Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1055-7903 223 2026 Reticulate evolution, introgression, and recent diversification in Epimedium sect. Macroceras 108646 EN Emi Kusatake Department of Biology, Okayama University Momoka Konishi Department of Biology, Okayama University Shuto Tomokuni Department of Biology, Okayama University Yosuke Yanagi Department of Biology, Okayama University Shungo Kariyama Society of Kurashiki Museum of Natural History Takehito Itoh School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo Atsushi Toyoda Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics Seung-Chul Kim Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University Makiko Mimura Department of Biology, Okayama University Hybridization can hinder or promote diversification, and growing genomic evidence suggests that it can facilitate adaptation and speciation. Despite recent progress, however, the quantitative contribution and temporal scope of hybridization to diversification remain poorly understood. The genus Epimedium is a recently diverged lineage, and sect. Macroceras largely consists of endemic species in Japan that are distributed across diverse environments, including limestone, serpentine, coastal habitats, heavy-snow regions, and regions with mild winters. Although natural hybridization and hybrid species have been reported in this section, molecular evidence demonstrating the contribution of hybridization to lineage diversification is limited. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from Epimedium sect. Macroceras and tested for genomic signatures consistent with hybridization. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that E. koreanum from Korea is sister to Japanese Epimedium lineages, consistent with an initial colonization of Japan from the Korean Peninsula. The analyses also revealed complex relationships among Japanese species and frequent signals of historical interspecific introgression. Our results are consistent with a history of recent diversification in sect. Macroceras accompanied by introgressive hybridization, which may have contributed to diversification across heterogeneous environments in Japan. This study provides the first genome-wide insights into the evolutionary history of Epimedium sect. Macroceras and reveals complex reticulate relationships among the lineages. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0924-4247 408 2026 A flexible PVDF-based galloping flow sensor 117978 EN Mitsuki Kurose Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takefumi Kanda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuya Sato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shuichi Wakimoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daisuke Yamaguchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shinji Hiejima Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takeji Ueda Hydro-VENUS Co., Ltd., Okayama University Effective monitoring of low flow velocities in small rivers and irrigation channels is hindered by the power requirements and maintenance costs of existing technologies. This study proposes a novel flexible piezoelectric polymer flow sensor utilizing galloping vibration to detect flow velocity in the low range (≤ 0.1 m/s). The sensor features a flexible cantilever structure composed of a silicone rubber beam embedded with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film and a tip pillar. Unlike conventional devices based on flow-induced vibration, the use of low-stiffness materials enables the induction of self-excited vibration even under weak fluid forces. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been conducted to optimize the tip shape; a D-shaped semicylinder is selected over a cylinder and a square prism because the geometry maximizes the lift force per unit mass, ensuring efficient energy conversion. To predict sensor behavior, a coupled mechanical-fluid-electrical model was developed. Specifically, the model accounts for the static deflection angle caused by fluid drag. Water channel experiments demonstrated that sensors with beam thicknesses under 4 mm successfully generated stable periodic outputs at 0.1 m/s, a regime previously difficult for galloping-based devices. Conversely, thicker beam which has a thickness of 8 mm achieved higher outputs at higher velocities but failed to actuate at low speeds. Furthermore, the study showed a vibration suppression phenomenon in flexible beams at high flow velocities due to excessive static deflection, which was accurately reproduced by the analytical model. These findings establish structural stiffness as the critical design parameter for optimizing the operable velocity range of flow sensors. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0924-4247 408 2026 Tip position estimation of a 3-DOF soft mechanism using artificial muscles with optical fibers 117938 EN Rikimaru Okada Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shuichi Wakimoto Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuichiro Toda Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shun Miura Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Daisuke Yamaguchi Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takefumi Kanda Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University McKibben-type pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are lightweight and flexible soft actuators with a high power-to-weight ratio, and have been widely applied to rehabilitation devices, power-assist systems, and soft robotic mechanisms. By integrating sensing functions into PAMs, their usability and controllability can be enhanced, enabling the development of more practical and advanced soft mechanisms. We previously proposed a smart artificial muscle (SAM) by integrating an optical fiber into the braided sleeve of a McKibben-type PAM, which enables displacement estimation by measuring optical bending loss. The SAM is compatible with conventional PAM fabrication processes; however, the sensor output exhibits strong nonlinearity and time dependency. In this study, an LSTM-based state estimation framework is extended from a single SAM to a three-degree-of-freedom soft mechanism composed of multiple SAMs, where strong nonlinear coupling and mutual interference arise among actuators. In the proposed framework, the LSTM model jointly processes time-series data of multi-channel optical sensor outputs and applied pressures of the three SAMs, along with past estimated states as inputs. This structure enables the model to capture nonlinear coupling, hysteresis, and time-dependent behavior, allowing estimation of the tip position of the soft mechanism. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method accurately captures complex nonlinear dynamics and mutual mechanical interference among multiple SAMs, achieving accurate tip position estimation. These results indicate that SAMs with integrated sensing and actuation capabilities, combined with machine-learning-based estimation, provide an effective approach for state estimation of multi-DOF soft robotic mechanisms. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Hrvatski Sumarski Institut (Croatian Forest Research) Acta Medica Okayama 1849-0891 17 1 2026 Understory Vegetation Structure in Remnant Natural Forests and Acacia Plantations on Coastal Sand Dunes in North Central Vietnam 26007 EN Tuan Quoc Doan Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Tetsuya K. Matsumoto Ibaraki University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering Tai Tien Dinh Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) Hung Thai Le Hue University, University of Agriculture and Forestry Tuan Ngoc Anh Ho Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) Naoko H. Miki Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Hoang Thai Dac Ho Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) Muneto Hirobe Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology In the coastal sand dune forests of North Central Vietnam, vegetation has been seriously damaged by war and overexploitation. To recover ecosystem functions, including sand stabilisation under harsh environments, exotic species like Acacia spp. have been planted as a monoculture. However, the long-term sustainability of this practice remains unclear. To assess the long-term effectiveness of revegetation with Acacia spp., this study aims to understand the differences and similarities in ecological characteristics of remnant natural forests and Acacia plantations on the coastal sand dune of North Central Vietnam by comparing understory vegetation structure and environmental conditions. We investigated the understory vegetation (height < 130 cm) in a total of 54 quadrants (1 m × 1 m), including nine natural forests and nine Acacia plantations. We compared diversity indices by mixed ANOVA and examined the differences in the understory vegetation structure between the two forest types through PERMANOVA. We also determined some abiotic environmental factors (e.g. light and soil water availability, and soil pH). We identified 951 individuals, with 792 found in natural forests and 159 in plantations. The species found in natural forests were well-distributed among Liana phanerophytes (Lp), Microphanerophytes (Mi), Mega-Mesophanerophytes (MM), and Cryptophytes (Cr). In contrast, species found in plantations were predominantly Cr, Hemicryptophytes (Hm), and MM. All diversity indices were significantly higher in natural forests (P < 0.05), and the NMDS analysis confirmed significant differences in the understory vegetation structure between natural forests and plantations. Only soil pH was significantly lower in natural forests (P < 0.05), while none of the environmental factors had a statistically significant impact on the variations in understory vegetation structure. Our results indicate that succession by native tree species does not seem to occur naturally in Acacia plantations. Hence, to restore and sustainably develop coastal sand dune forests in North Central Vietnam, it is essential to establish a scientifically based strategy for managing and protecting the remaining natural remnant forest areas. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0178-8051 2026 Uniqueness of Dirichlet forms for random point fields in the absence of tail triviality EN Yosuke Kawamoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university We consider an infinite system of interacting Brownian motions that preserves a given random point field invariant. Such dynamics are constructed using Dirichlet form theory, which naturally leads to two Dirichlet forms for the random point field: the upper and the lower Dirichlet forms. A fundamental question is the uniqueness of the Dirichlet form: that is, whether these two forms coincide. This uniqueness has often been imposed as a key assumption in the Dirichlet form approach to the stochastic analysis for infinite particle systems. A sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the Dirichlet forms is known when the random point field is tail trivial. However, tail triviality has been established for only a limited class of random point fields. In this paper, we prove the uniqueness of the Dirichlet form without assuming tail triviality. The main contribution of this work is to establish the tail preserving property, which asserts that global properties of the system, such as particle density, are preserved under time evolution. As a consequence, our results also imply the strong uniqueness of solutions to the associated infinite-dimensional stochastic differential equations. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1865-1569 30 1 2026 Three-dimensional virtual planning reduces operative time in orthognathic surgery: a procedure-specific retrospective study incorporating additive manufacturing 94 EN Yuki Kunisada Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Norie Yoshioka Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akiyoshi Nishiyama Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masanori Masui Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Koichi Kadoya Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroaki Takakura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kyoichi Obata Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kisho Ono Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Koki Umemori Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Soichiro Ibaragi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Purpose Three-dimensional virtual surgical planning (3D-VSP) is increasingly used in orthognathic surgery; however, procedure-specific evidence regarding its real-world impact on operative efficiency and intraoperative blood loss remains limited. This study evaluated the association between 3D-VSP implementation and operative time, and intraoperative blood loss across different orthognathic procedures.<br> Methods This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent orthognathic surgery at a single academic institution before (2019–2020) and after (2023–2024) the full implementation of 3D-VSP integrated with in-house additive manufacturing (n = 344). Procedure-specific multivariable linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for age, sex, and surgeon experience.<br> Results After 3D-VSP implementation, operative time was reduced by approximately 36 min in sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO), 50 min in Le Fort I (LF1) combined with SSRO, and 42 min in segmental LF1 combined with SSRO, representing a 15–20% reduction in total operative time. No meaningful reduction was observed in intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO)-based procedures. A statistically significant, but modest, reduction in intraoperative blood loss was observed only in SSRO. The time-saving effect was independent of surgeon experience.<br> Conclusion The clinical benefit of 3D-VSP in orthognathic surgery is procedure-dependent and most evident in geometrically complex SSRO-based operations. These findings support the targeted implementation of digital planning and additive manufacturing workflows to improve operative efficiency in routine practice. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1432-0584 105 5 2026 HLA-matched versus haploidentical donor transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide: a study on behalf of the donor/source working group of the Japanese society for transplantation and cellular therapy 255 EN Yosuke Nakaya Department of Hematology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine Hirohisa Nakamae Department of Hematology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine Junichi Sugita Department of Hematology, Sapporo Hokuyu Hospital Junya Kanda Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Yuta Hasegawa Department of Hematology, Hokkaido University Hospital Tetsuya Eto Department of Hematology, Hamanomachi Hospital Takahiro Fukuda Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Cancer Center Hospital Naoki Kurita Department of Hematology, University of Tsukuba Hospital Nobuhiro Hiramoto Department of Hematology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital Koji Nagafuji Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University HospitalDepartment of Hematology, Sapporo Hokuyu Hospital Shuichi Ota Department of Hematology, Sapporo Hokuyu Hospital Noboru Asada Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital Toshihiko Ando Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University Toshiro Kawakita Department of Hematology, NHO Kumamoto Medical Center Takashi Akasaka Department of Hematology, Tenri Hospital Yasuo Mori Hematology, Oncology & Cardiovascular medicine, Kyushu University Hospital Tomohiko Kamimura Department of Hematology, Harasanshin Hospital Makoto Onizuka Department of Hematology/Oncology, Tokai University School of Medicine Yoshiko Atsuta Japanese Data Center for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Hideki Nakasone Division of Hematology, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is now being increasingly applied to HLA-matched donor (MD) transplantation. Prior studies in Western countries have demonstrated that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) employing PTCy yields better outcomes with HLA-matched donors (MDs) than with haploidentical donors (HIDs). However, the effect of HLA mismatch may differ among racial groups. We retrospectively analyzed adult patients with hematological malignancies who underwent their first allo-HCT with PTCy from MDs or HIDs registered to the Japanese registry database between 2013 and 2021. Among 63 (related, n = 33; unrelated, n = 30) and 1261 patients who received MD and HID allo-HCT with PTCy, 50 (related, n = 30; unrelated, n = 20) and 100 patients were assigned to MD and HID groups by 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM). The results showed that MD recipients had better neutrophil recovery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.10; P = 0.031) and lower risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05–0.81; P = 0.024) than HID recipients. Multivariable analyses in the entire cohort before PSM confirmed these findings. Fatal infection was the primary cause of NRM in the HID group. This study is the first to demonstrate that, within a homogeneous Asian cohort, MD may have an advantage over HID in PTCy-based allo-HCT in facilitating neutrophil engraftment and reducing the risk of NRM. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1432-0584 105 5 2026 Donor selection for patients with HLA-homozygous haplotypes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation 244 EN Noriyoshi Yoshinaga Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Makoto Iwasaki Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Koji Kato Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Fumihiko Kimura Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College Masahiro Hirayama Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine Minoru Kanaya Blood Disorders Center, Aiiku Hospital Satoko Morishima Central Japan Cord Blood Bank Naoyuki Uchida Department of Hematology, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations Toranomon Hospital Noriko Doki Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital Takahiro Fukuda Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Cancer Center Hospital Yoshinobu Kanda Division of Hematology, Jichi Medical University Tetsuya Nishida Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daiichi Hospital Yuta Hasegawa Department of Hematology, Hokkaido University Hospital Shinichi Kako Division of Hematology, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center Masatsugu Tanaka Department of Hematology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Mineo Kurokawa Department of Cell Therapy and Transplantation Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital Noboru Asada Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital Toshiro Kawakita Department of Hematology, NHO Kumamoto Medical Center Keisuke Kataoka Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine Yukio Kondo Department of Hematology, Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital Kazunori Imada Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Osaka Hospital Tatsuo Ichinohe Department of Hematology and Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Makoto Onizuka Department of Hematology/Oncology, Tokai University School of Medicine Yoshiko Atsuta Japanese Data Center for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Junya Kanda Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University HLA homozygous haplotypes occur worldwide, but outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using alternative donor sources remain uncertain. We retrospectively analyzed the Japanese national transplantation registry to compare outcomes after first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with HLA homozygous haplotypes. Donors were classified as homo-to-homo, defined as HLA-matched, or hetero-to-homo, defined as allele-level mismatches at HLA-A, -B, -C, and/or -DRB1 restricted to the host-versus-graft direction. The unrelated donor homo-to-homo group served as the reference. We included 691 patients: related donor homo-to-homo (n = 121), related donor hetero-to-homo (n = 76), unrelated donor homo-to-homo (n = 374), unrelated donor hetero-to-homo (n = 22), cord blood homo-to-homo (n = 40), and cord blood hetero-to-homo (n = 58). Compared with the unrelated donor homo-to-homo group, overall survival was inferior in the cord blood homo-to-homo group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–2.64; P = 0.015), whereas the unrelated donor hetero-to-homo group showed a nonsignificant trend toward inferior overall survival (adjusted HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 0.97–3.22; P = 0.061). In this Japanese cohort, cord blood homo-to-homo transplantation was associated with inferior overall survival, whereas related donor hetero-to-homo and cord blood hetero-to-homo transplantation were not. These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the retrospective design and long study period, and require validation in contemporary, ethnically diverse cohorts. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 2052-4129 13 11 2026 Photoinduced sulfanyloximation of styrenes using N-nitrosamines and thiols 3367 3375 EN Ken Yamazaki Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Toshiki Tamura Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Shuta Akimoto Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Tomoya Miura Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Molecules featuring both sulfur and nitrogen atoms are privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and biological systems. However, methods for the direct and regioselective installation of these heteroatoms onto alkenes remain limited. Herein, we report a visible-light-induced, three-component sulfanyloximation of styrenes utilizing thiols and N-nitrosamine as a bench-stable nitrogen oxide (NO) surrogate. This regioselective protocol operates under mild conditions with remarkable functional group tolerance. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated by its extension to the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles and the divergent downstream derivatization of α-sulfanyl ketoxime products via imidoyl fluoride intermediates. An extensive mechanistic investigation supports a pathway initiated by thiyl radical addition to alkenes followed by radical coupling with in situ generated NO. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2090-6447 2026 1 2026 A Case of Peripheral Odontogenic Myxofibroma Arising in the Palatal Gingiva of the Maxillary Second Premolar Region: A Case Report EN Masanori Masui Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , Faculty of Medicine , Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama University Hirokazu Yutori Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Ai Fujimura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Soichiro Ibaragi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , Faculty of Medicine , Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama University Odontogenic myxofibroma (OMF) is a rare benign mesenchymal odontogenic tumor characterized by myxoid stroma with a prominent fibrous component. Although it usually arises intraosseously within the jaws, the peripheral variant, peripheral odontogenic myxofibroma (POMF), which occurs in extraosseous soft tissues, is uncommon and may be clinically misdiagnosed as a reactive gingival lesion. We report a case of POMF in a 68-year-old man who was referred for evaluation of a painless, slowly enlarging swelling of the palatal gingiva in the left maxillary second premolar region, which had initially been diagnosed as chronic periodontitis at a local clinic. An intraoral examination revealed an elastic, firm mass with partial erythema on the palatal marginal gingiva. Panoramic radiography showed mild generalized horizontal bone loss without lesion-specific changes, and computed tomography revealed no bone resorption associated with the lesion. Exfoliative cytology was negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy. The lesion was excised with a 5-mm clinical margin, including periosteum, and superficial peripheral ostectomy of the adjacent cortical bone was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a myxoid stroma rich in mucinous matrix and collagen fibers, containing sparsely distributed spindle-shaped cells and scattered nests of odontogenic epithelium. Alcian blue staining revealed diffuse positivity, supporting the diagnosis of POMF. No recurrence was observed during a 2-year follow-up period. This case highlights a diagnostic pitfall in the tooth-bearing gingiva and underscores the importance of histopathological confirmation of persistent gingival masses. When imaging shows no apparent bone involvement, and clinical suspicion of malignancy is low, complete excision with an adequate soft-tissue margin and selective, limited bone removal may achieve local control while preserving the adjacent teeth; long-term follow-up remains advisable. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Informa UK Limited Acta Medica Okayama 1098-6065 2026 Proposing an alternative direction for the development of research: a complementary perspective on Schoenfeld’s approach to generality 1 12 EN Yusuke Uegatani Hiroshima University High School Ippo Ishibashi Faculty of Education, Okayama University The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework that suggests directions for future research. While Schoenfeld’s three-axis heuristic framework is well known for this purpose, it primarily points toward increasing generality. Drawing on prior studies on the generalizability of empirical findings in educational research, this paper argues that an alternative research path is possible. Building on the distinction between prevalence and scope, it proposes two types of generality: the generality of a phenomenon within a specified scope and the generality of a theory. Correspondingly, it identifies two directions for research development: delimitation of the scope and generalization of a theory. Finally, the paper argues that research development based on this framework can be understood as progressive in the Lakatosian sense. While Schoenfeld’s framework suggests directions for individual studies, this framework guides competing research programmes by enabling both to progress through scope delimitation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 17 1 2026 Photooxidative Copper(II) Catalysis for Promoting anti-Markovnikov Hydration of Alkenes 3003 EN Naoki Oku Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Keito Fuke Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Rikako Masui Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Ken Yamazaki Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Yasunori Matsui Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University Hiroshi Ikeda Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University Tomoya Miura Division of Applied Chemistry, Okayama University Photoredox catalysis enables the generation of radical intermediates under mild conditions, yet photoredox catalysts have heavily relied on precious transition metal complexes. Therefore, the development of photocatalysts based on earth-abundant metals is increasingly demanded. Here, we report a highly photooxidative capability of a heteroleptic copper(II) complex for promoting anti-Markovnikov hydration of alkenes. The copper(II) complex containing bathophenanthroline and 3,4-dimethoxybenzenethiolate ligands is generated in situ from copper(II) chloride dihydrate. Upon visible-light irradiation, the copper(II) complex is photoexcited and exhibits an excited-state lifetime sufficiently long to oxidize various alkenes, including aliphatic substrates. Consequently, anti-Markovnikov hydration can be achieved under mild conditions, and the late-stage functionalization of natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives is also feasible. The developed catalytic system can be extended for photooxidative reactions of alkenes, such as intramolecular cyclization reactions and anti-Markovnikov addition of nucleophiles other than water. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1860-1871 2026 Effects of Juniperus sabina coverage on plant community structure in semiarid areas of China EN Long Qin Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Ayaka Yamabayashi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Tetsuya K. Matsumoto Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Guosheng Zhang College of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University Norikazu Yamanaka Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University Muneto Hirobe Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Naoko H. Miki Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Plant interactions are one of the fundamental processes shaping the structure and function of plant communities and help create species diversity. Species diversity affects the current functioning of ecosystems and their resistance and resilience to future climate change. In harsh environments such as drylands, positive plant–plant interactions are important in promoting species diversity. Juniperus sabina is an evergreen shrub that is native to the semiarid areas of northern China. Because J. sabina can modify some harsh environmental conditions in its role as a nurse plant, it is expected to facilitate species diversity, although it may exhibit allelopathic inhibition. Previous research has only examined effects of J. sabina coverage onα-diversity in a single-year, and its effects on the β-diversity of the plant community structure in the local ecosystem are still unclear. We compared environmental conditions and plant species composition inside and outside of 11 J. sabina patches to evaluate the effects of its coverage on the species diversity of the understory community structure through modifying microhabitat conditions. Water and nutrient conditions were higher inside the patches, whereas light conditions were higher outside. More perennial herbs and C3 plants were found inside and more annual herbs and C4 plants were found outside. There were different trends in α-diversity each year, while β-diversity was consistently greater inside the patches. This research suggests that the coverage of J. sabina can drive different community structures by providing heterogeneous environmental conditions, and would increase plant species diversity in the local ecosystem. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1999-4907 17 5 2026 Photosynthetic Response of Larix gmelinii var. japonica Saplings After Exogenous Glutathione Foliar Application 530 EN Resa Sri Rahayu Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Wataru Ishizuka Forestry Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization Ayu Narita Forestry Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization Rie Miyata Forestry Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization Naoko H. Miki Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirokazu Kon Forestry Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization Yuko Miyazaki Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sapling survival and growth depend on photosynthetic assimilates. Therefore, improving physiological performance during early stages may enhance subsequent performance and nursery production. This study evaluated whether exogenous oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reported to enhance photosynthesis, improves the photosynthetic, physiological, and growth-related traits of Larix gmelinii var. japonica saplings. Sixteen saplings were assigned to four treatments: GSSG, 5-aminolevulinic acid, Hyponex, and a water control. Photosynthetic, nitrogen-related, and growth traits were measured before treatment and at 3, 6, 13, and 31 days after treatment, and biomass was assessed after three months. The GSSG treatment showed no difference in the net CO2 assimilation rate (Amax) compared with the control, but exhibited a significantly earlier peak at 6 days than the other treatments. This response was supported by the stability of GSSG-treated saplings against photoinhibition (Fv/Fm) and a tendency toward greater resilience to midday light stress (ΦPSII). Enhanced photosynthetic performance was associated with reduced carbon and nitrogen fluctuations and was accompanied by numerically greater root and stem biomass in the 2024 terminal shoots. Although fertilization effects were generally weak and transient, GSSG elicited notable responses, suggesting that the immediate enhancement of photosynthesis underlies its impact. However, its antioxidant properties under stressful conditions warrant further investigation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1471-2431 26 1 2026 Hypernatremia during the first week of life in very preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 to 4 years of age: a cohort study 181 EN Michiko Murakami Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Kei Tamai Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Naomi Matsumoto Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akihito Takeuchi Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Makoto Nakamura Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Misao Kageyama Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Background Hypernatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in both term and preterm infants. Previous studies have suggested a correlation between hypernatremia and short-term complications in preterm infants, such as intraventricular hemorrhage and chronic lung disease. However, the relationship between hypernatremia and neurodevelopmental outcomes is less well understood. This study aimed to assess the association between hypernatremia during the first week of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3–4 years of age in very preterm infants.<br> Methods This single-center, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation between 2010 and 2020. Infants with peak whole blood sodium levels > 145 mEq/L during the first week of life were included in the hypernatremia group and those with ≤ 145 mEq/L in the non-hypernatremia group. The primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 3–4 years of age, defined as developmental impairment (developmental quotient < 70), cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, or visual impairment. Secondary outcomes were the components of the primary outcome. We conducted Poisson regression analyses with robust variance, adjusting for perinatal confounders.<br> Results Of 272 infants with neurodevelopmental data, 82 and 190 infants were in the hypernatremia and non-hypernatremia groups, respectively. The median (interquartile range) gestational age and birth weight were 26.4 (25.1–28.0) and 28.7 (26.6–30.3) weeks and 860 (670–1062) and 997 (778–1264) g for infants in the hypernatremia and non-hypernatremia groups, respectively. Infants in the hypernatremia group had a greater incidence of NDI (29.3% vs. 14.7%, adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.75, 95% CI 1.08–2.84) and cerebral palsy (8.5% vs. 1.6%, adjusted RR 5.5, 95% CI 1.72–17.63) than those in the non-hypernatremia group.<br> Conclusions Hypernatremia during the first week of life was associated with an increased risk of NDI at 3–4 years of age in very preterm infants. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0902-0063 40 6 2026 Risk Factors for Waiting List Mortality in Lung Transplant Candidates With Post‐Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Non‐Infectious Pulmonary Complications e70582 EN Hisao Higo Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Satoru Senoo Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Satoko Makimoto Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Tomohiro Nagano Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Takumi Kondo Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital Haruchika Yamamoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin Tanaka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kentaroh Miyoshi Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshinobu Maeda Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Yosuke Togashi Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Nobuaki Miyahara Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Background: Late-onset non-infectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are a known indication for need of lung transplantation. This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of patients with LONIPCs after HSCT who were registered for lung transplantation and reveal the risk factors for waiting list mortality.<br> Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients with LONIPCs after allogeneic HSCT who were referred to Okayama University Hospital and registered in the Japan Organ Transplant Network for deceased-donor lung transplantation between 2005 and 2023. Pediatric patients aged <18 years at the time of registration were excluded.<br> Results: Thirty-four patients were included in this study. Notably, two distinct phenotypic groups were identified: One with a bronchiolitis obliterans pattern on high-resolution computed tomography and a mixed ventilatory defect, and the other with a pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis pattern and a restrictive ventilatory defect. The median waiting duration for a deceased-donor lung transplant was 662 days, and 16 patients died during the waiting period. The cumulative incidence of waiting list mortality was 20.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9%–35.6%) at 1 year and 46.1% (95% CI, 27.8%–62.7%) at 3 years. A history of pneumothorax, greater dyspnea on exertion, and higher serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 levels were associated with an increased risk of waiting list mortality.<br> Conclusion: In patients with LONIPCs after HSCT, a history of pneumothorax may be a marker of a poor prognosis and could serve as a criterion for referral of lung transplantation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AIP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 2468-2047 11 1 2025 Pressure calibrations of high-pressure large-volume presses at HPSTAR 017803 EN Yongjiang Xu Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Peiyan Wu Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Sheng Shang Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Xue Wang Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Taihang Li Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Shuchang Gao Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Shijie Lv Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Hang Cheng Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Qianzhi Xu Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Shang Lei Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Jiajia Feng Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Lei Zhao Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Wim van Westrenen Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Bin Chen Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Lei Su Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Yang Ding Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Wenge Yang Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Ho-Kwang Mao Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Yanhao Lin Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Large-volume presses (LVPs) are widely utilized in diverse research fields―including high-pressure physics, chemistry, materials science, and Earth and planetary sciences―to investigate the physical and chemical properties of materials under extreme high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. A prerequisite for achieving reproducible property measurements is the determination and control of pressure within experimental setups. However, the lack of precise pressure calibration in LVPs hinders the broader application of such devices in ultrahigh-pressure studies. This study employs a suite of standard phase transition-based pressure markers―comprising metallic conductors, semiconductors, and minerals―through both in situ and ex situ identification approaches, to establish pressure calibration curves ranging from 0.4 to >30 GPa for various types of LVP installed at the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, including piston–cylinder, cubic, and multi-anvil presses. The results provide a unified and traceable pressure reference for high-pressure experiments conducted at HPSTAR, while also offering technical guidance and calibration standards for other researchers utilizing similar LVP systems, thereby enabling more consistent comparison between different laboratories. This work facilitates the advancement of LVP research toward broader applications in higher-pressure regimes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1342-1751 2026 Optimizing low-dose rituximab protocol for ABO-mismatched kidney transplantation: long-term outcomes in a single-center retrospective cohort study EN Tomoaki Yamanoi Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takanori Sekito Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Moto Tokunaga Department of Urology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Ichiro Tsuboi Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kasumi Yoshinaga Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Maruyama Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Tatsushi Kawada Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Risa Kubota Department of Urology, NHO Okayama Medical Center Yusuke Tominaga Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takuya Sadahira Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoshi Katayama Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takehiro Iwata Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shingo Nishimura Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kensuke Bekku Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuhiro Onishi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hidemi Takeuchi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Katsuyuki Tanabe Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroshi Morinaga Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Koichiro Wada Department of Urology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine Motoo Araki Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background ABO-mismatched kidney transplantation (KTx) expands donor availability but increases risks of antibody-mediated rejection and passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS). While rituximab (Rit) potentially mitigates these complications, conventional high-dose regimens (375 mg/m2) elevate infectious and hematologic toxicity. We implemented low-dose Rit induction (200 mg/body) for desensitization in minor/major ABO-mismatched and DSA-positive KTx, evaluating its efficacy and safety over 15-years.<br> Methods This single-center retrospective cohort (May 2009–April 2024) analyzed 161 adult KTx recipients: Rit (n = 107) and Non-Rit (n = 54) groups. All received tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, prednisolone, and basiliximab; high-risk patients also underwent plasmapheresis. Outcomes included graft survival, biopsy-proven acute rejection, de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation, infection, severe neutropenia, and PLS.<br> Results 1-year graft survival was 100% in both groups. 5-year death-censored graft survival was 95.8% (Rit) vs 95.9% (Non-Rit), respectively (log-rank P = 0.43). Biopsy-proven acute rejection (7.5% vs 3.7%, P = 0.50) and de novo DSA production were equivalent (Class I: 5.5% vs 2.2%; Class II: 6.6% vs 8.7%; both P = 1.00), with lower mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) in the Rit group. Cytomegalovirus disease, urinary tract infection and fungal infection rates were comparable between both groups. Grade 4 neutropenia was not associated with Rit (OR 2.65; 95% CI 0.63–11.0; P = 0.18). Blood transfusion for hemoglobin declines occurred in 5.6% vs 7.4%, with preserved haptoglobin in all cases, indicating no PLS.<br> Conclusions Low-dose Rit induction achieves excellent graft survival and effective PLS prevention, without increasing toxicity, supporting its adoption as an optimal desensitization strategy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 0094-8276 53 10 2026 Spin Transition of Fe3+ in δ-(Al,Fe)OOH and Implication for Mid-Lower Mantle Seismic Heterogeneities e2025GL121007 EN Chaoshuai Zhao State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, University of Science and Technology of China Zhu Mao State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, University of Science and Technology of China Xinyue Zhang State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, University of Science and Technology of China Yingxin Yu State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, University of Science and Technology of China Ningyu Sun State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, University of Science and Technology of China Jianbo Zhang Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research Yuzhu Wang Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University δ-(Al,Fe)OOH is an important water carrier and plays a critical role on Earth's deep water cycle. Lattice parameters of δ-(Al0.89Fe0.11)OOH were measured by synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction at simultaneously high temperature and pressure up to 65 GPa and 800 K in diamond anvil cells. The results reveal that the spin crossover increases from 30 to 37 GPa at 300 K to 36–48 GPa at 700 K. Moreover, at the spin crossover, the KT and VΦ of δ-(Al0.89Fe0.11)OOH occur significant elastic softening, with maximum reductions of 50% on KT and 29% on VΦ at 33 GPa and 300 K to 37% on KT and 23% on VΦ at 41 GPa and 700 K. The anomalous elastic properties of δ-(Al,Fe)OOH at the spin crossover enhance our understanding of local seismic observations anomalies and help identify potential water-rich regions in the mid-lower mantle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 0094-8276 53 3 2026 Sound Velocities of FeO‐Bearing Ringwoodite and Majorite: Implication for Martian Mantle Seismic Profiles e2025GL118991 EN Luo Li Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Young Jay Ryu GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Dongzhou Zhang GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Stella Chariton GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Vitali B. Prakapenka GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Jung‐Fu Lin Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin Compressional and shear wave velocities (Vp, Vs) of candidate Martian deep-mantle minerals, FeO-rich ringwoodite ((Mg0.66Fe0.34)2SiO4) and majorite (Mg0.75Fe0.10Al0.26Ca0.07Si0.84O3), were measured up to 25 GPa and 700 K using Brillouin light scattering coupled with externally-heated diamond anvil cells. Thermoelastic modeling of our results and literature data along a representative areotherm showed that Vp and Vs of FeO-bearing ringwoodite are approximately 7.5% and 11.0% higher than that of the majorite. Our results reveal that velocity profiles of these Martian deep-mantle minerals are more sensitive to variations in the ringwoodite/majorite (Mg/Si) ratio than to thermal and FeO chemical perturbations. Our best-fit velocity model to a recent seismic model by Samuel et al. (2023, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06601-8) indicates the Martian mantle contains approximately 67 vol.% ringwoodite and 33 vol.% majorite, suggesting a ringwoodite-rich aggregate in the Martian lowermost solid mantle. The ringwoodite-majorite mantle likely co-evolved with the FeO and other incompatible elements in the molten silicate layer above the Martian core-mantle boundary. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 0094-8276 53 2 2026 Davemaoite Elasticity Reveals Slab‐Induced Heterogeneity in the Mantle Transition Zone e2025GL118147 EN Yingxin Yu State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Xinyue Zhang State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Dongzhou Zhang GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Luo Li State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Zhu Mao State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Ningyu Sun State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Denglei Wang State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Jing Li State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Chaoshuai Zhao State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Cheng Qian State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences Yingzhan Wei State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University Xinyang Li State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University Yuzhu Wang Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University The observed 2%–7% low-shear velocity (VS) anomalies near the subducted slab at the bottom mantle transition zone (MTZ) indicate strong lateral heterogeneity, which is commonly attributed to subducted oceanic crust. However, davemaoite, a major constituent of the subducted oceanic crust, has been poorly constrained in its elasticity, hindering accurate velocity modeling and obscuring the origin of these low-velocity features. Here we report single-crystal elasticity of Ti-bearing davemaoite with the composition of Ca(Si0.57Ti0.43)O3 under high pressure-temperature and found that Ti incorporation significantly reduces velocities and alters the pressure dependence of the shear modulus. Further velocity modeling demonstrated that subducted crusts with varying Ti content have seismic signatures of 1.7(2)–6.8(5)% low-VS at the bottom MTZ, consistent with the observed low-VS structure in the region. These findings highlight the role of slab-derived chemical heterogeneity in generating mantle seismic anomalies and provide new experimental constraints on the structure and dynamics of the deep Earth. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Frontiers Media SA Acta Medica Okayama 1664-042X 17 2026 Bee larvae ameliorate andropause-like symptoms via a hormone-independent, antioxidant mechanism 1850114 EN Takashi Ito Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nobuaki Okumura Institute for Bee Products & Health Science, Yamada Bee Company, Inc. Takumi Oti Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirotaka Sakamoto Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), also known as the male menopause, is characterized by a decline in sexual function as well as various physical and psychological symptoms, including anxiety. Although bee larvae have historically been utilized as a traditional food and medicine, their efficacy and physiological mechanisms of action against male menopausal symptoms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of bee larvae (BL) on sexual and anxiety-like behaviors using two rodent models of the male menopause: aged rats and castrated mice. In the aged rat model (64 weeks old), dietary BL supplementation for 4 weeks significantly attenuated the age-associated decline in ejaculation frequency compared to controls, while no significant effects were observed on mount or intromission frequencies. Notably, plasma analysis revealed no significant differences in testosterone or dihydrotestosterone levels between the BL and control groups. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we evaluated sexual function using a castrated mouse model. While BL supplementation did not affect sexual behavior in intact mice, post-castration BL treatment significantly shortened intromission latency without altering mount frequency. In the elevated plus maze test, BL significantly alleviated castration-induced anxiety-like behaviors and improved exploratory activity. Furthermore, in vitro assays demonstrated that the BL extract exerts potent protective effects against oxidative stress, a pathological factor contributing to both erectile dysfunction and anxiety. These results suggest that BL improves erectile function and anxiety via hormone-independent mechanisms, potentially by mitigating oxidative stress in vascular and neural tissues. Thus, bee larvae represent a promising functional food for ameliorating the multi-faceted physical and psychological symptoms associated with male menopause. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 2169-9313 130 8 2025 Linking the Spin Transition of Ferric Iron in δ‐(Al,Fe)OOH to Water Storage in the Lower Mantle e2025JB031715 EN Johannes Buchen Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth Olivia S. Pardo Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology Vasilije V. Dobrosavljevic Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology Wolfgang Sturhahn Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology Takayuki Ishii Now at Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Stella Chariton GSECARS, The University of Chicago Eran Greenberg GSECARS, The University of Chicago Thomas S. Toellner Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory Jennifer M. Jackson Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology As the most massive geochemical reservoir, the lower mantle affects the Earth's budget of volatile elements, including hydrogen or H2O. The properties of minerals in the lower mantle are further affected by changes in the electronic configurations of iron cations, that is, by spin transitions. The feedback between spin transitions and potential storage of H2O in solid hydrous phases in the lower mantle, however, remains unexplored. By combining high-pressure nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and high-pressure high-temperature X-ray diffraction experiments, we constrained the thermal equation of state of δ-(Al,Fe)OOH, a member of the phase H solid solution. Based on the derived thermal equation of state of δ-(Al,Fe)OOH and the underlying thermodynamic model, we calculate the excess Gibbs free energy that arises from the spin transition of ferric iron in this compound and evaluate the effect on phase equilibria. The results of our analysis show that the spin transition of ferric iron in phase H may significantly reduce the thermodynamic activity and hence the concentration of H2O in a coexisting hydrous melt. As a consequence, nominally anhydrous minerals of the lower mantle may become dehydrated in the presence of phase H. Our analysis further suggests that, under certain conditions, the spin transition may expand the thermal stability of Fe3+-bearing phase H and create a geochemical link between the storage of H2O in phase H and ferric iron in the lower mantle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0020-7128 70 3 2026 Immediate and delayed effects of thermal stress on fever-associated seizures in children: A time-stratified case-crossover study in Japan 86 EN Naomi Matsumoto Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuka Yamamura Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kensuke Uraguchi Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University This study aimed to examine the non-linear and delayed effects of thermal stress, measured by the hourly Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), on the risk of pediatric fever-associated seizures (FAS). We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study in Okayama, Japan (May 2015–March 2023), analyzing 3,201 ambulance-attended FAS cases in children younger than 7 years. Using a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) with a 144-h lag, we estimated the association between UTCI and FAS. The analysis revealed a bimodal exposure–response relationship. Moderate Cold Stress (10th percentile, –1.6 °C) was associated with a significant cumulative odds ratio (OR) of 2.22 (95% CI: 1.22–4.06). Risk also increased at the upper range of No Thermal Stress (24.2 °C; cumulative OR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.63–4.63), extending into Moderate Heat Stress (28.7 °C; cumulative OR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.33–3.84). These effects were primarily delayed to 72–96 h for Moderate Cold and reached a peak around 100 h for Moderate Heat. Strong Heat Stress showed immediate but non-significant risk patterns. These findings suggest that infection-mediated pathways likely drive the observed bimodal risk pattern, demonstrate the utility of high-resolution bioclimatic indices, and can inform the development of temperature-specific public health alerts. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 The potential mechanism maintaining transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa in the mouse stroke model EN YUTING BIAN Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Are Associated with Favorable Clinical Outcomes and Negatively Correlated with Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Esophageal Cancer EN Tomoyoshi KUNITOMO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Prognostic Impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, Tertiary Lymphoid Structures, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Pulmonary Metastases from Uterine Leiomyosarcoma EN Naoki MATSUDA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Dual molecular therapy targeting tumor cell heterogeneity improves therapeutic efficacy in glioblastoma EN Shuichiro HIRANO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Protective impact of landiolol against acute lung injury following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in rats EN Risa SAKAMOTO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Serum extracellular vesicles containing adenoviral E1A-DNA as a predictive biomarker for liquid biopsy in oncolytic adenovirus therapy EN Chiaki YAGI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 ROS produced by Dual oxidase regulate cell proliferation and haemocyte migration during leg regeneration in the cricket EN Misa OKUMURA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 p53-armed oncolytic adenovirus induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer-associated stellate cells via macropinocytosis EN Takeyoshi NISHIYAMA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Anti-HMGB1 Antibody Therapy Ameliorates Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits EN Genya MURAOKA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Usefulness of D-dimer Assay to Confirm the Course of Overt VTE in Cancer Patients EN Hidenaru YAMAOKA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Risk Stratification for the Prediction of Skeletal-Related Events in Patients With Bone Metastases From Non-small Cell Lung Cancer EN Yoshihiro SAKAMOTO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Near-infrared Photoimmunotherapy Targeting High-risk Human Neuroblastoma Cells Expressing GD2 EN Hiroshi NOSO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Insomnia among patients with chronic pain A retrospective study EN Masataka UEDA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Treatment strategy for intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer: Focus on postoperative hypothyroidism following lobectomy EN Akifumi KARIYA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Genomic Differences and Distinct TP53 Mutation Site-Linked Chemosensitivity in Early- and Late-Onset Gastric Cancer EN Tomohiro KAMIO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Osmotic pressure‐induced calcium response states EN ZIDAN GAO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Human herpesvirus 6B U65 binds to histone proteins and suppresses the interferon production EN HAOKUN LI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Inhibitory Effects of Vandetanib on Catecholamine Synthesis in Rat Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells EN Yoshihiko ITO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Frequency and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Diseases in Patients With Neurofibromatosis EN Manami HONDA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Effect of mechanical stretching stimulation on maturation of human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes co-cultured with human gingival fibroblasts EN MENGXUE WANG Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Oncolytic virus-mediated p53 activation boosts the antitumor immunity of a p53-transduced dendritic cell vaccine EN Motohiko YAMADA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Precise stratification of prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients based on pre- and postoperative genomic information EN Kokichi MIYAMOTO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Energy Price Shocks and Macroeconomic and Financial Dynamics : Evidence from Gas and Oil Markets EN PENG CHEN Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 岑参詩の表現と内容の時代的変遷 EN Kanako KUROSE Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 『唐詩選』収録作品の主題―その特徴と江戸文芸に与えた影響を中心に― EN YANYAN MA Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 秦漢時代における官吏の犯罪と処罰―秦漢簡牘における法律用語を中心に― EN CONG LIU Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 A Study of the Clinical Usefulness of the eMEMO® EN Hinako NAKAYAMA Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 The diagnostic utility and frequency of CD56 expression in plasma cell myeloma EN Midori IMAI Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Impact of pre-reconstruction filtering with butterworth filter on 111In-pentetreotide SPECT image quality and quantitative accuracy: A phantom study EN Daisuke HASEGAWA Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Effect of Dietary Sodium Nitrite Supplementation on Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats EN Ran SHANG Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Study on the mechanisms regulating bovine oviductal tonus during peri-ovulatory period EN Sayaka KUBOTA Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Molecular and Functional Characterization of Ion Transporters in Rice and Barley: Roles in Salinity Stress Tolerance EN SHAHIN IMRAN Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 ゴミムシダマシ類におけるオス間闘争が繫殖生態に及ぼす影響 EN Teruhisa MATSUURA Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Scale-invariant patterning and sequential digit formation via Shh/Fgf8 spatiotemporal dynamics in axolotl limb regeneration EN Saya FURUKAWA Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Mechanisms of Dermal Type I Collagen Formation in the Axolotl Skin EN Ayaka OHASHI Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Identification and functional characterization of novel suppressor genes for thermospermine-deficient mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana EN Yuichi NISHII Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Translational research on neural mechanisms of male sexual function and antioxidant intervention in mammals EN Takashi ITO Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Electroreductive Organic Transformations with a Catalytic Amount of Electricity EN Mayu FUJII Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Development of a Hydrodynamic-Simulation-Informed Random Forest Method for Efficient Spatiotemporal Flood Prediction EN KEXIN LIU Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 地域防災計画における「災害予防」「災害応急対策」の課題と解決策に関する研究 EN Junko KANETO Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Non-Interactive and Dynamic Secret Sharing Schemes for Threshold Cryptography EN YIXUAN HE Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 リングオシレータ型乱数生成回路における確率統計を用いた特徴分析に関する研究 EN Ryoichi SATO Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 A Study of SQL Programming Learning Assistant System for Novice Learners EN NI WAYAN WARDANI Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 A Study of Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System with User Interface Validation and Home Garden Monitoring Application EN SOE THANDAR AUNG Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 A Study of Audio-to-Text Conversion Software and Its Applications to Meeting Minutes and Slide Annotation Generation Tools EN AMMA LIESVARASTRANTA HAZ Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Comprehensive Studies of Nearby Core-Collapse Supernovae with Neutrinos in Super-Kamiokande EN Fumi NAKANISHI Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 ユーザー起業家が抱くポジティブな感情：中国自動二輪車ベンチャー企業の比較事例分析 EN Qi HUANG Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 知の探索時間はどのように決まるか―事業共創に向けた知の探索における時間圧縮の不経済を克服する企業の事例― EN Takeshi SHIMIZU Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 定量的病理診断へ向けたテラヘルツ波ケミカル顕微鏡の開発 EN XUE DING Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 光応答的なRNA送達法および光に応答するペプチド相分離液滴の研究 EN Akinari BANDO Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 イネのミネラル吸収における根の形態と構造の役割 EN Toshiki FUJII Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 イネアクアポリンOsPIP2;4の水輸送とオオムギアクアポリンHvPIP2のリン酸化による活性制御の研究 EN Aya ONISHI Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Automated Design of Microwave Planar Circuits Using Genetic Algorithms and its Acceleration Techniques with Machine Learning Methods EN Takuma AKADA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 A Business-to-Business Collaboration System That Promotes Data Utilization While Encrypting Information on the Blockchain EN Hiroaki NASU Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Localization of Asgard Archaeal ESCRT Proteins to Eukaryotic Cellular Structures Reveals Conserved Mechanisms Underlying Eukaryotic Cellular Complexity EN NARIPOGU KISHORE BABU Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 キイロショウジョウバエの色覚に関わるロドプシン発現の制御機構 EN Xuanshuo ZHANG Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 C3’N1ビスインドール骨格を有する天然物の全合成 EN Keisuke TOKUSHIGE Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 光駆動外向きプロトンポンプ型ロドプシンを用いた光遺伝学的がん治療戦略の提唱 EN Shin NAKAO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Investigation on bacterial capture and antibacterial properties of acid-treated Ti surface EN Haruyuki AOYAGI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Periodontitis in a Mouse Model EN YIXUAN ZHANG Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Effects of miR-128-3p on Renal Inflammation in a Rat Periodontitis Model EN MOHAMMAD NURHAMIM Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Streptococcus mutans のバイオフィルム形成における ABC トランスポーターの関与 EN Sakuya MATSUURA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 代謝機能障害関連脂肪肝炎に関連する生体内の鉄過剰環境が Streptococcus mutans の性状に及ぼす影響 EN Sodai NAKANO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 造血幹細胞移植における抗菌薬曝露が Streptococcus mutans の薬剤耐性および性状に及ぼす影響 EN Hikari OGAWA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 静脈麻酔薬レミマゾラム及び代謝物の測定方法の確立と全静脈麻酔からの覚醒に影響を及ぼす因子の検討 EN Riko SATO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Dynamin 2 is involved in osteoblast migration by regulating the organization of F-actin EN Takumi MORIYA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 下顎枝矢状分割術直後に生じるコンダイラーサグの三次元評価と関連因子の検討―Le Fort I型骨切り術併用症例における下顎骨前方移動および後方移動別解析― EN Yuji KOMIYAMA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 星状網におけるFilamin A依存的EMTの歯の形態形成への影響 EN Takahiro KOSAMI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 エピジェネティック制御因子Pcgf1の破骨細胞分化シグナル伝達に与える影響 EN Goji KOZAKI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 口蓋残遺孔閉鎖術に対するTi系固体接着材の新規活用法の検討 EN Kenta UCHIDA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 高齢者における現在歯数の減少と新規骨折発生リスクとの関連 EN Yuji TSUCHIYAMA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Robust adhesion between solid-state hydroxyapatite and bone tissue through surface demineralization EN SHICHAO XIE Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Assessment of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy on Three Dimensional Model of Patient-Derived Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Oral Cancer EN Izumi HARA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 口腔扁平上皮癌におけるNeurokinin 3 Receptorの機能的役割とFezolinetantの抗腫瘍効果の検討 EN Kiho FUKUSHIMA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 口腔扁平上皮癌由来Angiogeninによる顎骨破壊部の破骨細胞分化促進機構の解明 EN Nana YOSHITANI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 口腔扁平上皮癌におけるインテグリンαvβ5の発現と腫瘍浸透ペプチドiRGDによる抗腫瘍効果の解析 EN Tsuchika OMICHI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 天然由来レクチンと唾液の糖結合特性による口腔バイオフィルムの制御 EN Aya NAKAMURA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 シェーグレン症候群患者の制御性T細胞に特徴的な非翻訳長鎖RNAの同定 EN Mina KOYAMA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Continuous glucose monitoring reveals periodontitis-induced glucose variability, insulin resistance, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice EN Moyuka TAKAMORI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 プロトンポンプ阻害剤服用時にPorphyromonas gingivalisが腸内細菌叢へ及ぼす影響 EN Hideyuki KAMATA Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 塩化セチルピリジニウム-酸化グラフェン複合体の医療機器への応用を指向した滞留性および抗菌効果持続性の検討 EN Gen KANO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Effect of Oral Peritumoral Tissue on Infiltration and Differentiation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma EN TIANYAN PIAO Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 CXCR4 Inhibition Induces Tumor Necrosis by Selectively Targeting the Proliferating Blood Vessels in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma EN YAMIN SOE Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2026 Fusobacterium nucleatumの感染が大腸癌細胞の糖鎖発現プロファイルや免疫逃避シグナルに与える影響 EN YUFAN BI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1445-5781 25 2026 TFAM-Mediated mtDNA Replication is Essential for Developmental Competence of In Vitro Grown Oocytes e70031 EN Son Quang Do Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidetaka Tasaki Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroaki Funahashi Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takuya Wakai Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Purpose<br> Mitochondria are essential for oocyte maturation and early embryonic development, supplying ATP and maintaining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity. During oogenesis, mtDNA undergoes dramatic amplification, but the mechanisms and functional significance of this process remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) in mouse oocytes using an in vitro growth (IVG) system.<br> Methods<br> Oocytes at different growth stages were analyzed for mtDNA copy number and expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes. To assess TFAM function, siRNA targeting Tfam was microinjected into secondary follicles, which were then cultured for 12 days under IVG conditions. Following culture, oocyte growth, mtDNA content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and developmental competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were evaluated.<br> Results<br> mtDNA copy number increased nonlinearly during oocyte growth, with a pronounced rise at the secondary follicle stage accompanied by TFAM upregulation. TFAM knockdown reduced mtDNA copy number and mitochondrial function without affecting oocyte size or meiotic maturation, but significantly decreased blastocyst formation and total cell numbers per blastocyst.<br> Conclusions<br> TFAM-mediated mtDNA replication is crucial for mitochondrial function and developmental competence of IVG-derived oocytes, underscoring its importance in early embryonic development. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2055-0294 12 1 2026 Ibuprofen gargle for quality of life and pain improvement in oral lichen planus: randomized crossover and long-term extension phase II study 14 EN Yumi Kitahiro Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital Yasumasa Kakei Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Takeshi Ioroi Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital Nanae Yatagai Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Masahiko Kashin Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Masaki Kobayashi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Asami Morioka Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital Kazuhiro Yamamoto Department of Integrated Clinical and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takumi Hasegawa Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Masaya Akashi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Ikuko Yano Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Surgical Society Acta Medica Okayama 2198-7793 12 1 2026 Tailored Management of Anomalous Systemic Arterial Supply to the Basal Segment of the Lung: A Case Report and Literature Review cr.26-0288 EN Shunsuke Mori Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ken Suzawa Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Koji Tomita Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Haruchika Yamamoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kumi Nakajima Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin Tanaka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hidejiro Torigoe Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhiko Shien Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kentaroh Miyoshi Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mikio Okazaki Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takao Hiraki Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences INTRODUCTION: Parenchyma-preserving strategies for anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung have gained increasing attention. However, pulmonary infarction of the preserved lung has been reported, and clear criteria for selecting the optimal treatment have yet to be established. We report 2 cases in which detailed preoperative imaging informed tailored management―right posterior basal segmentectomy in 1 patient and endovascular embolization of the aberrant artery in the other―both without postoperative complications. A review of the relevant literature is also provided, with an emphasis on potential selection criteria.<br> CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 20-year-old asymptomatic woman was referred after an abnormal screening chest radiograph. CT demonstrated an aberrant artery arising from the abdominal aorta supplying the right posterior basal segment (S10) with a large intravascular thrombus. The pulmonary artery showed hypoplasia limited to A10, while the other branches were normal, and no parenchymal congestion was identified. Following resection of the aberrant artery, robot-assisted right S10 segmentectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on POD 6. Case 2: A 27-year-old woman was incidentally diagnosed on CT for an unrelated indication. An aberrant artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta supplied the left basal segment. Pulmonary arterial branches were preserved, with only minimal congestion in S9-10. Angiography revealed no evidence of an arteriovenous fistula. As surgical lung resection was considered unnecessary, coil embolization of the aberrant artery was performed. No complications occurred, and the patient was discharged on day 3 after the procedure.<br> CONCLUSIONS: In patients with anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung, when pulmonary arterial branches are preserved and background parenchymal congestion is minimal, parenchyma-sparing approaches should be considered. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMJ Acta Medica Okayama 2053-3624 13 1 2026 Predictive value of simple echocardiographic parameters for screening pulmonary hypertension under the revised definition: a study for general hospitals e004185 EN Yoshitake Fukuda Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoshi Akagi Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoshi Taya Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kentaro Ejiri Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoichi Takaya Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshihiro Dohi Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kure Kyosai Hospital Shinsuke Yuasa Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background The current guideline recommends a peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) ≥2.9 m/s on echocardiography for pulmonary hypertension (PH) screening; however, this threshold was based on the previous PH definition (mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mm Hg) and derived largely from PH referral centres.<br> Methods We retrospectively analysed 755 patients who underwent both transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterisation at two general hospitals. The discrimination of peak TRV and estimated right atrial pressure (eRAP), derived from inferior vena cava diameter and respiratory variation, for screening for PH was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Optimal cut-off values were determined with the Youden Index.<br> Results The c-statistic for peak TRV in detecting PH was 0.82 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.85). An optimal cut-off of 2.7 m/s provided higher sensitivity (72%) than the conventional 2.9 m/s threshold (60%) while maintaining high specificity (82%). In 681 patients with available TRV and eRAP data, adding eRAP improved discrimination compared with TRV alone (c-statistic 0.83 vs 0.80; net reclassification improvement=0.14, p=0.002). eRAP ≥5 mm Hg was associated with a higher risk of PH, and the combination of elevated TRV and eRAP yielded the strongest association.<br> Conclusion For screening under the revised PH definition, a peak TRV of 2.7 m/s is suggested as the optimal cut-off. Although TRV alone showed good discriminative performance, combining it with eRAP further improved diagnostic accuracy using simple echocardiographic measures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0021-9258 302 6 2026 A photoactivatable Cre-loxP system for spatiotemporal genetic manipulation in mouse taste buds 113085 EN Yu Zuo Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kengo Horie Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshihiro Mitoh Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yasuhiro Yamada Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tomoka Takao Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takeshi Takarada Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shoichiro Kokabu Division of Biochemistry, Kyushu Dental University Ryusuke Yoshida Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Conventional genetic approaches, including global gene KO and conditional KO strategies such as the Cre-loxP system, have some limitations arising from systemic effects or insufficient temporal resolution. The recently developed photoactivatable Cre (PA-Cre) system may have a potential to improve spatiotemporal control of gene manipulation. In this study, we established and validated the feasibility of the PA-Cre system using taste buds as a model. We generated TRE-PA-Cre:R26-rtTA/tdTomato mice to evaluate blue-light-induced Cre recombinase activity. Through systematic optimization of illumination parameters, we found that a single session of blue-light-illumination resulted in limited recombination efficiency, whereas a multisession illumination strategy markedly increased recombination efficiency. To further assess the utility of the PA-Cre system for gene KO, we generated TRE-PA-Cre:R26-rtTA:Tas1r3-flox mice and targeted a taste-related gene Tas1r3. Genomic DNA quantitative PCR and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR both showed partial reductions in Tas1r3 at the DNA and mRNA levels, respectively. Behavioral assays further revealed a selective decrease in sensitivity to sweet and umami stimuli. Together, these findings demonstrate PA-Cre-mediated gene manipulation in taste buds and establish a practical optical activation paradigm, providing a high-spatiotemporal-resolution tool for investigating gene function in optically targeted regions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 2633-0679 7 1 2026 Programmable synthesis of alkaloidal frameworks integrating Michael acceptor generates covalent probes for targeting POLE3 in HBV replication 105 119 EN Nobuto Kaneko Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Misao Himeno Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Yuhi Kobayashi Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Ryo Tanifuji Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Hiroki Kubota Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Haruki Mizoguchi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Makoto Muroi Centre for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN Takehiro Suzuki Centre for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN Masaya Sugiyama Department of Viral Pathogenesis and Control, National Institute of Global Health and Medicine, Japan Institute for Health Security Naoshi Dohmae Centre for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN Hiroyuki Osada Centre for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN Taketomo Kido Laboratory of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo Atsushi Miyajima Laboratory of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo Hiroki Oguri Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo The growing need for effective HBV treatments and lead compounds with novel mechanisms prompted us to explore synthetic strategies for generating skeletally diverse alkaloidal Michael acceptors. Our approach uniquely embeds Michael acceptors directly within multicyclic alkaloid-inspired frameworks, exploiting the azepinoindole scaffold―a privileged structure in indole alkaloids. A single-step assembly between the versatile intermediate 13 with methyl propiolate 14 or its derivatives enabled the rapid and divergent synthesis of six alkaloidal Michael acceptors (15–20). This strategy facilitated systematic diversification of three-dimensional functional group arrangements and precise tuning of the electronic and steric properties of the embedded α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties. The optimal hit 15 inhibited hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) production with an IC50 of 2.48 μM and significantly reduced levels of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the master template of HBV. Unlike existing nucleoside/nucleotide-based anti-HBV drugs that primarily inhibit reverse transcription, the alkaloidal Michael acceptor 15 suppressed both cccDNA and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) levels, suggesting a potential pathway toward a functional HBV cure. Our study also streamlined the target identification by leveraging the covalent binding properties of the Michael acceptors and the operational simplicity of biotin- or fluorescent-tag attachment via a pre-installed alkyne moiety. Competitive pull-down experiments identified several potential target proteins, involving DNA polymerase epsilon subunit 3 (POLE3). Notably, the alkaloidal Michael acceptor 15 was demonstrated to covalently modify Cys51 in POLE3, providing new insights into virus–host interactions and opening novel avenues for targeted anti-HBV therapies. This approach represents a significant advance beyond traditional screening methods and underscores the potential of skeletally diverse alkaloidal Michael acceptors in antiviral drug development. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学算数・数学教育学会 Acta Medica Okayama 1341-3155 32 2026 見方・考え方で学びと思考をつなぐ教授法 数学的な見方・考え方により数学的活動と思考を融合する 9 20 EN 　「個別最適な学び」「協働的な学び」の提案に注目が集まっている。これらは全教科教育に当てはまることである。これらを算数の改革・改善の喫緊の課題のように主張するする人が多い。本当の課題は大局的に改訂された算数・数学の資質・能力（2017）の育成にあると考える。「主体的・対話的で深い学び」に重点を置く授業公開を見ることが流行している。ところが、「主体的で、対話的な深い学び」を、資質・能力と結びつけた事例研究は見られない。「数学的に考える」を育成するには、「数学的な見方・考え方」と「数学的活動」を3者一体的に連動させるべきである。この理念は教材構成、授業構成まで具体化されていない。そこで、具体的にどのようにシステムを構想すればよいのか､その一端を検討する。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

SAGE Publications Acta Medica Okayama 1756-2848 19 2026 Second-look endoscopy does not reduce delayed bleeding after endoscopic papillectomy: a multicenter propensity score-matched analysis EN Yuki Fujii Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Kazuyuki Matsumoto Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Toru Ueki Department of Gastroenterology, Fukuyama City Hospital Hitomi Himei Department of Gastroenterology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital Ichiro Sakakihara Department of Gastroenterology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Eijiro Ueta Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Tatsuya Toyokawa Department of Gastroenterology, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center Ryo Harada Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital Taiji Ogawa Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital Takeshi Tomoda Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital Hironari Kato Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital Toshiharu Mitsuhashi Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Medical Development Field, Okayama University Ryosuke Sato Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Akihiro Matsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuya Miyamoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Uchida Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Shigeru Horiguchi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Koichiro Tsutsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Background: Delayed bleeding is a frequent and serious complication after endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Second-look endoscopy (SLE) is often scheduled on the following day for wound assessment and prophylactic hemostasis, but its clinical value remains unclear.<br> Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of SLE in preventing delayed bleeding after EP.<br> Design: This study was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.<br> Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 132 consecutive patients who underwent EP at nine high-volume centers between 2003 and 2024 (SLE group, n = 73; non-SLE group, n = 59). Propensity score matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was delayed bleeding, and secondary outcomes were risk factors, the impact of prophylactic hemostasis during SLE, and hospital stay.<br> Results: After matching, 43 patients were included in each group. The incidence of delayed bleeding did not differ between the SLE and non-SLE groups (14% vs 9%, p = 0.50). Multivariate analysis identified a lack of preventive clipping closure as the only independent risk factor (odds ratio 15, 95% confidence interval 1.3–177, p = 0.030). Prophylactic hemostasis during SLE did not reduce bleeding but was associated with prolonged hospitalization (13 vs 9 days, p = 0.012).<br> Conclusion: Routine SLE after EP does not reduce delayed bleeding. Moreover, prophylactic hemostasis in asymptomatic patients may unnecessarily prolong hospitalization. Hemostasis should be reserved for patients who develop clinical signs of bleeding. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Fuji Technology Press Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 1883-8014 30 3 2026 A Verification of Relationship Between Multiplicatively Weighted Voronoi Diagram and Huff Model: A Case Study on Order Assignment in E-Commerce 921 930 EN Takaki Kawamoto Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takashi Hasuike Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University This study examines the relationship between a multiplicatively weighted (MW-) Voronoi diagram and the Huff model. A mathematical comparison demonstrates that the models are structurally equivalent when the Huff model is deterministic and the distance decay parameter λ takes a specific value. This theoretical finding was empirically validated using real-world e-commerce order assignment data. The experiments demonstrate the distinct strengths of each model. The Huff model enables the flexible balancing of competing objectives through parameter adjustment, whereas the MW-Voronoi diagram provides geometric clarity in the interpretation of territories. We conclude that the selection of the two models should be guided by the problem objectives, depending on whether probabilistic flexibility or deterministic spatial partitioning is required. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1574-6968 373 2026 Intercellular signal transduction within the mother cell compartment during Bacillus subtilis sporulation fnag055 EN Nobuki Kuwabara Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University Masato Anzue Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University Shin-ichi Miyoshi Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University Tsutomu Sato Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University Daisuke Imamura Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University Intercellular signaling contributes to the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. The mother cell transcription factor σE is initially produced as an inactive precursor protein pro-σE and activated by the processing enzyme SpoIIGA in response to the forespore-produced putative signaling molecule SpoIIR. However, the mechanism underlying the SpoIIR-mediated signal transduction remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that the spoIIR-positive, spoIIGA-deleted strain was able to induce SpoIIGA-dependent pro-σE processing in co-cultured spoIIR-deleted, spoIIGA-positive strains. This signaling was dependent on SpoIIR expression and did not involve DNA transfer. Extracellular materials including secreted proteins and membrane vesicles were unlikely to be involved in this signaling pathway. Interestingly, cessation of co-incubation shaking enhanced the signaling, while the addition of membrane-solubilizing detergent abolished it. In addition, SpoIIR signaling did not necessitate release from the forespore membrane or extracellular translocation. A SpoIIR variant lacking the putative signal peptide-like hydrophobic domain produced solely in the mother cell compartment was still able to activate pro-σE. Overall, the study findings suggested that the forespore-produced SpoIIR is neither secreted nor externally translocated. Instead, SpoIIR appeared to be transferred into the mother cell compartment and interacts with the SpoIIGA cytoplasmic domain to trigger pro-σE processing. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 2637-6105 8 9 2026 Ion-Conductive Vitrimers Based on Backbone-Type Triazolium Poly(Ionic Liquid)s: Counterion-Dependent Dynamics and Backbone Flexibility 6225 6235 EN Hikari Tsunekawa Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University Atsushi Matsumoto Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui Yuya Iida Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University Tsutomu Ono Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University Takaichi Watanabe Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University To simultaneously achieve high ionic conductivity and recyclability, vitrimers were prepared using backbone-type triazolium poly(ionic liquid)s (TPILs) that integrate ionic transport and dynamic network rearrangement via trans-N-alkylation. TPIL elastomers bearing I–, BF4–, PF6–, and TFSI– counteranions were synthesized from “clickable” ionic liquid monomers, and their glass transition temperature (Tg), ionic conductivity, and vitrimeric dynamics were compared. Only the I–-based network exhibited stress relaxation at 170 °C, indicating that nucleophilic anions are important for bond exchange. However, a trade-off was observed between ionic transport and dynamic network rearrangement. We overcome this trade-off by mixing anions. Mixed-anion TPIL elastomers using I– and TFSI– exhibited lower Tg and higher ionic conductivity than I–-based elastomer, while still maintaining vitrimer-like relaxation. Rheological analysis revealed a decoupling between segment relaxation and bond exchange dynamics in vitrimer-like elastomers. The design combining flexible polymer backbones and mixed-anion engineering can create recyclable, highly conductive polymer electrolyte networks. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Therapy Acta Medica Okayama 1882-4072 20 1 2026 Current Status of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An International Perspective Including Japan ra.2025-0153 EN Masato Kawakami Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenji Sugiu Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masafumi Hiramatsu Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun Haruma Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryu Kimura Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuta Soutome Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Juntaro Fujita Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuichi Hirata Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fukiko Baba Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shota Tanaka Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is gaining global prevalence as a minimally invasive treatment aimed at serving as an adjunct to or method of avoiding surgery; however, its optimal positioning remains unclear. This study outlines the current status of MMAE in Japan, Germany, and the United States based on nationwide survey reports, recently published consensus guidelines, and meta-analyses including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM; EMBOLISE, STEM, and MAGIC-MT) and examines its efficacy and limitations. Real-world clinical data from Japan, Germany, and the United States indicate that MMAE is primarily used as an adjunctive therapy following surgery for older and high-risk or recurrent cases, or as a stand-alone therapy in selected cases to safely reduce the risk of recurrence and reoperation. While a multidisciplinary consensus statement takes a cautious stance that limits MMAE to recurrent or inoperable cases such as those at high risk associated with interrupting antithrombotic medication, the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology guidelines published after the RCTs strongly recommend the concurrent use of MMAE with standard therapy in de novo cases. Meta-analyses integrating the 3 NEJM trials and other RCTs showed that MMAE suppressed recurrence and reoperation versus standard treatment, with particularly pronounced effects in the nonsurgical (conservative treatment) group; however, the additive effect was limited in the surgical adjunct group. No improvement in functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score) was observed. Cost-effectiveness analyses suggest that, while MMAE reduces reoperations, routine implementation for all cases is difficult to justify economically because of high procedural costs, indicating the need to narrow the indication to populations at high risk of recurrence. In conclusion, although MMAE is an effective treatment option, the current evidence does not support its uniform introduction in all patients with CSDH. Thus, it is necessary to individualize and adapt the indications for specific patient subgroups, such as those at high risk of recurrence or those for whom surgery is difficult. Finally, we propose a pragmatic treatment strategy for MMAE stratified by disease stage (de novo vs. recurrent) and clinical severity to guide the individualized selection of adjunctive and stand-alone embolization. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Acta Medica Okayama 1078-0432 2026 Incidence of B-cell Malignancies in Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving PD-1 Blockade Therapy EN Toshifumi Ninomiya Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Caiyang Fang Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hirofumi Hamano Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University Teruya Morinaga Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Wenhao Zhou Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshihiro Koyama Department of Pharmaceutical Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Sakura Miki Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Li Zhu Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yusuke Naoi Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Daisuke Ennishi Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoya Katsuta Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital Kadoaki Ohashi Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University Shin Morizane Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoka Ohki-Ikeda Department of Pathology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University Tatsuya Nishi Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Youki Ueda Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takamasa Ishino Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshinobu Maeda Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Isamu Okamoto Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Yoshito Zamami Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University Joji Nagasaki Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yosuke Togashi Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Purpose: Many patients with various cancer types have received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) worldwide since their approval, and novel unexpected complications from their long-term use are apparent. We identified some cases of B-cell lymphoma occurring during PD-1 blockade therapy as such unexpected complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of hematologic malignancies in patients with lung cancer receiving PD-1 blockade therapy and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the progression of these malignancies.<br> Experimental Design: We performed IHC staining on the clinical samples from patients with B-cell lymphoma that developed during PD-1 blockade therapy and analyzed large-scale real-world datasets. We further investigated the underlying mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo experiments.<br> Results: A higher incidence of B-cell malignancies has been observed in patients with lung cancer treated with PD-1 blockade therapies based on large-scale real-world data analyses (n = 15,670). The identified lymphomas had a large amount of CD4+ T follicular helper (TFH) cell infiltration. In addition, PD-1 blockade activated PD-1+ TFH cells, which promoted lymphoma proliferation via the IL4/IL4R, IL21/IL21R, and CD40L/CD40 axes. Notably, the lymphomas exhibited high expression of IL4R, IL21R, and CD40.<br> Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for careful monitoring and consideration of the potential B-cell malignancy complications in clinical settings in which ICIs are used. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2211-0348 109 2026 Bile acids as candidate therapies for multiple sclerosis: inverse signal analysis using the FDA adverse event reporting system and preclinical validation 107113 EN Mizuho Asada Department of Medical Molecular Informatics, Meiji Pharmaceutical University Fuka Aizawa Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital Takahisa Mikami Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Mitsuhiro Goda Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Yuhei Sonoda Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital Takahiro Niimura Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Yoshito Zamami Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Masayuki Chuma Department of Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Asahikawa Medical University and University Hospital Yoshihiro Uesawa Department of Medical Molecular Informatics, Meiji Pharmaceutical University Keisuke Ishizawa Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital Background: Alterations in bile acid metabolism have been observed in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet the therapeutic implications of bile acid supplementation remain uncertain.<br> Methods: We conducted a two-stage study integrating pharmacovigilance analysis with preclinical validation to evaluate bile acid derivatives as candidate therapies for MS. A disproportionality analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS; Q4/2003–Q2/2025) was performed to identify inverse associations between MS and bile acid preparations. The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (6-ECDCA) were evaluated in a therapeutic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, with treatment initiated after disease onset.<br> Results: Among 13,734,539 FAERS reports, 75,659 involved MS. Inverse associations were identified for UDCA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.197, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.117–0.333) and 6-ECDCA (OR: 0.128, 95% CI: 0.041–0.396). In the EAE model, UDCA was associated with lower clinical scores at the peak (day 18) and late phases (days 26–28), whereas 6-ECDCA showed only a non-significant trend toward improvement at day 28.<br> Conclusion: This two-stage investigation highlights the potential utility of pharmacovigilance-guided approaches for identifying therapeutic candidates. Bile acid derivatives, particularly UDCA, are biologically plausible candidates meriting further investigation in the context of MS. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2055-0294 12 1 2026 Adverse events of romidepsin versus tucidinostat for peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a pharmacovigilance study using the Japanese adverse drug event report database 48 EN Nao Takatsu Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Jun Matsumoto Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Yurie Oka Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Tomonori Sakai Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Naohiro Iwata Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Tsukasa Higashionna Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Tatsuaki Takeda Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Hirofumi Hamano Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshito Zamami Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of lymphomas with poor prognosis, particularly in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. Romidepsin and tucidinostat are histone deacetylase inhibitors used to treat R/R PTCL. No head-to-head post-marketing surveillance studies have compared adverse events (AEs) between the two agents. In this brief report, the AE profiles of romidepsin and tucidinostat were compared using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database to facilitate their differentiation and promote the management of AEs.<br> Methods We conducted a descriptive analysis using data from the JADER database from April 2018 to July 2025. The reported AEs for romidepsin and tucidinostat were extracted and classified according to preferred terms (PTs) and system organ classes (SOCs). Reporting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the AE profiles between the groups.<br> Results In total, 998,397 reports were analysed for all drugs, including 323 for romidepsin and 753 for tucidinostat. Compared with all drugs, both agents showed significant disproportionality signals in four SOCs: Blood and lymphatic system disorders; General disorders and administration site conditions; Investigations; and Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified. Romidepsin exhibited additional significant signals in six SOCs: Cardiac disorders, Eye disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, Immune system disorders, Infections and infestations, and Metabolism and nutrition disorders. Direct comparison between the two agents revealed broader AE profiles for romidepsin, with AEs more frequently reported in eight SOCs, whereas tucidinostat showed AEs in only two SOCs. Romidepsin was associated with AEs more frequently reported in several PTs, including atrial fibrillation and gastrointestinal toxicities, such as constipation, tumour lysis syndrome, hepatotoxicity, and peripheral neuropathy, which was consistent with the results at the SOC level. In contrast, several significant PTs for tucidinostat were observed in General disorders and administration site conditions and Investigations.<br> Conclusions The Japanese real-world pharmacovigilance analysis showed differences in the AE profiles between romidepsin and tucidinostat. These differences in safety profiles may be useful for treatment selection and AE management in routine clinical practice among patients with R/R PTCL. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and better characterise the safety profiles of these agents. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2673-3943 7 2 2026 Relationship Between Numbers of Patients Registered and Procedures Performed at Lung Transplantation Centers in Japan 9 EN Takashi Inoue Department of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Masayuki Chida Department of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Yoshinori Okada Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Masaaki Sato Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Tokyo Hidemi Suzuki Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine Yasushi Hoshikawa Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujita Health University School of Medicine Toyofumi Chen-Yoshikawa Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Daisuke Nakajima Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Yasushi Sintani Department of General Thoracic Surgery, The Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama Toshihiko Sato Department of General Thoracic, Breast and Pediatric Surgery, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Takeshi Shiraishi Department of General Thoracic, Breast and Pediatric Surgery, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Keitaro Matsumoto Department of Surgical Oncology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Takahiro Nakajima Department of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Sumiko Maeda Department of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Background: Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in deceased lung transplantation (DLT) procedures performed in Japan. However, there is concern that the number of transplantations may reach the limit of capacity in some centers. The present study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the numbers of individuals registered for DLT by the Japan Organ Transplantation Network (JOT) and procedures subsequently performed at lung transplantation centers. Methods: Using a database and registry reports provided by the Japanese Society of Lung and Heart-lung Transplantation, the numbers of individuals registered in the JOT and DLT procedures performed from January 2014 to December 2023 were analyzed. Results: The number of registrations was found to be correlated with the number of DLTs, with the coefficient of determination (R2) 0.962 and slope of the regression line (X coefficient) 0.407. The facility with the greatest number of registrations, with a registration-to-transplantation ratio of 0.353, was identified as an outlier (p < 0.05) and excluded from analysis. This exclusion increased both the correlation coefficient value to 0.986 and X coefficient value to 0.461. Conclusions: The present analysis showed that the number of DLTs was well correlated with number of registrations at each of the transplantation facilities. Both registration and transplantation numbers have increased in the recent decade. The facility with the highest number of registrations showed a lower registration-to-transplantation ratio, because the increase in registrations outpaced the number of transplantations. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1867-1071 2026 Appropriate dose reduction using photon-counting detector CT for temporal bone imaging: phantom and clinical studies with helical acquisition EN Yuka Takahashi Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumiyo Higaki Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuko Nakamura Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hiroshima University Toru Higaki Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Akiko Sugaya Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshiharu Mitsuhashi Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Takahiro Kitayama Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University Yusuke Morimitsu Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital Tomohiro Inoue Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital Noriaki Akagi Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital Yusuke Matsui Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshihiro Iguchi Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Kazuo Awai Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hiroshima University Takao Hiraki Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Purpose: To determine the extent of possible dose reduction with photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) while maintaining image quality equivalent to that of energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) images at standard dose in the temporal bone.<br> Materials and methods: PCD-CT and EID-CT imaging quality were compared by visual evaluation of clinical temporal bone images and visual scores with Welch’s t-test at standard dose. A head phantom was used to evaluate imaging quality under dose reduction. The detectability index (d’) of the PCD-CT images at various dose levels and the EID-CT images at standard dose was evaluated. Dose reduction limit with PCD-CT used in the subsequent clinical evaluation was determined as the lowest dose with image quality equal to or better than EID-CT. The clinical equivalence of PCD-CT image quality at the determined reduced dose to that with EID-CT at standard dose was evaluated using visual scores. Equivalence was determined if the 95% confidence intervals of differences did not exceed the equivalence margin of ±1.<br> Results: At standard doses, PCD-CT images demonstrated significantly higher visual scores than EID-CT images (3.73 vs. 2.56 for incudomalleolar joint, 3.75 vs. 2.63 for stapes, 3.54 vs. 2.52 for cochlea, and 3.58 vs. 2.46 for facial nerve canal; all P 0.001). In the phantom study, the d’ value was 0.15 with EID-CT at standard dose and was 0.12 and 0.17 with PCD-CT at 25% and 50% of the standard dose, respectively. Clinically, the mean visual scores of PCD-CT images at 50% of the standard dose were equivalent to EID-CT images at standard dose in all regions (3.58 vs. 3.12 for incudomalleolar joint, 3.46 vs. 3.19 for stapes, 3.50 vs. 3.08 for cochlea, 3.58 vs. 3.27 for facial nerve canal).<br> Conclusion: PCD-CT may preserve image quality even at 50% of the standard dose in the temporal bone. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1557-1963 21 2026 Surface Plasmon Resonances in Silver Nanodendrites : Trunk Length and Branch Connectivity Dependence 2247 2258 EN Qingyuan Ma Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-communications Yuki Kishida Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-communications Nobuyuki Takeyasu Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Satoru Shoji Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-communications This study systematically investigates how trunk length and branch connectivity govern surface plasmon resonances in silver nanodendrites in the infrared (IR) region using a computational modeling strategy. We show that a continuous conductive trunk is essential for exciting long-wavelength collective plasmon modes. In a simulated bottom-up construction scheme, the trunk length is gradually increased to conductively connect additional branches to the backbone. Our results reveal that the fundamental δ mode resonance can be deterministically tuned across the mid-infrared spectrum (from 3840 nm to 4360 nm) primarily by controlling the trunk connectivity. As the number of connected branches grows, the lowest-order collective resonance peak exhibits a systematic redshift, and its resonance wavelength scales linearly with the effective dipole length Leff of the electron oscillation path. Concurrently, new higher-order modes emerge as local resonances of the connected substructures. These observations indicate that interrupting the conductive pathway causes a global collective mode to decompose into multiple resonances associated with more weakly coupled subsystems. The established linear scaling relationship provides a highly predictable design rule for this “programmable” connectivity, offering a robust platform for advanced applications such as multi-spectral infrared imaging, selective chemical sensing, and surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, where precise, a priori control over narrow-band infrared resonances is essential. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 8756-3282 209 2026 PPy-coated wire actuators for micromechanostimulation of cells – identification of immediate-early responsive mechanoregulatory genes in osteoblasts 117914 EN Jiamin Chen Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Amaia B. Ortega-Santos Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University Satoru Hayano Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Hospital Ziyi Wang Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jose G. Martinez Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University Emilio Satoshi Hara Department of Advanced International and Information Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Edwin W.H. Jager Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University Hiroshi Kamioka Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mechanotransduction, i.e., the conversion of mechanical cues into biochemical signals, is essential for bone development, remodeling, and adaptation. Although mechanical loading is known to regulate osteoblast function and bone homeostasis, dissecting the early and sustained mechanotransductive responses at the microscale remains challenging due to limitations of existing in vitro models. Here, we report the development and application of a mechanostimulation system comprising a polypyrrole (PPy)-based wire actuator that expands and contracts (4 μm in radius) upon electrical actuation and enables precise, localized micromechanical stimulation of a small number of cells within standard culture formats. Using this system, we applied short-term (30 min) cyclic (Cyc30) or static (Stat30), as well as prolonged (120 min) cyclic (Cyc120) stimulations to two osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1 or KUSA-A1). Subsequent transcriptomic profiling and computational network analyses revealed that Cyc30 was not capable of inducing significant changes in mRNA expression, suggesting cellular adaptation to short-term cyclic loading. In contrast, Stat30 induced the upregulation of Fos, Btg2, Egr1, and Fosl1, all known genes associated with mechanotransduction, supporting the validity and reproducibility of our experimental mechanostimulation system. Notably, two long non-coding RNAs (B930036N10Rik and 5430431A17Rik) were identified for the first time as being upregulated in response to Stat30 stimuli. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upregulated by Cyc120 stimuli, Hmox1, a stress-inducible enzyme known for its roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and promoting survival, was the only DEG repeatedly observed across the Cyc30/Cyc120 and Stat30/Cyc120 comparisons in both cell types, potentially emerging as a key stress-response gene under prolonged mechanical loading. Collectively, these results establish the PPy-based microactuator as a powerful tool for microscale mechanobiology, and provide molecular insight into immediate-early responsive transcriptional programs underlying osteoblastic mechanoadaptation conserved across different cell types. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2077-0383 15 10 2026 Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Gallbladder Drainage for Acute Cholecystitis in Non-Surgical Candidates: A Multicenter Retrospective Study 3621 EN Kei Harada Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuya Miyamoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuyuki Matsumoto Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Kosaku Morimoto Department of Internal Medicine, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital Eijiro Ueta Department of Gastroenterology, National Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Yutaka Akimoto Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital Nao Hattori Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Taisuke Obata Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Ryosuke Sato Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Akihiro Matsumi Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Hiroyuki Terasawa Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Fujii Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Daisuke Uchida Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Shigeru Horiguchi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Koichiro Tsutsumi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Background/Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is a minimally invasive alternative for managing acute cholecystitis in patients who are unsuitable for surgery. Although its short-term efficacy is well-established, its long-term outcomes, especially in patients with malignancy-associated cholecystitis, remain unclear. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included 139 patients who underwent EUS-GBD with a plastic stent for inoperable acute cholecystitis between January 2010 and October 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: a malignant group (n = 60) with cystic duct obstruction caused by cancer invasion or self-expandable metal stents, and a benign group (n = 79) with calculous or acalculous cholecystitis. The outcomes assessed included cholecystitis recurrence, time to recurrence, adverse events, and risk factors for recurrence. Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients, with an overall clinical success rate of 94.6%. Cholecystitis recurred significantly more frequently in the malignant group than in the benign group (13.3% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.015). Univariate analysis identified malignancy as a significant risk factor of recurrence (odds ratio, 5.92; p = 0.028). Conclusions: EUS-GBD is a safe and effective long-term treatment for cholecystitis in non-surgical candidates. However, malignancy-associated cholecystitis carries a high risk of recurrence, warranting careful follow-up and individualized management. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0168-1702 367 2026 Mycoviruses diversity in the black kōji mold, Aspergillus luchuensis (section Nigri) isolated from liquor-production environments in Japan 199724 EN Hideki Kondo Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Misaki Nanaji Graduate School of Tokyo Kasei University Hitomi Sugahara Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Miki Fujita Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Ida Bagus Andika Northwest A&F University Nobuhiro Suzuki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Fujimori Fumihiro Graduate School of Tokyo Kasei University Some fungal species in the genus Aspergillus are economically important due to their role in the production of liquors and various foods; however, their viromes, which may affect their performance, remain unexplored. Therefore, this study examined the viromes of nine strains of Aspergillus luchuensis (section Nigri), the black kōji mold used in the production of shochu (a traditional Japanese liquor) in Japan. It identified virus-like sequences related to alterna-, partiti-, curvula, botourmia-, narna-like, and umbra-like viruses. Some sequences appear to represent new variants (e.g., alterna- and gammapartitiviruses), while many others correspond to novel viral species within established or proposed mycoviral families. All A. luchuensis strains harbored multiple virus infections, with 2 to 7 viruses per strain. Three alternavirus strains with four-segmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomes were confirmed, along with minor variants co-present with the predominant strains. Notably, a gammapartitivirus appears to have two additional dsRNA genome segments, along with two satellite-like short dsRNA segments in some fungal isolates. Furthermore, at least five short RNAs (0.48–1.31 kb) were identified, three of which are possibly satellite-like RNAs associated with novel single-stranded RNA viruses (botourmia- and umbra-like viruses). These findings reveal the great diversity of mycoviruses in A. luchuensis populations and lay the foundation for further investigation into their impact on fungal phenotypes and liquor production. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2731-5894 2026 Comparative study of Ni–CeO2 catalysts prepared by impregnation and coprecipitation for CO2 methanation EN Nobuko Fukuda Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shuichi Imano Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nozomi Nakahara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University This study explores how synthesis methods affect the structure and CO2 methanation performance of Ni–CeO2 catalysts prepared by coprecipitation and impregnation under identical conditions. Coprecipitation generated particles below 100 nm with uniform elemental distribution, together with large bulk-like particles exhibiting locally concentrated Ni species, attributed to differences in hydroxide solubility. Impregnation, by contrast, produced very large particles (> 500 nm) with smaller particles attached, while maintaining relatively homogeneous elemental distribution. Coprecipitated catalysts showed slightly higher surface area and oxygen vacancy concentration, resulting in higher apparent turnover frequencies (TOFapp) below 300 °C due to enhanced CO2 adsorption and high Ni site density. However, at temperatures above 350 °C, impregnated catalysts displayed higher CH4 selectivity and TOFapp, indicating reduced kinetic limitations and more efficient active-site utilization. These results provide insights for rational design of efficient CO2 methanation catalysts. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0012-821X 687 2026 Phase diagram of Fe-C-S ternary system under planetary core conditions 120087 EN Bin Zhao Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Jintao Zhu Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Daniele Antonangeli Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, UMR CNRS 7590, Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC Guillaume Morard Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, UMR CNRS 7590, Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC Qi Chen Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, University of Chicago Takashi Yoshino Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University High-pressure, high-temperature experiments were conducted to investigate melting relations and phase assemblages in the Fe-C-S ternary system at 5 and 15 GPa, covering a temperature range of 1300–1900 K, conditions directly relevant to the Moon’s and Mercury’s cores. At 1300 K, the system is primarily governed by Fe-S eutectic melting, exhibiting notable complexity in the carbon-rich and sulfur-poor regions. With increasing temperature, the phase diagram simplifies: at 5 GPa and 1700 K, the Fe-Fe₃C-FeS system features three regions (Fe+L, C + L, and L). Similar phase assemblages are observed at 15 GPa, with Fe7C3 and diamond replacing Fe3C and graphite, respectively. Extensive Fe+L, C + L, and L regions are observed at 1900 K.<br> For a Moon’s core composed of a Fe-C-S alloy, nearly pure Fe is the only viable inner core phase above 1700 K. Below this temperature, both Fe and Fe₃C are potential solid inner core phases, depending on carbon content; a two-phase solid inner core is also theoretically possible. The inferred compositions of the outer core suggest densities of 6200–7300 kg/m³, with tighter constraints for models featuring an Fe₃C core.<br> At Mercury-relevant pressures, either Fe or Fe₇C₃ may form the solid inner core, again depending on carbon content. If the inner core is nearly pure Fe, the liquid outer core density ranges from 7300 to 7900 kg/m³. In both scenarios, a “snow” regime is plausible, though with distinct settling times. The ternary phase diagram indicates that Mercury is likely to develop a structurally layered inner core during secular cooling.<br> No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 0094-8276 53 9 2026 Apollo 17 Lunar Surface Gravimeter as a Seismometer: Relocating Shallow‐Moonquake Sources and Implications for Source Mechanism e2025GL121619 EN Keisuke Onodera Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Taichi Kawamura Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université Paris Cité Among the reported seismic events on the Moon, shallow moonquakes are known for their unique features, such as high-frequency energy excitation, similarity to intraplate earthquakes, and the largest energy release of all reported moonquakes. Despite these interesting features, a small number of samples (<80 events) and sparse seismic network observations prevented us from gaining an in-depth understanding of shallow moonquakes. In this study, by using the Apollo 17 gravimeter as a pseudo-seismometer, we extend the Apollo lunar seismic network and located a few shallow moonquakes more accurately. In addition, comparing the located shallow-moonquake epicenters with surface/subsurface geological features indicates that at least one event may be better explained by deep-seated faults within the crust. Along with a previous demonstration of low-frequency moonquakes, our analysis of high-frequency events shows that the Apollo 17 gravimeter can serve as a seismometer over a broader frequency range than previously considered. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Frontiers Media SA Acta Medica Okayama 2474-0896 83 2026 Clinical Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Titers in the Management of Patients With Long COVID Infected With the Omicron Variant 16255 EN Marina Kawaguchi Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasue Sakurada Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuki Tokumasu Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuhiro Nakano Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yui Matsuda Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroyuki Honda Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Daisuke Omura Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nobuyoshi Matsuki Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masanori Furukawa Department of Laboratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Akihito Higashikage Department of Laboratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background: Long COVID (LC) presents persistent symptoms that pose a major clinical challenge. Identification of reliable biomarkers to evaluate LC pathophysiology is needed.<br> Objectives: To investigate whether serum S- and N-antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins reflect the clinical features of LC.<br> Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with Omicron variant-related LC who attended a post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic between July 2023 and November 2024 and provided informed consent for antibody testing.<br> Results: Among 275 patients (129 men and 146 women), 57 (21%) were unvaccinated. Median S- and N-antibody titers in vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients were 20,963 U/mL and 24.8 cut-off index (COI) versus 24 U/mL and 44.5 COI, respectively. S-antibody titers were associated with the number of vaccine doses received, whereas N-antibody titers correlated with disease severity during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, with females having higher titers by multivariable analysis. N-antibody titers in unvaccinated patients with LC were negatively correlated with time interval from infection to clinic visit, with an estimated daily decline of 0.34% in measured N-antibody levels. Patients with LC having memory impairment had low S-antibody titers by multivariable logistic regression analysis, and low S-antibody levels were associated with reduced quality of life (QOL). Additionally, N-antibody titers positively correlated with lymphocyte counts and immunoglobulin levels.<br> Conclusion: Serum N-antibody titers reflect immune responses to COVID-19, although they are affected by gender differences and interval between infection and evaluation. Lower S-antibody titers were associated with brain fog symptoms and reduced QOL in patients with LC. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0935-9648 2026 Turning Unpredictable Biomolecule Adsorption to Controlled Corona Formation: Focus on Carbon Nanomaterials e23328 EN Yajuan Zou Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yalei Hu CNRS, Immunology Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry University of Strasbourg ISIS Jie Yu Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University Naoki Komatsu Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University Yuta Nishina Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Alberto Bianco Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University With unique optical and physicochemical properties, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene-related materials, nanodiamonds, and carbon dots, are extensively explored as platforms for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, in biofluids, CNMs spontaneously adsorb biomolecules to form an unpredictable corona, obstructing the implementation of their designed functions. In this review, we summarize how the intrinsic and acquired properties of CNMs affect protein corona formation, and the consequent biological and toxicological outcomes, as well as strategies to reshape the composition and structural organization of adsorbed proteins. This comprehensive knowledge will provide insights into developing CNMs with tailored corona and requested functions in cancer nanomedicine, advancing their translations into clinics. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1868-6974 2026 Feasibility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling for Biliary Tract Cancer Using Transpapillary Biopsy Samples: A Prospective Study EN Kazuya Miyamoto Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Kazuyuki Matsumoto Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Toshiaki Ohara Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Masayoshi Fujisawa Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Hirohumi Inoue Department of Medical Support, Okayama University Hospital Ryosuke Sato Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Akihiro Matsumi Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Yuki Fujii Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Uchida Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital Background: Patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) often have actionable mutations, and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) plays an important role. However, the feasibility of CGP using transpapillary biopsy (TPB) samples remains unclear.<br> Methods: Thirty patients with suspected BTC based on radiographic imaging were enrolled. Pre-analytical criteria for CGP suitability were based on the OncoGuide NCC Oncopanel System (NCCOP) and FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx). Each patient underwent six biopsies using an endoscopic introducer: five biopsy samples were preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples and one as a fresh frozen (FF) sample. DNA quality indicators were compared between the two groups.<br> Results: Malignancy was confirmed in 29 patients, and one had a benign biliary stricture. Suitability rate was 31% (9/29) for NCCOP and 3.4% (1/29) for F1CDx. Compared to FFPE samples, FF samples demonstrated significantly higher DNA concentration [ng/μL, interquartile range (IQR)], [0.34 (0.16–0.95) vs. 37.8 (11.6–67.6), p < 0.001] and DNA integrity number (IQR) [7.1 (6.8–7.3) vs. 8.9 (8.3–9), p = 0.021].<br> Conclusions: Introducer-assisted multipass TPB may increase the rate of obtaining adequate CGP specimens, but its suitability remains limited and strongly panel dependent. Since FF samples have better DNA quality, establishing a system detailing their use is desirable.<br> Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: UMIN 000049826 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 1525-2027 27 5 2026 Chemical Geodynamics of Granitoid Magmatism During a Pacific‐Philippine Sea Plate Transition in Southwest Japan e2026GC012945 EN Nghiem V. Dao The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Tsegereda A. Yemer The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Tulibako T. Mwaisuba The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Chie Sakaguchi The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Katsura Kobayashi The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Teruyoshi Imaoka Division of Earth Science, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University at Misasa Granitoid magmatism along the western Pacific margin records interactions between subduction dynamics and crust–mantle processes; however, the links between plate reorganization and magma-source evolution remain debated. Here we integrate U–Pb zircon geochronology with Pb–Sr–Nd–Hf isotope systematics to investigate Cretaceous–Paleogene granitoids in Southwest Japan. Zircon U–Pb ages define two discrete magmatic episodes at 110–60 Ma and 45–30 Ma, separated by a magmatic hiatus of ∼10–15 Myr. These granitoid groups exhibit distinct isotopic signatures, indicating derivation from isotopically distinct magma sources linked to the paleo-Pacific (Izanagi) plate and the Philippine Sea plate, respectively. Isotope-based mass-balance modeling indicates higher sediment contributions to the older granitoids, with decreasing sediment input both landward and through time. The magmatic lull at ca. 52–40 Ma coincides with an abrupt isotopic shift and is interpreted to reflect plate reorganization, during which subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate was replaced by a transform or highly oblique plate boundary associated with the northward migration of the proto–Philippine Sea plate. Independent constraints from convergence rates, sediment flux, and accretionary complex development support this interpretation. These results demonstrate that granitoid magmatism in Southwest Japan was fundamentally controlled by temporal changes in subducted lithosphere and sediment flux driven by plate reorganization, highlighting the sensitivity of arc magmatism to transient tectonic regimes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0953-8194 38 4 2026 Type III CD38 is present in the membrane of neurosecretory vesicles and has a cytosol-facing catalytic domain in primate oxytocin neurons e70187 EN Tatsuki Miyamoto Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akari Matsushima Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Akito Otubo Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Chihong Song Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences Kazuyoshi Murata Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences Takumi Oti Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirotaka Sakamoto Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University CD38, an ADP-ribosyl cyclase that generates cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), is essential for Ca2+-dependent oxytocin release. However, its subcellular localisation and membrane topology within oxytocin neurones have remained unclear. We investigated the distribution and orientation of CD38 in oxytocin-producing neurones of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) using immunoelectron microscopy combined with biochemical isolation of neurosecretory vesicles (NSVs). CD38 immunoreactivity was selectively detected on oxytocin-containing NSVs in axon terminals in the posterior pituitary and dendrites of the supraoptic nucleus, whereas vasopressin vesicles and the plasma membrane lacked detectable labelling. Cryo-electron microscopy confirmed the structural integrity of purified NSV fractions, and Western blotting verified the presence of CD38 protein within these fractions. Permeabilisation-dependent immunogold labelling further demonstrated that the NSV membrane localisation of CD38 and that the N-terminal region of CD38 is oriented toward the vesicle lumen, consistent with a type III membrane topology in which the catalytic domain faces the cytosol. This arrangement positions the active site near cytosolic NAD+, enabling localised cADPR production adjacent to Ca2+-mobilising channels that support regulated exocytosis. These findings identify, in primate oxytocin neurones, a previously unrecognised, vesicle-associated pool of CD38 with a cytosol-facing catalytic domain and provide a structural framework for understanding how intracellular type III CD38 contributes to neuropeptide release. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2051-3380 14 3 2026 An Atypical Surgical Case of Lung Cancer With Unilateral Absence of the Pulmonary Artery, With Only the Superior Branch Remaining e70554 EN Kazuhiro Okada Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Shin Tanaka Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Tsuyoshi Ryuko Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Yasuaki Tomioka Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Kazuhiko Shien Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Ken Suzawa Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Kentaroh Miyoshi Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Mikio Okazaki Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Shinichi Toyooka Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital A 69-year-old woman was referred to our department for an abnormal shadow on chest radiography. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a solid nodule in the right lower lobe and defects in the branches of the middle and lower lobes of the pulmonary artery (PA). Furthermore, collateral circulation had developed via the right internal thoracic, bronchial, intercostal, inferior phrenic, and subdiaphragmatic arteries. The solid nodule was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by CT-guided biopsy. The day before surgery, embolization was performed using interventional radiology (IVR) to mitigate the risk of bleeding during thoracotomy, resulting in minimal intraoperative bleeding during the subsequent right middle and lower lobectomies with lymph node dissection (ND2a-1). UAPA is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis. The presence of recurrent infections, extensive intrathoracic adhesions, and developed collateral circulation may pose challenges during surgical procedures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society (APS) Acta Medica Okayama 3070-2240 1 2026 Cryogenic buffer gas beam source with in situ ablation target replacement 000016 EN Zhen Han Department of Physics, University of Chicago Zack Lasner Department of Physics, Harvard University Collin Diver Center for Fundamental Physics, Northwestern University Peiran Hu Department of Physics, University of Chicago Takahiko Masuda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Xing Wu Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University Ayami Hiramoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Maya Watts Center for Fundamental Physics, Northwestern University Satoshi Uetake Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Koji Yoshimura Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Xing Fan Department of Physics, Harvard University Gerald Gabrielse Center for Fundamental Physics, Northwestern University John M. Doyle Department of Physics, Harvard University David DeMille Department of Physics, University of Chicago The design and performance of a cryogenic buffer gas beam source with a load-lock system is presented. The third generation of advanced cold molecule electric dipole moment search (ACME III) uses this source to produce a beam of cold, slow thorium monoxide (ThO) molecules. A feature of the apparatus is the capability of replacing the ablation targets without interrupting the vacuum or cryogenic conditions, thus increasing the average signal in the eEDM search. The beam source produces 1.3×1011 ground-state ThO molecules per pulse on average, with rotational temperature of 4.8K, molecular beam solid angle of 0.31sr, and forward velocity of 200ms−1, parameters that are consistent with the performance of a traditional source (without a load lock) requiring time-consuming thermal cycles for target replacement. Long-term yield improvement of ∼40% is achieved when the load-lock system is employed to replace targets every two weeks. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0969-0239 2026 Counterion condensation, ion pairing and scattering properties of carboxymethyl cellulose with mono- and di-valent ions EN Elmira Abbasi GharehTapeh Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University Takaichi Watanabe Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University Ferenc Horkay Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health Can Hou Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Carlos G. Lopez Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University Max Hohenschutz Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University We study the scattering and conductometric properties of a semiflexible polyelectrolyte, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with monovalent and divalent counterions in aqueous media without added salts. The scattering patterns for the magnesium salts of CMC display a broad shoulder instead of the scattering peak observed for the monovalent salts. This suggests weaker electrostatic repulsion between chains and a consequent loss of local order. The result is consistent with conductivity measurements, which reveal that the effective charge of the backbone for MgCMC is approximately half that of NaCMC. The decrease in charge density agrees with Oosawa–Manning condensation, which expects the charge density to be inversely proportional to the counterion valence. Alkali metal counterions show large differences in ion-pair formation but only a weak effect in counterion condensation. We suggest that paired ions are a subset of condensed ions. A review of different methods to evaluate counterion condensation, including potentiometry, osmometry and viscosity-based methods is presented. Qualitative agreement between these methods is found and possible reasons for the discrepancies are discussed. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 138 1 2026 薬物相互作用（65―気管支喘息治療薬の薬物相互作用） 19 22 EN Takayoshi Kawabata Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Tsukasa Higashionna Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Takashi Makita Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Hirofumi Hamano Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Yoshito Zamami Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 2169-9097 131 2026 Lateral Variations in Lunar Crustal Thickness Inferred From Apollo Seismic and GRAIL Gravity Data e2025JE009453 EN Xiang Zhang Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Taichi Kawamura Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Mélanie Drilleau Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Philippe Lognonné Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Samuel Henri Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Zongbo Xu Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS Keisuke Onodera Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Thomas Bodin Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM)–CSIC The internal structure of the Moon is key to understanding its formation, evolution, and bulk composition. In particular, determining the structure of the crust–mantle interface (Moho), including its lateral variations, is of significant importance, but current knowledge is still insufficient to fully constrain it. To address this, we used seismic wave arrivals from impact events, which yield constraints on the crust at both the impact sites and the Apollo stations, to invert for local crustal thickness. Based on a series of assumed crust and mantle density models, we compared Moho depths inferred from global gravity recovery and interior laboratory gravity data with those from seismic observations. Although the gravity‐derived results broadly capture the overall Moho relief, local discrepancies remain, with differences reaching up to 10 km in the vicinity of the Apollo 17 Saturn IVB impact site. These results may reflect regional geological anomalies and highlight the importance of incorporating multiple seismically constrained crustal thickness estimates as anchors in gravity inversions. Using seven seismic anchor points and assuming an upper mantle velocity of Vp = 7.68 km/ s, an upper mantle density of 3,280 kg/m3, and a crustal density of 2,693 kg/m3, we obtain an average lunar crustal thickness of 43.6 ± 1.9 km. The findings also provide valuable guidance for future global 3D modeling of the Moon. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Acta Medica Okayama 0918-9440 2026 CDPKs as Ca2+ signaling decoders in guard cell signaling EN Izumi C. Mori Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Stomatal movements are essential for balancing photosynthetic carbon dioxide uptake with water conservation and defense against pathogens. These processes are controlled by complex signaling networks in guard cells, in which calcium ions (Ca2+) act as a ubiquitous second messenger. Although stimulus-specific Ca2+ signatures have been well documented, how these signals are decoded into distinct physiological responses remains a central question in plant biology. Increasing evidence highlights calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) as key signal decoders in guard cell signaling. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of how CDPKs perceive and translate Ca2+ fluctuations into stomatal responses. We focus on the roles of CDPKs in signaling pathways triggered by diverse stimuli, including phytohormones such as abscisic acid ABA, jasmonates, and salicylic acid, as well as biotic cues such as microbe- or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs/PAMPs) and pathogen infection. We also discuss how gaseous signals and metabolic cues are integrated into CDPK-mediated pathways. In addition to their established role as downstream decoders of Ca2+ signals, emerging studies suggest that CDPKs can act upstream of Ca2+ oscillations and may also function through Ca2+-independent mechanisms. Together, these findings highlight the context-dependent and integrative roles of CDPKs in regulating stomatal behavior, contributing to plant fitness under fluctuating environmental conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

John Wiley & Sons Ltd Acta Medica Okayama 1362-1017 31 3 2026 Early sedation intensity and psychological outcomes in critically ill adults e70500 EN Mikiko Iwatani Okayama University Hospital; Graduate School of Health Sciences, Doctoral Program, Okayama University Michiko Morimoto Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Background: Long-term psychological impairment is a major concern for intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Early deep sedation during mechanical ventilation has been associated with poor short-term outcomes and mortality after ICU discharge; however, its relationship with psychological outcomes remains unclear.<br> Aim: To investigate sedation intensity during the first 24 h of mechanical ventilation and its association with psychological impairment 3 months after ICU discharge.<br> Study Design: This retrospective ancillary analysis of a single-centre cohort study was conducted in two general ICUs at a university hospital in Japan. Eligible patients stayed in the ICU for more than 48 h and received mechanical ventilation for more than 8 h. Sedation intensity was quantified using the Sedation Index (SI) and Agitation Index (AI) derived from Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale scores during the first 24 h. Psychological impairment 3 months post-ICU discharge was assessed based on symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. Associations were examined using hierarchical logistic regression.<br> Results: Among 130 participants, the median age was 64 years, and the median ventilation duration was 14 h. The median SI was 3.0; 47% had SI > 3, and 8.5% had AI > 0. Sedation intensity showed no significant association with psychological impairment (SI: adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 90% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–1.33, p = 0.59; AI: adjusted OR 0.21, 90% CI 0.01–3.08, p = 0.34). However, any agitation during the ICU stay was associated with psychological outcomes (adjusted OR 2.61, 90% CI 1.16–5.88, p = 0.05).<br> Conclusions: This study did not identify a statistically significant association between early sedation intensity and psychological impairment 3 months after ICU discharge.<br> Relevance to Clinical Practice: Critical care nurses should carefully titrate sedation from the initiation of mechanical ventilation to avoid unnecessary deep sedation, considering sedation intensity over time, while actively assessing agitation and its underlying causes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Poultry Science Association Acta Medica Okayama 1346-7395 63 2026 Supplementation of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Suppressed Body Weight Loss and Reduced Disease Severity During Eimeria tenella Infection in Broiler Chickens 2026010 EN Taqi Ahmad Hanif Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Makoto Matsubayashi Department of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Osaka Metropolitan University Toshimitsu Hatabu Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) supplementation in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. To assess these effects, chickens supplemented with 20 ppm 5-ALA (5-ALA group) were compared with non-supplemented controls (control group). Sporulated E. tenella oocysts (2.0 × 103 oocysts per animal) were administered orally to 2-week-old broiler chickens. Body weight was measured weekly, and fecal samples were collected daily from 4 to 15 days post-infection (dpi). Fecal oocyst shedding was quantified using the sucrose flotation method. Cecal tissues were collected at 5 dpi for histopathological analysis and lesion scoring. The animals in the 5-ALA group exhibited significantly greater weight gain and milder clinical signs than those in the control group. Fecal oocyst shedding was highest at 7 dpi in both groups; however, the 5-ALA group exhibited significantly lower oocyst output than the control group. The total number of fecal oocysts shed during the acute infection period was significantly lower in the 5-ALA group than in the control group. Histopathological analysis revealed that although both groups exhibited epithelial hyperplasia and E. tenella schizonts in the cecal submucosa, inflammatory cell infiltration, cecal tissue damage, and histological lesion scores were significantly lower in the 5-ALA group than in the control group. These results suggest that 5-ALA supplementation may mitigate the clinical, parasitological, and histological effects of E. tenella infection in broiler chickens. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering Acta Medica Okayama 2187-5219 15 2026 Automatic Detection of Turning Over in Bed with Protection of Privacy Using Four Low-resolution Thermal Sensors to Support Nursing Care 265 271 EN Jyun-Jhe Chou Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taiwan University Kammei Rai Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Go Makimoto Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mizuki Morita Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yoshinobu Maeda Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chi-Sheng Shih Graduate Institute of Networking and Multimedia, National Taiwan University Turning over in bed, especially turning over at night, is a vital human unconscious behavior. Clinically, this movement disperses pressure between the body and bed, thus preventing bedsores. Several devices, such as acceleration and pressure sensors, can count turning overs automatically; however, they often require installation on the patients or in the bed. The simplest and noninvasive method to count turning overs is to record and count on video images, but this method cannot protect privacy. Images obtained using thermal sensors have been used to protect privacy; however, there are no reports of counting turning overs automatically using low-resolution sensors. We developed a novel device equipped with four low-resolution thermal sensors, with each sensor recording only an 8×8-pixel thermal image. The original data can protect patient privacy because the resolution is only ~28.8×28.8 cm per body, which is the lowest resolution compared to previous reports using thermal images. Using four sensors simultaneously enables us to collect sufficient data for automatic identification. We first used the bilinear interpolation method employed in a previous report to count turning overs; however, the results were unsatisfactory because turning overs produced extremely subtle changes in the original data compared with postural changes such as falls. After several attempts, we finally developed a unique identification program that interleaved all data from four sensors and then identified turning overs using residual neural network-18. Using the new system, the accuracy, recall, and precision of counting turning overs in bed improved to approximately 90% with an acceptable computation load in an experiment conducted on volunteers. This study demonstrated the feasibility of our device to count turning overs in clinical settings by the new identification program using four 8×8-pixel thermal images per frame, which have sufficiently low resolution to protect patient privacy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2045-7634 15 5 2026 Multi-Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals That EREG-Driven TME Crosstalk Defines Anti-EGFR Response in Colorectal Cancer e71853 EN Atsuki Taniguchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shunsuke Kagawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shohei Nogi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiko Yagi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Nobuhiko Kanaya Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shinji Kuroda Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Satoru Kikuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshihiko Kakiuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroshi Tazawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Sidedness influences colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis and treatment response, yet the mechanism dictating differential EGFR inhibitor (EGFRI) sensitivity is unclear. This study investigated the tumor microenvironment (TME) in relation to EGFRI eligibility―clinically defined by factors such as tumor sidedness (e.g., left-sided), RAS/BRAF wild-type status, and microsatellite stability (MSS)―using integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), with bulk RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics validation. We found cancer cell features reflected EGFRI eligibility more strongly than sidedness. EGFRI eligible tumors exhibited high Epiregulin (EREG) expression by cancer cells. Cell interaction analysis revealed a specific “EREG/EGFR/CSF axis” in EGFRI eligible CRC: EREG derived from cancer cell stimulates EGFR-expressing non-myCAF subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which signal via CSF to M1/M2-like Tumor-Associated Macrophages/Monocytes (TAM/TAMo), potentially promoting M2 polarization. Spatial analysis confirmed the proximity of these interacting cell populations and localized EGFR pathway activation near cancer cells specifically in eligible tumors. This study provides a TME-centric view of EGFRI eligibility, identifying a key intercellular communication network driving differential responses. These findings suggest TME features could offer more precise patient stratification than sidedness alone, potentially improving CRC therapeutic strategies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 2026 Sex-related differences in blood concentrations and emergence profiles following total intravenous anesthesia with remimazolam and remifentanil 13650 EN Riko Sato Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hitoshi Higuchi Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital Yukiko Nishioka Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital Saki Miyake Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takuya Miyawaki Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Remimazolam is a novel, short-acting benzodiazepine, which is characterized by rapid onset and quick recovery. The clinical efficacy and metabolism of many intravenous anesthetics are known to be influenced by sex; however, the effects of sex on the anesthetic efficacy and metabolism of remimazolam remain unclear. This prospective observational study examined sex-related differences in pharmacokinetics and emergence profiles after total intravenous anesthesia was induced with remimazolam and remifentanil in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Thirty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 1 adults (19 females, 16 males), aged 18–49 years, received standardized dosing based on their actual body weights. Serum remimazolam concentrations were measured at the end of administration and immediately before extubation using high-performance liquid chromatography. Although the emergence time did not differ significantly between the sexes, the mean emergence time of the females was approximately 80 s shorter. Serum remimazolam concentrations were significantly lower in females at both measurement time points (p < 0.001). This may suggest that remimazolam is metabolized more rapidly in women. Although these sex-related pharmacokinetic differences did not affect the time to awakening under combined remimazolam and remifentanil anesthesia, clinicians should be aware of potential sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of remimazolam. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2948-216X 3 1 2026 Compact potential sensor for spacecraft based on a silicon photonic waveguide 10 EN Kosei Otsuka Department of Physics and Electronics, Osaka Metropolitan University Wataru Takahama Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Rikuto Hojo Department of Space Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology Takeki Higashiguchi Department of Physics and Electronics, Osaka Metropolitan University Kazuya Kikunaga Sensing Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Tomofumi Mogami Electrostatic Engineering DEPT, Kasuga Denki INC Kazuhiro Toyoda Department of Space Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology Yasushi Takahashi Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Satellites charge up due to incoming electrons and ions, resulting in an electrical potential difference (ΔV) between the satellite and outer space. This can cause electrostatic discharge (ESD) events, damaging electronic devices. To reduce failures due to ESD, sensors monitoring the ΔV can be helpful. Due to spacecraft’s restrictions, the sensors should be as small as possible. While small potential sensors in terrestrial applications are often based on electrical conduction in semiconductors, such sensors are not suitable for space application due to a weak resistance to cosmic radiation and ESD. Here, we report a compact sensor based on another sensing method: the utilization of light absorption in a silicon photonic waveguide. We performed experiments in a vacuum chamber simulating the space plasma environment to demonstrate that the light attenuation in the waveguide depends on the ΔV. Our results further indicate that our sensor exhibits a high resistance to ESD. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2589-0042 29 5 2026 Wnt3-mediated fibrosis and carcinogenesis of lung squamous cell carcinoma in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 115667 EN Atsushi Matsuoka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhiko Shien Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shuta Tomida Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Masayoshi Ohki Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hidejiro Torigoe Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuya Hisamatsu Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryota Fujiwara Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kosei Ishimura Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shunsuke Mori Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryunosuke Fujii Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Asuka Mimata Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhiro Okada Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryo Yoshichika Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mao Yoshikawa Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuma Fukumoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Haruchika Yamamoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kumi Nakajima Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin Tanaka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ken Suzawa Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kentaroh Miyoshi Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mikio Okazaki Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hirofumi Inoue Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Ennishi Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Shinichi Toyooka Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) increases the risk of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), yet its molecular pathogenesis remains unclear. We conducted multi-omics analysis, including single-cell RNA sequencing and digital spatial profiling, on LUSC specimens from seven patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). In UIP lung tissue, metaplastic basal cells arising from the transdifferentiation of alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells were increased. LUSC tumors arising within UIP exhibited molecular profiles and trajectory dynamics suggesting derivation from these metaplastic basal cells. Both UIP-affected tissue and associated tumors showed activation of Wnt signaling, particularly WNT3 expression. Additionally, enrichment of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-linked antioxidant response was observed in LUSC within UIP. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling restored the sensitivity of these stress-adapted cancer cell lines to oxidative damage. These findings suggest that LUSC within UIP originates from AT2-derived metaplastic basal cells and involves aberrant Wnt3 activation, linking fibrosis to carcinogenesis and highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Korean Association of Anatomists Acta Medica Okayama 2093-3665 2026 Clinical anatomy of the superior labial branch of infraorbital nerve EN Hiroaki Takakura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Airi Tanai Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Kunisada Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shogo Kikuta Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine Norio Kitagawa Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Soichiro Ibaragi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mi-Sun Hur Department of Anatomy, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine Rizwan Aslam Department of Otolaryngology, Tulane University School of Medicine R. Shane Tubbs Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine Joe Iwanaga Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine The infraorbital nerve (ION), a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, provides sensory innervation to the midface via its terminal divisions. Among these, the superior labial branch (SLb) supplies the upper lip and adjacent mucosa, regions frequently involved in oral, maxillofacial, and cosmetic procedures. Despite its clinical importance, the anatomy of the SLb has received relatively limited attention compared with other ION branches. This review synthesizes current evidence on the SLb’s course, branching patterns, innervation, morphometry, and variations, with emphasis on its relevance to surgical practice. Anatomical studies demonstrate that the SLb is the largest terminal division of the ION, often exhibiting medial and lateral subdivisions that anastomose with neighboring nerves. Its distribution predominantly follows a vertical orientation, supplying both cutaneous and mucosal structures of the upper lip. Variability in origin, branching, and accessory foramina underscores the need for careful surgical planning. Injury to the SLb is a recognized complication of Le Fort I osteotomy, midfacial trauma, and periapical procedures, potentially leading to long-term sensory disturbances. A comprehensive understanding of the SLb enhances intraoperative nerve preservation and may reduce postoperative morbidity, highlighting its significance for clinicians operating in the midfacial region. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0005-2728 1867 3 2026 Multiple structures of photosystem I-FCPI supercomplexes from a coccolithophore alga reveal a modular antenna organization 149588 EN Romain La Rocca Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Pi-Cheng Tsai Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Koji Kato Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yoshiki Nakajima Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Fusamichi Akita Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Jian-Ren Shen Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Photosystem I (PSI) converts light energy into chemical energy in photosynthesis, and forms supercomplexes with light-harvesting complexes (LHCI) in eukaryotes to enhance energy capture and transfer. Various numbers and organizations of both PSI core and LHCI subunits are observed in various organisms. A subgroup of haptophytes named coccolithophores play a major role in marine carbon cycle and CaCO3 production, and the light-harvesting antennas of them are named FCPs (fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c binding protein) because they bind chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin in addition to chlorophyll a. A structure of a large PSI-FCPI supercomplex containing 38 FCPI subunits has been reported from a coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi recently (L. Shen et al., Science 389, eadv2132, 2025). Here we solved five cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of PSI–FCPI supercomplexes isolated from another coccolithophore Chrysotila roscoffensis with different detergents at resolutions ranging from 2.3 to 1.7 Å. These structures represent discrete PSI-FCPIs containing 1, 4, 6, 8 and 9 FCPI subunits, with FCPIs arranged in a modular fashion. Association of each FCPI module to the PSI core, as well as the arrangement of protein subunits and pigments, are revealed. Contributions of individual antenna modules to excitation energy transfer were calculated and compared with PSI–FCPI supercomplexes from other species of coccolithophores and haptophytes. These results pinpoint the assembly of stable PSI–FCPI supercomplexes in C. roscoffensis and provide insights into how antenna modules contribute to energy transfer in coccolithophores. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2399-3642 9 1 2026 Structural study of monomeric and dimeric photosystem I-LHCI supercomplexes from a bryophyte 146 EN Pi-Cheng Tsai Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, Okayama University Romain La Rocca Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, Okayama University Hiroyasu Motose Department of Biology, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Jian-Ren Shen Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, Okayama University Fusamichi Akita Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, Okayama University Photosystem I (PSI) is one of the two photosystems conserved from cyanobacteria to vascular plants, and associates with multiple light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) that capture and transfer solar energy. Liverworts such as Marchantia polymorpha occupy an early evolutionary position among land plants and faced major challenges during terrestrial adaptation, including desiccation, strong light, and UV radiation. We reveal the cryo-electron microscopic structures of PSI-LHCI monomer and homodimer from the liverwort M. polymorpha at resolutions of 1.94 and 2.52 Å, respectively. The high-resolution map allows identification of the cofactors of the monomer and reveal differences between the liverwort and moss, another clade of bryophytes. The PSI-LHCI monomer-monomer is stabilized by PsaG and PsaH interactions on the stromal side, which causes the bending and twisting of the homodimer. PsaM interacts with PsaB tightly, indicating a key role of PsaM in mediating the dimerization. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 0449-3060 67 2 2026 Development of Linear Interpolation System for SMK Model Parameters Evaluated from Cellular-Scale Simulation (LISMEC) and its application to BNCT dosimetry 170 181 EN Takafumi Shigehira Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University Tubasa Watanabe Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University Minoru Suzuki Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University Yuho Hirata Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Tatsuhiko Ogawa Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Atsushi Fujimura Department of Cellular Physiology, Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshinori Sakurai Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University Tatsuhiko Sato Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) utilizes high linear energy transfer (LET) α-particles and 7Li ions generated through the 10B(n, α)7Li reaction. Precise dosimetry is essential for maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing normal tissue adverse events, considering the microscopic distribution of 10B and cellular structures. Recently, the photon isoeffective dose (DisoE) has been proposed as a more appropriate metric for BNCT treatment planning and can be evaluated using the stochastic microdosimetric kinetic (SMK) model. However, clinical implementation of the SMK model remains challenging due to the difficulty of evaluating its input parameters, which requires computationally intensive radiation transport simulations at the cellular scale. To address this issue, we developed LISMEC (Linear Interpolation System for Stochastic Microdosimetric Kinetic model parameters Evaluated from Cellular-scale simulation), a rapid estimation framework based on precomputed cellular-scale PHITS (Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System) simulations covering various cell geometries and boron distributions. By applying a linear interpolation algorithm, LISMEC enables the retrieval of SMK model parameters without the need for computationally intensive cellular-scale simulations. The utility of LISMEC, in conjunction with PHITS, was demonstrated through simulations of various irradiation scenarios in reactor-based BNCT. The results showed that DisoE values ranged from 7.4 to 32.7 Gy, even under a fixed macroscopic 10B concentration of 60 ppm. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating a microscopic distribution of 10B and cellular structures into BNCT treatment planning. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0039-9140 306 2026 Instrument-free quantitative colorimetric analysis using adsorption-band length in a packed silica gel column 129728 EN Sychanh Phonxayxiong Takashi Kaneta Department of Chemistry, Okayama University A simple and instrument-free colorimetric method for quantitative analysis is reported, in which analyte concentration is determined by measuring the length of a colored adsorption band formed in a packed silica gel column. The proposed method employs a miniature silica gel column that acts as a signal transducer after it adsorbs the colored compound from a solution during its flow in the column. The length of this band increases proportionally with analyte concentration, which enables quantitative detection via simple distance measurement. A theoretical model was developed to describe the relationship between solute concentration, adsorption behavior, and band propagation along the column. The principle was validated via the detection of both iron ions and enzyme-mediated glutamic acid. For Fe2+ analysis, the o-phenanthroline complexation method shows a level of sensitivity comparable to that of conventional spectrophotometry, which enables an almost quantitative recovery of trace iron in tap water. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were estimated to be 0.20 μM and 0.60 μM for the proposed method and 0.23 μM and 0.70 μM for spectrophotometry, respectively. The approach was further extended to glutamate detection using a cascade reaction involving glutamate oxidase and horseradish peroxidase with N-benzoyl leucomethylene blue as the chromogenic substrate. The LOD and the LOQ of the proposed method were 0.08 and 0.25 μM, and both values are superior to the 0.24 μM and 0.73 μM obtained using a microplate reader. By integrating preconcentration with a distance-based readout, this method provides a simple yet highly sensitive analytical platform and establishes distance as a quantitative signal for colorimetric detection. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0341-8162 269 2026 Aeolian dust provenance across the Eurasian Asian steppe from grain-size dependent quartz δ18O in surface soils 110109 EN Geer Teni Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Maki Asano Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba Kenji Tamura Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba Aeolian dust from the Eurasian interior significantly impacts climate, ecosystems, and soil formation, but the role of the Eurasian steppe as a dust source remains uncertain. We present grain-size-sorted quartz δ18O values in topsoil at 24 sites across the Eurasian steppe, from Ukraine and Kazakhstan to Xinjiang, Mongolia, and Inner Mongolia. Quartz fractions were separated from four fine soil classes (<2, 2–10, 10–20, 20–50 μm) at all sites, with additional coarse classes (50–200, 200–500, 500–2000 μm) at lithologically distinct locations. Coarse quartz grains in the Mongolian–Inner Mongolian Highlands show a relatively low and narrow δ18O range (7.6–9.0‰) over plutonic bedrocks and more variable higher values (8.9–17.8‰) over sedimentary bedrocks, indicating dependence on local lithology. In contrast, fine quartz grains (2–50 μm) exhibit a δ18O trend independent of bedrock lithology, indicating the values of regionally homogenized dust components. The δ18O values of the finest quartz fractions, exhibiting the highest at each site, decreased from the Western Steppe Plain (19.0 ± 0.8‰) through the Central Upland Steppe (18.0 ± 0.7‰) to the Mongolian–Inner Mongolian Highlands (13.8 ± 1.0‰), reflecting the distal dust input. Comparison with published quartz δ18O values for Mongolian and Northern China deserts and East Asian soils suggests that variable mixtures of these steppe end-members with Gobi and northern Chinese desert sources, along different atmospheric pathways of the East Asian winter monsoon, mid-latitude westerlies, and subtropical jets, can explain the aerosol-sized quartz in Japan and Korea. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0924-090X 114 8 2026 Basin boundary metamorphoses due to changes in accessible boundary orbits in passive dynamic walking 595 EN Kota Okamoto Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Nozomi Akashi Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University Ippei Obayashi nterdisciplinary Education and Research Field, Okayama University Hiroshi Kokubu Department of Mathematics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University James A. Yorke Departments of Mathematics and Physics, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland Shinya Aoi Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka Passive dynamic walking is a mechanical system that walks down a shallow slope without any input or control, and is a useful tool for understanding the dynamic properties of walking. This system has a wide variety of periodic solutions through bifurcations depending on the slope angle, resulting in chaotic attractors and fractal basin boundaries. In addition, basin boundary metamorphoses occur at certain slope angles, where the boundaries of the basin of attraction change abruptly, but the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains largely unclear. A well-known dynamical system, the Hénon map, exhibits similar properties, and its basin boundary metamorphoses have been explained in terms of changes in accessible boundary orbits caused by intersections of manifolds associated with bifurcating solutions. Inspired by this framework, we propose a hypothesis for the mechanism of basin boundary metamorphoses in passive dynamic walking by introducing the concept of accessible boundary orbits and verify it numerically. Our results provide new insights into the governing dynamics of walking and contribute to a deeper understanding of nonlinear phenomena in locomotion systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Acta Medica Okayama 0027-8424 123 17 2026 A magnesium efflux transporter required for seed development and eating quality in rice e2536813123 EN Sheng Huang Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Kiyosumi Hori National Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture Research Organization Naoki Yamaji Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Yuma Yoshioka Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Min Ning Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Yu Nagaya Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takaaki Miyaji Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Namiki Mitani-Ueno Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Shin-ichiro Inoue Department of Regulatory Biology, Saitama University June-Sik Kim Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Miho Kashino Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Jian Feng Ma Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University As a staple food for half the world’s population, rice is an important dietary source of magnesium (Mg), an essential mineral for human health. Enhanced Mg accumulation in rice grains has also been linked to eating quality. However, the mechanisms underlying Mg transport to the grains remains poorly understood. Here, we report that OsMGR2, a member belonging to Magnesium Release (MGR) family, is required for Mg accumulation in rice grains. OsMGR2 encodes a plasma membrane-localized transporter that mediates Mg efflux. OsMGR2 is constitutively and highly expressed in the stele tissues of roots, the phloem region of both enlarged and diffused vascular bundles in nodes, and the ovular vascular trace of caryopses. Knockout of this gene results in decreased root-to-shoot translocation and altered distribution of Mg to different organs; less Mg is allocated to the second newest leaf with high Mg requirement for active photosynthesis. The osmgr2 mutants exhibit decreased Mg accumulation in the grain, which are smaller, lighter, and shriveled, but show increased accumulation in the husk. The eating quality of the mutant grains is significantly decreased compared with the wild-type rice. These results indicate that OsMGR2 plays multiple roles within the rice; facilitating the root-to-shoot Mg translocation, mediating phloem-to-xylem Mg transfer at nodes for preferential distribution to the most active leaf, and exporting Mg from maternal vascular tissues of the caryopsis to the grains, processes essential for grain development and eating quality in rice. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2589-0042 29 4 2026 Human iPSC cardiomyocyte patch transplantation modifies extracellular matrix and fibroblast behavior after myocardial infarction 115341 EN Kosuke Torigata Cuorips Inc. Ryohei Matsuura Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Laboratory for Cell Polarity and Organogenesis Fumiya Nagatomo Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Moe Thiha Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama University Takao Hikita Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama University Hiroko Iseoka Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Hiromitsu Takagi Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Uichi Koshimizu Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Hiroki Sakakima Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Satoshi Izumi Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Asuka Hatano Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Thomas Braun MaxPlanck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling Yoshiki Sawa Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Shigeru Miyagawa Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Masanori Nakayama Department of Pathophysiology and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama University Myocardial infarction (MI) followed by chronic heart failure is the main cause of mortality of heart diseases. Although reparative cell transplantation therapies with pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) represent a promising therapeutic strategy, molecular mechanisms of the therapy remain elusive. Here, we show that transplantation of the human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CM patch onto the damaged heart after MI increases the ratio of collagen type I against collagen type III to modulate alignment of the collagen fibers at the infarcted zone. As a result, tissue elasticity of the heart is improved, and fibrosis at the remote zone is reduced. Mechanistically, we find that hiPSC-derived CM patches secrete TGF-β1, directly inducing collagen type I production in fibroblasts but not collagen type III. Our results suggest the direct effect of the transplanted CM patch on the cardiac fibroblasts to improve elasticity of the damaged heart, resulting in functional recovery after MI. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0304-4238 361 2026 Far-red-enriched ultra-long-day conditions induce constitutive FT expression and rapid flowering in radish rootstocks, promoting graft-mediated floral induction in Brassicaceae crops 114818 EN Ko Motoki Graduate School of Environmental, Life and Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nami Kakita School of agriculture, Okayama University Tanjuro Goto Graduate School of Environmental, Life and Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ken-ichiro Yasuba Graduate School of Environmental, Life and Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Efficient floral induction is essential for breeding and seed production in Brassicaceae crops, particularly for late-bolting cultivars and plant-vernalization–type species such as cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), which require substantial time and labor for artificial flower induction. A graft-mediated floral induction method was recently developed for cabbage, enabling flowering without vernalization treatment by grafting cabbage scions onto radish (Raphanus sativus L.) rootstocks. Although high expression of florigen gene FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in the rootstocks is a key determinant of success, environmental conditions capable of inducing strong FT expression in radish have remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a far-red-enriched ultra-long-day photoperiod (ULD-FR) markedly upregulates expression of radish FT homolog RsFTa and greatly enhances graft-mediated floral induction in cabbage. Under the ULD-FR condition, RsFTa expression remained constitutively high throughout the day, with daily transcript abundance increasing more than tenfold compared with standard high red/far-red (R/FR) ratio long-day conditions that employed fluorescent lamps. FT protein accumulation in cabbage scions grafted onto radish rootstocks was also strongly elevated, resulting in rapid flowering approximately 30 days after grafting. ULD-FR also promoted flowering in rapid-cycling Brassica rapa and B. oleracea accessions, and induced flowering in a vernalization-requiring R. sativus cultivar without low temperature treatment, suggesting that the response may be broadly conserved across Brassicaceae. Because ULD-FR can be implemented using standard lighting equipment by adding an FR light source, it presents potential utility as a versatile tool for breeding-related applications, including generation advancement and flowering synchronization among divergent accessions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0304-4203 276 2026 Determination of picomolar to sub-nanomolar trace metals in seawater using an alternative chelating resin 104642 EN Naoya Kanna Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hajime Obata Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Yoshiko Kondo Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University In this study, we investigated the potential use of a chelating resin that immobilizes an amine with an iminodiacetic acid group (InertSep ME-2) for trace-metal analysis in natural seawater. Seven trace metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were quantitatively preconcentrated onto the InertSep ME-2 chelating resin, eluted with nitric acid, and analyzed using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The blank values and detection limits obtained using our method were at the sub-nanomolar level for most trace metals. These blank values were generally comparable to, or lower than, those previously reported for other chelating resins, including NOBIAS Chelate PA-1 and Toyopearl AF-Chelate-650 M. The accuracy and precision of our method were confirmed by analyzing reference seawater samples, and the results for the open-water samples were consistent with those obtained in an independent laboratory. The established preconcentration procedure was successfully applied to determine trace metal concentrations in natural seawater collected from the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Our method, which employs the InertSep ME-2 chelating resin, is sufficiently accurate for studying trace metals in open-ocean water at picomolar- to sub-nanomolar-level concentrations. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Ceramic Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 1348-6535 134 4 2026 Cation distribution and diffusion-path topologies of A-site-deficient perovskite LixLa(1−x)/3NbO3 225 231 EN Naoto Kitamura Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Yizhong Tang Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Koji Kimura Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology Ippei Obayashi Center for Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Data Science, Okayama University Yohei Onodera Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science Ken Nakashima Faculty of Materials for Energy, Shimane University Chiaki Ishibashi Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Yasushi Idemoto Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Koichi Hayashi Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology LixLa(1−x)/3NbO3 with an A-site-deficient perovskite structure was investigated with a focus on the relationship between its atomic configuration and Li+ diffusion properties. To this end, total scattering (diffraction) measurements were performed, and then reverse Monte Carlo modeling using the data was employed to construct the atomic configuration. The results suggest that the partial occupancy of La in the La-poor layer facilitate Li+ diffusion across the layer owing to the volume contraction. Furthermore, topological analyses conducted via persistent homology using the constructed atomic configuration indicate that a large fourfold ring formed by Nb and O is one of the reasons for superior Li+ diffusion in LixLa(1−x)/3NbO3. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2950-3299 34 2 2026 Mitochondrial inhibition enhances the sensitivity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells to oncolytic adenovirus 201180 EN Ryohei Shoji Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroshi Tazawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinji Kuroda Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takeyoshi Nishiyama Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshinori Kajiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Motohiko Yamada Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuo Nagai Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroaki Inoue Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Naoyuki Hashimoto Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Kikuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryuichi Yoshida Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuzo Umeda Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuo Urata Oncolys BioPharma, Inc. Shunsuke Kagawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences The metabolism of cancer cells is associated with resistance to anticancer therapies. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells exhibit glycolytic and non-glycolytic subtypes. Although oncolytic virotherapy is a novel antitumor modality, the relationship between metabolism and virus sensitivity remains unclear. We demonstrated the cytopathic activity of telomerase-specific, replication-competent oncolytic adenoviruses OBP-301 and p53-armed OBP-702 against PDAC cells. Here, we show the role of metabolism in the virus sensitivity of PDAC cells. The virus sensitivity of human PDAC cells of glycolytic (MIA PaCa-2, PK-45H) and non-glycolytic (PK-59, Capan-2) subtypes was assessed by evaluating replication, glycolysis, and glutamine metabolism through exposure to hypoxia and glucose deprivation or treatment with the mitochondrial metabolism inhibitor CPI-613. Glycolytic PDAC cells were sensitive, and non-glycolytic cells were resistant to oncolytic adenoviruses, which was improved by hypoxia and glucose deprivation or CPI-613 treatment to induce glycolytic activation. OBP-702-mediated p53 activation modulated glutamine metabolism to promote virus sensitivity. In vivo experiments demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of combination therapy with CPI-613 and OBP-702, and the utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography metabolic parameters for assessing glycolytic activity. Our results suggest that non-glycolytic PDAC cells are refractory to oncolytic adenoviruses. CPI-613 is a promising reagent for overcoming virotherapy resistance in PDAC tumors. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 1 2026 Explainable analysis of the complex maze magnetic domain structure through extension of the Landau free energy model by adding an entropy feature 12889 EN K. Masuzawa Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science A. L. Foggiatto Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science S. Kunii Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science R. Nagaoka Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science M. Taniwaki Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science T. Yamazaki Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science C. Mitsumata Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science I. Obayashi Interdisciplinary Education and Research Field, Okayama University Y. Hiraoka Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University M. Kotsugi Department of Material Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science Maze magnetic domains exhibit complex, temperature-dependent behavior that impacts energy loss in soft magnets, yet their magnetization reversal mechanisms remain poorly understood due to current model limitations. To address this gap, we develop an entropy-extended Landau free energy model that incorporates thermal effects into the analysis of magnetic domain. We employ a data-driven pipeline combining persistent homology, energy decomposition, and principal component analysis to construct an interpretable model that quantifies structure–property relationships and enables causal analysis of magnetic pattern formation. Using this approach, we trace entropy increases to their origins in initial domain configurations and quantify energy transfer among entropic, demagnetization, and exchange contributions. We also find that domain wall lengthening tracks increasing structural complexity, yielding previously inaccessible insights into magnetization reversal mechanism and enabling automated visualization. Our entropy-augmented model provides an explainable framework to decipher magnetization processes and guide the design of magnetic materials to reduce energy loss. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1471-2334 25 1 2025 Phenotypic and potential virulence features of Salmonella enterica serotypes from cancer patients in Kolkata, India 1263 EN Goutam Chowdhury Collaborative Research Centre of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases at ICMR- NICED Sanjay Bhattacharya Tata Medical Center Gaurav Goel Tata Medical Center Soumyadip Chatterji Tata Medical Center Kei Kitahara Collaborative Research Centre of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases at ICMR- NICED Ayumu Ohno Collaborative Research Centre of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases at ICMR- NICED Melissa Glenda Lewis Division of Biostatistics, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Shin-ichi Miyoshi Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Thandavarayan Ramamurthy Division of Bacteriology, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections Background Salmonella enterica is a leading cause of gastroenteritis and enteric fever. In this study, we sought to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of S. enterica isolated from the cancer patients admitted at the Tata Medical Center, Kolkata over a period of eight years (2016–2023).<br> Methods Salmonella enterica isolates were identified by standard biochemical and serotyping. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion method and virulence genes were identified by PCR. The genetic relatedness of strains was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods.<br> Results A total of 122 S. enterica isolates were identified and classified into 18 different serovars. S. Typhimurium (28.7%), S. Kentucky (22.1%), S. Enteritidis (13.9%), S. Typhi (5.7%) and S. Agona (5.7%) were identified as the common serovars. S. enterica infection was more often detected in adults (77.9%) than in children of 6–18 years old (11.4%) and < 5 years of age (10.6%). The maximum number of S. enterica was isolated from blood (52.4%) followed by those isolated from stool (36.9%) and urine (5.7%). S. enterica infections were detected among patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (24.6%) than Hodgkin lymphoma/non-Hodgkin lymphoma (16.4%), multiple myeloma (9.8%), lung adenocarcinoma (9%), prostate adenocarcinoma (6.6%), and endometrium carcinoma (5.7%). S. Kentucky showed a statistically significant association with hematologic malignancies (p < 0.001), whereas S. Enteritidis was significantly present in Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia/Chronic myelogenous leukemia cancer types (p = 0.004). Most of the S. enterica isolates displayed resistance to erythromycin (62.9%), nalidixic acid (62.9%) and tetracycline (33.9%). Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-associated genes (orgA, ssaQ, misL, invE/A, spi4D, pipA and ttrc) were uniformly present in majority of the isolates. The hyper invasive locus (hilA), Salmonella enterotoxin (stn), Salmonella outer protein (sopB), virulence plasmid (spvC), and plasmid encoded fimbriae (pefA) genes were present in 76%, 69%, 51%, 32% and 17% of the isolates, respectively. Clonal analysis of the representative homologous serovars using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed specific clusters with 40 to 90% similarity within each serotype.<br> Conclusions Cancer patients are at increased risk of morbidity due to secondary infections, like S. enterica. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance patterns and virulence gene profiles in S. enterica isolates from this vulnerable group is critical to guide clinical management and treatment strategies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Society for Microbiology Acta Medica Okayama 2379-5042 10 5 2025 Sodium butyrate inhibits the expression of virulence factors in Vibrio cholerae by targeting ToxT protein e00824-24 EN Sushmita Kundu Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Suman Das Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Priyanka Maitra Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Prolay Halder Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Hemanta Koley Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Shin-ichi Miyoshi Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shanta Dutta Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Nabendu Sekhar Chatterjee Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Sushmita Bhattacharya Division of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (Formerly ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases) Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae, remains a global health threat in developing countries due to its high transmissibility and increased antibiotic resistance. There is a pressing need for alternative strategies, with an emphasis on anti-virulent approaches to alter the outcome of bacterial infections, given the increase in antimicrobial-resistant strains. V. cholerae causes cholera by secreting virulence factors in the intestinal epithelial cells. These virulence factors facilitate bacterial colonization and cholera toxin production during infection. Here, we demonstrate that sodium butyrate (SB), a small molecule, had no effect on bacterial viability but was effective in suppressing the virulence attributes of V. cholerae. The production of cholera toxin (CT) was significantly reduced in a standard V. cholerae El Tor strain and two clinical isolates when grown in the presence of SB. Analysis of mRNA and protein levels further revealed that SB reduced the expression of the ToxT-dependent virulence genes like tcpA and ctxAB. DNA-protein interaction assays, conducted at cellular (ChIP) and in vitro conditions (EMSA), indicated that SB weakens the binding between ToxT and its downstream promoter DNA, likely by blocking DNA binding. Furthermore, the anti-virulence efficacy of SB was confirmed in animal models. These findings suggest that SB could be developed as an anti-virulence agent against V. cholerae, serving as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics or as an adjunctive therapy to combat cholera. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1366-5545 211 2026 Lease or sale: When a durable goods monopolist can choose supply chain openness 104882 EN Hiroshi Kitamura Faculty of Economics, Kyoto Sangyo University Noriaki Matsushima Osaka School of International Public Policy, University of Osaka Misato Sato Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University We construct a two-period model of supply chain openness in a durable goods market with two marketing modes: leasing and selling. For a given marketing mode, at the beginning of the first period, an incumbent supplier and the downstream monopolist choose one of two trading modes: (i) a two-period exclusive supply chain, or (ii) an open supply chain, allowing the downstream monopolist to trade with an efficient supplier in the second period. We show that in the selling mode, the exclusive supply chain can arise if the incumbent supplier is highly efficient. In contrast, under the leasing mode, the exclusive supply chain never arises; instead, the open supply chain is always selected. Furthermore, when the downstream monopolist is allowed to endogenously choose the marketing mode before the first period, it opts for the selling mode if the incumbent supplier is relatively inefficient; otherwise, it selects the leasing mode. Regardless of the chosen marketing mode, the open supply chain always arises on the equilibrium path, implying that the recent advancement of ICT to enhance leasing may discourage the adoption of exclusive supply chains. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Revisiting Adrenal Crisis Triggered by Influenza Infection: Lessons from Two Fatal Cases 153 157 EN Yoshiyuki Ueda Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Hongo Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tsuyoshi Nojima Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kohei Tsukahara Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kosei Hasegawa Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Natsuko Futagawa Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Case Report 10.18926/AMO/70458 Adrenal crisis is a life-threatening endocrine emergency that can progress within hours despite a prior diagnosis and maintenance therapy. We describe a fatal influenza-triggered adrenal crisis in two patients: a child with panhypopituitarism and an adult with prior pituitary surgery, both presenting in cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation and intravenous hydrocortisone, a fatal hypoxic-ischemic injury or multiorgan failure occurred. These cases highlight the fulminant course of an adrenal crisis and underscore the importance of early recognition, clinician awareness, prompt parenteral hydrocortisone administration, and reinforcement of education for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to improve preparedness and prevent avoidable deaths. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Impact of Proteinuria on Postoperative Complications Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery 131 139 EN Shunsuke Nakata Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Fumiaki Takatsu Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Yoshihiro Mikuriya Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Tomokazu Kakishita Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Shinji Hato Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Koji Ohta Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Takaya Kobatake Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70455 Colorectal surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications regardless of the advances in surgical techniques and multidisciplinary treatment. Proteinuria is common in patients with malignancies, but few studies have investigated the association between preoperative proteinuria and patient prognoses, especially postoperative complications. We investigated the impact of proteinuria on patients undergoing colorectal surgery in a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 767 patients who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between January 2016 and December 2022 at the National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center. Among them, 81 patients with preoperative proteinuria were compared with the control group of 686 patients without proteinuria. Our analyses revealed that the patients with proteinuria had malnutrition with a significantly lower prognostic nutritional index compared to the no-proteinuria control group (p<0.001). The proteinuria group had a significantly advanced tumor stage (p=0.005), experienced more bleeding during the surgery (p=0.002), and required more transfusions (p<0.001). Postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the proteinuria group (p=0.03), thus demonstrating that proteinuria was independently associated with postoperative complications (p=0.045). Proteinuria in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery can therefore be considered a risk factor for postoperative complications. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA and Jemal A: Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA cancer J clin (2018) 68: 394-424. Sukumar S, Roghmann F, Trinh VQ, Sammon JD, Gervais MK, Tan HJ, Ravi P, Kim SP, Hu JC, Karakiewicz PI, Noldus J, Sun M, Menon M and Trinh QD: National trends in hospital-acquired preventable adverse events after major cancer surgery in the USA. BMJ Open (2013) 3. 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Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Mini-open Corpectomy and Posterior Spinal Fixation with Single-Position Surgery in Lateral Decubitus Position for Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Vertebral Collapse in Elderly Patients 119 129 EN Hisanori Ikuma Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Tomohiko Hirose Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Keisuke Kawasaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Kazutoshi Otsuka Otsuka Orthopedic Clinic Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70454 We evaluated the clinical outcomes and limitations of anterior and posterior combined surgery with a mini-open corpectomy applying an expandable cage (Xcore®) and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation using single-position surgery in the lateral decubitus position in patients aged > 75 years with thoracolumbar vertebral collapse. The cases of 30 consecutive patients who underwent this procedure and had ≥ 1-year follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. The mean operative time was 78.8 min and the estimated blood loss was 115.7 ml per level. The complications included adjacent junctional failure (n=9, 30%), deep venous thrombosis (n=3, 10%), delirium (n=3, 10%), pleural injury (n=2, 6%), screw backout (n=1, 3%) kidney injury (n=1, 3%), chylothorax (n=1, 3%), and wound dehiscence (n=1, 3%). Seven cases (23.3%) required reoperation. Local kyphosis showed significant improvement (p<0.05) that was maintained at the final follow-up. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale indicated significant improvement in all categories at the final follow-up (p<0.05). The use of mini-open corpectomy and posterior fixation with SPAPS can thus provide reliable radiological correction and good postoperative clinical outcomes even in patients aged > 75 years. However, a limitation of this procedure is the rate of reoperation (23.3%) for osteoporosis-related adjacent segment fracture and screw backout. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. Oishi Y, Nakamura E, Murase M, Doi K, Takeuchi Y, Hamawaki J and Sakai A: Lower lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures with neurological symptoms might have two different pathogeneses according to early magnetic resonance images. Acta Neurochir (2019) 161: 2211-2222. Tamai K, Terai H, Suzuki A and Nakamura H: Risk factors for proximal junctional fracture following fusion surgery for osteoporotic vertebral collapse with delayed neurological deficits: A retrospective cohort study of 403 patients. Spine Surg Relat Res (2018) 19: 171-177. Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Ames CP and Lenke LG: Treatment of adult thoracolumbar spinal deformity: past, present, and future. J Neurosurg Spine (2019) 30: 551-678. Kaneda K, Taneichi H, Abumi K, Hashimoto T, Satoh S and Fujiya M: Anterior decompression and stabilization with the Kaneda device for thoracolumbar burst fractures associated with neurological deficits. J Bone Joint Surg Am Z (1997) 79: 69-83. Kanayama M, Ishida T, Hashimoto T, Shigenobu K, Togawa D, Oha F and Kaneda K: Role of major spine surgery using Kaneda anterior instrumentation for osteoporotic vertebral collapse. J Spinal Disord Tech (2010) 23: 53-56. Terai H, Takahashi S, Yasuda H, Konishi S, Maeno T, Kono H, Matsuyama A, Namikawa T, Kato M, Hoshino M, Tamai K, Toyota H, Suzuki A and Nakamura H: Differences in surgical outcome after anterior corpectomy and reconstruction with an expandable cage with rectangular footplates between thoracolumbar and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture. NASSJ (2021) 6: 100071. Ohba T, Ohba H, Oda K, Tanaka N and Haro H: Surgical Outcomes After Minimally Invasive Direct Lateral Corpectomy with Percutaneous Pedicle Screws for Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Vertebral Collapse with Neurologic Deficits in the Thoracolumbar Spine Compared with Those After Posterior Spinal Fusion with Vertebroplasty. Spine (phila Pa 1976) (2021) 15: 1271-1278. Fukuda K, Katoh H, Takahashi Y, Kitamura K and Ikeda D: Minimally invasive anteroposterior combined surgery using lateral lumbar interbody fusion without corpectomy for treatment of lumbar spinal canal stenosis associated with osteoporotic vertebral collapse. J Neurosurg Spine (2021) 35: 154-162. Ohba T, Oba H, Oda K, Tanaka N and Haro H: Surgical outcomes after minimally invasive direct lateral corpectomy with percutaneous pedicle screws for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral collapse with neurologic deficits in the thoracolumbar spine compared with those after posterior spinal fusion with vertebroplasty. 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Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 A Mixed-Methods Study on Changes in Interprofessional Education Attitudes and Fundamental Competencies: A Pre–Post Analysis of Clinical Training in Dietetic Students 109 117 EN Mika Sonoi Department of Foods and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life Sciences, Notre Dame Seishin University Norihiro Sonoi Center for Education in Medicine and Health Sciences, Okayama University Yoko Koyama Department of Foods and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life Sciences, Notre Dame Seishin University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70453 This study examined the effects of interprofessional education (IPE) on dietetics students during clinical training, focusing on changes in their attitudes toward IPE and their fundamental competencies. Eighty third-year female students (mean age, 21.0 years) at a Japanese women’s university participated. Self-administered surveys were conducted before and after clinical training to assess attitudes toward IPE using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and the Shakaijin Kisoryoku (SKL; Fundamental Competencies for Working Persons) scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, chi-squared tests, and cluster analyses. Qualitative data from open-ended responses were analyzed thematically. RIPLS and SKL scores increased significantly, from 65.3 to 68.9, and from 28. 4 to 33. 2, respectively (p<0.001). All 12 SKL items showed significant improvement. In free responses, “initiative” (66 mentions), “communication” (10), and “execution” (8) were the most frequently cited as improved competencies. Cluster analysis identified three groups: increasing scores (n=25), high baseline (n=30), and minimal change (n=25). No significant correlation was found between changes in RIPLS and SKL scores (r=−0.108, p=0.355). IPE integrated into clinical training may enhance dietetics students’ attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and contribute to the development of professional identity. Individualized, phased IPE implementation is recommended to accommodate differences in learner readiness. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. Abu-Rish E, Kim S, Choe L, Varpio L, Malik E, White AA, Craddick K, Blondon K, Robins L, Nagasawa P and Thigpen A: Current trends in interprofessional education of health sciences students: A literature review. J Interprof Care (2012) 26: 444-451. Haresaku S, Naito T, Aoki H, Miyoshi M, Monji M, Umezaki Y, Miyazono M, Egashira R and Chishaki A: Development of interprofessional education programmes in nursing care and oral healthcare for dental and nursing students. BMC Med Educ (2024) 24: 381. 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Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Consistent Clinical Outcomes of Anteroinferior Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures Across AO/OTA Fracture Types 99 107 EN Nguyen Trung Thanh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryo Nakamichi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasunori Shimamura Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kousei Hospital Taichi Saito Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takeshi Ishihara Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tomoki Furutani Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hisakazu Shitozawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tomoyuki Noda Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School General Medical Center Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70452 Although the performance of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) via the anteroinferior approach is increasingly adopted for midshaft clavicle fractures, the influence of fracture morphology on clinical outcomes under a standardized protocol is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 54 patients who underwent anteroinferior MIPO for an acute midshaft clavicle fracture (AO/OTA types B1, B2, B3) performed by a single surgeon across three affiliated institutions (2009-2022). We evaluated the clinical outcomes, i.e., the surgical time, incision length, radiographic union, reduction accuracy, range of motion, pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), and complications and compared them among the three AO/OTA subtypes. The mean incision length (3.4 cm) and surgical time (71-79 min) were similar among the groups (both p>0.2). All fractures achieved radiographic union at a mean of 3.5 months. Postoperative alignment and clavicular length were maintained (length reduction −1.0±2.2 mm [B1], −0.5±2.0 mm [B2], −0.6±1.8 mm [B3]; p=0.825; angulation −0.8±3.4°, −1.1±3.1°, −0.3±3.3°; p=0.888). At 3 months, shoulder elevation and abduction were 169°-175° (p=0.079) and 164°-175° (p=0.324). Pain was minimal (100-mm VAS: ≤1 mm; p=0.782). One plate-fatigue failure occurred; no supraclavicular-nerve symptoms were recorded. Anteroinferior MIPO yielded consistent outcomes across AO/OTA types, with excellent union rates, functional recovery, and few complications, indicating that this technique is safe and reproducible for the surgical management of midshaft clavicle fractures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. Robinson CM: Fractures of the clavicle in the adult. Epidemiology and classification. J Bone Joint Surg Br (1998) 80: 476-484. Postacchini F, Gumina S, De Santis P and Albo F: Epidemiology of clavicle fractures. J Shoulder Elbow Surg (2002) 11: 452-456. Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society: Nonoperative treatment compared with plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am (2007) 89: 1-10. 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Sohn HS, Shin SJ and Kim BY: Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using anterior-inferior plating of clavicular midshaft fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (2012) 132: 239-244. Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH and Song SJ: Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury (2015) 46: 2230-2238. Jirangkul P, Kosiyatrakul A and Lorsuwannarat N: Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: An indirect reduction using joystick technique. J Orthop Sci (2023) 28: 1365-1372. Ok S, Yoon SM and Choi S: Intuitive and Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique for Comminuted Mid-Shaft Clavicle Fractures: Fixation with an Anterior Mini Plate and Superior Locking Compression Plate. J Clin Med (2025) 14. Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C and Sun Y: Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. 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Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Effects of Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment on Bacterial and Clinical Parameters in Down Syndrome Patients Based on 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing 85 97 EN Takahiko Shiba Department of Periodontology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Mitsuhito Takamori Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Sayaka Katagiri Department of Oral Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Ryota Kobayashi Department of Periodontology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Aki Kawauchi Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Yujin Ohsugi Department of Oral Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Peiya Lin Department of Oral Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiko Egusa The center for Special Needs Dentistry, Medical Development Field, Okayama University Takanori Iwata Department of Periodontology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Shigeru Maeda Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70451 Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are more susceptible to periodontal disease; however, microbial changes following treatment remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on clinical outcomes and oral microbiome dynamics in 6 patients with DS using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Bacterial diversity, composition, network structure, and predicted functional pathways were analyzed using dental plaque samples. Bleeding on probing decreased significantly (p=0.047) after treatment, with a trend toward reduction in periodontal inflamed surface area (p=0.05). The abundance of Fusobacteria at the class level decreased significantly after treatment. The abundance of Mogibacterium timidum was higher in the pretreatment group than in the posttreatment group. M. timidum was positively correlated with Treponema denticola and associated with multiple bacterial taxa in the network during pretreatment. Predicted functional pathways related to aromatic compound degradation were more abundant in posttreatment samples than in pretreatment samples. An increase in the abundance of Fusobacterium and the positive correlation between T. denticola and M. timidum, together with their associations with other periodontal pathogens before treatment, may contribute to the development of periodontitis in individuals with DS. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy produces measurable clinical improvement and promotes microbial shifts in patients with DS. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 80 2 2026 Involvement of ADAM12 in TGF-β1-Induced Proliferation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts 75 83 EN Deting Lin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masahiro Horita Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medical Development Field, Okayama University Masahito Watanabe Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Muscat Orthopaedic Clinic Joe Hasei Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Ohtsuki Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Noriaki Otsuka Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chinatsu Ichikawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Noriyuki Shimizu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shuichi Naniwa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Keiichiro Nishida Division of Chronic Pain Medicine and Division of Comprehensive Rheumatology, Locomotive Pain Center, Faculty of Medical Development Field, Okayama University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/70450 A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12) is known to be involved in chondrocyte proliferation and is upregulated in the synovial tissue of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying mechanisms of ADAM12 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial cell proliferation remain unknown. Here, we investigated the role of ADAM12 in the proliferation of RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). The expression and localization of ADAM12 in RA synovial tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry and compared with OA and healthy control (HC) synovial tissues. The effect of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β1, and PDGF-BB) on ADAM12 expression in RASFs from RA patients was examined by real-time RT-PCR. The effect of ADAM12 knock-down by ADAM12 siRNA and ADAM12 overexpression on cell proliferation of RASFs were examined by WST-1 assay. ADAM12 was identified predominantly in RA synovial tissue rather than OA and HC synovial tissues. Stimulation with TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of ADAM12 and cell proliferation of RASFs. ADAM12 siRNA suppressed TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation of RASFs, while ADAM12 overexpression promoted the cell proliferation of RASFs. 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Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0168-1702 367 2026 Virome of the fungi associated with mushroom dry bubble disease 199714 EN Lóránt Hatvani Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sakae Hisano Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Hideki Kondo Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Hitomi Sugahara Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Paul Telengech Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sabitree Shahi Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sarah Remi Ibiang Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Sándor Kocsubé Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged Tünde Kartali Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged David A. Fitzpatrick Genome Evolution Laboratory, Department of Biology, Maynooth University Helen Grogan Teagasc Food Research Center, Horticulture Development Department Nobuhiro Suzuki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Dry bubble disease, attributed to the filamentous fungus Lecanicillium fungicola (Cordycipitaceae) results in huge yield losses in mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation worldwide. The possibilities for controlling the disease using commercial fungicides are highly limited, and therefore, there is an increasing demand for novel, alternative means of pest management. Our research objective was the comprehensive examination of viruses in the causal agents of dry bubble disease, which may open up an avenue for its virocontrol in the future. Out of 57 fungal isolates obtained from dry bubble-affected A. bisporus crops in various countries, 47 (82%) were confirmed by ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequence analysis as L. fungicola. In addition, different members of the genera Akanthomyces and Simplicillium (7 and 3 isolates, respectively), yet unknown to cause dry bubble symptoms, have also been detected. Cellulose column chromatography revealed the presence of double-stranded (ds) RNA in seven L. fungicola and three Akanthomyces sp. isolates, suggesting viral infection. The ten dsRNA-positive and eight randomly selected dsRNA-negative fungal strains were subjected to rRNA-depletion high-throughput RNA-sequencing analysis. The presence of seven new viruses representing four new species in the established families, Partitiviridae, Polymycoviridae, Botourmiaviridae and the narna-like virus group, and three previously established/proposed species in the families Chrysoviridae and “Mycovirgaviridae” were confirmed. The impact of the detected and identified viruses on their host fungi, and their potential applicability for virocontrol purposes will be examined in the future. This study provides the first detailed report on viruses of mushroom pathogenic fungi. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2212-5345 64 3 2026 Short- and long-term outcomes of anti-thymocyte globulin-based regimen for acute antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation 101428 EN Kentaroh Miyoshi Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Shinji Otani Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Seiichiro Sugimoto Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Shin Tanaka Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Mikio Okazaki Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Shinichi Toyooka Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Background: Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) remains a major barrier to successful lung transplantation (LTx). Despite advances in donor-specific alloantibody (DSA) detection, effective treatments are limited, with current management largely empirical. Acute clinical AMR, marked by rapid graft dysfunction, demands urgent intervention. In Japan, where approved therapies for AMR were historically limited, rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) has been adopted as a treatment option.<br> Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 11 patients who developed acute AMR within three months after LTx at Okayama University Hospital between 2013 and 2023. Diagnosis (ISHLT possible AMR) was based on acute graft dysfunction unresponsive to steroids, positive DSA, and exclusion of infection, without histological confirmation due to procedural risk. rATG (1.5 mg/kg/day for 7 days) was administered, along with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasma exchange (PLEX), and rituximab when indicated. Outcomes included DSA clearance, clinical response, survival, and adverse events.<br> Results: Remission was achieved in 64% of patients, with 36% not requiring PLEX and 64% not receiving rituximab. Early rATG treatment correlated with favorable outcomes, whereas delayed therapy resulted in poorer responses. Six patients (55%) survived without chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) for over one year. Adverse events included cytomegalovirus infection (91%), bacterial pneumonia (36%), fungal infection (18%), and malignancy (18%).<br> Conclusions: rATG was effective for acute possible AMR management, particularly when initiated early. Some patients achieved remission without adjunct therapy, indicating rATG's potent immunosuppressive activity. However, frequent infectious complications emphasize the need for optimized dosing and further studies to validate its safety and long-term efficacy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2079-6447 5 2 2026 Solution-Processable Near-Infrared-Absorbing Dye: Thiophene-Substituted N-Phenylphenothiazine Radical Cations for Stable Thin Films 14 EN Masafumi Yano Faculty of Chemistry, Material and Bioengineering, Kansai University Kengo Sakai Faculty of Chemistry, Material and Bioengineering, Kansai University Minami Ueda Faculty of Chemistry, Material and Bioengineering, Kansai University Koichi Mitsudo Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yukiyasu Kashiwagi Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology We report a π-extended N-phenylphenothiazine dye bearing thiophene substituents, designed to address the practical compromise between long-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) absorption and the isolability of a stable radical cation state. The target compound was synthesized via Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling and exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents. Cyclic voltammetry in dichloromethane showed a reversible one-electron oxidation at E0 = 0.19 V vs. Fc/Fc+. Chemical oxidation afforded the corresponding radical cation, which showed an intense NIR absorption maximum at 910 nm. DFT calculations support thiophene-induced narrowing of the HOMO–SOMO gap and predict a pronounced bathochromic shift of the main absorption band. The radical cation was isolated as a stable PF6− salt and readily processed into spin-coated films, which retained strong NIR absorption and remained stable for months under ambient conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Acta Medica Okayama 0278-0046 73 4 2026 Transverse- and Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Machine With C-Type SMC Stator: A Solution for Ultra-Flat Applications 5942 5953 EN Ren Tsunata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masatsugu Takemoto Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Jun Imai Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tatsuya Saito Sumitomo Electric Sintered Alloy Ltd. Tomoyuki Ueno Sumitomo Electric Sintered Alloy Ltd. This article proposes a novel transverse- and axial-flux permanent magnet machine (T-AFPM) using a C-type stator core for reducing system size via an ultra-flat shape. With an axial length of only 19.7 mm, this ultra-flat shape contributes markedly to reducing system size in industrial applications such as water pumps. In general, AFPMs are suitable for a flat shape because of their high torque density with a short axial length. However, it is difficult to use conventional AFPMs to achieve an ultra-flat shape because of structural problems and insufficient performance. By contrast, the proposed T-AFPM achieves a highly manufacturable structure, high efficiency, and the required output power despite its extremely short axial length. Herein, the T-AFPM is compared with conventional AFPMs with various configurations by means of three-dimensional finite-element analysis, and experiments on a T-AFPM prototype are reported. From the simulation and experimental results, the proposed T-AFPM shows high efficiency (IE5 class), the required output power, and suitable structural properties for an ultra-flat shape. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2196-0216 13 8 2026 Electrochemical Synthesis of Benzo[b]Phosphole Oxides via Dehydrogenative Annulation Using 1,4-Diazabicyclo [2.2.2]Octane as a Mediator e70175 EN Koichi Mitsudo Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sakura Kinjo Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasuyuki Okumura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Eisuke Sato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Riki Kato Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Seiji Suga Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University The electrochemical intermolecular annulation of diarylphosphine oxides with alkynes for the synthesis of benzo[b]phosphole oxides has been reported. The reaction proceeded under transition-metal- and oxidant-free conditions via indirect electrolysis, using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as a mediator. High-surface-area carbon electrodes, such as carbon felt and reticulated vitreous carbon, are essential for this reaction. Several diarylphosphine oxides and alkynes were applied to electrochemical annulation, and the corresponding benzo[b]phosphole oxides were obtained. Mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction proceeds via radical intermediates generated through multiple pathways. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2190-5991 17 2 2026 Muscle Atrophy-Related Adverse Events of Antidiabetic Drug Classes: A Pharmacovigilance Analysis Using VigiBase Data e70251 EN Shiho Ueta Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Takahiro Niimura Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Mitsuhiro Goda Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Tomoaki Ishida Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University Naohiro Iwata Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Tatsuaki Takeda Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Kei Kawada Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Koji Miyata Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Fuka Aizawa Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Kenta Yagi Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Hirofumi Hamano Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Masayuki Chuma Department of Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Asahikawa Medical University Yuki Izawa‐Ishizawa Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Yoshito Zamami Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Keisuke Ishizawa Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Background: Diabetes mellitus―a chronic metabolic disorder associated with an increased risk of muscle atrophy―can significantly impact patients' quality of life and overall health outcomes. While antidiabetic medications are crucial for managing blood glucose levels, some have been linked to muscle-related adverse events, potentially exacerbating the already elevated risk of muscle deterioration in diabetic patients. However, a comprehensive analysis of muscle atrophy-related adverse events across different classes of antidiabetic drugs has been lacking. Therefore, this study investigates the profile of muscle atrophy-related adverse events across major antidiabetic drug classes using the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Individual Case Safety Reports database.<br> Methods: A pharmacovigilance analysis was conducted using data from VigiBase, the WHO's global reporting database, from 1968 to September 2025. The study examined adverse event signals related to muscle atrophy, sarcopenia, muscular weakness and motor function decline for nine classes of antidiabetic medications. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) were calculated to assess signal detection, and co-occurrence patterns of adverse events were analysed.<br> Results: Among 41 551 306 adverse event reports, 2 095 847 were related to antidiabetic medications. Safety signals for muscle atrophy were detected with sulfonylureas (ROR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.01–1.43, p = 0.042), GLP-1 analogues (ROR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.02–1.41, p = 0.031) and SGLT2 inhibitors (ROR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.19–1.78, p < 0.001). SGLT2 inhibitors also showed a signal for sarcopenia (ROR: 6.2, 95% CI: 3.71–10.3, p < 0.001). Biguanides demonstrated signals for muscular weakness (ROR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.54–1.71, p < 0.001) and motor function decline (ROR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.41–2.13, p < 0.001). Thiazolidinediones, glinides, DPP-4 inhibitors and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors showed no safety signals for the examined adverse events. Additionally, co-occurrence analysis revealed frequent associations between muscle atrophy and nausea/vomiting, falls and decreased appetite across different drug classes.<br> Conclusions: These findings indicate notable differences in the profiles of muscle atrophy–related adverse events among major classes of antidiabetic drugs, suggesting that drug selection may influence the risk of muscle function decline in patients. Clinicians should consider these safety profiles when prescribing antidiabetic therapies; however, causal relationships cannot be inferred solely from pharmacovigilance data. Further studies are warranted to establish causality between antidiabetic drug use and muscle-related adverse events and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1347-9032 2026 ROWVA: A Structure-Based Metric for Predicting the Pathogenicity of Protein Variants Using Alphafold2 EN Taiki Furutani Public Health Informatics Unit, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Yuka Okusha Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroki Nagami Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroko Hanafusa Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shuta Tomida Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Ryusuke Sawada Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yasuyuki Hosono Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Nakatochi Public Health Informatics Unit, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine p53, an important tumor suppressor protein, functions as a tetramer. Therefore, malignant variants in the tetramer-forming domain increase the likelihood of p53 dysfunction. Recent developments in genome analysis technology have expanded our understanding of malignant variants. However, variants of uncertain significance are also being increasingly identified. Hence, methods to assess the pathogenicity of these variants are required. In this study, we aimed to examine whether AlphaFold2 can be used to evaluate the functional impacts of p53 variants based on predicted three-dimensional (3D) structural information. For each variant present in datasets of p53 functional score, we performed 3D structural prediction using AlphaFold2. We analyzed the correlations among multiple AlphaFold2-derived scores to predict functional scores, such as protein stability and pathogenicity labels, for each dataset. The root-mean-square deviation obtained by comparing the 3D structures predicted by AlphaFold2 for the wild-type and variant structures showed a high correlation with each functional score. Overall, these findings indicate that AlphaFold2 can be used to evaluate variants. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0770-3198 45 5 2026 Global trends in systemic sclerosis-related mortality, 2001–2023: an epidemiological analysis using World Health Organization mortality data 2741 2748 EN Keith Pardillada Belangoy Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshito Nishimura Division of Haematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Ko Harada Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hideharu Hagiya Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital Quynh Thi Vu Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hanane Ouddoud Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Judah Israel Ong Lescano Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Michio Yamamoto Graduate School of Human Sciences, The University of Osaka Tatsuaki Takeda Department of Education and Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hirofumi Hamano Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Toshihiro Koyama Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshito Zamami Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the global trends in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related mortality by age, sex, and geographic region. SSc is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by tissue fibrosis, vascular dysfunction, and multi-organ involvement, which is associated with a high mortality risk.<br> Methods Using the World Health Organization Mortality Database, we examined trends in SSc-related crude mortality rates (SSc-CRs) and age-standardized mortality rates (SSc-ASMR) per 1,000,000 population from 2001 to 2023. Locally weighted regression was applied to visualize long-term patterns, and Joinpoint regression was used to assess the national trends from 2010 to 2023.<br> Results Across 74 countries, 85,291 SSc-related deaths were reported, with 79.41% occurring in females. The SSc-CR steadily increased from 1.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71–2.23) in 2001 to 2.34 (95% CI: 2.01–2.68) in 2023, while the SSc-ASMR decreased from 1.58 (95% CI: 1.42–1.74) to 1.29 (95% CI: 1.08–1.50), respectively. Regionally, mortality was the highest in the Western Pacific region and declined in the Americas and Europe, with temporal fluctuations. The SSc-ASMR was highest in countries with a middle sociodemographic index (SDI).<br> Conclusions While overall age-standardized mortality from SSc has declined in many regions, disparities persist. These results underscore the importance of sustaining research and enhancing disease awareness, as well as developing strategies to reduce mortality in high-risk populations and regions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1467-7644 2026 Rice EMF3 Alleles Adjust Flower Opening Time to Enhance the Seed Setting Rate Under High Temperature Stress EN Takuma Ishizaki Tropical Agriculture Research Front, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Yoichi Hashida Faculty of Agriculture, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare Hideyuki Hirabayashi Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Kazuhiro Sasaki Biological Resources and Post-Harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Hiroki Tokunaga Tropical Agriculture Research Front, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Eliza Vie M. Simon‐Ada Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Masataka Wakayama Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University Toshiyuki Takai Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Hiroki Saito Tropical Agriculture Research Front, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Atsushi J. Nagano Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University Hitoshi Sakakibara Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University Mikiko Kojima RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Yumiko Takebayashi RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Sung‐Ryul Kim Rice Breeding Innovations Department, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Ryo Matsushima Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Michael J. Thomson Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Metro Manila Philippines Kazuhiko Sugimoto Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Ken‐Ichiro Hibara 18Graduate School of Agricultural Regional Vitalization, Kibi International University Tsutomu Ishimaru Biological Resources and Post-Harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) To safeguard global food security against rapid population growth and a warming world, the effective genetic improvement of cereals is imperative. Flower opening time (FOT) critically affects the seed setting rate. In this study, we identified a gene, EARLY-MORNING FLOWERING 3 (EMF3), in which single-nucleotide substitutions strongly modulate FOT in rice in a semi-dominant manner, resulting in wide variation in FOT from earlier to later FOT than the wild-type. EMF3 knock-out mutants showed significantly reduced FOT synchrony and disrupted anther dehiscence, leading to fertilisation failure. EMF3 encodes a plasma membrane-localised polypeptide of 723 amino acids with an armadillo repeat fold and four transmembrane segments. Furthermore, EMF3 is specifically expressed in the anthers starting from nighttime on the day of flowering, with substantial impacts on the transcriptomes of both anther and lodicule, which suggested an exclusive role of EMF3 in flowering events. Modifying EMF3 alleles of O. sativa enabled the adjustment of FOT among Oryza species and subspecies, potentially facilitating cross-fertilisation by overcoming one of the major challenges of inter-specific hybridisation to exploit heterosis. Introducing the EMF3 alleles with the earlier FOT into popular rice cultivars resulted in flowering at an earlier time of day when the temperature was cooler, efficiently increasing seed setting rate under heat stress. This discovery unveils the novel mechanism of anther control of flower opening time through the EMF3 gene, while also enabling the use of EMF3 alleles in breeding strategies for efficient fertilisation for increasing hybrid rice seed production and mitigating future heat-stress damage at flowering. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society (APS) Acta Medica Okayama 2469-9926 113 4 2026 Analytical and numerical studies of periodic superradiance 043713 EN Hideaki Hara Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yuki Miyamoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Junseok Han Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Riku Omoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yasutaka Imai Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Akihiro Yoshimi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Koji Yoshimura Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Motohiko Yoshimura Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Noboru Sasao Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University We conduct a theoretical study to understand the periodic superradiance observed in an Er:YSO crystal. First, we construct a model based on the Maxwell-Bloch equations for a reduced level system, a pair of superradiance states, and a population reservoir state. Analysis of the eigenvalues of the linearized differential equations shows that periodic superradiance can be realized only for certain parameters. We also derive two-variable equations consisting of the coherence and population difference between the two superradiance states, which contain the essential feature of the periodic superradiance. The two-variable equations clarify the mathematical structure of this periodic phenomenon and give analytical forms of the period, pulse duration, and number of emitted photons. Our model successfully reproduces the periodic behavior, but the actual experimental parameters are found to be outside the parameter region for the periodic superradiance. This result implies that some other mechanism(s) is (are) required. As one example, assuming that the field decay rate varies with the electric field, the periodic superradiance can be reproduced even under the actual experimental conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 1 2026 Pseudohypoxia induced by iron chelators preserves working memory performance in aged mice 11550 EN Toshiaki Ohara Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshiaki Iwasaki Health Service Section, Environment Health & Safety Intelligence Department, Okayama University Tomonari Kasai Department of Applied Energy, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Toru Yamashita Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shiho Komaki Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yusuke Hamada Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masayoshi Fujisawa Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akihiro Matsukawa Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Pseudohypoxia refers to a physiological condition wherein hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is pharmacologically upregulated under normoxia, thereby modulating immune responses. We hypothesized that pseudohypoxia, induced by iron chelators, may similarly potentiate systemic immune responses in aged mice, concurrently triggering neuro-regenerative signaling pathways and enhancing cognitive performance. In this study, aged mice (43–48 weeks old) were orally administered two iron chelators, Super Polyphenol 10 (SP10) or Roxadustat, to induce a pseudohypoxia. An 8-week oral regimen of SP10 and Roxadustat significantly preserved working memory, as assessed by the Y-maze test (YMT). White blood cell counts and hippocampal volume, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were elevated in the treatment groups relative to controls. Pseudohypoxia induced by SP10 tended to enhance neuro-regenerative signaling, specifically involving the Tau and JNK pathways, and potentially modulated Doublecortin (DCX) expression, although statistical significance was limited by sample size. Importantly, inflammatory markers, such as ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), were not elevated by treatment. Collectively, these findings suggest that pseudohypoxia induced by iron chelators preserves working memory performance accompanied by leukocytosis, without concomitant neuroinflammation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

International Institute of Anticancer Research Acta Medica Okayama 0250-7005 46 4 2026 P53-armed Oncolytic Adenovirus Enhances the Efficacy of PD-1 Blockade in Neuroblastoma by Inducing Immunogenic Cell Death 1769 1784 EN MORIMICHI TANI Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences HIROSHI TAZAWA Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences TERUTAKA TANIMOTO Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences HIROSHI NOUSO Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences HINAKO WATANABE Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences TAKANORI OYAMA Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences YASUO URATA Oncolys BioPharma, Inc. SHUNSUKE KAGAWA Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences TAKUO NODA Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences SHINJI KURODA Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences TOSHIYOSHI FUJIWARA Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background/Aim: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a primary malignant tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Although immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as novel antitumor therapy, high-risk NB tumors are refractory to ICI therapy. Oncolytic virotherapy is expected to potentiate the antitumor immune response by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of OBP-301 and OBP-702, telomerase-specific oncolytic adenoviruses, for the induction of ICD and combined effect with PD-1 blockade against NB cells.<br> Materials and Methods: The cytopathic activity of OBP-301 and OBP-702 was assessed using three human MYCN-amplified NB cell lines (IMR-32, LA-N-5, and NB-1) and a murine non-MYCN-amplified NB cell line (Neuro-2a). Virus-mediated antitumor effect was assessed by analyzing cell viability, secretion of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and high-mobility group box protein B1 (HMGB1), apoptosis, autophagy, and PD-L1 levels. A subcutaneous Neuro-2a tumor model was used to evaluate the in vivo antitumor effect of combination therapy with OBP-702 and anti-PD-1 antibody.<br> Results: OBP-702 exhibited stronger cytopathic activity, inducing ICD with secretion of ATP and HMGB1, compared to OBP-301 in human and murine NB cells. OBP-301 and OBP-702 increased apoptosis, autophagy, and PD-L1 expression in murine NB cells. Moreover, OBP-702 significantly prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice compared to monotherapy with PD-1 blockade.<br> Conclusion: OBP-702 is a promising antitumor strategy to promote the antitumor effect of ICIs by inducing ICD against NB tumors. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0017-9310 264 2026 Improving thermal stability of a microcavity emitter for utilization under atmospheric environment 128798 EN Kazuma Isobe Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shota Morishige Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Taiyo Sato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yutaka Yamada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akihiko Horibe Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University With the development of micro-fabrication technology, various metamaterials with controlled emission spectra have been proposed as thermal emitters. However, general metamaterials have a risk of deformations and degradation at high temperatures in atmospheric conditions, which is inconvenient for use as a thermal emitter. In this study, we propose a concept to enhance the thermal durability of microcavity-type metamaterials. Although typical microcavities are entirely composed of metal to excite the resonance of electromagnetic waves, we assessed the feasibility of a microcavity consisting of silicon with minimal metal coatings. While usual metals are oxidized at high temperatures, gold is rarely oxidized due to its chemical stability. However, the gold layer deposited on the Si substrate has the potential to melt below 400 °C due to the formation of an Au-Si eutectic alloy, which has a much lower melting point than pure gold. Therefore, we focused on the gold-tungsten bilayer as a suitable metal coating for the silicon microcavity, thereby preventing oxidation and melting that would otherwise influence the emission spectra of the thermal emitter. The numerical analysis ensured that the proposed microcavity exhibited electromagnetic resonance, similar to that of a microcavity entirely composed of metal, unless the metal coating was too thin. The fabricated microcavity with the gold-tungsten coating also exhibited a thermal emission within a limited wavelength range, due to the microcavity resonance. Moreover, the heating experiment revealed that the microcavity with a gold-tungsten coating maintained its emissivity even when heated to 400 °C, which is higher than the oxidation point of tungsten and the melting point of the Au-Si eutectic alloy. Consequently, the gold-tungsten coating would be a reasonable approach to improve the stability of the microcavity-type metamaterial at high temperatures under oxidative conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0046-5755 220 3 2026 Knot surgered elliptic surfaces without 1- and 3-handles for a (2, 2h + 1)-torus knot 29 EN Naoyuki Monden Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Reo Yabuguchi Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University For any positive integers h and n, we show that a knot surgered elliptic surface E(n)T(2,2h+1) for a (2, 2h + 1)-torus knot T (2, 2h + 1) admits a handle decomposition without 1- and 3-handles using a Kirby diagram derived from a Lefschetz fibration on it. As a corollary, an elliptic surface E(1)2,2h+1 has such a handle decomposition. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 2169-9097 131 4 2026 Investigating the Detectability of Body Wave Phases From Tidal Ice Cracking Events on Titan With the Dragonfly Short-Period Seismometer e2025JE009432 EN L. Delaroque Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS T. Kawamura Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS A. Lucas Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS S. Rodriguez Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS K. Onodera Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University H. Shiraishi Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency R. Yamada The University of Aizu S. Tanaka Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency M. P. Panning Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology R. D. Lorenz The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Detecting seismic activity on Saturn's icy moon Titan during the Dragonfly mission could provide crucial information on its internal structure. The geological complexity of the moon's surface suggests significant cyclic tidal deformation, likely leading to the fracturing of the ice shell. Considering realistic source locations and fault geometries, we assess whether a vertical short-period seismometer can detect body waves from a Mw 4.0 icequake. Signal-to-noise ratios are evaluated by comparing the high-frequency content with the expected background noise and instrument capabilities for several ice attenuation scenarios and 1D interior models. Our results indicate that the high-frequency content (≥1Hz) of Mw≤4.0 tidal-induced icequakes is likely undetectable under the most unfavorable attenuation scenarios and atmospheric conditions. However, seismic signals in the 0.5–1 Hz band―where P wave reflections dominate―may still be observable for events occurring in potential seismically active regions at ∼800–1,000 km from the Dragonfly's landing site. These signals could provide constraints on the thickness of Titan's outer ice shell, provided that intrinsic attenuation is low and environmental conditions are favorable. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2589-0042 29 4 2026 Multifaceted role of POU5F1P1 in regulating its parental stem cell gene, POU5F1 115137 EN Kyohei Irie Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mitsuko Kosaka Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nobuhiko Mizuno Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryo Omae Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshimasa Nakatani Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Sandi Myat Noe Oo Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hisashi Masuyama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ayano Kawaguchi Department of Human Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences The human-specific retrogene POU5F1P1 (OCT4-Pseudogene1; OCT4-PG1), derived from stem cell factor POU5F1 (OCT4A), is predicted to encode an OCT4A-like protein; however, its function remains unclear. This study investigated OCT4-PG1 expression, translational control, and its role in endometrial cancer and stem cell regulation. Quantitative analyses revealed that elevated OCT4A, but not OCT4-PG1, expression correlated with clinical risk factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer. OCT4-PG1 is under strong translational suppression mediated by its untranslated region and does not function as a protein under normal conditions. Instead, it acts as a non-coding RNA that suppresses OCT4A translation. Structural analyses showed that a single amino acid deletion (Gln259) destabilizes the OCT4-PG1 protein, thereby preventing its tumorigenic and transcriptional functions. Nevertheless, OCT4-PG1 forms heterodimers with OCT4A or SOX2, enhancing the regulatory activity of OCT4A. These findings highlight the regulatory role of pseudogenes in cancer and stem cell biology, with implications for therapies targeting OCT4A-related pathways. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Medical Association Acta Medica Okayama 2433-3298 9 1 2026 Relationship between Maternal Body Composition during Pregnancy and Newborn Birth Weight in Japan 189 197 EN Eriko Eto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masakazu Kato Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoe Kirino Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chiaki Kuriyama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shujiro Sakata Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hikari Nakato Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Sakurako Mishima Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Akiko Ohira Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hisashi Masuyama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the changes in maternal body composition during pregnancy in Japanese women and the relationship between maternal body composition and newborn birth weight using pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in all trimesters.<br> Methods: A total of 1,851 pregnant Japanese women were enrolled in this study. Body composition was measured using TANITA MC-190EM. The associations between newborn birth weight and maternal BMI, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), total body water (TBW), muscle mass (MM), FM gain, FFM gain, and weight gain were evaluated.<br> Results: The participants’ age and pre-pregnancy BMI were 34.1 years and 21.4 kg/m2, respectively. Among the patients, 13.4%, 73.0%, 10.3%, and 3.3% were underweight, average weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. The FM showed no significant change from the second to third trimesters in the underweight, overweight, and obese groups. Moreover, the FM in the overweight and obese groups did not change during any period. The FFM, TBW, and MM significantly increased from the first to second and second to third trimesters. In BMI-stratified multivariate regression analyses, FFM in the normal and overweight groups was positively associated with birth weight, whereas FM gain was negatively associated in the underweight and normal groups. No significant associations were observed in the obese group.<br> Conclusions: Changes in maternal body composition during pregnancy in Japanese women varied by pre-pregnancy BMI. Associations with birth weight also differed by BMI group. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these relationships and investigate the mechanisms. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0040-4039 179 2026 Visible-light-induced photocatalytic intermolecular cyclization for synthesis of 2,2-diarylchromanes 156034 EN Sakura Kodaki Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Momo Kondo Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Junta Minato Laboratory of Cellular Drug Discovery and Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Shoko Itakura Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Hiroyoshi Takamura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Makiya Nishikawa Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Isao Kadota Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kosuke Kusamori Laboratory of Cellular Drug Discovery and Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Kenta Tanaka Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University The photocatalytic cyclization of salicylaldehydes with 1,1-diarylalkenes for the synthesis of 2,2-diarylchromanes has been developed. The catalytic amount of Ir photocatalyst proceeds the cyclization to give the various 2,2-diaryl chromanes under irradiation with blue LEDs. The obtained 2,2-diarylchromanes exhibit noticeable free-radical-scavenging activities, which have been largely unexplored. Notably, the chromane can convert to 2,2-diaryl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran bearing strong electron withdrawing groups, which are found in various photochromic materials. Thus, the present reaction constitutes a promising tool for the synthesis of functional materials and biologically active compounds. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1422-0067 27 5 2026 Aerobic Exercise Attenuates Epidermal Hyperplasia in an Obesity-Associated Psoriasiform Dermatitis Model 2308 EN Yoshihiro Matsuda Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin Morizane Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Daiki Takezaki Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuma Sakamoto Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School Nobuyasu Baba Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School Masanori Iseki Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School Yoshio Kawakami Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tatsushi Shiomi Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical School Tomoyuki Mukai Department of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School Obesity is an important risk factor for psoriasis, and clinical studies indicate that exercise interventions can improve disease severity. However, the mechanisms by which exercise influences psoriatic pathogenesis remain insufficiently understood. To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on obesity-associated psoriasis, wild-type mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 7 weeks to induce obesity and subsequently underwent moderate-intensity treadmill running for 3 weeks. Psoriasiform dermatitis was induced by daily topical application of imiquimod (IMQ) to the skin for five consecutive days. HFD increased body weight, epididymal fat mass, and serum cholesterol. HFD-fed mice developed more severe IMQ-induced psoriatic skin changes compared with normal diet-fed mice. Treadmill exercise modestly reduced body weight gain and attenuated epidermal hyperplasia in HFD-fed mice. In contrast, inflammatory cytokine expression, including Tnfa, Il17a, and Il23a, showed modest increases in the skin of HFD-fed exercised mice, which did not parallel the improvement in epidermal hyperplasia. Overall, these findings indicate that while obesity exacerbates psoriasiform dermatitis, aerobic exercise ameliorates epidermal hyperplasia in obese mice without corresponding changes in inflammatory cytokine expression in the skin, suggesting that exercise may influence psoriatic skin changes through multiple metabolic and immunological pathways. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 0918-6158 49 2 2026 Functional Transport Properties of Human Zinc Transporter 1: Kinetics and pH-Dependency 364 370 EN Yuma Yoshioka Department of Molecular Membrane Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takaaki Miyaji Department of Molecular Membrane Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Intracellular zinc (Zn2+) homeostasis is essential for physiological and pathological processes and is strictly regulated by Zn2+ transporters. Zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1) is a ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane-localized Zn transporter that exports Zn2+ from the cytoplasm to the extracellular space. However, the functional transport properties regarding kinetics and driving forces of ZnT1 remain debatable. In this study, we established a cell-free proteoliposome assay system and demonstrated that ZnT1 transports Zn2+ with high affinity in pH-dependent and pH-independent manners. The Km and Vmax of pH-dependent Zn2+ transport were 0.40 μM and 15.13 nmol/min/mg protein, and those of pH-independent Zn2+ transport were 0.52 μM and 8.88 nmol/min/mg protein (low concentrations of Zn2+), 3.02 μM and 17.59 nmol/min/mg protein (high concentrations of Zn2+), respectively, suggesting biphasic kinetic components of Zn2+ transport. Even without pH gradient formation, ZnT1 exhibits potent Zn2+ transport activity. In pH dependency, Zn2+ transport activity was higher at an inside pH of 6.0 than at 6.5–7.5 for proteoliposomes, despite the same ΔpH of 0.5–1.5. The Zn2+ transport activity decreased at an outside pH of 8.0, despite an increase in ΔpH. Although previous studies have proposed that ZnT1-mediated Zn2+ transport activity is driven by a calcium (Ca2+) gradient and not by a pH gradient, Ca2+ does not enhance Zn2+ transport activity in the presence or absence of a pH gradient. These results strongly suggest that ZnT1 protein transports Zn2+ optimally at a specific pH and exports excess intracellular Zn2+ even without ΔpH. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2073-4360 18 7 2026 Effect of Universal Adhesives on Resin Cement–Fiber Post–Core Materials 810 EN Masao Irie Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Okada Department of Dental Biomaterials, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University Yukinori Maruo Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University Kenraro Akiyama Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kumiko Yoshihara Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Akimasa Tsujimoto Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University Takuya Matsumoto Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University This study evaluated eleven resin cements used as core build-up materials by examining the following properties: (a) push-out force between root dentin and the fiber post; (b) pull-out force between the fiber post and the core build-up material; (c) shear bond strength of the resin cement to root dentin; (d) flexural strength of the resin cement; and (e) flexural modulus of elasticity of the resin cement. The purpose of this investigation was to clarify the relationships between recently available universal adhesives, core build-up materials, resin cements, and fiber posts. All experiments were performed at two evaluation periods: after 1 day of water storage (Base) and after 20,000 thermocycles (TC 20k). For the push-out test, simulated post spaces were prepared in single-rooted human premolars. The specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis into 2 mm-thick slices and then subjected to push-out testing to assess the bond strength of the dentin–resin cement–fiber post complex. No significant differences in bonding performance were found between Base and TC 20k. These findings suggest that universal adhesives used for pretreatment of multiple substrates in fiber post cementation can provide not only strong but also durable adhesion over time. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2211-7156 25 2026 Peptide nanomicelles for NIR light-dependent siRNA delivery 103265 EN Taufik Fatwa Nur Hakim Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Mizuki Kitamatsu Department of Applied Chemistry, Kindai University Shoumu Fujimoto Department of Applied Chemistry, Kindai University Kazunori Watanabe Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Takashi Ohtsuki Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University The peptide amphiphile PA8, derived from the GAVILRR peptide, was developed as a carrier for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery; however, its RNA interference (RNAi) efficacy was limited owing to predominant endocytotic uptake. In this study, the RNAi efficiency of PA8 nanomicelle/siRNA complexes was enhanced by modifying the nanomicelles with the photosensitizer DY750 and the tumor-homing peptide iRGD. The conjugation of DY750 to the nanomicelles facilitated endosomal escape of the nanomicelle/siRNA complexes, enabling the cytosolic release of siRNA. Additionally, the incorporation of iRGD improved RNAi delivery efficiency in the AsPC-1 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line. PA8-DY750-iRGD nanomicelle complexes loaded with siRNA against polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) achieved an 80% reduction in PLK1 mRNA levels in AsPC-1 cells and a moderate 28% knockdown in NCI-N87 gastric cancer cells. Notably, no RNAi effect was observed in noncancerous 1C3D3 pancreatic cells or HEK293T kidney cells, underscoring the selectivity of this system for AsPC-1 cells. These findings highlight the potential of PA8-DY750-iRGD nanomicelle complexes as a targeted therapeutic platform for specific cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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

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

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1422-0067 27 2 2026 Porphyromonas gingivalis Vesicles Control Osteoclast–Macrophage Lineage Fate 831 EN Elizabeth Leon Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Shin Nakamura Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Satoru Shindo Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Maria Rita Pastore Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Tomoki Kumagai Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Alireza Heidari Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Elaheh Dalir Abdolahinia Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Tomoya Ueda Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Takumi Memida Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Ana Duran-Pinedo Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Jorge Frias-Lopez Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Xiaozhe Han Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Xin Chen Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Shengyuan Huang Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Guoqin Cao Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Sunniva Ruiz Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Jan Potempa Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville Toshihisa Kawai Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a keystone pathogen of chronic periodontitis, releases outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that act as nanoscale vehicles to disseminate virulence factors within periodontal tissues and systemically beyond the oral cavity. Although Pg-OMVs are increasingly recognized as critical mediators of host–pathogen interactions, their effects on the differentiation and function of monocyte–macrophage/osteoclast lineage cells remain unclear. Here, we examined the impact of Pg-OMVs on the differentiation of RAW264.7 monocyte/macrophage-like cells into osteoclasts (OC) and/or macrophages (MΦ) in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). OMVs were isolated from Pg W83 and applied to RANKL-primed RAW264.7 cells using three distinct stimulation schedules: (1) simultaneous treatment with Pg-OMVs and RANKL at Day 0; (2) RANKL priming at Day 0 followed by Pg-OMV stimulation at Day 1; and (3) RANKL priming at Day 0 followed by Pg-OMV stimulation at Day 3. In all schedules, cells were cultured for 7 days from the initial RANKL exposure. Remarkably, simultaneous exposure to Pg-OMVs and RANKL (Schedule 1) markedly suppressed osteoclastogenesis (OC-genesis) while promoting M1 macrophage polarization. In contrast, delayed Pg-OMV stimulation of RANKL-primed cells (Schedules 2 and 3) significantly enhanced OC-genesis while reducing M1 polarization. These schedule-dependent effects were consistent with altered expression of osteoclastogenic markers, including dc-stamp, oc-stamp, nfatc1, and acp5. Importantly, a monoclonal antibody against OC-STAMP counteracted the Pg-OMV-induced upregulation of OC-genesis in Schedules 2 and 3. Furthermore, levels of Pg-OMV phagocytosis were inversely correlated with osteoclast formation. Finally, co-stimulation with RANKL and Pg-OMVs (Schedule 1) enhanced macrophage migratory capacity, whereas delayed stimulation with Pg-OMVs (Schedules 2 and 3) did not. Collectively, these findings indicate that Pg-OMVs exert stage-specific effects on the OC/MΦ lineage: stimulation at early stages of RANKL priming suppresses OC-genesis and promotes M1 polarization, whereas stimulation at later stages enhances OC-genesis without inducing M1 differentiation. Thus, Pg-OMVs may critically influence the fate of the OC/MΦ unit in periodontal lesions, contributing to disease progression and tissue destruction. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学算数・数学教育学会 Acta Medica Okayama 1341-3155 31 2025 「統合的・発展的に考える力」を育成する算数科の授業 〜６年「立体の体積」の学びを通して〜 42 49 EN 　VUCAの時代（※）を生き抜く子どもたちに必要な資質・能力の育成が喫緊の課題とされている。算数科では永年，「統合的・発展的に考える力」を育成すべき資質・能力の中核に置いてきた。この力はVUCAの時代にも通用する力であり，子どもが「自ら課題を見付け，自ら学び，自ら考える」（確かな学力、1996）原動力になる力であると考える。しかしながら，未だそれを十分達成することはできていない。それは，「統合的・発展的に考える力」を育成するシステムが示されておらず，プロセスが確立されていないからであると考える。<br> 　3年後には新学習指導要領の告示が予想される今，改めて算数科で育成すべき資質・能力の中核である「統合的・発展的に考える力」の育成に焦点を当てる。６年「立体の体積」の学びを通して，「統合的・発展的に考える力」を育成するシステムを提案する。<br> ※「VUCAの時代」…Volatility（変動性），Uncertainty（不確実性），Complexity（複雑性），Ambiguity（曖昧性）のある時代。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.