start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=137 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=20 end-page=24 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Questionnaire survey of junior and mid-career otolaryngologists' attitudes towards clinical research kn-title=若手・中堅耳鼻咽喉科医師の臨床研究に対する質問紙調査 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Introduction : Clinical research is crucial for the advancement of medicine, but modern otolaryngologists' attitudes regarding clinical research have not been known. This study was conducted to survey the background, knowledge, and interest in clinical research among junior and mid-career otolaryngologists.
 Methods : A questionnaire survey was distributed to 34 otolaryngologists with ≤15 years' clinical experience working at Okayama University and its affiliated facilities. The respondents were divided into junior (non-specialists) and mid-career otolaryngologists (specialists) based on whether they were board-certified otolaryngologists. The survey assessed their background, understanding, and interest in clinical research.
 Results : Twenty-nine otolaryngologists (83%) responded (10 junior and 19 mid-career otolaryngologists). There was significant individual variation in their interest and knowledge of clinical research. However, approximately half of the respondents indicated that they were not interested in and/or had never engaged in clinical research.
 Conclusion : The data collected by this survey contribute to our understanding of the current state of clinical research engagement among junior and mid-career otolaryngologists, and they can serve as a basis for exploring future strategies to increase this engagement. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UraguchiKensuke en-aut-sei=Uraguchi en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name=浦口健介 kn-aut-sei=浦口 kn-aut-mei=健介 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name=頼藤貴志 kn-aut-sei=頼藤 kn-aut-mei=貴志 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoSoshi en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Soshi kn-aut-name=高尾総司 kn-aut-sei=高尾 kn-aut-mei=総司 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugayaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugaya en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name=菅谷明子 kn-aut-sei=菅谷 kn-aut-mei=明子 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoMizuo en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Mizuo kn-aut-name=安藤瑞生 kn-aut-sei=安藤 kn-aut-mei=瑞生 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 疫学・衛生学 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 疫学・衛生学 affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 疫学・衛生学 affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域 耳鼻咽喉・頭頸部外科学 affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域 耳鼻咽喉・頭頸部外科学 en-keyword=臨床研究 (clinical research) kn-keyword=臨床研究 (clinical research) en-keyword=統計解析 (statistical analysis) kn-keyword=統計解析 (statistical analysis) en-keyword=ビッグデータ (bigdata) kn-keyword=ビッグデータ (bigdata) en-keyword=質問紙調査 (questionnaire survey) kn-keyword=質問紙調査 (questionnaire survey) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=e70091 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250427 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Olanzapine enabled rechallenge after lorlatinib-induced psychosis: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Lorlatinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While it has a high intracranial lesion control rate, it can also cause central nervous system complications, including psychotic symptoms. We present a case of lorlatinib-induced psychosis successfully managed with olanzapine, enabling lorlatinib rechallenge.
Case Presentation: A 32-year-old woman with ALK-positive NSCLC and brain metastases was started on lorlatinib. After 18 months, she developed hallucinations and delusions. Despite treatment with risperidone, her psychotic symptoms persisted, leading to hospitalization. Her symptoms resolved upon lorlatinib discontinuation while risperidone was continued. Given the critical role of lorlatinib in controlling brain metastases, rechallenge was considered. To mitigate concerns regarding drug interactions, risperidone was replaced with olanzapine. Following lorlatinib rechallenge with olanzapine, no recurrence of psychiatric symptoms was observed, allowing continued lorlatinib treatment. Additionally, no progression of lung cancer was noted.
Conclusion: Lorlatinib is an essential drug for controlling brain metastases in ALK-positive NSCLC. However, it can induce psychotic symptoms. When psychiatrists are involved in managing adverse effects during cancer treatment, close collaboration among oncologists, psychiatrists, and patients is essential. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YokodeAkiyoshi en-aut-sei=Yokode en-aut-mei=Akiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYuko en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhashiKadoaki en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Kadoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoShinji en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiManabu en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine,Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=psycho-oncology kn-keyword=psycho-oncology en-keyword=lorlatinib kn-keyword=lorlatinib en-keyword=lung cancer kn-keyword=lung cancer en-keyword=medication-induced psychosis kn-keyword=medication-induced psychosis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=137 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=3 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=The 2023 Incentive Award of the Okayama Medical Association in Neuroscience (2023 Niimi Prize) kn-title=令和5年度岡山医学会賞 脳神経研究奨励賞(新見賞) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakenoshitaShintaro en-aut-sei=Takenoshita en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name=竹之下慎太郎 kn-aut-sei=竹之下 kn-aut-mei=慎太郎 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 精神神経病態学 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2323 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A mini-hairpin shaped nascent peptide blocks translation termination by a distinct mechanism en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Protein synthesis by ribosomes produces functional proteins but also serves diverse regulatory functions, which depend on the coding amino acid sequences. Certain nascent peptides interact with the ribosome exit tunnel to arrest translation and modulate themselves or the expression of downstream genes. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of such ribosome stalling and its regulation remains elusive. In this study, we systematically screen for unidentified ribosome arrest peptides through phenotypic evaluation, proteomics, and mass spectrometry analyses, leading to the discovery of the arrest peptides PepNL and NanCL in E. coli. Our cryo-EM study on PepNL reveals a distinct arrest mechanism, in which the N-terminus of PepNL folds back towards the tunnel entrance to prevent the catalytic GGQ motif of the release factor from accessing the peptidyl transferase center, causing translation arrest at the UGA stop codon. Furthermore, unlike sensory arrest peptides that require an arrest inducer, PepNL uses tryptophan as an arrest inhibitor, where Trp-tRNATrp reads through the stop codon. Our findings illuminate the mechanism and regulatory framework of nascent peptide-induced translation arrest, paving the way for exploring regulatory nascent peptides. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AndoYushin en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Yushin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoboAkinao en-aut-sei=Kobo en-aut-mei=Akinao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NiwaTatsuya en-aut-sei=Niwa en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamakawaAyako en-aut-sei=Yamakawa en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonomaSuzuna en-aut-sei=Konoma en-aut-mei=Suzuna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NurekiOsamu en-aut-sei=Nureki en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaguchiHideki en-aut-sei=Taguchi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItohYuzuru en-aut-sei=Itoh en-aut-mei=Yuzuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChadaniYuhei en-aut-sei=Chadani en-aut-mei=Yuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e9631 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250422 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of a Metal Foreign Object Remaining in the Maxillary Bone for an Extended Period: A Case Report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report a rare case in which a metallic foreign body remained undetected in a patient's maxilla for nearly 40 years after a childhood bicycle accident. Despite the accident, the implant remained in place without causing infection due to the lack of imaging studies at the time. The metal was accidentally discovered during a routine dental imaging examination 40 years later and subsequently surgically removed. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive imaging and the dangers of overlooking foreign bodies, especially in the vulnerable head and neck region. The patient, 53 years old at the time of discovery, presented to the dentist due to discomfort in the palate and nasal cavity. During this visit, radiographs were taken and a foreign body was discovered. Surgical removal of the foreign body revealed significant corrosion and surrounding granulation tissue indicative of foreign body granuloma. Elemental analysis of the foreign body confirmed that it was an iron-based metal, unlike biocompatible materials such as titanium. These findings reinforce the need for close post-trauma evaluation and follow-up, especially in cases of pediatric trauma, to avoid the possibility of long-term complications arising from unnoticed foreign bodies in anatomically significant areas. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KadoyaKoichi en-aut-sei=Kadoya en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaYuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataKyoichi en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Kyoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Takakura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaTatsuo en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Tatsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IbaragiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Ibaragi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=case report kn-keyword=case report en-keyword=dentistry kn-keyword=dentistry en-keyword=foreign body kn-keyword=foreign body en-keyword=oral cavity kn-keyword=oral cavity en-keyword=trauma kn-keyword=trauma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=139 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Implementation of Creep Test Assisting System with Dial Gauge Needle Reading and Smart Lighting Function for Laboratory Automation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For decades, analog dial gauges have been essential for measuring and monitoring data at various industrial instruments including production machines and laboratory equipment. Among them, we focus on the instrument for creep test in a mechanical engineering laboratory, which evaluates material strength under sustained stress. Manual reading of gauges imposes significant labor demands, especially in long-duration tests. This burden further increases under low-lighting environments, where poor visibility can lead to misreading data points, potentially compromising the accuracy of test results. In this paper, to address the challenges, we implement a creep test assisting system that possesses the following features: (1) to save the installation cost, a web camera and Raspberry Pi are employed to capture images of the dial gauge and automate the needle reading by image processing in real time, (2) to ensure reliability under low-lighting environments, a smart lighting mechanism is integrated to turn on a supplementary light when the dial gauge is not clearly visible, and (3) to allow a user to stay in a distant place from the instrument during a creep test, material break is detected and the corresponding message is notified to a laboratory staff using LINE automatically. For evaluations, we install the implemented system into a material strength measuring instrument at Okayama University, Japan, and confirm the effectiveness and accuracy through conducting experiments under various lighting conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KongDezheng en-aut-sei=Kong en-aut-mei=Dezheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FangShihao en-aut-sei=Fang en-aut-mei=Shihao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NopriantoMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkayasuMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Okayasu en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PuspitaningayuPradini en-aut-sei=Puspitaningayu en-aut-mei=Pradini kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= en-keyword=creep test kn-keyword=creep test en-keyword=Raspberry Pi kn-keyword=Raspberry Pi en-keyword=dial gauge kn-keyword=dial gauge en-keyword=needle reading kn-keyword=needle reading en-keyword=smart lighting kn-keyword=smart lighting END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=36 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=374 end-page=380 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202505 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect Modification in Settings with “Truncation by Death” en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Epidemiologic studies recruiting individuals with higher-than-population-average mortality can be affected by “truncation by death,” whereby the outcome of interest (e.g., quality of life) is considered not to be defined for individuals who die before the end of follow-up. Here, we use the potential outcomes framework and principal stratification to derive conditions under which the survivor average causal effect, an estimand defined for the “always-survivors” stratum, is modified by a variable that represents a possible common cause of survival and the outcome of interest and by a variable that only affects survival. Further, we show that this principal effect can be expressed as a weighted average of this treatment effect for individuals with each level of these variables, and that these weights depend not only on the relative frequencies of the levels in the total population but also on the “always-survivors” principal stratum. We also discuss the implications of this work for the transportability of the survivor average causal effect. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GonçalvesBronner P. en-aut-sei=Gonçalves en-aut-mei=Bronner P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiEtsuji en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Etsuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Causal inference kn-keyword=Causal inference en-keyword=Effect modification kn-keyword=Effect modification en-keyword=Principal stratification kn-keyword=Principal stratification en-keyword=Transportability kn-keyword=Transportability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=36 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250416 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Anticoagulant effects of edoxaban in cancer and noncancer patients with venous thromboembolism en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Edoxaban, a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), is a first-line treatment for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the suppression of VTE recurrence. In patients with cancer, however, recurrent VTE after DOAC treatment may be more common than in noncancer patients. To evaluate our hypothesis that the anticoagulation effect of edoxaban is lower in VTE patients with cancer than in noncancer patients.
Methods This study was a prospective, multicenter, observational study including patients treated with edoxaban for VTE in Japan. The primary outcome was the difference in the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and D-dimer level at 5 h after initial edoxaban administration between the cancer and noncancer groups. An additional outcome was the longitudinal change in PT and APTT from 5 h to overnight after edoxaban administration. The incidence of adverse events was further investigated.
Results PT and APTT at 5 h after initial edoxaban administration were not significantly different between the cancer (n = 84) and noncancer groups (n = 138) (e.g., log-transformed APTT 3.55 vs. 3.55, p = 0.45). However, D-dimer in the cancer groups was significantly greater than that in the noncancer groups (log-transformed 1.83 vs. 1.79, p = 0.009). PT and APTT significantly decreased from 5 h to overnight after edoxaban, but a similar pattern was observed in each group. All adverse events after edoxaban administration were also similar between patients with cancer and noncancer.
Conclusion PT and APTT after edoxaban administration were similar between VTE patients with cancer and noncancer groups, suggesting that edoxaban has anticoagulation effects on cancer-associated VTE similar to those of noncancer patients.
Trial registration UMIN000041973; Registration Date: 2020.10.5. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasashi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuoNaoaki en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoTakanori en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokiokaKoji en-aut-sei=Tokioka en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HatanakaKunihiko en-aut-sei=Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kunihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoRyohei en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaHidenaru en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Hidenaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajikawaYutaka en-aut-sei=Kajikawa en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SurugaKazuki en-aut-sei=Suruga en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaHiroki en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyajiTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Miyaji en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimotoYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=SarashinaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Sarashina en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine 3, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama Rosai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Hosogi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Okamura Isshindow Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Kuroda Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine 3, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Factor Xa inhibitors kn-keyword=Factor Xa inhibitors en-keyword=Anticoagulation effects kn-keyword=Anticoagulation effects en-keyword=Cancer kn-keyword=Cancer en-keyword=Venous thromboembolism kn-keyword=Venous thromboembolism END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=71 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=19 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250419 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quantitative assessment of adhesive effects on partial and full compressive strength of LVL in the edge-wise direction en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Laminated wood-based materials have been widely developed, and the laminating process and adhesive itself have been reported to enhance performance beyond the sum of the individual layers' performance. This phenomenon is particularly notable under loads applied in the "edge-wise direction", where each layer bears stress collectively. These combined effects are referred to as the "adhesive effect". Strength under partial compressive loads is critical in timber engineering, as partial compressive stress generates complex stress distributions influenced by boundary conditions. The adhesive effect may also be impacted by these conditions. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and directly evaluate the adhesive effect under partial and full compressive loads using various parameters. The strength of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) with adhesive was compared to that of simply layered veneers without adhesive to assess the adhesive effect. Three mechanisms contributing to the adhesive effect were proposed: Mechanism I, caused by the deformation of the adhesive layer independently from the veneers; Mechanism II, resulting from the adhesive impregnating the veneers; and Mechanism III, arising from the reinforcement provided by adjacent veneers. The results suggested the following: (i) Mechanism I had minimal impact, as the fiber direction and the presence of additional length showed strong and slight effects on the adhesive effect, respectively; (ii) Mechanism II contributed to preventing crack propagation and altering the relationships among mechanical properties, with its effectiveness increasing as the adhesive weight increased; and (iii) Mechanism III functioned as a crossband effect, reinforcing weaknesses caused by the slope of the grain and the angle of the annual rings. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SudoRyutaro en-aut-sei=Sudo en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKohta en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kohta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IdoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Ido en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute kn-affil= en-keyword=Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) kn-keyword=Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) en-keyword=Partial compressive load kn-keyword=Partial compressive load en-keyword=Bearing strength kn-keyword=Bearing strength en-keyword=Embedment strength kn-keyword=Embedment strength en-keyword=Partial compression perpendicular to grain (PCPG) kn-keyword=Partial compression perpendicular to grain (PCPG) en-keyword=Adhesive layer kn-keyword=Adhesive layer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=129 end-page=134 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of Retinitis Pigmentosa Diagnosed with Severe Anterior Capsule Contraction after Cataract Surgery en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 66-year-old woman presented with significant anterior capsule contraction and intraocular lens dislocation in both eyes 4 months after cataract surgery. Postoperative examinations such as fluorescein angiography, Goldmann perimetry, and electroretinography revealed retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Patients with significant anterior capsule contraction after cataract surgery should be closely examined because RP may be a contributing factor. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsujiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiodeYusuke en-aut-sei=Shiode en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraShuhei en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosokawaMio en-aut-sei=Hosokawa en-aut-mei=Mio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatobaRyo en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTetsuro en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Tetsuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiKosuke en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneYuki en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Fukuyama City Hospital, Fukuyama City kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=retinitis pigmentosa kn-keyword=retinitis pigmentosa en-keyword=intraocular lens kn-keyword=intraocular lens en-keyword=anterior capsule contraction kn-keyword=anterior capsule contraction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=123 end-page=127 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Macular Hole Formation Six Months after Hemorrhage Displacement for Submacular and Henle Fiber Layer Hemorrhage due to Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm Rupture en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 78-year-old woman presented with sudden vision loss and central scotoma. Visual acuity in the right eye was 20/222, with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) and Henle fiber layer hemorrhage (HFLh) due to retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture. She underwent SMH displacement, including cataract surgery, vitrectomy, intravitreal injection of tissue-plasminogen activator, and air tamponade. Three months postoperatively the SMH and HFLh had disappeared and visual acuity had improved to 20/200. Six months postoperatively, a macular hole had developed. We performed an inverted internal limiting membrane flap and gas tamponade. Ten months later, the hole had closed and visual acuity had improved to 20/100. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkatsukaRiku en-aut-sei=Akatsuka en-aut-mei=Riku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraShuhei en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatobaRyo en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Morizane HosokawaMio en-aut-sei=Morizane Hosokawa en-aut-mei=Mio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiodeYusuke en-aut-sei=Shiode en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTetsuro en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Tetsuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiShinichiro en-aut-sei=Doi en-aut-mei=Shinichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneYuki en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=submacular hemorrhage kn-keyword=submacular hemorrhage en-keyword=Henle fiber layer hemorrhage kn-keyword=Henle fiber layer hemorrhage en-keyword=retinal arterial macroaneurysm rupture kn-keyword=retinal arterial macroaneurysm rupture en-keyword=macular hole kn-keyword=macular hole en-keyword=inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique kn-keyword=inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=109 end-page=116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationship between Personality Traits and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Women who Became Pregnant via Infertility Treatment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The status of postpartum depression was elucidated herein with the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in women in Shikoku, Japan who became pregnant and gave birth after undergoing infertility treatment, including assisted reproductive technology (ART). The assessment was performed during their children’s 4-month health examination. The relationships between postpartum depression and the mothers’ background factors and scores on the Big Five personality traits scale were also examined. Of the Big Five personality traits, the scores for neuroticism were significantly higher in the ART group (n=71) than in the general infertility treatment (n=118) and natural pregnancy (n=872) groups. No significant differences in EPDS scores were seen among these three groups. A logistic regression analysis showed that neuroticism was associated with an EPDS score ≧9 points, (which is suggestive of postpartum depression, ) in all groups. Moreover, although a long-standing marriage had an inhibitory effect on postpartum depression in the natural pregnancy group, no such trend was seen in the ART group, which included many women with long-standing marriages. Particularly for women who become pregnant by ART, an individualized response that pays close attention to the woman’s personality traits is needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AwaiKyoko en-aut-sei=Awai en-aut-mei=Kyoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatsukaMikiya en-aut-sei=Nakatsuka en-aut-mei=Mikiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=infertility treatment kn-keyword=infertility treatment en-keyword=assisted reproductive technology kn-keyword=assisted reproductive technology en-keyword=postpartum kn-keyword=postpartum en-keyword=postpartum depression kn-keyword=postpartum depression en-keyword=personality trait kn-keyword=personality trait END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=101 end-page=107 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of Postoperative Irradiation in Patients with cN0 Early Breast Cancer Treated with Sentinel Lymph Node Surgery en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative irradiation (POI) for patients with cN0 early breast cancer, we retrospectively analyzed the cases of 650 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN)-guided surgery (2005-2022) at our hospital. In this cohort, 53% (278/521) of the patients who underwent breast conservative surgery (BCS) and 96% (124/129) of those treated with mastectomy did not receive POI. The patients who underwent BCS were treated with POI using opposing tangential field irradiation. A false negative (FN) SLN was retrospectively defined as a negative metastasis in SLN plus positive recurrence in the axillary lymph nodes. Recurrence was detected in 83 patients. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the nuclear grade (odds ratio [OR] 1.69), POI (OR 0.41), and postoperative hormone therapy (OR 0.40) were each significantly related to recurrence. The 26.1% (12/46) FN rate of the non-POI patients decreased to 5.8% (1/17) compared to those treated with POI. The rate of axillary recurrence was significantly lower in the POI group (0.4%) versus the non-POI group (2.7%) (p=0.0355). The rate of locoregional recurrence was also significantly lower in the POI group (2.0%) versus the non-POI group (13.4%) (p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed in the rate of distant recurrence between the POI (4.0%) and non-POI (3.3%) (p=0.831) groups. These results indicated that the postoperative opposing tangential field irradiation of conserved breast tissue inhibited recurrence in the axillary lymph nodes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsozakiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isozaki en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoSasau en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Sasau kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Takama en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsozakiYuka en-aut-sei=Isozaki en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Oomoto Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Oomoto Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Oomoto Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Oomoto Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=breast cancer kn-keyword=breast cancer en-keyword=postoperative irradiation kn-keyword=postoperative irradiation en-keyword=radiation therapy kn-keyword=radiation therapy en-keyword=sentinel lymph nodes kn-keyword=sentinel lymph nodes en-keyword=recurrence kn-keyword=recurrence END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=93 end-page=100 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lower Work Engagement Is Associated with Insomnia, Psychological Distress, and Neck Pain among Junior and Senior High School Teachers in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=School teachers are subject to both physical and mental health problems. We examined cross-sectional relationships between work engagement and major health outcomes among junior and senior high school teachers in Japan via a nationwide survey in 2019-2020. A total of 3,160 respondents were included in the analyses (19.9% response rate). Work engagement was assessed with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES-9), and we thus divided the teachers into quartiles according to their UWES-9 scores. Based on validated questionnaires, we assessed insomnia, psychological distress, and neck pain as health outcomes. A binomial logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, school type, teacher’s roles, involvement in club activities, division of duties, employment status, and whether they lived with family demonstrated that the teachers with lower UWES-9 scores had higher burdens of insomnia, psychological distress, and neck pain (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] in 4th vs. 1st quartile, 2.92 (2.34-3.65), 3.70 (2.81-4.88), and 2.12 (1.68-2.68), respectively; all trend p<0.001). There were no significant differences in these associations between full-time and part-time teachers. Our findings indicate that low work engagement may contribute to physical and mental health issues among junior and senior high school teachers, thus providing insights for preventing health problems in this profession. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsuchieRina en-aut-sei=Tsuchie en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsumuraHideki en-aut-sei=Tsumura en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinutaMinako en-aut-sei=Kinuta en-aut-mei=Minako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=work engagement kn-keyword=work engagement en-keyword=school teachers kn-keyword=school teachers en-keyword=insomnia kn-keyword=insomnia en-keyword=psychological distress kn-keyword=psychological distress en-keyword=neck pain kn-keyword=neck pain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=81 end-page=92 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Paclitaxel/Cisplatin/Gemcitabine Compared with Gemcitabine/Cisplatin for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We retrospectively evaluated the oncologic outcomes of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine (PCG) with those of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients. The primary outcome was efficacy: pathological complete response (pCR), ypT0N0; and pathological objective response (pOR), ypT0N0, ≤ ypT1N0, or ypT0N1. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), predictive factors for pOR, OS, and RFS, and hematologic adverse events (AEs). Among 113 patients treated (PCG, n=28; GC, n=85), similar pOR and pCR rates were achieved by the groups (pOR: PCG, 57.1% vs. GC, 49. 4%; p=0.52; pCR: PCG, 39.3% vs. GC, 29.4%; p=0.36). No significant differences were observed in OS (p=1.0) or RFS (p=0.20). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hydronephrosis (odds ratio [OR] 0.32, 95%CI: 0.11-0.92) and clinical node-positive status (cN+) (OR 0.22, 95%CI: 0.050-0.99) were significantly associated with a decreased probability of pOR. On multivariate Cox regression analyses, pOR achievement was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.23, 95%CI: 0.10-0.56) and RFS (HR 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13-0.67). There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of grade ≥ 3 hematologic AEs or dose-reduction required, but the PCG group had a higher incidence of grade 4 neutropenia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawadaTatsushi en-aut-sei=Kawada en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugawaTakuji en-aut-sei=Tsugawa en-aut-mei=Takuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuboiKazuma en-aut-sei=Tsuboi en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataTakehiro en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=BekkuKensuke en-aut-sei=Bekku en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiTomoko en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=EdamuraKohei en-aut-sei=Edamura en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EbaraShin en-aut-sei=Ebara en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMotoo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Motoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Urology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Urology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=urothelial carcinoma kn-keyword=urothelial carcinoma en-keyword=paclitaxel kn-keyword=paclitaxel en-keyword=cisplatin kn-keyword=cisplatin en-keyword=gemcitabine kn-keyword=gemcitabine en-keyword=neoadjuvant kn-keyword=neoadjuvant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=75 end-page=80 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Potential for Radiation Dose Reduction in Temporal Bone CT Imaging Using Photon-Counting Detector CT en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) is frequently performed for pediatric patients with ear diseases. Advances in CT technology have improved diagnostic imaging quality, but reduction of radiation exposure remains a goal. We evaluated the potential for radiation dose reduction in temporal bone CT examinations using porcine ear ossicles and a photon-counting detector CT system. Three scans of the bilateral temporal bone were performed on each of three pig cadaver heads. In each of seven successive imaging sessions, the radiation dose was reduced by an additional one-seventh of the recommended dose (RD). Two board-certified radiologists independently scored the resulting images on a scale of 1 to 5 points, where 5 represented the image quality at the RD. Images scoring ≥4.5 points were considered acceptable. Noise was assessed in a 2-cm-diameter region near the ear ossicles, and standard deviation was measured for each of the seven decrements from the RD. As the radiation dose decreased, the noise progressively increased, and visual assessment scores progressively decreased. Acceptable image scores were obtained at six-sevenths (4.9), five-sevenths (4.8), four-sevenths (4.7), and three-sevenths (4.6) of the RD. Thus, acceptable porcine temporal bone CT images were obtained with a radiation dose reduction of approximately 50%. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HwangSung Il en-aut-sei=Hwang en-aut-mei=Sung Il kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitayamaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kitayama en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYuka en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UkaMayu en-aut-sei=Uka en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugayaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugaya en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=photon-counting detector computed tomography kn-keyword=photon-counting detector computed tomography en-keyword=ear ossicle kn-keyword=ear ossicle en-keyword=energy-integrating detector computed tomography kn-keyword=energy-integrating detector computed tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between the Pretreatment Body Mass Index and Anamorelin’s Efficacy in Patients with Cancer Cachexia: A Retrospective Cohort Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Anamorelin (ANAM) is used to treat cancer-associated cachexia, a syndrome involving muscle loss and anorexia. The timing of the initiation of ANAM treatment is crucial to its efficacy. Although the body mass index (BMI) is a diagnostic criterion for cancer cachexia, no studies have explored its association with ANAM efficacy. We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between the pre-treatment BMI and ANAM efficacy in patients with cancer-associated cachexia (n=47). The ANAM treatment was considered effective if the patient’s appetite improved within 30 days of treatment initiation. We calculated a BMI cutoff value (19.5 kg/m2) and used it to divide the patients into high- and low-BMI groups. Their background, clinical laboratory values, cancer types, and treatment lines were investigated. Twenty (42.6%) had a high BMI (≥ 19.5 kg/m2) and 27 (57.4%) had a low BMI (< 19.5 kg/m2). High BMI was significantly associated with ANAM effectiveness (odds ratio 7.86, 95% confidence interval 1.99-31.00, p=0.003). Together these results indicate that it is beneficial to initiate ANAM treatment before a patient’s BMI drops below 19.5 kg/m2. Our findings will help advance cancer cachexia treatment and serve as a reference for clinicians to predict ANAM’s efficacy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MakiMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakadaRyo en-aut-sei=Takada en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshigoTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishigo en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMiki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYoko en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaShinya en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraKoji en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamaokaTerutaka en-aut-sei=Hamaoka en-aut-mei=Terutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Sapporo Medical University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= en-keyword=anamorelin kn-keyword=anamorelin en-keyword=cancer-associated cachexia kn-keyword=cancer-associated cachexia en-keyword=body mass index kn-keyword=body mass index en-keyword=albumin kn-keyword=albumin en-keyword=efficacy rate kn-keyword=efficacy rate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=12633 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association of emergency intensive care unit occupancy due to brain-dead organ donors with ambulance diversion en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Obara en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojimaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Nojima en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaKohei en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamuraMasaki en-aut-sei=Hisamura en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ambulance diversion kn-keyword=Ambulance diversion en-keyword=Bed occupancy kn-keyword=Bed occupancy en-keyword=Brain death kn-keyword=Brain death en-keyword=Emergency medical services kn-keyword=Emergency medical services en-keyword=Intensive care units kn-keyword=Intensive care units en-keyword=Organ donation kn-keyword=Organ donation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=34 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=131 end-page=136 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of calcium supplementation on bone deformity and histopathological findings of skin papules in a pediatric patient with vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A (VDDR2A) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. VDDR2A rickets are usually resistant to native or active vitamin D treatment because of impaired active calcium absorption against the calcium concentration gradient, which is a ligand-dependent VDR action in the small intestine. Alopecia due to an impaired skin follicular cycle is occasionally observed in patients with VDDR2A. Among the pathogenic VDR variants, most in the DNA-binding domain and some in the ligand-binding domain, which affect the dimerization of VDR with the retinoic X receptor, are associated with alopecia. Herein, we report a case of VDDR2A caused by compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of the DNA-binding domain of VDR. Active vitamin D treatment did not ameliorate genu varum, rachitic changes in the roentgenogram, or abnormal laboratory findings. However, oral administration of calcium lactate dramatically improved these findings. The patient also experienced hair loss at two months of age and multiple papules on the skin at two yr of age, which did not improve with vitamin D or calcium supplementation. We also report the histopathological findings of skin papules in this patient. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeTomoko en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobashiMina en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Mina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TetsunagaTomonori en-aut-sei=Tetsunaga en-aut-mei=Tomonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AgoYuko en-aut-sei=Ago en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FutagawaNatsuko en-aut-sei=Futagawa en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiYousuke en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Yousuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneShin en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=rickets kn-keyword=rickets en-keyword=receptor kn-keyword=receptor en-keyword=alopecia kn-keyword=alopecia en-keyword=papules kn-keyword=papules en-keyword=calcium kn-keyword=calcium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=29 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=156 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical-level screening of sleep apnea syndrome with single-lead ECG alone is achievable using machine learning with appropriate time windows en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose To establish a simple and noninvasive screening test for sleep apnea (SA) that imposes less burden on potential patients. The specific objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of past and future single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) data from SA occurrence sites in improving the estimation accuracy of SA and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) using machine learning.
Methods The Apnea-ECG dataset comprising 70 ECG recordings was used to construct various machine-learning models. The time window size was adjusted based on the accuracy of SA detection, and the performance of SA detection and SAS diagnosis (apnea‒hypopnea index ≥ 5 was considered SAS) was compared.
Results Using ECG data from a few minutes before and after the occurrence of SAs improved the estimation accuracy of SA and SAS in all machine learning models. The optimal range of the time window and achieved accuracy for SAS varied by model; however, the sensitivity ranged from 95.7 to 100%, and the specificity ranged from 91.7 to 100%.
Conclusions ECG data from a few minutes before and after SA occurrence were effective in SA detection and SAS diagnosis, confirming that SA is a continuous phenomenon and that SA affects heart function over a few minutes before and after SA occurrence. Screening tests for SAS, using data obtained from single-lead ECGs with appropriate past and future time windows, should be performed with clinical-level accuracy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaneTakahiro en-aut-sei=Yamane en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMasanori en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMizuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Disease screening kn-keyword=Disease screening en-keyword=Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) kn-keyword=Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) en-keyword=Single-lead ECG kn-keyword=Single-lead ECG en-keyword=Artificial intelligence kn-keyword=Artificial intelligence en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enterobacterial common antigen repeat-unit flippase WzxE is required for Escherichia coli growth under acidic conditions, low temperature, and high osmotic stress conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Colanic acid and enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) are cell-surface polysaccharides that are produced by many Escherichia coli isolates. Colanic acid is induced under acidic, low temperature, and high-salt conditions and is important for E. coli resistance to these stresses; however, the role of ECA in these stresses is less clear. Here, we observed that knockout of flippase wzxE, which translocates lipid-linked ECA repeat units from the cytoplasmic side of the inner membrane to the periplasmic side, resulted in the sensitivity of E. coli BW25113 to acidic conditions. The wzxE-knockout mutant showed reduced growth potential and viable counts in vegetable extracts with acidic environments, including cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, lettuce, and spinach. A double-knockout strain of wzxE and wecF (glycosyltransferase that adds the third-and-final sugar of the lipid-linked ECA repeat unit) was not sensitive to acidic conditions, with similar results obtained for a double-knockout strain of wzxE and wcaJ (glycosyltransferase that initiates colanic acid lipid-linked repeat-unit biosynthesis). The wzxE-knockout mutant was sensitive to low temperatures or high-salt conditions, which induced colanic acid synthesis, and these sensitivities were abolished by the additional knockout of wcaJ. These results suggest that lipid-linked ECA repeat units confer E. coli susceptibility to acidic, low temperatures, and high-salt conditions in a colanic acid-dependent manner and that wzxE suppresses this negative effect. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaguchiSaki en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaKazuya en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaitoChikara en-aut-sei=Kaito en-aut-mei=Chikara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=wzxE flippase kn-keyword=wzxE flippase en-keyword=enterobacterial common antigen kn-keyword=enterobacterial common antigen en-keyword=low pH kn-keyword=low pH en-keyword=low temperature kn-keyword=low temperature en-keyword=hyperosmotic stress kn-keyword=hyperosmotic stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2221 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Length Estimation of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle with Optical Fiber Sensor Using Machine Learning en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A McKibben artificial muscle is a soft actuator driven by air pressure, characterized by its flexibility, lightweight design, and high power-to-weight ratio. We have developed a smart artificial muscle that is capable of sensing its motion. To enable this sensing function, an optical fiber was integrated into the sleeve consisting of multiple fibers and serving as a component of the McKibben artificial muscle. By measuring the macrobending loss of the optical fiber, the length of the smart artificial muscle is expected to be estimated. However, experimental results indicated that the sensor's characteristics depend not only on the length but also on the load and the applied air pressure. This dependency arises because the stress applied to the optical fiber increases, causing microbending loss. In this study, we employed a machine learning model, primarily composed of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, to estimate the length of the smart artificial muscle. The experimental results demonstrate that the length estimation obtained through machine learning exhibits a smaller error. This suggests that machine learning is a feasible approach to enhancing the length measurement accuracy of the smart artificial muscle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NiYilei en-aut-sei=Ni en-aut-mei=Yilei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TianWeihang en-aut-sei=Tian en-aut-mei=Weihang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle kn-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=optical fiber kn-keyword=optical fiber en-keyword=motion estimation kn-keyword=motion estimation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2287 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250327 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Comparison of Midazolam and Diazepam for Sedation in Patients Undergoing Double-Balloon Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: The sedation method used in double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (DB-ERCP) varies across countries and between healthcare facilities. No previous studies have compared the effects of different benzodiazepines on sedation during endoscopic procedures. This study aimed to compare the effects of midazolam and diazepam sedation on DB-ERCP outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed consecutive patients who underwent DB-ERCP between January 2017 and February 2024. A total of 203 patients who were sedated with diazepam (n = 94) or midazolam (n = 109) were analyzed. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust for baseline group differences. The primary outcome was the incidence of sedation-related adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included inadequate sedation requiring additional sedatives and risk factors for sedation-related AEs. Results: Sedation-related AEs were more frequent with diazepam (28% [21/75]) than with midazolam (14% [11/75]; p = 0.046). Hypoxia occurred more frequently with diazepam (19% [14/75]) than with midazolam (5% [4/75]; p = 0.012). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups for hypotension (p = 0.41) and bradycardia (p = 1.0). Poor sedation requiring other sedatives occurred significantly more often with diazepam (8% [6/75]) compared with midazolam sedation (0% [0/75], p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis identified diazepam sedation (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-5.3; p = 0.048) as the sole risk factor for sedation-related AEs. Conclusions: Midazolam is safer and more effective than diazepam sedation in patients undergoing DB-ERCP. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=adverse events kn-keyword=adverse events en-keyword=balloon-assisted ERCP kn-keyword=balloon-assisted ERCP en-keyword=benzodiazepine kn-keyword=benzodiazepine en-keyword=sedation kn-keyword=sedation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2242 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of Lifestyle Changes on Body Weight Gain During Nationwide Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people in Japan were urged to stay at home as much as possible, and this resulted in significant changes in lifestyle behavior. The new lifestyle included factors affecting both energy intake and energy consumption, and it is now thought that weight gain during the lockdown was the result of complex effects. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among lifestyle habits, laboratory data, and body weight gain during the lockdown using medical check-up data. Methods: A total of 3789 individuals who had undergone consecutive medical check-ups during the period from 2018 to 2020 were included in this study. Participants whose body weight had increased by 5% or more were divided into two groups: a before-lockdown group (participants who had gained weight between 2018 and 2019) and an after-lockdown group (participants who had gained weight between 2019 and 2020). Physical measurements, laboratory data, and answers to six questions about lifestyle habits, for which information was obtained from the records from medical check-ups, were compared in the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the distribution of weight changes in 2018-2019 before the lockdown and the distribution of weight changes in 2019-2020 after the lockdown. The before-lockdown and after-lockdown groups both included about 7% of the total participants (279 and 273 participants, respectively). Diastolic blood pressure and levels of AST, ALT, and LDL-C were significantly higher in the after-lockdown group than in the before-lockdown group. The percentages of participants with alcohol consumption and exercise habits were significantly higher in the after-lockdown group than in the before-lockdown group, and an analysis by gender showed that the differences were significant for women but not for men. Conclusions: The distributions of weight changes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were similar. Exercise habits and alcohol consumption might have been unique factors causing weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in women. Our findings suggest that the impact of behavioral restrictions and lifestyle changes during a pandemic may be different in men and women. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishidaChisa en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Chisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObikaMikako en-aut-sei=Obika en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic kn-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic en-keyword=lockdown kn-keyword=lockdown en-keyword=weight gain kn-keyword=weight gain en-keyword=medical check-ups kn-keyword=medical check-ups en-keyword=lifestyle kn-keyword=lifestyle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=100016 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202507 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Changes in adrenoceptor expression level contribute to the cellular plasticity of glioblastoma cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Glioblastoma cells are known to regulate their cellular plasticity in response to their surrounding microenvironment, but it is not fully understood what factors contribute to the cells' changing plasticity. Here, we found that glioblastoma cells alter the expression level of adrenoreceptors depending on their differentiation stage. Catecholamines are abundant in the central nervous system, and we found that noradrenaline, in particular, enhances the stemness of glioblastoma cells and promotes the dedifferentiation potential of already differentiated glioblastoma cells. Antagonist and RNAi experiments revealed that signaling through alpha 1D-adrenoreceptor is important for noradrenaline action on glioblastoma cells. We also found that high alpha 1Dadrenoreceptor expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with gliomas. These data suggest that glioblastoma cells increase the expression level of their own adrenoreceptors to alter the surrounding tumor microenvironment favorably for survival. We believe that our findings will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsakaYutaro en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasumotoToshio en-aut-sei=Masumoto en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnedaAtsuhito en-aut-sei=Uneda en-aut-mei=Atsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChinVanessa D. en-aut-sei=Chin en-aut-mei=Vanessa D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYusuke en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PenaTirso en-aut-sei=Pena en-aut-mei=Tirso kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHaruyoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Haruyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangRongsheng en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Rongsheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Trauma Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Adrenoceptors kn-keyword=Adrenoceptors en-keyword=Glioma stem-like cells kn-keyword=Glioma stem-like cells en-keyword=Differentiated glioma cells kn-keyword=Differentiated glioma cells en-keyword=Noradrenaline kn-keyword=Noradrenaline en-keyword=Cellular plasticity kn-keyword=Cellular plasticity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The association between objectively measured physical activity and home blood pressure: a population-based real-world data analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Few studies have examined the association of objectively measured habitual physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior with out-of-office blood pressure (BP). We investigated the associations of objectively measured PA intensity time, sedentary time, and step count with at-home BP. Using accelerometer-recorded PA indices and self-measured BP in 368 participants (mean age, 53.8 years; 58.7% women), we analyzed 115,575 records of each parameter between May 2019 and April 2024. PA intensities were categorized as light (2.0–2.9 metabolic equivalents [METs]); moderate (3.0–5.9 METs); vigorous (≥6.0 METs), or sedentary (<2.0 METs): the median [interquartile ranges] for these variables was 188 [146–232], 83 [59–114], 1 [0–2], 501 [428–579] minutes, respectively, and for step count, was 6040 [4164–8457]. Means [standard deviations] for systolic and diastolic BP were 116.4 [14.2] and 75.2 [9.3] mmHg, respectively. A mixed-effect model adjusted for possible confounders showed that 1-h longer in vigorous PA was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP (−1.69 and −1.09 mmHg, respectively). A 1000-step increase in step count was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP (−0.05 and −0.02 mmHg, respectively). Associations were more pronounced among men and participants aged <60 years. Sedentary time was positively associated with BP in men and participants aged <60 years, but inversely associated with BP in women and participants aged ≥60 years. Our findings suggest that more PA and less sedentary behavior were associated with BP reduction, particularly among men and participants aged <60 years. However, the clinical relevance of this effect remains uncertain because of its modest magnitude. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KinutaMinako en-aut-sei=Kinuta en-aut-mei=Minako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiKaori en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahataNoriko en-aut-sei=Nakahata en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Izumo, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Health and Nutrition, The University of Shimane Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e82348 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250416 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bilateral Scleritis and Neutrophilic Dermatosis With Cytogenetic Chromosomal Aberrancy Related to Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Case Report of a 20-Year Follow-Up en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pyoderma gangrenosum is a non-infectious autoimmune disease with skin plaques and ulcers in the entity of neutrophilic dermatosis and may have a background of myelodysplastic syndromes. This study reported a 20-year follow-up of a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum and scleritis who showed chromosomal aberrancy from the initial phase and later in the course developed thrombocythemia. A 51-year-old man presented with widespread indurated erythematous plaques with scaling and pustules on the forehead, bilateral eyelids, and nasal bridge, in addition to nodular scleritis in the left eye and ulcer formation of the plaques in the lower legs. Skin biopsy revealed massive dermal infiltration mainly with neutrophils in the absence of neutrophilic vasculitis. Suspected of myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow biopsy was normal, while chromosomal aberrancy, 46, XY, del (20) (q11q13.3), was detected. In the diagnosis of neutrophilic dermatosis, probably of pyoderma gangrenosum, he began to have oral prednisolone 20 mg daily and colchicine 1 mg daily, leading to the subsidence of skin lesions. Four months later, he developed nodular scleritis in the right eye and began to use topical 0.1% betamethasone in both eyes. He was stable with only prednisolone 12.5 mg daily until the age of 55.5 years, when he showed an increase of serum lactate dehydrogenase. The bone marrow aspirate disclosed neither blast cell increase nor atypical cells. The same chromosomal aberrancy was repeatedly detected. One year later, he developed breathing difficulty and underwent tracheostomy. Laryngeal lesion biopsy disclosed squamous cell papilloma with human papillomavirus-6. At 60 years old, he showed marginal corneal infiltration in the left eye, and at 61 years old, hypopyon in the right eye. Platelets tended to increase up to 1000 × 103/µL, and bone marrow examinations were recommended but refused by the patient. At the latest follow-up at 71 years old, he was ambulatory in health and stable with a tracheostomy cannula. In conclusion, pyoderma gangrenosum with scleritis occurred in an undetermined hematological malignancy with chromosomal aberrancy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObikaMikako en-aut-sei=Obika en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmichiRyotaro en-aut-sei=Omichi en-aut-mei=Ryotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwatsukiKeiji en-aut-sei=Iwatsuki en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=corneal infiltration kn-keyword=corneal infiltration en-keyword=hypopyon kn-keyword=hypopyon en-keyword=myelodysplastic syndromes kn-keyword=myelodysplastic syndromes en-keyword=neutrophilic dermatosis kn-keyword=neutrophilic dermatosis en-keyword=peripheral keratitis kn-keyword=peripheral keratitis en-keyword=pyoderma gangrenosum kn-keyword=pyoderma gangrenosum en-keyword=scleritis kn-keyword=scleritis en-keyword=sweet syndrome kn-keyword=sweet syndrome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=141 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Primary chest wall sarcoma: advances in surgical management and outcomes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Although rare, primary chest wall sarcomas are complex malignancies necessitating optimal local control and comprehensive treatment. This study aimed to review 9 years of cases of primary chest wall sarcomas at a single institution, focusing on their histology, surgical management, and prognosis.
Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 19 patients undergoing chest wall resection for sarcoma from 2012 to 2020. Data on demographics, tumor specifics, resection extent, and adjuvant therapies were collected. Surgical and postoperative outcomes were also assessed.
Results The median patient age was 64 years. Chondrosarcoma was the most common histology. R0 resection was achieved in all patients, with early postoperative complications occurring in 11% of the patients. Robust chest wall reconstruction was performed, resulting in minimal respiratory complications. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 94% and 68%, respectively. Tumor size and patient age were significant prognostic factors for local recurrence.
Conclusion Comprehensive surgical resection, coupled with multidisciplinary preoperative planning, achieves favorable outcomes. Patients aged ≥ 70 years and with tumor size ≥ 5 cm (P = .047) should be carefully followed up for local recurrence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RyukoTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Ryuko en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomiokaYasuaki en-aut-sei=Tomioka en-aut-mei=Yasuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShienKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Shien en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzawaKen en-aut-sei=Suzawa en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMikio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Mikio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Primary chest wall sarcomas kn-keyword=Primary chest wall sarcomas en-keyword=Chest wall resection kn-keyword=Chest wall resection en-keyword=Chondrosarcoma kn-keyword=Chondrosarcoma en-keyword=Robust chest wall reconstruction kn-keyword=Robust chest wall reconstruction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=裏表紙・英文目次 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=投稿規程・奥付 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=47 end-page=55 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Practical BIZEN Device Design Course Activity Report in Fiscal 2024 kn-title=2024年度次世代医療機器開発人材育成プログラムBIZENデバイスデザインコースの取り組み en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TSUZUKITsuneaki en-aut-sei=TSUZUKI en-aut-mei=Tsuneaki kn-aut-name=都築常明 kn-aut-sei=都築 kn-aut-mei=常明 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UCHIDADaisuke en-aut-sei=UCHIDA en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name=内田大輔 kn-aut-sei=内田 kn-aut-mei=大輔 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KISHIMOTOToshio en-aut-sei=KISHIMOTO en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name=岸本俊夫 kn-aut-sei=岸本 kn-aut-mei=俊夫 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SENGOKUYoshinari en-aut-sei=SENGOKU en-aut-mei=Yoshinari kn-aut-name=仙石喜也 kn-aut-sei=仙石 kn-aut-mei=喜也 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KORENAGAToshio en-aut-sei=KORENAGA en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name=伊永俊雄 kn-aut-sei=伊永 kn-aut-mei=俊雄 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HITOBEYu en-aut-sei=HITOBE en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name=人部友 kn-aut-sei=人部 kn-aut-mei=友 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YOSHIBAYasuyuki en-aut-sei=YOSHIBA en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name=吉葉恭行 kn-aut-sei=吉葉 kn-aut-mei=恭行 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SAKURAIJun en-aut-sei=SAKURAI en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name=櫻井淳 kn-aut-sei=櫻井 kn-aut-mei=淳 aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil=岡山大学病院 新医療研究開発センター affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil=岡山大学病院 新医療研究開発センター affil-num=3 en-affil=Organization for Research Strategy and Development, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学 研究・イノベーション共創機構 affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil=岡山大学病院 新医療研究開発センター affil-num=5 en-affil=Organization for Research Strategy and Development, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学 研究・イノベーション共創機構 affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil=岡山大学病院 新医療研究開発センター affil-num=7 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil=岡山大学病院 新医療研究開発センター END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=39 end-page=45 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Practicing the Innovation Loop: 2024 Report on Advanced Hospital Practicums and Future Challenges kn-title=イノベーションループの実践:2024年度先進病院実習報告と未来課題 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HARADANahoko en-aut-sei=HARADA en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name=原田奈穂子 kn-aut-sei=原田 kn-aut-mei=奈穂子 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKAHASHISatoshi en-aut-sei=TAKAHASHI en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name=髙橋智 kn-aut-sei=髙橋 kn-aut-mei=智 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MORITomoaki en-aut-sei=MORI en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name=森友明 kn-aut-sei=森 kn-aut-mei=友明 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HIKASAHaruka en-aut-sei=HIKASA en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name=日笠晴香 kn-aut-sei=日笠 kn-aut-mei=晴香 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SHISHIDOKeisuke en-aut-sei=SHISHIDO en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name=宍戸圭介 kn-aut-sei=宍戸 kn-aut-mei=圭介 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MAGARIMasaki en-aut-sei=MAGARI en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name=曲正樹 kn-aut-sei=曲 kn-aut-mei=正樹 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WATANABEToyohiko en-aut-sei=WATANABE en-aut-mei=Toyohiko kn-aut-name=渡邉豊彦 kn-aut-sei=渡邉 kn-aut-mei=豊彦 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MORITAMizuki en-aut-sei=MORITA en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name=森田瑞樹 kn-aut-sei=森田 kn-aut-mei=瑞樹 aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=2 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=3 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=4 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=5 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=6 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=7 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=8 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 affil-num=9 en-affil=Academic Field of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Health Sciences, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=35 end-page=37 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=The 16th International Symposium for Future Technology Creating Better Human Health and Society kn-title=第16回 高度医療都市を創出する未来技術国際シンポジウム en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YANGJiajia en-aut-sei=YANG en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name=楊家家 kn-aut-sei=楊 kn-aut-mei=家家 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡⼭⼤学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=29 end-page=33 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Survey of Private Collections “Kyoson Collections” in Okayama University Library: Focusing on His Friendship with Poets kn-title=岡山大学中央図書館・個人文庫「杏村文庫」の調査:詩人との交友を中心に en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SUZUKIRyozo en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Ryozo kn-aut-name=鈴木亮三 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=亮三 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=19 end-page=27 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=A Review of Previous Research on the Use of PrEP: Focusing on Japan and China kn-title=PrEP の利用に関する先行研究レビュー日本と中国を中心に en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangDecheng en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Decheng kn-aut-name=汪徳成 kn-aut-sei=汪 kn-aut-mei=徳成 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究科 en-keyword=PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) kn-keyword=PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) en-keyword=HIV Prevention kn-keyword=HIV Prevention en-keyword=Social Stigma kn-keyword=Social Stigma en-keyword=Policy Support kn-keyword=Policy Support en-keyword=Regional Disparities kn-keyword=Regional Disparities END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11 end-page=18 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=An examination of decision-making support at the end of life on relational autonomy theory kn-title=関係的自律理論に基づいた終末期に関する意思決定支援の検討 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In contemporary end-of-life care, it is difficult for patients to make decisions without the influence of society, family, and other factors. In many cases, patients have the capacity to make the decisions; nevertheless, they have difficulty expressing their own will because of the influence of their relationships and environment. Patient concerns about the burden of care and also the social and economic impacts on family members often hinder their use of imagination and decision-making. Therefore, this study has examined how patients with decision-making capacities could achieve autonomy under the influence of their relationships with their surroundings. The method of decision-making support provided by nurses to patients was examined using relational autonomy theory. Relational autonomy theory attempts to reconceptualize autonomy through feminists who criticize individualist theories of autonomy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SONOYAMASumiyo en-aut-sei=SONOYAMA en-aut-mei=Sumiyo kn-aut-name=園山純代 kn-aut-sei=園山 kn-aut-mei=純代 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The University of Shimane kn-affil=島根県立大学 en-keyword=relational autonomy kn-keyword=relational autonomy en-keyword=decision-making kn-keyword=decision-making en-keyword=end of life care kn-keyword=end of life care END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=9 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Corporate decision-making process for exploration time kn-title=知の探索時間についての企業の意思決定プロセス en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In order for companies to innovate through business co-creation, it is necessary to explore a wide range of external knowledge and technologies. However, there is no clear answer as to how much time should be spent for exploration. Under these circumstances, companies must take into account constraints such as the amount of management resources that can be invested, and make decisions about the time to spend for exploration. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the process of how companies that have introduced corporate accelerator program recognize the relationship between the program period and the results of business co-creation, and how they make decisions about the program period. We conducted a case study of several companies that have introduced corporate accelerator program in Japan. In addition, this paper established a hypothesis about decision-making about the time for exploration from case studies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SHIMIZUTakeshi en-aut-sei=SHIMIZU en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=志水武史 kn-aut-sei=志水 kn-aut-mei=武史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Okayama University kn-affil=国立大学法人岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究学域 en-keyword=corporate accelerator program kn-keyword=corporate accelerator program en-keyword=co-creation kn-keyword=co-creation en-keyword=exploration kn-keyword=exploration en-keyword=Time Compression Diseconomies kn-keyword=Time Compression Diseconomies END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=表紙・目次 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e0320482 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Serum uric acid level is associated with renal arteriolar hyalinosis and predicts post-donation renal function in living kidney donors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Major guidelines for living-donor kidney transplantation underscore the need for pre-donation evaluation of renal function, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and albuminuria to minimize the risk of donation from marginal donors. However, validity is yet to be established. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between clinical characteristics and histological indices in baseline renal biopsies (0-h biopsies) and whether these parameters could predict renal function in living kidney donors one year post-donation. Seventy-six living kidney donors were recruited for this study. In histological analyses, glomerulosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, arteriolar hyalinosis, and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores/indices were evaluated. Post-donation serum creatinine levels in kidney donors with arteriolar hyalinosis were significantly higher than those in individuals without arteriolar hyalinosis. There was a significant correlation between baseline serum uric acid levels and the arteriolar hyalinosis index, with baseline uric acid level identified as an independent factor for hyalinosis in multiple regression analysis. Additionally, the serum uric acid level was a significant prognostic factor for post-donation serum creatinine after adjustment for baseline clinical parameters. These data demonstrate that pre-donation serum uric acid levels are associated with arteriolar hyalinosis in the kidney and could predict a decline in renal function during the first year after donation in living kidney donors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanoYuzuki en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Yuzuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaMasashi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanoiTomoaki en-aut-sei=Yamanoi en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshinagaKasumi en-aut-sei=Yoshinaga en-aut-mei=Kasumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=BekkuKensuke en-aut-sei=Bekku en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShingo en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMotoo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Motoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School General Medical Center and Department of Medical Care Work, Kawasaki College of Health Professions kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e70139 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Induction Therapy With Oral Tacrolimus Provides Long-Term Benefit in Thiopurine-Naïve Refractory Ulcerative Colitis Patients Despite Low Serum Albumin Levels en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background and Aim: Oral tacrolimus is an effective treatment for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). However, tacrolimus is underutilized because of the difficulties in transitioning to subsequent maintenance therapy and concerns about adverse events.
Methods: We evaluated the clinical outcomes, adverse events, and accumulated medication costs in consecutive 72 UC patients treated with tacrolimus.
Results: Fifty-five (76%) patients with pancolitis and 43 (60%) patients with acute severe disease were entered. Fifty-four (75%) achieved clinical remission 8 weeks after starting tacrolimus. At the last visit, 62 (86%) patients had colectomy-free remission, and 55 (76%) patients had corticosteroid-free remission. Eighteen (25%) patients maintained remission without additional treatment after tacrolimus discontinuation. Patients with continuous remission had a significantly lower history of thiopurine use and lower serum albumin levels at the induction of tacrolimus than patients with failure to induce or maintain remission. No severe adverse events due to tacrolimus treatment were observed. The accumulated medication costs over 3 years in patients with continuous remission after the start of tacrolimus were lower than those in patients with induction and maintenance of infliximab (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Tacrolimus could have an irreplaceable role in the era of biologic therapies, especially for refractory UC patients with thiopurine-na & iuml;ve and low serum albumin levels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyosawaJunki en-aut-sei=Toyosawa en-aut-mei=Junki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AoyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=biologics therapy kn-keyword=biologics therapy en-keyword=tacrolimus kn-keyword=tacrolimus en-keyword=thiopurine kn-keyword=thiopurine en-keyword=ulcerative colitis kn-keyword=ulcerative colitis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=50 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=100 end-page=107 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigating the Effects of Reconstruction Conditions on Image Quality and Radiomic Analysis in Photon-counting Computed Tomography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction:Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) is equipped with an adaptive iterative reconstruction method called quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR), which allows the intensity to be changed during image reconstruction. It is known that the reconstruction conditions of CT images affect the analysis results when performing radiomic analysis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of QIR intensity on image quality and radiomic analysis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials and Methods:The QIR intensities were selected as off, 2 and 4. The image quality evaluation items considered were task-based transfer function (TTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and low-contrast object specific contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRLO). The influence on radiomic analysis was assessed using the discrimination accuracy of clear cell RCC.
Results:For image quality evaluation, TTF and NPS values were lower and CNRLO values were higher with increasing QIR intensity; for radiomic analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were higher with increasing QIR intensity. Principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristics analysis also showed higher values with increasing QIR intensity.
Conclusion:It was confirmed that the intensity of the QIR intensity affects both the image quality and the radiomic analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhataMiyu en-aut-sei=Ohata en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiRyohei en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaichi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamauchiTakatsugu en-aut-sei=Yamauchi en-aut-mei=Takatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaMitsugi en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Mitsugi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiAiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKoshi en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Koshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidaKatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Kida en-aut-mei=Katsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Image quality kn-keyword=Image quality en-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography kn-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography en-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction kn-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction en-keyword=radiomics kn-keyword=radiomics en-keyword=renal cell carcinoma kn-keyword=renal cell carcinoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=10462 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250326 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Gingipain regulates isoform switches of PD-L1 in macrophages infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is believed to possess immune evasion capabilities, but it remains unclear whether this immune evasion is related to host gene alternative splicing (AS). In this study, RNA-sequencing revealed significant changes in both AS landscape and transcriptomic profile of macrophages following P. gingivalis infection with/without knockout of gingipain (a unique toxic protease of P. gingivalis). P. gingivalis infection increased the PD-L1 transcripts expression and selectively upregulated a specific coding isoform that more effectively binds to PD-1 on T cells, thereby inhibiting immune function. Biological experiments also detected AS switch of PD-L1 in P. gingivalis-infected or gingipain-treated macrophages. AlphaFold 3 predictions indicated that the protein docking compatibility between PD-1 and P. gingivalis-upregulated PD-L1 isoform was over 80% higher than another coding isoform. These findings suggest that P. gingivalis employs gingipain to modulate the AS of PD-L1, facilitating immune evasion. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhengYilin en-aut-sei=Zheng en-aut-mei=Yilin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangZiyi en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Ziyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WengYao en-aut-sei=Weng en-aut-mei=Yao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SitosariHeriati en-aut-sei=Sitosari en-aut-mei=Heriati kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HeYuhan en-aut-sei=He en-aut-mei=Yuhan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangXiu en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xiu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiotsuNoriko en-aut-sei=Shiotsu en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuharaYoko en-aut-sei=Fukuhara en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegameMika en-aut-sei=Ikegame en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraHirohiko en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Hirohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Comprehensive Dental Clinic, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Porphyromonas gingivalis kn-keyword=Porphyromonas gingivalis en-keyword=Gingipain kn-keyword=Gingipain en-keyword=Macrophage kn-keyword=Macrophage en-keyword=Alternative splicing kn-keyword=Alternative splicing en-keyword=PD-L1 kn-keyword=PD-L1 en-keyword=Immune evasion kn-keyword=Immune evasion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=283 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cancer-related alopecia and wig acquisition: how age, sex, and treatment affect patient choices en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose This study aimed to explore the prevalence and cost of wig purchases among patients with cancer in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, and examine the relationship between wig purchases and various demographic, social, and clinical factors. The findings aim to provide insights into appearance care and support systems for patients with cancer, particularly wig subsidies.
Methods A survey was conducted between July and August 2023 among 3000 patients with cancer at 13 designated cancer care hospitals in Okayama Prefecture. Data on demographics, cancer treatment status, and wig purchase details were collected. Statistical analyses, including the Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression, were performed to identify factors significantly associated with wig purchases.
Results Among the 863 respondents, 31.4% (271 patients) reported purchasing wigs. Factors significantly associated with wig purchase included young age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04), female sex (OR = 1.61), and current cancer treatment (OR = 1.16). No significant correlation was found between wig purchase and household income, although higher-income patients tended to purchase more expensive wigs.
Conclusion The findings suggest that younger female patients with cancer and those undergoing treatment were more likely to purchase wigs, highlighting the importance of appearance care and the need for enhanced financial support for low-income patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchiharaEiki en-aut-sei=Ichihara en-aut-mei=Eiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaAyako en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakimotoGo en-aut-sei=Makimoto en-aut-mei=Go kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiAyano en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabataMasahiro en-aut-sei=Tabata en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Integrated Support Center for Patients and Self-Learning , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Cancer kn-keyword=Cancer en-keyword=Alopecia kn-keyword=Alopecia en-keyword=Wig purchases kn-keyword=Wig purchases en-keyword=Appearance care kn-keyword=Appearance care en-keyword=Patient support kn-keyword=Patient support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=124 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Facial Privacy Protection with Dynamic Multi-User Access Control for Online Photo Platforms en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the digital age, sharing moments through photos has become a daily habit. However, every face captured in these photos is vulnerable to unauthorized identification and potential misuse through AI-powered synthetic content generation. Previously, we introduced SnapSafe, a secure system for enabling selective image privacy focusing on facial regions for single-party scenarios. Recognizing that group photos with multiple subjects are a more common scenario, we extend SnapSafe to support multi-user facial privacy protection with dynamic access control designed for online photo platforms. Our approach introduces key splitting for access control, an owner-centric permission system for granting and revoking access to facial regions, and a request-based mechanism allowing subjects to initiate access permissions. These features ensure that facial regions remain protected while maintaining the visibility of non-facial content for general viewing. To ensure reproducibility and isolation, we implemented our solution using Docker containers. Our experimental assessment covered diverse scenarios, categorized as "Single", "Small", "Medium", and "Large", based on the number of faces in the photos. The results demonstrate the system's effectiveness across all test scenarios, consistently performing face encryption operations in under 350 ms and achieving average face decryption times below 286 ms across various group sizes. The key-splitting operations maintained a 100% success rate across all group configurations, while revocation operations were executed efficiently with server processing times remaining under 16 ms. These results validate the system's capability in managing facial privacy while maintaining practical usability in online photo sharing contexts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SantosoAndri en-aut-sei=Santoso en-aut-mei=Andri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HudaSamsul en-aut-sei=Huda en-aut-mei=Samsul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Kodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogamiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Nogami en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Green Innovation Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=facial privacy protection kn-keyword=facial privacy protection en-keyword=selective facial encryption kn-keyword=selective facial encryption en-keyword=multi-user access control kn-keyword=multi-user access control en-keyword=deep-learning applications kn-keyword=deep-learning applications en-keyword=online photo platform kn-keyword=online photo platform END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=2713 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250318 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Involvement of a Novel Variant of FGFR1 Detected in an Adult Patient with Kallmann Syndrome in Regulation of Gonadal Steroidogenesis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), also known as KAL2, is a tyrosine kinase receptor, and variants of FGFR1 have been detected in patients with Kallmann syndrome (KS), which is a congenital developmental disorder characterized by central hypogonadism and anosmia. Herein, we report an adult case of KS with a novel variant of FGFR1. A middle-aged male was referred for a compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra. It was shown that he had severe osteoporosis, anosmia, gynecomastia, and a past history of operations for cryptorchidism. Endocrine workup using pituitary and gonadal stimulation tests revealed the presence of both primary and central hypogonadism. Genetic testing revealed a novel variant of FGFR1 (c.2197_2199dup, p.Met733dup). To identify the pathogenicity of the novel variant and the clinical significance for the gonads, we investigated the effects of the FGFR1 variant on the downstream signaling of FGFR1 and gonadal steroidogenesis by using human steroidogenic granulosa cells. It was revealed that the transfection of the variant gene significantly impaired FGFR1 signaling, detected through the downregulation of SPRY2, compared with that of the case of the forced expression of wild-type FGFR1, and that the existence of the variant gene apparently altered the expression of key steroidogenic factors, including StAR and aromatase, in the gonad. The results suggested that the novel variant of FGFR1 detected in the patient with KS was linked to the impairment of FGFR1 signaling, as well as the alteration of gonadal steroidogenesis, leading to the pathogenesis of latent primary hypogonadism. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaguchiMarina en-aut-sei=Kawaguchi en-aut-mei=Marina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoKoichiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasudaMiho en-aut-sei=Yasuda en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataNahoko en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) kn-keyword=fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) en-keyword=gynecomastia kn-keyword=gynecomastia en-keyword=Kallmann syndrome (KS) kn-keyword=Kallmann syndrome (KS) en-keyword=osteoporosis and steroidogenesis kn-keyword=osteoporosis and steroidogenesis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=670 end-page=679 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250324 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photochemically assisted synthesis of phenacenes fluorinated at the terminal benzene rings and their electronic spectra en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=[n]Phenacenes ([n] = 5-7), octafluorinated at the terminal benzene rings (F8-phenacenes: F8PIC, F8FUL, and F87PHEN), were photochemically synthesized, and their electronic spectra were investigated to reveal the effects of the fluorination on the electronic features of phenacene molecules. F8-Phenacenes were conveniently synthesized by the Mallory photoreaction of the corresponding fluorinated diarylethenes as the key step. Upon fluorination on the phenacene cores, the absorption and fluorescence bands of the F8-phenacenes in CHCl3 systematically red-shifted by ca. 3-5 nm compared to those of the corresponding parent phenacenes. The vibrational progressions of the absorption and fluorescence bands were little affected by the fluorination in the solution phase. In the solid state, the absorption band of F8-phenacenes appeared in the similar wavelength region for the corresponding parent phenacenes whereas their fluorescence bands markedly red-shifted and broadened. These observations suggest that the intermolecular interactions of excited-state F8-phenacene molecules are significantly different from those of the corresponding parent molecules, most likely due to different crystalline packing motifs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshiiYuuki en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniFumito en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Fumito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoKenta en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubozonoYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Kubozono en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fluorescence kn-keyword=fluorescence en-keyword=fluorinated aromatics kn-keyword=fluorinated aromatics en-keyword=phenacene kn-keyword=phenacene en-keyword=photoreaction kn-keyword=photoreaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=668 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250310 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Robustness of Machine Learning Predictions for Determining Whether Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Is Required in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is a commonly used technique to reduce the mean heart dose (MHD), which is critical for minimizing late cardiac side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Although previous studies have explored the potential of machine learning (ML) to predict which patients might benefit from DIBH, none have rigorously assessed ML model performance across various MHD thresholds and parameter settings. This study aims to evaluate the robustness of ML models in predicting the need for DIBH across different clinical scenarios. Methods: Using data from 207 breast cancer patients treated with RT, we developed and tested ML models at three MHD cut-off values (240, 270, and 300 cGy), considering variations in the number of independent variables (three vs. six) and folds in the cross-validation (three, four, and five). Robustness was defined as achieving high F2 scores and low instability in predictive performance. Results: Our findings indicate that the decision tree (DT) model demonstrated consistently high robustness at 240 and 270 cGy, while the random forest model performed optimally at 300 cGy. At 240 cGy, a threshold critical to minimize late cardiac risks, the DT model exhibited stable predictive power, reducing the risk of overestimating DIBH necessity. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DT model, particularly at lower MHD thresholds, may be the most reliable for clinical applications. By providing a tool for targeted DIBH implementation, this model has the potential to enhance patient-specific treatment planning and improve clinical outcomes in RT. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al JamalJamal, Ghaida en-aut-sei=Al Jamal en-aut-mei=Jamal, Ghaida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikuraMamiko en-aut-sei=Fujikura en-aut-mei=Mamiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=breast cancer kn-keyword=breast cancer en-keyword=radiation therapy kn-keyword=radiation therapy en-keyword=heart dose kn-keyword=heart dose en-keyword=cut-off value kn-keyword=cut-off value en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=robustness kn-keyword=robustness en-keyword=instability kn-keyword=instability en-keyword=F2 score kn-keyword=F2 score en-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique kn-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=790 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250320 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Improving Diagnostic Performance for Head and Neck Tumors with Simple Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging and Machine Learning Bi-Parameter Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Mean kurtosis (MK) values in simple diffusion kurtosis imaging (SDI)-a type of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)-have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of head and neck malignancies, for which pre-processing with smoothing filters has been reported to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Multi-parameter analysis using DKI in combination with other image types has recently been reported to improve the diagnostic performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of machine learning (ML)-based multi-parameter analysis using the MK and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values-which can be acquired simultaneously through SDI-for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors, which is important for determining the treatment strategy, as well as examining the usefulness of filter pre-processing. Methods: A total of 32 pathologically diagnosed head and neck tumors were included in the study, and a Gaussian filter was used for image pre-processing. MK and ADC values were extracted from pixels within the tumor area and used as explanatory variables. Five ML algorithms were used to create models for the prediction of tumor status (benign or malignant), which were evaluated through ROC analysis. Results: Bi-parameter analysis with gradient boosting achieved the best diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.81. Conclusions: The usefulness of bi-parameter analysis with ML methods for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors using SDI data were demonstrated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumuraYuka en-aut-sei=Fukumura en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamaruddinNurul N. en-aut-sei=Kamaruddin en-aut-mei=Nurul N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=head and neck tumors kn-keyword=head and neck tumors en-keyword=mean kurtosis kn-keyword=mean kurtosis en-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging kn-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging en-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value kn-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value en-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=bi-parameter analysis kn-keyword=bi-parameter analysis en-keyword=gradient boosting kn-keyword=gradient boosting en-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant kn-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=619 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250313 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Trehalose on Halitosis: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Halitosis is a condition characterized by an unpleasant malodor. Intra-oral halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and can be associated with oral dryness. Trehalose is one of the materials used to relieve oral dryness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trehalose on halitosis. Methods: This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study enrolled volunteers from Okayama University Hospital. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving trehalose (a 10% trehalose solution) and the other receiving a placebo (distilled water) in a 1:1 allocation. The primary study outcome was the subjective organoleptic test. The secondary outcomes were the concentrations of the VSCs, which were measured using a portable gas chromatography device, and the oral moisture status, which was measured using an oral moisture meter. The planned sample size was 10 participants based on the previous study. Results: The final intention-to-treat analysis was performed using the data from 9 participants. After applying 10% trehalose as an oral spray, the organoleptic score decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant differences were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, the oral moisture levels increased immediately after the trehalose spray application, and significant differences in the amount of change from the baseline were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups (p = 0.047). No significant differences were seen in any of the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We could not identify any positive effects on halitosis from a one-time 10% trehalose application as an oral spray in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. However, the trehalose application immediately improved the oral moisture levels and was useful for treating oral dryness. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyaiHisataka en-aut-sei=Miyai en-aut-mei=Hisataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomofujiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Tomofuji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaMomoko en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Momoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaKota en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumitaIchiro en-aut-sei=Sumita en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaYurika en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Yurika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyamaNaoki en-aut-sei=Toyama en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yamanaka-KohnoReiko en-aut-sei=Yamanaka-Kohno en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiNoriko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Asahi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=halitosis kn-keyword=halitosis en-keyword=trehalose kn-keyword=trehalose en-keyword=oral dryness kn-keyword=oral dryness en-keyword=cross-over study kn-keyword=cross-over study en-keyword=randomized trial kn-keyword=randomized trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e81476 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250330 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Natural Course From Primary Intraocular Lymphoma to Brain Lymphoma in Four Years According to Patient's Choice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Primary intraocular lymphoma or vitreoretinal lymphoma is a rare entity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that presents vitreous opacity and retinal and choroidal infiltration. Primary central nervous system lymphoma would occur previously, later, or concurrently with respect to primary intraocular lymphoma. This study reported a 72-year-old patient with a pathological diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma who developed central nervous system lymphoma four years later in the course of no treatment. She presented with a four-year history of blurred vision in both eyes after cataract surgeries. Three weeks previously, she underwent a vitrectomy in the left eye at a clinic, and measurements of the vitreous fluid showed a high level of interleukin-10 at 5739 pg/mL, in contrast with interleukin-6 at 142 pg/mL. Cytology of the vitreous fluid was class III on the Papanicolaou classification. Head magnetic resonance imaging detected nothing abnormal. She underwent vitrectomy in the right eye as a diagnostic procedure to show large cells in the vitreous which were positive for CD20 and Ki-67 and negative for CD3, leading to a pathological diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma. Prophylactic chemotherapy with high-dose methotrexate was recommended as a therapeutic option, but she chose observation since she did not have any eye or systemic symptoms. In the follow-up every three months by an oncologist and an ophthalmologist, she did not have any symptoms, and serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor were in the normal range at each visit. She was well for four years until the age of 76 years when she fell and hit her head, and an emergency head computed tomography scan showed a mass in the left occipital lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-defined circular mass in the left occipital lobe with a hyperintense signal in the T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image and diffusion-weighted image. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed no abnormal uptake systemically, except for the left occipital lesion. She underwent a brain biopsy by craniotomy to pathologically prove diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She was recommended to receive first-line chemotherapy as the standard treatment but chose observation with no treatment and died of brain lymphoma nine months later. This case happened to illustrate a natural course of primary intraocular lymphoma which proceeded to central nervous system lymphoma four years later. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoShotaro en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Shotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Kurashiki Municipal Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=brain biopsy kn-keyword=brain biopsy en-keyword=cell block pathology kn-keyword=cell block pathology en-keyword=diffuse large b-cell lymphoma kn-keyword=diffuse large b-cell lymphoma en-keyword=natural course kn-keyword=natural course en-keyword=primary central nervous system lymphoma kn-keyword=primary central nervous system lymphoma en-keyword=primary intraocular (vitreoretinal) lymphoma kn-keyword=primary intraocular (vitreoretinal) lymphoma en-keyword=vitrectomy kn-keyword=vitrectomy en-keyword=vitreous opacity kn-keyword=vitreous opacity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=85 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1082 end-page=1096 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250314 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Myeloid Cells Induce Infiltration and Activation of B Cells and CD4+ T Follicular Helper Cells to Sensitize Brain Metastases to Combination Immunotherapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Brain metastasis is a poor prognostic factor in patients with cancer. Despite showing efficacy in many extracranial tumors, immunotherapy with anti–PD-1 mAb or anti–CTLA4 mAb seems to be less effective against intracranial tumors. Promisingly, recent clinical studies have reported that combination therapy with anti–PD-1 and anti–CTLA4 mAbs has a potent antitumor effect on brain metastasis, highlighting the need to elucidate the detailed mechanisms controlling the intracranial tumor microenvironment (TME) to develop effective immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we analyzed the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in murine models of brain metastasis that responded to anti–CTLA4 and anti–PD-1 mAbs. Activated CD4+ T follicular helper (TFH) cells with high CTLA4 expression characteristically infiltrated the intracranial TME, which were activated by combination anti–CTLA4 and anti–PD-1 treatment. The loss of TFH cells suppressed the additive effect of CTLA4 blockade on anti–PD-1 mAb. B-cell–activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) produced by abundant myeloid cells, particularly CD80hiCD206lo proinflammatory M1-like macrophages, in the intracranial TME induced B-cell and TFH-cell infiltration and activation. Furthermore, the intracranial TME of patients with non–small cell lung cancer featured TFH- and B-cell infiltration as tertiary lymphoid structures. Together, these findings provide insights into the immune cell cross-talk in the intracranial TME that facilitates an additive antitumor effect of CTLA4 blockade with anti–PD-1 treatment, supporting the potential of a combination immunotherapeutic strategy for brain metastases.
Significance: B-cell and CD4+ T follicular helper cell activation via BAFF/APRIL from abundant myeloid cells in the intracranial tumor microenvironment enables a combinatorial effect of CTLA4 and PD-1 blockade in brain metastases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NinomiyaToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KemmotsuNaoya en-aut-sei=Kemmotsu en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukoharaFumiaki en-aut-sei=Mukohara en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MagariMasaki en-aut-sei=Magari en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoAi en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaYouki en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Youki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshinoTakamasa en-aut-sei=Ishino en-aut-mei=Takamasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiJoji en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHidetoshi en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hidetoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachibanaKota en-aut-sei=Tachibana en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoIsamu en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Isamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TogashiYosuke en-aut-sei=Togashi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Medical Protein Engineering, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=357 end-page=371 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Proposals for Supporting Children’s Adaptation in School Mergers and Closures kn-title=学校統廃合における児童の適応支援策の提言 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of school mergers and closures on children through a literature review and field survey and to propose strategies for supporting children's adaptation to the resulting environmental transitions. First, a literature review on school mergers and closures indicated that such experiences could influence children's later interpersonal relationships and increase stress responses. However, research on the impact of school mergers and closures on children remains limited, with insufficient understanding of their psychological effects on children. Next, interviews conducted as part of a field survey revealed that school mergers and closures could be significant sources of stress for children. Based on these findings, we recommends multi-level support measures targeting individuals, classes, grades, and entire schools, primarily through special activities, to help mitigate the impact of these transitions on children. kn-abstract=本研究の目的は,学校統廃合に係る文献検索および実態調査を通して,学校統廃合という環境移行が児童に与える影響について検討し,学校統廃合がもたらす環境移行に対する児童の適応支援策について提言することである。まず,学校統廃合に係る文献検索を行った結果,学校統廃合の経験が児童生徒のその後の人間関係形成やストレス反応の増加に影響を与えている可能性が示された。しかし,学校統廃合が児童に与える影響に関する研究は非常に少なく,統廃合の経験が児童に与える心理的影響については十分に解明されていないことがわかった。次に,実態調査として行ったインタビューにおいて,学校統廃合が児童にとって大きなストレス要因となる可能性があることがわかった。これらの現状を踏まえて,学校統廃合が児童に与える影響を和らげるため,特別活動を中心として,個人・学級・学年・学校レベルでの具体的な取組を提案した。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IKEDAYuka en-aut-sei=IKEDA en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name=池田祐加 kn-aut-sei=池田 kn-aut-mei=祐加 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IZUMITsuguyuki en-aut-sei=IZUMI en-aut-mei=Tsuguyuki kn-aut-name=伊住継行 kn-aut-sei=伊住 kn-aut-mei=継行 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education (Professional Degree Corse), Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院教育学研究科大学院生 affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 en-keyword=学校統廃合 (School Consolidation) kn-keyword=学校統廃合 (School Consolidation) en-keyword=児童 (Children) kn-keyword=児童 (Children) en-keyword=人間関係形成 (Relationship Building) kn-keyword=人間関係形成 (Relationship Building) en-keyword=ストレス (Stress) kn-keyword=ストレス (Stress) en-keyword=特別活動 (Special Activities) kn-keyword=特別活動 (Special Activities) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clipping closure length is a crucial factor for delayed bleeding after endoscopic papillectomy: a retrospective multicenter cohort study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Bleeding is a serious and frequent adverse event that occurs during and after endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Previous studies have highlighted the effectiveness of preventive clipping closure of the resection site in preventing post-EP bleeding. However, the optimal length of closure remained unclear.
Objectives: We aimed to clarify the optimal clipping length at the post-EP resection site to prevent delayed bleeding.
Design: This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.
] Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were consecutively admitted to nine high-volume centers for EP between November 2003 and October 2023. The primary outcome was the frequency of delayed bleeding based on the closure length. The optimal closure length rate of the resected site to prevent delayed bleeding was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Secondary outcomes were the incidence, treatment outcomes, and risk factors for post-EP delayed bleeding.
Results: A total of 130 patients who underwent EP were analyzed. Delayed bleeding was observed in 22 (17%) patients, occurring more frequently in cases without clipping closure than in those with clipping closure (28% (13/47) vs 11% (9/83); p = 0.014). Among 83 patients who underwent clipping closure, delayed bleeding occurred more frequently with a closure length rate <65% than in those with a closure rate >= 65% (25% (5/20) vs 6% (4/63); p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis showed that a closure rate <65% was the risk factor for delayed bleeding (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-33; p = 0.030) in cases with clipping.
Conclusion: Clipping closure was effective in preventing delayed bleeding, and closure length rate >= 65% of the resected site significantly reduced post-EP delayed bleeding. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiKiyoaki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Kiyoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HimeiHitomi en-aut-sei=Himei en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakiharaIchiro en-aut-sei=Sakakihara en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UetaEijiro en-aut-sei=Ueta en-aut-mei=Eijiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyokawaTatsuya en-aut-sei=Toyokawa en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaRyo en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaTaiji en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Taiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomodaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Tomoda en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoHironari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Hironari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataTaisuke en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Taisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization, Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization, Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=clipping closure kn-keyword=clipping closure en-keyword=delayed bleeding kn-keyword=delayed bleeding en-keyword=endoscopic papillectomy kn-keyword=endoscopic papillectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=281 end-page=295 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Development Support a Child with Autism to Acquisition of Intersubjective Communication: Through the Environmental Setting of Play with Shared Positive Emotions kn-title=ASD 児における相互伝達行為の獲得を目指した遊びを中心としたコミュニケーション指導 ポジティブな情動の共有を生み出す遊びの環境設定を通して en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=In this study, a play-based instruction was used to promote the acquisition of intersubjective communication in a special needs school for students with intellectual disabilities. The participant was a first-grade boy with autism. As a result, the boy began to show intersubjective communication and to respond to the teacher's instruction. It was suggested that four aspects of the play environment may have promoted the acquisition of intersubjective communication: 1) attractive toys, 2) play with the teacher through attractive toys, 3) intervention according to the developmental process of the target children's play, and 4) empathic involvement to encourage the affective sharing. kn-abstract= 自閉スペクトラム症児は,相互伝達行為の獲得に遅れがあることが指摘されている。本研究では,自閉スペクトラム症の診断のある知的障害特別支援学校小学部1年生男児を対象に,相互伝達行為の獲得を目指して,遊びを中心とした指導を行った。その結果,対象児の遊びが「感覚運動的遊び」「機能的遊び」から「象徴的遊び」「社会的遊び」へと移行するに伴い,相互伝達行為が見られるようになった。また,教師による働き掛けへの応答も見られるようになり,ポジティブな情動の共有が生み出されやすい遊びの環境設定が,相互伝達行為の獲得において効果的であったことが示唆された。遊び環境については,1)魅力的な玩具,2)魅力的な玩具を介した教師との遊び,3)対象児の遊びの発達段階に応じた介入,4)情動の共有を促す共感的関わりの4点が相互伝達行為の獲得を促した可能性が考えられた。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KAKUHARAKeisuke en-aut-sei=KAKUHARA en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name=角原佳介 kn-aut-sei=角原 kn-aut-mei=佳介 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BANMarina en-aut-sei=BAN en-aut-mei=Marina kn-aut-name=伴真里奈 kn-aut-sei=伴 kn-aut-mei=真里奈 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TANJITakayuki en-aut-sei=TANJI en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name=丹治敬之 kn-aut-sei=丹治 kn-aut-mei=敬之 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tobi Special School kn-affil=岡山県立東備支援学校 affil-num=2 en-affil=Special School Affiliated with the Faculty of Education at Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学教育学部附属特別支援学校 affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba kn-affil=筑波大学人間系 en-keyword=自閉スペクトラム症 (a Child with Autism) kn-keyword=自閉スペクトラム症 (a Child with Autism) en-keyword=相互伝達行為 (Intersubjective Communication) kn-keyword=相互伝達行為 (Intersubjective Communication) en-keyword=情動の共有 (effective sharing) kn-keyword=情動の共有 (effective sharing) en-keyword=遊びの環境設定 (Setting of Play) kn-keyword=遊びの環境設定 (Setting of Play) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=191 end-page=205 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Prevention of Apathy in High School Students Perspective on Time Management and Future Prospects kn-title=アパシー傾向からみた高校生の無気力の予防について ―タイムマネジメント,将来展望との関係を通して― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= According to the Ministry of Education in Japan (2023), apathy is the leading cause of truancy among high school students, with the percentage of nonattendance at 40%. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevention of apathy among high school students. Apathy among college students has been examined as a propensity for apathy. This study presupposes that apathy among high school students is also associated with a propensity for apathy. Two hundred and nineteen high school students were participated in this research. We assumed time management (TM) and future prospects (self-fulfillment, goal-directedness, and hopefulness) would be preventive factors against apathetic tendencies for them. The study findings indicate that self-fulfillment may significantly reduce apathy, with hopefulness also contributing to reducing apathy. Additionally, the characteristics of apathy tendency, specifically lack of self, were found to be differently related to students' TM skills. In other words, the findings suggest that goal-directedness may alleviate apathy among students struggling with TM. kn-abstract= 不登校の主たる要因の1位は「無気力・不安」で40.0%を占める(文部科学省,2023)。このことは,不登校でない生徒の中にも,無気力を感じている生徒がかなりいることを示唆している。そこで本研究は,高校生の無気力とその予防について検討する。無気力は,大学生を対象にアパシー傾向として検討されてきた。そこで高校生の無気力をアパシー傾向として捉え,加えてそれを予防するものについても併せて検討した。予防法の候補として,タイムマネジメント(以下,TM)と将来展望(現在の充実感・目標指向性・希望)を想定し,高校生219名を対象に,これらの関係を検討した。分析の結果,無気力を低減するのは,現在の充実感,希望であり,特に前者が有効である可能性を示せた。一方で,アパシー傾向の自分のなさでは,TM のタイプによって異なる関係がみられた。つまり,TM が苦手な生徒では,希望よりも,目前の目標に目を向けることが無気力を低減できる可能性が示唆された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ASADAAsuka en-aut-sei=ASADA en-aut-mei=Asuka kn-aut-name=麻田明日香 kn-aut-sei=麻田 kn-aut-mei=明日香 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AOKITazuko en-aut-sei=AOKI en-aut-mei=Tazuko kn-aut-name=青木多寿子 kn-aut-sei=青木 kn-aut-mei=多寿子 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=KANKO GAKUSEIFUKU CO., LTD. kn-affil=菅公学生服 affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 教授 en-keyword=高校生 (High School Students) kn-keyword=高校生 (High School Students) en-keyword=無気力 kn-keyword=無気力 en-keyword=アパシー傾向 (Apathy tendency) kn-keyword=アパシー傾向 (Apathy tendency) en-keyword=タイムマネジメント (Time Management) kn-keyword=タイムマネジメント (Time Management) en-keyword=将来展望 (Future Prospect) kn-keyword=将来展望 (Future Prospect) en-keyword=Prevention kn-keyword=Prevention END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=75 end-page=89 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Trends in Awareness of Earthquake Disaster Prevention among Students Aspiring to Become Childcare Providers kn-title=保育者志望学生の地震防災に対する意識の傾向 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= In recent years, under the growing sense of crisis about the possibility of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough, etc., it has become necessary to have more awareness of earthquake disaster prevention and to take measures for disaster prevention regularly. The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual situation of students who aspire to become childcare providers to protect children's lives. As a result of a questionnaire survey, we found that their awareness of the danger of earthquakes tended to differ by grade level and that their understanding and knowledge of earthquake disaster prevention differed depending on their awareness of earthquake disaster prevention. In the future, it will be necessary to consider conducting evacuation drills in kindergartens or nursery schools and providing guidance on disaster prevention education in training programs for childcare providers. kn-abstract= 近年,南海トラフ巨大地震や都市直下型地震に対する危機感が高まる中,地震防災に対する高い意識を持ち,普段から防災に関する取り組みに努めることが求められている。本研究では,子どもの命を守る保育者を目指す志望学生が,地震災害に対する意識をどのように持ち,地震防災に関する知識や理解をどの程度保持しているのかについて,その実態を明らかにすることを目的とした。保育者養成校4大学の学生に対する質問紙調査を行った結果,地震への危機意識が学年によって異なる傾向にあることや,地震防災に関する意識の高低によって,地震に対する知識や認識の違いがあることが判明した。今後,幼児教育・保育施設における避難訓練の実施や,保育者養成課程において防災教育に関する指導を検討していくことが求められる。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SATOHDaisuke en-aut-sei=SATOH en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name=佐藤大介 kn-aut-sei=佐藤 kn-aut-mei=大介 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKAHASHIKei en-aut-sei=TAKAHASHI en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name=髙橋慧 kn-aut-sei=髙橋 kn-aut-mei=慧 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BABANoriko en-aut-sei=BABA en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name=馬場訓子 kn-aut-sei=馬場 kn-aut-mei=訓子 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Health and Welfare, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil=川崎医療福祉大学医療福祉学部 affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Childhood Education, Kurashiki Sakuyo University kn-affil=くらしき作陽大学子ども教育学部 affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 en-keyword=地震防災 (earthquake disaster prevention) kn-keyword=地震防災 (earthquake disaster prevention) en-keyword=保育者志望学生 (students aspiring to become childcare providers) kn-keyword=保育者志望学生 (students aspiring to become childcare providers) en-keyword=意識調査 (questionnaire survey) kn-keyword=意識調査 (questionnaire survey) en-keyword=危機意識 (sense of crisis) kn-keyword=危機意識 (sense of crisis) en-keyword=地震防災教育 (education for earthquake disaster prevention) kn-keyword=地震防災教育 (education for earthquake disaster prevention) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=59 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Effects of Career Years on the Coordination Behavior of Yogo Teachers kn-title=養護教諭のコーディネーション行動に及ぼすキャリア年数の影響 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors influencing coordination behavior of Yogo teachers and the relationship between the occurrence process of the factors and career years. The subjects analyzed were 695 persons working in public elementary and junior high schools. The effect of years of career was seen in the improvement of scale scores of factors related to the stages of coordination behavior and motivation, as well as subscale scores of the factors.
The relationship between the number of years of career and factors related to the generation process of coordination behavior suggested three characteristics. That is, (1) The establishment of a foundation for organizational support that starts from collaboration, due to the correlation between factors showing high subscale scores unaffected by the number of years of career, and (2) The correlation among factors of motivational factors whose subscale scores increase with the number of years of career, which leads to the promotion of individualized support efforts, and (3) Correlation between factors of leader recognition and individual support seen in the career category of 11 years or more, and which leads to the promotion of expansion to management of organizational support. kn-abstract= 本研究の目的は,養護教諭のコーディネーション行動に影響する要因やその因子の傾向をキャリア年数から捉え,これらとコーディネーション行動の生起プロセスとの関係について明らかにすることであった。分析対象は,公立小学校・中学校勤務695名とした。キャリア年数の影響は,コーディネーション行動と動機づけの段階に関わる要因の尺度得点や,因子の下位尺度得点の向上に見られた。また,キャリア年数とコーディネーション行動の生起プロセスに関わる因子間の関係からは,(1)キャリア年数に影響されない高い下位尺度得点を示す因子間相関による,協働を起点にした組織支援の基盤づくり,(2)キャリア年数により下位尺度得点が高まる動機づけ要因の因子間相関による,個別支援の取組推進へのつながり,(3)11年以上キャリア区分で見られるリーダー認知と個別支援の因子間相関,及び組織的支援のマネジメントへの広がり,の3つの特徴をもつことが示唆された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SUZUKIKaoru en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name=鈴木薫 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=薫 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MIMURAYukari en-aut-sei=MIMURA en-aut-mei=Yukari kn-aut-name=三村由香里 kn-aut-sei=三村 kn-aut-mei=由香里 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research student, United Graduate School of Education, Hyogo University of Teacher Education kn-affil=兵庫教育大学連合大学院教育学研究科研究生 affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 en-keyword=養護教諭 (Yogo teacher) kn-keyword=養護教諭 (Yogo teacher) en-keyword=コーディネーション行動 (coordination behavior) kn-keyword=コーディネーション行動 (coordination behavior) en-keyword=尺度得点 (scale score) kn-keyword=尺度得点 (scale score) en-keyword=下位尺度得点 (subscale scorer) kn-keyword=下位尺度得点 (subscale scorer) en-keyword=行動の生起プロセス (process of behavioral development) kn-keyword=行動の生起プロセス (process of behavioral development) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=17 end-page=31 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Research of the Image of Teacher-Training Courses among Student Teachers in Non-Faculty of Education kn-title=全学教職課程履修学生の教職課程イメージに関する研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=The purpose of this study was to explore the image of teacher-training courses among student teachers in non-faculty of education. In this study, special attention to was paid to the difference first-year students and fourth-year students. This study 1 included student teachers in non-faculty of education. They were asked to answer metaphor-making task : “teacher-training courses”. Major findings (study 1) were as follows: (a) analysis of metaphors and reasons regarding the image of teacher-training course revealed 19 categories. (b) The category with the most number of descriptions was “A place to learn to become a teacher” followed by “A place to grow as a person”. (c) There were differences in the number of descriptions in some categories between first-year students and fourth-year students. Next, major findings (study 2) were as follows: (a) Exploratory factor analysis of the concept of image of teacher-training courses revealed 11 factors such as “place for active learning” and “hard”. (b) First-year students and fourth-year students had different scores on three factors: “Opportunity to reflect on the educational experience”, “Great value” and “A place for longterm leaning”. These studies indicated that student teachers in non-faculty of education had various images teacher-training courses, and that there were differences in some images teacher-training course between first-year students and fourth-year students. kn-abstract= 本研究の目的は,全学教職課程履修学生の教職課程イメージを検討することであった。研究1ではメタファー法を用いて全学教職課程履修学生を対象に教職課程イメージを調査し,19のカテゴリーが得られた。最も記述が多いカテゴリーは「教師になるための学びの場」であり,次いで「人としての成長の場」であった。また,1年生と4年生でいくつかのカテゴリーで有意差が見られた。研究2では,研究1を基に教職課程イメージを測定する尺度作成を試みると共に,1年生と4年生での比較を行った。調査の結果,教職課程イメージは「能動的な学びの場」「大変さ」など全11因子からなること,「被教育体験の振り返りの機会」「お得感」「長期的な学びの場」において1年生と4年生で有意差があること,が示唆された。本研究から全学教職課程履修学生の教職課程イメージの一端が明らかにされると共に,1年生と4年生で有しているイメージが部分的に異なる可能性が示唆された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MISHIMATomotaka en-aut-sei=MISHIMA en-aut-mei=Tomotaka kn-aut-name=三島知剛 kn-aut-sei=三島 kn-aut-mei=知剛 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Teacher Education and Development, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学教師教育開発センター en-keyword=全学教職課程履修学生 (student teachers in non-faculty of education) kn-keyword=全学教職課程履修学生 (student teachers in non-faculty of education) en-keyword=教職課程イメージ (image of teacher-training courses) kn-keyword=教職課程イメージ (image of teacher-training courses) en-keyword=メタファー (metaphor) kn-keyword=メタファー (metaphor) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2480231 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Specific enhancement of the translation of thermospermine-responsive uORF-containing mRNAs by ribosomal mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Auxin-induced xylem formation in angiosperms is negatively regulated by thermospermine, whose biosynthesis is also induced by auxin. In Arabidopsis thaliana, loss-of-function mutants of ACL5, which encodes thermospermine synthase, exhibit a dwarf phenotype accompanied by excessive xylem formation. Studies of suppressor mutants that recover from the acl5 dwarf phenotype suggest that thermospermine alleviates the inhibitory effect of an upstream open-reading frame (uORF) on the main ORF translation of SAC51 mRNA. Many suppressor mutations for acl5 have been mapped to the uORF conserved in the SAC51 family or to ribosomal protein genes, such as RPL10A, RPL4A, and RACK1A. In this study, we identified newly isolated acl5 suppressors, sac501, sac504, and sac506, which are additional alleles of RPL10A and the uORFs of SAC51 family members, SACL1 and SACL3, respectively. To investigate whether acl5-suppressor alleles of ribosomal genes broadly affect translation of uORF-containing mRNAs, we examined GUS activity in several 5'-GUS fusion constructs. Our results showed that these alleles enhanced GUS activity in SAC51 and SACL3 5'-fusion constructs but had no effect on other 5'-fusion constructs unrelated to thermospermine response. This suggests that these ribosomal proteins are specifically involved in the thermospermine-mediated regulation of mRNA translation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MutsudaKoki en-aut-sei=Mutsuda en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiiYuichi en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyoshimaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Toyoshima en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaHiroko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotoseHiroyasu en-aut-sei=Motose en-aut-mei=Hiroyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiTaku en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=mRNA translation kn-keyword=mRNA translation en-keyword=RPL10 kn-keyword=RPL10 en-keyword=suppressor mutant kn-keyword=suppressor mutant en-keyword=thermospermine kn-keyword=thermospermine en-keyword=uORF kn-keyword=uORF END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Droplet Impact Behavior on Convex Surfaces with a Circumferential Wettability Difference en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshikawaTaku en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=8502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Age-specific assessment of initial hemoglobin levels and shock index for predicting life-saving interventions in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining initial hemoglobin levels with the shock index for predicting the need for life-saving interventions (LSI) in pediatric patients with blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI), specifically tailored to different age groups. This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with BLSI in Japan. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were used to assess predictive accuracy. The study included 1,370 patients. LSI was required in 59 of 247 (23.9%) aged 1 to 6 years, 100 of 402 (24.9%) aged 7 to 12 years, and 125 of 297 (42.1%) patients aged 13 to 16 years. Within each specific age group, the predictability was categorized as fair and appeared higher than that of the entire cohort or when using either parameter alone. Notably, in the 1 to 6-year age group, the combined values showed the highest predictability, which was statistically superior to the shock index alone (AUROC of 0.770 vs. 0.671, P = 0.025). Tailoring initial hemoglobin levels and shock index to specific age groups enhances predictability of LSI in pediatric BLSI, showing a fair level of predictive accuracy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Obara en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaAtsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Atsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaKohei en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuraMorihiro en-aut-sei=Katsura en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYutaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasudaHideto en-aut-sei=Yasuda en-aut-mei=Hideto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KushimotoShigeki en-aut-sei=Kushimoto en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SHIPPs Study Group en-aut-sei=SHIPPs Study Group en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okinawa Chubu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil= kn-affil= en-keyword=Abdominal injuries kn-keyword=Abdominal injuries en-keyword=Blood transfusions kn-keyword=Blood transfusions en-keyword=Hemoglobin kn-keyword=Hemoglobin en-keyword=Hemostasis kn-keyword=Hemostasis en-keyword=Shock index kn-keyword=Shock index END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=7506 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250303 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A glucocorticoid-regulating molecule, Fkbp5, may interact with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in the organ of Corti of mice cochleae en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=FKBP5 is a 51-Da FK506-binding protein and member of the immunophilin family involved in controlling the signaling of glucocorticoid receptor from the cytosol to nucleus. Fkbp5 has previously been shown to be expressed in murine cochlear tissue, including the organ of Corti (i.e., the sensory epithelium of the cochlea). Fkbp5-/- mice as used in this study show hearing loss in the low-frequency (8-kHz) range and click-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold compared to wild-type mice. Both Fkbp5-/- and wild-type mice showed hearing loss at all frequencies and click-ABR thresholds at 24 h and 14 days following acoustic overexposure (AO). Tissues of the organ of Corti were subjected to RNA sequencing and KEGG pathway analysis. In Fkbp5-/- mice before AO, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was dysregulated compared to wild-type mice. In wild-type mice at 12 h following AO, the most significantly modulated KEGG pathway was the TNF signaling pathway and major MAPK molecules p38 and Jun were involved in the TNF signaling pathway. In Fkbp5-/- mice at 12 h following AO, the MAPK signaling pathway was dysregulated compared to wild-type mice following AO. In conclusion, Fkbp5 interacts with MAPK signaling in the organ of Corti in mice cochleae. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoAsuka en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Asuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmichiRyotaro en-aut-sei=Omichi en-aut-mei=Ryotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYukihide en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yukihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoMizuo en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Mizuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=The organ of Corti kn-keyword=The organ of Corti en-keyword=Acoustic trauma kn-keyword=Acoustic trauma en-keyword=RNA sequencing kn-keyword=RNA sequencing en-keyword=51-Da FK506-binding protein kn-keyword=51-Da FK506-binding protein en-keyword=Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling kn-keyword=Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling en-keyword=Tumor necrosis factor signaling kn-keyword=Tumor necrosis factor signaling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43-45 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=i end-page=iii dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=序 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=齊藤邦行 kn-aut-sei=齊藤 kn-aut-mei=邦行 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学農学部附属山陽圏フィールド科学センター END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=752 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=151481 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Discovery of myeloid zinc finger (MZF) 1 nuclear bodies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) is a multifaceted transcription factor that can act either as a transcriptional activator or a gene repressor. We examined its production of nuclear bodies (NBs) and subcellular localization. Proteomic and protein–protein interaction analysis were used to identify its cofactors and interactions. These revealed the presence of MZF1-NBs (intranuclear oligomers containing MZF1). MZF-NBs are similar to some other nuclear bodies, notably promyelocytic leukemia (PML) -NBs in terms of size and morphology. However the two structures appear to be different. MZF-NBs and PML-NBs were found to associate in the nucleus. Both MZF1 and PML are SUMO1-SUMOylated in PC-3 cells. Sumoylated MZF1 can interact with proteins containing SUMO-interaction motifs (SIM) through SUMO-SIM interaction. Interactome analysis revealed that its NBs participate in the stress response (TPR and UBAP2L), protein folding (CALR and ANKRD40), transcription, post-translational modification (TRIM33, ACOT7, CAMK2D, and CAMK2G), and RNA binding (ALURBP and CPSF5). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=EguchiTakanori en-aut-sei=Eguchi en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=CalderwoodStuart K. en-aut-sei=Calderwood en-aut-mei=Stuart K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=Myeloid zinc finger 1 kn-keyword=Myeloid zinc finger 1 en-keyword=MZF1 kn-keyword=MZF1 en-keyword=Nuclear body kn-keyword=Nuclear body en-keyword=PML kn-keyword=PML en-keyword=Sumoylation kn-keyword=Sumoylation en-keyword=SCAN domain protein kn-keyword=SCAN domain protein END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=33 end-page=48 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250314 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Old Stories, Original Retellings : The Heike-related Tales in the Repertory of the Blind Biwa Players of Kyushu en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=While higobiwa, the blind biwa players' tradition of Kyushu, is regarded as a historically distinctive genre, its evolution has been influenced by interactions with other storytelling traditions. It is evident that higobiwa borrowed stories from other genres and adapted them to its own distinctive narrative style. The findings of this research focused on the Heike-related tales reveal significant similarities between the tales of Ichi-no-Tani and Ko-Atsumori in the blind biwa players' tradition and Ko-Atsumori in the kojoruri tradition. These parallels suggest a shared narrative lineage between these two performance genres, prompting a reevaluation of our understanding of the transmission and evolution of oral narratives within the blind biwa players' tradition of Kyushu and shedding light on the dynamic nature and the interconnectedness of different performance traditions within Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KHALMIRZAEVASaida en-aut-sei=KHALMIRZAEVA en-aut-mei=Saida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Global Human Resource Development, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=higobiwa kn-keyword=higobiwa en-keyword=the blind biwa players' tradition kn-keyword=the blind biwa players' tradition en-keyword=kojoruri kn-keyword=kojoruri en-keyword=Ichi-no-Tani kn-keyword=Ichi-no-Tani en-keyword=Ko-Atsumori kn-keyword=Ko-Atsumori END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=13 end-page=32 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250314 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Research on Factors Promoting Study in Japan : Cases of International Students from South-East Asia kn-title=日本への留学を促進する要因に関する研究 -東南アジアからの留学生を事例として- en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=In this study, international students from Southeast Asia were asked, 'Why did you decide to study in Japan?' and the information was collected through semi-structured interviews. The results showed that (i) international students' image of Japan, (ii) parents' image of Japan, (iii) the availability of scholarships, (iv) affordable tuition fees and living costs, and (v) the existence of a community of people from the country of origin., were found to be important. It was assumed that some of this information and image is formed by the international students' (1) satisfaction with their study destination, (2) opportunities to interact with Japanese people, (3) ease of living in Japan, (4) Japanese language level, (5) understanding of Japanese culture, etc., and is reinforced through word of mouth and the internet. Therefore, supporting the creation of these environments will create a positive image of studying in Japan and increase the number of students from Southeast Asia. kn-abstract= 本研究では、東南アジアから留学している留学生15人を対象として「なぜ日本に留学したのか?」、半構造化インタビューにより情報を収集した。その結果、(i) 留学生の日本に対するイメージ、(ii) 保護者の日本に対するイメージ、(iii) 奨学金の機会、(iv) 私費留学が可能な学費・生活費レベル、(v) 出身国コミュニティーの有無、が重要であることが分かった。これらの情報やイメージの一部は、(1) 留学先での満足度、(2) 日本人との交流機会、(3) 生活のしやすさ、(4) 留学生の日本語レベル、(5) 日本文化に対する理解等によって形成され、ロコミやインターネットを通じて強化されることが推測された。よって、上記の項目に着目し、留学生の満足度等を向上させるための環境づくりを支援していくことが、日本留学に対するプラスのイメージを作り、東南アジアからの留学生増につながっていくと考えられた。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=INAMORITakao en-aut-sei=INAMORI en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name=稲森岳央 kn-aut-sei=稲森 kn-aut-mei=岳央 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Global Human Resource Development, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学グローバル人材育成院 en-keyword=日本留学 kn-keyword=日本留学 en-keyword=留学生 kn-keyword=留学生 en-keyword=東南アジア kn-keyword=東南アジア en-keyword=ASEAN kn-keyword=ASEAN en-keyword=促進要因 kn-keyword=促進要因 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=15 end-page=33 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250321 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Survival, Creation, and Disappearance of Manufacturing Firms in the First Stage of Regional Revitalization kn-title=地方創生第1期における製造事業所の存続,発生,消失 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= In many local municipalities, in addition to revitalizing existing businesses and creating new businesses, attracting manufacturing plants remains an important policy for regional development. Today, unlike the attraction of heavy, large-scale industries during the period of high economic growth, there is a trend to attract companies by making the most of the region's advantages. Although the job creation effect has become smaller than in the past, many manufacturing industries remain positioned as core industries in the region. During the first period of regional revitalization, we identify what manufacturing firms have disappeared, withdrawn, appeared, or survived in what regions, and analyze the factors behind those.
 Comparing manufacturing firms in 2014 and 2019, the average of value-added and the distribution of that shows that manufacturing firms that existed in both 2014 and 2019 had the highest labor productivity. The next highest was manufacturing firms that existed in 2019, and the lowest was manufacturing firms that existed in 2014 but did not exist in 2019. In addition, the results of the logit analysis suggest that manufacturing firms with high productivity and large size tend not to disappear, and that manufacturing firms with a high degree of urbanization tend to disappear. On the other hand, a regression analysis at the city/town/village level using industry concentration by industry and urban concentration measured by population size as explanatory variables showed a positive effect on the number of manufacturing firms that had been established. kn-abstract= 地方に位置する多くの自治体においては,従来からある事業所の活性化や新規事業所の誕生に加えて,製造工場の誘致は地域振興にとっていまも重要な政策となっている。今日,高度経済成長期における重厚長大型の産業の誘致とは異なり,地域優位性をできるだけ活用した企業誘致の傾向になっている。雇用創出効果は昔に比べて小さくなっているとはいえ,製造業の多くにおいて,地域の基盤産業としての位置づけは残っている。第1期の地方創生の期間で,どのような地域において,どのような製造工場が消失,撤退や出現,存続しているのかを識別し,それらの要因を分析する。
 2014年と2019年の事業所の比較において,付加価値生産性の平均と分布を見ると2014年,2019年ともに存在する事業所の労働生産性が最も高い。次いで高いのが2019年に存在する事業所で,最も低かったのが2014年には存在したが2019年には存在していない事業所であった。またロジット分析の結果から,生産性が高く事業所規模が大きいと消滅しない傾向があり,また都市化の程度が高いと消滅傾向にあることが推定された。他方,発生した製造事業所について,産業別に同業種集積と人口規模で測った都市集積を説明変数とした市町村単位の回帰分析からは正の効果が示された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyohei en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name=中村良平 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=良平 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=577 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250306 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy of Oral Intake of Hydrogen-Rich Jelly Intake on Gingival Inflammation: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled and Exploratory Randomized Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Initiation and progression of periodontal disease include oxidative stress. Systemic application of antioxidants may provide clinical benefits against periodontal disease including gingivitis. Recently, a jelly containing a high concentration of hydrogen (40 ppm) was developed. We hypothesized that oral intake of this hydrogen-rich jelly may be safe and effective on gingivitis. This clinical trial was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of oral intake of hydrogen-rich jelly against gingival inflammation. Methods: Participants with gingivitis were instructed to orally ingest 30 g of hydrogen-rich jelly (experimental group) or placebo jelly (control group) three times a day for 14 consecutive days. The primary outcome of this trial was the percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) sites. Secondary outcomes were oral parameters, serum reactive oxygen metabolites, antioxidant capacity, oxidative index, concentrations of cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in gingival crevicular fluid, and adverse events. For all parameters, Mann–Whitney U test was used for comparison between experimental and control groups. Analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline periodontal inflamed surface area, was performed to evaluate the association between the effect of the hydrogen-rich jelly and gingival inflammation. Results: In the experiment and control groups, the percentage of sites with BOP and PISA significantly decreased at the end of the experiment compared to the baseline. However, no significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Administration of hydrogen-rich jelly for 14 days decreased gingival inflammation. However, no significant differences were identified compared to the control group. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayamaEiji en-aut-sei=Takayama en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokunoShinichi en-aut-sei=Tokuno en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Biochemistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=periodontal disease kn-keyword=periodontal disease en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress en-keyword=hydrogen kn-keyword=hydrogen en-keyword=randomized controlled trial kn-keyword=randomized controlled trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2016 dt-pub=20160908 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=S-nitrosylation of laforin inhibits its phosphatase activity and is implicated in Lafora disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, the relation between S-nitrosylation by nitric oxide (NO), which is over�produced under pathological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, includingAlzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, has become a focus of attention. Although mostcases of Parkinson’s disease are known to be caused by mutations in the Parkin gene, arecent finding has indicated that S-nitrosylation of Parkin affects its enzymatic activityand leads to the Parkinsonian phenotype. Therefore, it is important to understand thefunction of S-nitrosylated proteins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.Lafora disease (LD, OMIM 254780) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by theaccumulation of insoluble glucans called Lafora bodies (LBs). LD is caused by mutationsin genes that encode the glucan phosphatase, Laforin, or the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Malin.In this study, we hypothesized that LD may be caused by S-nitrosylation of Laforin,which is similar to the finding that Parkinson’s disease is caused by S-nitrosylation ofParkin. To test this hypothesis, we first determined whether Laforin was S-nitrosylatedusing a biotin switch assay, and compared the three main functions of unmodified andS-nitrosylated Laforin, namely glucan- and Malin-binding activity and phosphataseactivity. Furthermore, we examined whether the numbers of LBs were changed byNO in the cells expressing wild-type Laforin. Here, we report for the first time thatS-nitrosylation of Laforin inhibited its phosphatase activity and that LB formation wasincreased by an NO donor. Our results suggest a possible hypothesis for LD pathogenesis; that is, the decrease in phosphatase activity of Laforin by S-nitrosylation leads toincreased LB formation. Therefore, LD may be caused not only by mutations in theLaforin or Malin genes, but also by the S-nitrosylation of Laforin. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ToyotaRikako en-aut-sei=Toyota en-aut-mei=Rikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonjoYasuko en-aut-sei=Honjo en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImajoRisa en-aut-sei=Imajo en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=S-Nitrosylation Of Laforin kn-keyword=S-Nitrosylation Of Laforin en-keyword=Post-Translational Modification kn-keyword=Post-Translational Modification en-keyword=Nitrosylation kn-keyword=Nitrosylation en-keyword=Phosphatase kn-keyword=Phosphatase en-keyword=Glucan-Binding kn-keyword=Glucan-Binding END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=252 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haploidentical stem cell transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide: marked difference between busulfan and melphalan regimens en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose This study was performed to examine the effects of conditioning regimens on oral mucositis in haploidentical (haplo) donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy).
Methods Thirty consecutive patients (male, 23; female, 7; 18–68 years, median, 59 years) undergoing haplo-HSCT with PTCy using one of three conditioning regimens—reduced intensity conditioning (RIC)-melphalan (Mel); RIC-Busulfan (Bu); and myeloablative conditioning (MAC)-Bu—were enrolled in this study. Data on the WHO grade of oral mucositis (day − 7 to + 20) were collected retrospectively. The incidences of ulcerative and severe mucositis (Grade 2–4 and Grade 3–4, respectively) were compared between the three groups.
Results Ulcerative mucositis occurred in 0% (0/10) of patients in the RIC-Mel group, 57.1% (4/7) in the RIC-Bu group, and 100% (13/13) in the MAC-Bu group. The differences between the RIC-Mel and RIC-Bu groups and between the RIC-Bu and MAC-Bu groups were significant (all P < 0.05). Severe mucositis occurred in 57.1% (4/7) of patients in the RIC-Bu group and 100% (13/13) of patients in the MAC-Bu group, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The rates of ulcerative mucositis (≥ grade 2) and of severe mucositis (≥ grade 3) were significantly higher in the MAC-Bu group than the RIC-Bu group on days 10, 13, 15, and 16 and on days 10, 14, 15, and 16, respectively (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion The risk of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT with PTCy is highest with the MAC-Bu conditioning regimen, followed by RIC-Bu, and lowest with RIC-Mel. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OguraSaki en-aut-sei=Ogura en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SogaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Soga en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraRumi en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubokiTakuo en-aut-sei=Kuboki en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Oral mucositis kn-keyword=Oral mucositis en-keyword=Hematopoietic cell transplantation kn-keyword=Hematopoietic cell transplantation en-keyword=Posttransplant cyclophosphamide kn-keyword=Posttransplant cyclophosphamide en-keyword=Busulfan kn-keyword=Busulfan en-keyword=Melphalan kn-keyword=Melphalan END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Examining the Long-Term Impact of COVID-19-Induced Clinical Practice Changes on Problem-Solving Behaviors Among Newly Graduated Nurses: A Longitudinal Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: This study aimed to longitudinally examine how the cancellation or modification of the clinical practicum due to COVID-19 affected the nursing practice competence of newly graduated nurses in Japan.
Methods: A survey was conducted across three periods-June, September, and December 2022-to seek responses from participants. A total of 73 participants (two men and 71 women) who responded in all periods were included in the analysis. The survey included questions on the impact of the integrated and specific clinical practicums, including a self-assessment scale for nursing problem-solving behaviors.
Results: During all response periods, those whose practicums were entirely clinical scored significantly higher in nursing problem-solving behaviors. Furthermore, by December, "psychological support to patients for overcoming challenges" improved alongside the clinical experience of newly graduated nurses. However, their practical skills related to aggregating information, identifying improvements in nursing problems, facilitating smooth patient interactions, and individualizing assistance were challenging to improve along with clinical experience.
Conclusion: This study revealed that canceling or modifying the clinical practicum owing to COVID-19 impacted the problem-solving behaviors of newly graduated nurses. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhueTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohue en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhueYuka en-aut-sei=Ohue en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaHiroe en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Hiroe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Hyogo University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Hyogo University kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=clinical practice kn-keyword=clinical practice en-keyword=newly graduated nurses kn-keyword=newly graduated nurses en-keyword=nursing practice skills kn-keyword=nursing practice skills en-keyword=longitudinal study kn-keyword=longitudinal study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=2421 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Pricing and Ordering Policies in Perishable Inventory Management en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NomuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuZiang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Ziang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiTatsushi en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=reinforcement learning kn-keyword=reinforcement learning en-keyword=supply chain kn-keyword=supply chain en-keyword=inventory management kn-keyword=inventory management en-keyword=perishable inventory kn-keyword=perishable inventory en-keyword=dynamic pricing kn-keyword=dynamic pricing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=36 end-page=43 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the temporal behavior of fulvic acid iron in Asahi River, Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Iron is essential for biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, but its riverine concentration can be affected by environmental conditions. This study assessed weekly fulvic acid iron (FAFe) concentration at a single sampling site in Asahi River from 2022–2023 to explore the differences in the temporal scales. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of physicochemical properties of the river on the concentration of FAFe, analyze the concentration of FAFe in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and assess the relationship between FAFe concentration and land use types of the watershed. The results indicated that physicochemical parameters, such as pH and surface water temperature (SWT) seemed to influence FAFe concentration (p < 0.05). Hydrological dynamics influenced FAFe concentration and transport, revealing an increasing trend during spring (p < 0.001) and summer (p = 0.05), with non-significant trends during autumn and winter (p > 0.05). FAFe exhibited a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) (p < 0.001). Upland fields significantly influenced FAFe concentration (p < 0.01) through runoff with abundant NO3– and PO43– into the river. Thus, FAFe concentration in Asahi River was influenced by pH, SWT, TOC, hydrological regime, and agricultural runoff. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YengehRohdof Lactem en-aut-sei=Yengeh en-aut-mei=Rohdof Lactem kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dissolved iron kn-keyword=dissolved iron en-keyword=seasonal variation kn-keyword=seasonal variation en-keyword=dissolved organic matter kn-keyword=dissolved organic matter en-keyword=fulvic acid iron kn-keyword=fulvic acid iron END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1543543 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Empowering pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with cancer utilizing generative AI chatbots to reduce psychological burden and enhance treatment engagement: a pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer patients face profound psychological challenges, exacerbated by limited access to continuous mental health support. While conventional therapeutic interventions often follow structured protocols, the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to provide continuous conversational support remains unexplored. This study evaluates the feasibility and impact of AI chatbots in alleviating psychological distress and enhancing treatment engagement in this vulnerable population.
Methods: Two age-appropriate AI chatbots, leveraging GPT-4, were developed to provide natural, empathetic conversations without structured therapeutic protocols. Five pediatric and AYA cancer patients participated in a two-week intervention, engaging with the chatbots via a messaging platform. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety and stress levels were self-reported, and usage patterns were analyzed to assess the chatbots' effectiveness.
Results: Four out of five participants reported significant reductions in anxiety and stress levels post-intervention. Participants engaged with the chatbot every 2-3 days, with sessions lasting approximately 10 min. All participants noted improved treatment motivation, with 80% disclosing personal concerns to the chatbot they had not shared with healthcare providers. The 24/7 availability particularly benefited patients experiencing nighttime anxiety.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the potential of generative AI chatbots to complement traditional mental health services by addressing unmet psychological needs in pediatric and AYA cancer patients. The findings suggest these tools can serve as accessible, continuous support systems. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate these promising results. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoAkihito en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Akihito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaNaoko en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaShinichirou en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Shinichirou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EndoMakoto en-aut-sei=Endo en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiMotoharu en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Motoharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaHisashi en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, NHO National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=generative AI chatbot kn-keyword=generative AI chatbot en-keyword=large language model kn-keyword=large language model en-keyword=pediatric cancer kn-keyword=pediatric cancer en-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) kn-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) en-keyword=psychological support kn-keyword=psychological support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=34 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=35 end-page=40 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of CT Findings in Squamous and Non-Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Maxillary Sinus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of the present study was to compare CT images between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC found in the maxillary sinus, and to identify features that could be used to differentiate between SCC and non-SCC. Patients who visited the Faculty of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital, between April 2007 and March 2023, underwent head and neck CT, and had tumors extending into the maxillary sinus that were diagnosed histopathologically as malignancy, were enrolled. The main seat of the mass, bony changes in the maxillary sinus wall, and extension into the surrounding area were assessed. These imaging features were evaluated according to SCC or non-SCC, and the characteristics of the two classes were assessed. Comparisons between the two groups were made using the Fisher exact probability test. There were 11 cases each of SCC and non-SCC. In 11 SCC and 7 non-SCC cases, the main seat of the mass occupied the entire maxillary sinus. The frequency of mass occupying the whole sinus was significantly higher in SCC than in non-SCC (p<0.05). Bone-thickening type disease was found only in squamous cell carcinoma 4/11 (36.4%), with there being a significant difference between SCC and non-SCC (p<0.05). Occupancy of the entire maxillary sinus by the mass and bone thickening on CT images were useful for differentiating between SCC and non-SCC arising in the maxillary sinus. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsaumiYuka en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikuraMamiko en-aut-sei=Fujikura en-aut-mei=Mamiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=E. Al-HammadWlla en-aut-sei=E. Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeshitaYohei en-aut-sei=Takeshita en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawazuToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kawazu en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dental Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Maxillary sinus kn-keyword=Maxillary sinus en-keyword=Squamous cell carcinoma kn-keyword=Squamous cell carcinoma en-keyword=Non-squamous cell carcinoma kn-keyword=Non-squamous cell carcinoma en-keyword=CT kn-keyword=CT END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=102660 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Intention and potential determinants of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers at a single university hospital in Japan, 2024–2025 pre-season en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Financial accessibility has emerged as a significant barrier to vaccine uptake following the cessation of universal public funding for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. This investigation assessed the intention and determinant factors of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Japan in the 2024–2025 pre-season.
Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted utilizing data collected from hospital staff at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, to inform the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in October 2024. The analysis evaluated demographic characteristics, vaccine intention, perceived barriers to vaccination, and maximum acceptable out-of-pocket expenditure.
Results: The study population of 3417 respondents comprised 843 medical doctors (24.7 %), 1131 nurses (33.1 %), 320 other medical staff (9.4 %), 286 dental doctors (8.4 %), and 627 administrative officers (18.3 %). At full cost, 2109 (61.7 %) indicated no intention to receive vaccination, while only 4.4 % expressed willingness to be vaccinated and 33.9 % remained undecided. With total self-payment, the vaccination acceptance rates were the highest and lowest among medical doctors (11.4 %) and nurses (1.0 %), respectively. Cost (38.1 %), followed by safety issues (29.5 %) and concerns regarding efficacy or medical necessity (20.3 %), emerged as the primary barrier. The projected vaccination intention increased to 43.9 % and 54.9 % at reduced self-pay costs of 3000 JPY and 5000 JPY, respectively.
Conclusions: Addressing financial constraints through policy interventions could be effective strategies in increasing overall vaccination coverage among healthcare workers. In addition, providing tailored education on vaccine safety, efficacy, and necessity may further facilitate increased vaccine uptake within this critical population. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaYasushi en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiguchiTakashi en-aut-sei=Kiguchi en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ManabeYohei en-aut-sei=Manabe en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=Immunization kn-keyword=Immunization en-keyword=Reimbursement kn-keyword=Reimbursement en-keyword=Healthcare workers kn-keyword=Healthcare workers en-keyword=Financial support kn-keyword=Financial support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=106 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106690 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=EGF-induced P-gp expression in tumor vasculature contributes to therapeutic resistance to doxorubicin-PEG-liposomes in mice bearing doxorubicin-resistant B16-BL6 tumors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We previously indicated that doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified liposomes (DOX-PEG-liposomes) were therapeutically effective in mice bearing DOX-resistant colon-26 (C26/DOX) tumors, and the efficacy was comparable in mice bearing DOX-sensitive C26 tumors. However, in the current study, DOX-PEG-liposomes exerted no therapeutic activity in DOX-resistant B16-BL6 melanoma (B16/DOX)-bearing mice, although they significantly suppressed DOX-sensitive B16 tumor growth in mice. Although we previously reported that the anti-tumor effects in C26/DOX-bearing mice were derived from the cytotoxic effects of DOX on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in tumors, the B16/DOX tumor vasculature was not substantially damaged after administration of DOX-PEG-liposomes. In B16/DOX tumors, P-gp expression was significantly induced in the VECs, but not in the C26/DOX tumors, indicating that the high expression of P-gp in the tumor vasculature would be responsible for the lack of therapeutic effect of DOX-PEG-liposomes in B16/DOX-bearing mice. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a possible induction factor for P-gp expression, was highly expressed in B16/DOX cells and tumor tissues, and significantly induced P-gp expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The EGF receptor (EGFR) was also highly expressed in B16/DOX tumor VECs, suggesting that the activation of EGF/EGFR signaling may induce P-gp expression in VECs in B16/DOX tumors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaMasato en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaTomoki en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IenakaYusuke en-aut-sei=Ienaka en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TojoHaruka en-aut-sei=Tojo en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HyodoKenji en-aut-sei=Hyodo en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaraKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Ogawara en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Eisai Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drug resistance kn-keyword=Drug resistance en-keyword=P-glycoprotein kn-keyword=P-glycoprotein en-keyword=Liposome kn-keyword=Liposome en-keyword=Tumor vascular endothelial cells kn-keyword=Tumor vascular endothelial cells en-keyword=Melanoma kn-keyword=Melanoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=209 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114663 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Repeated sequential administration of pegylated emulsion of SU5416 and liposomal paclitaxel enhances anti-tumor effect in 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To improve vascular normalization strategy for intractable triple-negative breast cancer 4T1, we examined the anti-tumor effects of repeated sequential administration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified emulsion of SU5416 (PE-SU5416), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 kinase inhibitor, and PEG-modified liposomal paclitaxel (PL-PTX) in mice bearing 4T1 cells. Three sequential administrations (Seq×3) of PE-SU5416 and PL-PTX exhibited significantly higher anti-tumor activity than a single sequential administration (Seq×1). The tumor vasculatures were structurally normalized until after two PE-SU5416 (PE-SU5416×2) or sequential (Seq×2) administrations, while the improvement in vascular function, such as oxygen supply, blood flow, and PEG-liposomal distribution, was evident until after three administrations of PE-SU5416 (PE-SU5416×3) and Seq×3. Although some discrepancies between the structural and functional improvement in tumor vasculatures were observed after PE-SU5416×3 and Seq×3, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and collagen levels were significantly reduced after PE-SU5416×2, PE-SU5416×3, Seq×2, and Seq×3, suggesting that a possible decrease in interstitial fluid pressure due to the reduction in CAFs and collagen would have compensated for vascular function. Furthermore, PE-SU5416×2, PE-SU5416×3, Seq×2, and Seq×3 significantly decreased tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β), an activator of CAFs, in tumor tissues, suggesting that the reduction in TGF-β levels by PE-SU5416 suppresses CAF activation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaMasato en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToriiReiya en-aut-sei=Torii en-aut-mei=Reiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHazuki en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaraKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Ogawara en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drug delivery kn-keyword=Drug delivery en-keyword=Vascular normalization kn-keyword=Vascular normalization en-keyword=Breast cancer kn-keyword=Breast cancer en-keyword=Liposome kn-keyword=Liposome en-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblast kn-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblast END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A randomized controlled trial of conventional GVHD prophylaxis with or without teprenone for the prevention of severe acute GVHD en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Therapies that effectively suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) without compromising graft-versus-leukemia/lymphoma (GVL) effects is important in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hematopoietic malignancies. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is a main component of teprenone, a gastric mucosal protectant commonly used in clinical practice. In preclinical models, GGA suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which are associated with GVHD as well as induces thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), which suppresses GVHD while maintaining GVL effects. Here, we investigated whether the addition of teprenone to standard GVHD prophylaxis could reduce the cumulative incidence of severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) without attenuating GVL effects. This open-label, randomized clinical trial enrolled 40 patients (21 control and 19 teprenone group) who received allo-HSCT between May 2022 and February 2023 in our institution. Patients in the teprenone group received 50 mg of teprenone orally thrice daily for 21 days from the initiation of the conditioning regimen. The cumulative incidence of severe aGVHD by day 100 after allo-HSCT was not significantly different in the two groups (27.9 vs. 16.1%, p = 0.25). The exploratory studies revealed no obvious changes in Trx-1 levels, but the alternations from baseline in IL-1β and TNF-α levels at day 28 after allo-HSCT tended to be lower in the teprenone group. In conclusion, we could not demonstrate that teprenone significantly prevented the development of severe aGVHD. Discrepancy with preclinical model suggests that appropriate dose of teprenone may be necessary to induce the expression of antioxidant enzymes that suppress severe aGVHD. Clinical Trial Registration number:jRCTs 061210072. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugeMitsuru en-aut-sei=Tsuge en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHiroki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamoiChihiro en-aut-sei=Kamoi en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoAkira en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoTakumi en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeikeKeisuke en-aut-sei=Seike en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=EnnishiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ennishi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Acute Diseases, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation kn-keyword=Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation en-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease kn-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease en-keyword=Teprenone kn-keyword=Teprenone en-keyword=Oxidative stress kn-keyword=Oxidative stress en-keyword=Interleukin-33 kn-keyword=Interleukin-33 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=6666 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microfluidic fabrication of rattle shaped biopolymer microcapsules via sequential phase separation in oil droplets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multilayer microcapsules containing a small particle within a larger capsule have recently attracted considerable attention owing to their potential applications in diverse fields, including drug delivery, active ingredient storage, and chemical reactions. These complex capsules have been fabricated using interfacial polymerization or seeded emulsion polymerization. However, these methods often require complex and lengthy polymerization processes, limiting their utility, particularly in biopolymer systems. This study introduces a simple and efficient approach for preparing rattle-shaped cellulose acetate (CA) microcapsules through sequential phase separation in droplets. We systematically examine the effects of various preparation parameters, including the amount of co-solvent, initial droplet size, and flow rates, and reveal that the incorporation of a co-solvent-ethyl acetate (EA)- in the dispersed phase significantly impacts the microcapsule morphology. Our findings demonstrate a transition from a core-shell to a rattle-shaped structure as the EA concentration increases. Furthermore, the initial droplet diameter and flow rates influence microcapsule formation-larger droplets and reduced continuous-phase flow rates favor the development of multi-layered structures. These results indicate that the formation mechanism of these rattle-shaped microcapsules arises from the establishment of a radial solvent concentration gradient and subsequent phase separation within the droplets, driven by kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiYuko en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriKurumi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Kurumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidics kn-keyword=Microfluidics en-keyword=Phase separation kn-keyword=Phase separation en-keyword=Nucleation kn-keyword=Nucleation en-keyword=Multi-core kn-keyword=Multi-core en-keyword=Rattle-shaped kn-keyword=Rattle-shaped END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=61 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study of Podoplanin-Deficient Mouse Bone with Mechanical Stress en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: We investigated morphological differences in osteocyte processes between aged mice and our original podoplanin-conditional knockout (cKO) mice in which the floxed exon 3 of podoplanin was deleted by Dmp-1-driven Cre (Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ). Methods: SEM observation on osteocyte cell process, histochemistry for bone remodeling with mechanostress, and RT-PCR for RANKL and M-CSF in podoplanin cKO mouse bone with mechanostress was investigated. Results: SEM observations showed fewer and thinner osteocyte processes in femurs from 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than from 23-week-old wild-type mice, while the numbers of osteocyte processes in femurs and calvarias were similar in 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice and 48-week-old wild-type mice. Furthermore, cell process numbers in femurs and calvarias were significantly smaller in 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than in 48-week-old wild-type mice. In the test for differences in alveolar bone resorption under mechanical stress between Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ and wild-type mice, the area of TRAP-positive resorption pits was larger in wild-type mice than in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice. In a quantitative tissue PCR analysis, the mRNA expression levels of RANKL and M-CSF in alveolar bone under mechanical stress were significantly lower in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that a reduction in cell process formation in osteocytes with podoplanin cKO affected the absorption of alveolar bone under mechanical stress in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice. Conclusions: In podoplanin-deficient bone, the deformation of osteocyte processes by mechanical stimuli is not recognized as a stress due to the lower number of cell processes with podoplanin deficiency; therefore, the production of osteoclast migration/differentiation factors by activated osteocytes is not fully induced and macrophage migration to alveolar bone with mechanical stress appeared to be suppressed. These results indicate that podoplanin-dependent osteocyte process formation indirectly plays a key role in sensing mechanical stress in bone. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanaiTakenori en-aut-sei=Kanai en-aut-mei=Takenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsawaKyoko en-aut-sei=Osawa en-aut-mei=Kyoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=podoplanin kn-keyword=podoplanin en-keyword=cKO kn-keyword=cKO en-keyword=osteocyte kn-keyword=osteocyte en-keyword=bone kn-keyword=bone en-keyword=remodeling kn-keyword=remodeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=1055 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250207 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Natural Course and Long-Term Outcomes of Gastric Subepithelial Lesions: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) are often incidentally detected during endoscopic examinations, with most patients being asymptomatic and lesions measuring <20 mm. Despite their generally indolent nature, certain SELs, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, require resection. Current guidelines recommend periodic surveillance; however, the natural course and long-term outcomes of gastric SELs have not been sufficiently investigated. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the progression, growth rate, and risk factors associated with gastric SELs to inform clinical management strategies. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2000 and November 2024. Eligible studies included original studies on the follow-up and progression of gastric SELs. Non-English articles, reviews, case reports, and unrelated topics were excluded. In total, 277 articles were screened, with 15 additional articles identified through manual screening. Ultimately, 41 articles were included in the analysis. The study protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024614865). Results: Large-scale studies reported low growth rates of 2.0-8.5% over 2.0-5.0 years, while smaller studies reported a broader range of growth rates of 5.4-28.4%. The factors contributing to these discrepancies include patient selection, follow-up duration, and growth criteria. Risk factors for lesion size increase include larger initial lesion size, irregular margins, heterogeneous echo patterns, and certain tumor locations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for individualized management strategies based on lesion size, imaging characteristics, and risk factors. The close monitoring of high-risk lesions is crucial for timely intervention. Standardized growth criteria and optimized follow-up protocols are essential for improving clinical decision making and patient outcomes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwamuroMasaya en-aut-sei=Iwamuro en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=esophagogastroduodenoscopy kn-keyword=esophagogastroduodenoscopy en-keyword=gastric lesions kn-keyword=gastric lesions en-keyword=gastrointestinal stromal tumor kn-keyword=gastrointestinal stromal tumor en-keyword=subepithelial lesion kn-keyword=subepithelial lesion en-keyword=submucosal tumor kn-keyword=submucosal tumor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=267 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Abnormal Expression of Tubular SGLT2 and GULT2 in Diabetes Model Mice with Malocclusion-Induced Hyperglycemia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: A relationship between malocclusion and the promotion of diabetes has been suggested. In hyperglycemia, the expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) and the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) is upregulated in proximal tubular cells, leading to an increase in renal glucose reabsorption. The present study aimed to investigate whether malocclusion contributes to diabetic exacerbation. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with malocclusion due to cutting molars were investigated based on increased blood glucose levels. PCR and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on diabetic mice kidneys to investigate the expression of SGLT2 and GLUT2. Results: Animal experiments were performed using 32 mice for 21 days. The time to reach a diabetic condition in STZ-administered mice was shorter with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The increase and mean blood glucose levels in STZ-administered mice were steeper and higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. Urea albumin, BUN, and CRE levels were higher in diabetic mice with malocclusion than in diabetic mice without. Immunoreaction with anti-SGLT2 and anti-GLUT2 in the renal tissue of STZ-administered mice was stronger with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The amounts of SGLT2 and GLUT2 mRNA in the renal tissue in STZ-administered mice were higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The amounts of TNF-a and IL-6 mRNA in the large intestinal tissue in STZ-administered mice were higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. Conclusions: Our results indicate that malocclusion accelerates the tubular expression of SGLT2 and GLUT2 under hyperglycemia. Malocclusion may be a diabetes-exacerbating factor with increased poor glycemic control due to shortened occlusion time resulting from swallowing food without chewing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamaokiSachio en-aut-sei=Tamaoki en-aut-mei=Sachio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=malocclusion kn-keyword=malocclusion en-keyword= hyperglycemia kn-keyword= hyperglycemia en-keyword= SGLT2 kn-keyword= SGLT2 en-keyword= GLUT2 kn-keyword= GLUT2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=217 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interchangeability of Cross-Platform Orthophotographic and LiDAR Data in DeepLabV3+-Based Land Cover Classification Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Riverine environmental information includes important data to collect, and the data collection still requires personnel's field surveys. These on-site tasks still face significant limitations (i.e., hard or danger to entry). In recent years, as one of the efficient approaches for data collection, air-vehicle-based Light Detection and Ranging technologies have already been applied in global environmental research, i.e., land cover classification (LCC) or environmental monitoring. For this study, the authors specifically focused on seven types of LCC (i.e., bamboo, tree, grass, bare ground, water, road, and clutter) that can be parameterized for flood simulation. A validated airborne LiDAR bathymetry system (ALB) and a UAV-borne green LiDAR System (GLS) were applied in this study for cross-platform analysis of LCC. Furthermore, LiDAR data were visualized using high-contrast color scales to improve the accuracy of land cover classification methods through image fusion techniques. If high-resolution aerial imagery is available, then it must be downscaled to match the resolution of low-resolution point clouds. Cross-platform data interchangeability was assessed by comparing the interchangeability, which measures the absolute difference in overall accuracy (OA) or macro-F1 by comparing the cross-platform interchangeability. It is noteworthy that relying solely on aerial photographs is inadequate for achieving precise labeling, particularly under limited sunlight conditions that can lead to misclassification. In such cases, LiDAR plays a crucial role in facilitating target recognition. All the approaches (i.e., low-resolution digital imagery, LiDAR-derived imagery and image fusion) present results of over 0.65 OA and of around 0.6 macro-F1. The authors found that the vegetation (bamboo, tree, grass) and road species have comparatively better performance compared with clutter and bare ground species. Given the stated conditions, differences in the species derived from different years (ALB from year 2017 and GLS from year 2020) are the main reason. Because the identification of clutter species includes all the items except for the relative species in this research, RGB-based features of the clutter species cannot be substituted easily because of the 3-year gap compared with other species. Derived from on-site reconstruction, the bare ground species also has a further color change between ALB and GLS that leads to decreased interchangeability. In the case of individual species, without considering seasons and platforms, image fusion can classify bamboo and trees with higher F1 scores compared to low-resolution digital imagery and LiDAR-derived imagery, which has especially proved the cross-platform interchangeability in the high vegetation types. In recent years, high-resolution photography (UAV), high-precision LiDAR measurement (ALB, GLS), and satellite imagery have been used. LiDAR measurement equipment is expensive, and measurement opportunities are limited. Based on this, it would be desirable if ALB and GLS could be continuously classified by Artificial Intelligence, and in this study, the authors investigated such data interchangeability. A unique and crucial aspect of this study is exploring the interchangeability of land cover classification models across different LiDAR platforms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYutaro en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TOKEN C. E. E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry kn-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry en-keyword=cross-platform kn-keyword=cross-platform en-keyword=deep learning kn-keyword=deep learning en-keyword=green LiDAR system kn-keyword=green LiDAR system en-keyword=riverine land cover classification kn-keyword=riverine land cover classification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=235 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Distinct Infection Mechanisms of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA and AG-4 HG-I+II in Brachypodium distachyon and Barley en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rhizoctonia solani is a basidiomycete phytopathogenic fungus that causes rapid necrosis in a wide range of crop species, leading to substantial agricultural losses worldwide. The species complex is divided into 13 anastomosis groups (AGs) based on hyphal fusion compatibility and further subdivided by culture morphology. While R. solani classifications were shown to be independent of host specificity, it remains unclear whether different R. solani isolates share similar virulence mechanisms. Here, we investigated the infectivity of Japanese R. solani isolates on Brachypodium distachyon and barley. Two isolates, AG-1 IA (from rice) and AG-4 HG-I+II (from cauliflower), infected leaves of both plants, but only AG-4 HG-I+II infected roots. B. distachyon accessions Bd3-1 and Gaz-4 and barley cultivar 'Morex' exhibited enhanced resistance to both isolates compared to B. distachyon Bd21 and barley cultivars 'Haruna Nijo' and 'Golden Promise'. During AG-1 IA infection, but not AG-4 HG-I+II infection, resistant Bd3-1 and Morex induced genes for salicylic acid (SA) and N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) biosynthesis. Pretreatment with SA or NHP conferred resistance to AG-1 IA, but not AG-4 HG-I+II, in susceptible B. distachyon Bd21 and barley Haruna Nijo. On the leaves of susceptible Bd21 and Haruna Nijo, AG-1 IA developed extensive mycelial networks with numerous infection cushions, which are specialized infection structures well-characterized in rice sheath blight. In contrast, AG-4 HG-I+II formed dispersed mycelial masses associated with underlying necrosis. We propose that the R. solani species complex encompasses at least two distinct infection strategies: AG-1 IA exhibits a hemibiotrophic lifestyle, while AG-4 HG-I+II follows a predominantly necrotrophic strategy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MahadevanNiranjan en-aut-sei=Mahadevan en-aut-mei=Niranjan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FernandaRozi en-aut-sei=Fernanda en-aut-mei=Rozi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KouzaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Kouzai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoNatsuka en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Natsuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoReiko en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NyeinKhin Thida en-aut-sei=Nyein en-aut-mei=Khin Thida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MochidaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Mochida en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Crop Stress Management Group, Division of Plant Molecular Regulation Research, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex kn-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex en-keyword=virulence mechanism kn-keyword=virulence mechanism en-keyword=infection behavior kn-keyword=infection behavior en-keyword=salicylic acid kn-keyword=salicylic acid en-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid kn-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=60 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Significance of Serum Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Under Statin Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vascular endothelial function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a key therapy for preventing coronary artery disease (CAD), but the role of omega-3 fatty acids as residual risk factors of CAD remains controversial. We studied the correlation between serum omega-3 fatty acid levels and endothelial function in patients with CAD receiving statin therapy and examined the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) therapy on endothelial function. Methods: A total of 150 consecutive patients with CAD receiving statin therapy (LDL-C levels < 100 mg/dL) were enrolled. Serum omega-3 fatty acid levels were measured, and endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Subsequently, 65 patients with impaired FMD (<6%) and low EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) (<0.3) were administered EPA, and FMD was reassessed after 3 months. Results: A multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA plus DHA levels were independent determinants of %FMD (β = 0.214 and 0.163, p < 0.05, respectively). The EPA therapy significantly improved %FMD (from 3.7 ± 1.0% to 4.1 ± 1.0%, p < 0.05) in patients with low EPA/AA, and especially in patients with low EPA/AA and high triglyceride levels (from 3.4 ± 1.0% to 4.0 ± 1.1%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Serum omega-3 fatty acid levels were associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD receiving statin therapy. EPA therapy improves endothelial function in patients with low EPA/AA, especially those with low EPA/AA and high triglycerides. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YunokiKei en-aut-sei=Yunoki en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboMotoki en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Motoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HataYoshiki en-aut-sei=Hata en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Minamino Cardiovascular Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=coronary artery disease kn-keyword=coronary artery disease en-keyword=endothelial function kn-keyword=endothelial function en-keyword=eicosapentaenoic acid kn-keyword=eicosapentaenoic acid en-keyword=residual risk factor kn-keyword=residual risk factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=108 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Implementation of Sensor Input Setup Assistance Service Using Generative AI for SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For rapid deployments of various IoT application systems, we have developed Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytical in Real-Time (SEMAR) as an integrated server platform. It is equipped with rich functions for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing various data. Unfortunately, the proper configuration of SEMAR with a variety of IoT devices can be complex and challenging for novice users, since it often requires technical expertise. The assistance of Generative AI can be helpful to solve this drawback. In this paper, we present an implementation of a sensor input setup assistance service for SEMAR using prompt engineering techniques and Generative AI. A user needs to define the requirement specifications and environments of the IoT application system for sensor inputs, and give them to the service. Then, the service provides step-by-step guidance on sensor connections, communicating board configurations, network connections, and communication protocols to the user, which can help the user easily set up the configuration to connect the relevant devices to SEMAR. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to the input sensor setup processes of three practical IoT application systems with SEMAR, namely, a smart light, water heater, and room temperature monitoring system. In addition, we applied it to the setup process of an IoT application system for a course for undergraduate students at the Insitut Bisnis dan Teknologi (INSTIKI), Indonesia. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed service for SEMAR. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KotamaI. Nyoman Darma en-aut-sei=Kotama en-aut-mei=I. Nyoman Darma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PradhanaAnak Agung Surya en-aut-sei=Pradhana en-aut-mei=Anak Agung Surya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Noprianto en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DesnanjayaI. Gusti Made Ngurah en-aut-sei=Desnanjaya en-aut-mei=I. Gusti Made Ngurah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Computer System Engineering, Institute of Business and Technology Indonesia kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= generative AI kn-keyword= generative AI en-keyword= review kn-keyword= review en-keyword= application server platform kn-keyword= application server platform en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor input kn-keyword= sensor input END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=91 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Application of SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform to Drone-Based Wall Inspection System Using AI Model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been adopted in a number of Internet of Things (IoT) application systems to enhance intelligence. We have developed a ready-made server with rich built-in functions to collect, process, display, analyze, and store data from various IoT devices, the SEMAR (Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytics in Real-Time) IoT application server platform, in which various AI techniques have been implemented to enhance its capabilities. In this paper, we present an application of SEMAR to a drone-based wall inspection system using an object detection AI model called You Only Look Once (YOLO). This system aims to detect wall cracks at high places using images taken via a camera on a flying drone. An edge computing device is installed to control the drone, sending the taken images through the Kafka system, storing them with the drone flight data, and sending the data to SEMAR. The images are analyzed via YOLO through SEMAR. For evaluations, we implemented the system using Ryze Tello for the drone and Raspberry Pi for the edge, and we evaluated the detection accuracy. The preliminary experiment results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HusnaRadhiatul en-aut-sei=Husna en-aut-mei=Radhiatul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NopriantoNobuo en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamakiShunya en-aut-sei=Sakamaki en-aut-mei=Shunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SukaridhotoSritrusta en-aut-sei=Sukaridhoto en-aut-mei=Sritrusta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Informatics and Computer, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= AI kn-keyword= AI en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= crack detection kn-keyword= crack detection en-keyword= drone kn-keyword= drone en-keyword= Kafka kn-keyword= Kafka END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancing Campus Environment: Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Through IoT and Web Technologies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, enhancing campus environments through mitigations of air pollutions is an essential endeavor to support academic achievements, health, and safety of students and staffs in higher educational institutes. In laboratories, pollutants from welding, auto repairs, or chemical experiments can drastically degrade the air quality in the campus, endangering the respiratory and cognitive health of students and staffs. Besides, in universities in Indonesia, automobile emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and hydrocarbon (HC) have been a serious problem for a long time. Almost everybody is using a motorbike or a car every day in daily life, while the number of students is continuously increasing. However, people in many campuses including managements do not be aware these problems, since air quality is not monitored. In this paper, we present a real-time air quality monitoring system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) integrated sensors capable of detecting pollutants and measuring environmental conditions to visualize them. By transmitting data to the SEMAR IoT application server platform via an ESP32 microcontroller, this system provides instant alerts through a web application and Telegram notifications when pollutant levels exceed safe thresholds. For evaluations of the proposed system, we adopted three sensors to measure the levels of CO, NO2, and HC and conducted experiments in three sites, namely, Mechatronics Laboratory, Power and Emission Laboratory, and Parking Lot, at the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia. Then, the results reveal Good, Unhealthy, and Dangerous for them, respectively, among the five categories defined by the Indonesian government. The system highlighted its ability to monitor air quality fluctuations, trigger warnings of hazardous conditions, and inform the campus community. The correlation of the sensor levels can identify the relationship of each pollutant, which provides insight into the characteristics of pollutants in a particular scenario. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetiawanBudhy en-aut-sei=Setiawan en-aut-mei=Budhy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= campus air quality kn-keyword= campus air quality en-keyword= pollutant detection kn-keyword= pollutant detection en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor technology kn-keyword= sensor technology en-keyword= web application kn-keyword= web application END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e202403213 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antifouling Activity of Xylemin, Its Structural Analogs, and Related Polyamines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Biofouling, which is the accumulation of organisms on undersea structures, poses significant global, social, and economic issues. Although organotin compounds were effective antifoulants since the 1960s, they were banned in 2008 due to their toxicity to marine life. Although tin-free alternatives have been developed, they also raise environmental concerns. This underscores the need for effective, nontoxic antifouling agents. We previously synthesized N-(4-aminobutyl)propylamine (xylemin) and its structural analogs. In this study, we assayed the antifouling activity and toxicity of xylemin, its structural analogs, and related polyamines toward cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Xylemin and its Boc-protected analog exhibited antifouling activities with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of 4.25 and 6.11 µg/mL, respectively. Four xylemin analogs did not show a settlement-inhibitory effect at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and thermospermine, which are xylemin-related polyamines, did not display antifoulant effects (EC50 > 50 µg/mL). All evaluated compounds were nontoxic at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. These findings indicate that the size and structure of the N-alkyl group are essential for the antifouling activity of xylemin. Therefore, xylemin and its analogs hold promise as nontoxic, eco-friendly antifouling agents, offering a sustainable solution to biofouling in marine environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorisueTakefumi en-aut-sei=Yorisue en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Amines kn-keyword=Amines en-keyword=Antifouling activity kn-keyword=Antifouling activity en-keyword=Barnacle kn-keyword=Barnacle en-keyword=Structure–activity relationships kn-keyword=Structure–activity relationships en-keyword=Xylemin kn-keyword=Xylemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=197 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115301 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Fraglide-1 from traditional Chinese aromatic vinegar: A natural AhR antagonist for atopic dermatitis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Traditional Chinese Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (Kozu) contains Fraglide-1 (FG1), a bioactive lactone with demonstrated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist and antioxidant activities. This study explored FG1's novel ability to antagonize the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway, which regulates artemin expression and contributes to itching and inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Through molecular docking simulations and cell-based assays in human keratinocytes, we demonstrated FG1's potent antagonistic activity against AhR signaling. FG1 effectively suppressed FICZ-induced inflammatory responses, including artemin expression, with potency (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 5.1 μM) comparable to the synthetic antagonist StemRegenin 1 (SR1) while demonstrating a superior safety profile (median lethal concentration, LC50 > 100 μM vs. 27.5 μM for SR1). These findings expand our understanding of bioactive compounds from traditional fermented foods and their regulatory effects on AhR signaling, providing a foundation for future studies on FG1's role in modulating skin inflammation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKosuke en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkamatsuMiki en-aut-sei=Akamatsu en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyashitaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Miyashita en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= en-keyword=AhR kn-keyword=AhR en-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element kn-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element en-keyword=StemRegenin 1 kn-keyword=StemRegenin 1 en-keyword=ARNT kn-keyword=ARNT en-keyword=Atopic dermatitis kn-keyword=Atopic dermatitis en-keyword=Artemin kn-keyword=Artemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=96 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1241 end-page=1252 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210728 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Validated international definition of the thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, renal insufficiency, and organomegaly clinical subtype (TAFRO) of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, renal insufficiency, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is a heterogeneous entity manifesting with a constellation of symptoms described above that can occur in the context of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) as well as infectious diseases, malignancies, and rheumatologic disorders. So, iMCD-TAFRO is an aggressive subtype of iMCD with TAFRO syndrome and often hyper-vascularized lymph nodes. Since we proposed diagnostic criteria of iMCD-TAFRO in 2016, we have accumulated new insights on the disorder and additional cases have been reported worldwide. In this systematic review and cohort analysis, we established and validated a definition for iMCD-TAFRO. First, we searched PubMed and Japan Medical Abstracts Society databases using the keyword “TAFRO” to extract cases. Patients with possible systemic autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies were excluded. Our search identified 54 cases from 50 articles. We classified cases into three categories: (1) iMCD-TAFRO (TAFRO syndrome with lymph node histopathology consistent with iMCD), (2) possible iMCD-TAFRO (TAFRO syndrome with no lymph node biopsy performed and no other co-morbidities), and (3) TAFRO without iMCD or other co-morbidities (TAFRO syndrome with lymph node histopathology not consistent with iMCD or other comorbidities). Based on the findings, we propose an international definition requiring four clinical criteria (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever/hyperinflammatory status, organomegaly), renal dysfunction or characteristic bone marrow findings, and lymph node features consistent with iMCD. The definition was validated with an external cohort (the ACCELERATE Natural History Registry). The present international definition will facilitate a more precise and comprehensive approach to the diagnosis of iMCD-TAFRO. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FajgenbaumDavid C. en-aut-sei=Fajgenbaum en-aut-mei=David C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PiersonSheila K. en-aut-sei=Pierson en-aut-mei=Sheila K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwakiNoriko en-aut-sei=Iwaki en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikoriAsami en-aut-sei=Nishikori en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraNaoya en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzutsuKoji en-aut-sei=Izutsu en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiKengo en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraMidori Filiz en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Midori Filiz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshizakiKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Yoshizaki en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OksenhendlerEric en-aut-sei=Oksenhendler en-aut-mei=Eric kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=van RheeFrits en-aut-sei=van Rhee en-aut-mei=Frits kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasuharu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Hematology/Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Pathophysiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Rheumatology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pathology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Organic Fine Chemicals, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Clinical Immunology, Hôpital Saint-Louis kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Division of Pathophysiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250131 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigation of SNPs associated with reproductive and body growth traits in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Thuy ThanhNguyen en-aut-sei=Thuy Thanh en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuniedaTetsuo en-aut-sei=Kunieda en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Manoj KumarShah en-aut-sei=Manoj Kumar en-aut-mei=Shah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Thu Nu AnhLe en-aut-sei=Thu Nu Anh en-aut-mei=Le kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Van HuuNguyen en-aut-sei=Van Huu en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshijimaKoichiro en-aut-sei=Ushijima en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Swine Research Program kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo en-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo kn-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo en-keyword=SNPs kn-keyword=SNPs en-keyword=Reproduction kn-keyword=Reproduction en-keyword=Body growth kn-keyword=Body growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=97 end-page=106 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation (ALPIBP) was first reported in 1984 as characteristic histological findings in lymph nodes associated with autoimmune diseases, but it has not been clearly defined to date. To summarize the histological characteristics and clinical diagnoses associated with ALPIBP, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for all peer-reviewed articles using keywords including “atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic lymphadenopathy” from their inception to December 27, 2023. We also summarized the courses of three cases with a pathological diagnosis of ALPIBP. Nine articles with 52 cases were included. Among the total of 55 cases, including the three from our institution, the median age of the cases was 63.5 years with a female predominance (69.5%). Lymphadenopathy was generalized in 65.6% and regional in 34.4% of cases. RA (24.4%), SLE (24.4%), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (20.0%), were common clinical diagnoses. A combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy was used in 15.6% of cases due to the suspicion of malignancy. Nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic type, methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, and IgG4-related diseases were listed as important diseases that need to be pathologically differentiated from ALPIBP. This review summarizes the current understanding of the characteristics of ALPIBP. Given that underrecognition of ALPIBP could lead to overdiagnosis of hematological malignancy and unnecessary treatment, increased awareness of the condition in pathologists and clinicians is crucial. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraMidori Filiz en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Midori Filiz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiToshiaki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaokaKensuke en-aut-sei=Takaoka en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MacapagalSharina en-aut-sei=Macapagal en-aut-mei=Sharina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WannaphutChalothorn en-aut-sei=Wannaphut en-aut-mei=Chalothorn kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikoriAsami en-aut-sei=Nishikori en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaHiroko en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasuharu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Chugoku Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=systematic review kn-keyword=systematic review en-keyword=atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation kn-keyword=atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation en-keyword=IgG4-related disease kn-keyword=IgG4-related disease en-keyword=angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma kn-keyword=angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=e79852 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Presumed Autoimmune Keratitis in Both Eyes Without Systemic Manifestations: A 40-Year Course of a Patient With Corneal Infiltrates and Melt en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Peripheral corneal infiltration, corneal ulcer, and melt are recognized complications linked to systemic immunological diseases, such as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. These manifestations, which occur in isolation, might be autoimmune keratitis but are difficult to prove underlying immunological abnormalities. This report described a patient with presumed autoimmune keratitis who repeatedly presented corneal infiltration and perforation in both eyes even after penetrating keratoplasty. The 68-year-old patient with a stable condition of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, in a 28-year follow-up, abruptly developed mild infiltrates in the corneal center of the right eye and white dense infiltrates in the peripheral and central cornea of the left eye. He was treated with topical 0.1% betamethasone eye drops and oral prednisolone tapering from 30 mg daily. The patient underwent cataract surgeries in both eyes 10 months after the onset of corneal infiltration and subsequently underwent penetrating keratoplasty in both eyes due to abrupt corneal perforation in the left eye 14 months after the onset of corneal infiltration. Six months post-keratoplasty, he experienced a recurrence of infiltrates in the corneal grafts in both eyes, leading to corneal leukoma in the left eye. The corneal graft in the right eye maintained its integrity with relatively mild opacity until approximately 3.5 years post-keratoplasty, when he abruptly developed white dense infiltration of both the corneal graft and his own peripheral cornea at the age of 73. In response to oral prednisolone tapered from 15 mg daily, the corneal infiltration in the right eye resolved but resulted in graft failure. Since he did not exhibit systemic symptoms and signs throughout the course, the repeat episodes of infiltration in both his own cornea and the corneal graft would be the manifestations of autoimmune keratitis. The entity of autoimmune keratitis in isolation would be beneficial to establish a therapeutic strategy for long-term immunosuppression in light of a risk for steroid side effects and a high rate of corneal graft failure. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=autoimmune keratitis kn-keyword=autoimmune keratitis en-keyword=corneal graft kn-keyword=corneal graft en-keyword=corneal infiltration kn-keyword=corneal infiltration en-keyword=corneal melt kn-keyword=corneal melt en-keyword=penetrating keratoplasty kn-keyword=penetrating keratoplasty END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=111 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=064502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Josephson effect and odd-frequency pairing in superconducting junctions with unconventional magnets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We consider Josephson junctions formed by coupling two conventional superconductors via an unconventional magnet and investigate the formation of Andreev bound states, their impact on the Josephson effect, and the emergent superconducting correlations. In particular, we focus on unconventional magnets known as 𝑑-wave altermagnets and 𝑝-wave magnets. We find that the Andreev bound states in 𝑑-wave altermagnet and 𝑝𝑦-wave magnet Josephson junctions strongly depend on the transverse momentum, with a spin splitting and low-energy minima as a function of the superconducting phase difference 𝜑. In contrast, the Andreev bound states for 𝑝𝑥-wave magnets are insensitive to the transverse momentum. We then show that the Andreev bound states can be probed by the local density of states in the middle of the junction, which also reveals that 𝑑𝑥2−𝑦2- and 𝑝-wave magnet junctions are prone to host zero energy peaks. While the zero-energy peak in 𝑑𝑥2−𝑦2-wave altermagnet junctions tends to oscillate with the magnetic order, it remains robust in 𝑝-wave magnet junctions. We then discover that the Josephson current in 𝑑-wave altermagnet junctions is composed of higher harmonics of 𝜑, which originate a 𝜙-Josephson junction behavior entirely controlled by the magnetic order in 𝑑𝑥⁢𝑦-wave altermagnets. In contrast, the Josephson current in Josephson junctions with 𝑝-wave magnets exhibits a conventional sinelike profile with a fast sign change at 𝜑=𝜋 due to zero-energy Andreev bound states. We also demonstrate that the critical currents in 𝑑-wave altermagnet Josephson junctions exhibit an oscillatory decay with the increase of the magnetic order, while the oscillations are absent in 𝑝-wave magnet junctions albeit the currents exhibit a slow decay. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the interplay of the Josephson effect and unconventional magnetic order of 𝑑-wave altermagnets and 𝑝-wave magnets originates from odd-frequency spin-triplet 𝑠-wave superconducting correlations that are otherwise absent. Our results can serve as a guide to pursue the new functionality of Josephson junctions based on unconventional magnets. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukayaYuri en-aut-sei=Fukaya en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaKazuki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YadaKeiji en-aut-sei=Yada en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=CayaoJorge en-aut-sei=Cayao en-aut-mei=Jorge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYukio en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yukio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuBo en-aut-sei=Lu en-aut-mei=Bo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Joint Quantum Studies, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials Physics and Preparing Technology, Department of Physics, Tianjin University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=57 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=54 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=White coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo is attributed to the LINE1 insertion in ASIP en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The coat color of the swamp buffalo is commonly dark gray, while the white coat color variant, which may have potential heat stress advantages, is also present in some Asian countries, including Vietnam. This study analyzed the most likely candidate genes, ASIP and TYR, responsible for the white coat color of Vietnamese native buffaloes. We found that LINE1 insertion in ASIP, a mutation previously reported in white swamp buffalo from other Asian countries, was exclusively found in white Vietnamese buffalo. Moreover, significantly higher expression of ASIP was confirmed in the hair follicles of white buffalo. On the other hand, no variants associated with the white phenotype were found in TYR. These findings indicate that the LINE1 insertion in ASIP is responsible for the white coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo, and that provides a crucial step towards their utilization and improved productivity in Vietnam. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenThuy Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Thuy Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeQuan Viet en-aut-sei=Le en-aut-mei=Quan Viet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NguyenVan Huu en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Van Huu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuongHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Duong en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo en-keyword=White coat color kn-keyword=White coat color en-keyword=LINE1 insertion kn-keyword=LINE1 insertion en-keyword=ASIP kn-keyword=ASIP END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease: investigating comprehensive clinicopathological features and risk factors for recurrence en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aims: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare disease that typically manifests with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Little is known about the risk factors associated with recurrence and their correlation with clinicopathologic features.
Methods and Results: We analysed 112 patients with KFD, predominantly female (61/112, 54.5%), with an average age of 29.4 years. The incidence was higher in males up to the age of 20 and higher in females from their 30s onwards. Of the 70 patients with follow-up data, 23% experienced recurrence. Recurrence was associated with lower C4 levels (P = 0.038) and higher antinuclear antibody (ANA) rates (P = 0.007) compared to transient disease. The mean duration of symptoms was 71.5 days. Lymph node histology in 98 cases (excluding 14 needle biopsy specimens) was classified into three patterns: proliferative (n = 75, 77%), necrotizing (n = 22, 22%), and xanthomatous (n = 1, 1%). The necrotizing pattern associated with significantly enlarged lymph nodes (P = 0.047) and a longer symptom duration (P = 0.009) than the proliferating pattern. The number of CD4-positive lymphocytes was significantly lower in the necrotizing type than in the proliferative type (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: These results indicated that low C4 levels and positive ANA were associated with KFD recurrence. Although the aetiology of KFD remains elusive, given that some cases develop autoimmune disease, the results suggest that patients with recurrent KFD represent an intermediate status between those with transient KFD and those with overt autoimmune disease. The comprehensive clinicopathological findings of this study may be useful for elucidating its pathogenesis and predicting the clinical course. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraMidori Filiz en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Midori Filiz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaoChikako en-aut-sei=Sakao en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurokawaYuka en-aut-sei=Kurokawa en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikoriAsami en-aut-sei=Nishikori en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasuharu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis kn-keyword=histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis en-keyword=histological subtypes kn-keyword=histological subtypes en-keyword=Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease kn-keyword=Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease en-keyword=necrotizing type kn-keyword=necrotizing type en-keyword=proliferating type kn-keyword=proliferating type en-keyword=recurrent kn-keyword=recurrent en-keyword=xanthomatous type kn-keyword=xanthomatous type END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=817 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interrelationships Between Plasma Levels of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Prolonged Symptoms Due to Long COVID en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives: Evidence for the usefulness of biomarkers that aid in diagnosis, assessment of severity, and prediction of prognosis in patients with long COVID is limited. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in long COVID. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients who visited the COVID-19 aftercare outpatient clinic at Okayama University Hospital from February 2021 to April 2024. Results: A total of 428 patients were enrolled in this study, and the patients were divided into a group with normal BNP (n = 314, <= 18.4 pg/mL) and a group with increased BNP (n = 114, >18.4 pg/mL). The long COVID group with increased BNP had a higher proportion of females (44.3% vs. 73.7%, p < 0.01) and an older median age (38 vs. 51 years, p < 0.01). Fatigue and brain fog were commonly manifested in both groups, while dyspnea was a more frequent complaint in the group with increased BNP. Various symptoms including fatigue, palpitations, and taste and/or olfactory disorders were associated with elevated BNP (23 to 24 pg/mL). Memory impairment was also linked to higher BNP (OR: 2.36, p = 0.05). In long COVID patients, plasma BNP elevation appears to be more pronounced in females and is often related to cardiogenic factors, in which inflammatory responses are also involved. Conclusions: Plasma BNP measurement may be useful for evaluating the severity of long COVID, especially in female patients and those with respiratory symptoms and/or memory impairment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MasudaYohei en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaseRyosuke en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmuraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaToru en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=brain fog kn-keyword=brain fog en-keyword=brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) kn-keyword=brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=fatigue kn-keyword=fatigue en-keyword=long COVID kn-keyword=long COVID en-keyword=memory impairment kn-keyword=memory impairment en-keyword=post-COVID-19 conditions kn-keyword=post-COVID-19 conditions END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=16 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Behavior, behavioral syndromes, and metabolism: the effects of artificial selection for death-feigning on metabolic rate en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Death-feigning, or thanatosis, is an anti-predator behavioral strategy in many animals. Because individuals remain immobile while feigning death, individuals with longer durations of death feigning often show lower locomotor activity. Thus, metabolic rate, which is closely related to locomotor activity, may also be related to the intensity of death feigning. If there is a genetic correlation between death feigning and metabolism, metabolic rate may respond to selection on death-feigning behavior. Here, we tested for a relationship between metabolic rate and death-feigning using replicated populations of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) subjected to artificial bidirectional selection on the duration of death-feigning behavior. The results indicated that metabolic rate did not differ between populations selected for increased or decreased death feigning, although locomotor activity was significantly different between these treatments; populations selected for reduced death-feigning durations tended to be more active. These results suggest that death-feigning behavior is not genetically correlated with metabolic rate in T. castaneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumuraKentarou en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Kentarou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoskenDavid J. en-aut-sei=Hosken en-aut-mei=David J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NodaTomohito en-aut-sei=Noda en-aut-mei=Tomohito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SharmaManmohan D. en-aut-sei=Sharma en-aut-mei=Manmohan D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= en-keyword=anti-predator behavior kn-keyword=anti-predator behavior en-keyword=artificial selection kn-keyword=artificial selection en-keyword=death-feigning kn-keyword=death-feigning en-keyword=metabolic rate kn-keyword=metabolic rate en-keyword=personality kn-keyword=personality en-keyword=Tribolium kn-keyword=Tribolium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=49 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=563 end-page=567 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Backside Irradiation of Ultraviolet-A for Correcting Nonuniformity Error of Gafchromic XR-QA2 Films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: Radiochromic film is used for quality assurance and quality control of X-ray equipment in the diagnostic radiology. In addition, three-dimensional dose distribution of computed tomography (CT) is measured. To correct the nonuniformity and uncertainty of radiochromic films for dose measurement of CT, the films are preirradiated ultraviolet (UV)-A rays. There is a difference in the UV protection strength of radiochromic films. A concern exists about the effects of the UV-A irradiation intensity. We thus irradiated with UV-A rays from the backsides of the films to assess if backside irradiation was possible. Materials and Methods: Gafchromic XR-QA2 and RTQA2 were used in this study. The UV-A rays were simultaneously irradiated on the front and backsides of each film for 12 h. The yellow layer of each film was scanned and imaged. The average pixel values ± standard deviations (SDs) were compared. In the statistical analysis, a paired t-test was performed. To compare, the active-layer densities engendered by the UV-A rays. Calibration curve was created with 48 h of preirradiation of UV-A. Results: The mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic XR-QA2 on the front and backsides were 130.776 ± 0.812 and 81.015 ± 1.128, respectively. On the other hand, the mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic RTQA2 on the front and backsides were 62.299 ± 1.077 and 133.761 ± 1.365, respectively. The statistical results of the paired t-test were significantly different (P < 0.01) between both films. Fitting equation of the calibration curve is shown below. y = -390.47 ± 200 + (443.45 ± 10x80).5068 ± 0.0434. Conclusion: Based on the relationship between the sensitivity of the active layer to UV-A rays and the strength of UV protection on the surface, we concluded that backside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic XR-QA2, and frontside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic RTQA2. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TankiNobuyoshi en-aut-sei=Tanki en-aut-mei=Nobuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsudaToshizo en-aut-sei=Katsuda en-aut-mei=Toshizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaRumi en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaTatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwanoTadao en-aut-sei=Kuwano en-aut-mei=Tadao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Radiation Technology, Shizuoka College of Medicalcare Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention kn-affil= en-keyword=Backside irradiation kn-keyword=Backside irradiation en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film kn-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film en-keyword=ultraviolet radiation kn-keyword=ultraviolet radiation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spatiotemporal expression pattern of dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1) during rat cerebral cortex development en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a common learning disorder with significant consequences for affected individuals. Although several candidate genes, including dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1), have been implicated in dyslexia, their role in brain development remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the spatiotemporal expression patterns of DYX1C1 during cerebral cortex development in rats.
Methods We investigated DYX1C1 expression during cerebral cortex development using rat embryos at various gestational stages (E13.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 20.5) by immunohistochemistry (n = 7 embryos/stage), quantitative real-time PCR (n = 6), and in situ hybridization (n = 11–15).
Results The DYX1C1-positive cells were predominantly located in the outermost layers of the cortical plate, particularly at E15.5. DYX1C1 mRNA expression peaked at E15.5 and subsequently declined. DYX1C1-positive cells did not co-localize with reelin-positive Cajal-Retzius cells, but co-localized with neuronal markers expressed during development, and had shorter primary cilia than DYX1C1-negative cells.
Conclusions Our findings highlight the dynamic expression of DYX1C1 in the developing cerebral cortex of rats, implicating its involvement in neurodevelopmental processes. Further investigation of the functional interactions of DYX1C1, particularly its relationship with reelin and its role in cerebrocortical and hippocampal development, may provide insights into the pathophysiology of dyslexia and neurodevelopmental disorders. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZenshoKazumasa en-aut-sei=Zensho en-aut-mei=Kazumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsseAika en-aut-sei=Isse en-aut-mei=Aika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisawaIchika en-aut-sei=Misawa en-aut-mei=Ichika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasaiKaori en-aut-sei=Masai en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaMakio en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Makio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1007 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=LRP4 and Agrin Are Modulated by Cartilage Degeneration and Involved in β-Catenin Signaling in Human Articular Chondrocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 4 and its ligand Agrin in the pathophysiology of cartilage degeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis of human normal articular cartilage and cartilage tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) obtained during surgery of the knee joint showed marked LRP4 expression in the early stages of OA, which then decreased with cartilage degeneration, whereas Agrin was consistently increased with cartilage degeneration. In normal human articular chondrocytes (NHACs), mild cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.5 Hz, 5% elongation, 2 h) increased the expression of LRP4 and aggrecan (ACAN), while intense CTS (0.5 Hz, 10% elongation, 6 h) increased the expression of Agrin without affecting LRP4 expression. Treatment with recombinant human (rh) Agrin downregulated the mRNA expression of LRP4 and ACAN, but upregulated the expression of LRP5/6, SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4). Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that rhAgrin treatment upregulated the expression of β-catenin and SOX9. Agrin knockdown by siAGRN transfection partially reduced the nuclear protein expression of β-catenin, which was increased with intense CTS. LRP4 knockdown by siLRP4 transfection increased the expression of LRP5/6, SOX9, RUNX2, ADAMTS-4, and Agrin. These results suggested that intense CTS increases the expression of Agrin, which might interfere with the role of LRP4 in the inhibition of LRP5/6 and their downstream β-catenin signaling, leading to cartilage degeneration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaniwaShuichi en-aut-sei=Naniwa en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NasuYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Nasu en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaChinatsu en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Chinatsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinDeting en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Deting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaNoriaki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sayo Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=chondrocyte kn-keyword=chondrocyte en-keyword=mechanical stress kn-keyword=mechanical stress en-keyword=LRP4 kn-keyword=LRP4 en-keyword=Agrin kn-keyword=Agrin en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=SOX9 kn-keyword=SOX9 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=236 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=74 end-page=81 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics of porcine oocyte-cumulus complexes derived from various sizes of antral follicles and classified by brilliant cresyl blue staining, and developmental competence of the oocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The present study sought to determine the characteristics of porcine oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) derived from very small and small antral follicles (with less than 1 mm and 1–3 mm in diameter, respectively; VSF and SF) in comparison with controls from medium ones (with 3–6 mm in diameter; MF). Additionally, the present study examined the utility of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining for assessing these OCCs. The incidence of BCB- oocytes in VSF- and SF-derived OCCs was higher than that in MF-derived OCCs. Although the meiotic and developmental competences of BCB+ oocytes from MF were superior to those from VSF and SF, blastocysts were successfully obtained from BCB+ oocytes even derived from VSF. The mean numbers of both total and viable cumulus cells surrounding an oocyte were significantly affected not only by the origin of the OCCs, but also by the BCB status of the oocytes (largest in MF-derived OCCs containing BCB+ oocytes). Although the outer and inner diameters of zona pellucida were affected by the origin of OCCs and the BCB status of oocytes (largest in MF-derived oocytes), the ooplasmic diameter of BCB+ oocytes did not differ among those derived from VSF, SF, and MF. Regardless of the BCB status, the transcriptional levels of G6PD and TKT in cumulus cells decreased during follicular development from VSF to MF, whereas the RPIA mRNA level in cumulus cells of MF-derived BCB+ OCCs was lower than in the others. These results underscore the utility of BCB staining for selecting MF-, SF-, and even VSF-derived OCCs containing oocytes with relatively higher meiotic and developmental competences, as well as the importance of having a sufficient number of healthy cumulus cells expressing genes related to the pentose phosphate pathway at lower levels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=VanPhong Ngoc en-aut-sei=Van en-aut-mei=Phong Ngoc kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoSon Quang en-aut-sei=Do en-aut-mei=Son Quang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FonsekaWanniarachchige Tharindu Lakshitha en-aut-sei=Fonseka en-aut-mei=Wanniarachchige Tharindu Lakshitha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakaiTakuya en-aut-sei=Wakai en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunahashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Funahashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=234 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=125 end-page=132 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250301 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mitochondrial content and mtDNA copy number in spermatozoa and penetrability into oocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The current narrative review aims to summarize the relation of mitochondrial content (MC) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (MDCN) in spermatozoa with sperm penetrability, and to discuss the various determining factors during the process of spermatogenesis in mammals. There are many potential factors associated with the quantitative alteration of MC and MDCN in male gametes from spermatogenesis to ejaculation. Particularly, spermatogenesis may be the first step to jointly contribute to an incomplete reduction of MC and MDCN in spermatozoon. It appears to be now quite clear that some abnormalities during spermatogenesis and oxidative stress are the main factors highly associated with the quantitative change of MC and MDCN in spermatozoa, consequently affecting sperm quality and their penetrability into oocytes. Currently, a series of proteins contributing to form sperm midpiece during spermatogenesis and cytoplasmic elimination during spermiation have been currently identified. The present review provides insight into how these factors interact with sperm MC and MDCN, and handholds to gain a better understanding of their roles. This review also highlights the uniqueness of normal fertile spermatozoa which have relatively lower MC and MDCN, but have mitochondria that function completely in multiple pivotal physiological pathways. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoSon Quang en-aut-sei=Do en-aut-mei=Son Quang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakaiTakuya en-aut-sei=Wakai en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunahashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Funahashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Spermatozoa kn-keyword=Spermatozoa en-keyword=Mitochondria kn-keyword=Mitochondria en-keyword=Mitochondrial DNA kn-keyword=Mitochondrial DNA en-keyword=Penetrability kn-keyword=Penetrability en-keyword=Spermatogenesis kn-keyword=Spermatogenesis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=60 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=vvae044 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effects of soybeans and its derivatives on oral diseases: a narrative review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CanyanKuang en-aut-sei=Canyan en-aut-mei=Kuang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AriasZulema Rosalia en-aut-sei=Arias en-aut-mei=Zulema Rosalia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=soybean kn-keyword=soybean en-keyword=soy products kn-keyword=soy products en-keyword=oral diseases kn-keyword=oral diseases en-keyword=dental application kn-keyword=dental application en-keyword=antibacterial effect kn-keyword=antibacterial effect en-keyword=antioxidant kn-keyword=antioxidant en-keyword=anticancer kn-keyword=anticancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of caffeine on the longevity and locomotion activity of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a promising and useful managed pollinator for greenhouse agricultural crops. The fly can pollinate at lower and higher temperatures than European honeybee. However, management of the longevity of pollinators is important for growers using greenhouses. Previous studies using other insects showed that caffeine affects insect longevity and behaviors. For instance, European honeybee live longer and have increased memory after caffeine consumption. How caffeine affects the longevity and behavior of pollinators is worth investigating because it can affect pollinator’s behavior, extend longevity, or be an insecticide against pollinators. In the present study, therefore, the longevity and locomotion of L. sericata were investigated when they were given different caffeine concentrations. First, the longevity of L. sericata with five different caffeine concentrations was compared to the control. The results showed that higher concentrations of caffeine (2%, 1%, and 0.5%) significantly decreased the life span compared to lower concentrations (0.05% and 0.01%). Second, the locomotion activities of L. sericata were examined at those two caffeine concentrations with treated and control male and female flies utilizing a Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM). Treatment with 0.05% caffeine dramatically reduced locomotion, but treatment of 0.01% caffeine did not. We also compared lipid concentrations of flies: flies treated with 0.05% caffeine had a lower lipid concentration compared to flies treated with 0% and 0.01% caffeine. These results indicate that caffeine had negative effects on the longevity and locomotion activities of the pollinator L. sericata in laboratory conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTeruhisa en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Teruhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Caffeine kn-keyword=Caffeine en-keyword=Life span kn-keyword=Life span en-keyword=Locomotor activity kn-keyword=Locomotor activity en-keyword=Pollinator kn-keyword=Pollinator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=106 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=103026 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The antimalarial activity of transdermal N-89 mediated by inhibiting ERC gene expression in P. Berghei-infected mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Through studies of new antimalarial drugs, we identified 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a potential drug candidate. Here, we analyzed the antimalarial action of a transdermal formulation (td) of N-89, designed for easy use by children, using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as a model for malaria patients. The td N-89 or artemisinin (ART) formulation was transdermally administered to P. berghei-infected mice with 0.2–0.4 % parasitemia, twice daily for four days, at an effective dose of 90 % for malaria. Parasitemia was decreased in td N-89 and td ART groups during the drug treatment; then, three of the eight mice in td N-89 group were completely cured without relapse. Additionally, abnormal trophozoites in td N-89 group were observed 8 h after administration and increased up to 24 h. To study the change in endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) gene expression with td N-89, we investigated the gene expression of P. berghei ERC (PbERC) after td N-89 treatment. PbERC gene expression was increased time-dependently in control group, and was statistically decreased at 4 and 8 h and then increased similar to that of control group at 12 h in td ART group. In contrast, the expression in td N-89 group was almost steady starting from 0 h. We also studied parasite egress-related genes expression after td N-89 treatment, plasmepsin X, subtilisin-like protease 1 and merozoite surface protein 1, were suppressed at 12 h compared to control group. These results suggest that N-89 affects function of endoplasmic reticulum via regulating gene suppression and subsequently parasite growth is inhibited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide kn-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide en-keyword=Transdermal N-89 kn-keyword=Transdermal N-89 en-keyword=Artemisinin kn-keyword=Artemisinin en-keyword=In vivo kn-keyword=In vivo en-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite kn-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) en-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene kn-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4606 end-page=4620 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nano/microparticle-based tough and recyclable polymers toward a sustainable society en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=By virtue of their unique properties, polymer nano/microparticles constitute important building blocks for the construction of functional nanomaterials. Although intense research efforts in this field have laid the foundation for the applications of polymer nano/microparticle-based latex films, cutting-edge innovations in the recycling of polymer materials are still required for the realization of a sustainable society. This feature article reviews our recent attempts to develop the applications of polymer nano/microparticles in the context of a circular society on the basis of the precise synthesis of single nano/microparticles and multiscale structural analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurehaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kureha en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=51 end-page=58 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photoinitiators Induce Histamine Production in Human Mast Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photoinitiators are used in the manufacture of many daily products, and may produce harmful effects due to their cytotoxicity. They have also been detected in human serum. Here, we investigated the histamine-producing effects in HMC-1 cells and the inflammatory cytokine release effects in RAW264 cells for four photoinitiators: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone; 2-isopropylthioxanthone; methyl 2-benzoylbenzoate; and 2-methyl-4´-(methylthio)-2-morpholinopropiophenone. All four promoted histamine production in HMC-1 cells; however, they did not significantly affect the release of inflammatory cytokines in RAW264 cells. These findings suggest that these four photoinitiators induce inflammatory cytokine-independent histamine production, potentially contributing to histamine-mediated chronic inflammation in vitro. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiuraTaro en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawasakiYoichi en-aut-sei=Kawasaki en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamanoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Hamano en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZamamiYoshito en-aut-sei=Zamami en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SendoToshiaki en-aut-sei=Sendo en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Kagawa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=photoinitiator kn-keyword=photoinitiator en-keyword=ink kn-keyword=ink en-keyword=injection kn-keyword=injection en-keyword=histamine kn-keyword=histamine en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=47 end-page=50 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Immediate Effects of a Single Home-based Rehabilitation Treatment on Balance Performance and Toe-Grip Strength in Elderly Subjects Continuing the Same Rehabilitation Program en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We assessed the immediate effects of a home-based rehabilitation (HBR) program on the balance performance and toe-grip strength of 29 older adults (mean±SD age of 75.1±9.9; 16 males, 13 females) who were participating in HBR services provided by Japan’s nursing care insurance system. Their toe-grip strength and balance performance were measured before and after the HBR program. The subjects’ toe-grip strength was significantly improved after the treatment. The subjects who had had a stroke showed a significant improvement after HBR. Contrarily, no significant difference was observed in the subjects’ functional reach results or their one-leg standing time. These results indicate that the exercise regimen provided in the HBR program led to increased excitability of motor units and immediately enhanced the subjects’ toe-grip strength. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KojimaKazunori en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UjikawaTakuya en-aut-sei=Ujikawa en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoToshiro en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Toshiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama Healthcare Professional University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama Healthcare Professional University kn-affil= en-keyword=home-based rehabilitation kn-keyword=home-based rehabilitation en-keyword=toe-grip strength kn-keyword=toe-grip strength en-keyword=balance performance kn-keyword=balance performance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=199 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Establishment of a rapid and quantitative method for detecting the range of infection exposure in preclinical dental education en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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.
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.
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).
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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UedaAyaka en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takeuchi-HatanakaKazu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi-Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoShintaro en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiKimito en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Kimito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Dental education kn-keyword=Dental education en-keyword=Infection control kn-keyword=Infection control en-keyword=Fluorescent dye kn-keyword=Fluorescent dye en-keyword=Adenosine triphosphate kn-keyword=Adenosine triphosphate en-keyword=Lactobacillus kn-keyword=Lactobacillus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=12 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Voice analysis and deep learning for detecting mental disorders in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction Perinatal mental disorders are prevalent, affecting 10-20% of pregnant women, and can negatively impact both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Traditional screening tools, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), present limitations due to subjectivity and time constraints in clinical settings. Recent advances in voice analysis and machine learning have shown potential for providing more objective screening methods. This study aimed to develop a deep learning model that analyzes the voices of pregnant women to screen for mental disorders, thereby offering an alternative to the traditional tools.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 pregnant women, from whom voice samples were collected during their one-month postpartum checkup. The audio data were preprocessed into 5000 ms intervals, converted into mel-spectrograms, and augmented using TrivialAugment and context-rich minority oversampling. The EfficientFormer V2-L model, pretrained on ImageNet, was employed with transfer learning for classification. The hyperparameters were optimized using Optuna, and an ensemble learning approach was used for the final predictions. The model's performance was compared to that of the EPDS in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and other diagnostic metrics.
Results Of the 172 participants analyzed (149 without mental disorders and 23 with mental disorders), the voice-based model demonstrated a sensitivity of 1.00 and a recall of 0.82, outperforming the EPDS in these areas. However, the EPDS exhibited higher specificity (0.97) and precision (0.84). No significant difference was observed in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve between the two methods (p = 0.759).
Discussion The voice-based model showed higher sensitivity and recall, suggesting that it may be more effective in identifying at-risk individuals than the EPDS. Machine learning and voice analysis are promising objective screening methods for mental disorders during pregnancy, potentially improving early detection.
Conclusion We developed a lightweight machine learning model to analyze pregnant women's voices for screening various mental disorders, achieving high sensitivity and demonstrating the potential of voice analysis as an effective and objective tool in perinatal mental health care. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OobaHikaru en-aut-sei=Ooba en-aut-mei=Hikaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiJota en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Jota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Perinatal mental disorders kn-keyword=Perinatal mental disorders en-keyword=Voice analysis kn-keyword=Voice analysis en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning en-keyword=Screening kn-keyword=Screening en-keyword=Pregnant women kn-keyword=Pregnant women END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=96 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote pro-tumor functions of neutrophils in pancreatic cancer via IL-8: potential suppression by pirfenidone en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background The mechanisms by which neutrophils acquire pro-tumor properties remain poorly understood. In pancreatic cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may interact with neutrophils, directing them to promote tumor progression.
Methods To validate the association between CAFs and neutrophils, the localization of neutrophils was examined in clinically resected pancreatic cancer specimens. CAFs were produced by culturing in cancer-conditioned media, and the effects of these CAFs on neutrophils were examined. In vitro migration and invasion assays assess the effect of CAF-activated neutrophils on cancer cells. The factors secreted by the activated neutrophils were also explored. Finally, pirfenidone (PFD) was tested to determine whether it could suppress the pro-tumor functions of activated neutrophils.
Results In pancreatic cancer specimens, neutrophils tended to co-localize with IL-6-positive CAFs. Neutrophils co-cultured with CAFs increased migratory capacity and prolonged life span. CAF-affected neutrophils enhance the migratory and invasive activities of pancreatic cancer cells. IL-8 is the most upregulated cytokine secreted by the neutrophils. PFD suppresses IL-8 secretion from CAF-stimulated neutrophils and mitigates the malignant traits of pancreatic cancer cells.
Conclusion CAFs activate neutrophils and enhance the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. The interactions between cancer cells, CAFs, and neutrophils can be disrupted by PFD, highlighting a potential therapeutic approach. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YagiTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yagi en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogiShohei en-aut-sei=Nogi en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiAtsuki en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Atsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshimotoMasashi en-aut-sei=Yoshimoto en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuemoriKanto en-aut-sei=Suemori en-aut-mei=Kanto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiYasuo en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Yasuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaShuto en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Shuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikuchiSatoru en-aut-sei=Kikuchi en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraishiFuminori en-aut-sei=Teraishi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TazawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Tazawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Departments of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts kn-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts en-keyword=Neutrophil kn-keyword=Neutrophil en-keyword=Anti-fibrotic agent kn-keyword=Anti-fibrotic agent en-keyword=Pirfenidone kn-keyword=Pirfenidone END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=31 end-page=37 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Retrospective Analysis of the Safety of High-Volume Dental Articaine Preparations for Japanese Patients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We retrospectively analyzed the safety of the use of articaine, an amide-type local anesthetic, in Japanese dental patients (n=300) treated in Thailand in 2015-2017. The dosage, adverse events (AEs) caused by local anesthesia, and treatment efficacy were examined. Articaine, which is safe for patients with liver impairments due to its unique metabolism, has not been thoroughly tested in Japan for doses above 5.1 mL. Eighty of the present patients had undergone root canal treatment (RCT), 71 underwent tooth extraction, and 149 underwent implant-related surgery. More than three articaine cartridges were used in 41 patients, and no AEs occurred in these cases. The only AE occurred in a 52-year-old woman who was treated with three cartridges and presented with what appeared to be hyperventilation syndrome; she later recovered and received her dental treatment as scheduled. Most treatments were completed with three or fewer cartridges, suggesting that this number is generally sufficient. Our findings, particularly the low AE risk even with doses exceeding three cartridges, support the potential applicability of the overseas recommended maximum dose of articaine (7 mg/kg) in Japanese patients. This conclusion is significant for advancing dental anesthetic practices and ensuring patient safety and treatment efficacy in Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaShigeru en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=PimkhaokhamAtiphan en-aut-sei=Pimkhaokham en-aut-mei=Atiphan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosoiHiroki en-aut-sei=Hosoi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhshimaAyako en-aut-sei=Ohshima en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurisuRyoko en-aut-sei=Kurisu en-aut-mei=Ryoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsumiNozomi en-aut-sei=Utsumi en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiHitoshi en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Data Science Division, Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Data Science Division, Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Data Science Division, Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=dental anesthesia kn-keyword=dental anesthesia en-keyword=local anesthesia kn-keyword=local anesthesia en-keyword=drug-related side effect kn-keyword=drug-related side effect en-keyword=adverse reaction kn-keyword=adverse reaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=21 end-page=30 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prediction of Prostate Cancer Grades Using Radiomic Features en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We developed a machine learning model for predicting prostate cancer (PCa) grades using radiomic features of magnetic resonance imaging. 112 patients diagnosed with PCa based on prostate biopsy between January 2014 and December 2021 were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to construct two prediction models, one using radiomic features and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values (Radiomics model) and the other Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores and PSA values (PI-RADS model), to differentiate high-grade (Gleason score [GS] ≥ 8) from intermediate or low-grade (GS < 8) PCa. Five imaging features were selected for the Radiomics model using the Gini coefficient. Model performance was evaluated using AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. The models were compared by leave-one-out cross-validation with Ridge regularization. Furthermore, the Radiomics model was evaluated using the holdout method and represented by a nomogram. The AUC of the Radiomics and PI-RADS models differed significantly (0.799, 95% CI: 0.712-0.869; and 0.710, 95% CI: 0.617-0.792, respectively). Using holdout method, the Radiomics model yielded AUC of 0.778 (95% CI: 0.552-0.925), sensitivity of 0.769, and specificity of 0.778. It outperformed the PI-RADS model and could be useful in predicting PCa grades, potentially aiding in determining appropriate treatment approaches in PCa patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraguchiTakafumi en-aut-sei=Haraguchi en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaKaori en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiYoshio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoShin en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanjiNozomu en-aut-sei=Tanji en-aut-mei=Nozomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimuraHidefumi en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Informatics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Communication Technology Research, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=prostate cancer kn-keyword=prostate cancer en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System kn-keyword=prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System en-keyword=radiomics kn-keyword=radiomics en-keyword=Gleason score kn-keyword=Gleason score END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=9 end-page=19 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Gastrectomy Causes an Imbalance in the Trunk Muscles en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Muscle loss negatively affects gastrectomy prognosis. However, muscle loss is recognized as a systemic change, and individual muscle function is often overlooked. We investigated changes in the muscle volume of individual muscles after gastrectomy to identify clues for prognostic factors and optimal rehabilitation programs. Patients who underwent R0 gastrectomy for Stage I gastric cancer at our hospital from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively selected to minimize the effects of malignancy and chemotherapy. Trunk muscle volume was measured by computed tomography to analyze body composition changes. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors related to body composition changes. We compared the preoperative and 6-month postoperative conditions of 59 patients after gastrectomy. There was no difference in the psoas major muscle, a conventional surrogate marker of sarcopenia. There were significant decreases in the erector spinae (p=0.01) and lateral abdominal (p=0.01) muscles, and a significant increase in the rectus abdominis muscle (p=0.02). No significant correlation was found between these muscle changes and nutritional status. Body composition imbalance may serve as a new indicator of the general condition of patients after gastrectomy. Rehabilitation to correct this imbalance may improve prognosis after gastrectomy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IkeyaNanami en-aut-sei=Ikeya en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkitaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Okita en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashidaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Hashida en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoSumiharu en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Sumiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaHirokuni en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Hirokuni kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukudaKazunori en-aut-sei=Tsukuda en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=sarcopenia kn-keyword=sarcopenia en-keyword=skeletal muscle kn-keyword=skeletal muscle en-keyword=gastric cancer kn-keyword=gastric cancer en-keyword=gastrectomy kn-keyword=gastrectomy en-keyword=erector spinae muscle kn-keyword=erector spinae muscle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=7 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Endothelial Cell Polarity in Health and Disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Endothelial cell polarity is fundamental to the organization and function of blood vessels, influencing processes such as angiogenesis, vascular stability, and response to shear stress. This review elaborates on the molecular mechanisms that regulate endothelial cell polarity, focusing on key players like the PAR polarity complex and Rho family GTPases. These pathways coordinate the front–rear, apical–basal and planar polarity of endothelial cells, which are essential for the proper formation and maintenance of vascular structures. In health, endothelial polarity ensures not only the orderly development of blood vessels, with tip cells adopting distinct polarities during angiogenesis, but also ensures proper vascular integrity and function. In disease states, however, disruptions in polarity contribute to pathologies such as coronary artery disease, where altered planar polarity exacerbates atherosclerosis, and cancer, where disrupted polarity in tumor vasculature leads to abnormal vessel growth and function. Understanding cell polarity and its disruption is fundamental not only to comprehending how cells interact with their microenvironment and organize themselves into complex, organ-specific tissues but also to developing novel, targeted, and therapeutic strategies for a range of diseases, from cardiovascular disorders to malignancies, ultimately improving patient outcomes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ThihaMoe en-aut-sei=Thiha en-aut-mei=Moe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HikitaTakao en-aut-sei=Hikita en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaMasanori en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=blood vessel kn-keyword=blood vessel en-keyword=endothelial cell kn-keyword=endothelial cell en-keyword=cell polarity kn-keyword=cell polarity en-keyword=atherosclerosis kn-keyword=atherosclerosis en-keyword=cancer kn-keyword=cancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=170 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109242 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of small fatigue crack deflection behavior on copper using electron backscatter diffraction and crystal plasticity finite element analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, it was conducted to observe the propagation behavior of small fatigue cracks generated on the surface of α-brass and pure copper, using an electrodynamic plane bending fatigue testing machine. The EBSD method was also used to analyze the crystal orientation near the bottom of the notch on the surface of the test piece. For each slip system of the grain, we calculated the slip factor, defined as the ratio of resolved shear stresses that considers the singular stress field at the crack tip, and investigated the relationship between the propagation behavior of small cracks and the slip factor. Furthermore, we performed a crystal plasticity finite element analysis (CP-FEM) using a crystal plasticity FEM model created from the grains obtained by the EBSD method to predict the deflection behavior of small fatigue cracks when propagating through the grain boundaries. The results indicated that when a crack propagates across a grain boundary, it is difficult to predict the deflection behavior using slip factors, however, the deflection behavior of a crack can be predicted from the resolved shear stress calculated using CP-FEM, which considers the mechanical interactions between crystal grains. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ArakawaJinta en-aut-sei=Arakawa en-aut-mei=Jinta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabukiRyo en-aut-sei=Yabuki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UemoriTakeshi en-aut-sei=Uemori en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoMasato en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaguchiKenichi en-aut-sei=Yaguchi en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Innovation Center, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Innovation Center, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation kn-affil= en-keyword=Small fatigue crack kn-keyword=Small fatigue crack en-keyword=Crystal orientation kn-keyword=Crystal orientation en-keyword=CP-FEM kn-keyword=CP-FEM en-keyword=EBSD kn-keyword=EBSD END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2485 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cesarean delivery on child health and development in Japanese nationwide birth cohort en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The long-term effects of cesarean delivery (CD) on child health and development remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate these effects using an outcome-wide approach in a Japanese context, where perinatal mortality rates are among the world's lowest. We analyzed data from 2,114 children in a nationwide Japanese birth cohort, linking the 21st Century Longitudinal Survey of Newborns with the Perinatal Research Network database. We examined associations between CD and various health and developmental outcomes up to 9 years of age, including hospitalizations, obesity, and developmental milestones. After adjusting for potential confounders, CD was not significantly associated with most outcomes, including all-cause hospitalization (adjusted risk ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.997-1.56), obesity at 5.5 and 9 years, and various developmental milestones. Subgroup analyses for multiple births and preterm infants showed some differences in point estimates, but were limited by small sample sizes. CD was not significantly associated with adverse long-term child health or developmental outcomes in this Japanese cohort. These findings provide reassurance regarding CD safety when medically indicated in advanced perinatal care settings. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up is needed, especially for specific subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuiTakashi en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamaiKei en-aut-sei=Tamai en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaTomoya en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Cesarean delivery kn-keyword=Cesarean delivery en-keyword=Delivery methods kn-keyword=Delivery methods en-keyword=Long-term outcome kn-keyword=Long-term outcome en-keyword=Child development kn-keyword=Child development en-keyword=Outcome-wide approach kn-keyword=Outcome-wide approach END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70062 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Trends in uptake of cancer screening among people with severe mental illness before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A repeated cross-sectional study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in cancer screening participation among people with severe mental illness (PSMI) from periods before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In this repeated cross-sectional study, we used anonymized datasets on municipal cancer screening participation among PSMI in Okayama City. The data covered fiscal year (FY) 2018 to FY2022; we used the municipal cancer screening database and Medical Payment for Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities. PSMI were defined as those with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders (F20-29) or bipolar disorder (F30 or F31), identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes. The analysis included men and women aged 40-69 years for colorectal and lung cancer screening; men and women aged 50-69 years for gastric cancer screening; women aged 40-69 years for breast cancer screening; and women aged 20-69 years for cervical cancer screening. Municipal cancer screening rates among PSMI were calculated for each FY.
Results: For all cancer types, cancer screening rates for PSMI in FY2020 (colorectal: 9.0%; lung: 11.6%; gastric: 4.9%; breast: 6.2%; and cervical: 6.1%) were lower than the rates in FY2019 (11.5%, 14.0%, 6.5%, 9.3%, and 8.3%, respectively). In FY2022, the rates (9.9%, 12.9%; 5.3%; 8.0%, and 6.9%, respectively) recovered, but remained low.
Conclusion: This study showed that cancer screening rates among PSMI were very low, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to encourage participation in cancer screening in this population are urgently needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYuto en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayaNaoki en-aut-sei=Nakaya en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukiKoji en-aut-sei=Otsuki en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimazuTaichi en-aut-sei=Shimazu en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimoriMaiko en-aut-sei=Fujimori en-aut-mei=Maiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinotsuShiro en-aut-sei=Hinotsu en-aut-mei=Shiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagoshiKiwamu en-aut-sei=Nagoshi en-aut-mei=Kiwamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchitomiYosuke en-aut-sei=Uchitomi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biostatistics and Data Management, Sapporo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cancer Survivorship and Digital Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= en-keyword=bipolar disorder kn-keyword=bipolar disorder en-keyword=cancer screening kn-keyword=cancer screening en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=healthcare disparities kn-keyword=healthcare disparities en-keyword=schizophrenia kn-keyword=schizophrenia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=RP99858 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241031 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural basis for molecular assembly of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins in a diatom photosystem I supercomplex en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic organisms exhibit remarkable diversity in their light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). LHCs are associated with photosystem I (PSI), forming a PSI-LHCI supercomplex. The number of LHCI subunits, along with their protein sequences and pigment compositions, has been found to differ greatly among the PSI-LHCI structures. However, the mechanisms by which LHCIs recognize their specific binding sites within the PSI core remain unclear. In this study, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a PSI supercomplex incorporating fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs), designated as PSI-FCPI, isolated from the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana CCMP1335. Structural analysis of PSI-FCPI revealed five FCPI subunits associated with a PSI monomer; these subunits were identified as RedCAP, Lhcr3, Lhcq10, Lhcf10, and Lhcq8. Through structural and sequence analyses, we identified specific protein-protein interactions at the interfaces between FCPI and PSI subunits, as well as among FCPI subunits themselves. Comparative structural analyses of PSI-FCPI supercomplexes, combined with phylogenetic analysis of FCPs from T. pseudonana and the diatom Chaetoceros gracilis, underscore the evolutionary conservation of protein motifs crucial for the selective binding of individual FCPI subunits. These findings provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly and selective binding of FCPIs in diatoms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=XingJian en-aut-sei=Xing en-aut-mei=Jian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumazawaMinoru en-aut-sei=Kumazawa en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaHaruya en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Haruya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IfukuKentaro en-aut-sei=Ifuku en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRyo en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=114 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=21 end-page=25 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Elucidation of plant-bacterial pathogen interactions for the control of bacterial blight on cruciferous crops kn-title=アブラナ科植物黒斑細菌病の防除に向けた植物-病原細菌の相互作用の解明 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis (Pcal), the causative agent of bacterial blight on cruciferous crops, is an economically important pathogen worldwide. We have conducted several studies on the interactions between plants and pathogenic bacteria to develop effective control strategies for this disease. Using forward and reverse genetics, we identified several virulence factors, including the type III secretion system, membrane transporters, transcriptional factors, and amino acid metabolism. Additionally, we emphasized the role of coronatine, a toxin produced by Pcal, which promotes stomatal reopening and suppresses salicylic acid accumulation in plants. We also examined plant defense mechanisms activated by one of the plant defense activators, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM). ASM enhanced stomatal-based defense, resulting in reduction of bacterial entry and disease development. Moreover, we explored innovative control strategies for bacterial disease and demonstrated that amino acids and cellulose nanofiber are efficient and environmentally friendly control strategies. These studies advance our understanding of plant-pathogen dynamics and offer promising, sustainable approaches for managing bacterial blight disease in cruciferous crops. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name=坂田七海 kn-aut-sei=坂田 kn-aut-mei=七海 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Course of Applied Plant Science kn-affil=応用植物科学コース en-keyword=Plant pathogenic bacteria kn-keyword=Plant pathogenic bacteria en-keyword=Pseudomonas kn-keyword=Pseudomonas en-keyword=Cruciferous kn-keyword=Cruciferous en-keyword=Plant protection kn-keyword=Plant protection en-keyword=Stomata kn-keyword=Stomata END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=114 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11 end-page=20 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Uncovering the role of arcuate kisspeptin neurons as a source of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator using gene-modified rats kn-title=遺伝子改変ラットを用いた弓状核キスペプチンニューロンの性腺刺激ホルモン放出ホルモンパルスジェネレーターとしての役割解明 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= 世界において,乳牛の受胎率(妊娠率)が低下しており,家畜の繁殖成績向上のための効果的な治療法が必要とされている.家畜を含む哺乳類において,生殖機能は視床下部-下垂体-性腺軸から分泌されるホルモンによって制御されている.これらのホルモンのうち,性腺刺激ホルモン放出ホルモン(GnRH)のパルス状分泌(GnRH パルス)は,性腺刺激ホルモン分泌と性腺機能に本質的に重要である.したがって,GnRH パルスを制御するメカニズム(GnRH パルスジェネレーター)を解明することは,家畜の生殖技術を向上させるために不可欠である.本総説では,著者らの遺伝子改変ラットモデルを用いた弓状核キスペプチンニューロン(ΚNDy ニューロンとしても知られる)がGnRH パルスジェネレーターの本体であることの直接的な証拠を示した研究を中心として,過去20年間の研究を概説した.また,ΚNDy ニューロンが分泌するニューロキニンB,グルタミン酸,ダイノルフィンA がΚNDy ニューロンの神経活動を同期させ,GnRH パルスを発生させるメカニズムについて論じた.遺伝子改変ラットモデルから得られた知識は,GnRH/ 性腺刺激ホルモンパルスを刺激して,家畜の繁殖能力を向上させる新規繁殖促進剤開発に寄与すると期待できる. kn-abstract= Strategies for increasing reproductive performance are needed for domestic animals because for example the conception (pregnancy) rate has decreased in dairy cows around the world. Reproductive function is controlled by hormones released by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in mammals, including domestic animals. Of those hormones, tonic (pulsatile) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release is fundamentally important for gonadotropin release and gonadal activity. Therefore, uncovering the mechanism controlling GnRH pulses, that is GnRH pulse generator, is essential to improve reproductive technologies for domestic animals. The present review is focused on the indispensable role of arcuate nucleus (ARC) kisspeptin neurons (also known as KNDy neurons) as the GnRH pulse generator in mammals. First, we give a brief overview of studies on hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons throughout the past two decades. Second, we review studies that have provided direct evidence that ARC kisspeptin neurons serve as the GnRH pulse generator, with a special focus on our gene-modified rat models. Finally, we discuss the mechanism underlying GnRH pulse generation. The knowledge obtained from gene-modified rat models should be clinically important and could be adapted to new tools to improve reproductive performance in livestock by stimulating GnRH/gonadotropin pulses. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name=長江麻佑子 kn-aut-sei=長江 kn-aut-mei=麻佑子 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoyamaYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Uenoyama en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name=上野山賀久 kn-aut-sei=上野山 kn-aut-mei=賀久 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命自然科学研究科 affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil=名古屋大学大学院生命農学研究科 en-keyword=gene-modified rats kn-keyword=gene-modified rats en-keyword=GnRH kn-keyword=GnRH en-keyword=kisspeptin kn-keyword=kisspeptin en-keyword=LH kn-keyword=LH en-keyword=pulse generator kn-keyword=pulse generator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=114 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of dark respiration on dry matter production of various crop species en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Eleven crops were cultivated: maize, sunflower, soybean, groundnuts, sesame, kenaf, barley, wheat, rice, potato, and sweet potato. The crop growth rate (CGR) and specific dark-respiration rate (Rs) were measured, and growth efficiency GE =CGR/(CGR+R) (R, respiratory loss) was calculated. In each crop, whole-plant Rs reached a maximum in the earlier stages of growth, declined rapidly until the early reproductive growth, and remained almost constant during the ripening period. The Rs of leaves was higher than that of stems during the reproductive growth period, except for maize and potato. The Rs of storage organs was highest in the earlier stages, followed by a rapid decline to similar or lower values than those of leaves and stems during the ripening period. The GE in whole plant was higher than 60% in wheat, maize, barley, sunflower, rice, kenaf, sesame, but lower in soybean, sweet potato and groundnuts, and lowest in potato, which was affected by the higher respiratory loss. The GE in whole plant during the reproductive growth period was significantly lower, which we attributed to increased maintenance costs due to the increase of non-assimilative organs, and decrease in the dry weight of vegetative organs. A positive correlation was observed between the carbohydrate content of storage organs and GE, indicating that a crop with higher carbohydrate content in storage organs tended to have a higher GE. Crops with higher protein and crude fat content in storage organs tended to have lower GE. The GE over the growing season was low for kenaf, a fiber crop which contains high molecular weight compounds such as lignin and cellulose, and lower for sesame, groundnuts, and soybean, which contain high oil and protein and have high respiration costs for the synthesis of storage materials, suggesting that these higher respiration costs are related to lower dry matter production and hence lower yields. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SaitohKuniyuki en-aut-sei=Saitoh en-aut-mei=Kuniyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiTomohiro en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiboriMisa en-aut-sei=Nishibori en-aut-mei=Misa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagoshiYuki en-aut-sei=Takagoshi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Cereal crops kn-keyword=Cereal crops en-keyword=Oil crops kn-keyword=Oil crops en-keyword=Crop growth rate kn-keyword=Crop growth rate en-keyword=Dark-respiration kn-keyword=Dark-respiration en-keyword=Growth efficiency kn-keyword=Growth efficiency en-keyword=Leguminous crops kn-keyword=Leguminous crops en-keyword=Nutrients composition kn-keyword=Nutrients composition en-keyword=Respiratory loss kn-keyword=Respiratory loss en-keyword=Root and tuber crops kn-keyword=Root and tuber crops END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=38 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exacerbation of diabetes due to F. Nucleatum LPS-induced SGLT2 overexpression in the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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.
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.
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.
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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SekiAiko en-aut-sei=Seki en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeramachiJumpei en-aut-sei=Teramachi en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EgusaMasahiko en-aut-sei=Egusa en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=F. Nucleatum kn-keyword=F. Nucleatum en-keyword=Diabetic exacerbation kn-keyword=Diabetic exacerbation en-keyword=Diabetic nephropathy kn-keyword=Diabetic nephropathy en-keyword=SGLT2 kn-keyword=SGLT2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=63 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Task Context on Pleasantness and Softness Estimations: A Study Based on Three Touch Strategies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the two distinct perceptions (pleasantness and softness) of deformable stimuli with different degrees of compliance under conditions with and without a contextual task. Three tactile strategies-grasping, pinching, and pressing-were used to perceive the stimuli. In Experiment 1 (without a contextual task), participants estimated the perceived intensity of softness or pleasantness for each stimulus. In Experiment 2 (with a contextual task), the participants sequentially perceived two stimuli with different compliance levels and indicated which stimulus they perceived as softer and pleasant. The results showed that the psychophysical relationship between compliance and perceived softness was consistent across all tactile strategies in both experiments, with softness estimates increasing as compliance increased. However, the relationship between compliance and pleasantness differed between the two experiments. In Experiment 1, pleasantness estimates increased monotonically with increased compliance. However, in Experiment 2, across all tactile strategies, pleasantness began to decrease within the compliance range of 0.25-2.0 cm2/N, exhibiting an inverted U-shaped trend. These findings indicate that the relationship between compliance and pleasantness is task-dependent, particularly demonstrating significantly different trends when a contextual task is introduced. In contrast, the relationship between compliance and softness remained consistently monotonic. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GaoBinyue en-aut-sei=Gao en-aut-mei=Binyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjimaYoshimichi en-aut-sei=Ejima en-aut-mei=Yoshimichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=pleasantness kn-keyword=pleasantness en-keyword=softness kn-keyword=softness en-keyword=touch strategy kn-keyword=touch strategy en-keyword=task context kn-keyword=task context en-keyword=psychophysics kn-keyword=psychophysics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mapping Surface Potential in DNA Aptamer-Neurochemical and Membrane-Ion Interactions on the SOS Substrate Using Terahertz Microscopy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we utilized a terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) to map surface potential changes induced by molecular interactions on silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) substrates. By functionalizing the SOS substrate with DNA aptamers and an ion-selective membrane, we successfully detected and visualized aptamer-neurochemical complexes through the terahertz amplitude. Additionally, comparative studies of DNA aptamers in PBS buffer and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) were performed by computational structure modeling and terahertz measurements. Beyond neurochemicals, we also investigated calcium ions, measuring their concentrations in PDMS-fabricated micro-wells using minimal sample volumes. Our results highlight the capability of TCM as a powerful, label-free, and sensitive platform for the probing and mapping of surface potential arising from molecular interactions, with broad implications for biomedical diagnostics and research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaKosei en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudaYuta en-aut-sei=Mitsuda en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSota en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope kn-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope en-keyword=surface potential kn-keyword=surface potential en-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes kn-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes en-keyword=membrane-ion interactions kn-keyword=membrane-ion interactions en-keyword=SOS substrate kn-keyword=SOS substrate en-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid kn-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=835 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pathophysiology of Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Diseases and/or Hypoxia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases and/or hypoxia is classified as group 3 in the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension. The efficacy of existing selective pulmonary vasodilators for group 3 pulmonary hypertension is still unknown, and it is currently associated with a poor prognosis. The mechanisms by which pulmonary hypertension occurs include hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary vascular remodeling, a decrease in pulmonary vascular beds, endothelial dysfunction, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), inflammation, microRNA, and genetic predisposition. Among these, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and subsequent pulmonary vascular remodeling are characteristic factors involving the pulmonary vasculature and are the focus of this review. Several factors have been reported to mediate vascular remodeling induced by hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, such as HIF-1 alpha and mechanosensors, including TRP channels. New therapies that target novel molecules, such as mechanoreceptors, to inhibit vascular remodeling are awaited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TayaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Taya en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoYukihiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayaYoichi en-aut-sei=Takaya en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TohNorihisa en-aut-sei=Toh en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaRie en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatanosakaYuki en-aut-sei=Katanosaka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kinjo Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=group 3 pulmonary hypertension kn-keyword=group 3 pulmonary hypertension en-keyword=hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction kn-keyword=hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction en-keyword=pulmonary vascular remodeling kn-keyword=pulmonary vascular remodeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1504068 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Visual dominance of the congruency sequence effect in a cross-modal context en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The congruency sequence effect (CSE) refers to the reduction in the congruency effect in the current trial after an incongruent trial compared with a congruent trial. Although previous studies widely suggested that CSE was observed only in the modality repeat condition, few studies have reported that CSE could also appear in the modality switch condition. However, it remains unclear whether these conflicting findings were caused by partial repetition effects under modality transition conditions. To address this issue, Experiment 1 controlled for partial repetition effects by ensuring that the modality relationships in both the repetition and switch conditions were either fully congruent or incongruent. The results revealed significant CSE only under the modality repetition condition. In particular, a larger CSE was observed in visual-auditory (VA) repetition than in auditory-visual (AV) repetition, indicating that modality asymmetry might affect the CSE by inducing the priming effect. Thus, Experiment 2 concurrently presented visual and auditory stimuli to eliminate priming effects and further validated CSE differences between auditory and visual modalities. The results revealed that the CSE was significantly greater under the VA condition than under the AV condition and confirmed that the visual modality played a dominant role in the CSE, as visual information is prioritized in processing and ultimately reduces the congruency effect in the next trial. Overall, the present study provides evidence for the specificity of CSE under modality repetition conditions by excluding partial repetition effects and further underscores the critical role of visual dominance in cross-modal CSE. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TangXiaoyu en-aut-sei=Tang en-aut-mei=Xiaoyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangXi en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangTingting en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Tingting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHongtao en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Hongtao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangAijun en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Aijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangMing en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Ming kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Soochow University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Soochow University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cognitive control kn-keyword=cognitive control en-keyword=congruency sequence effect kn-keyword=congruency sequence effect en-keyword=cross-modal kn-keyword=cross-modal en-keyword=conflict adaptation kn-keyword=conflict adaptation en-keyword=visual dominance kn-keyword=visual dominance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=172 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=471 end-page=479 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Identification of factors related to functional prognoses in craniopharyngiomas en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign tumors, but their proximity to vital neurovascular structures can significantly deteriorate functional prognoses and severely restrict patients’ social interaction and activity. We retrospectively identified risk factors related to the functional prognoses in patients with craniopharyngioma treated at our center.
Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent surgery for craniopharyngioma and follow-up at our institution between 2003 and 2022. Functional prognoses were evaluated in terms of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 for adults, BMI-Z ≥ 1.65 for children), visual function, endocrine function, and social participation. We investigated whether patient characteristics, tumor size, tumor location, hypothalamic involvement, surgical hypothalamic damage, extent of resection, and recurrence rate correlated with these functional prognostic factors.
Results The median age at diagnosis was 28.0 years, with a median follow-up of 80.5 months. Postoperative obesity was present in 22 patients, and those with postoperative obesity had a significantly higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z (preoperative BMI for adults: p = 0.074; preoperative BMI-Z for children: p = 0.020) and were significantly correlated with preoperative hypothalamic involvement grade 2 (p = 0.012) and surgical hypothalamic damage grade II (p = 0.0001). Deterioration in social participation was significantly associated with a larger tumor size (p = 0.023) and tumor recurrence (p = 0.0047).
Conclusions Patients with higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z and hypothalamic involvement have a greater risk of postoperative obesity, and larger tumor size and recurrence can significantly deteriorate the rate of patients’ social participation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoShuichiro en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Shuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SurugaYasuki en-aut-sei=Suruga en-aut-mei=Yasuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KemmotsuNaoya en-aut-sei=Kemmotsu en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImotoRyoji en-aut-sei=Imoto en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KegoyaYasuhito en-aut-sei=Kegoya en-aut-mei=Yasuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizutaRyo en-aut-sei=Mizuta en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYohei en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HokamaMadoka en-aut-sei=Hokama en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiharaSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Makihara en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiKenichi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Craniopharyngioma kn-keyword=Craniopharyngioma en-keyword=Functional prognosis kn-keyword=Functional prognosis en-keyword=Obesity kn-keyword=Obesity en-keyword=Tumor size kn-keyword=Tumor size en-keyword=Social participation kn-keyword=Social participation en-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement kn-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=69 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of sensing gloves–applied virtual reality education system on hand hygiene practice: A randomized controlled trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices.
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.
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.
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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IzumiMahiro en-aut-sei=Izumi en-aut-mei=Mahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataMitsunobu en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Mitsunobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyamaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Koyama en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=GofukuAkio en-aut-sei=Gofuku en-aut-mei=Akio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Health Data Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Infection prevention and control kn-keyword=Infection prevention and control en-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration kn-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The perception of plastic waste and composition of boathouse waste in floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Villagers living on Tonlé Sap (TS) Lake have low incomes and no access to basic public services, such as waste management, domestic water, electricity, and health care. Knowledge of the villagers’ perceptions and the composition of the waste from their boathouses will contribute to constructing a waste collection system with community participation within the framework of waste prevention and reduction. This study surveyed residents living in boathouses in four floating villages on TS Lake, Cambodia, regarding their perceptions and boathouse waste composition to assess the status of plastic waste and the villagers’ environmental awareness and their willingness to participate in waste collection. The household waste survey sought to clarify the amount of plastic waste and other recyclable waste discharged from floating houses. The perception survey revealed that in the wet season, 36% of respondents disposed of plastic waste by open burning/dumping and 40% by discharge into TS Lake; in the dry season, 76% disposed of waste by open burning/dumping, and only 4% discharged waste into TS Lake. An analysis of the boathouse plastic waste composition showed that residents of the floating villages generated 40.21 g plastic waste/day/capita, which was much lower than 340 g/day/capita in the USA, 120 g/day/capita in China, and even 70 g/day/capita in Cambodian on average, but higher than the 10 g/day/capita in India. This study proposes a novel and valuable framework to estimate and determine the level of awareness of people in floating villages related to plastic pollution effects and waste components from boathouses. At the same time, the research results provide an essential scientific basis to be able to develop an effective waste collection system in the area of TS Lake. The proposed framework of this study will help the policy decision-makers in the TS Lake area and those in similar geographical regions facing similar problems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VinSpoann en-aut-sei=Vin en-aut-mei=Spoann kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChandaraPhat en-aut-sei=Chandara en-aut-mei=Phat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukijiMakoto en-aut-sei=Tsukiji en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Economic Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Natural Resource Management and Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boathouse waste composition kn-keyword=Boathouse waste composition en-keyword=Cambodia kn-keyword=Cambodia en-keyword=Floating villages kn-keyword=Floating villages en-keyword=Perception survey kn-keyword=Perception survey en-keyword=Plastic waste kn-keyword=Plastic waste END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=58 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=213 end-page=232 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241227 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Factors and Processes in Recovery from the Experience of the Dissolution of Romantic Relationships through a Review of Domestic and International Literature kn-title=国内外の文献レビューを通した恋愛関係喪失体験からの回復に関する要因と過程 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KIMURAAsumi en-aut-sei=KIMURA en-aut-mei=Asumi kn-aut-name=木村明日美 kn-aut-sei=木村 kn-aut-mei=明日美 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ANDOMikayo en-aut-sei=ANDO en-aut-mei=Mikayo kn-aut-name=安藤美華代 kn-aut-sei=安藤 kn-aut-mei=美華代 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院社会文化科学研究科 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院社会文化科学学域 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=58 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=71 end-page=89 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241227 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exploring the Link Between Modern Household Amenities and Health in Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= The correlation between the impact of the external and internal environment of a household on its occupants’ health has been well documented by various research studies. Yet a limitation of the literature is the prevalence of modern household basic amenities and occupant health, especially in Vietnam. This paper examines the impact of modern household basic amenities on occupant health by applying the Vietnam Household Standard Survey 2018. By applying the Tobit method, it is revealed that household amenities displayed a significant association with health outcomes. For instance, individuals residing in concrete houses or employing waste collection systems exhibited decreased illness likelihood. Handwashing with soap correlated with a diminished illness probability. Tobit analysis highlights internet accessibility as significant in reducing days of work incapacity (approximately 6 days less). Gender, residential location, and total income also impact workdays. Age and education exhibit inverse relationships with workdays missed. In essence, these findings contribute to the broader discourse on public health and underscore the importance of considering diverse factors, ranging from basic amenities to socio-economic indicators, in formulating comprehensive health policies and interventions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Do Thi Hoai Giang en-aut-sei=Do Thi Hoai Giang en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=ド ティ ホアイ ジャン kn-aut-sei=ド ティ ホアイ ジャン kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院社会文化科学研究科 en-keyword=Modern household amenity kn-keyword=Modern household amenity en-keyword=occupant health kn-keyword=occupant health en-keyword=Vietnam kn-keyword=Vietnam en-keyword=Tobit regression kn-keyword=Tobit regression en-keyword=Logit model kn-keyword=Logit model END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=361 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114657 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Crosstalk between prolactin, insulin-like growth factors, and thyroid hormones in feather growth regulation in neonatal chick wings en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The elongation of primary feathers in neonatal chicks is delayed by the late-feathering K gene located on the Z chromosome. We recently found that the K gene slows feather growth by reducing the number of functional prolactin (PRL) receptor (PRLR) dimers. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which PRL promotes feather elongation. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that PRLRs are predominantly localized in the pulp rather than in the epidermal layer of the feather follicle. Treatment of primary cultured feather pulp cells with PRL increased the expression of mRNAs for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs; IGF-1 and IGF-2) and type 2 deiodinase (DIO2). Furthermore, treatments with IGF-1 and triiodothyronine (T3) reciprocally enhanced the expression of mRNAs for DIO2 and IGFs. Additionally, BrdU staining in neonatal chicks showed that T3 promoted cell proliferation in both the epidermal layer and pulp cells, while this effect was suppressed by an IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor. These findings suggest a novel model in which PRL upregulates IGFs and DIO2 in feather pulp cells, creating a positive feedback loop between IGFs and T3, ultimately leading to the promotion of cell proliferation in both the epidermal layer and the pulp cells by IGFs. This is the first report proposing crosstalk between PRL, thyroid hormone (TH), and IGFs in feather follicles. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NozawaYuri en-aut-sei=Nozawa en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraAyako en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinoharaMasamichi en-aut-sei=Shinohara en-aut-mei=Masamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Prolactin kn-keyword=Prolactin en-keyword=Thyroid hormone kn-keyword=Thyroid hormone en-keyword=IGF kn-keyword=IGF en-keyword=Iodothyronine deiodinase kn-keyword=Iodothyronine deiodinase en-keyword=Feather growth kn-keyword=Feather growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=941 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=149244 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. PBCF is expressed in barbule cells adjacent to the ramus during pennaceous barbule formation, where these cells fuse with the ramus to establish the feather’s branching structure. PBCF expression occurs transiently after melanin pigmentation of the barbule plates but before the expression of barbule-specific keratin 1 (BlSK1). Orthologues of PBCF, predicted to be secreted proteins, are conserved across avian species, with potential homologues detected in reptiles, suggesting an evolutionary lineage-specific adaptation. Additionally, PBCF is expressed in non-vacuolated notochord cells and the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the yolk sac, hinting at its broader developmental significance. The PBCF gene produces two mRNA isoforms via alternative splicing, encoding a secreted protein and a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane-bound protein, indicating functional versatility. These findings suggest that PBCF may be involved as an avian-specific extracellular matrix component in cell adhesion and/or communication, potentially contributing to both feather development and embryogenesis. Further investigation of PBCF’s role in feather evolution and its potential functions in other vertebrates could provide new insights into the interplay between development and evolution. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakaokaMinori en-aut-sei=Nakaoka en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgoshiMaho en-aut-sei=Ogoshi en-aut-mei=Maho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Feather kn-keyword=Feather en-keyword=Barbule kn-keyword=Barbule en-keyword=Branching kn-keyword=Branching en-keyword=Chicken kn-keyword=Chicken en-keyword=Yolk sac membrane kn-keyword=Yolk sac membrane en-keyword=Notochord kn-keyword=Notochord END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=4 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250114 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Differentially Expressed Nedd4-binding Protein Ndfip1 Protects Neurons Against Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To identify factors involved in methamphetamine (METH) neurotoxicity, we comprehensively searched for genes which were differentially expressed in mouse striatum after METH administration using differential display (DD) reverse transcription-PCR method and sequent single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, and found two DD cDNA fragments later identified as mRNA of Nedd4 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) WW domain-binding protein 5 (N4WBP5), later named Nedd4 family-interacting protein 1 (Ndfip1). It is an adaptor protein for the binding between Nedd4 of ubiquitin ligase (E3) and target substrate protein for ubiquitination. Northern blot analysis confirmed drastic increases in Ndfip1 mRNA in the striatum after METH injections, and in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that the mRNA expression was increased in the hippocampus and cerebellum at 2 h-2 days, in the cerebral cortex and striatum at 18 h-2 days after single METH administration. The knockdown of Ndfip1 expression with Ndfip1 siRNA significantly aggravated METH-induced neurotoxicity in the cultured monoaminergic neuronal cells. These results suggest that drastic increases in Ndfip1 mRNA is compensatory reaction to protect neurons against METH-induced neurotoxicity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=CadetJean Lud en-aut-sei=Cadet en-aut-mei=Jean Lud kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, Intramural Research Program, NIH/ NIDA kn-affil= en-keyword=Methamphetamine kn-keyword=Methamphetamine en-keyword=Neurotoxicity kn-keyword=Neurotoxicity en-keyword=Nedd4 kn-keyword=Nedd4 en-keyword=Ndfip1 kn-keyword=Ndfip1 en-keyword=Differential display kn-keyword=Differential display END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=39 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=426 end-page=432 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements Composed of High Protein on Body Weight Loss After Gastrectomy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Aim: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) decreases postoperative quality of life and survival in patients with GC. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplements composed of high protein on BWL in the early period following gastrectomy. Patients and Methods: Pre- and postoperative body weight and skeletal muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC and analyzed retrospectively. Patients received either a regular diet (control group, n=43) or 250 ml (320 kcal) per day of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) (22 g protein) in addition to their regular diet (ONS group, n=40) for four weeks after gastrectomy. The actual daily intake of ONS was recorded by patients themselves. The BWL and skeletal muscle loss (SML) at one month after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results: BWL and SML at one month after surgery were similar between the two groups. In the ONS group, patients were divided into two subgroups (ONS-H and ONS-L) according to whether their ONS intake amount was above or below the average value of 216 kcal. The ONS-H group (ONS intake ≥216 kcal) showed significantly lower BWL compared to the control group (−4.6±2.6% vs. −6.2±2.5%; p=0.03). Moreover, the ONS group showed significantly lower BWL at one month after surgery than the control group in cases of total or proximal gastrectomy (−5.9±3.0% vs. −7.8±1.9%; p=0.04), although no significant difference was observed between the two groups in distal gastrectomy. The hematological nutritional parameters were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: The administration of ONS composed of high protein for four weeks after gastrectomy did not improve BWL at one month after gastrectomy. However, adequate amount of ONS intake and ONS intake after total or proximal gastrectomy might improve BWL. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KIKUCHISATORU en-aut-sei=KIKUCHI en-aut-mei=SATORU kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKATANOBUO en-aut-sei=TAKATA en-aut-mei=NOBUO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KAKIUCHIYOSHIHIKO en-aut-sei=KAKIUCHI en-aut-mei=YOSHIHIKO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KURODASHINJI en-aut-sei=KURODA en-aut-mei=SHINJI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KASHIMAHAJIME en-aut-sei=KASHIMA en-aut-mei=HAJIME kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TANABESHUNSUKE en-aut-sei=TANABE en-aut-mei=SHUNSUKE kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NOMAKAZUHIRO en-aut-sei=NOMA en-aut-mei=KAZUHIRO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKAHASHIAYAKO en-aut-sei=TAKAHASHI en-aut-mei=AYAKO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KAGAWASHUNSUKE en-aut-sei=KAGAWA en-aut-mei=SHUNSUKE kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FUJIWARATOSHIYOSHI en-aut-sei=FUJIWARA en-aut-mei=TOSHIYOSHI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Clinical Nutrition, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Amino acid kn-keyword=Amino acid en-keyword=gastrectomy kn-keyword=gastrectomy en-keyword=body weight loss kn-keyword=body weight loss en-keyword=nutritional intervention kn-keyword=nutritional intervention en-keyword=oral nutritional supplements kn-keyword=oral nutritional supplements END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=4 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250116 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Maternal smoking during infancy increases the risk of allergic diseases in children: a nationwide longitudinal survey in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background The incidence of allergic diseases has been increasing in Japan. In particular, a serious decline in the age of onset of allergic rhinitis has been observed. Passive smoking from parental smoking has a significant impact on children’s health; however, it is difficult to restrict smoking in the home. While various studies have previously reported on the relationship between passive smoking and the development of allergic diseases in children. However, there have been no reports on passive smoking and allergic diseases on a national scale.
Methods Using Japanese national longitudinal survey data (n = 38,444) for newborns born between May 10 and 24, 2010, we assessed parental smoking habits when their children were 6 months old and investigated the association with the development of allergic diseases until the age of 5.5 years. The risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the development of different allergic diseases were analyzed after adjusting for potential confounders using Poisson regression with a robust error variance.
Results The risk ratio for developing allergic rhinitis/allergic conjunctivitis (AR/AC) in children was significantly higher in the maternal smoking groups ( ≦ 10 cigarettes/day; RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.30; ≧11 cigarettes/day; RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.93–1.44). Furthermore, associations were found between the maternal smoking group in the presence of paternal smoking and the risk of developing bronchial asthma ( ≦ 10, RR 1.33 95% CI 1.17–1.52; ≧11, RR 1.71 95% CI 1.38–2.1), food allergy ( ≦ 10, RR 1.36 95% CI 1.12–1.63; ≧11, RR 1.25 95% CI 0.84–1.86), atopic dermatitis ( ≦ 10, RR 1.42 95% CI 1.22–1.66; ≧11, RR 1.6 95% CI 1.2–2.13), and AR/AC ( ≦ 10, RR 1.21 95% CI 1.07–1.36; ≧11, RR 1.35 95% CI 1.09–1.67).
Conclusions Maternal smoking during infancy increases the risk of developing AR/AC in children. Considering paternal smoking, maternal smoking further increased the risk of developing allergic diseases in children, suggesting that reducing parental smoking at home may reduce the risk of developing allergic diseases in children. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShigeharaKenji en-aut-sei=Shigehara en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugeMitsuru en-aut-sei=Tsuge en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UdaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Uda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoYukie en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YashiroMasato en-aut-sei=Yashiro en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaMasanori en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Acute Diseases, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Allergic rhinitis kn-keyword=Allergic rhinitis en-keyword=Bronchial asthma kn-keyword=Bronchial asthma en-keyword=Atopic dermatitis kn-keyword=Atopic dermatitis en-keyword=National cohort study kn-keyword=National cohort study en-keyword=Passive smoking kn-keyword=Passive smoking END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106672 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Resveratrol, a food-derived polyphenol, promotes Melanosomal degradation in skin fibroblasts through coordinated activation of autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and peanuts, is known for diverse biological activities, yet its effects on dermal hyperpigmentation (so-called dark spots) remain unexplored. We investigated resveratrol's ability to enhance melanosomal degradation in human dermal fibroblasts. At concentrations of 25-50 mu M, resveratrol increased autophagy as measured by microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio and enhanced lysosomal activity as assessed by a lysosomal activity reporter system. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of lysosomal and autophagy-related genes, including cathepsins. Furthermore, reporter assays showed resveratrol's activation of antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)mediated, leading to upregulation of transcription factor EB/transcription factor E3 (TFEB/TFE3), master regulators of lysosomal function. In fibroblasts pre-loaded with melanosomes, resveratrol reduced melanosome content compared to control by day 3. The findings reveal the activation of interconnected autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways by resveratrol, suggesting potential applications in functional foods targeting dermal hyperpigmentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoSaki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoMika en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoHideya en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics, ROIS kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Antioxidant kn-keyword=Antioxidant en-keyword=Lysosomes kn-keyword=Lysosomes en-keyword=Autophagy kn-keyword=Autophagy en-keyword=Resveratrol kn-keyword=Resveratrol en-keyword=Skin fibroblasts kn-keyword=Skin fibroblasts en-keyword=Bioactive compounds kn-keyword=Bioactive compounds END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=326 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=F1054 end-page=F1065 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240530 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preventive effects of vasohibin-2-targeting peptide vaccine for diabetic nephropathy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Diabetic nephropathy remains the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in many countries, and additional therapeutic targets are needed to prevent its development and progression. Some angiogenic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Vasohibin-2 (VASH2) is a novel proangiogenic factor, and our previous study showed that glomerular damage is inhibited in diabetic Vash2 homozygous knockout mice. Therefore, we established a VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine as a tool for anti-VASH2 therapy in diabetic nephropathy. In this study, the preventive effects of the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine against glomerular injury were examined in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. The mice were subcutaneously injected with the vaccine at two doses 2 wk apart and then intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg STZ for 5 consecutive days. Glomerular injury was evaluated 20 wk after the first vaccination. Treatment with the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine successfully induced circulating anti-VASH2 antibody without inflammation in major organs. Although the vaccination did not affect blood glucose levels, it significantly prevented hyperglycemia-induced increases in urinary albumin excretion and glomerular volume. The vaccination did not affect increased VASH2 expression but significantly inhibited renal angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) expression in the diabetic mice. Furthermore, it significantly prevented glomerular macrophage infiltration. The preventive effects of vaccination on glomerular injury were also confirmed in db/db mice. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine may prevent diabetic glomerular injury in mice by inhibiting Angpt2-mediated microinflammation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakashimaYuri en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MifuneTomoyo en-aut-sei=Mifune en-aut-mei=Tomoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakadoiTakato en-aut-sei=Nakadoi en-aut-mei=Takato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagamiHironori en-aut-sei=Nakagami en-aut-mei=Hironori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasufumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Health Development and Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Health Development and Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=albuminuria kn-keyword=albuminuria en-keyword=diabetic nephropathy kn-keyword=diabetic nephropathy en-keyword=macrophages kn-keyword=macrophages en-keyword=peptide vaccine kn-keyword=peptide vaccine en-keyword=vasohibin-2 kn-keyword=vasohibin-2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=21 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Gut-Kidney Axis in Chronic Kidney Diseases en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The gut-kidney axis represents the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and kidney, which significantly impact the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and overall patient health. In CKD patients, imbalances in the gut microbiota promote the production of uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate, which impair renal function and contribute to systemic inflammation. Mechanisms like endotoxemia, immune activation and oxidative stress worsen renal damage by activating pro-inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Insights into these mechanisms highlight the impact of gut-derived metabolites, bacterial translocation, and immune response changes on kidney health, suggesting new potential approaches for CKD treatment. Clinical applications, such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, are promising in adjusting the gut microbiota to alleviate CKD symptoms and slow disease progression. Current research highlights the clinical relevance of the gut-kidney axis, but further study is essential to clarify these mechanisms' diagnostic biomarkers and optimize therapeutic interventions. This review emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to CKD management, focusing on the gut microbiota as a therapeutic target to limit kidney injury. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsujiKenji en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanohHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Nakanoh en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraguchiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Haraguchi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraShinji en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=gut-kidney axis kn-keyword=gut-kidney axis en-keyword=chronic kidney disease kn-keyword=chronic kidney disease en-keyword=uremic toxin kn-keyword=uremic toxin en-keyword=dysbiosis kn-keyword=dysbiosis en-keyword=gut microbiota kn-keyword=gut microbiota END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2025 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=5556176 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250111 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of an Oral Elastofibromatous Lesion: A Clinicopathological Analysis With a Literature Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Elastofibromatous changes of the oral mucosa, such as an elastofibroma (EF) or an elastofibromatous lesion (EFL), are not well recognized, and the second such case in Japan is reported. A 72-year-old man wearing a complete maxillary denture presented with a small nodule on the hard palate. Histopathological examination showed abundant fibrous tissue with numerous elastic fibers on Elastica van Gieson (EvG) staining. The diagnosis of an oral EFL was made. In the review of oral EF and EFL, no cases with recurrence were identified, but such lesions may resemble neoplastic lesions macroscopically. Accurate diagnosis using EvG stain is needed to recognize oral EFs and EFLs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OnoSawako en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Sawako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuiMasanori en-aut-sei=Masui en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataKyoichi en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Kyoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTomoya en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Furuki en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraSatoko en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Satoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=elastofibroma kn-keyword=elastofibroma en-keyword=oral elastofibromatous lesion kn-keyword=oral elastofibromatous lesion en-keyword=oral mucosa kn-keyword=oral mucosa END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=60 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Drug Delivery Particles Can Provide Dual Effects on Cancer "Theranostics" in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boron (B) neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a novel non-invasive targeted cancer therapy based on the nuclear capture reaction 10B (n, alpha) 7Li that enables the death of cancer cells without damaging neighboring normal cells. However, the development of clinically approved boron drugs remains challenging. We have previously reported on self-forming nanoparticles for drug delivery consisting of a biodegradable polymer, namely, “AB-type” Lactosome® nanoparticles (AB-Lac particles)- highly loaded with hydrophobic B compounds, namely o-Carborane (Carb) or 1,2-dihexyl-o-Carborane (diC6-Carb), and the latter (diC6-Carb) especially showed the “molecular glue” effect. Here we present in vivo and ex vivo studies with human pancreatic cancer (AsPC-1) cells to find therapeutically optimal formulas and the appropriate treatment conditions for these particles. The biodistribution of the particles was assessed by the tumor/normal tissue ratio (T/N) in terms of tumor/muscle (T/M) and tumor/blood (T/B) ratios using near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG). The in vivo and ex vivo accumulation of B delivered by the injected AB-Lac particles in tumor lesions reached a maximum by 12 h post-injection. Irradiation studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo showed that AB-Lac particles-loaded with either 10B-Carb or 10B-diC6-Carb significantly inhibited the growth of AsPC-1 cancer cells or strongly inhibited their growth, with the latter method being significantly more effective. Surprisingly, a similar in vitro and in vivo irradiation study showed that ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles alone, i.e., without any 10B compounds, also revealed a significant inhibition. Therefore, we expect that our ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles-loaded with 10B compound(s) may be a novel and promising candidate for providing not only NIRF imaging for a practical diagnosis but also the dual therapeutic effects of induced cancer cell death, i.e., “theranostics”. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FithroniAbdul Basith en-aut-sei=Fithroni en-aut-mei=Abdul Basith kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueHaruki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhouShengli en-aut-sei=Zhou en-aut-mei=Shengli kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HakimTaufik Fatwa Nur en-aut-sei=Hakim en-aut-mei=Taufik Fatwa Nur kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaTakashi en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMinoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYoshinori en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshimotoManabu en-aut-sei=Ishimoto en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauriasariRani en-aut-sei=Sauriasari en-aut-mei=Rani kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauerweinWolfgang A. G. en-aut-sei=Sauerwein en-aut-mei=Wolfgang A. G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeKazunori en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraEiji en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=J-BEAM, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Nihon Fukushi Fuiin Holding, Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Deutsche Gesellschaft für Bor-Neutroneneinfangtherapie DGBNCT e.V., University Hospital Essen, Klinik für Strahlentherapie kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) kn-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) en-keyword=dual therapeutic effects kn-keyword=dual therapeutic effects en-keyword=Lactosome ® kn-keyword=Lactosome ® en-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound kn-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound en-keyword=neutron irradiation kn-keyword=neutron irradiation en-keyword=theranostics kn-keyword=theranostics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250108 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Long-Term Follow-Up of a Patient With SPG11 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We present a case of a male patient with disease-causing variants in SPG11, a causative gene for autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia with a thin corpus callosum (ARHSP-TCC), as well as juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS5) and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT2X). A neurological examination at age 18 revealed dysarthria, muscle weakness in bilateral lower extremities, hyperreflexia in patellar reflex, hyporeflexia in Achilles reflex with an extensor plantar reflex, and intellectual disability. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a thin corpus callosum and ears of the lynx sign. At the age of 26, weakness and muscle atrophy progressed. While no sensory disturbances were noted, there was a mild decrease in sensory nerve action potentials of the sural nerve over the 8 years between 18 and 26. Clinicians should be aware that SPG11 belongs to the same spectrum of disorders as ALS5 and CMT2X and presents various phenotypes depending on the stage of the disease. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OsakadaYosuke en-aut-sei=Osakada en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YunokiTaijun en-aut-sei=Yunoki en-aut-mei=Taijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaChika en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsunodaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Tsunoda en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DeguchiKentaro en-aut-sei=Deguchi en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriharaRyuta en-aut-sei=Morihara en-aut-mei=Ryuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaToru en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiuraHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Ishiura en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=80 end-page=90 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230627 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antioxidant action of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat protects the liver and blood vasculature in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Xanthine oxidase (XO) generates reactive oxygen species during uric acid production. Therefore, XO inhibitors, which suppress oxidative stress, may effectively treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and atherosclerosis via uric acid reduction. In this study, we examined the antioxidant effect of the XO inhibitor febuxostat on NASH and atherosclerosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive 5 (SHRSP5/Dmcr) rats.
Methods: SHRSP5/Dmcr rats were divided into three groups: SHRSP5/Dmcr + high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet [control group, n = 5], SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) [fructose group, n = 5], and SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) + febuxostat (1.0 mg/kg/day) [febuxostat group, n = 5]. Glucose and insulin resistance, blood biochemistry, histopathological staining, endothelial function, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.
Results: Febuxostat reduced the plasma uric acid levels. Oxidative stress-related genes were downregulated, whereas antioxidant factor-related genes were upregulated in the febuxostat group compared with those in the fructose group. Febuxostat also ameliorated inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid accumulation in the liver. Mesenteric lipid deposition decreased in the arteries, and aortic endothelial function improved in the febuxostat group.
Conclusions: Overall, the XO inhibitor febuxostat exerted protective effects against NASH and atherosclerosis in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KakimotoMai en-aut-sei=Kakimoto en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMoe en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Moe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonmaKoki en-aut-sei=Honma en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaHinako en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Hinako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiriharaSora en-aut-sei=Kirihara en-aut-mei=Sora kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuokaTaketo en-aut-sei=Fukuoka en-aut-mei=Taketo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RanShang en-aut-sei=Ran en-aut-mei=Shang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamoriKazuya en-aut-sei=Kitamori en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShusei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShogo en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Kinjo Gakuin University, College of Human Life and Environment kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Anti-inflammatory kn-keyword=Anti-inflammatory en-keyword=Atherosclerosis kn-keyword=Atherosclerosis en-keyword=Febuxostat kn-keyword=Febuxostat en-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) kn-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) en-keyword=Oxidative stress kn-keyword=Oxidative stress en-keyword=Uric acid kn-keyword=Uric acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=51 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=781 end-page=794 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230703 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Does International Environmental Certification Change Local Production and Trade Practices? A Case Study of Shrimp Farming in Southern Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Studies on international environmental certification (IEC) have primarily focused on how certification can sustainably “upgrade” local production and trading practices. However, not many studies view this market-based governance process from the perspective of local practices and location-specific factors. This study therefore examines how the upstream of the local supply chain influenced global interventions through the case of certification for shrimp farming in the mangroves of southern Vietnam. To clarify various aspects of these interactions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the provincial government, NGOs, a trading company, shrimp farmers, and middlemen. The results revealed that IEC did not affect local production practices and only partially influenced trade practices. The implementation of IEC was thus at the mercy of the robustness of local society, which was attributed to unique agroecology, production systems, and upstream customary economic practices. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeHiroki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UbukataFumikazu en-aut-sei=Ubukata en-aut-mei=Fumikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Academic and Research, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=International environmental certification kn-keyword=International environmental certification en-keyword=Shrimp farming kn-keyword=Shrimp farming en-keyword=Upstream of supply chain kn-keyword=Upstream of supply chain en-keyword=Local robustness kn-keyword=Local robustness en-keyword=Vietnam kn-keyword=Vietnam END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=コダマカワザンショウ属の八重山諸島産新種 (腹足綱: クビキレガイ上科: カワザンショウ科) — 同属で世界最北の現生種 kn-title=A new species of Ovassiminea Thiele, 1927 (Gastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Assimineidae) from the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, southern Japan — the northernmost record among recent species of the genus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=沖縄県八重山諸島の西表島・石垣島から新種 Ovassiminea hayasei n. sp. ウラウチコダマカワザンショウを記載する。Ovassiminea Thiele, 1927 コダマカワザンショウ属は西太平洋の熱帯・亜熱帯に分布し, 本新種は同属中で世界最北の現生種である。本新種の産地は極端に狭い範囲に限られ, 沖縄県と環境省のレッドリストで絶滅危惧II類 (VU) とされている。なお文末の Appendix には, これまでに記載されたコダマカワザンショウ属全種 (現生5・化石5) の目録を, 異名表とともに挙げる。 kn-abstract=Ovassiminea hayasei n. sp. is described from mangrove swamps in Iriomote and Ishigaki Islands, of the Yaeyama Islands at the southwestern part of the Ryūkyū Archipelago, Okinawa, Japan. This is the northernmost record among recent species of the genus Ovassiminea Thiele, 1927, which is distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Pacific. The new species is known to be restricted to extremely narrow ranges and is evaluated as vulnerable in red lists by the governments of Japan and Okinawa Prefecture. A list of all available (five recent and five fossil) species names of Ovassiminea hitherto described, with synonymies, is also given as an Appendix. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukudaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboHirofumi en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity, Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment kn-affil= en-keyword=anatomy kn-keyword=anatomy en-keyword=conservation kn-keyword=conservation en-keyword=description kn-keyword=description en-keyword=endangered species kn-keyword=endangered species en-keyword=estuary kn-keyword=estuary en-keyword=Iriomote Island kn-keyword=Iriomote Island en-keyword=Ishigaki Island kn-keyword=Ishigaki Island en-keyword=mangrove swamp kn-keyword=mangrove swamp en-keyword=salt marsh kn-keyword=salt marsh en-keyword=taxonomy kn-keyword=taxonomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=126 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=012901 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250102 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dynamic domain motion enhancing electro-optic performance in ferroelectric films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoShinya en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKazuki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataOsami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Osami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeranishiTakashi en-aut-sei=Teranishi en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoAkira en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiTakanori en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaTomoaki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=E108-B cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=13 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Overloaded MIMO Spatial Multiplexing Independent of Antenna Setups en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper proposes overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing that can increase the number of spatially multiplexed signal streams despite of the number of antennas on a terminal and that on a receiver. We propose extension of the channel matrix for the spatial multiplexing to achieve the superb multiplexing performance. Precoding based on the extended channel matrix plays a crucial role in carrying out such spatial multiplexing. We consider three types of QR-decomposition techniques for the proposed spatial multiplexing to improve the transmission performance. The transmission performance of the proposed spatial multiplexing is evaluated by computer simulation. The simulation reveals that the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing can implement 6 stream-spatial multiplexing in a 2×2 MIMO system, i.e., the overloading ratio of 3.0. The superior transmission performance is achieved by the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing with one of the QR-decomposition techniques. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoTakumi en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatobaKoki en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HouYafei en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Yafei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=overloaded MIMO kn-keyword=overloaded MIMO en-keyword=spatial multiplexing kn-keyword=spatial multiplexing en-keyword=QR-decomposition kn-keyword=QR-decomposition en-keyword=precoding kn-keyword=precoding en-keyword=overloading ratio kn-keyword=overloading ratio END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=52 article-no= start-page=35202 end-page=35213 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bright Quantum-Grade Fluorescent Nanodiamonds en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Optically accessible spin-active nanomaterials are promising as quantum nanosensors for probing biological samples. However, achieving bioimaging-level brightness and high-quality spin properties for these materials is challenging and hinders their application in quantum biosensing. Here, we demonstrate bright fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) containing 0.6–1.3-ppm negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers by spin-environment engineering via enriching spin-less 12C-carbon isotopes and reducing substitutional nitrogen spin impurities. The NDs, readily introduced into cultured cells, exhibited improved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra; peak splitting (E) was reduced by 2–3 MHz, and microwave excitation power required was 20 times lower to achieve a 3% ODMR contrast, comparable to that of conventional type-Ib NDs. They show average spin-relaxation times of T1 = 0.68 ms and T2 = 3.2 μs (1.6 ms and 5.4 μs maximum) that were 5- and 11-fold longer than those of type-Ib, respectively. Additionally, the extended T2 relaxation times of these NDs enable shot-noise-limited temperature measurements with a sensitivity of approximately 0.28K/√Hz. The combination of bulk-like NV spin properties and enhanced fluorescence significantly improves the sensitivity of ND-based quantum sensors for biological applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OshimiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Oshimi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiwataHitoshi en-aut-sei=Ishiwata en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaHiromu en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Hiromu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MandićSara en-aut-sei=Mandić en-aut-mei=Sara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHina en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeramotoMinori en-aut-sei=Teramoto en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishibayashiYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nishibayashi en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShikanoYutaka en-aut-sei=Shikano en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnToshu en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Toshu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasazumi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masazumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=nanodiamonds kn-keyword=nanodiamonds en-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers kn-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers en-keyword=spins kn-keyword=spins en-keyword=spin-relaxation times kn-keyword=spin-relaxation times en-keyword=quantum biosensor kn-keyword=quantum biosensor en-keyword=cellular probes kn-keyword=cellular probes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250102 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Predictive marker for response to trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer patients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is one of the options for late-line treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the specific patient populations that would particularly benefit from it remain unclear. This study attempted to identify predictive markers of chemotherapy efficacy with trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI), focusing on the RNA-editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) expression and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).
Methods To assess the effectiveness of FTD/TPI in CRC patients, we retrospectively analyzed 72 CRC patients at Okayama University Hospital from 2014 to 2022.
Results Adding bevacizumab to FTD/TPI resulted in a more prolonged progression-free survival (PFS), consistent with the SUNLIGHT study findings (p = 0.0028). Among the participants, those with a high NLR had a shorter PFS (p = 0.0395). Moreover, high ADAR1 expression was associated with longer PFS (p = 0.0151). In multivariate analysis, low ADAR1 (HR = 3.43, p = 0.01) and absence of bevacizumab (HR = 4.25, p = 0.01) were identified as factors shortening PFS. The high ADAR1 group demonstrated fewer cases of progressive disease and a higher proportion of stable disease than the low ADAR1 group (p = 0.0288). Low NLR and high ADAR1 were predictive markers of prolonged PFS in the bevacizumab-treated group (p = 0.0036).
ConclusionLow NLR and high ADAR1 were predictive markers for a positive response to the FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab regimen associated with prolonged PFS. The FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab regimen should be proactively implemented in the low NLR and high ADAR1 subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiToshiaki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuKunitoshi en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Kunitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaSho en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaHibiki en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriwakeKazuya en-aut-sei=Moriwake en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KayanoMasashi en-aut-sei=Kayano en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYuya en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraShunsuke en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiMasafumi en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NittaKaori en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiYuki en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichiueHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Michiue en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraishiFuminori en-aut-sei=Teraishi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShojiRyohei en-aut-sei=Shoji en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanayaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Kanaya en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=KashimaHajime en-aut-sei=Kashima en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=ADAR1 kn-keyword=ADAR1 en-keyword=Colorectal cancer kn-keyword=Colorectal cancer en-keyword=Biomarker kn-keyword=Biomarker en-keyword=Trifluridine/tipiracil kn-keyword=Trifluridine/tipiracil END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e12512 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250109 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nicotine dependence based on the tobacco dependence screener among heated tobacco products users in Japan, 2022-2023: The JASTIS study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are nicotine-containing products similar to cigarettes and are widely used in Japan. However, there has been insufficient research on nicotine dependence associated with HTP use. This study investigated the association of the types of individuals who smoked with the prevalence of nicotine dependence. We utilized data from the Japan Survey on Tobacco and Health (JASTIS). A total of 7969 participants who currently smokes was selected from the 2022 and 2023 survey respondents for the analysis. Nicotine dependence was defined as a score of 5 or higher on the Tobacco Dependence Screener (TDS). The prevalence of nicotine dependence was 43.0% (3473/8077) among all participants who smoked, 42.9% (1479/3447) among those who used cigarettes, 44.2% (760/1720) among those who used two products, and 43.0% (1206/2802) among those who used HTPs. The prevalence of nicotine dependence was statistically higher in the participants who used two products than in cigarettes (odds ratio [OR], 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.33). When classified by temperature, participants who used of two products (high-temp and low-temp) and those using participants who used HTPs (high-temp) had higher ORs for prevalent nicotine dependence (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.14-1.51]) and (OR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.00-1.25], respectively) compared to participants who used cigarettes. Additionally, the ORs for prevalent nicotine dependence increased with the number of tobacco sticks smoked per day. These results suggest that HTP use, particularly high-temperature HTPs use, and a higher number of tobacco sticks smoked is associated with nicotine dependence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitajimaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kitajima en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabuchiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Tabuchi en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Informatics and Public Health, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=cross-sectional survey kn-keyword=cross-sectional survey en-keyword= heated tobacco products kn-keyword= heated tobacco products en-keyword= logistic regression kn-keyword= logistic regression en-keyword= nicotine dependence kn-keyword= nicotine dependence en-keyword= tobacco dependence screener kn-keyword= tobacco dependence screener END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1258 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Selective Spatial Attention on Auditory-Tactile Integration: An Event-Related Potential Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Auditory-tactile integration is an important research area in multisensory integration. Especially in special environments (e.g., traffic noise and complex work environments), auditory-tactile integration is crucial for human response and decision making. We investigated the influence of attention on the temporal course and spatial distribution of auditory-tactile integration. Methods: Participants received auditory stimuli alone, tactile stimuli alone, and simultaneous auditory and tactile stimuli, which were randomly presented on the left or right side. For each block, participants attended to all stimuli on the designated side and detected uncommon target stimuli while ignoring all stimuli on the other side. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded via 64 scalp electrodes. Integration was quantified by comparing the response to the combined stimulus to the sum of the responses to the auditory and tactile stimuli presented separately. Results: The results demonstrated that compared to the unattended condition, integration occurred earlier and involved more brain regions in the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the left hemispace. The unattended condition involved a more extensive range of brain regions and occurred earlier than the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the right hemispace. Conclusions: Attention can modulate auditory-tactile integration and show systematic differences between the left and right hemispaces. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of auditory-tactile information processing in the human brain. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AnWeichao en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Weichao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangNan en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Nan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiShengnan en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Shengnan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=auditory-tactile integration kn-keyword=auditory-tactile integration en-keyword=selective spatial attention kn-keyword=selective spatial attention en-keyword=event-related potential kn-keyword=event-related potential en-keyword=left-right hemispace differences kn-keyword=left-right hemispace differences en-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution kn-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1184 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Contributions of the Primary Sensorimotor Cortex and Posterior Parietal Cortex to Motor Learning and Transfer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Transferring learned manipulations to new manipulation tasks has enabled humans to realize thousands of dexterous object manipulations in daily life. Two-digit grasp and three-digit grasp manipulations require different fingertip forces, and our brain can switch grasp types to ensure good performance according to motor memory. We hypothesized that several brain areas contribute to the execution of the new type of motor according to the motor memory. However, the motor memory mechanisms during this transfer period are still unclear. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we aimed to investigate the cortical mechanisms involved in motor memory during the transfer phase of learned manipulation tasks. Methods: Using a custom-built T-shaped object with an adjustable weight distribution, the participants performed grasp and lift manipulation tasks under different conditions to simulate the learning and transfer phases. The learning phase consisted of four grasp-and-lift repetitions with one motor type, followed by a transfer phase with four repetitions involving different motors (adding or removing a digit). Results: By comparing brain activity in the learning and transfer phases, we identified three regions (the superior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus) associated with motor memory during the transfer of learned manipulations. Conclusions: Our findings improve the understanding of the role of the posterior parietal cortex in motor memory, highlighting how sensory information from memory and real-time input is integrated to generate novel motor control signals that guide the precise reapplication of control strategies. Furthermore, we believe that these areas contribute to motor learning from motor memory and may serve as key regions of interest for investigating neurodegenerative diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangChenyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Chenyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fMRI kn-keyword=fMRI en-keyword=motor learning and transfer kn-keyword=motor learning and transfer en-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex kn-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex en-keyword=posterior parietal cortex kn-keyword=posterior parietal cortex END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4383 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association Between Change in Prognostic Nutritional Index During Neoadjuvant Therapy and Dental Occlusal Support in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Under Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Retrospective Longitudinal Pilot Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: A high prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is associated with good prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer. However, nutritional status often decreases during neoadjuvant therapy. Functional tooth units (FTUs) provide an index for the status of posterior occlusal support. We have previously reported that low PNI is related to low FTUs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine whether the status of occlusal support relates to changes in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: This study included 34 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy before esophagectomy (32 men, 2 women; age, 36-82 years) in 2012 at Okayama University Hospital. Patients were divided into the good occlusal support group (FTUs >= 11, n = 18) or poor occlusal support group (FTUs < 11, n = 16), and changes in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy were investigated. Results: PNI decreased significantly after neoadjuvant therapy, particularly in the good occlusal support group, and became more dispersed after neoadjuvant therapy. Decreases in PNI after neoadjuvant therapy showed a significant positive correlation with good occlusal support by multiple regression analysis (p = 0.03). The proportions of patients provided with nutritional intervention (p = 0.02) or early dental intervention (p = 0.04) were lower in the good occlusal support group than in the poor occlusal support group. Conclusions: Even in patients with esophageal cancer with good occlusal support experienced significant declines in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy, potentially due to delayed nutritional and dental interventions. Early multidisciplinary interventions are thus recommended for all patients, regardless of preoperative dental or nutritional status. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Yamanaka-KohnoReiko en-aut-sei=Yamanaka-Kohno en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShirakawaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Shirakawa en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Inoue-MinakuchiMami en-aut-sei=Inoue-Minakuchi en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Noma en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeShunsuke en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaNaoaki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=esophageal cancer kn-keyword=esophageal cancer en-keyword=prognostic factors kn-keyword=prognostic factors en-keyword=nutrition kn-keyword=nutrition en-keyword=neoadjuvant therapy kn-keyword=neoadjuvant therapy en-keyword=dental occlusion kn-keyword=dental occlusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=23 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Psychogenic fever and neurodevelopmental disorders among Japanese children en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Psychosocial stress can induce various physical symptoms, including fever, which is a commonly seen symptom in pediatric practice. In cases of unexplained fever, psychogenic fever should be considered as a potential cause. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders may be more vulnerable to stress and therefore more prone to developing somatic symptoms than their peers. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of children with psychogenic fever and comorbidity.
Methods This study included 21 patients with psychogenic fever who visited the Department of Pediatric Psychosomatic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital. Information on age, sex, disease onset, final estimated diagnosis, comorbidities, treatment course, and outcome was obtained from the patients' medical records.
Results Of the 21 patients included, 7 were boys and 14 were girls, and their median age was 13.0 (range: 8.6-14.6) years. A total of 19 patients had no attendance at school, and all patients showed signs of maladjustment in school. The comorbidities included orthostatic dysregulation (n = 4) and migraine (n = 3). Neurodevelopmental disorders were observed in nine patients, eight of whom were diagnosed after the initial visit. The mean treatment duration was 37.2 months. The outcomes were complete remission (n = 9), improvement (n = 4), discontinuation (n = 1), and referral to another physician (n = 7).
Conclusion Various comorbidities were observed in the patients of this study with psychogenic fever, including the coexistence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autistic spectrum disorder. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders are prone to psychological stress resulting from difficulties in social adjustment. It is crucial to understand the developmental characteristics and environmental adaptation of patients to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaAyumi en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuYoshie en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Yoshie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiChikako en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaChie en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiharaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugihara en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriuchiMakiko en-aut-sei=Horiuchi en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Psychogenic fever kn-keyword=Psychogenic fever en-keyword=Functional hyperthermia kn-keyword=Functional hyperthermia en-keyword=Neurodevelopmental disorder kn-keyword=Neurodevelopmental disorder en-keyword=Autism spectrum disorder kn-keyword=Autism spectrum disorder en-keyword=Environmental adaptation kn-keyword=Environmental adaptation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=789 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Yoga Pose Difficulty Level Estimation Method Using OpenPose for Self-Practice System to Yoga Beginners en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Yoga is an exercise preferable for various users at different ages to enhance physical and mental health. To help beginner yoga self-practitioners avoid getting injured by selecting difficult yoga poses, the information of the difficulty level of yoga poses is very important to provide an objective metric to assist yoga self-practitioners in selecting appropriate exercises on the basis of their skill level by using the yoga self-practice system. To enhance the developed yoga self-practice system, the yoga difficulty level estimation function will enable users to clearly understand whether the selected yoga poses are suitable for them. In this paper, the newest difficulty level estimation method of yoga poses is proposed by using and analyzing OpenPose two-dimensional (2D) human body keypoints. The proposed method effectively uses the selected six keypoints areas of the upper and lower body, body support types, center of gravity calculations, and body tilt angles and slopes to produce estimations. Firstly, the method calculates the weighted centers of the upper and lower human body for each pose by using keypoints. Secondly, it refers the slope of the centroid line between the two centers and infers the body's balance state. Lastly, the system estimates the difficulty level by additionally considering the keypoints of the body to contact the ground. For evaluations of the proposal, more than one hundred yoga poses are collected from the Internet and applied to classify them into five difficulty levels. Through comparisons with subjective levels from one instructor and 10 users, the validity of the estimation results is confirmed, a comparison is performed with existing designs, and it is implemented in embedded systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShihCheng-Liang en-aut-sei=Shih en-aut-mei=Cheng-Liang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuJun-You en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Jun-You kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=XiaoYanqi en-aut-sei=Xiao en-aut-mei=Yanqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= en-keyword=yoga kn-keyword=yoga en-keyword=self-practice kn-keyword=self-practice en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=pose difficulty level kn-keyword=pose difficulty level en-keyword=body keypoint kn-keyword=body keypoint END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=169 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e16291 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241222 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exploring the Role of Ccn3 in Type III Cell of Mice Taste Buds en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Different taste cells express unique cell-type markers, enabling researchers to distinguish them and study their functional differentiation. Using single-cell RNA-Seq of taste cells in mouse fungiform papillae, we found that Cellular Communication Network Factor 3 (Ccn3) was highly expressed in Type III taste cells but not in Type II taste cells. Ccn3 is a protein-coding gene involved in various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and wound healing. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the expression and function of Ccn3 in mouse taste bud cells. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we confirmed that Ccn3 was predominantly expressed in Type III taste cells. Through IHC, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, gustatory nerve recordings, and short-term lick tests, we observed that Ccn3 knockout (Ccn3-KO) mice did not exhibit any significant differences in the expression of taste cell markers and taste responses compared to wild-type controls. To explore the function of Ccn3 in taste cells, bioinformatics analyses were conducted and predicted possible roles of Ccn3 in tissue regeneration, perception of pain, protein secretion, and immune response. Among them, an immune function is the most plausible based on our experimental results. In summary, our study indicates that although Ccn3 is strongly expressed in Type III taste cells, its knockout did not influence the basic taste response, but bioinformatics provided valuable insights into the possible role of Ccn3 in taste buds and shed light on future research directions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangKuanyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Kuanyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitohYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Mitoh en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieKengo en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaRyusuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Ryusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bioinformatics kn-keyword=bioinformatics en-keyword=Ccn3 kn-keyword=Ccn3 en-keyword=Type III taste cell kn-keyword=Type III taste cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=JAMDSM0001 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of tool life prediction system for square end-mills based on database of servo motor current value en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Accurate prediction of tool life is crucial for reducing production costs and enhancing quality in the machining process. However, such predictions often rely on empirical knowledge, which may limit inexperienced engineers to reliably obtain accurate predictions. This study explores a method to predict the tool life of a cutting machine using servo motor current data collected during the initial stages of tool wear, which is a cost-effective approach. The LightGBM model was identified as suitable for predicting tool life from current data, given the challenges associated with predicting from the average variation of current values. By identifying and utilizing the top 50 features from the current data for prediction, the accuracy of tool life prediction in the early wear stage improved. As this prediction method was developed based on current data obtained during the very early wear stage in experiments with square end-mills, it was tested on extrapolated data using different end-mill diameters. The findings revealed average accuracy rates of 71.2% and 69.4% when using maximum machining time and maximum removal volume as thresholds, respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KODAMAHiroyuki en-aut-sei=KODAMA en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIMakoto en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OHASHIKazuhito en-aut-sei=OHASHI en-aut-mei=Kazuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate school of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Milling kn-keyword=Milling en-keyword=LightGBM kn-keyword=LightGBM en-keyword=Tool life prediction kn-keyword=Tool life prediction en-keyword=Square end-mill kn-keyword=Square end-mill en-keyword=Servo motor current kn-keyword=Servo motor current END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=620 end-page=626 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=All-in-one terahertz taste sensor: integrated electronic and bioelectronic tongues en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Taste sensors, also known as electronic tongues or bioelectronic tongues, are designed to evaluate food and beverages, as well as for medical diagnostics. These devices mimic the ability of the human tongue to detect and identify different tastes in liquid samples, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. In this study, a novel all-in-one terahertz taste sensor was proposed, which differs from traditional electrochemical approaches. This sensor utilizes terahertz technology for imaging and sensing chemical reactions on the terahertz semiconductor emitter surface. The surface can be functionalized with ion-sensitive membranes, proteins, DNA aptamers, and organic receptors, enabling the detection of various substances, such as solution pH, physiological ions, sugars, toxic chemicals, drugs, and explosives. Terahertz taste sensors offer several advantages, including being label-free, high sensitivity and selectivity, rapid response, minimal sample consumption, and the ability to detect non-charged chemical substances. By integrating multiple receptors or sensing materials on a single chip, the all-in-one terahertz taste sensor has significant potential for future taste substance detection, nutrition evaluation, metabolite and drug monitoring, and biomarker sensing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiKenji en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=159 cd-vols= no-issue=19 article-no= start-page=194504 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficiency and energy balance for substitution of CH4 in clathrate hydrates with CO2 under multiple-phase coexisting conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many experimental and theoretical studies on CH4–CO2 hydrates have been performed aiming at the extraction of CH4 as a relatively clean energy resource and concurrent sequestration of CO2. However, vague or insufficient characterization of the environmental conditions prevents us from a comprehensive understanding of even equilibrium properties of CH4–CO2 hydrates for this substitution. We propose possible reaction schemes for the substitution, paying special attention to the coexisting phases, the aqueous and/or the fluid, where CO2 is supplied from and CH4 is transferred to. We address the two schemes for the substitution operating in three-phase and two-phase coexistence. Advantages and efficiencies of extracting CH4 in the individual scheme are estimated from the chemical potentials of all the components in all the phases involved in the substitution on the basis of a statistical mechanical theory developed recently. It is found that although substitution is feasible in the three-phase coexistence, its working window in temperature–pressure space is much narrower compared to the two-phase coexistence condition. Despite that the substitution normally generates only a small amount of heat, a large endothermic substitution is suggested in the medium pressure range, caused by the vaporization of liquid CO2 due to mixing with a small amount of the released CH4. This study provides the first theoretical framework toward the practical use of hydrates replacing CH4 with CO2 and serves as a basis for quantitative planning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaHideki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoMasakazu en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Masakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagasakiTakuma en-aut-sei=Yagasaki en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230220 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Automatic Inspection Systems for WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge Using Image Processing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this article, an approach used for the inspection tasks in the WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge is explained. The tasks were categorized into three categories: reading pressure gauges, inspecting rust on a tank, and inspecting cracks in a tank. For reading pressure gauges, the “you only look once” algorithm was used to focus on a specific pressure gauge and check the pressure gauge range strings on the gauge using optical character recognition algorithm. Finally, a previously learned classifier was used to read the values shown in the gauge. For rust inspection, image processes were used to focus on a target plate that may be rusted for rust detection. In particular, it was necessary to report the rust area and distribution type. Thus, the pixel ratio and grouping of rust were used to count the rust. The approach for crack inspection was similar to that for rust. The target plate was focused on first, and then the length of the crack was measured using image processing. Its width was not measured but was calculated using the crack area and length. For each system developed to approach each task, the results of the preliminary experiment and those of WRS2020 are shown. Finally, the approaches are summarized, and planned future work is discussed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimizuYuya en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamegawaTetsushi en-aut-sei=Kamegawa en-aut-mei=Tetsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangYongdong en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Yongdong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraHajime en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeshimaTaiga en-aut-sei=Teshima en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoSota en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaYuki en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoDaiki en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiYuichi en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekitoTaiga en-aut-sei=Sekito en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsumiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Utsumi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRai en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Rai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SembaMizuki en-aut-sei=Semba en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=WRS2020 kn-keyword=WRS2020 en-keyword=image processing kn-keyword=image processing en-keyword=auto inspection kn-keyword=auto inspection en-keyword=YOLO kn-keyword=YOLO en-keyword=OCR kn-keyword=OCR END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=222 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115374 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental water in Kolkata is suitable for the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many patients with cholera emerge in Kolkata, India throughout the year. Such emergency indicates that cholera toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) are widespread in Kolkata. This suggests that the suitable conditions for replication of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is provided in Kolkata. In previous studies, we found that the replication rate of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is low in the low ionic aqueous solution. Then we measured the ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata. As a control, we measured them in Japanese environmental water. The ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata was significantly high. Then, we examined the survival of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in groundwater from Kolkata and found that V. cholerae O1 survive for long time in the solution but not in the solution diluted with Milli Q water. In addition, we found that V. cholerae O1 proliferated in environmental water of Kolkata to which a small amount of nutrient was added, but did not grow in the environmental water diluted with water to which the same amount of nutrient was added. These results indicate that the environmental water from Kolkata is suitable for survival of V. cholerae O1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Environmental water kn-keyword=Environmental water en-keyword=Ion kn-keyword=Ion en-keyword=Prevalence kn-keyword=Prevalence en-keyword=Survival kn-keyword=Survival en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=102575 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241203 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical and microbiological characteristics of high-level daptomycin-resistant Corynebacterium species: A systematic scoping review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Corynebacterium species potentially develop high-level daptomycin resistance (HLDR) shortly after daptomycin (DAP) administration. We aimed to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of HLDR Corynebacterium infections.
Methods: We first presented a clinical case accompanied by the results of a comprehensive genetic analysis of the isolate, and then performed a systematic scoping review. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews, we searched for articles with related keywords, including “Corynebacterium”, “Daptomycin", and "Resistance”, in the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases from the database inception to October 25, 2024. Clinical case reports and research articles documenting the isolation of HLDR Corynebacterium species, defined by a minimum inhibitory concentration of DAP at ≥256 μg/mL, were deemed eligible for this review.
Results: Of 80 articles screened, seven case reports detailing eight cases of HLDR Corynebacterium infections, as well as five research articles, were included. C. striatum was the most common species (7/9 cases, 77.8 %), and prosthetic device-associated infections accounted for 66.7 % of the cases. Duration of DAP administration before the emergence of HLDR isolates ranged from 5 days to 3 months; three-quarters of the cases developed within 17 days. Three HLDR isolates were genetically confirmed to have an alteration in pgsA2. The majority of the patients were treated with either glycopeptides or linezolid, with favorable outcomes. In vitro experiments confirmed that C. striatum strains acquire the HLDR phenotype at higher rates (71 %–100 %) within 24 h of incubation, compared to other Corynebacterium strains.
Conclusion: DAP monotherapy, especially for prosthetic device-associated infections, can result in the development of HLDR Corynebacterium. Additional research is warranted to investigate the clinical implications of this potentially proliferating antimicrobial resistant pathogen. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiShuma en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Shuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IioKoji en-aut-sei=Iio en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkazawaHidemasa en-aut-sei=Akazawa en-aut-mei=Hidemasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Microbiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=Corynebacterium kn-keyword=Corynebacterium en-keyword=Daptomycin kn-keyword=Daptomycin en-keyword=High-level daptomycin resistance kn-keyword=High-level daptomycin resistance en-keyword=pgsA2 kn-keyword=pgsA2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=145 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=881 end-page=896 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250220 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Oral Inflammation and Microbiome Dysbiosis Exacerbate Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The oral microbiota, second in abundance to the gut, is implicated in chronic systemic diseases, but its specific role in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) pathogenesis has been unclear. Our study finds that mucositis-induced oral dysbiosis in patients after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) associated with increased chronic GVHD (cGVHD), even in patients receiving posttransplant cyclophosphamide. In murine HCT models, oral dysbiosis caused by bilateral molar ligatures exacerbated cGVHD and increased bacterial load in the oral cavity and gut, with Enterococcaceae significantly increasing in both organs. In this model, the migration of Enterococcaceae to cervical lymph nodes both before and after transplantation activated antigen-presenting cells, thereby promoting the expansion of donor-derived inflammatory T cells. Based on these results, we hypothesize that pathogenic bacteria increase in the oral cavity might not only exacerbate local inflammation but also enhance systemic inflammation throughout the HCT course. Additionally, these bacteria translocated to the gut and formed ectopic colonies, further amplifying systemic inflammation. Furthermore, interventions targeting the oral microbiome mitigated murine cGVHD. Collectively, our findings highlight the importance of oral dysbiosis in cGVHD and suggest that modulation of the oral microbiome during transplantation may be an effective approach for preventing or treating cGVHD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KambaraYui en-aut-sei=Kambara en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoAkira en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiShuma en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Shuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunihiroMari en-aut-sei=Kunihiro en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OyamaTadashi en-aut-sei=Oyama en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraoToshiki en-aut-sei=Terao en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoAyame en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ayame kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=PeltierDaniel en-aut-sei=Peltier en-aut-mei=Daniel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeikeKeisuke en-aut-sei=Seike en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimoriHisakazu en-aut-sei=Nishimori en-aut-mei=Hisakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=EnnishiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ennishi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=SogaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Soga en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=ReddyPavan en-aut-sei=Reddy en-aut-mei=Pavan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshinobuMaeda en-aut-sei=Yoshinobu en-aut-mei=Maeda kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Division of Blood Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=391 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=158 end-page=176 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Magnesium isotope composition of volcanic rocks from cold and warm subduction zones: Implications for the recycling of subducted serpentinites and carbonates en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Magnesium (Mg) isotopes are regarded as a sensitive tracer to the contribution from subducted serpentinites and carbonates. However, the source, distribution, and controlling factors of the Mg isotope composition of arc magmas remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the intra-arc and inter-arc variations in Mg isotope compositions of volcanic rocks from two typical cold subduction zones [NE Japan (NEJ) and Izu arcs] and a typical hot subduction zone [SW Japan (SWJ) arc] to address the question. The volcanic rocks from the frontal-arc regions of NEJ and Izu have isotopically heavy Mg (δ26Mg = –0.20 to –0.08 ‰) compared to the mantle-like δ26Mg values of most of volcanic rocks from SWJ and the rear regions of NEJ and Izu arcs (–0.28 to –0.17 ‰). It is also worth noting that NEJ arc includes samples with δ26Mg values (–0.61 to –0.39 ‰) significantly lower than the mantle, but similar to the < 110 Ma intra-continental basalts from eastern China, which is the first observation in modern arc rocks. No obvious effects of post-eruptive alteration, fractional crystallization, partial melting, or the addition of silicate-rich sediment and oceanic crust components could be identified in the Mg isotope compositions of these volcanic rocks. By contrast, the correlations between the δ26Mg values and the proxy for serpentinite component (i.e., 11B/10B and Nb/B ratios) indicate that the component exerts a strong control on the Mg-isotopic signature of these arc rocks. Considering metamorphic reactions in subduction lithologies under P-T conditions postulated for these arcs, the variations in δ26Mg values of these arc magmas are unlikely to have been controlled by dehydration of serpentinites in subducted oceanic lithosphere (slab serpentinite). Instead, the high-δ26Mg values of frontal-arc rocks are delivered by the fluids from serpentinite formed in the lowermost part of the sub-arc mantle (mantle wedge serpentinite) in channelized flow. Comparatively, such a high-δ26Mg signature is invisible in volcanic rocks from rear-arc regions of NEJ and Izu, and the entire SWJ, suggesting that the major Mg carriers in subducted serpentinites (e.g., talc, chlorite, and serpentine) were broken down completely before subducted slabs reached the depth beneath these volcanoes. Moreover, the volcanic rocks with low δ26Mg values from the rear arc of NEJ are characterized by high La/Yb and U/Nb ratios as well as low Ti/Eu, Ti/Ti*, and Hf/Hf* ratios, suggesting the involvements of carbonates in their magma sources. The quantitative modeling suggests that < 20 % of sedimentary carbonate (dolomite) was recycled into their mantle source, revealing that Mg-rich carbonate could be incorporated into a deep mantle wedge at rear-arc depths of 150–400 km in subduction zones. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangWei en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Wei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangFang en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Fang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China kn-affil= en-keyword=Magnesium isotopes kn-keyword=Magnesium isotopes en-keyword=Arc magmas kn-keyword=Arc magmas en-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite kn-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite en-keyword=Slab serpentinite kn-keyword=Slab serpentinite en-keyword=Carbonate recycle kn-keyword=Carbonate recycle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=100105 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Capturing chronological variation in L2 speech through lexical measurements and regression analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aims to bridge gaps in current research by analyzing a longitudinal spoken learner corpus of low-proficiency English learners. We investigated the chronological variation in lexical measurements in second language (L2) speaking production, focusing on data from 104 low-proficiency learners elicited eight times over 23 months. Our findings show that measures such as the number of different words and type-token ratio are effective indicators of L2 speaking development, whereas the use of sophisticated vocabulary was not significantly correlated with learning duration. These results suggest that in the early stages of L2 acquisition, speaking skills are influenced primarily by lexical variation. This finding underscores the importance of lexical variation as a key factor in novice-level L2 speaking proficiency. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AbeMariko en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYuichiro en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYusuke en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Waseda University kn-affil= en-keyword=Longitudinal learner corpus kn-keyword=Longitudinal learner corpus en-keyword=Second language speaking kn-keyword=Second language speaking en-keyword=Low-proficiency learner kn-keyword=Low-proficiency learner en-keyword=Automatic analyzer kn-keyword=Automatic analyzer en-keyword=Regression analysis kn-keyword=Regression analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=102554 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241105 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Human Papillomavirus vaccination awareness and uptake among healthcare students in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: The vaccination rate for HPV (Human Papillomavirus) has remained significantly low in Japan because of the administrative suspension of active recommendation. This study investigates the awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine among healthcare students in Japan following the reinstatement of active recommendation for young women in April 2022.
Methods: A web-based survey was administered to 2567 healthcare students from Okayama and Shujitsu Universities in Japan in July 2023. The survey assessed participants' backgrounds, immunization status, awareness of vaccine recommendations, and knowledge of cervical cancer across various demographics, including sex, academic year, and department (Medicine, Health Science, Pharmaceutical, and Dentistry).
Results: The response rate was 36.3 % (933 students; 181 male, 739 female, and 13 unspecified gender). The overall immunization rate among female students was 55.6 %, with higher rates observed in medical (73.8 %) and dental (63.0 %) students. Awareness of the government's change in vaccine recommendation was notably high among female and senior male students. Over half of the female students (54.7 %) reported receiving vaccinations based on their parents' advice. Among those unvaccinated but interested in future immunization, concerns about adverse reactions (47.4 %) and challenges in scheduling vaccinations (29.1 %) were predominant.
Conclusion: Healthcare students exhibited a higher HPV vaccination rate than the general population. Ongoing education to improve vaccine literacy is crucial for augmenting HPV vaccination rates in Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimbeMadoka en-aut-sei=Shimbe en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYoichi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Cervical cancer kn-keyword=Cervical cancer en-keyword=Human Papillomavirus kn-keyword=Human Papillomavirus en-keyword=Immunization kn-keyword=Immunization en-keyword=Vaccine literacy kn-keyword=Vaccine literacy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=249 end-page=260 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241005 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Loss of Nr4a1 ameliorates endothelial cell injury and vascular leakage in lung transplantation from circulatory-death donor en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) stands as a major trigger for primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in lung transplantation (LTx). Especially in LTx from donation after cardiac death (DCD), effective control of IRI following warm ischemia (WIRI) is crucial to prevent PGD. This study aimed to identify the key factors affecting WIRI in LTx from DCD.
Methods: Previously reported RNA-sequencing dataset of lung WIRI was reanalyzed to identify nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) as the immediate early gene for WIRI. Dynamics of NR4A1 expression were verified using a mouse hilar clamp model. To investigate the role of NR4A1 in WIRI, a mouse model of LTx from DCD was established using Nr4a1 knockout (Nr4a1−/−) mice.
Results: NR4A1 was located around vascular cells, and its protein levels in the lungs increased rapidly and transiently during WIRI. LTx from Nr4a1−/− donors significantly improved pulmonary graft function compared to wild-type donors. Histological analysis showed decreased microvascular endothelial cell death, neutrophil infiltration, and albumin leakage. Evans blue permeability assay demonstrated maintained pulmonary microvascular barrier integrity in grafts from Nr4a1−/− donors, correlating with diminished pulmonary edema. However, NR4A1 did not significantly affect the inflammatory response during WIRI, and IRI was not suppressed when a wild-type donor lung was transplanted into the Nr4a1−/− recipient.
Conclusions: Donor NR4A1 plays a specialized role in the positive regulation of endothelial cell injury and microvascular hyperpermeability. These findings demonstrate the potential of targeting NR4A1 interventions to alleviate PGD and improve outcomes in LTx from DCD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawanaShinichi en-aut-sei=Kawana en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMikio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Mikio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaueTomohisa en-aut-sei=Sakaue en-aut-mei=Tomohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataKentaro en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChoshiHaruki en-aut-sei=Choshi en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaniShinji en-aut-sei=Ohtani en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsukawaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsukawa en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=lung transplantation kn-keyword=lung transplantation en-keyword=ischemia-reperfusion injury kn-keyword=ischemia-reperfusion injury en-keyword=donation after circulatory death kn-keyword=donation after circulatory death en-keyword=nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 kn-keyword=nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 en-keyword=endothelial cell kn-keyword=endothelial cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=228 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=30 end-page=36 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241015 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exogenous expression of PGC-1α during in vitro maturation impairs the developmental competence of porcine oocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives of the current study were to examine the effects of exogenous expression of PGC-1α, which is a transcription factor responsive for controlling mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, mitochondria quantity control, mitochondrial biogenesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) maintenance, in porcine oocytes during in-vitro maturation (IVM) on the developmental competence, as well as mitochondrial quantity and function. Exogenous over-expression of PGC-1α by injection of the mRNA construct into oocytes 20 h after the start of IVM culture significantly increased the copy number of mtDNA in the oocytes, but reduced the incidences of oocytes matured to the metaphase-II stage after the IVM culture for totally 44 h and completely suppressed the early development in vitro to the blastocyst stage following parthenogenetic activation. The exogenous expression of PGC-1α also significantly induced spindle defects and chromosome misalignments. Furthermore, markedly higher ROS levels were observed in the PGC-1α-overexpressed mature oocytes, whereas mRNA level of SOD1, encoded for a ROS scavenging enzyme, was decreased. These results conclude that forced expression of PGC-1α successfully increase mtDNA copy number but led to increased ROS production, evidently by downregulation of SOD1 gene expression, inducement of spindle aberration/chromosomal misalignment, and consequently reduction in the meiotic and developmental competences of porcine oocytes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DoSon Quang en-aut-sei=Do en-aut-mei=Son Quang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NguyenHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakaiTakuya en-aut-sei=Wakai en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunahashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Funahashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Porcine kn-keyword=Porcine en-keyword=Mitochondria kn-keyword=Mitochondria en-keyword=Oocytes kn-keyword=Oocytes en-keyword=PGC-1 alpha kn-keyword=PGC-1 alpha en-keyword=In vitro maturation kn-keyword=In vitro maturation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=226 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=158 end-page=166 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240915 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The impact of cumulus cell viability and pre-culture with the healthy cell mass on brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining assessment and meiotic competence of suboptimal porcine oocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives of the present study were to investigate the characteristics including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, as determined by Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) staining, of suboptimal porcine oocytes and to enhance the meiotic competence of those through pre-culture with cumulus cell masses (CCMs). Percentage of oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) derived from small follicles (SF; <3 mm in diameter) containing the oocytes that were assessed as BCB-negative (BCB-) was significantly higher than those derived from medium follicles (MF; 3–6 mm in diameter). Degrees of dead cumulus cells were significantly higher in OCCs containing BCB- oocytes, regardless of the origin of OCCs (MF vs. SF), than those containing BCB-positive (BCB+) ones. Exposing OCCs containing BCB+ oocytes to the apoptosis inducer, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, for 20 h significantly induced the transition to BCB- and meiotic progression of exposed OCCs were significantly reduced in both SF and MF derived ones. Transit of BCB- oocytes to BCB+ was induced when OCCs were pre-cultured with CCMs of MF derived OCCs containing BCB+ oocytes for 20 h before IVM. This pre-culture also significantly increased the meiotic competence of BCB- oocytes, particularly in SF derived ones. However, reactive oxygen species levels were significantly higher in BCB+ oocytes as compared with BCB- ones, regardless of pre-culture with CCMs, whereas no significant differences were found in the ATP contents among the treatment groups. In conclusion, the BCB result of oocytes could be regulated by the healthy status and content of surrounding cumulus cells and the meiotic competence of suboptimal BCB- porcine oocytes is improved by pre-culture with healthy CCMs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FonsekaWanniarachchige Tharindu Lakshitha en-aut-sei=Fonseka en-aut-mei=Wanniarachchige Tharindu Lakshitha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoSon Quang en-aut-sei=Do en-aut-mei=Son Quang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VanPhong Ngoc en-aut-sei=Van en-aut-mei=Phong Ngoc kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NguyenHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakaiTakuya en-aut-sei=Wakai en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunahashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Funahashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Oocytes kn-keyword=Oocytes en-keyword=Meiotic competence kn-keyword=Meiotic competence en-keyword=Brilliant cresyl blue kn-keyword=Brilliant cresyl blue en-keyword=Cumulus cells kn-keyword=Cumulus cells END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=102494 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cryptococcal prostatitis in an immunocompromised patient with tocilizumab and glucocorticoid therapy: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cryptococcus prostatitis is an uncommon manifestation of cryptococcal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised patients. Tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, has been associated with an increased risk of cryptococcal infections. However, there have been no documented cases of cryptococcal prostatitis in patients receiving tocilizumab therapy. We report a case of cryptococcal prostatitis in a 72-year-old man treated with glucocorticoids and tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The patient presented dysuria and his serum level of prostate-specific antigen was elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a prostate mass, and a prostate biopsy was performed, leading to a pathologic diagnosis of cryptococcal prostatitis. Fungal cultures for blood and urine were negative, while the cryptococcal antigen for both serum and urine showed positive results. There were no particular findings in the pulmonary and central nervous systems. The patient was successfully treated with oral fluconazole (400 mg/day) and was discharged. Although cryptococcal prostatitis is a rare entity, clinicians should note that an immunosuppressed patient may develop such a difficult-to-diagnose disease. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuyamaAtsuhito en-aut-sei=Suyama en-aut-mei=Atsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataTakehiro en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiYoshia en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Yoshia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoSawako en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Sawako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IioKoji en-aut-sei=Iio en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Microbiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Cryptococcosis kn-keyword=Cryptococcosis en-keyword=Fluconazole kn-keyword=Fluconazole en-keyword=Glucocorticoids kn-keyword=Glucocorticoids en-keyword=Prostatitis kn-keyword=Prostatitis en-keyword=Tocilizumab kn-keyword=Tocilizumab END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3-4 article-no= start-page=116 end-page=125 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241230 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning Enabled Adaptive Virtual Machine Migration Control in Multi-Stage Information Processing Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper tackles a Virtual Machine (VM) migration control problem to maximize the progress (accuracy) of information processing tasks in multi-stage information processing systems. The conventional methods for this problem are effective only for specific situations, such as when the system load is high. In this paper, in order to adaptively achieve high accuracy in various situations, we propose a VM migration method using a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) algorithm. It is difficult to directly apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the size of the solution space of the problem dynamically changes according to the number of VMs staying in the system while the size of the agent’s action space is fixed in DRL algorithms. To cope with this difficulty, the proposed method divides the VM migration control problem into two problems: the problem of determining only the VM distribution (i.e., the proportion of the number of VMs deployed on each edge server) and the problem of determining the locations of all the VMs so that it follows the determined VM distribution. The former problem is solved by a DRL algorithm, and the latter by a heuristic method. This approach makes it possible to apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the VM distribution is expressed by a vector with a fixed number of dimensions and can be directly outputted by the agent. The simulation results confirm that our proposed method can adaptively achieve quasi-optimal accuracy in various situations with different link delays, types of the information processing tasks and the number of VMs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaYukinobu en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Yukinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoujitaniYuki en-aut-sei=Koujitani en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaneKazutoshi en-aut-sei=Nakane en-aut-mei=Kazutoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TarutaniYuya en-aut-sei=Tarutani en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuCelimuge en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Celimuge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiYusheng en-aut-sei=Ji en-aut-mei=Yusheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokohiraTokumi en-aut-sei=Yokohira en-aut-mei=Tokumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraseTutomu en-aut-sei=Murase en-aut-mei=Tutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering The Univ. of Electro-Commun. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Information Systems Architecture Research Division National Institute of Informatics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= en-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system kn-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system en-keyword=VM migration control kn-keyword=VM migration control en-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning kn-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning en-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) kn-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70097 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250107 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Eyelid Spindle Cell Lipoma: Case Report and Review of Three Patients in Literature en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 39-year-old woman presented a saucer-shaped mass in the left upper eyelid and underwent the extirpation at local anesthesia. Pathologically, collagen fibers, capillaries, small vessels, and CD34-positive spindle cells were dispersed among mature adipose tissues, indicative of spindle cell lipoma. Long-lasting cyst-like eyelid masses would be usually dermoid cysts, and spindle cell lipoma would be listed as a rare pathological diagnosis in differential diagnoses of cyst-like lesions in the upper and lower eyelid. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MonobeYasumasa en-aut-sei=Monobe en-aut-mei=Yasumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kousei Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathology, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=CD34 kn-keyword=CD34 en-keyword=eyelid kn-keyword=eyelid en-keyword=orbital bony edge kn-keyword=orbital bony edge en-keyword=pathology kn-keyword=pathology en-keyword=spindle cell lipoma kn-keyword=spindle cell lipoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=48 end-page=53 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of oral health care intervention for stroke patients following the introduction of Oral Health Assessment Tool en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health assessment tools in facilitating oral health care interventions by dental care providers for acute stroke patients within 48 h of admission, following a reform of the nursing system.
Methods: Data were gathered from a retrospective cohort study conducted at a stroke center, comparing 10 months before and after the implementation of the reformed system, with a 2-month interval. Parameters assessed included stroke type, severity measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, stroke history, stroke-related factors, number of teeth, hospitalization cost and duration, occurrence of fever and pneumonia, stroke treatment, days from admission to dental intervention, and intervention frequency.
Results: Implementation of the new system significantly reduced the time before dental intervention (P < 0.001), increased the frequency of interventions (P < 0.001), and allowed for the management of more severe cases (P = 0.007). However, there was a slight increase in the occurrence of fevers and the days of fever (P = 0.039 and P = 0.015, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that fever days were positively correlated with stroke severity and the number of days from admission to dental intervention (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively). Even after propensity score matching adjusting for stroke severity, these associations persisted. Additional multiple regression analysis was performed after this, but fever days were positively correlated with stroke severity and sex (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively), as well as with the presence of other factors affecting the occurrence of fever.
Conclusions: Although the frequency and duration of fevers increased slightly, this approach, incorporating oral health assessment tools, made it possible to provide early dental intervention, particularly for patients with severe strokes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 48–53. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsunagaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsunaga en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yoshida‐TsuboiAyaka en-aut-sei=Yoshida‐Tsuboi en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoharaKen en-aut-sei=Inohara en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYasuko en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahamaKanako en-aut-sei=Nakahama en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiKazuki en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoudaFumie en-aut-sei=Souda en-aut-mei=Fumie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerasawaYuka en-aut-sei=Terasawa en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimoeYutaka en-aut-sei=Shimoe en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takeuchi‐HatanakaKazu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi‐Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohriyamaTatsuo en-aut-sei=Kohriyama en-aut-mei=Tatsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology – Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology – Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=acute stroke kn-keyword=acute stroke en-keyword=dental intervention kn-keyword=dental intervention en-keyword=medical and dental cooperation kn-keyword=medical and dental cooperation en-keyword=oral health assessment tool kn-keyword=oral health assessment tool en-keyword=severity kn-keyword=severity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=64 end-page=79 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=On the “Chronology of Earthquakes” in the Rika nenpyō (Chronological Scientific Tables): Until the 10th century kn-title=『理科年表』の「地震年代表」をめぐって- 10 世紀まで- en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper is based on the oral report I gave on July 22, 2023, at the 21st “Disaster Culture and the History of Community Formation” workshop hosted by the Okayama University Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations. I discuss the changes in the “Chronology of Earthquakes” contained within the Rika nenpyō (Chronological Scientific Tables) and some of the problems with them, citing historical earthquake materials. It is necessary to clearly distinguish between real and false earthquakes, such as the Tamba earthquake (701), the Kinai earthquake (734), the Minō earthquake (745), the Ecchū-Echigo earthquake (863), and the Kantō earthquake (878). The author hopes that the “Chronology of Earthquakes” will be published in a better form in the future and calls for efforts in the field of history to verify and introduce historical earthquake materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ARAIHideki en-aut-sei=ARAI en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name=荒井秀規 kn-aut-sei=荒井 kn-aut-mei=秀規 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Historian kn-affil= en-keyword=Ancient Japan kn-keyword=Ancient Japan en-keyword=earthquakes kn-keyword=earthquakes en-keyword=false earthquakes kn-keyword=false earthquakes en-keyword=Chronological Scientific Tables kn-keyword=Chronological Scientific Tables END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=53 end-page=63 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=What is education for sustainable development?: From the perspective of international legal history kn-title=持続可能な開発のための教育とは―国際法制史の視点から― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Throughout the history of international law, sustainable development has always been acknowledged as a global responsibility. In recent years, as global environmental concerns have escalated, this responsibility has become increasingly crucial. To fulfil this mandate, education policies must transcend national boundaries. Specifically, in light of pressing global environmental issues such as climate change, education on sustainable development is pivotal for the well-being of future generations. To delve deeper into this significance, the author examines the emergence of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), its accomplishments, and the challenges the world is currently grappling with. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KAWAKAMIYoko en-aut-sei=KAWAKAMI en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name=川上陽子 kn-aut-sei=川上 kn-aut-mei=陽子 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ph.D in law, Université Toulouse Capitole kn-affil= en-keyword=ESD kn-keyword=ESD en-keyword=SDGs kn-keyword=SDGs en-keyword=international environmental law kn-keyword=international environmental law en-keyword=international law kn-keyword=international law en-keyword=human rights kn-keyword=human rights END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=19 end-page=52 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Mineralogy and geochemistry of magnetite-garnet bearing skarn deposits surrounding iron-smelting sites in the Kibi region of Japan kn-title=吉備製鉄遺跡周辺地域の磁鉄鉱ざくろ石スカルン鉄鉱石の鉱物学的・地球化学的特徴 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We conducted mineralogical and geochemical analysis of ore samples taken from locations surrounding the Jinmu, Sanpō, and Kōmoto mines in order to determine the source of iron ore uncovered from archaeological sites. The mineral composition of the magnetite-garnet bearing skarn deposits varies from mine to mine: while clinopyroxene and amphibole are present in the Jinmu and Sanpō samples, only a small amount of clinopyroxene occurs in the Kōmoto samples. The chemical compositions of magnetite and garnet are distinctive for each mine. Among the trace elements contained in the magnetite, Mg and Mn tend to be higher in the Kōmoto samples, Ti in the Jinmu samples, and Ca and Si in the Sanpō samples. The garnet from all the mines is andradite, but while the Kōmoto samples contain almost no Al, it is present in the Jinmu and Sanpō samples. Although samples were taken from a limited number of mine areas (three), our analysis provides an index for comparison with iron ore uncovered from archaeological sites, which will aid in provenance determination. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TAKECHIYasushi en-aut-sei=TAKECHI en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name=武智泰史 kn-aut-sei=武智 kn-aut-mei=泰史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NAKAMURADaisuke en-aut-sei=NAKAMURA en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name=中村大輔 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=大輔 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIShigeyuki en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Shigeyuki kn-aut-name=鈴木茂之 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=茂之 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=RYANJoseph en-aut-sei=RYAN en-aut-mei=Joseph kn-aut-name=ライアンジョセフ kn-aut-sei=ライアン kn-aut-mei=ジョセフ aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UWAGAKITakeshi en-aut-sei=UWAGAKI en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=上栫武 kn-aut-sei=上栫 kn-aut-mei=武 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NAGAHARAMasato en-aut-sei=NAGAHARA en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name=長原正人 kn-aut-sei=長原 kn-aut-mei=正人 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YOSHIEYuta en-aut-sei=YOSHIE en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name=吉江雄太 kn-aut-sei=吉江 kn-aut-mei=雄太 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IKEHATAKei en-aut-sei=IKEHATA en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name=池端慶 kn-aut-sei=池端 kn-aut-mei=慶 aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KIMURAOsamu en-aut-sei=KIMURA en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name=木村理 kn-aut-sei=木村 kn-aut-mei=理 aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HATTORIRyoichi en-aut-sei=HATTORI en-aut-mei=Ryoichi kn-aut-name=服部亮一 kn-aut-sei=服部 kn-aut-mei=亮一 aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Kurashiki Museum of Natural History kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Earth Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Earth Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University, Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama Prefectural Board of Education kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Historical Study Group of Mining and Metallurgy of Japan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University, Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Osaka University, Graduate School of Humanities kn-affil= en-keyword=Iron-smithing sites kn-keyword=Iron-smithing sites en-keyword=skarn deposits kn-keyword=skarn deposits en-keyword=mineral composition of ore kn-keyword=mineral composition of ore en-keyword=geochemical analysis kn-keyword=geochemical analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=42 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=529 end-page=537 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240809 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Adverse Events after Different Endoscopic Resection Procedures for Small and Intermediate-Sized Colorectal Polyps en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) and underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) have been developed recently, in addition to conventional methods, but adverse events of each method have not been fully clarified. We compared the outcomes of each method for the appropriate choice. Methods: Patients who underwent CSP, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)/hot snare polypectomy (HSP), or UEMR for small and intermediate-sized colorectal polyps between April 2017 and June 2020 were retrospectively examined. The rate of adverse events and recurrences due to each method were determined as the main outcomes. Clinical factors related to adverse events were examined. Results: A total of 1,025 patients with 3,163 polyps underwent polypectomy using any of the methods. CSP, EMR/HSP, and UEMR were performed for 704 (22.2%), 2,145 (67.8%), and 314 polyps (9.9%), and the median size for each method was 4, 6, and 7 mm, respectively. Delayed bleeding for CSP, EMR/HSP, and UEMR was 0%, 0.2%, and 0.6% (p = 0.15), and perforation was 0%, 0.1%, and 0%, respectively (p = 0.62). Recurrence after CSP, EMR/HSP, and UEMR was 0.3%, 0.09%, and 1.3%, respectively (p < 0.01). Recurrence for UEMR was significantly higher in the early stage of procedure introduction (p = 0.015). Oral anticoagulants were the risk factor for delayed bleeding (p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: There was no significant difference regarding adverse events among each method for small and intermediate-sized polyps, although the recurrence rate after UEMR was higher than other methods. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ToyosawaJunki en-aut-sei=Toyosawa en-aut-mei=Junki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AoyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeiKensuke en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection kn-keyword=Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection en-keyword=Endoscopic mucosal resection kn-keyword=Endoscopic mucosal resection en-keyword=Cold snare polypectomy kn-keyword=Cold snare polypectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=11 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230323 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutation and apoptosis are well-coordinated for protecting against DNA damage-inducing toxicity in Drosophila en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Apoptotic cell death is an important survival system for multicellular organisms because it removes damaged cells. Mutation is also a survival method for dealing with damaged cells in multicellular and also unicellular organisms, when DNA lesions are not removed. However, to the best of our knowledge, no reports have comprehensively explored the direct relationship between apoptosis and somatic cell mutations induced by various mutagenic factors.
Results Mutation was examined by the wing-spot test, which is used to detect somatic cell mutations, including chromosomal recombination. Apoptosis was observed in the wing discs by acridine orange staining in situ. After treatment with chemical mutagens, ultraviolet light (UV), and X-ray, both the apoptotic frequency and mutagenic activity increased in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic doses. When we used DNA repair-deficient Drosophila strains, the correlation coefficient of the relationship between apoptosis and mutagenicity, differed from that of the wild-type. To explore how apoptosis affects the behavior of mutated cells, we determined the spot size, i.e., the number of mutated cells in a spot. In parallel with an increase in apoptosis, the spot size increased with MNU or X-ray treatment dose-dependently; however, this increase was not seen with UV irradiation. In addition, BrdU incorporation, an indicator of cell proliferation, in the wing discs was suppressed at 6 h, with peak at 12 h post-treatment with X-ray, and that it started to increase again at 24 h; however, this was not seen with UV irradiation.
Conclusion Damage-induced apoptosis and mutation might be coordinated with each other, and the frequency of apoptosis and mutagenicity are balanced depending on the type of DNA damage. From the data of the spot size and BrdU incorporation, it is possible that mutated cells replace apoptotic cells due to their high frequency of cell division, resulting in enlargement of the spot size after MNU or X-ray treatment. We consider that the induction of mutation, apoptosis, and/or cell growth varies in multi-cellular organisms depending on the type of the mutagens, and that their balance and coordination have an important function to counter DNA damage for the survival of the organism. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Toyoshima-SasataniMegumi en-aut-sei=Toyoshima-Sasatani en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImuraFumika en-aut-sei=Imura en-aut-mei=Fumika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamatakeYuko en-aut-sei=Hamatake en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukunagaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Fukunaga en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NegishiTomoe en-aut-sei=Negishi en-aut-mei=Tomoe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Nursing, Osaka City University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drosophila kn-keyword=Drosophila en-keyword=Apoptosis kn-keyword=Apoptosis en-keyword=Mutation kn-keyword=Mutation en-keyword=Larval wing disc kn-keyword=Larval wing disc en-keyword=X-ray kn-keyword=X-ray en-keyword=Ultraviolet kn-keyword=Ultraviolet en-keyword=Alkylating agents kn-keyword=Alkylating agents en-keyword=Tobacco smoke kn-keyword=Tobacco smoke en-keyword=Acridine orange kn-keyword=Acridine orange en-keyword=BrdU kn-keyword=BrdU END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=8 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transepidermal Water Loss Estimation Model for Evaluating Skin Barrier Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deterioration of skin barrier function causes symptoms such as allergies because it allows various chemical substances to enter the human body. Quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum is useful as a measure of skin barrier function in fields such as dermatology, nursing science, and cosmetics development. The stratum corneum is responsible for most of the skin barrier function, and this function has conventionally been evaluated using transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In this paper, we propose a new model for estimation of TEWL from measurements of the thickness of the stratum corneum and water content of the surface of the stratum corneum, and discuss the results of the measurements. By measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum using confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively, and examining the relationship of these variables with TEWL, we established a new potential model for estimating TEWL from these two variables. The correlation coefficient of the validation data was 0.886 and the root mean squared error was 8.18 points. These findings indicate the feasibility of qualitative evaluation of TEWL by measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UeharaOsamu en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusuharaToshimasa en-aut-sei=Kusuhara en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakao en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=TEWL kn-keyword=TEWL en-keyword=stratum corneum thickness kn-keyword=stratum corneum thickness en-keyword=water content of stratum corneum kn-keyword=water content of stratum corneum END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=cmad074 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230719 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression: a population-based cohort study using instrumental variable estimation in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Postpartum depression is experienced by approximately 10% of women and affects the health and development of their children. Although it is recommended that all mothers have the opportunity for early detection and intervention for postpartum depression, it is unclear whether early postpartum check-ups help to reduce postpartum depression.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression in Japan.
Methods: This was a population-based cohort study that used the administrative database of Tsuyama, Japan. Participants were women who received postpartum home visits from a public health nurse in Tsuyama during the fiscal years 2017–2019. Data were obtained on participant’s attendance at a 2-week postpartum check-up and their responses on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Owing to the initiation of a publicly funded postpartum check-up programme, participants were pseudo-randomly assigned to receive/not receive a 2-week postpartum check-up. We conducted instrumental variable estimation to assess the causal effects of the check-up on screening positive for postpartum depression.
Results: The characteristics of the 1,382 participants did not differ by fiscal year of childbirth. We found a 6.7% (95% confidence interval 2.2–11.2) reduction in the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression as an effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups among women received 1-month postpartum home visits.
Conclusion: The results suggest that 2-week postpartum check-ups are effective in reducing the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression among 1-month postpartum women. Despite some limitations, early postpartum care could reduce postpartum depression. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraNaoko en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaYasuko en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Health Promotion Division, Tsuyama City Department of Children’s Health kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=community health planning kn-keyword=community health planning en-keyword=diagnostic screening programmes kn-keyword=diagnostic screening programmes en-keyword=home visits kn-keyword=home visits en-keyword=postpartum depression kn-keyword=postpartum depression en-keyword=postnatal care kn-keyword=postnatal care en-keyword=quasi-experimental study kn-keyword=quasi-experimental study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=213 end-page=218 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=β-catenin Binds to Gsk-3β in Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Compartment in HEK293 Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a significant mechanism for cellular organization, impacting various biological processes, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This study investigates the role of LLPS in the regulation of β-catenin in HEK293 cells, particularly in response to Wnt3a signaling. Our findings demonstrate that β-catenin is regulated by LLPS, forming spherical droplets indicative of this phenomenon. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays revealed that these droplets exhibit reversible dynamics, further confirming their phase-separated nature. Importantly, treatment with Wnt3a led to an increase in β-catenin levels, while simultaneously reducing the recovery of fluorescence intensity in FRAP experiments, suggesting that enhanced Wnt signaling may stimulate the release of β-catenin from LLPS. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that β-catenin binds to glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk-3β) within the LLPS state, highlighting a potential regulatory mechanism whereby LLPS facilitates the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of β-catenin. The addition of 1,6-hexanediol disrupted the β-catenin/Gsk-3β interaction, reinforcing the idea that LLPS plays a critical role in modulating these biochemical interactions. The findings presented in this study suggest that LLPS is not only crucial for the spatial organization of β-catenin but also serves as a regulatory mechanism for its signaling functions in the Wnt pathway. Given the association of aberrant Wnt signaling with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, understanding the role of LLPS in this context may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies targeting these pathological conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoMari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanaiAiri en-aut-sei=Tanai en-aut-mei=Airi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuharaYoko en-aut-sei=Fukuhara en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhengXinyu en-aut-sei=Zheng en-aut-mei=Xinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SitosariHeriati en-aut-sei=Sitosari en-aut-mei=Heriati kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegameMika en-aut-sei=Ikegame en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraHirohiko en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Hirohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=Gsk-3β kn-keyword=Gsk-3β en-keyword=LLPS kn-keyword=LLPS en-keyword=Wnt kn-keyword=Wnt END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=136 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=120 end-page=126 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Effects of parity on the associations between evacuation and psychological distress and cardiovascular disease among women after the Great East Japan Earthquake : A cross-sectional study of the Fukushima Health Management Survey kn-title=東日本大震災後の女性における出産歴が避難と精神的苦痛や循環器疾患との関連に及ぼす影響:福島県「県民健康調査」を用いた横断研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Introduction : Women are more likely to be physically, mentally, and socially vulnerable after disasters because of the physical, socioeconomical, and lifestyle-related factors that are often related to their parity. Here, we analyzed the effects of women's parity on the association between evacuation and psychological distress, trauma reactions, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
 Participants and Methods : The participants were residents living in 13 municipalities in the evacuation zone of Japan's Fukushima Prefecture after the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake who responded to the Fukushima Health Management Survey in FY2012. A total of 30,709 women aged 40-90 years were included in the analyses. We performed a logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for CVD risk factors.
 Results : A multivariate analysis revealed that among the parous women (n = 19,608), evacuation was associated with psychological distress (adjusted OR 1.30, 95%CI : 1.17-1.44), trauma reactions (OR 1.22, 95%CI : 1.11-1.35), and heart disease (OR 1.14, 95%CI : 1.03-1.26) compared to the non-evacuation status. Among the nulliparous women (n = 1,794), there was no association between the evacuation and any outcomes.
 Conclusion : The evacuation of individuals after the Great East Japan Earthquake was associated with psychological distress, trauma reactions, and heart disease, especially among parous women. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YasukawaSumiyo en-aut-sei=Yasukawa en-aut-mei=Sumiyo kn-aut-name=安川純代 kn-aut-sei=安川 kn-aut-mei=純代 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EguchiEri en-aut-sei=Eguchi en-aut-mei=Eri kn-aut-name=江口依里 kn-aut-sei=江口 kn-aut-mei=依里 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhiraTetsuya en-aut-sei=Ohira en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name=大平哲也 kn-aut-sei=大平 kn-aut-mei=哲也 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiFumikazu en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Fumikazu kn-aut-name=林史和 kn-aut-sei=林 kn-aut-mei=史和 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiAkira en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name=坂井晃 kn-aut-sei=坂井 kn-aut-mei=晃 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimabukuroMichio en-aut-sei=Shimabukuro en-aut-mei=Michio kn-aut-name=島袋充生 kn-aut-sei=島袋 kn-aut-mei=充生 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimoriKeiya en-aut-sei=Fujimori en-aut-mei=Keiya kn-aut-name=藤森敬也 kn-aut-sei=藤森 kn-aut-mei=敬也 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraItaru en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Itaru kn-aut-name=三浦至 kn-aut-sei=三浦 kn-aut-mei=至 aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabeHirooki en-aut-sei=Yabe en-aut-mei=Hirooki kn-aut-name=矢部博興 kn-aut-sei=矢部 kn-aut-mei=博興 aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMasaharu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Masaharu kn-aut-name=前田正治 kn-aut-sei=前田 kn-aut-mei=正治 aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasumuraSeiji en-aut-sei=Yasumura en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name=安村誠司 kn-aut-sei=安村 kn-aut-mei=誠司 aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院保健学域 看護学 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学医学部 疫学 affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学医学部 疫学 affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学医学部 疫学 affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=6 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=7 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=8 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=10 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiation Medical Science Center, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil=福島県立医科大学放射線医学県民健康管理センター en-keyword=東日本大震災(the Great East Japan Earthquake) kn-keyword=東日本大震災(the Great East Japan Earthquake) en-keyword=大規模災害(large disaster) kn-keyword=大規模災害(large disaster) en-keyword=出産歴(parity) kn-keyword=出産歴(parity) en-keyword=精神的苦痛(psychological distress) kn-keyword=精神的苦痛(psychological distress) en-keyword=循環器疾患(cardiovascular disease) kn-keyword=循環器疾患(cardiovascular disease) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=136 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=112 end-page=119 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Evaluation of empathy in nursing students : Empathy in everyday situations and empathy as healthcare professionals kn-title=看護学生における共感性の検討―日常場面での共感性と医療者としての共感性から― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Empathy is crucial for building an effective patient-nurse relationship. This study aimed to examine two aspects of nursing students' empathy : their empathy in everyday situations and their empathy as healthcare professionals.
 This study involved 214 female students in their second to fourth years of nursing studies at a university, with analysis focusing on 118 participants. The Empathy Experience Scale Revised (EESR) was used to measure empathy in everyday situations, and the Jefferson Empathy Scale, Health Professionals version (JSE, HP-Version) measured the participants' empathy as healthcare professionals. The EESR comprises the Scale of Shared Experiences (SSE) and the Scale of Insufficient Sharing Experience (SISE) ; the JSE comprises Perspective Taking, Compassionate Care, and Standing in the Patient's Shoes.
 The total JSE scores and the Perspective Taking subfactor scores tended to be higher in fourth-year students, who also showed SISE scores significantly lower than those of students with fewer years of nursing study. Relationship analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between SSE scores and Perspective Taking scores. There was a weak negative correlation between SISE and Standing in the Patient's Shoes scores. Compassionate Care scores were not significantly related to SSE or SISE scores. These results suggest that nursing students' empathy as healthcare professionals increases as they advance in their nursing studies, and emphasize the importance of scale selection in measuring empathy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagoshiShiori en-aut-sei=Nagoshi en-aut-mei=Shiori kn-aut-name=名越史織 kn-aut-sei=名越 kn-aut-mei=史織 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoRiho en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Riho kn-aut-name=松本梨穂 kn-aut-sei=松本 kn-aut-mei=梨穂 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiwaraYuki en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name=梶原右揮 kn-aut-sei=梶原 kn-aut-mei=右揮 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimotoMichiko en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name=森本美智子 kn-aut-sei=森本 kn-aut-mei=美智子 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil=岡山大学医学部保健学科 看護学 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil=岡山大学医学部保健学科 看護学 affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院保健学域 看護学 affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院保健学域 看護学 en-keyword=看護学生(nursing students) kn-keyword=看護学生(nursing students) en-keyword=共感性(empathy) kn-keyword=共感性(empathy) en-keyword=尺度(scale) kn-keyword=尺度(scale) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241214 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of aged microplastics on paddy soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions under laboratory aerobic conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microplastics (MPs) formed after changes in chemical or physical properties may alter soil properties, which in turn may affect microbial activities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, few studies have focused on the effects of aged MPs changes on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of MPs with different aging times on soil GHG emissions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Low-density polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) were treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 0–2 weeks. Soil was incubated with PE or PLA 1% (w/w) concentration at 60% water holding capacity (WHC) for 35 days. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Results showed that CO2 and N2O emissions were higher (p < 0.05) in MPs-amended treatments than those without MPs and increased with MPs age. The addition of virgin PE did not affect soil DOC content, whereas aged PE and all PLA additions significantly increased soil DOC content on day 0, probably because UV irradiation caused the degradation of MPs to smaller molecules. In addition, aged MPs addition altered DOC spectral characteristics on day 7, possibly because aged PE and PLA promote microbial decomposition of organic matter by altering soil properties. Changes in soil DOC content and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) by aged PE and PLA probably promoted the emissions of CO2 and N2O compared to virgin MPs or soil only. Our study revealed that aged PE and PLA promote GHG emissions from soil by changing DOC contents and qualities. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangTian en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Tian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkaoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akao en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaNozomi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PereraGamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika en-aut-sei=Perera en-aut-mei=Gamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Environmental Management Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Aged MPs kn-keyword=Aged MPs en-keyword=biodegradable plastics kn-keyword=biodegradable plastics en-keyword=microplastics kn-keyword=microplastics en-keyword=nitrogen transformation kn-keyword=nitrogen transformation en-keyword=organic carbon decomposition kn-keyword=organic carbon decomposition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=82 end-page=89 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of high blood pressure on the risk of mortality among Japanese people aged 65 years and older en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of abnormal blood pressure on the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of older Japanese people aged ≥65 years.
Methods: This cohort study enrolled 54 760 participants from Okayama City aged ≥65 years who underwent basic health checkups from April 2006 to March 2008. Based on blood pressure, the participants were divided into six categories, from C1 (lowest) to C6 (highest). To assess the association of blood pressure with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, we used survival analysis to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and subdistribution HRs (SHRs) for cardiovascular mortality on C3. We then repeated the analyses based on age groups (65–74 years, 75–84 years, and ≥85 years).
Results: The fully adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality, which included all individual potential confounders, were 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.19) for C5 and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09–1.38) for C6, respectively. The fully adjusted SHRs for cardiovascular mortality were 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01–1.21) for C4, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05–1.34) for C5, and 1.36 (95% CI: 1.09–1.70) for C6. In the age-stratification, an increased risk of hypotension was observed with older age. The HR for C1 was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.16–1.41) for ≥85 years.
Conclusions: Hypertension increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among those aged 65–74 and 75–84 years, but not among those aged ≥85 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkagiShinsuke en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoSoshi en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Soshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuoRumi en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=all-cause mortality kn-keyword=all-cause mortality en-keyword=cardiovascular disease kn-keyword=cardiovascular disease en-keyword=hypertension kn-keyword=hypertension en-keyword=Japanese older adults kn-keyword=Japanese older adults en-keyword=survival analysis kn-keyword=survival analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=161 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=214501 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The nature of the hydrophobic interaction varies as the solute size increases from methane’s to C60’s en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The hydrophobic interaction, often combined with the hydrophilic or ionic interactions, makes the behavior of aqueous solutions very rich and plays an important role in biological systems. Theoretical and computer simulation studies have shown that the water-mediated force depends strongly on the size and other chemical properties of the solute, but how it changes with these factors remains unclear. We report here a computer simulation study that illustrates how the hydrophobic pair interaction and the entropic and enthalpic terms change with the solute size when the solute–solvent weak attractive interaction is unchanged with the solute size. The nature of the hydrophobic interaction changes qualitatively as the solute size increases from that of methane to that of fullerene. The potential of mean force between small solutes has several well-defined extrema, including the third minimum, whereas the potential of mean force between large solutes has the deep contact minimum and the large free-energy barrier between the contact and the water-bilayer separated configurations. The difference in the potential of mean force is related to the differences in the water density, energy, and hydrogen bond number distributions in the vicinity of the pairs of hydrophobic solutes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaitoHidefumi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=51 article-no= start-page=11111 end-page=11116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrogenerated Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Claisen Rearrangement of Allyl Aryl Ethers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Catalysts for Claisen rearrangement have been intensively studied to overcome the need for high temperature. However, previous studies have encountered challenges, such as the need for heating, a long reaction time, and/or the need for equivalent amounts of catalyst. In this study, we introduce an effective electrogenerated boron-based Lewis acid catalyst for the aromatic Claisen rearrangement, which proceeds in a few minutes at ambient temperature. Generation of the electrogenerated Lewis acid catalyst is discussed based on NMR analysis and DFT calculations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NikiYuta en-aut-sei=Niki en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudoKoichi en-aut-sei=Mitsudo en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoEisuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Eisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaSeiji en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Trends in the growing impact of group A Streptococcus infection on public health after COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentral observational study in Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Following the COVID-19 pandemic, group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection has been surging worldwide. We aimed to compare the disease burden between notified cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and unreported GAS infections.
Methods This is a multicentral observational study, retrospectively performed at seven hospitals in Okayama prefecture in Japan from January 2022, to June 2024. Clinical and microbiological data of patients with positive cultures of GAS were collected from the medical records. Primary outcomes were defined as rates of surgical procedures, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality, which were compared among patients with locally-defined STSS, invasive GAS (iGAS), and non-iGAS infection.
Results GAS was detected in 181 patients, with 154 active cases of GAS infection. The number of patients with GAS infection surged in late 2023. The most common source of infection was skin and soft tissue infections, accounting for 83 cases, including 15 cases of necrotizing fasciitis, and 12 cases (7.8%) were notified to public health authorities as STSS. Among the 25 unreported iGAS cases, 9 (36.0%) underwent surgical intervention, and 4 patients (16.0%) required ICU admission. The mortality rates in the unreported iGAS cases were comparable to those observed in the notified STSS.
Conclusions We highlighted that the number of iGAS infections was twofold higher than that of notified STSS, with comparable mortality rate between these groups, indicating substantial underestimation of the true burden of iGAS. This epidemiological investigation has significant implications for enhancing infectious disease surveillance frameworks and public health policy development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoTakashi en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwamotoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Iwamoto en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeharaYuko en-aut-sei=Takehara en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaHaruto en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Haruto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaKoji en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasayo en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama Kyoritsu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Epidemiology kn-keyword=Epidemiology en-keyword=Group A Streptococcus kn-keyword=Group A Streptococcus en-keyword=Necrotizing fasciitis kn-keyword=Necrotizing fasciitis en-keyword=Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome kn-keyword=Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome en-keyword=Surveillance kn-keyword=Surveillance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=28 end-page=36 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Local Control of Conjunctival Malignant Melanoma by Proton Beam Therapy in a Patient With No Metastasis in Six Years From in Situ to Nodular Lesions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Conjunctival malignant melanoma is extremely rare, with no standard of care established at moment. Here we report a 65-year-old woman, as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier, who presented concurrently a liver mass and lower bulbar conjunctival pigmented lesions in the right eye. Needle liver biopsy and excisional conjunctival biopsy showed hepatocellular carcinoma and conjunctival malignant melanoma in situ, respectively. The priority was given to segmental liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. In 1 year, she underwent second and third resection of bulbar conjunctival pigmented lesions, and the pathological examinations constantly showed melanoma in situ. In the course, she showed gradual widening of pigmented lesions to upper bulbar conjunctiva and lower palpebral conjunctiva and lower eyelid. About 2.5 years from the initial visit, the lower eyelid lesion was resected for a genomic DNA-based test of BRAF mutations which turned out to be absent, and then, she began to have intravenous anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), nivolumab every 3 or 4 weeks. She developed iritis in the right eye with conjunctival melanoma as an immune-related adverse event, 3 months after the beginning of nivolumab, and so she used daily topical 0.1% betamethasone eye drops to control the intraocular inflammation. She showed no metastasis in 6 years of follow-up, but later in the course, 5 years from the initial visit, she developed abruptly a non-pigmented nodular lesion on the temporal side of the bulbar conjunctiva along the corneal limbus, accompanied by two pigmented nodular lesions in the upper and lower eyelids in a few months. She thus, underwent proton beam therapy toward the conjunctival melanoma and achieved the successful local control. Proton beam therapy is a treatment option in place of orbital exenteration, and multidisciplinary team collaboration is desirable to achieve better cosmetic and functional outcomes in conjunctival malignant melanoma. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgataTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ogata en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Waki en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachibanaKota en-aut-sei=Tachibana en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiTomokazu en-aut-sei=Fuji en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiTakuya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiOsamu en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine (Ophthalmology), Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Proton Beam Center, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Proton Beam Center, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ocular surface kn-keyword=Ocular surface en-keyword=Conjunctiva kn-keyword=Conjunctiva en-keyword=Malignant melanoma kn-keyword=Malignant melanoma en-keyword=Proton beam therapy kn-keyword=Proton beam therapy en-keyword=Nivolumab kn-keyword=Nivolumab en-keyword=PD-1 inhibitor kn-keyword=PD-1 inhibitor en-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitor kn-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=187 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11 end-page=21 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241206 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Factors Shaping Followership Behavior in University Students: The Role of Club Activities in Fostering “the Ability to Contribute to the Organization” ? kn-title=大学生のフォロワーシップ行動とその形成要因 ― 部活動・サークルで培われる “組織へ貢献する力” ― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= 本研究では,大学の部活動・サークルを “組織へ貢献する力” が培われる場と位置づけ,大学生のフォロワーシップ行動とその形成要因について実証的に検討した。フォロワーシップの形成に寄与する個人要因として部活動・サークルへのコミットメント,組織環境要因としてチームリーダーシップと集団フォーマル性に着目し,大学生を対象に質問紙調査を行った。125名の有効回答に対して,パス解析を行った結果,チームリーダーシップの「建設的な後押し」と集団フォーマル性が,「集団同一視コミットメント」を向上し,それが3種のフォロワーシップ行動((「批判的行動」,「積極的行動」,「配慮的行動」)を促進するという影響過程が示唆された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MISAWARyo en-aut-sei=MISAWA en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name=三沢良 kn-aut-sei=三沢 kn-aut-mei=良 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IWASHITAMisaki en-aut-sei=IWASHITA en-aut-mei=Misaki kn-aut-name=岩下美咲 kn-aut-sei=岩下 kn-aut-mei=美咲 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 affil-num=2 en-affil=CAREER PLANNING Co., Ltd. kn-affil=株式会社キャリアプランニング en-keyword=フォロワーシップ kn-keyword=フォロワーシップ en-keyword=チームリーダーシップ kn-keyword=チームリーダーシップ en-keyword=集団フォーマル性 kn-keyword=集団フォーマル性 en-keyword=コミットメント kn-keyword=コミットメント END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=7428 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Design and Implementation of Kerberos-Blockchain Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks Authentication Across Diverse Network Scenarios en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) play an essential role in the intelligent transportation era, furnishing users with essential roadway data to facilitate optimal route selection and mitigate the risk of accidents. However, the network exposure makes VANETs susceptible to cyber threats, making authentication crucial for ensuring security and integrity. Therefore, joining entity verification is essential to ensure the integrity and security of communication in VANETs. However, to authenticate the entities, authentication time should be minimized to guarantee fast and secure authentication procedures. We propose an authentication system for VANETs using blockchain and Kerberos for storing authentication messages in a blockchain ledger accessible to Trusted Authentication Servers (TASs) and Roadside Units (RSUs). We evaluate the system in three diverse network scenarios: suburban, urban with 1 TAS, and urban with 2 TASs. The findings reveal that this proposal is applicable in diverse network scenarios to fulfill the network requirements, including authentication, handover, and end-to-end delay, considering an additional TAS for an increasing number of vehicles. The system is also practicable in storing the authentication message in blockchain considering the gas values and memory size for all scenarios. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RahayuMaya en-aut-sei=Rahayu en-aut-mei=Maya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainMd. Biplob en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Md. Biplob kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HudaSamsul en-aut-sei=Huda en-aut-mei=Samsul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Kodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AliMd. Arshad en-aut-sei=Ali en-aut-mei=Md. Arshad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogamiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Nogami en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Green Innovation Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of CSE, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network kn-keyword=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network en-keyword=Kerberos authentication kn-keyword=Kerberos authentication en-keyword=blockchain kn-keyword=blockchain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e0315385 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Phase-dependent trends in the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to long COVID: A criteria-based retrospective study in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background
The characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to COVID-19 have remained uncertain. To elucidate the clinical trend of ME/CFS induced by long COVID, we examined data for patients who visited our outpatient clinic established in a university hospital during the period from Feb 2021 to July 2023.

Methods
Long COVID patients were classified into two groups, an ME/CFS group and a non-ME/CFS group, based on three diagnostic criteria.

Results
The prevalence of ME/CFS in the long COVID patients was 8.4% (62 of 739 cases; female: 51.6%) and factors related to ME/CFS were severe illness, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, and fewer vaccinations. The frequency of ME/CFS decreased from 23.9% in the Preceding period to 13.7% in the Delta-dominant period and to 3.3% in the Omicron-dominant period. Fatigue and headache were commonly frequent complaints in the ME/CFS group, and the frequency of poor concentration in the ME/CFS group was higher in the Omicron period. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in female patients in the ME/CFS group infected in the Preceding period. In the ME/CFS group, the proportion of patients complaining of brain fog significantly increased from 22.2% in the Preceding period to 47.9% in the Delta period and to 81.3% in the Omicron period. The percentage of patients who had received vaccination was lower in the ME/CFS group than the non-ME/CFS group over the study period, whereas there were no differences in the vaccination rate between the groups in each period.

Conclusion
The proportion of long COVID patients who developed ME/CFS strictly diagnosed by three criteria was lower among patients infected in the Omicron phase than among patients infected in the other phases, while the proportion of patients with brain fog inversely increased. Attention should be paid to the variant-dependent trends of ME/CFS triggered by long COVID (300 words). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaSatoru en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunadaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Sunada en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=10342 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Assessing CO2 Reduction Effects Through Decarbonization Scenarios in the Residential and Transportation Sectors: Challenges and Solutions for Japan's Hilly and Mountainous Areas en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Depopulation, aging, and regional decline are becoming increasingly serious issues in Japan's hilly and mountainous areas. Focusing on mitigating environmental damage and envisioning a sustainable future for these regions, this study examines the potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the residential and transportation sectors by 2050. Bottom-up simulations were used to estimate CO2 emissions. Subsequently, six decarbonization scenarios were formulated, considering various measures from the perspectives of population distribution and technological progress. Based on these scenarios, this study analyzes changes in future population, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions by 2050. The results of this study show the following. (1) Depopulation and aging problems in these regions are expected to become more severe in the future. It is necessary to take action to promote sustainable regional development. (2) Pursuing decarbonization has a positive impact on enhancing regional sustainability; however, maintaining the intensity of measures at the current level could lead to a reduction of only 40% in CO2 emissions per capita by 2050 compared with 2020. (3) Scenarios that strengthen decarbonization measures could achieve a reduction of over 95% by 2050, indicating that carbon neutrality is attainable. However, this will require implementing measures at a higher intensity, especially in the transportation sector. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaoXiyue en-aut-sei=Hao en-aut-mei=Xiyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanChuyue en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Chuyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NarumiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Narumi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=decarbonization measures kn-keyword=decarbonization measures en-keyword=CO2 reduction kn-keyword=CO2 reduction en-keyword=residential sector kn-keyword=residential sector en-keyword=transportation sector kn-keyword=transportation sector en-keyword=energy consumption kn-keyword=energy consumption en-keyword=CO2 emissions kn-keyword=CO2 emissions en-keyword=hilly and mountainous areas kn-keyword=hilly and mountainous areas en-keyword=area management kn-keyword=area management END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=11326 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of Nano- and Microparticles Obtained from Polymerization Reaction and Their Application to Surface Coating of Woody Materials en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A surface coating of polymer particles of different hydrophobicity and wide-ranged size is helpful for the surface modification of materials such as woody thin board (WTB) derived from biomass. A preparation method for polymer particles was, in this study, proposed using a capillary-type flow system. Under hydrothermal conditions, the refinement of dispersed oil droplets in water (O/W emulsions) and the polymerization reaction could be simultaneously advanced, and polymer particles of polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with a particle size of about 100 nm could be synthesized. The coating of polymer particles gave an improved effect on the water repellency of WTBs due to the hydrophobicity of polymer particles and an alteration of surface roughness, and it also provided long-term stability (more than 6 years). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimanouchiToshinori en-aut-sei=Shimanouchi en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaDaichi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasafumi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYukitaka en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yukitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= en-keyword=polymer particles kn-keyword=polymer particles en-keyword= emulsification kn-keyword= emulsification en-keyword= water repellency kn-keyword= water repellency en-keyword= hydrophobicity kn-keyword= hydrophobicity en-keyword= coating kn-keyword= coating en-keyword= convective self-assembly kn-keyword= convective self-assembly en-keyword= wood thin board kn-keyword= wood thin board END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1434800 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy of extracting and preventively intervening late-stage older adults who are at high risk for spending high medical costs by using the health check-up system in Japan: a pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives: In Japan, the seven diseases (femur fracture, cerebral infarction, chronic renal failure, heart failure, dementia, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are the top causes of inpatient medical costs among the late-stage older adults aged 75 years and over. This pilot study was conducted with the following two objectives; (1) to examine the proportion of risks of onset and severity of seven diseases among the late-stage older adults, and (2) to examine the efficacy of interventions focusing on the prevention of unplanned hospitalization.
Methods: Participants were 45,233 older adults aged 75 and over living in Kure City, Japan. In addition to the government-mandated health checkup items, the Intervention group underwent additional risk screening tests included questionnaires, physical examinations, blood tests, and educational guidance by nurses. The efficacy of the intervention was examined whether there were differences in the number of hospitalizations, the use of emergency and critical care, and the incidence of hemodialysis induction between the Intervention and control groups (Usual Health Checkup group and No Health Checkup group) for the 2 years.
Results: There were 485 participants in the Intervention group, 1,067 in the Usual Health Checkup group, and 43,712 in the No Health Checkup group. As the risks of seven diseases in the Intervention group, the largest proportion of deviations occurred for systolic blood pressure (63.3%), estimated salt intake (60.3%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (51.5%). Estimated glomerular filtration rate deviated in 41.0%, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide in 37.9%. 7.5% scored <2 points on the Mini-Cog (c), and 9.1% performed the Timed Up and Go test in >12 s. The incidence of hospitalization due to any of the seven diseases was significantly higher in the No Health Checkup group (p < 0.001). There were no differences among the three groups in the use of emergency and critical care or the introduction of hemodialysis.
Conclusion: This study revealed that additional health checkup tests and intervention methods could be prevented hospitalization among the adults of 75 years and older. It is necessary to make health checkups and follow-ups more accessible those are already available within the existing health system in Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KazawaKana en-aut-sei=Kazawa en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiMadoka en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriyamaMichiko en-aut-sei=Moriyama en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=older adults kn-keyword=older adults en-keyword=health checkups kn-keyword=health checkups en-keyword=health risk kn-keyword=health risk en-keyword=hospitalization kn-keyword=hospitalization en-keyword=education kn-keyword=education END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1251 end-page=1273 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Skewing Technology for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors: A Comprehensive Review and Recent Trends en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This article gives a comprehensive overview of the current research trends in the skewing technique for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). The skewing technique has been widely used in many applications to reduce the cogging torque and torque ripple in PMSMs. There are many ways to implement the skew, and new techniques are continually being developed. First, this article summarizes the types of skew structures and presents a survey of existing techniques. Specific emphasis is placed on what kind of skew structure is selected depending on the PMSM configuration. Second, the optimal value of the skew angle for each structure is comprehensively explained, and the discrepancy between theory and finite element analysis is discussed. The definition of skew angle varies across the literature, and one of the purposes of this article is to organize the definition in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, this article offers three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA) results of various PMSMs employing the skew for quantitative comparison. Then, this article discusses the properties of PMSMs using the skew by structure and the latest trends, and finally describes future prospects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsunataRen en-aut-sei=Tsunata en-aut-mei=Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakemotoMasatsugu en-aut-sei=Takemoto en-aut-mei=Masatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Additive manufacturing (AM) kn-keyword=Additive manufacturing (AM) en-keyword=axial leakage flux kn-keyword=axial leakage flux en-keyword=cogging torque kn-keyword=cogging torque en-keyword=electrical machine kn-keyword=electrical machine en-keyword=finite element analysis (FEA) kn-keyword=finite element analysis (FEA) en-keyword=induction motor (IM) kn-keyword=induction motor (IM) en-keyword=interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) kn-keyword=interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) en-keyword=noise kn-keyword=noise en-keyword=patents kn-keyword=patents en-keyword=permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) kn-keyword=permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) en-keyword=skew kn-keyword=skew en-keyword=surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) kn-keyword=surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) en-keyword=torque ripple kn-keyword=torque ripple en-keyword=total harmonic distortion (THD) kn-keyword=total harmonic distortion (THD) en-keyword=traction motor kn-keyword=traction motor en-keyword=transportation kn-keyword=transportation en-keyword=vibration kn-keyword=vibration END