start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=80 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=317 end-page=325 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Radiogenomic Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced MRI for Predicting Pathogenic BRCA Variants in Ovarian Cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study evaluated the feasibility of predicting pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants in ovarian cancer using radiogenomic analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI. Twenty six patients were analyzed, including 14 with pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants and 12 without. Contrast enhanced MRI was used to generate two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) tumor segmentations. Radiomic features extracted with PyRadiomics were reduced using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, yielding two selected features. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models were trained on 18 patients and tested on 8, with performance assessed using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The DeLong test compared AUCs between segmentation methods. Automated machine learning (AutoML) was performed with a training set of 20 patients and a test set of 6, with multiple performance metrics calculated. LDA achieved approximately 60% accuracy in both 2D and 3D test datasets. AUCs were 0.80 (3D) and 0.77 (2D), with no significant difference (p=0.85). AutoML identified CatBoost_BAG_L2_FULL as the optimal model, achieving accuracy above 80%. MRI-based radiogenomic analysis demonstrated moderate classification performance for identifying pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants in ovarian cancer. These preliminary findings suggest a potential role for noninvasive prediction, warranting further validation in larger cohorts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SaitoHayato en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Hayato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiRyohei en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiharaHanako en-aut-sei=Sugihara en-aut-mei=Hanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoShoji en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Shoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama Diagnostic Imaging Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=ovarian cancer kn-keyword=ovarian cancer en-keyword=BRCA1/2 kn-keyword=BRCA1/2 en-keyword=radiogenomics kn-keyword=radiogenomics en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=MRI kn-keyword=MRI END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=48 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261015 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A simple proof for the existence of V-form fronts in reaction?diffusion equations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper studies V-form traveling fronts to a bistable reaction?diffusion equation. V-form traveling fronts have been studied so far for many reaction?diffusion equations. The proof of its existence is often based on the multi-scale method. In this paper we present a new simple proof for the existence of V-form traveling fronts based on estimates by inscribed balls. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagashimaSatomu en-aut-sei=Nagashima en-aut-mei=Satomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiMasaharu en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Masaharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaylorGeorge en-aut-sei=Taylor en-aut-mei=George kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Traveling front kn-keyword=Traveling front en-keyword=V-form kn-keyword=V-form en-keyword=Reaction?diffusion equation kn-keyword=Reaction?diffusion equation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=202615 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Advances and Future Perspectives of Targeted Mutagenesis in Barley en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Targeted mutagenesis technologies, commonly referred to as “genome editing”, have rapidly become transformative tools in crop breeding. Modern crop production faces mounting challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, and shifting quality demands, creating an urgent need for breeding approaches that enable more precise genetic improvement within shorter timeframes. Targeted mutagenesis capable of introducing mutations accurately and efficiently began with the development of meganucleases and subsequently evolved through ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas systems. Recent technological advances, including multiplex editing and DNA-free genome editing, have made direct modification of elite cultivars increasingly feasible, helping to overcome long-standing barriers associated with genotype dependency and the complexity of polyploid genomes. Targeted mutagenesis has now been applied to a wide range of breeding targets, including disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses, yield-related traits, and quality traits. Moreover, machine learning and AI are beginning to support target selection and phenotype prediction, ushering in an era in which genome editing can be integrated into breeding programs more rationally and efficiently. These scientific developments coincide with regulatory shifts in many countries toward easing restrictions on new genomic techniques (NGTs), particularly by treating SDN-1 genome-edited crops equivalently to those produced through conventional breeding. Such changes are expected to accelerate field trials, commercialization, and international collaboration. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including bottlenecks in transformation efficiency, off-target assessment, the control of complex traits, societal acceptance, and unresolved regulatory details. Even so, genome editing is poised to become a central technology in next-generation cereal breeding, enabling the development of cultivars with greater resilience, productivity, and adaptability to diverse industrial needs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=CRISPR/Cas9 kn-keyword=CRISPR/Cas9 en-keyword=genome editing kn-keyword=genome editing en-keyword=Hordeum vulgare kn-keyword=Hordeum vulgare en-keyword=plant breeding kn-keyword=plant breeding en-keyword=transformation amenability kn-keyword=transformation amenability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=65 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=07SP13 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260406 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study of preload mechanism for small piezoelectric transducers with hollow structure for cryogenic environments en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In various industrial fields, cryogenic fluids such as liquid hydrogen and liquid nitrogen are increasingly used as fuels and refrigerants. To control the flow rate of those fluids, valves that can be operated in cryogenic environments are needed. In general, the miniaturization of the valve can be achieved by using a piezoelectric ceramic as an actuator to drive the mechanism. Additionally, the properties degradation can be suppressed by applying a preload to the piezoelectric ceramic. To miniaturize the piezoelectric actuator applying preload at low temperature conditions, we use differences in thermal expansion coefficients to apply preload to the piezoelectric ceramics. In this study, we have designed and fabricated a small piezoelectric transducer with a hollow structure for cryogenic environments by using this proposed structure. To evaluate the fabricated transducer, we have measured vibration velocity and estimated the acceleration in cryogenic environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MimuraSouta en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Souta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboKazuki en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261007 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Temporally structured plasticity in death-feigning behavior in response to nutritional conditions in Tribolium castaneum en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Investment in antipredator behavior and foraging both directly influence fitness, yet these investments are often subject to trade-offs. In income-breeding species, individuals may initially prioritize foraging after adult emergence and subsequently increase investment in antipredator behavior as their nutritional condition improves. In this study, we investigated temporal changes in death-feigning behavior, an antipredator response, in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum from immediately after adult emergence. Both fed and starved individuals exhibited an increase in death-feigning duration with time after emergence. However, in starved individuals, this trend reversed after approximately 15 days, with a marked decline in duration. These results suggest that the increase in investment in death-feigning behavior early in adulthood is relatively inflexible, whereas behavioral responses become highly plastic in response to environmental conditions around day 15. Furthermore, individuals that were fed until day 18 before starvation showed a less pronounced behavioral change than those subjected to starvation from the beginning of the experimental period, suggesting that the timing of environmental exposure may influence subsequent behavioral responses. Together, these findings suggest that behavioral plasticity is not constant over time but is instead structured across developmental stages. We propose a novel conceptual framework, termed temporally structured plasticity (TSP), to describe this pattern. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShibuyaKohjiro en-aut-sei=Shibuya en-aut-mei=Kohjiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumuraKentarou en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Kentarou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Avoiding attack kn-keyword=Avoiding attack en-keyword=Beetle kn-keyword=Beetle en-keyword=Playing dead kn-keyword=Playing dead en-keyword=Thanatosis kn-keyword=Thanatosis en-keyword=Post-contact immobility kn-keyword=Post-contact immobility en-keyword=Tonic immobility kn-keyword=Tonic immobility END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261005 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Experimental evolution of female mating responses to infertile males in Tribolium castaneum en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In many animal populations, infertile males?those unable to reproduce?are commonly present. If females mate exclusively with such males, they fail to produce offspring. How, then, do females deal with this situation? Distinguishing infertile from fertile males both before and after copulation is difficult for females. Here, we tested the hypothesis of bet-hedging polyandry, in which females mitigate the risk of reproductive failure by mating with multiple males, using experimental evolution in the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). Females were cohabited with males artificially sterilized by sublethal radiation and with untreated males at a 1:1 ratio (sterile:untreated). After more than 15 generations, females from the treatment strains did not avoid mating with infertile males, leading to reduced reproductive success. However, compared with the control strains, females from the treated strains tended to mate with a greater number of males. The results raise the possibility that increased polyandry (mating with multiple males) may evolve rather than relying on pre- or post-copulatory discrimination to mitigate the risk posed by infertile males. Bet-hedging is a strategy that spreads or minimizes risk under uncertainty, and these results are consistent with the hypothesis that polyandry can function as a bet-hedging strategy against uncertain male fertility. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYui en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanoYui en-aut-sei=Asano en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoriKenta en-aut-sei=Kori en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumuraKentarou en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Kentarou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiYukio en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Yukio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HimuroChihiro en-aut-sei=Himuro en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamotoYutaka en-aut-sei=Nakamoto en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SokeiYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Sokei en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okinawa Prefectural Plant Protection Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okinawa Prefectural Plant Protection Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okinawa Prefectural Plant Protection Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Beetle kn-keyword=Beetle en-keyword=Bet-hedging kn-keyword=Bet-hedging en-keyword=Copulation kn-keyword=Copulation en-keyword=Matingbehavior kn-keyword=Matingbehavior en-keyword=Reproductive failure kn-keyword=Reproductive failure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=80 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=132 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261007 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=No evidence for differential allocation or sex ratio adjustment in response to male attractiveness in the broad-horned flour beetle en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Sexual selection theory predicts that females can enhance the benefits of mate choice by increasing reproductive investment (differential allocation) or by biasing offspring sex ratios toward sons (sex ratio adjustment) when mating with attractive males. Clear empirical support for these hypotheses has been documented in many vertebrate taxa, whereas relatively few studies have tested them in invertebrates. Here, we investigated whether females adjust reproductive investment and offspring sex ratio in response to male attractiveness in the beetle Gnatocerus cornutus. We assessed male attractiveness using copulation latency and examined its associations with female lifetime reproductive success, egg size, and offspring sex ratio under single-mating conditions. Our results, however, provide no support for either the differential allocation or sex ratio adjustment hypotheses: females did not alter reproductive investment or offspring sex ratio according to mate quality. In this species, male sexual phenotypes are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Such phenotype?genotype mismatches may reduce the reliability of male traits as indicators of genetic quality and increase the likelihood of assessment errors by females. This may explain the absence of maternal allocation in relation to mate attractiveness in G. cornutus. Instead, previous work on this beetle indicates that females can secure genetic benefits by remating with more attractive males and biasing fertilization toward their sperm. Our findings therefore suggest that postcopulatory mechanisms, rather than differential maternal allocation, provide a more effective route for females to secure the benefits of mate choice in G. cornutus. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaKensuke en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiyoseKatsuya en-aut-sei=Kiyose en-aut-mei=Katsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsukiMasako en-aut-sei=Katsuki en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Seibukasei Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil= en-keyword=Fisherian process kn-keyword=Fisherian process en-keyword=good genes kn-keyword=good genes en-keyword=horned beetle kn-keyword=horned beetle en-keyword=life-history evolution kn-keyword=life-history evolution en-keyword=sexual selection kn-keyword=sexual selection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=742 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260914 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Rapid fluvial response to meter-scale coseismic coastal uplift during the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The response of river profiles to relative base-level change is a key topic in earth surface processes, but observations capturing these changes on unconsolidated deposits at a 1?10 years timescales are scarce. We monitored geomorphic changes at the Hakka River mouth after the 3.5-meter base-level fall caused by coseismic uplift of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, Japan. Utilizing uncrewed aerial vehicle surveys, we documented a maximum vertical riverbed lowering of 2?m and knickpoint upstream migration of 770-m within the first-year post-earthquake, primarily triggered by erosion during major floods that followed the earthquake. Our findings demonstrate that fluvial terraces can develop within a year or less, following co-seismic coastal uplift. However, the river has not yet reached a renewed graded stage because riverbed armoring resulting from sediment sorting during incision currently inhibits further incision. We suggest that the abandonment of alluvial plains and lowering and widening of the riverbed in the lower 10-km segment will continue over the next decade. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguraTakuro en-aut-sei=Ogura en-aut-mei=Takuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IizukaKotaro en-aut-sei=Iizuka en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwasaYoshiya en-aut-sei=Iwasa en-aut-mei=Yoshiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaYuichi S. en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Yuichi S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiTatsuto en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Tatsuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MattaNobuhisa en-aut-sei=Matta en-aut-mei=Nobuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Education, University of Teacher Education Fukuoka kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11689307 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202605 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Tourism Demand Forecasting Using Machine Learning with Cross-Model Feature Ranking en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study proposes a machine learning (ML) framework for forecasting tourist visits to a destination, leveraging feature ranking consistency across heterogeneous models. The proposed framework uses a unified stepwise feature selection pipeline to systematically determine a subset of given features that reduces prediction error of an ML model. The transferability of feature rankings is demonstrated through experiments using ML models including Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, and Support Vector Regression (SVR), and a dataset related to tourist visits to West Sumatra, Indonesia. Experimental results show that i) SVR using top four features in the feature ranking based on SHAP achieves the highest accuracy and ii) application of the feature ranking based on XGBoost improves performance stability across other models, reducing error fluctuations. These findings reveal that an optimized feature subset combined with cross-model ranking transfer can outperform more complex ensembles, highlighting the importance of ranking robustness in tourism forecasting. The proposed framework provides a methodological foundation for building interpretable and dataefficient decision support systems for tourism management and policy planning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HendraYomei en-aut-sei=Hendra en-aut-mei=Yomei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MigitaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Migita en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiNorikazu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Norikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=tourism forecasting kn-keyword=tourism forecasting en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=support vector regression kn-keyword=support vector regression en-keyword=XGBoost kn-keyword=XGBoost en-keyword=feature ranking kn-keyword=feature ranking END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=526 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=150819 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flavor encapsulation capacities of amphiphilic polyvinylpyrrolidone as a carrier for amorphous solid dispersions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigates the characteristics of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) formed using an amphiphilic carrier polymer, focusing on the effects of source solution conditions on flavor retention. Cinnamaldehyde and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were dissolved as flavor and carrier components in methanol or ethanol under different conditions and subsequently spray-dried into fine powders. The amount of cinnamaldehyde retained in the spray-dried ASDs was quantified to assess the impact of solution conditions. The results indicate that cinnamaldehyde molecules were physically entrapped within the entangled PVP chains during the spray-drying process. The flavor encapsulation capacity of PVP reached a maximum of approximately 4 mmol/g-PVP under specific conditions. This maximum capacity implies that each cinnamaldehyde molecule is associated with approximately two PVP monomer units, which is higher than those reported for selected cyclodextrin-based systems in comparable contexts of cinnamaldehyde encapsulation. Additionally, the dissipation of cinnamaldehyde from the ASD samples during storage under vacuum was examined. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoHaruna en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaNao en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaTakato en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Takato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AragaChika en-aut-sei=Araga en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImanakaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Imanaka en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraKoreyoshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Koreyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flavor encapsulation kn-keyword=Flavor encapsulation en-keyword=Polyvinylpyrrolidone kn-keyword=Polyvinylpyrrolidone en-keyword=Spray-drying kn-keyword=Spray-drying en-keyword=Encapsulation capacity kn-keyword=Encapsulation capacity en-keyword=Overlap concentration kn-keyword=Overlap concentration en-keyword=Encapsulation pocket kn-keyword=Encapsulation pocket END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=37 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261001 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Delta morphology reveals timings of early ocean regression and hydrologic shift on ancient Mars en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Mars’ ancient hydrologic history remains a subject of debate, with competing interpretations suggesting either a large ocean or scattered lacustrine environments. Here, we show that delta morphology on Mars records a shift between these hydrologic regimes. Through controlled tank experiments, we identify two distinct delta types: “lobe-extruding deltas” formed during water-level falls and “stepped fan-deltas” formed during rising water levels. The lobe-extruding deltas occur near proposed paleo-coastlines and are dated to ~3.8?3.2 Ga, consistent with the existence of a Late Noachian?Hesperian ocean and its subsequent regression in the Late Hesperian. In contrast, stepped fan-deltas are found at a wider range of elevations and exhibit significantly younger ages (~2.1?0.1 Ga), suggesting episodic, localized lake formation during the Amazonian. Our findings constrain the timing of the planetary-scale transition from a global hydrosphere to localized aqueous environments and refine the understanding of Mars’ paleoclimate evolution and potential habitability. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitoRen en-aut-sei=Kito en-aut-mei=Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RujTrishit en-aut-sei=Ruj en-aut-mei=Trishit kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MutoTetsuji en-aut-sei=Muto en-aut-mei=Tetsuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OriGian Gabriele en-aut-sei=Ori en-aut-mei=Gian Gabriele kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomatsuGoro en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Technology, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Environmental Science, Nagasaki University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Universit? d’Annunzio kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Universit? d’Annunzio kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260913 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Significance of a Cell-Of-Origin-Based Classification in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with limited therapeutic options and poor clinical outcomes. Although PDAC has traditionally been thought to arise from ductal epithelial cells, recent studies using genetically engineered mouse models have demonstrated that acinar cells can also serve as a cell of origin, giving rise to tumors with distinct biological properties. Here, we investigated whether such lineage-specific differences are preserved in human PDAC. RNA sequencing was performed on resected specimens from 40 treatment-na?ve patients with PDAC, and tumors were classified into Acinar- and Ductal-subtypes using lineage-specific gene expression signatures derived from mouse models. This classification strategy was further applied to human PDAC cell lines, followed by in vitro drug sensitivity assays. Patients with Acinar-subtype tumors had significantly longer overall survival than those with Ductal-subtype tumors (median, 54.0 vs. 26.5?months; p? Results: Here, we describe newly generated hypomorphic alleles of mitfa and mitfb, which result in delayed melanophore development. Using these hypomorphic mutants in combination with a newly generated null allele of tfec, we show that Tfec can partially compensate for the loss of Mitfa and Mitfb in melanophore, xanthophore, and leucophore differentiation. Consistent with previous findings in zebrafish, loss of tfec alone results in the complete absence of iridophores. Importantly, simultaneous null mutations in all three genes cause a complete loss of all four chromatophore types and lead to defective pigmentation of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), which is not derived from the neural crest in both Oryzias species and in zebrafish. Using an RPE-specific marker, we further show that the RPE is specified and structurally intact but fails to melanize.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that the redundant functions of Mitfa, Mitfb, and Tfec are not only essential for the specification of diverse pigment cell types but also critical for RPE pigmentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ListerJames en-aut-sei=Lister en-aut-mei=James kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiwakaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Sugiwaka en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraTetsuaki en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Tetsuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRieko en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Rieko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GodaMakoto en-aut-sei=Goda en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHikaru en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hikaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueChikako en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasengiKawilarang W. A. en-aut-sei=Masengi en-aut-mei=Kawilarang W. A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamahiraKazunori en-aut-sei=Yamahira en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnsaiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Ansai en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KelshRobert N. en-aut-sei=Kelsh en-aut-mei=Robert N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HibiMasahiko en-aut-sei=Hibi en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoHisashi en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biological Science, Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University of Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) & Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=World Medaka Aquarium, Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Photonics Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Biological Science, Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=R&D Fish Breeding Group, Regional Fish Institute, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Sam Ratulangi University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University of Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) & Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Biological Science, Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Biological Science, Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= en-keyword=compound mutants kn-keyword=compound mutants en-keyword=melanization kn-keyword=melanization en-keyword=neural crest kn-keyword=neural crest en-keyword=retina kn-keyword=retina en-keyword=RPE kn-keyword=RPE END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=e117719 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between venous access-site closure device use and postoperative nausea and vomiting after atrial fibrillation ablation under propofol sedation: a single-centre retrospective observational study in Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives To examine whether the use of a venous access-site closure device is associated with the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation under propofol sedation.
Design Observational study.
Setting A single-centre retrospective observational study in Okayama, Japan.
Participants We retrospectively analysed consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation under deep propofol sedation with adaptive servo-ventilation. A total of 686 patients were included. Patients were managed using a standardised sedation protocol with or without low-dose pentazocine. Patients treated with conventional manual compression for haemostasis (n=383) were compared with those treated using a venous access-site closure device (n=303).
Interventions Postprocedural bed rest duration and the incidence and timing of PONV were compared between groups. Associations between closure device use and PONV were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.
Primary outcome measure The primary outcome was the occurrence of PONV following AF ablation.
Results All procedures were completed under propofol sedation without conversion to general anaesthesia. The duration of postprocedural bed rest was shorter in the device group than in the conventional-compression group (mean difference ?14.7 hours, 95% CI ?15.2 to ?14.0).
PONV occurred in 6/303 patients (2.0%) in the device group and 20/383 patients (5.2%) in the conventional-compression group, corresponding to a relative risk of 0.38 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.93), an OR 0.25 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.62) and a risk difference of ?3.2% (95% CI ?6.0% to ?0.5%).
In multivariable analysis, use of a venous closure device was associated with a lower likelihood of PONV.
Conclusions In this single-centre observational study, use of a venous access-site closure device was associated with a lower occurrence of PONV after AF ablation under propofol sedation. These findings suggest that postprocedural management strategies enabling earlier mobilisation may be associated with improved patient comfort; however, causal inference is limited by the observational design. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakanoueHaruna en-aut-sei=Sakanoue en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiHirosuke en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Hirosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoSayaka en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkanoKumi en-aut-sei=Okano en-aut-mei=Kumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaYuka en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigashiyaShunichi en-aut-sei=Higashiya en-aut-mei=Shunichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiTakashia en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Takashia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusachiShozo en-aut-sei=Kusachi en-aut-mei=Shozo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Heart Rhythm Centre, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Heart Rhythm Centre, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Heart Rhythm Centre, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Heart Rhythm Centre, Okayama Heart Clinic kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260918 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Macroscopic and microscopic visualization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci infection using complementary bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The development of bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter systems has enabled visualization of plant-pathogenic bacterial infection dynamics, providing insights into detailed mechanisms of infection and potential applications for disease control. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 (Pta) possesses quorum sensing systems and produces fluorescent pigments, which make it difficult to directly apply commonly used reporter systems. In this study, we first constructed a homologous recombination-based genomic insertion system for stable chromosomal integration of reporter genes in Pta. Using this system, we established a LuxCDABE bioluminescent system driven by the nptII promoter, which successfully enabled macroscale tracking of bacterial populations during infection. We then attempted to construct an sGFP fluorescent reporter using the same nptII promoter. However, the endogenous autofluorescence of Pta masked the sGFP signal, making quantitative detection difficult. To overcome this autofluorescence problem, we screened constitutively highly expression promoters based on transcriptome data and identified two effective promoters suitable for fluorescent monitoring of Pta infection. Together with the LuxCDABE system, this integrated platform provides comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of virulence mechanisms and plant defense responses in the Pta pathosystem, with potential applicability to other plant-pathogenic bacteria. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuroeKana en-aut-sei=Kuroe en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshigaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Ishiga en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci kn-keyword=Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci en-keyword=LuxCDABE kn-keyword=LuxCDABE en-keyword=sGFP-reporter kn-keyword=sGFP-reporter END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e00747-26 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260922 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Complete genome sequence of Helicobacter pylori strain NY43 harboring bacteriophage KHP30 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Helicobacter pylori NY43 strain spontaneously releases the bacteriophage (phage) KHP30. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of H. pylori NY43. In addition to the chromosome of H. pylori NY43, we successfully obtained the complete sequence of the episomal prophage KHP30. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiMichiko en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaHiromichi en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeoSatoru en-aut-sei=Seo en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchiyamaJumpei en-aut-sei=Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuzakiShigenobu en-aut-sei=Matsuzaki en-aut-mei=Shigenobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Health and Science, International University of Health and Welfare Graduate School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Density and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= en-keyword=Helicobacter pylori kn-keyword=Helicobacter pylori en-keyword=chromosome organization kn-keyword=chromosome organization en-keyword=bacteriophage episome kn-keyword=bacteriophage episome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260921 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Fatigue Life Evaluation Using the Damage‐Equivalent Strain for 7075‐T6 Aluminum Alloy Under Bending and Torsion Bending Vibrations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The vibrations caused by external factors (such as fluids) or internal factors often pose strength-related problems in mechanical and structural components. Although several studies have investigated the material fatigue characteristics during vibration, reports on complex vibration modes such as torsion bending are limited. In this study, we addressed this gap by conducting experiments and finite element analyses on I- and L-shaped aluminum alloy specimens under bending and torsion bending vibrations, respectively. We established a reliable method to estimate the strain at the notch by utilizing the strain measured at a position outside the notch and a ratio derived from finite element analysis. This method allows for accurate assessment of the critical strain history without interfering with crack observation. Using the strain range at the crack initiation site effectively unified the fatigue life evaluation for both specimens. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakamotoJunji en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Junji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaNaoya en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UemoriTakeshi en-aut-sei=Uemori en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bending vibration kn-keyword=bending vibration en-keyword=crack propagation kn-keyword=crack propagation en-keyword=damage-equivalent strain kn-keyword=damage-equivalent strain en-keyword=resonance frequency reduction kn-keyword=resonance frequency reduction en-keyword=torsion bending vibration kn-keyword=torsion bending vibration en-keyword=vibration fatigue kn-keyword=vibration fatigue END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=e110118 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260602 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Routine Generative AI Use and Acceptance of Medical AI: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Healthcare Workers and the Public in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background
Acceptance of medical artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for successful implementation, yet its acceptance may vary by clinical application and stakeholder group. Whether routine use of generative AI (GAI) is associated with acceptance of medical AI remains unclear.
Methods
A cross-sectional web survey was conducted in Japan in November 2025 using web-panel convenience sampling from an online research panel. The small analytic sample comprised 200 participants aged 20-69 years, including 100 healthcare workers and 100 non-healthcare workers. GAI use was assessed using two five-point items (GAI use at work and in daily life) and dichotomized as at least monthly use in either daily life or work versus less than monthly use in both settings, based on prespecified criteria. Acceptance of medical AI was measured for five scenario-based applications - AI-assisted imaging interpretation, AI-based health risk prediction, AI-based treatment recommendations, AI-enabled triage guidance, and AI-assisted robotic surgery - using a four-point acceptability scale; responses were dichotomized as acceptable versus not acceptable. Calibration weights were constructed to approximate Japanese internet users by raking on sex-by-age group and household income, normalized to the analytic sample size, and truncated at prespecified bounds. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors, stratified by occupation; covariates were selected a priori using a modified disjunctive cause criterion. This study was exploratory; therefore, adjustments for multiple comparisons were not performed.
Results
Among healthcare workers, the lower-use group had a higher prevalence of non-acceptance of AI-based health risk prediction (aPR 6.980, 95% CI 1.412-34.506) and AI-based treatment recommendations (aPR 4.364, 95% CI 1.331-14.305), whereas estimates for imaging interpretation, triage guidance, and robotic surgery remained statistically uncertain. Among non-healthcare workers, the lower-use group had a higher prevalence of non-acceptance of AI-assisted imaging interpretation (aPR 13.906, 95% CI 1.624-119.052), AI-based health risk prediction (aPR 4.861, 95% CI 1.133-20.862), AI-based treatment recommendations (aPR 6.288, 95% CI 1.386-28.530), and AI-assisted robotic surgery (aPR 6.173, 95% CI 1.435-26.561); the adjusted estimate for AI-enabled triage guidance was not statistically supported (aPR 1.840, 95% CI 0.521-6.505). Several estimates had wide confidence intervals, indicating substantial imprecision.
Conclusions
In this small exploratory web-panel convenience sample, lower-frequency GAI use was associated with higher non-acceptance of several medical AI applications. Associations were observed across more applications among non-healthcare workers than among healthcare workers. Because the study was cross-sectional, used convenience sampling, and included imprecise estimates with wide confidence intervals, the findings should not be interpreted causally. Larger studies using longitudinal or interventional designs are needed to clarify temporality and mechanisms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=generative ai kn-keyword=generative ai en-keyword=healthcare workers kn-keyword=healthcare workers en-keyword=medical ai kn-keyword=medical ai en-keyword=non-healthcare workers kn-keyword=non-healthcare workers en-keyword=technology acceptance kn-keyword=technology acceptance en-keyword=web-based survey kn-keyword=web-based survey END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=251 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114493 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2027 dt-pub=202702 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A rule-based calculation approach to derive bone-suppressed chest X-ray images using photon-counting techniques en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Improving the visibility of lung nodules, which are often hidden by bone shadows and difficult to identify, remains a challenge in chest radiography. This study aims to develop an algorithm for generating novel bone-suppressed images using photon-counting techniques. The core idea of our algorithm is to fit photon interaction cross-sections to X-ray attenuation data measured with photon-counting detectors. Based on further calculations using the derived fitting coefficients, both density (ρ) and amount-of-substance concentration (mol) were determined. The product of these values produced a ρ×mol image exhibiting a clear bone-suppression effect. We conducted a virtual chest imaging simulation using 10 patient datasets acquired via clinical photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT). The CT images were converted into ρ×mol images following the proposed processing procedure, and two-dimensional chest images were generated through projection. Quantitative evaluations confirmed that the proposed images achieved sufficient bone suppression. Furthermore, commercial software provided by a vendor was used to generate bone-suppressed images from conventional images projected from CT data. A comparable bone-suppression effect on the ribs was observed between the vendor-generated images and our proposed images, while lesion visibility (e.g., lung nodules) was preserved. Additionally, bone-suppression effects in our images were observed in the vertebrae and clavicles located outside the lung fields. Our research demonstrates the value of constructing general X-ray imaging systems using photon-counting detectors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KimotoNatsumi en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigamiRina en-aut-sei=Nishigami en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Asahara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitaniMana en-aut-sei=Mitani en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaiki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University kn-affil= en-keyword=Photon-counting detector kn-keyword=Photon-counting detector en-keyword=Bone suppression kn-keyword=Bone suppression en-keyword=Lung nodules kn-keyword=Lung nodules en-keyword=Chest radiography kn-keyword=Chest radiography en-keyword=X-ray diagnosis kn-keyword=X-ray diagnosis en-keyword=Quantitative image kn-keyword=Quantitative image END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=165 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=104508 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260911 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Scaled-charge ion force field optimized for individual ion partial molar volumes in water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We present an ion partial molar volume force field for common monovalent and divalent ionic species, including Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F?, Cl?, Br?, I?, OH?, and H3O+. When combined with the TIP4P/2005 water model, the force field enables quantitative investigations of ion-specific effects in both bulk and interfacial properties. The iPMV force field is developed based on a single guiding principle: the ion?water interaction parameters are optimized such that the experimental partial molar volume of each individual ion at infinite dilution?determined via the ultrasonic vibrational potential method?is reproduced by construction. An exception is made for the hydronium ion, for which we also provide an alternative interface-optimized model. The force field employs a charge scaling factor of 0.75 and adopts the Lorentz?Berthelot combining rules for cross-Lennard-Jones interactions, with specific modifications for divalent cations. A distinctive feature of the iPMV force field is that, despite its straightforward design, a single set of ion parameters consistently reproduces a wide range of experimental properties?from volumetric and interfacial properties to salting-out/in effects and transport coefficients. This robust performance suggests a fundamental correlation between the partial molar volumes of individual ions and the broader physical properties of aqueous electrolyte solutions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TairaAoi en-aut-sei=Taira en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsutoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Katsuto en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoKanon en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Kanon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=98 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=107057 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2027 dt-pub=202701 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transcriptional remodeling of local thyroid hormone metabolism is associated with feather growth termination in chicken wing feathers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Feather elongation is sustained by continuous cell proliferation within the feather follicle; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for feather growth termination remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated molecular changes associated with feather growth termination by comparing two chicken wing feather types with contrasting growth characteristics: primary wing feathers and primary coverts. Histological and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation analyses demonstrated that primary wing feathers remained in an active growth phase, whereas primary coverts exhibited pulp regression, reduced cell proliferation, and characteristics of growth termination. Gene expression analyses showed that primary coverts exhibited reduced expression of prolactin receptor (PRLR), type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO2), and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), together with marked induction of the thyroid hormone (TH)-inactivating enzyme type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO3). In contrast, primary wing feathers exhibited relatively higher expression of PRLR, DIO2, and IGF2 than primary coverts, while maintaining consistently low DIO3 expression. Reporter assays showed increased IGF2 promoter activity following triiodothyronine (T3) treatment in all three independent experiments, although the increase did not reach statistical significance. Thus, the reporter assay provides only tentative support for T3 responsiveness of the IGF2 promoter, consistent with our previous in vivo and primary-culture findings showing T3-dependent increases in IGF2 expression. These coordinated transcriptional changes are consistent with remodeling of local TH metabolism during the transition from active feather growth to growth termination. While local TH concentrations and direct deiodinase activities remain to be quantified, and the causal relationship between PRL/PRLR signaling and DIO3 induction remains unresolved, this study provides a molecular framework for understanding how local endocrine regulation translates systemic hormonal signals into feather type-specific growth responses during avian feather development. Graphical abstract en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShinoharaMasamichi en-aut-sei=Shinohara en-aut-mei=Masamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NozawaYuri en-aut-sei=Nozawa en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Feather growth termination kn-keyword=Feather growth termination en-keyword=Prolactin kn-keyword=Prolactin en-keyword=Thyroid hormone metabolism kn-keyword=Thyroid hormone metabolism en-keyword=DIO3 kn-keyword=DIO3 en-keyword=Chicken kn-keyword=Chicken END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=478 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=117156 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep-blue solid-state emission from Ternaphthalene: Photophysical tuning via multi-chromophore architectures en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the synthesis and photophysical characterization of a series of “all-naphthalene” multi-chromophore systems, ternaphthalenes (TNps), designed for efficient deep-blue solid-state emission. Unlike planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that suffer from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), the twisted molecular architecture of TNps effectively inhibits π-π stacking interactions. Consequently, several TNps exhibit crystallization-induced emission enhancement (CIEE) or retain high quantum yields (up to 0.94) in the solid state. Kinetic analysis revealed that this efficiency stems from the significant suppression of non-radiative rates (knr) due to the restricted intramolecular rotation in the rigid crystal lattice. Furthermore, a decisive topological effect on the radiative rate (kf) was demonstrated. The 1,4-, 1,5- and 2,6-linked isomers display allowed transitions with large oscillator strengths (f) and fast radiative rate (kf = ca. 5 × 108 s?1), whereas the 2,7-linked isomers exhibit forbidden-like character with prolonged lifetimes. A distinct linear correlation between the experimental and calculated values empirically supports the applicability of the Strickler-Berg relationship in both solution and solid states. These findings demonstrate that controlling the chromophore connectivity is a powerful strategy to tune excited-state dynamics for developing high-performance deep-blue organic emitters. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiKengo en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Environment, Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Deep-blue fluorescence kn-keyword=Deep-blue fluorescence en-keyword=Solid-state emission kn-keyword=Solid-state emission en-keyword=Multi-chromophore system kn-keyword=Multi-chromophore system en-keyword=Radiative rate kn-keyword=Radiative rate en-keyword=Density functional theory (DFT) kn-keyword=Density functional theory (DFT) en-keyword=Structure-property relationship kn-keyword=Structure-property relationship END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e202500335 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202603 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Substitution‐Dependent Modulation of Photophysical Properties of 2,7‐ and 3,6‐Dinaphthyl‐9‐phenylcarbazoles in Solution and Solid State en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The photophysical properties of two positional isomers of dinaphthyl-9-phenylcarbazoles (2,7-DNpPCz and 3,6-DNpPCz) were systematically investigated in solution and solid states. Experimental measurements revealed a pronounced positional dependence, although both compounds exhibit fluorescence in solution and the solid state. On average, the 2,7-isomers exhibit larger fluorescence rate values than the 3,6-isomers, although the magnitude of this difference varies among individual compounds. To gain mechanistic insight, density function theory (DFT) and time-dependence DFT calculations were performed at the (TD)-B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level. The results show that 2,7-DNpPCz derivatives possess delocalized frontier orbitals and large oscillator strengths for the S1?←?S0 transition, whereas 3,6-DNpPCz derivatives exhibit smaller oscillator strengths with mixed orbital contributions, leading to weaker transition probabilities. These combined findings demonstrate that substitution geometry critically governs radiative decay dynamics in carbazole-based luminophores and provide valuable guidelines for the molecular design of efficient solid-state organic emitters. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriTadashi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Center for Environmental Preservation and Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Environment, Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=carbazole kn-keyword=carbazole en-keyword=emission lifetime kn-keyword=emission lifetime en-keyword=emission quantum yield kn-keyword=emission quantum yield en-keyword=photoluminescence kn-keyword=photoluminescence en-keyword=solid-state emission kn-keyword=solid-state emission END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=485 end-page=494 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202611 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancement of mechanical properties in a cast hypereutectic Al?Si alloy via rapid cooling in heated mold continuous casting en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To enhance mechanical properties in cast hypereutectic Al?Si alloys, Al?14.5Si samples were produced by the heated mold continuous casting (HMC). The HMC process was conducted under unidirectional solidification at cooling rates (CRs) ranging from 4.6 × 10?1 to 1.3 × 103 K/s, which were obtained by controlling the casting speed (CS). The microstructure basically consisted of α-Al dendrite, Al?Si eutectic and primary Si, while their area fractions (fα-Al, fe, and fp-Si) varied depending on the CR. At the low CR of 4.6 × 10?1 K/s, their area fractions were as follows: fα-Al = 0.2%, fe = 97.3%, and fp-Si = 2.5%, which is the typical microstructural morphology of a hypereutectic Al-Si alloy. In contrast, at the high CR of 1.3 × 103 K/s, those area fractions were altered to fα-Al = 32.3% and fe = 67.7%, while primary Si was strongly suppressed (fp-Si ? 0%) despite the hypereutectic Al?14.5Si alloy. Moreover, at the high CR, the aluminum matrix appears to exhibit a nearly uniform crystal orientation along <101>. These microstructural changes may be related not only to high CR but also the difference in growth kinetics between primary Si and α-Al dendrites. Accordingly, an apparent eutectic composition shifted from 12.6 to 19.7 wt% Si. The atypical microstructural formation led to a significant improvement in the tensile properties: the ultimate tensile strength of 400 MPa and fracture strain of 17%. These tensile properties are more than twice those of the conventional cast hypereutectic Al?14.5Si alloy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakeuchiShuhei en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaShota en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinzatoYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Shinzato en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinodaTadashi en-aut-sei=Minoda en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukaNaotaka en-aut-sei=Ohtsuka en-aut-mei=Naotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkayasuMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Okayasu en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Hypereutectic Al?Si alloy kn-keyword=Hypereutectic Al?Si alloy en-keyword=Heated mold continuous casting kn-keyword=Heated mold continuous casting en-keyword=Mechanical property kn-keyword=Mechanical property en-keyword=Microstructural characteristics kn-keyword=Microstructural characteristics en-keyword=Supercooling kn-keyword=Supercooling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=85 cd-vols= no-issue=13 article-no= start-page=317 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260713 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Intensity of chemical weathering and its implications for soil erosion across lithological and climatic gradients in the Chemoga watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The geochemistry of rocks, regolith/soil, surficial and core sediments, and clay mineral assemblages from these sediments was analyzed to elucidate the transition from fresh to chemically altered materials. These data were used to evaluate the intensity of chemical weathering and its implications for erosion across contrasting lithological and climatic gradients in the Chemoga watershed of the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Our findings show depletion of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+, and enrichment of Al3+, Fe3+, Ti4+, and Mn2+ in the regolith/soil, upper part of surficial sediment, and upper layer of the core sediment (10 m). Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values are rocks 35?47, regolith/soil 75?96, surficial river sediments 45?96, and core sediments 50?90. River sediments in the highland area are dominated by kaolinite (39%), illite (34%), and chlorite (27%), while the lower study area has illite (76%), chlorite (11%), and kaolinite (12%). Geochemistry, ternary plots, and clay mineralogy show that the highland region underwent intensive chemical weathering, while the midland experienced intermediate to high weathering, and the lowland had weak weathering. The highlands experience severe weathering due to a humid, bimodal precipitation climate; despite having younger, weathering-resistant rocks (basalt, andesite, trachyte), the lower regions consist of older, more mafic rocks (basalt and trachybasalt). Like the surficial river sediment, core sediment showed intense chemical weathering and kaolinite dominance in the upper layers (0?10 m depth, CIA?>?80). Weathering intensity decreased with depth, suggesting changes in weathering and in clay mineral formation that reflect past climate. The high weathering gradient from highland to lowland correlates with erosion, indicating that weathering strongly influences soil erosion variability in the watershed. This work provides a reasonable basis for improving our understanding of the degree of weathering across contrasting environments and its implications for soil erosion by connecting the relationship between parent materials and chemically altered samples with the degree of soil erosion. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KehaliAlebachew Tareke en-aut-sei=Kehali en-aut-mei=Alebachew Tareke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaregeweynNigussie en-aut-sei=Haregeweyn en-aut-mei=Nigussie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuboMitsuru en-aut-sei=Tsubo en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AntenehZelalem Leyew en-aut-sei=Anteneh en-aut-mei=Zelalem Leyew kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AyalewBelay Tesfa en-aut-sei=Ayalew en-aut-mei=Belay Tesfa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerefeZena Tessema en-aut-sei=Terefe en-aut-mei=Zena Tessema kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=BelayAshebir Sewale en-aut-sei=Belay en-aut-mei=Ashebir Sewale kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FentaAyele Almaw en-aut-sei=Fenta en-aut-mei=Ayele Almaw kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsunekawaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Tsunekawa en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=International Platform for Dryland Research and Education, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=International Platform for Dryland Research and Education, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Geology, School of Earth Sciences, Bahir Dar University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Geology, School of Earth Sciences, Bahir Dar University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Geology, School of Earth Sciences, Bahir Dar University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Geochemistry kn-keyword=Geochemistry en-keyword=Clay mineralogy kn-keyword=Clay mineralogy en-keyword=Core sediment kn-keyword=Core sediment en-keyword=Chemical Index of Alteration kn-keyword=Chemical Index of Alteration en-keyword=Climate kn-keyword=Climate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1868 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=149607 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2027 dt-pub=202701 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural and functional analysis of a photosystem II mutant PsbA3-S264V en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes water oxidation and oxygen evolution by a light-induced electron transfer chain, leading to the generation of electrons, protons and dioxygen. D1-S264 is a residue located close to the QB-binding site, and mutation of this residue has been shown to bring significant effects on the electron transfer and oxygen-evolving activities. Here we analyzed the structure of a Thermosynechococcus elongatus mutant PsbA3-S264V by cryo-electron microscopy at 1.96 ? resolution, which showed significant changes in the structure surrounding the bicarbonate and QB-binding region. Due to change of Ser to Val, the hydrogen-bond between the QB carbonyl oxygen and S264 is altered, which changed the protonation pathway of QB from the original route of D1-H252 through D1-S264 to QB, to a new, longer and less efficient route of D1-H252 through D1-F265 to QB. Two residues, D1-E244 and D2-E242, changed their side chain orientations significantly. Among them, D2-E242 adopted two conformations, and both are largely deviated from the original structure. All these changes led to alterations in hydrogen-bonding networks of two channels, channel A and channel B, that connect the stromal surface to QB and may function to transport protons to protonate QB. Furthermore, isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed a diminished 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU) binding affinity of the mutated PSII, which may be explained by a structural rotation of D1-F255 in the mutant based on structural analysis of DCMU-bound PSII. These findings offer valuable insights into the functions of D1-S264 in QB protonation and function, as well as in the DCMU-binding. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FanSongbo en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Songbo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiangHaowei en-aut-sei=Jiang en-aut-mei=Haowei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsaiPi-Cheng en-aut-sei=Tsai en-aut-mei=Pi-Cheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiaAnqi en-aut-sei=Jia en-aut-mei=Anqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiuraMiwa en-aut-sei=Sugiura en-aut-mei=Miwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Proteo-Science Research Center, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Advanced Research Field, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Photosystem II kn-keyword=Photosystem II en-keyword=PsbA3-S264V kn-keyword=PsbA3-S264V en-keyword=QB protonation kn-keyword=QB protonation en-keyword=DCMU-binding kn-keyword=DCMU-binding en-keyword=Thermosynechococcus elongatus kn-keyword=Thermosynechococcus elongatus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e70206 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Varicocelectomy Restores Spermatogenesis in Fontan‐Associated Varicocele: A Two‐Case Series en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Fontan circulation may cause chronic venous hypertension and predispose patients to varicocele and infertility,but the clinical significance of surgical treatment remains unclear.
Case Presentation: We describe two patients with Fontan circulation who developed Fontan-associated varicocele (FAVC). A42-year-old man presented with secondary infertility, bilateral varicocele, and progression to azoospermia after Fontan surgery.A 28-year-old man had asthenozoospermia, bilateral varicocele, and repeated failure of assisted reproductive technology. Bothunderwent bilateral microsurgical varicocelectomy with perioperative heparin bridging. Postoperative semen parameters im-proved in both patients, with sperm reappearing in the first case.
Conclusion: Varicocelectomy for FAVC may restore spermatogenesis in selected cases, but the risk of postoperative recurrencemay be increased. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TominagaYusuke en-aut-sei=Tominaga en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiTomoko en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYuko en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriwakeTakatoshi en-aut-sei=Moriwake en-aut-mei=Takatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiNariaki en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Nariaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SadahiraTakuya en-aut-sei=Sadahira en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShingo en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=BekkuKensuke en-aut-sei=Bekku en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMotoo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Motoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Fontan circulation kn-keyword=Fontan circulation en-keyword=male infertility kn-keyword=male infertility en-keyword=spermatogenesis kn-keyword=spermatogenesis en-keyword=varicocele kn-keyword=varicocele en-keyword=varicocelectomy kn-keyword=varicocelectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Stereoselective synthesis of β,β-diborylalanine (AlaBB) and its incorporation into oligopeptides en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the stereoselective synthesis of β,β-diborylalanine (AlaBB), a compact amino acid scaffold designed to introduce a gem-diboronic acid motif as a branched connector in peptides. Pinacol-protected AlaBB derivatives, denoted as AlaBB(pin)2, were prepared from an Ellman imine, incorporated into short peptides, and converted to the corresponding gem-diboronic acid form. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NittaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaiKenshin en-aut-sei=Nakai en-aut-mei=Kenshin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizoguchiHaruki en-aut-sei=Mizoguchi en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakuraAkira en-aut-sei=Sakakura en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Stereoselective synthesis of β,β-diborylalanine (AlaBB) and its incorporation into oligopeptides en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the stereoselective synthesis of β,β-diborylalanine (AlaBB), a compact amino acid scaffold designed to introduce a gem-diboronic acid motif as a branched connector in peptides. Pinacol-protected AlaBB derivatives, denoted as AlaBB(pin)2, were prepared from an Ellman imine, incorporated into short peptides, and converted to the corresponding gem-diboronic acid form. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NittaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaiKenshin en-aut-sei=Nakai en-aut-mei=Kenshin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizoguchiHaruki en-aut-sei=Mizoguchi en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakuraAkira en-aut-sei=Sakakura en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112872 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202612 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prediction of tool-path and cycle time errors of CNC machining using a transformer-based deep learning model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The prediction of tool-path and cycle time errors of computer numerical control (CNC) machining is important in manufacturing field. In this study, these errors are considered as sequential data corresponding to the lines of G-code, i.e., the error prediction is a sequence-to-sequence task, and a Transformer-based deep learning model was constructed to predict the tool-path and cycle time errors simultaneously, taking the positional increments and feed rate as the input. The training datasets were created by running a randomly generated G-code on a real CNC machine tool and subsequently tracking the actual errors, where the motion and feed rate are stochastically defined. The model is validated by conducting the error prediction on six sets of G-code. In addition, the comparison with a Bi-LSTM-based deep learning model is conducted. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the Transformer model can achieve the mean prediction accuracies of ±1 μm and ±1 ms in tool-path and cycle time error predictions, respectively. Furthermore, the Transformer model has a smaller prediction uncertainty than the Bi-LSTM model. Compared with conventional methods only analyzing tool-path errors or cycle-time errors, the utilized model has an advantage in its ability to simultaneously predict tool-path errors and cycle time errors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanekoKazuki en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiZongze en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Zongze kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Tech, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=CNC machining kn-keyword=CNC machining en-keyword=Tool-path error kn-keyword=Tool-path error en-keyword=Cycle time error kn-keyword=Cycle time error en-keyword=Deep learning kn-keyword=Deep learning en-keyword=Transformer kn-keyword=Transformer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=54 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=upaf104 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250524 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Vesicle-combined PtBi/C catalyst for base-free conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-frandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was catalyzed by using a catalyst of PtBi-activated carbon (PtBi/C) combined with vesicles made of phospholipid. No alteration of the electron state of the PtBi/C by vesicles was observed. However, FDCA was obtained under mild-temperature and base-free conditions. The yield of FDCA depended on the hydration nature of vesicles. It was therefore suggested that vesicles gave bound water as a novel driving force for the reaction. The present finding would explore an application of vesicles to new catalytic reactions that are different from conventional biochemical reactions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimanouchiToshinori en-aut-sei=Shimanouchi en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DeguchiKoji en-aut-sei=Deguchi en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYukitaka en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yukitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=2,5-frandicarboxylic acid kn-keyword=2,5-frandicarboxylic acid en-keyword=metal-supported catalyst kn-keyword=metal-supported catalyst en-keyword=vesicles kn-keyword=vesicles END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=757 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=125992 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Multi-criteria evaluation of graphene oxide nanofiltration membranes for decaffeination en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nanofiltration (NF) offers a promising low-energy approach for producing decaffeinated instant coffee, while requires membranes that balance caffeine removal, water permeance, and retention of key coffee matrix compounds. Here, graphene oxide membranes (GOMs) were modified by sodium alginate (SA) intercalation, Ca2+ crosslinking, and their combined strategy to tune nanochannel structure and separation performance. The results show that membrane modification does not follow a simple monotonic trend; instead, small structural and chemical changes generate competing effects on permeance and selectivity through coupled transport, adsorption, and confinement mechanisms. To identify the most suitable membrane, a multi-criteria evaluation framework (MCEF) combining entropy weighting and TOPSIS was established using five key performance indicators: caffeine removal, flavour-related marker retention index, choline retention, water permeance, and concentration increase. This framework identified CGSM-1 as the best-performing flat membrane, which also showed promising performance in hollow-fibre form. In coffee filtration tests, CGSM-1 reduced caffeine concentration from 24.64 to 12.95?μg/mg, corresponding to a 47.4% reduction, while retaining measurable levels of HMF, trigonelline, NMP, and choline. These findings demonstrate the potential of engineered GOMs for selective caffeine reduction in coffee liquor and provide a practical evaluation strategy for membrane-based decaffeination. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TianYihan en-aut-sei=Tian en-aut-mei=Yihan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinTongxi en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Tongxi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=RenXiaojun en-aut-sei=Ren en-aut-mei=Xiaojun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=JoshiRakesh en-aut-sei=Joshi en-aut-mei=Rakesh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales kn-affil= en-keyword=Multi-criteria evaluation kn-keyword=Multi-criteria evaluation en-keyword=Decaffeination kn-keyword=Decaffeination en-keyword=Graphene oxide kn-keyword=Graphene oxide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e0910 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hepatocellular carcinoma in Fontan-associated liver disease: Incidence, risk stratification, and surveillance implications en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious complication of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). However, data on its incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in this rare population are limited. We aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of HCC and evaluate the utility of surveillance in patients with FALD.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with FALD who were referred to our gastroenterology department. The cumulative incidence of HCC after FALD diagnosis was calculated, and multivariate analysis was used to identify independent risk factors. Overall survival after FALD diagnosis was compared between patients who developed HCC and those who did not.
Results: A total of 120 patients with FALD were followed up for a median period of 50.0 months. The cumulative incidence rates of HCC at 1, 2, and 3 years after FALD diagnosis were 0.9%, 2.7%, and 3.9%, respectively. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) at FALD diagnosis was independently associated with HCC development (hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.04?1.60; p=0.01). There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with and without HCC in this cohort (log-rank test, p=0.50).
Conclusions: Patients with FALD face a non-negligible risk of developing HCC, thus supporting the need for surveillance. Elevated AFP levels at the time of FALD diagnosis may aid in risk stratification, which enables the targeted monitoring and early detection of HCC. Furthermore, routine surveillance contributes to the excellent prognosis of patients with FALD who develop HCC, thus making their prognosis comparable to that of patients without HCC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OnishiHideki en-aut-sei=Onishi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TohNorihisa en-aut-sei=Toh en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabaKenji en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KotaniYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kotani en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Medical Development Field, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Academic Fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academic Fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academic Fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=alpha-fetoprotein kn-keyword=alpha-fetoprotein en-keyword=FALD kn-keyword=FALD en-keyword=Fontan procedure kn-keyword=Fontan procedure en-keyword=retrospective cohort study kn-keyword=retrospective cohort study en-keyword=risk stratification kn-keyword=risk stratification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e044756 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260203 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Long‐Term Outcomes and Risk Factors for Mortality After Single Ventricle Palliation for Asplenia Syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: This study evaluated the long‐term outcomes of asplenia syndrome with single ventricle palliation, hypothesizing that total anomalous pulmonary vein connection (TAPVC), pulmonary atresia (PA), and greater than or equal to moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation increase mortality risk.
Methods: This retrospective review analyzed 151 patients with asplenia syndrome who underwent single ventricle palliation between 1990 and 2024. The primary end point was mortality, with risk factors assessed by Cox regression analysis over a mean follow‐up of 9.3?years.
Results: The median age at initial operation was 35?days, including 70 neonates (46%). Overall, 62 (41%) patients died, whereas 66 (44%) patients are alive post‐Fontan completion. Survival probabilities at 1 and 20?years were 75.7% (95% CI, 67.9?81.8) and 53.7% (95% CI, 44.5?62.0), respectively. TAPVC (P=0.014), PA (P=0.007), and greater than or equal to moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation (P=0.040) emerged as independent risk factors for mortality in the overall cohort. In the TAPVC cohort, independent risk factors for mortality included PA (P=0.019), infracardiac TAPVC (P=0.045), and neonatal TAPVC repair (P=0.018). When stratified by the risk factors of TAPVC, PA, or greater than or equal to moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation, survival probabilities did not differ between patients with none or 1 of these conditions (P=0.181) but were significantly lower in those with ?2 risk factors (P<0.001, at 15?years: 0, 72.9%; 1, 59.1%; ?2, 32.8%).
Conclusions: Survival after single ventricle palliation for asplenia syndrome remains suboptimal, particularly when TAPVC, PA, and greater than or equal to moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation are present in combination rather than in isolation. Improved strategies or surgical techniques are required for this complex asplenia syndrome cohort. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoShunji en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokudaYuhei en-aut-sei=Tokuda en-aut-mei=Yuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraAyari en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Ayari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=StaffaSteven J. en-aut-sei=Staffa en-aut-mei=Steven J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZurakowskiDavid en-aut-sei=Zurakowski en-aut-mei=David kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KotaniYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kotani en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Showa Medical University Toyosu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=asplenia syndrome kn-keyword=asplenia syndrome en-keyword=atrioventricular valve regurgitation kn-keyword=atrioventricular valve regurgitation en-keyword=heterotaxy kn-keyword=heterotaxy en-keyword=pulmonary atresia kn-keyword=pulmonary atresia en-keyword=total anomalous pulmonary vein kn-keyword=total anomalous pulmonary vein END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=309 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260904 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Marine Brevibacillus-Derived Membrane-Lytic Peptide: Molecular Insight and Biophysical Characterization of a Novel AMP, FNL62-AMP en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study characterizes the genomic identity, functional efficacy, and computational biophysics of FNL62-AMP, a novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from a phylogenomically distinct, newly identified Brevibacillus species. Production kinetics revealed a late-exponential phase onset of antibacterial activity with sustained potency against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). LC-MS/MS analysis identified the peptide sequence as NH2-LLLLFR-COOH. FNL62-AMP demonstrated excellent formulation resilience, retaining full anti-MRSA activity under high thermal stress (80 °C for 6 h) and showing robust resistance to generic trypsin and proteinase K proteolysis. Formulative co-incubation assays demonstrated charge-dependent compatibility, where nonionic Triton X-100 preserved baseline efficacy while ionic surfactants induced antagonism. In vitro time-kill kinetics, scanning electron microscopy, and SYTOX Green assays confirmed rapid, concentration-dependent bactericidal action driven by immediate membrane permeabilization. Molecular dynamics simulations successfully captured the spontaneous self-assembly of 64 FNL62-AMP monomers into a stable macro-aggregate. This consolidation process was quantitatively characterized by a simultaneous contraction in the radius of gyration (Rg), a sharp drop in solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and a transitional plateau in mean squared displacement (MSD). Ultimately, the high thermal stability, structural resilience, and predictable surfactant compatibility of FNL62-AMP propose ways to be developed for lead optimization and druggability. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SermkaewNamfa en-aut-sei=Sermkaew en-aut-mei=Namfa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AtipairinApichart en-aut-sei=Atipairin en-aut-mei=Apichart kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KrobthongSucheewin en-aut-sei=Krobthong en-aut-mei=Sucheewin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AonbangkhenChanat en-aut-sei=Aonbangkhen en-aut-mei=Chanat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YingchutrakulYodying en-aut-sei=Yingchutrakul en-aut-mei=Yodying kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchiyamaJumpei en-aut-sei=Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SongnakaNuttapon en-aut-sei=Songnaka en-aut-mei=Nuttapon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry (CENP), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry (CENP), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= en-keyword=AMP kn-keyword=AMP en-keyword=antimicrobial peptide kn-keyword=antimicrobial peptide en-keyword=antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=Brevibacillus kn-keyword=Brevibacillus en-keyword=FNL62 kn-keyword=FNL62 en-keyword=molecular dynamics simulations kn-keyword=molecular dynamics simulations en-keyword=MRSA kn-keyword=MRSA en-keyword=Staphylococcus aureus kn-keyword=Staphylococcus aureus en-keyword=self-aggregation kn-keyword=self-aggregation en-keyword=genome kn-keyword=genome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=466 end-page=477 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260905 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Real-Time Estimation of Temperature Field and Thermal Displacement in Machine Tool Linear Motion Systems Using Servo Data en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Heat generated in machine tools during operation causes thermal deformation and deteriorates machining accuracy. To suppress thermal deformation and the resulting displacement, strategies such as reducing heat generation, cooling machine elements that generate heat, and compensating for thermal displacement are generally adopted. However, existing methods for estimating and compensating for thermal deformation and displacement can only be adopted in limited situations. In particular, there are few reports on real-time estimation methods that take into account moving parts and actual machine operating conditions. For high-accuracy machining, it is important to understand the temperature field and the associated displacement. In this study, real-time estimation of the temperature field and displacement is carried out on a test apparatus equipped with a ball screw drive system and a linear guideway system. In the estimation process, heat generation values are first calculated from servo data corresponding to the machine operation. Using these calculated values, the temperature field is then derived through the finite volume method. Finally, the thermal displacement is obtained from the temperature field using a simplified estimation method. The results are validated by comparison with experimental data and with results from commercial finite element method software, demonstrating the effectiveness and real-time performance of the proposed approach. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoRyoji en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhashiKazuhito en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Kazuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=YASDA PRECISION TOOLS K.K. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=machine tool kn-keyword=machine tool en-keyword=finite volume method kn-keyword=finite volume method en-keyword=temperature field kn-keyword=temperature field en-keyword=thermal displacement kn-keyword=thermal displacement en-keyword=real-time estimation kn-keyword=real-time estimation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=26394 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260530 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cold SiO2-rich slabs reaching the CMB revealed by the seifertite phase boundary en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A cold silica (SiO2)-rich subducted slab creates notable heterogeneity above the core-mantle boundary (CMB), influencing the evolution of the Earth’s mantle. This slab may exhibit characteristic anomalies in the longitudinal and shear wave seismic velocity above the CMB, attributed to the SiO2 phase transition into its dense polymorph, seifertite. However, the transition depth remains unclear due to the often-observed metastable phases in experiments. To address this long-standing challenge, we conducted laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments with synchronised rapid X-ray diffraction measurements alongside theoretical calculations. The slope of the seifertite phase boundary was less steep than previously estimated, and consequently, the temperature profile of the slab crosses the boundary twice, like the post-perovskite transition. We observed a decrease in shear wave velocity beneath Hawaii and Central America, and we found anti-correlation in seismic wave velocities matching the depth range of the seifertite transition in a cold slab beneath Central America. This may provide evidence that a cold SiO2-rich slab descends towards the CMB. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SinmyoRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sinmyo en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Kawaguchi-ImadaSaori en-aut-sei=Kawaguchi-Imada en-aut-mei=Saori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRei en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Rei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsuruKeisuke en-aut-sei=Otsuru en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiKenji en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakumaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Sakuma en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SueharaShigeru en-aut-sei=Suehara en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaitaniShuhou en-aut-sei=Maitani en-aut-mei=Shuhou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Earth and Planetary Science, School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Environmental Circulation Composite Materials Group, National Institute for Materials Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Environmental Circulation Composite Materials Group, National Institute for Materials Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Physics, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=1093 end-page=1101 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260624 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Breast ultrasound screening in young adult women undergoing infertility treatment at an infertility clinic: a retrospective observational study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Young adult women are increasingly undergoing infertility treatment; however, evidence regarding breast cancer screening in this population remains limited. Given that most women in this age group have dense breast tissue, for which mammography has limited sensitivity, breast ultrasound (US) is often used as a screening modality. A diagnosis of breast cancer during infertility treatment may affect both oncologic management and reproductive planning. This study aimed to examine the clinical relevance of breast US in women in their 30s undergoing infertility treatment at an infertility clinic.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1,336 women aged 30?39 years who underwent screening breast US between November 1, 2018, and June 30, 2025. Analyses were performed on a per-woman basis, including only the first screening examination for each participant. Breast composition was categorized according to the BI-RADS 5th edition Atlas. Screening outcomes?including recall rate, positive predictive value (PPV), cancer detection rate, and US findings (mass and non-mass findings)?were assessed using medical records. The continuation of infertility treatment, defined as ongoing or resumed treatment during the diagnostic evaluation period, was descriptively evaluated as part of the clinical context.
Results Of the 1,336 women, 1,277 (95.6%) were classified as having dense breasts. A total of 140 (10.5%) women were recalled for further evaluation. In these recalled cases, 147 findings were identified, comprising 113 mass lesions (76.8%) and 34 non-mass findings (23.1%). Four breast cancers were identified, corresponding to a cancer detection rate of 0.30% and a PPV of 2.86%. Histological diagnoses included one mucinous carcinoma, two invasive carcinomas of no special type (NST), and one ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Following diagnostic evaluation, 124 recalled women (88.6%) continued infertility treatment.
Conclusions Breast US screening in women in their 30s undergoing infertility treatment provides descriptive findings within a specific clinical setting. The observed cancer detection rate appears to be within the range reported in previous studies; however, direct comparisons are limited due to differences in study populations and clinical contexts. The clinical course following recall was described as part of the screening pathway. Further prospective and multicenter studies are required to clarify the clinical significance of breast US screening in this population. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakanoKanako en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShienTadahiko en-aut-sei=Shien en-aut-mei=Tadahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiharaHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Doihara en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYuko en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaReina en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Reina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SajiMarie en-aut-sei=Saji en-aut-mei=Marie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirataRei en-aut-sei=Hirata en-aut-mei=Rei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YukawaMotomi en-aut-sei=Yukawa en-aut-mei=Motomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkudaShizuka en-aut-sei=Okuda en-aut-mei=Shizuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoMiyu en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HabaraToshihiro en-aut-sei=Habara en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiNobuyoshi en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Nobuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama Couple’s Clinic Women’s Health Checkup Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Senior Embryologist, Okayama Couple’s Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama Couple’s Clinic Women’s Health Checkup Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama Couple’s Clinic Women’s Health Checkup Center kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Okayama Couple’s Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Reproductive Medicine, Okayama Couple’s Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Reproductive Medicine, Okayama Couple’s Clinic kn-affil= en-keyword=Breast ultrasonography kn-keyword=Breast ultrasonography en-keyword=Infertility treatment kn-keyword=Infertility treatment en-keyword=Women in their 30s kn-keyword=Women in their 30s en-keyword=Breast cancer screening kn-keyword=Breast cancer screening en-keyword=Multidisciplinary care kn-keyword=Multidisciplinary care END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=781 end-page=791 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202512 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Chronic fluoxetine modulates perineuronal nets and inhibitory neuronal function in relation to behavioral outcomes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Chronic fluoxetine administration has been reported to enhance neural plasticity in the adult brain, but the underlying structural correlates remain incompletely understood. In particular, the impact of fluoxetine on aggrecan-positive perineuronal nets (PNNs)?critical regulators of plasticity?is largely unknown. We investigated whether chronic fluoxetine treatment (20?mg/kg/day, i.p., 21 days) alters behavior and PNN expression in adult male C57BL/6?N mice. Behavioral assessments included grip strength, hot plate, light/dark transition, elevated plus-maze, open field, Y-maze, social interaction, tail suspension, Porsolt forced swim, and passive avoidance tests. To evaluate structural plasticity, we performed immunohistochemical analyses of parvalbumin (PV)-positive neurons and PNNs using aggrecan-specific antibodies (Cat-315, AB1031) in the primary somatosensory cortex and hippocampus. Fluoxetine-treated mice exhibited increased exploration and reduced anxiety-like behavior in light/dark transition and elevated plus-maze tests, with no significant changes in grip strength or nociception. They also showed increased locomotor activity (distance and entries) in the Y-maze, but did not significantly alter spontaneous alternation performance, and increased social interaction, the latter possibly reflecting abnormal social behavior. No significant differences were observed in depression-like behavior as assessed by tail suspension and forced swim tests. Passive avoidance performance was impaired, suggesting a decline in cognitive function. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant reduction in aggrecan-positive PNN density, particularly in layer 4 of the primary somatosensory cortex and in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Our results indicate that chronic fluoxetine administration induces behavioral and structural changes indicative of reactivated neuroplasticity. Importantly, these changes are associated with a region- and layer-specific reduction of aggrecan-positive PNNs, underscoring their critical role in modulating adult cortical plasticity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UenoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitanoEriko en-aut-sei=Kitano en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriSachiko en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiShinji en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaniKenta en-aut-sei=Wani en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYosuke en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoMotoi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Motoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=Fluoxetine kn-keyword=Fluoxetine en-keyword=Neuroplasticity kn-keyword=Neuroplasticity en-keyword=Perineuronal nets kn-keyword=Perineuronal nets en-keyword=Aggrecan kn-keyword=Aggrecan en-keyword=Parvalbumin kn-keyword=Parvalbumin en-keyword=Behavior kn-keyword=Behavior END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=1287 end-page=1293 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250604 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Guidance on the short hydration method for cisplatin administration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cisplatin is currently used as the central agent in several cancer chemotherapy protocols because of its broad antitumor spectrum and potent antitumor effects; however, preventing cisplatin-induced renal damage and other adverse events is challenging. Recently, several clinical studies have shown that a short hydration method could prevent cisplatin-induced renal damage. In addition, appropriate magnesium supplementation and administration of forced diuretics have been shown to be renoprotective. The Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines Committee has summarized the evidence of renal protection regarding cisplatin administration to provide optimal administration guidance for the cisplatin short hydration method. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NinomiyaKiichiro en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Kiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunimasaKei en-aut-sei=Kunimasa en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurataYasuko en-aut-sei=Kurata en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYuki en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisakaYasuhito en-aut-sei=Fujisaka en-aut-mei=Yasuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Oncology, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=QST Hospital, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Cisplatin kn-keyword=Cisplatin en-keyword=Short hydration kn-keyword=Short hydration en-keyword=Magnesium supplementation kn-keyword=Magnesium supplementation en-keyword=Forced diuretics kn-keyword=Forced diuretics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=720 end-page=738 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260320 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effects of pressure on immiscibility in metallic, core‐forming liquids: Implications for protoplanetary differentiation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Mechanisms for metal core formation in rocky planetesimals and planetary embryos remain poorly constrained, in part due to complexities arising from immiscibility in core-forming liquids at low pressures. To assess the pressure dependence of immiscibility and its role in protoplanetary differentiation, we performed experiments at 3 and 5?GPa in the system Fe0.9Ni0.1?+?S, P, C. Immiscibility arises due to the highly non-ideal nature of light element mixing in Fe liquids, and results in separation of Fe-rich (S-depleted, C-rich, P-rich) and FeS-rich (S-rich, C-rich, P-depleted) liquids. For a broad range of core-forming liquid compositions, a miscibility gap is only present at pressures <5?GPa. With increasing pressure, the behavior of complex systems converges on that of the Fe-S-C ternary, although S-P-C interactions continue to influence metal liquid compositions and stability. Comparison with planetary core compositions derived from meteorite data suggests that immiscibility can play a significant role during melting in planetesimals, and up to medium-sized planetary embryos. In turn, the importance of immiscibility during differentiation depends on the extent of melting, mechanisms for core formation, and corollary degree of light element loss from planetary bodies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BromileyGeoffrey David en-aut-sei=Bromiley en-aut-mei=Geoffrey David kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerasakiHidenori en-aut-sei=Terasaki en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VarnamMatthew en-aut-sei=Varnam en-aut-mei=Matthew kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=38 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=e70259 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Marine flatworms as windows into the evolution of bilaterian neuropeptide signalling en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The evolutionary origin(s) of neuropeptide signalling is still largely unknown. It has been hypothesised that signal transmission via neuropeptides played a crucial role in the regulation of nervous systems in the bilaterian ancestor. Identification, expression and functional analyses of neuropeptides and their receptors across different taxonomic groups are important for better understanding the origin(s) of bilaterian neuropeptide signalling. An example is flatworms belonging to the Platyhelminthes (spiralian protostomes) and Xenacoelomorpha (sister to all Bilateria or sister to Ambulacraria). Despite their simple morphology (i.e., a body plan lacking a coelom and circulatory system), they often possess brain-like central nervous systems and a number of bilaterian-conserved neuropeptides. This feature makes them useful models for analyses of neuropeptides and their links to nervous systems. Although previous studies have revealed orthologous relationships between vertebrate neuropeptides and those found in both marine Platyhelminthes and Xenacoelomorpha, our work suggests possible ancestral functions of vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT) peptides (platytocin) in these groups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMayuko en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BaillyXavier en-aut-sei=Bailly en-aut-mei=Xavier kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoHirotaka en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Multicellular Marine Models Team, CNRS ? Sorbonne University ? Station Biologique de Roscoff kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Neuropeptide kn-keyword=Neuropeptide en-keyword=Nervous system evolution kn-keyword=Nervous system evolution en-keyword=Platyhelminthes kn-keyword=Platyhelminthes en-keyword=Xenacoelomorpha kn-keyword=Xenacoelomorpha END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=59 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=104678 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2027 dt-pub=202701 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of correcting beam hardening and detector response function in photon-counting X-ray imaging when using anti-coincidence mode en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=X-ray imaging using photon-counting detectors (PCDs) allows for the calculation of quantitative images such as the effective atomic number (?eff). However, physical phenomena such as characteristic X-ray emission and charge sharing can cause incomplete total absorption events during signal generation, which reduces the accuracy of X-ray penetration analysis. To solve the problem, an anti-coincidence mode (ACM) has been developed, but complete correction has not been established. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of ?eff image when the proposed software-based corrections, namely beam hardening and response function corrections, are added to the hardware-based correction of the ACM. The response function was calculated using the Monte-Carlo simulation code. In a simulation study, we analyzed a phantom composed of virtual materials with ?eff values of 4?16. While sufficient accuracy cannot be achieved by applying only the ACM, it was demonstrated that low-noise ?eff images can be obtained by applying our correction. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that ?eff images of food samples can be generated by using actual non-destructive testing equipment with a 10?m/min transportation speed. In conclusion, our correction procedure can maximize the performance of PCDs, and our findings are essential for promoting imaging techniques concerning quantitative images. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigamiRina en-aut-sei=Nishigami en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaiki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasueTakuya en-aut-sei=Kasue en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoNatsumi en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Asahara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=X-ray non-destructive testing kn-keyword=X-ray non-destructive testing en-keyword=Photon-counting detector kn-keyword=Photon-counting detector en-keyword=Coincidence summing kn-keyword=Coincidence summing en-keyword=CdTe detector kn-keyword=CdTe detector en-keyword=X-ray imaging kn-keyword=X-ray imaging END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=134 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=676 end-page=681 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260901 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of chitosan/apatite composite particles with core?shell structure en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, a novel sequential preparation process of core?shell particles with chitosan (CS) cores and hydroxyapatite (HAp) shells is presented. This process involved the formation of phosphorylated CS particles, followed by HAp precipitation. Importantly, the precipitation of HAp on the surface of phosphorylated CS was confirmed. Different CaCl2 concentrations during the HAp precipitation step resulted in different HAp contents in the particles. To confirm the formation of the core?shell structure, the particles were immersed in hydrochloric acid (pH 2) for 5, 10, and 30 min. Notably, samples with higher HAp content (59 wt % and 84 wt %) retained their core morphology after 30 min of immersion, whereas samples with lower HAp content (28 wt %) rapidly lost their morphology. These results indicate that higher HAp content contributes to improved morphological stability under acidic conditions, leading to the formation of more stable core?shell particles. Overall, these findings clarify the role of phosphorylated CS in inducing HAp precipitation and show that the proposed preparation process leads to the formation of CS/HAp core?shell structures. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KataokaTakuya en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaRyo en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiEiji en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiokaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Phosphorylated chitosan kn-keyword=Phosphorylated chitosan en-keyword=Hydroxyapatite kn-keyword=Hydroxyapatite en-keyword=Core?shell particles kn-keyword=Core?shell particles en-keyword=Inorganic/organic composite material kn-keyword=Inorganic/organic composite material en-keyword=Structural characteristics kn-keyword=Structural characteristics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=8291 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260703 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Water exchange process and bulk composition regulate slab dynamics and deep earthquakes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water strongly influences deep mantle processes, including geochemical cycles, slab dynamics, and deep-focus earthquakes. Yet the stability and interactions of hydrous minerals with nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) under the water-undersaturated conditions of subducting slabs remain unclear. Here we show, using high-pressure and high-temperature experiments on MgO?SiO2?H2O systems (~2?wt% H2O), that hydrous minerals progressively dehydrate in the mantle transition zone, transferring water to NAMs such as wadsleyite and ringwoodite, while the cold slab core stays nearly dry. Rapid dehydration near the top of the lower mantle may generate fluids linked to the deepest earthquakes. Our results indicate that dry olivine transformations, rather than dehydration embrittlement, likely trigger most deep-focus earthquakes, and that hydration variations in NAMs influence slab deformation and stagnation above 660?km. The bulk Mg/Si ratio controls hydrous mineral stability, suggesting harzburgite transports water more efficiently than peridotite. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhuJintao en-aut-sei=Zhu en-aut-mei=Jintao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaoRenbiao en-aut-sei=Tao en-aut-mei=Renbiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangLifei en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Lifei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=SKLab-DeepMinE, MOEKLab-OBCE, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=44 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260622 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of a preoperative accuracy prediction model using machine learning for implant placement in static-guided surgery: retrospective observational study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose This study aimed to develop a machine learning model capable of preoperatively predicting three-dimensional implant placement errors at the implant apex in static-guided surgery and to identify the clinical features associated with placement accuracy.
Methods Clinical data partially derived from a previous observational study were analyzed. In total, 181 patients and 480 implants placed using fully static-guided surgery were included in this study. The outcome variable was defined as three-dimensional implant placement error at the implant apex relative to the preoperative simulation, dichotomized as less than 0.5 mm or ??0.5 mm. Twenty-one clinical and radiographic factors previously suggested to influence the placement accuracy were used as explanatory variables. The feature importance was evaluated using three gradient boosting decision tree models. Furthermore, a stacking model combining multiple classifiers was constructed, and the classification performance was assessed using ten-fold cross-validation.
Results The feature importance analysis identified 12 features associated with implant placement errors. The stacking model demonstrated superior classification performance compared to individual classifiers. The true positive rate was 0.73, false negative rate was 0.27, false positive rate was 0.14, and true negative rate was 0.86.
Conclusions The proposed stacking model correctly classified 86% of cases with implant placement error less than 0.5 mm and 73% of cases with implant placement error of ??0.5 mm. These findings suggest that the proposed model may support the preoperative evaluation of implant placement accuracy in static-guided surgeries. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MinoTakuya en-aut-sei=Mino en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaYurina en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Yurina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorookaKen’ichi en-aut-sei=Morooka en-aut-mei=Ken’ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumotoKana en-aut-sei=Tokumoto en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuHiroaki en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurosakiYoko en-aut-sei=Kurosaki en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=Kimura-OnoAya en-aut-sei=Kimura-Ono en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoHiromitsu en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Hiromitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubokiTakuo en-aut-sei=Kuboki en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaekawaKenji en-aut-sei=Maekawa en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, School of Dentistry, Osaka Dental University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Semiconductor, Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Shimizu Dental Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, School of Dentistry, Osaka Dental University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, School of Dentistry, Osaka Dental University kn-affil= en-keyword=Implant placement kn-keyword=Implant placement en-keyword=Accuracy kn-keyword=Accuracy en-keyword=Surgical guide kn-keyword=Surgical guide en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning en-keyword=Prediction algorithms kn-keyword=Prediction algorithms en-keyword=Decision trees kn-keyword=Decision trees en-keyword=Support vector machine kn-keyword=Support vector machine en-keyword=Sensitivity and specificity kn-keyword=Sensitivity and specificity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=112 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=102428 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Adaptive oligodendrogenesis regulates blood-hypothalamus barrier permeability, hypothalamic glucose sensing and systemic glucose homeostasis in male mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: Brain glucose sensing is critical for survival during hypoglycaemia, yet how glucose-sensing neurons access circulating glucose concentrations to maintain glucose homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that adult oligodendrogenesis in the median eminence (ME) is responsive to changes in blood glucose levels and contributes to hypothalamic glucose sensing through regulation of the blood-hypothalamus barrier.
Methods: We used glycemic challenges and hypoinsulinaemic clamp studies to identify the effect of systemic changes in glycaemia on hypothalamic oligodendrocyte lineage cells. We used conditional knockout mouse models to dissect the respective contributions of adult oligodendrogenesis and new myelin formation to glucose homeostasis in adult male mice. Analyses combined immunofluorescence, serial electron microscopy, whole-brain tissue clearing, and transcriptomic analyses.
Results: We found that adult oligodendrogenesis in the median eminence (ME) is modulated by changes in circulating glucose levels and rapidly upregulated by hypoglycaemia. Genetic blockade of new oligodendrocyte production in adult male mice impairs the regulation of glucose homeostasis, the integrity of the ME blood-hypothalamus barrier, and hypothalamic glucose sensing. Unexpectedly, functional integrity of adult-formed myelin is not required for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Instead, we show that blockade of adult oligodendrogenesis disrupts hypothalamic expression of A disintegrin and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS4), a metallopeptidase whose brain expression is restricted to the oligodendrocyte lineage and whose ME expression requires ongoing adult oligodendrogenesis. We show that ADAMTS4 regulates hypothalamic perineuronal net deposition, vascular permeability and glucose sensing. Finally, we show that ME ADAMTS4 expression is regulated by changes in peripheral glycaemia and is dysregulated in diabetes, providing a mechanism by which ME oligodendrocytes contribute to the regulation of glucose homeostasis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BullerSophie en-aut-sei=Buller en-aut-mei=Sophie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=StaricoffEmily O. en-aut-sei=Staricoff en-aut-mei=Emily O. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RichesChristine en-aut-sei=Riches en-aut-mei=Christine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsangAnthony en-aut-sei=Tsang en-aut-mei=Anthony kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GiavaraGiada en-aut-sei=Giavara en-aut-mei=Giada kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JosipovicMasa en-aut-sei=Josipovic en-aut-mei=Masa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkemuraKentaro en-aut-sei=Ikemura en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OpokuGabriel en-aut-sei=Opoku en-aut-mei=Gabriel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=StenzelSaskia en-aut-sei=Stenzel en-aut-mei=Saskia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NayarStuart G. en-aut-sei=Nayar en-aut-mei=Stuart G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ramos VegaMarta en-aut-sei=Ramos Vega en-aut-mei=Marta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=Hecksher-S?rensenJacob en-aut-sei=Hecksher-S?rensen en-aut-mei=Jacob kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TimmlerSebastian en-aut-sei=Timmler en-aut-mei=Sebastian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=DowsettGeorgina K.C. en-aut-sei=Dowsett en-aut-mei=Georgina K.C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=LamBrian Y.H. en-aut-sei=Lam en-aut-mei=Brian Y.H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=YeoGiles S.H. en-aut-sei=Yeo en-aut-mei=Giles S.H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=AlongeKimberly M. en-aut-sei=Alonge en-aut-mei=Kimberly M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiHuiliang en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Huiliang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=RichardsonWilliam D. en-aut-sei=Richardson en-aut-mei=William D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=EvansMark L. en-aut-sei=Evans en-aut-mei=Mark L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=BlouetClemence en-aut-sei=Blouet en-aut-mei=Clemence kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=GUBRA kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=GUBRA kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Diabetes Institute, University of Washington kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge kn-affil= en-keyword=Oligodendrogenesis kn-keyword=Oligodendrogenesis en-keyword=Median eminence kn-keyword=Median eminence en-keyword=Blood-hypothalamus barrier kn-keyword=Blood-hypothalamus barrier en-keyword=ADAMTS4 kn-keyword=ADAMTS4 en-keyword=Glucose sensing kn-keyword=Glucose sensing en-keyword=Hypoglycaemia kn-keyword=Hypoglycaemia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=e70502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260420 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=UNC45B Reduction With Aging: A Myofiber-Intrinsic Promoting Factor for Sarcopenia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Skeletal muscle mass and force decline with age, and the loss of muscle force precedes muscle atrophy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of the myosin co-chaperone, uncoordinated mutant number-45 myosin chaperone B (UNC45B), in regulating muscle mass and force. UNC45B expression decreased in mouse gastrocnemius muscle with age, particularly at 24?months old, and adeno-associated virus vector-mediated knockdown of Unc45b in 3-month-old mouse triceps surae muscle first reduced plantar flexor torque and then decreased gastrocnemius muscle mass. In addition, Unc45b knockdown in the triceps surae muscle resulted in lower bone mineral density. While maximum Ca2+-activated force in mechanically skinned fibers was not affected by Unc45b knockdown, Unc45b knockdown decreased the ratio of depolarization-induced force to the maximum Ca2+-activated force. We established tamoxifen-inducible skeletal muscle-specific Unc45b knockout (Unc45b imKO) mice to investigate whether the muscle atrophy and weakness due to the loss of Unc45b impacts metabolism and behavior. We found that Unc45b imKO reduced muscle mass and force at a whole-body level, but did not influence systemic glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or the respiratory exchange ratio. However, Unc45b imKO mice reduced the amount of deeper non-rapid eye movement sleep, locomotor activity, and body temperature during the sleep phase. We conclude that UNC45B is essential for maintaining fast-twitch muscle mass and muscle force. In addition, Unc45b deficiency-mediated muscle loss is also associated with bone fragility, decreased body temperature, and impaired sleep quality. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MishimaTaiga en-aut-sei=Mishima en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagamuneTaiga en-aut-sei=Nagamune en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaSaori en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Saori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeDaiki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokudaNao en-aut-sei=Tokuda en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaTakashi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=Hashimoto‐HachiyaAkiko en-aut-sei=Hashimoto‐Hachiya en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=Higo‐YamamotoSayaka en-aut-sei=Higo‐Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidoKohei en-aut-sei=Kido en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nagaoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedoAoi en-aut-sei=Ikedo en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImaiYuuki en-aut-sei=Imai en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaRyo en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoSeiya en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Seiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiSatoru en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OishiKatsutaka en-aut-sei=Oishi en-aut-mei=Katsutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AtoSatoru en-aut-sei=Ato en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgasawaraRiki en-aut-sei=Ogasawara en-aut-mei=Riki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Sport and Health Sciences, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Dental School, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Division of Integrative Pathophysiology, Proteo‐Science Center, PIAS, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Division of Integrative Pathophysiology, Proteo‐Science Center, PIAS, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Division of Regenerative Medicine, Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Faculty of Medical Science, Nippon Sport Science University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= en-keyword=chaperone kn-keyword=chaperone en-keyword=muscle atrophy kn-keyword=muscle atrophy en-keyword=muscle force kn-keyword=muscle force en-keyword=sarcopenia kn-keyword=sarcopenia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=27 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1178 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260123 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Chloride-Transporting OsHKT1;1 Splice Variants and Their Expression Profiles Under Salinity Stress in Rice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=OsHKT1;1, a member of the high-affinity K+ transporter (HKT) family, plays a key role in Na+ homeostasis and salinity tolerance in rice. In our previous study, multiple potential OsHKT1;1 splicing variants were identified, as well as the full-length (FL) OsHKT1;1 transcript from the salt-tolerant rice Pokkali. However, most previous studies focused solely on the full-length protein, leaving the transport functions of splice variants largely unexamined. In this study, we focused on the splice variant OsHKT1;1-V2 and compared its function and gene expression with those of OsHKT1;1-FL. Two-electrode voltage clamp experiments using Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed that the 1st start codon of OsHKT1;1-V2 is functional to exhibit bidirectional currents in bath solutions containing NaCl. Unlike the Na+-selective feature of OsHKT1;1-FL, OsHKT1;1-V2 primarily mediated Cl? transport with weak Na+ selectivity, which was supported by the higher Cl? accumulation in OsHKT1;1-V2?expressing oocytes. Subcellular localization analyses using oocytes and Arabidopsis mesophyll cells indicated plasma membrane localization of OsHKT1;1-V2, similar to OsHKT1;1-FL. Functional assays using a yeast mutant further indicated that OsHKT1;1-FL, but not OsHKT1;1-V2, mediates Na+ uptake. The same OsHKT1;1 variants were identified in the japonica cultivar Nipponbare, and OsHKT1;1-V2 of the cultivar showed Cl? transport properties similar to the one from Pokkali. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed higher abundance of OsHKT1;1-FL transcripts in Nipponbare than in Pokkali with markedly lower OsHKT1;1-V2 levels in Pokkali under salt stress. This study provides a new insight into HKT-mediated ion homeostasis under salinity stress. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ImranShahin en-aut-sei=Imran en-aut-mei=Shahin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoShuntaro en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Shuntaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieRie en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuharaMaki en-aut-sei=Katsuhara en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieTomoaki en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki 710-0046, Okayama, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= en-keyword=heterologous expression systems kn-keyword=heterologous expression systems en-keyword=Na+ selectivity kn-keyword=Na+ selectivity en-keyword=Cl? selectivity kn-keyword=Cl? selectivity en-keyword=rice kn-keyword=rice END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=e70089 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Species‐specific roles of cellular communication network proteins in cartilage development: A comparative study using in vitro chondrogenic models en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cellular communication network (CCN) proteins are key matricellular regulators of cartilage development, yet their species-specific roles and network-level context remain unclear. This study integrated bulk RNA sequencing from chicken and mouse embryonic limb bud micromass cultures and human mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis with co-expression, protein?protein interaction, and ortholog analyses to construct CCN-centered regulatory networks across models. CCN1 and CCN2 emerged as dominant, conserved hubs enriched in collagen-containing extracellular matrix, cartilage development, and growth factor signaling modules, whereas CCN3?CCN6 showed lower context-dependent expression and connectivity. Functional and ortholog analyses revealed moderate pathway conservation, with high conservation of IGF, EGFR, and HIF-1 signaling, but reduced overlap in hypoxia and mechanosensing/Hippo categories, indicating species-specific tuning of environmental sensing. A focused ortholog screen identified multifunctional conserved hubs, including COL2A1, TGFBR1, SMAD3, RUNX2, HIF1A, IGF1, SPP1, and CD44. Single-cell RNA-seq meta-analysis of human iPSC-derived chondrogenesis and embryonic limb datasets showed CCN1/2 expression and homologous network activity peaking in mesenchymal and early chondrocyte populations, consistent with model-dependent persistence into hypertrophic and ossification stages in vivo. Overall, this work defines a conserved CCN1/2-centered axis integrating extracellular matrix formation with growth factor and mechanical cues, providing a framework for model selection and CCN-targeted cartilage regeneration strategies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangZhangzheng en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Zhangzheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=V?g?Judit en-aut-sei=V?g? en-aut-mei=Judit kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Tak?csRoland en-aut-sei=Tak?cs en-aut-mei=Roland kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=P?liskaSzil?rd en-aut-sei=P?liska en-aut-mei=Szil?rd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimEe Hyun en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Ee Hyun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JinEun‐Jung en-aut-sei=Jin en-aut-mei=Eun‐Jung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KleerCelina G en-aut-sei=Kleer en-aut-mei=Celina G kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=PerbalBernard en-aut-sei=Perbal en-aut-mei=Bernard kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MattaCsaba en-aut-sei=Matta en-aut-mei=Csaba kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatics Core Facility Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Materials Science Graduate School of JABA, Wonkwang University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Materials Science Graduate School of JABA, Wonkwang University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=International CCN Society kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen kn-affil= en-keyword=cartilage regeneration kn-keyword=cartilage regeneration en-keyword=CCN kn-keyword=CCN en-keyword=chondrogenesis kn-keyword=chondrogenesis en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=regulatory network kn-keyword=regulatory network en-keyword=transcriptomics kn-keyword=transcriptomics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=103553 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Patient-centred communication in radiographer education: A five-country comparative document analysis of curriculum and competency standards en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Patient-centred communication is fundamental to radiographic practice, particularly when patients experience anxiety or uncertainty during imaging or treatment. However, it remains unclear whether broad communication expectations in radiography education and professional standards are translated into explicit, observable behaviours and integrated into education and assessment. This comparative document analysis examined the representation of patient-centred communication in selected national-level documents from five countries, using listening-related behaviours as an illustrative example.
Methods: Selected national-level curriculum, accreditation, registration, capability, and competency documents from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan were analysed deductively using a predefined extraction framework. The framework assessed communication competence, listening-related behaviours, patient-centred care, patient/family relationships, interprofessional collaboration, education, and assessment.
Results: Communication was addressed in all five selected national-level document sets, although institutional framing differed. It was framed as a professional competency or capability in the United Kingdom and Australia, a role-based competency framework in Canada, clinical competency and accreditation requirements in the United States, and primarily as curriculum content in Japan. Explicit observable behavioural expectations, such as listening-related behaviours, were uncommon. Listening was explicitly defined only in the Australian capability standards; elsewhere, it was represented indirectly through broader concepts, such as patient interaction, information gathering, and interpersonal communication.
Conclusion: The selected documents differed in the explicitness, structure, and educational integration of communication-related standards, without implying differences in education quality or clinical outcomes. Defining patient-centred communication through observable behaviours may strengthen alignment among professional expectations, learning outcomes, feedback, and assessment.
Implications for practice: Operationalising patient-centred communication as observable behaviours may enhance curriculum mapping, feedback, and assessment in radiographer education. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KomatsuY. en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChikamotoY. en-aut-sei=Chikamoto en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukanoK. en-aut-sei=Tsukano en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeS. en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsudouS. en-aut-sei=Tsudou en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoY. en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeY. en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Independent Researcher kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Yokohama Rosai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Jikei University of Health Care Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Jikei University of Health Care Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Radiographer education kn-keyword=Radiographer education en-keyword=Patient-centred communication kn-keyword=Patient-centred communication en-keyword=Listening kn-keyword=Listening en-keyword=Competency standards kn-keyword=Competency standards en-keyword=Curriculum standards kn-keyword=Curriculum standards en-keyword=Document analysis kn-keyword=Document analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=44 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260511 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=GWAS and Candidate Gene Prediction of Elemental Accumulation Traits in Rice Using a Multiparental Population en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rice plants accumulate essential elements to sustain physiological processes during growth and development and to ensure the nutritional quality of the grain as a food source. However, the genetic basis of elemental accumulation and the interrelationships among elemental concentrations across different tissues remain poorly understood. To conduct breeding aimed at improving the absorption characteristics of multiple interrelated elements, genetic analysis using experimental populations that retain diversity while sharing the genetic background of cultivated varieties is effective. Here we show genetic variations in the concentrations of 13 elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in rice straw at the flowering stage and grain at the mature stage using a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population that derived from eight cultivars including both Japonica and Indica. Comprehensive evaluation of the correlation coefficients revealed divergences in the association between grain and straw for several combinations of elements. Haplotype-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 51 and 53 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in straw and grain, respectively. In total, the 104 QTLs were grouped into 19 clusters and 60 independent QTLs. By leveraging the haplotype information from the MAGIC population, 52 candidate genes associated with the accumulation of Ca, Mg, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mo were efficiently predicted from these QTLs, including both previously reported and novel genes. Among them, OsMOT1;1 encoding a molybdenum transporter, was predicted to be within a QTL associated with Mo accumulation in grain on chromosome 8. OsACA9, a homolog of autoinhibited Ca??-ATPases, was predicted within a QTL related to Ca accumulation in straw on chromosome 2. In addition, an unidentified gene, OsCML6, which is presumed to be involved in calcium signaling, was predicted to be a candidate for a Ca-accumulation QTL on chromosome 11. These findings offer insights into haplotypes and putative genes associated with element accumulation and trait interrelationships, providing valuable information for optimizing plant growth and enhancing grain nutritional quality in rice breeding programs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangQian en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Qian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KashiharaKazunari en-aut-sei=Kashihara en-aut-mei=Kazunari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonemaruJunichi en-aut-sei=Yonemaru en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaJian Feng en-aut-sei=Ma en-aut-mei=Jian Feng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoToshio en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Center for Agricultural Information Technology, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Rice kn-keyword=Rice en-keyword=Oryza sativa L. kn-keyword=Oryza sativa L. en-keyword=Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross population kn-keyword=Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross population en-keyword=Element accumulation kn-keyword=Element accumulation en-keyword=GWAS kn-keyword=GWAS en-keyword=QTL kn-keyword=QTL END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=139 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=255 end-page=265 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Knockout of a single aquaporin, OsPIP2;4, decreases root water permeability in rice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that facilitate water transport and are present in nearly all bacterial, animal, and plant cells. In plants, AQPs are classified into four or more subfamilies, with plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) playing a key role in root water uptake and cellular water regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that PIPs contribute to root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) in various plant species. In this study, we examined the specific role of OsPIP2;4, one of the PIP-type aquaporins among 11 rice (Oryza sativa) PIP2s, in regulating Lpr. Transgenic rice plants, including OsPIP2;4-knockout (KO) and overexpressing (Ox) lines, were used for this investigation. Two independent KO lines, generated via the CRISPR-Cas9 system and T-DNA insertion mutagenesis, respectively, showed significantly lower Lpr compared to wild-type rice plants. The decrease in Lpr in the T-DNA KO line was associated with reduced OsPIP2;4 transcript levels, measured by real-time PCR, and lower OsPIP2;4 protein levels, as shown by immunohistochemical analysis. Conversely, no notable increase in Lpr was observed in the Ox lines. These results suggest that OsPIP2;4 is expressed in appropriate tissues in rice roots and is a key factor influencing Lpr. This research represents a significant step toward further understanding the physiological functions of OsPIP2;4 in rice. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OnishiAya en-aut-sei=Onishi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieTomoaki en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshitsukaRyo en-aut-sei=Ishitsuka en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasanoShizuka en-aut-sei=Sasano en-aut-mei=Shizuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieRie en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitoYunosuke en-aut-sei=Mito en-aut-mei=Yunosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsugiShigeko en-aut-sei=Utsugi en-aut-mei=Shigeko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaJunko en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MahdiehMajid en-aut-sei=Mahdieh en-aut-mei=Majid kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuharaMaki en-aut-sei=Katsuhara en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute of Crop Science, NARO kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=PIP aquaporin kn-keyword=PIP aquaporin en-keyword=Rice kn-keyword=Rice en-keyword=Root hydraulic conductivity kn-keyword=Root hydraulic conductivity en-keyword=Root pressure chamber kn-keyword=Root pressure chamber END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=146 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=864 end-page=876 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260901 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Optimization of Smart Grid Operation Considering Diverse Electricity Consumption Patterns kn-title=多様な電力消費形態を考慮したスマートグリッド運用の最適化 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　This study examines an optimal operation model for a smart grid composed of multiple microgrids to promote renewable energy use in Japan. In Japan, about 70% of electricity is still supplied by fossil fuel power, while renewables account for only 18% despite a 36?38% target for 2030. Using demand and photovoltaic data from Setagaya Ward, we construct a system model with factory/office and residential microgrids and formulate a mathematical optimization model that considers power interchange, batteries and heat storage. Numerical experiments based on several case studies show the effectiveness of smart grid operation designed according to the proposed model in promoting renewable energy utilization and reducing total generation cost. In particular, the results show that increasing photovoltaic capacity, increasing the number of microgrids, and considering heat demand are all effective measures. However, these benefits depend on the season. Future work should extend the system model to account for seasonal variability and associated investment costs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawamotoTakaki en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Takaki kn-aut-name=川本卓樹 kn-aut-sei=川本 kn-aut-mei=卓樹 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuriko en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuriko kn-aut-name=戸田悠莉子 kn-aut-sei=戸田 kn-aut-mei=悠莉子 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasuikeTakashi en-aut-sei=Hasuike en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name=蓮池隆 kn-aut-sei=蓮池 kn-aut-mei=隆 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院環境生命自然科学学域 affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil=早稲田大学大学院創造理工学研究科 affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil=早稲田大学大学院創造理工学研究科 en-keyword=スマートグリッド (smart grid) kn-keyword=スマートグリッド (smart grid) en-keyword=マイクログリッド (microgrid) kn-keyword=マイクログリッド (microgrid) en-keyword=再生可能エネルギー (renewable energy) kn-keyword=再生可能エネルギー (renewable energy) en-keyword=電力融通 (power interchange) kn-keyword=電力融通 (power interchange) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=28 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=94 end-page=99 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Optimization of the External Directing Group Depending on the Substrates for the Regioselective C?H Alkenylation of Phenyl Ethers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Using an external directing group (externalDG), we have succeeded in ortho-selective C?H alkenylation of various DG-free phenyl ethers, including bulky silyl ethers. Also, we demonstrated a strategy to develop regioselective C?H activation by optimizing externalDG depending on the substrate. The means for optimizing externalDG include the selection of the precursor, the addition of a Lewis acid, and changing the ratio of the precursor/Pd, to control the reactivity and regioselectivity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YanoKoki en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawadaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Sawada en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1867 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=149598 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202611 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cryo-EM structure of photosystem II D1-V185T mutant from Thermosynechococcus vestitus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes water oxidation into electrons, protons and dioxygen at its catalytic center, a Mn4CaO5 cluster, utilizing light energy. An amino acid residue D1-V185 in the D1 protein is located close to the Mn4CaO5 cluster, and plays a critical role in its catalytic function. In this research we purified PSII dimers from a D1-V185T mutant of Thermosynechococcus vestitus and analyzed its structure using low-damage cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) at a resolution of 1.88 ?. The results revealed the presence of multi-conformations at the mutation site. Unlike the wild-type valine, which does not allow water molecules to be able to form hydrogen-bonds with it, both conformations of the mutant formed hydrogen bonds with nearby water molecules, which leads to rearrangement of the hydrogen bond networks in the O1 and Cl-1 channels. In conformation-A, the mutated Thr residue forms a hydrogen bond with a water molecule W6, which creates a new channel that bypasses the original O1 channel. Due to the hydrophilic OH group of Thr, the side-chain of D1-Glu189 was attracted and shifted toward the mutant Thr residue. In conformation-B, it forms a hydrogen bond with a water molecule W9 in the Cl-1 channel, bringing W9 closer and thereby disrupting the hydrogen bond network of the Cl-1 channel. In addition, multi-conformations of D2-K317, which is a ligand of Cl-1, were found in the mutant. These changes alter the environment surrounding the Cl-1 ion and Mn4CaO5, thereby affecting the PSII water-oxidation activity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=JiangHaowei en-aut-sei=Jiang en-aut-mei=Haowei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkitaFusamichi en-aut-sei=Akita en-aut-mei=Fusamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiHongjie en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Hongjie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiuraMiwa en-aut-sei=Sugiura en-aut-mei=Miwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Transformative Science, School of Life Science and Technology and Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, ShanghaiTech University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Proteo-Science Research Center, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Advanced Research Field and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Photosystem II kn-keyword=Photosystem II en-keyword=Oxygen-evolving complex kn-keyword=Oxygen-evolving complex en-keyword=Water-oxidation kn-keyword=Water-oxidation en-keyword=Structure kn-keyword=Structure en-keyword=Mutant kn-keyword=Mutant en-keyword=Cryo-EM kn-keyword=Cryo-EM en-keyword=Thermosynechococcus vestitus kn-keyword=Thermosynechococcus vestitus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=399 end-page=409 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Graphene Oxide: Designing a Functional Smarter Material for Advanced Biomedicine en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as one of the most extensively studied two-dimensional (2D) materials, thanks to its large surface area and abundance of functional groups, which enable applications across energy, catalysis, electronics, construction, and mobility. Its exceptional dispersibility in water further expands its use in the biomedical field. However, researchers have consistently expressed concerns about the limited control over GO chemical composition and structural heterogeneity. These factors are often overlooked, strongly affecting the reproducibility in both synthesis and applications. Because GO is considered a promising platform for advanced drug delivery, achieving reproducible preparation and precise structural control is essential to make it a reliable alternative to the many nanomaterials currently being explored for nanomedicine.
Motivated by these challenges, we have focused our work on identifying and controlling the key parameters that govern GO structure and surface chemistry. Over the past decade, we have developed methods to produce GO with controlled and tunable chemical structures, clarified the reactivity of its major functional groups, and developed robust strategies for postfunctionalizing GO with therapeutic agents, targeting ligands, and imaging dyes. In parallel, we have established systematic approaches to evaluate GO biocompatibility and biodegradability, revealing how specific physicochemical features influence biological responses and clearance pathways.
Together, these findings provide a unified framework linking GO synthesis, chemical modification, and biological behavior. By integrating chemical control, functional performance, and safety assessment, our work outlines a coherent strategy for the rational design of GO-based biomedical materials. We believe that this Account offers a solid foundation for the targeted exploitation of GO in nanomedicine and will help facilitate its eventual clinical translation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=M?nard-MoyonC?cilia en-aut-sei=M?nard-Moyon en-aut-mei=C?cilia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BiancoAlberto en-aut-sei=Bianco en-aut-mei=Alberto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=22258 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260711 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microstructural changes in irradiated teeth revealed by swept-source optical coherence tomography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Radiation-induced caries is a late complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Although direct irradiation-induced changes in tooth structure may contribute to its development, these changes have not been fully characterized. This study evaluated irradiation-associated microstructural alterations and tissue density changes in human teeth using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Eight extracted fully impacted human third molars were assigned to irradiated and non-irradiated groups (n?=?4 each). The irradiated group received X-rays at a total dose of 70 Gy, a clinically relevant dose in definitive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. A total of 64 SS-OCT cross-sectional images were obtained and analyzed, with 32 images from each group, including 16 from the coronal area on the occlusal side and 16 from the cervical area. Microcrack-like features were observed in 100% (16/16) of irradiated and 31.3% (5/16) of non-irradiated images in the coronal area on the occlusal side, and in 43.8% (7/16) and 0% (0/16) of images in the cervical area, respectively. Attenuation coefficients were significantly higher in irradiated enamel and dentin. These findings suggest that irradiation-induced microstructural changes in extracted human teeth in vitro may contribute to increased susceptibility to radiation-induced caries. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuzakiKumiko en-aut-sei=Matsuzaki en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuzakiHidenobu en-aut-sei=Matsuzaki en-aut-mei=Hidenobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabataTomoko en-aut-sei=Tabata en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AoyamaHideki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshioKotaro en-aut-sei=Yoshio en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KosakiHirotaka en-aut-sei=Kosaki en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaNaoko en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SadrAlireza en-aut-sei=Sadr en-aut-mei=Alireza kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SogaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Soga en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimadaYasushi en-aut-sei=Shimada en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Central Clinical Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Central Clinical Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Biomimetics Biomaterials Biophotonics Biomechanics & Technology Laboratory, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Magnuson Health Sciences Center, University of Washington kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Central Clinical Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=Radiation-induced caries kn-keyword=Radiation-induced caries en-keyword=Dental enamel kn-keyword=Dental enamel en-keyword=Dentin kn-keyword=Dentin en-keyword=Radiation effects kn-keyword=Radiation effects en-keyword=Swept-source optical coherence tomography kn-keyword=Swept-source optical coherence tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=270 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=157103 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effect of end-gas auto-ignition flame properties on the knocking intensity of a dual-fuel hydrogen engine en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study sought to elucidate the mechanism governing PRE-mixed mixture ignition in end-gas region (PREMIER) combustion in a dual-fuel hydrogen engine. Both knocking and PREMIER combustion are induced by end-gas auto-ignition, but differ in terms of the subsequent development of pressure waves. Knocking is accompanied by strong waves, whereas PREMIER combustion is characterized by the absence of, or very few, such waves. End-gas auto-ignition of hydrogen?air mixtures was visualized while in-cylinder pressure was measured using an optical compression and expansion machine. The visualization data indicate that KI increased as the spread velocity of the end-gas auto-ignition front rose. That velocity remained below 100?m/s during PREMIER combustion, but attained approximately 400?m/s in severe knocking cycles. The theory proposed by Bradley was used to evaluate the experimental results, and two dimensionless parameters, ξ and ε, were estimated. The ξ-ε diagram showed a distinct transition from PREMIER combustion to knocking. (150 words). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoRiku en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Riku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaNobuyuki en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Nobuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobashiYoshimitsu en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Yoshimitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Dual-fuel engine kn-keyword=Dual-fuel engine en-keyword=Hydrogen kn-keyword=Hydrogen en-keyword=End-gas auto-ignition kn-keyword=End-gas auto-ignition en-keyword=Knocking intensity kn-keyword=Knocking intensity en-keyword=Visualization kn-keyword=Visualization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=270 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=157237 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synergistic effects of gas-to-liquid pilot ignition and high rates of nitrogen-based simulated EGR on PREMIER combustion in dual-fuel hydrogen engines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Hydrogen-fueled compression-ignition engines offer a pathway to decarbonize heavy-duty propulsion but face a trade-off between thermal efficiency, NOx emissions, and narrow knock-free windows. Although EGR dilution and pilot-fuel reactivity control have each been studied independently, their combined effect on hydrogen PREMIER (PREmixed Mixture Ignition in the End-gas Region) combustion has not been systematically characterized. This study addresses that gap by comparing diesel and high-cetane Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) pilot fuels in a supercharged hydrogen dual-fuel engine, while varying nitrogen addition to isolate the inert dilution effect of simulated EGR (0?50%). GTL's superior ignitability shortened ignition delay and enhanced combustion stability versus diesel. Increasing inert EGR (nitrogen) dilution suppressed NOx by over 90% (360 to 30?ppm) via reduced peak temperatures, while sustaining knock-free PREMIER combustion and achieving a peak indicated thermal efficiency of 43.55% at ?0.80?MPa IMEP. Coupling pilot-fuel reactivity control with EGR dilution enables safe, clean, high-efficiency hydrogen dual-fuel. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MustafiNirendra Nath en-aut-sei=Mustafi en-aut-mei=Nirendra Nath kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaNobuyuki en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Nobuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobashiYoshimitsu en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Yoshimitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Dual-fuel hydrogen engine kn-keyword=Dual-fuel hydrogen engine en-keyword=PREMIER combustion kn-keyword=PREMIER combustion en-keyword=Gas-to-Liquid kn-keyword=Gas-to-Liquid en-keyword=Exhaust gas recirculation kn-keyword=Exhaust gas recirculation en-keyword=NOx suppression kn-keyword=NOx suppression en-keyword=End-gas auto-ignition kn-keyword=End-gas auto-ignition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e77420 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260731 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Biomineral-Inspired Organic/Inorganic Colloidal Liquid-Crystalline Hybrids for Photoresponsive Adhesion en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bioinspired hybrid nanostructures offer a promising strategy for developing dynamic functional materials. Herein, we report a new class of photoresponsive liquid-crystalline (LC) adhesives based on organic/inorganic nanostructured colloidal hybrids. These LC materials are composed of a biomineral-inspired hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorod and azobenzene-based forklike molecules. The organic/inorganic LC hybrids exhibit unusual photo-enhanced adhesion upon photoinduced order?disorder phase transitions of these LC materials. The photoresponsive adhesion functions of the colloidal LC hybrids are tuned by spacer moieties of the forklike molecules as well as mixing of the hybrids with the forklike molecules. The reversible photo-enhanced adhesion of the LC hybrids is achieved when the forklike molecule having oligooxyethylene spacers is hybridized with the HAp nanorod. The flexible oligooxyethylene spacers of the forklike molecule are effective for the formation of less ordered packing of the azobenzene units in the LC hybrids, which enables the dynamic photoresponsive functions. We propose an approach to the development of bioinspired photoresponsive LC materials through self-assembly of functional organic molecules and biomineral-based colloidal hybrids. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UchidaJunya en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Junya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiguchiRyuta en-aut-sei=Kiguchi en-aut-mei=Ryuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoRiki en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Riki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoTakashi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=adhesion kn-keyword=adhesion en-keyword=biominerals kn-keyword=biominerals en-keyword=colloids kn-keyword=colloids en-keyword=liquidcrystals kn-keyword=liquidcrystals en-keyword=organic/inorganichybrids kn-keyword=organic/inorganichybrids en-keyword=photoresponsivematerials kn-keyword=photoresponsivematerials en-keyword=self-assembly kn-keyword=self-assembly END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=29 article-no= start-page=3226 end-page=3236 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260701 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of graphene oxide sheet size on pickering miniemulsion polymerization of styrene en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The effect of graphene oxide (GO) sheet size on the progression of Pickering miniemulsion polymerization of styrene was systematically investigated using two GO samples with lateral dimensions (?500 nm and 5?10 ?m). Key parameters, including the presence of the conventional surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), GO loading, and initiator concentration, were investigated individually. Miniemulsion polymerization with GO was successfully conducted both in the absence and presence of SDS, with the addition of SDS leading to a significant rate enhancement attributed to SDS-induced secondary nucleation. In the presence of SDS, GO sheet size influenced polymerization behavior, and its effect on polymerization rate and monomer conversion exhibited opposite trends at different GO loadings. Small GO (?500 nm) led to higher conversion and faster rates at high GO loading (5 wt%), whereas large GO (5?10 ?m) resulted in higher conversion and faster rates at low GO loading (0.5 wt%). This size-dependent effect became more pronounced at lower initiator concentration. Overall, while GO sheet size exhibited a measurable influence on polymerization behavior, the overall kinetics were primarily governed by SDS-induced secondary nucleation. These findings provide new insights into the role of GO lateral dimensions in miniemulsion polymerization and offer guidance for the design and synthesis of polymer/graphene (oxide) nanocomposites with tunable properties. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangYue en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Yue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FadilYasemin en-aut-sei=Fadil en-aut-mei=Yasemin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AgarwalVipul en-aut-sei=Agarwal en-aut-mei=Vipul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZetterlundPer B. en-aut-sei=Zetterlund en-aut-mei=Per B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=15 article-no= start-page=2302 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260724 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Cold Storage and Seasonality on Raw Cow Milk Microbiota, Assessed by Conventional and Viability PCR en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The microbiota of healthy Holstein cow’s milk was analyzed to evaluate the effects of immediate (freezing at the farm: on-site workflow) and delayed processing (freezing after cool transport: laboratory workflow) and to investigate seasonal changes in September, November, and January. Propidium monoazide (PMA) was also used to distinguish between viable and non-viable cells. Microbiota composition differed between the laboratory and the on-site workflow. After cool transport, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Turicibacter increased, while those of Streptococcus, Bradyrhizobium, and Acinetobacter decreased. Based on the β-diversity assessment, the difference between viable and non-viable cells was marginal compared with the difference between on-site and laboratory workflows. In the subsequent on-site workflow experiment, seasonal variation was clearly demonstrated. The relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Turicibacter, and Bacillus were high in September; Staphylococcus, Phenylobacterium, and Bradyrhizobium in November; and Phyllobacterium in January. The seasonal effect was greater than the PMA treatment effect. Despite the study’s limitations, such as a limited number of milk samples and data from only one farm with a single management system, our findings indicate that storage and transport at low temperatures could lead to inaccurate assessments, particularly of opportunistic environmental microbiota. Viability PCR could help improve our understanding of the factors involved but would not substantially alter the raw milk microbiota. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TranPhong Dinh en-aut-sei=Tran en-aut-mei=Phong Dinh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsurutaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Tsuruta en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinoNaoki en-aut-sei=Nishino en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cow milk kn-keyword=cow milk en-keyword=cold storage kn-keyword=cold storage en-keyword=microbiota kn-keyword=microbiota en-keyword=seasonal variation kn-keyword=seasonal variation en-keyword=viability kn-keyword=viability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=359 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=127928 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261015 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Discrimination of nanovesicles using two-color laser-induced fluorescence detection en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A two-color fluorescence-detection system was developed to distinguish between two types of nanovesicles labeled with different fluorescent dyes. This system employs two lasers emitting at distinct wavelengths (488 and 635 nm). These lasers are reshaped into sheet-like beams and focused at separate positions within a square capillary. As vesicles flow through the capillary, they pass through the laser beams and emit fluorescence when excited by the corresponding wavelength. This technique allows for the counting of vesicles and identification of the specific fluorophores on the vesicles based on their emission positions. The system was validated using liposomes labeled with fluorophores excited by the 488 and 635 nm lasers. It was then applied to differentiate CD63-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) from other types of EVs in a culture media consisting of HeLa and A549 cells. Additionally, the system was used to study the effect of the anticancer drug doxorubicin on EV secretion in these cancer cells. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsahiShunsuke en-aut-sei=Asahi en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=527 end-page=535 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260516 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Microcontroller-Integrated Multichannel Time Detector for Paper-Based Analytical Devices ? Applications to Viscosity Measurements in Saliva Analysis and Protease-Activity Assays en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We designed and developed a microcontroller-integrated multichannel time detection system that uses a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (?PAD) to measure liquid viscosity. This detection system is equipped with ten detectors to enhance the throughput of the measurements. The ?PAD utilizes capillary action to determine viscosity based on the flow time of a liquid sample. A conductivity detection system begins counting the flow time when a sample is introduced and stops the count when the sample reaches the detection electrode. Sodium chloride (NaCl) was pre-deposited in the detection channel of the ?PAD to enhance the conductivity of non-conductive samples, and Grade 1 CHR chromatography paper was selected as the optimal vehicle for substrates after comparing various channel widths, paper types, and channel lengths. The device demonstrated a linear correlation between flow time and viscosity for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glucose solutions, which validates the theoretical model. The time readout measured protease activity when gelatin was used as a substrate and revealed an activity order of bromelain?>?papain?>?trypsin. The practical applicability of this system was further confirmed by testing real saliva samples, which demonstrated that the viscosity of saliva decreases rapidly after collection. Moreover, the results indicate that saliva viscosity was increased during extended durations of exercise. Overall, this ?PAD system provides a simple, low-cost, and portable solution for viscosity measurement, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics and field measurements. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RenJianchao en-aut-sei=Ren en-aut-mei=Jianchao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Time detector kn-keyword=Time detector en-keyword=Multichannel kn-keyword=Multichannel en-keyword=Viscosity kn-keyword=Viscosity en-keyword=Enzyme assay kn-keyword=Enzyme assay en-keyword=Saliva kn-keyword=Saliva END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=e70145 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260821 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transforming Life Science Through Chromosome‐Level Genome Assemblies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Advances in long-read sequencing and Hi?C scaffolding have made chromosome-level genome assembly increasingly accessible to individual laboratories, shifting genome research from large consortium-led projects toward investigator-driven studies across diverse taxa. This transition allows researchers to select organisms based on biological questions rather than the prior availability of genomic resources. In this review, we summarize the core experimental and computational steps for generating, evaluating, and annotating chromosome-level assemblies, and examine how they have advanced research in non-model organisms and genetically complex systems. Representative case studies illustrate four major contributions: resolving structural variation and lineage-specific genome architecture, linking genome organization to phenotypic innovation and plasticity, reconstructing deep chromosome evolution and macrosynteny, and distinguishing homologous and homoeologous chromosomes in polyploid genomes. These examples show that chromosome-level assemblies provide more than complete reference sequences. They establish a continuous genomic coordinate system through which genes, regulatory elements, transposable element insertions, sequence variants, and cellular states can be interpreted within broader chromosomal, population, and evolutionary contexts. We describe this integrative perspective as “glocal biology.” Future progress will require pangenomic, population-scale, and haplotype-resolved resources integrated with multi-omics and functional analyses. Collectively, chromosome-level genomics is reshaping life science by embedding molecular functions within chromosomal and evolutionary contexts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KonTetsuo en-aut-sei=Kon en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaKosuke en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuoYi‐Jyun en-aut-sei=Luo en-aut-mei=Yi‐Jyun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WibisanaJohannes Nicolaus en-aut-sei=Wibisana en-aut-mei=Johannes Nicolaus kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TogaKouhei en-aut-sei=Toga en-aut-mei=Kouhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnoNarumi en-aut-sei=Uno en-aut-mei=Narumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MondenYuki en-aut-sei=Monden en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMayuko en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Genomics and Regulatory Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of BioDX, PtBio Co‐Creation Research Center, Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Laboratory of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=chromosome-level genome assembly kn-keyword=chromosome-level genome assembly en-keyword=genome evolution kn-keyword=genome evolution en-keyword=Hi?C scaffolding kn-keyword=Hi?C scaffolding en-keyword=long-read sequencing kn-keyword=long-read sequencing en-keyword=non-model animals kn-keyword=non-model animals END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=e202500237 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=NUAK2 Inhibition Enhances Macromolecular Drug Delivery in a 3D Fibrotic Model of the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) features a fibrotic tumor microenvironment that impedes drug delivery and significantly limits the successful clinical application of nanomedicines. Targeting signaling in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which drive fibrosis via excessive secretion of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen I, may be useful in overcoming this fibrotic barrier. The AMPK-related kinases NUAK1/2 have recently gained interest as promoters of fibrosis, but whether they play a profibrotic role in PSCs remains unknown. Here, patient PSCs are used to assess NUAK1/2 involvement in the PDAC fibrotic barrier. Leveraging a 3D cell culture model of PDAC fibrosis, the effect of targeting NUAK1/2 on the permeability of macromolecular dextrans of various sizes, as well as physiologically relevant macromolecules, albumin and IgG, and clinical nanomedicines, Doxil and Abraxane, is investigated. NUAK1/2 inhibition is shown to diminish collagen I to enhance macromolecular permeability, via a mechanism independent of established pathways involving transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and yes-associated protein (YAP). Through isoform-specific knockdown, predominant NUAK2 involvement is demonstrated. Mechanistically, actin stress fiber regulation by NUAK2 is shown to be important. Altogether, these results show in?vitro that NUAK2 promotes fibrotic signaling in PSCs and may be targeted to enhance macromolecular drug delivery in PDAC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraMisaki en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Misaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaHiroyoshi Y. en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhiraMayu en-aut-sei=Ohira en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ohta‐OkanoHaruko en-aut-sei=Ohta‐Okano en-aut-mei=Haruko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraReika en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Reika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SenoYu en-aut-sei=Seno en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaraSaaya en-aut-sei=Yara en-aut-mei=Saaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaSakura en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Sakura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataDaichi en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoMasaya en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsadaKensuke en-aut-sei=Osada en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=CabralHoracio en-aut-sei=Cabral en-aut-mei=Horacio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasamuneAtsushi en-aut-sei=Masamune en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanoMitsunobu R. en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Mitsunobu R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Materials Processing Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST) kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Bioengineering Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Division of Gastroenterology Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fibrosis kn-keyword=fibrosis en-keyword=nanomedicine kn-keyword=nanomedicine en-keyword=NUAK kinase kn-keyword=NUAK kinase en-keyword=pancreatic cancer kn-keyword=pancreatic cancer en-keyword=tumor microenvironment kn-keyword=tumor microenvironment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=29 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=116256 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Posterior shift of Shh-Fgf signaling in axolotl limb regeneration drives sequential digit formation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Do conserved morphogen modules generate a given form only via a single spatiotemporal deployment, or can alternative deployments yield the same morphology? Axolotl limb regeneration provides a tractable test bed. SHH and FGF8, universally used in limb formation across vertebrates, also operate in axolotl, although the spatial domain of Fgf8 differs markedly from that in amniotes. A mutual Shh/Fgf feedback loop is likewise conserved. Here, we show that, in axolotl, the active domain of this loop shifts progressively posterior as digit formation proceeds. In step with this anterior-to-posterior displacement, digit-forming regions are sequentially induced posteriorly, explaining the axolotl’s reversed order relative to the amniote posterior-to-anterior sequence. These findings indicate that conserved molecular toolkits can overcome differences in spatial deployment to produce equivalent final limb architectures, demonstrating that there is not a single route to a target morphology. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FurukawaSaya en-aut-sei=Furukawa en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoSakiya en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Sakiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaHaruki en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhashiAyaka en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAkira en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Molecular biology kn-keyword=Molecular biology en-keyword=Evolutionary biology kn-keyword=Evolutionary biology en-keyword=Developmental biology kn-keyword=Developmental biology END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=29 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=117125 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202608 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Brain circadian clock neurons drive fitness advantages in Drosophila en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The adaptive significance of circadian clocks is widely assumed due to their ubiquity; yet, direct empirical evidence remains scarce. Evaluating these benefits is often confounded by pleiotropic effects in conventional circadian null mutants. To address this, we selectively altered the circadian period exclusively within brain clock neurons in Drosophila melanogaster. Multi-generational competition assays revealed that flies with aberrant rhythms exhibit a significant fitness disadvantage under standard light-dark (LD 12:12) cycles. This disadvantage was abolished under constant light, confirming that the selection pressure is specifically mediated by the circadian clock. Furthermore, paternity assays conducted under LD 12:12 indicated that the timing of brain clock neurons influences male reproductive success, providing a potential mechanistic link between clock-controlled behavior and fitness. Intriguingly, we found that these fitness costs are highly photoperiod-dependent. Under short-day conditions (LD 8:16), the short-period strain (dbtS) maintained a significantly higher overall frequency than the long-period strain (dbtL). Our behavioral observations suggest that this difference may be associated with the quality of activity rhythms; specifically, dbtS lacked defined morning peaks and showed suppressed nocturnal activity, potentially narrowing its window for reproductive interactions compared to dbtL. These findings illustrate that the circadian system does not merely track a 24-h cycle but functions as a flexible feature that enables flies to cope with changing day lengths by aligning their mating behavior with the most favorable time of day. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AikawaSae en-aut-sei=Aikawa en-aut-mei=Sae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraShoichiro en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Shoichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimuraMakiko en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiiTaishi en-aut-sei=Yoshii en-aut-mei=Taishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=activity rhythms kn-keyword=activity rhythms en-keyword=clock neurons kn-keyword=clock neurons en-keyword=Drosophila kn-keyword=Drosophila en-keyword=adaptive advantage kn-keyword=adaptive advantage en-keyword=reproductive success kn-keyword=reproductive success en-keyword=resonance hypothesis kn-keyword=resonance hypothesis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=12 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Knockout analysis of period and timeless and EGFP-based visualization of per-expressing clock cells in the cricket circadian clock en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the present study, we generated crickets with knockout of either period (per) or timeless (tim) gene by CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. We also identified a naturally occurring per- mutant lacking a large coding region including PAS domains. To examine possible synergistic effects, a per- and timKO double mutant was generated by applying genome editing to the per- crickets. Under constant darkness (DD), timKO crickets exhibited a locomotor rhythm with a free-running period of 23.06?±?0.20?h (mean?±?SD), which was significantly shorter than that of the parental strain (23.78?±?0.12?h). By contrast, perKO and per- crickets showed basically similar phenotype of locomotor rhythm: they exhibited an arrhythmic pattern during the first two to three weeks after transfer to DD but subsequently showed a complex rhythmic pattern with one or multiple components with significantly longer free-running periods (33.35?±?10.72?h). In the per-;timKO double mutants, approximately 60% of individuals became arrhythmic, while the remaining 40% exhibited complex rhythms with extremely longer free-running periods (37.0?±?9.17?h) under DD. These results suggest the existence of an underlying oscillatory mechanism that is responsible for regulating locomotor rhythms independently of the canonical per/tim feedback loop. Furthermore, we generated a reporter line on a per? background by knocking egfp into exon 1 of the per gene, allowing egfp expression to report per transcription. EGFP expression was detected in three distinct clusters of cells within the optic lobe: two located along the dorsal and ventral boundaries between the lamina and medulla neuropils, and one situated near the accessory medulla. These findings raise the possibility that these form part of the circadian clock network that governs circadian locomotor rhythms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TomiokaKenji en-aut-sei=Tomioka en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueShintaro en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitoTaro en-aut-sei=Mito en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriyamaYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Moriyama en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiiTaishi en-aut-sei=Yoshii en-aut-mei=Taishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Bio-Innovation Research Center, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Bio-Innovation Research Center, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Natural Sciences, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Circadian clock kn-keyword=Circadian clock en-keyword=Cricket kn-keyword=Cricket en-keyword=Genome editing kn-keyword=Genome editing en-keyword=Locomotor rhythm kn-keyword=Locomotor rhythm en-keyword=period kn-keyword=period en-keyword=per-less oscillation kn-keyword=per-less oscillation en-keyword=timeless kn-keyword=timeless END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260819 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Micro-segregation of Primary Si in ADC14 (Al?17Si?4Cu) Alloy Produced by Unidirectional Continuous Casting en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=An upgrading approach for hypereutectic Al?Si alloys was investigated through controlled segregation of Si using a unidirectional casting process. The precipitation behavior and spatial distribution of primary Si in the hypereutectic ADC14 (Al?17Si?4Cu) alloy were systematically examined at different casting speeds (0.06, 1.9, and 10 mm/s). Microstructural observations revealed that high casting speed suppresses primary Si formation due to rapid solidification, whereas intermediate speed leads to a relatively uniform distribution of primary Si. In contrast, low casting speed combined with a holding period for 2 min promotes pronounced segregation and coarsening of primary Si in localized regions. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed significant fluctuations in Si concentration along the casting direction, particularly after process interruption. Based on these results, a preliminary upgrading process was proposed, involving the selective removal of Si-enriched regions followed by remelting. This approach resulted in a reduction of Si content to approximately 13.9 wt.%, corresponding to a decrease of about 3%. The results demonstrate that controlling solidification behavior to induce phase separation provides a promising and energy-efficient strategy for upgrading recycled Al?Si alloys. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakeuchiShuhei en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaShota en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinzatoYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Shinzato en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinodaTadashi en-aut-sei=Minoda en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukaNaotaka en-aut-sei=Ohtsuka en-aut-mei=Naotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkayasuMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Okayasu en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=UACJ Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=upgrading technique kn-keyword=upgrading technique en-keyword=Al?Si alloy kn-keyword=Al?Si alloy en-keyword=primary Si kn-keyword=primary Si en-keyword=segregation kn-keyword=segregation en-keyword=unidirectional solidification kn-keyword=unidirectional solidification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=82 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=26-1707 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=A Bayesian Approach to ADC-to-Dose Conversion in Radiochromic Film Dosimetry kn-title=ベイズ推定を用いたラジオクロミックフィルムのADC値?線量変換法 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=Purpose: Radiochromic film is widely used for patient-specific intensity-modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (IMRT QA) because of its high spatial resolution. However, calibration for converting pixel values to dose requires irradiation at multiple known dose levels, resulting in a substantial workload. Consequently, in some institutions, calibration is performed only under limited circumstances, such as when the film lot changes. This study aimed to develop and validate a Bayesian inference model that estimates the calibration curve using previously acquired calibration datasets together with the unirradiated pixel value of the target film, thereby improving the efficiency of the calibration process. Methods: A total of 93 calibration datasets acquired using TomoHD were analyzed. A quadratic polynomial regression model was constructed with dose and elapsed time from irradiation to scanning as explanatory variables. Separate models were developed for each scanner orientation (portrait and landscape), and the intercept was estimated using the unirradiated pixel value of the target film. Bayesian inference was performed using Stan, and model convergence was evaluated by trace plots and the Rhat statistic. Model performance was validated using 10 EBT4 films from a different lot by comparing predicted and measured pixel values and evaluating dose errors. Results: All models showed good convergence, with Rhat values below 1.01. For the validation films, the pixel value error was less than 3.6%, and the coefficient of determination (R2) exceeded 0.99. The mean dose error was 2.7±1.3?cGy at 24.0?cGy and 37.5±12.8?cGy at 868.2?cGy. The maximum dose error was 66.6?cGy at 710.6?cGy. Conclusion: The proposed method demonstrated the feasibility of estimating the calibration curve using previously acquired calibration datasets and the unirradiated pixel value of the target film. This approach has the potential to improve the efficiency of radiochromic film calibration. Future studies should apply this method to patient-specific IMRT QA and investigate its impact on dose distribution evaluation. kn-abstract=【目的】ラジオクロミックフィルムは高い空間分解能を有することから，患者別IMRT品質保証（IMRT QA）に広く利用されている．一方，ピクセル値を線量へ変換するためのキャリブレーションには，複数の既知線量で照射したフィルムが必要であり，作業負担が大きいことから，施設によってはフィルムロット変更時などに限定して実施される場合がある．本研究では，過去のキャリブレーションデータセットと対象フィルムの未照射時ピクセル値を用いてキャリブレーション曲線を推定するベイズ推定モデルを構築し，キャリブレーション作業の効率化を目的としてその有用性を検証した．【方法】TomoHDを用いて取得した93組のキャリブレーションデータセットを解析対象とした．線量および照射からスキャンまでの経過時間を説明変数とする二次多項式回帰モデルを構築した．モデルはスキャナの読み取り方向（縦方向・横方向）ごとに作成し，対象フィルムの未照射時ピクセル値を切片項として推定した．ベイズ推定にはStanを用い，トレースプロットおよびRhat統計量により収束性を評価した．更にモデル性能の評価には，異なるロットのEBT4フィルム10枚を用いて予測ピクセル値と実測値を比較するとともに，線量誤差を評価した．【結果】すべてのモデルでRhatは1.01未満を示し，良好な収束性が確認された．検証用フィルムでは，ピクセル値の誤差は3.6%未満，決定係数（R2）は0.99以上であった．また，線量誤差は24?cGyで平均2.7?cGy（SD 1.3），868.2?cGyで平均37.5?cGy（SD 12.8）であり，最大線量誤差は710.6?cGyにおいて66.6?cGyであった．【結語】本手法は，過去のキャリブレーションデータセットと対象フィルムの未照射時ピクセル値を用いてキャリブレーション曲線を推定できる可能性を示した．また，ラジオクロミックフィルムのキャリブレーション作業の効率化に寄与する可能性が示唆された．今後は患者別IMRT QAに適用し，線量分布評価への影響を検証する必要がある． en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanimotoYuki en-aut-sei=Tanimoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name=谷本 祐樹 kn-aut-sei=谷本 kn-aut-mei=祐樹 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name=杉本 昂平 kn-aut-sei=杉本 kn-aut-mei= 昂平 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamoriMasahide en-aut-sei=Tamori en-aut-mei=Masahide kn-aut-name=田盛 雅英 kn-aut-sei=田盛 kn-aut-mei=雅英 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YatsukiMiho en-aut-sei=Yatsuki en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name=八木 美保 kn-aut-sei=八木 kn-aut-mei=美保 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaShohei en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name=吉田 昌平 kn-aut-sei=吉田 kn-aut-mei= 昌平 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Sugahara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name=菅原 一真 kn-aut-sei=菅原 kn-aut-mei=一真 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name=笈田 将皇 kn-aut-sei=笈田 kn-aut-mei=将皇 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil=NHO岩国医療センター放射線科 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil=川崎医療福祉大学医療技術学部診療放射線技術学科 affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center kn-affil=NHO呉医療センター・中国がんセンター中央放射線センター affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center kn-affil=NHO呉医療センター・中国がんセンター中央放射線センター affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center kn-affil=NHO呉医療センター・中国がんセンター中央放射線センター affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center kn-affil=NHO呉医療センター・中国がんセンター中央放射線センター affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 en-keyword=radiation therapy kn-keyword=radiation therapy en-keyword=quality assurance kn-keyword=quality assurance en-keyword=patient-specific IMRT QA kn-keyword=patient-specific IMRT QA en-keyword=radiochromic film kn-keyword=radiochromic film en-keyword=Bayesian inference kn-keyword=Bayesian inference END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=127 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e71081 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202608 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=AHG1?AFP interaction as a regulatory node in the ABA response during seed germination en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Seed dormancy and germination are tightly regulated by complex signaling networks that integrate internal and external cues, including the endogenous phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). ABA HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION 1 (AHG1), a group A type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C), is thought to modulate the activity of transcription factors such as ABA INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) in seeds and during germination. AHG1 is regulated by DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1), a key regulator of seed dormancy, through physical interaction. We previously reported that AHG1 also interacts with ABI FIVE BINDING PROTEIN 2 (AFP2), a member of the AFP family; however, the molecular basis of AHG1?AFP coordination has remained unclear. In this study, we show that AHG1 interacts with all AFP family members and that AFP3 binds AHG1 and ABI5 through adjacent but distinct amino acid residues within its C-domain, allowing simultaneous association with both proteins. In addition, AHG1 modulates the phosphorylation status of AFP3 at Ser60 in a DOG1-dependent manner, suggesting that DOG1?AHG1 regulates AFP3 post-translationally. Transcriptomic analyses of AHG1- or AFP3-overexpressing lines revealed that these factors are associated with the regulation of a shared set of ABA-responsive genes, including AFPs, and that AFP3 overexpression is predominantly associated with altered expression of genes involved in transcriptional regulation. Large-scale protein interaction analyses showed that AFPs interact with multiple classes of transcription factors, suggesting their involvement in diverse regulatory pathways, including ABA signaling. Together, these findings demonstrate that DOG1 regulates ABI5 function and modulates ABA responses, at least in part, by controlling AHG1-mediated dephosphorylation of AFPs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshiyamaSho en-aut-sei=Ushiyama en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtagiriMasato en-aut-sei=Otagiri en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohKouji en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Kouji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiNahomi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Nahomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IrisaTomoko en-aut-sei=Irisa en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudaNobutaka en-aut-sei=Mitsuda en-aut-mei=Nobutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmezawaTaishi en-aut-sei=Umezawa en-aut-mei=Taishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraHideki en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NemotoKeiichirou en-aut-sei=Nemoto en-aut-mei=Keiichirou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuchiyaWataru en-aut-sei=Tsuchiya en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoRyoichi en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Ryoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawasakiTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sawasaki en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiToshimasa en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirayamaTakashi en-aut-sei=Hirayama en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Biomanufacturing Process Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Advanced Interdisciplinary Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Proteo-Science Center, PIAS, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Proteo-Science Center, PIAS, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Analysis National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8518 Japan kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= en-keyword=ABA kn-keyword=ABA en-keyword=AHG1 kn-keyword=AHG1 en-keyword=AFP kn-keyword=AFP en-keyword=ABI5 kn-keyword=ABI5 en-keyword=DOG1 kn-keyword=DOG1 en-keyword=seed dormancy kn-keyword=seed dormancy en-keyword=seed germination kn-keyword=seed germination en-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=384 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114996 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Alternative transcription of the mouse Gh gene identifies an immune-associated transcript with species-specific structural divergence en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Growth hormone (GH) in mice is primarily expressed in the anterior pituitary, although Gh expression has been reported in extrapituitary tissues, including immune organs. However, the structure of immune-associated Gh transcripts remains poorly characterized. To determine whether splenic Gh transcripts differ from pituitary Gh mRNA, 5′- and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses were performed. While 3′ RACE showed a shared polyadenylation site, 5′ RACE identified a novel exon located approximately 2 kb upstream of the conventional exon 1, generating a transcript (spl-Gh mRNA) with a distinct first exon but shared downstream exons with pituitary Gh mRNA (pit-Gh mRNA). RT-PCR analysis revealed that spl-Gh mRNA is predominantly expressed in immune tissues such as spleen and bone marrow, and its distribution did not correlate with Pit-1 mRNA expression. Quantitative RT-PCR further demonstrated that spl-Gh mRNA was expressed at levels comparable to those of pit-Gh mRNA in the mouse spleen, indicating that spl-Gh is one of the major Gh transcript forms in this tissue. Sequence analysis indicated that spl-Gh mRNA is predicted to retain coding potential for a GH protein. Comparative genomic analyses further demonstrated that genomic features associated with the spl-Gh transcriptional unit are conserved only in a subset of closely related Mus species. In contrast, although a spl-Gh?related transcript was detected in rat spleen, no properly spliced mouse-like transcript was identified under the present experimental conditions. The detected transcript exhibited intron retention and an in-frame stop codon, suggesting that it is unlikely to produce a functional GH protein. These findings identify a distinct immune-associated Gh transcript generated through alternative transcription of the mouse Gh gene and suggest that immune-associated Gh transcriptional mechanisms have undergone species-specific divergence among rodents. Together, these findings reveal previously unrecognized complexity in Gh gene regulation and highlight species-specific differences in immune-associated Gh transcripts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaAi en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EgoshiSakura en-aut-sei=Egoshi en-aut-mei=Sakura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoHirotaka en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Growth hormone kn-keyword=Growth hormone en-keyword=Alternative transcription kn-keyword=Alternative transcription en-keyword=Immune-associated transcript kn-keyword=Immune-associated transcript en-keyword=Extrapituitary expression kn-keyword=Extrapituitary expression en-keyword=Species-specific divergence kn-keyword=Species-specific divergence en-keyword=Mouse kn-keyword=Mouse END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=193 end-page=195 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202405 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hormonal changes revealed by selective arterial calcium injection tests in patients with insulinoma treated with EUS?guided ethanol injection en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomatsubaraMotoshi en-aut-sei=Komatsubara en-aut-mei=Motoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiKenichi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoHironari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Hironari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Endocrinology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e70025 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202505 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Polished Rice Regulates Maturation but Not Survival of Secondary Cells in Drosophila Male Accessory Gland en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In Drosophila males, the accessory gland is responsive to nutrient signal-dependent regulation of fertility/fecundity. The accessory gland is composed of two types of binucleated epithelial cells, about 1000 main cells and 60 secondary cells (SCs). The transcription factors Defective proventriculus (Dve), Abdominal-B, and Ecdysone receptors (EcRs) are strongly expressed in adult SCs. In response to nutrient conditions during development, coordinated action between Dve and ecdysone signaling determines the optimal number of SCs and regulates their maturation. A downstream effector of ecdysone signaling, Ftz-F1, is crucial in this process. Another downstream effector, Polished rice (Pri), is small peptides of 11 or 32 amino acids. Here we show that pri is required for maturation of SCs and for male fecundity, whereas it is not involved in determination of the number of SCs. We provide evidence that Pri acts downstream of Ftz-F1 to regulate maturation but not survival of SCs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OtsuneShinichi en-aut-sei=Otsune en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsukaMirai en-aut-sei=Matsuka en-aut-mei=Mirai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShirakashiChisato en-aut-sei=Shirakashi en-aut-mei=Chisato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangXuanshuo en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xuanshuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagoshiHideki en-aut-sei=Nakagoshi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drosophila kn-keyword=Drosophila en-keyword=ecdysone kn-keyword=ecdysone en-keyword=fecundity kn-keyword=fecundity en-keyword=fertility kn-keyword=fertility en-keyword=nutrition kn-keyword=nutrition en-keyword=steroid kn-keyword=steroid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=358 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=104018 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202612 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Revisiting particle formation beyond classical nucleation: A unified classification framework for nonclassical pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Particle formation is pervasive in both nature and technology, shaping environmental and biological phenomena while underpinning a broad range of industrial products. A mechanistic understanding of particle formation is therefore important both for fundamental science and for the design of particle properties. It is now well established that particle formation can proceed through diverse pathways beyond classical one-step nucleation. At the same time, the proliferation of reported nonclassical pathways has blurred the distinctions among mechanistic categories and obscured their underlying relationships. In this review, we revisit the development of concepts in particle formation pathways and present a unified perspective on this increasingly complex mechanistic landscape. To this end, we classify the nonclassical features of particle formation along three conceptual axes: stepwise transitions between phases or phase-like fluctuations, chemically driven formation of structural units, and aggregation-dominant nucleation and growth processes. This framework places diverse pathways within a common three-dimensional space referenced to classical nucleation, providing a basis for comparing apparently distinct mechanisms within a single picture. We further discuss representative theoretical descriptions in relation to these axes and outline future challenges. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IidaYuya en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeSatoshi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= en-keyword=Particle formation pathway kn-keyword=Particle formation pathway en-keyword=Nucleation kn-keyword=Nucleation en-keyword=Crystallization kn-keyword=Crystallization en-keyword=Pre-nucleation cluster kn-keyword=Pre-nucleation cluster en-keyword=Two-step nucleation kn-keyword=Two-step nucleation en-keyword=Aggregation kn-keyword=Aggregation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=122947 end-page=122962 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202608 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Novel Approximate Solution Method for Euclidean Steiner Tree Problem Based on Genetic Algorithm en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A novel approximate solution method for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem is proposed and its performance is demonstrated through experiments using 195 benchmark problem instances from the OR-Library. Given a finite number of terminal points, the proposed method first generates non-terminal points around each terminal point and at the same location as the Steiner point for each triangle obtained by the Delaunay triangulation for all terminal points. It next runs a genetic algorithm to select a subset of the generated non-terminal points, aiming to minimize the total edge length of a minimum spanning tree for all the terminal points and the selected non-terminal points. It then optimizes the locations of the non-terminal points in the tree using Weiszfeld’s method, while preserving the topology. It finally refines the tree by adding new non-terminal points, adding and removing edges, and optimizing the locations of all non-terminal points. The experimental results show that, among 150 benchmark problem instances with known optimal solutions, the proposed method successfully constructs a Euclidean Steiner tree for 61 instances. For the remaining 89 instances, it produces an approximate solution whose total edge lengths is less than 100.7% of the optimal. The experimental results also show that the proposed method obtains approximate solutions efficiently: within 1.5 seconds for instances with up to 100 terminal points and within 61 seconds for instances with up to 1,000 terminal points. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangLiping en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Liping kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MigitaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Migita en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiNorikazu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Norikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Combinatorial optimization kn-keyword=Combinatorial optimization en-keyword=genetic algorithm kn-keyword=genetic algorithm en-keyword=Fermat problem kn-keyword=Fermat problem en-keyword=Weiszfeld’s method kn-keyword=Weiszfeld’s method en-keyword=Delaunay triangulation kn-keyword=Delaunay triangulation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=159 end-page=169 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260811 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An interdisciplinary approach to sampling hard rock cores of the oceanic crust for microbiological and biogeochemical research en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Studying life in the deep, rocky subseafloor involves many layers of technological and methodological challenges, and each drilling project or expedition must make a series of choices to address these challenges. We report on the workflow for sampling hard rock cores for microbiological and biogeochemical research that was developed and optimized during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 399. All steps of the workflow, including selection of the sample and its shipboard homogenization and subsampling for specific analyses, were designed to maximize the potential for interdisciplinary collaborations and syntheses of results. Furthermore, multiple strategies to minimize and detect potential microbial and organic chemical contamination of the core samples were employed, including the shipboard detection of a fluorescent chemical tracer pumped into the drill fluid. Contamination tracer levels were detectable on the exterior surfaces of the core but absent in the homogenized interiors of most core samples. Based on the experiences and preliminary results of this expedition, recommendations for processing samples on future expeditions are presented. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BrazeltonWilliam J. en-aut-sei=Brazelton en-aut-mei=William J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=CavazosOscar en-aut-sei=Cavazos en-aut-mei=Oscar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RobareJordyn A. en-aut-sei=Robare en-aut-mei=Jordyn A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SouthamGordon en-aut-sei=Southam en-aut-mei=Gordon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuhonenJohanna en-aut-sei=Suhonen en-aut-mei=Johanna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangFengping en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Fengping kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=LangSusan Q. en-aut-sei=Lang en-aut-mei=Susan Q. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=McCaigAndrew en-aut-sei=McCaig en-aut-mei=Andrew kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=BlumPeter en-aut-sei=Blum en-aut-mei=Peter kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeNatsue en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Natsue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ColtatR?mi en-aut-sei=Coltat en-aut-mei=R?mi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=DeansJeremy R. en-aut-sei=Deans en-aut-mei=Jeremy R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=DickersonKristin L. en-aut-sei=Dickerson en-aut-mei=Kristin L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=GodardMarguerite en-aut-sei=Godard en-aut-mei=Marguerite kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=JohnBarbara E. en-aut-sei=John en-aut-mei=Barbara E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KleinFrieder en-aut-sei=Klein en-aut-mei=Frieder kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuehnRebecca en-aut-sei=Kuehn en-aut-mei=Rebecca kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinKuan-Yu en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Kuan-Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=LissenbergC. Johan en-aut-sei=Lissenberg en-aut-mei=C. Johan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuHaiyang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Haiyang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=LopesEthan L. en-aut-sei=Lopes en-aut-mei=Ethan L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=NozakaToshio en-aut-sei=Nozaka en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=ParsonsAndrew J. en-aut-sei=Parsons en-aut-mei=Andrew J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=PathakVamdev en-aut-sei=Pathak en-aut-mei=Vamdev kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=ReaganMark K. en-aut-sei=Reagan en-aut-mei=Mark K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=WheatC. Geoffrey en-aut-sei=Wheat en-aut-mei=C. Geoffrey kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=International Ocean Discovery Program, Texas A&M University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of the Environment and Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=International Ocean Discovery Program, Texas A&M University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Dept. of Geol. and Geophys., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=International Ocean Discovery Program, Texas A&M University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=ISTO, UMR 7327, Univ. Orleans, CNRS, BRGM, OSUC kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Geosciences Montpellier, CNRS, University of Montpellier kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Dept. of Geol. and Geophys., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Institute of Geosciences and Geography, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Purdue University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Dept. of Geophysics, Stanford University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Dept. Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Dept. Geology, Central University of Punjab kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Iowa kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Global Undersea Research Unit, University of Alaska Fairbanks kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=131 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e2026JB034225 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260816 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spin Transition of Ferric Iron in Silicate Glasses Inferred by High‐Pressure Electrical Conductivity Measurements en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Silicate melt has been proposed to exist near the base of the mantle and has been invoked to explain seismic and electrical conductivity anomalies observed near the core-mantle boundary; however, its presence and stability under lowermost-mantle conditions remain uncertain. Here we report high-pressure electrical conductivity measurements of Fe2+- and Fe3+-bearing pyroxene glasses (Fe3+/ΣFe ? 0.5), used as analogs of silicate melts, up to megabar pressures at room temperature. At lower pressures, conductivity increases with pressure and iron content, consistent with electron-hole hopping between Fe2+ and Fe3+. Above 77?85 GPa, all samples show a marked conductivity decrease, suggesting a pressure-induced spin transition of Fe3+. Previous studies have suggested that lower-mantle silicate melts may be enriched in Fe3+, and iron spin-state changes may modify iron partitioning between silicate melts and coexisting crystalline phases. Therefore, the Fe3+ spin transition inferred here may affect the evolution of deep-mantle melts through pressure-dependent changes in iron partitioning behavior. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MashinoIzumi en-aut-sei=Mashino en-aut-mei=Izumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshinoTakashi en-aut-sei=Yoshino en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaoShinji en-aut-sei=Kitao en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuiTakaya en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Takaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaRyo en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetoMakoto en-aut-sei=Seto en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Kansai Photon Science Institute, Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= en-keyword=high pressure kn-keyword=high pressure en-keyword=electrical conductivity kn-keyword=electrical conductivity en-keyword=silicate glass kn-keyword=silicate glass en-keyword=diamond anvil cell kn-keyword=diamond anvil cell en-keyword=the Earth's mantle kn-keyword=the Earth's mantle en-keyword=ferric iron kn-keyword=ferric iron END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e114802 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260819 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Incidence and Time to Onset of Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema (Irvine-Gass Syndrome) After 1,325 Consecutive Cataract Surgeries Performed by a Single Surgeon Over Four Years en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives
Macular edema after cataract surgery is known as pseudophakic cystoid macular edema or Irvine-Gass syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and time to onset of cystoid macular edema after uncomplicated cataract surgery.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted of 1,325 consecutive cataract surgeries performed by a single surgeon at a single institution over four years, from January 2022 to December 2025.
Results
Among 1,325 eyes, one or more macular cysts were detected by optical coherence tomography in 27 eyes (2.0%) of 22 patients who complained of blurred vision or decreased visual acuity after having no symptoms immediately after surgery. The 22 patients (27 eyes: 12 right and 15 left) comprised 12 men and 10 women. Their ages at the time of surgery ranged from 57 to 82 years, with a median of 75.5 years. Of the 27 eyes that developed macular cysts, 13 eyes with no preoperative or intraoperative risk factors for inflammation received topical 0.1% bromfenac twice daily as the only postoperative anti-inflammatory treatment, together with topical antibacterial 0.5% moxifloxacin four times daily. In contrast, the remaining 14 eyes, which had risk factors for inflammation, such as exfoliation, floppy iris, poor mydriasis, extracapsular cataract extraction, or diabetes mellitus, received topical bromfenac twice daily and 0.1% betamethasone (or 0.1% fluorometholone in two eyes) four times daily, as well as topical moxifloxacin. The time from surgery to the diagnosis of macular cysts ranged from one week to eight months, with a median of two weeks, in the 13 eyes treated with topical bromfenac only. In the 14 eyes treated with the combination of topical bromfenac and betamethasone, the time to diagnosis ranged from two weeks to 13 months, with a median of two months. In 26 of the 27 eyes, the macular cysts disappeared and visual acuity returned to normal without residual symptoms within two weeks to seven months, with a median of one month, after topical betamethasone four times daily was initiated or resumed.
Conclusions
Pseudophakic macular cysts developed during the postoperative course in eyes with no preoperative or intraoperative risk factors that received topical bromfenac alone. They also developed later in the postoperative course after the combination of topical bromfenac and betamethasone was discontinued in eyes with risk factors for inflammation. The macular cysts disappeared following the initiation or resumption of topical betamethasone, accompanied by recovery of visual acuity and resolution of symptoms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Nakago-MatsuoChie en-aut-sei=Nakago-Matsuo en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Orthodontics, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=betamethasone kn-keyword=betamethasone en-keyword=bromfenac kn-keyword=bromfenac en-keyword=irvine-gass syndrome kn-keyword=irvine-gass syndrome en-keyword=macular cyst kn-keyword=macular cyst en-keyword=moxifloxacin kn-keyword=moxifloxacin en-keyword=optical coherence tomography kn-keyword=optical coherence tomography en-keyword=pseudophakic cystoid macular edema kn-keyword=pseudophakic cystoid macular edema en-keyword=single surgeon kn-keyword=single surgeon en-keyword=small-incision cataract surgery kn-keyword=small-incision cataract surgery en-keyword=topical medication kn-keyword=topical medication END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=41 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=19516 end-page=19529 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202611 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural Design of Litz Wires for Reducing AC Transport Current Loss Using an Equivalent Circuit Model Considering the Path of All Strands en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Litz wires are generally fabricated based on the proprietary know-how of wire manufacturers. Therefore, the design guidelines for the conductor structure of low-loss Litz wires have not been clearly established. In this study, we investigated the effect of differences in the conductor structure on the AC resistance using the equivalent circuit model considering the path of all strands. Moreover, we proposed design guidelines for the conductor structure of Litz wires to reduce AC resistance originating from strand paths. Furthermore, we prototyped Litz wires according to the proposed design guidelines and compared the AC resistance of the proposed Litz wires with that of commercial Litz wires. As a result, the AC resistance of the prototyped Litz wires according to the proposed design guidelines was reduced compared to that of the commercial Litz wires. Moreover, the quality factor of the spiral coil using the proposed Litz wire was higher than that using the commercial Litz wire. From the above results, we experimentally clarified that the proposed design guidelines for the conductor structure of Litz wires are effective in reducing the AC resistance originating from strand paths. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=InoueRyota en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimSeokBeom en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=SeokBeom kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=AC resistance kn-keyword=AC resistance en-keyword=copper loss kn-keyword=copper loss en-keyword=equivalent circuit kn-keyword=equivalent circuit en-keyword=Litz wire kn-keyword=Litz wire en-keyword=spiral coil kn-keyword=spiral coil END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e0356180 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260813 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study protocol: Effect of inulin supplementation on gut microbiota in patients with oral lichen planus ? A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa characterised by immune dysregulation, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood and no curative treatment has been established. Our previous work showed that patients with oral lichen planus exhibit gut dysbiosis, including reduced microbial diversity and depletion of butyrate-producing bacteria. Because butyrate promotes regulatory T-cell differentiation and supports immune homeostasis, targeting this dysbiosis may represent a microbiota-directed approach for immune modulation in oral lichen planus. This study aims to investigate the effects of inulin supplementation on the gut microbiota and related immune markers in patients with oral lichen planus. This multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial will enrol 80 patients with oral lichen planus. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either inulin (8 g/day) or a maltose placebo for 4 weeks, in addition to standard care. The primary outcome is the change in the relative abundance of prespecified butyrate-producing gut bacteria from baseline to the end of intervention at Week 6. Secondary outcomes include changes in gut microbiota diversity, salivary microbiota composition, faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, peripheral blood regulatory T-cell counts, blood test parameters, and clinical symptoms of oral lichen planus. Analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle, and between-group differences will be assessed using appropriate statistical methods. This trial is designed to evaluate, in a randomised placebo-controlled setting, whether a microbiota-directed intervention can modify gut microbial profiles and related immune markers in patients with oral lichen planus. The findings are expected to clarify whether inulin supplementation can modify gut microbial profiles and related immunological markers in patients with oral lichen planus. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000060840, registered on 1 April 2026 (https://rctportal.mhlw.go.jp/detail/um?trial_id=UMIN000060840#). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NambuKoki en-aut-sei=Nambu en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoNaoki en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokomizoShiho en-aut-sei=Yokomizo en-aut-mei=Shiho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChenHu en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Hu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanLijing en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Lijing kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiyaoWang en-aut-sei=Shiyao en-aut-mei=Wang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShizumaRyusei en-aut-sei=Shizuma en-aut-mei=Ryusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataEiji en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhyamaYukiko en-aut-sei=Ohyama en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagawaShohei en-aut-sei=Akagawa en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IbaragiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Ibaragi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoShintaro en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriyamaMasafumi en-aut-sei=Moriyama en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1988 end-page=1991 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Stomatal Traits in Strawberry Cultivars: Variation among Plant Parts and Associations with Growth and Yield en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Stomatal traits are important determinants of photosynthesis and water use; however, their variation among plant parts and cultivars and their relationships with growth and yield in strawberry remain unclear. This study characterized stomatal density and guard cell length among plant parts and across 34 cultivars and examined their associations with growth and yield. Stomata were found not only on the abaxial leaf surface but also on petioles and calyces and occasionally on the adaxial surface of leaves. Both traits varied widely among cultivars and decreased between November and May. Stomatal density was significantly negatively correlated with plant height, estimated leaf area, and total yield in both seasons, whereas guard cell length showed no significant association with these traits. These results suggest that stomatal density may be a more relevant indicator of growth and yield in strawberries and that characterizing stomatal traits across plant parts and cultivars may support breeding and cultivation research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Hikawa-EndoMinori en-aut-sei=Hikawa-Endo en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanakaRyosuke en-aut-sei=Yamanaka en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Western Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Western Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO kn-affil= en-keyword=stomatal density kn-keyword=stomatal density en-keyword=guard cell length kn-keyword=guard cell length en-keyword=plant growth kn-keyword=plant growth en-keyword=yield kn-keyword=yield END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cathodic AziridinationUsing Dichloramine-Tas a Nitrogen Source en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aziridines are valuable motifs in organic synthesis due to their biological activities and their utility as synthetic intermediates. Although electrochemical methods have been developed for aziridine synthesis, these approaches rely on anodic oxidation. This study reports the first cathodic reduction-promoted aziridine formation using dichloramine-T as a nitrogen source. The reaction conditions were optimized via Gaussian process regression. Overall, this strategy enables aziridine formation with broad substrate scope, providing a practical platform that expands the electrochemical synthesis toolbox. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoEisuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Eisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagamineKanon en-aut-sei=Nagamine en-aut-mei=Kanon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudoKoichi en-aut-sei=Mitsudo en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaSeiji en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=27 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=e70673 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Potential of quantitative X‐ray imaging from photon‐counting CT: A novel analysis based on effective atomic number and physical density en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Conventional CT assessment of lung lesions is based mainly on morphological features. CT values represent relative X-ray attenuation that does not directly reflect tissue composition and/or physical density. Quantitative imaging using photon-counting CT (PC-CT) has the potential to provide quantitative parameters, such as effective atomic number (Zeff) and effective physical density (ρeff).
Purpose: The purpose is to develop and demonstrate the potential of an algorithm that generates both the Zeff and ρeff images, derived directly from virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) acquired with a clinical PC-CT system.
Methods: The ρeff image was generated by fitting a database of mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) to the measured linear attenuation coefficients (μ), which were obtained from two VMIs at 70 and 100 keV. As an effective material, Zeff information was also determined and fed back into the ρeff calculation. An in-house low-density phantom was scanned for quantitative evaluation of ρeff. In addition, to demonstrate the applicability of our procedure to actual clinical imaging, representative chest PC-CT images from patients were analyzed.
Results: In experiments using low-density phantoms, the CT values did not necessarily correlate with Zeff values, but they showed a very good correlation with the ρeff values. The ρeff values calculated using our procedure correlated well with the correct values of ρ. A relative root mean square error of ρeff calculation was 5.5%. Furthermore, we found that in pulmonary diagnosis, image contrast information from ρeff makes it easier to identify and distinguish lesions compared to that from Zeff.
Conclusions: The proposed procedure directly generated Zeff and ρeff images from PC-CT data and enabled quantitative interpretation of CT value in terms of elemental composition and physical density. In this study, the feasibility of generating Zeff and ρeff images was demonstrated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsaharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Asahara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigamiRina en-aut-sei=Nishigami en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoNatsumi en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitaniMana en-aut-sei=Mitani en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation Kanazawa University Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan kn-affil= en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=density image kn-keyword=density image en-keyword=photon-counting kn-keyword=photon-counting en-keyword=virtual monoenergetic image kn-keyword=virtual monoenergetic image en-keyword=X-ray diagnosis kn-keyword=X-ray diagnosis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=302 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=113318 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202608 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Proton pump rhodopsins for optogenetic manipulation of biological activities and beyond en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water (H2O), the principal component of living organisms including humans, dissociates into H+ and OH- in aqueous environments, and the resulting H+ concentration determines both cellular pH and the proton motive force (PMF) across cellular membranes. These physicochemical parameters are fundamental regulators of a wide range of biological processes. Optogenetics enables the manipulation of biological and cellular functions using light, typically through the ectopic expression of microbial rhodopsins as photoreceptive proteins in target cells or organs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of optogenetic studies employing H+ pump rhodopsins in diverse biological systems and highlights their growing relevance to neuroscience, cell biology, bioengineering, and therapeutic research. Notably, optical control of H+ concentration allows the precise modulation of neural and non-neural activities in animals and bacteria, highlighting the broad applicability and significant potential of H+ pump rhodopsins for optogenetics. Based on previous and current studies, we discuss how further expansion of the molecular toolkit of H+ pump rhodopsins could enable increasingly fine-tuned manipulation of intracellular pH dynamics and PMF for probing cellular physiology and designing next-generation therapeutic strategies and consider emerging directions that extend beyond classical optogenetics toward the optical control of bioenergetic and chemical processes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KojimaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiMiyu en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudoYuki en-aut-sei=Sudo en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=H+ pump kn-keyword=H+ pump en-keyword=optogenetics kn-keyword=optogenetics en-keyword=pH kn-keyword=pH en-keyword=proton motive force kn-keyword=proton motive force en-keyword=retinal kn-keyword=retinal en-keyword=rhodopsin kn-keyword=rhodopsin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=e70221 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photochemical Oxidative Esterification of Aldehydes with Radical-Sensitive Alcohols via C?H Bromination en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photochemical esterification is an attractive strategy for the synthesis of multifunctionalized esters, and the use of aldehydes as substrates offers an alternative to conventional carboxylic acid?based approaches. In particular, reactions via acyl halide intermediates are useful for accessing functionalized esters; however, examples of such transformations remain limited so far, and their compatibility with radical-sensitive alcohols remains relatively unexplored. Here, we report a photochemical oxidative esterification of aldehydes with radical-sensitive alcohols enabled by C?H bromination. This reaction proceeds without stoichiometric additives, such as bases, and enables the incorporation of a broad range of radical-sensitive functional groups into esters. Thus, it represents a promising platform for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and functional materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HariyantoNova Alfian en-aut-sei=Hariyanto en-aut-mei=Nova Alfian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoHaru en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Haru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoAtsuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Atsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=C─H bromination kn-keyword=C─H bromination en-keyword=esterification kn-keyword=esterification en-keyword=photochemical synthesis kn-keyword=photochemical synthesis en-keyword=radical reaction kn-keyword=radical reaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=58 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e70454 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260723 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=On Nielsen equivalence classes of two‐element generators of mapping class groups en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We show that there are infinitely many Nielsen equivalence classes of the mapping class group of a closed oriented surface of genus at least eight. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HiroseSusumu en-aut-sei=Hirose en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MondenNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Monden en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e71464 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260729 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis of Tris(indol-3-yl)methanes From Indoles, CO2, and Dimethylphenylsilane With BPh3: Two-Step Construction of π-Conjugated Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Tris(indol-3-yl)methanes were synthesized from indoles, CO2, and PhMe2SiH in the presence of BPh3 in acetonitrile at 50°C. This is the first CO2 fixation reaction forming the aliphatic methine (>CH─) group. The isotope-labeling experiments clearly demonstrated that the carbon and hydrogen atoms of the methine group originated from carbon dioxide and dimethylphenylsilane, respectively. The mechanism for the multicomponent cascade reaction was elucidated by DFT calculations. One of the CO2-derived products, tris(4-bromo-1-methylindol-3-yl)methane, underwent palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cascade reactions for the selective formation of two novel polycyclic heteroaromatic compounds, where the methine C(sp3) atom originating from CO2 was converted into aromatic C(sp2) atoms. One is formally produced via double direct C─H arylation, Wacker-type oxidation, dehydrogenation, and debromination, while the other seems to be produced via the intramolecular homocoupling of aryl bromide, direct C─H arylation, Wacker-type oxidation, and dehydrogenation. Both of them are new intramolecular cascade reactions that are useful for the short-step construction of nitrogen-doped nanographenes. On the other hand, one of the CO2-derived products, tris(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methane, was converted into tris(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methylium methanesulfonate, which is a potential antitumor drug. This is the first derivatization of CO2 to a cationic C(sp2) center. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiSha en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Sha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaibaraSo en-aut-sei=Saibara en-aut-mei=So kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiReito en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Reito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaishiKazuto en-aut-sei=Takaishi en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NittaNatsumi en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=boranes kn-keyword=boranes en-keyword=carbondioxidefixation kn-keyword=carbondioxidefixation en-keyword=cascadereaction kn-keyword=cascadereaction en-keyword=heteroaromatics kn-keyword=heteroaromatics en-keyword=silanes kn-keyword=silanes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=286 end-page=289 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Ultra-Low Input Power Drivable IoT Wireless Sensor using Energy Harvesting from 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This letter implements an ultra-low-power IoT wireless sensor driven by energy harvesting (EH) from 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi and verifies its performance. First, a planar Yagi-Uda antenna was used to extend transmission distance, and its maximum gain was 12.2 dBi. Next, a high-conversion-efficiency rectifier was implemented using surface-mount components to achieve ultra-low input power operation and achieved 15.7% conversion efficiency at ?20 dBm input power. Finally, connecting these components to the sensor module enabled sensor operation at a distance of 3.0 m from the Wi-Fi router. This shows that the proposed IoT wireless sensor offers high flexibility and enables semi-permanent operation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WadahamaMasato en-aut-sei=Wadahama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Fujimori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=RF energy harvesting kn-keyword=RF energy harvesting en-keyword=planar Yagi-Uda antenna kn-keyword=planar Yagi-Uda antenna en-keyword=rectifier kn-keyword=rectifier en-keyword=ultra-low power kn-keyword=ultra-low power en-keyword=IoT kn-keyword=IoT END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=83 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=565 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260730 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Osmotic pressure, correlation lengths and viscosity of aqueous pullulan solutions beyond the overlap concentration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigate the thermodynamic, scattering, and flow properties of pullulan, a flexible non-ionic polysaccharide in aqueous solution, focusing on semidilute and concentrated solutions. We review dilute solution data for the intrinsic viscosity and radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius of aqueous pullulan and find the Kuhn length and thermal blob size, below which the polymer chain is nearly ideal, to be 3 nm and 20 nm, respectively. We establish the scaling laws for static correlation length, specific viscosity, osmotic pressure, and osmotic compressibility across dilute, semidilute, and concentrated regions, finding that the scaling exponents align well with theoretical predictions but the crossover concentrations obtained from different methods are not consistent. The ratio between the osmotic and Ornstein?Zernike correlation lengths ξΠ/ξOZ is approximately 2.5 for aqueous solutions, similar to that observed in polystyrene in a theta solvent. This similarity may arise because the crossover concentration between the semidilute and concentrated regions c?? is close to the overlap concentration c?. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MengLingzi en-aut-sei=Meng en-aut-mei=Lingzi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwatoRene en-aut-sei=Iwato en-aut-mei=Rene kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LopezCarlos G. en-aut-sei=Lopez en-aut-mei=Carlos G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University kn-affil= en-keyword=Pullulan kn-keyword=Pullulan en-keyword=Osmotic pressure kn-keyword=Osmotic pressure en-keyword=Correlation length kn-keyword=Correlation length en-keyword=Semidilute solutions kn-keyword=Semidilute solutions en-keyword=Concentrated solutions kn-keyword=Concentrated solutions en-keyword=Viscosity kn-keyword=Viscosity en-keyword=SAXS kn-keyword=SAXS en-keyword=SANS kn-keyword=SANS en-keyword=DLS kn-keyword=DLS END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=36 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=789 end-page=797 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Transplanting Date and Photoperiod on Flowering of Everbearing Strawberries en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Everbearing strawberries have the potential to produce fruit year-round if transplanted early. However, temperature and plant physiological status limit the continuous flowering. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether promoting flowering through long-day phototreatment enables earlier transplanting. The interaction between transplanting date and photoperiod in two everbearing strawberry cultivars was examined. In the 04 cultivar, which exhibited strong everbearing characteristics, rapid and continuous flowering occurred largely independent of long-day treatment, and early transplanting alone increased inflorescence number and early yield. However, excessive flowering was associated with reduced average fruit weight, soluble solid concentration, and firmness. Conversely, in Yotsuboshi, a cultivar with weak everbearing characteristics, earlier transplanting combined with extended photoperiods advanced the emergence of the first and second inflorescences. However, gains in total early yield were small, and the average fruit weight decreased compared with that in the control, indicating physiological stress. Across the cultivars, earlier inflorescence emergence was negatively correlated with days to flowering and positively associated with cumulative yield. For practical applications, cultivars with strong everbearing characteristics can be managed with early transplanting and minimal long-day supplementation to ensure early production. In contrast, cultivars with weak everbearing characteristics require extended photoperiods following early transplanting along with stress-mitigation strategies to maintain fruit size and quality. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Hikawa-EndoMinori en-aut-sei=Hikawa-Endo en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanakaRyosuke en-aut-sei=Yamanaka en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Western Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Western Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO kn-affil= en-keyword=continuous flowering kn-keyword=continuous flowering en-keyword=fruit quality kn-keyword=fruit quality en-keyword=fruit yield kn-keyword=fruit yield en-keyword=inflorescence emergence kn-keyword=inflorescence emergence en-keyword=photoperiod kn-keyword=photoperiod en-keyword=transplanting date kn-keyword=transplanting date END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=127 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=111090 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202611 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Outcome-aware and interpretable subtyping of chronic kidney disease: an analysis of the FROM-J study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 10% of the global population and exhibits substantial heterogeneity in disease progression and clinical outcomes. Despite ongoing efforts to develop new therapeutic strategies, the number of patients progressing to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continue to rise. Although severity classification systems for CKD are well established and refined, they remain insufficient to capture prognostically relevant patient subtypes. In this study, we developed an outcome-aware and interpretable clustering framework for CKD subtyping using data from the FROM-J cohort with prognostic follow-up. A supervised XGBoost model was first trained to predict a ? 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a surrogate marker of CKD progression. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values derived from this model were then used to quantify outcome-relevant feature contributions. Based on these feature attributions, a similarity graph was constructed, and spectral clustering was performed to identify patient subtypes driven by prognostic relevance. The proposed framework identified four CKD subtypes with distinct baseline clinical characteristics and significantly different risks of renal replacement therapy (RRT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and smoking status consistently emerged as key features defining subtype structure and prognosis. Robust risk stratification was preserved even when clustering was restricted to these three routinely measured variables. Overall, our findings demonstrate that integrating outcome-driven feature attribution into clustering enables interpretable and clinically relevant CKD subtyping, providing a practical approach for characterizing disease heterogeneity and supporting risk stratification and personalized management. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShiTianyi en-aut-sei=Shi en-aut-mei=Tianyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YeXiucai en-aut-sei=Ye en-aut-mei=Xiucai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=XiWenyu en-aut-sei=Xi en-aut-mei=Wenyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImakuraAkira en-aut-sei=Imakura en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaseKaori en-aut-sei=Mase en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsunodaRyoya en-aut-sei=Tsunoda en-aut-mei=Ryoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoChie en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoAkihiko en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaShoichi en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Shoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaTakashi en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaIchiei en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Ichiei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagataKunihiro en-aut-sei=Yamagata en-aut-mei=Kunihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiTetsuya en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Blood Purification Unit, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= en-keyword=Chronic kidney disease kn-keyword=Chronic kidney disease en-keyword=Outcome-aware clustering kn-keyword=Outcome-aware clustering en-keyword=Interpretable machine learning kn-keyword=Interpretable machine learning en-keyword=Risk stratification kn-keyword=Risk stratification en-keyword=Disease progression kn-keyword=Disease progression END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100152 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Immersion is not enough: Design quality as the key determinant of perceived effectiveness and usage intention in educational virtual reality en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) are increasingly used to support conceptual understanding in science education, yet perceived learning benefits depend on the quality of system design rather than immersion alone. This study investigates how four design-quality dimensions?Visual and Technological Design (VT), Aesthetic Quality (AQ), Curriculum Alignment (CA), and Digital Feasibility (DF)?influence learners' Perceived Effectiveness (PE) and Intention to Use (IU) the VARIASI VR simulation, which visualizes particle behavior across phase states of matter. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data from 60 participants were analyzed using PLS-SEM, followed by reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended responses. Results show that VT, AQ, CA, and DF each significantly predict PE, demonstrating that learners' perception of effectiveness depends on the coordinated alignment of conceptual clarity, emotional resonance, and system reliability. However, none of these dimensions directly predicted IU, and the PE → IU relationship was positive but marginal, reflecting learners’ need for procedural guidance and comfort to sustain voluntary adoption. Qualitative findings reveal that while VR enhanced conceptual clarity and engagement, continued use depended on familiarity, scaffolding, and physical comfort. The study highlights that effective VR-based science learning experiences emerge when immersive environments are not only well-designed but pedagogically framed to support confidence and sustained use. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SamsudinAchmad en-aut-sei=Samsudin en-aut-mei=Achmad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZahranMuhammad en-aut-sei=Zahran en-aut-mei=Muhammad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NugrahaEki en-aut-sei=Nugraha en-aut-mei=Eki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NasbeyHadi en-aut-sei=Nasbey en-aut-mei=Hadi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SozbilirMustafa en-aut-sei=Sozbilir en-aut-mei=Mustafa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmanNor Farahwahidah Abdul en-aut-sei=Rahman en-aut-mei=Nor Farahwahidah Abdul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IrieTakashi en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Universitas Negeri Jakarta kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Atat?rk University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Universiti Teknologi Malaysia kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Virtual reality kn-keyword=Virtual reality en-keyword=Science education kn-keyword=Science education en-keyword=Immersive learning kn-keyword=Immersive learning en-keyword=Design quality kn-keyword=Design quality en-keyword=PLS-SEM kn-keyword=PLS-SEM en-keyword=Technology adoption kn-keyword=Technology adoption END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=542-543 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=108716 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20261115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Serpentinization parageneses controlled by lithological variations among olivine gabbro and peridotite from the Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Serpentinization of olivine impacts the geochemical and ecological environment via molecular hydrogen production, promoted by iron oxidation to form magnetite and ferric iron in serpentine. Previous studies suggested that serpentinization proceeds with various reactions and the extent of iron oxidation is variable depending on the reaction pathways. To examine the effect of lithological variation on reactions at an incipient stage of serpentinization, we carried out microscopic observations, electron-probe analyses, and Raman spectroscopy of serpentine veins cutting olivine in gabbroic rocks and peridotites from the Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The results indicate that the serpentine veins in the proximity of olivine dominantly comprise lizardite mixed with variable minor phases or components depending on igneous lithology: brucite in peridotites, troctolites, and primitive olivine gabbros; cronstedtite-bearing serpentine, commonly without brucite, in some troctolites and slightly evolved olivine gabbros; and neither brucite nor cronstedtite component in evolved olivine gabbros. This suggests that incipient-stage serpentinization paragenesis is dominantly controlled by silica activity reflecting lithological variation. In addition to magnetite, the formation of cronstedtite in gabbroic rocks has the potential to produce hydrogen. The presence or absence of brucite and cronstedtite could affect the timing and magnitude of iron oxidation and hydrogen production during serpentinization. Considering the predominance of gabbroic rocks in the lower oceanic crust, the variation in incipient-stage serpentinization paragenesis in gabbroic rocks may have an impact on the redox state and ecological environment around the (sub)seafloor. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NozakaToshio en-aut-sei=Nozaka en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KazumataShun en-aut-sei=Kazumata en-aut-mei=Shun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KleinFrieder en-aut-sei=Klein en-aut-mei=Frieder kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution kn-affil= en-keyword=Serpentinization kn-keyword=Serpentinization en-keyword=Brucite kn-keyword=Brucite en-keyword=Cronstedtite kn-keyword=Cronstedtite en-keyword=Olivine gabbro kn-keyword=Olivine gabbro en-keyword=Peridotite kn-keyword=Peridotite en-keyword=Atlantis Massif kn-keyword=Atlantis Massif END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=1884 end-page=1891 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202408 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Shoot-to-Root Ratio Serves as an Early Practical Indicator of Tipburn Risk in Lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.] Seedlings en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Tipburn is a calcium-related physiological disorder that reduces lisianthus seedling quality, yet the factors underlying cultivar differences remain unclear. This study evaluated 10 lisianthus cultivars to determine whether the shoot-to-root (S/R) ratio and key physiological traits influence tipburn susceptibility. Seedlings were grown in a closed production system with restricted root volume and once-daily irrigation to enhance symptom expression. The S/R ratio varied significantly among cultivars (2.82?4.02) and was strongly correlated with tipburn incidence (r = 0.744, P < 0.05) and severity (r = 0.706, P < 0.05). Cultivars with higher S/R ratios exhibited greater tipburn, whereas those with lower ratios showed little to no symptoms. Diurnal measurements of transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, and electron transport rate revealed cultivar-specific physiological patterns; however, midday transpiration showed only a weak association with tipburn. These results indicate that biomass allocation, rather than physiological activity alone, is the primary factor governing tipburn susceptibility. The S/R ratio represents a simple and practical indicator for identifying high-risk cultivars in nursery production. Future studies should investigate the roles of calcium transport, developmental stage, and irrigation management in mitigating tipburn occurrence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SambaNethone en-aut-sei=Samba en-aut-mei=Nethone kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkiKureha en-aut-sei=Iki en-aut-mei=Kureha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoTanjuro en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Tanjuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Hikawa-EndoMinori en-aut-sei=Hikawa-Endo en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasubaKen-ichiro en-aut-sei=Yasuba en-aut-mei=Ken-ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamaYoko en-aut-sei=Miyama en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Fukushima Prefectural Iwaki Agriculture and Forestry Office kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan; and The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University kn-affil= en-keyword=biomass allocation kn-keyword=biomass allocation en-keyword=calcium deficiency kn-keyword=calcium deficiency en-keyword=cultivar kn-keyword=cultivar en-keyword=physiology kn-keyword=physiology en-keyword=transpiration kn-keyword=transpiration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1874501 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260723 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Achilles tendon?the largest and strongest of the many tendons in the human body?consists of subtendons arising from each head of the triceps surae. These subtendons run helically and intertwine to form a twisted three-dimensional structure. More than a century has passed since the twisted structure of the Achilles tendon was first described, and numerous studies have investigated its functional morphology. However, it remains unclear how the presence or degree of twist affects the mechanical function of the lower limbs. Here, using finite element models of the Achilles tendon with and without twist, we show that the presence and degree of twist can modulate the forces transmitted from muscle to skeleton in a complex manner. In contrast to the model without twist, the twisted models clearly exhibit anterolaterally directed horizontal forces at the distal end under a simple proximal tensile load. The lateral and anterior components reach approximately 101 N and 63 N, respectively. Furthermore, the twisted structure induces inter-subtendon force transmission, and the magnitude of the transmitted force increases with increasing degree of twist. These results indicate that the uniaxial contractile force generated by the triceps surae is transformed into triaxial forces by the twisted Achilles tendon and is redistributed in a complex three-dimensional manner through inter-subtendon interactions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=EnomotoShota en-aut-sei=Enomoto en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoKohta en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Kohta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= en-keyword=computer aided engineering kn-keyword=computer aided engineering en-keyword=finite element analysis kn-keyword=finite element analysis en-keyword=modeling kn-keyword=modeling en-keyword=morphology kn-keyword=morphology en-keyword=subtendons kn-keyword=subtendons END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=28 cd-vols= no-issue=29 article-no= start-page=12214 end-page=12224 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Terpolymerization of epoxide, oxetane, and CO2 for the synthesis of polycarbonates with high CO2 contents, physical tunability, and enzymatic degradability en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Although poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) synthesized by the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2 is a promising material, the physical properties of this material need to be altered and tuned for its wider applications. To this end, we employed a terpolymerization strategy increasing the CO2 content in the resulting polymers. Terpolymerization of CHO, oxetane, and CO2 using AlIII porphyrin catalysts with quaternary ammonium halides afforded polycarbonates with high CO2 contents, physical tunability, and enzymatic degradability. The counter anions of the catalysts were crucial factors in the formation of the poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) unit. 1a with bromide ions preferentially produced trimethylene carbonate (TMC) over PTMC, while 1d with chloride ions suppressed the formation of TMC and produced PCHC?PTMC directly. PCHC?PTMC showed glass transition temperatures (Tg) between 69 °C and ?9 °C, depending on the PCHC/PTMC ratio. The tensile test revealed that the PTMC unit contributed to the softening of the film materials. For example, a film material with a CO2 content of 38 wt% showed 505% elongation at break with an elastic character, which contrasted starkly with the 1.3% elongation at break of PCHC with a CO2 content of 31 wt%. Moreover, the selective degradation of the PTMC unit in PCHC?PTMC was achieved with lipases, and a gradient character in the sequence structure was suggested. Overall, PCHC?PTMC is an environmentally benign and sustainable CO2-based polycarbonate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NikiKaito en-aut-sei=Niki en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaChihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=14 article-no= start-page=e2026GL122472 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260728 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrical Conductivity of Hydrous Ultramafic Melts With Implications for Origin of Low Velocity Layer Atop of the 410?km Seismic Discontinuity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Low-velocity layers (LVLs) above the 410-km discontinuity are commonly attributed to partial melt generated by dehydration melting when hydrous mantle transition-zone material rises into the upper mantle, where water solubility in nominally anhydrous minerals decreases. Interpreting coexisting high-conductivity anomalies requires constraints on the intrinsic conductivity of the melt phase at pressures just above the transition zone. We measured electrical conductivity of hydrous ultramafic melts representative of incipient melts, ranging from 6.3 to 18.6 wt% H2O at 13 GPa using impedance spectroscopy in a Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus. Hydrous ultramafic melts are extremely conductive, and conductivity increases systematically with H2O content to values comparable to alkali-carbonate melts. The high conductivity implies that even small fractions of interconnected hydrous melt can dominate bulk mantle conductivity. Combining our measurements with geophysical conductance estimates indicates that <1 vol% melt can produce conductive layers thicker than 10 km, consistent with seismological constraints on LVL structure. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshinoTakashi en-aut-sei=Yoshino en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=XieLongjian en-aut-sei=Xie en-aut-mei=Longjian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research kn-affil= en-keyword=electrical conductivity kn-keyword=electrical conductivity en-keyword=water kn-keyword=water en-keyword=low velocity zone kn-keyword=low velocity zone en-keyword=silicate melt kn-keyword=silicate melt en-keyword=mantle kn-keyword=mantle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=103486 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Students’ perceptions of an electronic one-minute paper in a radiography training programme: An exploratory cross-sectional questionnaire study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Formative assessment can support health professions education; however, reports on electronic 1-min papers as classroom feedback and engagement tools in radiography programmes remain limited. This study explored radiography students’ perceptions of an electronic 1-min paper, focusing on in-class reflection, ease of asking questions, and instructor feedback.
Methods: An electronic 1-min paper was used in a radiotherapy course across 45 class sessions in the 2024 academic year for third-year students enrolled in a 4-year radiography programme. Each 90-min class comprised a 60-min lecture, 10-min completion of the paper, and 20-min instructor feedback. After the course, a de-identified online questionnaire was administered. Eleven 5-point Likert-scale items were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlations. Free-text responses were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.
Results: Of the 77 eligible students, 74 responded (96.1%). Ease of use received the highest rating (mean, 4.76; standard deviation [SD], 0.52), followed by ease of asking questions (mean, 4.32), question resolution (mean, 4.16), and usefulness of instructor feedback (mean, 4.08). Motivation to review after class was lowest (mean, 3.04; SD, 1.16). Active participation showed a strong positive association with in-class concentration (rs = 0.815; P < 0.001). Free-text responses indicated reflection and improved understanding, anonymous sharing of questions, active listening and concentration, and suggestions for improvement.
Conclusion: The electronic 1-min paper was widely accepted and perceived to support in-class reflection, question expression, and immediate feedback. However, students’ perceptions of its influence on out-of-class review motivation were limited. The findings indicate perceived value and engagement rather than demonstrated educational effectiveness.
Implications for practice: Electronic 1-min papers may help instructors identify students’ questions and respond during class, providing a practical approach to in-class feedback. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KomatsuY. en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeS. en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsudouS. en-aut-sei=Tsudou en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoY. en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeY. en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Jikei University of Health Care Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Jikei University of Health Care Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Electronic 1-min paper kn-keyword=Electronic 1-min paper en-keyword=Formative assessment kn-keyword=Formative assessment en-keyword=Radiography education kn-keyword=Radiography education en-keyword=Immediate feedback kn-keyword=Immediate feedback en-keyword=Student engagement kn-keyword=Student engagement en-keyword=Health professions education kn-keyword=Health professions education END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=429 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=140693 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2027 dt-pub=202702 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mechanism of Enhanced Heat Release in Spray Combustion of a Methanol?DME Blended Fuel en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper investigates the spray combustion characteristics of a methanol?DME blended fuel with a DME mole fraction of 0.57 in a constant volume vessel. The rate of heat release (ROHR) was evaluated using pressure-based heat release analysis. The results show that the methanol?DME blended fuel requires a longer injection duration due to the lower LHV (lower heating value), but it exhibits a shorter combustion duration than conventional diesel fuel, together with a higher ROHR normalized by the injection LHV rate and a shorter afterburning duration. To elucidate the relationship between the spray combustion processes and the ROHR characteristics, the spray flame was visualized using schlieren and OH chemiluminescence imaging techniques. In addition, a one-dimensional simulation based on a diesel jet model was conducted to evaluate the distributions of the equivalence ratio. These analyses reveal that the lower theoretical air?fuel ratio, attributed to the oxygenated nature of the methanol?DME blended fuel, reduces the equivalence ratio within the spray, promoting earlier formation of near-stoichiometric mixtures. As a result, the ROHR reaches and sustains its maximum earlier during mixing-controlled combustion, and fuel consumption is enhanced during afterburning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KobashiYoshimitsu en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Yoshimitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakinoShodai en-aut-sei=Makino en-aut-mei=Shodai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaMasakuni en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Masakuni kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaNobuyuki en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Nobuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakaKatsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=Katsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Technical Management Division, Carbon Neutral Technology Department, DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG. CO., LTD. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Technical Management Division, Carbon Neutral Technology Department, DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG. CO., LTD. kn-affil= en-keyword=Diesel Engine kn-keyword=Diesel Engine en-keyword=Methanol kn-keyword=Methanol en-keyword=DME kn-keyword=DME en-keyword=Mixing-controlled combustion kn-keyword=Mixing-controlled combustion en-keyword=Oxygenated fuel kn-keyword=Oxygenated fuel END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=134 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=455 end-page=460 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260701 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dielectric response modulation in relaxor (Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 via engineered defect en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Defect engineering provides an effective pathway to tune the dielectric response of relaxor ferroelectrics, yet the roles of individual defect species in tungsten bronze (TTB) systems remain unclear. Here, we investigated how engineered Ti?VO?? defect dipoles and native oxygen vacancies introduced through reduction annealing modify the dielectric properties of relaxor (Sr0.5,Ba0.5)Nb2O6 (0.5-SBN). Ti loading forms stable defect dipoles that generate smaller polar nanoregions (PNRs), suppress their overgrowth, and increase the number of dynamically active PNRs at room temperature, leading to enhanced permittivity ε′ while preserving DC-bias stability and breakdown strength (EB). Reduction annealing generates Nb4+-related local polarizations aligned with the external electric field, which strengthen dipole fluctuations and slightly increase ε′. Electron localization further relaxes the TTB-A2 site disorder?induced random fields, yielding a sharper dielectric peak and promoting more uniform PNR growth. Microwave dielectric spectroscopy combined with electromagnetic simulations revealed that the increases in ε′ for both Ti-loaded and reduced samples (0.5-SBNT and Reduced 0.5-SBN, respectively) originate predominantly from enhanced dipole polarization. Despite grain coarsening in 0.5-SBNT, the EB remained unchanged, indicating that defect dipoles act as pinning centers that inhibit field-induced PNR aggregation. In reduced 0.5-SBN, EB increased up to pO0 = 4.3 × 10?3 atm owing to relaxed random fields, whereas excessive reduction reduced EB through carrier-driven space-charge effects. These results demonstrate that precise control of defect species enables simultaneous optimization of ε′, DC-bias stability, and EB in TTB-type relaxor ferroelectrics. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShiotaRyusei en-aut-sei=Shiota en-aut-mei=Ryusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeranishiTakashi en-aut-sei=Teranishi en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoShinya en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoAkira en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Relaxor ferroelectrics kn-keyword=Relaxor ferroelectrics en-keyword=(Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 kn-keyword=(Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 en-keyword=Polar nanoregions kn-keyword=Polar nanoregions en-keyword=Dipole polarization kn-keyword=Dipole polarization en-keyword=DC bias response kn-keyword=DC bias response END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1875734 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260703 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quantitative resistance to Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 develops independently in leaves and roots of Brachypodium distachyon en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rhizoctonia solani is a soil-borne phytopathogen with a broad host range, classified into multiple anastomosis groups (AGs). While the rice sheath blight pathogen AG-1 IA is well-studied, defense mechanisms against AG-4, which infects diverse monocots and dicots, remain unclear. Here, we screened 153 Brachypodium distachyon accessions for resistance to AG-4 HG-I+II using both leaf and soil inoculation assays. The accessions exhibited a quantitative resistance spectrum in both assays. Some accessions were resistant to both methods, while others showed resistance in only one, indicating that leaf and root defenses operate independently. Unlike the salicylic acid (SA)-dependent resistance observed in several accessions against AG-1 IA, AG-4 leaf resistance appears to be largely SA-independent. Among 22 resistant accessions, only eight induced the SA marker BdWRKY38, whereas twelve induced the jasmonic acid (JA) marker BdAOS. Additionally, resistance in Bd3?1 was unaffected by expression of the SA hydroxylase NahG. These results are consistent with previous findings that exogenous application of SA, JA, or ethylene fails to confer AG-4 resistance. Instead, most AG-4-resistant accessions showed common upregulation of cell wall biosynthesis-related genes following leaf infection, suggesting that cell wall fortification may contribute to defense against AG-4. These findings establish B. distachyon as a valuable model for dissecting resistance mechanisms against R. solani AG-4. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FernandaRozi en-aut-sei=Fernanda en-aut-mei=Rozi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MahadevanNiranjan en-aut-sei=Mahadevan en-aut-mei=Niranjan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoNatsuka en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Natsuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoReiko en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KouzaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Kouzai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MochidaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Mochida en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Crop Stress Management Group, Division of Plant Molecular Regulation Research, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Brachypodium distachyon kn-keyword=Brachypodium distachyon en-keyword=cell wall fortification kn-keyword=cell wall fortification en-keyword=phytohormone kn-keyword=phytohormone en-keyword=quantitative resistance kn-keyword=quantitative resistance en-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani kn-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani en-keyword=root infection kn-keyword=root infection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=228 end-page=236 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of Acquired LCAT Deficiency with the Discrepancy between Spontaneous Resolution of Proteinuria and Continually Low HDL Cholesterol Levels en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 79-year-old Chinese man was referred for nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria 4.4 g/day). In blood tests, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was undetectable, and the esterified cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio was very low. Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was also undetectable. Since he had neither corneal opacity nor pathological mutations in the LCAT gene and anti-LCAT antibodies were detected in serum, a diagnosis of acquired LCAT deficiency was made. Renal biopsy revealed glomerulopathy associated with LCAT deficiency and membranous nephropathy (MN). Since the patient’s proteinuria did not improve despite prescribing an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), we suggested the prescription of prednisolone, but he returned to China due to the expiration of his residence visa for Japan. One year after the initial visit, his proteinuria had improved to 0.9 g/day without immunosuppressive therapy. However, his HDL cholesterol level was still low at around 3 mg/dL, indicating a discrepancy between remission of nephrotic syndrome and lack of improvement in lipid levels.
Of the 11 patients with acquired LCAT deficiency reported to date, 4 with undetectable LCAT activity and MN on renal biopsy required immunosuppressive therapy to alleviate proteinuria. The present patient was prescribed only an ARB according to his preference, which happened to be consistent with the MN treatment guideline that states, “Wait 6 months for spontaneous remission while using maximal antiproteinuric therapy.” The clinical course of acquired LCAT deficiency varies, and further case reports are needed to determine the necessity of immunosuppressive therapy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoMiki en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguraMasatsune en-aut-sei=Ogura en-aut-mei=Masatsune kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArisatoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Arisato en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishidaMasatsugu en-aut-sei=Kishida en-aut-mei=Masatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Harada-ShibaMariko en-aut-sei=Harada-Shiba en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoteKoutaro en-aut-sei=Yokote en-aut-mei=Koutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiharaFumiki en-aut-sei=Yoshihara en-aut-mei=Fumiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Science, Juntendo University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Advanced Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Cardiovascular Center, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= en-keyword=Acquired LCAT deficiency kn-keyword=Acquired LCAT deficiency en-keyword=HDL deficiency kn-keyword=HDL deficiency en-keyword=Nephrotic syndrome kn-keyword=Nephrotic syndrome en-keyword=Membranous glomerulonephritis kn-keyword=Membranous glomerulonephritis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=400 end-page=408 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Outcomes following the discontinuation of biologic therapy in patients with severe asthma en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Biologic therapies are pivotal in managing severe asthma. Despite their efficacy, some patients discontinue biologics, with varying outcomes. Predictors of successful versus unsuccessful discontinuation remain poorly defined. This study aimed to identify clinical factors associated with post-discontinuation outcomes in a real-world practice.
Methods: This retrospective cohort included adults with severe asthma who had received biologics for at least 12 months and subsequently discontinued therapy for a minimum of three consecutive months. We assessed the effects of baseline blood eosinophilia (?300 cells/μL), residual sputum symptoms during biologic therapy, treatment responsiveness, biologic class, and discontinuation reasons on post-discontinuation asthma exacerbation rates using multivariable Cox models.
Results: A total of 118 patients were analyzed. The Kaplan?Meier analysis estimated a 65 % exacerbation-free probability at 12 months after discontinuation. Factors associated with successful discontinuation included a robust clinical response and absence of exacerbations before cessation. Conversely, baseline eosinophilia, residual sputum symptoms during biologics, and discontinuation due to inadequate therapeutic response or financial burden were associated with post-discontinuation exacerbations. In class-stratified restricted models, persistent sputum remained significantly associated with post-discontinuation exacerbations after stopping anti-IL-5 therapies, while baseline eosinophilia was associated with post-discontinuation exacerbations after stopping anti-IgE or anti-IL-4Rα. Among patients with sputum symptoms or poor-response discontinuation, the overall frequency of exacerbations declined after discontinuation.
Conclusions: Baseline eosinophilia, persistent sputum during therapy, and discontinuation prompted by poor response or cost may serve as risk factors for post-discontinuation exacerbations; however, risk is phenotype- and class-dependent. Careful patient selection and monitoring are essential when considering the discontinuation of biologic treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagasakiTadao en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Tadao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoHisako en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Hisako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwanagaTakashi en-aut-sei=Iwanaga en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsunagaKazuto en-aut-sei=Matsunaga en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiyaKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Sekiya en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaTomoya en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiShogo en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaNorihiro en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Norihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Koya en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukunagaKoichi en-aut-sei=Fukunaga en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoTakeshi en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaiKazuhisa en-aut-sei=Asai en-aut-mei=Kazuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomaseYuko en-aut-sei=Komase en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=GonYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Gon en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAkihiko en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=SagaraHironori en-aut-sei=Sagara en-aut-mei=Hironori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunadomeHironobu en-aut-sei=Sunadome en-aut-mei=Hironobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoichi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=NiimiAkio en-aut-sei=Niimi en-aut-mei=Akio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=HattoriNoboru en-aut-sei=Hattori en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=HajiroTakashi en-aut-sei=Hajiro en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoHajime en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=HojoMasayuki en-aut-sei=Hojo en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaNobuaki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Nobuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiMasafumi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiKimiko en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Kimiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoAkiko en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraguchiRyuta en-aut-sei=Haraguchi en-aut-mei=Ryuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakiMasato en-aut-sei=Muraki en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=31 ORCID= en-aut-name=TohdaYuji en-aut-sei=Tohda en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=32 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Nara Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara National Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shizuoka General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University, School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, St.Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama Seibu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Showa Medical University, School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Showa Medical University, School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Care and Sleep Control Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Medical Center for Allergic and Immune Diseases, Yokohama City Minato Red Cross Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tenri Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Division of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Nara Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Adult asthma kn-keyword=Adult asthma en-keyword=Biologics kn-keyword=Biologics en-keyword=Discontinuation kn-keyword=Discontinuation en-keyword=Exacerbation kn-keyword=Exacerbation en-keyword=Severe asthma kn-keyword=Severe asthma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=19 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251210 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Plasma expression levels of microRNA-101 are downregulated in patients with Parkinson’s disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to PD pathogenesis, with the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) system playing a protective role. HRD1, an ER-resident ubiquitin ligase, and its stabilizer SEL1L are involved in ERAD and neuronal survival. This study investigated alterations in the plasma levels of microRNA-101 (miR-101), which targets SEL1L, in patients with PD, and its potential role as a biomarker.
Results Plasma miR-101 levels in patients with PD significantly decreased compared with those in healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that miR-101 could moderately discriminate patients with PD from healthy individuals (area under the curve?=?0.781, 95% confidence interval?=?0.547?1.00). The optimal cutoff, as determined by the Youden index, was 0.737 (expression ratio relative to that in the healthy control group), yielding a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 100%. These results suggested that reduced plasma miR-101 expression may reflect the pathophysiological state of PD, and miR-101 has potential as minimally invasive biomarker for PD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OmuraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiguchiHiroki en-aut-sei=Nishiguchi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanedaHaruka en-aut-sei=Kaneda en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitahiroYumi en-aut-sei=Kitahiro en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoharaKotaro en-aut-sei=Itohara en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaneToshiyasu en-aut-sei=Sakane en-aut-mei=Toshiyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoIkuko en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Integrated Clinical and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Parkinson’s disease kn-keyword=Parkinson’s disease en-keyword=microRNA kn-keyword=microRNA en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress en-keyword=HRD1 kn-keyword=HRD1 en-keyword=SEL1L kn-keyword=SEL1L END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Sex differences and contest experience shape walking patterns in the broad-horned flour beetle en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Animal movement patterns vary widely across species, and sex differences are often expected because males typically need to encounter multiple females and acquire resources. In species where males engage in male?male combat using exaggerated weapons, variation in weapon size and contest outcomes is known to influence male reproductive strategies, and may therefore also affect movement behavior. However, sex-specific and male-specific differences in locomotor behavior, particularly in relation to weapon size and social interactions, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated walking trajectories in the broad-horned flour beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus) to test for (1) sex differences, (2) associations between male weapon size and movement behavior, and (3) the effects of male?male combat. Males exhibited more tortuous and localized movement, whereas females showed straighter and more spatially extensive trajectories. Following contests, all males showed a reduction in activity regardless of contest outcome; however, winners and losers exhibited divergent changes in movement patterns, with winners showing straighter and more spatially extensive trajectories and losers showing more tortuous and localized trajectories. In contrast, body-size-corrected weapon size was not associated with any aspect of walking behavior. These results indicate that locomotor behavior in G. cornutus varies with sex and contest experience, and that variation in walking behavior is more closely associated with social experience than with weapon morphology. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumuraKentarou en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Kentarou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashiokaSora en-aut-sei=Hashioka en-aut-mei=Sora kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagayaNaohisa en-aut-sei=Nagaya en-aut-mei=Naohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisawaRyusuke en-aut-sei=Fujisawa en-aut-mei=Ryusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, Kyoto Sangyo University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental Engineering, University of Kitakyushu, kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Turning angle kn-keyword=Turning angle en-keyword= Acceleration kn-keyword= Acceleration en-keyword=Male-male combat kn-keyword=Male-male combat en-keyword=Weapon kn-keyword=Weapon en-keyword=ANTAM kn-keyword=ANTAM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=128 end-page=135 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Developing and Implementing a Disaster Prevention Game to Enhance Local Understanding en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study developed and implemented a local disaster prevention sugoroku-style game to address challenges in preserving and transmitting regional knowledge in areas with high population mobility. Many Japanese communities face both natural and social vulnerabilities, and effective disaster education requires linking hazard knowledge with local characteristics. Conducted at Sonan Junior High School in Okayama, the project combined lectures, workshops, and a community engagement event. Students learned about regional topography, land use, and disaster history and used this knowledge to design quizzes, rules, and disaster scenarios for the game. The final sugoroku set included a map-based board, thematic quiz areas, and preparedness item cards, enabling players to predict damage and consider appropriate actions. After creating the game, students shifted from identifying familiar landmarks to describing concrete disaster impacts such as liquefaction or infrastructure collapse. Interaction with local residents further enriched learning through shared experiences. The model proved feasible in terms of time and cost, and its structure is easily adaptable to other regions by incorporating local information. The findings suggest that this participatory, place-based approach enhances imagination, self-efficacy, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, contributing to community-wide disaster preparedness. Future studies will examine long-term educational impacts and broader regional applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShirokaneMiri en-aut-sei=Shirokane en-aut-mei=Miri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaAiri en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Airi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisawaRyo en-aut-sei=Misawa en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MattaNobuhisa en-aut-sei=Matta en-aut-mei=Nobuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=disaster education kn-keyword=disaster education en-keyword=local disaster knowledge kn-keyword=local disaster knowledge en-keyword=disaster literacy kn-keyword=disaster literacy en-keyword=damage estimation abilities kn-keyword=damage estimation abilities en-keyword=community resilience kn-keyword=community resilience END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3482 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Atomic imaging for hydrogen and boron aggregates in boron-doped diamond by spectro-photoelectron holography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The electrical properties of diamond are modulated by impurity doping. Isolated substitutional boron atoms introduce holes; however, the fraction of electrically inactive boron atoms increases at higher doping concentrations. This has been attributed to boron aggregation and hydrogen passivation, although their structural identification based on atomic arrangement has yet to be experimentally verified. Here we show the origin of multiple chemical states in homoepitaxially grown boron-doped diamond thin films by analyzing the atomic environment of boron using spectro-photoelectron holography. Our analysis identifies boron dimers and boron-hydrogen complexes, with hydrogen occupying different atomic sites that give rise to distinct chemical shifts. These results suggest that hydrogen incorporation during growth leads to passivation of boron acceptors. We demonstrate that photoelectron holography serves as a promising tool for imaging hydrogen as well as determining the atomic sites of dopants. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TomitaHiroto en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Hiroto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosodaWataru en-aut-sei=Hosoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiTakumi en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHirokazu en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KageuraTaisuke en-aut-sei=Kageura en-aut-mei=Taisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakanoYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Takano en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaradaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kawarada en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguchiTamio en-aut-sei=Oguchi en-aut-mei=Tamio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyaTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Yokoya en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Sensing Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Center for Spintronics Research Network, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=pcag056 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260428 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=NIMA-related kinases redundantly regulate vegetative and reproductive development in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Never-in-mitosis A-related kinases (NEKs) are conserved protein kinases in eukaryotes that regulate cell division and elongation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, NEK6 has been shown to control anisotropic growth through cortical microtubule depolymerization, but the functions of other NEK family members remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis NEKs redundantly regulate organ growth and flowering through phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms. Expression analyses revealed overlapping promoter activities of NEK genes in meristems, vascular tissues, and floral organs. While most single mutants showed no obvious phenotype, multiple mutants exhibited defects in root growth direction, leaf elongation, vascular formation, and floral transition. Biochemical analysis showed that NEK3 and NEK6 phosphorylate both β-tubulin and γ-tubulin, indicating a conserved role in microtubule regulation. In addition, several NEKs interacted with the florigen FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), and NEK3 phosphorylated FT in vitro and inhibited the FT?FD interaction in transient assays, suggesting a role in flowering regulation. These findings show that Arabidopsis NEKs redundantly coordinate vegetative and reproductive development through phosphorylation-dependent regulation of microtubules and the flowering pathway. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakataniShogo en-aut-sei=Takatani en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanazawaMai en-aut-sei=Kanazawa en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoKotaro en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomitaYuki en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamotoNozomi en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiTakashi en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotoseHiroyasu en-aut-sei=Motose en-aut-mei=Hiroyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana en-keyword=flowering kn-keyword=flowering en-keyword=FLOWERING LOCUS T kn-keyword=FLOWERING LOCUS T en-keyword=NIMA-related kinase kn-keyword=NIMA-related kinase en-keyword=organ development kn-keyword=organ development en-keyword=tubulin kn-keyword=tubulin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=e045149 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260505 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Insomnia and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide, Real‐World Cohort Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent diseases observed in clinical practice, contributing to increased death and a range of chronic diseases. While numerous studies have explored the relationship between insomnia and cardiovascular disease, research on its association with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between insomnia and incident AF in the general population by comprehensive, nationwide, real‐world data in Japan.
Methods: A total of 1?780?764 individuals without prior cardiovascular disease including AF from the DeSC database were included between April 2014 and August 2023. Insomnia was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10) codes (F510, G470) before the baseline health checkup. The primary outcome was incident AF (I480?I482 and I489). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios of AF according to present insomnia (versus absent).
Results: Insomnia was observed in 216?919 individuals (12.2%), showing a significant association with incident AF after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.10?1.18]). Among subgroups, a similar pattern in the association between insomnia and incident AF was seen, while the association was stronger in younger individuals aged <65?years (versus ?65?years) and women (versus men) (P for interaction=0.01 and 0.03, respectively).
Conclusions: Insomnia was significantly associated with the risk of AF. It highlighted the importance of recognizing insomnia as a risk factor for AF, given its high prevalence in the general population and the substantial impact of AF on quality of life and prognosis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MasudaTakuro en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Takuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoHidehiro en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Hidehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiYuta en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TayaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Taya en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwasakiKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Iwasaki en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaKoji en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiiNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaAkira en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiuKatsuhito en-aut-sei=Fujiu en-aut-mei=Katsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaNorifumi en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Norifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasunagaHideo en-aut-sei=Yasunaga en-aut-mei=Hideo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaNorihiko en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Norihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Advanced Cardiology, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Prevention of Diabetes and Lifestyle-Related Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=atrial fibrillation kn-keyword=atrial fibrillation en-keyword=insomnia kn-keyword=insomnia en-keyword=risk factors kn-keyword=risk factors en-keyword=sleep apnea syndrome kn-keyword=sleep apnea syndrome en-keyword=sleep disorder kn-keyword=sleep disorder END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=46 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=ruag033 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Estimating the distributional expansion of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae) in South Korea using environmental DNA analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) is a globally invasive species that poses serious threats to native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In South Korea, established populations of P. clarkii have been documented from the Jiseokcheon River in the Yeongsangang River basin since 2018; however, information on its current nationwide distribution remains limited. We conducted environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys at 19 sites across 11 river systems in South Korea, including sites with no prior distributional records, to evaluate the current distribution and potential range expansion of P. clarkii. Water samples collected during July-August 2024 were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) with two species-specific primer-probe sets targeting the mitochondrial COI gene. Procambarus clarkii eDNA was detected at three sites in the Yeongsangang River basin, whereas no eDNA was detected in the other surveyed river systems. Notably, P. clarkii eDNA was not detected at a site in the Mangyeonggang River system despite previous reports of individuals and eDNA data sampled there, indicating a possible local population decline or very low abundance. By contrast, detections within the Yeongsangang River basin, together with elevated eDNA concentrations at some sites, are consistent with localized upstream expansion and increased local abundance. The concordant results from the two primer-probe sets, together with Sterivex-based on-site filtration, support the reliability of the applied eDNA framework. These findings identify the Yeongsangang River basin as the current primary focus of the P. clarkii invasion in South Korea, with evidence consistent with localized upstream expansion and increasing abundance, and provide baseline data for early detection and long-term monitoring, as well as for developing management strategies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HamSeong-Nam en-aut-sei=Ham en-aut-mei=Seong-Nam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriuchiKaito en-aut-sei=Moriuchi en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMayuko en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Crustacea kn-keyword=Crustacea en-keyword=early detection kn-keyword=early detection en-keyword=eDNA kn-keyword=eDNA en-keyword=freshwater ecosystems kn-keyword=freshwater ecosystems en-keyword=red swamp crayfish kn-keyword=red swamp crayfish END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=131 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=e2025JE009578 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surface Geology and Evolution of Asteroid Ryugu: Insights From Hayabusa2 Global Mapping en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rubble-pile asteroids, characterized by loose aggregates of debris held together by gravity, represent both a significant planetary hazard and a key to understanding planetesimal formation. Geologic mapping of these bodies provides essential insights into their origins, evolution, and surface processes. This knowledge is crucial for advancing space mission capabilities, from precise navigation and safe sampling to assessing the feasibility of future asteroid mining. Here, we present the most comprehensive geologic map of Ryugu in comparison to previous early-stage and single-feature maps, integrating Optical Navigation Camera (ONC) mosaics, LIDAR-derived topography, Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) descent images, and spectral slope data. The analysis includes reclassification of previously identified features and newly identified features from global to local scales. The geologic mapping technique followed United States Geological Survey (USGS) planetary cartography standards using the ArcGIS Pro platform. This global framework provides an essential geologic context for interpreting returned samples and constraining rubble-pile evolution. We identified geomorphological, structural, and surface texture units on Ryugu's unconsolidated rubble-pile surface using 0.2?0.7 m/pixel image mosaics. Elongated troughs at the poles and mirrored, oblique lineaments near the equatorial ridge are consistent with rotational strain. Compared with another rubble-pile asteroid Bennu, Ryugu shows a more uniform boulder distribution, and its immensely prominent equatorial ridge indicates a more intense period of rotational deformation. However, the western bulge deviates from this trend; its fewer boulders, underdeveloped ridges, and older degraded craters suggest selective resurfacing. These features show evidence of catastrophic disruption, rotational reshaping, and ongoing surface movement. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=VincentLisa M. en-aut-sei=Vincent en-aut-mei=Lisa M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=RujTrishit en-aut-sei=Ruj en-aut-mei=Trishit kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomatsuGoro en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=RayAditya en-aut-sei=Ray en-aut-mei=Aditya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikuchiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kikuchi en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HemmiRyodo en-aut-sei=Hemmi en-aut-mei=Ryodo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoHideaki en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugitaSeiji en-aut-sei=Sugita en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=the Hayabusa2 ONC science team en-aut-sei=the Hayabusa2 ONC science team en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Universit? G. d'Annunzio kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Geology, Presidency University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Gakushuin University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Systems Innovation School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Planetary Exploration Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=30 end-page=33 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study of Signal Separation and Demodulation Techniques Considering IQ Imbalance by Stored Data Batch Signal Processing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=With the arrival of the IoT era, the problem of interference has become even more serious, and the challenge is to establish techniques for separating and demodulating collide signals. To achieve this, we are conducting research on stored data batch signal processing technology using short-time Fourier transform (STFT). In this paper, we used a feature quantity demodulation method proposed as a method for stored data batch signal processing to evaluate the effect of IQ imbalance, which is a factor in signal degradation in the transmitter, on signal separation and demodulation performance. Furthermore, we proposed a receiver configuration that estimates the amount of degradation due to IQ imbalance from the extracted feature quantities and compensates for the signal degradation. Computer simulation results confirmed that the proposed compensation method can improve signal separation and demodulation performance when degraded by IQ imbalance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MitaYudai en-aut-sei=Mita en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaYuta en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HikasaTomofumi en-aut-sei=Hikasa en-aut-mei=Tomofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomisatoShigeru en-aut-sei=Tomisato en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=stored data batch signal processing kn-keyword=stored data batch signal processing en-keyword=short-time Fourier transform kn-keyword=short-time Fourier transform en-keyword=IQ imbalance kn-keyword=IQ imbalance en-keyword=IQ imbalance compensation kn-keyword=IQ imbalance compensation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=5485 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bacterial collagenase harnesses collagen geometry for processive cleavage en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Collagen, the major structural protein in the animal extracellular matrix, forms a triple helix that resists proteolysis and requires specialised enzymes for degradation. Flesh-eating bacteria secrete collagenases that unwind the collagen triple helix and processively trim Gly?X?Y triplet repeats, yet the molecular basis of this process has remained obscure. Here, cryo-electron microscopy reveals how Hathewaya histolytica collagenase ColH engages its substrate and exploits the helix’s architecture for catalysis. ColH encircles a single collagen triple helix in a closed-ring conformation and, through dynamic domain motions, dehydrates and destabilises it. The enzyme undergoes substrate-assisted twisting to adopt a rigid ratcheted conformation, in which one chain is bent into a tripeptide-long ‘bight’ and threaded into the active site for cleavage, while two uncut strands are partitioned to non-catalytic sites. Release of the bight appears to reset the enzyme, with the uncut strands serving as guiding tracks. Repeated cycling between dynamic and rigid states likely enables triplet-by-triplet translocation, allowing ColH to harness collagen’s geometry for processive degradation. These findings reveal a bacterial strategy for collagen unwinding and cleavage distinct from that of mammalian collagenases, highlighting divergent evolutionary solutions for degrading one of nature’s most intractable substrates. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkiHiroya en-aut-sei=Oki en-aut-mei=Hiroya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakebeKatsuki en-aut-sei=Takebe en-aut-mei=Katsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BonsuAdjoa en-aut-sei=Bonsu en-aut-mei=Adjoa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKazunori en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaRyo en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HendersonNicholas en-aut-sei=Henderson en-aut-mei=Nicholas kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimaTakehiko en-aut-sei=Mima en-aut-mei=Takehiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoideTakaki en-aut-sei=Koide en-aut-mei=Takaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoradiMahmoud en-aut-sei=Moradi en-aut-mei=Mahmoud kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakonJoshua en-aut-sei=Sakon en-aut-mei=Joshua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaKazuki en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Infection Metagenomics, Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dental Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ehime Prefectural University of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Osaka kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=19282 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260427 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dual-calibration RT-qPCR reveals distinct dnaK1/2/3 and groEL1/2 expression dynamics under heat and acid stress in the sinefungin producer Streptomyces incarnatus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Streptomyces incarnatus NRRL8089 produces sinefungin, a nucleoside antibiotic whose yield is enhanced under defined environmental stresses. Here, dual-calibration RT-qPCR was used to resolve paralogue-specific expression dynamics of the dnaK and groE chaperone systems under heat and acid stress conditions that increase sinefungin titres. The canonical dnaK1?dnaJ1 and groES?groEL1 operons exhibited moderate induction, whereas monocistronic paralogues (dnaK2, dnaK3 and groEL2) showed markedly higher inducibility, with up to ~?125-fold increases relative to baseline expression. Promoter analyses revealed conserved inverted repeats and differences in predicted secondary-structure stability, suggesting that promoter architecture contributes to paralogue-specific responsiveness. Structural modelling indicated divergence among DnaK paralogues in regions associated with substrate interaction, whereas GroEL paralogues retained a conserved overall scaffold, consistent with kinetic rather than structural differentiation. Together, these findings indicate that duplicated paralogues are not functionally redundant but are differentially regulated to partition proteostasis capacity under stress. This paralogue-specific regulation may provide a framework linking environmental perturbation to secondary-metabolite production in actinomycetes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Xiao-HuiZhao en-aut-sei=Xiao-Hui en-aut-mei=Zhao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboMao en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Mao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagataHaruka en-aut-sei=Yamagata en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaYuriko en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yuriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasunumaTomohisa en-aut-sei=Hasunuma en-aut-mei=Tomohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanaoTadayoshi en-aut-sei=Kanao en-aut-mei=Tadayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraTakashi en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Heat shock kn-keyword=Heat shock en-keyword=Acid stress kn-keyword=Acid stress en-keyword=dnaK kn-keyword=dnaK en-keyword=hspR kn-keyword=hspR en-keyword=groES kn-keyword=groES en-keyword=groEL kn-keyword=groEL en-keyword=Sinefungin kn-keyword=Sinefungin en-keyword=Streptomyces incarnatus kn-keyword=Streptomyces incarnatus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=87 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=680 end-page=684 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of heat stress on gene expression associated with antioxidant capacity of bovine early antral follicles en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Heat exposure at the physiological level of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes (OCGCs) during in vitro growth (IVG) culture decreases the reduced glutathione (GSH) level of oocytes, an antioxidant, but its mechanism has been unclear. We subjected OCGCs to IVG for 4, 8, or 12 days and investigated the effects of heat exposure on the gene expression of cumulus-granulosa cells associated with antioxidant capacity. Heat exposure did not alter the expression of genes related to GSH synthesis or reuse. Conversely, heat exposure increased mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 2 and decreased that of glutathione peroxidase 1, which are antioxidant enzymes. Ultimately, heat exposure alters the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in growing follicles, which may indirectly decrease the GSH level of oocytes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KAWANOKohei en-aut-sei=KAWANO en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SAKAGUCHIKenichiro en-aut-sei=SAKAGUCHI en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FURUKAWAEri en-aut-sei=FURUKAWA en-aut-mei=Eri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NINPETCHNattapong en-aut-sei=NINPETCH en-aut-mei=Nattapong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YANAGAWAYojiro en-aut-sei=YANAGAWA en-aut-mei=Yojiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KATAGIRISeiji en-aut-sei=KATAGIRI en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Laboratory of Veterinary Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= en-keyword=antioxidant capacity kn-keyword=antioxidant capacity en-keyword=bovine kn-keyword=bovine en-keyword=early antral follicle kn-keyword=early antral follicle en-keyword=in vitro growth kn-keyword=in vitro growth en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=40 cd-vols= no-issue=52 article-no= start-page=27314 end-page=27322 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241219 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Formation of Nonspherical Cellulose Acetate Microparticles under Microflow en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nonspherical particles have gained significant interest owing to their unique shapes and large specific surface areas, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, such as drug delivery, catalysis, and adsorption. However, conventional methods for preparing nonspherical particles face certain limitations. In this study, we propose a simple method for fabricating nonspherical cellulose acetate (CA) microparticles using a microfluidic device in which droplets undergo rapid diffusion in a continuous aqueous phase. The influence of variations in the flow rate ratio and continuous phase composition on the dimensionless P?clet number (Pe) within the droplet and shape of the resultant particles is investigated. Pe is critical, because it indicates the balance between polymer diffusion and droplet shrinkage dynamics. Our findings reveal that increasing the flow rate ratio and reducing the methyl acetate concentration in the continuous phase lead to faster droplet shrinkage and an increased Pe. A high Pe (>100) suggests that the reduction of the droplet interface predominates over polymer diffusion, resulting in the formation of a viscous layer near the droplet surface, which subsequently leads to nonspherical particle shapes (such as bowl-like or biconcave structures). In situ time-lapse observations of droplets from the top and side of a microchannel reveal that the formation of a viscous layer near the droplet surface and the deformation of the droplet, influenced by the z-axis location of the droplets during particle formation, ultimately determine the final particle shape. Based on these observations, a linear correlation between the initial conditions, i.e., the Pe and z-axis location at which the viscous layer formed, is established, enabling the prediction of the particle structure. In summary, the present study enhances the understanding of shape control in microfluidic particle formation and offers a novel guideline for the fabrication of spherical and nonspherical particles. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoriKurumi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Kurumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=88 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1199 end-page=1202 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240711 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of quercetin as a potential cytoprotector against acetaldehyde using the cultured hepatocyte model with aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme deficiency en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Protective effect of quercetin against acetaldehyde was evaluated using the cultured hepatocyte models with aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozyme deficiency (aldh2-kd and aldh1a1-kd). The quercetin-induced cytoprotection against acetaldehyde in the ALDH1A1-deficient mutant (aldh1a1-kd) was weaker than that in the wild type. Furthermore, quercetin did not enhance the ALDH activity in aldh1a1-kd cells, suggesting that ALDH1A1 is involved in quercetin-induced cytoprotection. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=XuYuhang en-aut-sei=Xu en-aut-mei=Yuhang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawamotoTakeshi en-aut-sei=Sawamoto en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunRuitong en-aut-sei=Sun en-aut-mei=Ruitong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikuraAki en-aut-sei=Ishikura en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunemasaShintaro en-aut-sei=Munemasa en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoAkiko en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Saga University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=quercetin kn-keyword=quercetin en-keyword=acetaldehyde kn-keyword=acetaldehyde en-keyword=aldehyde dehydrogenase kn-keyword=aldehyde dehydrogenase en-keyword=cytoprotection kn-keyword=cytoprotection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=8052 end-page=8058 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhanced capacity of aluminum-ion batteries by adjusting the average pore size of the porous carbon cathode en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used but with the increasing scarcity and uneven distribution of global lithium resources, there is a need to explore alternative battery technologies. Due to its abundance, low cost, and high theoretical capacity, aluminum is a strong candidate for metal anodes, making aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) an area of considerable interest. Current mainstream research focuses on ionic liquid electrolytes, which offer a wide electrochemical window and high ionic conductivity. Carbon materials are ideal cathode candidates due to their low cost, abundance, and high voltage platform. AIBs using carbon materials typically exhibit low discharge capacity. This study addressed the challenge of improving the discharge capacity of carbon-based cathodes in AIBs. By using porous carbon (PC) materials with varying specific surface areas, average pore sizes, and total pore volumes as cathodes, average pore size was found to impact capacity. This contradicts the contention that larger specific surface areas result in higher capacities. There is a key difference in ion behavior: whereas aluminum chloride ions intercalate into layered graphite structures, they do not intercalate into PC materials but are adsorbed to the surface. By adjusting the average pore size, it is possible to increase the discharge capacity of AIBs, challenging the traditional emphasis on specific surface area. This research does not fully solve the problem of low discharge capacity in carbon-based cathodes, but provides a new perspective on the role of pore size in enhancing battery performance, offering valuable insights for future electrode design. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChenYifeng en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Yifeng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiHiroo en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Hiroo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumotoShu en-aut-sei=Fukumoto en-aut-mei=Shu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikawaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Nishikawa en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmezawaShigeyuki en-aut-sei=Umezawa en-aut-mei=Shigeyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiYasuhiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Comprehensive Technical Solutions, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Seiwa Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=54 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=upaf091 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202505 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Highly emissive and robust diarylethene fluorophore incorporating imide-fused phenanthryl moieties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The fluorescence properties and photostabilities of (E)-diarylethenes (DPEs), featuring two 3-phenanthryl moieties, were investigated. Pristine (E)-di-1,2-(3-phenanthryl)ethene and its ester derivative, respectively referred to as DPE-H and DPE-E, exhibited blue fluorescence. However, they underwent a two-step photoreaction sequence that yielded [7]helicenes, resulting in a gradual reduction of the fluorescence intensity. In contrast, the imide-fused derivative DPE-I displayed intense green fluorescence and it was unexpectedly photostable in solution, maintaining its highly efficient fluorescent nature even after prolonged light exposure. DPE-I, thus, provides a new type of highly efficient and robust diarylethene fluorophore. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NoseKeito en-aut-sei=Nose en-aut-mei=Keito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriTadashi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniFumito en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Fumito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoKenta en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Program of Applied Chemistry, Cluster of Materials and Environment, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Center for Environmental Preservation and Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=diarylethene kn-keyword=diarylethene en-keyword=fluorescence kn-keyword=fluorescence en-keyword=phenanthreneimide kn-keyword=phenanthreneimide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=46 article-no= start-page=9032 end-page=9035 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A direct oxidative esterification of aldehydes with alcohols mediated by photochemical C?H bromination en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The photochemical direct esterification of aldehydes with alcohols via in situ-generated acyl-bromides presented in this report is an attractive complementary addition to hitherto reported methods, as these are usually carried out in a two-step, one-pot procedure in order to avoid side reactions such as the oxidation of alcohols by halogen sources. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AndoHaru en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Haru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodakiSakura en-aut-sei=Kodaki en-aut-mei=Sakura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=59 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=3282 end-page=3304 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241027 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Radial transport and nebular thermal processing of millimeter‐sized solids in the Solar protoplanetary disk inferred from Cr‐Ti‐O isotope systematics of chondrules en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Understanding the material transport and mixing processes in the Solar protoplanetary disk provides important constraints on the origin of chemical and isotopic diversities of our planets. The limited extent of radial transport and mixing between the inner and outer Solar System has been suggested based on a fundamental isotopic dichotomy between non-carbonaceous (NC) and carbonaceous (CC) meteorite groups. The limited transport and mixing could be further tested by tracing the formation regions of individual meteoritic components, such as Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) and chondrules. Here, we show further evidence for the outward transport of CAIs and chondrules from the inner and subsequent thermal processing in the outer region of the protoplanetary disk based on the petrography and combined Cr-Ti-O isotope systematics of chondrules from the Vigarano-like (CV) carbonaceous chondrite Allende. One chondrule studied consists of an olivine core that exhibits NC-like Ti and O, but CC-like Cr isotopic signatures, which is enclosed by a pyroxene igneous rim with CC-like O isotope ratios. These observations indicate that the olivine core formed in the inner Solar System. The olivine core then migrated into the outer Solar System and experienced nebular thermal processing that generated the pyroxene igneous rim. The nebular thermal processing would result in Cr isotope exchange between the olivine core and CC-like materials, but secondary alteration effects on the parent body are also responsible for the CC-like Cr isotope signature. By combining previously reported Cr-Ti-O isotope systematics of CV chondrules, we show that some CV chondrules larger than ~1?mm would have formed in the inner Solar System. The accretion of the millimeter-sized, inner Solar System solids onto the CV carbonaceous chondrite parent body would require their very early migration into the outer Solar System within the first 1 million years after the Solar System formation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukudaKohei en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HibiyaYuki en-aut-sei=Hibiya en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KastelleCraig R. en-aut-sei=Kastelle en-aut-mei=Craig R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiKatsuhiko en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Katsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IizukaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Iizuka en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HelserThomas E. en-aut-sei=Helser en-aut-mei=Thomas E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaNoriko T. en-aut-sei=Kita en-aut-mei=Noriko T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=WiscSIMS, Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Submarine Resources Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=WiscSIMS, Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=945 end-page=950 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250902 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Long-term and multi-stage ice accumulation in the martian mid-latitudes during the Amazonian en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Subsurface ice in the mid-latitudes of Mars represents one of the largest present-day water ice reservoirs. While atmospheric models predict Late Amazonian (during the past hundreds of millions of years) obliquity-driven ice accumulation, its long-term variations, and the factors influencing accumulation remain unclear. Using geomorphological evidence and numerical modeling, we reveal a southwestern depositional trend within northern mid-latitudinal crater walls and floors. Detailed crater-fill deposit analyses indicate multiple glaciation stages, including an earlier, high-intensity stage followed by a later, lower-intensity stage, both exhibiting this southwestern trend (ca. 640?98 Ma). We conclude that persistent multiple-stage Amazonian glaciations were governed by atmospheric water availability and obliquity-driven climate cycles. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RujTrishit en-aut-sei=Ruj en-aut-mei=Trishit kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkudaHanaya en-aut-sei=Okuda en-aut-mei=Hanaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomatsuGoro en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HeadJames W. en-aut-sei=Head en-aut-mei=James W. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UsuiTomohiro en-aut-sei=Usui en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MihiraShun en-aut-sei=Mihira en-aut-mei=Shun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiMakito en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Makito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research (X-star), JAMSTEC kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Universit? d’Annunzio kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Global Environment and Disaster Prevention, Faculty of Science and Technology, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Systems Innovation, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=134 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=245001 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250616 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Acceleration of Positive Muons by a Radio-Frequency Cavity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Acceleration of positive muons from thermal energy to 100 keV has been demonstrated. Thermal muons were generated by resonant multiphoton ionization of muonium atoms emitted from a sheet of laser-ablated aerogel. The thermal muons were first electrostatically accelerated to 5.7 keV, followed by further acceleration to 100 keV using a radio-frequency quadrupole with an intensity of 2×10?3???+/pulse. The transverse normalized rms emittance of the accelerated muons in the horizontal and vertical planes were 0.85±0.25?(s?t?a?t)+0.22?0.13?(syst)??????mm?mrad and 0.32±0.03?(stat)+0.05?0.02?(syst)?????mm?mrad, respectively. The measured emittance values demonstrated phase-space reduction by a factor of 2.0 ×102 (horizontal) and 4.1 ×102 (vertical) allowing good acceleration efficiency. These results pave the way to realize the first-ever muon accelerator for a variety of applications in particle physics, material science, and other fields. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AritomeS. en-aut-sei=Aritome en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FutatsukawaK. en-aut-sei=Futatsukawa en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraH. en-aut-sei=Hara en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayasakaK. en-aut-sei=Hayasaka en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IbarakiY. en-aut-sei=Ibaraki en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaT. en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IijimaT. en-aut-sei=Iijima en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IinumaH. en-aut-sei=Iinuma en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedoY. en-aut-sei=Ikedo en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImaiY. en-aut-sei=Imai en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=InamiK. en-aut-sei=Inami en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaK. en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamalS. en-aut-sei=Kamal en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiokaS. en-aut-sei=Kamioka en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamuraN. en-aut-sei=Kawamura en-aut-mei=N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraM. en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodaA. en-aut-sei=Koda en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojiS. en-aut-sei=Koji en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaK. en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoA. en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoY. en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuzubaM. en-aut-sei=Kuzuba en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaR. en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=MibeT. en-aut-sei=Mibe en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoY. en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraJ.?G. en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=J.?G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakazawaY. en-aut-sei=Nakazawa en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaS. en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiY. en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=OlinA. en-aut-sei=Olin en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniM. en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=31 ORCID= en-aut-name=OyamaS. en-aut-sei=Oyama en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=32 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoN. en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=33 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoH. en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=34 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoT. en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=35 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoY. en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=36 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimomuraK. en-aut-sei=Shimomura en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=37 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShioyaZ. en-aut-sei=Shioya en-aut-mei=Z. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=38 ORCID= en-aut-name=StrasserP. en-aut-sei=Strasser en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=39 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaS. en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=40 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiK. en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=41 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiK. en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=42 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiY. en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=43 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanidaM. en-aut-sei=Tanida en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=44 ORCID= en-aut-name=TojoJ. en-aut-sei=Tojo en-aut-mei=J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=45 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaK. en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=46 ORCID= en-aut-name=UetakeS. en-aut-sei=Uetake en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=47 ORCID= en-aut-name=XieX.?H. en-aut-sei=Xie en-aut-mei=X.?H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=48 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaM. en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=49 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoS. en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=50 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiT. en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=51 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamuraK. en-aut-sei=Yamura en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=52 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaM. en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=53 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiokaT. en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=54 ORCID= en-aut-name=YotsuzukaM. en-aut-sei=Yotsuzuka en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=55 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Laboratory for Advanced Spectroscopy and Imaging Research (LASIR), University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Research Center of Advanced Particle Physics, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=33 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=34 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University kn-affil= affil-num=35 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=36 en-affil=Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University kn-affil= affil-num=37 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=38 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=39 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=40 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=41 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=42 en-affil=Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=43 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=44 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=45 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=46 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya kn-affil= affil-num=47 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=48 en-affil=School of Physics, Peking University kn-affil= affil-num=49 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=50 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=51 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=52 en-affil=Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University kn-affil= affil-num=53 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=54 en-affil=Research Center of Advanced Particle Physics, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=55 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=139 end-page=146 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Matijevic-Roberts type theorems, Rees rings and associated graded rings en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this article is to investigate interrelated structures lying among three notable problems in commutative algebra. These are Lifting problem, Ascent/descent along associated graded rings, and Matijevic-Roberts type problem. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HoriuchiJun en-aut-sei=Horiuchi en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimomotoKazuma en-aut-sei=Shimomoto en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Nippon Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=Associated graded ring kn-keyword=Associated graded ring en-keyword=integral closure kn-keyword=integral closure en-keyword=Rees ring kn-keyword=Rees ring en-keyword=seminormality kn-keyword=seminormality en-keyword=weak normality kn-keyword=weak normality END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=89 end-page=111 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Retract problem and a subset admitting complete Boolean algebra structure of monoidally distributive posets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In [3], Hovey and Palmieri proved many interesing results around the Bousfield lattice of the stable homotopy caregory of spectra. In [4], the author, Shimomura and Tatehara defined monoidally distributive posets as a generalization of the Bousfield lattice. In this paper, we consider the retract problem and a subset admitting complete Boolean algebra structure of monoidally distributive posets. In the last section, we see that some results in [3] are given by our results in this paper. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoRyo en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Core Studies, Kochi University of Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Bousfield lattice kn-keyword=Bousfield lattice en-keyword=Monoidal poset kn-keyword=Monoidal poset en-keyword=Retract problem kn-keyword=Retract problem END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=63 end-page=75 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Dijkgraaf-Witten invariants from second Chern classes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Given a 3-cocycle ψ in the cohomology of a finite group G, we can define the Dijkgraaf-Witten invariant of closed 3-manifolds. In this paper, we focus on the case where ψ is a 3-cocycle systematically transferred from the second Chern class of a complex representation of G, and show some procedures for computing the invariant, and clarify its topological interpretation under some conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NosakaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Nosaka en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Group cohomology kn-keyword=Group cohomology en-keyword=3-manifold kn-keyword=3-manifold en-keyword=Chern classes kn-keyword=Chern classes en-keyword=splitting principle kn-keyword=splitting principle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=12 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Generator of the quadratic subextension of an odd dihedral extension en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this paper we present an algorithm to make a generator of the quadratic subextension of an odd dihedral extension. As an application we solve the Galois group problem for the quintic polynomials given by Kishi and Yamada. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KomatsuToru en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics Faculty of Science and Technology Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Dihedral extension kn-keyword=Dihedral extension en-keyword=quadratic subextension kn-keyword=quadratic subextension en-keyword=Galois theory kn-keyword=Galois theory END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=8183 end-page=8197 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260530 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Solution Structure and Counterion Condensation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose in Organic Solvents en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report scattering (SANS and SAXS) and electrical conductivity data for aqueous and organic solutions of carboxymethyl cellulose with tetrabutylammonium counterions. For SANS in deuterated solvents, the contrast is heavily dominated by the hydrogen-rich counterions, while for SAXS the polymer backbone has a more significant contribution to the scattering signal. The correlation length calculated from the SAXS measurements follows a scaling law of ξ ∝ c?1/2, while that measured by SANS displays a weaker exponent at higher concentrations for solvents of high dielectric constants. These results indicate a decoupling in the characteristic length scales of fluctuations of the polymer backbone and counterions at high polyelectrolyte concentrations. The stretching parameter calculated from the correlation length indicates a highly stretched local conformation for TBACMC in water and several high dielectric constant solvents, consistent with the semiflexible nature of the cellulose backbone. In solvents of lower dielectric permittivity, the chains display a higher degree of local coiling. Combining electrical conductivity and scattering data, we find that the fraction of monomers bearing a dissociated charge is nearly independent of concentration and approximately proportional to the reciprocal of the Bjerrum length of the solvent, as expected by the Oosawa-Manning model. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GulatiAnish en-aut-sei=Gulati en-aut-mei=Anish kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MengLingzi en-aut-sei=Meng en-aut-mei=Lingzi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HouCan en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Can kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LopezCarlos G. en-aut-sei=Lopez en-aut-mei=Carlos G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University kn-affil= en-keyword=polyelectrolyte kn-keyword=polyelectrolyte en-keyword=scattering kn-keyword=scattering en-keyword=conductivity kn-keyword=conductivity en-keyword=cellulose kn-keyword=cellulose en-keyword=condensation kn-keyword=condensation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=215 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Review on the Magnetovolume Effect of the Full Heusler Alloys Ni2MnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The full Heusler alloys Ni2MnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb) exhibit ferromagnetic properties with a Curie temperature (TC) above room temperature. The magnetic properties of Ni2MnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb) were studied through a combination of experiments and band calculations under ambient and elevated pressures. The main results of this study open up further prospects for controlling the magnetic properties of the multifunctional Heusler alloys Ni2Mn1+xZ1?x (Z = In, Sn, Sb) and their practical application. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanomataTakeshi en-aut-sei=Kanomata en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=XuXiao en-aut-sei=Xu en-aut-mei=Xiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakonTakuo en-aut-sei=Sakon en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagataYuki en-aut-sei=Nagata en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImadaShin en-aut-sei=Imada en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriToshihiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KainumaRyosuke en-aut-sei=Kainuma en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=EtoTetsujiro en-aut-sei=Eto en-aut-mei=Tetsujiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiYoshiya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Yoshiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiharaTakumi en-aut-sei=Kihara en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AmakoYasushi en-aut-sei=Amako en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiMasaaki en-aut-sei=Doi en-aut-mei=Masaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=UwatokoYoshiya en-aut-sei=Uwatoko en-aut-mei=Yoshiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Engineering and Technology, Tohoku Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Ryukoku University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Ryukoku University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Kurume Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Yamagata University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Institute for Engineering and Technology, Tohoku Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=magnetovolume effect kn-keyword=magnetovolume effect en-keyword=magnetic properties kn-keyword=magnetic properties en-keyword=pressure effect kn-keyword=pressure effect en-keyword=itinerant electron magnets kn-keyword=itinerant electron magnets en-keyword=Heusler alloys kn-keyword=Heusler alloys END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=rbae144 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Optimizing β-TCP with E-rhBMP-2-infused fibrin for vertical bone regeneration in a mouse calvarium model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Effective reconstruction of large bone defects, particularly in thickness, remains one of the major challenges in orthopedic and dental fields. We previously produced an Escherichia coli-based industrial-scale GMP-grade recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (E-rhBMP-2) and showed that the combination of E-rhBMP-2 with beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP/E-rhBMP-2) can effectively promote bone reconstruction. However, the limited mechanical strength and poor morphology retention of β-TCP granules are key points that need optimization to obtain more effective grafts and further expand its clinical applications. Therefore, we combined β-TCP/E-rhBMP-2 with fibrin gel to enhance its mechanical properties and usability for vertical bone regeneration. We investigated the mechanical properties and vertical bone regeneration effects of the materials applied, with or without fibrin containing E-rhBMP-2, in a calvarial defect model in mice. Compression tests were conducted to assess the initial stability of the materials. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were conducted to characterize the presence of fibrin on the scaffold. After 4 and 12?weeks of implantation, micro-computed tomography and histological and immunofluorescent analyses were performed to assess the morphology and volume of the newly formed bone. The fibrin-containing groups had significantly higher initial mechanical strength and higher ability to maintain their morphology in vivo compared to the counterparts without fibrin. However, fibrin gel alone suppressed the bone formation ability of β-TCP/E-rhBMP-2 whereas the presence of high doses of E-rhBMP-2 in fibrin gel resulted in material resorption and enhanced new bone formation. In conclusion, fibrin gel significantly improved the mechanical strength and surgical manageability of the β-TCP/E-rhBMP-2 scaffold, and the addition of E-rhBMP-2 to the fibrin gel further enhanced the vertical bone regeneration and initial structural integrity of the scaffold. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhaoKun en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Kun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoMitsuaki en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Mitsuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuXindi en-aut-sei=Mu en-aut-mei=Xindi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangZiyi en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Ziyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=XieShichao en-aut-sei=Xie en-aut-mei=Shichao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonezawaTomoko en-aut-sei=Yonezawa en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTakuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubokiTakuo en-aut-sei=Kuboki en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OohashiToshitaka en-aut-sei=Oohashi en-aut-mei=Toshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Dental Biomaterials, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=BMP-2 kn-keyword=BMP-2 en-keyword=fibrin kn-keyword=fibrin en-keyword=vertical bone regeneration kn-keyword=vertical bone regeneration en-keyword=biocompatible materials kn-keyword=biocompatible materials END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3239 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250404 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Low melt viscosity enables melt doublets above the 410-km discontinuity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Seismic and magnetotelluric studies suggest hydrous silicate melts atop the 410?km discontinuity form 30?100?km thick layers. Importantly, in some regions, two layers are observed. These stagnant layers are related to their comparable density to the surrounding mantle, but their formation mechanisms and detailed structures remain unclear. Here we report a large decrease of silicate melt viscosity at ~14?GPa, from 96(5) to 11.7(6) mPa?s, as water content increases from 15.5 to 31.8?mol% H?O. Such low viscosities facilitate rapid segregation of melt, which would typically prevent thick layer accumulation. Our 1D finite element simulations show that continuous dehydration melting of upwelling mantle material produces a primary melt layer above 410?km and a secondary layer at the depth of equal mantle-melt densities. These layers can merge into a single thick layer under low density contrasts or high upwelling rates, explaining both melt doublets and thick single layers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=XieLongjian en-aut-sei=Xie en-aut-mei=Longjian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndraultDenis en-aut-sei=Andrault en-aut-mei=Denis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshinoTakashi en-aut-sei=Yoshino en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanCunrui en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=Cunrui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HammondJames O. S. en-aut-sei=Hammond en-aut-mei=James O. S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=XuFang en-aut-sei=Xu en-aut-mei=Fang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhaoBin en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Bin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LordOliver T. en-aut-sei=Lord en-aut-mei=Oliver T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FeiYingwei en-aut-sei=Fei en-aut-mei=Yingwei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FalvardSimon en-aut-sei=Falvard en-aut-mei=Simon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakizawaSho en-aut-sei=Kakizawa en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoNoriyoshi en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Noriyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigoYuji en-aut-sei=Higo en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=HenryLaura en-aut-sei=Henry en-aut-mei=Laura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=GuignotNicolas en-aut-sei=Guignot en-aut-mei=Nicolas kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=DobsonDavid P. en-aut-sei=Dobson en-aut-mei=David P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Universit? Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, OPGC, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Natural Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Natural Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Earth & Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Universit? Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, OPGC, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Synchrotron SOLEIL kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Synchrotron SOLEIL kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, University College London kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=126 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106710 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Proteome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of fucoxanthin-induced apoptosis in glial cells PC12 after nanoencapsulation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fucoxanthin (FX) is a natural pigment belonging to the xanthophyll carotenoid, which has been proven to have inhibitory effects on glioblastoma. In our previous study, nano-FX was fabricated through whey protein and flaxseed gum co-encapsulated for improved stability and glial cell (PC12) inhibitory activity of FX. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of FX-induced apoptosis in PC12 after nanoencapsulation, proteomics analysis based on TMT technology was performed. Protein profiles in PC12 were determined after 0 (Control), 8 (L_Treat), and 24 (H_Treat) μg/mL nano-FX intervention. Results indicated 78 differential abundant proteins (DAPs) linked to the cytotoxicity of nano-FX could be potential biomarkers. GO and KEGG analysis revealed altered proteasome and NF-kappa B/MAPK/TNF. Proteins involved in cell proliferation were downregulated, while proteins response to autophagy and apoptosis were upregulated. The multiple mechanisms involved in the anti-tumor activity of nano-FX will provide a reference for the development of FX high value-added functional foods. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangChunyan en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Chunyan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaXinxin en-aut-sei=Ma en-aut-mei=Xinxin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=QiHang en-aut-sei=Qi en-aut-mei=Hang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Food Science, Henan Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Food Science, Henan Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University kn-affil= en-keyword=Fucoxanthin kn-keyword=Fucoxanthin en-keyword=Nanoencapsulation kn-keyword=Nanoencapsulation en-keyword=Apoptosis kn-keyword=Apoptosis en-keyword=Proteome analysis kn-keyword=Proteome analysis en-keyword=Molecular mechanisms kn-keyword=Molecular mechanisms END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=236 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112768 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An algorithm to calculate physical density of biomedical objects having 3 ? Zeff ? 20: an application study using clinical photon-counting computed tomography equipment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT) devices have become clinically available for X-ray diagnosis, and developments of analysis algorithms to generate various quantitative images have focused attention. This study proposes an algorithm to calculate the effective physical density (ρeff) of biological objects having an effective atomic number (Zeff) of 3?20. In our procedure, ρeff was determined when fitting the interaction cross sections (σs) to the measured linear attenuation coefficients (μs), which were determined from virtual monochromatic images (VMIs). In this process, the Zeff was analyzed in advance, and this information was fed back to the ρeff analysis. A key feature of our procedure is that it does not require calibration processes based on specific substances, which allow us to analyze any substance without making assumptions.
To validate the availability of the proposed algorithm, we conducted an experiment using a clinical PC-CT scanner. A multi-energy CT phantom, a water phantom, an in-house low-density phantom, food samples, and a chest phantom were scanned. The results showed that our procedure can calculate ρeff of water with an uncertainty of 4.5%. The academic significance of the present research results lies in demonstrating that the factors contributing to contrast, previously obtained from CT values, can be physically interpreted using information from Zeff and ρeff. This analysis cannot be performed with conventional single-energy CT scanners and is possible with PC-CT and dual-energy CT scanners. Our novel procedure is expected to provide useful additional information in X-ray diagnosis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigamiRina en-aut-sei=Nishigami en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Asahara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoNatsumi en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaiki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitaniMana en-aut-sei=Mitani en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=College of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Innovation, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Junshin Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Support Department, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Computed tomography kn-keyword=Computed tomography en-keyword=Photon counting kn-keyword=Photon counting en-keyword=Physical density image kn-keyword=Physical density image en-keyword=Virtual monochromatic image kn-keyword=Virtual monochromatic image en-keyword=Diagnostic X-rays kn-keyword=Diagnostic X-rays END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=12 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260616 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interfacial Bond Strength of Resin Cement to Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Using Experimental Primers Doping Multifunctional Methacrylate and Acrylate Monomers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer with low surface energy, chemical inertness, and a highly crystalline structure, which limit durable adhesion to resin-based materials and require improved bonding strategies. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of incorporating multifunctional methacrylate (TMPTMA) and acrylate monomers (A-TMPT and A-DPH) into an experimental primer on the 24 h shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to PEEK (n = 6 per group). Experimental primers were prepared by adding varying amounts (100?500 ?L) of each multifunctional monomer to a UDMA/MMA-based primer, and SBS was measured after cementation with a dual-cure resin cement. TMPTMA-containing primers produced median SBS values of approximately 10?12 MPa, while acrylate-based primers showed slightly higher values, particularly at higher concentrations, reaching up to ~15.8 MPa; however, no statistically significant improvement over the control group was observed (p > 0.05). Failure modes were predominantly mixed across all conditions. These findings indicate that multifunctional monomers, despite their potential to enhance cross-link density and wetting, do not substantially overcome the intrinsic adhesion-resistant nature of polished PEEK. The results underscore that monomer modification alone is insufficient and that effective adhesion to PEEK likely requires integrated strategies combining chemical activation with mechanical surface conditioning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiharaKumiko en-aut-sei=Yoshihara en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IrieMasao en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nagaoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodamaNaoki en-aut-sei=Kodama en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYuki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwaharaMiho en-aut-sei=Kuwahara en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkiyamaKentaro en-aut-sei=Akiyama en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=PEEK kn-keyword=PEEK en-keyword=functional monomer kn-keyword=functional monomer en-keyword=bond strength kn-keyword=bond strength en-keyword=methacrylate kn-keyword=methacrylate en-keyword=acrylate kn-keyword=acrylate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=998 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260613 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Disease-Suppressive Activity of Lecithin Against Foliar Infection by Rhizoctonia solani Isolates in Cabbage, Rice, and Brachypodium distachyon en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rhizoctonia solani is a necrotrophic phytopathogenic fungus that causes disease in various crops. In agriculture, many crops suffer from root or seedling rot caused by this soil-borne pathogen, whereas cabbage and rice develop lesion-like symptoms on aboveground tissues. Diseases caused by R. solani are generally controlled using chemical fungicides; however, environmentally friendly alternatives are needed for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of lecithin, a mixture of phospholipids previously registered in Japan as an agrochemical for controlling cucumber powdery mildew, against Rhizoctonia diseases. In cabbage, foliar spraying of 0.2?1.0% soybean lecithin effectively suppressed leaf symptoms caused by R. solani isolate RhiCa-2, which was identified as AG-1 IB. In rice and Brachypodium distachyon, 0.2?1.0% lecithin significantly suppressed leaf symptoms induced by R. solani AG-1 IA. Hyphal staining of inoculated leaves revealed reduced hyphal density on lecithin-treated leaves. Consistently, hyphal growth of R. solani on cellophane placed on water agar was retarded by lecithin treatment. However, 5.0% lecithin induced phytotoxicity in B. distachyon. Egg yolk-derived lecithin also exhibited disease-suppressive activity in cabbage and B. distachyon, with efficacy comparable to that of soybean lecithin under the conditions tested. These results suggest that lecithin suppresses foliar infection by R. solani, at least in part, through direct inhibitory effects on fungal hyphae, and may serve as a potential alternative material for disease control in sustainable crop production. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CuongTran Xuan en-aut-sei=Cuong en-aut-mei=Tran Xuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanoMisaki en-aut-sei=Asano en-aut-mei=Misaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonmaDaiki en-aut-sei=Honma en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoedaMoeko en-aut-sei=Soeda en-aut-mei=Moeko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaKentaro en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani kn-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani en-keyword=foliar symptoms kn-keyword=foliar symptoms en-keyword=leaf infection kn-keyword=leaf infection en-keyword=cabbage kn-keyword=cabbage en-keyword=rice kn-keyword=rice en-keyword=Brachypodium distachyon kn-keyword=Brachypodium distachyon END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=992 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260612 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=UGT76B1 and 41 Additional Arabidopsis UDP-Glycosyltransferases Show No Detectable In Vitro Glycosylation Activity Toward N-Hydroxypipecolic Acid en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) is a key mobile signal in systemic acquired resistance in plants, and its glycosylation has been proposed to regulate immune signaling. Previous studies have demonstrated that the UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT76B1, known as an SA glycosyltransferase in Arabidopsis thaliana, also catalyzes NHP glycosylation. In this study, we re-evaluated NHP glycosylation activity of UGT76B1 using an in vitro enzyme-coupled fluorescence assay that quantitatively detects UDP released during UDP-sugar-dependent glycosylation. Unexpectedly, our biochemical analyses demonstrated that UGT76B1 lacks genuine glycosylation activity toward NHP under the in vitro assay conditions tested, although this system clearly detected UGT76B1 activity toward salicylic acid (SA), as well as the activities of UGT74F1 and UGT72B1 toward SA and hydroquinone, respectively. To explore potential UGTs responsible for NHP glycosylation, we evaluated the enzymatic activities of 41 UGT candidates successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, which are selected based on transcriptomic responses to tenoxicam treatment, molecular docking simulations using AlphaFold3/AutoDock Vina, phylogenetic criteria, and previous reports. Within this selected and successfully expressed UGT panel, none exhibited authentic NHP glycosylation activity, although this does not preclude the possibility that other members of the Arabidopsis UGT family possess NHP glycosyltransferase activity. Our findings challenge the prevailing view that UGT76B1 is the primary glycosyltransferase for NHP in A. thaliana and indicate that NHP metabolism may rely on undiscovered non-canonical enzymes or distinct metabolic pathways that warrant further investigation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BaoJiyuan en-aut-sei=Bao en-aut-mei=Jiyuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchiyamaTaiga en-aut-sei=Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusunokiKazuki en-aut-sei=Kusunoki en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinoharaYuka en-aut-sei=Shinohara en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanigawaYurika en-aut-sei=Tanigawa en-aut-mei=Yurika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=UGT76B1 kn-keyword=UGT76B1 en-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) kn-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) en-keyword=salicylic acid (SA) kn-keyword=salicylic acid (SA) en-keyword=glycosyltransferase kn-keyword=glycosyltransferase en-keyword=plant immunity kn-keyword=plant immunity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=312 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260608 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Batch-Based VNF Deployment Mechanism for Privacy-Preserving Multi-Domain SFC Deployment Using Deep Reinforcement Learning en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Future 6G networks require higher performance and wider service coverage. Multi-domain Service Function Chain (SFC) deployment enables service provisioning across multiple network domains to meet these demands. However, when collaboration occurs among different network operators, privacy-preserving mechanisms are required to protect sensitive information such as internal topology and resource availability. Existing SIRM-based mechanisms, such as the Privacy-Preserving Deployment Mechanism (PPDM), address this challenge but suffer from structural limitations: PPDM performs whole-chain feasibility evaluation with extensive virtual occupation. This paper proposes a ?-Batch Sequential Deployment mechanism for privacy-preserving multi-domain SFC deployment. Instead of evaluating whole-chain feasibility at once, the proposed ?-Batch mechanism partitions each incoming SFC into fixed-size VNF batches and constructs a batch-level SIRM. This design confines virtual occupation to the current batch and reduces both its magnitude and duration while remaining fully compatible with the SIRM privacy model and the hierarchical multi-domain control architecture. A Deep Q-Network (DQN) is employed to learn substrate node selection policies based solely on SIRM-based state information, without exposing domain-internal topology or resource details. Simulation results on a three-domain AARNET substrate topology demonstrate that the proposed mechanism consistently improves deployment robustness under varying traffic intensities and SFC lengths, including short (3?6 VNFs), medium (6?9 VNFs), and long (9?12 VNFs) service chains. Compared with PPDM, the proposed ?-Batch mechanism achieves higher acceptance ratios under moderate-to-heavy traffic while reducing end-to-end delay and improving average substrate resource utilization. Node selection analysis further shows that smaller batch sizes preserve feasibility through compact node reuse, whereas larger batch sizes encourage broader substrate exploration. Overall, the proposed ?-Batch mechanism enhances feasibility preservation and deployment robustness in privacy-preserving multi-domain SFC orchestration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IrawanArif Indra en-aut-sei=Irawan en-aut-mei=Arif Indra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaYukinobu en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Yukinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Service Function Chain (SFC) kn-keyword=Service Function Chain (SFC) en-keyword=Virtual Network Embedding (VNE) kn-keyword=Virtual Network Embedding (VNE) en-keyword=privacy preservation kn-keyword=privacy preservation en-keyword=SIRM kn-keyword=SIRM en-keyword=Virtual Network Function (VNF) kn-keyword=Virtual Network Function (VNF) en-keyword=Deep Q-network (DQN) kn-keyword=Deep Q-network (DQN) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=135 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=747 end-page=759 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics of cross-modal negative BOLD responses in the human sensory subcortex and cortex en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive method for measuring human brain activity based on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses. Although many studies have reported positive BOLD responses evoked by sensory stimuli, others have reported negative BOLD responses (NBRs) in the sensory cortex when stimuli from different sensory modalities are presented (i.e., cross-modal NBRs). We conducted an fMRI experiment to better understand the characteristics of cross-modal NBRs in subcortical and cortical regions. Auditory and visual stimuli were presented unilaterally to one ear and to either the left or right visual field, respectively. The lateral geniculate nucleus and medial geniculate nucleus did not show a significant cross-modal NBR. In contrast, the primary auditory cortex showed a significant cross-modal NBR when visual stimuli were presented in either the contralateral or ipsilateral visual fields. Finally, we found that the cross-modal NBR in the early visual cortex was highly variable across subjects and did not exhibit consistent trends. However, each subject’s data exhibited considerable split-half reliability. Our results suggest that cross-modal NBR in the auditory cortex likely reflects mechanisms such as interhemispheric suppression, rather than those coordinated within the same hemisphere.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrated that the human primary auditory cortex showed a significant cross-modal negative BOLD response bilaterally, regardless of the visual field in which the visual stimuli were presented. This result suggests that the cross-modal negative BOLD response is not an epiphenomenon of visual cortex activation predominantly observed in the contralateral hemisphere, but is more likely to reflect interhemispheric suppression mechanisms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyataToshikazu en-aut-sei=Miyata en-aut-mei=Toshikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukunagaMasaki en-aut-sei=Fukunaga en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuoJunxiang en-aut-sei=Luo en-aut-mei=Junxiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiIsao en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiokaAyumi en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTomoyo en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Tomoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakemuraHiromasa en-aut-sei=Takemura en-aut-mei=Hiromasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Sensory and Cognitive Brain Mapping, Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Section of Brain Function Information, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Sensory and Cognitive Brain Mapping, Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Section of Brain Function Information, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Section of Brain Function Information, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Sensory and Cognitive Brain Mapping, Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=auditory system kn-keyword=auditory system en-keyword=cross-modal kn-keyword=cross-modal en-keyword=functional MRI kn-keyword=functional MRI en-keyword=visual system kn-keyword=visual system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=330 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=L593 end-page=L609 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The role of S100A8/A9 in the pathogenesis of acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a life-threatening condition characterized by neutrophilic inflammation. S100A8/A9, an alarmin released by activated neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, plays a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory responses. However, its specific involvement in acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. This study evaluated the role of S100A8/A9 in the pathogenesis of acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis. S100A8/A9 levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, with and without acute exacerbations. To model acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis, mice were intratracheally administered bleomycin followed by lipopolysaccharide. Subsequently, inflammatory cell infiltration, cytokine levels, morphological changes, and fibrosis marker levels in lung tissue and airways were analyzed. S100A8/A9 levels were significantly higher in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia experiencing acute exacerbations relative to those without; these levels were correlated with patient prognosis. In an experimental mouse model, intratracheal administration of bleomycin followed by lipopolysaccharide resulted in a significant increase in airway S100A8/A9 levels compared with bleomycin alone and control mice. Anti-S100A8/A9 neutralizing antibody Ab45 mitigated airway inflammation and lung fibrosis in mice with acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis, reducing S100A8/A9 levels and neutrophil extracellular traps. In vitro, recombinant S100A8/A9 or lipopolysaccharide and neutrophils activated and differentiated fibroblasts; these effects were inhibited by anti-S100A8/A9 neutralizing antibody Ab45 and the humanized form of Ab45 (HuAb45). These findings highlight S100A8/A9 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraNaoki en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigoHisao en-aut-sei=Higo en-aut-mei=Hisao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SenooSatoru en-aut-sei=Senoo en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiAkihiko en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzekiTaichi en-aut-sei=Ozeki en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunamiRyota en-aut-sei=Sunami en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=InukaiYumi en-aut-sei=Inukai en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShusei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoJunko en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAyaka en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomonobuNahoko en-aut-sei=Tomonobu en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinoshitaRie en-aut-sei=Kinoshita en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaguchiMasakiyo en-aut-sei=Sakaguchi en-aut-mei=Masakiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaNobuaki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Nobuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Faculty of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology, Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=anti-S100A8/A9 neutralizing antibody kn-keyword=anti-S100A8/A9 neutralizing antibody en-keyword=calprotectin kn-keyword=calprotectin en-keyword=idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis kn-keyword=idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis en-keyword=lipopolysaccharide kn-keyword=lipopolysaccharide en-keyword=neutrophil extracellular traps kn-keyword=neutrophil extracellular traps END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=4963 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural insights into YheS-mediated release of SecM-arrested ribosome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=ATP-binding cassette subfamily F (ABCF) proteins interact with the ribosome to resolve translation defects near the peptidyl transferase center (PTC). In Escherichia coli, four ABCF proteins (EttA, Uup, YbiT, and YheS) selectively promote translation of distinct problematic nascent peptide sequences, but their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we present a 2.8?? cryo-EM structure of the ribosome in complex with an ATPase-deficient mutant of YheS and investigate how it releases ribosomes arrested by the SecM nascent chain. YheS binds to the ribosomal E-site via the L1 stalk, and its P-site tRNA-interaction motif (PtIM) extends toward the PTC, displacing the CCA end of the P-site tRNA. Notably, the cryo-EM density corresponding to the SecM nascent chain within the exit tunnel is largely lost upon YheS binding. These observations suggest that YheS relieves peptide sequence-dependent stalling by perturbing nascent chain-tunnel interactions through P-site tRNA relocation. Steered molecular dynamics simulations provide qualitative support for this model. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insight into a mode of arrest release distinct from the translocon-mediated release mechanism. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsoKaishi en-aut-sei=Iso en-aut-mei=Kaishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaToma en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Toma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiKohei en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoYushin en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Yushin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoFumiya K. en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Fumiya K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaTadaomi en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Tadaomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaguchiHideki en-aut-sei=Taguchi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NurekiOsamu en-aut-sei=Nureki en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChadaniYuhei en-aut-sei=Chadani en-aut-mei=Yuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItohYuzuru en-aut-sei=Itoh en-aut-mei=Yuzuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1053 end-page=1061 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260423 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Two-dimensional metal?organic frameworks offer all-in-one cocatalysts for photocatalytic overall water splitting en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photocatalytic overall water splitting holds great promise for sustainable hydrogen production. For overall water splitting performed by one-step excitation, both the hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions are hindered kinetically; hence, it is necessary to employ site-selective modification of photocatalysts with hydrogen-evolving and oxygen-evolving cocatalysts. However, critical challenges remain, including the need for cumbersome, multi-step photodeposition processes and durable blocking layers to inhibit the reverse reactions. Here we find a conductive, two-dimensional metal?organic framework to serve as a simple, multifunctional cocatalyst. We loaded this framework on SrTiO3:Al, an overall water-splitting photocatalyst, using a one-step self-assembly method. The framework cocatalyst promoted steady photocatalysis with an apparent quantum efficiency of 31.5% at 350?nm, free from the reverse reaction even without blocking layers. We proposed the operational principles for the cocatalyst activity using spectroscopic, electrochemical and theoretical analyses. This two-dimensional metal?organic framework offers an all-in-one approach for designing efficient and practical one-step excitation overall water-splitting systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GuanJingyan en-aut-sei=Guan en-aut-mei=Jingyan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiHajime en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiyaKazuhide en-aut-sei=Kamiya en-aut-mei=Kazuhide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaTakashi en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiRintaro en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Rintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurokawaHirofumi en-aut-sei=Kurokawa en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnabaraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Unabara en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonekuraKoji en-aut-sei=Yonekura en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiNaoya en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKunihisa en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kunihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiYuichi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaekiAkinori en-aut-sei=Saeki en-aut-mei=Akinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamakataAkira en-aut-sei=Yamakata en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KudoAkihiko en-aut-sei=Kudo en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeRyu en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Ryu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoRyota en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Innovative Catalysis Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=e1012045 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Octopamine signaling from clock neurons plays dual roles in Drosophila long-term memory en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Circadian clock genes are best known for regulating circadian rhythms, but they also play crucial roles in memory processes. This suggests that memory is modulated by neural networks containing clock neurons, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In Drosophila melanogaster, approximately 240 clock neurons are grouped into at least eight distinct clusters. Among them, the dorsal?lateral neurons (LNds) are required for maintaining long-term memory (LTM). In contrast, the neuropeptide Pigment-dispersing factor (Pdf), expressed in both small and large ventral?lateral neurons (s-LNvs and l-LNvs, respectively), functions as a circadian output signal and is also essential for maintaining LTM. In addition, Pdf-expressing neurons (hereafter, Pdf neurons) release neurotransmitters other than Pdf, which are involved in LTM consolidation. However, the specific transmitters used by LNds and Pdf neurons in LTM processing have remained unknown. Here, we show that octopamine signaling from LNds is essential for LTM maintenance, whereas octopamine in Pdf neurons is essential for LTM consolidation. Temporally restricted knockdown of Tyramine β hydroxylase (Tbh), the gene encoding the enzyme required for octopamine synthesis, disrupted LTM maintenance when targeted in LNds, whereas it impaired LTM consolidation when targeted in Pdf neurons. Notably, Tbh knockdown in LNds or Pdf neurons had minimal effects on circadian behavioral rhythms or sleep. These findings reveal that octopamine released from specific subtypes of clock neurons independently regulates distinct phases of LTM in Drosophila. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KurataYuto en-aut-sei=Kurata en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiiTaishi en-aut-sei=Yoshii en-aut-mei=Taishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiTakaomi en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Takaomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=801 end-page=809 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250922 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Risk Factors and Strategies for Failure to Rescue Following Hepatectomy: A Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as mortality after major postoperative complications, is a crucial indicator of surgical quality. Although mortality rates after hepatectomy have declined owing to improved surgical techniques and perioperative care, FTR remains a major concern. This review synthesizes the current evidence on the risk factors contributing to FTR after hepatectomy and explores multidisciplinary strategies to reduce its rate. Post-hepatectomy liver failure, hemorrhage, bile leakage, and sepsis commonly precede FTR. Risk factors for FTR are multifactorial and include patient-, procedure-, and system-related factors. Higher procedural volumes are associated with lower FTR rates, likely due to better infrastructure, experienced personnel, and access to rapid interventions. Strategies to reduce the FTR rate include preoperative optimization, intraoperative precision, and vigilant postoperative surveillance. System-level approaches, such as multidisciplinary rounds, standardized escalation protocols, and a robust institutional safety culture, are also pivotal. Future innovations, such as predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and wearable monitoring devices, offer considerable potential for the early detection of complications. Centralization of complex liver surgeries to high-volume centers is recommended to enhance team preparedness. This review emphasizes the importance of adopting a comprehensive, proactive, and technologically integrated approach to reduce the FTR rate after hepatectomy and improve patient survival. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KimuraJiro en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Jiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiTomokazu en-aut-sei=Fuji en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiKazuya en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaTakeyoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Takeyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=failure to rescue kn-keyword=failure to rescue en-keyword=hepatectomy kn-keyword=hepatectomy en-keyword=mortality kn-keyword=mortality en-keyword=risk factor kn-keyword=risk factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=4-5 article-no= start-page=e70061 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202605 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Computer‐Aided Sperm Analysis Protocol for Evaluating Sperm Motility in Japanese Medaka en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Changes in sperm motility can serve as an early indicator of reproductive effects caused by environmental chemicals or genetic perturbations. However, sperm motility is highly sensitive to external factors such as osmolarity, ionic composition, and the timing of measurement after activation, making it challenging to obtain consistent and reproducible measurements. Here, we present a standardized protocol for assessing sperm motility in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) using a sperm motility analysis system (SMAS), an application for computer-aided sperm motility analysis (CASA). This protocol details the procedures for sperm collection, activation, and quantitative motility assessment, with particular focus on changes in the percentage of motile sperm post activation and the effects of sperm cryopreservation. We demonstrate time-dependent declines in sperm motility and velocity, and highlight the importance of early post-activation measurements to accurately capture peak motility. Notably, cryopreservation significantly accelerated the decline in sperm motility rate without affecting the initial proportion of motile sperm. To enable reliable comparisons among experimental groups, we recommend standardizing the initiation time after sperm activation by using CASA, and show that measurements should be initiated within 1?min after activation to obtain consistent and reliable data. This standardized SMAS-based protocol provides a robust and reproducible framework for sperm motility analysis in medaka and will be valuable not only for studies in reproductive biology, toxicology, and environmental risk assessment but also for applied research, such as breeding of aquacultural fishes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuroyanagiMiwa en-aut-sei=Kuroyanagi en-aut-mei=Miwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnsaiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Ansai en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeigo en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoAi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiTouko en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=Touko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KameiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kamei en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeEiji en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OginoYukiko en-aut-sei=Ogino en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Advanced Aquaculture Science, Faculty of Marine Bioscience and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Interuniversity Bio-Backup Project Center, National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institutes of Natural Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Optics and Bioimaging Facility, NIBB kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Basic Biology Program, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institutes of Natural Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= en-keyword=computer-aided sperm motility analysis (CASA) kn-keyword=computer-aided sperm motility analysis (CASA) en-keyword=medaka kn-keyword=medaka en-keyword=sperm motility kn-keyword=sperm motility en-keyword=sperm motility analysis system (SMAS) kn-keyword=sperm motility analysis system (SMAS) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=46 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=BSR20260010 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Tubulogenesis of bovine uterine glands by epidermal growth factor and collagen I in 3D culture systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Uterine glands are endometrial exocrine epithelia that support early embryo development. Their secretions are particularly essential for conceptus elongation in cattle. Uterine glands develop from the luminal epithelium and elongate into the stromal layer toward the myometrium. This process is regulated by growth factors, WNT proteins, and the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM); however, the precise mechanisms that govern bovine uterine gland morphogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we determined how these signaling factors and ECM components affect the tubular formation of bovine uterine gland fragments in 3D culture systems. Uterine gland fragments were enzymatically isolated from bovine endometria and 3D-cultured in Matrigel with or without growth factors (EGF, FGF1, FGF2, FGF7, FGF10, and IGF-1) and WNT (WNT3A, WNT5A, and WNT7A) proteins. Of these, only EGF stimulated the elongation of uterine gland fragments and eventually induced the formation of uterine gland-like structures. EGF-induced tubulogenesis was accompanied by a rapid increase in cell proliferation and alterations in cell?ECM interactions. The supplementation of collagen I with Matrigel further promoted the elongation of the tubular structures. Although the addition of collagen I did not alter the gene expression profiles of the uterine gland-like structures, the integrin-ROCK pathway contributed to the collagen-induced enhancement of elongation. Our findings clarified that EGF and collagen I, but not FGFs, IGF-1, or WNTs, are key regulators for the tubular formation of 3D-cultured bovine uterine gland fragments. This 3D culture system provides a new platform to examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying bovine uterine gland morphogenesis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SuginoYosuke en-aut-sei=Sugino en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaRei en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Rei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuyamaShuichi en-aut-sei=Matsuyama en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoYuki en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoKohei en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraKoji en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=3D cell culture kn-keyword=3D cell culture en-keyword=bovine, collagen I kn-keyword=bovine, collagen I en-keyword=epidermal growth factor kn-keyword=epidermal growth factor en-keyword=tubular structure kn-keyword=tubular structure en-keyword=uterine gland kn-keyword=uterine gland END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=73466 end-page=73478 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Construction of a Lightweight Simulation Environment Based on Topological Mapping en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Autonomous mobile robots require safe and efficient environmental representations for traversability-aware navigation and learning. In particular, self-learning of traversability from real-world driving experience can require robots to operate near the limits of their mobility, which introduces physical risks such as falls, malfunctions, or hardware damage. To provide a safer complementary environment for such validation and future learning, this paper proposes ATC-Mesh. This framework constructs a lightweight, simulation-ready mesh environment from the topological map produced by Adaptive Resonance Theory-based Topological Clustering with Different Topologies (ATC-DT) using high-density LiDAR point clouds. Unlike standard mesh reconstruction methods that directly process dense point clouds, ATC-Mesh generates a compact mesh from the node?edge structure of the topological map while preserving traversability attributes associated with the topological map. Experiments using two real-world LiDAR datasets show that ATC-Mesh achieves competitive mesh-construction quality compared with standard baseline methods while reducing construction time and mesh size. Gazebo experiments further show that the generated meshes can support waypoint-based navigation with a low simulation load. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoYukinaga en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Yukinaga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsunoTakayuki en-aut-sei=Matsuno en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Autonomous mobile robot kn-keyword=Autonomous mobile robot en-keyword=topological map kn-keyword=topological map en-keyword=digital twin kn-keyword=digital twin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=194 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=118923 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Elucidation of mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of cordycepin on pulmonary hypertension, with a focus on cell senescence and gut microbiota en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary disorder characterized by excessive pulmonary vascular remodeling and aberrant proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to PH development. Cordycepin, a natural adenosine analogue derived from Cordyceps militaris, has demonstrated antiproliferative and microbiota-modulating properties; however, its mechanism of action in PH remains unclear.
Objective: Elucidate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of cordycepin on PH, focusing on cellular senescence and gut microbiota.
Methods: The effects of cordycepin on PH pathology were investigated by transcriptome analysis of PASMCs from patients, and metagenomic analysis of rodent PH models. Cellular senescence was analyzed in lung tissue from p16Ink4a-CreERT2 reporter mice and in rat bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs).
Results: RNA sequencing analysis revealed activation of p53 signaling by cordycepin in PASMCs. Cordycepin suppressed CDK1 expression and TERT phosphorylation at threonine 249. It ameliorated vascular and cardiac remodeling in PH rat and mouse models. Cordycepin induced M1-like macrophage senescence in p16 Ink4a reporter mice lungs and rat BMDMs. Cordycepin significantly reshaped the gut microbiota, increasing beneficial genera (e.g. Alistipes and Acetatifactor) and reducing proinflammatory taxa (e.g., Ruminococcus), with modulating key metabolic pathways, including short-chain fatty acid, tryptophan, and vitamin K2 metabolism.
Conclusion: Cordycepin exerts multi-target therapeutic effects in PH by inhibiting PASMC proliferation via the p53?CDK1/pTERT axis, modulating gut microbiota-linked immunometabolism and induces proinflammatory macrophage senescence. These findings support cordycepin as a promising candidate for PH therapies targeting the vascular, immune, and gut?lung axes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiGaopeng en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Gaopeng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhaoZhixin en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Zhixin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MachitaniMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Machitani en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaRyou en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Ryou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaKaori en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokotaNaoya en-aut-sei=Yokota en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HabaReiji en-aut-sei=Haba en-aut-mei=Reiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunZhihong en-aut-sei=Sun en-aut-mei=Zhihong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuraharaLin-Hai en-aut-sei=Kurahara en-aut-mei=Lin-Hai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoKatsuya en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Katsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kagawa University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Kagawa University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kagawa University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Advanced Heart Failure, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= en-keyword=Pulmonary hypertension kn-keyword=Pulmonary hypertension en-keyword=p53 kn-keyword=p53 en-keyword=CDK1 kn-keyword=CDK1 en-keyword=TERT kn-keyword=TERT en-keyword=p16 kn-keyword=p16 en-keyword=Microbiota kn-keyword=Microbiota END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=183 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=156163 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photochemical oxidative synthesis of carboxylic acids from aldehydes or alcohols with water via CH bromination en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The photoinduced oxidation of aldehydes or alcohols with water to give the corresponding carboxylic acids is described. This photochemical carboxylation proceeds via the in-situ generation of acyl-bromide intermediates upon irradiation with purple or UV LED light; these intermediates subsequently react with water to give the desired carboxylic acids. This mild photochemical reaction affords diverse carboxylic acids without peroxide generation or the need to use transition-metal catalysts and a stoichiometric amount of base, highlighting its potential utility for the synthesis of natural products and bioactive compounds. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=El-kholanyMohamed R. en-aut-sei=El-kholany en-aut-mei=Mohamed R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoAtsuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Atsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FalconeMorgane en-aut-sei=Falcone en-aut-mei=Morgane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Carboxylation kn-keyword=Carboxylation en-keyword=Photochemical synthesis kn-keyword=Photochemical synthesis en-keyword=Csingle bondH bromination kn-keyword=Csingle bondH bromination en-keyword=Water kn-keyword=Water END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Switchable photoluminescence of europium(iii) complexes with chromonylhydrazones en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Europium(III) complexes bearing 4-hydroxy- or 4-methyl-N′-((6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (HL1 or HL2) showed characteristic EuIII 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 0?4) luminescence both in acetonitrile and in solid states with relatively high Φtot values. The luminescence was quenched not only by adding triethylamine in acetonitrile, but also by heating the solid sample, and recovered by adding perchloric acid in solution or by diffusion of HCl vapor to the resulting solid sample. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KameiAsahi en-aut-sei=Kamei en-aut-mei=Asahi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoDaisuke en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoseKeito en-aut-sei=Nose en-aut-mei=Keito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasaki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoMasako en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=148 end-page=159 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Behavioral effects of a chronic envy-like stress paradigm in mice using an adjacent cage model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Social comparison and envy are significant psychosocial stressors in humans and are known to be involved in the onset and persistence of psychiatric disorders. However, animal models capable of experimentally reproducing the effects of indirect social comparison without physical contact are limited. In this study, we used a newly developed "adjacent-cage paradigm" to investigate whether chronic vicarious exposure to conspecifics in different environments induces envy-like stress in mice.
Methods: Male C57BL/6?N mice served as observers, while demonstrator mice were assigned to one of four conditions: (1) an environment enriched with objects, (2) an igloo, (3) a tube, or (4) social isolation. Observers were continuously exposed to these adjacent cages for 21 days. Subsequently, a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests was conducted to assess general health, anxiety-like behavior, spatial memory, social behavior, and depression-like behavior.
Results: In the objects condition, a decrease in time spent in the light compartment of the light/dark box indicated an increase in anxiety-like behavior. In the isolation condition, the mean duration per social interaction was shortened, suggesting a qualitative change in social behavior. The igloo condition resulted in reduced immobility time in the forced swim test, suggesting a possible alteration in stress coping behavior. Furthermore, increased nociceptive sensitivity was observed in the hot plate test under both the objects and isolation conditions.
Conclusion: Although the envy-like stress paradigm did not affect many behavioral indices, it did cause condition-dependent and limited behavioral changes. This suggests that the paradigm may serve as a novel model for capturing psychological and context-dependent social stress, which differs from conventional physical stress models. Elucidating the neural basis of this paradigm is expected to contribute to the understanding of how social comparison affects mental health in modern society. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UenoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitanoEriko en-aut-sei=Kitano en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriSachiko en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiShinji en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaniKenta en-aut-sei=Wani en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYosuke en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoMotoi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Motoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=envy-like stress kn-keyword=envy-like stress en-keyword=social comparison kn-keyword=social comparison en-keyword=psychosocial stress kn-keyword=psychosocial stress en-keyword=mouse model kn-keyword=mouse model en-keyword=anxiety-like behavior kn-keyword=anxiety-like behavior END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=15771 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Adolescent envy-like social comparison stress induces HPA axis hypoactivity and anxiety in female mice: implications for somatic symptom disorder en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Adolescence is a critical developmental window marked by heightened neuroplasticity and maturation of the stress response system, conferring vulnerability to psychosocial stress. Chronic stress during this period increases the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders and may contribute to somatic symptom disorder (SSD), which is characterized by medically unexplained physical complaints and shows a striking female predominance. The impact of envy-like stress arising from social comparison, a pervasive psychosocial factor in modern society, remains poorly understood. Male and female C57BL/6N mice were exposed to chronic envy-like stress from postnatal day (P)21 to P52 by housing them adjacent to enriched cages, while control mice were housed without such exposure. From P52 onward, mice underwent behavioral testing of anxiety-like behavior, exploratory activity, social interaction, spatial working memory, motor coordination, nociception, and depression-like behavior. Serum corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations were measured to assess hypothalamic?pituitary?adrenal (HPA) axis function. Envy-like stress induced sex-specific phenotypes. Male mice exhibited hyperactivity, reduced social interaction, and impaired spatial working memory. In contrast, female mice displayed robust increases in anxiety-like behavior, impaired motor coordination, and significant reductions in basal corticosterone and ACTH levels. Chronic envy-like stress during adolescence elicits distinct, sex-dependent behavioral and endocrine alterations. The phenotype observed in female mice?characterized by heightened anxiety and lower basal HPA axis hormone levels?shares some biological features with clinical observations in SSD. This model may serve as a starting point for elucidating the mechanisms linking psychosocial stress and somatic symptoms in a sex-dependent manner. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UenoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitanoEriko en-aut-sei=Kitano en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriSachiko en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiShinji en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaniKenta en-aut-sei=Wani en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYosuke en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoMotoi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Motoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=Envy-like stress kn-keyword=Envy-like stress en-keyword=Social comparison kn-keyword=Social comparison en-keyword=Adolescence kn-keyword=Adolescence en-keyword=HPA axis kn-keyword=HPA axis en-keyword=Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) kn-keyword=Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) en-keyword=Sex differences kn-keyword=Sex differences en-keyword=Psychosocial stress kn-keyword=Psychosocial stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=44248 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251219 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Post-weaning maternal presence exerts a protective effect against social isolation-induced behavioural alterations in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Parental “watchful presence” is considered an important factor influencing behavioural and emotional development in offspring across mammalian species, including humans. However, the effects of such parental presence remain insufficiently understood, even in human studies. In laboratory mice, offspring are typically weaned at approximately three weeks of age, leaving the impact of post-weaning maternal presence on behavioural development largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal presence in an adjacent cage after weaning can attenuate behavioural effects of social isolation stress in mice. Furthermore, we sought to assess whether this experimental paradigm could serve as a novel animal model for studying the effects of parental watchful presence, with potential relevance to human parent?child relationship research. Mouse pups were weaned at postnatal day 21 and housed either adjacent to their mother (maternal presence group) or without maternal presence (control group). The pups were subsequently housed either in groups with littermates or individually until eight weeks of age. After maturation, behavioural tests were conducted to assess locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviour, social behaviour, and depression-like behaviour. In group-housed mice, maternal presence did not influence behavioural outcomes. However, in individually housed mice, maternal presence partially attenuated social isolation-induced behavioural alterations, suggesting a subtle protective effect, including hyperlocomotion, reduced anxiety-like behaviour, and abnormal social interactions. Our findings demonstrate that maternal presence during the post-weaning period can offer a protective effect against certain behavioural abnormalities induced by social isolation stress in mice.　This simple adjacent-cage paradigm provides a novel and practical model for elucidating the impact of parental watchful presence on behavioural and emotional development, offering insights relevant to the understanding of parent?child relationships in humans. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UenoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitanoEriko en-aut-sei=Kitano en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriSachiko en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiShinji en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaniKenta en-aut-sei=Wani en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYosuke en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoMotoi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Motoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=Maternal presence kn-keyword=Maternal presence en-keyword=Social isolation kn-keyword=Social isolation en-keyword=Post-weaning period kn-keyword=Post-weaning period en-keyword=Resilience kn-keyword=Resilience en-keyword=Mice kn-keyword=Mice END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1063 end-page=1074 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260421 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Barriers and facilitators for online genetic care for hereditary cancer in Japan: findings from surveys of both clients and medical professionals en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Online genetic care can offer a promising solution to the shortage of qualified medical professionals in genetic medicine, which leads to regional disparities in access. However, despite global adoption, its use in Japan remains limited.
Methods Two questionnaire surveys were conducted to investigate potential needs and barriers regarding online genetic care: one involving 858 medical professionals (738 physicians and 120 genetic counselors or nurses), and the other involving 443 clients who received in-person genetic counseling.
Results Only 14.0% of the medical professionals had experience with online genetic care, although 85.9% of the professionals engaged in cancer genetics were willing to consider providing it in the future. Notably, a discrepancy was found regarding hospital selection: clients prioritized access to specialized medical care, whereas professionals assumed clients valued accessibility for family members. Professionals expressed greater concerns about adequacy of online communication, client environments and internet security. Among clients, 89.1% estimated they would sufficiently understand and accept total content of counseling session if were conducted online. Older age and infrequent internet use were associated with lower acceptance and higher anxiety regarding online methods. Concerns about ability to use the necessary technology affected clients’ willingness to encourage online care for their relatives.
Conclusion Online genetic care shows high potential for client acceptance and can effectively address regional disparities in Japan. To bridge the gap between client needs and professional perceptions and to overcome the digital divide, it is necessary to develop secure, accessible systems and provide education for both patients and healthcare providers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UenoSayaka en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UrakawaYusaku en-aut-sei=Urakawa en-aut-mei=Yusaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoFumino en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Fumino kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UekiArisa en-aut-sei=Ueki en-aut-mei=Arisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoKeika en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Keika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKoji en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugawaraHiromi en-aut-sei=Sugawara en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSayoko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sayoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaReiko en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakutaMiho en-aut-sei=Kakuta en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiKiwamu en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Kiwamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraKazuo en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Kazuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirasawaAkira en-aut-sei=Hirasawa en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Clinical Genetic Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Clinical Genetic Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Clinical Genetics, Hyogo Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Clinical Genetics, Hyogo Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Saitama Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Genomic Diagnosis, International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) Narita Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Center for Genomic Diagnosis, International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) Narita Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Center for Genomic Diagnosis, International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) Narita Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Hereditary cancer kn-keyword=Hereditary cancer en-keyword=Remote medical care kn-keyword=Remote medical care en-keyword=Barriers to online genetic care kn-keyword=Barriers to online genetic care en-keyword=Facilitators for online genetic care kn-keyword=Facilitators for online genetic care END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=25 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260319 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Machine learning prediction of the Madden?Julian oscillation using reservoir computing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The prediction of the Madden?Julian Oscillation (MJO), a massive tropical weather event with global socio-economic impacts, has been infamously difficult with physics-based weather prediction models. We employ the reservoir computing, a brain-inspired machine-learning technique, to construct a machine learning model that forecasts the real-time multivariate MJO index (RMM), a macroscopic variable that represents the state of the MJO. The training data was refined by development of a novel real-time band-pass filter that extracts the recurrency of MJO signals only from the past raw atmospheric data, and by selection of a suitable time-delay coordinate of the RMM that enhances the recurrency of the input data. The constructed model demonstrated the skill to forecast the time sequence of the RMM for a month from pre-developmental stages of the MJO. Examination of best-performing cases suggested that RMM sequences may be predicted for over two months in some cases. These results imply that inherent predictability limit of the MJO is longer than that has been estimated from physics-based weather prediction models. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SuematsuTamaki en-aut-sei=Suematsu en-aut-mei=Tamaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaiKengo en-aut-sei=Nakai en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonedaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Yoneda en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasukaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Takasuka en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=JinnoTakuya en-aut-sei=Jinno en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaikiYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Saiki en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Computational Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Geophysics, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Business Administration, Hitotsubashi University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=Reservoir computing kn-keyword=Reservoir computing en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning en-keyword=Madden?Julian Oscillation kn-keyword=Madden?Julian Oscillation en-keyword=Sub-seasonal forecast kn-keyword=Sub-seasonal forecast END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=pcag052 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260612 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cytokinin receptor AHK3 influences leaf size by modulating trans-zeatin-type cytokinin levels in xylem en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Trans-zeatin (tZ)-type cytokinins (CKs) are predominantly synthesized in roots, transported to the shoot via the xylem, and coordinate diverse physiological processes in aerial organs. Within this process, the regulation of CK biosynthesis by nitrate signaling via nodule inception-like protein 7, as well as the loading of tZ-type CKs into the xylem by ATP-binding cassette transporter G14, have been well studied. However, the roles of other components remain unclear. Here, we show that CK perception and degradation in roots, as mediated by Arabidopsis histidine kinase 3 (AHK3) and CK oxidase/dehydrogenase 4 (CKX4), modulate root-to-shoot tZ-type cytokinin transport in response to nitrate. Grafting experiments demonstrate that root-specific AHK3 deficiency systemically increases the leaf blade area through long-distance signals of root-derived tZ-type CKs, perceived by shoot-expressed AHK3. Transcriptome and hormonome analyses reveal that root-specific AHK3 deficiency reduces CKX4 expression in roots, elevating tZ-type CK levels in roots and xylem sap and thereby enhancing the leaf CK response. Transfer experiments manipulating root nitrate levels show that root-specific AHK3 deficiency promotes the leaf blade area in a manner dependent on both nitrate and root-derived tZ-type CK signaling. Moreover, both nitrate signals and root-expressed AHK3 are required for maximal CKX4 induction in roots, and root-specific CKX4 deficiency enhances the leaf blade area in a nitrate-dependent manner. These findings reveal a novel mechanism in which an AHK3?CKX4 module governs xylem transport of tZ-type CKs, fine-tuning leaf size according to root nitrate status. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MondenKota en-aut-sei=Monden en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakamasa en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takamasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaMikiko en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Mikiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakebayashiYumiko en-aut-sei=Takebayashi en-aut-mei=Yumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiyaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Kamiya en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KibaTakatoshi en-aut-sei=Kiba en-aut-mei=Takatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakibaraHitoshi en-aut-sei=Sakakibara en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HachiyaTakushi en-aut-sei=Hachiya en-aut-mei=Takushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Tokyo University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Interdisciplinary Centerfor Science Research, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Interdisciplinary Centerfor Science Research, Shimane University kn-affil= en-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana en-keyword=cytokinin kn-keyword=cytokinin en-keyword=micrografting kn-keyword=micrografting en-keyword=nitrate signal kn-keyword=nitrate signal en-keyword=trans-zeatin kn-keyword=trans-zeatin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=2473 end-page=2478 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis of a BC6 polymer via cyclotrimerization of alkynylborane and its application as a heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Lewis acidic boron-containing π-conjugated polymer materials have been demonstrated to be promising for sensing and catalysis; however, the synthetic approaches and the number of installed boron atoms have been limited. Herein, we report the synthesis of a BC6 polymer structure via cyclotrimerization of alkynes. The resulting polymer exhibited superior catalytic activity to small-molecule analogues such as BPh3 and previously reported boron-containing polymers. This enhanced performance is attributed to the high boron content and increased Lewis acidity of BC6, as supported by theoretical and experimental analyses. Owing to its polymeric nature, the catalyst was readily recovered and reused in the catalytic system. These findings demonstrate that building rigid polymer frameworks with a high density of Lewis acidic boron sites is a promising approach to developing recyclable heterogeneous Lewis acid catalysts, and offers a broadly applicable design principle for functional boron-containing polymeric materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiNaoki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkuraKentaro en-aut-sei=Ohkura en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260613 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A novel robot for CT-guided bone needle insertion with a rotational drilling and force-feedback speed control mechanism: preliminary evaluation in swine en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided needle insertion into swine bones by using a novel robotic system capable of rotational drilling.
Materials and methods This was an animal experiment using three swine. A remote-controlled robot equipped with a rotational drilling and force-feedback insertion speed control mechanism was developed for bone needle insertion. Using the robot, CT-guided insertion of a 10-gauge bone access needle was attempted in the lumbar vertebrae, ilia, and femora six times each. Needle insertion accuracy was evaluated using the angle error, which is defined as the difference between the predetermined and post-insertion needle angles on axial and sagittal CT images. The time required for needle insertion was measured. The angle error and time required for needle insertion were compared among the bones using the Kruskal?Wallis test. Adverse events were also evaluated.
Results Robotic bone needle insertion was successful in all attempts. The median axial and sagittal angle errors were 0.21 and 0.21° for the lumbar vertebrae, 0.32 and 0.13° for the ilia, and 0.65 and 0.25° for the femora, respectively. Axial angle errors were significantly different among the bone types (p?=?0.038). The time required for needle insertion was 23.6, 21.3, and 59.7 s for the lumbar vertebrae, ilia, and femora, respectively. Time was significantly different among bone types (p?=?0.017). No adverse events were observed.
Conclusion CT-guided bone needle insertion using a robot equipped with a rotational drilling and force-feedback insertion speed control mechanism was feasible and accurate in swine. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYuta en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiTakanori en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraRyutaro en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomitaKoji en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmakoshiNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Umakoshi en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoSoichiro en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunetomoKazuaki en-aut-sei=Munetomo en-aut-mei=Kazuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiJun en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakazawaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Nakazawa en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiyaKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Matsumiya en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsunoTakayuki en-aut-sei=Matsuno en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamegawaTetsushi en-aut-sei=Kamegawa en-aut-mei=Tetsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center for OMIC, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Medical Development Field, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Life Science, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Robot kn-keyword=Robot en-keyword=Needle kn-keyword=Needle en-keyword=Bone kn-keyword=Bone en-keyword=CT-guided kn-keyword=CT-guided en-keyword=Intervention kn-keyword=Intervention END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=27 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=2645 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260313 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Minimal Association Between Immunoglobulin A Coating and Gut Microbiota Alterations Induced by High-Fat Diets with Distinct Fatty Acid Compositions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=High-fat diets (HFDs) containing dietary fats with different fatty acid (FA) compositions alter gut microbiota composition in a fat-source-dependent manner. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and unabsorbed lipids in the distal gut are potential regulators of the gut microbiota. However, their roles in mediating gut microbiota alterations induced by dietary fats with different FA compositions remain unclear. This study aims to examine the associations of these two factors with fat-source-dependent gut microbiota alterations. BALB/c mice were fed a normal diet, a high-lard diet, a high-olive oil diet, or a high-soybean oil diet for 27 weeks. Fecal samples were collected to assess microbiota composition, the IgA coating index (ICI)?which quantifies the extent of IgA coating on gut microbiota?and fecal fatty acid concentrations. At the phylum level, the concentration of fecal total long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) was positively correlated with the relative abundance (RA) of Bacillota and negatively correlated with that of Bacteroidota. In addition, a trend toward a positive association between the RA and the ICI was observed for Bacillota but not for Bacteroidota. At the genus level, the RAs of 12 taxa were positively correlated with fecal LCFA concentrations, whereas those of 6 taxa were negatively correlated. Although the RAs of most taxa appeared to be influenced by unabsorbed lipids and additional factors, only four Bacillota genera exhibited a positive correlation between the RA and the ICI. Our observations suggest that IgA coating of the gut microbiota may have a minimal association with fat-source-specific alterations in gut microbiota composition during HFD intake. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TeraokaMao en-aut-sei=Teraoka en-aut-mei=Mao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinoNaoki en-aut-sei=Nishino en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangTianyang en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Tianyang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChenKuiyi en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Kuiyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsurutaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Tsuruta en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil= Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil= Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=immunoglobulin A kn-keyword=immunoglobulin A en-keyword=high-fat diet kn-keyword=high-fat diet en-keyword=gut microbiota kn-keyword=gut microbiota en-keyword=fatty acid composition kn-keyword=fatty acid composition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=54 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1319 end-page=1328 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260326 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Institutional Variability in Brain-Dead Organ Donation Processes and Practices: A Multicenter Cohort Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=OBJECTIVES: To determine whether key institutional and clinical differences exist between highly and moderately active hospitals in Japan with respect to brain-dead organ donation practices.
DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter cohort study.
SETTING: Sixteen tertiary emergency and critical care centers across Japan.
PATIENTS: All brain-dead organ donors from participating institutions who had at least one organ procured and transplanted between July 17, 2010, and December 31, 2023. Hospitals were categorized as highly active (? 14 donations) or moderately active (? 13 donations) during the study period.
INTERVENTIONS: None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Institutional donation practices were compared, including donor management strategies, use of vasopressors and corticosteroids, time intervals in the donation process, and frequency of multidisciplinary team meetings. A total of 204 donors were included; the median age was 47 years (interquartile range, 37?56), and 92 (45.1%) were female. Donor characteristics were similar between groups. Vasopressin was used in nearly all donors, though dosing protocols varied. Corticosteroid use was significantly higher in highly active hospitals compared with moderately active ones (58.3% vs. 38.0%; p = 0.004). Time from admission to coordinator notification was similar; however, time to family consent (median, 8 vs. 5 d; p < 0.001) and time to organ procurement (median, 12 vs. 9 d; p = 0.006) were longer in highly active hospitals. These hospitals also conducted more multidisciplinary meetings during donor management (median, 2 vs. 0; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Highly active hospitals demonstrated more intensive donor management practices, longer timeframes for key donation steps, and greater multidisciplinary engagement. Standardization of donation practices may enhance efficiency and support broader dissemination of effective institutional strategies to improve brain-dead organ donation rates in Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaMineji en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Mineji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoboriShoji en-aut-sei=Yokobori en-aut-mei=Shoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaKei en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AtsumiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Atsumi en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TasakiOsamu en-aut-sei=Tasaki en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsurukiriJunya en-aut-sei=Tsurukiri en-aut-mei=Junya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayamizuMariko en-aut-sei=Hayamizu en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurahashiShimon en-aut-sei=Murahashi en-aut-mei=Shimon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiMunehiro en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Munehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoYukari en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Yukari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NarumiyaHiromichi en-aut-sei=Narumiya en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizutaniAtsushi en-aut-sei=Mizutani en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyajimaMamoru en-aut-sei=Miyajima en-aut-mei=Mamoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimazakiJunya en-aut-sei=Shimazaki en-aut-mei=Junya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimaNozomu en-aut-sei=Shima en-aut-mei=Nozomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=DeuchiKazuki en-aut-sei=Deuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayasuHitomi en-aut-sei=Nakayasu en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanoHitoshi en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=Japan Comprehensive Process for End-of-Life Care and Organ Donation after Brain Death (J-RESPECT) study group en-aut-sei=Japan Comprehensive Process for End-of-Life Care and Organ Donation after Brain Death (J-RESPECT) study group en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Acute and Critical Care Center, Nagasaki University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Acute and Critical Care Center, Nagasaki University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Hyogo Emergency Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Emergency Medicine, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamamatsu Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Emergency and Critical Care Center, Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Wakayama Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil= kn-affil= en-keyword=brain death kn-keyword=brain death en-keyword=critical illness kn-keyword=critical illness en-keyword=decision-making kn-keyword=decision-making en-keyword=organ transplantation kn-keyword=organ transplantation en-keyword=patient care kn-keyword=patient care END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100194 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Extracellular matrix remodeling in calcific aortic valve disease: Localized enrichment of type III collagen and LTBP-4 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by progressive extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling that promotes valve fibrosis and calcification. However, its molecular and structural basis remains unclear. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed ECM remodeling in human CAVD valves, focusing on collagen dynamics and key ECM-associated regulatory components. Histopathological analysis revealed fibrous layer thickening, collagen disorganization, and focal loss of the spongiosa in the CAVD group. Polarized picrosirius red staining demonstrated increased yellow-orange birefringence in the fibrotic and calcified regions, indicating altered collagen organization. Quantitative liquid chromatography?mass spectrometry analysis showed region-specific shifts toward an increased type III collagen proportion in fibrotic and calcific regions despite the reduced total collagen content in calcified areas. Collagen with improper triple-helical structure primarily accumulated around the calcified nodules, suggesting abnormal collagen turnover. Transmission electron microscopy revealed thinner and more heterogeneous collagen fibrils in lesioned regions than that in pre-lesional region. In normal valves, immunohistochemistry suggested that the hyaluronan-versican-fibrillin complex contributes to local regulation of Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) activity via latent TGF-β binding proteins (LTBP); however, this regulatory structure was disrupted in CAVD. Notably, LTBP-4 showed strong, regionally restricted localization in the fibrotic and calcific regions and was positively correlated with collagen yellow-orange birefringence. Collectively, these findings indicate that CAVD is associated with a localized shift toward a structurally heterogeneous, type III collagen-enriched matrix, accompanied by collagen denaturation and abnormal accumulation of LTBP-4, highlighting ECM dysregulation as a key feature of disease progression. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KemmochiReiko en-aut-sei=Kemmochi en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiHaruko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Haruko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TagaYuki en-aut-sei=Taga en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiNaoki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakafumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkemuraKentaro en-aut-sei=Ikemura en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiTakako en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Takako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoKazunori en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoMitsuaki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Mitsuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OohashiToshitaka en-aut-sei=Oohashi en-aut-mei=Toshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Nippi Research Institute of Biomatrix kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Nippi Research Institute of Biomatrix kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Calcific aortic valve disease kn-keyword=Calcific aortic valve disease en-keyword=Extracellular matrix kn-keyword=Extracellular matrix en-keyword=Type III collagen kn-keyword=Type III collagen en-keyword=TGF-β1 kn-keyword=TGF-β1 en-keyword=Latent TGF-β binding protein-4 kn-keyword=Latent TGF-β binding protein-4 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=288 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=108478 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydrogen-lean two-stage upgrading of highly acidic palm acid oil via decoupled acid reduction and deoxygenation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Upgrading highly acidic waste lipids into liquid hydrocarbons under limited hydrogen availability remains challenging due to catalyst deactivation, excessive cracking, and poor process stability. Palm acid oil (PAO), characterized by extremely high free fatty acid content, represents a particularly demanding feedstock. This study proposes a hydrogen-lean two-stage upgrading strategy that decouples acid value (AV) reduction from hydrocarbon formation through staged reactor operation. In the first stage, batch pretreatment under low hydrogen pressure (initial 0.1 MPa) enabled rapid apparent AV reduction. However, increasing temperature promoted thermally driven degradation, highlighting intrinsic limitations of single-stage severity intensification. Methanol-assisted pretreatment further decreased AV mainly through esterification and formation of oxygenated intermediates. In the second stage, hydrogen-free fixed-bed upgrading over oxide-based catalysts exhibited a distinct operating window near 365 °C, where stable condensed liquid recoveries of 50?60 wt% were obtained. Deoxygenation proceeded predominantly via decarbonylation/decarboxylation pathways. Among the catalysts investigated, ZrO??Co showed superior stability and lower residual AV. Overall, reactor staging enabled AV reductions exceeding 90% within 1.5?2 h while maintaining stable liquid recovery, demonstrating an effective upgrading strategy for highly acidic waste lipids under hydrogen-lean conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NogeHirofumi en-aut-sei=Noge en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoYoshie en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Yoshie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YahyaWira Jazair en-aut-sei=Yahya en-aut-mei=Wira Jazair kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Abd KadirHasannuddin en-aut-sei=Abd Kadir en-aut-mei=Hasannuddin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasunagaSachi en-aut-sei=Masunaga en-aut-mei=Sachi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate school of education, Okayama university kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of comprehensive technical solutions, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Home Economics, Kyoto Women's University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Sustainable Transport HICoE, University Teknologi Malaysia kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of comprehensive technical solutions, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Palm acid oil kn-keyword=Palm acid oil en-keyword=Two-stage upgrading kn-keyword=Two-stage upgrading en-keyword=Hydrogen-lean deoxygenation kn-keyword=Hydrogen-lean deoxygenation en-keyword=Fixed-bed reactor kn-keyword=Fixed-bed reactor en-keyword=Acid value reduction kn-keyword=Acid value reduction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=51 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114910 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202602 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Optical spectroscopic evaluation on the acquisition of optimal sonication temperature for efficient liquid phase exfoliation of molybdenum disulfide en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This work investigates how the sonication temperature affects the liquid phase exfoliation of MoS? using optical and morphological approach in attempt to acquire an optimal temperature for such process at ambient room conditions. In an ultrasonic bath, exfoliation was carried out at six different temperatures. UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and SEM characterizations reveal that moderate room temperature range yield excellent results producing well-dispersed flakes with strong excitonic properties with mild oxidation. Higher temperatures cause substantial oxidation, deterioration and restacking while lower temperatures led to insufficient exfoliation and fragmented morphologies because of insufficient cavitation energy. The findings highlight the importance of temperature control in producing high quality nanosheets for scalable applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AbdullahFatimah Az-Zahra Saravanan binti en-aut-sei=Abdullah en-aut-mei=Fatimah Az-Zahra Saravanan binti kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeWengnam en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Wengnam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=?hbergPatrik en-aut-sei=?hberg en-aut-mei=Patrik kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GohBoontong en-aut-sei=Goh en-aut-mei=Boontong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChongWuyi en-aut-sei=Chong en-aut-mei=Wuyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AhmadHarith en-aut-sei=Ahmad en-aut-mei=Harith kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiYasuhiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikawaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Nishikawa en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YapYuenkiat en-aut-sei=Yap en-aut-mei=Yuenkiat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Foundation Center, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Low Dimensional Materials Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Photonics Research Center, University of Malaya kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Photonics Research Center, University of Malaya kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Foundation Center, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia kn-affil= en-keyword=MoS2 kn-keyword=MoS2 en-keyword=Liquid phase exfoliation kn-keyword=Liquid phase exfoliation en-keyword=Cavitation kn-keyword=Cavitation en-keyword=Oxidation kn-keyword=Oxidation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=99 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=uoag070 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260529 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis of boranils by iodide-mediated demethylative borylation and their properties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boranils, difluoroboron complexes with imine and phenoxy moieties, were synthesized by iodide-promoted demethylative borylation. The use of appropriate amounts of BF3?OEt2, Bu4NI, and Et3N enabled the highly efficient synthesis of boranils. Boranils containing heteroaromatics and highly π-extended boranils were also readily obtained by this method. Their physical properties were studied, and the properties were consistent with those calculated by DFT calculations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MitsudoKoichi en-aut-sei=Mitsudo en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MagataRyo en-aut-sei=Magata en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoEisuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Eisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTomoya en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakamiyaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Wakamiya en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaSeiji en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=boranil kn-keyword=boranil en-keyword=boron kn-keyword=boron en-keyword=demethylative borylation kn-keyword=demethylative borylation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260512 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Revised taxonomy reveals sustained introgression and secondary contact in ancient lake ricefishes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Biotic diversification in ancient lakes is shaped by complex geological histories and genetic exchange among populations. The Malili Lake system on Sulawesi Island represents a classic natural laboratory for studying freshwater fish evolution and harbors multiple endemic Oryzias species that diversified under repeated hydrological reorganizations. Previous genomic analyses inferred that two sympatric species in Lake Towuti (O. profundicola and O. loxolepis) experienced a single ancient introgression event from a “ghost lineage” derived from O. marmoratus inhabiting another lake. However, recent taxonomic re-evaluation has revealed the presence of an extant O. marmoratus population within Lake Towuti itself. This finding suggests that the putative ghost lineage may in fact represent a living population co-occurring in the lake, calling for a re-examination of the introgression history and speciation mode in Lake Towuti.
Results By incorporating newly generated ddRAD-seq data from the true O. marmoratus in Lake Towuti, we reanalyzed phylogenetic relationships and population genetic structure among Malili Lake Oryzias. Previously reported major phylogenetic relationships and inter-lake introgression patterns were largely reproduced. In contrast, TreeMix and f4-statistic analyses revealed that introgression signals previously attributed to a “ghost lineage” into O. profundicola and O. loxolepis instead originated from the extant O. marmoratus population coexisting within Lake Towuti. Demographic model comparisons explicitly incorporating within-lake gene flow further supported a scenario in which O. profundicola and O. loxolepis diverged in allopatry, subsequently came into secondary contact within Lake Towuti, and later experienced additional gene flow following secondary contact with O. marmoratus that entered the lake.
Conclusion Our results demonstrate that introgression from the O. marmoratus lineage into O. profundicola and O. loxolepis was not a single ancient event, but rather a more sustained process. This finding highlights the critical importance of taxonomic resolution for accurately inferring introgression and divergence history. Comparative studies across other ancient lakes on Sulawesi will be valuable for understanding how the timing and nature of gene flow from third lineages influence patterns of population divergence and the strength of reproductive isolation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YashimaYuki en-aut-sei=Yashima en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NofriantoAndy B. en-aut-sei=Nofrianto en-aut-mei=Andy B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NuryadiHandung en-aut-sei=Nuryadi en-aut-mei=Handung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiokaRyo en-aut-sei=Kakioka en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHirozumi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hirozumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnsaiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Ansai en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MandagiIxchel F. en-aut-sei=Mandagi en-aut-mei=Ixchel F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasengiKawilarang W. A. en-aut-sei=Masengi en-aut-mei=Kawilarang W. A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=LawelleSjamsu A. en-aut-sei=Lawelle en-aut-mei=Sjamsu A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoAtsushi J. en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Atsushi J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusumiJunko en-aut-sei=Kusumi en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamahiraKazunori en-aut-sei=Yamahira en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Aquabiology, National Fisheries University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The Natural History Museum and Institute kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Sam Ratulangi University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Sam Ratulangi University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Halu Oleo University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus kn-affil= en-keyword=Demography kn-keyword=Demography en-keyword=Hybridization kn-keyword=Hybridization en-keyword=Malili Lakes kn-keyword=Malili Lakes en-keyword=Oryzias kn-keyword=Oryzias en-keyword=Speciation kn-keyword=Speciation en-keyword=Sulawesi kn-keyword=Sulawesi END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260220 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Bulletin of Cultural Heritage Management Division Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations Okayama University 2024 kn-title=岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門紀要2024 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=山口雄治 kn-aut-sei=山口 kn-aut-mei=雄治 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=柴田亮 kn-aut-sei=柴田 kn-aut-mei=亮 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=野ｱ貴博 kn-aut-sei=野ｱ kn-aut-mei=貴博 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=宇田津徹朗 kn-aut-sei=宇田津 kn-aut-mei=徹朗 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=鈴木茂之 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=茂之 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=白石純 kn-aut-sei=白石 kn-aut-mei=純 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=パレオ・ラボAMS年代測定グループ kn-aut-sei=パレオ・ラボAMS年代測定グループ kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name= en-aut-sei= en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=岩ｱ志保 kn-aut-sei=岩ｱ kn-aut-mei=志保 aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門 affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門 affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=宮崎大学農学部 affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学名誉教授 affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=元岡山理科大学 affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学文明動態学研究所文化遺産マネジメント部門 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=368 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e70571 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis of Aromatic Aldehydes by C─H Formylation of Aromatics with Silyl Formates Prepared from CO2 and Hydrosilanes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Despite the recent remarkable progress in CO2 fixation reactions, the methods for the synthesis of aldehydes from CO2 are quite limited partly because of the lability of the resulting formyl group and difficulty in the controlled deoxygenative CO2 conversions leading to C─H and C─C bond formation. Here, we have developed the direct C─H formylation of electron-rich aromatics using silyl formates, prepared from CO2 and hydrosilanes, in the presence of BCl3 or BBr3. This is the first report on the direct C─H formylation of aromatics with silyl formates. Useful compounds including a biologically active compound and octaethylporphyrin were synthesized by fixing one to four CO2 molecules in a stepwise manner. DFT calculations have been done to elucidate the reaction mechanism including a dual role of BBr3 in the activation of silyl formate, HCO2SiMe2Ph, and electrophilic aromatic substitution. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NittaNatsumi en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirokawaKei en-aut-sei=Hirokawa en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaibaraSo en-aut-sei=Saibara en-aut-mei=So kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NathBikash Dev en-aut-sei=Nath en-aut-mei=Bikash Dev kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaishiKazuto en-aut-sei=Takaishi en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=aldehydes kn-keyword=aldehydes en-keyword=carbon dioxide fixation kn-keyword=carbon dioxide fixation en-keyword=CO2 reduction kn-keyword=CO2 reduction en-keyword=formylation kn-keyword=formylation en-keyword=hydrosilylation kn-keyword=hydrosilylation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=2134 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260615 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Toward Convergence in Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning: Best-Response Space Shrinking as a Sufficient Condition en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We study convergence in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) through the lens of sufficient conditions, using a single-point-of-failure analysis applied to multi-agent policy iteration integrated with linear programming (MAPI-LP), where results are proven for pure coordination games, and extension to broader settings is conjectured. We identify two sufficient conditions for convergence to Markov Perfect Equilibrium (MPE). The first is stability in best-response space that emerges from value monotonicity. The second, monotonic best-response space shrinking (MBRSS), is a novel condition requiring that each agent’s best-response space contracts monotonically across iterations until it collapses to a stable space. Furthermore, we show that MBRSS does not necessarily imply monotonic improvement in this setting. However, value monotonicity and stability in best-response space imply each other when a complementary condition is applied. Building on this hierarchical relationship, we propose conjectures on sufficient condition relationships in both serial and parallel MARL. In addition, we propose conjectures on generalized MBRSS to arbitrary finite repeated games and validation of stability in best-response space. We further discuss connections between MBRSS and existing related frameworks, and outline directions toward a taxonomy of sufficient conditions for MARL convergence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ManatphaiboonNatchanon en-aut-sei=Manatphaiboon en-aut-mei=Natchanon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MondenAkito en-aut-sei=Monden en-aut-mei=Akito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Y?celZeynep en-aut-sei=Y?cel en-aut-mei=Zeynep kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’Foscari University of Venice kn-affil= en-keyword=sufficient condition kn-keyword=sufficient condition en-keyword=convergence analysis kn-keyword=convergence analysis en-keyword=Markov perfect equilibrium kn-keyword=Markov perfect equilibrium en-keyword=multi-agent reinforcement learning kn-keyword=multi-agent reinforcement learning en-keyword=best-response dynamics kn-keyword=best-response dynamics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=51 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100972 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202602 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Highly sensitive detection of cancer cells using a voltage-tuned terahertz chemical microscope en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Terahertz chemical microscopy (TCM) is a promising label-free technique for detecting biochemical interactions by monitoring changes in terahertz (THz) wave emission from semiconductor sensing plates. However, quantitative biological detection has been hindered by large plate-to-plate variations originating from uncontrolled depletion-layer electric fields formed during fabrication. These variations shift the response curve of THz amplitude and reduce reproducibility and sensitivity. Here, we introduce a voltage-tuned sensing plate that allows direct control of the depletion-layer electric field by applying a bias voltage to the Si layer of the sensing plate. This enables deliberate adjustment of surface potential and alignment of the THz response curve to the region of highest gain. Using lung adenocarcinoma cells (PC9) captured via AE1/AE3 antibodies targeting specific cell-surface antigens, we demonstrate that voltage tuning enhances detection sensitivity by up to 50-fold and restores linearity between THz amplitude and the logarithm of cell concentration, even in plates with negligible response at 0 V. These findings establish voltage control as a simple, universally applicable strategy to stabilize TCM performance, reduce fabrication-induced variability, and improve analytical sensitivity for biosensing and materials-analysis applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DingXue en-aut-sei=Ding en-aut-mei=Xue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhmiYuto en-aut-sei=Ohmi en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueHirofumi en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Support, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Terahertz chemical microscopy kn-keyword=Terahertz chemical microscopy en-keyword=Voltage tuning kn-keyword=Voltage tuning en-keyword=Cancer cells kn-keyword=Cancer cells en-keyword=Surface potential kn-keyword=Surface potential END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=229 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=jeb251318 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Insulin-like peptide has antagonistic pleiotropic effects on male combat traits and survival traits in an armed beetle en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The expression of sexually selected traits, such as exaggerated weapons and ornaments, often entails trade-offs against life-history traits. While phenotypic trade-offs are well documented, the underlying molecular physiological mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the potential role of an insulin-like peptide, ILP2, in mediating the trade-off between sexually selected combat traits and survival traits in the broad-horned flour beetle, Gnatocerus cornutus. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown (KD) of ILP2 during larval stages resulted in a reduction in the development of mandibular horns and overall body size. Interestingly, ILP2 KD males had increased lipid storage and enhanced starvation tolerance, indicating a shift in resource allocation from sexually selected traits to survival traits. Behaviorally, ILP2 KD males showed decreased locomotor activity and reduced aggression, leading to lower combat success. These findings suggest that ILP2 functions as a key mediator in the allocation of resources between combat and survival traits, highlighting its pleiotropic effects on morphology, metabolism and behavior. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular physiological mechanisms underlying life-history trade-offs associated with sexually selected traits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoTakumi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshimineChiho en-aut-sei=Yoshimine en-aut-mei=Chiho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsukiMasako en-aut-sei=Katsuki en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaKensuke en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaYasukazu en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Yasukazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e0339600 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Early administration of renin?angiotensin system inhibitors improves survival and cardiac remodeling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cardiovascular disease that accounts for 50% of all cases of heart failure. Patients with HFpEF have limited therapeutic options because of the complex pathogenesis of this disease. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels and increased renin?angiotensin system (RAS) activity may be associated with HFpEF pathogenesis. However, whether soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators and RAS inhibitors protect against HFpEF remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of RAS inhibitors captopril (Cap) and/or sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) and sGC stimulator vericiguat (Ver) on HFpEF progression. HFpEF was induced in 8-week-old male Wistar rats through intake of L-arginine methyl ester and a high-fat diet. Results showed that the survival rate after 8 weeks of treatment was 100% in the normal diet (Cont group), Cap, and Sac/Val groups, whereas it was approximately 20% in the HFpEF and Ver groups. No significant differences in the left ventricular systolic function were found. In addition, histochemistry revealed that myocardial hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis obviously increased in the HFpEF group but not in the Cap and Sac/Val groups compared with the Cont group. Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis showed that the expression of genes related to inflammatory response, hypertrophy, and extracellular matrix?receptor interaction increased in the HFpEF group and decreased in the Cap and Sac/Val groups. In conclusion, early administration of Cap or Sac/Val may reduce the risk of developing HFpEF by inhibiting the RAS pathway rather than the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KonoYuka en-aut-sei=Kono en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SonodaKunihiro en-aut-sei=Sonoda en-aut-mei=Kunihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtakeKazuo en-aut-sei=Ohtake en-aut-mei=Kazuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaAkinobu en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=Akinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShusei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaHinako en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Hinako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuokaTaketo en-aut-sei=Fukuoka en-aut-mei=Taketo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiYuki en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TagoHaruka en-aut-sei=Tago en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeNobuhisa en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Nobuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamoriKazuya en-aut-sei=Kitamori en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShogo en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collage of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Josai University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Collage of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Academic Field of Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Academic Field of Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Collage of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Academic Field of Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1759690 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260309 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of a generative AI agent for family support in implementing family-based treatment for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Family-based treatment (FBT) is a first-line psychotherapy for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, families must understand the principles of FBT, provide meal support, and manage their children's pathological behaviors. Difficulties occur outside clinic hours when it is impossible to consult professionals. This “support gap” increases caregivers’ psychological distress and threatens their treatment continuity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first domain-specific generative artificial intelligence (AI) agent designed to provide situation-specific, FBT-concordant advice and psychological support.
Methods: The system integrates three components: (1) an FBT-specific knowledge base constructed from treatment manuals, family guides, guideline-compliant resources, and a clinical Q&A corpus; (2) a multistage natural language processing pipeline using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), with intent and sentiment analyses; and (3) safety guardrails that prohibit unsolicited numerical goals or direct hospitalization recommendations and standardized escalation to clinicians. When strong negative emotions are detected, empowerment messages are dynamically incorporated to maintain caregivers’ confidence. Six clinicians with expertise with pediatric mental health authored queries that simulated common FBT-related concerns and evaluated each response for clinical appropriateness and safety, and classified problems as information insufficiency, not FBT concordant, or escalation insufficiency.
Results: Of the 477 queries, 57.0% were FBT-related, 24.5% were general AN, 16.5% were parental psychological distress, and 1.8% were related to other topics. The clinically appropriate response rate was 91.6% (437/477), including 92.3% for FBT-related questions, 88.0% for general knowledge, 93.7% for psychological distress, and 100.0% for other questions. Clinically inappropriate responses (8.4%) were mainly attributable to information insufficiency; not FBT concordant (1.8% of FBT-related responses) and escalation insufficiency (0.6% of all dialogs) rarely occurred.
Discussion: In this expert review, the safety-gated RAG system predominantly generated FBT-concordant responses that provided meal-level guidance and empathic empowerment-oriented support to families. By proceduralizing complex FBT concepts and presenting multiple response options for pathological behaviors, the system translates FBT principles into practical guidance supporting refeeding adherence, preserving family self-efficacy, and suggesting that domain-specific AI may help bridge structural limitations in FBT. Usability studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted to determine their impact on caregiver burden, self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaAyumi en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaChie en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuYoshie en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Yoshie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiChikako en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriuchiMakiko en-aut-sei=Horiuchi en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiharaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugihara en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiKoichi en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYasushi en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Support Technology Development, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Clinical Psychology Section, Department of Medical Support, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Life Natural Science and Technology, Graduate School of Environmental, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Health Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=NEC Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Medical Center for Children kn-affil= en-keyword=anorexia nervosa kn-keyword=anorexia nervosa en-keyword=caregiver burden kn-keyword=caregiver burden en-keyword=family support kn-keyword=family support en-keyword=family-based treatment kn-keyword=family-based treatment en-keyword=generative AI agent kn-keyword=generative AI agent en-keyword=large language model kn-keyword=large language model en-keyword=retrieval-augmented generation kn-keyword=retrieval-augmented generation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=2026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Unraveling the structural features of Dion?Jacobson-type layered perovskite-related material HCa2Nb3O10?1.5H2O en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Hydrated layered oxides are widely encountered, yet the presence of disordered interlayer water often complicates crystal structure determination from laboratory X-ray diffraction. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Dion?Jacobson-type layered perovskite-related material HCa2Nb3O10?1.5H2O, solved from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data by combining direct methods in reciprocal space, Le Bail whole-pattern fitting, and Rietveld refinement. The hydrate crystallizes in a tetragonal structure with space group P42212 (a = 7.7070(5) ?, c = 32.4870(3) ?). Incorporation of partially occupied interlayer water-oxygen sites on the (110) plane at z = 0 and 1/2 successfully reproduces the low-angle 00l reflections while preserving the Ca2Nb3O10 framework. The resulting crystallographic model explicitly resolves the arrangement of interlayer water molecules and provides a robust structural foundation for band-structure calculations as well as for the rational design of hydration-controlled intercalation, exfoliation, and composite materials based on layered perovskite-related materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangZihao en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Zihao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanoJun en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaShu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Shu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimokawaHiromu en-aut-sei=Shimokawa en-aut-mei=Hiromu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsadaMinoru en-aut-sei=Osada en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Materials Chemistry and Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS), Nagoya University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100163 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Heteroarylation of mono- and dichloroarenes via phenothiazine organophotoredox catalysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=2-Arylpyrroles are key structural motifs found in a wide range of pharmaceuticals and functional materials. Although the photocatalytic heteroarylation of pyrroles with aryl iodides and bromides has been extensively developed for the synthesis of 2-arylpyrroles, the corresponding reactions using aryl chlorides remain relatively unexplored owing to the high energy barrier associated with C(sp2)?Cl bond activation. Herein, we report a phenothiazine-based organophotoredox-catalyzed heteroarylation of aryl chlorides with pyrroles for the synthesis of diverse 2-arylpyrroles. Notably, dichloroarenes also efficiently undergo heteroarylation to afford the corresponding products. Therefore, the present reaction represents a versatile approach to heteroarylation and provides a valuable tool for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and functional materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OishiMasato en-aut-sei=Oishi en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Heteroarylation kn-keyword=Heteroarylation en-keyword=Photoredox catalysis kn-keyword=Photoredox catalysis en-keyword=Aryl chloride kn-keyword=Aryl chloride en-keyword=Phenothiazine kn-keyword=Phenothiazine en-keyword=Visible light kn-keyword=Visible light END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=pcag055 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260428 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Involvement of tRNA thiolation in uORF-mediated translational regulation during Xylogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Post-transcriptional modification of tRNAs is an important mechanism for regulating translation efficiency and cellular homeostasis, yet its contribution to upstream open reading frame (uORF)-mediated translational control remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of tRNA thiolation in thermospermine-dependent regulation of xylem development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using a suppressor screen of the thermospermine-deficient mutant acaulis5 (acl5), which exhibits dwarfism and excessive xylem differentiation, we identified suppressor-of-acl502 (sac502) as a recessive loss-of-function allele of CTU2, a gene encoding a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the wobble uridine modification 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine. Mutations in other components of the same modification pathway, including ROL5 and TRM9, similarly suppressed the acl5 phenotype. Translational analyses using 5′ leader-GUS reporter constructs revealed that the ctu2 mutation did not enhance translation of the mRNA containing a thermospermine-responsive uORF of SAC51, but instead significantly reduced translation of that of SACL3, a member of the SAC51 family, and that of LONESOME HIGHWAY (LHW), which contains another conserved uORF in the 5′ leader region. Polysome profiling further demonstrated decreased association of SACL3 and LHW mRNAs with actively translating ribosomes in ctu2. Genetic interaction analyses supported the conclusion that the suppression of excessive xylem formation in acl5 by ctu2 is attributable to reduced LHW activity. In addition, ctu2 mutants displayed increased sensitivity to exogenous thermospermine, resembling the response of lhw mutants. Together, our results reveal that tRNA thiolation contributes to uORF-mediated translational regulation of key developmental regulators and identify tRNA modification as an important regulatory layer controlling vascular development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishiiYuichi en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiDaichi en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaraumiMitsuru en-aut-sei=Saraumi en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiTaku en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Arabidopsis kn-keyword=Arabidopsis en-keyword=mRNA translation kn-keyword=mRNA translation en-keyword=thermospermine kn-keyword=thermospermine en-keyword=tRNA thiolation kn-keyword=tRNA thiolation en-keyword=uOR kn-keyword=uOR END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=223 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=108646 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reticulate evolution, introgression, and recent diversification in Epimedium sect. Macroceras en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KusatakeEmi en-aut-sei=Kusatake en-aut-mei=Emi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonishiMomoka en-aut-sei=Konishi en-aut-mei=Momoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomokuniShuto en-aut-sei=Tomokuni en-aut-mei=Shuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYosuke en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KariyamaShungo en-aut-sei=Kariyama en-aut-mei=Shungo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItohTakehito en-aut-sei=Itoh en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimSeung-Chul en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Seung-Chul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimuraMakiko en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Society of Kurashiki Museum of Natural History kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Phylogenomics kn-keyword=Phylogenomics en-keyword=Introgression kn-keyword=Introgression en-keyword=Evolutionary radiation kn-keyword=Evolutionary radiation en-keyword=Pleistocene kn-keyword=Pleistocene en-keyword=Ecological divergence kn-keyword=Ecological divergence en-keyword=Reticulate evolution kn-keyword=Reticulate evolution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=408 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=117978 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A flexible PVDF-based galloping flow sensor en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuroseMitsuki en-aut-sei=Kurose en-aut-mei=Mitsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYuya en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiejimaShinji en-aut-sei=Hiejima en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaTakeji en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Takeji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Hydro-VENUS Co., Ltd., Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flow velocity sensor kn-keyword=Flow velocity sensor en-keyword=Piezoelectric polymer kn-keyword=Piezoelectric polymer en-keyword=Flow induced vibration kn-keyword=Flow induced vibration en-keyword=Galloping vibration kn-keyword=Galloping vibration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=408 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=117938 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Tip position estimation of a 3-DOF soft mechanism using artificial muscles with optical fibers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaRikimaru en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Rikimaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraShun en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Shun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Pneumatic artificial muscle kn-keyword=Pneumatic artificial muscle en-keyword=Smart artificial muscle kn-keyword=Smart artificial muscle en-keyword=Soft mechanism kn-keyword=Soft mechanism en-keyword=State estimation kn-keyword=State estimation en-keyword=Long short-term memory kn-keyword=Long short-term memory END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=26007 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260601 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Understory Vegetation Structure in Remnant Natural Forests and Acacia Plantations on Coastal Sand Dunes in North Central Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DoanTuan Quoc en-aut-sei=Doan en-aut-mei=Tuan Quoc kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTetsuya K. en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhTai Tien en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Tai Tien kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeHung Thai en-aut-sei=Le en-aut-mei=Hung Thai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoTuan Ngoc Anh en-aut-sei=Ho en-aut-mei=Tuan Ngoc Anh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MikiNaoko H. en-aut-sei=Miki en-aut-mei=Naoko H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoHoang Thai Dac en-aut-sei=Ho en-aut-mei=Hoang Thai Dac kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirobeMuneto en-aut-sei=Hirobe en-aut-mei=Muneto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ibaraki University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Hue University, University of Agriculture and Forestry kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Hue Union of Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA) kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=natural forest kn-keyword=natural forest en-keyword=Acacia plantation kn-keyword=Acacia plantation en-keyword=coastal sand dunes forest kn-keyword=coastal sand dunes forest en-keyword=diversity kn-keyword=diversity en-keyword=understory vegetation kn-keyword=understory vegetation en-keyword=life forms kn-keyword=life forms en-keyword=environmental factor kn-keyword=environmental factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260606 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Uniqueness of Dirichlet forms for random point fields in the absence of tail triviality en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawamotoYosuke en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil= en-keyword=Infinite particle systems kn-keyword=Infinite particle systems en-keyword=Interacting Brownian motions kn-keyword=Interacting Brownian motions en-keyword=Uniqueness of Dirichlet forms kn-keyword=Uniqueness of Dirichlet forms en-keyword=Random matrices kn-keyword=Random matrices END