility to conventional antibiotics has encouraged the development of new antibiotic principles and drugs. The treatment options are decreasing faster than the discovery rate of new antibacterial agents. Combinatorial approach of antibiotics with non-antibiotic adjuvants is a promising aspect to treat resistant bacterial infections. Asiatic acid, a membrane-disrupting triterpenoid with wide antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, can potentiate antibiotics, but the exact mechanisms remain broadly unexplored. Therefore, in this study, we screened the interaction of asiatic acid with several antibiotics. The results showed synergistic interactions of asiatic acid with antibiotics against susceptible and multidrug-resistant S. flexneri clinical isolates. Particularly important was the interaction of asiatic acid with the quinolone antibiotics ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. A detailed study showed that combined treatment of asiatic acid with ciprofloxacin inhibited S. flexneri biofilm formation and resistance development. An increase in membrane disruption and depolarization upon co-treatment was evident by surface electron and confocal microscopy. In addition, asiatic acid and ciprofloxacin synergism was identified to inhibit efflux activity and intracellular bacterial viability. However, asiatic acid showed no synergistic toxicity with ciprofloxacin towards mammalian cells. The antibacterial activity was further verified in a S. flexneri infected mice model. Therapeutic benefits were evident with reduced bacterial burden, recovery from intestinal tissue damage and increase in mice survivability. The results showed that this combination can target the bacterial membrane, efflux pump proteins and biofilm formation, thereby preventing resistance development. The combination treatment offers a proof of concept in targeting essential bacterial activities and might be developed into a novel and efficient treatment alternative against S. flexneri. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1470-160X 177 2025 Long-term effects of forest growth dynamics and climate change on groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration in a steep catchment of western Japan 113652 EN Rendilicha Halake Guyo Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kunyang Wang Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Shin-ichi Onodera Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Mitsuyo Saito Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Toshitsugu Moroizumi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Growing water demand for human and environmental needs has led to increased reliance on groundwater resources. However, groundwater is a finite resource, and its sustainability is closely linked to recharge processes, which are influenced by forest growth dynamics as well as climate change. Evapotranspiration, largely driven by vegetation cover and climatic conditions, represents a major component of terrestrial water loss that can reduce groundwater recharge. In this study, forest growth trends, reflecting the complete developmental stages from juvenile to post-maturity of a representative species, were reconstructed using remote sensing data, forest inventories, and field studies, and incorporated into the SWAT model to evaluate their impacts on groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration as indicators of forest hydrological function and ecosystem health. The model’s vegetation growth simulation was enhanced and uncertainty reduced by dynamically updating it with MODIS-derived leaf area index (LAI) at 5-year intervals. Groundwater recharge estimates were further improved through multi-variable calibration using Penman–Monteith–Leuning evapotranspiration (V2) and streamflow data to ensure water budget closure. Results showed that evergreen conifer growth from planting to maturity significantly reduced groundwater recharge (–4.7 mm/year) and increased evapotranspiration (+7.6 mm/year). In contrast, natural and mature deciduous broadleaf forests showed more stable recharge and evapotranspiration trends. Rising temperatures were identified as a key climatic driver of reduced recharge and increased evapotranspiration, reflecting broader global warming impacts. This study demonstrates that forest growth dynamics, especially during the critical transition from planting to maturity, alongside climate change, play a crucial role in shaping the catchment’s water balance and offer valuable insights for sustainable groundwater management, particularly in transitional forest ecosystems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Informa UK Limited Acta Medica Okayama 2766-0400 5 1 2025 Linking structure and process in dendritic growth using persistent homology with energy analysis 2475735 EN Misato Tone Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Shunsuke Sato Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Sotaro Kunii Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Ippei Obayashi Center for Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Data Science, Okayama University Yasuaki Hiraoka Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University Yui Ogawa NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation Hirokazu Fukidome Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University Alexandre Lira Foggiatto Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Chiharu Mitsumata Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Ryunosuke Nagaoka Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Arpita Varadwaj Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Iwao Matsuda Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo Masato Kotsugi Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science We present a material analysis method that links structure and process in dendritic growth using explainable machine learning approaches. We employed persistent homology (PH) to quantitatively characterize the morphology of dendritic microstructures. By using interpretable machine learning with energy analysis, we established a robust relationship between structural features and Gibbs free energy. Through a detailed analysis of how Gibbs free energy evolves with morphological changes in dendrites, we uncovered specific conditions that influence the branching of dendritic structures. Moreover, energy gradient analysis based on morphological feature provides a deeper understanding of the branching mechanisms and offers a pathway to optimize thin-film growth processes. Integrating topology and free energy enables the optimization of a range of materials from fundamental research to practical applications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1616-301X 2025 A Biologically-Architected Wear and Damage-Resistant Nanoparticle Coating From the Radular Teeth of Cryptochiton stelleri e21664 EN Taifeng Wang Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Yu Chen Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University Ezra Sarmiento Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Taige Hao Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program, University of California Atsushi Arakaki Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Michiko Nemoto Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Pablo Zavattieri Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University David Kisailus Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Nature utilizes simple building blocks to construct mechanically robust materials that demonstrate superior performance under extreme conditions. These exquisite structures result from the controlled synthesis and hierarchical assembly of nanoscale organic and mineral components that have provided critical evolutionary advantages to ensure survival. One such example is the ultrahard radular teeth found in mollusks, which are used to scrape against rock to feed on algae. Here, it is reported that the leading edges of these teeth consist of a wear-resistant coating that is comprised of densely packed ≈65 nm magnetic nanoparticles integrated within an organic matrix of chitin and protein. These mesocrystalline magnetite-based structures are assembled from smaller, highly aligned nanocrystals with inter/intracrystalline organics introduced during the crystallization process. Nanomechanical testing reveals that this multi-scale, nano-architected coating has a combination of increased hardness and a slight decrease in modulus versus geologic magnetite provides the surface of the chiton tooth with superior abrasion resistance. The mesocrystalline structures fracture at primary domain interfaces, corroborated by computational models, providing significant toughening to the tooth under extreme contact stresses. The design features revealed provide insight for the design and fabrication of next-generation advanced wear- and impact-resistant coatings for tooling, machinery, wind turbines, armor, etc. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2168-8184 17 1 2025 Mid-term Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of the Actis Total Hip System: A Retrospective Study e77632 EN Yasutaka Masada Department of Medical Materials for Musculoskeletal Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomonori Tetsunaga Department of Musculoskeletal Health Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuki Yamada Department of Medical Materials for Musculoskeletal Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Koura Department of Medical Materials for Musculoskeletal Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiro Inoue Department of Medical Materials for Musculoskeletal Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ryuichiro Okuda Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoko Tetsunaga Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Yusuke Yokoyama Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Okazaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Introduction<br> Implant technology for total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed to improve hip function and patient satisfaction. Actis (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA) is a short fit-and-fill titanium stem, with a medial-collared and triple-taper (MCTT) geometry, that is fully coated with hydroxyapatite (HA). We evaluated the radiographic and clinical outcomes of the Actis Total Hip System during a mean follow-up of five years.<br> Patients and methods<br> We retrospectively analyzed data from 80 patients (14 male and 66 female, mean age: 65 ± 8.4 years) who underwent primary THA using Actis stems (anterolateral approach, 60 hips; posterior approach, 20 hips). Radiographs were obtained postoperatively and at the time of the final examination. Radiographic assessments included the alignment of the femoral stem, spot welds, stress shielding, cortical hypertrophy, subsidence (>2 mm), radiolucent line, pedestal formation, Dorr type, canal fill ratio (CFR), and stem fixation. Clinical evaluation included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip-Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) and Harris Hip Score (HHS).<br> Results<br> The mean follow-up period was 64.0 ± 6.0 months. No significant differences were observed in the alignment of the femoral components between approaches. Of the 80 hips, 53 (66.3%) showed radiographic signs of stem osseointegration, predominantly in the mid-distal region of the stem at the final follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age and a higher CFR (20 mm proximal to the lesser trochanter) were associated with the presence of spot welds. Mild stress shielding occurred in 25 hips (31.3%), and no patient experienced severe stress shielding. All stems were fixed by bone on growth. The JHEQ and HHS significantly improved at the final assessment.<br> Conclusion<br> At the five-year follow-up, patients who received the Actis Total Hip System during THA had good radiographic and clinical outcomes.<br> No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1434-3916 145 1 2025 Changes in the anatomical positions of the femoral nerve and artery in the lateral and supine positions: a multicenter retrospective study 373 EN Ryuichiro Okuda Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Tomonori Tetsunaga Department of Musculoskeletal Health Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuki Yamada Department of Medical Materials for Musculoskeletal Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoko Tetsunaga Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Koura Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Tomohiro Inoue Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Yasutaka Masada Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Tetsuya Yamamoto Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Shin Matsumoto Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Hisanori Ikuma Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Tadashi Komatsubara Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama Rosai Hospital Yuki Okazaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Introduction Femoral nerve palsy and femoral artery injury are serious complications of total hip arthroplasty. However, few studies have compared the anatomical positions of these structures in different patient positions. This study aimed to compare the anatomical positions of the femoral nerve and artery in the lateral and supine positions.<br> Materials and methods This multicenter retrospective study included 111 patients who underwent lateral and supine computed tomography (CT) from 2016 to 2023. CT images were reconstructed in the anterior pelvic plane. The horizontal distance from the anterior margin of the acetabulum to the femoral nerve (Distance N) and femoral artery (Distance A) was measured. The difference in Distance N between the two positions (ΔLateral–supine Distance N) was calculated by subtracting the supine value from the lateral value.<br> Results The average Distance N was 26.5 ± 5.1 mm in the lateral position and 21.1 ± 4.4 mm in the supine position, with the nerve located significantly closer to the acetabulum in the supine position (P < 0.001). Similarly, the average Distance A was 26.8 ± 5.4 mm in the lateral position and 20.4 ± 4.9 mm in the supine position (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that Distance N in the lateral position was significantly shorter in female patients and those with low body weight. In addition, low body weight correlated with a smaller ΔLateral–supine Distance N.<br> Conclusions The femoral nerve and artery are located closer to the anterior margin of the acetabulum in the supine position than in the lateral position. Low body weight was an independent predictor of shorter Distance N in both positions and a smaller ΔLateral–supine Distance N. These findings underscore the importance of considering patient positioning during total hip arthroplasty, particularly in patients with low body weight, to reduce neurovascular risks. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Studies on the functional roles of γδ T cells in the early phase of acute avian coccidiosis EN LE VIET QUAN Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Morphological/developmental characteristics and oxidative stress resilience of porcine oocytes derived from antral follicles with various diameters and classified by brilliant cresyl blue staining EN VAN NGOC PHONG Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 A capsidless (+)RNA yadokarivirus hosted by a dsRNA victorivirus is infectious as particles, cDNA, and dsRNA EN MUHAMMAD FADLI Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Functional characterization of a guard cell Ca2+ channel CNGC2 involved in regulation of stomatal movement in Arabidopsis thaliana EN ROJINA AKTER Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 道路法面の3次元点群データに基づく変状抽出手法の確立と実用化に関する研究 EN Yuji HOSHINO Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Design and Synthesis of Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase Inhibitors Using 1,3-Oxazole as a Heme-Iron Binding Group EN Yoshiteru ITO Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Development of a production method for biologically active globular proteins through chemical modification-based solubilization of denatured proteins EN Shuichiro KIMURA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 A Blockchain-Based PGP Key Sharing Mechanism for Secure Email Communication EN MD. BIPLOB HOSSAIN Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 A Study of Indoor Navigation System Using Unity Game Engine and Smartphone EN EVIANITA DEWI FAJRIANTI Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Coherence Generation in Atomic Cesium for Cosmic Dark Matter Detection EN JING WANG Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 交代符号行列と数理物理モデルとの関係および組み合わせゲーム理論への応用 EN Toyokazu OMOTO Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Therapeutic effects of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived stromal cells (SB623) with voluntary and forced exercise in a rat model of ischemic stroke EN Takayuki NAGASE Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Repeated non-hemorrhagic and non-contusional mild traumatic brain injury in rats elicits behavioral impairment with microglial activation, astrogliosis, and tauopathy: Reproducible and quantitative model of chronic traumatic encephalopathy EN Chiaki SUGAHARA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1465-3621 55 4 2025 Current management of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase fusion-positive sarcoma: an updated review 313 326 EN Yuta Kubota Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University Masanori Kawano Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University Tatsuya Iwasaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University Ichiro Itonaga Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University Nobuhiro Kaku Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiro Tanaka Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University In recent years, pembrolizumab has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating tumors characterized by a high tumor mutational burden and high microsatellite instability. Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors have shown considerable efficacy against tumors harboring neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) fusion genes, highlighting the growing importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment. Advanced sequencing technologies enable the rapid analysis of numerous genetic abnormalities in tumors, facilitating the identification of patients with positive biomarkers. These advances have increased the likelihood of providing effective, tailored treatments. NTRK fusion genes are present in various cancer types, including sarcomas, and the TRK inhibitors larotrectinib and entrectinib have been effectively used for these malignancies. Consequently, the treatment outcomes for NTRK fusion-positive tumors have improved significantly, reflecting a shift toward more personalized therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on NTRK fusion-positive sarcomas and comprehensively evaluates their epidemiology, clinical features, and radiological and histological characteristics. We also investigated the treatment landscape, including the latest methodologies involving TRK inhibitors, and discussed the long-term efficacy of these inhibitors, and their optimal order of use. Notably, larotrectinib has demonstrated a high response rate in infantile fibrosarcoma, and its efficacy has been confirmed even in advanced cases. However, further research is warranted to optimize treatment duration and subsequent management strategies. The accumulation of clinical cases worldwide will play a pivotal role in refining the treatment approaches for tumors associated with NTRK fusion genes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0006-291X 786 2025 Hydrogen-rich gas enhances mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory function recovery in Caco-2 cells post-ischemia-reperfusion injury 152753 EN Mizuki Seya Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiyuki Aokage Biological Process of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology Ying Meng Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takahiro Hirayama Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tsuyoshi Nojima Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kosaki Yoshinori Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Akihiro Watanabe Department of Emergency, Disaster and Critical Care Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Taihei Yamada Department of Emergency, Disaster and Critical Care Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces oxidative stress, leading to damage in highly susceptible intestinal tissues. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has shown therapeutic potential in I/R injuries, with our prior research showing its efficacy in improving outcomes in rat intestinal transplantation models. However, its impact on mitochondrial function remain insufficiently understood. This study aims to elucidate how H2 modulates mitochondrial function impaired by I/R injury.<br> Methods: To assess the effects of H2 on I/R injury, cells were divided into three groups: a control group, a hypoxic group (99 % N2, 1 % O2, without H2 for 3, 6, or 24 h), and a hypoxic-H2 group (99 % H2, 1 % O2, for the same durations). After treatment, cells were reoxygenated under normoxic conditions (21 % O2) for 1, 2, 4, or 6 h. Mitochondrial membrane potential, oxygen consumption, and ATP production were measured. Reactive oxygen species production and apoptotic and metabolic regulators were also assessed.<br> Results: H2 markedly promoting mitochondrial recovery following I/R injury, by enhancing ATP production, restoring mitochondrial membrane potential, and improving oxygen consumption. It also reduced ROS levels and suppressed pro-apoptotic signaling. Notably, H2 suppressed the expression of HIF1α and PDK1, suggesting that H2 may act upstream of hypoxia-driven signaling pathways. These changes promoted oxidative phosphorylation and overall cellular function during reperfusion.<br> Conclusions: Our findings reveal that H2 therapy supports mitochondrial function, suppresses ROS, and modulates hypoxia-driven pathways in I/R injury. These insights advance the understanding of H2's potential in addressing I/R injury and provide a foundation for its application in other hypoxia-related conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0341-8162 254 2025 Cellulose nanofibers boost soil water availability, plant growth, and irrigation water use efficiency under deficit irrigation 108998 EN An Thuy Ngo Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Manh Cong Nguyen Nong Lam University Morihiro Maeda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yasushi Mori Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Under climate change, even previously rainfall-prone areas may experience droughts, and effective strategies are vital for soil conservation. Owing to their cutting-edge water absorption and storage properties, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are expected to increase soil water availability and help plants resist water stress. However, the role of CNF in improving plant growth and soil water retention under various irrigation regimes is not yet known. We evaluated the effects of CNFs on plant available water (PAW), germination, plant growth, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under both adequate and deficit irrigation conditions. Plant cultivation experiments were conducted using different CNF dosages (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%), irrigation levels (I100, I50, and I25), and soil types (sandy and silty loam). The results indicated that CNF significantly increased field capacity (FC) and PAW in both soil types, with PAW in CNF-amended soils increasing by up to 110% and 88% in sandy and silty loam soil, respectively, at 1% CNF dosage. In germination tests, CNF showed no phytotoxicity and supported the germination process during water stress, with enhancements of up to 64% and 163% at I50 and up to 125% and 214% at I25 in germination percentage and germination index, respectively. Plant growth experiments revealed that CNF addition helped plants resist water stress, maintaining plant height and weight close to those under full irrigation, while using 50% less water. IWUE analyses demonstrated that CNF enhanced IWUE, with increases of up to 56% under sufficient watering (I100), 169% under moderate water stress (I50), and 120% under severe water stress (I25), at 1% CNF dosage. These findings highlight the potential of CNF as a multifaceted amendment, offering practical solutions for addressing water scarcity challenges and contributing to more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2590-1230 27 2025 Voxel-based method for predicting workpiece chipping in end milling of unsintered pure iron-powder compact 106656 EN Hiroto Takayasu Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University Kazuki Kaneko Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Jun Shimizu Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University The miniaturization and high-torque requirements of electric motors in automotive and industrial applications have increased the adoption of axial-gap motors that employ unsintered pure iron-powder compacts. However, machining these brittle materials, particularly through end milling, typically results in significant workpiece chipping, which impedes cost-effective prototyping and small-lot production. Conventional chipping-prediction approaches, such as finite-element analysis and critical uncut chip-thickness methods, are limited by their computational costs and prediction accuracy, respectively. This study proposes a novel method for predicting chipping regions in the end milling of pure iron-powder compacts via voxel-based cutting-force simulation. The chipping risk at each voxel was evaluated based on the magnitude and direction of the simulated cutting force and local workpiece rigidity. Chipping was predicted when the risk index exceeded the threshold value. Cutting experiments were conducted to validate the proposed method, which shows good agreement between the predicted and observed chipping regions under various milling conditions. The results indicate that the proposed method can efficiently and accurately predict the chipping regions, thus outperforming conventional approaches in terms of computational cost. Although parameter tuning and threshold calibration were performed experimentally, the voxel-based framework enables practical prediction and analysis of transient machining phenomena. Future investigations shall focus on expanding the method to a wider range of machining conditions and integrating material-property considerations for further generalization. This approach offers a practical tool for optimizing machining parameters to minimize chipping and enhance the manufacturability of brittle powder compacts. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0301-679X 214 2026 The influence of lubricant additives and surface roughness and hardness of material on the damage behavior of gears 111341 EN Takuya Ohno Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tadashi Shiota Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masahiro Fujii Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University This study investigates the influence of lubricant additives, surface roughness, and material hardness on gear damage behavior under boundary lubrication conditions. We conducted both the Short-term Test and the Standard Test using an FZG gear test machine to evaluate how lubricant additives and gear surface roughness influence damage progression when the surface roughness exceeds the oil-film thickness. Acid phosphate ester effectively suppressed micropitting through surface smoothing but led to severe damage such as pitting and scuffing during prolonged use. In contrast, sulfurized fatty oil promoted mild wear, delaying catastrophic failures and extending gear life. Higher surface roughness accelerated wear, while increased hardness reduced deformation but it expanded damage areas. The study found that initial surface roughness and its progress during load stages strongly correlate with gear durability. Measurement of arithmetic mean roughness after sufficient running-in under actual load conditions proved useful for predicting long-term performance. These findings highlight the importance of selecting lubricant formulations tailored to specific gear operating environments and damage modes. Understanding the interplay between lubrication chemistry and material properties enables the design of more durable gear systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1464-6722 26 11 2025 Comparative Genomic Analysis Identifies FleQ and GcbB as Virulence-Associated Factors in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci Strains e70168 EN Muhammad Taufiq Hidayat Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kei Yoshioka Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University Takafumi Nishimura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shuta Asai Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sachiko Masuda Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN-TRIP Ken Shirasu Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN-TRIP Nanami Sakata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mikihiro Yamamoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yoshiteru Noutoshi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhiro Toyoda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuki Ichinose Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidenori Matsui Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pta) is an important plant pathogen, which causes wildfire disease in Nicotiana species. However, the genetic basis underlying strain-level differences in virulence remains largely unresolved. To address this, we performed a comparative genomic analysis between a highly virulent strain Pta6605 and a less virulent strain Pta7375. Despite high overall genome similarity, we identified key single-nucleotide polymorphisms, including premature stop-codon mutations in seven open reading frames in Pta7375. Notably, point mutations in two regulatory genes, such as fleQ, which encodes a transcription factor essential for flagellar biogenesis and biofilm formation, and gcbB, which encodes a GGDEF domain-containing diguanylate cyclase responsible for cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) synthesis, were implicated in virulence disparity. Functional analyses using deletion and locus replacement mutants in the Pta6605 background revealed that the disruption of fleQ markedly reduced motility, flagellin production, c-di-GMP accumulation, biofilm formation and virulence level mirroring the Pta7375 phenotype. The gcbB replacement mutant showed reduced disease symptom development, although c-di-GMP levels remained comparable to the Pta6605 wild type. Locus replacement between strains confirmed that a point mutation in fleQ was the primary driver of reduced motility and flagellin expression in Pta7375. These findings indicate that the reduced virulence of Pta7375 is associated with impaired regulation of flagella-related genes and disruption of the FleQ-mediated c-di-GMP signalling, underscoring the value of comparative genomics in disentangling the complex regulatory networks that govern virulence in plant pathogens. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0014-4886 386 2025 Therapeutic effects of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived stromal cells (SB623) with voluntary and forced exercise in a rat model of ischemic stroke 115145 EN Takayuki Nagase Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takao Yasuhara Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kyohei Kin Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Susumu Sasada Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoshi Kawauchi Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Yabuno Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chiaki Sugahara Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuichi Hirata Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hayato Miyake Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tatsuya Sasaki Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Koji Kawai Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shun Tanimoto Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tomoya Saijo Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shota Tanaka Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ischemic stroke results in significant long-term disability and mortality worldwide. Although existing therapies, such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and mechanical thrombectomy, have shown promise, their application is limited by stringent conditions. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation, especially using SB623 cells (modified human bone marrow-derived MSCs), has emerged as a promising alternative, promoting neurogenesis and recovery. This study evaluated the effects of voluntary and forced exercise, alone and in combination with SB623 cell transplantation, on neurological and psychological outcomes in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Male Wistar rats that had undergone middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were divided into six groups: control, voluntary exercise (V-Ex), forced exercise (F-Ex), SB623 transplantation, SB623 + V-Ex, and SB623 + F-Ex. Voluntary exercise was facilitated using running wheels, while forced exercise was conducted on treadmills. Neurological recovery was assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Psychological symptoms were evaluated through the open field test (OFT) and forced swim test (FST), and neurogenesis was assessed via BrdU labeling. Both exercise groups exhibited significant changes in body weight post-MCAO. Both exercises enhanced the treatment effect of SB623 transplantation. The forced exercise showed a stronger treatment effect on ischemic stroke than voluntary exercise alone, and the sole voluntary exercise improved depression-like behavior. The SB623 + F-Ex group demonstrated the greatest improvements in motor function, infarct area reduction, and neurogenesis. The SB623 + V-Ex group was most effective in alleviating depression-like behavior. Future research should optimize these exercise protocols and elucidate the underlying mechanisms to develop tailored rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1471-2253 25 1 2025 Clinical predictors of extubation failure in postoperative critically ill patients: a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study 127 EN Jun Hattori Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University Aiko Tanaka Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Junko Kosaka Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Osamu Hirao Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka General Medical Center Nana Furushima Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kobe University Hospital Yuichi Maki Department of Anesthesiology, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center Daijiro Kabata Center for Mathematical and Data Science, Kobe University Akinori Uchiyama Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Moritoki Egi Department of Anesthesia, Kyoto University Hospital Hiroshi Morimatsu Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Satoshi Mizobuchi Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kobe University Hospital Yoshifumi Kotake Department of Anesthesiology, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center Ayumi Shintani Department of Medical Statistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Yukiko Koyama Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Takeshi Yoshida Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Yuji Fujino Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Background Postoperative patients constitute majority of critically ill patients, although factors predicting extubation failure in this group of patients remain unidentified. Aiming to propose clinical predictors of reintubation in postoperative patients, we conducted a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study.<br> Methods This study included postoperative critically ill patients who underwent mechanical ventilation for > 24 h and were extubated after a successful 30-min spontaneous breathing trial. The primary outcome was reintubation within 48 h after extubation, and clinical predictors for reintubation were investigated using logistic regression analyses.<br> Results Among the 355 included patients, 10.7% required reintubation. Multivariable logistic regression identified that the number of endotracheal suctioning episodes during the 24 h before extubation and underlying respiratory disease or pneumonia occurrence were significantly associated with reintubation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.18, p < 0.001; adjusted OR 2.58, 95%CI 1.30–5.13, p = 0.007). The probability of reintubation was increased significantly with the higher frequency of endotracheal suctioning, as indicated by restricted cubic splines. Subgroup analysis showed that these predictors were consistently associated with reintubation regardless of the use of noninvasive respiratory support after extubation.<br> Conclusions Endotracheal suctioning frequency and respiratory complications were identified as independent predictors of reintubation. These readily obtainable predictors may aid in decision-making regarding the extubation of postoperative patients. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2051-5960 13 1 2025 Rotenone targets midbrain astrocytes to produce glial dysfunction-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration 234 EN Ikuko Miyazaki Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nami Isooka Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryo Kikuoka Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fuminori Imafuku Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kaori Masai Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kana Tomimoto Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masakiyo Sakaguchi Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chiharu Sogawa Department of Food and Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Institute of Technology Norio Sogawa Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshihisa Kitamura Department of Pharmacotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University Masato Asanuma Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Exposure to pesticides, such as rotenone or paraquat, is an environmental factor that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rotenone induces PD-like pathology and is therefore used to develop parkinsonian animal models. Dopaminergic neurotoxicity caused by rotenone has been attributed to the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation; however, the mechanisms underlying selective dopaminergic neurodegeneration by rotenone remain unclear. To resolve this, we focused on glial diversity and examined whether the brain region-specific glial response to rotenone could determine the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons using primary cultured neurons, astrocytes and microglia from the midbrain and striatum of rat embryos and rotenone-injected PD model mice. Direct neuronal treatment with low-dose rotenone failed to damage dopaminergic neurons. Conversely, rotenone exposure in the presence of midbrain astrocyte and microglia or conditioned media from rotenone-treated midbrain glial cultures containing astrocytes and microglia produced dopaminergic neurotoxicity, but striatal glia did not. Surprisingly, conditioned media from rotenone-treated midbrain astrocytes or microglia monocultures did not affect neuronal survival. We also demonstrated that rotenone targeted midbrain astrocytes prior to microglia to induce dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Rotenone-treated astrocytes produced secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) extracellularly, which induced microglial proliferation, increase in IL-1β and TNF-α, and NF-κB (p65) nuclear translocation in microglia, resulting in dopaminergic neurodegeneration. In addition, rotenone exposure caused the secretion of NFAT-related inflammatory cytokines and a reduction in the level of an antioxidant metallothionein (MT)-1 from midbrain glia. Furthermore, we observed microglial proliferation and a decrease in the number of MT-positive astrocytes in the substantia nigra, but not the striatum, of low-dose rotenone-injected PD model mice. Our data highlight that rotenone targets midbrain astrocytes, leading to SPARC secretion, which promotes the neurotoxic conversion of microglia and leads to glial dysfunction-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2077-0383 14 17 2025 Potential of Kidney Exchange Programs (KEPs) in Japan for Donor-Specific Antibody-Positive Kidney Transplants: A Questionnaire Survey on KEPs and a Multi-Institutional Study Conducting Virtual Cross-Matching Simulations 6122 EN Taihei Ito Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Miki Ito Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Naohiro Aida Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Kei Kurihara Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Akihiro Terao Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Yoshihiko Watarai Department of Transplant Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital Mitsuru Saito Division of Blood Purification, Akita University Hospital Keizo Kaku Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Daisuke Ishii Department of Urology, Kitasato University of Medicine Satoshi Sekiguchi Transplantation Surgery, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Sendai Hospital Tatsuo Yoneda Unit of Dialysis, Department of Urology, Nara Medical University Kohei Unagami Organ Transplant Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Masayuki Tasaki Division of Urology, Department of Regenerative & Transplant Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University Hitoshi Iwamoto Department of Kidney Transplantation Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center Motoo Araki Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhiro Takahashi Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, University of Tsukuba Kazuaki Yamanaka Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Mikio Sugimoto Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Adrenal Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Kagawa University Kouhei Nishikawa Department of Nephro-Urologic Surgery and Andrology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine Chikashi Seto Department of Urology, Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital Masaki Muramatsu Department of Nephrology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine Toshihiro Asai Department of Kidney Transplant and Dialysis, Osaka City General Hospital Daiki Iwami Division of Renal Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Urology, Jichi Medical University Yasutoshi Yamada Department of Blood Purification, Kagoshima University Hospital Shigeyoshi Yamanaga Department of Transplant Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital Tomonori Komatsu Department of Urology, Chukyo Hospital, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Masayoshi Miura Department of Renal Transplantation Surgery and Urology, Sapporo Hokuyu Hospital Takahiro Nohara Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Hospital Michihiro Maruyama Department of Frontier Surgery, Chiba University School of Medicine Yuki Miyauchi Department of Urology, Ehime University Toshiaki Tanaka Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University Michio Nakamura Department of Transplant Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine Kiyohiko Hotta Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University Takashi Kenmochi Department of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Objectives: To clarify the need for a kidney exchange program (KEP) in Japan by conducting a questionnaire survey on KEPs and simulated KEPs by virtual cross-matching based on past cases of transplantation avoidance. Methods: In addition to the content regarding KEPs, an electronic survey was conducted to investigate the number of cases of kidney transplant abandonment due to “immunological” reasons over the past 10 years (2012–2021). Virtual cross-matching was conducted to simulate the feasibility of avoiding immunological risks and enabling kidney transplantation in patients who were previously unable to undergo the procedure. Results: The survey received responses from 107 facilities (response rate: 81.7%). In response to the question about the necessity of a KEP in Japan, 71 facilities (66.4%) indicated that KEPs are necessary. In addition, 251 living-donor kidney transplants were abandoned for “immunological” reasons over the past decade (2012–2021). Among the 80 pairs for which detailed information was available, virtual cross-matching simulations showed that 37/80 pairs (46.3%) were donor-specific antibody (DSA)-negative for blood type-matched combinations, and 41/80 pairs (51.3%) were DSA-negative for blood type-incompatible transplants. Conclusions: The need for a KEP in Japan and its potential usefulness were demonstrated. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 1744-683X 21 43 2025 Effect of the pH value on compression and array structures of highly charged microgels at the air/water interface 8323 8333 EN Takahisa Kawamoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Haruka Minato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daisuke Suzuki Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Understanding the interfacial behavior of stimuli-responsive microgels is critical for applications such as foam and emulsion stabilization, as well as for the fabrication of two-dimensional colloidal crystals using the interfaces. In this study, the pH-dependent compression behavior and array structures of micron-sized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgels at the air/water interface was investigated. By combining a Langmuir trough with fluorescence microscopy, microgel arrays under compression and acidic (pH = 3) or basic (pH = 9) conditions were directly visualized. At pH = 9, the carboxyl groups within the microgels are deprotonated, resulting in significant swelling and the formation of ordered hexagonal arrays with high crystallinity (Ψ6 > 0.84) upon compression. In contrast, at pH = 3, the carboxyl groups within the microgels are protonated, leading to a suppression of the electrostatic repulsion between neighboring microgels and a reduction in crystallinity (Ψ6 ∼ 0.70) of the microgel arrays before and after compression. Furthermore, the calculated surface-compression modulus using the compression isotherms indicated higher interfacial elasticity for charged microgels, demonstrating that electrostatic repulsion governs both array ordering and mechanical robustness. These findings provide fundamental insights into the role of charge in controlling the microgel structure and mechanics at interfaces, thus offering further guidelines for the design of stimuli-responsive materials and stabilizers for foams and emulsions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2075-1729 15 11 2025 Kidney Organoids: Current Advances and Applications 1680 EN Hiroyuki Nakanoh Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kenji Tsuji Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiko Fukushima Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Naruhiko Uchida Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Soichiro Haraguchi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shinji Kitamura Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Jun Wada Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kidney organoids, derived from stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells and adult progenitor cells, have been reported as three-dimensional in vitro models that reflect key aspects of kidney development, structure, and function. Advances in differentiation protocols and tissue engineering have enabled the generation of organoids that exhibit nephron-like structures, including glomerular and tubular structures. Kidney organoids have been widely applied in several directions, including disease modeling and therapeutic screening, drug nephrotoxicity evaluation, and regenerative medicine. In particular, kidney organoids offer a promising platform for studying genetic kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), by allowing patient-specific modeling for the analysis of pathophysiology and therapeutic screening. Despite several current limitations, such as incomplete maturation, lack of full nephron segmentation, and variability between protocols and cell conditions, further technological innovations such as microfluidics and bioengineering may refine kidney organoid systems. This review highlights recent advances in kidney organoid research, outlines major applications, and discusses future directions to enhance their physiological relevance, functional maturity, and translational integration into preclinical and clinical nephrology. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1439-0108 2025 Coupling effects of biochar and sediment microbial fuel cells on CH4 and CO2 emissions from straw-amended paddy soil EN Adhena Tesfau Bekele Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Morihiro Maeda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nozomi Nakahara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ayumi Hashiguchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroaki Somura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Satoshi Akao Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University Chiyu Nakano Department of Comprehensive Technical Solutions, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Purpose The independent incorporation of biochar and sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) into paddy soil has been shown to reduce methane (CH4) emissions. However, the application of rice straw into paddy soil enhances the availability of labile carbon that stimulates methanogen growth, counteracting the mitigation effects of both methods. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of coupling biochar and SMFC on CH4 and CO2 emissions from straw-amended paddy soil.<br> Materials and methods Single chamber SMFC setups constructed using acrylic columns (height, 25 cm; inner diameter, 9 cm) with six treatments were established using soil amended with 0% (0BC), 1% (1BC), and 2% (2BC) biochar: with and without SMFC conditions. Stainless steel mesh (15 × 3 cm) and graphite felt (6 × 5 cm) were used as anode and cathode materials, respectively.<br> Results Cumulative emission of CH4 in the 0BC treatment with SMFC was 39% less than in that without SMFC. Biochar addition and SMFC operation together further reduced CH4 emission by 57% and 60% in 1BC and 2BC treatments, respectively, compared to that in the 0BC treatment without SMFC operation. The relative abundance of microbial communities indicated methane-oxidizing bacteria were enriched in the presence of biochar and hydrogenotrophic Methanoregula were suppressed by SMFC operation. This suggested that SMFC mainly inhibited CH4 production by outcompeting hydrogenotrophic archaea.<br> Conclusion The use of biochar made from leftover rice straw has an interactive effect on SMFC operation and both methods can be used to reduce CH4 emission from straw-amended paddy soil. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

IOP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 1882-0778 18 10 2025 Multichannel topological elastic waveguide in a multilayer Kagome phononic crystal 107001 EN Yusuke Hata Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Okayama University Kenji Tsuruta Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Okayama University By examining the geometric characteristics of various boundaries formed within the Kagome phononic lattice and vertically stacking the lattices, we designed an elastic waveguide that enables selective propagation of topologically protected edge modes across layers in a bilayer system. This layer-selective transmission is manifested as polarized boundary modes that appear in phononic dispersions of the systems incorporating the bridge, zigzag, and armchair boundaries. We numerically demonstrated that efficient elastic layer converters and splitters can be designed, thereby paving the way for the practical development of three-dimensional elastic-wave devices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 2398-4902 2025 Activation of barium titanate for photocatalytic overall water splitting via low-valence cation codoping EN Shigeru Ikeda Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University Kaori Takagi Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University Ryota Tomizawa Carbon Neutral Energy Development Division, Toyota Motor Corporation Tomoya Nagano Carbon Neutral Energy Development Division, Toyota Motor Corporation Koji Hayashi Carbon Neutral Energy Development Division, Toyota Motor Corporation Akira Yamakata Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yoshitaro Nose Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kyoto University Barium titanate (BaTiO3) has long been regarded as inactive for photocatalytic overall water splitting, in stark contrast to its perovskite counterparts SrTiO3 and CaTiO3. Here we report that BaTiO3 codoped with Al3+ and Sc3+ at Ti4+ sites under flux synthesis conditions is activated as a robust photocatalyst for overall water splitting. This material achieves apparent quantum yields of 29.8% at 310 nm and 27.5% at 365 nm, representing the first demonstration of efficient overall water splitting on BaTiO3. Comparative analyses show that BaTiO3 doped only with Al3+ suffers from severe band-edge disorder, whereas BaTiO3 codoped with Al3+ and Mg2+ exhibits clear activation with moderate efficiency. In contrast, BaTiO3 codoped with Al3+ and Sc3+ achieves the critical defect and structural control required to push the material across the threshold from inactive to highly active. These findings overturn the long-standing perception of BaTiO3 as unsuitable for water splitting and establish a general design principle for activating previously inactive perovskite oxides, thereby expanding the materials palette for solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society (APS) Acta Medica Okayama 0031-9007 135 10 2025 Terahertz Field Control of Electronic-Ferroelectric Anisotropy at Room Temperature in LuFe2⁢O4 106504 EN Hirotake Itoh Tohoku University Ryusei Minakami Tohoku University Hongwu Yu Institute of Science Tokyo Ryohei Tsuruoka Tohoku University Tatsuya Amano Tohoku University Yohei Kawakami Tohoku University Shin-ya Koshihara Institute of Science Tokyo Kosuke Fujiwara Okayama University Naoshi Ikeda Okayama University Yoichi Okimoto Institute of Science Tokyo Shinichiro Iwai Tohoku University Electronic ferroelectrics, with polarization 𝑷 induced by strongly correlated charges, are expected to show ultrafast, huge, and flexible responses required in future optoelectronics. Although the challenges for ultrafast manipulation of such a polarization are ongoing, the expected advantages have been unclear. In this Letter, we demonstrate an unprecedentedly large increase by a factor of 2.7 in optical second harmonic generation at room temperature in the prototypical electronic ferroelectrics, the rare-earth ferrite LuFe2⁢O4, by applying a terahertz field of 260  kV/cm. The transient anisotropy indicates that the direction of macroscopic polarization can be controlled three dimensionally on subpicosecond timescales, offering additional degrees of freedom in controlling polarization. Although the polarization response is in phase concerning the terahertz field, its sensitivity increased with delay, indicating that cooperative interactions among microscopic domains play an important role in the unprecedented response. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0916-7005 2025 Refinement of interval approximations for fully commutative quivers EN Yasuaki Hiraoka Kyoto University Ken Nakashima Shimane University Ippei Obayashi Okayama University Chenguang Xu Kyoto University A central challenge in the theory of multiparameter persistence modules lies in defining effective descriptors for representations of infinite or wild type. In this work, we propose a novel framework for analyzing interval approximations of fully commutative quivers, which offers a tunable trade-off between approximation resolution and computational complexity. Our approach is evaluated on commutative ladder modules of both finite and infinite type. For finite-type cases, we establish an efficient method for computing indecomposable decompositions using solely one-parameter persistent homology. For infinite-type cases, we introduce a new invariant that captures persistence in the second parameter by connecting standard persistence diagrams through interval approximations. Furthermore, we present several models for constructing commutative ladder filtrations, providing new insights into the behavior of random filtrations and demonstrating the utility of our framework in topological analysis of material structures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2196-2995 12 1 2025 Natural Effects and Separable Effects: Insights into Mediation Analysis 20 EN Etsuji Suzuki Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiro Shinozaki Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the University of Tokyo Eiji Yamamoto Okayama University of Science Purpose of Review We compare natural effects and separable effects under nonparametric structural equation models with independent errors, highlighting their similarities and differences. By examining their required properties and sufficient conditions for identification, we aim to provide deeper insights into mediation analysis.<br> Recent Findings If certain assumptions about confounding, positivity, and consistency are met, we can identify natural direct and indirect effects under nonparametric structural equation models with independent errors. However, these effects have been criticized because they rely on a specific cross-world quantity, and the so-called cross-world independence assumption cannot be empirically verified. Furthermore, interventions on the mediator may sometimes be challenging to even conceive. As an alternative approach, separable effects have recently been proposed and applied in mediation analysis, often under finest fully randomized causally interpretable structured tree graph models. These effects are defined without relying on any cross-world quantities and are claimed to be identifiable under assumptions that are testable in principle, thereby addressing some of the challenges associated with natural direct and indirect effects.<br> Summary To conduct meaningful mediation analysis, it is crucial to clearly define the research question of interest, and the choice of methods should align with the nature of the question and the assumptions researchers are willing to make. Examining the underlying philosophical perspectives on causation and manipulation can provide valuable insights. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1345-2630 2025 Comparative analysis of interactions between five strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci and Nicotiana benthamiana EN Yuna Nakao Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University Shuta Asai Graduate School of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidenori Matsui Graduate School of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuki Ichinose Graduate School of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shinpei Katou Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 (Pta 6605), the agent of wildfire disease in tobacco, has been used as a model strain for elucidating the virulence mechanisms of Pta. However, the host genes involved in resistance or susceptibility to Pta remain largely unknown. Nicotiana benthamiana is a model plant species in the Solanaceae family and is useful in functional analyses of genes. We herein compared five Pta strains (6605, 6823, 7372, 7375, and 7380) in terms of their phenotypes on medium and interactions with N. benthamiana. Pta 6605 and Pta 6823 showed more active proliferation than the other strains in a high cell density culture. Moreover, Pta 6605 exhibited markedly higher swarming motility than the other strains. In inoculated leaves of N. benthamiana, Pta 6605 and Pta 6823 caused more severe disease symptoms and proliferated to a higher cell density than the other strains. However, Pta 6823 as well as Pta 7372 and Pta 7380 induced the high accumulation of salicylic acid (SA). Moreover, the inoculations of Pta 6823 and Pta 7372 resulted in the upregulation of ethylene biosynthesis genes. On the other hand, Pta 6605 induced neither SA accumulation nor the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes, and suppressed the expression of jasmonate biosynthesis genes. Moreover, chlorosis was clearly induced in the upper uninoculated leaves of Pta 6605-infected plants. These results suggest that Pta 6605 escapes from or suppresses plant immune systems and, thus, is the most virulent on N. benthamiana among the five strains tested. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Royal Society Acta Medica Okayama 2054-5703 12 9 2025 On weapons allometry and the form of sexual selection 251152 EN Hironori Shinohara Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Manmohan D. Sharma Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Tanya M. Pennell Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Kensuke Okada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University David J. Hosken Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus The study of trait scaling with body size (allometry) has a long history, and it has been argued that positive static allometry is an indicator of directional sexual selection. However, a range of allometries exists for sexually selected traits, and modelling shows this variation can be generated by altering the form of selection (fitness functions) on the trait and/or body size. Interestingly, in all models, positive allometry appears to emerge only when there is directional selection on trait size. Here, we report on a sexually selected trait that shows strong positive static allometry and yet appears to be under stabilizing selection. This surprising finding suggests the evolution of trait scaling is even more nuanced than currently appreciated. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0962-8819 34 1 2025 Highly efficient transgenesis mediated by Tip100 transposon system in medaka 46 EN Yoshitaka Tanaka Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Okayama University Takahide Seki Department of Integrative Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University Atsushi Hoshino National Institute for Basic Biology Satoshi Ansai Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Okayama University Transgenesis mediated by transposon is an effective approach for introducing exogenous DNA into the nuclear genome and establishing stable transgenic strains that efficiently express genetic tools. Although the DNA transposon Tol2 is widely used for transgenesis in zebrafish, its endogenous transpositional activity can lead to unintended transgene mobilization, making it unsuitable for transgenesis in medaka (Oryzias latipes). Here, we demonstrated that the DNA transposon Tip100, originally identified in the common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), an ornamental plant, can serve as a useful tool for transgenesis in Japanese medaka. The GFP transgene cassette, when co-injected with Tip100 transposase mRNA, was expressed in significantly higher number of somatic cells in the injected fish. Furthermore, a transgene flanked by truncated recognition sequences (100 bp each) exhibited expression levels comparable to those of the original vector containing the full 2.2 kb recognition sequence. Injection of a transgene driven by a germline-specific promoter revealed that fish injected with Tip100 mRNA exhibited a significantly higher germline transmission rate (42/68; 62.7%) compared to those injected without the mRNA (13/62; 21.0%). We successfully established transgenic strains by outcrossing injected founders with GFP-positive germ cells (7/7; 100%) and demonstrated that the transgenes were randomly integrated into the medaka genome, generating 8-bp duplications at the insertional sites–an insertional signature of the hAT superfamily of transposons. Our findings indicate that the Tip100 system is a promising tool for generating stable transgenic strains that express various genetic tools in medaka and potentially other fish species. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2078-2489 16 1 2025 Relay Node Selection Methods for UAV Navigation Route Constructions in Wireless Multi-Hop Network Using Smart Meter Devices 22 EN Shuto Ohkawa Graduate School of Engineering, Nihon University Kiyoshi Ueda Graduate School of Engineering, Nihon University Takumi Miyoshi College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology Taku Yamazaki College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology Ryo Yamamoto Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications Nobuo Funabiki Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer solutions to issues like traffic congestion and labor shortages. We developed a distributed UAV management system inspired by virtual circuit and datagram methods in packet-switching networks. By installing houses with wireless terminals, UAVs navigate routes in a multi-hop network, communicating with ground nodes. UAVs are treated as network packets, ground devices are treated as routers, and their connections are treated as links. Activating all nodes as relays increases control message traffic and node load. To optimize connectivity, we minimize relay nodes, connecting non-relay nodes to the nearest relay. This study proposes four relay node selection methods: random selection, two adjacency-based methods, and our innovative approach using Multipoint Relay (MPR) from the Optimized Link State Routing Protocol (OLSR). We evaluated these methods according to their route construction success rates, relay node counts, route lengths, and so on. The MPR-based method proved most effective for UAV route construction. However, fewer relay nodes increase link collisions, and we identify the minimum relay density needed to balance efficiency and conflict reduction. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2073-431X 14 10 2025 A Guided Self-Study Platform of Integrating Documentation, Code, Visual Output, and Exercise for Flutter Cross-Platform Mobile Programming 417 EN Safira Adine Kinari Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University Nobuo Funabiki Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University Soe Thandar Aung Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University Htoo Htoo Sandi Kyaw Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University Nowadays, Flutter with the Dart programming language has become widely popular in mobile developments, allowing developers to build multi-platform applications using one codebase. An increasing number of companies are adopting these technologies to create scalable and maintainable mobile applications. Despite this increasing relevance, university curricula often lack structured resources for Flutter/Dart, limiting opportunities for students to learn it in academic environments. To address this gap, we previously developed the Flutter Programming Learning Assistance System (FPLAS), which supports self-learning through interactive problems focused on code comprehension through code-based exercises and visual interfaces. However, it was observed that many students completed the exercises without fully understanding even basic concepts, if they already had some knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP). As a result, they may not be able to design and implement Flutter/Dart codes independently, highlighting a mismatch between the system’s outcomes and intended learning goals. In this paper, we propose a guided self-study approach of integrating documentation, code, visual output, and exercise in FPLAS. Two existing problem types, namely, Grammar Understanding Problems (GUP) and Element Fill-in-Blank Problems (EFP), are combined together with documentation, code, and output into a new format called Integrated Introductory Problems (INTs). For evaluations, we generated 16 INT instances and conducted two rounds of evaluations. The first round with 23 master students in Okayama University, Japan, showed high correct answer rates but low usability ratings. After revising the documentation and the system design, the second round with 25 fourth-year undergraduate students in the same university demonstrated high usability and consistent performances, which confirms the effectiveness of the proposal. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0167-6903 105 4 2025 Effect of environmental conditions on seed germination and seedling growth in Cuscuta campestris 1157 1167 EN Koki Nagao Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Taku Takahashi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ryusuke Yokoyama Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University Dodder (Cuscuta) is an obligate parasitic plant that cannot survive without a host and causes significant damage to crop yields. To understand its growth characteristics before parasitism, we examined the effects of environmental conditions on seed germination and seedling growth in Cuscuta campestris Yunck. Among various factors, we focused on the effects of light, pH, temperature, sugars, salts, hormones, amino acids and polyamines on seeds sown on agar plates. Regarding the effect of light on germination, far-red light was preferable rather than red light and the reversible response of seeds to red and far-red light was confirmed, implicating a phytochrome-mediated signaling pathway opposite to that in many seed plants. Among the amino acids, aspartic acid and alanine had a promotive effect, while histidine had an inhibitory effect on germination. We further found that, in addition to gibberellic acid, methyl jasmonate stimulated both germination and shoot elongation. While 2,4-D extended the viability of trichomes around the root cap, kinetin induced the formation of scale leaves on the shoot and undifferentiated cell clusters at the base of the shoot and root tip. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) experiments confirmed that the expression of a putative RbcS gene for photosynthesis showed no response to light, whereas that of a Phytochrome A homolog increased in the dark. Our results indicate that some of the molecular mechanisms involved in responding to light and hormone signals are uniquely modified in dodder seedlings, providing clues for understanding the survival strategy of parasitic plants. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1573-7209 28 4 2025 Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived SOD3 enhances lymphangiogenesis to drive metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma 51 EN May Wathone Oo Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takao Hikita Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoha Mashima Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kosuke Torigata School of Medicine, Kobe University Yin Min Thu Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiro Habu Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hotaka Kawai Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshiaki Ohara Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shuta Tomida Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Sachio Ito Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ken Suzawa Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hitoshi Nagatsuka Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Shikoku Cancer Center Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masanori Nakayama Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Despite advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality due to its aggressive metastatic potential. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is an antioxidant enzyme that regulates oxidative stress and is regarded as a tumor suppressor. However, studies have demonstrated that SOD3 can either promote or inhibit cell proliferation and survival in various cancers, and its molecular mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood. In this study, we report a breakthrough in uncovering the role of SOD3 derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in LUAD. Using LUAD xenograft models co-implanted with SOD3-overexpressing CAFs (CAFSOD3), we observe an aggressive tumor phenotype characterized by increased lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) of the tumor. Additionally, LUAD patients with elevated SOD3 levels exhibit a higher incidence of LVI and metastasis. Notably, RNA sequencing of CAFSOD3 reveals that SOD3-mediated VEGF-dependent tumor progression and lymphangiogenesis are up-regulated. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomic analysis of LUAD clinical samples confirms a strong correlation between SOD3 expression in fibroblasts and characteristics of tumor exacerbation, such as lymphangiogenesis and metastasis. These findings underscore new insights into the role of CAF-derived SOD3 in LUAD progression and highlight its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2577-4441 13 3 2025 Adaptive strategies and community engagement for sustainable conservation and tourism in Komodo National Park, Indonesia 335 349 EN Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Chun-Hung Lee Center for Environmental Solution (CVISION), Universitas Pertamina Doo-Chul Kim Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University I Wayan Koko Suryawan Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure Planning, Universitas Pertamina The sustainability of Komodo protection efforts is closely linked to tourism development. To achieve this, it is important to have a deep understanding of local community behaviors and adaptation strategies. This study focuses on the complex relationships between sociodemographic factors, attitudes towards forest conservation, participation in adaptive management programs, and willingness of local communities in the Komodo district to engage in sustainable tourism practices. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we analyze the connections that either support or hinder the conservation of Komodo habitats while promoting responsible tourism growth. The results show that sociodemographic characteristics have a significant impact on conservation attitudes, leading to increased participation in adaptive programs that are crucial for sustainable tourism. Additionally, the willingness to adapt is a key factor that influences the level of community involvement in sustainable tourism initiatives. This study emphasizes the importance of developing behavioral and adaptive forest protection programs that cater to both Komodo conservation and the sustainable growth of tourism. Policy recommendations focus on community-centered conservation strategies, education on sustainable practices, and the implementation of adaptive management to ensure the long-term viability of Komodo habitats. Overall, this research provides a nuanced understanding of conservation behavior in regions with rich biodiversity. It highlights the pivotal role of community engagement and adaptive strategies in achieving sustainable tourism and conservation goals. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Cambridge University Press (CUP) Acta Medica Okayama 0022-1120 1019 2025 Experimental and numerical study on the inertial migration of hydrogel particles suspended in square channel flows A22 EN Yuma Hirohata Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Kazusa Sai Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Kansai University Yuki Tange Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Kansai University Tomohiro Nishiyama Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Kansai University Haruka Minato Graduate School of Environmental Life Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daisuke Suzuki Graduate School of Environmental Life Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tomoaki Itano Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Kansai University Kazuyasu Sugiyama Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Masako Sugihara-Seki Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Kansai University The inertial migration of hydrogel particles suspended in a Newtonian fluid flowing through a square channel is studied both experimentally and numerically. Experimental results demonstrate significant differences in the focusing positions of the deformable and rigid particles, highlighting the role of particle deformability in inertial migration. At low Reynolds numbers (Re), hydrogel particles migrate towards the centre of the channel cross-section, whereas the rigid spheres exhibit negligible lateral motion. At finite Re, they focus at four points along the diagonals in the downstream cross-section, in contrast to the rigid particles which focus near the centre of the channel face at similar Re . Numerical simulations using viscous hyperelastic particles as a model for hydrogel particles reproduced the experimental results for the particle distribution with an appropriate Young’s modulus of the hyperelastic particles. Further numerical simulations over a broader range of Re and the capillary number (Ca) reveal various focusing patterns of the particles in the channel cross-section. The phase transitions between them are discussed in terms of the inertial lift and the lift due to particle deformation, which would act in the direction towards lower shear. The stability of the channel centre is analysed using an asymptotic expansion approach to the migration force at low Re and Ca. The theoretical analysis predicts the critical condition for the transition, which is consistent with the direct numerical simulation. These experimental, numerical and theoretical results contribute to a deeper understanding of inertial migration of deformable particles. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 16 1 2025 Fully-gapped superconductivity with rotational symmetry breaking in pressurized kagome metal CsV3Sb5 3643 EN X. Y. Feng Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Z. Zhao Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics J. Luo Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Y. Z. Zhou Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics J. Yang Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics A. F. Fang H. T. Yang Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics H.-J. Gao Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics R. Zhou Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Guo-qing Zheng Department of Physics, Okayama University The discovery of the kagome metal CsV3Sb5 has generated significant interest in its complex physical properties, particularly its superconducting behavior under different pressures, though its nature remains debated. Here, we performed low-temperature, high-pressure 121/123Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements to explore the superconducting pairing symmetry in CsV3Sb5. At ambient pressure, we found that the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 exhibits a kink at T ~ 0.4 Tc within the superconducting state and follows a T3 variation as temperature further decreases. This suggests the presence of two superconducting gaps with line nodes in the smaller one. As pressure increases beyond Pc ~ 1.85 GPa, where the charge-density wave phase is completely suppressed, 1/T1 shows no Hebel-Slichter peak just below Tc, and decreases rapidly, even faster than T5, indicating that the gap is fully opened for pressures above Pc. In this high pressure region, the angular dependence of the in-plane upper critical magnetic field Hc2 breaks the C6 rotational symmetry. We propose the s + id pairing at P > Pc which explains both the 1/T1 and Hc2 behaviors. Our findings indicate that CsV3Sb5 is an unconventional superconductor and its superconducting state is even more exotic at high pressures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Acta Medica Okayama 2375-2548 11 38 2025 Polymeric microwave rectifiers enabled by monolayer-thick ionized donors eadv9952 EN Nobutaka Osakabe Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Jeongeun Her Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Takahiro Kaneta Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Akiko Tajima Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Elena Longhi School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology Kan Tang Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado Boulder Kazuhiro Fujimori Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Stephen Barlow School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology Seth R. Marder School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology Shun Watanabe Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Jun Takeya Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Yu Yamashita Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Solution processing of polymeric semiconductors provides a facile way to fabricate functional diodes. However, energy barriers at metal-semiconductor interfaces often limit their performance. Here, we report rectifying polymer diodes with markedly modified energy-level alignments. The gold electrode surface was treated with a dimeric metal complex, which resulted in a shallow work function of 3.7 eV by forming a monolayer-thick ionized donor layer. When a polymeric semiconductor was coated on the treated electrode, most of the ionized donors remained at the metal-semiconductor interface. The confined ionized donors with the ideal thickness enabled fabrication of a polymer diode with a forward current density of over 100 A cm−2. Furthermore, a power conversion efficiency of 7.9% was observed for rectification at a microwave frequency of 920 MHz, which is orders of magnitude higher than that reported for organic diodes. Our findings will pave a way to solution-processed high-frequency and high-power devices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1472-6831 25 1 2025 Phosphorylated pullulan as a local drug delivery matrix for cationic antibacterial chemicals to prevent oral biofilm 1333 EN Naoko Namba-Koide Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Yasuhiro Yoshida Department of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University Noriyuki Nagaoka Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School Takumi Okihara Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yusuke Kawata Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Masahiro Ito Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Takashi Ito Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Kazu Takeuchi-Hatanaka Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Shinoda-Ito Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiro Omori Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tadashi Yamamoto Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shogo Takashiba Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background Preventing oral infections, such as oral caries and periodontal disease, helps reduce the risks of various systemic diseases. In this study, the polysaccharide pullulan produced by the black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans was modified in combination with the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to create a local drug delivery system, and its antibacterial potential on oral bacteria was examined in vitro.<br> Methods Pullulan was phosphorylated at the CH2OH residue of α6 in the maltotriose structure and mixed with CPC. Bacterial attachment of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans on hydroxyapatite plates (HAPs) treated with the phosphorylated pullulan (PP) and CPC compound (0.01% PP and 0.001– 0.03% CPC, and vice versa) was assessed by observing bacteria using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and quantified through 16 S rRNA amplification via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method was employed to evaluate the sustained release of CPC.<br> Results PP-CPC compound maintained significant bactericidal activity even at 0.01%, which is one-fifth of the conventional applicable concentration of CPC. Additionally, a residual mixture was detected by the hydroxyapatite sensor of the crystal oscillator microbalance detector, suggesting an unknown molecular interaction that enables the sustained release of CPC after attachment to hydroxyapatite.<br> Conclusions The combination of PP and CPC may contribute to the low concentration and effective prevention of oral infections, such as dental caries. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 2169-9313 130 1 2025 Reduced Thermal Conductivity of Hydrous Aluminous Silica and Calcium Ferrite‐Type Phase Promote Water Transportation to Earth's Deep Mantle e2024JB030704 EN Wen‐Pin Hsieh Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Frédéric Deschamps Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica Yi‐Chi Tsao Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica Jen‐Wei Chang Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica Giacomo Criniti Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science Subduction of oceanic slabs introduces chemical heterogeneities in the Earth's interior, which could further induce thermal, seismic, and geodynamical anomalies. Thermal conductivity of slab minerals crucially controls the thermal evolution and dynamics of the subducted slab and ambient mantle, while such an important transport property remains poorly constrained. Here we have precisely measured high pressure-temperature thermal conductivity of hydrous aluminous post-stishovite (ΛHy-Al-pSt) and aluminum-rich calcium ferrite-type phase (ΛCF), two important minerals in the subducted basaltic crust in the lower mantle. Compared to the dry aluminous stishovite and pure stishovite, hydration substantially reduces the ΛHy-Al-pSt, resulting in ∼9.7–13.3 W m−1 K−1 throughout the lower mantle. Surprisingly, the ΛCF remains at ∼3–3.8 W m−1 K−1 in the lower mantle, few-folds lower than previously assumed. Our data modeling offers better constraints on the thermal conductivity of the subducted oceanic crust from mantle transition zone to the lowermost mantle region, which is less thermally conductive than previously modeled. Our findings suggest that if the post-stishovite carries large amounts of water to the lower mantle, the poorer heat conduction through the basaltic crust reduces the slab's temperature, which not only allows the slab bringing more hydrous minerals to greater depth, but also increases slab's density and viscosity, potentially impacting the stability of heterogeneous structures at the lowermost mantle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 2050-7488 13 35 2025 Thermally polymerizable phthalocyanine realizes a metal–nitrogen-doped carbon material featuring a defined single-atom catalyst motif with CO2RR activity 28887 28895 EN Yuki Sano Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University Daichi Nakajima Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University Biplab Manna Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Koki Chida Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University Ryojun Toyoda Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University Shinya Takaishi Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University Kazuyuki Iwase Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University Koji Harano Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Yuta Nishina Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takeharu Yoshii Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University Ryota Sakamoto Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University Metal–nitrogen-doped carbon materials (MNCs) exhibit good electrocatalytic performance owing to the intrinsic advantages of carbon-based materials and the presence of isolated and stabilized metal atoms coordinated by nitrogen sites. However, conventional high-temperature pyrolysis of precursor molecules make it difficult to control the coordination structure precisely. To address this issue, here we report a new synthesis strategy for MNCs. Specifically, we design and synthesize Ni-phthalocyanine functionalized with ethynyl groups as solid-state thermal polymerization points. After depositing the Ni-phthalocyanine precursor on a carbon support and performing a thermal treatment, the resultant carbon composite material features a Ni–N4 coordination structure derived from the precursor, and enhanced porosity. This material demonstrates high catalytic activity for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Our synthetic approach is applicable to various precursor molecules and carbon supports, paving the way for the further development of MNC-based electrode catalysts. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2694-2496 2025 RNA Delivery Using a Graphene Oxide-Polyethylenimine Hybrid Inhibiting Myotube Differentiation EN Koji Matsuura CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS Giacomo Reina CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS Zhengfeng Gao CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Alberto Bianco CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS Graphene oxide (GO) conjugated with short polyethylenimine (PEI) chains (GO-PEI) has been designed as a candidate nanocarrier for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery to mammalian cells based on the efficient interaction between the positively charged GO-based platform and the negatively charged siRNA. The function and efficiency of siRNA delivery using GO-PEI were compared to those using the positive control Lipofectamine RNAiMax by analyzing the differentiation to myotubes, and myogenin gene and protein expression in C2C12 cells. RNAiMax transfection induced cellularization and reduction of both myogenin gene and protein expression, suggesting that the differentiation of C2C12 cells was triggered by gene silencing. While GO-PEI also promoted cellularization, the myogenin gene expression remained comparable to scrambled controls, whereas the protein levels were higher than those observed with RNAiMax. Mechanistically, we attributed the reduced gene silencing efficiency of GO-PEI to a poor endosomal escape, despite strong siRNA complexation. This limitation was likely due to a low buffering capacity of GO-PEI, as a significant fraction of nitrogen atoms were already protonated, reducing the availability of free amines necessary for endosomal disruption. An appropriate chemical modification to enhance siRNA release from the endosomes is therefore essential for advancing the development of GO-based platforms as versatile and efficient nanocarriers in gene therapy applications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

IOP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 2399-6528 8 6 2024 Inert structural transition in 4H and 6H SiC at high pressure and temperature: a Raman spectroscopy study 065001 EN Shuhou Maitani Department of Physics, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University Ryosuke Sinmyo Department of Physics, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Kenji Yoza Bruker Japan We conducted Raman spectroscopy measurements of 4H-SiC and 6H-SiC up to 69 GPa and 1023 K to assess the stability and bonding of SiC at high pressure and temperature. Both optic and acoustic modes were observed at wide pressure and temperature ranges. The temperature shifts of the Raman frequencies were fitted by the equation with the Bose–Einstein distribution function, and we found that the shifts were almost insensitive to the pressure. The mode Grüneisen coefficients weakly depend on the pressure and temperature, suggesting the sluggish transition of the crystal structure, unlike the previous experiments showing the transition or decomposition of SiC at high pressure and temperature conditions. Inert transitions are confirmed by Raman measurements and annealing experiments using multiple high-pressure apparatuses. The crystallinity may be a hidden critical parameter in the experiments to determine the stable polytypes of SiC under high pressure and temperature. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2079-6382 13 9 2024 Unveiling a New Antimicrobial Peptide with Efficacy against P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae from Mangrove-Derived Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus NNS5-6 and Genomic Analysis 846 EN Namfa Sermkaew School of Pharmacy, Walailak University Apichart Atipairin School of Pharmacy, Walailak University Sucheewin Krobthong Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry (CENP), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Chanat Aonbangkhen Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry (CENP), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Yodying Yingchutrakul National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency Jumpei Uchiyama Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Nuttapon Songnaka School of Pharmacy, Walailak University This study focused on the discovery of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) derived from mangrove bacteria. The most promising isolate, NNS5-6, showed the closest taxonomic relation to Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, with the highest similarity of 74.9%. The AMP produced by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus NNS5-6 exhibited antibacterial activity against various Gram-negative pathogens, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The peptide sequence consisted of 13 amino acids and was elucidated as Val-Lys-Gly-Asp-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gly-Thr-Val-Tyr-Thr-Met. The AMP mainly exhibited random coil and antiparallel beta-sheet structures. The stability study indicated that this AMP was tolerant of various conditions, including proteolytic enzymes, pH (1.2–14), surfactants, and temperatures up to 40 °C for 12 h. The AMP demonstrated 4 µg/mL of MIC and 4–8 µg/mL of MBC against both pathogens. Time-kill kinetics showed that the AMP acted in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A cell permeability assay and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the AMP exerted the mode of action by disrupting bacterial membranes. Additionally, nineteen biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites were identified in the genome. NNS5-6 was susceptible to various commonly used antibiotics supporting the primary safety requirement. The findings of this research could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Ceramic Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 1348-6535 133 9 2025 Preparation and structural characterization of nanoporous silica/magnesium(II)-whitlockite composite particles 555 561 EN Takuya Kataoka Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Daiki Hirota Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Eiji Fujii Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture Tomohiko Yoshioka Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Satoshi Hayakawa Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University The preparation of particles composed of nanoporous silica (NS) and Mg2+-whitlockite (Mg-WH) would provide valuable insights for designing particles for biomedical applications. In this study, NS and Mg-WH composite particles were successfully synthesized. The addition of chitosan during synthesis possibly promoted the crystallization of calcium phosphate phases in the composite particles. Pore size distribution analysis of the particles showed a maximum at 3.2 nm. Investigating the adsorption of methylene blue onto the particles in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) showed that the saturated adsorption amount of methylene blue on the particles was significantly higher than that on commercial hydroxyapatite. The composite particles provided important results for potential applications as drug carriers for bone regeneration and repair. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2590-1974 27 2025 Development of a technique to identify μm-sized organic matter in asteroidal material: An approach using machine learning 100277 EN Rahul Kumar The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Katsura Kobayashi The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Christian Potiszil The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tak Kunihiro The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Asteroidal materials contain organic matter (OM), which records a number of extraterrestrial environments and thus provides a record of Solar System processes. OM contain essential compounds for the origin of life. To understand the origin and evolution of OM, systematic identification and detailed observation using in-situ techniques is required. While both nm- and μm-sized OM were studied previously, only a small portion of a given sample surface was investigated in each study. Here, a novel workflow was developed and applied to identify and classify μm-sized OM on mm-sized asteroidal materials. The workflow involved image processing and machine learning, enabling a comprehensive and non-biased way of identifying, classifying, and measuring the properties of OM. We found that identifying OM is more accurate by classification with machine learning than by clustering. On the approach of classification with machine learning, five algorithms were tested. The random forest algorithm was selected as it scored the highest in 4 out of 5 accuracy parameters during evaluation. The workflow gave modal OM abundances that were consistent with those identified manually, demonstrating that the workflow can accurately identify 1-15 μm-sized OM. The size distribution of OM was modeled using the power-law distribution, giving slope α values that were consistent with fragmentation processes. The shape of the OM was quantified using circularity and solidity, giving a positive correlation and indicating these properties are closely related. Overall, the workflow enabled identification of many OM quickly and accurately and the obtainment of chemical and petrographic information. Such information can help the selection of OM for further in-situ techniques, and elucidate the origin and evolution of OM preserved in asteroidal materials. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0021-8901 2025 Urbanised landscape and microhabitat differences can influence flowering phenology and synchrony in an annual herb EN Hinata Fujiwara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroto Yamaguchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuyoshi Nakata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Koki R. Katsuhara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 1. Flowering phenology, a crucial determinant of plant reproductive success and biotic interactions, is susceptible to urbanisation. Numerous studies have shown the impact of urbanised landscapes on flowering phenology based on comparisons along urban–rural gradients. Phenological patterns among microenvironments in the urban ecosystem have received less attention, although they often offer unique habitats with varying artificial influences, such as roadsides, drainage ditches and vacant lots. If differences in microenvironments diversify flowering phenology, the urban matrix might reduce flowering synchrony with neighbouring populations, limiting outcrossing opportunities and therefore reducing reproductive success.<br> 2. We investigated the flowering phenology and synchrony of the native annual herb Commelina communis in approximately 250 populations at two rural and two urban sites over 3 years. To determine the effect of microhabitat differences, we categorised the microhabitats of C. communis populations into five types: drains, roadsides, vacant land, farmland and forest edge. In some study populations, we investigated reproductive success (seed set) to estimate the degree of outcross pollination limitation.<br> 3. Our findings revealed that populations in urban sites exhibited earlier flowering onset and longer flowering duration compared to rural locations. Besides, we did not detect consistent patterns of flowering onset, peak and duration among the different microhabitat types. For flowering synchrony, we found that the population in urban sites, growing in drain habitats, and with artificial disturbances exhibited relatively lower interpopulation flowering synchrony, suggesting their phenology differed from neighbouring populations within the same landscape. Additionally, populations in urban sites, especially those growing in drain and roadside habitats, suffered severe outcross pollen limitation compared to those in rural landscapes.<br> 4. Synthesis and applications. In conclusion, our results indicate that in addition to landscape changes associated with urbanisation, variations in local microhabitats also influence the flowering phenology and synchrony of C. communis populations. Urbanised landscapes and differences in microhabitats could contribute to the diversification of phenological patterns between populations, potentially having a negative impact on the reproductive success of native plant species. These findings highlight the need to consider not only spatial but also temporal fragmentation from diversified flowering phenology when addressing conservation in the urban matrix. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0016-7037 400 2025 Lithium- and oxygen-isotope compositions of a Si-rich nebular reservoir determined from chondrule constituents in the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite 51 71 EN Torii Douglas-Song The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tsutomu Ota The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Masahiro Yamanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Christian Potiszil The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tak Kunihiro The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Here we report the in situ ion-microprobe analyses of the Li- and O-isotope compositions of enstatite, FeO-rich pyroxene, olivine, glass, and cristobalite grains from six chondrule-related objects from the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite. The O-isotope composition of the enstatite grains scattered around the intersection between the terrestrial fractionation and primitive chondrule minerals lines. Whereas, that of olivine varied along the primitive chondrule minerals line. Based on the mineralogy, we found cristobalite formed as a result of Si saturation, instead of the reduction of FeO-rich silicates, consistent with Si-enrichment of whole rock enstatite chondrites. Based on the mineralogy and O-isotope compositions, we infer that olivines in some chondrules are relict grains. In chondrules that contained olivine, no abundant niningerite [(Mg,Fe,Mn)S] was observed. Thus, enstatite formation can be explained by the interaction of an olivine precursor with additional SiO2 (Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6), instead of sulfidation (Mg2SiO4 + S → 1/2 Mg2Si2O6 + MgS + 1/2 O2). Using the equation Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6 and the O-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine, the O-isotope composition of the additional SiO2 was estimated. Based on the O-isotope composition, we infer that there could be a Si-rich gas with an elevated Δ17O value similar to, or greater than the second trend line (Δ17O = 0.9 ‰) suggested by Weisberg et al. (2021), during chondrule formation. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is smaller than that for the same phases from CV3 chondrules. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of the enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is also smaller than that of their O-isotope compositions. During the recycling of enstatite-chondrite chondrules, both Li- and O-isotope compositions were homogenized. Although enstatite is the major carrier of Li in EH3 chondrules, the Li-isotope composition (δ7Li) of enstatite is lower than that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, suggesting the existence of a phase with higher δ7Li. Meanwhile, the Li-isotope composition and concentration (δ7Li, [Li]) of enstatite is higher than that of olivine. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas was estimated to be δ7Li = 1 ‰, using a similar mass-balance calculation as applied for the O-isotope composition. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas from the enstatite-chondrite-chondrule forming-region, is consistent with that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, and differs significantly from that of the Si-rich gas from the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region (δ7Li = −11 ‰) determined by a previous study. We speculate that the Si-rich gas in the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region maintained the Li-isotope heterogeneity inherited from light lithium synthesized by galactic cosmic-ray spallation in the interstellar medium. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1751-7362 18 1 2024 Cyanorhodopsin-II represents a yellow-absorbing proton-pumping rhodopsin clade within cyanobacteria wrae175 EN Masumi Hasegawa-Takano Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Toshiaki Hosaka Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Keiichi Kojima Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yosuke Nishimura Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Marie Kurihara Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yu Nakajima Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Yoshiko Ishizuka-Katsura Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Tomomi Kimura-Someya Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Mikako Shirouzu Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Yuki Sudo Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Susumu Yoshizawa Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Microbial rhodopsins are prevalent in many cyanobacterial groups as a light-energy-harvesting system in addition to the photosynthetic system. It has been suggested that this dual system allows efficient capture of sunlight energy using complementary ranges of absorption wavelengths. However, the diversity of cyanobacterial rhodopsins, particularly in accumulated metagenomic data, remains underexplored. Here, we used a metagenomic mining approach, which led to the identification of a novel rhodopsin clade unique to cyanobacteria, cyanorhodopsin-II (CyR-II). CyR-IIs function as light-driven outward H+ pumps. CyR-IIs, together with previously identified cyanorhodopsins (CyRs) and cyanobacterial halorhodopsins (CyHRs), constitute cyanobacterial ion-pumping rhodopsins (CyipRs), a phylogenetically distinct family of rhodopsins. The CyR-II clade is further divided into two subclades, YCyR-II and GCyR-II, based on their specific absorption wavelength. YCyR-II absorbed yellow light (λmax = 570 nm), whereas GCyR-II absorbed green light (λmax = 550 nm). X-ray crystallography and mutational analysis revealed that the difference in absorption wavelengths is attributable to slight changes in the side chain structure near the retinal chromophore. The evolutionary trajectory of cyanobacterial rhodopsins suggests that the function and light-absorbing range of these rhodopsins have been adapted to a wide range of habitats with variable light and environmental conditions. Collectively, these findings shed light on the importance of rhodopsins in the evolution and environmental adaptation of cyanobacteria. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

IOP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 1882-0778 18 9 2025 Fundamentals and advances in transverse thermoelectrics 090101 EN Hiroto Adachi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Fuyuki Ando Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Takamasa Hirai Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Rajkumar Modak Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Matthew A. Grayson Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University Ken-ichi Uchida Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Transverse thermoelectric effects interconvert charge and heat currents in orthogonal directions due to the breaking of either time-reversal symmetry or structural symmetry, enabling simple and versatile thermal energy harvesting and solid-state cooling/heating within single materials. In comparison to the complex module structures required for the conventional Seebeck and Peltier effects, the transverse thermoelectric effects provide the complete device structures, potentially resolving the fundamental issue of multi-module degradation of thermoelectric conversion performance. This review article provides an overview of all currently known transverse thermoelectric conversion phenomena and principles, as well as their characteristics, and reclassifies them in a unified manner. The performance of the transverse thermoelectric generator, refrigerator, and active cooler is formulated, showing that thermal boundary conditions play an essential role in discussion on their behaviors. Examples of recent application research and material development in transverse thermoelectrics are also introduced, followed by a discussion of future prospects. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1939-5981 2025 MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF DIE-CASTING DIE AROUND HEAT-CHECKING CREATED BY A HIGH-PRESSURE ALUMINUM ALLOY DIE-CASTING OPERATION EN Mitsuhiro Okayasu Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Okayama University Junya Shimazu Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Okayama University In this study, the material properties of a nitride die-casting die exhibiting heat-checking after the die-casting process were experimentally investigated using various methods. Based on the obtained results, the authors believe that several possible mechanisms underlying the formation of heat-checking can be identified. The microstructure of the die-casting die near the heat-checking region is characterized by equiaxed grains along the vicinity of the prior γ-grain boundaries, resulting from the lath martensitic formation. Additionally, numerous Cr–Mo–V-based nitride particles, approximately 100 nm in diameter, are precipitated. The surface hardness of the die-casting die, enhanced by nitriding, induces compressive residual stresses and increases adhesive forces. As a result of changes in microstructural characteristics and crack formation, the stress state near the die-casting die is altered, where compressive residual stresses, observed in the die-casting die, are released, leading to the tensile residual stresses. This phenomenon could accelerate the formation of a large number of heat-checking cracks. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Informa UK Limited Acta Medica Okayama 1468-6996 26 1 2025 Quantitative measurements of transverse thermoelectric generation and cooling performances in SmCo5/Bi0.2Sb1.8Te3-based artificially tilted multilayer module 2535955 EN Masayuki Murata Research Institute for Energy Conservation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Fuyuki Ando Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Takamasa Hirai Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Hiroto Adachi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Ken-ichi Uchida Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science The transverse thermoelectric generation and cooling performances in a thermopile module composed of recently developed SmCo5/Bi0.2Sb1.8Te3 artificially tilted multilayers are evaluated quantitatively. When a large temperature difference of 405°C is applied to the SmCo5/Bi0.2Sb1.8Te3-based module, the open-circuit voltage and output power reach 0.51 V and 0.80 W, respectively. The corresponding maximum power density is 0.16 W/cm2, even if the power is normalized by the device area including areas that do not contribute to the power generation, such as epoxy resin, electrodes, and insulating layers. The maximum energy conversion efficiency for our module in this condition is experimentally determined to be 0.92%. Under the cooling operation, the same module exhibits the maximum temperature difference of 9.0°C and heat flow at the cold side of 1.6 W. Although these values are lower than the ideal thermoelectric performance expected from the material parameters due to the imperfections associated with modularization, the systematic investigations reported here clarify a potential of the SmCo5/Bi0.2Sb1.8Te3 artificially tilted multilayers as thermoelectric generators and cooling devices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0969-806X 239 2026 Helical X-ray tube trajectory estimation via image noise analysis for enhanced CT dosimetry 113260 EN Tatsuya Maeda Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Kazuki Takegami Department of Radiological Technology, Yamaguchi University Hospital Sota Goto Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe Tokiwa University Takashi Asahara Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Daiki Kobayashi Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Rina Nishigami Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Natsumi Kimoto Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University Kazuta Yamashita Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Tokushima University Kosaku Higashino Shikoku Medical Center for Children and Adults Shinichi Morimoto MEDITEC JAPAN Co., Ltd., Yamaguchi Kosan Bld. Takeshi Konishi MEDITEC JAPAN Co., Ltd., Yamaguchi Kosan Bld. Motochika Maki MEDITEC JAPAN Co., Ltd., Yamaguchi Kosan Bld. Hiroaki Hayashi College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University Information on the helical trajectory of the X-ray tube is necessary for accurate dose evaluation during computed tomography (CT). We aimed to propose a methodology for analyzing the trajectory of the X-ray tube. The novelty of this paper is that the incident direction of X-rays is estimated from the standard deviation (SD) distribution. The X-ray incident direction for each slice was analyzed using a distribution function of SD values, in which the analysis regions were placed in the air region. Then, the helical trajectory of the CT scan was estimated by fitting a three-dimensional helical function to the analyzed data. The robustness of our algorithm was verified through phantom studies: the analyzed X-ray incident directions were compared with instrumental log data, in which cylindrical polyoxymethylene resin phantoms and a whole-body phantom were scanned. Chest CT scanning was mimicked, in which the field of view (FOV) was set at the lung region. The procedure for analyzing the X-ray incident direction was applicable to cylindrical phantoms regardless of the phantom size. In contrast, in the case of the whole-body phantom, although it was possible to apply our procedure to the chest and abdomen regions, the shoulder slices were inappropriate to analyze. Therefore, the helical trajectory was determined based on chest and abdominal CT images. The accuracy in X-ray incident direction analysis was evaluated to be 7.5°. In conclusion, we have developed an algorithm to estimate a three-dimensional helical trajectory that can be used for dose measurements and simulations. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 15 1 2025 Lactose fermenting enteroinvasive Escherichia coli from diarrhoeal cases confers enhanced virulence 24040 EN Debjani Ghosh Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Prolay Halder Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Prosenjit Samanta Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Goutam Chowdhury Collaborative Research Centre of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Sreeja Shaw Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Puja Bose Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Deboleena Roy Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Nivedita Roy Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Kei Kitahara Collaborative Research Centre of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Thandavarayan Ramamurthy Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Hemanta Koley Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Shin-ichi Miyoshi Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shanta Dutta Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Asish Kumar Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), known for causing bacillary dysentery akin to Shigella species, comprises both lactose-fermenting (LF) and non-lactose-fermenting (NLF) isolates. While NLF-EIEC is a well-established pathogen associated with acute dysentery and harbours classical Shigella-like virulence factors, the role of LF-EIEC in human disease remains underexplored. In this study, we sought to characterize LF-EIEC clinical isolates and assessed their pathogenic potential in comparison to NLF-EIEC. Among 13,682 diarrhoeal stool specimens, six LF and nine NLF-EIEC were isolated, predominantly belonging to serogroups O28ac, O125, O136, and O152. Unlike other E. coli, all the EIEC isolates were non-motile. Both the types of EIEC had multiple plasmids harbouring several virulence encoding genes (ipaBCD, ial, virF, sig, sepA and ipaH). Resistance to recent generation antibiotics were mostly confined to NLF-EIEC but some of the LF-EIEC were resistant only to ceftriaxone. Higher invasion ability and significant increase in the expression of virulence encoding genes by the LF-EIEC (p < 0.05) were noted during infection to Int407 cell-line. Additionally, LF-EIEC exhibited extensive colonization of the mouse intestine and expressed severe keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs. Together, our findings highlight LF-EIEC as an emerging pathogenic variant warranting heightened surveillance and comprehensive investigation to better understand its epidemiological and clinical significance. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学大学院教育学研究科 Acta Medica Okayama 1883-2423 189 2025 岡山大学教育学部家政教育講座における教育実践力向上にむけた新カリキュラム初等家庭科指導法基礎および内容基礎の実践と評価 ―2024 年度指導法基礎受講学生を対象としたアンケート調査の分析を通して― 111 122 EN Chiharu MORI Faculty of Education，Okayama University Miyuki HISANARI Faculty of Education，Okayama University Kyoung Won LEE Faculty of Education，Okayama University Yoko SHINOHARA Faculty of Education，Okayama University 10.18926/bgeou/69242 　これまで，岡山大学教育学部家政教育講座では，家庭科教員養成のコア・カリキュラムを設定し，家庭科のねらい・原理を達成できる実践的指導力の育成を行ってきた。本稿では，新カリキュラム1 年次開講科目である「初等家庭科内容基礎」と「初等家庭科指導法基礎」の二つの授業の実践について，その成果と課題を整理し，今後に向けての示唆を得ることを目的とした。学生のアンケート調査結果より，指導法基礎は，シラバスに記載した授業概要や到達目標に示した内容の理解を促すことができたと考えられた。また，本授業の成果は，内容基礎の学修成果と併せて，小学校家庭科の意義，中学校以降の学習との繋がりに対する理解を深めることができたと推察された。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1341-9625 30 1 2024 Lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy are effective treatments for patients with 2023 international federation of gynecology and obstetrics stage IIC-high risk endometrial cancer in Japan 144 156 EN Yoshinori Tani Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Keiichiro Nakamura Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masae Yorimitsu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital Noriko Seki Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital Mie Nakanishi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Hironori Itou Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Miyuki Shimizu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kagawa Rosai Hospital Dan Yamamoto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Organization Fukuyama Medical Center Etsuko Takahara Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuyama City Hospital Hisashi Masuyama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background In early-stage endometrial cancer (EC), the treatment of aggressive histological subtypes (endometrioid carcinoma grade 3, serous carcinoma, clear-cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, mixed carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma) is controversial. We aimed to investigate the treatment of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IC and stage IIC EC according to the 2023 classification.<br> Methods We retrospectively identified patients with FIGO 2023 stage IC, IIC-intermediate risk (IIC-I), and IIC-high risk (IIC-H) EC who underwent adjuvant therapy or observation after surgery at eight medical institutions from 2004 to 2023. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier estimates and univariate and multivariate analyses.<br> Results The PFS and OS were significantly worse in patients with FIGO 2023 stage IIC-H EC than in those with FIGO 2023 stage IIC-I EC (PFS: p = 0.008 and OS: p = 0.006). According to the FIGO 2023 stage IIC-H classification, lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy resulted in better prognoses regarding both PFS and OS (p < 0.001 for both) than other treatments. Our findings suggest that lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy effectively reduced vaginal stump and lymph node metastases in FIGO 2023 stage IIC-H EC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Furthermore, in the multivariate analysis, not undergoing lymphadenectomy or chemotherapy were independent predictors of recurrence and poor prognoses in patients with FIGO 2023 stage IIC-H EC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.031, respectively).<br> Conclusion Lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy resulted in better prognoses regarding both recurrence and survival in patients with FIGO 2023 stage IIC high-risk EC. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0924-4247 390 2025 Extension-type flexible pneumatic actuator with a large extension force using a cross-link mechanism based on pantographs 116594 EN So Shimooka Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuma Tadachi Mechanical and Systems Engineering Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University Tetsushi Kamegawa Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University In this study, we propose an extension-type flexible pneumatic actuator (EFPA) with a high extension force and no buckling. In a previous study, soft actuators that extended in the axial direction by applying a supply pressure were unable to generate the extension’s pushing force because the actuators buckled owing to their high flexibility. To generate a pushing force, the circumferential stiffness of an extension-type flexible soft actuator must be reinforced. Therefore, a cross-linked EFPA (CL-EFPA) was developed, inspired by a pantograph that restrains the EFPA three-dimensionally using the proposed link mechanism. The proposed CL-EFPA consists of three EFPAs and a cross-linking mechanism for integrating each EFPA circumference. The pushing force of the CL-EFPA is approximately 3.0 times compared with that generated by the previous EFPA with plates to restrain its plane. To perform various bending motions, attitude control was performed using an analytical model and a system that included valves, sensors, and controllers. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0001-8686 343 2025 Progress in silicon-based materials for emerging solar-powered green hydrogen (H2) production 103558 EN Aminul Islam Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Jashore University of Science and Technology Md. Tarekul Islam Department of Leather Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology Siow Hwa Teo Industrial Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hasan Mahmud Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) A.M. Swaraz Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology Ariyan Islam Rehan Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo Adiba Islam Rasee Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Khadiza Tul Kubra Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Md. Munjur Hasan Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Md. Shad Salman Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University R.M. Waliullah Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University Md. Nazmul Hasan Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo Md. Chanmiya Sheikh Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tetsuya Uchida Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mrs Eti Awual Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Mohammed Sohrab Hossain Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Hussein Znad Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University Md. Rabiul Awual Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University The imperative demand for sustainable and renewable energy solutions has precipitated profound scientific investigations into photocatalysts designed for the processes of water splitting and hydrogen fuel generation. The abundance, low toxicity, high conductivity, and cost-effectiveness of silicon-based compounds make them attractive candidates for hydrogen production, driving ongoing research and technological advancements. Developing an effective synthesis method that is simple, economically feasible, and environmentally friendly is crucial for the widespread implementation of silicon-based heterojunctions for sustainable hydrogen production. Balancing the performance benefits with the economic and environmental considerations is a key challenge in the development of these systems. The specific performance of each catalyst type can vary depending on the synthesis method, surface modifications, catalyst loading, and reaction conditions. The confluence of high crystallinity, reduced oxygen concentration, and calcination temperature within the silicon nanoparticle has significantly contributed to its noteworthy hydrogen evolution rate. This review provides an up-to-date evaluation of Si-based photocatalysts, summarizing recent developments, guiding future research directions, and identifying areas that require further investigation. By combining theoretical insights and experimental findings, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of Si-based photocatalysts for water splitting. Through a comprehensive analysis, it aims to elucidate existing knowledge gaps and inspire future research directions towards optimized photocatalytic performance and scalability, ultimately contributing to the realization of sustainable hydrogen generation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Fuji Technology Press Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 1883-8049 37 1 2025 Fan-Shaped Pneumatic Soft Actuator that Can Operate Bending Motion for Ankle-Joint Rehabilitation Device 43 53 EN So Shimooka Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirosato Yokoya Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Masanori Hamada Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Shun Shiomi Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Takenori Uehara Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NHO Okayama Medical Center Takahiro Hirayama Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tetsushi Kamegawa Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nowadays, owing to declining birthrates and an aging population, patients and the elderly requiring rehabilitation are not getting enough physical activity. In addressing this issue, devices for rehabilitating them have been researched and developed. However, rehabilitation devices are almost exclusively used for patients who can get up, rather than those who are bedridden. In this study, we aim to develop a rehabilitation device that can provide passive exercise for bedridden patients. The ankle joint was selected as the target joint because the patients who have undergone surgery for cerebrovascular disease remain bedridden, and early recovery in the acute stage is highly desirable. We proposed and tested a fan-shaped pneumatic soft actuator (FPSA) that can expand and bend stably at angles when supply pressure is applied as an actuator for a rehabilitation device to encourage patient exercise. However, the previous FPSA’s movement deviates from the arch of the foot owing to increased supply pressure. In the ideal case, FPSA should push the arch of the foot in an arc motion. This study proposes and tests the FPSA that can operate a bending motion to provide passive exercise to the ankle joint using tensile springs and a winding mechanism powered by a servo motor. The proposed FPSA has a significant advantage of exhibiting no hysteresis in its pressure-displacement characteristics. The configuration and static analytical model of the improved FPSA are described. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1613-6810 2025 Polyglycerol‐Grafted Graphene Oxide with pH‐Responsive Charge‐Convertible Surface to Dynamically Control the Nanobiointeractions for Enhanced in Vivo Tumor Internalization 2503029 EN Yajuan Zou Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Alberto Bianco Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University pH-responsive charge-convertible nanomaterials (NMs) ameliorate the treatment of cancer via simultaneously reducing nonspecific interactions during systemic circulation and improving targeted uptake within solid tumors. While promising, little is known about how the pH-responsiveness of charge-convertible NMs directs their interactions with biological systems, leading to compromised performance, including off-target retention and low specificity to tumor cells. In the present study, polyglycerol-grafted graphene oxide bearing amino groups (GOPGNH2) at different densities are reacted with dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMA), a pH-responsive moiety, to generate a set of charge-convertible GOPGNH-DMMA variants. This permits the assessment of a quantitative correlation between the structure of GOPGNH-DMMA to their pH-responsiveness, their dynamic interactions with proteins and cells, as well as their in vivo biological fate. Through a systematic investigation, it is revealed that GOPGNH115-DMMA prepared from GOPGNH2 with higher amine density experienced fast charge conversion at pH 7.4 to induce non-specific interactions at early stages, whereas GOPGNH60-DMMA and GOPGNH30-DMMA prepared from lower amine density retarded off-target charge conversion to enhance tumor accumulation. Notably, GOPGNH60-DMMA is also associated with enough amounts of proteins under acidic conditions to promote in vivo tumor internalization. The findings will inform the design of pH-responsive NMs for enhanced treatment accuracy and efficacy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2691-3704 5 2 2025 Mechanistic Insights Into Oxidative Response of Heat Shock Factor 1 Condensates 606 617 EN Soichiro Kawagoe Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University Motonori Matsusaki Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University Takuya Mabuchi Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University Yuto Ogasawara Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Kazunori Watanabe Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Koichiro Ishimori Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University Tomohide Saio Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University Heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1), a hub protein in the stress response and cell fate decisions, senses the strength, type, and duration of stress to balance cell survival and death through an unknown mechanism. Recently, changes in the physical property of Hsf1 condensates due to persistent stress have been suggested to trigger apoptosis, highlighting the importance of biological phase separation and transition in cell fate decisions. In this study, the mechanism underlying Hsf1 droplet formation and oxidative response was investigated through 3D refractive index imaging of the internal architecture, corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations and biophysical/biochemical experiments. We found that, in response to oxidative conditions, Hsf1 formed liquid condensates that suppressed its internal mobility. Furthermore, these conditions triggered the hyper-oligomerization of Hsf1, mediated by disulfide bonds and secondary structure stabilization, leading to the formation of dense core particles in the Hsf1 droplet. Collectively, these data demonstrate how the physical property of Hsf1 condensates undergoes an oxidative transition by sensing redox conditions to potentially drive cell fate decisions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0168-0102 219 2025 Establishment of a transgenic strain for the whole brain calcium imaging in larval medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) 104944 EN Takahide Seki Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University Kazuhiro Miyanari Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University Asuka Shiraishi Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University Sachiko Tsuda Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University Satoshi Ansai Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University Hideaki Takeuchi Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University GCaMP-based calcium imaging is a powerful tool for investigating neural function in specific neurons. We generated transgenic (Tg) medaka strains expressing jGCaMP7s across extensive brain regions under the control of the gap43 promoter. Using these Tg larvae, calcium imaging successfully detected a tricaine-induced suppression of spontaneous neural activity and topographical visual responses in the optic tectum elicited by moving paramecia or optical fiber stimulation. These results indicate that our Tg medaka strains provide a versatile platform for investigating neural dynamics and their responses to various stimuli. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0969-806X 238 2026 Bone-enhanced high contrast X-ray images derived from attenuation estimation related to ultra-low energy X-rays – An application of an energy-resolving photon-counting detector (ERPCD) 113243 EN Rina Nishigami Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Natsumi Kimoto Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University Takashi Asahara Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Tatsuya Maeda Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Daiki Kobayashi Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University Sota Goto Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe Tokiwa University Tomonobu Haba Faculty of Radiological Technology, School of Medical Science, Fujita Health University Yuki Kanazawa Faculty of Life Science, Kumamoto University Shuichiro Yamamoto JOB CORPORATION Hiroaki Hayashi College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University Purpose: X-ray diagnosis in medicine is often used for bone diagnosis based on qualitative observation analysis. However, there are often cases where the contrast of bones is reduced because of the existence of soft-tissues, making it difficult to accurately diagnose the bone conditions. Although the algorithm for bone extraction images was proposed using an energy-resolving photon-counting detector (ERPCD), this algorithm can depict “one” bone material (such as hydroxyapatite under the assumption), and it is difficult to adequately depict other components. The purpose of this study is to develop an algorithm for bone-enhanced high-contrast images that can be virtually represented by the attenuation of extremely low-energy X-rays without making any special assumptions.<br> Methods: High-contrast images were virtually generated based on the attenuation rate of ultra-low energy X-rays. It was determined by fitting the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) curve to the X-ray attenuation values (μt values) measured at middle (30–40 keV) and high (40–60 keV) energy windows, and extrapolating the μt values to those for the low energy region (E = 5–20 keV). When performing the extrapolation, the effective atomic number (Zeff ) of the object was taken into consideration. The methodology was validated by simulating X-ray projections using a digital human body phantom. The frequency of correspondence between the pixel values in the high-contrast image and the Zeff image was analyzed for each pixel.<br> Results: We succeeded in creating virtual high-contrast X-ray images that reflect the image contrast of monochromatic X-rays of 5–20 keV. It was confirmed that the pixel values in the high-contrast image corresponding to an Zeff = 7.5 (soft-tissue) were completely separated from those corresponding to an Zeff = 9 (bone). The optimization of the energy related to the high contrast images was performed based on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) analysis. The high contrast image with 10 keV showed a good CNR value.<br> Conclusions: Based on the analysis of the attenuation information of middle and high-energy X-rays measured by ERPCDs, we succeeded in creating a novel algorithm that can generate a virtual monochromatic image with high contrast. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1758-9193 16 1 2024 Impact of amyloid and tau positivity on longitudinal brain atrophy in cognitively normal individuals 77 EN Motonobu Fujishima Department of Radiology, Kumagaya General Hospital Yohei Kawasaki Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Saitama Medical University Toshiharu Mitsuhashi Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Hiroshi Matsuda Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Fukushima Medical University Background Individuals on the preclinical Alzheimer's continuum, particularly those with both amyloid and tau positivity (A + T +), display a rapid cognitive decline and elevated disease progression risk. However, limited studies exist on brain atrophy trajectories within this continuum over extended periods.<br> Methods This study involved 367 ADNI participants grouped based on combinations of amyloid and tau statuses determined through cerebrospinal fluid tests. Using longitudinal MRI scans, brain atrophy was determined according to the whole brain, lateral ventricle, and hippocampal volumes and cortical thickness in AD-signature regions. Cognitive performance was evaluated with the Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (PACC). A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to examine group × time interactions for these measures. In addition, progression risks to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia were compared among the groups using Cox proportional hazards models.<br> Results A total of 367 participants (48 A + T + , 86 A + T − , 63 A − T + , and 170 A − T − ; mean age 73.8 years, mean follow-up 5.1 years, and 47.4% men) were included. For the lateral ventricle and PACC score, the A + T − and A + T + groups demonstrated statistically significantly greater volume expansion and cognitive decline over time than the A − T − group (lateral ventricle: β = 0.757 cm3/year [95% confidence interval 0.463 to 1.050], P < .001 for A + T − , and β = 0.889 cm3/year [0.523 to 1.255], P < .001 for A + T + ; PACC: β =  − 0.19 /year [− 0.36 to − 0.02], P = .029 for A + T − , and β =  − 0.59 /year [− 0.80 to − 0.37], P < .001 for A + T +). Notably, the A + T + group exhibited additional brain atrophy including the whole brain (β =  − 2.782 cm3/year [− 4.060 to − 1.504], P < .001), hippocampus (β =  − 0.057 cm3/year [− 0.085 to − 0.029], P < .001), and AD-signature regions (β =  − 0.02 mm/year [− 0.03 to − 0.01], P < .001). Cox proportional hazards models suggested an increased risk of progressing to MCI or dementia in the A + T + group versus the A − T − group (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.35 [1.76 to 6.39]).<br> Conclusions In cognitively normal individuals, A + T + compounds brain atrophy and cognitive deterioration, amplifying the likelihood of disease progression. Therapeutic interventions targeting A + T + individuals could be pivotal in curbing brain atrophy, cognitive decline, and disease progression. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1432-1068 35 1 2024 Association between lower limb muscle strength and musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex in patients with medial meniscus posterior root tears 40 EN Mikao Fukuba Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Okayama University Hospital Koki Kawada Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Okazaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshimi Katayama Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Okayama University Hospital Masanori Hamada Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Okayama University Hospital Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takayuki Furumatsu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Purpose In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in and the relationship between lower limb muscle strength and physical function before and after medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) repair.<br> Methods Thirty-three patients who underwent MMPR repair were evaluated. Pain was evaluated with the numerical rating scale (NRS), and knee flexor/extensor muscle strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Physical function was evaluated using a timed up and go (TUG) test. The NRS, knee flexor/extensor muscle strength, and TUG were compared preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The correlation of patient characteristics, NRS score, knee flexor/extensor muscle strength, and preoperative TUG with the postoperative TUG was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.<br> Results NRS (3.5 ± 2.1 to 0.1 ± 0.5 points), knee flexor strength (111.9 ± 50.2 to 146.7 ± 51.5 Nm), knee extensor strength (181.9 ± 92.8 to 256.9 ± 107.1 Nm), and TUG (12.3 ± 5.7 to 9.2 ± 2.2 s) all improved significantly from preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). The postoperative TUG was negatively correlated with the preoperative TUG (r = 0.578, p < 0.001), preoperative knee flexor muscle strength (r = − 0.355, p = 0.042), preoperative knee extensor muscle strength (r = − 0.437, p = 0.010), and postoperative knee extensor muscle strength (r = − 0.478, p = 0.004).<br> Conclusion In patients undergoing MMPR repair, surgery and rehabilitation significantly improve lower limb muscle strength and physical function. There was a significant correlation between lower limb muscle strength and TUG, and further strengthening of the lower limb muscles from the preoperative level is desirable to improve patients’ physical function further.<br> Level of evidence IV. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2197-1153 11 4 2024 Quadriceps muscle strength of the affected limb in medial meniscus posterior root tears is negatively correlated with the progression of postoperative medial joint space narrowing e70057 EN Koki Kawada Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mikao Fukuba Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Okazaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masanori Tamura Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yusuke Yokoyama Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takayuki Furumatsu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Purpose: The effect of quadriceps muscle strength on medial joint space (MJS) narrowing after repair for medial meniscus (MM) posterior root tears (MMPRTs) has not yet been determined. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative and postoperative quadriceps muscle strength on the change in MJS (ΔMJS) in MMPRTs.<br> Methods: Thirty patients who underwent pullout repair for MMPRTs were retrospectively evaluated. The MJS width using fixed-flexion view radiographs, MM extrusion (MME) using magnetic resonance imaging, quadriceps muscle strength using the Locomo Scan-II and clinical scores were measured and compared preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Correlations between the ΔMJS, change in MME (ΔMME), and preoperative and postoperative quadriceps muscle strength were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.<br> Results: MJS narrowing and MME progressed significantly at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). Quadriceps muscle strength in MMPRT knees and all clinical scores significantly improved at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). ΔMJS and ΔMME showed a significant positive correlation (0.50 ± 0.70 and 1.22 ± 0.92 mm, respectively; r = 0.516, p = 0.004). Both preoperative and postoperative quadriceps muscle strength in MMPRT knees showed significant negative correlations with ΔMJS (preoperative: r = −0.529, p = 0.003; postoperative: r = −0.477, p = 0.008) and ΔMME (preoperative: r = −0.431, p = 0.018; postoperative: r = −0.443, p = 0.014).<br> Conclusions: In pullout repair for MMPRTs, preoperative and postoperative quadriceps muscle strength in MMPRT knees was negatively correlated with the progression of MJS narrowing and MME. Rehabilitation with a focus on quadriceps muscle strengthening, including preoperative rehabilitation, may delay knee-osteoarthritis progression after pullout repair for MMPRTs.<br> Level of Evidence: Level IV. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0028-0836 638 8049 2025 Immune evasion through mitochondrial transfer in the tumour microenvironment 225 236 EN Hideki Ikeda Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Katsushige Kawase Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Tatsuya Nishi Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomofumi Watanabe Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Keizo Takenaga Division of Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Takashi Inozume Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Takamasa Ishino Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Sho Aki Division of Nutriomics and Oncology, RCAST, The University of Tokyo Jason Lin Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Shusuke Kawashima Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Chiba, Japan Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University Joji Nagasaki Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Youki Ueda Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shinichiro Suzuki Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine Hideki Makinoshima Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center Makiko Itami Department of Surgical Pathology, Chiba Cancer Center Yuki Nakamura Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Yasutoshi Tatsumi Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Yusuke Suenaga Laboratory of Evolutionary Oncology, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Takao Morinaga Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Akiko Honobe-Tabuchi Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi Takehiro Ohnuma Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi Tatsuyoshi Kawamura Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi Yoshiyasu Umeda Department of Skin Oncology/Dermatology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center Yasuhiro Nakamura Department of Skin Oncology/Dermatology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center Yukiko Kiniwa Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine Eiki Ichihara Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Hidetoshi Hayashi Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine Jun-ichiro Ikeda Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University Toyoyuki Hanazawa Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Endocrinological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroyuki Mano Division of Cellular Signalling, National Cancer Center Research Institute Takuji Suzuki Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University Tsuyoshi Osawa Division of Nutriomics and Oncology, RCAST, The University of Tokyo Masahito Kawazu Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute Yosuke Togashi Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Cancer cells in the tumour microenvironment use various mechanisms to evade the immune system, particularly T cell attack1. For example, metabolic reprogramming in the tumour microenvironment and mitochondrial dysfunction in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) impair antitumour immune responses2,3,4. However, detailed mechanisms of such processes remain unclear. Here we analyse clinical specimens and identify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in TILs that are shared with cancer cells. Moreover, mitochondria with mtDNA mutations from cancer cells are able to transfer to TILs. Typically, mitochondria in TILs readily undergo mitophagy through reactive oxygen species. However, mitochondria transferred from cancer cells do not undergo mitophagy, which we find is due to mitophagy-inhibitory molecules. These molecules attach to mitochondria and together are transferred to TILs, which results in homoplasmic replacement. T cells that acquire mtDNA mutations from cancer cells exhibit metabolic abnormalities and senescence, with defects in effector functions and memory formation. This in turn leads to impaired antitumour immunity both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, the presence of an mtDNA mutation in tumour tissue is a poor prognostic factor for immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer. These findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism of cancer immune evasion through mitochondrial transfer and can contribute to the development of future cancer immunotherapies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2662-4435 6 1 2025 Biogeochemical impact of nickel and urea in the great oxidation event 654 EN Dilan M. Ratnayake The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University The Great Oxidation Event marks the first substantial increase in atmospheric oxygen on Earth. Despite the oxygenic photosynthesis that emerged hundreds of million years before this event, the specific biogeochemical mechanisms responsible for maintaining low oxygen levels for an extended period remain elusive. Here, we show the critical role of urea as a nitrogen source for cyanobacteria, the cascading impact of nickel on abiotic urea production, and their combined effects on the proliferation of cyanobacteria leading to the great oxidation event. Urea formation was experimentally evaluated under simulated Archean conditions and cyanobacterial growth was monitored providing urea as the nitrogen source. Our findings demonstrate that urea can be produced in the Archean cyanobacterial habitats with UV-C irradiation, shedding light on the controversy regarding the evolution of nitrogen-fixing enzymes in primitive cyanobacteria. We propose that environmental conditions in the early Archean, characterized by elevated urea and nickel concentration, may have hindered cyanobacterial expansion, contributing to the delay between the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and the onset of the great oxidation event. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2077-0383 14 10 2025 Endoscopic Bridging Stent Placement Improves Bile Leaks After Hepatic Surgery 3381 EN Taisuke Obata Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuyuki Matsumoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kei Harada Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Nao Hattori Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Ryosuke Sato Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Akihiro Matsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Kazuya Miyamoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Hiroyuki Terasawa Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Fujii Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Uchida Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Shigeru Horiguchi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Koichiro Tsutsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Background: Endoscopic treatment is one of the first-line treatments for bile leaks after hepatic surgery. However, detailed reports of endoscopic treatment for bile leaks after hepatic resection (HR) or liver transplantation (LT) are scarce. The outcomes of endoscopic treatment for bile leaks after hepatic surgery were examined, and factors related to successful treatment were identified. Methods: A total of 122 patients underwent endoscopic treatment for bile leaks after hepatic surgery. The diagnosis of a bile leak is based on the ISGLS criteria. The decision to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) is made based on the amount of drainage output, laboratory data, clinical symptoms, and CT scan findings. In our study, the site of the bile leak was assessed using ERC. Endoscopic stents were placed to bridge across the bile leak site as much as possible. Otherwise, stents were placed near the leak site. Endoscopic stents were replaced every 2–3 months until an improvement in the bile leak was observed with or without biliary strictures. The outcomes of endoscopic treatment and the factors related to clinical success were evaluated. Results: Seventy-four patients with HR and forty-eight patients with LT were treated endoscopically. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 89% (109/122) and 82% (100/122) of patients, respectively. Three (2%) patients died from uncontrollable bile leaks. Bridging stent placement (p < 0.001), coexistent percutaneous drainage (p = 0.0025), and leak severity (p = 0.015) were identified as independent factors related to the clinical success of endoscopic treatment. During a median observation period of 1162 days after the achievement of clinical success, bile leak recurrence was observed in only three cases (3%). Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment is safe and effective for bile leaks after hepatic surgery. Bridging stent placement across the leak site is the most crucial factor for clinical success. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2076-2615 15 10 2025 A Canine c-kit Novel Mutation Isolated from a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Retains the Ability to Form Dimers but Lacks Autophosphorylation 1444 EN Kei Shimakawa Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University So Doge Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Masaki Michishita Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Eri Tanabe Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Tsuyoshi Tajima Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Masato Kobayashi Laboratory of Veterinary Reproduction, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Makoto Bonkobara Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Masami Watanabe Laboratory of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiko Ochiai Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Yoshikazu Tanaka Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors that develop in the gastrointestinal tract; KIT mutations are present in both canine and human GISTs. In this study, genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of 55 canine GIST cases, and mutation searches were performed for exons 8, 9, and 11. The results revealed novel mutations, A434T and F436S, in exon 8. In contrast to the A434T mutation without functional changes, the F436S mutant retained its dimerization ability, but lost its phosphorylation function and attenuated downstream Akt signaling, which is reflected in wound healing and migration activities. A comparison of the subcellular localization of WT KIT and the F436S mutant revealed no differences. In silico simulations indicated that the F436S mutation alters the structure of the near-membrane region and that its effects may extend to the transmembrane and intracellular domains compared to the WT. F436S is a point mutation that affects the entire molecule because co-mutation with the F436S mutation and the known autophosphorylation mutation reduces the autophosphorylation abilities. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2694-2496 4 4 2024 Light-Responsive and Antibacterial Graphenic Materials as a Holistic Approach to Tissue Engineering 263 272 EN Andrea Ferreras Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Ana Matesanz Department of Electronic Technology, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Jabier Mendizabal Domotek ingeniería prototipado y formación S.L. Koldo Artola Domotek ingeniería prototipado y formación S.L. Yuta Nishina Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Pablo Acedo Department of Electronic Technology, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid José L. Jorcano Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Amalia Ruiz Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford Giacomo Reina Empa Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Cristina Martín Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid While the continuous development of advanced bioprinting technologies is under fervent study, enhancing the regenerative potential of hydrogel-based constructs using external stimuli for wound dressing has yet to be tackled. Fibroblasts play a significant role in wound healing and tissue implants at different stages, including extracellular matrix production, collagen synthesis, and wound and tissue remodeling. This study explores the synergistic interplay between photothermal activity and nanomaterial-mediated cell proliferation. The use of different graphene-based materials (GBM) in the development of photoactive bioinks is investigated. In particular, we report the creation of a skin-inspired dressing for wound healing and regenerative medicine. Three distinct GBM, namely, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene platelets (GP), were rigorously characterized, and their photothermal capabilities were elucidated. Our investigations revealed that rGO exhibited the highest photothermal efficiency and antibacterial properties when irradiated, even at a concentration as low as 0.05 mg/mL, without compromising human fibroblast viability. Alginate-based bioinks alongside human fibroblasts were employed for the bioprinting with rGO. The scaffold did not affect the survival of fibroblasts for 3 days after bioprinting, as cell viability was not affected. Remarkably, the inclusion of rGO did not compromise the printability of the hydrogel, ensuring the successful fabrication of complex constructs. Furthermore, the presence of rGO in the final scaffold continued to provide the benefits of photothermal antimicrobial therapy without detrimentally affecting fibroblast growth. This outcome underscores the potential of rGO-enhanced hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Our findings hold promise for developing game-changer strategies in 4D bioprinting to create smart and functional tissue constructs with high fibroblast proliferation and promising therapeutic capabilities in drug delivery and bactericidal skin-inspired dressings. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2691-3704 2025 Electrochemical Generation of Sulfonamidyl Radicals via Anodic Oxidation of Hydrogen Bonding Complexes: Applications to Electrosynthesis of Benzosultams EN Yasuyuki Okumura Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Eisuke Sato Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Koichi Mitsudo Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Seiji Suga Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Amidyl radicals and sulfonamidyl radicals are widely used in the field of organic synthesis. In particular, the electrochemical oxidation of amides in the presence of bases is one of the most practical methods for generating amidyl radicals. However, it is often difficult to observe the “true” radical precursor, such as an amide anion and/or a hydrogen bonding complex with an amide and a base. We found that a sulfonamide and Bu4NOAc form a 1:1 hydrogen bonding complex by spectroscopic experiments. Cyclic voltammetry suggested that 1:1 hydrogen bonding complexes should be oxidized predominantly under the optimized conditions to afford a sulfonamidyl radical via the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process by the oxidation of the complex. Thus-generated sulfonamidyl radicals could be used in the electrochemical synthesis of a variety of benzosultams. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 1359-7345 60 76 2024 Investigating the radical properties of oxidized carbon materials under photo-irradiation: behavior of carbon radicals and their application in catalytic reactions 10544 10547 EN Md Razu Ahmed Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Israel Ortiz Anaya Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Oxidized carbon materials have abundant surface functional groups and customizable properties, making them an excellent platform for generating radicals. Unlike reactive oxygen species such as hydroxide or superoxide radicals that have been reported previously, oxidized carbon also produces stable carbon radicals under photo-irradiation. This has been confirmed through electron spin resonance. Among the various oxidized carbon materials synthesized, graphene oxide shows the largest number of carbon radicals when exposed to blue LED light. The light absorption capacity, high surface area, and unique structural characteristics of oxidized carbon materials offer a unique function for radical-mediated oxidative reactions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2662-4729 2025 Impact of differences in computed tomography value-electron density/physical density conversion tables on calculate dose in low-density areas EN Mia Nomura Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Shunsuke Goto Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Mizuki Yoshioka Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Yuiko Kato Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Ayaka Tsunoda Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Kunio Nishioka Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Yoshinori Tanabe Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University In radiotherapy treatment planning, the extrapolation of computed tomography (CT) values for low-density areas without known materials may differ between CT scanners, resulting in different calculated doses. We evaluated the differences in the percentage depth dose (PDD) calculated using eight CT scanners. Heterogeneous virtual phantoms were created using LN-300 lung and − 900 HU. For the two types of virtual phantoms, the PDD on the central axis was calculated using five energies, two irradiation field sizes, and two calculation algorithms (the anisotropic analytical algorithm and Acuros XB). For the LN-300 lung, the maximum CT value difference between the eight CT scanners was 51 HU for an electron density (ED) of 0.29 and 8.8 HU for an extrapolated ED of 0.05. The LN-300 lung CT values showed little variation in the CT-ED/physical density data among CT scanners. The difference in the point depth for the PDD in the LN-300 lung between the CT scanners was < 0.5% for all energies and calculation algorithms. Using Acuros XB, the PDD at − 900 HU had a maximum difference between facilities of > 5%, and the dose difference corresponding to an LN-300 lung CT value difference of > 20 HU was > 1% at a field size of 2 × 2 cm2. The study findings suggest that the calculated dose of low-density regions without known materials in the CT-ED conversion table introduces a risk of dose differences between facilities because of the calibration of the CT values, even when the same CT-ED phantom radiation treatment planning and treatment devices are used. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 1477-0520 2025 From Carboxylic Acids or Their Derivatives to Amines and Ethers: Modern Decarboxylative Approaches for Sustainable C–N and C–O Bond Formation EN Weidan Yan Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tian Tian Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasushi Nishihara Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University Amines and ethers represent essential structural motifs in pharmaceuticals, natural products, organic materials, and catalytic systems. The development of novel, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective strategies for constructing C–N and C–O bonds is therefore of significant importance for the synthesis of these compounds. In recent years, carboxylic acids and their derivatives have emerged as attractive, inexpensive, non-toxic, and readily available synthetic building blocks, serving as promising alternatives to aryl halides. Growing evidence has demonstrated that decarboxylative amination and etherification of carboxylic acid derivatives offer a powerful approach for the synthesis of amines and ethers. These transformations proceed via three principal mechanistic pathways, each offering high atom economy. Specifically, carbanions (or organometallic species) generated through heterolytic decarboxylation can react with suitable electrophiles to form C–heteroatom bonds. In contrast, carbon-centred radicals produced through homolytic decarboxylation can couple with heteroatom-based reagents via radical recombination or oxidative trapping. Additionally, carbocations are typically formed via electrochemical oxidation of carboxylic acids: oxidative decarboxylation first yields a carbon radical, which is then further oxidized at the anode to generate a carbocation. This highly electrophilic intermediate can subsequently be intercepted by heteroatom nucleophiles to construct C–N or C–O bonds. This review highlights recent advances in the field, with a focus on transition metal catalysis, photoredox catalysis, and electrochemical methods for decarboxylative amination and etherification. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 15 1 2024 Shoot-Silicon-Signal protein to regulate root silicon uptake in rice 10712 EN Naoki Yamaji Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Namiki Mitani-Ueno Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Toshiki Fujii Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Tomonori Shinya Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Ji Feng Shao State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University Shota Watanuki Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasunori Saitoh Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Jian Feng Ma Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Plants accumulate silicon to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Especially in rice (Oryza sativa), a typical Si-accumulator, tremendous Si accumulation is indispensable for healthy growth and productivity. Here, we report a shoot-expressed signaling protein, Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS), an exceptional homolog of the flowering hormone “florigen” differentiated in Poaceae. SSS transcript is only detected in the shoot, whereas the SSS protein is also detected in the root and phloem sap. When Si is supplied from the root, the SSS transcript rapidly decreases, and then the SSS protein disappears. In sss mutants, root Si uptake and expression of Si transporters are decreased to a basal level regardless of the Si supply. The grain yield of the mutants is decreased to 1/3 due to insufficient Si accumulation. Thus, SSS is a key phloem-mobile protein for integrating root Si uptake and shoot Si accumulation underlying the terrestrial adaptation strategy of grasses. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0031-9317 177 4 2025 CNGC2 Negatively Regulates Stomatal Closure and Is Not Required for flg22- and H2O2-Induced Guard Cell [Ca2+]cyt Elevation in Arabidopsis thaliana e70396 EN Rojina Akter Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yasuhiro Inoue Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Saori Masumoto Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University Yoshiharu Mimata Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Takakazu Matsuura Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Izumi C. Mori Toshiyuki Nakamura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshimasa Nakamura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshiyuki Murata Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Shintaro Munemasa Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University In guard cells, cytosolic Ca2+ acts as a second messenger that mediates abscisic acid (ABA)- and pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced stomatal closure. It was reported that Arabidopsis cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (CNGC2) functions as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)- and PAMP-activated Ca2+-permeable channels at the plasma membrane of mesophyll cells and mediates Ca2+-dependent PAMP-triggered immunity. In this study, we examined the role of CNGC2 in the regulation of stomatal movement because CNGC2 is also expressed in guard cells. We found that stomata of the CNGC2 disruption mutant cngc2-3 are constitutively closed even in the absence of ABA or the flagellar-derived PAMP, flg22. Consistently, leaf temperatures of the cngc2-3 mutant were higher than those of wild-type (WT) plants. The stomatal phenotype of the cngc2-3 mutant was restored by complementation with wild-type CNGC2 under the control of the guard cell preferential promoter, pGC1. Elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in guard cells induced by flg22 and H2O2 remained intact in the cngc2-3 mutant. The introduction of the ost1-3 mutation into the cngc2-3 background did not alter the stomatal phenotype. However, the stomatal phenotype of the cngc2-3 mutant was successfully rescued in the double disruption mutant cngc2-3aba2-2. Taken together, these results suggest that CNGC2 negatively regulates stomatal closure response and does not function as flg22– and H2O2-activated Ca2+ channels in guard cells. Though CNGC2 is responsive for H2O2- and flg22-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation in mesophyll cells, the involvement of CNGC2 in the response to H2O2 and flg22 in guard cells is questionable. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 15 1 2024 A high-protein diet-responsive gut hormone regulates behavioral and metabolic optimization in Drosophila melanogaster 10819 EN Yuto Yoshinari Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University Takashi Nishimura Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University Taishi Yoshii Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shu Kondo Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science Hiromu Tanimoto Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University Tomoe Kobayashi Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute Makoto Matsuyama Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute Ryusuke Niwa Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba Protein is essential for all living organisms; however, excessive protein intake can have adverse effects, such as hyperammonemia. Although mechanisms responding to protein deficiency are well-studied, there is a significant gap in our understanding of how organisms adaptively suppress excessive protein intake. In the present study, utilizing the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we discover that the peptide hormone CCHamide1 (CCHa1), secreted by enteroendocrine cells in response to a high-protein diet (HPD), is vital for suppressing overconsumption of protein. Gut-derived CCHa1 is received by a small subset of enteric neurons that produce short neuropeptide F, thereby modulating protein-specific satiety. Importantly, impairment of the CCHa1-mediated gut-enteric neuronal axis results in ammonia accumulation and a shortened lifespan under HPD conditions. Collectively, our findings unravel the crosstalk of gut hormone and neuronal pathways that orchestrate physiological responses to prevent and adapt to dietary protein overload. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2772-4174 13 2025 Photochemical internalization of mRNA using a photosensitizer and nucleic acid carriers 100242 EN Hayaki Maemoto Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Ryohei Suzaki Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Kazunori Watanabe Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Keiji Itaka Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Takashi Ohtsuki Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University mRNA has great potential for therapeutic applications because it can encode a variety of proteins and antigens, in addition to advantages over DNA in terms of gene expression without genomic integration, nuclear localization, or transcription. However, therapeutic applications of mRNA require safe and effective delivery into target cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate photochemical internalization (PCI) as a promising strategy for delivering mRNA to target cells. In this strategy, mRNA is taken up into cells by endocytosis, accumulates in endosomes, and is released in a light-dependent manner from the endosomes using an endosome-accumulating photosensitizer, aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate (AlPcS2a), in combination with nucleic acid carrier molecules. We compared the efficacy of various nucleic acid carriers, including branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) and poly{N'-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl] aspartamide} (PAsp(DET)) under the same conditions for PCI-based mRNA delivery. Our results indicated that bPEI and PAsp(DET) at low N/P ratios exhibited efficient light-enhancement of mRNA expression by PCI with AlPcS2a. Notably, bPEI exhibited the highest light-dependent mRNA delivery among the carriers evaluated (including cationic polymers, cationic peptides, and lipids), whereas PAsp(DET) showed promise for clinical use because of its lower toxicity compared with bPEI. This PCI strategy allows effective cytosolic mRNA delivery at low N/P ratios, thereby reducing cationic carrier molecule-induced cytotoxicity. This method allows spatiotemporal control of protein expression and holds potential for novel light-dependent mRNA therapies. Overall, this study provided valuable insights into optimizing mRNA delivery systems for therapeutic applications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0910-6340 41 4 2024 Efficient single-channel current measurements of the human BK channel using a liposome-immobilized gold probe 329 334 EN Minako Hirano Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Mami Asakura Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Toru Ide Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University The human BK channel (hBK) is an essential membrane protein that regulates various biological functions, and its dysfunction leads to serious diseases. Understanding the biophysical properties of hBK channels is crucial for drug development. Artificial lipid bilayer recording is used to measure biophysical properties at the single-channel level. However, this technique is time-consuming and complicated; thus, its measurement efficiency is very low. Previously, we developed a novel technique to improve the measurement efficiency by rapidly forming lipid bilayer membranes and incorporating ion channels into the membrane using a hydrophilically modified gold probe. To further improve our technique for application to the hBK channel, we combined it using the gold probe with a liposome fusion method. Using a probe on which liposomes containing hBK channels were immobilized, the channels were efficiently incorporated into the lipid bilayer membrane, and the measured channel currents showed the current characteristics of the hBK channel. This technique will be useful for the efficient measurements of the channel properties of hBK and other biologically important channels. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

日本エアロゾル学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0912-2834 40 2 2025 水溶性高分子含有スラリー液滴乾燥過程の評価 99 108 EN Koichi Nakaso Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daichi Yamashita Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yutaro Aoyama Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasushi Mino Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kuniaki Gotoh Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University The granulation process of a slurry droplet containing a water-soluble polymer in a spray dryer is investigated. Although there have been many studies on the drying behavior of a single-component slurry droplet, there have been few reports for a multicomponent slurry droplet. This is due to the complexity and difficulty in evaluating the drying behavior of a multicomponent slurry droplet. Therefore, for the production of granules from multicomponent materials by a spray dryer, its operating conditions are usually determined by trial and error. To optimize the practical granule production process, the drying behavior of multicomponent slurry droplets should be studied. In this study, the drying behavior of a silica slurry droplet containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is investigated. The drying behavior of a droplet suspended on the tip of a needle was observed. The effect of the volume fraction of PVA on the drying behavior and the morphology of a dried granule is studied. The effect of drying condition on the granule formation process is also investigated. As a result, the structure of dried granules was strongly influenced by PVA concentration. Segregation of PVA in the dried granules was observed. Based on the results, the drying process diagram is presented. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1433-7851 2025 Development of a Vinylated Cyclic Allene: A Fleeting Strained Diene for the Diels–Alder Reaction e202510319 EN Haruki Mizoguchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takumi Obata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Taiki Hirai Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Manaka Komatsu Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akira Sakakura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Fleeting molecules possessing strained multiple bonds are important components in organic synthesis due to their ability to undergo various chemical reactions driven by the release of strain energy. Although the use of strained π-bonds as 2π components, represented by dienophiles in Diels–Alder reactions, has been well studied, “the strained diene (4π component) approach” for molecular construction remains underexplored. Herein, we report the design of a vinyl cyclic allene (1-vinyl-1,2-cyclohexadiene) as a highly reactive strained diene and the development of its Diels–Alder reactions. Experimental and computational studies of vinyl cyclic allenes revealed that this diene system undergoes cycloaddition with dienophiles regio- and stereoselectively under mild reaction conditions. These studies also provide insight into the reactivity and selectivity of the system. The strained diene approach enables the convergent construction of polycyclic molecules through bond disconnections distinct from conventional retrosynthetic analysis, thus offering an efficient strategy for the assembly of functional molecules. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0022-3751 2025 Dual functions of SNAP25 in mouse taste buds EN Kengo Horie Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kuanyu Wang Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hai Huang Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Keiko Yasumatsu Tokyo Dental Junior College Yuzo Ninomiya Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshihiro Mitoh Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ryusuke Yoshida Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Type III cells in mouse taste buds are considered to transmit aversive stimuli, such as sourness, to the gustatory nerve through vesicular synapses. Synaptosome-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) might contribute to synaptic vesicular release in sour sensation, although direct evidence has been lacking. Here, we demonstrated that epithelia-specific Snap25 conditional knockout (cKO) mice exhibited a significant reduction in the number of type III cells. Notably, the proportion of 5-ethynyl 2′-deoxyuridine-positive post-mitotic type III cells in Snap25 cKO mice was significantly lower on tracing day 14, but not at day 7, which suggests that SNAP25 contributes to the maintenance of type III cells. In a short-term lick test, Snap25 cKO (sour taste absent) and Snap25/ transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 double KO (sour taste and somatosensory absent) mice exhibit a significantly higher lick response to sour tastants, confirming the role of SNAP25 for sour sensation. Electrophysiological recordings of the chorda tympani nerve reveal nearly abolished ammonium and sour taste responses in Snap25 cKO mice, which concludes sour-dependent synapse transmission in type III cells. Overall, these data suggest that vesicular synapses in taste buds are indispensable for transmission of information from, and the replenishment of, sour-sensitive type III taste cells. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0981-9428 227 2025 The hidden cation-selective pore in ion-conducting aquaporin OsPIP2;4 from rice 110168 EN Shuntaro Ono Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sen Thi Huong Tran Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Yasunori Saitoh Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Shigeko Utsugi Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Tomoaki Horie Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University Maki Katsuhara Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Ion-conducting aquaporins (icAQPs) transport ions as well as water. Although the molecular mechanism of how AQPs establish selective permeability for water molecules is well understood, the ion-transporting mechanism in icAQPs has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of cation transport in OsPIP2;4, an icAQP in rice, by homology modeling and the electrophysiological analysis using Xenopus laevis oocytes. Water and ion transport assays using OsPIP2;4 T227M and G278K mutants strongly suggested that water- and cation-transporting pathways are independent of each other. Data from amino acid substitutions V54I and A143G in OsPIP2;4 led to the identification of a novel hidden pathway for cation transport located on the side surfaces of the tetramer channel, where two protomers are in contact, which is distinct from conventional monomeric pores and the tetrameric central pore in AQPs. Moreover, the present results provide the possibility that this hypothetical hidden pore also functions in the barley icAQP HvPIP2;8. The overall structure of this novel pathway appears to differ from the structure of general cation channels. However, the arrangement of hydrophilic amino acids at the entrance of the pathway of OsPIP2;4 was found to be comparable to that of some cation channels, which implies that the molecular mechanism of dehydration of hydrated ions might resemble that of the channels. Although direct structural evidence is needed to confirm the proposed pathway, the present study can be a stepping stone toward unraveling the mechanism of dual water and ion transport through icAQPs in plants. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0361-8609 2025 International Consensus Histopathological Criteria for Subtyping Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease Based on Machine Learning Analysis EN Midori Filiz Nishimura Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Tomoka Haratake Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Yoshito Nishimura Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Asami Nishikori Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Remi Sumiyoshi The Research Program for Intractable Disease by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Castleman Disease, TAFRO and Related Ddisease Research Group Hideki Ujiie Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Yuri Kawahara Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Tomohiro Koga The Research Program for Intractable Disease by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Castleman Disease, TAFRO and Related Ddisease Research Group Masao Ueki School of Information and Data Sciences, Nagasaki University Dorottya Laczko Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Eric Oksenhendler Department of Clinical Immunology, Hôpital Saint-Louis David C. Fajgenbaum Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Frits van Rhee Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Atsushi Kawakami The Research Program for Intractable Disease by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Castleman Disease, TAFRO and Related Ddisease Research Group Yasuharu Sato Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder classified into three recognized clinical subtypes—idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy (IPL), TAFRO, and NOS. Although clinical criteria are available for subtyping, diagnostically challenging cases with overlapping histopathological features highlight the need for an improved classification system integrating clinical and histopathological findings. We aimed to develop an objective histopathological subtyping system for iMCD that closely correlates with the clinical subtypes. Excisional lymph node specimens from 94 Japanese iMCD patients (54 IPL, 28 TAFRO, 12 NOS) were analyzed for five key histopathological parameters: germinal center (GC) status, plasmacytosis, vascularity, hemosiderin deposition, and “whirlpool” vessel formation in GC. Using hierarchical clustering, we visualized subgroups and developed a machine learning-based decision tree to differentiate the clinical subtypes and validated it in an external cohort of 12 patients with iMCD. Hierarchical cluster analysis separated the IPL and TAFRO cases into mutually exclusive clusters, whereas the NOS cases were interspersed between them. Decision tree modeling identified plasmacytosis, vascularity, and whirlpool vessel formation as key features distinguishing IPL from TAFRO, achieving 91% and 92% accuracy in the training and test sets, respectively. External validation correctly classified all IPL and TAFRO cases, confirming the reproducibility of the system. Our histopathological classification system closely aligns with the clinical subtypes, offering a more precise approach to iMCD subtyping. It may enhance diagnostic accuracy, guide clinical decision-making for predicting treatment response in challenging cases, and improve patient selection for future research. Further validation of its versatility and clinical utility is required. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Acta Medica Okayama 0918-2918 64 5 2025 A Novel De Novo Variant in KCNH5 in a Patient with Refractory Epileptic Encephalopathy 759 762 EN Akihiko Mitsutake Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Takashi Matsukawa Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tatsuhiko Naito Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hiroyuki Ishiura Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Jun Mitsui Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hiroaki Harada Department of Rheumatology and Allergy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Keishi Fujio Department of Rheumatology and Allergy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Jun Fujishiro Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Harushi Mori Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University Shinichi Morishita Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Shoji Tsuji Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tatsushi Toda Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo We herein report a novel de novo KCNH5 variant in a patient with refractory epileptic encephalopathy. The patient exhibited seizures at 1 year and 7 months old, which gradually worsened, leading to a bedridden status. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cerebral atrophy and cerebellar hypoplasia. A trio whole-exome sequence analysis identified a de novo heterozygous c.640A>C, p.Lys214Gln variant in KCNH5 that was predicted to be deleterious. Recent studies have linked KCNH5 to various epileptic encephalopathies, with many patients showing normal MRI findings. The present case expands the clinical spectrum of the disease, as it is characterized by severe neurological prognosis, cerebral atrophy, and cerebellar hypoplasia. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 0032-0781 2025 Sulfur dioxide-induced guard cell death and stomatal closure are attenuated in nitrate/proton antiporter AtCLCa mutants EN Lia Ooi Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Takakazu Matsuura Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Izumi C. Mori Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Guard cells surrounding the stomata play a crucial role in regulating the entrance of hazardous gases such as SO2 into leaves. Stomatal closure could be a plant response to mitigate SO2 damage, although the mechanism for SO2-induced closure remains controversial. Proposed mediators for SO2-induced stomatal closure include phytohormones, reactive oxygen species, gasotransmitters, and cytosolic acidification. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of stomatal closure in Arabidopsis in response to SO2. Despite an increment in auxin and jasmonates after SO2 exposure, the addition of auxin did not cause stomatal closure and jasmonate-insensitive mutants exhibited SO2-induced stomatal closure suggesting auxin and jasmonates are not mediators leading to the closure. In addition, supplementation of scavenging reagents for reactive oxygen species and gasotransmitters did not inhibit SO2-induced closure. Instead, we found that cytosolic acidification is a credible mechanism for SO2-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis. CLCa mutants coding H+/nitrate antiporter, involved in cytosolic pH homeostasis, showed less sensitive stomatal phenotype against SO2. These results suggest that cytosolic pH homeostasis plays a tenable role in SO2 response in guard cells. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) Acta Medica Okayama 1600-5767 58 3 2025 Enhanced estimation method for partial scattering functions in contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering via Gaussian process regression with prior knowledge of smoothness 976 991 EN Ippei Obayashi Center for Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Data Science, Okayama University Shinya Miyajima Faculty of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Kazuaki Tanaka Global Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University Koichi Mayumi Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo Contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS) is a powerful tool for evaluating the structure of multi-component systems. In CV-SANS, the scattering intensities I(Q) measured with different scattering contrasts are de­com­posed into partial scattering functions S(Q) of the self- and cross-correlations between components. Since the measurement has a measurement error, S(Q) must be estimated statistically from I(Q). If no prior knowledge about S(Q) is available, the least-squares method is best, and this is the most popular estimation method. However, if prior knowledge is available, the estimation can be improved using Bayesian inference in a statistically authorized way. In this paper, we propose a novel method to improve the estimation of S(Q), based on Gaussian process regression using prior knowledge about the smoothness and flatness of S(Q). We demonstrate the method using synthetic core–shell and experimental polyrotaxane SANS data. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 消費者行動モデルを援用した効果検証モデルの検討－短期縦断調査による因果関係からの分析－ EN Masashi KANDA Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Enhancing Equitable Healthcare Accessibility for Vulnerable Demographics : Insights from Vietnam EN DO THI HOAI GIANG Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Improved linear epitope-specific autoantibody discovery and quantitative assay system EN Mirei DATE (MASUI) Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 A Novel Drug Delivery System for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) in Cancer Theranostics EN ABDUL BASITH FITHRONI Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 夏季のミニトマト生産における暑熱対策に関する研究 EN Shuji KOZAI Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Risk Assessment for Heavy Rainfall-Induced Geohazards using Surrogate Models EN SHIYING ZHENG Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Tuning the 3D Structure of Graphene Oxide Assembly for Precisely Controlled Adsorption Properties EN ISRAEL ORTIZ ANAYA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Development of synthetic methods for complex molecular frameworks via 1,2-rearrangement reactions EN Hidetoshi KAMADA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Deeper Mechanistic Understanding of Some Reaction Processes in Electroorganic Synthesis EN Yuta NIKI Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 組紐製造技術による繊維強化型人工筋肉の製作手法の確立と変位センシングの実現 EN WEIHANG TIAN Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 数理統計学と情報理論を用いた限定的な事前情報下での意思決定補助手法に関する研究 EN Shuto TANABASHI Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 A Study of Hand Gestures for Controlling Video Games in Rehabilitation Exergame System EN RADHIATUL HUSNA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Enhancements of Active Access-Point Configuration for IEEE 802.11n 2.4GHz Wireless Local-Area Network EN Mousumi Saha Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Social Factors in Motion: Quantifying the Dynamics of Dyad–Individual Collision Avoidance EN Adrien Thibaud Marie GREGORJ Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Molecular Simulation and Integral Equation Studies of the Solute-Solute Effective Interactions in Water and Simple Liquids EN Hidefumi NAITO Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 MOLECULAR SIMULATION STUDY ON AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF ALCOHOLS AND PNIPAM WITH DEVELOPMENT OF ION MODELS EN Aoi TAIRA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Development of on-site environmental analytical methods for nitrogen compounds using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices EN Mika UMEDA (ISOYAMA) Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Structural Design of Nanoporous Materials with Substance Formation on Two-Dimensional Materials Using Calcination EN Yuki TAKEUCHI Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Design of the full-sky scanning strategy and systematic effect control in a cosmic microwave background probe EN Yusuke TAKASE Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 小胞体ストレスセンサー IRE1α に対する S-ニトロシル化阻害薬の同定とその薬効評価 EN Haruna KUROGI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 Exploring the Role of Ccn3 in Type III Cell of Mice Taste Buds EN Kuanyu Wang Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2025 The influence of fixing condition on myoglobin stainability of striated muscle as a tool for forensic diagnosis EN Chie KOBAYASHI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1572-9613 192 5 2025 The Intertwining Property for Laguerre Processes with a Fixed Parameter 58 EN Alexander I. Bufetov Steklov Mathematical Institute of RAS Yosuke Kawamoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University We investigate the intertwining of Laguerre processes of parameter α in different dimensions. We introduce a Feller kernel that depends on α and intertwines the α-Laguerre process in N + 1 dimensions and that in N dimensions. When α is a non-negative integer, the new kernel is interpreted in terms of the conditional distribution of the squared singular values: if the singular values of a unitarily invariant random matrix of order (N+α+1)×(N+1) are fixed, then the those of its (N+α) × N truncation matrix are given by the new kernel. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1464-6722 26 5 2025 Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 Requires Seven Type III Effectors to Infect Nicotiana benthamiana e70091 EN Kana Kuroe Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takafumi Nishimura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sachi Kashihara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nanami Sakata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mikihiro Yamamoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yoshiteru Noutoshi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhiro Toyoda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuki Ichinose Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidenori Matsui Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Type III effectors (T3Es), virulence factors injected into plant cells via the type III secretion system (T3SS), play essential roles in the infection of host plants. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 (Pta 6605) is the causal agent of wildfire disease in tobacco and harbours at least 22 T3Es in its genome. However, the specific T3Es required by Pta 6605 to infect Nicotiana benthamiana remain unidentified. In this study, we investigated the T3Es that contribute to Pta 6605 infection of N. benthamiana. We constructed Pta 6605 poly-T3E-deficient mutants (Pta DxE) and inoculated them into N. benthamiana. Flood assay, which mimics natural opening-based entry, showed that mutant strains lacking 14-22 T3Es, namely, Pta D14E-D22E mutants, exhibited reduced disease symptoms. By contrast, infiltration inoculation, which involves direct injection into leaves, showed that the Pta D14E to Pta D20E mutants developed disease symptoms. Notably, the Pta D20E, containing AvrE1 and HopM1, induced weak but observable symptoms upon infiltration inoculation. Conversely, no symptoms were observed in either the flood assay or infiltration inoculation for Pta D21E and Pta D22E. Taken together, these findings indicate that the many T3Es such as AvrPto4/AvrPtoB, HopW1/HopAE1, and HopM1/AvrE1 in Pta 6605 collectively contribute to invasion through natural openings and symptom development in N. benthamiana. This study provides the basis for understanding virulence in the host by identifying the minimum T3E repertoire required by Pta 6605 to infect N. benthamiana. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

IOP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 1367-2630 27 4 2025 Characterization of the thorium-229 defect structure in CaF2 crystals 043024 EN S. Takatori Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University M. Pimon Faculty of Physics, TU Wien S. Pollitt Faculty of Physics, TU Wien M. Bartokos Faculty of Physics, TU Wien K. Beeks Faculty of Physics, TU Wien A. Grueneis Faculty of Physics, TU Wien T. Hiraki Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University T. Honma Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute N. Hosseini Faculty of Physics, TU Wien A. Leitner Faculty of Physics, TU Wien T. Masuda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University I Morawetz Faculty of Physics, TU Wien K. Nitta Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute K. Okai Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University T. Riebner Faculty of Physics, TU Wien F. Schaden Faculty of Physics, TU Wien T. Schumm Faculty of Physics, TU Wien O. Sekizawa Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute T. Sikorsky Faculty of Physics, TU Wien Y. Takahashi Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo Col, L. Toscani De Col Faculty of Physics, TU Wien R. Yamamoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University T. Yomogida Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo A. Yoshimi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University K. Yoshimura Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University Recent advancements in laser excitation of the low-energy thorium-229 (229Th) nuclear isomeric state in calcium fluoride (CaF2) single crystals render this system a promising candidate for a solid-state nuclear clock. Nonetheless, the precise experimental determination of the microscopic ion configuration surrounding the doped 229Th and its electronic charge state remains a critical challenge. Such characterization is essential for precisely controlling the clock transition and evaluating the performance of this solid-state nuclear clock system. In this study, we use x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of 229Th:CaF2 to investigate the charge state and coordination environment of doped 229Th. The results indicate that 229Th displays a 4+ oxidation state at the substitutional site of a Ca2+ ion, with charge compensated provided by two F− ions positioned at interstitial sites adjacent to 229Th. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学文明動態学研究所 文化遺産マネジメント部門 Acta Medica Okayama 41 2025 津島岡大遺跡 23 ―第37次調査―（異分野基礎科学研究所新営に伴う発掘調査） EN No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門 Acta Medica Okayama 2758-9625 2023 2025 岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門紀要2023 EN No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 15 1 2025 Association of emergency intensive care unit occupancy due to brain-dead organ donors with ambulance diversion 12633 EN Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Hongo Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tsuyoshi Nojima Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kohei Tsukahara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masaki Hisamura Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Our study aims to explore how intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy by brain-dead organ donors affects emergency ambulance diversions. In this retrospective, single-center study at an emergency ICU (EICU), brain-dead organ donors were managed until organ procurement. We classified each day between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, as either an exposure day (any day with a brain-dead organ donor in the EICU from admission to organ procurement) or a control day (all other days). The study compared these days and used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of EICU occupancy by brain-dead organ donors on ambulance diversions. Over two years, 6,058 emergency patients were transported by ambulance, with 1327 admitted to the EICU, including 13 brain-dead organ donors. Brain-dead donors had longer EICU stays (17 vs. 2 days, P < 0.001). With 168 exposure and 562 control days, EICU occupancy was higher on exposure days (75% vs. 67%, P = 0.003), leading to more ambulance diversions. Logistic regression showed exposure days significantly increased ambulance diversions, with an odds ratio of 1.79 (95% CIs 1.10-2.88). This study shows that managing brain-dead organ donors in the EICU leads to longer stays and higher occupancy, resulting in more frequent ambulance diversions. These findings highlight the critical need for policies that optimize ICU resource allocation while maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support organ donation programs and ensuring continued care for brain-dead donors, who play an essential role in addressing the organ shortage crisis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMC Acta Medica Okayama 1477-7819 23 1 2025 Surgical protocol of robotic liver resection using a two-surgeon technique (TAKUMI-3): a technical note and initial outcomes 124 EN Kosei Takagi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Tomokazu Fuji Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Kazuya Yasui Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Yuzo Umeda Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine Motohiko Yamada Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Takeyoshi Nishiyama Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Yasuo Nagai Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Noriyuki Kanehira Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Background Internationally, evidence supporting robotic liver resection (RLR) has gradually increased in recent years. However, a standardized protocol for RLR remains lacking. This study describes a surgical protocol and the initial outcomes of RLR in a high-volume center for robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in Japan.<br> Methods Patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position, with a supine position for anterolateral tumors and left lateral position for posterosuperior tumors. Our standard RLR protocol involved a two-surgeon technique. Liver parenchymal transection was performed by an assistant using the clamp crush technique with a console, with or without a laparoscopic Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Surgical techniques, including the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of RLR, are also demonstrated.<br> Results We performed 113 RLR at our institution for common primary diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 52, 46.0%) and metastatic tumors (n = 48, 42.5%) between July 2022 and December 2024. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 156 min (interquartile range [IQR], 121-209 min) and 20 mL (IQR, 0-100 mL), respectively. During liver parenchymal transection, a laparoscopic CUSA was used in 59 patients (52.2%), and a water-jet scalpel was used in 12 patients (10.6%). The incidence of mortality, major complications, and bile leakage was 0%, 6.2%, and 2.7%, respectively. The median hospital stay was 7 days (IQR, 6-9 days).<br> Conclusions We successfully introduced an RLR program using the two-surgeon technique. Safe implementation of RLR can be achieved upon completion of the training program and thorough understanding of the surgical protocols. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1566 67 1 2025 The best constant of the Sobolev inequality corresponding to a bending problem of a string with a rectangular spring constant 75 99 EN Hiroyuki Yamagishi Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology Yoshinori Kametaka Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University The Sobolev inequality shows that the supremum of a function defined on a whole line is estimated from the above by constant multiples of the potential energy. Among such constants, the smallest constant is the best constant. If we replace a constant by the best constant in the Sobolev inequality, then the equality holds for the best function. The aim of this paper is to find the best constant and the best function. In the background, there is a bending problem of a string with a rectangular spring constant. The Green function is an important function because the best constant and the best function consist of the Green function. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1566 67 1 2025 The irreducibility and monogenicity of power-compositional trinomials 53 65 EN Joshua Harrington Department of Mathematics, Cedar Crest College Lenny Jones Department of Mathematics, Shippensburg University A polynomial f(x) ∈ Z[x] of degree N is called monogenic if f(x) is irreducible over Q and {1, θ, θ2, . . . , θN−1} is a basis for the ring of integers of Q(θ), where f(θ) = 0. Define F(x) := xm+Axm−1+B. In this article, we determine sets of conditions on m, A, and B, such that the power-compositional trinomial F(xpn) is monogenic for all integers n ≥ 0 and a given prime p. Furthermore, we prove the actual existence of infinite families of such trinomials F(x). No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1566 67 1 2025 The Quillen model structure on the category of diffeological spaces 29 51 EN Tadayuki Haraguchi Faculty of Education for Human Growth, Nara Gakuen University Kazuhisa Shimakawa Okayama University We construct on the category of diffeological spaces a Quillen model structure having smooth weak homotopy equivalences as the class of weak equivalences. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AIP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 0034-6748 96 3 2025 Development of density measurement at high pressure and high temperature using the x-ray absorption method combined with laser-heated diamond anvil cell 033907 EN Hidenori Terasaki Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Hiroyuki Kamina Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Saori I. Kawaguchi Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Tadashi Kondo Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University Ko Morioka Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Ryo Tsuruoka Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University Moe Sakurai Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Akira Yoneda Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University Seiji Kamada AD Science Incorporation Naohisa Hirao Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 The densities of liquid materials at high pressures and high temperatures are important information to understand the elastic behavior of liquids at extreme conditions, which is closely related to the formation and evolution processes of the Earth and planetary interiors. The x-ray absorption method is an effective method to measure the density of non-crystalline materials at high pressures. However, the temperature condition of the x-ray absorption method using a diamond anvil cell (DAC) has been limited to 720 K to date. To significantly expand the measurable temperature condition of this method, in this study, we developed a density measurement technique using the x-ray absorption method in combination with a laser-heated DAC. The density of solid Ni was measured up to 26 GPa and 1800 K using the x-ray absorption method and evaluated by comparison with the density obtained from the x-ray diffraction. The density of solid Ni with a thickness >17 μm was determined with an accuracy of 0.01%–2.2% (0.001–0.20 g/cm3) and a precision of 0.8%–1.8% (0.07–0.16 g/cm3) in the x-ray absorption method. The density of liquid Ni was also determined to be 8.70 ± 0.15–8.98 ± 0.38 g/cm3 at 16–23 GPa and 2230–2480 K. Consequently, the temperature limit of the x-ray absorption method can be expanded from 720 to 2480 K by combining it with a laser-heated DAC in this study. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学教師教育開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 2186-1323 15 2025 岡山大学教師教育開発センター紀要 第15号 全文（一括ダウンロード用） EN No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 0743-7463 41 11 2025 Droplet Impact Behavior on Convex Surfaces with a Circumferential Wettability Difference 7640 7647 EN Taku Ishikawa Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yutaka Yamada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuma Isobe Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akihiko Horibe Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Controlling the bouncing behavior of the impacting droplets is an important issue for splay cooling, icing prevention, and other applications. The bouncing behavior of impacting droplets on superhydrophobic curved surfaces and flat substrates with a wettability difference has been widely investigated, and droplets impacting these surfaces show shorter contact times than those on superhydrophobic flat surfaces and droplet transport. However, there have been few studies on the droplet impact behavior on curved surfaces with a wettability difference, where efficient droplet control could be achieved by combining the features. In the present study, droplet impact experiments were conducted using copper cylinders with different circumferential wettabilities from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic, varying the impact velocity, cylinder diameter, and rotation angle. Droplets that impacted the wettability boundary showed asymmetric deformation and moved to the hydrophilic side, owing to the driving force of the wettability difference. Moreover, the droplet behavior was classified into four types: the droplet bounced off the surface, the droplet bounced off the surface and split, the droplet attached to the surface, and the droplet attached to the surface and split. The droplet behavior was estimated by using the maximum spreading width of the droplet impacted on the flat substrate. We evaluated whether the droplets attached to the surface or bounced off the surface after impact using the Weber number and rotation angle, and the estimations were in agreement with the experimental results for cylinder diameters of 4 and 6 mm. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 16 1 2025 Keratinocyte-driven dermal collagen formation in the axolotl skin 1757 EN Ayaka Ohashi Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirotaka Sakamoto Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Junpei Kuroda Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University Yohei Kondo Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University Yasuhiro Kamei Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic Biology Shigenori Nonaka The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) Saya Furukawa Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sakiya Yamamoto Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akira Satoh Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Type I collagen is a major component of the dermis and is formed by dermal fibroblasts. The development of dermal collagen structures has not been fully elucidated despite the major presence and importance of the dermis. This lack of understanding is due in part to the opacity of mammalian skin and it has been an obstacle to cosmetic and medical developments. We reveal the process of dermal collagen formation using the highly transparent skin of the axolotl and fluorescent collagen probes. We clarify that epidermal cells, not dermal fibroblasts, contribute to dermal collagen formation. Mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts) play a role in modifying the collagen fibers already built by keratinocytes. We confirm that collagen production by keratinocytes is a widely conserved mechanism in other model organisms. Our findings warrant a change in the current consensus about dermal collagen formation and could lead to innovations in cosmetology and skin medication. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学経済学会 Acta Medica Okayama 2433-4146 56 3 2025 ザクセン王国経済発展の基礎（７・完） 65 86 EN Nobushige Matsuo 10.18926/OER/68447 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2076-3417 15 5 2025 Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Pricing and Ordering Policies in Perishable Inventory Management 2421 EN Yusuke Nomura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ziang Liu Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tatsushi Nishi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Perishable goods have a limited shelf life, and inventory should be discarded once it exceeds its shelf life. Finding optimal inventory management policies is essential since inefficient policies can lead to increased waste and higher costs. While many previous studies assume the perishable inventory is processed following the First In, First Out rule, it does not reflect customer purchasing behavior. In practice, customers' preferences are influenced by the shelf life and price of products. This study optimizes inventory and pricing policies for a perishable inventory management problem considering age-dependent probabilistic demand. However, introducing dynamic pricing significantly increases the complexity of the problem. To tackle this challenge, we propose eliminating irrational actions in dynamic programming without sacrificing optimality. To solve this problem more efficiently, we also implement a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, proximal policy optimization, to solve this problem. The results show that dynamic programming with action reduction achieved an average of 63.1% reduction in computation time compared to vanilla dynamic programming. In most cases, proximal policy optimization achieved an optimality gap of less than 10%. Sensitivity analysis of the demand model revealed a negative correlation between customer sensitivity to shelf lives or prices and total profits. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0022-0396 429 2025 Polyhedral entire solutions in reaction-diffusion equations 529 565 EN Masaharu Taniguchi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University This paper studies polyhedral entire solutions to a bistable reaction-diffusion equation in Rn. We consider a pyramidal traveling front solution to the same equation in Rn+1. As the speed goes to infinity, its projection converges to an n-dimensional polyhedral entire solution. Conversely, as the time goes to -infinity, an n-dimensional polyhedral entire solution gives n-dimensional pyramidal traveling front solutions. The result in this paper suggests a correlation between traveling front solutions and entire solutions in general reaction-diffusion equations or systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学大学院教育学研究科 Acta Medica Okayama 1883-2423 188 2025 組織における変化への抵抗の概念整理 ― 多次元的態度の視点からの統合的理解に向けて ― 15 26 EN Ryo MISAWA Faculty of Education, Okayama University Mie ARIYOSHI Deparment of Psychology, Kansai University of International Studies Naoko HASEGAWA Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology, Bunkyo University 10.18926/bgeou/68410 　VUCA時代と呼ばれる現代社会において，組織には急速に変化する社会環境への柔軟な対応力が求められている。しかし，新たな制度・施策を導入しても組織変革が進まないケースは多い。組織における変化への抵抗は古くから研究されてきた現象であり，変革へのレディネスやコミットメントなどさまざまな概念が提唱されてきた。他方で，これらの概念の内容の重複による混乱が危惧されており，VUCAが注目されはじめた2000 年代以降も，変化への抵抗に関連する新たな概念が提唱されている。こうした混乱を解決し，統合的な理解を図るため，本稿では既往知見をレビューし，社会心理学で伝統的な多次元的態度（認知，感情，行動）の視点から，変化への抵抗とその関連概念を整理した。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1433-7851 64 8 2025 B,N‐Embedded Helical Nanographenes Showing an Ion‐Triggered Chiroptical Switching Function e202418546 EN Chihiro Maeda Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sayaka Michishita Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Issa Yasutomo Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tadashi Ema Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Intramolecular oxidative aromatic coupling of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)carbazole provided a bis(m-terphenyl)-fused carbazole, while that of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)-1,8-diphenylcarbazole afforded a bis(quaterphenyl)-fused carbazole. Borylation of the latter furnished a B,N-embedded helical nanographene binding a fluoride anion via a structural change from the three-coordinate boron to the four-coordinate boron. The anionic charge derived from the fluoride anion is stabilized over the expanded π-framework, which leads to the high binding constant (Ka) of 1×105 M−1. The four-coordinate boron species was converted back to the parent three-coordinate boron species with Ag+, and the chiroptical switch between the three-coordinate boron and four-coordinate boron species has been achieved via the ion recognition with the change in the color and glum values. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Animal Breeding and Genetics Acta Medica Okayama 1345-9961 53 1 2025 Investigation of SNPs associated with reproductive and body growth traits in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes 3 10 EN Nguyen Thuy Thanh Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Tetsuo Kunieda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shah Manoj Kumar National Swine Research Program Le Thu Nu Anh Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Nguyen Van Huu Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Koichiro Ushijima Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mayuko Nagae Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takehito Tsuji Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Water buffaloes are essential to the rural economies of many developing countries, including Vietnam and Nepal, but native buffalo populations in these countries face challenges such as low productivity due to fertility and body growth issues. This study analyzed 34 SNPs in 18 genes associated with reproductive and body growth traits reported in cattle and buffalo in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes. Results showed no polymorphism at bovine SNPs in either buffalo. Further analysis with SNPs previously reported only in popular buffalo breeds, such as Murrah, found that Vietnamese buffalo were monomorphic at all sites, which may reflect reduced genetic diversity due to population decline. In contrast, Nepalese buffalo, consisting of two native breeds, showed polymorphism in 11 SNPs in 7 genes, with 10 of these matching those found in the Murrah buffalo analyzed here. These findings suggest that these SNPs may be applicable for genetic improvement in Nepalese native buffalo. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation and breeding programs aimed at enhancing reproductive and body growth performance of native buffalo in Vietnam and Nepal. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 0950-5423 60 1 2025 The effects of soybeans and its derivatives on oral diseases: a narrative review vvae044 EN Kuang Canyan Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Zulema Rosalia Arias Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhiro Omori Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tadashi Yamamoto The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital Yuki Shinoda-Ito Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shogo Takashiba Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Soybean is a widely utilized protein source that originated in China and has been associated with preventing and treating various diseases. Soy protein has been found to inhibit fat accumulation effectively, and soybeans contain isoflavones, saponins, phytic acid, and other substances with preventive and therapeutic effects on heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, processed soybean products, such as Avocado-Soybean unsaponifiable, Tempeh, and Bowman-Birk inhibitor, have demonstrated health benefits. These products have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects in oral diseases. Numerous experiments have provided evidence of the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids, isoflavones, and soybean polypeptides. This comprehensive review assesses the relationship and mechanism of soybeans and their derivatives on oral diseases, providing valuable insights into their prevention and treatment. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMC Acta Medica Okayama 1472-6831 25 1 2025 Establishment of a rapid and quantitative method for detecting the range of infection exposure in preclinical dental education 199 EN Ayaka Ueda Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Shinoda-Ito Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazu Takeuchi-Hatanaka Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Takashi Ito Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Shintaro Ono Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kimito Hirai Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiro Omori Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tadashi Yamamoto The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital Shogo Takashiba Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Backgrounds Safe dental treatments that prevent nosocomial and cross-infections are essential for patients and dental workers. However, dental students sometimes pay inadequate attention to infection control, especially in preclinical practice, because of too much focus on technical training, such as the use of equipment, etc. The spread of infections such as SARS-CoV-2, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and oral bacteria are sometimes lethal for medically compromised patients. Thus, the rapid and inexpensive detection system to detect and measure dental practice-related infection spread during preclinical treatment is highly desired for dental education. This study aimed to establish a method to quantify and visualize infected areas using dental phantoms for safe and effective preclinical dental practices. <br> Methods At first, we developed artificial saliva as an in vitro study, including food-derived bacteria and fluorescence dye, which is safe for application to preclinical practice education. In vitro study, the correlation between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and Lactobacillus colony numbers in yogurt was examined using the ATP fluorescent method, with colony counting on yogurt only and a mixture of yogurt and ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive hand lotion. The mixed liquid of yogurt and hand lotion was used as artificial saliva. Second, we used this artificial saliva in preclinical education. The degree of contamination of personal protective equipment and dental chairs in preclinical practice using this artificial saliva was determined using the ATP fluorescent method and measuring the luminescence areas among 10 dentists, 10 dental residents, and 10 fifth-grade dental students. <br> Results ATP levels and Lactobacillus colony numbers in yogurt were positively correlated with yogurt alone and a mixture of yogurt and UV-sensitive hand lotions (correlation coefficient & efDot; 1). Preclinical education using a mixture of artificial saliva successfully quantified and visualized infectious areas and droplets, which revealed significant differences in ATP amounts in personal protective equipment among groups according to years of experience as dental practitioners (p < 0.05). <br> Conclusions An education system for infection control constructed using artificial saliva containing Lactobacillus and a UV-sensitive fluorescent hand lotion quantified the infectious areas and degrees. Thus, this method is effective in preclinical practice using dental phantoms. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMC Acta Medica Okayama 1471-2369 26 1 2025 Exacerbation of diabetes due to F. Nucleatum LPS-induced SGLT2 overexpression in the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells 38 EN Aiko Seki Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Koichiro Kajiwara Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College Jumpei Teramachi Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Masahiko Egusa Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Takuya Miyawaki Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Yoshihiko Sawa Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Background Diabetes treatments by the control of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is commonly conducted while there are still uncertainties about the mechanisms for the SGLT2 overexpression in kidneys with diabetes. Previously, we have reported that glomeruli and proximal tubules with diabetic nephropathy express toll-like receptor TLR2/4, and that the TLR ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of periodontal pathogens have caused nephropathy in diabetic model mice. Recently, many researchers suggested that the periodontal pathogenic bacteria Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum has the TLR4-associated strong activator of the colorectal inflammation and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of F. nucleatum as an exacerbation factor of diabetes through the renal SGLT2 induction.<br> Methods The induction of the SGLT2 by F. nucleatum LPS (Fn-LPS) were investigated in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse renal tissue and cultured renal proximal epithelial cells. The changes of blood glucose levels and survival curves in diabetic mice with Fn-LPS were analyzed. The Fn-LPS-induced SGLT2 production in the diabetic mouse renal tissue and in the cultured proximal epithelial cells was examined by ELISA, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis.<br> Results The SGLT2 expression in the cultured mouse tubular epithelial cells was significantly increased by TNF- or co-culture with Fn-LPS-supplemented J774.1 cells. The period to reach diabetic condition was significantly shorter in Fn-LPS-administered diabetic mice than in diabetic mice. All Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice reached humane endpoints during the healthy period of all of the mice administered Fn-LPS only. The promotion of the SGLT2 expression at the inner lumen of proximal tubules were stronger in the Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice than in diabetic mice. The renal tissue SGLT2 mRNA amounts and the number of renal proximal tubules with overexpressed SGLT2 in the lumen were more in the Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice than in diabetic mice.<br> Conclusions This study suggests that F. nucleatum causes the promotion of diabetes through the overexpression of SGLT2 in proximal tubules under the diabetic condition. Periodontitis with F. nucleatum may be a diabetic exacerbating factor. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0196-6553 53 1 2025 Effectiveness of sensing gloves–applied virtual reality education system on hand hygiene practice: A randomized controlled trial 65 69 EN Mahiro Izumi Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Hideharu Hagiya Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiaki Soejima Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinnosuke Fukushima Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital Mitsunobu Shibata Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Satoshi Hirota Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Toshihiro Koyama Department of Health Data Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Akio Gofuku Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Background: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices.<br> Methods: This prospective, 2-week, randomized controlled study conducted at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, from November 2023 to January 2024, involved 22 participants (18 medical students and 4 residents). A fully immersive 360° VR system (VIVE Pro Eye) using a head-mounted display and sensing gloves was used to develop 3 health care tasks in a virtual patient room—Environmental Cleaning, Gauze Exchange, and Urine Collection. After monitoring all participants' baseline usage data of portable hand-rubbing alcohol in the first week, we randomly assigned them into 1:1 groups (VR training and video lecture groups). The primary outcome was differences in hand-rubbed alcohol use before and after intervention.<br> Results: Before the intervention, alcohol use did not significantly differ between both groups. After the intervention, a significant increase in alcohol use was observed in the VR training group (median: 8.2 g vs 16.2 g; P = .019) but not in the video lecture group.<br> Conclusions: Our immersive 360° VR education system enhanced hand hygiene practices. Infection prevention and control practitioners and digital technology experts must collaborate to advance the development of superior educational devices and content. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0003-9527 249 1 2025 Traveling Front Solutions of Dimension n Generate Entire Solutions of Dimension (n-1) in Reaction-Diffusion Equations as the Speeds Go to Infinity 13 EN Hirokazu Ninomiya School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences, Meiji University Masaharu Taniguchi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Multidimensional traveling front solutions and entire solutions of reaction-diffusion equations have been studied intensively. To study the relationship between multidimensional traveling front solutions and entire solutions, we study the reaction-diffusion equation with a bistable nonlinear term. It is well known that there exist multidimensional traveling front solutions with every speed that is greater than the speed of a one-dimensional traveling front solution connecting two stable equilibria. In this paper, we show that the limit of the n-dimensional multidimensional traveling front solutions as the speeds go to infinity generates an entire solution of the same reaction-diffusion equation in the (n-1)-dimensional space. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学大学院社会文化科学研究科 Acta Medica Okayama 1880-9162 24 2025 The Transition from Pit Structures to Surface Structures ― Comparing Japan with other Pit Dwelling Societies 97 122 EN Stephen WEST Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Doctor's Course), Okayama University 10.18926/68297 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AIP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 0003-6951 126 1 2025 Dynamic domain motion enhancing electro-optic performance in ferroelectric films 012901 EN Shinya Kondo Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuki Okamoto Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University Osami Sakata Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) Takashi Teranishi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akira Kishimoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takanori Nagasaki Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University Tomoaki Yamada Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University With the rapid advancement of information technology, there is a pressing need to develop ultracompact and energy-efficient thin-film-based electro-optic (EO) devices. A high EO coefficient in ferroelectric materials is crucial. However, substrate clamping can positively or negatively influence various physical properties, including the EO response of these films, thus complicating the development of next-generation thin-film-based devices. This study demonstrates that reversible dynamic domain motion, achieved through substrate clamping, significantly enhances the EO coefficient in epitaxial ferroelectric rhombohedral Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thin films, where the (111) and (⁠ 111⁠) domains coexist with distinct optical axes. In principle, this approach can be applied to different film-substrate systems, thereby contributing to the advancement of sophisticated EO devices based on ferroelectrics. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.